Spotlight: Sportsman Heritage 261 Centre Console

One of the newest brands brought into Australia is fibreglass saltwater specialist Sportaman. It hasn’t been around that long, but a constant evolution of the brand has seen it introduce a number of new models including the one we’re interested in here, the Heritage 261 Centre Console.

These universal centre consoles tend to follow a very familiar formula, with a comfy bow lounge up front that easily converts into a casting platform, a well-sheltered centre console that includes space below for a changeroom and a toilet, and walk-through transoms that make it easy to access the water.

The Sportsman Heritage 261 Centre Console is a new addition to the range, upping the luxury game so the family doesn’t feel robbed each time they step onboard, but with enough hidden features to keep the angling-mad members on side.

Sportsman’s Heritage line of boats is also sold as dedicated fishing boats under the brand’s Open line.

The main difference that this boat has over its rivals is that it is built with twin side access doors. That means you can pull up against a floating jetty on either side of the boat, and there’s no messy clambering over the gunnels to get on and off the boat.

Another innovative family feature with the Sportsman Heritage 261 Centre Console is its “Sandbar” mode that turns all the attention to the transom.

Made for anchoring, the helm’s twin captain’s chairs swivel around to face aft. Seatbacks and squabs also fit into the transom walk-through to convert them into rear-facing seats, with a swim ladder on either side of the transom.

Up front, with the cushions and seatbacks in place the bow of the boat is designed for entertainment, with clean looks via an anchor built into the stem of the bow, reducing the visual clutter and keeping chain and rode well out of reach of small hands.

Once the cushions are out of the way, there are two large fish boxes on either side lf the bow. An optional drop-down table converts the entire bow into a large sun lounge if the cushions remain, or a casting platform.

Almost the entire boat has bolsters built in around the topsides, making it comfortable to walk alongside on a rough day, or work a fish. Two large fish boxes are also built in under the sidedecks along each side of the centre console.

Rod storage is built into gunwales that also feature a toe rail, and for rod holders are recessed into the topsides. The centre console also has rocket launchers built into its trailing edge.

The front of the console also has a jump seat that lifts up to reveal an icebox, while a second storage box aft acts as a footrest for the helm chairs when they face aft. One side of the transom features another icebox that can be accessed from the water.

Over the helm is a large T-top made from a frame that is a single extrusion rather than welded. Protecting the helm is a large tempered glass windscreen that has a drop-down portion up top to give airflow into the space.

The Sportsman Heritage 261 Centre Console also has two live bait tanks built into either side of the transom.

One feature we really like is that this boat comes with a second anchor tucked away in the transom, making it easy to anchor the boat up against a beach without grounding the bow.

Sportsman boats are sold in Australia via dealers such as Sydney’s Marina Bayside, located at Taren Point.