The biggest centre console bowriders that money can buy

The genre has developed over time to at one stage become the best-selling boat segment in Australia with the Quintrex Freestyler range of boats.

However, there is another category of boat that makes an even better use of the bowrider concept – the maxi-rider. We’re talking maximum-sized centre consoles with forward lounges that create large social zones with space for a crowd.

Behind them, these boats all tend to feature high-end fit-outs and staggering amounts of horsepower to push them from marina to anchorage.

What are these boats? Let’s take a look at some of the best of the best.

According to the Tennessee-based HCB, it has created a new class of boats called the “mega centre console”. That’s because its largest model, the Estrella stretches almost 20 metres from its plush bow lounge up front to the back of the fishing-focussed cockpit built into the stern – you almost need a cut lunch to go from one end to the other..

The numbers on this thing are hard to fathom. The length is 19.8 metres, while the beam stretches 4.9 metres to give the Estrella a long, low profile.

The telling thing about this centre console is that it has no upper horsepower rating. Engine choices run from a low of five 425hp V8 Yamaha XTO Offshore outboard engines giving a combined 2125hp all the way up to six 600hp Mercury V12 Verados giving a combined 3600hp.

Up front is what HCB describes as a “European-inspired bow seating area” It comprises a forward-facing two-seater lounge built into the front of the long centre console coachhouse and a large U-shaped bow lounge that includes a drop-down table that, with the help of infill cushions, creates an enormous sun bed.

With 18.2 metres of real estate, the Midnight Express Pied-A-Mer is one big centre console model. But interestingly, it’s a boat that gives more thought to life below decks than it does a party up front.

Yep, the bow lounge on this boat is a bit of a disappointment, comprising a U-shaped lounge wrapped around the bow and facing a forward-looking two-seater lounge built into the front of the console coachhouse. You can add a table that rises up from the floor, and that can also drop down to form a large sunbed with the help of a set of infill cushions.

You’ll understand why the bow lounge is understated as soon as you duck downstairs and find a sunken lounge-style space featuring a galley with a long seat behind it, a fully enclosed bathroom and a forward owner’s suite. 

This is another bullet-shaped boat, with a narrow 4.6 metre beam. Engine choices run from inboard diesel-powered surface drives that can push the boat along at around 80 knots to fove or six Mercury Racing 500R outboard engines producing a maximum combined 3000hp. You can also step down to five or six 400Rs if that is your want.

Few boats make a statement on the water like the Valhalla V-55. Valhalla is the centre-console offshoot of sports yacht specialist Viking, better known for its range of towered bluewater sportsfishers.

The Valhalla is a beautifully shaped boa, featuring a bow that is wider than the transom. You’d think that this would imbue the V-55 with one of the best bow lounges on the market, but, well, that’s not quite the case here.

The bow lounge is split between benches that run on either side of the bow, with a deck-level space in between that provides easy access to the chain locker built into the forepeak. They’re big enough for one person to use as a sun lounge, or three people to sit side-by-side.

Behind it, built into the front of the coachhouse over the below-deck space, is a forward-facing three-seater sunbed.

The reason the Valhalla V-55’s bow lounge is rather underwhelming is probably answered if you count the number of fishing rod holders spread around the boat – they are everywhere. Yep, this boat is first and foremost a sportsfisher, with entertainment relegated to a U-shaped lounge behind the four-seat helm station, and an aft-facing two-seat bench looking out over the transom.

Engine choices here are four 600hp Mercury V12 Verado outboards with a combined 2400hp.

Special mention has to go to a boat that helped to kick the whole mega centre console craze off – the 16.2-metre Scout 530 LFX.

The LFX is meant to be the absolute best of Scout’s best. It’s a centre console that can also now come with an open flybridge if you want one.

It’s a member of Scout’s S-Class lion of boats, meaning it houses the highest level of luxury including a hull made from a mix of carbonfibre and fibreglass.

The bow lounge on this boat features a large U-shaped bench that is surprisingly wide, helped in part by a bow that flares out as it runs forward. It sits in front of a wide three-person sun bench with armrests and drink holders, which create a large chill-out zone in front of the console.

This boat is heavily weighted towards entertainment, and it features a pair of fold-down coamings in the aft cockpit that greatly increases the amount of space aft for lounging or playing in the water.

Pushing the entire package through the water are a minimum of four 425hp Yamaha XTO Offshore outboard engines, with maximum power coming from four 600hp Mercury V12 Verado outboard engines for a total of 2400hp.