The top 10 fishing boats of 2021

Here's our alphabetical listing of the 10 best fishing boats of 2021 from local and overseas boat makers.

Arvor 805 Sportsfish

Arvor launched the Arvor 805 Sportsfish late in 2020. The second to largest of four enclosed cabin Sportsfish models, the 805 is a terrific craft for cool weather offshore fishing. 

The Arvor's uniquely European design is tailor-made for colder climates, but works well here in Australia as well. Having an enclosed, full shelter cabin and wheel-house allows the crew to comfortably travel long distances to wide offshore fishing grounds.

The Arvor 805 Sportsfish has a centreline length of 6.99 metres and a beam of 2.82 metres. This extreme width makes for a very large, functional interior, but does limit this craft to being kept at a marina or on a dry storage rack. 

The Arvor 805 Sportsfish has a moderate vee hull which is exceptionally safe, stable, and seaworthy in offshore waters. 

Key boat features include the enclosed, walk-around cabin with sheltered, three-seater wheelhouse; twin berth forward cabin with enclosed head compartment; a large, self-draining rear cockpit;  pull-out cockpit seating; sub-floor kill tanks; transom bait station with live well, bait board, rod holders, and more. 

The Arvor 805 Sportsfish is rated for single or twin outboard engines to 350hp. Our test boat was paired with a 300hp Mercury Verado four-stroke outboard engine that yielded a top speed of 41 knots. 

Bayliner Trophy T22 CX

Bayliner's new T22 CX is something of a cross-over fishing/family centre console, but it does have everything you need to head offshore sportfishing, including two massive live wells; there's one under the helm station lean seat, and a second tucked away under the transom bench seat. 

The Trophy has a stack of other fishing features such as the well-designed centre console helm station with port side offset controls and overhead bimini with rocket launcher.

Up at the bow, lure casters and fly fishermen will be happy with the bow seating area which converts into an elevated casting deck with storage lockers equipped with gas support struts. 

Family boaters will appreciate the aft transom bench seat, bow lounge, sun-pad, and the console changeroom/toilet compartment. 

Like the Arvor, the Bayliner's moderate vee hull is a little over-width (2.59m) for towing on Australian roads, so may be subject to towing restrictions. 

The extra-beam does boost the interior move-about space, however, making this boat feel larger than its 6.8-metre overall length. 

Rigged with the maximum power 300hp Mercury four-stroke outboard, our T22 CX Trophy test rig was blisteringly quick, achieving 47.1 knots at 5700rpm. 

Bonito 500 Centre Console

One of our most recent test boats, the Bonito 500 Centre console is all about fishing. 

No compromises have been made to this craft to make it family-friendly; our test boat did not even have a helm seat.

That said, the Bonito 500 is sold as a bare-bones boat upon which you can then add features and accessories to create your dream trailer boat. 

You can add bench seating and cushions to the front deck if you want a dual-purpose fishing/family boat - but equally, you can order it as a plain but functional and inexpensive fishing boat. 

Dominating the interior is an excellent centre console helm station, complete with port side offset controls, provision for a large flush-fitted electronics display, a short windshield, and a useful stainless steel grab rail. 

Up forward there is an elevated casting platform with storage lockers underneath. This platform is not moulded to the deck so you can leave it out if you would prefer to have more internal freeboard up at the bow. 

The moderate vee, all fibreglass and composite (no timber) hull beneath the Bonito 500 is pretty good at smoothing out the chop, whilst delivering excellent handling and performance along with a top speed of 35.3 knots with a 100hp Mercury outboard engine.  

Boston Whaler 220 Dauntless

The unsinkable Boston Whaler 220 Dauntless is right at the top of our 10 best fishing boats of the year. This impressively built and outfitted craft has a more modest vee deadrise hull than the purpose-built Outrage offshore boats, but you wouldn't pick this from its excellent performance. 

Not only is the Boston Whaler 220 Dauntless rock-solid stable, but it also cuts cleanly through bay chop and offshore swell to provide a terrific ride. 

More notably perhaps, there are no annoying squeaks, rattle or vibrations, even at this boat's top speed of 43.6 knots at 6000rpm.

The overhead fibreglass T-top is so well designed, constructed and supported by the powder-coated alloy framework that it just does not move.

The Boston Whaler 220 Dauntless is another fishing/family cross-over boat, complete with flip-up aft quarter seats which convent into mini-casting decks, as well as two large seating/sun pads up at the bow, one of which converts into a casting platform.

Other features include a superbly designed helm console with head compartment and spacious dash/fascia, along with a dual-width lean seat with a reversible backrest mounted above a large pressurised live well. 

The Boston Whaler 220 Dauntless is a pricey fishing/family boating package, but for inherent safety, performance and build quality, this versatile boat is hard to beat.

Haines Signature 640SF Side and Centre Console

We couldn't split the two new fishing models from leading Aussie fibreglass trailer boat builder Haines Signature. Both are excellent quality craft, made proudly to suit Australian boating and fishing applications. 

The two new models were unveiled to assembled journalists early this year. Both are built over the Haines Signature 640 series variable deadrise, concave-shaped, deep-vee hull that is both wonderfully soft-riding and stable.

The new Haines Signatures include the 640SF Side Console and the 640SF Centre Console. The latter, with its broad, dual-width centre console is the pick for offshore fishing, while the roomier side console boat will likely be preferred by inshore and coastal fishermen. 

Apart from the different helm consoles, the two new Haines Signatures are similar. Both have moulded, elevated bow and stern casting decks, wide, flat side coamings with padded bolsters, and the option for neat looking SeaDek flooring throughout. 

The two boats also have a transom live well, casting deck storage and insulated fish box, provision for an electric trolling motor and batteries, anchor well with reinforced "stand-on" hatch lid, along with multiple rod holders. 

The Haines Signature 640SF twins are rated for outboard engines to a maximum of 225hp and can achieve 40-knot performance with a 200hp outboard engine. 

Makocraft 531 Canyon Console

Tim Stessl's Makocraft has been on the rise this year, the company expanding into new premises to cater for burgeoning demand for its growing range of pressed and plate aluminium boats. 

Makocraft has a full range of boats available; customers can choose from car topper open boats through to a 6.3m plate alloy centre cabin.

A popular model in the mid range is the 531 Canyon Console we tested early in the year. 

Interestingly, the test rig was powered by a pair of Tohatsu 60hp four-stroke outboards, allowing the owner to fish remote locations with the reassurance of having a back-up engine.

The test boat performed admirably with the twin Tohatsu motors too, achieving a top speed just shy of 30 knots, but with heaps of poke in the mid range. 

You can expect similar performance with a single 90 - 100 hp motor. 

The 531 Canyon Console is traditional in design and layout - but practical for everything from impoundment fishing through to coastal sport fishing.

Key features include a double-width centre console helm station and lean-seat storage box; elevated bow casting deck; carpeted plywood flooring throughout; wide side decks; transom live well and storage cupboards; sub-floor kill tank; and a large cockpit with high freeboard and elevated side pockets.

Quintrex 481 Hornet

Australia's leading alloy boat brand, Quintrex has upgraded much of its boat range this year - including the purpose designed bream/bass/barra hunting Quintrex Hornet series.

We tested the first of the updated models, the 481 Hornet paired with a 115hp Mercury four-stroke outboard engine. 

Each of the new Hornet models is now fitted with the flared bottom Apex hull from the Frontier/Freestyler series. This pickle-fork shaped, flared bottom hull was introduced back in 2017, and provides a remarkably soft, dry, and stable ride. 

Internally the 481 Hornet has a revised interior featuring carpeted bow and stern casting decks; along with a compact poly plastic console helm station with enlarged fascia; three lift-out pedestal chairs; wide side decks; transom live bait tank; plus heaps of storage lockers.

For bay, harbour and impoundment fishing, the new 481 Hornet is very well equipped. 

There's also a Pro series model which comes with even more features, although you can option a standard boat individually. 

The 481 Hornet is rated for a single outboard between 75hp and 115hp. With the 115hp Mercury on the transom, this well-sorted boat rips along at 41 knots.

Quintrex 590 Ocean Spirit

The Quintrex Ocean Spirit cuddy cabins also received a makeover for 2021. We sampled the largest of three models, the Quintrex 590 Ocean Spirit, complete with a 150hp Mercury ProXS four-stroke outboard engine.

Upgrades to each of the Ocean Spirit models included smoother topsides with a revised graphics package, along with a new transom design, and the option for a feature-packed Pro series model.

The Ocean Spirit's stand-out feature is the high and spacious cabin with two large vinyl upholstered side berths which convert into a big double bed. 

Above decks, the helm station is plain, but functional, fronted by a pair of comfy bucket helm chairs. 

Anglers will appreciate the massive rear cockpit which stretches aft to a full-height transom with folding bench seat and underfloor storage.

The 590 Ocean Spirit is a sturdily made pressed alloy boat with a 4mm alloy bottom and transom and 3mm topsides. 

The upgraded Quintrex Blade hull underneath this boat provides a comfortable, stable ride, along with 41.7-knot performance with the big Mercury on the transom.

For a mix of fishing and family coastal boating, the Quintrex 590 Ocean Spirit is an excellent, affordable package.

Sea Fox 328 Commander

When we tested the 328 Commander earlier in the year, this behemoth of a centre console fishing boat was the flagship of the Sea Fox range. It has since been supplanted by the even more imposing 368 Commander.

There are now eight Commander models in the Sea Fox offshore console range. 

The 328 Commander we tested is a mighty fishing machine, complete with two huge transom live wells, sub floor insulated fish lockers, a total of 36 rod holders, and a helm lean-seat/bait station incorporating a bait/rigging table, and a pull-out cooler/ice box. 

Reconfigurable seating areas at the bow and the stern, along with a console head compartment allow this offshore boat to double as a family sports cruiser.

The dual-width, blacked-out helm console and fascia is well designed to accommodate dual multi-function displays, along with all the required engine instrumentation. 

Beneath the impressively arrayed deck, the Sea Fox Commander has a 22.5-degree deep vee hull which combines with the 3.25-metre-wide beam to provide a soft, stable ride.

The fine entry shape at the bow is topped by pronounced Carolina flare to shed spray and water away from the boat. 

Rigged with two 300hp Yamaha four-stroke V6 outboards, the 328 Commander is a true sports boats and offshore canyon runner, achieving a top speed of 45 knots.

Surtees 610 Game Fisher

Kiwi plate alloy boat builder Surtees produces some excellent fishing trailerboats including the hardtop cabin Game Fisher models.

We tested the entry model to this offshore boat range, the Surtees 610 Game Fisher paired with a Yamaha 130hp four-stroke outboard engine.

It might be the smallest of the Game Fisher models, but the 610 series boat is a capable offshore boat, whilst also being light enough to trailer behind a family-size vehicle. 

The Surtees 610 Game Fisher is a proper plate alloy boat, complete with a 5mm hull bottom and transom, 4mm topsides, and a 3mm cabin structure.

The 19-degree deadrise hull has a fine entry, broad chines and a water ballast system to boost stability at rest and improve handling in rough seas.  

When these craft are at rest, water fills a hollowed-out keel compartment. The resultant increase in hull displacement - whereby the hull settles down deeper into the water - stiffens the hull laterally for more stability, reducing sideways rocking.

The Surtees 610 Game Fisher's key features include the semi-enclosed hardtop cabin with forward vee-berth; modern helm and fascia design; large rear cockpit with SeaDek flooring, side storage pockets, and ample freeboard; as well as a transom live well; bait station; transom door; and elevated battery platform.