The top 10 new centre consoles for fishing and family boating

Australian's interest in U.S. centre console continues apace. Only most of the hot imagery is found in Instagram and Facebook — and online marine websites like boatsales.com.au, of course — where we follow such boating trends very closely.

You can see the that centre consoles feature highly in this search of our centre console news and boat reviews.

Not everyone made it into this Top 10 new centre console new launches article, which has been driven to a large degree by the advent of bigger 300hp-plus outboard engines.

Not long ago, if you had twin engines, you were big time. Today, triple, quad and even quintuplet racks of high horsepower four-stroke outboards have reset the performance bar.

In the U.S., production-made centre consoles now reach over 50ft. Amid the feverish interest in centre consoles in Australia, there is plenty to report. There are familiar brands returning to the local scene, new brands looking to find a niche, new expressions of centre consoles as expedition-style boats aboard which you can cook, shower, and stay overnight, and more hot sportfishing rigs than we've seen before.

All of which has furthered the reach of the centre console boat, broadened its appeal and created a new genre of hardcore fishing boats that can also double for softcore family duties. The open-bow centre console with forward seating is challenging the bowrider as a family boat.

Meantime, here are 10 of the best fibreglass centre consoles that have cross our path in recent months, either by way of a test drive, via news of their impending arrival, and from press information trumpeting the launch of newer, bigger, faster, fishier and more far-ranging new centre console models.

Grady-White has produced its biggest and most sophisticated sportfisher ever - the Canyon 456 with quad 350hp outboard engines, 32 rod holders dotted about a maxi centre console layout, and a step-down air-conditioned open-plan cabin with diesel generator autonomy and comforts.

But unlike a lot of re-imagine outboard-powered sportfishers, the new flagship Grady-White Canyon 456 centre console remains a more richly appointed and technologically advanced bluewater tournament fishing boat than the production-built outboard-powered all-rounders built by social-boat brands.

From the beginning, the Canyon 456 was created for those seasoned captains looking for the top-of-the-line alternative to traditional luxury sportfishing yachts, whether moving up from a boat they've outgrown or transitioning from a large inboard.

The Canyon 456 is said to offer a perfect blend of tough battlewagon fishing machine and superior offshore cruising yacht. Packed and ready for adventure, the 456 has a long list of standard features and new technology that makes the big Grady-White cutting edge in its class.

More on the Grady White Canyon 456.

Boston Whaler has broken ranks to produce a cool new side-console crossover 'expedition boat' for footloose fishers, family, and those chasing more adventurous times afloat.

The expedition-grade Realm 350 extends the incredible success of the famous Boston Whaler brand. From solid foundations and fishability to a family-friendly layout, this new do-it-all Whaler adventure boat is ready to open up new ground, offshore, on The Reef, out to the islands, down the bay, pretty much wherever you train the bow.

We were one of the first media crew in the world to give this exciting new boat a big run during its Florida launch at Captiva. Sporting triple 350hp Mercury Verado outboards and a heap of upgrades, this was a Whaler like we've not seen before.

There is now also a new 380 model expanding the Expedition Series. The new flagship Boston Whaler 380 Realm with quad 350hp outboards takes offshore fishing and family expeditions to the next level.

More on the Boston Whaler 350 Realm. 
More on the Boston Whaler 380 Realm.

Regulator, the U.S. centre console brand famous for its deep-vee hulls, is making an impact in Australia with a new 34SS in WA and more on the way. It hasn't happened overnight, but the famous U.S. sportfisher brand Regulator from North Carolina is making inroads in Australia.

Following the arrival of the Regulator 23 Centre Console that we tested way back in 2016, there are now six of the deep-vee 23-footers and a 28-footer plying offshore waters Down Under.

The U.S. launch of a new 31-footer, a redesigned 25 footer, and an updated flagship 41-foot centre console have sparked more interest in the brand locally. And the latest 34SS is an inspiring triple 300hp rig with the brand's unstoppable 24 degree hull.

With seven Regulators in the country and more on the way in the hot centre console market, local agents and importers One Brokerage are excited to be representing the brand.

After returning from the Miami International Boat Show, importer Glen Moltoni said he was now working on the next shipment of boats.

"We now have a 28 coming in August and a flagship 41 confirmed and deposited for the end of the year," he adds.

The flagship in the fleet, the Regulator 41 runs quad 350hp V8 Yamaha outboards. But as Moltoni say, there's a lot of speculation about a bigger Yamaha outboard on its way and by May he'll have a better idea of the power options on this impressive centre console.

More on the Regulator news.

Aussie-designed and built, Haines Signature's striking new 788SF centre console has been designed to take on the US heavy-weights in the offshore centre console sportfishing big league.

Available with single and dual outboard power, Haines Signature's 788SF centre console prototype had twin 350hp Suzuki outboards on the transom, more than enough power to get your heart racing, to prove its might.

But the lithe centre console also had some mind-blowing potential as a long-range bluewater sportfisher and fast family leisure boat.

You can cover vast distances in no time, reaching the outer reef for a dive or fish, the tropical islands to stretch the legs, not to mention the Canyons and distant game fisheries.

More from our drive of the Haines Signature 788SF.

Wellcraft's new flagship combines family practicality with serious fishing capability and rip-snorting performance.

One of several new Wellcraft models launched recently under the auspices of French owner, the Beneteau Group, the 302 Fishermen is a boat that aims to expand the appeal of the centre console.

The Wellcraft brand's new flagship is loaded with family and fishing features and cracks through the 50-knot barrier when rigged with dual Mercury Racing 400R super-charged Verado outboards.

The Wellcraft 302 Fishermen is great value in this size and class of boat, sturdily built (foam-filled and no timber), nicely finished and well outfitted.

On the water, the Wellcraft has all the bases covered with regard to handling, ride and performance, while the versatile layout and modular seating design allows the boat to be configured as a family day boat/bay cruiser... or as a full-blown offshore sport and game fishing boat.

More on the Wellcraft 302 Fisherman Review.

Robalo's flagship centre console is a big twin rig that pumps up the volume for fishing and family flings. This flagship R302 with twin outboards offers a stack of volume, loads of storage, great fishability and plenty of comforts.

Founded in 1969, Robalo is mainstream in the U.S. Its centre consoles from 16-30ft and dual consoles from 20-31ft are so popular that you see them on display at domestic airports when you lob in Florida.

The new R302, which replaces the R300, also aims to mix it with the big boys in the centre console league.

This twin rig is usually pre-rigged and packaged with a pair of 300hp Yamaha F300XCA 25in Digital 4.2L V6 outboards with Command Link Plus. The R302 is actually rated for up to twin 350hp outboards.

Our test boat, the first R302 in Australia, was imported by the Robalo and Chaparral Australia, who are also Honda dealers. With modest 250hp Honda powerplants, this R302, which weighs 4046kg for the hull only, still performed as an agile and capable sportfisher.

The performance suited the owner, who wanted economy at comfortable 20-25 knot cruise speeds when fishing offshore from Mooloolaba. There's some good sense in that line of thinking and, in more general terms, in the R302 when you step aboard. The big forward-accessible head will please the family, for instance.

More on the Robalo R302 Centre Console Review.

This 236 Fisherman is one of the latest and greatest offerings in the popular 23-24ft centre-console category. With a 23ft 7in or 7.18m centreline length, measured without swim platforms, this is a big boat. The sizing is enhanced by a classic Carolina flared bow with a raised sheerline. The boat has a pretty and purposeful profile, backed up by exceptional build quality, and great attention to detail. You will just want to get aboard and zoom offshore. Trust us.

Of course, Grady-White is a well-respected marque that designs its boats from the keel up. This sportfishing rig has everything you need built in to venture wide, run hard, troll all day, and pitch lures, baits or fly. The boat is ideal for chasing marlin, tuna, mahi mahi, as much as hitting the reefs for kings, amberjack and Samsons, jewfish and snapper. Up north, you can add all those tropical species to the hit list. The boat's also nimble enough to fish back inshore in the bay or harbour or even the flats.

That said, with a single 300hp Yamaha V6 outboard and 435lt of fuel, you get big-boat capability and range. But you also get single-engine manageability and acceptable fuel bills. What we're saying here is that this is a great size centre console without being a drag.

On a dual-axle alloy trailer with electric brakes, you're looking at about 3000kg on road. We anticipate the rig will weigh under the 3500kg popular towing limit, providing it's not full of fuel and gear. The 2.59m beam, common on American boats, means you'll need a permit. But for many maxi centre console owners that's no 'biggy'.

The Fisherman 236 is both an offshore sportfisher and a family dayboat with plenty of comforts including a great ride.

More on the Grady-White Fisherman 236 review.

Chris-Craft has released a new and rather hot-looking centre console dubbed the Catalina 30 Pilothouse that's rated for twin outboards up to 350hp, features a new deep-vee hull with all-weather helm comfort, and a cool concealed cabin.

The Catalina 30, which is part of the brand's centre console family including the 26, 29 and 34, enhances the line-up with a beautifully styled 'pilothouse' combining greater weather protection around the helm with elegant styling.

One of the big achievements of this new design is that the 'pilothouse' eliminates the need for multiple supports and, thus, provides unobstructed movement on deck and great vision at the helm.

The new model has something else up its sleeve — a unique cabin down below hiding a berth and a head compartment. The only other Catalina with accommodation is the flagship 34, although the 29 has a decent head with sink.

The cabin on the new 30-footer is spacious enough to create a comfortable refuge for overnighters, whether on the anchor and a honey hole, during an all-night fishing expedition, or following dinner ashore.

More on the new Chris-Craft Catalina 30 centre console with 'pilothouse'  and the latest 2018 Chris-Craft line-up.

Based in Georgia, where a lot of big US companies build their boats, Dorado is a brand you're about to hear a lot more about. A 2018-model 220 Centre Console, the very latest 241 Centre Console, and a new 245 Dual Console spearhead the first shipment of boats that have arrived at the importer Queensland Marine Centre.

An established fishing-and-family boatbuilder in the U.S., Dorado is actually a local rebadge of the Sailfish brand, which already trade in Australia as aluminium catamarans. So, a local name change was in order and, running it by everyone in our office, Dorado got the thumbs up.

Manufactured by the Seminole Marine Group, which also makes Southwind deckboats, the Dorado line-up spans 15 models from 19ft-32ft. This is the sweet spot for centre console and walkaround fibreglass fishing and family rigs today.

More on the Dorado centre consoles. 

Pursuit, that well-known Florida-built sportfisher and family offshore-boat brand, has appointed Marine Riley on Sydney Northern Beaches as its new authorised dealer in Australia and New Zealand.

Pursuit Boats range from 23-40ft and come in centre console, walkaround, dual console, sportboat and weekender configurations. Each boat is tested and paired with factory-matched outboard engine set-ups from Yamaha.

The Pursuits imported here will arrive pre-rigged with Yamaha outboards following sea trials at the Florida facility.

But in recent years, Pursuit has shifted upmarket and produced some very cool 35-40ft weekenders in its expanding outboard-powered fleet.

More on the Pursuits boats heading Down Under.

Meantime, the centre console market is extremely fluid, with plenty of new models in the pipeline that are bound to make our news and reviews in 2018. So look for an update and the next top 10 later in the year, as more US models break cover and head Down Under.