Why Are Center-Console Boats So Popular?

Unless you are planning on cruising for extended trips, want to venture far out to the Canyons to fish, or prefer using the wind as your power source, the best style of boat for you may be a center-console. Loved by first time boat owners and experienced mariners alike, center-console boats are both functional and versatile. They also generally cost less than a large sportfish. You can anchor them at a sandbar. You have 360-degree unobstructed views. What’s not to love? For the majority of boat owners in the United States, center-console boats are the ideal vessel.

“Nearly 30% of all of the boats we sold in 2022 were center-consoles,” said Captain Jeff Palmer, President of United Yacht Sales. “A center-console buyer can literally be anyone too. It might be the client’s first boat or it could be a tender for a big sportfishing boat or a luxury yacht. There are so many different applications for the center-console design, it really makes it the perfect boat for a fun day on the water.”

So why are center-console boats so popular? There are a variety of attributes on a center-console that buyers simply want including versatility, shallow draft, good design for fishing, less expensive than comparable sportfish or yachts, and many have the ability to store on a trailer.

Among the most popular center-console brands are Grady-White, Boston Whaler, Everglades, Edgewater, Contender, and others. Center-consoles also come in various hull shapes as well. Freeman Boatworks is a great example of a popular center-console in a power catamaran hull design.

(Below: A 2022 Freeman Boats 47 power catamaran center-console.)

Below are 7 reasons why center-console boats are so popular:

1. Versatility On The Water.

“My first boat was a Boston Whaler Montauk,” said Rob Bowman, UYS Marketing Director. “For where I was in life at the time, this was the perfect boat to explore the Southwest coast of Florida. I could trailer it down to Fort Desoto and fish around the Skyway Bridge. I could run out a few miles to the near shore reefs. And at the end of the day I could anchor at the sandbar for a few hours before tying up at Gators in Johns Pass. Center-consoles are the epitome of a versatile boat.” With a shallow draft and easy boarding, center-console boats are the perfect style for sandbar or island hopping.

2. Easy To Service & Maintain.

If you’ve ever had to work down in an engine room on a larger boat, you know it can get hot, noisy, and leave you working in tight quarters. Since the majority of center-console boats have outboard motors, servicing your boat becomes much easier. Particularly if your boat is on a trailer, it will be easy for the service technician to stand next to the motor and perform their maintenance. Additionally, center-console boats are much easier to clean, helping to maintain their value over time.

3. Walk-Around Ability.

Whether you are dropping baits to a reef below or kite fishing for sailfish, fishing on a center-console is easier thanks to the ability to walk around the inside of the boat. Sportfishing yachts require everyone to be confined to the cockpit which means not everyone on board may be able to fish at one time. Having space to move from the bow to the stern also helps with entertaining guests on board.

4. Many Center-Consoles Now Have Same Amenities As Larger Boats.

Talk to any boat owner that’s “moved up” from a center-console to a larger boat and some of the main reasons for the switch include things like having a comfortable cabin, a bathroom, more range, and more space. In order to close that gap, center-console builders have begun perfecting the use of composites in their construction, including the use of a resin-infusion process in the hull. The result is a lighter boat that can be designed with more interior space. Many center-consoles built today have a cabin hidden below the deck that can include a small galley, sitting area, a bed, storage, and a bathroom. Seakeeper has also created a gyro stabilizer small enough to fit in the deck, giving you the same stability of a larger boat.

(Below: Image of Seakeeper installed in the leaning post of a center-console.)

5. Most Center-Console Boats Can Be Trailered.

What fun it is to load up your truck with your boat hitched behind you and set off on a new boating adventure. Maybe you’re heading south to the Florida Keys for lobster season? Or perhaps staying a few nights in the Outer Banks? Whatever trip you plan to take, it’s going to be better with a boat. If you love to fish, what better way to explore new fishing grounds than in your own vessel with your own gear. The advantages of a trailer-able center-console don’t just include being able to visit new destinations, it also contributes to easier maintenance and faster service.

6. Center-Consoles Are Less Expensive Than Other Types Of Boats.

From the cost of inboard diesel engines, to the furniture that fills the interior, to the extra materials used in construction, other types of boats generally cost more than center-consoles. Since budget is one of the top 3 concerns when it comes to purchasing a boat, it’s easier to make the case to buy a center-console over other types of boats. It’s also easier to get insurance in hurricane-prone areas.

7. Center-Console Boats Are Faster.

The top speed of the new Valhalla Boats V-55 is 74 mph when it’s powered with quint 600hp engines. In comparison, the top speed of the Viking 58 Convertible, which boasts twin 1,600mhp MTU engines is 40 knots. Sportfishing boats and cruising yachts simply weigh more, thus making them slower than center-console boats. In this particular example, the V-55 has a full displacement of 49,873 lbs., while the Viking 58 Convertible is north of 80,000 lbs.

Are There Disadvantages To Center-Console Boats?

While there are a lot of reasons to consider buying a center-console, there are a few disadvantages. If you’re using a professional yacht broker to assist in your boat purchase, talk with them about all of your ideas about how you plan to use it. Based on your needs and wish list, there could be a center-console on the market for you, or they may steer you to a different style of boat. Here are a few of the disadvantages of center-console boats:

The interior accommodations are inferior for longer, multi-night trips.
Because of the light weight, a center-console will not handle a windy day as easily as a heavier yacht.
There is little protection on the main deck from rain and wind.
Depending on the size of boat you choose, seating can be limited.

Even with a few drawbacks, the center-console still remains one of the most popular styles of boats sold today.

What Kind Of Center-Console Costs Over $1 Million?

The price of boats has certainly increased over the years, but some builders are dedicated to making something unique and that performs above the rest. The technology, superior materials, and top quality equipment are put into some center-console boats which can easily raise the price over $1 million.

A 2022 Freeman 47 is currently listed with United Yacht Sales for an asking price of $1,525,000. It features quad Yamaha XTO 425HP outboard motors that produces a top end speed of 70mph. It is truly one of the nicest boats in its class with a lot of extra amenities including Garmin electronics and a teak rocket launcher.

What Kind Of Center-Console Can You Buy For Under $500,000?

Ir your budget is $500,000 or less for a center-console, there is normally a variety of boats to choose from on the brokerage market. This 2017 Invincible 42 Open Fisherman is currently listed for $449,000 and is located in Deerfield Beach, Florida. It is powered with triple Yamaha F350 outboards with roughly 500 hours. It was re-powered in October 2020 with the F350’s which remain under warranty through October 2027.

What Kind Of Center-Console Can You Buy For Under $300,000?

There are still plenty of options for buying a center-console if your budget is $300,000 or less. A 2006 Jupiter 38 HFS that is located in Cape May, New Jersey has an asking price of $299,900. Having been well-maintained and regularly serviced, along with being an overall clean boat, means this Jupiter 38 should find a new home relatively quickly. It’s powered with triple Mercury Verado 300HP engines.

ABOUT UNITED YACHT SALES

United Yacht Sales has the world’s largest network of boat buyers and sellers in the industry, thanks to our team of over 250 yacht brokers in 104 different locations. Whether buying a luxury boat or selling one, we have the right expert on staff to assist you in navigating the brokerage market for your type of yacht. If you’re looking at selling a boat, there is no quicker way to get activity than listing it with United. Our entire team is immediately notified every time a listing agreement is made with United Yacht Sales and many boats are sold before they ever even make it online. Our support team is among the best in the industry at marketing your yacht. 100% of our marketing budget goes towards advertising our clients’ listings, a claim not many other firms can make. To get started listing your yacht, fill out our online form What’s My Yacht Worth?