8 minute read
July 2023
Family-Friendly Fishing Boats
Six options to please the anglers, both big and small, in your family. By Dave Mull
YOU CAN CATCH A FISH OUT OF JUST ABOUT ANYTHING THAT FLOATS, but to catch lots of fish consistently from our Sweetwater Seas, you must refine your approach with a boat that’s designed for the task. That means a boat that can get you out to the fish with comfortable efficiency and that can handle sudden bad weather to get you back to port. You’ll need rod holders for deploying fishing lines, storage solutions for gear and accommodations to ice down your catch. You’ll also need comfortable space for the kids to roam while trolling and seating while underway.
Since many anglers want to do more than just fish, appointments for carefree cruising, boarding ladders for swimmers and raw speed for the simple thrill of a boat ride merit strong consideration.
Here are six boats built for big water that can get you to schools of perch, walleye and salmon and also provide platforms for just enjoying a day on the Great Lakes.
SailfIsh 312 Center Console
Based in Cairo, Georgia, Sailfish is in its fourth decade of making fishing boats. The new 312 Center Console (CC) doubles for serious pursuit of gamefish and comfortable, safe, family fun.
With a 30-foot, 6-inch hull, the 312 features Sailfish’s Variable-Degree Stepped Hull, designed to slice through waves while evening out choppy seas at rest. A wraparound windshield keeps the crew dry while running. A plush seating area in the bow, a portside dive door with a foldaway grab handle and a transom door with a boarding ladder and a console head with more than 6 feet of headroom help this boat serve as a family cruiser.
The 312 CC has a 9-foot, 9-inch beam and is rated for up to 800 hp. Twin Yamaha 300 outboards pushed the boat past 53 mph in factory tests. Fishing-wise, the boat has 29 factory-installed rod holders throughout, as well as in-floor fishboxes. Its two big baitwells double as livewells — put minnows in one and the walleyes and perch you catch with them in the other.
Specifications
LOA: 30'6"
Beam: 9'9"
Dry Weight: 10,725 lbs.
Fuel Capacity: 265 gals.
Max Power: 800 hp
Pursuit S 248
Pursuit boats have a loyal following among Great Lakes fishermen due in part to the Florida company’s long association with the popular Michigan-based Tiara Yachts. Although Pursuit was bought by another corporation about five years ago, its reputation for solid outboard fishing boats stays intact.
The new S 248 is 25 feet, 6 inches long and 8 feet, 6 inches wide, which means you can trailer it without special permits. This boat caters to anglers with in-floor fishboxes, rod storage compartments and a spacious aft cockpit. Its fiberglass hardtop with a full windshield over the center console protects the pilot and crew from the elements. The folding aft seat and easy-pull slide-out for your cooler are top-notch innovations.
For family time, sun shades can be set up over the bow area and behind the T-top for relaxing at anchor. The boat has a massive swim platform for practicing cannonballs and a built-in tow pole that slides up out of the transom for pulling water toys.
Specifications
LOA: 25'8"
Beam: 8'6"
Dry Weight: 6,050 lbs.
Fuel Capacity: 120 gals.
Max Power: 300 hp
PURSUITBOATS.COM
Scout 281 XSS
This big bay boat drafts just 14 inches, which makes it great for pulling up on the beach, yet it’s got an offshore pedigree — South Carolina-based Scout calls it an inshore/offshore crossover.
The 281 XSS has large casting fore and rear decks, dual stern bait/fishboxes, ample rod storage, and port and starboard tackle storage. Standard features throughout include transom storage boxes specifically designed to fit four fenders, dual helm seats with flip-up bolsters, fresh and raw water washdown in the leaning post with hose reels, a porta-potti, as well as a leaning post with a baitwell, Corian countertop, a cutting board, rod holders and a 65-quart YETI slide-out cooler.
Notable options on the 281 XSS include the fishbox conversion to a livewell (port and starboard boxes), a recirculating leaning post livewell, bow rod/cup holders, Minn Kota Terrova RT 112 trolling motor with iPilot, as well as multiple upgradable Garmin, stereo and outrigger options.
The pocket transom ladder and built-in synthetic decking step make it easy for swimmers to get back aboard, while the bow area has a wraparound, plush seating area for comfortable cruising or simply relaxing and entertaining.
Specifications
Length: 28'1"
Beam: 9'4"
Dry Weight (w/o engine): 5,457 lbs
Fuel Capacity: 126 gals.
Max Power: 450 hp
Angler Qwest 8524 Pro Family Fish RA
With the Pro Family Fish RA, Michigan manufacturer Angler Qwest continues to break the image many folks have of pontoons, namely, boats for evenings of putt-putting around small inland lakes. While you can enjoy a small lake sunset in the Pro Family Fish RA, you can also bolt a 300-hp outboard on the triplepontoon edition and head out for serious adventures.
The Fish RA’s layout allows for easy trolling, casting and jigging. The back of the boat is open for setting rods and reeling in whatever you troll for. The track system on top of the binary wall is sturdy for downriggers, rod holders, a cutting board and other accessories. The binary wall includes plenty of storage for tackle, too. The stern includes a fishing station fully equipped with an 18-gallon livewell and high-pressure washdown.
The ”RA” stands for “radar arch,” which has eight rod holders and can accommodate a radar to monitor the weather and deliver an extra degree of safety if you’re ever caught in fog. At the bow, you will find two comfortable fishing seats and a spot to mount a trolling motor. Just aft of that are dual sofas where family members can sit; on sunny days, the Bimini top unfolds to provide shade. Up to 12 people can sit comfortably on the soft-touch vinyl furniture.
Specifications (triple tube)
Length: 24'3"
Beam: 8'6"
Dry Weight: 3,045 lbs.
Fuel Capacity: 45 gals.
Max Power: 300 hp
Formula 387 CCF
Formula’s 387 Center Console Fish (CCF) is designed for the angler who doesn’t mind getting noticed. At 38 feet, 7 inches long and 12 feet wide, available power includes triple Mercury Verado 300s, triple Mercury Racing 450Rs or twin Mercury Verado 600 outboards. To help deliver a smooth ride, it features the Decatur, Indiana manufacturer’s 23-degree deadrise FAS3TECH hull.
The CCF also features triple helm seats with folding armrests, dual 40-gallon livewells aft, and port and starboard fishboxes. The leaning post has an aft-facing mezzanine bench that slides away to reveal the bait rigging station cutting board and molded sink.
The aft has a double-wide, flip-down bench seat, and both portside and transom doors facilitate swimmers. The open bow includes a dual forward-facing sun lounge with a center flip-up armrest with drink holders. The stereo with JL Audio speakers, dual USB charging ports and up to 30 rod/drink holders outfit this boat for serious family fun.
This boat even features an air-conditioned cabin with a galley and a private head compartment, making it a family cruiser with the comforts of home. Instead of packing a picnic, you can cook one up wherever you go.
Specifications
Length: 38'7"
Beam: 12'
Weight: 22,500 lbs
Fuel Capacity: 500 gals.
Max Power: 1,350 hp
FORMULABOATS.COM
World Cat 260CC-X Center Console
World Cat catamarans have a reputation as fast, nimble boats that can handle heavy seas. The new 26-foot 260CC-X with twin 200-hp outboards (Yamaha and Merc four-strokes are available) has been clocked at 50-plus mph. This is a versatile angler, drafting just 14 inches for casting in the shallows, but is also able to troll as far offshore as you want to go.
The wraparound bow seating area features a self-storing bow filler that serves perfectly for a casting deck, and the transom has a 50-inch bench that converts into an aft casting deck. The boat has ample rod storage, too. An aerated livewell at the starboard stern is across from the port storage bin designed to carry ice or dry goods. The forward access console head is roomy for a 26-foot boat. Swimmers will also appreciate the large swim pad with its ladder and the freshwater shower wand.
For the family to listen to their favorite music, the 260CC-X comes standard with a Fusion Apollo 670 Stereo with an impressive six JL Audio M3 speakers.
Specifications
Length: 25'6"
Beam: 9'
Dry Weight: 6,750 lbs
Fuel Capacity: 180 gals.
Max Power: 400 hp
WORLDCAT.COM
