8 of the Best Center Consoles for 2023

With their clean lines, sporty performance, unmatched versatility and minimal upkeep, it’s easy to appreciate the popularity of center console boats. It’s also why we’re seeing more center consoles on the water every year. From small skiffs that can be towed behind a small vehicle to luxurious day yachts that come with every imaginable amenity, there are no shortage of options in the center console market.

But out of that sea of center consoles a handful stand out, and here are eight of the best center consoles that should be on every buyer’s radar. See if you agree!

Bayliner T24CC

Bayliner T24CC

Stretching 24 feet in length and riding on a generous 8’ 6” beam, Bayliner’s Trophy 24CC packs a load of value into its deep V hull with seating for 12, plenty of storage space for gear, a self-bailing cockpit and standard features like a fold-away rear seat, trim tabs, a 15-gallon bait well, a raw water washdown and a canvas T top with integrated rod holders. Learn more.

Boston Whaler 210 Montauk

Boston Whaler 210 Montauk

This is the boat people think about when they hear the name Boston Whaler, and with good reason – the Montauk has been the backbone of the Boston Whaler family for generations thanks to smart features like its big bow casting deck, integrated aft cornet seats, welded stainless steel railings and standard galvanized trailer with disc brakes and LED lights. It’s one of the best center consoles in the industry. Learn more.

Chris-Craft Catalina 34

Chris-Craft Catalina 34

There are center consoles, and then there’s Chris-Craft and its extraordinary Catalina 34 – big, comfortable, and magnificently luxurious. Almost 11 feet wide and 34 feet long, this yacht-rated luxury center console comes with so many standard features you have to wonder what’s left for the option list, and we’re including goodies like twin swim platforms, a side entry door for easier boarding from the dock, opulent seating, overnight accommodations with a full washroom belowdecks and more. Learn more.

Formula 387 CC Fish

Formula 387CC Fish

Giving the Chris-Craft a run for its money in the uber-luxury category of the best center consoles, Formula is no stranger to palatial amenities either and its new 387 CC Fish proves it. With a huge 12-foot beam and power options up to triple Mercury 450s or twin Mercury 600 hp V12s, the 387 CC Fish includes Formula’s twin-step performance hull for top speeds of over 60 mph, a fully digital glass helm for effortless navigation, plush overnight accommodations and literally all the comforts of home – provided you live in a mansion. Learn more.

Grady-White Canyon 271

Grady-White Canyon 271

One of the biggest names in high performance offshore fishing boats, Grady-White is one of the most respected center console brands thanks to models like its Canyon 271. It comes with standard features like a port-side cockpit door for easier boarding from the dock, a huge 42-gallon live well, a deluxe leaning post with integrated rod holders, an all glass digital dash and Grady-White’s SeaV2 hull design to eat up ocean-sized waves and keep guests safe and comfortable. Learn more.

Robalo R242

Robalo R242

Robalo’s sensational R242 delivers an appealing balance of serious fishing credibility with grand comfort, making this center console a winner with every member of the family. Seating for 12 people, a bow filler cushion that creates a generous sun pad, LED lighting, a huge live well, insulated fish boxes, plenty of rod holders and a privacy head all come standard. So does a cockpit shower, making it easy to squirt any sand or debris that makes its way onboard, and minimize end-of-day cleanups. Learn more.

Sailfish 312CC

Sailfish 312CC

Sailfish’s all-new 312CC rides on an all-new hull design for improved performance and comfort – as well as surprising fuel economy. This serious offshore fishing boat delights with standard features like a boarding ladder, cockpit bolster pads, a fiberglass hardtop, a port-side boarding door complete with a ladder so it can be used for diving, a washdown, trim tabs and a built-in 21-quart cooler. Learn more.

Scout 240 XSF

Scout 240 XSF

While Scout might be better known for its large, luxury center consoles, fishing models like the legendary 240 XSF remain its best sellers because they balance that perfect combination of performance, comfort and affordability. There’s a lot of boat here, with standards like a huge 100-gallon fuel capacity, a full digital dash with flush-mounted electronics, a rare full-width transom swim platform, loads of rod holders, LED lighting, a fold-away stern seat, a fiberglass hardtop, a Seakeeper Ride stabilizer system and an audiophile Fusion stereo system with four speakers and Bluetooth streaming. Learn more.