Sailfish 312CC Review

For many years, Sailfish Boats has enjoyed a well-deserved reputation for building over-the-top offshore fishing boats built to the highest quality. Widely lauded for their smooth, dry ride in even difficult sea conditions, Sailfish is basically known as the top choice among serious offshore anglers.

That being the case, the company raised a lot of eyebrows when it announced plans to replace one of its most popular models – the workhorse 320CC – with an all-new boat. That new model – the Sailfish 312CC – was formally introduced just two weeks ago at the 2022 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show and it’s already safe to say that it’s nothing short of a home run for the Georgia-based boat builder.

The 312CC is incredibly spacious thanks to its generous 9 foot, 9 inch beam. Wrap-around cockpit coaming and high freeboard contribute to a feeling of comfort and security onboard.

The biggest upgrade that the new Sailfish 312CC brings to market is the 6th generation of the company’s VDS hull architecture, featuring three stepped surfaces that function like three hulls in one, each one successively designed to optimize stability at trolling speeds, lift when accelerating out of the hole, and responsive handling when underway. For the owner, it means a drier, safer ride and improved fuel consumption – qualities that anyone can instantly appreciate.

The cockpit provides two live wells, long with an integrated cooler built right into the swim platform.

It’s also easy to appreciate the impressive cockpit depth of the 312CC. Step aboard and you feel like you’re in a much, much bigger boat, thanks to the 312CC’s generous 9 foot, 9 inch beam, wrap-around cockpit coaming and cavernous interior space.

Fold-down seating provides greater occupant comfort when underway, and gives the 312CC the versatility to serve as a great family runabout.

Look closer and you’ll find plenty going on within that cockpit space, starting with two enormous, in-floor fish boxes, and a pair of equally large live wells of 30 and 32 gallons, respectively. Flush-mounted, stainless steel rod holders go without saying on a serious fishing boat like the Sailfish 312CC, but the boat also has some surprises like the fold-out cockpit seating. Instead of holding on to the helm leaning post while underway, passengers in the 312CC can sit in comfort on a fold-out 40-inch transom seat and a 34-inch fold-out seat tucked into the starboard-side gunnel. This is a great upgrade that allows the 312CC to instantly switch from hard-core offshore fishing boat to inviting family runabout in just seconds. Cupholders everywhere, a big stern swim platform, and an available cockpit table that comes as part of the optional entertainment package make a great family boat even better.

A port-side cockpit door allows easy boarding, either from the dock, or after a swim with the boat’s snap-in boarding ladder.

You may have noticed there’s no fold-down seat on the port side of the cockpit, and that’s because the Sailfish 312CC comes with a side door that opens inward, allowing easy boarding from the dock or easy access to the sea when it’s time for a swim. A removable boarding ladder makes entry and egress a snap.

Even with the addition of the fold-down seat and side entry door, the 312CC still allows plenty of space for in-gunnel rod storage, confirming this model’s position as a serious offshore fishing boat.

A transom shower makes short work of any debris that winds up onboard, whether sand from swimmers or fish scales from the most recent catch.

The provision of a transom shower is another nice feature on the Sailfish 312CC, allowing serious anglers to easily rinse down the deck to get rid of and fish scales, and allowing families to clean away any sand or debris brought aboard by swimmers. The self-draining cockpit of the 312CC means that any spray – or overnight rain – simply runs down the floor and out through the transom drains.

The leaning post includes a built-in live well, tackle storage, and a handy, integrated sink.

Moving forward, the Sailfish 312CC has a really large center console for a boat of this size, and the impact of this is significant. The bigger console allows plenty of room for a spacious and comfortable washroom compartment below, with just over 6 feet of head room. The electric marine head features a toilet with a 7.5-gallon holding tank, a sink, and a large, tinted window forward, which allows plenty of fresh air and sunlight to make the space feel even larger than it is.

The spacious helm offers more than enough space for a pair of 12-inch multi-function displays mounted side-by-side.

Up top, the large console provides an extra-wide helm up top with space for two 12-inch multi-function displays mounted side-by-side. Overhead, a fiberglass T top features integrated electronics boxes, while the 312CC’s heavy-duty windshield provides excellent protection for occupants while underway.

The heavy-duty windshield on the 312CC provides excellent protection for occupants while underway.

The leaning post itself comes with beautifully made seats featuring flip-up bolsters, a 32-gallon live well, built in tackle storage, a sink and plenty of dedicated drawer storage.

The forward console face includes a seat with storage space beneath that can be used as a cooler.

The bow is another great fishing or entertaining space aboard the Sailfish 312CC. Its raised deck platform doubles as bow seating when the cushions are installed, meanwhile the insulated fish boxes double as a cooler. The standard thru-hull windless with remote is easily accessible with the hinged filler board.

The spacious bow provides inviting seating, with still more storage space beneath for gear. Not all the cup holders, and the provision of USB charging ports.

Multiple USB charging ports ensure everyone’s phone stays fully charged, while no less than six cup holders and seats with self-rising, lever-actuated back rests make the bow the perfect place for any action – fishing or relaxing. Adding a removable table provides even greater utility.

Adding a removable, pedestal-mount table converts the bow to a terrific lunch spot.

With its smooth-riding VDS hull, family-friendly amenities and serious offshore fishing DNA, the all-new Sailfish 312CC has a lot to offer for families looking for a versatile big-water boat, whether they’re exploring the coasts or plying big waters like the Great Lakes.

Frankly, the challenge for Sailfish now will be building them fast enough.