Are Center Consoles the Future of Go-Fast Boating?
 

Happy Friday, http://speedonthewater.com/component...-fast-boating-.

Yep, go over to nor- tech and see how many CC's they are building.

CC's have been hot for a long time now. They definitely have a lot more marketability.

I've seen several that blurred the line and have made me think. A local guy did an all black Donzi with a white tub last year (triple 300's I think). Power coated everthing, it looks absolutely amazing! :cool:

I know other people like these, but you would never catch me dead in one of these "fishing" go fast monsters. Just my opinion. They look like a big bath tub. Sorry, Matt

I love mine! Hose it off while the engines are flushing and go home. I love my 42 Fountain also but its a lot more hassle to keep nice.

what he said :drink::ernaehrung004::ernaehrung004:

It'll be my next boat...done with crawling around a bilge.

The only place you'd catch me in one is if there were no more coffins left when I die. I had one once. Traded a real boat for it cuz someone wanted my 42. I turned the key and mothers covered the eyes of their children as I wept because I could hear the cooling stream over the engine. ONE day and it was GONE.

But theres a thread about that ;)

Yeah, what they said. I can't see it happening. Maybe they are selling better now but probably for fishing use.

Can't wait to get my new Spectre 32' CC , From Tony F. at Typhoon in Toms River NJ.

Is it for fishing or cruising? Congrats anyway.

Interesting article.
While not for everyone they are the next best thing when the performance boater wants to do something different.
Lots of room and practical features but still capable of poker running.
We've sold a fair amount in the last year and a half and most never fish. However you can if you want.
During my last year of poker runs I've ended up with no less than 12 people on board. Typically I end picking up extras from a broken go fast. We don't get there first but we always do and everybody had a great day.

Maybe as a fourth boat lol

It's my third

Seating for 10 comfortably

I understand but for me I love the sound of big blocks to much.

The other thing is I rarely want a bunch of people in my boat, I am anti social that way.:evilb:

Well, maybe "future" was a bit too strong in the headline. But when your pursuits on the water go beyond getting from point A to point B in record time—and there's nothing wrong with that—a center console makes more than good sense.

I once went to Key West in a Formula 382 FasTEch with twin 600SCi engines. It was the first set of those engines in a production boat—they weren't even on the market yet. I went with Vic Spellberg, now with Cigarette but then with Formula, and the late Tom Newby. We opened it up a few times, but mostly we ran 50 to 60 mph and actually enjoyed the scenery.

It was a pretty big change from every other run I've made to the Keys. Again, I actually got to see my surroundings.

No apologies needed from those who disagree. I get where you're coming from. Completely. It's a subjective discussion, so being "right" doesn't matter. I love the points of view here, especially the "they look like bathtubs" one. Great stuff.

Having a cat and cc works for me. I have never had a fishing pole in my cc. We have run Jamin on the James 3 times in cat and 2 in cc. CC is much more comfortable. :drink:

Yea, it sucks to have a boat that can do more than one thing. Just my opinion

AND... We get to listen to BUCKCHERRY... CRAZY *****!!!:evilb::evilb::drink::drink::drink:

Thanks thirdchildhood, looking to do cruising and hanging out. Love the go fast boats, but they tend to eat the Check Book up real Quick.

Same here. Tons of fun.

If everyone could see Terry's last "CREW" they would rethink their position.:lolhit:

ya...maybe they are not as cool..or macho...or possibly a mental position of down sizing for some of us..it was at one time very hard for me to go from a 43 NT to a CC..and if one can afford more than one boat for different reasons so be it...I applaud you. Ive had the opportunity to own a few smaller cc's since my boat has sold..and I love it. Whats nice about cc's is ease of maintance, more reliable, the ability to do and see more with many people involved, relaxing, possibly having a beer and not worry that hey dont spill that on my carpet... knowing that I dont have a 35k paint job to worry about, cleaning the boat when I arrive back..stuff like that...I see all positives...except one...................speed...and I can deal with that..throw on another motor if thats a concern..ok I'm done with my .02 Jeff

ALL THE ABOVE. Ease of maintainance. I want easy! I'm in my 50's and just don't have the time to fix up on sht all the time!

I made the switch myself this week. In no way do I think that I will like the boat better but it just makes more sense for me right now. I have a five and a three year old and my cat just wasn't practical to go out and hang out on with my kids. For those who know me they know that kids eating and drinking in there wasn't going to happen either (lol). I figure I can still do poker runs, and use the boat every weekend vs. pokerrun weekends. The money is definately a factor also. The car business isn't the best these days, and my last two repairs are close to what this boat will cost me per year. Years ago I would have had the same reply as Dan and both Bills did but needs change and they build them everyday if it turns out Im wrong.

Alright then, that supports the theory of this thread. I only have a small boat but I do take it off-shore regularly and I love the sports car feel of it (and looks). I've always thought of the CCs as fishing boats and figured that if I had that many friends or family I would get a deck boat. Many of my friends are not into boating and some only go out there with me once..hehe...so I rarely have 4 people on board.

The push for the CC style was mainly warmer climates on the ocean. Typically, they had robust hulls and deeper vees, more freeboard, and outboards. Outboards are far more friendly in ocean running than stern drives. CC's typically were very spartan, with great accommodations for the fish, not so much for people.

Things change. CC builders are definitely concentrating on more comfy accommodations for people, with almost bowrider like seating up front, enclosed heads, even cabins in the larger ones. But they are open boats primarily, and as such, don't lend themselves nicely to northern climates. Our local dealer took on Proline this year. A very nice boat for the money, spartan, but a great hull.

I looked at many CC's the last couple of years, and just didn't find them very comfortable for what I want in a boat. I think the primary attractions are the hulls and outboard power. There are finally some outboard models coming to market now in the smaller boats, 18' and up now. Outboards no longer have the price gap on them, and many builders figured out how to incorporate nice swim platforms and landings.

Another fine choice, is the dual-console. Much more practical for cruising, it's always been amazing that they never caught on as much as the CC in southern climates. The advantage of the CC is walking around while taking a fish. If you find one with the right seating, they can be fun in open water blasts. But I don't see the CC replacing closed deck boats here or on the Great Lakes either. It gets cold darn it .

I have been a hot rodder of cars, boats, bikes etc, my whole life and I am sure my 66 Mustang with 450hp was not as comfortable as a Caddy and my Harley Springer is not as comfortable as a Goldwing and I know my 36 cat is not as comfortable as the cruise ship that took me to Cancun and I have to jump in the water to go the bathroom. But I don't do any of this things to be "comfortable". I love the whole performance, wind in my face, greasy butt factor that hot rods give me and I am like Bill. I do not want to have a boat load of people with me at 130mph. 2 or 3 pleases me fine. I can't see the CC boat drawing the crowds at gas stations, docks etc. that the 36 cat does. Sometimes we get a trail of people following us down the interstate, gawking at the boat and F650 pulling it. The high fives that come from people young and old are also a kick. Its kinda fun to have people come up to you with the questions everywhere you go. Dan

My thoughts exactly! I sold the Cig and bought a Scarab CC. Not as fast - but I can flush / wash in 10 min.

well ya know BP is advertising that fishing has never been better in the gulf and she's all cleaned up :eek::lolhit::drink:

You had me til I got to that part....:gfight:






just kidding you know...

Love my cc....I cant blast around when I am alone, and when I have the wife, kids, company, their kids, the toys, etc.....everyone hops in and out, not worried about people slipping on a newly waxed deck, not trying to make someone sit in a stuffy cabin I hardly use.......pure hyrbid functionality

I think CC's have there place. I also think they have coming along way as far as styling, options and the ability to appeal to non fishermen. That being said I wouldn't ever think of one foe the type of fresh water boating I do. If I lived in FLA or another salt water location I would be all over one for ease of use, maintenance and all the other reasons others have mentioned.

MY .02

Iam all about going fast,but I find my self really enjoying time spent in our roadsters. I can't wait to get my hands on our newest cc. It's 38ft 11'3 wide powered by a pair of merc 300's.
Tim
Ocm

...

CC's are definitely versatile and the shade offered by a T-Top is priceless on a hot, sunny day. The silence and reliabilty of the new 4 stroke motors are also remarkable.

The downside is they used to be much cheaper alternatives to the go fast sisterships but in reality they cost just as much or even more! The Top Fish, NT 390 CC and others all list for the same price as their comparable stern drive boat. In some areas (S. FL, Bahamas) the insurance is insane on big CC's due to theft problems.

It's a cat! 38ft 11'3 wide full tunnel

Tim
Ocm

We're a little behind the eight-ball with this thread. Performance center-consoles have been the future of Go-Fast boating for 15 + years. Albeit not for everyone. Every boats a compromise.

Well that makes quite a difference! :D

With all of the boats Spectre/Frinsini makes it is hard to stay on top of their model lineup!

Center Consoles are VG!Very Goofy:lolhit:

Congrats !! Excellent way to continue to enjoy all of the things you love about life and boating.
Was thinking this was a salt-water craze due to ease of maintanance,etc. but this move suggests it is also about getting more enjoyment per dollar invested. When we all think back our earliest, cheapest, least expensive boats provided us with the greatest amounts of pure joy.