High performance center console question
 

My most recent boat was a 28' Skater, but I'm strongly considering doing a center console next. What are the best high performance center consoles out there around 25 feet? I found a bunch in the 30+ foot range, but not so many around 25 feet so far. I won't do any fishing with it at all so ideally one that's more of a pleasure boat layout and setup would be ideal. A twin 350-400hp outboard setup with good power to weight ratio is what I'm after.

Thanks.

I'm not aware of any 25' CC's geared towards performance/pleasure. That market starts around 30' and up.

Most in the 25' range will be a 250-350hp single, and high 50s or low 60s. For those, you're looking at Concept or Renegade or Avanti, and you can add Pantera, Jaws/Lorequin, Action and Avance from the used market.

Thanks for the info. At what length do you start to see twin applications? I'm guessing around 29 feet? I may have to up my length preference. I like the idea of twins for multiple reasons, but don't really want to go above 30 feet if possible, and want to keep acceleration and overall performance a priority.

29-30 is pretty common for twins, but if you keep an eye on South Florida Craigslist occasionally a redone twin powered Pantera/Jaws/Avanti/Condor/etc 24' will pop up, but they're 150-200hp per side. The Concept 30 used to be their 27, so that might be worth looking into (rated at 600hp max power). Also Superboat makes center consoles in 24 and 30. I've never seen a 24CC twin from them, but there have been a couple 24 Superboat closed decks with twins. Might want to keep an eye out for the Scarab Sprint/Sportster in the 26' range, too.
How fast are you trying to go?

Thanks. I don't have a lot of experience with center consoles, but 70+ would be ideal.

A little bigger than I'd prefer, but in terms of speed, power, and layout something along the lines of this... http://speedonthewater.com/new-boats...ith-twins-300s

I did a crap load of research and visited many companies during my search for a performance CC. Here are my suggestions. All are wood free except the Checkmate and Superboat. The 29' Sunsation is also a really nice boat but they use wood in their bottoms too. Superboat has done 24 CC's with with a single OB but its a 24/7 boat (a small 24). No way will any 25' handle or be built with twin 350s or 400s. Thats 1300lbs of weight and 50K in engines. The cost would be ridiculous and you could get a newly used 32 with twin 300's for that price range.

http://renegadepboats.com/

http://www.conceptboats.com/boat-builder.aspx

http://www.predatorpowerboats.com/home.htm

http://www.checkmatepowerboats.net/C...s-SFX-250.html

ING, were there any claimed performance numbers on the Checkmate?

I ask because I had a 24/7 CC and best speed was 58mph with a 250 EFI. I doubt a 300XS would have given me a true 12mph increase. The only twin engined CC under 29' I can see running honest 70's is the Checkmate, but even then I think the rules may have to be "bent slightly" to get a pair of 200s on it (rated 175hp x 2 according to website).

We have a few new configurations of the 29 Active Thunder. The one we had in Key West is a 29, with school-bus seating/bolsters, and twin outboards. The next one is going to be a walk-through open bow. We are also building a boat for Mercury to use as a test/beat-on boat. None of these are center console boats; but are viable alternatives with a lot more 'sport/utility' to them than a traditional cabin & sterndrive V-hull.

Good luck with your search, and let me know if I can answer any questions for you.


http://activethunderboats.com/wp-con...-Rendering.jpg
http://activethunderboats.com/wp-con...ve29sav-04.jpg
http://activethunderboats.com/wp-con...ve29def-02.jpg

Wait until one of those border patrol boats come up to end service life and gets auctioned maybe ? 42' cc with 4 yamaha v8 outboards i believe. Game wardens and lake bound sheriffs here run 24 26 footers i believe with twin verados. Look to be peppy enough when i see them haul off towards trouble. Only boats i see around here rigged like that