Offshoreonly.com

Offshoreonly.com (https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/)
-   General Boating Discussion (https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/general-boating-discussion-51/)
-   -   Why choose a center console? (https://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/general-boating-discussion/359011-why-choose-center-console.html)

Mentalpause 02-14-2019 09:25 AM


Originally Posted by Rippem (Post 4672575)
I'm going CC because after 27 years in performance boats I'm just done with the compromises and fuss.

I'm a big guy, now in my mid-fifties.
I'm done with climbing, crawling, jumping, stooping, no floor space, lack of storage and versatile seating, I/O's, maintenance, fuel economy, the list goes on...
It was a good time, and times I'll never forget, but also time to move on...

Don't want a cruiser as I really have no interest in staying aboard 20 mins from my house at the marina, as nice as it is.
Don't want a cruiser as they are zero fun to operate in relation to almost anything else
If I ever did get the bug to overnight or do a little destination cruising, nice used FW 90's sea Ray 27/29/30 even the original 310's are all easily had under 20K and are plentiful.

Don't want to sit on the floor in a big bowrider or any of the admittedly nice variations of that dayboat theme.
Don't want a traditional framed glass windshield
Don't want to be limited to a narrow center walk to the bow

I want a high quality "soap and water" boat with immense floorspace, outboards that are quiet and economical with a long lifespan
I want to sit up high off the deck in high quality seating, not have to take my boat shoes or sandals off if I don't feel like it, is easy to get to 360* around the boat, on and on and on..."ease of use" "low maintenance" "versatile" top priorities

Something that runs 50+MPH, gets 3 MPG at a lazy 30 MPH cruise, has a big tank equaling 400+ miles of range, ridiculous storage space, huge enclosed head, LeBroc captains chairs, big long bow loungers with backrests, the largest most well though-out T-top in the production boat segment, excellent construction and high quality rigging, big beamy rough water hull with a deep far-forward entry and some flare...
that the manufacturer has a great reputation for after-sale care and is willing to accommodate a few reasonable custom requests in the build...

I have a 10 year old who boats with me, who as miffed as she was about selling the 353 (and she still hassles me about that 18 mo. later) is going to love how fun and easy this is going to be for both of us.

She has done all the research and road-trips with me looking for the right CC for us.
We found the product and the dealer who has been exceptional thus far in every respect including pricing.

We may even fly down for a couple days to see our boat in build and take the plant tour.

Our new boat was ordered yesterday.

This is deja vu for me. Only difference is when I left performance boating I went to a Formula 350SS. Don't get me wrong, it was a very nice boat. The family liked it. My wife loved it. But it was so boring to drive, plus it had every bell and whistle on it, so it actually increased my maintenance and cleaning time, not to mention increasing fuel costs. After 6 seasons with it I wanted a compromise. Something the family would like as much, plenty of room, easy to maintain, and drove more like a performance boat than a cruiser. The CC seems to check all the boxes you mention above. And although my wife likes it, she reminds me her favorite boat was the 350SS.

Congrats on the Cobia. Very nice.

Rippem 02-14-2019 11:22 AM

The 262 update of the 261 is debuting at the Miami show

Was originally shopping everybody's 24'ers and eliminated them one-by-one for any and all reasons from layout, rigging, quality of components and finish, reputation for ride and after sale support, dealer responsiveness attitude and pricing.

We were in Jersey to look at a 240 Cobia as we were down to just 2 or 3 competitors and the Cobia was pulling ahead...
In the showroom at Garden State Yacht there is at least one of every Cobia model so you can see how the entire line is built.
The 26 (3 of them actually) was next to the 24
Couldn't believe how much bigger the 26 was. 2'1" more bottom, 5" more beam it's BIG for a 26
option for option (inclusive content per model or option) identically equipped, premier seating and all, the 26 with twin 150 Yams vs 240 with single 300 was another 20K my price.
No brainer!

The Cobia line is really well thought out, laid out, constructed, and rigged, attention to detail is excellent.
Lotsa vids out there for the curious as to why I say this.
Everything drains overboard
every wire in the in-house built wiring harness is labeled both ends
most everything screwed in the cockpit is screwed into aluminum plates sandwiched in the layup, hand drilled and tapped for cap screws
and more...

Basically I was looking for the "Formula Experience" including the lines, quality, and finish appearance in a production CC
As far as I'm concerned apparently, Cobia nails it.

Ing 02-14-2019 12:07 PM

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...25ff251fd5.jpg
Best boating decision I've ever made to go with a CC with twin OB's. The hulls of all the current performance CC's like Concept and Renegade are based off 24 degree deadrise hulls so they are every bit the same as a traditional "go fast" running surface. I have a small CC with a head to duck out of weather or nap. With the CC and under deck compartment I'd say I have more usable storage room than any traditional closed deck boat of similar size. 9 People can enjoy a comfortable ride with room to spare. Would I enter a Poker Run and allow folks to sit up front, no, but I do routinely run through slop and have never heard a complaint from my passengers. I have the exact same standup bolsters that a closed deck boat has if I want to run hard. Winterizing an IO in the northeast is just a pain in the ass. I tilt my motors down, let the water flow out, and I'm winterized (I do go the extra and change oil, gear lube and fog the cylinders) I'm totally done with contorting my body troubleshooting an IO. No gimbal housing as an added achilles heal. No IO engine means more usable square footage. I still do love the sound of a good IO but running at 50 and being able to talk with the persons near me in a regular tone of voice plus enjoy the radio without having to chat above 100db is a plus. Being able to see the rudder angle at all times makes close quarters maneuvering easy with a single or twins. I'd never go back to an IO over the new four strokes.

Rippem 02-14-2019 12:41 PM

The Cobia's certainly not a "performance" center console as Ing speaks of, but that depends on how you define performance, and what kind of $ you want to spend on one.
I thought about it but went the "traditional" CC route
big thing was I wanted a walk-thru transom

just a shout out, wanna thank the guys before me beginning a decade or more back who saw the light, who were performance boaters of means who started all these CC developments and changes by pushing for them with the performance builders. Then it trickled down.
They are greatly responsible IMO for the myriad of "less-fishy more comfortable family and fun layouts and content" choices in CC's that we have today.
Thanks guys.

Cary 29 02-14-2019 03:07 PM

IvII had all 3 set ups. Outboards,inboards, I/o and surface drives. Outboards by far in every aspect are the best. In 2012 had Merc 300xs 2 strokes. Awesome just not quite enough torque for a heavier V bottom but new 300R is 40 percent more than those which should make a big difference. Fuel economy as well is great.

Interceptor 02-14-2019 05:51 PM


Originally Posted by Rippem (Post 4672658)
The Cobia's certainly not a "performance" center console as Ing speaks of, but that depends on how you define performance, and what kind of $ you want to spend on one.
I thought about it but went the "traditional" CC route
big thing was I wanted a walk-thru transom

just a shout out, wanna thank the guys before me beginning a decade or more back who saw the light, who were performance boaters of means who started all these CC developments and changes by pushing for them with the performance builders. Then it trickled down.
They are greatly responsible IMO for the myriad of "less-fishy more comfortable family and fun layouts and content" choices in CC's that we have today.
Thanks guys.

I'm thinking you made a very good choice. That boat has enough comfort but isn't overloaded with needless bling. ed

Orthobam 02-14-2019 06:59 PM

I'll never go back.
40 Skater - fun but unreliable and expensive. By expensive I mean the least expensive part is purchasing the boat. Burned $7000 in race fuel shootout week, $12,000 in insurance, $50,000 rebuilds every 100 hours, $30,000 for drives,
28 Skater - fun, reliable, but can't handle the rough.
368 Statement - Great boat. Loved it. Only reason I got rid of it was to get a.....
380 Statement - trip 400s. Goes almost 80mph. 30 speakers with a stereo that will make your ears bleed. Can go pee on the boat, haul 40 cases of beer, cook a meal, mix a drink, dance with 20 of your friends to Hypnotize, run in fresh or salt water, have full sun with lounging or get under the top for shade, fish if you want, dock with ease, tie up with a rub rail, get in and out of the water with ease, break a motor and laugh because it's a free new one for 5 more years, go 300 miles on a tank of fuel, haul all your luggage to the Bahamas, let anyone drive it because it's easy.....

In summary, I'd rather go boating than be broke down. I'd rather spend my money on boating in amazing places rather than repairs. I've done both at the extremes. #CCsforlife

302Sport 02-15-2019 09:06 AM


Originally Posted by Orthobam (Post 4672710)
I'll never go back.
40 Skater - fun but unreliable and expensive. By expensive I mean the least expensive part is purchasing the boat. Burned $7000 in race fuel shootout week, $12,000 in insurance, $50,000 rebuilds every 100 hours, $30,000 for drives,
28 Skater - fun, reliable, but can't handle the rough.
368 Statement - Great boat. Loved it. Only reason I got rid of it was to get a.....
380 Statement - trip 400s. Goes almost 80mph. 30 speakers with a stereo that will make your ears bleed. Can go pee on the boat, haul 40 cases of beer, cook a meal, mix a drink, dance with 20 of your friends to Hypnotize, run in fresh or salt water, have full sun with lounging or get under the top for shade, fish if you want, dock with ease, tie up with a rub rail, get in and out of the water with ease, break a motor and laugh because it's a free new one for 5 more years, go 300 miles on a tank of fuel, haul all your luggage to the Bahamas, let anyone drive it because it's easy.....

In summary, I'd rather go boating than be broke down. I'd rather spend my money on boating in amazing places rather than repairs. I've done both at the extremes. #CCsforlife

Ive also had them all, and while youre 100% correct about the center consoles being pretty much an SUV of the boating world, there's one thing they cant do, no matter how many 400 Verados you hang on the back. And that is give you that adrenaline rush that you can taste when you lay the sticks down and youre running 150+ on the water. There's nothing like that feeling and for alot of the guys that stil have the fast boats, its like a drug that you need to have. Some people just arent speed junkies and they had the go fast boats just because they thought it was cool. Well, those are the guys that have gotten out of it.

BONDO10 02-15-2019 09:08 AM

Ortho, couldn’t agree more
Although I had a great experience, and a ton of fun in the go fast world , just can’t beat the fun factor that everyone has had on my Cig CC
My Merc 1100 turbos were trouble free, But there are only a small handful of my friends who want to go as fast as the boat should be run
The CC will still run 70 if the need is there.
Theres nothing better than taking 3-4 couples for dinner and drinks on a Friday night, than run the boat Saturday morning 30 miles TO a Poker Run, do the run, and boat home another 30 miles that night.
True Story.

Jupiter Sunsation 02-15-2019 09:34 AM


Originally Posted by Ing (Post 4672653)
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...25ff251fd5.jpg
Best boating decision I've ever made to go with a CC with twin OB's. The hulls of all the current performance CC's like Concept and Renegade are based off 24 degree deadrise hulls so they are every bit the same as a traditional "go fast" running surface. .


Sharp looking boat! The Renegade posted here earlier in the week was beautiful, sadly the thread got deleted as "advertising" but the boat showed what they are capable of building now.

Jupiter Sunsation 02-15-2019 09:42 AM


Originally Posted by 302Sport (Post 4672785)
Some people just arent speed junkies and they had the go fast boats just because they thought it was cool. Well, those are the guys that have gotten out of it.

Or like a few people said, they are older now and don't want the hassle anymore. Just on this last page you have 3 OSO members that have had some legendary boats say CC's are the way to go. 2 had new builds that were pretty over the top at the time (bondo Sonic/mentalpause F4).

Look how many I/O's BobtheBuilder has had. Now he has 3 CC's. Pretty sure that guy used his pair of 50 NT's more than any other OSO member in history when counting trips/miles covered!

For me, a 34 twin 400 NT would be perfect! Money no object, make it a triple 400 39! :D Classy paint, timeless design and plenty fast.

If I was looking to go fast, a Mystic cat OB or DW OB would be the order!

Interceptor 02-15-2019 10:01 AM


Originally Posted by 302Sport (Post 4672785)
Ive also had them all, and while youre 100% correct about the center consoles being pretty much an SUV of the boating world, there's one thing they cant do, no matter how many 400 Verados you hang on the back. And that is give you that adrenaline rush that you can taste when you lay the sticks down and youre running 150+ on the water. There's nothing like that feeling and for alot of the guys that stil have the fast boats, its like a drug that you need to have. Some people just arent speed junkies and they had the go fast boats just because they thought it was cool. Well, those are the guys that have gotten out of it.

Eventually everyone grows up and looks in a mirror or has a discussion with their accountant.

Wildman_grafix 02-15-2019 12:09 PM


Originally Posted by Interceptor (Post 4672802)
Eventually everyone grows up and looks in a mirror or has a discussion with their accountant.

I am one of the speed junkies that 302 sport talks about. I love the way the boat accelerates, AND turns handles etc. For that matter Interceptor, you can't say you don't like speed anymore, we have seen your ice boat! LOL

For the money that I could spend on a CC its going to be like friends CC's that I would just get bored with fast. I will say I would like to get a second single OB something that we could take out, easy canal cruiser, and spray off when done. The blinged out CC would not be the second boat I would pick.

Most of my friends down here have 2 or more boats of different types, I would think a nice easy small canal cruiser and a OB CAT would work just fine. Maybe a couple off jet skis and I would be set!

Something for all times,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Interceptor 02-15-2019 01:10 PM


Originally Posted by Wildman_grafix (Post 4672819)
. For that matter Interceptor, you can't say you don't like speed anymore, we have seen your ice boat! LOL

,,,,

Busted, You got me !

Rippem 02-15-2019 06:05 PM


Originally Posted by 302Sport (Post 4672785)
Some people just arent speed junkies and they had the go fast boats just because they thought it was cool. Well, those are the guys that have gotten out of it.





Who's not a speed junkie? I spent a couple hours yesterday afternoon right out back here making 100mph passes on one of my sleds,
The Challenger, under sheets and blankets for the winter, when I do drive it I flog it like it owes me money.
I stood on my head in a boat in July heat pulling blowers and cylinder heads when many here now were still in high school
.
I have a little girl who loves the water, and along with my own perf boat fatigue, I want to provide HER with the most enjoyable, hassle-free and fun on the water experience possible.
Which is 180* out from the primarily self-centered and ego-driven performance boat fetish that I myself participated in for nearly 30 years.

I would caution against being presumptuous of other's life force or motivations.
Long gone are the days when money=genius

Orthobam 02-15-2019 06:17 PM


Originally Posted by 302Sport (Post 4672785)
Ive also had them all, and while youre 100% correct about the center consoles being pretty much an SUV of the boating world, there's one thing they cant do, no matter how many 400 Verados you hang on the back. And that is give you that adrenaline rush that you can taste when you lay the sticks down and youre running 150+ on the water. There's nothing like that feeling and for alot of the guys that stil have the fast boats, its like a drug that you need to have. Some people just arent speed junkies and they had the go fast boats just because they thought it was cool. Well, those are the guys that have gotten out of it.


I just had a reality check when we spun out the race boat. Seeing your life flash before your eyes was enough for me. It wasn't fun anymore. I won't even get in one now if I'm not driving.

If I had an unlimited budget, I'd do a big OB cat to go from Miami to Gilberts through the bay at 100mph for lunch runs but that's about it. One boat that is intriguing to me is the monster 50 Outerlimits. I've heard it is an absolute wave crusher. With the new Mercury power reliability it's something I would consider if I could afford to have more than one nice boat.

If however, you can only afford to have one then the CC is the only choice.

pullmytrigger 03-10-2019 11:44 PM

Every time I see a CC I think it's the Cops


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:08 PM.


Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.