Registration data and sales trends point to center console boats being the most popular choice in Florida. This is easy to see since center consoles are the “do anything” boat. They can navigate shallow water one day and be found fishing far offshore the next. They can accommodate large families for a day of watersports and snorkeling or hold a large load of gear and head across the Gulf Stream to the Bahamas. Center consoles are well suited for almost any waterborne activity.
Most Versatile Boat Configuration
With thousands of miles of coastline and navigable waterways, Florida is known as the boater’s paradise. With so many boating options, what type of boat is best to get the most out of the available boating activities? In Florida, the boating public has spoken loud and clear. It’s a center console boat.
Center console boats – called open fisherman boats because of their 360 degrees of fishability – stand out as the most versatile and practical configurations for the many boating activities available in Florida. Anglers love the ability to fish around the entire boat without any obstructions. Families seeking other activities will find ample room for passengers and storage for whatever gear is required for the day’s activities.
Simple Design & Versatility
At the heart of what makes these boats desirable is a simple and flexible design. Center console boats—as the name implies—have a main center console, or helm station, at the center of the boat surrounded by open decking. This simple design is functional because it allows easy and unobstructed access to all areas of the boat.
This open layout is ideal for fishing, one of Florida’s most popular boating activities. This is also why this type of boat configuration is also known as an open fisherman. The open layout ease of movement and allows anglers to fish in any direction and from any location on the boat. More specific fishing models and accessories can provide rod storage and convenience features like live bait wells and built-in insulated cooler boxes.
If you’re not into fishing, that’s okay because the simple open design of center consoles makes these boats incredibly adaptable to other non-fishing activities. Families can use the spacious decking to accommodate additional passengers or just lounging. Below the decks, you’ll find ample storage to easily store personal items and provisions. Powerful outboards make it possible to tow water toys with ease.
Another plus to this simple design is the cost. Manufacturing open-deck boats is far less costly than boats with intricate cabin layouts and interior upholstery. This makes center console boats one of the most affordable boats per foot on the market.
Adaptable to Florida’s Diverse Waterways
Florida’s varied waterways range from mangrove-lined estuaries to deep offshore waters. Center consoles allow you to access these diverse waterways with ease. These boats typically feature a shallow draft, which means they can operate in just inches of water. Areas like the beautiful backcountry of Everglades National Park or the flats of Mosquito Lagoon are easily accessible.
Thanks to the evolution of hull design, center consoles can also handle offshore waters with ease and safety. Venturing to the offshore waters off Miami or Fort Lauderdale on any given day, you will undoubtedly see dozens of center console boats. If you plan on navigating deeper offshore waters with regularity, specific models are available with deep-V hulls designed to cut through larger waves found offshore.
Year-Round Boating
Florida’s subtropical climate means boating is a year-round activity. Its warm weather makes it an ideal location to use your center console year-round. To be honest, a center console may be impractical for boating in areas like the Midwest, where weather is often too cold to operate this type of vessel year-round. But in Florida and other southern or Gulf states, it’s a great choice for most boaters.
Customization
One great feature of center console boats is their customizability. These open-deck boats are like blank slates when it comes to adding features and accessories. Manufacturers like Boston Whaler, Grady-White, and Contender offer a wide range of options to tailor these boats to your specific needs.
For anglers, this might mean adding rod holders, fishing-specific electronics like fishfinders and sonar, or livewells to keep bait alive and frisky. For families, options can include additional seating, built-in coolers, Bluetooth sound systems, or even barbecue grills.
