Fishing Boating reviews

Viking continues its dominance of the sportfishing yacht industry with the introduction of the Viking 68, a four-stateroom blue-water convertible with unmatched performance, bulletproof construction, luxury interior accommodations and advanced propulsion and boat-control technologies.

“This boat is going to be a big hit,” says Viking Design Manager David Wilson. “We were able to bring some of the attributes of our larger models to the 68 while maintaining the efficiencies of a smaller sportfishing boat.”

The 68 C is designed and engineered to function equally as well as a tournament-ready offshore runner and a cruising yacht with all the conveniences and technology that you’ve come to expect from Viking.

The optional Seakeeper gyro stabilizer heightens the level of comfort during both fishing and cruising activities. Anglers do battle in a 176-square foot cockpit, while guests can watch from an air-conditioned observation mezzanine.

Running on Viking’s proven hull shape with a 12.1-degree transom deadrise, this beautiful battlewagon delivers a soft ride in rough seas, with a 35-knot cruising speed and a top end approaching 40-plus knots. An aggressively raked stem, gently sloping sheer, swept-back black-masked windshield and flying bridge brow present a powerful yet elegant picture.

Have you ever wished you had a bird’s‐eye view of the water beyond your boat? You don’t need wings… just the help of the Robalo 246 Cayman Sky Deck. Step aboard and you will find an expertly‐crafted second station that gives you more control than ever before, extending your vantage point and taking your angling adventure to new heights—literally. The 246 builds upon the tradition of Robalo’s go‐anywhere Caymans, a family of bay boats that are just as comfortable on offshore adventures as they are at shallow nooks and crannies by the coast. Ample deck space gives you room to welcome the whole crew on board, a perk that the addition of the Sky Deck only amplifies. Built‐in storage for everything from rods to live bait to tackle is abundant, so you’re never limited by the capacity of your ride. That convenience extends up to the second station, where stainless‐steel drink holders make it easy for you to kick back and stay perched there however long you like. On the 246 Cayman Sky Deck, you never have to rush… but when you want to, you can count on a ride that’s quick and smoother than ever.

Viking’s reputation for building high performance express models maintains its enviable industry leadership with the announcement of the newest entry, the 44 Open. By their design, express boats cater to the owner/operator who enjoys his time aboard with family and friends and is content to fish hard on Saturdays and yet be equally accommodating when the family prefers to take to the water for a relaxing cruise. Whatever the game, the new Viking 44 scores points handily and is ready to rack up nautical miles while delivering fishability, accommodations, handling and performance.

Head out to the deep waters in style and comfort in the all new 2602 Legacy. This beauty is loaded with standard features that exceed expectations for quality, performance, and versatility. Its roomy cockpit features plush seating with flip-out backrest in the bow with 3-across aft seating that conceals the 18 gallon cooler and oversized insulated–50 gallon fish box. The large head is fiberglass lined with a sink, mirror, and SeaDek® flooring. The leaning post is the epitome of efficiency with beautifully styled, ergonomically correct seating with flip-up bolsters; large, 21 gallon baitwell; switch panel and conveniently located freshwater washdown.

The Formula 430 All Sport Crossover is the latest of the revolutionary 430 Super Sport Crossover. True to the Formula Crossover mission of providing a platform where boaters truly can have the best of all worlds, the 430 ASC is an unprecedented fusion of dayboat versatility, overnight capabilities and sporting accommodations, where playing hard no longer means hard work or compromise for anyone aboard. At 43’ in length with a 12’ beam, the 430 ASC retains all of the SSC’s comfort amenities forward with a generous shot of offshore adventure aft.

The 28XS is 28’4” long and 9’8” wide center console. The hull design is 21 degrees deadrise at the transom for stability at rest and 50 degrees at the bow providing a soft ride in rougher waters. The extreme bow flair allows for more comfort and displaces the water away from the passengers. The hull also has a reverse chine that helps the boat plane quickly, giving it more lift for a high and dry ride.

Viking’s open models are popular choices for any number of on the water activities including cruising, diving and sportfishing. One of the more attractive benefits for many enthusiasts is that the helm is close to the cockpit, making it the perfect choice for the owner/operator who does not have a crew or simply likes to be in constant contact with the action in the cockpit.

Tried and tested for decades far offshore for many bluewater miles, the Contender Series Tournament Boat is the culmination of power and engineering created with all the advantages a fisherman needs on even the most challenging of days.

The 25 Tournament is simply a great all-around boat. And rigged with single or twin Yamaha outboards, you’ll get to where you want to go quickly and efficiently.

Contender has always been well known for producing some of the best performing center console fishing boats on the water, and the 35ST, goes beyond those expectations.

The innovative dual step design provides dramatic performance increases not only in speed, but also in fuel efficiency, and handling. The 35 Stepped hull’s one level deck, massive fish and storage boxes, and of course the incomparable ride, make this is a fisherman’s dream.

It had to happen. Parlaying the game-changing success of the R180 and the R200, Robalo takes its center console offerings up a notch for 2015 with the introduction of the new R222. The R222 is sold at a nationally advertised price. The keyword here is more. More centerline length. More storage space. More ride comfort. More seaworthiness. More fishing features. The only place where the new R222 proudly comes up short is its No Haggle, Reel Deal price tag. Key fishing features include twin 30-gallon fish boxes that can either keep your catch fresh or serve as storage areas. A 15-gallon livewell with LED lighting and a blue gelcoat finish is conveniently positioned under the standard leaning post.

The wave of excitement that is Robalo’s new Cayman Series gets even bigger and better with Robalo new 246 bay boat flagship. If you thought the 206 and 226 were something special just wait until you eye the 246. Designed to take inshore/offshore fishing capabilities to another level, the 246’s Extended V-Plane hull design can easily navigate both shallow water fishing holes and big water destinations. Simply stated, where ever they’re biting, the 246 can speed you there.

The boat’s wide deck layout combined with excess hull flare, delivers more fishing space, stability and a dryer ride than rivals. The 246 simply won’t back down no matter what Mother Nature dishes out. Robalo leaves no detail uncovered. Innovative hideaway seating says welcome aboard then converts to the ultimate fishing machine with huge casting decks forward and aft. Lockable rod storage and live bait well capacity is best in class. Designed for comfortable extended outings, the 246 features a forward entry privacy head and wrap around bow seating.

The best helm design in this size range features Yamaha digital gauges with plenty of room for advanced electronics. A complete array of stainless steel hardware is a cut above. The 246 is equally impressive under the gelcoat with Kevlar reinforcement, rot free construction and a poured composite transom.

Any devoted while marlin aficionado will tell you that the tackle available today is leagues above what used on the tournament circuit back in the 1950s and 1960s. Yet, one of the best white marlin baits remains a firm and gleaming carefully rigged balao because when it comes to catching fish some things never change at all. The new Viking 37 Billfish rides right alongside this wave of thinking. Designed to emulate the historic Merritt and Rybovich day boats of that by gone era, the Viking 37 Billfish raises the bar on the memory of these classic vessels with slick, contemporary styling and modern and more durable materials to offer better performance, easier maintenance and attractive overnight accommodations.

Now an integral part of the Viking Yachts line up, the 37 Billfish is built to be a canyon ready tournament contender that is equally at home fishing for sails off Palm Beach, blue marlin in the Bahamas, or Pacific sailfish in Costa Rica.

NauticStar has reached the pinnacle of boating technology for maximum performance and pleasure with the Extreme Tournament Series. The 244XTS is loaded with fishing and comfort features.

Inshore, offshore, Red Fish or Snapper, it doesn’t matter–the NauticBay 244XTS will get you to the fish featuring the STAR Performance System. Shallow draft hull with a high riding deep V-forward, gets you from the dock to the oil rigs and back keeping you comfortable dry and safe.

The sensational R242 is one of Robalo’s newest center console offering available at Reel Deal pricing. Brace yourself, fish boat design just took another giant leap forward. Upfront, the large casting platform is sure-footed and accessible. In the cockpit, a forward entry privacy head comes standard with a porta-pottie and a screened opening port light. Little extras like LED cockpit lighting, a bow filler cushion and a freshwater cockpit shower are all standard. Serious anglers will appreciate the best-in-class livewell capacity and massive insulated fish box storage. At this length, nobody does it bigger or better. Fully equipped standard, take the R242 up a notch with key options including a fiberglass T-top that comes complete with four rod holders, LED spreader lights and an electronics box.

The Xp 38 delivers an unrivalled sailing experience in a dual-purpose cruiser-racer.

This enjoyment comes from the Xp 38’s high level of responsiveness, thanks to high ballast ratio, light and stuff epoxy infusion construction and carbon keel structure, and controllable sail plan. High stability and ease of handling makes the Xp 38 a rapid and comfortable yacht to cruise with excellent sea-keeping in all conditions, as well as a high performance racing design for both inshore and offshore. It has scored a host of race victories under both IRC and ORC.

Yamaha WaterCraft Group, a division of Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., introduced an exciting new 21-foot center console family fishing model that builds on the success of its ground-breaking 19-foot 190 FSH Series.

Based on Yamaha’s widely popular 210 sport boat models, the 210 FSH is well-suited for rougher waters and delivers the added peace of mind that comes with dual engines.

And because the dual engines and driveline are housed in the hull underneath the captain’s leaning post, the boat provides a true, open 360-degree experience that is perfect for fishing. The boat includes all the features that fishing enthusiasts require, along with family features that are perfect for an entire day out on the water to include watersports, swimming, and lounging – all in the same boat, and at a competitive price starting under $40,000.

The 210 FSH is available in three variations that include the base model 210 FSH, an upgraded 210 FSH Deluxe, and the flagship 210 FSH Sport that offers the features of the Deluxe with the addition of a custom T-top. All three models come with Yamaha’s award-winning TR-1™ High Output marine engines.

Deluxe model upgrades include wiring for dual batteries, stainless steel rub-rail, head compartment curtain, a trolling motor mount, and upgraded seating/cushions.

Inshore or offshore the new, NauticStar 265 XTS is a beast of a bay boat and the largest in the Extreme Tournament Series family of boats. It is the culmination of years of innovation and advanced engineering, with a collection of all the latest bells and whistles. It evolved from customer feedback for the ultimate fishing vessel. With its large forward and aft decks, ample rod storage, 43 gallon bow fish box, 3 livewell/baitwells, 35 Qt YETI cooler, and plenty of tackle storage, the 265 is an amazing fishing platform. Not only is it ergonomically correct and down right comfortable, the newly designed leaning post features Llebroc seating with flip-up bolsters and armrests; a 21 gallon baitwell with transparent lid; lighted push button switch panel; and conveniently located freshwater washdown.

If you want a family sport boat that can operate where stern drive rivals dare not tread and is also a serious fishing machine, Robalo’s versatile R247 is in a class by itself. There’s so much to like about the R247. Kevlar reinforcement and stainless steel hardware are a cut above. A have-it-your-way options list is accented with an innovative three position portside seat, a clever wet bar, vacuflush head, special electronics and an assortment of custom tops and towers. Search all the leading competitors and you won’t find a dual console in this size range with more storage. Everywhere you look there’s room for cargo... under all the seats, in the starboard console, in the floor and at the bow.

Sit down and make a checklist of exactly what you want in your next fishing boat. A headache free buying experience. Check. A space efficient interior design including an enclosed head. Check. Reputable, time-tested name brand. Check. Efficient overall performance. Check. One ride and you’ll agree that the sensational R200 can turn anyone’s wish list into reality.

Powered by an F115 Yamaha and packaged with an aluminum trailer that includes brakes, the R200 is a steal of a deal that rivals can’t touch. Extensive rod storage, a multi-purpose interior, a powder coated leaning post (optional), stainless steel hardware and Robalo’s award winning style lines rank the R200 as a first-rate fishing boat. Well equipped, the R200 can also be customized with key options including a T-top, trim tabs, a porta-pottie and Command Link gauges.

Meet the boat that calls to mind cherished memories and empowers exciting new ones: the brilliant new 350 Realm. As the first in a new family of Boston Whaler express models, the 350 Realm combines impressive capability with purposeful features and unsurpassed comfort. For entertaining friends and family, discovering far-flung islands, chasing deep-sea fish, or spending long days at anchor, the 350 is perfectly suited for any adventure. The cutting-edge design ensures mastery of the water, so you can let imagination be your guide.