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Best Inshore Fishing Boat For The Money

When it came to picking 10 top center console fishing boats under $20,000, even though we've only had Fishboat Reviews in FishTalk since last April, we felt we could nail it down without a problem. Our Angler in Chief Lenny Rudow has been doing center console fishing boat reviews for multiple publications for over 25 years. He's poked, prodded, and sea trialed literally hundreds of models. So we asked him to ID some of the best buys he's run across in recent years, and pick some real winners in this category. If you're looking at lots of boats for sale, a center console fishing boat is what you desire, and you want to buy new, check out these picks.

  1. Bayliner Element F16
  2. BOTE Rover
  3. Carolina Skiff JVX 18 CC
  4. G3 Gator Tough 17
  5. Hobie Mirage Pro Angler
  6. Mako Pro Skiff 17
  7. May-Craft 1700 Skiff
  8. Robalo R160
  9. Tracker Grizzly 1860 CC
  10. Twin Vee 170 GF
bayliner center console fishing boat
The Bayliner Element F16 is Bayliner's fishing version of the Element M-hull boat.

Bayliner Element F16

The Bayliner Element F16 MSRPs at a hair over $15,000 with a 60-horse Mercury four-stroke outboard and a trailer, and comes ready to fish out of the box. We like the Element M-hull design, which is extremely stable if a bit bumpy in rough water (what 16-footer isn't?) and we love the fact that this is a wood-free, self-bailing boat. To get the complete story on this center console fishing boat, read our full Bayliner Element F16 Boat Review. To get the company line, visit Bayliner. Editor's Update: Since the publication of this article Bayliner stopped offering the fishing version of this model; the Element 16 can still be purchased in family trim (starting at $15,299) and the T18 Bay is a new fishing model built on the M-hull, starting at $21,999.

bote rover fishing boat
Okay, so it's a little unorthodox. And calling it a center console is a stretch. Still, we think lots of anglers will like the Bote Rover.

BOTE Rover

In the interest of full disclosure we need to point out that this is the one boat in this article which no one at FishTalk has personally sea trialed. And we admit that we're stretching the definition of "center console" a bit here, as in this case the console consists of a glorified grab rail. But we did inspect it closely at the ICAST fishing tackle show, and we were so impressed we decided to include it in this round-up anyway because so many people will want to know about it. This is a one-of-a-kind single-handed fishing machine, which can break a plane with just six horsepower on the transom and should be utterly awesome for probing cuts and creeks in areas like the Tangier Sound or Mobjack Bay. See our BOTE Rover Stand Up Paddleboard Boat Video Preview, or get the manufacturer's take at BOTE.

carolina skiff center console boat
Carolina Skiff makes a no-nonsense fishing boat.

Carolina Skiff JVX 18 CC

Carolina Skiff doesn't publish pricing so it's difficult to nail down an exact number for the JVX 18 CC, but as long as its outfitted with a small powerplant (they sell this model with outboards as small as the Yamaha F25), you can keep the bottom line under the $20,000 mark. The beauty in this boat is its simplicity; there's a small foredeck with stowage compartments, a small aft deck with stowage compartments, a console, and a helm seat (available in the form of a flip-back cooler seat or a leaning post). That's all she wrote – but that simple, Spartan layout is well-finished, rugged, and maintains its value well so you don't get financially slaughtered when it comes time to sell the boat. For more information check out Carolina Skiff.

the g3 gator tough fishing and hunting boat
If a cast-and-blast is your style, this G3 should be a boat of note.

G3 Gator Tough 17 CC

This aluminum boat is ideal for the fisher-hunter who wants to be able to fish light-tackle for stripers in the shallows one day, and go gunning for ducks the next. That aluminum hull might get bounced around more easily than a fiberglass boat of the same size, but it also weighs less, so it doesn't require nearly as much power, is easier to trailer, and easier to handle around the dock. Plus, if it bangs into anything the aluminum is a lot less likely to be damaged than fiberglass. Pricing can be kept below the $20K barrier with engines up to 50 horses, which is plenty of power for this size rig. Check out our complete review, G3 Gator Tough 17 CC: Pull the Trigger. Or, visit G3 Boats.

hobie fishing kayak
Yes people, a kayak can serve as a serious fishing machine!

Hobie Mirage Pro Angler

Since the Mirage Angler is available in several sizes and different anglers will be best served by one or another, we'll focus on this self-propelled fishing machine as a line, as opposed to as a single model. That said, all of the Mirage Pro Anglers can be had for well under this price-point. In fact, most can be thoroughly decked-out and you could buy three or four for $20K. Despite the fact that the only console in sight is an optional H-bar, this boat still belongs in this mix because it's a serious fish-hunting machine – and we know that's what you care about the most. When propelled by the Mirage Drive (which we examined in more detail in our June 2017 Hot New Fishing Gear) your hands are free for casting and reeling, and we've found that fishing from these kayaks is an absolute ball. Added bonus: we also discovered that the seats Hobie puts in these boats eliminates the aching back syndrome that used to be common with kayak fishing. For more information, visit Hobie.

center console fishing boat mako
The Mako Pro Skiff 17 is a top contender, for center consoles under $20,000.

Mako Pro Skiff 17

The Mako Pro Skiff 17 is a small powercat, which eats up a chop better than any monohull we can think to compare it to. Though we tested this model on a lake in Missouri, a breeze provided plenty of chop, boat traffic created some larger waves in the mix, and we were rather shocked at how well the Pro Skiff handled it all. Listing at $16,395 with a 60-horse four-stroke outboard and a trailer, pricing is more than reasonable and the only visible presence of cost-cutting is the use of a roto-molded center console instead of a fiberglass console. The boat also comes with more standards than one would expect in this price range, including a 65-quart swing-back cooler seat, five vertical rodholders, a 10-gallon livewell with a 500 GPH pump and adjustable spray-head, and a helm switch panel with lighted rockers and a 12-V outlet. For more information, visit Mako Boats. Editor's Update: Since this article was published the price of the Pro Skiff 17 has increased by about $1,600.

maycraft boats
The May-Craft 1700 CC is simple, but sweet.

May-Craft 1700 Skiff

Like the Carolina Skiff this one's a bit difficult to nail down on pricing, but do your homework and you'll find new hulls in the $18,000 range. This is a traditional-minded skiff, which will be ideal for fishing in tributary rivers, can hit the open Bay on calm days, and makes for a killer crabbing platform. It's another pleasingly simple boat, if also rather bare, and it comes with two rodholders, stowage compartments in the bow and under a swiveling helm seat, and a forward casting deck. The bilge pump is an option. (Really?!) Visit May-Craft Boats, to learn more.

robalo r-160 center console fishing boat
The Robalo R160 center console has top-notch fit and finish and construction characteristics - and just barely makes our $20,000 price cut.

Robalo R160

The Robalo R160 MSRPs just a few hundred dollars under $20,000 (or at $20,695 with a trailer), comes with a 50-horsepower Yamaha outboard, and may be the best-looking boat in this mix. Yes, that's a matter of personal preference, but the fit and finish on the R160 is just as good as you'll find on much larger, more expensive boats. Plus, it comes with far more features than you expect at this price-point. It has fold-down aft jump seats, a 70-quart swing-back cooler seat, six vertical console rodholders and two gunwale holders, a fold-down windshield and grab rail for garage storage, a battery switch, a 12-V port at the helm, toggle switches with breakers, tinned-copper wiring with waterproof connectors, cockpit courtesy lighting, four stainless-steel grabrails, and stainless-steel bowrails. It's also built with Kevlar reinforcement in the hull (which carries a lifetime limited warranty) and a poured composite transom core. This may be the priciest option on this list, but you can see why – and for $20,000 this center console fishing boat is a steal of a deal. For more information, visit Robalo Boats. Editor's Update: Since this article was published the price of the R160 has increased by approximately $3,000. That puts it a hair over $20K, but is still a stand-out deal.

tracker aluminum fishing boat
An aluminum fishing boat can fit the bill, as the Tracker Grizzly 1800 proves.

Tracker Grizzly 1860 CC

We talked earlier about the advantages and disadvantages of an aluminum hull while discussing the G3, and those same attributes apply to the Tracker Grizzly 1860 CC. Here's one more bonus this boat provides: at the $15,995 MSRP (with a 40 horse outboard and a trailer), it delivers more room at lower cost than just about anything else. It has larger fore and aft casting decks than the others in this mix. It has a sizable cockpit, a relatively wide seven foot beam, is rated for up to seven people, and hauls 19 gallons of fuel. Size-wise, it'll be tough to beat under the $20,000 mark. True, the relatively low seven-degree deadrise will be best suited to relatively calm waters, but it will also deliver excellent stability and very low draft. Visit Tracker Boats for more info, or to get an in-depth look at a similar model in a side-console version, read our Tracker Grizzly 1754 MVX SC review. Editor's Update: Since the publication of this article pricing for the 1860 CC has increased by approximately $2,500, but the standard powerplant has been upgraded to 60 horsepower.

twin vee 17 powercat center console
On small center console fishing boats, the powercat ride just can't be beat.

Twin Vee 170 GF

Twin Vees aren't the fanciest boats around, nor are they the most well-equipped, but their powercat hull rides far better than the norm. Plus, their pricing leaves plenty of wiggle-room for add-ons and extras (Twin Vee doesn't publish MSRPs, but with a 50 horse outboard and a trailer pricing is in the $16,000 to $17,000 range). The boat comes with No-Feedback steering, has a flip-back cooler seat at the helm, and the foredeck is capped to serve as a casting platform. For anglers who enjoy shallow water fishing but also want to be able to handle larger seas on occasion, this one's a winner. Check out Twin Vee Boats, to learn more. Editor's Update: Since the publication of this article, Twin Vee has stopped producing this model so it's no longer available new.

BONUS BESTS

If you're going to be fishing from a new center console you're going to need the best gear, right?! We have some affiliate partners who make stuff we absolutely love, and if you decide to buy any of these must-haves below, by clicking on the links here it won't cost you anything extra and FishTalk will get a piece of the action - so you'll be helping us keep the lights burning. Remember, FishTalk is free and we've gotta pay the bills somehow, so just in case you decide to pull the trigger on any of this stuff we'll say "thanks" in advance!

Grundens Tourney Jackets and Bibs

grundens jacket and bibs
Foul weather gear is a must-have, especially on small center consoles.

You want a lightweight, breathable, completely waterproof jacket and bibs? Grundens has a new "Tourney Kit" that might be exactly what you're looking for. Tourney Kit jacket and bibs are PU as opposed to PVC. PU is polyurethane with a textile backing, which breathes better than PVC but still has a rubbery exterior nature. Since PVC can often lead to sweating, this makes the Tourney Kit an ideal choice for anglers fishing in warmer weather. So, just how well is this foul weather gear made? We're sure you've already heard all about the quality level of Grundens gear - if it works for the Alaskan commercial fishermen, you can bet it'll work for the rest of us, too!

Grundens Deck Boss Boots

fishing boots
Deck Boss boots will keep your feet dry even when the spray is flying.

We've now been testing these boots for several seasons, and can give them a solid thumbs-up. The Deck Boss is über-comfy, and is designed to keep you that way when the deck's awash. A soft upper insole "deck" is perforated so it can drain down into the boot's "bilge," where water is channeled away from your feet via "scuppers" around the lower deck's "pilings". (Think these folks have boats on their minds?) The boots come with silicon bands that fit around a one-inch groove in the boot's uppers, which can be used to secure your pants leg so water doesn't get in the boots even if it over-tops their 15" height. And the "Herkules Grip" rubber gives awesome traction, even on slick surfaces. Added bonus: Grundens has a new (New! New!) version with a protective toe cap and we really do love these boots, so we hitched our "affiliate partner" cart to the Grundens bandwagon. That means that if you Click Here and Buy Deck Boss Boots now, FishTalk gets a little piece of the action and you help us keep the lights on. (Thanks in advance!)

Pelican Elite 70QT

super cooler
This Pelican cooler is as rugged as they come - period.

If you want a super-cooler that's GUARANTEED FOR LIFE (woohoo!) the Pelican 70QT Elite is a must-see. This is one we've hands-on tested, and we can attest to its uber-strong construction and durability. The polyurethane foam insulation is an immense two-inches thick, hardware is stainless-steel, latches are ABS, and the body is polypropylene. You can stand on it, you can sit on it, you can jump up and down on it, and when we tried all of the above not only were we unable to cause any damage, we didn't even see any flexing. So we challenged a pack of pre-teen kids to beat on it with an assortment of blunt objects (yes, there was adult supervision) and they were unable to do more than scuff the finish. Barely. Additional details: the cooler has nonskid feet that really don't skid, it has a built-in bottle opener, fish ruler, integrated cupholders, and molded-in handles. If you want a 70-quart cooler that will hold ice for days and can't be beat (beat up, that is), the Elite 70QT is a winner. Downsides? Like most super-coolers it's on the heavy side (a hair over 33 pounds) and the nonskid feet mean you can't slide it across the deck.

Gerber Multi Plier 600

multi pliers tool
There needs to be a multi tool aboard all small boats for quick fixes and more.

The Gerber Multi Plier 600 is a bonus, for sure. Why? Well first off, this is one seriously stout multi tool and is actually the number-one selling multi tool platform to the US military. More important to us anglers, it has 14 tools that can help with everything from on-the-spot reel repairs to crimping barbs to filleting fish. The tool is made of stainless-steel (in the US of A, no less) and the cutters have tungsten carbide inserts that can be rotated 120-degrees to expose new sharp edges when they get worn down. If it eventually becomes necessary, they can be replaced altogether. You could buy a cheap multi tool and watch it melt into a rusty hulk after a season or two, or you can spend a bit more and get the real thing - this is it.

Gerber Controller Folding Fillet Knife

folding fillet knife
You want a high-quality fillet knife that stows in half the space? Gerber's got it.

If your idea of fishing success culminates with a fillet knife in hand, you might find yourself wishing for one that was easy to stow and carry. Spoiler alert: all the folding fillet knives out there are on the cheap and crappy side… right? Wrong! The Controller Folding Fillet Knife is made with SALTRx corrosion resistance, a grippy "HydroTread" handle, and comes with a sheath with a built-in sharpener. Our favorite feature, however, might be the "fins" raising out of the top where the handle meets the blade. These let you lock your thumb into place and combined with the trigger-style grip, give you better control of the six-inch blade while slicing through the fish. The Controller also has a lanyard hole integrated into the back of the handle. Pop it open and the blade locks into place, then fold it up for pocket-sized stowage.

Filson Medium Dry Duffel Bag

dry bag for boat fishing
Keep your gear dry in the Filson Medium Duffel.

If you've ever gone night fishing, you've probably dealt with wet clothes and gear. If you've ever overnighted aboard a fishing boat, you've probably suffered through a similar fate. And if you've ever been on a small center console in serious seas, you've almost certainly endured the same saturated situation. Enter: the Filson Medium Dry Duffel Bag. This PU-coated 840-denier nylon duffel is waterproof even to the point of submersion. The roll-and-cinch closure has a dual-lock fastener, securing 54 liters of dry stowage space inside. It's easy to haul around, too, with nylon webbing handles plus a removable and adjustable shoulder strap that's padded. It's available in green and orange, and somehow has secured that ever-evasive five-star customer rating on Filson's website.

Pelagic Exo-Tech Hooded Fishing Shirt

fishing shirts
Ooh, we love the Dorado pattern on these Pelagic shirts.

If you want stylin' fishing shirts with 50+ UPF sun protection, vented mesh side panels, a protective pull-up hood, and an integrated mesh face mask, the Pelagic Exo-Tech shirts are ideal. The quick-dry fabric is 86-percent polyester and 14-percent elastane and is also treated with water repellent and stain guard. Plus, it's anti-microbial. There are plenty of styles to choose from but our pick is the Dorado pattern in green or blue. If you like looking sharp while fishing and consider sun protection a must, you just found your next shirt.

Also be sure to check out:

  • The World's Five Best Cheap Fishing Boats
  • 10 Top Center Console Fishing Boats Under $10,000
  • Three Cool New Bay Boats Under $50,000

Best Inshore Fishing Boat For The Money

Source: https://fishtalkmag.com/blog/10-top-center-console-fishing-boats-under-20000

Posted by: greenpoempon.blogspot.com

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