What you want in a 26' center console

[Abell Marine]

Wondering what everyone's thoughts are for features that are a must or a bust for a 26' center console. You know how it is, you go fishing with a guy on a brand "X" and something was a real pain in the ass. Or you go and thought, "that was a smart way to rig that". It seems a lot of boats don't get built for people that actually fish them.

I'm looking for input for all angles from all angles. Everything from fishboxes to livewells, layout, etc..


Thanks

[wbfish]

No bracket mounted engines.
No steps like the regs have up to the bow. Nearly broke my ankle on one while in the middle a fight.
For the type of fishing I do(mostly trolling and bottomfishing), I like CC's that have the console placed more forward leaving ample room in the back for 3 or more people to walk around. Don't mean to put down Regs but they are another good example of a boat with little room in the back to move around. At least the 26 and under are.

[SeaBiscuit]

Flush deck, extra gunwale rod holders, extra console rod holders, extra transom rod holders. Large live well, centered, preferably on the leaning post. Convenient DRY storage in console. Over sized trim tabs. Coffin forward is nice, especially when full! Large capacity anchor locker.
Last but not least: easy bilge access!
SeaBiscuit

[Miles Offshore]

different strokes eh?

i like the step in the bow for casting and for the extra room it allows for anchor storage, etc.

i also like the console set back so i can hold the boat against say a bridge in a ripping current and still fish with one arm holding a rod and the other running the boat.

i think eurotransoms/large motor wells are a bust, hate em-i like inboards but would rather have a bracket if i had to do outboards. i want a closed transom with a fishbox built in just like the battlewagons (the old mako in my sig has a nice larger one where as the seacraft i have has 2 little boxes that are not much good for anything other than storing lead. the closed transom gives you room to work in the pit'.

i like big leaning posts (proportionate to the boat of course) with back support as well as tackle center built in.

i also think some smart guy could also think of something clever to do with the overhead electronics box (other than electronics). i hate looking up at radios,or whatever might be up there and i also hate stuff hitting me in the head when running,lol. I think some kind of storage option well thought out would be nice.

[Magnanimous]

I think a good sized dash for as many electronic you can put there. Big fish boxes, that drain over board, nice wide beam, so you can move around while fighting the fish, plenty of rod holders. The step...that is hit or miss with me...I guess if you have a step...make sure to point it out before leaving the dock.....large fuel tank..for long runs....or if you need to make a change to another location...you don't have to think about fuel. Max out the HP....so you can get there before other....you may never need it all...but if you want it ....you Know you have it......I like forward seating...AND I know that can be a huge problem when fishing in the bow......however after a long day...some people like to relax on the ride home and have a cold one......

Mark

[wbfish]

I think more companies need to have the fold down forward seating. Like Biscuit said a coffin is excellent but I have not seen one on a 26.

Curtains are a must!!!

Console placement I guess depends on what type of fishing your doing.
At least one fish box should be long enough to hold a big hoo.

[Logan9581]

The overboard draining fish boxes are nice. Also, don't put the livewell in the floor. Put it in the transom or the leaning post. No one wants to bend over all day to get bait and step in a livewell that was left open.

[wbfish]

Originally Posted by Logan9581

The overboard draining fish boxes are nice. Also, don't put the livewell in the floor. Put it in the transom or the leaning post. No one wants to bend over all day to get bait and step in a livewell that was left open.

Hahaha, I've done that a good number of times.

[Nobody]

at least 200 gallons of fuel , a decent bow flare to knock down the chop, twin 200's of your choice will give you ample speed and maximize range , fishhold capacity big enough to hold 6 50-80 lb yellowfin , a big livelwell with 1600 gph pumps a leaning post with rocket launchers and a tackle center and maybe some drawers and a chart tube, a cooler that really holds ice in the front seat for food and drinks.enough storage to handle all the crap you bring offshore with you and only 1/2 gets used, a properly organized console this would include being able to flush mount 2 12-15 inch machines side by side in a compartment right in front of you, this spot would also have all your rocker switches horizontily below the machines to keep them out of the weather as well. 4 drink holders big enough to hold a 32 oz gatoraid a glove box to put sunscreen and cell phone wallet and all that junk in. Below the console ,access with doors not that cheap canvas snap job to everything including- "Neatly" run and properly marked wirering, 4 batteries, enough room to house the mirad of black boxes that go to all of your electronics and everything in the e-box. room to store 5 type 1 pfd's a place to hang some skins and store your spreader bars. a real glass windshield a sturdy fiberglass t-top with outriggers and a center rigger.( can someone please figure out a way to keep the outriggers from swaying when not in use so I can get rid of that thunking noise). storage under the gunwale to store a fly gaff ,2 straight gaffs a harpoon and a net up in the bow. Combing pads, an anchor locker big enough to house 2100 feet of anchorline.and lastly Please gellcoat everything even the stuff below deck it is much easier to keep clean than that gorilla hair with all the nooks and crannies.

[stockweiser]

Large cockpit, high gunwale, platform between engines, large ttop for several reasons, huge fishboxes and most of all very comfortable..................................like this.