New and Used Center Console Boats for Sale

Center console boats are one of the most common styles of small to midsized boat, and are characterized by their central helm station. They can range from skiffs to large offshore fishing boats. Search for used center console boats for sale near you, and refine the search by length, style, price, or brand. 

Main characteristics of Center Console Boats

As the name implies, a center console boat is any vessel which has the helm in the center of the boat. They allow for a 360-degree wrap-around deck which is favored by anglers for ease of casting and reeling. Center console boats can have a fully enclosed pilothouse, a T-top or hard roof or, especially on smaller models, have no cover. Again, depending on the size of the boat, they might have a full windscreen or none at all, and range from simple skiffs with minimal amenities, to large offshore cruisers and sportfishing boats with cabins and heads. The term center console boat covers a wide range of styles of boat, and is often used as part of its description, rather than to define the type of boat.

Types of Center Console Boats

Center Console Skiffs and Flats Boats

Skiffs, bass boats, and flats boats are usually around 15 to 19 feet in length, and are generally used for fishing and day cruising on inland waters. Flats boats in particular are specialized towards fishing in very shallow locations. They can be easily put on a trailer, need low-powered engines, and are generally inexpensive to buy. 

Center Console Bay Boats

Bay boats allow anglers to tackle slightly choppier bay waters than skiffs and flats boats would otherwise be able to do, and are a popular option. They are lightweight and easy to trailer, but have a slightly deeper V-hull for a smoother ride. While they can’t handle offshore waters except on calm days, they are well-loved for their versatility. 

Offshore Center Console Fishing Boats/Sportfishing Boats

Offshore center console boats or sportfishing boats tend to have much higher hull sides and a deeper V-hull, designed for handling larger waves on the ocean or large lakes. They are usually larger than other fishing boats, commonly ranging between 26 and 40 feet, and may have multiple engines for added speed to the fishing grounds. Most will have a small cabin or compartment for storage inside the steering console, and some may have added luxuries such as heads. 

Catamaran (or Dual Hull) Center Console Boats

Catamaran (or dual hull) center consoles offer a smooth ride through the chop and a stable platform from which to fish or spend days as a large group. They have more interior space per length and, thanks to their twin hulls, are able to tackle even the lumpiest of seas. 

Best Center Console Boat Brands

Center console boats form one of the largest styles of boat in the United States and around the world, and there is a huge number of brands building them. Some of the top names in the center console industry include Cobia, Century, Contender, Mako, and Sea Hunt, as well as the well-known Boston Whaler who build everything from well-equipped skiffs to serious offshore fishing boats. Other top brands offering a broad line-up of center consoles include Bluewater, Grady-White, and Everglades.

Offshore center console brands such as Pursuit and Scout have excellent reputations, while going up even further in size we have brands such as HCB Custom Yachts with their luxury boats topping 50 feet, as well as EdgeWater, Intrepid, Invincible, and Yellowfin Yachts. 

At the other end of the size scale, Carolina Skiffs offer a range of smaller skiff and bay boats, as do Ranger Boats which are renowned for their robustness. Hybrid center console boat brands such as Robalo and NauticStar offer a range of blended use boats called hybrid bay boats with more amenities. Lastly, when it comes to the center console power cat sector, one of the top names is World Cat with their line-up of boats ranging from 23 to 40 feet in length. 

Why Choose a Center Console Boat?

Center console boats cover a broad selection of types of boats, from small skiffs all the way up to large offshore fishing and cruising boats. What they have in common is their centrally located helm, which offers a versatile wraparound deck space, ideal for fishing, watersports, or sun-lounging.