The Ultimate Dual Console Boat: Best On The Water

what is the best dual console boat

Dual console boats are incredibly popular, especially among family boaters who enjoy saltwater fishing, freshwater fishing, watersports, and day cruising. These boats are versatile and can be used for a wide range of activities, depending on how they are kitted out. The dual console boat design ranges across different boat categories and sizes, making them incredibly versatile for a wide range of activities. They are often compared to bowriders or fish-and-ski boats and are designed with a wider range of uses in mind. Dual console boats provide functionality, comfort, and smooth rides with outboard propulsion.

Characteristics Values
Length 17-40 ft
Average length 24 ft
Average price $115,000
Propulsion Outboard Engine
Horsepower 90-1,200 HP
Hull types Deep vee, modified vee, sea-V2, catamaran, pontoon
Top dual console boat brands Boston Whaler, Grady-White, Key West, Pursuit, Robalo
Number of people Up to 16 people, but usually averages 10
Uses Day cruising, saltwater fishing, watersports, coastal boating, inshore boating, offshore boating

shunwild

Boston Whaler 270 Vantage

The Boston Whaler 270 Vantage is a dual-console boat that offers the perfect blend of pleasure boating and fishing. It was first introduced in late 2012 and has since become a popular choice for those seeking a versatile and well-equipped vessel.

One of the most notable features of the 270 Vantage is its convertible portside lounge seat, which can be folded into various positions to suit different activities. Anglers will appreciate the optional fishing package, which includes a 19-gallon lighted livewell, stainless toe rails with under-gunwale storage, transom-mounted rod holders, and a raw-water washdown station. The boat also comes standard with flush-mount gunwale rod holders, a cockpit utility centre, a transom door, an insulated fish box with a drain, and lockable in-floor rod storage.

In addition to its fishing capabilities, the 270 Vantage is also well-suited for watersports and entertainment. It offers expansive seating with both bow and stern cockpits, and its swing-out doors and centre windshield provide excellent protection from the wind and weather. The boat is equipped with a Mercury Verado engine, with models ranging from 250hp to 300hp, ensuring a powerful and efficient performance on the water.

The 270 Vantage has a LOA of 26 ft. 10 in., a beam of 9 ft., a draft of 20 in., a deadrise of 20 deg., and a fuel capacity of 175 gal. It has a maximum horsepower of 450 and is constructed with a fiberglass deep-vee hull.

Overall, the Boston Whaler 270 Vantage is a highly versatile and well-appointed dual-console boat, perfect for those who enjoy fishing, watersports, and entertaining. With its blend of performance, functionality, and comfort, it's no wonder that it is a popular choice for boaters seeking a versatile and capable vessel.

shunwild

Grady-White Freedom 335

The Grady-White Freedom 335 is a 33-foot dual console vessel, perfect for offshore saltwater fishing, day cruising, and overnight cruising. The boat features two console areas, including a spacious berth and an easy-access head. The Freedom 335 also includes a wet bar, a refrigerator, and a grill, making it ideal for entertaining. The boat offers ultra-comfortable and expansive seating, with a wraparound companion bench seat and a bow dining area. For fishing, the cockpit seat can be slid back, and the aft seat folded away to create more space. The boat also comes with rod racks, tackle storage, and two fish boxes in the transom and starboard-bow area.

The Grady-White Freedom 335 is a versatile and well-equipped boat, perfect for multigenerational families who want to enjoy a range of activities on the water. It has a fuel capacity of 293 gallons and can reach a top speed of 53 mph. The boat is constructed with a fiberglass SeaV2 hull and is typically powered by an outboard engine.

The Freedom 335 is part of Grady-White's dual-console fleet, which includes nine different models ranging from 275 to 375. The company has a long history in this genre, with the heritage of its dual-console models dating back to 1979.

shunwild

Pursuit DC 265

The Pursuit DC 265 is a dual-console boat that is perfect for family fun, casual fishing, cruising and marine sports. It has a spacious cockpit with plenty of seating, including a forward-facing companion seat and an aft-facing cockpit seat with an insulated cooler underneath. The boat also features a livewell, a fish box, and under-gunwale rod storage, making it well-equipped for fishing.

The DC 265 is designed with a single-engine application, improving efficiency and preserving space around the swim platform. It has a top speed of 49.8 mph and can achieve 1.49 mpg with a single Yamaha F350 engine. Alternatively, twin Yamaha four-cylinder F200s generate a top speed of 51.4 mph for 1.3 mpg.

The boat measures 25 feet 10 inches in length, with a beam of 8 feet 9 inches and a draft of 19 inches. It has a fuel capacity of 139 gallons and a maximum horsepower of 400. The dry weight of the boat is 6,180 lbs.

The Pursuit DC 265 comes with a range of standard and optional equipment, including a fiberglass hardtop, a molded fiberglass windshield frame, LED cockpit accent lights, a folding transom seat, and a tackle drawer/storage under the sink. The boat is available in a variety of colours, including Titanium, Neptune Gray, Pursuit Flag Blue, and Gulf Stream Blue.

shunwild

Cobia 220 Dual Console

The Cobia 220 Dual Console is a 22-foot dual console boat that can be used for day cruising, saltwater fishing, and watersports. It was introduced in 2013 as a larger version of the 180 model, built on the 217CC hull, which is designed for open water. The basic layout of the dual console, with the helm forward and offset, makes for a very roomy cockpit. The boat offers a lot of cushioned seating and is touted as a "do-it-all" dual console for cruising, skiing, and fishing. The aft bench seat can be quickly stowed away to expand the deck space.

The 220 DC comes with under-gunwale rod and gaff storage, flush-mount vertical holders, and an optional 25-gallon livewell for the aft port corner. It also has covering boards with coaming pads, which allow anglers to lock in and get straight up and down on a big fish. The boat has a lot of storage space for gear, bags, and skis, as well as a fully-finished standup head area. Other options include a ski tow bar that recesses into the deck.

The Cobia 220 Dual Console is a versatile and elegant boat, offering comfort and quality. It is designed with a smooth hull and a dry ride, handling even the biggest water with confidence, safety, and style. The multi-purpose layout makes it suitable for a variety of on-the-water adventures for families and friends.

shunwild

Scout 275 Dorado

The Scout 275 Dorado is a dual-console boat that was unveiled as the largest in its fleet in 2014. At 27 feet 6 inches in length and with a 9-foot beam, the 275 Dorado is a family-friendly coastal fishing vessel. It offers a spacious cockpit, plush bow seating, a porcelain head, and various cockpit-seating arrangements. The boat can be swiftly transformed from a comfortable family cruiser to an open-cockpit fishing boat.

The 275 Dorado is equipped with a range of fishing features, including in-floor port and starboard fish boxes, a 25-gallon aft livewell, tackle drawers, raw-water and freshwater washdowns, vertical and horizontal rod holders, a fold-down wave gate, and a swim platform. It also boasts a Yamaha performance bulletin, with twin four-cylinder F200s capable of reaching a top speed of 53 mph while delivering 1.33 mpg.

The boat's built-in custom fibreglass hard top provides ample shade for passengers, which is especially useful for families with young children. The 275 Dorado is also designed with safety in mind, utilising 20% more foam than US Coast Guard regulations to ensure unsinkability.

The 275 Dorado offers a variety of optional features and accessories to customise the boat to your needs. You can choose from a range of cushion and hull colours, and add accessories like the cockpit cover and hardtop aft curtain to protect against the elements. You can also enhance the boat's performance and handling with upgrades like hydraulic or Optimus steering, and further improve your on-board experience with a deluxe stereo system or a 12-volt refrigerator.

Frequently asked questions

A dual console boat is a medium-sized, trailerable vessel with two consoles — one to starboard where the helm is located, and a second one to port for passengers. They are often used for day cruising, saltwater fishing and watersports.

Dual console boats are incredibly versatile and can be used for a wide range of activities. They offer expansive seating and are perfect for families with different boating interests. They also tend to be more affordable than boats designed for a single purpose.

Anglers may prefer a centre console boat as it offers 360-degree fishability. For watersports enthusiasts, a dedicated ski or wake boat will have more advanced features. The head compartments and cabins are also smaller than those found on similarly sized power cruisers or walkarounds.

Sea Ray, Grady-White, Pursuit, MasterCraft and Boston Whaler are some of the most well-known builders of dual console boats.

Prices for dual console boats vary depending on size, features and engine type. They can range from $12,900 to $981,335, with an average price of $115,000.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment