The Various Types of Center Console Boats

Center consoles are a unique type of boat. These boats have their helms placed in the very center of the boat, rather than towards the bow (front) which gives them a 360° walkaround layout that’s perfect for entertaining, fishing, and other uses. But there are several different types of center consoles on the market, so it’s important to know what they are in order to select the perfect model for your needs.

Flats Boat

If you want to fish in flat or shallow water, you need a boat with the ability to smoothly glide over sandbars and water that’s only a few inches or feet deep. A flats boat doesn’t have a deep-V hull; rather, it has a flat bottom that allows it to easily skim the shallows. These boats tend to be small and designed for fishing in streams and rivers, rather than out on the open ocean.

Bay Boat

These boats are larger, with deep-V hulls, coming in at anywhere from 15’ to 25’ in length. Bay boats are, as the name suggests, meant for fishing in larger bays, such as Chesapeake Bay. While you can’t use these on the open ocean, bay center console boats are ideal for rivers, lakes, and your standard saltwater bay. These boats are spacious and comfortable.

Catamaran

Double-hulled catamaran boats are capable of handling those rough waters easily, so you can take this model out past the bay into the ocean for deep-water fishing. Catamaran center consoles have wide decks and powerful engines, and their twin hulls make them more stable than smaller boats.

Ready to check out some center consoles in person? Stop by our Connecticut showroom in Clinton today to view our inventory of new and used center console boats for sale. Clinton Harborside Marina serves our Connecticut customers in Milford and West Haven.