Advertisement
A guide to the boats that never leave our wish lists.
Fish one day, cruise the next – or mix both activities on a multinight getaway aboard the versatile Boston Whaler 365.
I have this recurring dream of a boat with bountiful beam, comforts crafted for a king, technology entwined in everything. Dare I ask the dealer for a quote and risk scuttling my someday boat?
Boston Whaler
365 Conquest Anglers, looking to keep everyone happy? Check out Boston Whaler’s new 365 Conquest, the company’s “SUV of the Seas” line. At the 2024 Miami International Boat Show we were wowed by the forward queen berth that magically splits and swings open to become a dinette and two facing settees. There’s also mid-cabin cockpit seating that folds away when you want more fishing space — and all the fishing accessories you need to tackle everything from mackerel to marlin. A pair of Mercury V12 600-hp outboards rocket this SUV past the 50-mph barrier.
Starting at $1,040,000 | bostonwhaler.com
Dream smaller: Boston Whaler 325 Conquest ($455,879)
The largest-ever outboard-powered dual console from Grady-White has the versatility to please both offshore anglers and daycruisers who love entertaining.
Grady-White Freedom 415
How do you marry comfortable family daycruising, overnighting accommodations, and full fishing functionality? Step aboard the Freedom 415, which retains the spacious cockpit found on Grady’s larger Canyon 456. But from the helmdeck forward it’s a dual-console design, with the passenger-side console big enough for a bona fide cabin with berth. The loaded helm is the focal point for managing onboard electricity with CZone digital switching, Zipwake trim system, and Helm Master EX steering system.
Starting at $1,861,400 | gradywhite.com
Dream smaller: Grady-White Freedom 335 ($729,260)
Galeon makes its case for the ultimate dayboat with its 435 GTO, a sport yacht with massive entertaining spaces extending from bow to stern.
Galeon 435 GTO
From Poland comes a very American-looking sportcruiser, the 435 GTO from Galeon Yachts. Large enough to keep a big crew entertained for a long weekend, the 13-foot, 6-inch beam makes the open bow an inviting space for eight to sit and socialize or lounge on a massive fill-in sunbed. The side profile showcases full-length hull windows for scenery viewing up top and natural light for two staterooms below, while the glass-encased helm offers nearly 360-degree views. The versatile cabin with movable furniture can be fully enclosed and air conditioned. With triple Mercury Verado 600 outboards, the 450 GTO cruises at 40 and tops 55 mph. $1,799,000 fully equipped | galeonyachts.us
Dream smaller: Galeon 325 GTO ($699,000)
Wellcraft designed its “performance cruisers” to be fast, comfortable “any-weather” boats for hosting, with a full galley and overnight accommodations for five.
Wellcraft 435
A “commuter-style adventure boat.” That’s how Wellcraft describes its change-of-pace design: a narrow, nimble performance boat with fully enclosed pilothouse, plumb bow, and reverse rake windshield seen on Nordic-inspired European boats like Axopar and Nimbus. This any-weather boat includes everything necessary to whisk away a crew for a long, comfortable weekend. Glass all around makes for a bright and breezy (or climate controlled) pilothouse. A deep-V hull powered with triple 350-hp outboards enable the 435 to cruise at 40 mph. Despite its modest 12-foot, 6-inch beam, the aft gunwales are hidden gull wings that lay flat to port and starboard — adding 9 feet to the beam — creating a massive platform for lounging or launching into a cannonball. Below are two spacious cabins with heads that each have separate showers.
Starting at $1,170,000 | wellcraft.com
Dream smaller: Wellcraft 355 ($649,900)
Notice the hardtop-mounted solar panels flanking the sunroof? Those standard features charge the battery bank that eliminates the need for a generator.
Scout 350 LXZ S-Class Luxury Crossover
Is it a luxury sport crossover or a high-end daycruiser? Whatever, the Scout 350 LXZ packs a ton of tech into its 34-foot, 7-inch length. Start with an epoxy infusion process common to the aerospace industry but rare among boatbuilders. Next, select onboard electronics run by a standard lithium-ion power system that eliminates the need for a generator. The list of standard features includes electrical sliding hardtop sunroof, air conditioning above and below deck, a bow anchor camera, and heated port and starboard helm seats. Below is a cabin with separate head and shower compartment, 32-inch TV, galley sink, and stowable master berth insert. Powered by triple Mercury Triple 300s, this boat easily tops 60 mph.
Starting at $696,514 | scoutboats.com
Dream smaller: Scout 277 Dorado ($308,628)
SeaVee replaces its most popular boat (the 390Z) with the 400Z, a center-console that’s longer and wider, with higher freeboard and shallower draft.
SeaVee 400Z
For the pure fish crowd, SeaVee is known for high-quality hardcore sportfishing center consoles. The 400Z is built on a ventilated twin-stepped hull designed to enhance efficiency and handling. SeaVee’s patented SpeedRails improve tracking in higher-speed turns, making for a safer and more exhilarating ride. Up to 18 rod holders can be mounted out of the way on the sides of the console. The aft cockpit area features port and starboard corner 40-gallon livewells, plus there are port and starboard 100-gallon insulated in-deck fishboxes to store your catch. The console can accommodate twin 24-inch MFDs.
Starting at $790,200 with triple 400-hp Mercury V10 outboards | seaveeboats.com
Dream smaller: SeaVee 322Z ($376,750)
The Formula 457 CCS (center-console sport) is the daycruising sister ship to the builder’s CCF (fishing) model with a tower, fishboxes, and outriggers.
Formula 457
Center Console Sport Here’s an attention-seeking luxury center-console — from the wide swim platform extending alongside triple 600-hp Mercury Verado outboards to the through-stem stainless-steel anchor at the bow. Sitting at the helm of the Formula 457 Center Console Sport was impressive, with its triple 22-inch MFDs in the dash and 18,000 BTU air conditioning cooling from the helm and through the seat backs. Belowdecks is overnight accommodations for five including twin cabins with woodgrain-finish flooring and 6-foot, 6-inch headroom, a galley with Corian countertop, sink with cover, stainless pull-out fridge, microwave, and 32-inch TV.
Starting at $2,040,680 | formulaboats.com
Dream smaller: Formula 387 Center Console Fish ($1,221,810)
