The newly redesigned Mako 18 Pro Skiff Backwater Edition is a light-tackle angler­’s dream. It’s a skinny-water boat packed with standard features that will help you chase and find fish.

Running with two aboard and a ­22-gallon fuel load, we pushed the 18 Pro Skiff to 52 mph, reaching 30 mph from idle in 5.8 seconds. For a relatively flat-bottomed boat, it held true in hard-over turns at planing speeds, never slipping or blowing out the prop. It climbed onto plane in 2.4 seconds. The standard jack plate lets you raise or lower the engine’s running height to keep on plane in skinnier water. With a draft of just 12 inches, you can get shallow and deploy the standard Minn Kota Terrova electric trolling motor and maneuver to find the fish. Additionally, a standard Power-Pole Pro Series II lets you stake off in waters up to 8 feet deep.

Some of the performance attributes can be credited to this boat’s construction. Mako builds a closed-cavity, foam-filled hull bonded together right in the mold. It’s rugged and durable but doesn’t need a stringer system, which helps it shed weight to float in shallower water. Mako’s Gen 2 Rapid Planing system design creates a little pocket in the running surface at the transom that allows water to flow to the prop no matter how high you raise the jack plate. Mako installs a tube in the bilge that flows air into the pocket to ventilate it and enhance the flow.

Fishing features? The spacious bow and stern casting platforms feature camo matting for comfort underfoot. Fold-down cleats prevent line snags. A ­26-gallon baitwell resides in the aft deck, with a second 7-gallon baitwell under the seat just ­forward of the console. There are three vertical rod holders to each side of the console, and three undergunwale rod racks per side long enough to stow fly rods. There are two more vertical holders in the removable helm-bench backrest.

Besides being a fishing machine, this Backwater Edition just looks cool. Its Army Green hull with Mako Sand accents and camo decking stand out at the ramp and help it hide in the mangroves. The scalloped hullsides above the waterline are a nod to the profile of a real mako shark. 

High Points

• Standard jack plate, Power-Pole and Minn Kota trolling motor make this boat ready for skinny water.
• Standard Wet  Sounds stereo with four speakers lets you rock out.
• Trailer comes standard, so head straight to the launch ramp.

How We Tested

• Engine: Mercury 175 Pro XS
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Mercury Tempest 14 1/2″ x 19″ 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.85:1 Fuel Load: 22 gal. Crew Weight: 400 lb.

Pricing and Specs

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Coastal anglers typically have a lot of variety when it comes to fishing grounds. Some love the flats and backwaters, skinny waters that often require a flats boat with less than 12 inches of draft to access. Others prefer the more open waters of bays, inlets and nearshore areas just off the beach or within a few miles of shore, the hunting grounds of the classic bay boat. And then there are those who want the coastal trifecta. Fish the flats on occasion, enjoy all that the bays and inlets have to offer, and confidently head to the blue water offshore when conditions are right. Enter the hybrid, a relatively new variation on the theme that attempts to do it all—like a bay boat on steroids.

How do these types of boats compare? And which style best suits you, your waters and your fishing habits? Spoiler alert: There’s plenty of crossover between the categories. But to help, we’ve assembled what we think is an above-average example of each type of craft. Compare and contrast to find the right fit for you.

Hybrid: Grady-White 251 Coastal Explorer

Definitions of a hybrid can skew in one direction or the other, but the common denominator will always be that a hybrid is a bay boat that can, when conditions beckon, confidently venture offshore. That describes Grady-White’s 251 Coastal Explorer pretty much to a T. As always, hull design makes it possible. Grady-White’s SeaV2 hull features a continually variable deadrise, starting with a sharp forward entry before flaring to as much as 30 degrees amidships. But its secret sauce is that it softens to a mere 16 degrees at the transom. At rest or trolling speeds, minimum draft defies expectation at a mere 14 inches. It’s a combination that, in conjunction with an abundance of bow flare and a 20-inch cockpit depth aft, lets the 251 more than hold its own in sloppy offshore conditions yet still sneak into skinny flats and backwaters.

Topside features likewise combine the best of both worlds while acknowledging that the boat will also likely see considerable family duty. Forward, a sizable casting deck includes port and starboard 74-quart fish boxes below flush-hinged hatches, as well as a trio of vertical rod holders on each side to keep go-to rods at the ready. Underneath the console seat awaits 74 quarts of insulated storage. Behind the console, a leaning post with a backrest includes more rod holders, with a 25-gallon livewell that conveniently opens from the side for easier access. An aft casting platform adds a 12.75-gallon livewell center, along with port and starboard fish boxes. Add cushions to both decks for family comfort. Unique touches include the removable center insert in the bow platform that can be placed in front of the console seat to form a kick-your-feet-up recliner. Or raise it to create a table, all without impeding a passing angler’s movement. Port and starboard fish-box cushions, both fore and aft, also pivot upward to form forward-facing backrests with a comfortable angle of recline. The bow and stern both feature boarding ladders, easing passengers on and off the bow when beached or out of the water.

Other features of note include a streamlined T-top that integrates into the console rather than impeding on deck space; full wraparound glass on the console for better visibility and wind protection; and a console compartment deep enough to stow plenty of gear or realistically use as a head. Lower gunwale heights (about 20 inches) also deserve mention. They’re high enough to provide protection and security offshore, yet low enough to make it easier to get your catch in and out of the boat. And then, of course, there’s Grady-White’s quality. The 251 is completely self-bailing. Every livewell, fish box, and even cleat and cup holder ultimately drains overboard, not just to the bilge, meaning no mechanical pumps are relied upon to direct water overboard. Like Grady-White’s larger offshore models, the 251 also features enough foam flotation to be unsinkable, comforting knowledge when you trade those skinny waters for what lies outside the inlet.

Bay: Skeeter SX240

Bay boats such as Skeeter’s SX240 add another level of flexibility for the coastal angler. While its 15-inch draft is still minimal enough to pursue that redfish or spotted seatrout across grass flats or work the perimeter of the mangroves, a 20-degree deep-V hull means the boat is very much at home in deeper bays and nearshore spots, from just off the beach to several miles offshore. That opens up the possibility of going after stripers or bottomfish in big bays, cobia along the beach and, depending on the season, snapper, jack crevalle and even king mackerel in nearshore waters. A bay boat is also often a good alternative for the shallow-water enthusiast who has to frequently run through larger, open waters to reach their favorite skinny spots. 

At 24 feet, 1 inch, the SX240’s bigger-water size also works with a larger crew and increased gear. Its center-console design allows anglers to work the entire perimeter with ease. Gunwales are higher than on a flats boat for greater security and comfort in larger waves, but still low enough to easily bring a fish up and over the side or lean down to take out a hook. That lower profile also catches less wind when using a trolling motor. And storage is in abundance, with rod and gear lockers ready to stash items away and keep the deck free for the task at hand.

While a flats boat might have only a forward casting deck, bay boats will typically feature a second at the stern. Skeeter’s spacious forward deck is raised for better visibility, but designers acknowledge the height by adding steps to ease access. Compartments built into the deck include a rod locker to 

port and an insulated fish box to starboard, a solution that keeps the insulated cooler clean for drinks and snacks. An oversize anchor locker is ready for the anchor and rode, and includes an access hatch to get below the optional trolling motor. Skinny-water anglers will want to add it. Other compartments stow both wet and dry gear. A unique touch: Compartment interiors are made of roto-molded plastic rather than gelcoated. It’s more durable and won’t chip. A 14-gallon livewell is found nestled below the forward console seat.

Like most center-console designs, it’s easy to work around the boat’s entire perimeter. A deluxe leaning post adds rocket launchers, great for keeping multiple rods at the ready. More are found atop the T-top (a feature almost never found on a flats boat), which adds welcome sun protection. Aft, jump seats straddle a 40-gallon livewell. Use it to keep the majority of your bait healthy on the run out, then transfer what you need forward when it’s time for lures to hit the water. Additional compartments on this boat include designated wet storage, perfect for keeping a cast net separate from other items. Consider a trio of options: upgrading the standard jack plate to hydraulic, adding trim tabs for a better ride, and adding  Power-Pole anchors to quickly set up in prime shallow-water fishing spots.

Flats: Mako 18 LTS

With a shallow 13-degree deadrise and minimal 11 inches of draft, the 18-foot-6-inch Mako 18 LTS epitomizes the hull design of the classic flats boat. It’s ready to take anglers into super-skinny coastal waters, like those flats, salt marshes and tidal creeks that are home to popular gamefish like snook, permit, bonefish, striped bass and tarpon. Its Rapid Planing System (RPS) hull is exceptionally stable for such a minimal-draft hull at rest, but designed to jump quickly onto plane, essential when running in shallower waters. Shallower-deadrise hulls also typically boost top speed, allowing for the use of smaller, lighter and more fuel-efficient outboards. A shallow tunnel in the hull directly in front of the motor’s gear case is designed to maximize cooling-water flow to a trimmed-out engine or one raised using the typically optional jack plate that allows for even shallower running. Mako eliminates lifting strakes around the perimeter of the hull for reduced drag. Flats-boat designers also often use rolled chines or design chines and strakes to be either above or below the water at rest to minimize hull slap when poling across flats, allowing the boat to glide more quietly and sneak up on its prey. 

Since skinny-water anglers primarily cast rather than troll, flats-boat designers typically prioritize a large casting deck forward, nearly flush with the gunwales, featuring a nonslip finish. On the Mako, that bow deck includes angled wings at the aft corners to create additional space to move aft. The deck and grippy nonslip surface texture continue down the port and starboard sides before connecting into another casting deck aft, the latter being a bonus in this category. All the mainstays are accounted for, including a trio of rod holders built into each side of the low-slung center console to ensure rods are always at the ready, an 18-gallon combination livewell/release well tucked away below the seat in front of the center console, and additional rod storage under the gunwales to port and starboard, ideal for those longer fly rods. A Minn Kota trolling motor comes standard to quietly maneuver the boat’s intended waters. Consider the optional raised poling platform over the motor. It offers greater leverage as well as added visibility to tip off those on the forward casting deck where to direct their lure. 

Extras include the leaning post on the Mako based around a large 72-quart cooler ready to stock with drinks and snacks or put a catch on ice. The pivoting backrest can face forward for driving or backward to kick back with feet up on the aft platform. Multiple storage compartments with flush, stub- and snag-free hatches and hinges are located on both fore and aft platforms, with finished gelcoated interiors and locks to secure contents.

Read Next: Boat Console: Center Versus Dual

Spike It

If you see a flats, bay or hybrid boat with vertical spikes on the gunwale encircling the forward deck, you might wonder about the purpose of these. They are line-management devices for fly-fishing. Made of rubber by Tampa, Florida-based Carbon Marine, they stick to any flat surface to help prevent excess fly line on the deck from spilling overboard or tangling in an unwieldy bird’s nest. To learn more, visit carbonmarine.com —Jim Hendricks

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Style isn’t what we thought about at the helm of Mako’s 414 CC Bluewater Family Edition when we pressed the Mercury Marine electronic throttles with one hand and tapped the fingertip-control power steering with the other. The boat proves solid and ready to cross the Gulf Stream, and with a fuel capacity of 464 gallons, it’s good to make many ­Bahamas ­destinations.

Our boat was factory-equipped with dual Garmin multifunction displays and sonar. The 17-inch screens are standard. Dual pressurized livewells on the transom are divided by an array of shotgun rod holders, easily reached with legs braced against the padded coamings. Under the gunwale, premium stainless-steel rod hangers are supplemented with surf-mat pads to protect the reels and the coamings from damage in hard runs. There was no shortage of rod holders in the gunwales, and there were plenty of rocket launchers in the hardtop, all reachable from the deck.

The Bluewater ­Family Edition package is a healthy $50,000 upcharge but makes the boat a formidable family-fun machine without so much as putting a nick in the hardcore fishability of the standard Sportfish ­edition. Coaming and transom seats, well-padded and well-placed, add cruising seats for seven or more, and forward seating included removable back bolsters that turn the forward casting steps into lounges. And we didn’t fail to note the comfortable, secure-riding dual lounger on the front of the console. There’s even an outdoor grill. Below the console is a spacious compartment with a head and double berth.

It was lucky that Mako landed in the hands of boatbuilder Johnny Morris, founder of Tracker Marine. Morris wanted to deliver fishing boats like Chevy delivers Tahoes — ready for action right out the factory door. And for boaters spending north of $500 large, the Mako 414 CC Bluewater Family Edition does so with the style that stokes pride in ownership.

High Points
* Color options allow customizing and matching the hull to the hardtop.
* Optional electric shade covers the cockpit.

Low Points
* Harnesses for quad engines make for crowded but still organized rigging.
* It’s a big stretch to the gunwale from the cockpit sole, unless you step on one of the foldaway seats.

Toughest Competitor
Regulator’s 41 ($769,995) looks like a dead ringer for the Mako. It weighs in at just over 20,000 pounds when powered with quad Yamaha 350s. Its center console has similar seating and an open cockpit, standard hardtop and an available upper station ($59,735).

Price: $529,995 (as tested, without trailer)

Available Power: Outboard

How We Tested
Engine: Quad Mercury Verado 350 hp
Drive/Prop: Outboards/Mercury Revolution 4 19″ 4-blade stainless steel
Gear Ratio: 1.75: 1
Fuel Load: 290 gal.
Crew Weight: 550 lb.

More Information
Mako Marine – Springfield, Missouri; 855-804-8402; mako-boats.com

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At 19 feet 4 inches long with a 96 inch beam, the MAKO Pro 19 Skiff CC can accommodate two anglers fishing side-by-side. It features the award-winning Advanced Inverted hull that ensures excellent shallow water take-off and an extremely smooth, stable ride with the driest ride in skiffs thanks to the integrated Anti-Spray design. It’s also backed by the best warranty in the boat industry – The MAKO 5+LIFE warranty – a five-year, stem-to-stern factory warranty that also includes a three-year warranty on the gelcoat finish, and a limited lifetime structural warranty.

“The new MAKO Pro 19 Skiff CC is a big inshore beast with the stability and power to handle the meanest gamefish – and it has a smooth, dry ride that will please everyone in the family,” said Rob Ferris, professional saltwater angler and guide.

Plus, the Pro Skiff CC includes an 18-gallon cushioned forward-console cooler and an 85-quart cushion helm seat/cooler with best-in-class ice-keeping ability. In addition, you can keep your catch healthy with the 24-gallon divided livewell. Rated for 115 HP the Pro Skiff CC has a 27-gallon fuel capacity.

The new Pro 19 Skiff reflects an ongoing strategic commitment to deliver quality design and construction throughout the MAKO lineup.

“MAKO is designing and building some of the finest saltwater fishing boats in its nearly 50-year history,” said Maurice Bowen, senior marketing director for Tracker Marine Group. “This is the first of three all-new models that will be introduced in the next 60 days. We are excited to offer this expanded MAKO lineup.”

For more information about the 2017 Pro Skiff CC and other MAKO fishing boats, visit mako-boats.com or visit a MAKO dealer near you

About Tracker Marine Group Tracker Marine Group (TMG), a division of Bass Pro Group, is a leading boat builder in the United States. Founded in 1977, TMG manufactures TRACKER aluminum fishing boats, SUN TRACKER and REGENCY pontoon boats, NITRO performance fishing boats, TAHOE family sport boats, MAKO saltwater fishing boats and ASCEND kayaks in the Midwest. Each brand is manufactured within 100 miles of company headquarters in Springfield, Mo. The Tracker Marine Group boat brands are sold and serviced through more than 90 Bass Pro Shops locations and more than 200 independent dealers from coast to coast. Visit http://www.trackermarine.com for more information.

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The storied reputation of Mako Boats keeps getting better as its engineers and designers continue to build on the legacy, refining the ride, sweetening the creature comforts and making Makos like this 214 CC far more lethal.

It is clearly hard-core, equipped with the livewell-in-leaning-post option and dual batteries for keeping the pumps and electronics happy all day long. The livewell itself is state of the art with calming oval interior, a side drain instead of standpipe and access below the leaning post to service plumbing.

The coaming pads all around give anglers more comfortable purchase at the gunwale when fighting a fish, and the optional toe rails are fitted to port and starboard for security when wiring or gaffing fish. For bottom fishing or cast-netting, our tester was equipped with an optional bow deck insert. Beneath it, a stowage locker keeps fish or net buckets and is accessible with the platform in place. Bow rails are securely fastened along the port and starboard sides and set on a beveled edge, keeping them from protruding above the gunwale to snag rods or lines.

Factory-installed outriggers are optional, and we’d suggest they be added to the equipment list for pursuing pelagics. The anchor locker is plenty large for chain and rode and a fluke anchor.

Mako offers plenty of optional bling for family fun too. Ours had the slide-out head in the console compartment for privacy and convenience. Optional cushions on the forward casting deck enhance day-cruising comfort and fun by creating a sun lounge. A cooler beneath the forward console seat keeps refreshments chilly. Optional aft seats fold forward to give access to bilge area plumbing and equipment.

The 214 CC was plenty responsive with the 250 Verado — as it should have been since this is max power. It’s standard with a 200, a power level that would provide adequate performance for smaller loads. The hull design offered a great combination of inshore/nearshore capabilities, ideal for patrolling beaches and bottom structures on nice days outside and inlets and bays on less friendly days outside the cut. Mako’s reputation is solid with the new 214 CC, and its luster is improved with many features.

Buyer’s Spotlight
*Our test boat boasted the optional tempered-glass windshield, a ­worthwhile option for long-term ownership satisfaction.
*An overhead electronics box is ideal for a VHF and stereo system.
*A fuel capacity of 92 gallons is ­generous for a boat its size and enables long runs without refueling.
*Graphics and stainless-steel rub rail add to its great look.
*Four rocket launchers fit the T-top.
*There’s a spot specially styled to receive the optional compass, a ­necessary option on any boat ­heading out of the inlet.

How We Tested
Engine: Mercury Verado 250
Drive/Prop: Mirage Plus 17″ 3-blade stainless steel
Gear Ratio: 1.85:1
Fuel Load: 45 gal.
Crew Weight: 400 lb.

Price
65,990 (as tested)

Contact
Mako Marine Springfield, Missouri; 417-873-4985; mako-boats.com

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Craftsmanship shows in the details, like recessed cooler brackets that won’t stub a toe. The aft jump seat’s stowable back slips into flush-mounted sockets. And while some boats sport skinny little grab rails, our tester boasted an optional doubled-up 11¼-inch aluminum rail tough enough to secure the beefiest angler.

The release well is enormous, and it’s lined with a bait-soothing blue liner. Access to the pumps and plumbing is done through plates in the bailing well and on the center of the sole.

Some anglers need more than an ample array of six well-placed vertical rod holders on the console, so four gunwale rod holders and seat-back rocket launchers in the leaning post are available too. Gasketed hatches with stainless struts hold up the lids. Seating on the leaning post, aft seat and the console’s cooler seat assures a fisher’s family of five that there is comfort and fun time on the roster.

Our test boat was powered with a Mercury OptiMax 150 bolted to a jack plate. Top speed was rewarding at 43.5 mph, even with the modest 150. Some will opt for the maximum power of 225, but we weren’t dissatisfied with a hole shot of 3.5 seconds to plane or with the 7.7 second time to 30 mph.

With powerboats, power is king, and this wasn’t wanting in the Mako 21 LTS.

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While many catamarans lean outboard in turns, Mako’s AIV hull rolls reassuringly inboard. In S-turns, the boat held its way, but did lurch slightly as it reversed direction and the center sponson climbed over the inward-turning sponson’s wake. That peculiarity was insignificant in comparison to the boat’s soft ride, quick to-plane times and satisfying top speed of 33 mph — while burning less than five gallons of gas per hour. The rolled gunwale edges redirect spray for a drier ride.

Economy was even greater in the 16-foot version with a Merc 40 four-stroke, which also just ticked 30 mph.

A cooler seat, vertical rod holders, livewell and a 1,000 gph bilge pump fill out the standard-equipment list. What more could you want? A trailer? Oh, that’s included in the price too.

Key Features
-Windshield and stainless-steel grab rail add comfort and security.
-Rolled-edge construction turns away the spray for a drier ride.
-Impressively precise sealed seams are between casting decks and hull.

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The Mako name has meant rugged, hard-edged fishing and no nonsense to those fans and owners who’ve followed the brand through changing hands over the decades. Now, Mako Marine has retooled its flagship 284 Center Console, retaining its rugged, fishable lines while giving a new level of refinement to the overall comfort and utility of this serious fisher.

I ran the boat hard in four-foot seas and loved its ability to maintain stability as I worked the throttles through our 500 rpm test pattern. It accelerated with reasonable bow rise, crushed four-foot seas with aplomb and easily maintained course in head and following seas, keeping its footing at all throttle ranges. The 284 CC scored 100 in those categories and got a “plus” in my notes — because I was even able to take notes. In a light chop, it’s capable of 51 or 52 mph, but trimmed for seas it steadied at 47.

Back in port I started lifting hatches, like the one concealing the main bilge, where all the plumbing, fuel filters and bilge pumps are easily accessible for service or inspection. In the enormous console a wide starboard door offered comfortable egress to a three-step ladder. It wouldn’t be out of the question at all for boaters to seek refuge from bad weather under the console, and it certainly offered ample space for changing or for using the portable head. It also offered workable maintenance access to the electronics panel.

Deck hatches to storage compartments and lids to livewells featured rubber gaskets to keep contents dry — or in the case of the livewell, to keep the water in. Nonskid decking all around appeared crisp and did its job on this damp test day.

At the helm, the wide, heavily padded seats offered comfort and a clear view of the way ahead, whether standing or seated. The electronics, Lowrance HDS-series units, were in clear view and angled to minimize glare. There was plenty of room to step up to 12-inch displays if one’s taste and wallet were so inclined. A glass windshield offered protection from spray, though we took only a few droplets over the bow in our rough-weather test. Glass is scratch-resistant and remains clearer longer than plexiglass any day, and we applaud the improvement.

The Mako 284 CC lived up to its bulletproof reputation, and the refinements brought added comfort, fishability and just a little lipstick to its venerable reputation.

Comparable model: Sailfish 2860

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This Mako model was equipped with a 60 hp Mercury four-stroke, and though we thought it was a bit underpowered, we were surprised at how well the hull stayed on plane with our crew. Today’s green-minded anglers may deliberately choose this small, easy-to-pole, easy-to-tow package and smile as they easily pull it behind their compact SUVs — and smile even broader when they fuel up. A lowerpitched prop might have let the engine run up to full rpm to add the low-end torque we missed.

The 18 LTS deck plan includes a roomy aft casting platform and a roomier forward casting platform. A large hatch forward opens for storage, and another compartment on the aft platform stores more goodies. But there’s no dry storage in this boat’s simple design. All compartments are linked together by limber holes, meaning no dry storage.

Who’d Want One: Any angler who wants a proven bay/flats boat and trailer with a revered label at a comfortable price.

Other Choices: The Dusky 18R has a base price of $20,600 with a 90 hp Evinrude ETEC but doesn’t include the trailer.

Bottom Line: $22,490; www.trackermarine.com

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My prototype test boat was built heavy by about 800 pounds, according to Mako engineers; design weight is 4,500 pounds, but the test boat weighed 5,300. Production models will cut this weight, most of it near the transom, to give some added flotation back there where it’s needed with the heavy Verado outboards. The boat ran well despite the extra weight and a full load of fuel, coming on plane in a few seconds with four-bladed Revenge props and topping out at 48.9 mph at 5500 rpm. Note that this was not close to the 6400 rpm redline for the Mercury Verados-a swap to three-bladed props probably would add rpm and speed, though perhaps at the expense of some holeshot. The boat will plane and run on one engine should you ever need it to do so – about 20 mph at 4000 rpm with our test loading and props.

A likely-to-be-copied feature on the 264 CC is the walk-in slot in the front casting deck; this makes it far more secure to get up front and handle the anchor or fight a fish in rolling seas than the standard elevated deck in that area. Like most Mako center consoles, the 264 CC has the rocker switches for all the breakers mounted low under an overhang on the console. This puts them out of the way and protects them from washdown water, but you have to bend over to read the labels and work the switches. The leaning post includes a molded, padded backrest that’s comfortable, and the built-in jumbo baitwell and sink aft are standard. A grabrail on the back of the well provides a good spot to stand when you’re making one of those long, ride-’em-hard offshore runs.

High Points: Walk-in area at bow is good for handling anchor or big fish. Wide beam makes lots of walkaround space. Inset bowrails look good and provide great protection.

Low Points: The windshield doesn’t provide much protection and lacks the battleship construction of Mako shields of years past. Our prototype was stern heavy and allowed water to back in through the scuppers whenever two of us walked to the transom. The company, however, claims production models won’t have this problem.

Toughest Competitor: The Sailfish 2660 CC is 2″ longer but 2″ narrower and can take up to 500 hp on the transom. That and its 24-degree deadrise will give it an edge in speed and offshore ride. The Mako gets the nod for being more stable when trolling with extra walkaround space in the cockpit. The Sailfish is about $39,000 without power.

LOA: 26’0″

Beam: 9’2″

Draft (max.): 2’6″

Displacement (lbs., approx.): w/o power 5,300

Transom deadrise: 21°

Bridge clearance: 7’0″

Max. headroom: 6’6″

Fuel capacity (gal.): 194

Water capacity (gal.): 9

Price (w/o power): $36,500

Price (w/test boat power): $71,980

STANDARD POWER None.

OPTIONAL POWER Twin outboards to 450 hp total. ** **

TEST BOAT POWER Twin 225-hp Mercury Verado four-stroke in-line-6 outboards with 158.5 cid, swinging 143⁄4″ x 19″ Revenge four-bladed ss props through 1.85:1 reductions. ****

STANDARD EQUIPMENT (major items) Leaning post w/backrest and stowage; console head w/sink and portable MSD; 50-gal. livewell; freshwater system and transom shower; hydraulic steering; trim tabs; 2 integrated fishboxes w/macerators.

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