Are you curious about center console boats? Are you wondering if they are a good fit for water sports? L&M Marine and Day Break Marina have over 30 years of experience and we’d love to answer any questions and help you find the center console that best fits your lifestyle.

A center console boat is a vague term that can be used to describe a variety of types of boats from offshore boats to bay boats as well as a variety of sizes. No matter the type of boat, the console is always located in the center of the boat.

Center consoles typically have good storage, and have plenty of space for things like towels, drinks and snacks, fishing gear, and water sports equipment too. Some boats are better equipped with amenities than others as far as features and amenities and overall are very versatile. Traditionally, center console were fishing-focused boats and some lacked the family features of dual consoles in order to maximize fishability. Center consoles have come a long way since and their versatility now allows them to cater to a variety of uses, from fishing, to family and recreational use.  

Center Consoles Can Be Used for a Multitude of Water Sports

If you’re wondering if center consoles can be used for water sports, the answer is absolutely. These boats can be used for a multitude of water sports including: 

• Wakeboarding

• Tubing

• Waterskiing

• Kneeboarding

• Diving

• Snorkeling

The layout of center consoles maximizes visibility and allows you to keep a close watch on your riders while keeping an eye on the water.  

Which Center Console Boats Are Best For Which Water Sports?

There are many center console options on the market today that are great for play, these are some models we’re most passionate about here at L&M Marine and Day Break Marine and what kind of water sports would be the best fit, based on great feedback from our customers. 

Here’s a list of center console boats and what kind of water sports would be the best fit, based on our and our customers’ experience. 

ALL WATER SPORTS: BLUE WAVE 2200 PUREBAY: 

The cyclone seats in a Blue Wave are perfect for any kind of water sports since they swivel 360 degrees. The seats allow you to watch passengers as they go tubing, wakeboarding, waterskiing, etc. A Blue Wave 2200 would be a great fit, which is 22’, 200 HP, has a 60-gallon fuel capacity and can fit up to eight people. 

KNEEBOARDING, TUBING, + WATERSKIING: PARKER 18SE

The Parker 18 SE is small enough that would allow you to waterski, go tubing, and kneeboarding, and it’s compact enough that you could pull it yourself. The Parker 18SE is 18’ 6”, 150 HP, has a 40-gallon fuel capacity, and is rated for six people. Since the 18 SE is a smaller boat, it’s a good fit for water sports, going to dinner, fishing, etc.- this boat could check a lot of boxes without breaking the bank. 

WATERSKIING + TUBING: SKEETER SX230: 

An example of a boat that would be a good fit for waterskiing and tubing is a Skeeter SX230. The SX230 is 23’, 250 HP, has a 59-gallon fuel capacity, and is rated for eight people. Any 18-24 foot center console bay boat would be ideal for waterskiing, tubing, and all water sports, including the Skeeter SX230. 

ALL WATER SPORTS: BLAZER 2200:

Another great example of a center console boat that is a great fit for all water sports is a Blazer 2200. The 2200 is 22’, 150 HP, has a 59-gallon fuel capacity, and is rated for eight people. This center console is a great-priced boat that’s able to do all water sports without breaking the bank.

There Are Boats Specifically Designed for Water Sports

There are boats out there that are specially designed for wakeboarding such as Malibus and Moombas. You could spend hundreds of thousands of dollars for custom ski boats or wakeboarding boats, but in reality, you could essentially do all of that in an 18-24 foot center console boat. Although, you wouldn't be able to get as big of a wake, due to the design of Malibus and Moombas. Boats specifically designed for water sports have things like have ballast tanks, just like a submarine, which pulls water into the boat and makes the boat sit further in the water to create a bigger wake for water sports. 

For wakeboarding boats, which are designed for wakeboarding, you wouldn’t be able to do things like fishing comfortably - due to lack of rod holders, livewells and not enough space to cast without hitting the ski tow bar or the wakeboard tower on a wakeboarding boat.

Features of Center Consoles for Water Sports

We’ve done a lot of installations of turbo swings on Xpress Boats, Excel boats and we’ve installed ski tow bars on lots of Skeeters and used Skeeters for tubing as well. Some features of center consoles that are important to have if you plan on using your boat for water sports include a swim ladder so passengers are easily able to get in and out of the boat and shade kits. There are certain models that come equipped with features such as a ski pole, which can help improve your water sports experience and can easily be added. There are also products you’re able to add to your center console to improve your towing capacity, such as a turbo swing for knee boarding. 

Summary

Most manufacturers have started adding seating options for the bow of the boat, which really shows center consoles' evolution into a multi-functional boat that can be used for anything. The versatility of center console boats allows you to partake in water sports, fishing, leisure, and other boating activities all within the same boat. When it comes to water sports, the layout of center consoles maximizes visibility and allows you to keep a close watch on your riders while keeping an eye on the water.

L&M Marine and Day Break Marina can help you find the right center console for you, no matter what kind of water sports or activities you’re into or whether your budget is $35,000 or $200,000. See our inventory of center consoles here and feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns, or if you’d like to set up a Sea Trial.