2023 Florida Boat Shows 25' Center Console Overview - What Does 133k to 200k Get You?

The 25' Class of Center Console fishing boats is probably the most versatile here in the US. This class of boats allows you to get offshore on good days but is usually still small enough to allow for shallow water fishing. It's also trailerable with a full size pick up.
Between the Stuart and St. Pete 2023 Boat Shows, I looked at offerings in this class from Parker, Sea Hunt, Robalo, Sea Pro and Blackfin.
Which one would you pick and why?
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[@FishinMagik]

I own a Blackfin 252cc, its an absolute monster. In fact, I chose it over a Sea Hunt 27 Gamefish. It performed better, it rode MUCH better, and the fit and finish on the Blackfin’s are second to none. My ONLY complaint is the lack of a second livewell, but the boat itself is incredible. Something worth noting is that Blackfin hulls are carbon fiber infused fiberglass, it really feels heavier and very solid. Hard to describe without trying one for yourself.

[@MrEli204]

Agree with all of the other comments on prices. It’s kind of insane that 25’ boats are approaching the cost of a vacation home. Which is an appreciating asset versus depreciating.

[@jamesvelvet3612]

Here, there, and everywhere ;-)

[@theagile11]

Keep up the good work! I feel like you included that Sea Hunt for me to placate my past razing. LOL I love my Stellla Blue' She is a Sea Hunt gf25. I put the trolling motor batteries adjacent to the head. See you soon. Fingers crossed for a great May in the Bay! Tight lines and Bloody decks Cap't

[@C5drummer]

Perfect timing, john! My wife and I are looking at Center Consoles in the 25 to 26' range, and will be at the Miami Boat Show looking exactly at these boats. Thanks much and fantastic work as always!

[@jimlimberakis8115]

I agree with your sentiments on which boat was the best value. I think I would choose the Sea Hunt as well. The Blackfin was nice, but sixty thousand dollars nicer ?

[@duffmeister6480]

I like your boat review videos, seems that everything you reviewed so far is way out of my price range, I guess I’ll have to keep my Baby Grady (180). I am happy with it, a recent trip to Port of Egypt I was shocked when they told my boats worth $15k more than I paid for it two years ago. $75k new this year, that’s insane, keep up the good work. Thanks.

[@mulletoutdooradventures6286]

I love those blackfins. I fish with a guy that has one and we've had that boat out in the canyons very frequently

[@user-zb7tg5hi3t]

How’s the ride?

[@mulletoutdooradventures6286]

@@user-zb7tg5hi3t solid. We got caught this year a couple times on our way in and she was solid. A little wet but what do you expect with a CC. They are pretty wide so they are really stable

[@jobino511]

Thanks John, good stuff. I think it would be the seahunt for me! If you see a Jeaneau 695 sport S2 or 795 Sport series 2 in Miami try to climb on, curious what you will think of functionality.

[@Delmarvafishing]

I would probably pick the 2022 Parker, it's simple and beautiful

[@robertp7209]

Gunnel height looks low to me. (?)

[@redman2751]

I bought a SeaHunt 255SE last year with a single 300 on it. Went back and forth between Parker and the SeaHunt GF25 and the 255SE. In the end, for my family and needs the 255SE won out. So far love the fit and finish of the boat and rides fantastic. Only a couple little complaints.

[@jerseyfreshfishing6613]

On the Sea Pro, the door is not full width on the E box so you can flush mount the vhf. I have seen it finished and looks and functions great

[@jiggingjerks]

Ahhhhhhhh…..thanks for the clarification

[@willraefpv]

Yep we have our vhf mounted on the filled in side on our 259 as well

[@jerseyfreshfishing6613]

@@jiggingjerks John what day will you be at the AC show...I can be your technical advisor!

[@jiggingjerks]

@@jerseyfreshfishing6613 not sure yet about attendance but if I go, I presume Friday

[@BlackBirdieGolf]

I love blackfin but the 252dc

[@davidteitel9720]

Probably the Robalo.

[@BorodenTV]

John, I agree with you on the sea hunt. I'm 51 years and I only say that as a precursor to I can't get over these boat prices. My wife and I looked at that 252 blackfin about 2 years ago. The one we looked at was 140 to 150k although I believe that one has twin 150 Yamahas which is rare. They seem to almost exclusively have mercs. We loved the blackfin as a meet in the middle boat, but I wished it has about 30 more gallon fuel capacity and more live well space, but I live in FL. 200 k no way. I'm likely always going to have a used boat.

[@michaelcooley8275]

When I go to the shows those Blackfin's just draw me in. The bilge area shows they care. Seat cushions are real thick, boat sits high in the water. At the top tier level I find them cheaper then say Edgewater, Grady and others. I like the re-sale value of Grady but they are still using some wood in them.

[@Aroundtheblocksportfishing]

Im waiting for your reviews of Pilot House boats. My days of getting wet & being cold togging are over- I think…

[@Aroundtheblocksportfishing]

Now the Steiger 25 CC is intriguing as you can option the front with a coffin box, that I like.

[@nofishtoday]

Boat prices are ridiculous now. 2017 I bought a Tidewater 252 for 90 all in, including tax and electronics. Now it’s 190 all in. Are you nuts???

[@josephpolestino7865]

Thanks John-love the videos. I passed on a 1 year old 2019 new leftover blackfin 242 w no electronics for 109k. Didn't like the single 300hp. The new robalo 25 w the 150's will suffer as well. Too heavy a boat for 300hp,although they finally moved the wheel to the side. The SH is no Blackfin,but I'll take it w fly by wire 200's, and save the 40k for gas and fishing gear.

[@sapelesteve]

Great video John! I agree with you about that Sea Hunt. Although, all of those boats are still way overpriced IMO! I owned a 23' Sea Hunt with a 225 Honda 4 stroke many years ago. One of the best boats that I ever owned! 👍👍

[@jiggingjerks]

Didn’t Nor’east Angling (the old tv fishing show) have a similar boat?

[@ATC235]

Can you compare the Grady to the black fin. Does black fin have a 23ft

[@jiggingjerks]

They have a 22 but I didn’t see it at either show. Will keep my eyes peeled in Miami next week.

[@bobkarman9845]

I agree, the Sea Hunt is a nice boat and in comparison gives you a better bang for your buck. Still not cheap. By the way, what happened to the cat you were having built?

[@jiggingjerks]

Still waiting for my build slot to come up

[@benjamincarter9726]

Curious, what you or your viewers think. Often hear you reference a “3 piece hull,” I assume, compared to a ‘’2 piece’’ composed of a hull and liner/deck. Is one generally better than the other? Pros and cons?

[@jiggingjerks]

It’s the cap on top of the liner. Makes leaning into fish so much easier.

[@Deepimpactocean]

Blackfin was under $120k in 2019. And its not really 25’. It was a24’ but they changed the model name a few years ago to give impression boat is 25’

[@jamesknapinski6325]

Have you ever reviewed the "Sportsman Heritage 261" ?

[@jiggingjerks]

I may have it somewhere between St Pete, Stuart and Miami. I’ll be coming out with a 26-28 comparison in the next couple of weeks.

[@jamesknapinski6325]

@@jiggingjerks I will keep an eye out for it. Thanks

[@stryanx4395]

Seahunt all day

[@WilliamPozo]

Great to see the electric steering instead of hydraulic... hoping the industry adopts electric steering fully...

[@robertp7209]

Why?

[@willraefpv]

I’ve seen so many full electric steering failures

[@timrudy4359]

The 25DV Parker would be more in-line price wise with the Robalo, the SE here is the mod v… They did just release 2 new CC models, which have more frills now that they are under new ownership. Breaking the Parker tradition…

[@jiggingjerks]

Yup, I saw that. Hoping they’re at the Miami Show next week

[@jamesflynn263]

John, I think the Sea hunt is the best deal. Been seeing used ones at that price!

[@robertp7209]

Beam a bit narrow on the 200K Blackfin.

[@flnative7553]

These overinflated prices will adjust. Give it some time and as more used boats sit and prices drop in the used market so will the new boats. We are already seeing prices adjusting as we speak. Boats at the dealerships are starting sit. I live in Florida and dealers have been blowing up my phone pretty much begging for deals. With higher interest rates means less deals. What follows when theres less deals? you guessed it manufacturer rebates. All these builders have priced themselves into a corner and its just a matter of time. I literally just pulled my deal on a 28 sea-lion when I got my quote 100k more then last year! I said no thanks for 248k ill go bet it on black!

[@jiggingjerks]

150 for a new one? That’s sick if true. Love that boat!

[@flnative7553]

@@jiggingjerks 2021 the quote was 147k I still have the quote. and I have the new quote.

[@jiggingjerks]

@@flnative7553 ahhhhhhh….curious how much they bend if you push it

[@ATC235]

Do you know why Grady doesn't have all the storage in the floor.

[@jiggingjerks]

I don’t….

[@robertp7209]

Grady philosophy, at least from the past, is no fish boxes in deck, nothing. Everything is self draining overboard, they didn’t want pumps for it. Seems all the below floor areas in my Grady Sailfish is all foam or tanks; gas, FW, waste. Don’t know if the same these days with Grady.

[@ATC235]

@@robertp7209 thanks. I have a 05 209 and in a couple years I want to buy a newer and a little bigger boat. Plan on sticking with Grady, I do like all the storage options on the newer boats. I really like the idea of no pumps and self bailing. Thanks for that info.

[@robertp7209]

@@ATC235 I had the walk around version of that same hull but older. For a 20ft boat it offered so much, even slept overnight in it. Tall gunnels. A heck of a boat for 20ft. Grady knew walkarounds, but today it all went back to center consoles even for people who don’t fish. Grady tried dual consoles - don’t know if they made out or not. That’s why I went to the Sailfish, after the 20 footer, previously owned of course. Way too expensive new, for me then. Good luck😁.

[@ATC235]

@@robertp7209 what's your take on the 2 and how do they compare? Would love to hear. No one does real reviews on boats. Like using them with people on board lol

[@Jerry_Drives]

Id rather set foot on that Hatteras.

[@Steve-Jody]

My guess for 2024 add another 50k for the upcoming Miami Boat show?

[@jiggingjerks]

Wil be interesting to see. Stuart is first and interest rates have skyrocketed since this video

[@Steve-Jody]

@@jiggingjerks I live next to Stuart , Port Saint Lucie, see you there. Stuart BS

[@jiggingjerks]

@@Steve-Jody I’ll be there that Friday

[@philOKC]

Seahunt out of that bunch

[@AnnexF]

Where are the Boston Whalers?

[@jiggingjerks]

Hard to explain but it’s difficult to film them at boat shows cause of the crowds

[@AnnexF]

@@jiggingjerks Noted. Love your channel. Just subscribed.

[@jiggingjerks]

@@AnnexF much appreciated!!!

[@Fluke17]

Just cleaning Up the exposed wires On the Parker would be so much better

[@SneakyPeteNJ]

Parker

[@Mcrichalot12]

Yamaha 252FSH anyday

[@jiggingjerks]

79k!

[@chop3625]

For this much cash I thought they’d at least cram a sleeping berth.

[@joseramos7476]

Boats have gotten too expensive

[@wydryfly]

Thank you for posting videos on the poor man's center console😁 I would say that if dealers are charging these insane prices, then it's because people are paying them. How do you stop a stupid person from handing over their money to buy way-overpriced boats? Answer: you can't....... because they're STUPID!

[@Reljic414]

Buy old old boat for few thousands and spend 100k for restoration. You will have nicer boat for less money

[@stancrawford2147]

Ridiculous prices! I’m not falling into this world economic forum mess! I will wait until the price is reasonable again- I’m NOT your fool!!!

[@alecbrummer7840]

$133,000+ for plastic hinges? Boating has gotten ridiculous

[@seekinfindin5669]

Sea Hunt. Everything is way over priced.