Center console as a tender

We own a Contender and have been very pleased. We'd highly recommend Seavee. Those that are set up as clearly fishing boats have likely been run more and harder than the one just used on weekends to cruise the ICW and take trips to restaurants.

Of your list I'd prefer Scout.

I would also look toward Yamaha 300's or smaller, rather than 350's, as during the time period you're looking, the early 350's had a good bit of issues.

The performance increase from the 300 to the 350 just didn't seem worth it to us and we've had no issues. In fact, we keep thinking it might be time to trade but we can't wearing anything out on it. With the Pandemic, our crew not using it much but prior it got used constantly.

I was also a non CC person until we decided to get something for crew to use when home and not cruising or working and it just made the most sense.

That size range isn't going to meet your needs, especially a 28' . A 32' center console is a 10 adult boat (maximum) to spend more than an hour on at a time. You're going to want maximum power it's rated for and 4 blade props for what you plan to use it for. You need the power and torque to get up and stay up on plane with that much weight. By going above 32' you get beam which gives you more room for people to get around each other and have a place to sit and a real head that people can use.

I'd move up to the 34'-35' range and since you're buying used and insist on Yamaha (honestly the Verado's have gotten to be really good and in some HP ranges better than Yamaha). I'd buy something really clean towards the older end of the spectrum with twins and repower it with new motors on it. With your program, you can't afford breakdowns and waiting on parts and trying to find someone to fix it in the middle of nowhere.

Honestly, the 35' whaler is really set up nicely for all purposes from cruising with a lot of people, good quality, great seating, great ammenities, dive door, setup for fishing, diving, storage etc. but will have verado's. I'd be looking at a 35' Scout, similar sized Everglades, Intrepid, Nortech 34', or whaler. Seavee, Contender, and yellowfin also make a great quality boat, but seating and creature comforts on most are lacking. Plus you get a roomy usable head in that size, AND many have a nice full/queen size bed and a/c too so if you need to sleep extra crew, or 6 people need to get out of the rain......or luggage.......

I'd slap a set (2) of the new 425HP Yamaha's on one of those and go. The 425's are REALLY good running motors and have the torque you need to get a heavy boat up. You'll also see triples on that size too which has merits that it'll get on plane with 2 motors, but then have 3 motors to maintain and an extra motor that could have issues. I'd rather have twins and brand new motors in that size. Towing a 34-35' with twins, won't be any different than a 32' with twins.

You're going to have a really hard time to find a good used center console right now, they've been selling like hot cakes.......but I have an owner in the same situation and we're getting out of a 395 Williams and going to a 25' Whaler most likely (but 7 people is what we cruise with). The center console gives you the versatility of not moving the yacht as much and wasting as much time when you can comfortably cover 30-40 miles in each direction in an hour in a center console. PLUS store all of your stuff IN the center console (snorkeling gear, towels, cooler).

You can also have a new 35' Powerplay built for not much more and it's a good boat and can be setup the way you want it. The guy who started the modern version of Midnight Express (Tom Mason) is building Powerplay c/c's, it performs really well with twins
https://powerplaypowerboats.com/35-cc

Following, interesting topic.
(As usual Capt. J has good recommendations based on real life experience)

For build quality and design pedigree I would lean towards a Regulator or Southport. They will allow you to handle the crowd and have better load carrying capability.

https://www.**************/core/lis...im=quick&ybw=&sm=3&Ntk=boatsEN&currencyid=100

https://www.**************/core/lis...im=quick&ybw=&sm=3&Ntk=boatsEN&currencyid=100

They are holding their prices on the used market for the right reasons. Other than the Intrepid, I wouldn’t touch anything else on the list.

I'll throw this out there: If you are not as interested in fishability but need lots of comfortable seating a dual console may make more sense. I have found Boston Whalers are very comfortable and I'm a big fan of Southport. They have a gorgeous 33' DC and the Whaler 350 Realm checks a ton of your boxes. Also, seriously look at the 300hp V8 Mercury. The low- and mid-range torque is impressive, which will matter most in this application, and they are very smooth and quiet.

I have yet to seen Grady White enter the discussion. Less fishing and more suited to your brief. I have no experience other than a low 20 footer, but I liked it.
This will get 'er done:
https://www.gradywhite.com/models/center-consoles/canyon-326/

We have a 33 hydrasport and it’s good but I’d rather have a dual console.. for the biggest reason is that you get out of the wind more. Running 45knts is nice but you can’t talk the wind is so loud.

Just sold our 32 SeaVee with 300 mercs, was good for 10 people but no more, and tight at 10. (bow benches, front console, rear bench and helm seating.

A friend of mine has an Intrepid with 3 350 Yamahas which he only uses seasonally in Maine, and he has had no end of trouble. He eventually bought a 4th engine to have as a spare because he is on an island, and doesn’t want any down time.
It really is a shame that Yamaha produced that engine because I think it has tarnished their previously sterling reputation.
Best,
Maldwin

It took them quite a while to correct the issues and I feel very fortunate that we got honest answers and chose the 300.

I think for Pascal's purposes, a 34' of whatever brand is really required. 34 has been the top selling size of many of the brands. Now, when we looked, we felt 34 would be very good but 39 just a little better so went with it.

I had to get over my aversion to outboards. I had never owned an outboard. My father did when I was young. Not even an outboard RIB as ours are all jets.

You won't notice the difference between a 32' or 35' as far as towing, no difference either as far as beaching it. I used to tow a 26' robalo with 2-225 honda 4 strokes behind a 52' searay sedan bridge, it felt it, but not by much and now behind a 62' Neptunus. The deal with the center console is you want something to be able to run 30-40 nm each way.........saves moving the big boat and wasting a lot of time and gives you lots of options in a day. Can also store all snorkeling gear in the tender as well as all beach stuff. I'd be looking for a real head, good seating for everyone, fuel range, a fiberglass hard top, and enough power to get up on plane and run comfortably with that many people, just think of the storage you need for the life jackets of all those people. You need 34-35'. Center console is easier to get around to hook up the tow etc.