Many fishermen — particularly those with children in the 8-to-15-year-old range — find that family truly takes over their on-water focus. This is why family-friendly boats are in high demand.
Kids and spouses love water, love fishing, love cruising, and love water sports. For them, a truly versatile family-first boat fits the bill. This is why many boatbuilders now consider families when designing even the most dedicated fishing vessels, installing convenient cupholders, grab rails, and even cushioned seating.
Family-friendly models prove perfect for folks whose sport fishing still dominates their boat use, folks, who occasionally entertain onboard or take their kids to a sandbar. Here is a list of family-friendly boats perfect for your family.
10. 2022 Sea Ray SPX 190 OB
At almost 20 feet in length, the Sea Ray SPX 190 OB is the perfect family boat to take your weekends further at an affordable, family-friendly price.
The combination of a very spacious cockpit, versatile option packages, easy handling with big outboard power, and stylish Sea Ray design opens up what your weekend can be like. Abandon the couch, put off the yard work, and go further.
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9. Pursuit DC 265
Pursuit Boats has carved out a niche for itself in the boating industry, manufacturing both fishing and cruising boats that impress with their innovative design and functionality. One of its noteworthy creations is the 26-foot Pursuit DC 265 dual console, a design that is ingeniously crafted to cater to both fishing and cruising needs. It can be likened to a marine SUV, reflecting the versatility and adaptability of the boat, which caters to a diverse range of marine activities.
Comfort is a focal point in the 26-foot dual-console design, with lounge seats to port and starboard, both featuring padded backrests and a full bolster forward. The careful positioning of these seats ensures that passengers can enjoy the ride with ample space and comfort. The boat also features a non-skid step-up and a windshield with a walk-through center panel, which offers easy access to the forward bow. These features reflect the thoughtful design that has gone into creating this versatile vessel, with careful attention paid to the comfort and safety of passengers.
To add to the boat’s utility and safety, there’s a starboard transom door, which includes a telescoping swim ladder and transom grab rails, making it easier to enter or exit the water. The blend of these features underlines the boat’s dual nature, making it an ideal choice for both fishing and cruising.
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8. 2022 Ranger R2360 Bay
The 23-foot 2360 Bay Ranger has enough room for eight people. With a port and starboard lounge seats, a contoured bench, and dual-seat leaning posts, you can accommodate the whole family.
Storage includes a 120-quart cooler, a 30-gallon live well, and a bow-casting deck with hidden storage. This family-friendly boat also comes with enough space for 10 rods and a swim platform with a ladder.
7. 2022 190 Montauk
Classic good looks meet modern-day utility in the 190 Montauk, a well-designed center console boat that rises to any occasion with confidence. Throughout, Whaler’s unmatched attention to detail inspires and empowers, as the 190 performs every time.
Generous fish-fighting space is complemented by smart rod storage that keeps your arsenal within reach. It comes with non-skid flooring and stainless-steel grab rails ensure safety. In addition, there’s a built-in fuel tank, bow locker, two-rod holders, and crystal-clear console instrumentation.
6. 2022 Sailfish 320 CC
The 2022 32-foot Sailfish 320 CC remains one of the better inshore and offshore family-friendly boats, that is perfect for fishing. It’s built for trailers, has a hardtop frame, and has plenty of open deck space. It also has ample built-in storage, including two 120-quart fish boxes, a 30-gallon baitwell, and much more.
The boat includes wraparound seating, a ski pole, a swim platform, and an integrated ladder, for family-focused activities. You’ll also find the 320 CC with fuel-efficient V8s.
5. Grady-White Fisherman 236
The Grady-White’s Fisherman 236 epitomizes is top-notch and family-proof, thanks to its meticulously crafted composite stringer system and transom. The boat is designed with foam flotation to enhance buoyancy and stability, ensuring safety even in choppy waters. The self-draining cockpit, another noteworthy feature, enables the boat to maintain a dry, comfortable space for passengers and crew. Its construction adheres to Grady’s uncompromising standards, providing a reliable and sturdy boat for fishing enthusiasts and people putting family first.
This midsize center console is well-equipped with all the essentials. Featuring toerails, twin 89-quart bow fish boxes on the port and starboard, a generous 160-quart fish box in the transom, and a 62-quart insulated and lighted aft livewell. This livewell is serviced by an 800gph pump, ensuring optimal conditions for your catch. Storage includes eight-rod holders and six-rod racks, making this an angler’s dream.
The Grady-White Fisherman 236 boasts features to keep the family happy, including cushioned bow seating with optional foldaway forward-facing backrests, cushioned forward console seating with a backrest, and a foldaway transom bench seat. It also has swim platforms on the port and starboard, complete with an integrated ladder and transom door. A stand-up console head and cushioned lean bar with a backrest provide added comfort for whoever is taking the role of skipper.
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4. 2021 Grady-White Freedom 375
The Freedom 375 37-foot dual console boat is a great performance boat with huge comfort and quality. The 375 is an enviable sport-fishing platform but that doesn’t hinder its appeal to families on the water. It delivers a rugged offshore fishing boat with quality, safety, reliability, and performance, making this family-friendly fishing boat a superior choice.
3. 2022 Scout 215 XSF
One of the top family-friendly boats is the 22-foot Scout 215 XSF. It can do everything a family needs and delivers as a serious fishing vessel too. Standard features include swim platforms, a leaning post, a 72-quart cooler, and even a Bluetooth stereo.
The wraparound seating has optional back-rest inserts, plus the ample coffin box storage area doubles as seating. If you’re looking for extras, you can add a T-top, a portable toilet, and much more.
2. 270 Dauntless
Boston Whaler, with its 59-year-old legacy, is a household name among boatbuilders, renowned for its wide range of high-end powerboats. These powerboats, ranging from 11 to 42 feet, are tailored to either fishing or cruising, delivering a unique blend of performance and luxury. One of their standout creations is the 270 Dauntless, a versatile center-console boat, which adeptly caters to offshore fishing or family lounging, showcasing the innovative design ethos of the company.
The 270 Dauntless is equipped with a plethora of features designed to enhance comfort and functionality. Wraparound bow seating with forward-facing flip-up backrests on both the port and starboard provide a cozy setting for at least five people, ideal for dining or socializing. A forward console seat further adds to the spacious and inviting atmosphere onboard. The comfort extends to the cockpit, which includes a leaning post with rod holders, a cooler, and an aft bench seat, all thoughtfully designed to create an enjoyable boating experience.
Adding to the 270 Dauntless’s appeal is its array of optional features, reflecting Boston Whaler’s commitment to customization. The boat can be equipped with either a livewell or a three-drawer storage system, according to individual needs. There’s also the option for an integrated hardtop, offering protection and a sophisticated look. One of the key customizable features is a fold-down swim platform, which provides easy port-side access, enhancing both convenience and safety. The 270 Dauntless’s remarkable blend of versatility, comfort, and optional customization sets it apart in the market, upholding Boston Whaler’s reputation for excellence.
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1. 2022 Century 240 Resorter
Last, but certainly not least, we have the 24-foot Century 240 Resorter. This is a multi-purpose family-friendly vessel that you’ll want to take out on the water all the time. It can easily handle major offshore fishing, a day out cruising, or high-speed water sports, which is great for children.
The comfortable seating area includes folding armrests, a removable table area, and a ski tow pole. The captain’s and port seat both spin 180 degrees, with the port seat being easily flipped into a lounger. Ample fishing storage includes baitwell, rod boxes, and tackle boxes.