27 to 28 Foot Center Consoles at 2023 Miami Boat Show - What Does 180K to 339K Get You?

The 27' to 28' Class of Center Console fishing boats sits squarely in that "mid-size" category of offshore center consoles. 30 years ago, these would have been considered the big momma jammas of the fleet, but with most boat manufacturers now offering 30 foot plus offerings (and some over 40 feet), it's found a nice niche in the middle.
At the 2023 Miami Boat Show, there was a wide range of popular mid-tier boats in this size class available including offerings from Sportsman, Cobia, Grady White, Sailfish and Robalo.
Let me know which you would pick and why.
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[@ashman0071]

The Sportsman's really show well in all of your posts. Sportsman has moved way up on my list. The floor under that big aft hatch is molded specifically to cradle a Seakeeper 1 - the boat has been designed for it to be installed there (low, centerline and aft of midship is the best place for gyros) . Great post as usual JJ - thanks.

[@samuelquintana461]

Nice video. I really liked that Robalo.

[@mikerileyfop]

Sportsman hands down...digital switching, one piece grid stringer system designed around the sea keeper, twin aquarium style live wells, un parraled bilge access, twin side doors, twin fuel fills, wireless phone charging,...just no comparison. The Cobia was a left over which is why it was so cheap.

[@gm1937]

Thanks for the overview and man those Cobia’s are nice. I’d take the Cobia over the Grady any time. Perhaps in my next life. Thanks John and greetings from Gio, Western Long Island sound.

[@theGovnr1]

May I ask why you prefer Cobia over Grady? What exactly do you feel is better?

[@HardSarge]

Can you do a video with a boat financial Lender and ask what income one needs to be in to afford boats in the range. Fica- down payments- annual income - with today’s rates, it will be interesting to hear. Cheers

[@jiggingjerks]

Not a bad idea. I’ll see if I can line something like that up

[@matthewskubliskas7752]

First! So sorry to hear your no longer chartering, was planning to book a trip this summer😭

[@davidkirksey8521]

Robalo for the win

[@nowayjose3300]

I am with you in the minority, it is incredible to see a fishing boat with more seats than a theater. Maybe they only fish in the sandbars

[@johnm5714]

Grady is way out of the ballpark here-as much as I am A Grady White fan they are just pricing themselves out of reach of most people.

[@je7758]

I own 2013 25 fishermen I don’t see the craftsmanship from this boats and customer service doesn’t help

[@HardSarge]

You are so correct. GW has lost THIER mind. My first and only GW was a 1995 24’ Walkaround with a. 250 Yamaha. 42k boat motor trailer. 340k is a 1% price today it might as just say 1 million . I don’t even stop in at GW area.

[@thestormrunners]

Grady has officially lost their minds

[@bigguydiy2184]

I think Grady prices their boat this highbecause there are new boaters dumb enough to pay it. Experienced boaters will walk away. Secondly, there are those owners who want to bragg how much they paid for a boat no matter how over priced it is.... We see this over pricing now in snowmobiling.

[@geom1600]

I like the Cobia and came close recently but for some reason the dealer was 30k more then this show price😮 I agree the Sportsman coffin box 28 is a nice boat and seems bigger then the Cobia and nicer finished- notice the lids on Sportsman are insulated and well finished they alao make their own access panels- not the plastic ones you typically see

[@David-bf9ux]

There's going to be Fishing Guides interested in that Grady ....

[@lordTowle]

The Cobia is really nice but, I don't think my wife would go for the forward entrance head, or maybe, we would "fight" over it.
I am definitely have to consider that though.
Thanks

[@gerardtallarido9421]

Paid $157k for my 2020 Cobia 280cc with twin 200’s in June of 2020. Wow $204k now…. Glad I bought when I did

[@jiggingjerks]

I remember that year at the Miami show, the boat show special price was 150k. What is really crazy is this exact model at the Saint Petersburg show this year was 280,000.

[@BorodenTV]

I wish you got to check out the blue wave 2800 makaira. Well thought out boat. Expensive like all boats now if you option it out like I would anyway 😊.

[@jiggingjerks]

I have a vid on it from Stuart either last year or year before. Agree with you. And 1/2 the price of the Grady

[@BorodenTV]

I found that video 2 years ago. Wow sportsman 282 has gone up over 100k since then.

[@johnhickman2915]

Cobia 28

[@SneakyPeteNJ]

Wouldn't want to pay that much for a boat I couldn't lay over in. But remove the price as a consideration and it's the GW for me.

[@jiggingjerks]

I agree with you. You can get a nice condo on the water in Boynton beach for the money of that Grady.

[@derekdavis8054]

Yep I keep 300k in my closet for emergency boating...

[@zackriden79]

I tell you what 180 buys alot of boat in the used market I would buy a nice Donzi 30 foot ish and a nice super duty truck instead these people are going to price themselves out to business there's just not enough boaters in the 200k North budget for basic boats ?

[@sapelesteve]

Once again, way overpriced boats but thanks for showing us around John! 👍👍

[@Driver371]

I was so excited for the robalo 270…then I got on it and tried to get in the head. Ruined it.

[@wireless1235]

Cobia looks like a deal on this video comparatively. Grady is a ripoff.

[@billjones3071]

These boats will be worth nothing in two years, sick prices crazy if a working man purchases ine of these ripoffs

[@kenrea4884]

a lot of boat for the money for a 23ft boat with no trailer i do not count the bracket for the engines ?? 26ft Bertram new Volvos with trailer 25,000$