Convertible Vs. Center Console

It's hard to beat the luxurious amenities of modern convertible sportfishing boats, but these pleasures come with a hefty price tag and exorbitant fuel bills. Center consoles include highly desirable features while boasting greater speed and efficiency. Before heading out for a day on the water, which would you choose? Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

Rigged with triple and quad outboard configurations, modern center consoles are capable of reaching speeds eclipsing 60 MPH, but their inherent design leaves anglers exposed to the elements. A benefit to being fully exposed in a center console is that catching wind when launching kites generally isn't an issue. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

In comparison, captains on convertible sportfishers must keep the bow into the wind to keep kites off the transom, where the wind can be blocked by the bridge and the wheel house. This presents a challenge for anglers. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

When flying two kites off a convertible, outriggers are necessary to increase spread, maximize veer, and keep kites aloft when launching. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

To run kite lines through outriggers, anglers have developed specialized outrigger clips that feature a stainless steel ring large enough for the kite's release clips to pass through. From here the ring is attached to the outrigger halyard via a snap swivel or longline clip. When it comes time to launch the kite, the angler passes the line from the kite reel through the ring before attaching the kite reel's snap swivel to the kite bridle. Once the spread is set, the outrigger's halyard and adjoining kite ring are raised to the top of the outrigger. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

While center consoles provide anglers the ability to kite fish off the downwind side of the boat while simultaneously presenting flat lines on the upwind side, many times anglers still kite fish off the stern so the captain can power drift to target tailing or free jumping fish. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

From center consoles anglers can launch kites without any restrictions and easily release fish out of the way from anglers fishing in the stern. Perhaps the greatest benefit of a center console is the 360-degree fishability. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

With the Miami International Boat Show approaching, there's no better time to get the boat of your dreams. So which do you prefer? Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com