Sailfish 252 Center Console

You may not have Cairo, Georgia, at the top of mind when it comes to serious boat building, but you’d be wise to think again.

Because that’s where Sailfish Boats has its shipyard, and the builder is well known for turning out boats that are capable, versatile and primed for all manner of fun on the water.

Case in point is the builder’s brand-new 252 Center Console. This fun little boat was designed to meet an owner’s needs, regardless of what the aim is, seamlessly blending serious fishing accoutrements with a family-friendly vibe.

“There are two different deck configurations,” says Matthew Vetzner, vice president of sales and marketing for Sailfish Boats. “One is more family-forward and the other is geared toward fishing. It’s not overly common to find that kind of flexibility in boats of this size and type.”

One configuration features dual 10-gallon livewells beneath a full-width bench seat, while the alternate layout includes a wide, fold-down rear seat, a single 25-gallon livewell to port and a standard oversized boarding door with integrated ladder.

Vetzner points to the vessel’s seaworthiness as a key feature, regardless of configuration.

“If you’ve spent any time on the Great Lakes, you know they can get as whooped up as the Atlantic Ocean,” he says. “What I like about this boat is that the high freeboard gives a nice feeling of security when you’re onboard in rough conditions. And the running surface is perfect for a smooth ride. It’s a boat that will keep you comfortable in turbulent water, and you can also count on it to get you and your family home safely.”

The boat’s shallow draft allows it to get in and out of shallow anchorages like sandbars, and the 252 CC has seating both fore and aft, making it an excellent choice for entertaining. Engine configurations up to 400-hp provide lots of giddyup when it’s time to go home, and a Fusion/Rockford Fosgate sound system will be banging out tunes over the roar of the wind.