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Boats · Top 10

Top 10 Center Console Boats Under $50,000 in 2027

By Kory White · Updated Oct 2026 · 4 min read
Tidewater 180 CC
Direct answer

The Tidewater 180 CC is the best center console boat under $50,000: a 17 ft 8 in hull with up to 115 hp and 37 gallons, starting at $42,873. The Scout 175 Sportfish ($42,595 with a Mercury 90ELPT) is #2 and the Boston Whaler 150 Montauk ($39,583) is #3.

At a glance

#PickLengthBest for
1Tidewater 180 CC17' 8"A true 17-foot saltwater center console with a built-in tank
2Scout 175 Sportfish17' 5"Inshore fishing with a 94-quart cooler seat and a live well
3Boston Whaler 150 Montauk15' 5"A small, classic Whaler for bays, lakes and beach runs
4Robalo R16016' 4"An easy-to-trailer first saltwater center console
5Carolina Skiff 17 LS17 FT 6 INShallow flats and creeks with a self-bailing deck
6Scout 188 Sportfish18' 11"The most length and fuel you can get from Scout under $50,000
7Mako 18 Pro Skiff18' 6''Fast, quiet skiff fishing with the most horsepower on this list
8Bayliner Trophy T18 Bay18'2"A low-priced fiberglass center console with a 115 HP Mercury included
9Carolina Skiff 19 LS19 FT 2 INMore deck and 140 HP in a shallow-draft hull
10Tracker Grizzly 1860 CC19' 2''Rivers, marshes and stumpy water on the lowest budget

Pick by what you want

Best overall
Tidewater 180 CC
Best for inshore fishing
Scout 175 Sportfish
Best small classic
Boston Whaler 150 Montauk
Best for shallow water
Carolina Skiff 17 LS
Lowest price
Tracker Grizzly 1860 CC

The ranking

1

Tidewater 180 CC

Tidewater 180 CC
Answrs VerdictThe best 17-foot center console under $50,000.
Length: 17' 8"Price: Starting at $42,873Max horsepower: 115 hpFuel: 37 galDeadrise: 15°

The Tidewater 180 CC is 17 ft 8 in with a 15-degree deadrise, a 37-gallon tank and up to 115 hp, starting at $42,873.

Go ifA true 17-foot saltwater center console with a built-in tank
Skip ifYou need more than 115 hp
Why #1 over #2: Its 37-gallon tank beats the Scout 175’s 28 gallons at nearly the same price.
2

Scout 175 Sportfish

Scout 175 Sportfish
Answrs VerdictThe best-equipped 17-foot fishing boat.
Length: 17' 5"Price: $42,595 with a Mercury 90ELPT, freight and prep (Get on the Water Sales Event)Max horsepower: 115 HPFuel: 28 galDraft: 10"

The Scout 175 Sportfish is 17 ft 5 in with a 10-inch draft, 28 gallons and up to 115 HP; Scout lists $42,595 with a Mercury 90ELPT, freight and prep.

Go ifInshore fishing with a 94-quart cooler seat and a live well
Skip ifYou want the biggest fuel tank
Why #2 over #3: Its 115 HP rating and 28 gallons outdo the 150 Montauk’s 60 HP and 12 gallons.
3

Boston Whaler 150 Montauk

Boston Whaler 150 Montauk
Answrs VerdictThe classic small Whaler under $50,000.
Length: 15' 5"Price: Starting at $39,583 (suggested retail incl. freight)Max horsepower: 60 HPFuel: 12 gallonsDraft (boat only): 9"

The Boston Whaler 150 Montauk is 15 ft 5 in, takes up to 60 HP and carries 12 gallons, starting at $39,583. The 17-foot 170 Montauk starts at $52,948, over this budget.

Go ifA small, classic Whaler for bays, lakes and beach runs
Skip ifYou want a 17-foot hull (the 170 Montauk starts at $52,948)
Why #3 over #4: It starts at $39,583, under the R160’s $46,189 MSRP, and drafts just 9 inches.
4

Robalo R160

Robalo R160
Answrs VerdictThe best 16-footer.
Length: 16' 4"Price: Reel Deal price as built $36,490 (MSRP $46,189)Max horsepower: 90 HPFuel: 24 galDeadrise: 15°

The Robalo R160 is 16 ft 4 in with a 15-degree deadrise, 24 gallons and up to 90 HP; Robalo’s Reel Deal price as built is $36,490 against an MSRP of $46,189.

Go ifAn easy-to-trailer first saltwater center console
Skip ifYou need room for a big crew
Why #4 over #5: The R160’s 15-degree deadrise suits open bays, while the 17 LS’s 7-inch draft suits skinny water.
5

Carolina Skiff 17 LS

Carolina Skiff 17 LS
Answrs VerdictThe shallow-water 17-footer.
Length: 17 FT 6 INPrice: Starting at $35,350 (nationally advertised price; MSRP $46,160)Max horsepower: 115 HPFuel: 30 GALDraft (approx): 7 IN

The Carolina Skiff 17 LS is 17 ft 6 in with a 7-inch draft, 30 gallons and up to 115 HP, starting at $35,350.

Go ifShallow flats and creeks with a self-bailing deck
Skip ifYou run open, choppy water
Why #5 over #6: Its 7-inch draft runs shallower than the Scout 188’s 10 inches for less money.
6

Scout 188 Sportfish

Scout 188 Sportfish
Answrs VerdictThe biggest Scout under $50,000.
Length: 18' 11"Price: $47,595 with a Mercury 90ELPT, freight and prep (Get on the Water Sales Event)Max horsepower: 115 HPFuel: 39 galDraft: 10"

The Scout 188 Sportfish is 18 ft 11 in with 39 gallons and up to 115 HP; Scout lists $47,595 with a Mercury 90ELPT, freight and prep.

Go ifThe most length and fuel you can get from Scout under $50,000
Skip ifYou want to stay near $40,000
Why #6 over #7: Its 39-gallon tank tops the Mako 18 Pro Skiff’s 37 gallons.
7

Mako 18 Pro Skiff

Mako 18 Pro Skiff
Answrs VerdictThe most powerful pick.
Length: 18' 6''Price: $39,995 with a 115 ELPT Pro XS Command Thrust (national price)Max horsepower: 175 HPFuel: 37 Gal.Draft: 12''

The Mako 18 Pro Skiff is 18 ft 6 in with a 12-inch draft, 37 gallons and up to 175 HP, at $39,995 with a 115 ELPT Pro XS Command Thrust.

Go ifFast, quiet skiff fishing with the most horsepower on this list
Skip ifYou want a deep-V ride
Why #7 over #8: Its 175 HP rating is the highest on the list, ahead of the T18’s 115HP.
8

Bayliner Trophy T18 Bay

Bayliner Trophy T18 Bay
Answrs VerdictThe value fiberglass pick.
Length: 18'2"Price: Starting at $33,543Max horsepower: 115HPFuel: 30 GALDeadrise: 18°

The Bayliner Trophy T18 Bay is 18 ft 2 in with an 18-degree deadrise, 30 gallons and a 115 HP Mercury, starting at $33,543.

Go ifA low-priced fiberglass center console with a 115 HP Mercury included
Skip ifYou want a premium brand
Why #8 over #9: Its 18-degree deadrise suits bay chop, and it starts at a lower price than the 19 LS.
9

Carolina Skiff 19 LS

Carolina Skiff 19 LS
Answrs VerdictThe bigger shallow-water skiff.
Length: 19 FT 2 INPrice: Starting at $39,107 (nationally advertised price; MSRP $48,338)Max horsepower: 140 HPFuel: 30 GALDraft (approx): 7 IN

The Carolina Skiff 19 LS is 19 ft 2 in with a 7-inch draft, 30 gallons and up to 140 HP, starting at $39,107.

Go ifMore deck and 140 HP in a shallow-draft hull
Skip ifYou want a 17-foot boat
Why #9 over #10: Its fiberglass hull takes up to 140 HP, against the aluminum Grizzly’s 90 HP.
10

Tracker Grizzly 1860 CC

Tracker Grizzly 1860 CC
Answrs VerdictThe lowest-priced center console here.
Length: 19' 2''Price: $24,395 with a 60 ELPT FourStroke (national price)Max horsepower: 90 HPFuel: 19.2 Gal.Hull: All-welded aluminum jon

The Tracker Grizzly 1860 CC is a 19 ft 2 in all-welded aluminum jon boat with a center console, 19.2 gallons and up to 90 HP, at $24,395 with a 60 ELPT FourStroke.

Go ifRivers, marshes and stumpy water on the lowest budget
Skip ifYou fish open saltwater

How we ranked these

We ranked 15- to 19-foot center consoles whose builders publish a price under $50,000 on hull, fuel and power, then on that published price. Prices are builder list or advertised prices and can differ at the dealer. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.

Questions people ask

What is the best 17-foot center console under $50,000?

The Tidewater 180 CC: 17 ft 8 in, up to 115 hp and 37 gallons of fuel, starting at $42,873.

What is the cheapest center console on this list?

The Tracker Grizzly 1860 CC, at $24,395 with a 60 ELPT FourStroke. The cheapest fiberglass pick is the Bayliner Trophy T18 Bay, starting at $33,543.

Can you get a Boston Whaler Montauk for under $50,000?

The 150 Montauk starts at $39,583; the 170 Montauk starts at $52,948.

Which pick takes the most horsepower?

The Mako 18 Pro Skiff, rated for up to 175 HP.

Max horsepower (as published) at a glance

Boston Whaler 150 Montauk60 hp
Robalo R16090 hp
Tracker Grizzly 1860 CC90 hp
Tidewater 180 CC115 hp
Scout 175 Sportfish115 hp
Carolina Skiff 17 LS115 hp
Scout 188 Sportfish115 hp
Bayliner Trophy T18 Bay115 hp
Carolina Skiff 19 LS140 hp
Mako 18 Pro Skiff175 hp
Max horsepower (as published), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.

Official sites

Sources

Prices, specs and availability change; confirm on the official site before you buy.