Review: Century Boats 2600 Centre Console

The Century 2600 has a long list of the most desirable fishing features as well as the latest manufacture and design characteristics

Century Boats has a history nearly as long as its name suggests, but I bet you have never heard of the brand even though it is well-regarded in its home country. You might see them around boat ramps occasionally, mostly in the hands of private importers who picked up on their well-built and capable reputation. Nonetheless, the USA-based builder has now found a distributor on our east coast and its dedicated line of fishing

The builder

Established in 1926, the brand name has a prescient ring as it approaches its 100th birthday. Early models were crafted from timber, but the company moved to fibreglass in the 1960s making it an early adopter and giving it decades of experience in composites. Production halted for a couple of years after the turbulent economy of the early millennium but building at the Florida boatyard is again in full swing across a range that spans between 6.4m and 9.8m. As well as Century, the company also builds classically styled Vanquish and Coronado lines, but the emphasis is on the fishing models especially centre consoles. And while Century Boats is steeped in tradition, there is nothing staid about its very contemporary offerings. The 2600 on review here has a long list of the most desirable fishing features as well as the latest manufacture and design characteristics. 

The build

The hull’s light grey gelcoat might impart a cautious vibe but the bulk of the boat on its trailer impressed passers-by as we readied for launch on the upper reaches of Sydney Harbour. The 2600 is big for a trailer boat and the lines are modern and appealing and the size and deep V instantly mark it in the serious offshore category. However, a 2630kg hull weight, when fitted with engines and equipment, will soon take you close to our 3500kg tow limit. So, you will need an oversize tow vehicle if you anticipate moving it with anything but empty tanks and no gear. I’m thinking most owners will have a mooring or, even better a dry stack for storage. 

Starting with a totally timber-free construction, here is a boat that is built to last. Stringers are formed from composite members encapsulated in fibreglass and then bonded to the hull for rigidity and strength. Advantages of composite include lighter weight, increased strength and a rot free construction for a longer life.

Century hulls are designed for offshore conditions and the traditional deep V principle is embedded in the 20-degree deadrise for a hull made to slice through waves efficiently. The bow’s sharp entry and wide chines are shaped to optimise the ride in rough water while a pronounced flare sends spray wide of the boat. Lower down we see running stakes flowing back to the transom for lift and directional stability.

On board

Sitting under a fibreglass hardtop, a wide centre console leaves room for easy movement all around the boat. There’s loads of room for a crew of four to have plenty of space for hard core action. The hardtop is standard and is secured with a very hefty aluminium support that mounts in five places each side to the hood. Like the rest of the boat’s structure and hardware, it looks like it’s made to last. 

The interior is extremely neat with well-finished rubber sealed hatches for deck wash, battery box and bilge, keeping the deck clear for action but readily accessible. Kill boxes in the floor and under the bow seats will handle a good size catch and the lids have gas struts for easy loading. The deck is a single level throughout and has a grippy non-skid finish and as you move around the boat, a low stainless-steel rail and padded coamings are there for added safety and comfort.

By their nature, centre consoles are efficient fishing platforms, but the 2600 is big enough to add extra versatility. Up front the raised deck of the seat bases have cushions and a removable table so the family can also enjoy time on the water. Removable backrests allow comfortable feet-forward seating on each side and there’s storage below for the cushions to be moved out of the way for fishing. More seating is found forward of the console and at the transom is another twin seat over the live well. For most households not having a head can be a deal breaker so the roomy electric toilet with holding tank under the console might be an essential family friendly feature. 

In another nod to a more social lifestyle, rod holders along the sides can also store drinks and the cleats all pop up and recess to keep fishing lines from getting caught.

At the helm, seating is a bolstered leaning post style for two. It’s comfortable and beautifully clad in Sileather, a synthetic material that’s way more expensive than marine vinyl and much better wearing.  Drawers for smaller fishing tackle are cleverly integrated into the seat squabs and four rod holders attach to the back of the seat next to a trio of cup holders. You find more rod slots in the side decks and in a rocket launcher at the rear of the hardtop.

The kill tanks are all insulated so they could double up for beverages or lunch and a 60L cooler sits under the powder-coated seat base. 

At first, I thought the seating at the transom would be impractical when fishing, but I soon changed my mind when I saw it in operation. For one thing the twin seat might be the most comfortable when travelling and its dead easy to convert it for fishing.  By dropping the cushions down against the transom, the 160L aerated bait tank is ready for use. A clear lid lets you keep an eye on the bait and a sink small table are handy for bait preparation.

At the wide dash, a slick stainless steel Edson wheel with a speed knob is reminiscent of a 1960s hot rod. It looks cool and the back is covered in grippy synthetic leather for a firm hold in sharp turns. The blank dash of the review boat will handle screens up to a pair of 12” displays and the 7” Yamaha readouts are in easy line of sight under a row of waterproof touch switches for the electronics. 

Down the back a starboard gate takes you out to a small swim platform where a built-in ladder waits for reboarding after a swim.

The ride

For our review, we motored west along the upper shores of Sydney Harbour to a background of the boathouse of Rivendell School. It seemed appropriate for the Century’s long history. The sandstone heritage-listed buildings were originally a convalescent hospital and, when Century was established, the structure was relatively new. 

Maximum power for the 2600 is 450hp, so while the twin 200hp Yamahas on the review boat were a little short of that, they proved to be a good match. We saw 45kts at wide open throttle and a fast cruise around 38kts at an easy 4500. With a capacity of nearly 700L of fuel on board, you can expect to run for several fishing days or some impressive miles of coastal hopping. The most economical range we saw was a projected 345nm at 3500 with a pretty miserly fuel burn of 42lph combined. And that’s with 10 per cent fuel in reserve. 

The 200 Yamaha has been around for several years now and has always been regarded as light on fuel. With this twin-engine setup on an easily driven hull they really come into their own for performance and fuel use.

From rest we quickly arrived at planning speed with very little lift from the bow and right through the speed range the boat felt safe and stable. Over wake from big cruisers the ride stayed smooth and predictable as you feel the weight of the boat moderating the ride though the waves. 

Right through the rev range there was no undue noise or vibrations from the hull or fittings. 

Handling was impressive and nimble in big sweeping turns and in sharper, vain attempts to find any cavitation. The hydraulic steering is light but with enough feel to guide the boat to where you want to go.

The wrap

Demand for properly set up offshore fishing boats is at an unprecedented high right now and anyone trying to get their hands anything in this size range will really struggle. So, it’s good to see a new and proven brand enter the market. The Century brand has a good reputation for quality and robust build in America and the brand’s 10-year structural warranty applies locally.

Price as tested for the 2600 is $289,000, with options such as electric windlass, bow table and electric marine head. Price starts at $260,000 so it sits in the premium end of the market. You would also need to budget for a suitable electronics package on top. The Century will appeal to experienced fishing enthusiasts who are looking for a blue water machine with room for a big crew who want to explore wide grounds. I’m told there is a lot of interest among game boat owners who like the idea of reduced maintenance and running costs as well as the turnkey simplicity of a smaller package to use when the bite is on or when the mood takes you.

Highs and lows

Highs

• Composite build
• High performance and good economy
• Roomy all-round fishing

Lows

• As a trailer boat it needs a big tow vehicle

Century 2600 Specs

General

Capacities

Engine

Options fitted:

• Twin Yamaha 200 HP engines
• Hull colour Whisper Gray
• Console and lean post cover
• Electric windlass with anchor
• Bow table
• Electric marine head
• Bolster seat upgrade with Bentley stitch

Sea trials

700L fuel tank (calculations using 630L, 10% reserve)

Century 2600 priced from $260,000

Century 2600 price as tested $289,000

Supplied by Premier Marine

THE NEXT STEP

If you need help choosing your first boat or are considering upgrading your existing one, check out the Century range on Trade a Boat today.

The sellers will be happy to help and answer any inquiries you may have about the products advertised for sale.

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