Sailfish 226 DC

A dual-console boat often serves as a ­boatbuilder’s bridge between hardcore fishing and more casual family boating. DCs can offer the best of all possible worlds with comfortable seating, serious angling features and watersports amenities. No wonder they are popular, and the new 226 DC from Sailfish is a great example. 

Rod holders, livewells and tackle storage make the 226 DC a splendid fishing machine. With a sea-taming, high-performance hull and plenty of smooth ­horsepower, this boat can be the answer to many types of fishing, from coastal bays and rivers to bluewater adventures. When fishing takes a back seat, a swim platform, tow pylon, and a large deck locker for skis and wakeboards enhance watersports capabilities.

In our test, performance came from a marriage between a powerful Suzuki 200 hp outboard and Sailfish’s patented VDS hull. VDS stands for variable-degree step hull, which has three running surfaces. The longitudinal surface closest to the keel has a 24-degree deadrise to shear through stiff seas with ease. The second longitudinal surface is 23 degrees and adds lift and stability. The outer surface is 22 degrees for even more stability at rest, making it a steady platform for trolling, bottomfishing or drift-­fishing. It’s reverse chine also enhances cornering for stable, confident turns at speed. All Sailfish boats sport VDS hulls, and they’ve proved to do the job. 

The hull is efficient and displayed strong acceleration ahead of the 200 Suzuki. We also noted good fuel economy in the midrange speeds, which means boaters won’t have to forgo a trip to the water out of fear of the fuel tab. Not only was the VDS hull quick and efficient at speed, but it also ran true at idle speed without wandering about, easing the skippering required to hold a trolling course.

To hold your quiver of fishing outfits, there are six rod holders for trolling or bottomfishing. Two are shotgun holders on the transom, and there are four more, two on each gunwale. A pair of vertical rod holders reside behind the helm seat to round out the stick stowage. 

We found a standard 21-­gallon livewell with a clear acrylic lid on board in the port quarter—a nice touch for inspecting the health of live bait without having to open the hatch. A raw-water washdown is also standard for cleaning up blood and gruel after landing a flurry of tuna. 

The digital steering on board our tester was adjustable to give more or less feedback, easing wheel movement for inshore, slow-speed maneuverability, or stiffening it up for easier trolling control or long-range cruising, when course adjustments are minimal. 

On the comfort side of the equation, we found spacious seating at the bow, with high coamings and grab rails for secure riding. The seat cushions lift high and wide, offering easy access to the insulated storage below to serve as fish boxes or coolers. There are also cup holders and phone ­chargers in front. 

Cockpit seating included a luxurious optional helm seat with armrests and bolsters that fold up and down. Legroom behind the three-spoke stainless-steel wheel is adjustable thanks to an easy-to-reach ­lever. Behind the helm seat, a jump seat conceals an insulated cooler beneath. On the port side, a long lounge converts to a fore-and-aft, back-to-back seat when the seatback cushion pops up from the bottom cushions. Finally, Sailfish added a transom seat that folds up and transforms into a bolster to brace yourself and cushion your legs while fighting a fish. 

There is a Canvas Sport Top ­option for the 226, as well as a foldaway Bimini top with stainless-­steel hardware and frame. For fender placement, Sailfish added stainless-steel fender hangers, reserving the cleats for mooring lines. 

A huge floor locker accommodates skis and ropes. A boarding ladder at the transom brings your riders, swimmers and snorkelers back aboard. For the sandbar, there’s an 18-quart cooler in the swim platform along with a stereo remote to the Fusion controller. Premium Rockford Fosgate speakers rock the tunes throughout the vessel. 

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All of this makes the 226 DC fun to own, but Sailfish also makes it easy to own, adding ample access to the bilge plumbing and batteries beneath the transom jump seat. And the battery isolator switch is readily accessible. 

The Sailfish 226 DC might be all-new, but it ­clearly reflects the company’s vast experience in designing and building quality boats with outstanding performance, fishability and family fun. 

Sailfish Boats – Cairo, Georgia; sailfishboats.com