Access More Boat Tests
Already have an account? Login
Price
See the price by becoming
a BoatTEST member.
Members Must Log In
Brief Summary
It is no secret that most center consoles are essentially the same. By definition they all have a center console, livewell, fishboxes, rod holders, cutting boards, and the Sailfish 220CC is no different. What separates one CC from another are the details -- which is what BoatTEST.com specializes in describing and dissecting -- and the price. The Sailfish 220CC (and all other Sailfish models) have another difference -- her hull shape.
Key Features
- Cockpit courtesy LED lights
- Raw water washdown
- High speed livewell pickup
- 2 captain's chairs with removable cushions
- Console seat
- Swim platform and boarding ladder
- Kevlar reinforced hull
- Hydraulic steering with tilt wheel
- 12 standard rod holders
Specifications
Length Overall | 21' 3'' / 6.48 m |
---|---|
Beam |
8' 6'' 2.59 m |
Dry Weight |
4,450 lbs. 2,018 kg(w/ eng) |
Draft |
18'' 45.72 cm |
Deadrise/Transom | 24-deg. |
Max Headroom | open |
Bridge Clearance |
8' 4'' 2.54 m (max) |
Fuel Capacity |
93 gal. 352 L |
Engine Options
Tested Engine |
Currently no test numbers |
---|---|
Std. Power |
Not Available |
Opt. Power |
Three Yamaha engines from 150-hp to 200-hp Three Mercury engines from 150-hp to 200-hp |
Captain's Report
Learn More
Watch Our Video
Mission Statement
Sailfish created the 220CC to be a hardworking fishing rig able to get anglers out to the fish and back again while not having to worry about remaining within the confines of protected waters. She has high freeboard for an added safety factor and is offered with enough standard features to handle the task. It is in going offshore in a relatively small boat that we think the Sailfish 220CC shines because of her unique bottom design. In a word, it can both cushion the ride in sloppy conditions and stay relatively stable.
What Hull Shape is Best?
Typically we’d see a bottom with one plane as opposed to three, with a deadrise in center console boats anywhere from 11-degrees for a bay boat, 25-degrees for a large offshore CC. Sailfish has a different approach and it works well.
The 220CC's Most Distinguishing Feature
VDS Hull Design.
By molding-in three different deadrise angles from the stem to the transom Sailfish is able to give a smaller boat, such as the 220CC, both the ride and the stability that we might expect in a larger, heavier boat.
This design gives the hull more flexibility to handle varying conditions than a fixed deadrise hull may. The 24-degree component at the bottom gives better handling in heavy seas allowing the 220CC to carve better through waves, rather than launch over them. The lessening deadrise as we move outward towards the chines provides her with better stability, fuel efficiency and speed.
Major Features
•
Exclusive Raised Dot Matrix Non-skid.
Instead of the typical non-skid of small square depressions, or raised diamonds molded into the walking surfaces, Sailfish utilizes raised dots.
•
Choice of Color.
For a reasonable up-charge ($873) up to 6 colors can be selected for the topsides, and for a bit more ($1,262) another 3 are available. They can even do a two-tone color scheme ($1,262) for a white bottom and colored topsides.
•
12 Standard Rod Holders
. This permits a large spread to be displayed.
•
Flush-Mounted Hinges and Deck Plates.
Not only do these make the boat look better, but they also are easier on bare feet and unlikely to snag a line.
•
Carbon Fiber and Kevlar Reinforcement.
Sailfish is the only center console builder we know of that uses carbon fibers in its deck laminate. Carbon fiber is expensive and is not easy to handle but adds lots of strength with little weight. Kevlar is used in the keel of the 220CC, something that only a few builders of any type boat use. It is puncture resistant, strong and lightweight.
•
Composite Transom.
The transom on this size boat is probably the most stressed part of the hull to the weight, torque, and shock loadings when vessel catches air. Some builders use marine plywood in their transoms but Sailfish manages to build in strength with composite materials.
Things We’d Like to See
•
Lift and Lock Latches.
Most places on this boat there are the turn and lock latches. Often hatches need to be stepped on to allow the latches to turn, and more often than not these end up turned in the wrong direction allowing hatches to bounce open once the boat starts running.
•
No Distortion Windshield.
Either a 3-piece or a no distortion for better visibility where it curves around the bend.
•
Move the Ignition Up Out of the “Knee Strike” Zone.
There’s plenty of room on the panel for the ignition, so why not move it up there?
Features Inspection
Fishing
Clearly, as with nearly every center console on the planet, this is primarily a fishing boat, and she’s well suited to the task. Let’s step aboard on a typical fishing trip and see how she handles the day for us on a mock fishing trip.
Today’s simulated trip… bottom fishing on Nantucket Sound.
Step 1 – Boarding
Our three guys step aboard the 220CC from two different directions. Two step over the caprail while the captain steps through the aft gate. For the guys stepping over the rails, there’s a little inconvenience as the cockpit depth is 25” (64 cm) at the stern, increasing to 27” (39 cm) next to the helm, and fully forward it is 32” (81 cm) deep. Clearly this was built with safety in mind. The captain came in through the gate because the battery switch is right inside the gate. First order of business, turn the switch to “both” to activate both the house and engine start batteries. The task is confirmed with a subtle “beep” as the VHF powers on.
Step 2 – Load the Gear.
Stuff is sitting on the dock and we start loading up. Our captain grabs the frozen bait, squid and clams in this case, and drops it into the 25-gallon (94.6 L) aerated livewell molded into the starboard transom. Sure it’s for keeping live bait fresh but the constant stream of water thaws the frozen bait out in short order. Plus it’s a convenient place to put it.
We’ve got 6 rods total
coming aboard and the boat swallows them up just by using the transom rod holders. There’s plenty more around the boat but these will do for now.
Meanwhile, the captain checks in on the VHF with the commercial fleet already working the middle grounds. The boat didn’t come with a VHF but our guy installed this one himself, thanks to the easy access hatch inside the console that provides access to the back of the panel. It’s the same way the Garmin 4208 was installed
.
At any rate, they report that the winds are 20 gusting to 30 out of the southwest running against a fair tide. Seas have 2’ to 3’ of chop. Perfect. Just the sort of snotty conditions that keep the weekend warriors back at the dock and out of our way. And with our high topsides and wide flared bow, it’s just the sort of conditions that this boat eats for breakfast.
Step 3 – Getting Underway.
The captain starts the engine, in this case a 200-hp Yamaha 4-stroke turning a 17 x 14-¼ prop. Base power is a 150-hp and options go up to 200, either from Yamaha or Mercury, but this mid-range horsepower offering keeps the price right ($57,098) and works quite well, even in these conditions.
We pull the inflatable life jackets out of the storage canvas under the optional T-top ($4,329) and put them on. Cast off the lines and push off. Once away from the dock, one guy walks the length of the boat and pushes the three cleats down flush to prevent snags. The three on the other side are already down.
We power through the channel
and already the wind feels stiff. It’s not uncomfortable as the single-piece windshield is high enough to offer protection. Being one piece though creates a heavy distortion at the point where it curves around to the sides. Once clear of the no-wake zone the captain adds power and she easily carves through the first of the rollers as we clear the breakwater. We add a little shot from the trim tabs ($993) and the rest is made easy from the power assist steering
.
Step 4 – At the Fishing Grounds
Once we arrive onsite the bottom looks promising. We see plenty of marks around the rocks. We split the difference between the wind and the tide and pull ahead just a bit, pull the anchor from the forward anchor locker and lower it to the bottom. We secure it to one of the cleats just off the side and note that we’d rather see a cleat in the centerline.
A 12-Rod Spread.
Last week we were trolling. The 220CC has 4 rod holders across the transom. This, plus the 4 at the back of the T-top, plus the 2 angled out the sides of the top, plus 2 more angled out the sides of the midships caprails allowed a remarkable 12 rod spread to the stern of the boat. If we really wanted to get crazy we could put another 4 in the holders at the backside of the optional leaning post ($1,534).
Today, We’re Bottom Fishing.
We remove the two optional aft jump seats ($572) to give us more room to play. There’s a small cutting surface to work on at the transom so we pull out some clams and start cutting. Once baited up we let the lines down and in short order we get a bite. Haul up and a Black Sea Bass is on the line.
There’s a hinged measuring stick with tool holders to the sides that is attached to the transom, but this guy is clearly over the 14” (36 cm) minimum so it’s “over the rail and into the pail” for him. Actually, it’s more like into one of the two 224 quart (211 L) fishboxes at the bow. After catching our limit we move offshore, further into the building conditions, and ply the shoals for porgies. Slammers are coming over the rails and we load up the boxes within an hour. Time to head back.
Step 5 – Back At the Dock
Once we get the gear off the boat we break out the hose and clean off the mess. Thanks to the exclusive dot-matrix non-skid decking we only have to scrub at the dried up bait chunks we left on the deck. Everything else rinses right off and out the large 2” (5.1 cm) deck drains and over the side. We load up the cooler and gear into the truck. We drive the 220CC onto the trailer and head for the bait shop for ice and to ensure that everyone knows about the ones that we lost just before making it over the rail.
The Next Day
Family Time.
The boat is launched and this time we snap on the optional bow cushions ($1,167). These, along with the optional bow bolsters ($954) make comfortable seating at the bow. We might also bring along the bow filler cushion ($683) to make a large sun pad when we start relaxing.
It’s a skiing day for the kids so we raise the telescoping ski-two pylon ($779) and spend the day dragging them all over the bay. By the time we stop for lunch they’re starved. They shower off as they come back aboard. While dining at the bow table ($439) we listen to music on the optional Fusion stereo ($873) while the kids control it from the remote at the transom ($308). After lunch the family makes use of the optional Porta-Potti ($176) and then we head to the beach for some exploring.
Pricing and Observations
The 220CC has a base price of $52,129 with a Mercury 150 on the transom. A Yamaha 150 will put her at $52,756. A 200-hp ($57,098 for Yamaha, $60,849 for a Mercury Verado) is an option.
Observations
Clearly the functionality of the Sailfish 220CC is well suited to fishing, whether the discipline calls for bottom fishing, trolling, or drifting. She offers room to move about, plenty of space for holding the catch, ample storage for rods and plenty of places to place active poles for putting out an adequate spread.
We are impressed with the execution of details on the boat, particularly ones to do with safety. While most center consoles are essentially the same on deck and inside, as can be seen above, the Sailfish 220CC acquits herself well.