Sportsman Boats for Sale

Started by builders who'd done it before

Tommy Hancock and Dale Martin founded Sportsman Boats in 2011, after earlier careers at Sea Pro and Key West. They started with six employees in a leased 20,000 square foot building. Their idea was a family-friendly center console: a boat that fishes, rides well and still has comfort and safety for kids.

Sportsman now builds boats from 21 to 40 feet, says it has shipped more than 20,000 boats, and builds every model to NMMA certification standards.

The three series

• Open: offshore center consoles from 21 to 40 feet, including the 212, 232, 252, 262, 282, 302, 322, 352 and 402.
• Heritage: crossover family boats from 23 to 32 feet, more about cruising and seating with some fishing. Models include the 231, 251, 261 and 321.
• Masters: bay boats from 22 to 28 feet for shallow-water fishing. The 227, 247, 247OE, 267 and 267OE are traditional bay boats. The Masters 288 is a hybrid bay boat for running offshore too.

The first two digits of the model give you the length class. An Open 232 is a 23-foot boat; a Masters 247 is about 24 feet.

Spec sheet: the Open 232

The Open 232 is Sportsman's popular mid-size center console. Sportsman lists it at 23'4" long with an 8'6" beam, a 16-inch draft with the engine up and a 20-degree deadrise. Dry weight is about 3,950 lbs, without the engine. It's rated for up to 300 hp, has room for 10 people and has 9'4" bridge clearance with the top.

The tank holds 116 gallons, but Sportsman puts usable fuel at about 106 gallons. EPA rules require an air gap at the top of the tank, so plan range on the lower number. There's also a 15-gallon freshwater tank and a 25-gallon rear livewell. The 2026 owner's manual lists engine options from Yamaha (F250 and F300) and Mercury, with the weight of each engine.

The quoted length doesn't include the engine. Measure the boat on its trailer with the motor before you count on fitting it in a garage.

What to check on a used Sportsman

Outboards. Every Sportsman is outboard powered. Get the hours and service records, and have a mechanic check compression and the lower unit. On twins, compare the two engines.

Saltwater wear. Look at the trailer, steering, outboard mounts and electrical connections for corrosion.

Hull and deck. Check for stress cracks around the console, T-top and deck hardware. On bay boats, look at the keel for damage from running aground.

T-top. Check the welds and mounts.

Pumps and livewells. Run the livewells, bilge and washdown pumps.

Electronics. Find out what's original and what's been added.

Warranty. Ask whether any of the factory warranty transfers to you.

Water test. Bay boats and offshore center consoles ride very differently. Test in the water you'll fish.