Sailfish 316 Dual Console Review — A Versatile Fishing and Family Boat

The Sailfish 316 Dual Console blends the needs of serious anglers with the comfort and convenience expected by families. Built by Georgia-based Sailfish Boats, the 316 DC balances fishing functionality—such as live wells, rod storage, and open cockpit space to fight a fish—with the amenities and refinements of a sportboat designed for cruising and social days on the water. The overall design minimizes compromise, offering an ambidextrous layout that works equally well for anglers and recreational users.

At its core, the 316 DC is purpose-driven for fishing. The transom houses six rod holders and a 30-gallon circulating live well on the port side, while fish boxes are integrated into the soles of both the aft and bow cockpits. A bait-prep station with sink sits conveniently between the helm and the aft-facing cockpit bench, providing a streamlined workflow for baiting hooks and prepping catches without cluttering the deck.

With a 9’9″ beam, the boat delivers a roomy aft cockpit for hooking and landing fish while maintaining efficient hull lines. Sailfish’s signature hip-height gunwales are topped with coaming bolsters that give anglers secure bracing when a fish is on the line, and the tall gunwales add an extra measure of safety for families with small children. Practical details extend to a lockable transom gate and a port-side dive door that simplifies boarding from a dock, boating a fish, or stepping into the water for a swim or snorkel.

Comfort and convenience are clearly emphasized aboard the 316 DC. The headroom under the hardtop is deliberately generous—an advantage for taller passengers—and the enclosed head in the port console provides cruiser-style amenities rather than a spartan fish-boat toilet. The head features full standing room, an electric marine toilet with a 10-gallon holding tank, a sink with ample counter space, and a mirror. Natural light is supplied through a frosted skylight and a portlight onto the walk-through, keeping the space bright and pleasant.

The helm layout is designed for usability and storage. The starboard console contains a large storage compartment and a dedicated rack that stows the bow table neatly out of sight. Instead of a heavy, folding glass windshield common on some dual-console models, the Sailfish 316 DC uses a sliding glass panel, simplifying forward access while the wind-dam gate below folds cleanly against the helm console when opened. Ergonomic touches continue in the bow cockpit, which offers high gunwales, grabrails, cushioned backrests with pull-out armrests, charging ports for devices, and ample cup holders—features that keep passengers comfortable during extended cruises or while waiting through a long troll.

Powered examples of the 316 DC can be fitted with twin Mercury 300-hp XXL Verado outboards; the model shown at the Palm Beach show carried this setup and achieved a top speed in excess of 52 mph. At a practical cruise, the boat demonstrated efficient performance—cruising at 25.7 mph at 3,500 rpm while consuming roughly 1.4 mpg. Swim platforms flank the outboards, and the port platform conceals a convenient “sandbar cooler” for easy access to cold drinks without reboarding the boat—an appealing feature for social days anchored off a beach or sandbar.

Storage and hidden features are integrated into the boat’s design to keep the wide open spaces uncluttered. Gunwale and transom pull-down seats are recessed into molded wells, with seat bottoms that double as hatch lids; when closed, these seats blend into the deck and preserve the clean sightlines and usable fishing area. These design choices highlight Sailfish’s aim to provide both utility for serious anglers and comfort and style for families and dayboaters.

Specifications:

LOA: 30’6”
Beam: 9’9”
Draft (hull only): 1’10”
Weight (approx.): 11,315 lbs.
Fuel: 265 gals.
Power: (2) 300-hp Mercury 300 XXL Verados
Price (as seen): $342,109

This article was originally published in the June 2022 issue.