2005 Southport 28 Center Console

Step aboard this Southport 28 and you’ll notice how much thought went into the helm and cockpit for serious time on the water. The deep, secure bow with generous seating keeps crew comfortable on the run, while the wide walkaround and tall gunwales make it easy to move from bow to stern when lines are tight. Underfoot, the level, self-bailing deck and substantial flare up front help keep things dry when the chop builds. The console offers ample storage for gear and safety equipment, plus room to duck in for a quick change or to stow bags out of the spray. It’s the kind of layout that makes long days offshore feel easy and organized.

This Southport 28 shines in waters where you might jump from shallow inlets to open-ocean swells in a single outing. The variable-deadrise hull and pronounced bow flare are designed to soften the ride when the afternoon sea breeze kicks up, while still floating shallow enough for nearshore structure and sandbar hops. Twin outboards give you the confidence and range to run to distant reefs or wrecks, yet the boat is still manageable for a small crew. With plenty of open cockpit space, it handles both trolling spreads and bottom rigs without feeling crowded, and remains nimble when maneuvering around tight docks or crowded channels.