Do you really need lighted cupholders, diamond-stitched upholstery, and electrically adjustable seats on a center console? Heck no. But you’ll find that sort of stuff and more on many modern boats. And we all know what that means: a seemingly stratospheric price tag. If what you really want is a sturdy and straightforward center console that’s both equipped and priced in a reasonable fashion, check out the MayCraft 208 CC.
MayCraft is a North Carolina builder that’s been crafting no-nonsense boats for upwards of 30 years, including a wide range of center consoles from a 19-foot skiff to a 26-foot bay boat. The 208 is one of their newest models—boasting all-composite, hand-laid construction—which began rolling off the line for the 2023 model year.
The layout is, like the general attitude of everything about this boat, straightforward. In the stern you’ll find an open, fishable cockpit with a pair of compartments to either side, including one plumbed for a livewell, both of which do double-duty as jump seats. A leaning post can come with or without a second livewell and has a trio of rocket launchers on the back. The T-top can add in another six launchers across the rear, plus spreader lights and an overhead electronics box to complement the electronics/glove box at the helm. A forward console seat is integrated into the console.
One very big—and very pleasant—surprise comes upon closer inspection of that console. It actually houses a head compartment. This becomes a rarity once you get down to the 20-foot mark. While it isn’t exactly a huge entry and your 300-pound cousin Bubba might have to do some shoehorning to get inside, for most people it will do the trick, and having any sort of head compartment on a 20-footer is a serious bonus.
The bow has integrated U-seating with stowage compartments below and optional removable backrests so passengers can sit in comfort facing forward; leave the cushions at home on serious fishing trips and you have an elevated casting platform. There’s also a dedicated anchor locker in the forepeak with an integrated rack for a Danforth, another nice perk on a boat of this size.
The 208 CC can be rigged with up to 200 horses, but on a boat of this nature and weight that amounts to gobs of power. A 150 will prove to be plenty for most boaters—unless, of course, you want to zing around the Bay at highway speeds all the time. Either way, the range on this boat will be significantly more than on most of its competitors thanks to a healthy 70 gallons in the tank. Try some comparison shopping and you’ll find that many boats of this size and nature have 50- to 60-gallon fuel tanks.
Another way the 208 CC outdoes the competition is in the stowage department. How many 20-footers can offer that anchor locker, two bulk stowage areas under forward seats, the console compartment, two electronics boxes, and the jump seat stowage? Not many, and you can add space for a cooler under the leaning post to this list.
The bottom line? While the MayCraft 208 CC may not offer a bunch of frou-frou bells and whistles, that means you don’t have to spend a ton of your hard-earned cash to get a bunch of lights and doo-dads you don’t really need. Meanwhile, it’s got the goods where it counts along with several advantages over other models of the same size. Does that make it the right boat for you and your family? That’s a judgement call, and you’ll be the judge.
MayCraft 208 CC Specifications:
LOA: 20’3”
Beam: 8’0”
Draft (min.): 1’0”
Displacement (approx.): 2100 lbs.
Fuel Capacity: 70 gal.
Max HP: 200
Local Dealer: Beacon Light Marina in Middle River, MD - (410) 335-6200
By Lenny Rudow