As a lifelong angler, I grew up fishing aboard plenty of spartan vessels. But the last decade has seen those hardcore center-console designs soften. Family-friendly features now deliver enjoyment and comfort for daylong adventures of all kinds.
So, as I stepped aboard Yamaha's new 222 FSH Sport E, I noticed numerous hybrid qualities-all wrapped in a sporty jet-boat body. This 22-footer is the premium model of three new center-consoles from Yamaha that incorporate many of the same angling features of the company's larger 25-foot FSH models.
The 222s replace previous 21-foot models and bring 9 more inches of length and as much as 4 inches in higher interior freeboard. Greater gunwale height promotes increased safety for small-fry family members.
At the bow, anglers will appreciate the insulated fish box beneath the starboard lounger. The port lounger hides dry storage. A removable filler piece nestles between the two perches to create a table for dining or a stable casting platform. Yamaha also extended the port gunwale surface at the bow to more easily mount a trolling motor.
Beneath the bow's sole, Yamaha dropped in a 64-gallon storage box with a recess perfect for holding a cast-net bucket. Aft of the bow loungers, bulkheads port and starboard create cavernous storage for tackle boxes, safety gear, lines and other larger items.
This story is from the October 2022 edition of Boating.
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This story is from the October 2022 edition of Boating.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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