First Look – Twin Vee 240 Center Console
Serious & Smooth
In the race to build the most versatile offshore boat on the water, the only thing that arrives ahead of the Twin Vee is its reputation. The 25th anniversary of Twin Vee brings the most exciting lineup since the restart in 2015. Hand built by craftsman in Ft. Pierce, FL, the 240 CC GFX PowerCat boasts generous features such as a wide but trailerable 8’8” beam, available 300 horsepower, and a scant 16” of draft to get you into those skinny fishing waters or take the family to the sandbar. Stability, tracking, engineering, and quality are the hallmarks of the brand, and the 240 trumpets those attributes.
Before we dive into the fun parts, let’s look at the construction of this dominator. For starters, there is no wood whatsoever used in the construction of the boat. It is entirely of fiberglass & composite materials. The fiberglass is hand-laid by experienced fabricators, many of whom have built Twin Vees by hand for 15 years or more. The completely unique self-bailing hull is also filled with modern, R6-rated closed-cell foam, making the vessel essentially unsinkable. Just in case, it’s backed up by a 10-year warranty.
For the uninitiated, the catamaran-style hull pioneered by Twin Vee provides some clear advantages. The wide berth allows for its legendary side-to-side stability, but one feature you may have never considered is bow-to-stern stability.
The precise engineering of the hull creates a mixture of water and air under the deck that makes the boat feel as if it’s riding on a cloud. This phenomenon also provides increased fuel economy, so you’re unlikely to need the entire 98-gallon fuel capacity.
The cockpit is intuitive and thoughtful. The most used controls are large and accessible with a quick glance. The steering wheel is a work of art in itself and tilts for comfortable placement. The 42” Llebroc Billfish Captain’s seat also converts to a leaning post for those that prefer stand-up navigation. Speaking of navigation, a sizeable Garmin display is flush mounted in the helm and there are a variety of options for electronics. An underwater LED light package is included for those overnight fishing excursions and is now happily available in green!
Twin Vee includes a few fantastic features not available in many boats. First is a washdown station with a six-gallon fresh water tank; very useful for washing the salt off fishing rods and passengers. The self-bailing cockpit is possible given the hull design and allows water that hits the deck to drain without accumulating in the bilge, which is a brilliant bit of engineering. The whisper-quiet Suzuki motors are mounted on jack plates, which allow for smoother shallow water travel and better stability/ safety getting on plane. Jack plates also allow for a wider variety of options should you find it necessary to repower in the future.
At first glance, the 240 looks like a leisure cruiser ready for the family (which it is). The bow has ample wraparound seating, complimented by the double-wide cooler seat forward of the console, and armrest cushions double as headrests for dual lounge chair sunbathing. A full-width bench at the stern makes your living room couch seem cramped. The motor configuration allows for a swim deck that makes getting out of the water a breeze, and the transom walkthrough door means you don’t have to climb over anything to get in or out of the water. For the family members that need that last little bit of arm twisting, there is a spacious and private head inside the console for the moments that nature calls for.
But don’t be fooled! When it’s time to go fishing, the 240 is up to the task. The rear bench drops to give you a full wall of cushion to lean on, with a massive live well, cooler, and rocket launcher within reach. The bow cushions store out of the way in the console to reveal a spacious casting deck with insulated under-seat storage, a bait well, and gunnel-mounted rod holders. Another cooler is close at hand under the console bench seat. Two more live wells are neatly recessed on the floor on either side of the center console. Port and starboard rod lockers are recessed in the walls. Additional gunnel mounts and the console rocket launcher bring the total rod capacity to 18! Tackle storage abounds all over the boat. It is undoubtedly the best of both worlds, and the most well-thought-out and versatile boat I’ve ever seen.
Ok, enough of the nuts and bolts. The ride, power, and room will surely leave you wanting nothing, but let’s not forget about one of the best features of this magnificent vessel. It is absolutely stunning. It is a wonderfully crafted masterpiece of a fishing boat. From the cupholders to the latches, the polished stainless hardware is flawless. Even the pop-up cleats are gorgeous. The hatches open and close like the doors on a luxury automobile, solid and firm. The innovative polyester-based gel coat leaves a smooth and durable surface, and the seafoam color pops like no other. When the unfortunate time comes that you must leave the water and park the PowerCat, be sure to leave yourself a few extra minutes. You’ll be stopping to look back at her more than once.
