At 4,200 pounds, the Century 2600 CC weighs about 900 pounds less than some other 26′ high-speed center console fishboats. Does it matter? You bet. When tested with twin 225-hp Yamaha outboards, this lean, clean fishing machine hit a healthy top-end speed of 57 mph. Holeshot was equally impressive. Four seconds was all it took to get on plane with me and a crewman. This 2600 CC included a T-top ($3,800), which easily cut 2 to 4 mph off its top speed. If you must run a fishboat a mile a minute, a topless 2600 CC could probably hit the mark. Handling is sporty, which means the boat feels light and quick. It’s capable of performing whatever you reasonably ask of it, but as I hit full speed with maximum trim, the hull tended to chine walk. Of course, you can avoid this by keeping the drives trimmed in, but then you’ll lose some of that top-end speed.
If you’re a hardcore angler like me, you usually leave the dock before sunrise, which is another reason to appreciate the 2600 CC. It’s rigged with lights everywhere, including in the 42-gallon livewell, on the mechanical access hatch in the transom, and throughout the cockpit. Even the electronics switches are lighted.
Another nice feature is the dual fuel fills. There’s one located on each gunwale, and both feed a single 200-gallon tank. During fill-ups, you’re not hassled about which side of the boat faces the fuel dock. Full gunwale bolsters are also included. Not only are they more comfortable, they also make the cockpit look a lot better. The head in the console has a freshwater sink and 5’10” of headroom. And if you’re a diver, you’ll like the transom door and stainless-steel boarding ladder.
There’s an adjustable backrest on the leaning post. And the electric trim tabs, always handy when you need to smooth the ride in rough water, come standard. Same goes for the Yamaha multifunction gauges, which indicate mph, speed, fuel flow, oil level, and other essential functions.
Competitors? The Regulator 26 ($76,000 with twin Yamaha 225-hp outboards) costs more, weighs more, and has a less comprehensive list of standard equipment than the 2600 CC. It’s not quite as fast as the 2600 CC either, but the Regulator 26’s through-bolted hull-to-deck joint, single-piece fiberglass stringer system, and great fit and finish make it a strong competitor.
LAST WORD. Fast, fun and truly fishable, the Century 2600 CC is a lot of boat for the buck.
LOA…..26’2″
Beam…..8’6″
Draft…..2’3″ ** **
Displacement (lbs., approx.) …..4,200
Transom deadrise..23°
Bridge clearance..6’0″ ** **
Minimum cockpit depth……….2’4″
Max. headroom..5’10”
Fuel capacity (gal.) ……….200
Water capacity (gal.) ……….20
Price (w/o power) ……….$43,560 ****
Price (w/test power) ……….$73,464 ****
STANDARD POWER: None.
OPTIONAL POWER: Single or twin outboards to 450 hp total.
TEST BOAT POWER: Twin 225-hp Yamaha V-6 outboards with 191 cid, 3.54″ bore x 3.23″ stroke, swinging 15 1/4″ x 19″ three-bladed ss props through 1.81:1 reductions.
STANDARD EQUIPMENT (major items): Aerated, recirculating 42-gallon livewell; pressure freshwater system; dual battery switches; Yamaha multifunction meters; hydraulic trim tabs; cockpit and bow coaming bolsters; integrated bow pulpit, roller, and rail; head compartment; locking rodboxes; transom sink w/cutting board; compass; integrated tacklebox; boarding ladder; transom door.
