Mako’s 21 LTS is the result of input from redfish-tournament fishing pros.
Craftsmanship shows in the details, like recessed cooler brackets that won’t stub a toe. The aft jump seat’s stowable back slips into flush-mounted sockets. And while some boats sport skinny little grab rails, our tester boasted an optional doubled-up 11¼-inch aluminum rail tough enough to secure the beefiest angler.
The release well is enormous, and it’s lined with a bait-soothing blue liner. Access to the pumps and plumbing is done through plates in the bailing well and on the center of the sole.
Some anglers need more than an ample array of six well-placed vertical rod holders on the console, so four gunwale rod holders and seat-back rocket launchers in the leaning post are available too. Gasketed hatches with stainless struts hold up the lids. Seating on the leaning post, aft seat and the console’s cooler seat assures a fisher’s family of five that there is comfort and fun time on the roster.
Our test boat was powered with a Mercury OptiMax 150 bolted to a jack plate. Top speed was rewarding at 43.5 mph, even with the modest 150. Some will opt for the maximum power of 225, but we weren’t dissatisfied with a hole shot of 3.5 seconds to plane or with the 7.7 second time to 30 mph.
With powerboats, power is king, and this wasn’t wanting in the Mako 21 LTS.
