If there was ever a boat built for the coastal waterways, sloughs and rivers of the Carolinas to Jacksonville, Florida, or along the Gulf Coast, it would be the 236 CC. It’s draft is a moderate 16 inches with the motor up, ideal for the Intracoastal Waterway and Gulf Coast sandbars, and its stability at rest is exemplary, beautifully supporting its maximum passenger capacity of 12.
Powered as our test boat was with a 200 hp Yamaha outboard, we could picture a mixed day of snorkeling, fishing and tube riding using the centerline-mounted tow pylon and reboarding at the swim platform. A boarding ladder at the stern makes it easy to reboard whether you are snorkeling or beach combing, and the stern ladder is also easily deployed from in the water, adding a safety factor too.
You’ll be cool all day thanks to the spacious hardtop that shades the cockpit and a built-in ice chest for refreshments. You can add more refreshments by stowing your cooler beneath the leaning post.
Or you could use that one for a fish box. You’ll catch many with the lively bait kept frisky in the standard aerated livewell. Stow your rods under the gunwales — Stingray custom molds its rod brackets instead of buying cheap, vacuum-molded inserts — or in the rocket launchers on the hardtop and leaning post. When you’re trolling or just taking a lazy approach to bait-fishing, gunwale rod holders will keep the sticks in place while you wait for the bite. And when you want them out of the way, rocket launchers in the optional hardtop keep them secure.
Your crew will be comfortable reclining in a choice of seats, from aft jump seats for up to four to dual leaning-post seats at the helm. Then there is that beautiful bow seating area with thick cushions that snap in or stow away, assisting your dilemma of what to do, what to do: fish, play, cruise or raft up? To add more stress to the choices, there are two foldaway bolsters forward that convert the wraparound seating to forward-facing lounges.
You can add a portable head beneath the center console or just use the area as a changing room to go from beach to waterfront dining.
The 236 CC is an extremely fishable deck boat with family-cruising amenities. It has the easy maintenance advantages of outboard power and plenty of options for fun on the water.
High Points
* Livewell keeps bait fresh and frisky for great fishing action.
* Solid hull gives a stable, sporty ride with our test power.
* Features like premium vinyl and stainless-steel rub rails ensure long-lasting good looks.
Price: $76,493 (as tested)
How We Tested
Engine: Yamaha V-6 3.3L 200 hp
Prop: Reliance 17″ 3-blade stainless steel
Gear Ratio: 2.00:1
Fuel Load: 30 gal.
Crew Weight: 375 lb.
More Information
Stingray Boats – Hartsville, South Carolina; 843-383-4507; stingrayboats.com
