A center-console boat isn’t solely for fishing, as demonstrated by the newly introduced 245FLX “Sandbar Boat” from Sea Pro Boats for 2024.
The 245FLX was unveiled at the 2023 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, showcasing a fresh take on Sea Pro’s well-established 24-foot deep-V hull. It drew a crowd in the Broward County Convention Center, with prospective buyers seeking a family-friendly, trailerable center console.
“Sea Pro is typically recognized as a fishing brand, and our boats are popular among anglers,” stated Kirsten Corssen, director of marketing and dealer relations for Sea Pro Boats. “We aimed to blend family use with fishing, leading to the creation of the 245.”
Boat enthusiasts will appreciate the distinctive cockpit design and adaptable seating arrangements on the 245FLX (23’ 9” LOA, 8’ 10” beam). Rather than a conventional helm leaning post, the boat features two 360-degree swivel captain’s chairs, allowing the captain and first mate to turn in any direction. Sea Pro also relocated the standard stern live well to accommodate a spacious, comfortable bench seat that extends across the entire transom.
Additionally, the 245FLX features starboard and port stern seats that can be adjusted to face either outward toward the boat’s sides or inward toward the cockpit. This design fosters social interaction among friends and family while cruising, while still allowing them to enjoy scenic views and activities around them when relaxing at the sandbar.
“You can have seating facing the stern at the sandbar or while cruising,” Corssen remarked. “The captain’s chairs also rotate 360 degrees, letting you turn your entire setup.”
For optimal utility and comfort, Sea Pro developed a custom bow table for the 245FLX that swivels. This table is also compatible with a flexible stern mount—ideal for enjoying meals and drinks while your feet are in the water.
Sea Pro engineers its deep-V hulls for a dry, solid ride while ensuring performance and fuel efficiency. The 245FLX can accommodate up to 350 horsepower, with power options available from Mercury, Suzuki, or Yamaha.
The South Carolina manufacturer includes a comprehensive list of standard features on the 245FLX. These encompass a fiberglass hardtop with an integrated windshield, power steering with a tilt helm, a smart battery management system, a console dry box with two USB outlets, raw and freshwater washdowns, and a freshwater shower. Cutting-edge technology is integrated as well, featuring a 12-inch Simrad MFD, an Audison Marine Audio system, digital switching, and a Sea Pro Connect by Boat Fix telematics system for security and vessel monitoring.
Sea Pro offers extensive customization options for the 245FLX, including a variety of accessories, hull colors, and upholstery. Corssen noted that the development of the 245FLX incorporated valuable customer feedback.
“We often see people board this boat and gauge the distance between their knees and the leaning post,” Corssen explained. “We relocated the live well and designed the bench seat to create extra space, responding directly to customer suggestions.”
The 245FLX will be available at Sea Pro dealerships starting in December 2023.