Pro-Line 23 Sport
By Capt. Bob Smith
I traveled to Lake Lanier north of Atlanta, Georgia recently to test some Honda powered boats. One of the models I tested was Pro- Line’s 23 Sport powered with Honda’s 225-hp four-stroke engine. Pro-Line has packaged this model with the fishability features you must have along with some extra items to make it comfortable and safe.
At the Bow
Pro-Line equipped the bow with features such as good aggressive grip surfaces, recessed cleats and rails and a large anchor locker. The recessed cleats reduced the opportunity to snag the lines just when you are getting a fish tired and the rails keep a good, safe handle and still keep the gunwale tops clear. On each side are large bench seats that conceal 60 gallon fish boxes. These boxes are also covered with the same aggressive grip surfaces, making a them for casting deck space. Even though you strive to keep the scuppers in the fish box clean, they always seem to find the most inconvenient time to plug up, but with the 23, there is an access panel right at the bottom of the scupper so you can clean it out from the outside of the box- a nice touch. There is a small bench seat is in the front of the center console helm station and doubles as a cooler seat.
Center Console
The center console offers a large storage space for tons of gear, or if you regularly have family on board, room for a self contained head. Getting inside was a bit tight for a guy my size, but the little ones and most ladies should have no problem.
The windshield on the console is frameless, so if you elect to have the T-top as our test model did, you won’t lose additional visibility at the helm. The helm dash tips forward for excellent access to connectors and wiring harnesses. All connections are sprayed with a tan waterproofing agent to help deter water intrusion. The dash panel offers a large white space for adding flat panel displays, GPS, and more. Faria gauges are grouped for good view underway and rocker control switches are grouped together to the right of the hydraulic steering wheel. Two drinkholders and a small glove box are also found to the right of the wheel.
When outfitted with the optional heavy duty T-top with fiberglass hardtop, this model also features an overhead light with white and red bulbs to save your night vision. A second switch operates the two spreader lights on the back of the top separated by four rocket launcher-style rod holders. A small box is overhead and is large enough to mount a VHF. The leaning post-style seat has fixed position foot rest and a backrest with four more rocket launcher-style rod holders.
Additional Features
Under the gunwales on either side, there is room to store three rods. Bolsters are on slides so you can clean them up easier or pull them off when you plan to store your boat for extended periods. A hatch in the floor provides access to the batteries, pumps and filters, there are several rod holders mounted in the gunwale tops in the stern, and a hatch on the port side wall conceals the battery switch while a raw water washdown is located on the starboard corner. Our test boat had an optional fold-out bench seat in the center of the stern complete with its own drinkholders.
On the port stern wall is an 18 gallon baitwell. The walk-through is situated on the stern side and has a swim shower just outside the door. A three-step telescoping swim ladder is also on the starboard stern.
Specifications
The 23 Sport measures 23 feet length overall with a beam width of 8’6”. Her dry weight is approximately 3540 lbs without the outboard and she draws 17” draft. This model has a 125 gallon fuel cell and is rated for up to 225-hp outboards on her stern.
Handling
I tested on a good day on an inland lake with two people on board. She handled smoothly and delivered a dry ride even when cutting some pretty tight turns and jumping large wakes.
Pro-Line’s 23 Sport offers lots of fishing features in a size that will please the family and the sportsman in you.
