Rugged and Tournament Ready

By Capt. Ron Svoboda

Few boat builders get to enjoy the satisfaction of having a legendary reputation that aficionados covet. Talk to a serious fisherman about Mako boats, and they reminisce about their father’s or buddies Mako that has served them well for decades and still delivers pleasure to this day. Over the years this once-proud brand has gone through a series of ownerships and it is now owned by Tracker Marine, a company that builds more boats than any other on the planet. Tracker is an out-growth of Johnny Morris’ Bass Pro Shops, so they know a thing or two about fishing. The Tracker name dominates on freshwater, now the company is moving aggressively into the saltwater arena.

Tracker has made a fine reputation in freshwater fishing boats for delivering a quality boat at a reasonable, if not down-right low, price. The company plans to do the same in the saltwater market.

Functional Layout and Features

The 264 Center Console (264CC) is a saltwater fishing icon that has served Mako well for generations. The boat has been revised over the years and the names have been changed by the different marketing departments, but what still holds true is her terrific heritage and the tough-as-nails, no-nonsense build of the Mako center console fish boat. Starting at just over $60 grand for the base model, you get a hard core offshore boat packed with just about everything you’ll need for tackling the deep blue. Best of all, when the water gets ugly you’ll stay nice and dry, thanks to the 264’s high freeboard.

The boat has a 21 degree deadrise bottom at the transom which gives the boat a good rough water ride. While 3 degrees less deadrise than a 24-degree deep-V, you’ll pick up some stability and speed as a result. This is a well-thought out compromise and we like it.

Large Cockpit Tournaments

Stepping off the dock and into the boat’s cockpit is aided by wide gunwale caps that surround the whole boat. These not only offer sure footing with a texturized surface finish but supply a generous toe lip to keep you on the right side of the boat. The cap rail blends into the forepeak were there is a small casting platform. The platform includes a deep anchor locker, anchor roller and hardware for securing your mooring. Just aft is a pair of benches with self draining fish boxes flanking both sides of the bow. These lockers show the builder’s attention to detail and ruggedness, as thick fiberglass hatches are supported by gas struts and use a gasket seal to prevent leaks and rattling.

Mako utilizes roto-molded, polyethylene liners on most lockers in the boat. These babies won’t crack, chip or leak, plus the ultra slick surface makes cleaning a non-issue. Completing the area up front, is a bow railing which is nested along with thick coaming pads along the shear line and a pair of cup holders below. In the sole of the bow is an enormous locker for storing anything large like a boat cover or luggage for that weekend Bimini run.

Top-Notch Amenities

The center console is a multi-faceted unit. Forward, it provides a bench seat for two and has a small, self-draining beverage locker hidden under the hinged seat cushion. As you work your way to the starboard side of the console, the door to the head swings to reveal a deep compartment occupied by a toilet and fresh water sink. Inside you will also find access to house the battery switches, AC/DC switches and several inspection hatches that are used to access the back of the helm’s electronics. Topside, the console offers tons of space to mount electronics gear and engine gauges at the helm. There is also a tempered glass windshield, convenient drink holders and a storage bin.

As for weather protection, several tops and enclosures are available as options, so you’ll have to decide what suits your fishing grounds best. Personally, I like the Key West top, equipped with spreader lights, courtesy light and telescoping out-riggers.

Control Central

The helm seat, much like the console, has multiple roles. First, as a padded leaning post for rough water, and second as a bench seat with a padded back rest for the skipper and companion. This seat, although functional, was really my only gripe about the whole boat. The bottom pad was very thin and become uncomfortable within the first ten minutes of sitting on it. Other than that, on the backside of the seat is a bait prep station with live well, cutting board, beverage/tackle holder, a sink with faucet and is finished off with a pair of rod holders and grab rail.

A key feature on the 264 is the cockpit’s 360 degrees of fishability. It starts with the bait station just mentioned, and the abundant rod storage in the gunwales and cap rails. In the cockpit sole, are two insulated fish boxes that measure 64 inches long and will drain overboard. At the back of the cockpit is a second live well integrated into the transom on the starboard side and a large transom door to port. At the stern, a molded swim platform and engine well offer good space for boarding the boat after a swim, using the optional heavy-duty swim ladder.

Engine Set-Up

Our test rig came with Mercury’s latest Verado set-up, but you can get either two or four-stroke mills in various horsepower from Honda, Suzuki, Bombardier or Mercury. As for the boat’s performance, you’ll have to wait for that, as we were unable to test this new boat with Mother Nature delivering 6-8 foot seas in the Atlantic which a good test of her strength of construction and sea keeping abilities, but not a fair test of smooth water performance. We’ll get you the performance numbers as soon as possible