When it comes to center consoles, it’s pretty tough to find something exciting to write about. They all tend to have the same basic checklist of features, and even though bigger size means more accommodations (i.e. head compartment within the console), it doesn’t necessarily mean innovation. But that’s exactly what we found on Baja’s 250 Sportfish. Finally, a boat that’s radically different from the others, with a few features that will actually wow your friends.



First and foremost, the 250 is not trying to compete against single-purpose, hard-core center-consoles since it does a number of things well. In contrast, it’s more like a big sportboat that also likes to fish. It’s designed primarily for the fishing couples and families who like to get out to the hot spots in a performance-type boat, but who also want enough cockpit space to relax, dive, or nose the boat up to the beach and hop off for an afternoon. The 250 is designed to let you do all of these things.



The most impressive tricked-out feature on the boat is along the transom. Here, you’ll find a bait-prep center with 3 covered compartments. With one hand, this module flips upside down to reveal two deeply padded jumpseats with console and drinkholders in between. No, hard-core center consoles don’t have this, and it is very easy to use. Just behind this, there’s a neat door in the transom that gets you direct access to the oil reservoir, eliminating the messy job of pouring two-stroke oil through a deck fitting. Though further aft and a bit deeper to reach, batteries, thru-hull fittings, and bilge pumps are also accessable here.



One thing that’s nice about the 250 is a lot of the gear on our test boat was optional. Why is that nice? Because you don’t have to pay for items you’ll never use, and you can choose just the ones you want. Our test boat had the aluminum arch with rocket launchers for additional rod storage, but this can just as easily be a wakeboard tower with holders for boards. It can also be left off the boat altogether. You decide.



The helm is also more performance-oriented than fishing-oriented, with optional drop-down bolster seats in a leaning post, single-lever Kiekhaefer racing controls, and K-plane trim tabs with LED display (nice touch when dialing the boat in for optimum performance at speed. A livewell just abaft the leaning post is also a welcome option for saltwater fishermen who are a little more serious about their offshore angling sojourns.



We found it was an easy walk forward on either side of the console itself, which does have enough room inside for a portapotti that can be used in a pinch. There’s good coaming bolsters on both sides leading forward, and in another unique touch, these slide out of holders easily for cleaning (I tried it…it’s easy.)



Fully forward, you’ll find a raised casting deck that also offers seating, giving your crew plenty of places to relax around this very multi-talented 25 footer. Yes, Baja now calls her a sportfish, but the 250 SF is about a lot more than that.—Capt. Chris Kelly

• Top speed for the Baja 250 Sportfish (Not in Production) is 47.0 mph (75.6 kph), burning 20.7 gallons per hour (gph) or 78.35 liters per hour (lph).


• Best cruise for the Baja 250 Sportfish (Not in Production) is 26.2 mph (42.2 kph), and the boat gets 3.64 miles per gallon (mpg) or 1.55 kilometers per liter (kpl), giving the boat a cruising range of 459 miles (738.69 kilometers).


• Tested power is 1 x 225-hp Mercury Optimax outboard.