Every boat is a compromise. There’s no hardcore fishing boat that can keep the watersports fans of the family happy, and there’s no bowrider that any serious fisherman would want. But dual console boats have had success at making compromises less daunting. Polar’s 2300 DC is one of the larger dual consoles on the market, and thus, it straddles the divide between fisherman and leisure cruiser with aplomb.
The angler has 6 rodholders lined up across the transom, 4 strategically placed holders amidships and in the bow cockpit, and 3 more on the bait prep station, bringing the total to 13. (Check out the inwale rodracks and coaming bolsters and toe rails, too, as well as the lockable stowage in the starboard console.) The 48-gallon standard livewell is much larger than what you’d find on the typical 20′ to 22′ dual console. The dash has plenty of space to mount serious electronics. The bow locker cushions remove when the fishing’s serious, and your catch will fit in the L-shaped, overboard-draining fishbox under the bow seats. The angler’s compromise? The raw-water washdown is an option and the anchor locker is located in the cockpit, accessed through an awkward vertical hatch. But there’s an extra pull-up cleat on the bow dedicated solely to tying off the anchor rode.
The day boater will love the transom seating for six and the portside back-to-back seating that fully reclines into a lounge. The port console opens for a fully fiberglass-lined changing room that can hold an optional MSD. The bow cockpit screams runabout, with room for three to sit or two to lounge-the stainless-steel grabrails are recessed so as not to impede the fishing. The euro-style transom has a swim platform with a telescoping boarding ladder. The watersports enthusiast’s compromise? The ski pylon and Kenwood stereo are optional.
The twin engines on my test boat got us on plane quickly and pushed us over 50 mph, power enough to please both camps. But the twin engine setup makes it harder to tow toys or work fish around the transom. For me, a single 250-hp outboard would warrant serious consideration.
