Proline 23 Sport

Boat Test #1591

For anglers looking for a pure fishing machine, they would be smart to look at the Pro-Line 23 Sport. Large enough to handle offshore conditions but the boat is small enough to trailer without having to buy a new tow vehicle.

While the 23 Sport has family-features such as removable bow cushions and integrated dive platform with ladder, make no mistake Pro-Line designed the model for anglers. The main cockpit area is spacious with wide catwalks and a nonskid sole to reel in the big catch.

Once the fish are onboard, the fish can go into the 60-gallon fish boxes (with overboard drains) in the bow. Bait fish can be stored in an 18-gallon illuminated well on the transom’s port side. Especially appealing is the under-gunwale storage for the fishing rods.

The helm is functional on the 23 Sport and it includes hydraulic steering that tilts, AM/FM Bluetooth stereo, standard gauges and a pair of stainless-steel cupholders to the right of the controls. Pro-Line left ample space for electronics and buyers might be wise to add the Garmin GPS ecoMAP and Garmin VHF radio, an upgrade that costs $2,470.    

The 23 Sport comes standard with an aluminum leaning post with backrests and rod holders but we suspect most buyers will upgrade to a T-top canvas ($4,845) or a fiberglass hard-top that includes a storage box, indirect lights, outrigger plates and rod holders. The hard-top upgrade runs $10,000. If budget is an issue, Pro-Line sells a bimini top for $1,340.

Pro-Line offers the 23 Sport with single or twin outboards, giving buyers the option to choose from Mercury, Evinrude and Suzuki. According to the manufacturer, the V-bottom has a top speed of nearly 44 mph with a 200-hp engine on the transom and a range of 250 miles at wide-open throttle. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Beam 8’6”
Weight w/ engine 3,540 lbs.
Max. Power 300 hp
Price w/Suzuki 4-stroke $72,765

For more information: www.prolineboats.com