YAMAHA 222 FSH SPORT E

Jet to your favorite fishing spots on this family-friendly center-console packed with standard fishy features and amenities.

As a lifelong angler, I grew up fishing aboard plenty of spartan vessels. But the last decade has seen those hardcore center-console designs soften. Family-friendly features now deliver enjoyment and comfort for daylong adventures of all kinds.

So, as I stepped aboard Yamaha's new 222 FSH Sport E, I noticed numerous hybrid qualities-all wrapped in a sporty jet-boat body. This 22-footer is the premium model of three new center-consoles from Yamaha that incorporate many of the same angling features of the company's larger 25-foot FSH models.

The 222s replace previous 21-foot models and bring 9 more inches of length and as much as 4 inches in higher interior freeboard. Greater gunwale height promotes increased safety for small-fry family members.

At the bow, anglers will appreciate the insulated fish box beneath the starboard lounger. The port lounger hides dry storage. A removable filler piece nestles between the two perches to create a table for dining or a stable casting platform. Yamaha also extended the port gunwale surface at the bow to more easily mount a trolling motor.

Beneath the bow's sole, Yamaha dropped in a 64-gallon storage box with a recess perfect for holding a cast-net bucket. Aft of the bow loungers, bulkheads port and starboard create cavernous storage for tackle boxes, safety gear, lines and other larger items.