NEW Sportsman Heritage 261 Centre Console

The Heritage 261 defines what Sportsman call a water-centric boat: 8.08 metres and a 2.87-metre beam of hull built around getting people into, around and back out of the water comfortably. It shares its 22-degree deadrise running surface with the Open 262, so it runs and rides like a serious 26-footer. It simply spends its deck space differently.

Seating is the whole argument. A deep U-shaped lounge wraps the bow around an electronically actuated table that drops through three positions: raised for dining, mid-height as a sun deck, or flush to the deck for a clear space. Aft, edge-to-edge seating takes five, with removable aft-facing seats and transom walk-through doors. Dual side entry doors open a full 180 degrees. The captain's chairs swivel through 180 degrees themselves, so the helm turns to face the party instead of away from it.

None of which costs the boat its fishing credentials. Twin 61-litre aquarium livewells sit at the transom and double as coolers; macerated in-deck fish boxes flank the leaning post, two large insulated fish boxes open from the bow, and the bow bolsters work as backrests or as knee pads when a fish is on. There is a sandbar cooler accessible from outside the boat and a rear total access hatch for lifejackets and safety gear.

The console holds an enclosed head with an electric porcelain toilet, freshwater system and overboard discharge. Overhead, a four-leg class-first D-tube hardtop carries built-in lighting, moulded-in navigation lights, kingfish rod holders and an integrated tempered glass windscreen. SportLink runs twin Garmin chartplotters, JL Audio and digital switching across a full NMEA 2000 network, and VACS trims out up to 70 per cent of underway pitch and roll. Yacht and NMMA certified, 10-year hull warranty.

KEY SPECIFICATIONS
- Length overall: 8.08 m (26' 6")
- Beam: 2.87 m (9' 5")
- Draft, engines up: 0.56 m
- Deadrise at transom: 22 degrees
- Fuel capacity: 689 L, approx. 621 L usable
- Fresh water: 76 L
- Approx. Dry weight: 2,571 kg
- Maximum horsepower: 500 hp
- Bridge clearance with hardtop: 2.84 m
- Bridge clearance with second station: 3.25 m
- Yacht and NMMA certified

NOTABLE FEATURES
- SportTech no-wood, all-fibreglass hull with vinyl ester resin
- Shares its 22-degree running surface with the Open 262
- VACS: up to 70% underway pitch and roll elimination
- Deep U-shaped bow lounge with electronically actuated three-position table
- Edge-to-edge aft seating for five, removable aft-facing seats
- Dual side entry doors opening a full 180 degrees
- Transom walk-through doors
- Premium captain's chairs on 180-degree swivel mounts
- Individually adjustable flip-up bolsters
- Twin 61 L aquarium livewells doubling as coolers
- Macerated in-deck fish boxes either side of the leaning post
- Two large insulated bow fish boxes
- Bow bolsters as backrests or fighting knee pads
- Sandbar cooler accessible from outside the boat
- Rear total access hatch for lifejackets and safety gear
- Enclosed head: electric porcelain toilet, freshwater, overboard discharge
- Dedicated trolling motor battery storage
- Four-leg class-first D-tube fibreglass hardtop with built-in lighting
- Integrated tempered glass windscreen with manual vent
- Moulded-in navigation lights, kingfish rod holders
- SportLink: twin Garmin chartplotters, JL Audio, digital switching
- Full NMEA 2000 network, two waterproof wireless phone chargers
- Interior LED lighting package with blue cockpit glow
- Bow centre storage with anchor access
- 10-year limited hull warranty