There are a lot of center console bay boats on the market, each one designed for certain water conditions and environments. One thing that makes the 2550 GTS stand out in the larger market is its unwavering focus on nearshore fishing in shallow conditions.
Every aspect of this boat’s design is tailored with shallow waters in mind, from its padded hull to its walk-around gunnels and large, stable casting platform. To highlight what makes the 2550 GTS so great, we have gathered five of the most beneficial features this model has to offer and compiled them into this list.
High Performance in Shallow Waters
The 2550 GTS is designed to be a high performance bay boat in any conditions, especially when navigating shallow waters. There are several features that make a boat perform exceptionally in these conditions, namely a shallow draft, proper propulsion and engine hardware, and a smart hull design.
This model has an incredibly shallow draft fully loaded of 13 inches, which means when the boat is loaded up to its maximum weight capacity, the boat will sit just over 1 foot deep in the water. This makes navigating grass flats, riverbeds, and other shallow water fishing environments a breeze.
There are also several options for propulsion and engine hardware. When navigating shallow waters, having a proper hydraulic jackplate can allow you to adjust the outboard motor vertically. This raises the motor to keep the propeller out of muddy river bottoms or sandy grass flats without sacrificing speed. On the 2550 GTS, the default jackplate option is a 10-inch manual plate which can be upgraded to a Bob’s 10-inch Extreme Gen 3 plate in either black or white.
Lastly, the hull design is also ideal for high performance in shallow waters. The 2550 GTS has a padded hull, which will be covered in more detail in the following section. Additionally, the boat’s 100% composite construction removes the worry of wood rot or other problems that can occur with bay boats that rely on organic construction materials.
Padded Hull
The 2550 GTS is famous for its padded hull, which means the bottom of the boat goes from a V-shape at the nose into a flat, smooth panel running down the center of the boat’s keel. As speed increases, this hull design lifts the boat up and allows you to plane on top of the water instead of cutting through it, reducing drag.
There are several benefits to a padded hull. Firstly, the reduced drag results in a faster top speed with the same amount of horsepower. They are also more fuel efficient, as the decreased friction means the engine does not have to work as hard to maintain top speeds. Most importantly, this hull design is ideal for maintaining a high performance in shallow waters.
10-inch Full Walk-Around Gunnels
The 2550 GTS has 10-inch deep full walk-around gunnels that provide unhindered 360-degree access to the water without having to climb over raised deck platforms or storage compartments. Additionally, these wider, reinforced gunnels feature under gunnel rod storage. This increases the storage capacity of your boat without sacrificing floor space.
Not only does this add to comfort and convenience, but it can also enhance how many different kinds of catch you can bring aboard. Since you can cast from anywhere on the perimeter, you can use traditional rod and reel, a net, or even a gaff to catch your target prey.
This design can also make docking and washing your boat easier. Since this design is meant for easy walkability, it is easy to get from one end of the boat to the other to tie ropes or wipe down surfaces.
Large, Stable Casting Platform
The 2550 GTS features a large, stable casting platform at the bow and the aft of the boat. These platforms are fantastic for inshore fishing as they provide a clear line-of-sight for spotting fish and avoiding muddy river bottoms. The front deck features a comfortable step-up to the main casing platform which can double as seating with the addition of a bow step cushion. This bow deck design gives you an elevated platform to spot fish from before they spook.
The aft deck is also smartly designed with two livewells built into the deck for keeping your catch fresh on long days on the water. There is also a built-in folding bench for additional seating when resting between rounds of fishing. This bench folds down to convert into deck space, giving you a raised casting platform at the aft of the boat as well as the bow.
Plentiful Storage
There is plentiful storage space located around the 2550 GTS. Starting at the bow, the front deck features an anchor box at the nose, a large multipurpose compartment in the center, and an additional compartment located under the bow step cushion. There are also rod lockers to either side of the front deck.
As we move towards the center of the boat, there is a multipurpose storage compartment located in the floor just in front of the cooler seat with backrest. Then, to either side of the center console, there is additional rod storage under the gunnels. The center console also features a small compartment for personal items and an additional storage container in the optional hard T-Top.
Then, at the aft of the boat, there are two livewells for storing your fresh catch. There is also the option for another multipurpose storage container just in front of the engine. From the bow to the aft, every part of the 2550 GTS is designed to maximize storage capacity without sacrificing the other key features that make this model great.
To learn more about what the 2550 GTS has to offer, check out our boat page including a full list of specifications, options, and even a labeled photo gallery. You can also design your own model today by checking out the 2550 GTS Build-A-Boat.