The following review was written by John Page Williams, Editor-at-large, Chesapeake Bay Magazine. John, senior naturalist for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, has been a regular contributor to Chesapeake Bay Magazine for 30 years, specializing in environmental issues, nature, wildlife, fishing and boats. He has been testing new and used boats for the magazine's Time-Tested and New Boat News departments since 1998.

DECEMBER 2009

Length overall  17' 7" Beam  7' 6" Draft  12" (engine up) Deadrise  15 degrees Weight1,847 lb Fuel 33 gals Base Price  $17,480

Trophy's new 183 Center Console, part of the company's Rolled Gunnel series, is a tough, seaworthy skiff that costs less than $1,000 per foot, even with an optional 90-hp Mercury OptiMax outboard, a galvanized trailer and freight-delivery charges. How can Trophy do such a thing? It can because rolled-edge boats are easy to build and require only limited rigging. The 183 CC still has necessities like level flotation, a self-bailing cockpit and a 10-year limited hull warranty, plus a livewell in the front console seat, room for bracket-mounted electronics on the console, vertical rod holders and pads for mounting aftermarket horizontal rod holders. Trophy Fishing Boats, Arlington, Wash.; 800-233-3327; www.trophyfishing.com.