Blackfin 262 HB

With a sweeping sheerline that hints at its offshore chops, the 262 HB can also ply the shallows. Courtesy Blackfin Visit Blackfin Build Your Blackfin Find a Blackfin Dealer

Blackfin’s ­metamorphosis from hardcore fishing boats to luxury-packed hardcore fishing machines began six years ago. Offering 10 stylish, posh, smooth-riding and battle-ready center- and dual-consoles, the brand has now added an 11th, the new 262 HB. With the growing popularity of hybrid bay boats, we have been gleefully anticipating this model for a year, and we were not disappointed.

At rest, the 9-foot-2-inch beam of the 262 barely heeled over when we crowded to one side as a crew might when hauling a catch on board. It is ­amazing what an extra 8 inches of beam can do. Deck space was generous, and movement fore and aft unhindered. There is plenty of room to comfortably enjoy the many fishing amenities.

The hull has a big story to tell. It is a two-step bottom designed on the Blackfin drawing board. Blackfin’s Advanced Carbon Technology uses carbon fiber strategically to enhance ­rigidity without adding unnecessary weight. Closed molding of the hatches creates a perfect nonskid finish on top and a glossy mildew-resistant surface underneath. A vinylester barrier coat protects the gelcoat from print-through to ensure a mirrorlike gleam. You can choose eight colors besides white for a nominal $854 upcharge.

The 262 weighed in at 6,000 pounds. Many boats this size would be carrying twin 300s, but we tapped nearly 50 mph at 5,800 rpm with a single Mercury 350 V-10. The boat achieved 2.3 mpg at 37 mph, offering a 190-mile range at that swift speed. The 262 is able to hold planing speeds of 17 mph with a running attitude to dominate rough seas and has a wide bow flare to keep the boat dry. Mercury’s Active Trim assisted in holding the boat’s easy gait.

The 262 HB sports twin 30-gallon pressurized transom livewells. Both have aquarium-style viewing windows to help keep an eye on precious bait supplies. Courtesy Blackfin

The cockpit has dual ­livewells on the transom, 30 gallons each, with pumps powerful enough to pressurize the livewells to the watertight gaskets so bait doesn’t slosh. When you open the lids, excess water spills into splashwells that drain overboard. Friction hinges hold the lids up, freeing two hands to capture crustaceans or greenies. Acrylic windows in the front of the wells allow easy visual monitoring. At the bow, Blackfin’s engineers stationed two pitch baitwells, each just 5 gallons but powerfully aerated for crustaceans. Between them is a large storage locker ideal for fenders and lines, and ahead of that is a spacious anchor ­locker. On the sole in front of the aft deck is a deep macerated box for net buckets or a fish box.

Our test boat was not yet equipped with a ­bow-mounted electric trolling motor nor Power-Pole shallow-water anchors, but Blackfin brought a second boat to run during our test, and it came with these accessories. On the fully equipped model, dual 10-foot Power-Poles ($5,488) were mounted on sturdy extensions that allowed for dual boarding platform pods, one with a reboarding ladder turned away from the motor—good plan there. A Garmin Force Kraken trolling motor ($6,951 with three batteries) was mounted on an aluminum base plate with an 8-inch square base to spread the motor pressure load. Its design allows easy motor deployment and retrieval. 

There was also an upper station ($16,037), and ours was equipped with a Garmin display and Mercury controls identical to the lower deck.

The rigging station abaft the helm seating offers convenient storage for tackle and tools, as well as cup holders and a custom designed cutting board. Courtesy Blackfin

The 262’s rigging station is on the back of the leaning post, and best about it was its compact utility. It included ­dual cup holders, tool holders, and a fiddle rail designed to hold a Plano 4500 box or a custom-­designed cutting board in place. The last two items stow away in the station behind a door that reveals two drawers and slots for three Plano boxes. A cooler on sliding rails resides below for frozen bait or drinks. 

There are two bow configurations, and our test ­model had a horseshoe-shaped bench that curls into the bow casting deck, offering a knee- and back-saving step up to the deck. Removable cushions pair with the coaming bolsters to create a seating circle with twin removable seatbacks. Stow the cushions to fish or put them in place to impress the comfort-minded crew. The seating area is completed with a lounge on the front of the console. 

There’s a head compartment in the console, and the seat is on the outside of its door. Unusually, it folds forward to lie on the deck. While it seemed odd at first, we noted two things: First, it created no more impediment to passage than a swinging door; second, the two steps to the compartment below were still easy to navigate.

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The console door, which features a comfy seat, hinges forward and lies on the deck when opened. It results in no more of an impediment than a swinging door. Courtesy Blackfin

Performance, fishability and luxury are bull’s-eyes, and so are mechanical accommodations. Fresh- and raw-water bibs nest in horizontal pegs below the dual bucket helm seats and flank the cooler. Access to the bilge, pumps, filters and seacocks is generous beneath the aft casting deck. The interior head-compartment hatch opens to the back of the helm station instrument panel, so access for maintenance is easy.

The entire boat operates on a Dometic Marine Digital Integration system, which “talks” to all major multifunction displays via a NMEA 2000 network. Our test boat had a single Garmin 1243XSV, and getting to the switches was ­nearly instantaneous with just a tap. We had a dual touchscreen set up with a chart on one side and digital switches on the other.

The 262 HB provides an excellent platform for fishing flats and saltwater bays, and has the chops to manage big seas safely for offshore angling fun.

Specifications Length:26’3″Beam:9’2″Fuel:100 gal.Weight:6,000 lb.Max HP:400Price:Upon Request Contact Blackfin

Blackfin Boats – Williston, Florida; blackfinboats.com

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