2009 Carolina Classic 25 Express

Step aboard and you’ll notice how much boat is packed into 25 feet. The helm layout keeps everything within easy reach, with stout stainless grab rails and rock-solid seating that feels secure when the seas stand up. High gunwales and wide side decks give you confidence moving forward, even with a rod in one hand. Under the cockpit sole, deep, insulated boxes swallow a serious day’s catch, while the transom setup makes it easy to work lines without feeling crowded. Visibility from the helm is excellent, thanks to the Carolina sheer and well-proportioned windshield, and the hardtop structure is built to carry real hardware—outriggers, radar, and heavy rod storage—without a hint of flex.

This 25 Express shines in local waters where conditions can shift from calm to choppy in a single tide change. The hull’s shape and weight let you run comfortably across wind chop to reach nearshore structure, then tuck in along channels and inlets without feeling over-boated. Its size is ideal for most local ramps and dry storage facilities, while still offering the offshore capability to hop between popular fishing grounds on a reasonable fuel burn. Tight turning manners and predictable handling make it easy to thread crowded harbors and mooring fields, yet the cockpit still gives you room for trolling spreads, bottom rigs, and a couple of serious anglers.