2026 MAKO 24 Apex Review

At 24 feet, 8 inches with an 8-foot, 3-inch beam, the Apex is a relatively narrow, lightweight bay boat for its length. It draws 15 inches, carries 82 gallons of fuel and can handle up to 400 horsepower. That combination gives it the dimensions to work shallow water without limiting it to short runs close to the ramp.

Fishing features dominate the layout. There are large rod boxes, multiple baitwells, an uncluttered casting deck and a standard hydraulic jack plate. Family-friendly options are available, but MAKO hasn’t tried to turn the Apex into a luxury center console. It’s a fishing boat first.

Hull and Design

MAKO calls the running surface its Next Generation Hull. It has a 15-degree transom deadrise, performance lifting strakes and an 8-inch Bob’s Machine Shop hydraulic jack plate as standard equipment.

The 15-degree deadrise is worth noting. This isn’t a deep-V offshore center console, nor is it meant to be. The flatter running surface fits the boat’s inshore mission, where shallow draft and stability at rest are generally more useful than the sharper deadrise found on boats designed primarily for running offshore.

The Apex is also fairly light. MAKO lists average hull weight at 2,600 pounds and average dry weight at 3,300 pounds.

Construction is all composite, including a Coosa Bluewater-cored transom and molded fiberglass stringer system. The hull and deck are chemically bonded around the perimeter and mechanically fastened with stainless-steel hardware. Closed-cell foam is injected into the stringer grid for flotation.

Power Options

The standard engine is a Mercury 200 XL Pro XS with Digital Throttle & Shift, but the transom is rated for twice that horsepower. Mercury options extend through 250 and 300 hp Pro XS models as well as 300, 350 and 400 hp Verados. That’s an unusually wide power range for one hull. A buyer ordering the 200 isn’t looking for the same experience as someone putting a 400-hp V10 Verado on the back.

For most anglers, the interesting choices may be somewhere in the middle. A 250- or 300-hp engine adds considerably more power without going all the way to the expense and fuel consumption of the largest Verado packages.

At the other end, the availability of 350 and 400 hp makes the Apex interesting to the high-performance bay-boat crowd.

Helm

The helm is simple and functional. Standard equipment includes Mercury SmartCraft digital gauges, DTS controls, hydraulic tilt steering, a stainless-steel wheel and acrylic windscreen. There’s a large electronics mounting surface for adding the chartplotter and sonar setup of your choice, plus six flush-mounted console rod holders. MAKO also provides 12-volt and USB charging outlets, a drink holder and an integrated footrest.

One of the better design choices is the forward entry into the console. It provides access to the head/storage compartment without taking up space along the side of the console. The main distribution panel, fuse block and wiring access are also located inside, which should make adding electronics or servicing electrical components less of a chore.

Fishing Layout

This is where the Apex makes its strongest case.

The bow has lockable rod storage capable of holding as many as 12 rods, including rods up to 8 feet long. That’s a useful amount of dedicated storage on a 24-foot boat and keeps expensive tackle secured and off the deck.

There’s a 19-gallon baitwell forward and a 16-gallon baitwell aft, along with a 210-quart insulated fishbox in the bow. Buyers can add the fiberglass leaning-post bait station with another 30-gallon baitwell. That gives anglers several ways to set the boat up depending on how they fish. Someone chasing tarpon with live bait has different needs than an angler throwing artificials for redfish, and the Apex doesn’t force both into the same arrangement.

The decks are finished with yacht-style nonskid, and padded side coaming bolsters provide a more comfortable place to brace while fighting a fish.

Cockpit and Seating

The standard leaning post has a helm seat with flip-up leg rolls, rod holders and a slide-out 65-quart cooler underneath. A folding jump seat is built into the aft deck, while the front of the console provides another seat without cutting deeply into casting space.

MAKO also offers a bow seating package for owners who expect the boat to pull double duty for family outings. It’s probably an option worth considering if the Apex will regularly carry non-anglers.

The boat is rated for 10 people and a maximum passenger weight of 1,500 pounds. Ten people may fit according to the capacity plate, but serious fishing with that many aboard would be another matter.

Shallow-Water Capability

A 15-inch published draft combined with the standard hydraulic jack plate gives the Apex legitimate shallow-water credentials for a boat approaching 25 feet. That makes it well suited to the sort of fishing bay boats are built around: redfish, snook, speckled trout, tarpon, permit and similar coastal species.

The 82-gallon fuel tank adds another dimension. There’s enough capacity for substantially longer runs than you’d typically plan with a smaller technical flats boat.

It’s an appealing combination for anglers who don’t want to choose between a shallow-running boat and one with enough size and fuel capacity to cover some distance.

Storage

MAKO has used the available space well. Beyond the large bow rod lockers, the boat has dedicated anchor storage, console storage, the 210-quart insulated fishbox and cooler storage beneath the leaning post. The rod storage is probably the standout. Being able to put a dozen rods away—rather than leaving them stacked against the console or lying around the deck—makes a real difference when the boat isn’t actively fishing.

Comfort and Recreation

There are enough options to make the Apex comfortable for a day when fishing isn’t the only objective.

Available equipment includes the bow seating package, Wet Sounds stereo and upgraded helm equipment. Between the bow seating, forward console seat and folding aft seat, the boat can be configured to handle cruising and sandbar duty reasonably well.

Still, buyers comparing the Apex with more family-oriented hybrid center consoles will notice the difference. MAKO has devoted more of the available space to casting, bait, tackle and rod storage.

For an angler, that’s likely a plus.

What We Like

Rod storage: Lockable storage for up to 12 rods, including 8-foot rods, is one of the Apex’s best fishing features.

Standard jack plate: The 8-inch hydraulic jack plate isn’t something buyers have to add later.

Livewell capacity: The standard 19-gallon forward and 16-gallon aft baitwells are already useful, and the optional 30-gallon leaning-post baitwell adds considerable capacity.

82-gallon fuel tank: Generous fuel capacity expands the boat’s usefulness beyond short inshore trips.

Power choices: From a 200 Pro XS to a 400 Verado, buyers can build anything from a relatively sensible fishing package to a serious performance boat.

Price

MAKO currently lists the 2026 24 Apex at a national base price of $89,995 with the Mercury 200 XL Pro XS and DTS controls. The optional trailer is not included in that figure, and dealer prep, freight and options can add considerably to the final price.

Current dealer inventory shows how quickly that happens. Larger engines, electronics and fishing options can move a well-equipped Apex well past the $100,000 mark.

That makes the base price useful as a starting point, but buyers should compare actual equipped prices when shopping.

BoatingWorld Verdict

The 24 Apex isn’t trying to cover every corner of the center-console market.

Its strongest features are the ones anglers are likely to notice: shallow draft, a standard jack plate, excellent rod storage, multiple baitwells, plenty of casting room and a large fuel tank.

The 400-hp rating gives the boat a performance side that’s unusual enough to attract attention, but maximum horsepower isn’t necessary to make the Apex work. For someone who spends most weekends fishing bays and coastal water, a 250- or 300-hp setup may prove to be the more interesting package.

Where the Apex fits particularly well is between smaller technical flats boats and larger, heavier center consoles. It can get into relatively shallow water, yet at 24 feet, 8 inches with 82 gallons of fuel, it isn’t restricted to fishing within a few miles of the ramp.

2026 MAKO 24 Apex Specifications

*2026 MAKO national base price at time of publication. Optional trailer, prep, freight, dealer charges and additional equipment are not included.