The Century Boats 2301 Center Console 2009 vs Century Boats 2600CC 2006 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Century Boats 2301 Center Console 2009 at 23,0 ft versus Century Boats 2600CC 2006 at 26,0 ft. Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the Century Boats 2301 Center Console 2009 tips the scales at 415 lbs — 357 lbs more than the Century Boats 2600CC 2006 at 58 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 450 hp, the Century Boats 2600CC 2006 has a 150-hp advantage over the Century Boats 2301 Center Console 2009's 300-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Century Boats 2301 Center Console 2009 carries 14 gallons versus 2 gallons in the Century Boats 2600CC 2006. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Century Boats 2600CC 2006 is rated for 8 passengers, while the Century Boats 2301 Center Console 2009 caps at 7. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Century Boats 2600CC 2006 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Century Boats 2600CC 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 26,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Century Boats 2301 Center Console 2009 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 7 that costs less to run day-to-day.