Sportsman Open 252 Value: A Market Report (2026)
An independent market report. We don’t sell boats or listings. Last reviewed June 2026. (We don’t own an Open 252, so the owner feedback below is sourced from boating forums and published reviews, and attributed.)
What’s a Sportsman Open 252 worth? As of June 2026, used Open 252s are listed (asking) from about $77,500 for an early (2016 to 2017) boat up to about $184,000 new, averaging around $155,000. A typical three to four year old boat (2021 to 2022) asks $115,000 to $140,000. As a strong-value brand it tends to sell roughly 10 to 12 percent under asking. Selling figures here are honest estimates, not recorded sales.
The Sportsman Open 252 is one of the most popular value-priced 25 foot center consoles, known for a smart layout, excellent bilge access, and a lot of boat for the money. Here’s the pricing across years and what owners actually say.
What it’s listed for (current market)
Compiled from current listings across the major sites (boats.com and Boat Trader). Used Open 252s range from about $77,500 (early boats) to about $184,000 (new), averaging near $155,000. The model has been in production since about 2016, so there’s a healthy spread of used inventory.
Value by model year
Anchored on the observed low (about $77.5K), average (about $155K), and high (about $184K). Bands without a direct sample point are interpolated and marked (est.):
| Model year | Typical asking | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| New (2025 to 2026) | $170,000 to $184,000 | observed high |
| 2023 to 2024 | $140,000 to $165,000 | (est.) |
| 2021 to 2022 | $115,000 to $140,000 | (est.) |
| 2019 to 2020 | $95,000 to $115,000 | (est.) |
| 2016 to 2018 | $77,500 to $100,000 | observed low |
The takeaway: the Open 252 depreciates faster than a Grady-White or Whaler (that’s the trade-off for the lower entry price), which makes a clean 2016 to 2018 boat in the high-$70Ks to $100K range a strong value buy.
What it likely sells for
Sportsman is a value brand, so the Open 252 typically sells roughly 10 to 12 percent under asking, more on a boat that has sat. A 2021 asking about $135K likely trades around $119K to $122K. These are estimates, not recorded sales. Actual sold prices aren’t public.
How it holds value
Moderately. It holds value in line with peers like Sea Hunt, Cobia, and Key West, behind the premium brands but steady, helped by Sportsman’s strong dealer network and good support.
What owners and reviewers say
Sourced from owner discussion on The Hull Truth and published reviews, weighted by recurring themes.
What owners praise (often): a smart, roomy layout with real space for both cruising and fishing; genuinely class-leading bilge access (owners single it out as a real perk once you see how cramped competitors are); a dry ride that handles chop better than expected; and strong value for the money with good service and support.
Common notes and gripes (some): the 21 degree deadrise gives a nice ride but not the same plush feel as higher-end boats with a deeper vee; and a few owners note it benefits from trim-tab use and finds its limits in rougher water.
Overall sentiment is positive. Owners consistently feel the Open 252 delivers a lot of well-laid-out boat for the price.
Also consider
Sea Hunt Gamefish 25, Cobia 262, Robalo R242, Key West 263FS, Grady-White Fisherman 236, and the Sportsman Open 282 if you want a step up.
Methodology: Pricing compiled from current listing aggregates and a sample of listings across the major sites (boats.com and Boat Trader), last reviewed June 2026. Asking prices are observed; selling prices are estimates, not recorded sales. Owner sentiment is summarized and attributed from boating forums and published reviews. We don’t own an Open 252. We don’t sell boats or listings. This is not a live data feed.