The Open 402 Mezzanine and Rear Deck: Built for Full Days on the Water

The Open 402 mezzanine and rear deck are where the boat really earns its keep. This is the space that carries the whole day from early lines in the water to kids swimming off the back and friends settling in as the sun drops. It’s the area that has to do everything well without ever feeling crowded or compromised.

Most days start with fishing in mind. Gear gets laid out, bait gets checked and the cockpit stays wide open and easy to move around. The leaning post anchors the space without closing it in. Forward it works exactly how you expect when running offshore. But it’s what happens behind it that changes how the boat feels.

The rear facing mezzanine seat quickly becomes the most used seat on the boat. It’s where someone sits to keep an eye on lines, watch the kids in the water or take a break without leaving the action. It feels intentional, not like an add on, and it never blocks movement through the cockpit.

Under that seat is a cooler placed exactly where it should be. Drinks and food are easy to grab without digging through the boat or stepping over gear. It’s close enough to be convenient and tucked away enough to stay out of the way. On long days, that simple placement makes a big difference.

When it’s time to fish hard, the space shifts without effort. Drop the mezzanine backrest and the tackle storage flips down right where you’re rigging. Everything stays organized and within reach. Plano boxes, tools and leaders are ready without cluttering the deck or pulling you out of the cockpit flow.

The rear deck itself stays open and functional. Twin pressurized livewells keep bait healthy and easy to check. Large in deck fish boxes sit right where fish come over the rail. Multiple anglers can work at once without feeling tight or stepping around furniture.

One of the features you don’t fully appreciate until you use it is the dual side entry doors. Being able to board, load gear or land fish from either side changes how the boat works at the dock and offshore. These doors are built into the hull and deck with real structure behind them. They feel solid because they are.

As the day moves away from fishing, the cockpit adapts just as easily. The rear bench seat stows away when you want a wide open deck and deploys when it’s time to sit and relax. The actuated backrest moves into a comfortable position and the seat closes inward to protect cushions when fishing. It’s a detail that shows the space was designed by people who actually use boats.

Under the deck, the systems that support all of this stay simple and accessible. The sea chest pump box keeps raw water pumps submerged and running efficiently while simplifying plumbing and service. The automatic engine flushing system makes cleanup quick enough that you actually do it every time.

Rod holders line the gunwales and pull double duty as mounting points for accessories when you’re entertaining or fishing differently. When it’s time to access the heart of the boat, the dual total access compartments open wide, giving you room to reach critical systems without fighting tight spaces.

What makes the mezzanine and rear deck of the Open 402 work so well is that nothing is forced. You don’t have to decide if the day is about fishing or family. You don’t have to rearrange the boat to change plans. The space simply adjusts as the day unfolds.

That’s the difference between a cockpit that looks good at a show and one that works all day on the water.