Overview

Robalo’s R300 is the latest introduction into its ­center-console lineup, and it’s ­impressively equipped with standard features for beachcombing, touring and, in keeping with ­Robalo’s ­heritage, serious ­fishing.

Robalo reinvented its popular 30 with a Michael Peters running surface and a ­Robalo-engineered fishing-and-­­­fun machine on top. The new hull offered impressively crisp handling during sharp turns and while crossing ­aggressive chop. Top speed tapped nearly 60 mph. At rest, the 10-foot-6-inch beam held steady footing for efficient fishing or comfortable sunbathing. 

Engines

Twin Yamaha 350s with the Helm Master EX Full Maneuverability system, joystick, and integrated autopilot system provides exciting handling and confidence-enhancing easy docking. It also supplies station-­keeping capabilities that can hold the vessel on a GPS point in an orientation that the skipper selects—a feature essential for awaiting a slot at the gas dock. It also allows the vessel to drift in its current orientation along whatever line the seas determine.

Interior and Accessories

A spacious ­10-foot-6-inch beam is equally suited for ­relaxing or battling fish. The console has three adjustable bucket seats with flip-up ­bolsters. Driving seated or standing, the tilt wheel is within comfortable reach. The ­hardtop underside is powder-coated black to contrast with the custom white hull color on our test boat, an effect pleasing to the eye. It seemed to reduce glare from the sea. Overhead handrails stabilize riders in rough water. 

In the cockpit, standard mezzanine seating faces electrically actuated foldaway ­transom seating. There’s a Yeti cooler ­under the mezzanine seat cushion, and seatbacks and cushions for the port and starboard lounges can be stowed for fishing.

For anglers, there are ­ample rod holders in the transom, gunwales and hardtop. Dual 28-gallon livewells with acrylic lids flank the transom seat and are plumbed through a sea chest. Fish can be landed via transom and portside dive doors. The console itself opens from the front, offering easy access to the deep compartment plumbed with a toilet and sink. 

Fishability, performance and family amenities make the R300 a pride to own and a top resale brand in the boater’s ­marketplace.

How We Tested

• Engines: Twin Yamaha 350
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/ SWS II 15″ x 20″ 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 140 gal. Crew Weight: 600 lb.

High Points

• Crisp handling with the efficiency of a Michael Peters hull system optimizes speed and fuel efficiency.
• A protective, three-sided bonded-glass windshield opens on sturdy stainless-steel struts while running at sea.
• Silicone upholstery is nearly stain-proof and UV-proof for long, mildew-free life.

Low Point

• The transom seat switched from electrically operated to manual.

Toughest Competitor

Blackfin’s 302CC ($452,108 base with joystick and dual Mercury 350s) also specializes in building tough, fishable and luxurious boats. Blackfin boasts a stepped bottom for efficiency, stowable cushions for convertibility, and a comparably high bow for seaworthy reliability. 

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

The post Boat Test: 2025 Robalo R300 appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

Highfield’s Velox 420 is a ­welcome addition to the entry-level-­­boat segment. Priced at $36,000, this jet-powered RIB is intended to fill the compact runabout niche somewhat abandoned by popular boat brands. Highfield is pitching the Velox not only as a tender, but also as a family boat especially ideal for younger captains.

Engine

The 14-foot-7-inch Velox 420 features an aluminum deep-V hull surrounded by Orca Hypalon tubes. The powder-­coated aluminum hull incorporates the boat deck, an integrated 14.5-gallon fuel tank and the swim platform. The helm console and bow boarding step are molded fiberglass. The boat is powered by a 90 hp Rotax 900 ACE jet drive—the same reliable three-cylinder 899cc powertrain featured in the Sea-Doo Spark watercraft. A fiberglass insert forms the jet pump intake and the aft center of the running surface to provide efficient intake flow in a shape that would be challenging to form in aluminum.

Interior and Accessories

The aluminum hatch over the engine bay is also the base for the main seat, wide enough for two or a tight fit for three people. The pivoting seat backrest enables facing forward or aft on this seat. The deep boarding platform is covered with the same MarineMat material that covers the deck. There’s also a small seat on the forward helm console and a seat pad in the bow peak (useful at rest, not underway). Stowage space is limited to some room within the console, accessed by raising the forward seat. This is a 14-footer, remember.

The helm console holds a Medallion touchscreen display that can be used to select ­Rotax performance modes (Eco, Docking and Ski). Switches for lighting and the head for the optional audio system ($920) are to port of the wheel. There is a wireless device charger next to the display screen. The console is topped with a small windscreen and a robust grab handle.

Read Next: Highfield Sport 800

The 90 hp jet pushed this 1,060-pound vessel to a top speed of 38 mph with a light load. Performance is typical jet—strong acceleration starts at about 5,500 rpm; at speed in a hard turn, the radius tightens until the boat starts to slide a bit, but this is easy to control. Fuel economy is outstanding at better than 7 mpg at cruising speeds, for a range of about 100 miles. That’s a lot of fun per gallon.

How We Tested

• Engine: Single 90 hp Rotax 900 ACE jet drive
• Drive/Prop: Jet drive/144 mm x 15/19″ pitch stainless-steel impeller
• Gear Ratio: 1:1 Fuel Load: 6 gal. Crew Weight: 190 lb.

High Points

• Boat, fuel and trailer combined will weigh less than 1,400 pounds—an easy tow for compact vehicles.
• No prop, no trim, and minimal ­maintenance with a jet drive make for easy ownership.
• Beach this boat with no worries thanks to a rugged aluminum hull with keel guard.
• RIB offers excellent stability at rest and absorbs dock bumps.

Low Points

• High-rpm jet drive is very noisy and transmits significant vibration to the cockpit.
• Fuel fill below the bow seat cushion is challenging to reach and offers potential for spills within the boat.
• Minimal stowage space.

Toughest Competition

The 15-foot-9-inch Scarab 165SE (base price $45,460 with trailer) weighs about 1,600 pounds (2,300 pounds on its steel trailer) and is powered by a 170 hp Rotax 1630 ACE jet drive with up to 300 hp as an option. This is a very stylish jet ­runabout with more performance and ­storage space than the Velox.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

The post Boat Test: 2025 Highfield Velox 420 appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

Scout’s 261 XSS is a 26-foot crossover offshore/bay boat that’s as well-suited for bay-hopping as it is for afternoon sandbar gathering, family watersports outings and, of course, big-water or shallow-water fishing. Scout calls it a “luxury bay/offshore hybrid.” With Mercury’s 400 Verado V-10, it topped out at nearly 60 mph, planed in 7 seconds, and hit 30 mph in 11 seconds. The Merc teams with Scout’s double-stepped hull to deliver efficiency and yee-haw!

Shoppers will note that Regulator’s 26XO compares closely with the Scout on a number of fronts. At $225,395 equipped with a Yamaha 425 hp XTO outboard, the Regulator tops out at 53 mph and also features top quality and versatility.

The 261 XSS’s hull reacts quickly to throttle and steering input, whether at lower or higher speeds. It carves turns sharply and with authority, even if the turn is interrupted or made sharper midway through. The sharp V-entry at the bow flattens to 15 degrees deadrise at the transom, so the hull can ply the flats and shallows while the sharp entry knife-cuts the stiff waves out in the rough. From a forward angle, alongside or viewed from the stern, the 261 XSS shows a sporty, arrowlike profile; it looks fast even when trolling, thanks to the smooth lines of the tumblehome sheerline and reverse-angle transom.

Scout’s build utilizes computer-generated state-of-the-art ­design and no-wood construction. The vacuum-epoxy infused layup uses closed-cell foam for flotation, for sound deadening, and for a high strength-to-weight ratio, as well as an automotive-rated Class A gelcoat finish. The double-stepped hull features a set-back transom to put the engine’s gear case in cleaner water for higher mounting capability, which means less drag, more performance and better efficiency.

Interior and Accessories

Aboard, the cockpit is self-bailing. That provides convenience washing down, and a great comfort on big waters. Spacious raised casting decks fore and aft provide ample room for anglers or sunbathers, depending on your plans. The bow’s large upper foredeck proves a great spot for mounting a trolling motor and houses a large anchor locker. Step down, and the bow seating area features a wraparound three-piece lounge with dry storage underneath, and removable backrests. Cubbies, cup holders and charging ports are at hand. All of the bow cushions stow in the console, adding to the 261 XSS’s versatility.

A great comfort and convenience feature about Scout decks is that the entire deck of the 261 is fitted with SeaDek EVA closed-foam nonskid in an array of colors.

The center console features a large storage box forward, its lid sealed with a rubber gasket to keep contents dry, and mounted to articulating stainless-steel hinges for ease of access. The storage locker is topped with an oversize, diamond-pleated upholstered lounge seat, with foldable armrests and a phone charger. The center console and T-top assembly form an integral part of the boat, crafted from fiberglass, carbon fiber and epoxy. The windshield is automotive safety acrylic, bedded in place, same as on your truck, for a clean, seamless appearance. The T-top features a forward ­laser light bar, spreader light, forward-firing stereo speakers, and a horn. The port side of the console opens to access the inside, where a ­porcelain head resides in a surprisingly open space, not cramped in the least.

The entire dash is a flat screen—“glass helm” is the colloquial description—featuring inset digital graphs and digital switching. Our test rig featured a 24-inch Garmin MFD that provides navigation and fishing information, engine data, and touchscreen boat controls. A panel with traditional push-button switches to control vital functions is positioned overhead in the T-top as backup, as are Mercury’s Vessel View digital gauge and added controls for the Power-Pole shallow-water anchors. The Mercury binnacle control falls easily to hand, and it’s flanked by twin cup ­holders to ­starboard and the JL Audio stereo and Zip Wake ­controls to port. A tilt steering helm with stainless-steel steering wheel for the Mercury power-hydraulic-steering system completes the dash. A cubby underneath offers ­storage for phones, with a built-in wireless charging pad. A two-tier footrest provides choices for the most comfortable piloting position. The leaning post is smartly upholstered and ­features flip-up bolsters.

On the aft side of the leaning post, Scout has equipped the 261 XSS with a fully aerated livewell, freshwater sink, cutting board, trash can, tackle drawers, cup holders, aft spreader light, aft-facing speakers and a Yeti cooler. The cooler is lit inside for ease of use at night (so cool!). A handrail encircles the leaning post, providing stability for aft-standing riders.

At the stern, there’s a large casting deck that converts to three-wide aft seating. Under the starboard-side seat resides a livewell; the center lid hides access to the bilge and all pump, hoses and wiring. The portside seat base hides a second livewell.

Engine

The transom shows off Scout’s factory rigging prowess, with a standard Bob’s Machine Shop 10-inch set-back hydraulic jack plate supporting the big V-10 Mercury outboard. At 26 feet long and capable of 60 mph, the Scout 261 XSS is a formidable angling machine ready to tackle most any water, from backwater bayous to big-water offshore runs.

Read Next: Scout 357 LXF

How We Tested

• Engine: Mercury Verado 400 hp V-10
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Mercury Revolution X 23-inch pitch 4-blade ­stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 2.08:1 Fuel Load: 64 gal. Crew Weight: 360 lb.

High Points

• With a sleek appearance and the speed and performance of its double-stepped hull to back it up, the 261 XSS walks the walk.
• The helm is a master class in “a place for everything, and everything in its place.” Controls, touchscreen and steering falls right to hand naturally. Kudos to Scout’s ergonomic focus. 

Low Point

• While the folding stern seats sit flush to the deck when stowed, they could use a bit more padding when open. This would be tough to fit in, but in rough seas, ­comfort rules.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

The post Boat Test: 2025 Scout 261 XSS appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

On our outing aboard the newly revamped Pursuit S 328 Sport, I realized why Pursuit is the perfect name for this builder. Fishermen are always in pursuit, but the conditions, well, they’re not always perfect. This applies equally to boaters simply seeking to head home after a day at the beach or a weekend up the coast. In fact, conditions can be downright crappy, as we discovered after leaving the dock. I’m not exactly inexperienced, having endured everything from meltemis on the Aegean to mistrals in the Med to Santa Anas in the Catalina Channel. But the Gulf Stream—that massive ocean river flowing implacably north at several knots—can turn growlers into whitecapped square-edged opponents.  

Engines

Set the stage: It was blowing a solid 30-plus, and we were heading directly into it at over 50 mph with the twin Yamaha 350s hard against the stops. That gave us an 80 mph breeze across the deck, or easily a Category 1 hurricane. 

Interior and Accessories

I was settled comfortably in the aft-facing foldout couch behind my two companions in the helm seats, who were protected from that hurricane and occasional misting of spray by the dashboard-to-hardtop windshield and side glass. The (remaining) strands of my hair were barely ruffled as I watched the long white ribbon of wake behind us. It may not have been perfect weather, but it was clearly Pursuit weather. Let’s go!

The S 328 is a reimagining of an earlier 328, which was the ­bestselling 32-footer on the market for more than eight years. It takes courage to tinker with success, but Pursuit interrogated owners and dealers to find out how to make it better. And Pursuit did.

Consider the cockpit. It now has a transom cooler with dividers but without sacrificing any transom rod holders (five behind the cooler, eight on the hardtop, with two facing out for ­kingfish, more in the coaming). The opening of the Oceana Blue 24-gallon livewell is bigger to take larger nets and, in the sole, there are two large fish boxes with 2 inches of insulation. Two fold-down lounges face a pair of removable tables (dedicated storage is provided) that can also be used forward. An oversize hatch opens to a mechanical space with filters, plumbing, and the optional 5 kW Fischer-Panda diesel genset ($27,285 with a 16-gallon tank). All are easy to reach and all clearly labeled.  

Unlike many boats with either one or the other, the cockpit seat folds away, revealing an entertainment center with an extra-wide sink—better for laying out your ballyhoo full length—and a Kenyon grill. Tackle storage fills the drawers, and there are ample under-gunwale rod racks, plus more in the hardtop and cabin. And the fully opening port boarding door has hinges and a latch that may have been stolen from Fort Knox, plus a dive-style four-step boarding ladder.

The skipper and one (or two) ­companions get the royal treatment with comfy seats, ­bolsters and flip-down footrests at the helm. The dash features twin 16-inch Garmin recessed monitors above Yamaha throttles, Lenco trim tabs and Carling backlit rocker switches. The monitors also display the custom-configured Pursuit interface as part of the Puretech Suite, which also includes a Siren Marine app-based remote monitoring and security system. JL Audio throughout includes multiple hardtop speakers. A Lewmar electric bow thruster makes maneuvering painless. The sliding hatch above the seating provides a breeze if needed, as does the electric vent at the top of the windshield. A hinged panel under the dash folds down to become a raised floor for skippers who want some extra height. I liked the DC power panel that was knee-high next to the helm seat. 

Forward, D-shaped seating (with electric backrests) wraps around the bow, sharing removable tables with the forward-facing lounge. Kids love the bow, and this Pursuit has high-backs for secure bowriding. A Lewmar horizontal windlass is beneath a foredeck hatch, with through-bow roller and both fresh- and saltwater washdowns. 

Getting forward is both safe and easy, with 35-inch-deep walkways and 22 inches ­between console and coaming. No ­scrunching sideways here!

While the console seems low-profile, it has 6 feet, 2 inches of headroom and a convertible settee that slides out one-handed to become a V-berth. A VacuFlush porcelain toilet is just aft of the berth, and a Skandvik ceramic sink is on a mini vanity. With the Panda genset, you get an air-conditioned cabin for overnighting, and the 40-gallon diesel tank ­provides 40 hours of running time.

Underway, the S 328 Sport was a delight. Even in our “hurricane winds,” the spray was cast aside by the chine flats, the steering was precise and predictable, and the boat seemed immune to the seas and chop that we encountered. A Seakeeper gyrostabilizer is an option, but I don’t think that Aunt Edna would need it to keep from turning green. At trolling speeds, this Pursuit was solid.

Shopping around? Check out the Boston Whaler 330 Outrage, which costs $424,016 with twin Mercury 300s ($464,580 with twin Mercury 400 V-10s) and no berth, just a head inside the console.

A motto often linked to Pursuit is “­Fishing First,” and that’s certainly true, but I think a better adage is “Fishing and ­Family First.” This Pursuit checks a lot of boxes.

Read Next: Pursuit OS 325

How We Tested

• Engines: Twin Yamaha F350 outboards
• Drive/Props: Outboard/15″ x 20″ SWS II 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 275 gal. Crew Weight: 700 lb.

High Points

• Flush ports for both engines are easily accessed in aft cockpit.  
• Deep, 2-inch cockpit gutters handle spray, rain and exuberant washdowns.
• Flush transom platform allows walking across. 

Low Points

• Cabin entry is narrow.
• Bow seating cushions are not removable. They won’t blow away, but this might ­hinder some casting efforts.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

The post Boat Test: 2025 Pursuit S 328 Sport appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

Bluewater Sportfishing Boats’ newest, the 25T, proves itself a purpose-built fishing boat ready to tackle offshore conditions like few boats its size.

An Armstrong engine bracket holds the twin ­Yamaha F200s and adds 3 feet of length to its 25-foot hull. It has a wave-slashing 24 degrees of deep-V goodness at the ­transom and an even-sharper 44 degrees at the entry. Yet, because deep deadrise can make a boat tender, all Bluewaters now come standard with Seakeeper’s Ride system. This replaces standard trim tabs with what’s called a Vessel Attitude Control System. While underway, this makes 1,000 observations and 100 corrections per second using unique cupped blades that travel only a fraction of an inch when at planing speeds. The system reduces pitch and roll by up to 70 percent while the boat’s at speed.

Hardcore anglers will love the absence of fixed bowrider seats and a molded-in stern bench, which can rob a boat of ­angling space. The ­fishing cockpit is roomy. I taped 47 inches of deck aft of the ­leaning post. You can add family-­friendly seat options, but they are easily removable for ­fishing. Other features that let you know the 25T is a real-­deal fishing boat include the twin 24-gallon transom livewells, twin in-floor 20-gallon fish boxes, and a 133-gallon bow fish box/storage locker that can hold tuna up to an estimated 250 pounds. Our test boat sported 21 total rod holders, including 12 set into the gunwales (eight are standard).

The helm features a pair of flush-mounted Garmin 8612xfv multifunction displays and can accommodate up to 16-inchers. Rather unusual was the optional thin windshield, made of the same polycarbonate material as the optional side panels, which, despite being curved, provided a distortion-free view.

The twin Yamaha F200 outboards proved an ­excellent option. Time to 30 mph was 9.1 seconds, and the best cruise speed was 25.5 mph (3,500 rpm), which yielded an impressive 2.3 mpg. Along with its jumbo 189-gallon fuel tank, it offers it a theoretical range of nearly 400 miles. ­Bluewater also rigs twin Suzuki and ­Mercury outboards up to 500 hp, with a single 300 hp option. Choices in power: just another benefit of owning the ­Bluewater 25T.

Read Next: How Fishing and Boating Can Change Life for the Better

How We Tested

• Engines: Twin Yamaha F200 outboards
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Yamaha Reliance 14 ½” x 18″ stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.86:1 Fuel Load: 80 gal. Water on Board: 0 gal. Crew Weight: 400 lb.

High Points

• Gunwale height starts at 26 inches aft and grows to 31 inches moving forward.
• Equipped with Gemlux friction hinges, hatches remain open until you close them, so there is little fear of smashed toes and fingers. 
• Bluewater is a custom family-owned builder, and with its wide range of options, it can design a boat that gives buyers precisely what they want.

Low Points

• Unlike similar boats, there is no tuna door for landing extra-large fish and helping guests board.
• When deployed, the removable stern bench and bowrider have support legs that stand on some hatches, making these lockers inaccessible.

Toughest Competitor

Parker Boats’ 2600 CC ($255,616 MSRP) measures 26-feet-by-9-feet-6-inches—wider than the Bluewater. The T-top, with a powder-coated frame, rocket launcher, lights and more, is standard equipment. The lockable console offers 65 inches of headroom and comes with a portable -toilet. Power it with up to twin 250 Yamaha outboards.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

The post Boat Test: 2025 Bluewater 25T appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

Given the widespread popularity of taking one’s boat to The Sandbar, or The Cove, or The Island (I’m using proper nouns because in every boating locality these places are referred to as specific locations), it’s a wonder we haven’t tested a boat with this name in the 69 years we’ve been in publication. Way to go, Sea Pro! And, not just for the name. The 225FLX Sandbar Boat is designed and outfitted with features to make it shine for boat buyers who regularly visit their local gathering spot, the beach brigade, the cove captains, the sandbar bosses.

As our test proved, this is a versatile boat. Read on to discover more about it.

Engines

You can power the Sea Pro FLX with a variety of outboard engine brands. That is to say, a given dealer may offer it with one or more brands of power. We think boats that offer you a choice of power is a good thing.

Our test boat was powered by a single, inline-4 Suzuki 200-hp outboard. This delivered good performance for this boat. Check out what we thought.

See a video review of our test boat’s Suzuki outboard, here.

The 225FLX rides on a conventional V-hull with a moderate 17.5 degrees of deadrise. This is not a boat that is going to offer a high cruising speed on choppy water, like other boats that sport a deeper V.

That said, properly handled the 225FLX can readily traverse open water safely and comfortably when properly handled. In fact, our test took place on a day of questionable weather, with 20-knot winds whipping up steep, 3-foot whitecaps. In these conditions, the Sea Pro’s ability to stay on plane at 15 mph—something a similar boat with a deeper V would be challenged to achieve, by the way—allowed proceeding in dry, slam-free comfort. The optional Zip Wake auto trim tabs helped in this. It’s all about setting your expectations.

Shallower deadrise also results in higher efficiency due to easier planing. This allows the boat to achieve good performance with a 200 hp Suzuki inline-4 outboard. Our tester hit 30 mph in 10.3 seconds and topped out over 40 mph. The chart shows the fuel burn, which I deem excellent for a coastal boat this size. Larger 250 hp options are available.

Also, the scant 14 inches the 225FLX draws can be attributed to its hull form. That’s knee-deep, easy-wading, even for kids. You might consider that shallow draft one of the “sandbar features.”

Interior and Accessories

Wading around the boat is what Sea Pro envisioned when it developed the innovative Sandbar Table that mounts to the transom, just above the waterline. This facilitates serving snacks while beached or anchored shallow.

Other sandbar-specific features include a tremendous head compartment—the largest we’ve seen in a boat this size. There’s a sink, porthole and our tester sported the optional marine head with a pump-out. For long days beached or at anchor, your crew will need relief and this head provides it comfortably.

Let’s review the seating. Forward, the V-shaped seats combine with the seat on the console front to allow a group to gather around the optional table. Optional backrests convert the seats to lounges. Pull the cushions (these fit inside the head—we checked) and use the optional table as a filler to create a casting platform. The seats conceal draining storage.

Aft, folding jump seats create a three-to-four-person-wide lounge out of the aft platform. Big storage is inside. Want to face aft? The leaning post backrest flip flops to do just that. Additionally, an optional cooler slides out from beneath the leaning post to form either a footrest or another seat, or for easy access to the cooler itself. 

Flip that backrest the other way and take your spot at the helm. There is comfort seated or standing thanks to the footrest and there was enough room at the helm, further enhanced by the tilt helm power steering. There’s also space for a variety of electronics, including big-screen MFDs, to add to the standard Simrad 9-incher. An Audison Marine Audio stereo is also standard, along with a compass, and the Sea Pro Connect app. I appreciated the dry box atop the console: Every boat needs a “Captain’s Box” at the helm for wallets, licenses, glasses and more. Overhead, the T-top provided good sun coverage and impressed me in several ways. Made in-house by Sea Pro, the top features powder-coated pipework, an underside that matches the hull color, and a grab handle incorporated into its perimeter that I found perfectly placed for boarding the boat from a high dock. 

Fishing standards include trolling-motor wiring, raw-water washdown, under-gunwale rod racks, four gunwale rod holders, a 68-quart stern cooler-box, two 120-quart boxes under the bow seats and a 12-gallon livewell.

The price is definitely a feature. Offered for $81,932 as a nicely equipped version with hull color, trim tabs, and a 200 Suzuki, the MSRP for a loaded version like we tested runs $103,361. This boat is a deal in today’s boat market, dear reader.

For comparison, I suggest you look at the Sportsman Open 212 ($89,495 with a F200XSA2 Yamaha in white). It’s a new 2025 model, and though it’s console head compartment is not as large as that of the Sea Pro, it comes with a tall, tempered-glass windshield, which I prefer to the short standard windshield aboard the Sea Pro.

In characterizing the Sea Pro 225FLX Sandbar it may be easy to say that it is a good boat for the money. I’ll just say I think it is a good boat. Check it out for yourself and let me know what you think.

How We Tested

• Engine: 200 hp Suzuki DF200
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/16” x 20” 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 2.50:1 Fuel Load: 75 gal. Water on Board: 0 gal. Crew Weight: 360 lb.

High Points

• The built-in-house T-top proved sturdy in rough water and offers an integrated handrail to ease boarding from the dock.
• You’ll appreciate the dry box atop the helm for a variety of reasons.
• This boat boasts the biggest head in its class.
• Through-bolted hatch lids finished on both sides.

Low Point

• The standard windshield is too low to provide any real protection. Order the optional and removable hard enclosure.

Extra Point

• The standard Sea Pro App keeps you in touch with bilge-pump activity, battery status and is your direct line to service help should you need it.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Operation, Efficiency

The post Boat Test: 2025 Sea Pro 225FLX appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

If, like me, you dozed through Ancient Greek Mythology class, Panacea was the goddess of all cures and ­solutions. And that is the perfect name for the new Intrepid 41. This big center-console will satisfy every one of your boating wishes and desires.  

Engines

If speed is at the top of your boating checklist, get a tie-down for your hat. This new Intrepid easily nailed 61-plus mph, and that was in a not-so-friendly Gulf Stream. Our test boat boasted a trio of the standard Mercury V-10 400s clamped to the transom.

You can check the option box for twin Mercury V-12s, punching out 600 hp each, but warn your guests to bring extra sunglasses to replace the ones that will blow off their faces.  

Interior and Accessories

You can bring a whole bunch of those friends too because the 41 ­Panacea is a party animal. An outdoor galley behind the helm seats features a grill to torture steaks, an Isotherm fridge to keep beverages chilled, a sink, and a pull-out cooler in case the fridge floweth over.

If you want to spend the night aboard with your significant other ­after blasting across to Bimini, Catalina or Nantucket, the spacious cabin sports 6 feet, 3 inches of headroom, a comfortably sized V-berth with convertible table, and a human-size enclosed head with shower and ­electric toilet. There’s even a mini galley (microwave/sink/fridge), so you can have your morning coffee and croissants without leaving the cabin.  

But will the 41 Panacea fish? Oh, yeah! The twin lighted livewells in aft corners of the cockpit have side windows so that you can check the health of your pilchards or pogies, macerators for sending off those baits that didn’t make it to the hook, five rod holders across the transom (more along the rails), and a hardtop braced for outriggers. Foldout seating is shaded by the pullout awning hidden in that hardtop and fish boxes that reside below the cockpit sole.

You say you’re a diver? The oversize hull door to port (an Intrepid invention) is large enough to easily handle chubby divers and a big fish. A boarding ladder flips out from a hatch in the cockpit floor adjacent to the door.   

The styling is the highly ­recognizable straight and rising Intrepid sheer that looks like it’s going fast at anchor. The rakish hardtop, with full-height windshield and ­recessed ­speakers and lighting, adds to the ­swept-forward look. 

Intrepid has perfected its high-speed, ­high-efficiency single-step hull, which aerates the running surface, allowing you to run faster, longer and farther. This is balanced by a trio of strakes on each side to fine-tune tracking and lift, plus hard chines that throw aside spray and stabilize the boat at trolling speed. Add to that the optional Seakeeper 3 gyrostabilizer, and the 41 is fire, as the kids say.   

As you’d expect in a go-fast boat, the ­skipper is awarded every desire. We applauded the comfortable seat with great lumbar support, as well as identical companion seats on either side. The no-distortion windshield ends at the stylish dash with twin 22-inch Garmin monitors and rows of Bocatech push-button switches for the various systems. Besides the Mercury Joystick Piloting for Outboards, the Vetus bow ­thruster aids in easy docking.  

But this is only half the 41 Panacea, which also aspires to be a luxurious bowrider forward of the helm. Wide walkways lead to twin sun pads with hinged backrests atop the cabin, and the seating wraps around a high/low table that retracts electrically flush with the floor. Pop-up cleats and an underhatch Maxwell horizontal windlass keep the foredeck clear, and anchoring can be controlled both at the windlass and from the helm. A thoughtful touch: a washdown pump in the anchor locker to get rid of muck. 

Speaking of uncluttered, the transom ­platform is a delight. Most outboard boats have a tangle of wires and hoses to trip anyone who ventures onto the platform, but all this maze is hidden below the Intrepid platform. You can step aboard from a dock, stroll safely across the platform in front of the Mercurys, and enter the cockpit through the starboard-side ­transom door.

Read Next: Intrepid 51 Panacea 

When it comes to service, an oversize hatch allows you easy access to the undercockpit Paguro 8.5 kW genset, as well as the optional Seakeeper 3 gyrostabilizer.

Shopping around? Check out the ­Cigarette 41 Nighthawk ($1,279,000), with similar ­bad-boy looks, quad Mercury 500s and a more Spartan interior. A more conservative-­looking boat that’s a bit longer is the Tiara 43LS ($1,560,425 base price), which hits 56 mph with twin 600 hp Mercury Verado outboards.

Underway, I loved the 41 Panacea, upgraded using customer comments about the now-retired 40 Panacea with a new and wider hull. Even Aunt Edna is going to grin when you grab the Brodie knob on the fat 14-inch stainless-steel wheel that begs you to spin doughnuts. Put the hammers down, and the Panacea pops onto plane in just 5.3 seconds. Launch off a Gulf Stream graybeard, and the Panacea lands softly, begging for more.

The Panacea, as Greek gods know, is truly a boat for all reasons. 

How We Tested

• Engines: Triple Mercury 400 hp V-10 Verados
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/16.8″ x 19″ Revolution X 4-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 2.09:1 Fuel Load: 275 gal. Crew Weight: 650 lb.

High Points

• I love the hidden hand grip that makes boarding through the hullside door safe and easy. Thoughtful, functional and executed with élan, it’s the type of thing upon which Intrepid has built its reputation. 
• Electric backrests installed in the forward lounges allow guests to sit up or recline without requiring the captain to stow or retrieve a removable backrest. 
• Gutters in the deck hatches are deep enough to handle Biblical quantities of rain or energetic use of the washdown hose, and keep gear protected from moisture and corrosion. 

Low Point

• The white dash reflects into the windshield, creating distracting “ghosts” and glare. I’d prefer a dark helm top for this reason.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

The post Boat Test: 2025 Intrepid 41 Panacea appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

Mathematicians and philosophers have long debated whether there can be more than 100 percent of anything. I remember this from the mists of math class, while I dreamt of boats. But until I saw the new Cobia 265 CC Open, I hadn’t formulated Caswell’s Theorem.  

Here’s a simple explanation: At first glance, the Cobia 265 CC looks to be an ­angler’s dream—decks dotted with rod holders, two rows of rocket launchers on the ­hardtop, rod racks along the cockpit sides, plus a livewell and fish boxes. So, let’s call it 95 ­percent a fishing war wagon.

Interior and Accessories

But then, it also has a family-friendly head inside the console that ­surprises everyone who unlatches the forward opening door, with easy entry steps, 6 feet of headroom, a sink and mirror, a shower, and a toilet. Add in the folding bench seat for Aunt Edna aft in the cockpit, the hinged lounge backrests forward around a high/low sun pad/munchies table, and you have a boat that is 75 percent for families.  

It’s clear that if there can be no more than 100 percent of anything, then philosophers have never seen the Cobia 265 CC Open because it disproves everything: This boat is far more than its numbers. It blends serious angling with family fun. This is Caswell’s Theorem of Fun Boats at work.

Because the percentages favor fishing, let’s start there. The 265 CC Open is just that: a wide-open cockpit, a 30-gallon livewell aft, and a dedicated console behind the helm with tackle boxes, a cutting board, and an ice chest. Need to chase a fish forward in a hurry? The ­24-inch-wide side decks are deep and secure, padded thigh-high, with grab rails ­everywhere.

Once forward, a removable casting platform (with dedicated stowage) gets you up high, and our test boat had the optional Garmin Force Kraken trolling motor with enough length so that the prop continues to find a bite (excuse the pun), even in rough seas. Tucked forward under a hatch is a Lewmar anchor windlass with helm remote for easy anchoring.

That helm is going to be a feature for both anglers and families, protected by an integrated frame with a tempered-glass enclosure, full-width wiper, and an electric vent for those hot days. A big glove box for suntan potions and shades is backed up by another in the hardtop, and two levels of skipper footrests fit ­everyone. The dash is designed for a pair of ­Garmin ­16-inch displays, and the row of toggles is ­backlit for night running.

Read Next: Cobia 350 CC

Engines

For our test, we had the midsize Yamaha 200s (150s are standard; 250s available), which seemed just right, topping out at over 50 mph while getting better than 1 mpg (38.3 gph!). Ease the throttles to 4,000 rpm, and you’ll sip fuel at 17-plus gph while getting better than 2 miles per gallon (35 mph).

Just as important—whether you’re ­heading to an offshore canyon or yanking kids on ­inflatables—is the hull, and here is where the 265 excels. Your starting point is the 21-degree ­deep-V, with twin strakes and wide chine flats that throw spray to the side. And the 265 is just plain fun to drive. I flipped the stainless-steel wheel to its flat bus-driver position and cranked the Cobia hard over with the Brody knob. It banked solidly, with no cavitation, even when I did it into a passing yacht wake. Solid for ­offshore, comfy for families.

Its construction is what you’d expect from this sister company to Pursuit Boats, with its proprietary VARIS (Vacuum-Assisted Resin Infusion System) for a wood-free stringer grid. That’s a fancy way to say rock-solid, with no creaks or groans.  

What about families? They’re going to love the bowrider seating forward, and the big enclosed head is where they can change clothes, rinse off and, of course, do the usual stuff. Aft, the transom platform is free of the typical outboard-rigging tangle (it’s hidden underneath), making it easy for adults to drop snapper baits straight down and for kids to use the pull-out swim ladder safely. Access is via a locking sealed door, so no water enters the cockpit even if you back down hard. Another freshwater shower on the transom gets rid of salt or sand from ­swimming or a sandbar.

Speaking of ladders, the inward-opening side door abaft the helm is of equal interest to anglers and families. Big enough to pull in a trophy-size fish (or a well-fed diver), it has a removable ladder that stores neatly in a dedicated alcove. That door is right next to one of the two 46-gallon insulated fish boxes, so you can drop your catch from the water and into the box. And whether you’re splashing water or fishing around, the EVA faux-teak decking (an addition from Malibu boats, which recently acquired Cobia) proved itself on our 100-degree test day by maintaining its cool on our bare feet, while giving a solid grip as well.

If you are shopping, you might consider the Sea Pro 262 DLX. It is available with your choice of twin Mercury, Suzuki or ­Yamaha outboards, and it comes in at $155,183, ­well-equipped, with twin 175 hp Suzukis.

Well-built, thoughtfully equipped and just plain fun, the Cobia 265 CC Open proves my theorem: This is a boat that adds up to fun.

High Points

• Deep gutters on hatches and doors.
• Good access to electrical and plumbing, including batteries.
• Multiple cellphone chargers.
• Fish-box lids lock in the “up” position.

Low Point

• For anglers, a single livewell can be limiting.

How We Tested

• Engines: Twin 200 hp Yamaha outboards
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/13 ¾” x 19″ 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.86:1 Fuel Load: 85 gal. Water on Board: 0 gal. Crew Weight: 750 lb.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Operation, Efficiency

The post Boat Test: 2025 Cobia 265 CC Open appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

Sailfish Boats was one of the first fishing-boat companies to embrace a Fishing-Focused/Family-Friendly Boats mantra in the early 2000s. According to internal research at Sailfish, those buying center-consoles 27 feet and shorter didn’t list fishing as its primary purpose, unlike owners of its 30-plus-footers who overwhelmingly had fishing as their No. 1 activity. Accordingly, Sailfish designers applied that owner input when designing the new 232 Center Console. It is a versatile craft designed to please angler and family boaters in equal measure and delivered with more standard features than other boats offered at comparable prices.

Engine

Our test boat was powered by a Yamaha F250 that provided excellent performance. Time to plane was 3.6 seconds, and the 232 CC reached 30 mph in 7.4 seconds. The top speed was 48 mph (a Yamaha test driver got 49 mph in calmer water just before our test). In addition, owners can choose a 200 hp engine, which may not be enough if watersports are on the agenda.

Available 300 hp engines would push it past the 50 mph mark. Sailfish gives buyers a choice of outboards from Mercury, Yamaha and Suzuki. We like that boat buyers can choose their engine brand,  and thus have a choice of servicing dealers. Bravo, Sailfish. 

As we shoved off from Point South Marina in Port St. Joe in the Florida Panhandle and idled into Saint Joseph Bay, we were greeted by a corrugated surface created by 15 mph winds.

Fortunately, the new 232 CC employs Sailfish’s three-hulls-in-one Variable Degree Stepped Hull (VDS), which uses a sharp 24-degree keel section to help slice through the chop, the next section outward moderates to 23 degrees that, when combined with its downward turned strakes, creates lift when accelerating or running. The outer section of the hull is a flatter 22 degrees, giving it greater stability at rest. The other factor that makes Sailfish boats ride well in rough water is their relative beefiness, thanks to a stout layup with quad-axial fiberglass mat, reinforced by Kevlar at high-stress points, contributing to its 5,065 rigged weight. The 232 CC easily ate up the 2-foot chop while running at its best cruise speed of around 25 mph, which netted an impressive 3.5 mpg.

Interior and Accessories

Prospecting for redfish and seatrout, I fired a plastic lure with a gold spinner in all directions at the designated fishing spot, where the depth ranged from 2 to 6 feet deep. I had no problem moving around the boat’s perimeter thanks to the minimum 16 inches of walkaround space around the center console. A generous 27-inch minimum gunwale height at the stern grew to 30 inches amidships, and with standard bolsters all around, I felt contained and comfortable. I left the bow and stern cushions in place, and we didn’t have the filler board to insert between the bow rider benches up front, which would have created a roomy casting platform. I only saw one fish that day and identified it as a 40-pound black drum lazing on the surface. But, to paraphrase the scariest line in “The Shining,” it was only a floating “dead drum” clearly past its expiration date.

When trying to figure out a boat’s intended purpose, a good guideline is if there are more places to park a beverage than to store a rod, it’s a pleasure boat, not a fishing boat. Our test boat has 22 standard rod holders and eight cup holders. 

Vertical racks for two rods each are set inside recesses on either side of the center console, keeping them tucked out of the way but ready for action. Other holders are set into the gunwales and on the hardtop. The 232 Center Console has twin 10-gallon livewells beneath the rear bench seat for those who fish with live bait.

The 232 CC comes well equipped with standard features that most companies charge extra for, such as the well-braced hardtop, premium Fusion stereo with Rockford Fosgate lighted speakers, 58-quart slide-out Engel cooler, raw-water washdown and trim tabs with auto-retract, to name a few. To up its fishing game, add a 75-inch Garmin Kraken trolling motor with a 36-volt lithium-ion battery ($10,700) and a 12-inch GPS/fishfinder from Simrad NSX 3012 ($4,509) or Garmin GPS/Map 1243xsv ($7,700). One of the most innovative features is the optional, reversible leaning post ($1,467) that lifts and can be securely reinserted into rocket launcher-like receivers to face aft, not only to increase fishing area in the cockpit but also to provide a rear-facing throne while fishing or watching the kids swim.

It’s easy to enhance the 232 CC’s non-fishing game by adding the Entertainment Package ($3,296), which includes a retractable ski pylon, removable bow table, Fusion transom stereo remote control and Hella underwater lighting.

Shopping? Sea Hunt’s Ultra 234 also offers a fixed stern seating arrangement. It’s less expensive, but unlike the Sailfish, features such as the $7,500 hardtop cost extra. The Ultra 234 has more livewell capacity when you add the optional leaning post with an integrated bait tank. Its max horsepower is 250 compared to the Sailfish’s 300, and Sea Hunt is a Yamaha-only boatbuilder.

Read Next: Sailfish 312 CC

How We Tested

• Engine: Single Yamaha F250
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Yamaha Saltwater Series II 15.5″ x 17″ 3-blade, stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 55 gal. Water on Board: 0 gal. Crew Weight: 400 lb.

High Points

• Its console interior opens from the front for easy access, and sports 5 feet of headroom plus a standard portable marine head.
• Many high-end standards. 
• There is enough quality seating for 12 people.
• The large dash offers space to flush-mount a 12-inch MFD.

Low Points

• Stern seating is more comfortable than a folding bench, but it comes at the expense of cockpit space.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

The post Boat Test: 2025 Sailfish 232 Center Console appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

Sōlace Boats are the brainchild of Stephen Dougherty, an engineer and boat designer of exceptional pedigree. His late father, Bob Dougherty, put Boston Whaler on the tip of ­every boater’s tongue. Then he did the same with EdgeWater and Everglades. For the past few years, Stephen has carried on the tradition with Sōlace. These boats are ingenious thanks to Dougherty’s experienced look at all the activities that happen in boats, especially with the new Sōlace 37CS. He has eliminated many annoying details found in competitive boats, then replaced them with conveniences that turn nuisance into pleasure, complete with world-class fishing amenities that pamper not only anglers, but the most demanding pleasure-boat owners as well.

Magnetic attachments for removable deck lounge cushions replace fragile finger-spraining snaps; automatic actuators raise the windshield; nearly hidden magnetic cup holders secure drinks to gunwales and tabletops. Even a bait board is attached magnetically to the transom and is so secure, we could practically toss it from the port station to the starboard station or a center station and stick the landing. The double jump seat also magnetically fastens to the transom and boasts a footrest beneath. These are dramatic and innovative details that add “wow” to match the performance of the 37CS.

Engines

At 16,000 pounds, it’s svelte with an 11-foot beam. Three of Yamaha’s new V-6 4.3-liter 350 hp outboards ran the 37CS up to 60 mph. Hole shot was crisp and the bow stayed low, inclining only 3 degrees before settling into a smooth gait at 35.5 mph running 4,000 rpm, and providing an optimal cruise range of 423 miles. You also can order it with triple Mercury 400s and net similar economy.

The bottom features a double-stepped design, and is engineered to preserve forward visibility out of the hole. This boat also held its ground in high-speed turns. The ride is plenty smooth, but for the less adventurous, the optional Quick X10 MC DC gyrostabilizer on our tester steadied the boat for even greater comfort. 

Interior and Accessories

Controlling the Solace 37CS proved a pleasure thanks to the row of triple bucket seats with adjustable armrests, and easy-to-adjust legroom. A footrest below the wheel is comfy. The Garmin displays spread before us carried digital switching, gyro and media ­controls, with a rocking Fusion audio system so ­well-appointed that nobody could sit more than 3 feet from a coaxial woofer and tweeter.

The hardtop offers beefy construction. The supporting stanchions are laddered braces for easy access to the top. The ­windshield is glass, and a pair of grab rails on the hardtop “ceiling” add passenger stability and confidence in rough water. Two side glass windshield panels are bonded to the curved aluminum pillars; the center one raises on rams. And Sōlace added grab rails to either side of the console, in reach of crewmembers standing beside the helm area.

Crew comfort in the boat comes from well-designed seating and high-quality components. Mezzanine seating is designed for two, and the seat bottom lifts up to reveal an ice chest beneath. You can rummage around in it with both hands because the lid hinges to a vertical position and stays there until you close it. The mezzanine seatback folds down to form a rigging table complete with a tackle-box cabinet behind it. At first, we thought the arrangement eliminated the grill that is often found in the rigging station. Instead, we found a gas grill stored in a drawer under the seat. This grill mounts in a rod holder when in use. 

The bow has two lounge seats open at the center at the anchor locker to allow easy ­access to the ground tackle. The interior freeboard’s height was ideal for manning the ­electric windlass. Even better, Sōlace replaced vinyl upholstery with silicone “fabric”: a tough, UV-resistant, stain-blocking material that maintains factory freshness for years. 

Below deck, rod holders for all the sticks you can carry are concealed in a hidden compartment beneath the double berth. Instead of rod/cup combo holders on the gunwales, the 37CS has premium polished rod holders, and next to each one is a polished cup ­holder—that’s in addition to the magnetic pucks hidden in the nonskid diamond plate to hold your magnetized cups.

Read Next: Solace 32 CS

If you are shopping around and want to compare other boats to the Sōlace 37CS, the Scout 377 LXF ($894,398 base) would be a good model to check out. It is imminently fishable and comparably luxurious. 

The 37CS’s aft cockpit is equally well-planned. A portside boarding door supplants the transom door, with a pair of 40-gallon pressurized livewells and a ­refrigerated fish box spread out over the ­transom instead. A unique electric chill tub can be removed. Optional tuna tubes can be placed near the livewells.

The little things add up on the Sōlace 37CS, which is sure to draw a chorus of “Wow, that’s cool” from experienced boaters. I am one of them.

How We Tested

• Engines: Triple Yamaha 350s
• Drive/Props: Outboard/Rev 4 14 ⁵/₈” x 21″ 4-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.79:1 Fuel Load: 500 gal. Water on Board: 40 gal. Crew Weight: 650 lb.

High Points

• The windshield is supported on struts strong enough to allow operation while it is open. 
• Silicone upholstery is easy to clean (ink wipes right off), UV resistant, and longer lasting than vinyl.
• Sōlace planned for a future upper station by building a ladder into the supports of the hardtop. 

Low Point

• We missed the transom door and that easy access to the platform and ladder.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

The post Boat Test: 2024 Sōlace 37CS appeared first on Boating Mag.