2019 EdgeWater 248CX review

EdgeWater boats have been available from selected dealers in Australia for a while now, but the brand is relatively unknown outside of enthusiast fishing circles. With the appointment of a new Queensland dealer in Deep Blue Boats, however, the profile of this premium quality boat brand looks set to rise.

EdgeWater boats are named for their city of origin, Edgewater in Florida, USA. Its factory is almost next door to rival boat makers, Boston Whaler and Everglades.

All three brands are linked. EdgeWater and Everglades Boats were both founded by the late, lamented Bob Dougherty in the wake of his 30-year-plus tenure as chief designer, engineer and innovator at Boston Whaler.

In the early 1990s, Dougherty retired from Boston Whaler to establish EdgeWater, and then Everglades a few years later. The three brands are today fierce competitors.

EdgeWater started as a premium brand using only the best quality materials, fixtures and fittings. Today, it is a leading maker of fibreglass composite fishing and sports boats specialising in centre consoles and dual-console crossover models.

The subject of this review is one of four dual console models, the 248CX. This trailerable (albeit with an over-width 2.6m beam and weighing 3500kg) crossover boat sits just above the entry-level 230CX in the EdgeWater boat range, and beneath the 262CX and 280CX models.

The Gold Coast's Deep Blue Boats has package prices for the EdgeWater 248CX from around $219,000. Included in this price is the standard engine for this model, Yamaha's 300hp big capacity 4.2-litre V6 four-stroke outboard engine.

Interestingly, EdgeWater has eschewed the regular extra-longshaft (25-inch) outboard engine in favour of Yamaha's ultra-longshaft (30-inch) version. The taller, or longer drive-leg is ideal for offshore boating applications as the outboard is mounted higher on the transom with the powerhead and engine air intakes well clear of the water surface – and above the accompanying moisture/salt-laden air that could potentially cause corrosion.

As well as the ultra-longshaft Yamaha outboard engine, the standard boat package comes with a dual-axle alloy trailer with electric hydraulic brakes, along with a stack of interior features and equipment.

I can't think of a rival boat in this market segment with anything like the inventory of standard features as this EdgeWater model.

Pretty much everything you can see in the photos is standard, such as the electric head with holding tank and pump-out; all the seats, cushions and infills; the fibreglass hardtop; bow table; raw water and freshwater showers' starboard side food and bait prep station with sink and Corian counter-top; rear transom door; LED lighting throughout; stainless hardware; multiple bilge pumps; recessed trim tabs; electric anchor winch, and a whole lot more.

Remarkably only the electronics gear, coloured hull finish, two vertical rod racks and a rear shade bimini were options added to our test boat.

With a large Simrad NSS16 EVO3 multifunction display, Simrad VHF radio, autopilot and 4G radar, Yamaha fuel data manager, Fusion audio package (with JL Audio speaker system), hardtop/transom rod racks and bimini, the package price for the EdgeWater 248CX rises to $229K.

The EdgeWater 248CX has a variable deadrise deep-vee hull with a 21-degree vee angle at the transom, along with two pronounced running/planing strakes, and a step in the hull aft to incorporate a pair of recessed trim tabs.

The hull also has moderately high topsides with a slight sheer to the deck line that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional for suppressing wind-blown spray.

EdgeWater's state-of-the-art, composite-cored (no timber) SPI construction technique makes the 248CX relatively light for its size, but exceptionally strong.

SPI stands for Single Piece Infusion, the name EdgeWater has given to its proprietary construction technique. It is a closed moulded, bagged, resin infusion process that uses vacuum pressure to pull resin through a series of tubes into the internal grid structure, laminate and hull mould. This single-step procedure optimises the resin coverage (for reduced wastage and cost savings) and creates one immensely strong, integrated, unsinkable structure.

More detail on EdgeWater's innovative SPI construction technique can be viewed on the company's website at www.ewboats.com.

In Australia, the US dual console configuration is generally referred to as a bowrider. However, the slight difference between the two is that dual console boats such as the 248CX EdgeWater have a higher, taller helm station so you can comfortably drive the boat while standing up. Conversely, most Aussie-specification bowrider boats have a low-set windscreen and driving position.

The taller, American-style dual console also has more storage space beneath and around each of the console units. In the EdgeWater, for example, there is a roomy head compartment/change room behind and beneath the port side console, and a storage compartment behind the helm.

This head compartment is properly useable. There is 1.26m or so of headroom inside, and it is wide enough so that you can move about with ease. More importantly, you don't need to contort yourself to use the electric toilet.

There's even a skylight to provide ambient light.

The head compartment is a proper mini-bathroom, complete with mirrored overhead sliding storage drawers, handrail, washbasin with pull-out shower/tap, LED lighting, and extra storage space.

The ceiling and surrounds are upholstered in a neat cream-coloured vinyl, and teak-look rubber flooring surrounding the toilet helps users keep their footing.

It's an impressive set-up, particularly for family boaters. A toilet that you can use comfortably whilst fishing 20 miles offshore has to appeal to many anglers, too. Count me among them.

The EdgeWater 248CX is impressively designed for family boats in other areas, too. At the bow there is the traditional U-shaped seating area, complete with a two-piece infill board and accompanying cushion to create a large sun lounge. Leave all the cushions at home and anglers have a large, elevated casting deck.

Three large storage lockers are in the moulded seating area, each with gas-strut supported hatch lids so they can be kept open. These compartments are all insulated (with overboard drains) so you can use them to store safety gear or fill them up with ice to create a cooler for food and drinks.

Other bow features include armrests so you can configure the two side seats into a forward-facing chaise-style lounge, cup and rod holders, speakers for the Fusion stereo system, recessed bow rail/handles, pop-up cleats, and a large anchor well with the anchor suspended from the bowsprit.

As well as the family-friendly bow seating area, the rear cockpit seats can accommodate four people plus the skipper.

EdgeWater has opted for a reclining, two-person back-to-back seat on the port side, mounted above another large insulated storage box. This chair is easily and quickly reconfigured into a full-length lounge with headrest.

Between the helm and passenger seats is a huge sub-floor storage/ski locker.

At the stern, a dual-width padded bench seat unfolds from the transom wall. It folds up and away again just as easily to allow anglers to stand, unrestricted, up against the transom.

Similar to the passenger chairs, the helm seat is adjustable. It slides fore and aft and has a flip-up front bolster to easily provide the space to stand comfortably and drive the boat.

Seated or standing, the skipper has all the controls close to hand, while the instruments and electronics, flush-fitted into the blacked-out fascia, are easy to view.

Our test boat was rigged with a massive Simrad NSS16 Evo3 display, along with VHF and Fusion radio head units and Yamaha engine instrumentation.

The tempered glass windscreen in the 248CX is a tad low for my liking. It will shield you from wind and spray, but only while sitting down at the helm.

Conversely, the overhead hardtop provides excellent shelter from the sun. It is also large and sturdy enough to use as a tie-off point for tow sports, and to accommodate radio antennas, radar domes, spreader lights, and more.

The EdgeWater 248CX is cleverly designed so that it will appeal to both family boaters and fishermen. It is loaded with good gear and fishing features, and the rear cockpit layout is excellent for varied fishing activities.

The cockpit is not overly large, but there is 660mm of full-height freeboard around the perimeter of the cockpit, and foot-level stainless steel toe rails to anchor your feet while fishing in rough weather.

Other great features include horizontal gunwale rod racks to starboard, wide side coamings with four flush-fitted stainless steel rod/cup holders, a food/bait/rigging station behind the helm chair (with sink, pull-out shower and cooler box), inboard mounted cleats (so nothing to snag your fishing lines), a self-draining deck (scuppers in corners), and a plumbed, 68-litre live bait tank built into the transom on the port side.

The EdgeWater's lightweight but strong construction allows this big, wide-beam 7.5-metre boat to power to a top speed of 43.3 knots with a single ultra-longshaft Yamaha 300hp four-stroke engine.

The hull design contributes to this efficient performance, with the wide chine flats and planing strakes boosting hole-shot performance and providing lift when the boat is underway.

The 248CX is also a comfortable, smooth-riding boat as it has a fine entry shape at the bow and a fairly steep transom vee shape of 21 degrees.

We did cop some spray over the bow of the boat after miss-timing a wave from a large cruiser wake, but it was otherwise dry during our test in mild conditions.

Generally, the EdgeWater was easy to drive and capable. The steering was light and the hull felt solid, safe, rattle-free and well balanced throughout.

Through tight turns the hull does heel over quite sharply (due to the deep vee hull shape), but this is easily managed and controlled from the helm.

The performance from the Yamaha 300hp outboard engine was exemplary. This big displacement 4.2L V6 four-stroke runs like a clock and provides ample low and mid-range power and torque for excellent throttle response.

Performance

Range on 95% of the 454L fuel supply at 3000rpm: 337.3nm

The EdgeWater 248CX is a world-class product and a welcome addition to the Aussie powerboat market. It is unquestionably one of the best cross-over boats available right now as it combines soft-touch family features (seating, storage, toilet,) with a fishermen-friendly cockpit layout, excellent build quality, and a seaworthy, unsinkable hull. It can even be trailered – albeit behind a 3,500kg rated heavy-duty tow tug.

The entry price for the 248CX is higher than with some rival makes, but with its excellent layout and huge inventory of features, it is certain to appeal to a lot of people.

I'd certainly be happy to see one of these terrific new boats parked in my driveway.

Specifications
Model: EdgeWater 248CX
Length: 7.5m
Beam: 2.6m
Draft: 533mm
Deadrise: 21 degrees
Hull weight: 1613kg (est)
Weight on trailer: 2750kg (dry), 3450kg (wet)
Maximum power: 350hp (30-inch ultra-longshaft)
Engines as tested: Yamaha 300hp V6 four-stroke outboard
Fuel: 454L
Water: 106L
Maximum persons: 11

Priced from: $219,000 with a single Yamaha V6 4.2L 300hp ultra-longshaft (30-inch) four-stroke outboard with hydraulic steering and digital controls, and a dual-axle Australian specification float-on alloy trailer with electric hydraulic brakes.

Price as tested: $229,000 as above but with the addition of blue coloured topsides, a Simrad NSS16 EVO3 multi-function display, Simrad VHF radio, Simrad auto-pilot and 4G radar, Yamaha fuel data manager, Fusion premium stereo package (with JL Audio speaker system), shore power, hardtop rocket-launcher, transom rod rack, and a cockpit shade bimini.

Supplied by: Deep Blue Boats