2019 EdgeWater 320 Centre Console review

Based in Edgewater, Florida, USA, EdgeWater Boats was founded in 1992 by the late Bob Dougherty, formerly of Boston Whaler fame. Dougherty launched EdgeWater Boats just down the road from the Boston Whaler factory following his departure as Boston Whaler's lead designer and engineer.

Related stories:

Dougherty used the knowledge gained from his 30-year term at Boston Whaler to establish a high-quality range of boats to rival the legendary craft built by his former employer. His stay at EdgeWater proved to be brief, however, as he left only a few years later to establish EverGlades Boats.

Since those pioneering early days, EdgeWater has grown to become a respected fibreglass composite fishing and sports boats maker, the company competing on the world stage with fellow Florida-based boat makers including Boston Whaler, Pursuit, Everglades, Cobia, SeaVee and more (not to mention the half dozen brands made nearby in the Carolinas).

The current EdgeWater boat range has 14 models. The smallest is the Heritage 158CS, a 4.6-metre bay/flats fishing runabout and tender. The flagship is the 370CC, a luxuriously appointed 12-metre fishing/family motor yacht with a centre console so large that it incorporates a full-size double berth cabin and live-aboard features.

The EdgeWater boat for this review is the second to largest model, the 320 centre console paired with dual 300hp Yamaha four-stroke outboard engines.

EdgeWater boats are superbly crafted and wonderfully appointed. Some boat makers produce basically outfitted boats but with lots of options to allow for customisation. This is not the EdgeWater way. It does offer options for each model, but all the good stuff you need (and more) is already standard.

On paper then, EdgeWater boats do appear to be quite expensive, but that's because these boats are already fitted with the gear you will likely option with the boat anyway.

The base price for our test boat, for example, is $385,000 with a pair of Yamaha 300hp four-stroke outboards on the transom. Fully rigged with electronics, the turn-key price of the 320CC rises only to $414,000, and much of this increase is due to the inclusion of an Optimus joystick docking control system.

The point I am making is that the difference in price between the entry model boat and the fully fitted EdgeWater package is much smaller than with most rival brands.

I won't list all the standard features here, but some of the key inclusions on the 320CC include the fibreglass hardtop; electric head with holding tank and pump-out; all the seats and cushions; multiple raw-water and freshwater showers; coloured LED lighting throughout; electric anchor winch; two huge, plumbed live wells; enclosed rod lockers; deluxe leaning post with food/bait/rigging station and Corian bench-top; multiple bilge pumps; foam flotation (to Level, unsinkable standard); multiple insulated cooler lockers (with drains); and more.

For the extra $30K (and a $414,000 introductory price), our test boat gained the aforementioned Optimus joystick control with sea-station electronic power steering; dual Simrad NSS16 EVO3 multifunction displays; Simrad 24-inch Halo radar; autopilot; Fusion premium stereo package with JL Audio speaker system; Yamaha fuel data manager; fridge/freezer to leaning post; removable back-rests at the bow; and a rear shade bimini.

Hull strength and construction integrity is a key feature and selling point for EdgeWater Boats. The company has developed its own build process called SPI, or Single Piece Infusion. The technique is a closed-moulded infusion process that uses vacuum pressure (created underneath a plastic bag sealed over the mould) to drive resin through a series of tubes into the grid structure and laminate.

This one-step process ensures there is an even distribution or coverage of resin throughout, whilst also creating a single, integrated structure. Combine this build technique with the use of foam composites and other lightweight materials, and the result is a very strong, light, efficient, and importantly, unsinkable hull.

All EdgeWater models are crafted used the SPI technique, from the entry bay runabouts through to the flagship 370CC motor-yacht.

The EdgeWater 320CC is configured like most of the big brand centre consoles, with an expansive U-shaped seating area at the bow, but combined with an uncluttered, self-draining rear fishing cockpit.

The bow seating area is nicely appointed and accommodates three to five people. Removable, clip-on cushions fit easily over the moulded seats, beneath which are three big storage lockers.

The lockers have gas-strut hinged hatches so they don't fall shut when you reach in to remove something. They are also insulated with overboard drains so each compartment can be used an icebox/cooler, or as a general storage locker.

A pedestal cocktail table slots into place between the moulded side-seats to create a forward dinette area. The table doubles as the infill board to convert the seating area into a large sun lounge, or as an elevated fishing deck with the seat cushions removed.

Other features include a massive sub-floor storage locker/fish box; a large forward anchor well (with electric winch and bowsprit mounted anchor); a low-set grab rail; drink holders; cup and rod holders; and a cushioned seat in front of the console.

The console itself is a large enough to seat three people, and contains a spacious head compartment/change room complete with an electric toilet, washbasin with pull-out shower head and Corian counter-top, overhead mirror, and storage drawers.

There's also access to the bilge, the ship's batteries and wiring, and the primary switchboard situated on the aft console wall.

Above decks the console, dash and fascia is well arrayed and neatly designed. There's space for two large multifunction displays and the Yamaha Command Plus digital gauge, along with the port side-offset stainless steel steering wheel and binnacle throttle box.

Both are ideally positioned for you to drive the boat while seated or standing.

Other features include a full-width footrest, glove box, cup holders, switch panel and a dash-mounted compass.

A curved, tempered glass windscreen provides excellent wind and spray shelter for the skipper and co-pilot, while the included overhead hardtop is broad enough to shield you from the noon sun.

The powder-coated, alloy framed hardtop has a radio box above the console, along with spreader lights, LED lighting, speakers for the optional Fusion stereo and a skylight. There's also a rocket launcher rod rack, and provision on top of the hardtop for mounting antennas, outriggers, radar domes, and more.

Two big helm chairs are mounted forward of the fibreglass leaning post. Both have fore and aft sliders, folding armrests and flip-up front bolsters to provide space between the seats and the helm console to stand comfortably.

Beneath the helm chairs there is a removable plastic cooler for your food and drinks. Behind the two chairs there is an aft-facing food/bait rigging and preparation area, complete with a sink and pull-out tap/shower head, storage recess and three large, slide-out tackle/general storage drawers.

Our test boat was also fitted with an optional fridge/freezer on the port side of the food prep station, instead of additional storage drawers.

The EdgeWater 320CC is more fisherman-friendly than most of its rivals, mostly because of the superior design of the rear cockpit, but also due to the sheer volume of included fishing features and accessories.

Across the transom, for example, there are two live wells, both plumbed. The primary rectangular live well has a massive 250-litre capacity, a blue-coloured interior and a clear viewing lid. Alongside it on the port side is the second, 106-litre live well.

To starboard there is a transom door, another sink with pull-out shower, and a dedicated terminal tackle storage cupboard.

There's also a three-quarter width folding bench seat, padded coaming bolsters around the perimeter of the cockpit, raw-water washdown, wide side coamings, 665mm of cockpit freeboard, foot-level stainless steel toe-rails, six angled stainless steel rod holders, and stern cleats located under the coamings so they can't snag fishing lines.

Rod storage amounts to an overhead hardtop rocket-launcher, horizontal gunwhale rod racks, and enclosed rod boxes (with lights) located amidships that safeguard your best rod/reel outfits from prying eyes and the elements.

The EdgeWater 320CC has a smooth-sided deep vee hull with a substantial 23-degree transom deadrise, a fine entry and a slight sheer to the topsides and deck line. It's a fine-looking hull and it performs exceptionally well.

A series of planing/lifting strakes stretch virtually the length of the hull to improve efficiency underway, to increase lateral stability, and to allow the hull to hold a lower planing speed than you might otherwise expect from a hull with such a sharp vee shape.

There's also a stepped recess in the hull at the transom to reduce drag and to accommodate a pair of trim tabs.

The EdgeWater's efficient hull shape, along with its relatively light weight, account for its excellent performance with a pair of 300hp Yamaha V6 four-stroke outboards. Remarkably, the 320CC can run to a top speed of 49.5 knots at 6000rpm. Some rival brand boats need 100-plus more horsepower to achieve a similar speed.

Through the mid-range the Yamaha outboards also prove strong and responsive. The test boat never felt lacking in power and was excellent fun to drive as a result.

Throughout our Gold Coast boat test, the big EdgeWater proved to be smooth riding, comfortable, well mannered and stable; attributes which will endear it to offshore anglers and sports boaters alike.

Performance*

*Both engines
Range on 95% of the 1,135L fuel supply at 3000rpm: 438.1nm

In the US, EdgeWater is considered a top-tier boat maker rivalling premium brands such as Boston Whaler, Pursuit and Grady-White.

When you step aboard one of these fine craft you can see why. Only the best fittings, fixtures and materials have been used throughout the EdgeWater 320 Centre Console, and the interior layout is perfect for a mix of family day cruising and serious offshore game fishing.

Having noted the above, die-hard anglers often feel a bit short-changed with these cross-over, all-purpose centre and dual-console boats, but they won't be disappointed with an EdgeWater.

If anything, the 320CC is better suited to angling activities than family boating pursuits, and that's precisely why I like it.

Specifications
Model: EdgeWater 320CC
Length: 9.7m
Beam: 3.1m
Draft: 560mm
Deadrise: 23 degrees
Hull weight: 2948kg
Wet weight: 4850kg
Maximum power: 700hp (2x350hp extra-longshaft)
Engines as tested: Dual Yamaha 300hp V6 four-strokes
Fuel: 1135L
Water: 125L
Live bait tank: 250L and 106L
Passengers: 11

Priced from: $385,000 with a dual Yamaha V6 4.2L 300hp extra-longshaft (30-inch) V6 four-stroke outboards with power steering and digital controls.

Price as tested: $414,000 (introductory price) as above but with the addition of a Fishwreck custom hull wrap; Optimus joystick control with sea-station electronic power steering; dual Simrad NSS16 EVO3 multifunction displays; Simrad 24-inch Halo radar; autopilot; Fusion premium stereo package with JL Audio speaker system; Yamaha fuel data manager; fridge/freezer to leaning post; shore power; electric supply for downriggers and electric reels; removable backrests; and a rear shade bimini. Add $15,000 for a FAB dock float/storage pen or an Aussie specification float-on trailer with electric-hydraulic brakes.

Supplied by: Deep Blue Boats