2021 Boston Whaler 240 Vantage review

Paired with Mercury's monster 400hp supercharged Verado four-stroke outboard engine, the Boston Whaler 240 Vantage is a weapon on the water, delivering stunning performance.

Crossover/multipurpose craft are becoming increasingly popular with boaters worldwide. Discerning boat buyers have led the push for new powerboats to be more versatile and cater for several different boating activities.

These crossover boats can come in a range of different configurations. In the outboard engine-powered boat market up to about 10m in length, most crossover boats are big centre consoles with aft cockpits designed for fishing, and forward decks set up for family entertaining.

US boat makers are also now offering dual-console boats with a similar crossover appeal. Similar to the bowrider models made locally, the US dual-console boats have a seating compartment in the bow and a traditional runabout layout aft.

One of the best and brightest of the new crop of dual-console boats is the new 240 Vantage from world-leading boat maker, Boston Whaler.

Queensland Marine Centre has Boston Whaler 240 Vantage prices starting from $206,000 when rigged with a 250hp V8 Mercury Verado extra-longshaft (25-inch) four-stroke outboard engine.

A Continental dual-axle alloy trailer with electric-hydraulic break-away brakes adds $15,000.

Boston Whalers are high-quality boats and outfitted accordingly. Similar to its siblings, the Boston Whaler 240 Vantage is impressively appointed, helping to justify the high price tag.

There are too many features to list here, but the stand-outs include the bow seating compartment with storage lockers; quality cushions and upholstery; three-piece, centre-opening tempered glass windscreen with starboard side wiper; port side passenger console with head compartment; deluxe helm chair; reconfigurable port side passenger bench seat with storage and icebox; pull-out aft bench seat; sub-floor kill tank; multiple cupholders throughout; self-draining cockpit; wrap-around cockpit coaming bolsters; port side transom door; multiple rod holders and racks; bilge compartment/mechanical room; USB and 12-volt outlets; storage lockers with gas-strut support lids; and more.

Our test boat was upgraded with plenty of good gear including a higher-performance 400hp supercharged in-line six-cylinder Mercury outboard engine, a Raymarine Axiom Pro 12 RVX multifunction display, VHF radio, and a Bluetooth-friendly Fusion audio system.

Factory fitted options included the fibreglass hardtop with navigation lights, tow-point and welded alloy frame with rod racks; stainless steel anchor with rode and electric winch; 70-litre freshwater tank to feed the bow and stern showers and head compartment mixer tap; Vacu-flush toilet with pump-out, overboard discharge and holding tank; Seadek EVA flooring throughout; starboard utility/food prep centre; bow boarding ladder; cockpit sunshade; bow and cockpit covers; cockpit table; white rub rails with stainless steel insert; and chrome exterior graphics.

Our Boston Whaler 240 Vantage test boat was also equipped with an optional Fishing Package featuring a 49-litre plumbed, gasketed, circular-shaped transom live well; two extra rod holders; starboard console rod locker; raw water washdown; and stainless steel cockpit toe rails with overhead storage shelves.

All told, with all the above gear and equipment, our test boat package has a cruise-away price of $289,990.

Boston Whalers are among the strongest, safest, highest quality boats available. Each model is superbly designed, and crafted using the latest innovations and the finest materials.

Boston Whalers are also unsinkable, made using Boston Whaler's patented Unibond foam-cored construction technique.

Essentially the Unibond process involves injecting closed-cell liquid foam under pressure into the cavity between the hull and the inner liner, where it then expands to fill every space and void. This technique not only makes these hulls unsinkable but also gives them immense strength and impact resistance.

On the water, Boston Whalers are also the equal of pretty much anything else on the market. The Boston Whaler 240 Vantage is no exception; it has a 20-degree deadrise deep-vee hull that combines ride comfort with excellent handling and stability.

Like most Boston Whalers, the Boston Whaler 240 Vantage is fitted with trim tabs, but they are not really necessary as the hull is very well balanced on a fore and aft axis. Fine adjustments to the running attitude of the boat are easily achieved by trimming the engine.

Australians refer to dual console boats as bowriders. The two configurations are much the same. Both have a centre-opening, walk-through windscreen with a seating area up in the bow.

The difference, if there is one, is that our locally made bowriders generally have a low-set windscreen and helm station. By comparison, US dual consoles such as the Boston Whaler 240 Vantage often have a higher helm and passenger console/windscreen to enable skippers to stand at the helm, with space overhead for a bimini or hardtop.

In the Bostom Whaler 240 Vantage, that overhead shelter is provided by the optional hardtop, although a soft-top bimini is also available.

The hardtop shelters skippers from overhead weather, but the high windscreen is equally effective in shutting out wind and spray — although this boat does not take a lot of water over the bow.

Up forward, the Boston Whaler 240 Vantage has a conventional three- or four-person seating area, but I did note that the seat backrests are high and particularly supportive.

There are two insulated under-berth storage lockers, both fitted with hatch lids with gas support struts to keep them open for convenience.

With the seat cushions removed, another hatch on the starboard side opens vertically to reveal a sizeable storage compartment inside the helm console.

This storage space can also be reached via a smaller hatch on the side of the helm console to access the wiring/switching behind the fascia panel.

The Boston Whaler 240 Vantage has the optional stainless steel anchor mounted through the stem of the boat to keep the foredeck clear and uncluttered.

There's also provision for the optional electric winch and a deep anchor rode locker underneath.

A cool feature for getting on and off the boat is the optional (telescopic) beach boarding ladder contained alongside the anchor well.

Key features surrounding the bow seating area includes a pair of recessed bow cleats; low-set, flanking grab rails; cup holders; and a pair of speakers for the optional Fusion audio system.

The dual consoles in the Boston Whaler 240 Vantage are used very effectively. The helm station is set up on the starboard side, while the port side console contains a roomy, step-down head compartment.

The standard boat comes with a removable chemical toilet, but our test boat was optioned with a Vacu-flush toilet with a holding tank and overboard discharge.

To check the headroom, I sat down on the "throne" and was pleased by the abundance of space around me, both overhead and to each side.

A washbasin with a freshwater mixer tap is located just inside the entry door, although the tap and the 70-litre freshwater system is an option.

The helm console opposite is much the same size, although the space inside can be optioned with a rod storage locker.

Externally, the helm console has a blacked-out, anti-glare fascia with sufficient panel space for engine gauges, the optional Raymarine Axiom Pro 12 RVX display, and an overhead compass.

Below the instrument panel are 12 volt and USB outlets, rocker switches to control the ship's operations, and the tilt-adjust sports steering wheel.

The throttle is side-mounted alongside a pedestal helm chair that slides and swivels so you can position the seat to perfection.

The deluxe helm chair also has a front bolster you can flip back to create enough space to stand at the helm - although I did prefer to remain seated.

Instead of a second pedestal chair (that would be boring and ineffective), the Boston Whaler 240 Vantage has a family-friendly back-to-back lounge seat on the port side. Cleverly, the seat can reconfigure to create several different seating layouts.

Most of the time you would leave the seat set up in the back-to-back configuration as this can accommodate one person facing forward, and the other one aft. However, while lazing about at anchor it can change to create a bow- or stern-facing chaise longue or flatten out completely to form a full-length sunbed.

Opposite the lounge, our test boat was fitted with the optional utility station or food preparation centre. It comes with a hard-surface Corian countertop, a pull-out drawer and a locker underneath to take a large bucket.

More innovation can be found at the transom with the best pull/fold-out bench seat I have yet come across. The seat is barely discernable when tucked back into the transom. And yet, with an easy tug on a stainless steel handle, the bench folds easily out on a rugged stainless steel fitting/hinge. Full credit to the design team here as the folding mechanism works beautifully.

There is plenty for anglers to like in the Boston Whaler 240 Vantage. The aft cockpit is not overly large, but there is sufficient space to move about.

Importantly, the cockpit freeboard is set at a perfect 700mm all around, and coaming bolsters provide plenty of padding and thigh support when leaning up against them.

Standard fishing features include the wide side decks, a large, sub-floor fish box between the consoles forward, various insulated iceboxes and coolers, built-in stainless steel rod holders, and recessed stern cleats.

As noted earlier, our test boat was optioned with a Fishing Pack that adds the plumbed transom live well, two extra rod holders, console rod locker, raw-water washdown and cockpit toe rails beneath storage shelves.

Boston Whalers never fail to impress on the water. The 240 Vantage, like its 230 series predecessor, is an excellent performer, delivering a smooth, stable, dry ride from its 20-degree deadrise deep-vee hull.

Boston Whaler really has fine-tuned its hulls to near perfection. Not only is the Boston Whaler 240 Vantage smooth and comfortable, but it is also well balanced, easy and fun to drive, and forgiving in a following sea.

Coming in through the Gold Coast Seaway I spent a few minutes "surfing" the waves and came away impressed with how easily and safely the boat rises out of wave troughs.

Running in pretty much every other direction the test boat proved equally well mannered; novice and experienced skippers will feel comfortable behind the wheel of this fine craft.

The Boston Whaler 240 Vantage never felt out of its depth at sea, or back in the bay, and that's despite having the maximum 400hp outboard engine on the transom.

Paired with Mercury's powerful 400hp supercharged Verado, I did wonder whether the Vantage might be a little skittish at full throttle. But even when hitting its straps at 45 knots, this Boston Whaler feels bolted down and secure on the water.

Performance

Range on 95% of the 420L fuel supply at 5000rpm: 210.2nm

The Boston Whaler 240 Vantage is a worthy addition to the Boston Whaler boat range. This is a fine craft, making for a stunning all-purpose family sports boat and offshore fishing rig.

If you're looking for a do-everything family day boat in the 7.0-mere to 8.0-metre size range, I doubt you'll find anything better than this dual console Boston Whaler.

Yes, the price for the fully kitted model is high, but the Boston Whaler 240 Vantage is stacked with innovative features, wonderfully finished, safe and seaworthy.

Priced from: $209,000 with a 250hp Mercury V8 Verado extra-longshaft (25-inch) four-stroke outboard engine with power steering and digital controls. Add $15,000 for a Continental dualaxle trailer with electric-hydraulic break-away brakes.

Price as tested: $289,990 with a 400hp Mercury supercharged in-line six-cylinder Verado four-stroke outboard engine; Raymarine Axiom Pro 12 RVX multifunction display; VHF radio; Fusion audio system with Bluetooth and speakers; fibreglass hardtop with navigation lights; tow-point and welded alloy frame with rod racks; Fishing Pack (with live well, rod locker, extra rod holders, raw water washdown, cockpit shelves with toe rails); stainless steel anchor with rode and electric winch; 70L freshwater tank to feed the bow and stern showers and head compartment mixer tap; Vacu-flush toilet with pump-out, overboard discharge and holding tank; Seadek EVA flooring throughout; starboard utility/food prep centre; bow boarding ladder; cockpit sunshade; bow and cockpit covers; cockpit table; white rub-rails with stainless steel insert; and chrome exterior graphics. Excludes trailer.

Supplied by: Queensland Marine Centre