Boston Whaler 270 Vantage

Boston Whaler has always been ahead of the game when it comes to crossover fishing and family rigs. Its high-end bluewater dual-console boats not only have dual purpose, but this one also has dual outboards for double the performance and get-home insurance. With key features to maximise fishability and family fun, this is one of the best offshore all-rounders we’ve had the pleasure of driving.

OVERVIEW
- Boston Whaler targets the fishing and family market
Whaler’s versatile dual-console Vantage range spans three models from the 230 to this 270 and right up to a 320, an enormous crossover boat. Each model is designed for offshore boating, fishing, diving, cruising, exploration, adventure and fun family times afloat.

Let’s face it, most boaters do a bit of all these things these days. So Whaler has created this excellent crossover platform with comfort as part of the mix. There are better single-minded boats out there, but as a crowd-pleaser the Vantages rate highly

Using a signature foam-filled hull with big downturned chines and a moderate deep-vee with 20 degrees of deadrise at the transom, the 270 Vantage is a high volume boat. It combines a very good ride with excellent stability and huge load-carrying ability thanks to its beam-forward design.

Because Whaler is owned my marine multinational Brunswick Corporation, which manufacturers Mercury outboards, there’s an inescapable synergy with these boats. The 270 Vantage can be powered by a single 30in 350hp Verado or a number of twin Verado engine pairings including 150s, 200s, 225s, 250s and…

Our boat had dual 300hp Verado FourStrokes, the maximum power match, pretty much in keeping with the way the national Boston Whaler importer, Queensland Marine Centre, sets-up its boats these days. These are high-end craft so there’s no point penny pinching.

With some carefully chosen options and the big power, this 270 Vantage weighs in as a prestige dual-purpose bluewater boat that doesn’t leave you wanting in the family or the fishing departments. You don’t get the ride of an Outrage running 22 degrees, and with a finer entry, but you get a very good ride with a huge passenger capacity and, most definitely, those comforts demanded in high end boats today.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
- Big ticket but an especially-loaded dual console
Whaler always bundles its boat with a lot of inbuilt gear. The fully moulded liner and deck include a lot of thoughtful integrated design. To this, you can add a variety of optional packages and kit to switch your boat a little more to fishing or family.

The base price for the 270 Vantage with twin 200hp Verados was $226,553 at the time of testing. But as we said the Whaler importer isn’t known for holding back. They ticked plenty of boxes to create a special rig with this 2016 270 Vantage. However, the options chosen didn’t favour one party or activity but lifted the whole rig.

We mentioned the engine upgrade to the maximum 600hp via the twin 25in 300hp Mercury Verado FourStrokes. The optional moulded hardtop was a big ticket addition that created a big-boat feel and much-appreciated sun protection offshore. There was a clever screw-out optional rear sunshade mounted on this to add comfort in the cockpit seating.

For the family, our test boat had bow cushions, another trick Euro-style drop in bow sunshade, bow table, concealed anchor windlass with stainless-steel anchor up front. Back in the cockpit is the so-called European Summer Kitchen Leaning Post, It’s actually a moulded amenities centre with inbuilt barbecue, fridge, sink and solid counter food-prep and servery space.

There was a high-quality Vacuflush freshwater marine head in the step-down console to port, ahead of the co-pilot, and a Fusion stereo upgrade. At this point, with forward and rear sunshade extended, tables in place and the prawns on the barbie, you are looking at a big bowrider with great comfort.

Our test boat was also set-up with a factory-fitted Fishing Package and a proper fibreglass hardtop, creating a smart fishing machine. You could troll as far offshore as you wanted for game fish, return to pick-up the family, and head off for some all-round quality boating time that keeps everyone stoked.

The optional Fishing Package includes a 72-litre livewell with light so you have something to pitch to the dolphin fish, a raw-water washdown to clean-up the fish blood, stainless steel toerails with an under gunnel storage shelf to assist fighting fish, and four stainless steel transom-mounted rod holders to help carry your sticks.

There was additional rod-holder storage in the powder-coated alloy supports for the optional hardtop and underfloor in a locker. So you can carry your tackle tucked away and do lunch in style, tow the kids and get some air off the towing bit on the hardtop, and then pull-out the gear and go nail some fish.

All this cool kit and the twin 300hp Verados bumped up the package price to $314,595. Our test boat arrived on trailer flying all the right flags and towed by a decent F250 Ford truck, which is do-able at a pinch. But really this is a boat to park on your pontoon, in a marina berth or rack.

You can also get this boat with Joystick Piloting, the outboard docking system with joystick, and Skyhook/autopilot keypad functionality. I don’t think a joystick is needed, but the Skyhook station holding could be a boon if you are into serious reef fishing.

LAYOUT AND ACCOMMODATION
- A giant bluewater bowrider with sportscruiser comforts
The way we use our pleasure boats has changed. Boats for just sitting are taking a back seat. People like doing things as well. This 270 Vantage promises a lot of fun and active times afloat. And when you’re spent, you can kick back and soak it up. That’s called a well-earned break.

The front end of the Vantage will thrill the kids for some safe bow riding. There’s actually a lot of room up here for four adults around the drop-in table and terrific inherent freeboard and buoyancy so you always feel well above the water. The infill creates a giant sunpad or rumpus area.

The concealed windlass with bow remote makes anchoring nice and safe, the moulded non-skid centre step will help you reach the bow to jump off at the beach, while the bow rod holders for the optional canopy poles might come in handy for fishing.

Typically plush upholstery, moulded underseat storage (drinks), handy storage for personal effects, recessed stainless steel grab rails, drink holders (all plumbed with drain tubes), speakers and a 12V outlet add to the fit-up. There was a bow door to keep the wind out of the cockpit in winter, too.

A forward hatch on gas struts (with piano hinges) and side-opening hatch lead into the driver’s console storage area. This had dedicated spots for your lunch tables, pedestals, 5gal/18lt supplied bucket, cushion infills and suchlike.

The WC or head inside the co-pilot’s console has timber trim, vanity, sink, the Vacuflush loo, and lots of room for changing and a rinse if you don’t fancy the deck shower. The boat carries 76 litres of water.

While the 270 Vantage certainly carries its 2.74m beam well forward, the volume is realised in the cockpit. Seating includes a clever convertible portside co-pilot and passenger bench with a back rest that switches every which way — from forward facing to rear facing and then flush to create a daybed sleeper under the hardtop. Add doona and you can stay out.

The driver gets a purposeful pedestal seat, while guests can travel aft on a pull-down transom lounge in what is the smoothest-riding part of the boat. There’s also room for a drop-in table for doing lunch, while the amenities centre has a fridge, sink and barbecue. The cockpit s big and with this stuff it doesn’t feel squeezed like a sportscruiser. Whaler lists the boat’s capacity as 12 and you will find seats for that many, plus excellent water access via the twin boarding platforms and ladder, too.

For fishing, the live-bait tank is under the passenger seat, so it’s not right at hand but it works, while rod storage ranges from the four in the hardtop frame to the four on the transom to a lockable underfloor hatch for three outfits. The head is another place to stash tackle when ashore.

The boat has a big underfloor lines storage well, but not a separate dedicated fishbox so we’d pack a chiller bag with ice. And those who do this will tell you it’s far less mess and smell and a better result for your fish anyway. Agreed! You could add outriggers, radar and create a serious long-range fisher if you want to go the whole hog.

HULL AND ENGINEERING
- Heavy-weight construction and big-boat fitout
The 270 Vantage has dual batteries as standard but our test boat had triple sealed ones and shorepower. The 70A alternators on the Verados will help with charging, too.

Initially, I though the inbuilt 240V cockpit barbecue could only be used on that shorepower. But this boat had a whole separate battery bank and dedicated inverter to run the stove away from dock.

Whaler customers reckon you get a good 30-35 minutes out of the barbecue battery set-up, we’re told. That’s enough time to cook your catch, but also a steak sanger or banger on the troll. How cool is that?

Meantime, the inbuilt 622-litre fuel capacity is the stuff of long range.

The finish, mouldings, upholstery and all the 316 big stainless deck fittings add to the quality of the Whaler. There are lots of rails and pretty beefy and simple mechanical systems: the pull-out rear lounge; wind-out manual rear awning; and front awning poles.  Not a lot to go wrong.

The cockpit is self-draining, while the bilge is nicely accessible. Inside, we noted the engine batteries off the floor, top access to the boat’s Shurflo pumps and the fuel and water systems and filters, and a very nice orderly installation. All good stuff here.

The rig feels like it has been designed and assembled as one rather than a piecemeal dealer thing. Certainly, from our extensive testing over many years, the Whalers last well in the long run.

ON THE WATER
- Solid sea trial on a wet Gold Coast track
There are wipers at the dash, but we didn’t need them between the showers scooting past. Spray wasn’t a factor, even with the beam-forward hull design, as the big chines spread it nicely. But you could easily run clears around the hardtop for all-weather protection all the same.

The helm is signature Whaler stuff with everything falling to hand, a nice deep windscreen, and a simplified layout with a Raymarine MFD, a few analogue gauges, the stereo head and some switches.

The DTS digital throttle and shift is always welcome, with no clunkiness in and out of gear, low-speed docking mode, sync, single lever function and the +/- fine cruise adjustment. All good to go…

With the twin 300hp Verados, this boat has poke. Out of the hole, the engines wind up like most V6 FourStrokes, read purposefully, but also assisted by superchargers. By 3000rpm you are powered up and away, doing a bit over 18 knots low-speed cruise.

According to the official figures, maximum range is 290nm in the sweet spot of 21-22 knots cruise at just 3250rpm, spinning the 14 5/8in x 19in Rev 4 props. At 4000rpm you get almost 30 knots, 5000rpm returns 38 knots speedy cruise for long runs (214nm range), while top speed cracked 56mph on the day.

Officially, top speed is 57.1mph or 49.6 knots. So this is a fast boat. But speed isn’t everything and it’s back at those cruise speeds that we got a handle on the ride while cruising around the Seaway entrance and down along South Stradbroke Island.

While the hull isn’t an Outrage, it runs very nicely. There is a little more 'porpoising' motion, but there are big recessed trim tabs so you can keep the forefoot glued down and working through the water. The ride remains very good and with more gear — gee, this boat can carry some — it will sit down and carve through the sea.

Trolling, and at rest, the 270 Vantage is as stable as monohulls come. It's almost cat-like in the way it just sits there, hopefully atop a fish-rich reef, while you are dropping jigs. At trolling speed, on one engine, it will be frugal and the wash pattern looks great for running game lures. Marlin? No problem.

We’d rate the performance offshore as excellent. Troll as far offshore as you want for game fish, return to pick-up the family, and head out for some all-round quality boating time that keeps everyone stoked on Sunday.

VERDICT
- Well-suited to Australian boating today
“What we’re seeing is that people who only fish are going for the Outrages, but most people fish 50 per cent of the time and do everything else the rest of the time. These Vantages are made for that while remaining true offshore boats,” said importer Andrew Bennett from QMC.

Evidently, the Vantages are getting real traction, with boats in WA — perfect for Rotto — Far North Queensland where you can reel in the fish and the miles running to the reef, and boats like this would be great for tropical island hopping. Sydney has been strong, too, with the 320 Vantage flagship now in town.

To finish, the 270 Vantage feels like a big boat, but a clever one, too. It’s a Harry Houdini, a stunt performer of the first order, which can switch from fishing to family in the sleight of hand. And let’s face it, even the die-hard fishos want comforts to keep everyone happy these days.

LIKES
>> Huge volume hull with lots of plush seating and amenities
>> True offshore boat with serious Whaler construction and engineering
>> Love the onboard 240V barbecue with inverter for away-from-dock cooking
>> Very high comfort level and dayboating amenities including bathroom
>> The brand commands a lot of respect and a strong following in Australia

NOT SO MUCH
>> No dedicated separate fishbox with overboard drain
>> Bow-forward hull design not as smooth as the thoroughbred Whaler Outrages
>> Were not convinced you can tow this baby legally in all states

Specifications: Boston Whaler 270 Vantage
Price: $314,595 as tested including twin Mercury Verado 300hp FourStroke engine upgrade, Fishing Package, hardtop, windlass, Summer Kitchen, inverter set-up, sunshades, bow table and cushions, upgraded marine head, upgraded stereo, registration and more

Priced from: $226,553 with twin 200hp Mercury Verado FourStroke
LOA: 8.18m
LOA with platforms: 8.61m
Beam: 2.74m
Weight: 2359kg dry, hull only
Maximum Weight Capacity: 1679kg
Swamped Capacity: 2268kg
Persons Capacity: 12
Maximum Horsepower: 600hp
Minimum Horsepower: 200hp
Deadrise at Transom: 20 degrees
Fuel Capacity: 622 litres
Maximum Engine Weight: 635kg
Transom Height: 25in twins, 30in single
Water Capacity: 76 litres
Bridge Clearance: 2.77m with hardtop
Bridge Clearance no top: 1.70m
Engine: Twin Mercury 300hp Verado FourStroke with s/s four-blade 19in props

Supplied by:
Queensland Marine Centre
Head Office, Showroom and Service Workshop
Cnr Nerang/Southport Road and Bailey Cres
Southport, Qld, 4215.
Phone: (07) 5591 7032
See
www.queenslandmarinecentre.com.au.