Boston Whaler 285 Conquest

This is also the smallest Conquest with the company’s clever new hardtop. The 285 joins the 315 and 345. There are three different lid variants: hardtop with half-height surround windscreen and, most probably, clear infill panels; solid top-to-bottom safety glass on three sides as per our test boat; and a lock-up wheelhouse version best suited to cold climates. Southern bluefin anglers take note.

That said, we made an interesting observation while testing the 285 Conquest on a sultry south-east Queensland day. Even with a three-sided solid enclosure, the helm deck stays really cool. That’s thanks in part to a power vent in the windscreen but more so from the insulation afforded by the hardtop itself. Shade is a great thing.

At the same time, Boston Whaler listened to its customers to improve on the long-popular 285 Conquest. Basically, you get more of everything.

"The new 285 Conquest exemplifies where the Conquest line is evolving," Ron Berman, Boston Whaler’s vice president of product development and engineering says.

"It improves upon its predecessor in styling, performance, storage and overall functionality. We listened to advice from customers and dealers, and the result is a Conquest model that will turn a lot of heads."

Whaler retained all the things that have long made Conquests boats of desire. There’s a big cockpit loaded with all the requisite built-in fishing features, but also flip-down concealed family lounge, teak table, sink and fridge. And, of course, walkaround decks for foredeck access.

The cabin can accommodate a family of four or a couple of fishing crew at tournament time or when fishing weekends away at nearby ports. An enclosed head with hot shower adds to the experience, while the galley has sufficient amenities to cater for a weekend. Have your fish and fry up, too.

Evidently, owners have a clear idea how they want their Whalers set-up. This 285 was upgraded and autonomous in respect of electric power thanks to an optional 5kW Kohler petrol generator. This lets you use all the galley amenities and the optional air conditioning in the cabin while disconnected from Shorepower. A real weekender.

The electronics kit was upgraded to include a Raymarine E140W (coupled to a bigger Airmar transducer), whose (split) screen is big enough to display a decent depth sounder and chartplotter concurrently, plus there was a trick loud hailer on the hardtop that enables the skipper to speak with the crew on deck or dock. The windlass was upgraded and there was a nice locally-made cutting board/rod holder spreader in the transom.

I couldn’t find fault with the installation of these things by local Boston Whaler dealer Queensland Marine Centre (QMC), who say they are selling more and more bigger models these days. From a base price of around $239,000, our 2012-model 285 Conquest with generator, air-con and more cost about $289,000 at the time of testing. You get what you pay for.

Starting at the pointy end, which is safely reached at sea thanks to walkaround decks backed by grab rails, there were upgraded windlass with 50 metres of chain, recessed decks cleats, and a workmanlike black-rubber rub rail that won’t nick lines.

The foredeck has enough flat floor to pitch lures at passing fish, with moulded non-skid, toe rails and a high bow rail adding to the security underfoot. The boat’s inherent freeboard adds to the safety factor. But in really rough weather, you will doubtless retreat to the enclosed helm deck and stay dry.

Steps lead from the cockpit to the walkarounds and there are additional rungs in the powder-coated aluminium supports propping up the sexy hardtop that let you clamber up top to service or clean the boat. These might also come in handy when extending the telescopic poles mounted in the twin Taco Grand Slam bases, which have snap-lock releases under the hardtop for easy dispatch.

There are two clear-away rod storage holders either side of the hardtop support frame. These will come in handy when a fish jumps on a lure in your typical five-rod spread. Crew can crank in the other lures and park the rods away from the action-packed cockpit. You might also carry a tag pole in one of these holders. Twin LED spreader lights mean you can light up the cockpit at night, perhaps as the fight drags on, and not worry about battery drain.

Overlooking the small removable lunch table, the spacious cockpit is a model in fishing excellence. To Whaler’s credit there is access through the starboard-side marlin door to the flat outboard platforms either side of the twin-engine well. This might come in handy for clearing the rod tip and line around the Verados while fighting a deep slugging fish from a stationary boat (ie, cubing for yellowfin) or perhaps tagging or gaffing a fish. The transom is especially deep and buoyant to carry the weight of the twin outboards and easily an angler or diver.

With thigh-height padded bolsters and side toe rails in the cockpit, you can lock yourself in during fish-fighting mode. The flush deck fittings and combo drink holders/fairleads shouldn’t foul lines or traces, while the central aftermarket cutting board with rod holders will be handy when bait fishing for table fish. The three in-transom rod holders from Whaler will be used mainly for carrying outfits to the grounds. There are four gunwale-mounted rod holders for trolling.

The twin underfloor fish boxes with macerators can be flooded. Each is big enough to take a decent mackerel, wahoo, mahi mahi, or mixed bag of reef fish. The live well in the port transom corner is deep with rounded corners to encourage your bait to stay active.

Under the coamings are twin gaff racks. Then, shazam, a lounge folds out of the inside transom wall and you have seating for three family members or perhaps crew on the way to the grounds on a flat day.

At the division between helm deck and cockpit, where there’s a step, you’ll find a three-tray tackle centre to port. There’s a reversible backrest and foldout footrest so a crewmate can sit facing aft while watching the lures and lines. Opposite, behind the helm seat, is a fridge and sink at a ‘bait-rigging station’. Yet more storage is contained nearby.

Fresh air floods inside via the electric-opening pane or power vent but, as touched on, it’s not stuffy. Drink holders abound and the upholstery is very well executed on the comfortable seats. The tinted windows help cut the glare.

A couple of passengers can ride alongside the skipper, who faces a low-glare dash with small facia dedicated to the 14in Raymarine combo nav. screen, double bank of rocker switches, Lenco trim tabs, the stereo remote, and triple Smartcraft combo gauges. Less is more is the tenet.

The sturdy stainless-steel wheel has a crank knob, while the clever DTS fly-by-wire shifts/throttles alongside have functions from troll to synch and single lever control for the twins.

Escape hatch and opening portlights ensure ventilation, while the galley has a 240V cooktop with pot holder, microwave oven, solid counters with fiddles, and deep sink. Opposite, the separate WC boasts an upmarket Vacuflush head and handheld shower. You’ll need to watch the 113 litres of fresh water and your 24-litre holding tank.

Evidently, the entry on the 285 Conquest hull is finer than before with a useful 20 degrees of deadrise at the transom. The hull isn’t as sharp as the Outrage series centre consoles but it does the job. Oversized down-turned chines that give remarkable stability at rest offset the vee. Underway, they keep spray at bay.

The high standard of engineering is no more ably demonstrated than by looking in the bilge. The installation of the generator is first class, with accessible sea strainer, there are bronze through-hull fittings with nylon seacocks that resist seizing, while plumbing lines are double clipped. You might also notice the tags on the hose clips have neat rubber protectors. No more cut hands and arms.

I noted twin 2000gph bilge pumps on this self-draining hull, twin cranking batteries and a separate house and generator battery. The boat has Shorepower, of course. And the wiring all looks neat and tidy with, importantly, access to the fuel sender and other key items.

It’s nice to know that Whaler does all the sea trials and set-ups beforehand so dealers only need follow the factory advice to get a boat that works. Our Verados were spinning three-blade 15in x 15in Enertia stainless-steel props that got the boat up and running without much effort. There was certainly no doughiness. Whaler says 5.6 seconds to plane.

With the most economical revs from 4000-4500rpm, it was good to see 4200rpm returning 25 knots as the Verado purred smoothly. We carried on a conversation on the helm deck, the co-pilot grabbed a rail, as I locked myself into position at the helm using the footrest. Vision was great and I reckon we looked pretty hot.

Commensurate with our findings, Boston Whaler quotes the sweet spot in respect of range being 4000-4500rpm for 279-280 nautical miles. According to the official data, you have to drop below 8.2 knots to get better mileage. Still, if seas allow, 5500rpm gives a decent 227 nautical mile range at an impressive 34 knots. Hold on!

Somewhere about the Pacific Ocean we struck 39 knots at 6400rpm WOT, but the wonderful electro-hydraulic power steering keeps the whole rig in effortless check. The boat banked powerfully this way and that before we punched into a pesky northerly. I discerned the odd thump and we caught a lash of spray. But at the protected helm deck, who cares? Wipers with washers cleaned up the mess.

Backing down, if you need to, the boat didn’t take on much water at all. At troll speed, it feels like a really nice platform to spend a long hot day aboard out over the horizon. Meet up with the family later and enjoy dinner and some zeds. Yep, sports performance meets fish and family boat.

I’ve got a couple of infrequently-used Whalers moored near my boat. Despite their grubbiness, their deck fittings still shine, the gelcoat will lustre after a polish and, with the Merc props raised clear of the water, and the cooling systems flushed, you don’t have to worry about leg issues during long winters.

Aesthetically, Whalers still look good after much (ab)use and the passing of fashion and fads. We think the salty, seaworthy lines of this new 285 will stand the test of time. After all, wheelhouse boats hark back to the halcyon days of crusty old angler putting to sea in pursuit of fish. The 285 is a modern rendition of a timeless fish boat.