Robalo R227

Many a keen angler will already know of Robalo, which has been turning out quality fishing boats from its factories in the US for some 44 years. Robalo has a reputation for producing fishing boats with all the angler needs in a turn-key package that will see you out on the water and hooked up with a minimum of fuss.

Robalo's a range of boats extends from 18 to 30 feet and includes centre consoles, walkaround boats with centre cabins and cross-over bowriders that convert from family fun machines into purposeful fishing boats in minutes. For this test, we chose the R227 cross-over boat, which Robalo calls a ‘dual console’ in the US. But it is, for all intents and purposes, a bowrider with fishing-oriented inclusions.

Robalo has put its significant fishing expertise into the standard features list of this boat. Starting with secure rod stowage in the cockpit sides, the R227 also features a 76-litre live well on the starboard side just aft of the helm.

There are insulated fish boxes (more on that later) and nifty features such as drink holders that double as rod holders further enhancing the cross-over aspect of the boat.

For comfort, there are plush seats for the skipper and co-pilot as well as seating for another seven or eight when the boat is in cruising mode -- the maximum plated capacty is 10.

All-up with additional features like bimini and Garmin electronics, and a smooth Honda 250hp four-stroke engine, the test boat tipped the financial scales as a just a smidge under $100,000.

A base boat with a 150hp outboard will start at $74,999 and with that you still get plenty of standard inclusions.

When we first stepped aboard via the transom door leading from the swim platform, we noticed an expansive cockpit in which you can actually walk around without bumping into other crew or tripping over equipment.

Seating abounds with back-to-back numbers on the port side under which is a massive fish box. The lid of the box rises with the seats on two gas struts and, when you’re not fishing, doubles beautifully as a cooler for food and drinks.

Down aft, there is a comfortable lounge which folds neatly up and away leaving a smooth transom with a thigh bolster if you want a clean cockpit for fishing. Forward on the starboard side is the plumbed live well which doubles as another seat.

The helm is forward of this -- and a great little station it is. It’s well laid out with everything clearly marked and easily accessed.

The helm seat is comfortable and fore-and-aft adjustable. I did, however, find it just a little low with the seat bolster in the normal position. In the raised position, it afforded plenty of vision, but at speed it was a trifle high giving the face a bit of a buffeting.A minor gripe on what is a very good helmstation.

Our test boat was fitted with a Garmin GPSmap 750S which slotted nicely in the allocated spot on the fascia. It features a 7-inch screen but anything bigger is out due to the size of the fascia moulding. With a bit of electrical rejigging, you could replace the plate on the left of the helm to fit another screen, but for the test the Garmin worked beautifully. 

Also at the helm were the remote control for the excellent Clarion stereo system, a 12-volt plug and a Garmin GMI 10 multi-function display.

On either side of the three-spoke adjustable wheel were a series of rocker switches for electrics and, on the port side, the controls for the Lenco trim tabs.

Both the skipper and the passenger are protected from the elements by a sturdy alloy-framed walk-through screen.

Over on the port side, the console opens to reveal the head which sported a Vacuflush loo, heaps of cuopboard space for storage and the head unit for the stereo system. This area is lockable so you can leave valuables in here when docked or on the trailer.

In the bow, there is comfortable seating for three or four and an infill that can convert this space into a lounge area. When the boat is in fishing mode, the cushions are left out and the area becomes a casting platform.

Under the seats are insulated fish boxes that double as storage for lifejackets and the like, while up front is an anchor locker. Alas, no bow roller.

Our R227 on test was powered by Honda’s BF250 'Silver Bullet' four-stroke. This is quite a new engine having been released just last year. The BF250 is not just a rehash of the 225hp. Displacing 3.6 litres, this big-bore V6 features a new slim design and incorporates many of Honda’s automotive engine features.

One of these features is Honda’s VTEC which, simply put, engages a high-lift cam at around 4500rpm to give more power and torque to the top end of the rev range. The result is a free-revving, high performance engine that gives great response right through the rev range. 

This engine also features Honda’s BLAST technology which is activated through rapid throttle movement and advances the ignition timing to give more low-speed torque and hence better hole-shot performance.

Our boat was fitted with electric/hydraulic steering which was smooth and light but also very direct and not vague as some over-assisted systems can be. Access to the steering was via a side door on the helm console. There's also good storage in here as well as a tackle locker.

While we're on the subject of access, it's certainly worth noting the access to the batteries. Down aft, the whole of the inside of the transom lifts on gas struts to reveal a really neat twin battery setup. In here you find the batteries neatly tied down in their seperate wells, there's also an isolator switch and a charging setup. It's also from there that you can access the bilge pump. All very neat and beautifully finished.

Our test area of Port Albert was perfect for this boat: smooth, unruffled water close in, getting a bit choppier out near the bar with a bit of wind and tide, then the sharp wave action heading out and finally the big, smooth rollers of Bass Strait.

Fortunately, our first test day was quite benign with a swell of about 1.5-2.0 metres which were standing up a bit on the run out. We weren’t being silly but no matter what we threw at the R227, it was gobbled up by the hull. No water on the screen, no bashing and thumping... it even had the importer impressed.

Once out in the blue water, we stopped the boat and pretended to do some fishing to check the all-important stability at rest. We found we could put three blokes on one side and not upset the boat -- even with a bit of chop -- and moving from side to side didn't faze the hull either.

Heading back running down-sea, the R227 was equally good. We could run down the waves, up the next one and punch over the top again with hardly a movement. Similarly, in tight manoeuvres the boat felt as though we could do just about anything and wouldn’t unsettle.

Back in the predominantly smooth waters of Port Albert, we found a top speed of around 33 knots at 6200rpm (WOT) and a comfortable fast cruise of 24 knots at 5000rpm. A slow cruise of 17 knots was achieved at 4000rpm which would obviously be the most economical cruise on the plane.

The Robalo is not a cheap boat, but you get what you pay for. The test boat at around $100K is chocked-full of features and options. It is available from around $75,000, but that’s with a 150hp Mercury and none of the options -- we reckon that’d be underselling a boat that deserves better.