Robalo R247

A high-speed family-fishing hybrid with a deep-vee hull and Honda outboard venom tackles the rough stuff, while offering a softer side to woo the family aboard. And with more boaters hoping to keep everyone happy these days, crossover boats like this dual-console (bowrider) deserve a bigger look-in.

OVERVIEW
-  A functional, flash, five-star fishing and family boat
She wants to fish. You want to kickback with the family. And never the twain shall meet. Or will they? With this clever crossover dual console, you can have your tuna sandwich and eat it too. Certainly Robalo subscribes to the theory you can be all things to all boat buyers and their divergent crew.

Admittedly, we didn’t spend a day fishing or feet-up idling aboard the R247. But what we did do was unleash the twin 150hp Honda VTEC outboards spinning 17in three-blade Solas stainless-steel props to 6100 revs per minute. And it was a showing of domination for Robalo on a blustery Port Phillip Bay that would be the undoing of some flatter-bottomed craft.

With plush finishes, abundant seating, an upgraded amenities centre and separate stand-up WC/change-room, there’s no reason to preclude the family on this bluewater runner. In fact, the high degree of ride comfort and inherent safety makes the R247 an exceptional family dayboat.

At the same time, or perhaps earlier in the morning, you have access to a host of well-considered inbuilt fishing features to easily switch on your serious fishing mode. Two boats in one in a maxi trailerable without a whole lot of compromise.

PRICE AND EQUIPMENT
- A big 24-footer with some extra bling
You can get an R247 from about $123,000 with a single 200hp Honda outboard through importers Chaparral Australia, who also represent the namesake sister American brand made in the same factory. Hence the high level of comforts on the Robalo courtesy of some cross-pollination from pleasure-boat badge Chaparral.

Rated up to twin 200hp outboard engines, the test boat had upgraded twin Honda BF150hp VTEC outboards as a sweet match. These gave a top speed of 40 knots, which isn’t white-knuckle stuff. But it does translate to a fast 30-knot cruise at 5000rpm (250nm range) and a smooth family speed of 22 knots at just 4000rpm. The 500-litre-plus fuel supply and lean-burn Hondas certainly cater for a big day aboard.

The options were headed by the Comfort Pack, Entertainment Centre, Hard Top and Fish Pack. Together, with some other goodies and a Magic Tilt trailer, the drive-away rig was priced for $173,399 at the time of writing with the current exchange rate.

The Comfort Pack includes a timber trim in the WC, with solid countertop, sink and faucet. There were also Vacuflush freshwater toilet upgrade, folding aft cockpit lounge,  snap-in cockpit carpets, an anchor windlass package, docking lights and dual width co-pilot/navigator seat.

The moulded cockpit Entertainment Centre behind the helm pedestal seat is a neat bit of gear, incorporating a sink, Igloo portable cooler, 12v accessory plug for music and charging, and cutting board for serving lunch.

Overhead, the moulded hardtop adds to the Robalo’s overall high quality finish. The lid includes spreader and map lights, lifejacket storage, a rocket launcher for four fishing outfits, and electronics cabinet.

Then comes the Fish Pack. You get stainless-steel toe-kick rails to assist leaning outboard in the cockpit, inbuilt tackle storage, raw-water washdown, convertible cooler to live-bait tank, knife and plier holders.

With rod storage and rod holders, and a nice flush transom and padded cockpit surrounds against which to fight fish, the R247 is every bit the serious sportsfisher. The bow area also serves as a casting platform.

Electronic upgrades ranged from a Garmin 5209 GPS with sounder to a VHF, battery charger so you can leave the rig connected to shore or home power, to docking lights and power-assisted hydraulic steering, which certainly made for an effortless drive.

With the braked Magic Tilt trailer, and relevant permits due to the 2.67m beam,  the R247 will weigh in around 3000kg. That puts this big rig in the maxi 4WD tow-tug category. But most serious trailerboaters drive one nowadays. Otherwise rack and stack your R247.

LAYOUT AND APPLICATION
- Dual console for twice the fun and functionality
Essentially, the R247 is a maxi bowrider. But the American’s rightfully call these boats dual consoles, for there’s a lot more to them than just an open bow and forward seating area. The console ahead of the co-pilot is a fully fledged step-down WC bordering on a bathroom, while the console ahead of the skipper offers valuable storage for the boat’s alter-ego, stuff like entertaining tables, seat cushions and other cool kit. Needless to say, storage is vital in a dual-purpose fishing and family boat.

Meantime, you get a lot of seriously saltwater boat in the R247, as reflected by the heavy-duty stainless-steel deck gear and thoughtful positioning of grab rails. Up front, there’s a deep anchor locker (Robalo says you can stow 60 metres of rode), with concealed windlass and integrated Delta anchoring system with push-button control. The flush-mount popup cleats, smooth nav. lights and recessed driving lights won’t foul lines.

With non-skid on the flat foredeck you actually have somewhere to stand and step onto a jetty or pitch a lure of fly. With the bow cushions removed from the forward seating area you have an even bigger internal casting platform. A nice big internal stainless steel grab rail traces the forward ‘cockpit’, so there are plenty of intuitive handholds when standing or seated.

Add the cushions and you have a very comfortable area for four adults or some kids to ride aboard the R247. Padded backrests, drink holders and stereo speakers enhance the experience. There’s lined storage under the moulded seats, with both port and starboard lockers draining overboard in case you want to store more self-caught seafood.

Add the moulded table with drink holders and you instantly create a forward lunch setting on the R247. Drop the table and replace it with an infill and cushion and you have a forward sun pad. The easy fish-to-family conversion is assisted by the aforesaid dedicated storage for these comfort items inside the dual consoles.

A wind-door or dam can be locked in place to close off the bow section and keep cool winter air at bay. If you left the bow cover on you would have a runabout for all-seasons. Dressed in so-called outdoor or ‘technical’ clothing you could do a run in winter to a lunch digs somewhere.

The hardtop adds to the functionality and cool look of this boat. Sitting on a robust alloy frame, it casts welcome shade at midday, while providing radio and rod storage. You could probably add some clears to create an enclosure if you wanted. But given the sports performance, we like the R247 as we drove it.

The optional twin-width co-pilot seat is a beauty (tick this box), mounted on a trick pedestal that allows the seat to move fore and aft and swivel to face the folding transom lounge. With the pedestal-mounted table located in between, you have the aft cockpit lunch setting.

The skipper’s seat also swivels, while the moulded amenities centre alongside has the portable Igloo icebox, sink, drink holders, cutting board and food-prep and servery area. Snap-in carpet adds to the family luxury underfoot.

Meantime, a cursory glance reveals some serious fishing features, including heavy-duty flush-mount rod holders, gaff and rod racks in the hull sides, toe-kick bars for foot support when leaning outboard, knife and plier holders, and in-transom live-bait bin and fish/bait/drinks storage.  Taco Grandslam outriggers are a factory option for the hardtop if you want to troll bluewater.

There is also a large moulded underfloor cockpit locker for water toys, skis, boards and more fishing gear or perhaps really big fish. Padded bolsters add to the comfort whether fishing or family boating, while a transom door, non-skid topped transom decks, and a swim ladder enhance the functionality on the anchor. There is also a freshwater transom shower.

At rest, wearing the twin F150 Hondas, there was plenty of reserve buoyancy at the transom and in the bow of the R247. This, and the high freeboard and plentiful grab rails, enhance the seaworthiness of this serious dual-console bluewater boat.

HULL AND ENGINEERING
- Bluewater hull and big-boat engineering
The mouldings on the Robalo R247 are at once quite intricate and well executed with a premium gelcoat finish. This is a very smart looker, with a serious side by way of the heavy-duty stainless steel through-bolted deck gear, electro-polished stainless through-hulls, sturdy sportsfisher hardtop on alloy frame, and the top-shelf catches and gas struts on the hatches throughout.

The boat is rated to carry 10 people, read two families après fishing, and we think it will do that admirably. Offshore, the R246 will easily cater for four anglers. You don’t get the full fish-around value of a centre console or walkaround, but you do get a very fishy platform.

Robalo includes 'encapsulated reserve flotation' in its R247, which has a self-draining hull, and a very sharp 22-degrees of deep-vee deadrise on what it calls a HydroLift hull, that is, with variable deadrise. Kevlar reinforcing adds to the integrity of the strength of the hull backed by a 10-year warranty.

Outboard rating is up to twin 200hp models, but the 150s on our boat had enough eye-watering grunt. The transom has been designed so the engines tilt clear of the water if you plan to moor your R247.

On the electrical front, there’s a battery charger, twin automatic fore and aft auto bilge pumps, easy access buss bar behind the console, tinned copper wiring with waterproof connectors, and recessed Lenco trim tabs.

With the Garmin 5208 nav screen (and more electronics if you want), premium sound system, hydraulic steering and stainless-steel wheel with crank knob, you are ready to launch.

ON THE WATER
- A bluewater flyer for tackling and taming open water
Of all the test beds, that big puddle on Melbourne’s doorstep is hard to beat, especially when there’s a wind blowing. With serious bluewater cred’ from a deep-vee hull with a fine entry and big chines, the R247 was in its Australian element.

Running two-up in 20-25 knots of northerly saw the spray left well behind. Hole shot was snappy running lightly laden and with the throttles pulled back we easily held low-speed planing speeds at 2800rpm with the tabs down for 10 knots. At 3500rpm, tabs off, you get a smooth cruise speed for rough weather and for towing Little Johnny on the tube.

At 4000rpm, the R247 was returning 22 knots, and 5000rpm gave 30 knots, thereby giving realistic maintainable speeds in the key eco-cruising band. It was at about 4500rpm that the boat found its groove, charging across the bay at 27 knots for 49.2 litres per hour and a 260nm range. We could have circumnavigated the 164 mile-long shores of Port Phillip with a lunch stop.

At one point, we hit 40 knots (74-75 km/h) at 5200rpm wide-open throttle, spray flying, eyes watering and some yahoos thrown in for good measure. The helm affords excellent vision and you have a feeling of always being in control on the R247. The twin trimmable legs and trim tabs mean you have no excuse for not cruising in optimum running attitude and on an even keel.

VERDICT
- Offshore thinking with easy family conversion
With expanded boating possibilities at your fingertips and dual outboard dependability, there’s not a lot the R247 can’t do. We were thinking snapper trips on the bay, offshore runs to the game fish-grounds and FADs in summer, chasing sportsfish, dive trips for crays to Rotto, and blats to boat-only accessible surf breaks.

We were thinking of exploring distant islands and nearby ports of call and fast day cruises to the other side of the bay. And with big family flings with the watertoys in summer, you can tick all the boxes and keep everyone happy on your R247. Then, when it’s time to head home, just drop the throttles and let the sharp hull take charge.

Australians in the early stages of getting to know crossover boats, but the switch from fishing to family role is just so easy and effortless on this Robalo R247 you wonder why more of us aren’t going the multipurpose boating way.

LIKES
>> Excellent build quality, fit and finish and serious saltwater fitout
>> Top ride from a deep-vee hull bred for offshore boating
>> Seamless transition from fishing to family boating roles
>> Twin lean-burn Honda 150hp outboards and decent fuel capacity give a good range

NOT SO MUCH >>
>> Local market for dual-console crossover boats is in its infancy
>> There is newer outboard technology in the 150hp four-stroke outboard class
>> No fish-around access with the must-have hardtop

RATINGS
Overall rating: 4.78/5.0
Mechanical/equipment: 4.7/5.0
Packaging and practicality: 4.8/5.0
On the water Performance: 4.9/5.0
Value for money: 4.7/5.0
X-factor: 4.8/5.0

Specifications:
Price as tested: $173,399 with twin Honda BF150s, Magic Tilt alloy trailer, Comfort Pack, Entertainment Centre, Hard Top and Fish Pack and more.
Priced from: About $123,000 with a single 200hp Honda outboard
LOA: 7.32m
Beam: 2.67m
Deadrise: 22 degrees
Dry weight: 2268kg with engines
Weight on trailer: About 3000-3200kg
Fuel capacity: 526 litres
Water: 83 litres
Holding tank: 23 litres
Passenger capacity: 10
Maximum HP: 2 x 200hp

Supplied by:
Chaparral Australia
Anchorage Marina
The Strand Williamstown, Vic
Tel: (03) 9397 6977
www.robalo.com