Whittley CR 2380 OB 2025 Review

Whittley is a third-generation, family-owned Australian fibreglass trailer boat manufacturer with a reputation for building high-quality, full-featured half-cabin boats and cruisers.

We have tested most Whittley models here at boatsales, but a couple of the family cruisers have eluded us until now – including the outboard-powered version of the CR 2380.

The CR 2380 is arguably the Goldilocks model in the Whittley cruiser range. It’s not too big to handle (and to tow), nor too small to accommodate and entertain a family of four to six people.

Smaller Whittley cruising models include the CR 2080 and CR 2180. Larger models include the (recently tested) CR 2600 and the range-topping CR 2800.

For this review, however, we present the Whittley CR 2380 OB paired with the maximum-power Mercury 225hp V6 four-stroke outboard.

Like most of Whittley’s larger cruising boats, the CR 2380 can be powered by a MerCruiser petrol sterndrive or with a single extra-longshaft (25-inch) Mercury outboard engine.

Entry CR 2380 OB boat packages come with Mercury’s evergreen 150hp four-stroke motor and a Mackay tandem-axle trailer with electric-hydraulic breakaway brakes for a driveway price of $188,990.

The standard Whittley CR 2380 comes with lots of good gear and equipment, but there’s an equally large range of options available so customers can personalise their new cruiser.

Our test boat was properly stacked with gear, fully loaded with options and accessories to make it ready for the weekend, good to go as an overnighter cruiser.

You can find all the test boat options itemised at the bottom of this article, but some of the most important stuff includes a Simrad NSX 12 multi-function display, trim tabs, electric winch and anchor system, lockable sliding cabin door, Vacationer pack with an integrated hot water system, dual battery and VSR system upgrade, full camper block-out covers and fly screens, rear bed option, swim board rails and cage, and a fibreglass targa bar.

With all the above extra kit, and when paired with a more powerful Mercury 225hp V6 four-stroke outboard engine and trailer, the Whittley CR 2380 OB is priced at $235,022.

The Whittley CR 2380 has a classic cuddy/half-cab configuration with an enclosed cabin with accommodation up front and a large rear cockpit with plenty of seats.

This layout is great for a couple and serviceable for a family of four, as the rear seating converts into a double bed, thereby boosting the sleeping capacity to four.

The forward cabin is surprisingly large and spacious too, while the two individual front berths are around 2.0m long with a maximum width of 720mm each.

The neutral-coloured, cloth-upholstered front berths convert into a large double bed with two hinged, folding infill cushions, and with another drop-in infill board.

Behind the helm station, beneath the starboard side cabin berth, is the included portable chemical toilet.

Elsewhere you’ll find sub-berth storage compartments, cabin side pockets, a suede/velour lining to the ceiling, twin cabin windows, front ventilation hatch, and an optional TV/monitor in the forepeak.

Just outside the cabin entryway on the port side is a passenger seat box moulding which incorporates several storage cupboards as well as a galley with a single-burner 12V cooktop, a sink with freshwater mixer tap, and a fridge.

Perched overhead is a comfortable bucket chair to match the pedestal-mounted (and adjustable) bucket chair opposite, in front of the helm station.

The sports steering wheel and throttle are well positioned on the dash to drive the boat while seated or standing.

The fascia panel itself is relatively narrow (to maximise the width of the cabin entryway), but there is sufficient space for switching, VHF and stereo radio head units, and the optional Simrad NSX 12 multi-function display.

The test boat was optioned with an overhead targa-bar for the mounting of the front bimini and the optional full camper covers, which allows owners to enclose/shelter the rear cockpit.

The rear covers can also be completely removed to open up the cockpit for day boating and entertaining.

Other features hereabouts include a black, anti-glare finish to the dash and helm beneath a curved glass windshield with wiper, as well as driver/passenger footrests.

The cockpit stretches about 1.2m behind the helm chairs aft to the port-side transom door/step, which leads out to the caged-off swim platform with stainless steel railing, pull-out freshwater shower rose, boarding ladder, and optional BBQ.

Down the starboard-side cockpit is a comfortable L-shaped box lounge with well-padded cushions and backrest supports.

Three storage lockers are located beneath the aft lounge, and each locker is lined with black carpet to suppress noise and to help protect your gear from damage.

Behind the aft bench seat there is a wide backrest which folds out to reveal a very handy ice box/cooler for your drinks and nibbles.

Beneath the hinged centre transom fibreglass moulding, seat and backrest there is also a cavernous storage space/mechanical room.

When more seating is needed, a longitudinal bench seat folds out from the side panel on the port side so that all of the aft seats can encircle the optional pedestal cocktail table.

With its deep-vee hull and overall length of 7.6m, the Whittley CR 2380 OB is a big trailer boat, easily capable of smoothing over heavy bay chop.

Offshore the fibreglass hull works a treat too, proving to be nicely balanced, sure-footed, smooth and stable during our sea trial outside of the Gold Coast Broadwater.

Back inshore, the CR 2380 feels quick and sporty enough to easily double up as a social ski/tow boat; the hull is manoeuvrable, responsive and safe through the turns.

With regard to engine power, you could potentially get by with the base Mercury 150hp engine package, but I would be optimising the performance of the boat by fitting a 200hp to 225hp outboard.

Paired with the maximum power Mercury 225hp V6 four-stroke, the test boat rips across the bay at a tad under 40 knots (74 km/h).

The Whittley CR 2380 OB is a ripper family boat, classy day cruiser, and marvellous weekender.

Is it the Goldilocks model within the Whittley Cruiser boat range? I believe so.

The CR 2380 is certainly easier to tow and haul about than the larger models, whilst still having ample seating, sleeping and living space for a couple and/or a family of four.

Model: Whittley CR 2380 OB
Length overall: 7.6m
Hull length: 7.2m
Beam: 2.44m
Deadrise: 20 degrees
Towing weight: 2550kg approx (dry, std. boat)
Maximum power: 225hp
Maximum engine weight: 216kg
Engines as tested: Mercury 225hp V6 four-stroke outboard
Fuel: 210L
Passengers: 7
Price from: $188,990 with a Mercury 150hp extra-longshaft (25-inch) outboard and a Mackay tandem-axle galvanised steel trailer with electric-hydraulic breakaway brakes.
Price as tested: $235,022. As above but with a more powerful Mercury V6 225hp extra-longshaft outboard, a Simrad NSX 12 multi-function display, trim tabs, electric winch and anchor system, lockable sliding cabin door, Vacationer pack with an integrated hot water system, dual battery and VSR system upgrade, full camper block-out covers and fly screens throughout, rear bed option, Infinity vinyl flooring, teal-coloured hull and upholstery highlights, black-colour canvas covers, deluxe full-length rear railing and swim board cage, stainless steel BBQ and mount, fibreglass targa bar, TV screen and aerial, underwater lights, 3 x 12V power outlets, deluxe boarding ladder.
Supplied by: Whittley Boats