Whittley CR 2600 OB 2025 Review

Whittley has been the leader in Australian-made family cruising trailer boats for decades. This family-owned-and-operated boat manufacturer has a legion of followers and enthusiast owners.

In the current Whittley boat range there is pretty much an even mix between the traditional Whittley CR family cruising boats, and the Sea Legend offshore fishing/family models.

For this review we have one of the modern classic cruisers, the stylish CR 2600 low-profile half cabin powered by a Mercury V8 300hp outboard.

The Whittley CR 2600 OB (Outboard) is available with Mercury outboard engines (exclusively) between 225hp and 300hp.

Entry Whittley CR 2600 OB models are paired with the Mercury V6 225hp extra-longshaft outboard and a Mackay tandem-axle electric-braked alloy trailer, for a base package price of $282,384.

Our test boat came fitted with a range of factory options as well as the Whittley Vacationer pack and the larger Mercury 300hp outboard – for a package price of $354,871.

General options included a new-style rear bimini with solar blanket and rear camera, traditional bimini for the sunroof, auxiliary motor bracket, bow thruster, and a set of Humphree automatic trim tabs incorporating underwater lighting.

Vacationer pack options included an integrated hot water system, dual battery and VSR system upgrade, stainless-steel pack rack and deluxe aft railings, rear bed option, full camper covers, flyscreens, electric toilet and holding tank, electric winch and anchor system, an LCD screen with DVD and digital TV antenna, 12V power outlets, and a Simrad NSX 12 multi-function display.

The Whittley CR 2600 OB is a purpose-designed cruising trailer boat with all the features and amenities a family might need for a weekend on the water.

The CR 2600 OB sleeps four comfortably (front double and convertible aft bed), and there is lots of seating, storage and living/entertaining space.

You also get a superbly crafted and designed hardtop with surrounding clears and drop curtains to enclose the aft cockpit, along with a shower/head compartment and galley facilities.

The forward cabin is lockable with a heavy-duty sliding door that tucks in behind the helm station when open.

Owners will appreciate the huge, reconfigurable double bed up in the bow, along with the cosy but light-coloured upholstery with the velour-lined ceiling and quality fabric berth cushions.

Cleverly, the front berth cushions/hatch covers are all hinged, so you can open them up single-handed to stow items inside.

Despite the Whittley’s low-profile, sleek-looking exterior, there is ample headroom over the berths and in the cabin entry way, alongside the port-side galley unit which incorporates a single-burner cooktop, fridge/freezer, sink with mixer tap, and storage space.

The standing-room shower/head compartment opposite has a sink with pull-out shower rose, storage cupboards and a portable toilet (electric toilet optional).

The helm station is designed so the skipper can drive while seated with a view out through the two-piece front glass windscreen – or stand-up through the open sun-roof for a panoramic view and some fresh air.

The helm station is otherwise straight-forward in design with a well-arrayed instrument panel and fascia that is suitable for flush-fitted engine gauges, switching, VHF radio, and the Simrad NSX 12 optioned to our test boat.

The fixed helm and passenger seats are both elevated and mounted on storage boxes, with an ice box/cooler located beneath the skipper’s feet, and a bar and wine cabinet behind, opening out into the cockpit.

Other features include sliding side ventilation windows, built-in stereo speakers, in-floor and side storage compartments, as well as optional EVA flooring.

In the rear of the boat there is a sumptuously comfortable wrap-around L-shaped lounge which converts into a double bed with optional cushions and infill boards.

Storage lockers are situated beneath each of the seats, with the aft compartment lined with black carpet to reduce noise/clatter from stowed gear.

Padded, vinyl upholstered side pockets/coamings double as backrests for the main port side seat and for the starboard side fore/aft folding bench seat, which leads aft to the transom door/step and out to the massive, gated swim/boarding platform.

Other features include stainless coaming rails, stern cleats and swim platform cage, along with removable cockpit and cabin pedestal cocktail tables.

Beneath the aft bench seat, and extending back beneath the rear swim platform, there is also a massive storage space where an inboard engine would be fitted on sterndrive models.

All things considered, and especially because this model has a road-legal towing beam of just 2.49m, Whittley has done a great job with the aft cockpit of creating a comfortable, luxurious living and entertaining space.

The Whittley CR 2600 is a big, high-sided, relatively weighty cruiser – and yet it handles and drives with surprising agility.

I was expecting it to be slow and ponderous through the turns, but whilst it does bank sharply when cornering, the hull is responsive and quick to change direction.

This big Whittley would not be my first choice as a ski/performance boat obviously, but you could easily use this boat for social towsports – towing the kids on tubes, etc.

Across bay chop and outside in the ocean swell I found the hull to be smooth riding and stable.

The CR 2600 does need trim tabs to counter wind-list, and thankfully there is the option to fit a set of Humphree or Seakeeper Ride trim tabs.

Our test boat was rigged with Humphree auto-trim tabs which do what they say – adjust trim automatically so you can concentrate on driving the boat.

The base engine for the Whittley CR 2600 OB is a Mercury 225hp V6, but I would not put anything less than a 250hp motor on this boat to maximise its performance potential.

Paired with the maximum 300hp Mercury V8 outboard, we recorded a top speed of 38 knots (70.3 km/h). That’s more than quick enough for a big family cruiser.

Range on 95% of the 210L fuel supply at 4000rpm: 95.1nm

The Whittley CR 2600 OB is a classy family cruiser and an excellent, Australian-made trailer boat, rivalling the best in the world for quality of construction, features and fit-out.

If this big Whittley is not on your family cruiser short-list, it should be, as it combines family features and amenities with speed and performance when paired with the max-power Mercury 300hp outboard engine.

Model: Whittley CR 2600 OB
Length overall: 8.5m
Beam: 2.49m
Deadrise: 19 degrees
Towing weight: 3100kg approx (dry, std. boat)
Maximum power: 300hp
Maximum engine weight: 275kg
Engines as tested: Mercury 300hp V8 four-stroke outboard
Fuel: 210L
Passengers: 8
Price from: $282,384 with a Mercury V8 300hp extra-longshaft outboard and a Mackay tandem-axle electric-braked alloy trailer.
Price as tested: $354,871 with a Mercury V8 300hp extra-longshaft outboard, Mackay tandem-axle electric-braked alloy trailer, new style rear bimini with solar blanket and rear camera, traditional bimini for the sunroof, auxiliary motor bracket, bow thruster, Humphree trim tabs with underwater lighting, Vacationer pack with an integrated hot water system, dual battery and VSR system upgrade, stainless-steel pack rack and deluxe aft railings and swim board cage, rear bed option, full camper covers, flyscreens, electric toilet and holding tank, electric winch and anchor system, an LCD screen with DVD and digital TV antenna, 12V power outlets, and a Simrad NSX 12 multi-function display.
Supplied by: Whittley