The Salt Water Sportsman staff was all around at the 2016 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. Below are the new boats of 29 feet and smaller that caught the editors’ eyes.
Robalo 247
The Robalo 247, a 24-footer, features a transom door, fold-down transom seat with protective cover, a premium stereo with four speakers and a fiberglass cabin headliner. It carries 135 gallons of fuel and 13.5 gallons of water.
Specs
Length: 24′
Beam: 8’9″
Draft: 20″
Fuel: 135 gal.
Water: 13.5 gal.
Deadrise: 22 degrees
Weight: 5,000 lbs.
Max HP: 400
Albemarle 29 Express
The 29-footer features twin 350 Yamaha outboards, 310 gallons of fuel, holds 30 gallons of water, two 56-gallon fishboxes in the cockpit, a 30-gallon livewell in the transom and a 25-gallon ice/cooler box.
Specs
Length: 28’5″
Beam: 10’6″
Draft: 26″
Fuel: 310 gal.
Water: 30 gal.
Deadrise: 24 degrees
Weight: 13,000 lbs.
Max HP: 700
Grady-White Freedom 235
This new 23-footer features a fuel capacity of 115 gallons, a 160-quart insulated box in the rear and 89-quart insulated box in the bow seating area and an oversized head compartment with extra storage. It provides a single 250 or 300 Yamaha outboard.
Specs
Length: 23’7″
Beam: 8’6″
Draft: 20″
Fuel: 115 gal.
Water: 20 gal.
Deadrise: 20 degrees
Weight: 4,050 lbs.
Max HP: 300
Grady-White Fisherman 236
A 23-foot center console, this new boat provides a maximum HP of 300, a 115-gallon fuel capacity, a fold-away aft bench seat, and a 25-gallon livewell. It also offers the option of a single 250 or 300 Yamaha engine.
Specs
Length: 23’7″
Beam: 8’6″
Draft: 18.5″
Fuel: 115 gal.
Water: 10 gal.
Deadrise: 20 degrees
Weight: 3,900 lbs.
Max HP: 300
For more information, read our review of the Grady-White Fisherman 236.
Everglades 273cc
The Everglades 273cc features twin 250 HP Yamaha outboards, 20-gallon water capacity, 157-gallon fuel capacity and customizable options, including a Garmin VHF 200, Garmin GPSMAP 7616xsv dual displays, underwater lights and more.
Specs
Length: 27’3″
Beam: 9’3″
Draft: 18″
Fuel: 157 gal.
Water: 20 gal.
Deadrise: 20 degrees
Weight: 6,400 lbs.
Max HP: 250
Boston Whaler 230 Outrage
A new 23-footer from Boston Whaler, the boat offers a 16-gallon livewell, 225 XXL L6 DTS Mercury Verado with hydraulic steering and a fuel-water separator, plus a 110-gallon fuel tank.
Specs
Length: 23’0″
Beam: 8’6″
Draft: 18.5″
Fuel: 115 gal.
Water: 20 gal.
Deadrise: 21 degrees
Weight: 3,800 lbs.
Max HP: 350
Boston Whaler 280 Outrage
The new 28-footer from Boston Whaler has a fuel capacity of 186 gallons, 26 gallons of water capacity, a 30-gallon livewell and can fit 12 people on board comfortably. The boat can be customized to include five rod holders on the hardtop, plus speakers and more storage, and a bait-prep area with a 40-gallon livewell and three fishboxes. The boat also has two 300 Verado outboards powering it.
Specs
Length: 28’0″
Beam: 9’4″
Draft: 22″
Fuel: 186 gal.
Water: 26 gal.
Deadrise: 23 degrees
Weight: 6,200 lbs.
Max HP: 700
Barker 26 Open
The new Barker 26 Open features 90 gallons of fuel capacity — with the option for 125 gallons — plus 15 gallons of water capacity, a four-gallon optional floor baitwell, a 45-gallon leaning post baitwell, 100 percent vinyl ester resin, two optional 15-gallon transom baitwells and more. The standard features include a 140-gallon insulated fishbox, plus a 50-gallon insulated fishbox, under-gunnell rod storage for six rods and lockable rod storage for four more, LED lights and a step-down console.
Specs
Length: 25’6″
Beam: 9’3″
Draft: 14″ to 16″
Fuel: 90 gal. (with option for 125)
Water: 15 gal.
Deadrise: 18 degrees
Weight: 4,250 lbs.
Max HP: 627
For more information, read our review of the Barker 26 Open.
World Cat 280cc-x
The new World Cat 280cc-x features twin 300 outboards, a 17-gallon freshwater capacity, 30-gallon livewell, 220-gallon fuel capacity split into two 110-gallon tanks, 9 gallons of wastewater capacity and can fit 11 people comfortably.
Specs
Length: 27’6″
Beam: 9’2″
Draft: 14″
Fuel: 220 gal.
Water: 17 gal.
Weight: 7,500 lbs.
Max HP: 627
Wellcraft 262 Fisherman
The 260-foot center console features deep livewells, a fish box, rod holders and tackle storage for a comfortable ride with enough room for everything and everyone. It also provides a 158-gallon fuel capacity and comes in eight different color options: red, black, phantom grey, seafoam green, surf blue, black and white, light green and black and red.
Specs
Length: 26’4″
Beam: 9’0″
Draft: 20″
Fuel: 158 gal. (with option for 125)
Deadrise: 21 degrees
Weight: 5,700 lbs.
Max HP: 500
For more photos and information on new boats, see the best new boats released in 2016.
