At first glance, the 2700 Open shows its slightly higher freeboard and V-bottom, hints of its prowess in a chop and open water crossings, which we confirmed during our test on the Indian River in Fort Pierce, Florida, during a windy afternoon.
Although this Pathfinder’s maximum power rating is 425 horses, the test boat was rigged with a Yamaha F300 four-stroke, which proved an excellent fit. It pushed the boat to plane in 5.8 seconds, accelerated effortlessly to a top speed of 52 mph, and let us cruise comfortably at 35.5 mph, turning 4,000 rpm while burning 11.7 gph and yielding 3.03 miles to the gallon. The sweet spot for economy and range, however, was 3,500 rpm, making 27.2 mph, burning 8.8 gph and yielding 3.09 mpg.
Equipped with a hydraulic jack plate, trim tabs and Optimus electric steering, the Pathfinder had a real sports-car feel. Despite the chop, the boat carved turns with no slide-out, and it was easy to fully trim for optimum riding characteristics in any direction. We also laid side to the wind and drifted with little ill effects as the stable 27-footer sat nicely with minimal lateral roll.
Our test boat came with a 36-volt Rhodan trolling motor with 84-inch shaft on the bow, a great option that, aside from the usual inshore duties, works beautifully to hold over or hover around nearshore wrecks. The forward raised casting deck houses a deep anchor locker and a cavernous storage compartment for life jackets and the like. A long, deep and almost full-beam-wide fish box hides in the step transitioning from the forward casting deck to the fore cockpit, where a large, in-deck storage bin provides considerable stowage.
Moving aft, a fully molded, removable cooler with handles and integral tie-downs serves as the forward console seat, with a backrest cushion attached to the console. Access to the console interior is to starboard; an optional head can be mounted inside, where there is also access to the breaker panel and the back of the electronics dash.
The business side of the console features a flush-mounted compass, large dash panel with room for a pair of 12-inch multifunction displays or one 16-inch display, and a full array of switches located below the electronics-mounting surface. The helm is offset to port with start/stop button, kill switch, trim-tab switches and optional JL Audio controls on the same plane, and glove box and angled footrest down below.
The optional T-top includes two glove boxes that allow access to overhead speakers, six rod holders (two of them angled, kingfish-style) on the aft end of the frame, plus four more at floor level, on the port side.
The helm seating module incorporates two deluxe helm chairs with folding arms and flip-up bolsters, battery compartment with storage shelf under the seats, and backrest with five rod holders framing a 43-gallon pressurized livewell with clear lid and side windows. Two more in-deck fish boxes stretch to port and starboard, just aft of the center console.
Moving to the rear, the Pathfinder folks went beyond the usual bilge access, placing on the centerline a hatch hinged high on the transom, creating an L shape that permits full-body access to service livewell pumps, bronze through-hulls and seacocks. There is plenty of room for cast-net and bucket storage as well, and over the bilge access sits another 22-gallon livewell with bubbler aeration.
The test boat had the optional foldaway jump seats in both corners, additional seating that quickly stows when it’s time to fish. Wide gunwales make it easy to walk on them for sight-casting or cast-netting, and rod storage under the covering boards holds a multitude of rod-and-reel combos for fly-fishing, trolling or everything in between.
Pathfinder is known for raising the bar on boat design, construction and rigging, and the latest model is certainly no exception. The 2700 Open checks a lot of boxes for demanding coastal anglers. It has the size, layout and performance to excel in numerous situations, and is loaded with useful and commonsense features and conveniences to make days on the water safer, more productive and enjoyable for the whole family.
Specifications
Length: 27′0″ | Beam: 9′4″ | Draft: 17″ | Fuel: 95 gal. (126 gal. optional) | Weight: 4,934 lb. w/ 425 XTO | Water: 12 gal. | Max HP: 425 | Price: $114,594 w/ Yamaha F300 | Pathfinder: pathfinderboats.com
Test Conditions
Weather: Partly cloudy | Location: Fort Pierce, Florida | Wind: Northeast 15 knots | Sea State: 2-foot chop | Test Load: Two adults, 90 gallons of fuel
