Overview

Robalo Boats are tough and stylish, offering optimal deck space for crew as well as top-shelf production quality at a ­modest price. The R257 dual-­console punches above its class in performance, ­fishability and comfort.

The R257 proves a seriously fishable saltwater SUV that’s ready for diving, snorkeling, cruising and beachcombing—and, yes, it offers some ­luxury too.

The R257’s ride is smooth thanks to its deep, wave-cleaving deadrise. Well-positioned chines aid in crisp turns, and available Helm Master joystick steering makes mooring easy. The full-­maneuverability joystick system holds the boat when waiting for your turn at the fuel dock too.

Interior and Accessories

A wraparound ­windshield and a walk-through wind dam protect the cockpit from the elements. Wraparound bow seating is deep and safe, ­providing comfortable bolsters and rails all the way around. Standard silicone fabric upholstery is inherently UV- and mildew-resistant, supple, cool to the touch, and  stain-repellent. We love the look of the multiple textures and colors, complementary to any of the almost infinite color schemes available. The premium upholstery makes the custom captain’s chair even more luxurious and cool to the touch, and the ­bolster gives a better view when docking

For the No. 1 companion, a portside convertible lounge has a backrest that adjusts to form a single forward-­facing seat with a back-to-back aft-facing seat. Flip the backrest forward for an aft-facing lounge. Behind the captain’s bucket seat is an entertainment galley with sink and  pullout shower. A fold-away transom seat adds comfortable seating on the fly. 

For anglers, there’s a 30-gallon livewell with a high-­capacity pump that will keep hundreds of baits alive all day. Rod holders surround the cockpit, with six on transom, one on each gunwale and six in the hardtop to keep extra rods ready. Two 50-gallon fish boxes under the deck are macerated, and pulling your catch into them will be easy through either the transom door or the portside boarding door.

The Robalo R257 is ­hardcore fishable, with durable crew-pampering features and reliable outboard power.

Read Next: Robalo R250

How We Tested

• Engines: Twin Yamaha 200 hp outboards
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Reliance 14.25″ x 18″ 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 100 gal. Water on Board: 0 gal. Crew Weight: 700 lb.

High Points

• Optional Lenco Pro Control trim tabs automatically adjust for a smooth, level ride.
• The transom seat adds seating while still leaving space for a transom door.
• Standard hardtop includes six rod ­holders, dual storage boxes, LED spreader lights, tricolor overhead LED lights, four speakers, outrigger-ready mounts, and a ski tow point.

Low Points

• More tackle storage would be useful but would come at the expense of seating or the deck galley.
• The 9-foot-2-inch beam makes a permit necessary for trailering in some states.

Toughest Competitor

Blackfin does a good job of blending style, comfort and fishability in its 252 DC ($230,760 with twin 200 hp Mercury outboards in white). It is available with Mercury outboards in twin 150 or 200, or single 300 to 400 models. 

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

The post Boat Test: 2025 Robalo R257 appeared first on Boating Mag.

Robalos are tough, stylish, and ­offer optimal deck space for crew and top-shelf production quality at a modest price. The R257 leaped from the starting line to plane in 4.5 seconds and pegged the speedometer at 48 mph in our tests, and its wide beam gave more wandering space than many 25-foot dual consoles. 

Robalo’s R257 replaces bowrider boredom with a seriously fishable saltwater SUV that’s ready for diving, snorkeling, cruising and beachcombing, and it does it with luxury too.

The ride is smooth thanks to its deep, wave-cleaving deadrise, and the optional Lenco Pro Control tabs make manual trim adjustments superfluous. Crisp chines aid in precise turns, and available joystick steering makes the most awkward moorings easy to access.

On deck, the dual console has a wraparound windshield and a wind dam that protect the cockpit from the elements in cooler weather but open it up in warmer temps to join the wraparound bow seating, which is deep, safe and comfortable, with a bolster and rails all the way around. ­Robalo is one of the few companies that offer standard silicone fabric upholstery that is inherently UV- and mildew-­resistant. It’s supple, cool to the touch, and repels stains from sunscreen, red wine, soda and ink. We love the look of the multiple textures and colors, which can complement any of the almost infinite color schemes available.

The fishing cockpit is spacious with a foldaway transom seat. A portside lounge converts from a forward-facing passenger seat with lounge space behind, or flip the back bolster forward and the entire length of cushion is a lounge. Behind the captain’s bucket seat is an entertainment galley with a sink and shower head, with a 15-gallon water tank and storage. 

For anglers there is a 30-gallon livewell with a high-capacity pump to keep hundreds of baits alive all day. Rod holders surround the cockpit on the transom and gunwales, plus six are in the hardtop to keep extra rods ready. 

The Robalo R257 is hardcore-fishable, with durable, crew-pampering features and reliable outboard power.

High Points

• Optional Lenco Pro Control trim tabs automatically adjust for a smooth, level ride.
• Standard hardtop includes six rod holders, dual storage boxes, LED spreader lights, tri-color overhead lights, four speakers, outrigger-ready mounts and a ski tow.

How We Tested

• Engine: Twin Yamaha 200 hp outboards
• Drive/Prop: Reliance 18″ 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 100 gal. Crew Weight: 700 lb.

Pricing and Specs

The post 2025 Robalo R257 appeared first on Boating Mag.

Here’s a baker’s dozen of boats we think rate “must-see” status at the 2024 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. From fishing boats to luxury boats to deck boats, these craft all share one thing in common: they possess some new, different or interesting design, construction or layout characteristics that we think boat buyers who consider themselves true fans of powerboats will be interested in learning about.

We’ve included the location of each of these must-see boats at either the Bahia Mar Marina or the Broward County Convention Center. Download the FLIBS app (available on both Google Play and the Apple Store). Map your route, hit the show and get your boat geek on!

Read Next: Must-See Marine Electronics at the 2024 Fort Lauderdale Boat Show

Axopar 29 CCX

What: Termed a “hybrid center console” it is said to meld full on fishing with a refined experience underway.

Why: Modular cockpit offers four different layouts.

Where: Bahia Mar F/G Dock 49 (Nautical Ventures Dock)

Beneteau Antares 9

What: Termed, “The Ultimate Weekender,” this 30 footer offers two private cabins, a full galley and a head with shower.

Why: Truly private stateroom with solid bulkhead not a curtain.

Where: Bahia Mar, G/H Dock 29

Monterey Elite 30 OB

What: Honored as a Boating Magazine Boat of the Year category winner: Best Small Dayboat.

Why: The center helm is a true wow!

Where: Convention Center 2027

Phenom 43 Center Console

What: A no-holds barred CC said to offer performance, luxury and fishability. Fathom E-Power battery system extends the adventure without the need for a generator’s noise and fumes.

Why: The trademarked Phenom NextStep 3-Piece Hull Design is innovative and unique.

Where: Convention Center 2084

Sea Pro 225 FLX Sandbar

What: A unique take that offers versatility with an emphasis on those boaters who enjoy hitting the beach or sandbar.

Why: The special table that installs at water level for entertainment while wading and swimming.

Where: Convention Center 2030

Grady-White Freedom 345 DC

What: Grady-White will debut a new Freedom 345 dual console.

Why: This wide-beamed dual console sets high bars for luxury, fishability and quality.

Where: Convention Center 2025

Sōlace 28 HCS

What: This new bay boat is unique from design, to build to layout.

Why: The excellent execution of the convertible transom which transforms from seating to casting platform while concealing two 50-qt coolers.

Where: Convention Center 2021

Sailfish 232 Center Console

What: A category winner for Boating Magazine Boat of the Year 2024; honored as: Best Small Fishing Boat.

Why: Excellent mix of construction and standards for its price.

Where: Convention Center 2081

Regal 38 SAV

What: This boat cruises, fishes and entertains while displaying little compromise regardless of the activities you pursue on the water.

Why: Multi-position captain’s seats. Ever see a chair become a table? See this boat!

Where: Bahia Mar, H-Dock

Robalo R257

What: They say this boat is a leap forward in boat design.

Why: Check out that hardtop!

Where: Convention Center, 2061

Sea Ray SDX 230 Outboard

What: The latest outboard-powered deckboat from Sea Ray, the year 2025 model SDX 230. (*SDX250 shown in picture)

Why: Will it be luxurious, functional, or both?

Where: Bahia Mar, Dock G/H 45

Boston Whaler 330 Vantage

What: They say that this versatile model is the final piece in the evolution of Boston Whaler’s  dual-console lineup.

Why: Boston Whaler always showcases some cool and new features with new models.

Where: Bahia Mar, Dock C 300

NAVAN S30

What: The new NAVAN open-air center console.

Why: Unique T-Step Hulls.

Where: Bahia Mar, GH Dock

The post Fort Lauderdale Boat Show 2024: Must-See Boats appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

The Kevlar-reinforced fiberglass hull has a 23-degree deadrise, the sharpest in its class, ­designed to slice chop and angry seas while protecting the crew from impact. The fiberglass hardtop has an integrated three-panel tempered-glass windshield, and its structural support is built into the console for streamlined and sturdy good looks.

That’s just our first impression after stepping up at the dock, then taking it for a spin. We also ­noticed its sleek lines. The high bows of the early Robalos were gone in the new R250. They now kept plenty of stem height and bow sheer to shed oncoming seas, but not so much to disturb the forward view on acceleration. The hardtop was rakishly slanted, enhancing the performance look, and the ­colored side bands worked together to give the boat a sporty, stylish appeal.

Interior and Accessories

The helm seat was comfortably positioned for an uncrowded but safely snug position sitting or standing behind the wheel. Dual 12-inch Simrads not only gave us all the navigation and sonar data we needed, but all the ­engine-operating information was fed through them for display as well. And the dash was topped off with a Yamaha display below the portside Simrad.

Acceleration was lively getting on plane in under 4 seconds, and that’s ­impressive with two inline four-cylinder Yamahas pushing more than 25 feet of hull with a 9-foot-2-inch beam. Also impressive is its lateral ­stability at rest or trolling—thanks to that wide beam. It won’t pitch the crew around while idling in ocean seas. 

That wide beam also gave a broad battleground for fish fighting and a deck that easily converted from fish to play. Fish with the transom seat tucked away, giving access to the large 30-gallon transom livewell, six shotgun rod holders in the transom, and two each on the gunwales. We had the optional leaning post with rigging station and cooler. With it, you ­sacrifice the four rod holders in the standard seats, but  there are still four more in the ­hardtop. We’d choose the better helm seating. There are two more rod hangers under the ­starboard gunwale, and the coaming is padded with marine mat foam to protect the reels in rough water. 

Anglers can boat their fish via the ­transom door or the portside boarding door—the ­latter being a pleasant surprise in a moderately sized and priced center-console. The stowaway ­side-door ladder is optional ($1,420), and it has a dandy dedicated storage rack under the transom hatch. Fish can be stowed in the floor lockers or in the bow lockers under the seats. Even with the seating cushions in place, forward seat hatches lift upward, allowing convenient access, and remain up until placed down, so fish can be slipped in without multiple hands. 

For playtime, keep the forward seat cushions in place, making a large forward lounge with two forward-facing seats accommodated by removable backrests. An optional bow filler cushion turns the area into a sun pad. The bow area is surrounded by grab rails of thick, polished stainless steel for security and comfort. Plus, there is still another comfortable upholstered seat on the front of the console. It’s on heavy hinges to allow it to swing forward, opening a cozy head compartment for changing. It can also be equipped with a portable or, as was our tester, a flushing porcelain head. With ladders on the transom and dive door, you have a heck of a platform for diving, snorkeling, swimming, or just wading around the ­sandbar. A cockpit shower and ­raw-water ­washdown remove sand and salt from the ­swimmers or fish blood from the deck.

A simple lean bar with a cooler is available, but we liked the upgraded seat with rigging ­capabilities. You can add outriggers at the factory, and if you think you’ll want them, it’s better to have them installed by the builder.

Many boatbuilders offer 24- and 26-foot ­center-consoles, leaving Robalo’s 25 in the matador ring with premium-priced ­models from builders such as Grady-White and Boston Whaler. In spite of these brands’ higher price points—Whaler’s 250 Outrage center-console hits a base price $215,123, with comparable power and optional hardtop—­Robalo has many comparable fishing and ­cruising features at a lower base with a standard hardtop. The question of value is deciding what’s worth it: a Ferrari F8 for $330,000 or a Corvette for $130,000? They’re both worth it, and they’re both going to get you a date to the prom. You’ll be a foot shorter in the Sailfish 242 ($163,802 base with dual 150s) and 2 inches narrower. Certainly there is plenty to support the higher-priced Whaler, but we found plenty aboard the Robalo to boost the ego and pride in ownership. So, apples to apples is hard to find. All that said, while there certainly are other 25-foot center-consoles out there, ­Robalo’s stands out in its field for good looks, value, ­long-lasting ­durability, good resale, and stellar brand ­reputation.

Read Next: Robalo R266 Cayman

How We Tested

• Engines: Dual Yamaha F200
• Props: Reliance 14 1/4″ x 17″ stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.86:1 Fuel Load: 150 gal. Water on Board: 0 gal. Crew Weight: 450 lb.

High Points

• Standard hardtop has a special e-box above.
• The tempered-glass windscreens are more durable than acrylic windows.
• The 9-foot-2-inch beam generously adds deck space for fun, fishing and entertaining during cruising.

Low Points

• With dual screens, there’s a shortage of dash space for a VHF. Mitigate with an Icom command mic system with remote radio.
• The wraparound tempered-glass windshield is super in rain but confining in fair weather.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

The post Boat Test: 2024 Robalo R250 appeared first on Boating Mag.

The new R266 Cayman from Robalo represents the largest model in the brand’s bay-boat line. But it’s more than an inshore fishing machine. With a HydroLift multiangle running surface, Kevlar-reinforced hull, deep padded midcockpit coamings, 110-gallon fuel capacity and power rating of 425 hp, the R266 offers offshore capabilities too. A hydraulic jack plate maximizes performance. A hardtop and three-sided glass windshield envelop the helm, which is wide enough for a pair of 12-inch multifunction displays. The leaning-post helm seat features a flip-up bolster. A 9-foot-4-inch beam lends stability on the bow and stern casting platforms. Crew can rest in the forward U-shaped seating nook with backrests to create a pair of loungers. There’s lockable rod stowage below. A double-wide seat folds out from the aft casting platform. The forward-opening console grants room for a marine head. A 30-gallon livewell resides under the aft platform, while a 20-gallon well lies under the bow deck. The base price of $114,795 includes a tandem-axle aluminum trailer.

Pricing and Specs

Robalo Boats – Nashville, Georgia; 229-686-7481; robalo.com

The post 2021 Robalo R266 Cayman appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

Robalo’s 246 Cayman SD packs a lot of deck space, fishing amenities and relaxation features into this broad-shouldered bay boat, making full use of its 9-foot beam. It’s transom deadrise is 16 degrees, giving it a softer ride than most other bay boats sporting a 12- to 14-degree deadrise.

The boat rides tall in the water, giving riders a feeling of security and an extremely dry ride. That’s what we experienced in our test drive near Daytona, Florida, when we borrowed the 246 Cayman SD from Tom Barrett at Dealer’s Choice Marine and took it out on the windy Intracoastal Waterway. Also evident is the firm tracking in turns, the stable deck underfoot, and the lack of drumming as the hull crushed the chop. At rest, the 9-foot beam provides an unsurpassed steady casting platform.

Interior and Accessories

The 9-foot beam’s stability also adds confidence when skippering from the upper station. The seat is perfect for two people, and the dash has ample room for a Yamaha Command Link display and a second chart plotter of your choice. The upper station is easily accessible from both sides via powder-coated ladders designed to enhance solid durability and styled for good looks.

Under the console is a roomy chamber for a portable head, storage, and easy access to the electronics and NMEA 2000 backbone.

The 246 Cayman SD is a tournament-ready angling platform. Rocket launchers totaled 12 in the hardtop, second station seatback and leaning post. Then there are dual undergunwale rod holders on each side. On top of the gunwale there are four rod holders per side. That’s a lot of storage.

Dual livewells give 80 gallons of bait-carrying capacity, and rigging can be handled easily behind the leaning post. There’s space for a 114-quart Igloo beneath it too.

Best of all, this is all accomplished while providing comfortable sun lounges with stowable cushions and backrests at the bow. Those combined with the forward console seat, dual leaning-post seat, and aft double jump seat that folds out from the casting platform make this an ideal family-fun boat for full fishing crews.

How We Tested

• Engine: 300-hp Yamaha 4.2 L V-6 outboard
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/SWS II 15.5″ x 17″ 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 75 gal. Crew Weight: 400 lb.

High Points

• Tempered-glass windshield.
• Clear, removable plexiglass dividers keep different baits separate.
• Ample compartment under the console opens from the front for easy access.

Low Points

• Narrow hardtop provides less shade, but also less casting obstruction.
• Limited helm space for electronics, but ample for most boaters with a single chart plotter.

Toughest Competitor

Look at Ranger’s 2510 Bay with a Mercury 300 and upper station ($109,667 base with test power, without electronics, trolling motor and power poles). It has three standard livewells—one 30-gallon in the leaning post, a crustacean well aft, and a 30-gallon livewell forward. It bristles with rod holders and tackle storage. Forward seat cushions and removable backrests are optional.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

Robalo Boats – Nashville, Georgia; 229-686-7481; robalo.com

The post 2020 Robalo 246 Cayman SD appeared first on Boating Mag.

The S tacked onto the 206 Cayman’s name stands for seating, acknowledging how Robalo borrowed the passenger-friendly bow layout of the 246 Cayman in order to make this shallow-draft bay boat a more versatile choice for cruising and family duty.

Snap-in bow cushions create a U-shaped lounge recessed just below the forward casting deck, with four feet of stretch-out legroom both port and starboard, and a filler cushion in the forward platform step. Removable backrests on beefy billet arms slide into place for forward-facing backrests. A shallow coaming bolster adds an additional layer of comfort and security. Another seat awaits in front of the console with a full-height backrest and sturdy handrails to each side. At the helm, the double-wide leaning post features a flip-over backrest to let crew members focus attention aft. Twin jump seats are also integrated into the aft casting deck, their supportive seat backs pivoting into view on smoothly operating hinges.

That’s plenty of options for the family, but fishing remains a priority. Remove those bow cushions to reveal additional raised deck space covered in diamond-pattern nonskid. Open the full-length port hatch and discover dry stowage and space for four rods. The corresponding compartment to starboard contains a 45-gallon insulated fish box. More dry stowage is found below the center hatch. On the upper casting deck, the anchor-locker hatch features friction hinges, and there’s a plug for a trolling motor within. An 18-gallon livewell occupies the space below the forward console seat. With jump seats folded down, the aft casting deck spans the entire beam. The deck features a 15-gallon livewell in the center and stowage for a 5-gallon bucket to port.

While the look says shallow-water bay boat, the Cayman hull actually features 15 degrees of deadrise, Robalo’s Extended V-Plane bottom design and an aggressive hull flare. That makes for a boat that’s comfortable in skinny waters while also being competent running through bay chop. Our test boat was paired with a Yamaha 150 for a quick 3.5-second time to plane and a 46 mph top speed.

High Points

• Roto-molded helm seat base has a built-in 70-quart cooler.
• Helm features lighted compass, Yamaha digital gauges and storage nooks, behind an aluminum-framed acrylic windshield.
• Livewells feature ice-blue interiors, plus rounded corners to reduce bait shock.
• Six vertical stainless-steel rod holders; four rocket launchers on optional T-top.
• Six stainless-steel pull-up cleats show the Robalo logo.
• Four-step stainless-steel ladder under latched hatch.

Price: $48,021 (as tested)

How We Tested
Engine: Yamaha F150 XB
Prop: Yamaha Reliance 14 1/4″ x 18″ 3-blade stainless steel
Gear Ratio: 2.00:1
Fuel Load: 13 gal.
Crew Weight: 335 lb.

Robalo Boats – Nashville, Georgia; 229-686-7487; robalo.com

The post 2019 Robalo 206 Cayman S appeared first on Boating Mag.

With the smooth-riding, proven ­deep-V hull of its predecessor, the new R302 features a versatile interior designed for families that fish and boat together. The hardtop integrates with the console and leaning post/seating module. A full-height tempered bonded-glass windshield protects the helm, with a motorized vent at the top for fresh air.

Our test boat featured twin flat-mounted Simrad NSS evo2 12-inch ­multifunction displays on the 38-inch-wide dash panel. A nook to the starboard-side secures a cellphone, and a glove box on the port side opens to reveal a 12-volt DC power receptacle and dual USB ports. You can also stow items in a pair of cubbies atop the console.

The wheel and controls are located on the starboard-side to give the co-pilot a bit more elbow room to port. The twin helm seats offer individual flip-up bolsters and fold-down armrests.

The backside of the seating module on our test boat featured a covered ­20-gallon livewell and a stainless-steel prep sink with a freshwater shower nozzle and tackle stowage drawers. A 72-quart Igloo cooler slid out from below.

Six gunwale rod holders, a 25-gallon covered livewell in the port quarter, two huge in-sole fish lockers, undergunwale rod racks, stainless-steel toe rails, and a transom door in the starboard quarter mean this boat is ready for angling action.

To access the neatly rigged bilge, a hatch lifts upward from the transom. The R302’s anchor locker conceals an electric windlass and a freshwater washdown.

A 5-foot-wide bench-style seat flips up from the transom. The step-down head compartment features an electric porcelain marine toilet and a vanity with sink and solid-surface countertop. Access is via a front entry on the center console. U-shaped seating in the bow doubles as comfy forward-facing loungers. A table transforms bow seating to a dining area. Three fish lockers (two 40-gallon and one 50-gallon) reside under the bow seating.

Powered by twin Yamaha F300 outboards, the R302 popped onto plane in 4 seconds and reached 30 mph in 7.5 seconds. Handling proved outstanding as the Kevlar-reinforced hull carved turns at speed with confidence and predictability. In a cross sea, it remained pleasingly stable thanks ­largely to the R302’s 10½-foot beam.

High Points
* At less than $154,000 with 600 hp and nearly 30 feet length overall, this center console represents substantial value.
* Lounge seating and a table in the bow will appeal to non-anglers in the family.
* Hinged transom seat/hatch offers easy access to rigging and the bilge.

Price: $153,795 (base with twin Yamaha F300s)

How We Tested
Engine: Twin Yamaha F300s
Drive/Prop: Outboard/Yamaha Saltwater Series II 15 1/4″ by 19″ 3-blade stainless steel
Gear Ratio: 1.75:1
Fuel Load: 80 gal.
Crew Weight: 600 lb.

More Information
Robalo Boats – Nashville, Georgia; 229-686-7481; robalo.com

The post Robalo R302 appeared first on Boating Mag.

You don the goggles, sit in the simulator and, ” experience,” the boat of your choice. What, “experience,” means is that you start the engine and run it across a gorgeous waterscape. Accelerate. Turn. Stop and drift. Take off again.

Had enough for now? Leave the helm and inspect the boat, seeing how it looks in the colors you choose, walking into the bow lounge, the head, and onto the swim platform.

The video only hints at how immersive an experience DRIVR is in reality…er…virtual reality. Check it out.

We’ll report more on DRIVR , as well as other virtual reality systems that pertain to your boating and boat buying experience, in the coming months.

TAKEAWAY: Stanley G. Weinbaum’s 1935 short story “Pygmalion’s Spectacles” describes a goggle-based virtual reality system with holographic recording of fictional experiences, including smell and touch.

The post Virtual Reality for Boats: Chaparral and Robalo DRIVR appeared first on Boating Mag.

For nearly a decade in the early years of the Robalo brand, its most prominent spokesman was Mark Sosin, IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame inductee and producer and host of Saltwater Journal. If you ever watched fishing TV in the ’80s and ’90s, you remember this: Robalo, the overbuilt boat.

And overbuilt it is still, in our estimation, but while the early idea of overbuilt meant a thick, heavy fiberglass-laminate hull that could pierce steel, today’s definition uses newer, lighter materials; finer, more polished hardware; and modern CAD design techniques that maximize space and fishability in ways the boats featured in Sosin’s old show cannot compete with.

Glass helms are increasingly common, simplifying engine rigging and improving data reliability, but not every boat builder—or boat buyer—is a fan of them.

During performance testing, the Robalo 317 DC proved solid and smooth-riding. Its dual Yamaha 300s delivered excellent midrange torque — so necessary in navigating heavy seas. For those moments of exuberance, the 317’s Yamahas produced sporty acceleration and a rewarding top speed. This is the response you expect from reliable power and a properly designed hull. With the combined deep freeboard, solid hull, and wave-cleaving stem and deadrise, the 317 could be an island cruiser, easily making Gulf Stream crossings in prudent conditions but capable of handling the unexpected slop that’s ­always likely to crop up when traversing ocean waters anywhere.

The 317 DC is even more impressive on comfort.

It begins with the ergonomic helm station. An extra-wide seat offers companion space, and it’s easily adjustable to attain the ideal reach to the wheel and flush-mounted switches on the dash. The throttles come to hand naturally, and it’s a short, convenient reach to the SeaStar Solutions joystick (optional at $15,790), giving -­ optimum control in tight quarters. The helm itself tilts, and a steering knob also assists with quick maneuvers. The dash is further enhanced with glass-helm instrumentation that blends engine data with navigation, sonar and radar displays in a convenient, easy-to-read format. In fact, screens on the Garmin or Simrad displays are easy to customize with multiple windows and data bars. Conserve fuel by monitoring miles per gallon as you cruise — when you’re aware of the burn, skippers can save enough in one trip to lengthen it or take an extra cruise a few trips down the road.

But this glass cockpit, or glass helm style isn’t universally applauded by all boat builders — or owners.

Take Grady-White.

Grady-White typically rigs exclusively with Yamaha Command Link instruments. Robalo factory rigs with Simard or Garmin displays linked to the motors. There is, of course, room to upgrade to a Garmin display as large as 22 inches at the Grady-White dealer and that can be made to report engine data. Either approach is strong, and Grady has consistently won awards for reliability taking their consistent approach.

You have to note that comparisons are hard with the Robalo 317 because at 31 feet LOA, the 317 DC falls between Grady-White’s 30-foot 307 and their brand new 32-foot 325. Note too, most other builders don’t offer dual consoles that large or as fully featured. And, while Robalo’s brand reputation and construction is laudable, only Grady-White boasts 50 consecutive years of constant ownership and operation.

And, comparing the two brands requires additional choices.

First, we were impressed with ­Robalo’s electric adjustable transom seating module. It can stretch out flat for a comfortable sun pad for two. You can lean the aft bolster upward to give a forward-facing recliner or lean the cockpit side ­bolster up to recline facing over the transom, but its more focused on recreation and comfort.

Grady, instead, opts for a fixed transom with L-shaped seating with side couch that extends electronically to complete the seating group. But fold it all away, something you can’t do on the Robalo, and you have a much cleaner fishing deck. Finally, to get the standard side dive door the Robalo offers, you’ll have to step up to Grady’s 325 because the 307, and most boats in its size, can’t offer it.

Forward seating on the Robalo boasts a full lounge to port stretching to the anchor locker. You can remove the cushions to preserve them from the hazards of ­fishing and use the bulkheads for casting platforms or access to the windlass in the anchor locker. The starboard-side console in the bow opens to reveal the head compartment. It took us a while to find that feature, with so many other boat models tucking the head behind the companion console opposite the helm. But there, we found ­access to a berth with storage, LED ­lighting, and a couple of rod hangers for stowing heavy tackle. The combination of berth compartment and head compartment was preferable to models that ­combine them into one area, in our book.

It’s hard not to focus on creature comforts in 317 DC complete with a full cockpit hardtop and electric sunshade, but the design of fishing amenities was just as impressive.

Rod holders in the gunwales are ready to troll, and rod stowage under the starboard gunwale plus six rocket launchers in the hardtop offered plenty of places to put the sticks. Access to the oval livewell was conveniently at hand in the transom to port. A tuna door offered another boarding option to starboard, but with the fish locker under the aft seat, accessible on the transom platform, we doubt fishers will use it to drag their catch on board.

High Points
* Back-to-back transom seat converts to a sun pad with an electric switch.
* Glass-helm design is simple, reliable and easy to operate.
* Upgraded stereo system has a full array of speakers plus a sound bar for added depth of sound.

Low Points
* In our prototype, the sun pad’s electric adjustable switch was inconvenient to access. Robalo stated that it will be relocated by this reading.
* Fishermen may find the fish box under the transom seat, accessed from the swim platform, a little awkward and small, but it does serve to keep scales and blood out of the crew area.

Price: $226,203 (with test power)

Available Power: Outboard

How We Tested
Engines: Twin 300 hp Yamaha outboards
Drive/Prop: Yamaha 15.25″ x 19″ 3-blade stainless steel
Gear Ratio: 1.73:1
Fuel Load: 125 gal.
Water on Board: 0 gal.
Crew Weight: 400 lb.

More Information
Robalo Boats – Nashville, Georgia; 229-686-7481; robalo.com

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