In 1992, a handful of experienced, dedicated craftsmen formed a company to create the strongest, safest and most reliable boats on the water. They named their brand EdgeWater Boats.

Almost two decades later and about a dozen years ago, EdgeWater became part of the North Marine Group, known for its work on projects from America’s Cup racing yachts to the space shuttle. EdgeWater retains its small-company agility, responsiveness and drive, proud of its custom-tailored, no-robotics assembly.

EdgeWater 340CC

EdgeWater set out to craft a 34-footer truly matched to the needs of both angler and family. The result is the 340CC, its deep-V hull and generous length-to-beam ratio optimized to create a family-fishing machine.

Fishing amenities include a standard 32-gallon livewell and an optional and popular 38-gallon pressurized aquarium livewell with a clear front. 

Of 28 strategically placed rod holders, eight are dual-purpose rod/cup holders. The fiberglass top has more rod holders, and within the walk-in console is a pump-out head. Outriggers are among options, as is a console enclosure. Twelve lockable rod-holder inserts keep tackle secure. 

Among other storage areas, the 340CC’s forward lounge seat welcomes gear, fenders, buckets, or optional bow table or forward backrests.

At the helm, an integrated visibility step folds unobtrusively into the base of the helm seat when not in use.

Tunes are provided by a standard premium Fusion stereo with JL Audio speakers, amp and subwoofers. Anglers and family will enjoy selected Garmin electronics and an optional Seakeeper 2 gyroscopic stabilizer. Standard are twin Yamaha 300s.

Manufacturer’s Remark

The 340CC has a lightning-quick chameleon quality to change from fishy to family.

Performance Data

• Test Power: Twin 425 HP Yamaha XTOs
• Test Props: XTO Offshore 16 ³⁄₈” x 20”
• Test Load: Two people, 200 gal. fuel
• Test Speed: 58.8 mph at 6,100 rpm
• Max Range: 425 miles (90 percent of 340 gal. fuel capacity at 1.39 mpg, 30.9 mph, 3500 rpm)

Specs

Editor Says

EdgeWater’s 340CC adds family-friendly features that ensure dawn-to-dusk expeditions are fun  for everyone on board. The integrated visibility step at the helm enables anyone to comfortably drive with a commanding view forward. -Joe Albanese, Executive Editor Salt Water Sportsman

More Info

ewboats.com

The post EdgeWater 340CC: 2023 Boat Buyers Guide appeared first on Salt Water Sportsman.

The 230CX feels more spacious than glancing at the boat’s specs would indicate. Its length is listed at 22 feet, 8 inches, but the integrated swim platform—with boarding ladder, anchor storage, and starboard transom door—was designed to feel like an ­extension of the cockpit, essentially adding 18 more inches at the stern.

At the bow, there’s a stainless-­steel anchor roller and dedicated anchor locker with overboard drain. Its ­covering hatch is part of an elevated platform—leveled with the top of the gunwales—large enough to afford stable footing for cast-netting bait. Twin forward-facing seats double as loungers thanks to armrests and bolster cushions. Insulated compartments with overboard drainage under the seats serve as dry storage or fish boxes to ice down the day’s catch. A removable table with drink holders facilitates sharing cold beverages and snacks, and a filler panel with cushion quickly turns the bow lounge into a social zone for three or four.

The EdgeWater clearly places a premium on comfort. It boasts a family-­friendly, dual-console layout that puts a fully finished head compartment with port-a-potty opposite the helm, across the center aisle permitting transit from bow to stern through a door that works with the ClearView glass windshield’s hinged center panel to block the weather when closed. The fiberglass hardtop with powder-coated aluminum frame is standard. It offers additional shelter from the elements and provides an electronics box, spreader lights and nifty grab rails overhead, plus allows mounting of optional outriggers and weather curtains.

The helm houses a Ritchie compass, hydraulic tilt steering, 12-volt outlet, drink holder, catch for mobile devices, indicator switches for the recessed electric trim tabs and, on the dash, a full-width panel of waterproof switches, digital multifunction gauge, and enough room for a 12-inch multi­function display, plus stereo or VHF ­radio, with extra mounting space provided by the electronics box overhead.

The helm seat includes a flip-down bolster and armrests and is mounted on a fiberglass module with a strategically located prep station in back, complete with sink, cutting board, ­freshwater sprayer, dual cup holders, and cooler-storage slide. Portside companion seating backs up to a similar seat with a storage drawer beneath. The backrest that divides them flips down to form a bench facing the ­cockpit, where there’s additional seating for three with a sizable storage compartment inside, and a smaller compartment next to it that can be plumbed as an optional 28-gallon livewell to supplement the dedicated 12-gallon oval livewell on the port transom corner.

Underwater lights add to the dock appeal, and also attract bait and curious gamefish at night. Lighting under the gunwales brightens up the ­cockpit, and a raw-water washdown simplifies cleanup. Six combination drink/rod holders line the covering boards, increasing the rod storage, which also includes horizontal racks for three rods on the starboard gunwale, and four optional flush-mount holders on the transom, where you also find a retractable ski pilon. Other options include a fore and aft shade system, and anchor windlass.

Upon completion of our dockside survey, we took the EdgeWater out for a spin on the Indian River, where its ­snazzy performance made an otherwise ­dreary day fun. Pushed by 250 horses (max rating is 300), the 23-footer jumped through every hoop with the desired aplomb and precision.

The single-piece infused crossover hull cut through wakes at speed without pounding, creaking or rattling. Splash, which started even with the dash at planing speed and behind the helm seats when running wide open, was negligible, essentially stopped in its tracks by the boat’s design and configuration.

Handling was predictable, and the turning radius surprisingly tight. The electronically ­assisted steering ­completely eliminated feedback and torque on the wheel during abrupt turns. Acceleration proved better than average. It took the EdgeWater 9.1 seconds to go from still to 30 mph, and at wide-open throttle with three people on board, we clocked the boat at a smidgen over 42 mph, certainly zippy enough for most recreational activities.

With so much to ­offer in a boat this size, the latest EdgeWater is bound to be a crowd-­pleaser. Anyone looking for a fun and dependable multitasker that won’t break the bank should check out the 230CX and take one for a ride.

Specs

Length: 22’8″
Beam: 8’6″
Draft: 15″
Deadrise: 23 degrees
Fuel: 106 gal.
Weight: 4,623 lb.
Max HP: 300
Price: $127,600 w/ Yamaha F250
EdgeWater Boats: ewboats.com

Test Conditions

Weather: Cloudy
Location: Edgewater, Florida
Wind: Southwest 6 knots
Sea State: Smooth
Test Load: Three adults, 44 gallons of fuel

The post Boat Test: EdgeWater 230CX appeared first on Salt Water Sportsman.

In an age when center consoles keep getting bigger and bigger, EdgeWater offers an exceptional marriage of performance, style and comfort in a middleweight contender poised to match larger competitors blow for blow.

See more news and reviews of Edgewater Boats.

Boat Specifications

• Length: 26’5″
• Beam: 9’3″
• Draft: 21″ (hull only)
• Deadrise: Variable
• Fuel: 163 gal.
• Water: 19 gal.
• Weight: 5,000 lb.
• Max HP: 500
• Price: Upon Request
• Edgewater Boats website

Test Conditions

• Weather: Partly Sunny
• Location: New Smyrna, Florida
• Wind: Northwest 11 knots
• Sea State: Light chop
• Test Load: Two adults, 82 gallons of fuel

A lot of thought went into the design of the new 262 CC, starting with the single-piece infusion construction, a process that turns the hull and stringer grid into one solid piece, utilizing only the necessary resin for superb strength and rigidity with minimal weight. The deep-V hull and variable deadrise conquer choppy seas and provide a stable ride. The result is a craft equally suited for nearshore and offshore angling, with a 21-inch draft that also makes it capable of exploring bays and anchoring at a sand bar or protected cove for some relaxation or family fun.

While some of the features are obvious at a glance — like the hardtop with aerodynamic two-post frame and full-height, frameless Clear View windshield that stops wind and spray while virtually eliminating blind spots at the helm — there are numerous smaller but auspicious details that amount to great versatility and convenience.

The anchor locker with overboard drain, incorporates a horizontal windlass and space for plenty of rode, enabling easy anchor deployment and retrieval without getting the deck or your hands dirty. Remote latches make it a cinch to open the generous twin storage compartments (one of which is insulated) at the bow that double as forward seating and, with the removable table in place, convert the area into a full sun pad, a raised casting deck or the perfect picnic spot.

A forward console seat integrated in the large door affords entry to the walk-in console housing an electric head with holding tank, overboard discharge and pump-out, a freshwater sink with pullout shower and 19-gallon tank, and access to wiring and electronics.

The dash is wide enough to accommodate two 16-inch displays, with room to spare for a stereo, VHF radio, Command Link digital gauges and EdgeWater’s standard lighted, waterproof switches. A Ritchie compass, Lenco trim tabs, raw-water washdown outlet, SeaStar hydraulic steering and stainless-steel tilt wheel with power knob also come standard.

Helm lighting shines down from the hardtop, which also includes LED spreader lights, an instrument box and overhead life-jacket storage. Nestled in a fiberglass leaning post, a pair of adjustable bolster seats with arm and backrests allow the skipper and a companion to sit or stand at the helm. The slim design reduces the footprint, creating space for a sizable cooler on a pullout slide while taking up minimal room in the cockpit. On the aft side of the leaning post, a bait prep station includes a sink with freshwater faucet, cutting board and storage, with an electric grill available as an option.

Twin in-floor fish boxes (120 quarts to port and starboard) with pump-out hold a great day’s catch and then some. A large center hatch just forward of the transom hides a removable storage tray, with access to the bilge underneath. Aft seating accommodates three with a fold-down bench on the transom bulkhead.

Live-baiters are sure to appreciate the pressurized livewell on the transom — 40-gallon capacity with a clear lid, lighting and calming blue finish — and the copious rod storage: four flush-mount holders on the gunwales, four more on the transom, a triple rack under the port gunwale, two rocket launchers holding a combined total of nine rods, and a rack that ­accommodates yet another pair of rods inside the port bow compartment.

Crew members and large fish always have permission to come aboard the 262 CC, so EdgeWater installed a pair of doors — one to starboard and another on the transom — to make it easier, with a telescoping ladder on the swim platform to further aid anyone who goes for a dip.

OK, so the boat comes loaded, but what about the ride? I ran the 26-footer both in the Intracoastal Waterway and outside Ponce de Leon Inlet in 2- to 3-foot rollers to find out. The first thing I noticed was how quickly our test boat, powered by twin F200s, jumped on plane. In fact, despite it being 100 hp below its max power rating, it went from 0 to 30 mph in just 6.5 seconds.

Next, I punched the throttle to check the top-end speed and clocked 51.1 mph at 6,100 rpm, almost identical to what Yamaha reported on its performance bulletin. Efficiency proved highest at 3,600 rpm, which pushed the boat to a cruising speed of 27 mph while burning only 11.1 gph, numbers that translate into an approximate range of 407 miles with a full tank.

I found the handling just as impressive. The phrase “turns like it’s on rails” may be cliche, but it certainly applies to the 262 CC, which negotiates tight turns with no sliding or excessive leaning, so you better brace yourself if you attempt one at high speed.

The EdgeWater is spacious, comfortable and swift. Visibility at the helm remains excellent from takeoff to top-end. The 262 provides the feeling of safety that comes from a solid hull under you. The locations of controls, storage, seating and fixtures, like rod holders and cleats, seem intuitive, and with so many standard amenities, you’ll be hard-pressed to find additional options you couldn’t live without.

The post EdgeWater 262 CC – Boat Review appeared first on Salt Water Sportsman.

Specifications

LOA: 21’8” Beam: 8’6” Draft: 13”

Fuel: 55 gal. Max hp: 250

Base price: $56,717 with Yamaha F200 outboard

EdgeWater: 386-427-9783 • ewboats.com

With $4 a gallon gas becoming a fact of life, smaller boats that are stingy on fuel make good sense these days, ­especially when you’re fishing bays, tidal rivers and other protected waters. That’s the thought behind ­EdgeWater’s 210IS (IS stands for Inshore Series) ­— an ideal boat for those trips when you plan to fish close to home with just a buddy or two.

This bay boat sports a 21-foot-8-inch hull that draws just 13 inches (with the outboard up) for chasing inshore species such as bluefish, redfish, tarpon, snook and striped bass. Yet when weather permits, it can also take you out to fish wrecks and reefs for kings, grouper, snapper, and more. With an 8½-foot beam, it boasts 65 square feet of usable cockpit space.

Yamaha’s new four-cylinder F200 four-stroke outboard powered our test boat. This lightweight engine mates perfectly with the 2,400-pound 210IS, propelling it to an impressive top speed of more than 48 mph in the waters of Biscayne Bay near Miami. This boat-and-engine combination jumped on plane in just a tad over four seconds, and reached 30 mph in about six seconds during our test. At the same time, the F200 offered fuel economy in spades, achieving 5 mpg at 3,500 rpm and 25.6 mph. That equates to a range of 250 miles with the 210IS’s 55-gallon fuel tank. Maximum rated horsepower is 250.

The 25-inch transom features fiberglass-composite construction, and the 210IS is also unsinkable, thanks to full-foam flotation. In addition, the gunwales are 21 inches high, and the deck is completely self-bailing. That’s ­reassuring, especially if you happen to get caught in a blow.

Performance with a single Yamaha F200 outboard

The 210IS features a simple — but effective — angling layout. Knowing that most of the action will take place up front, ­EdgeWater designed the boat with an expansive casting platform in the bow that can easily accommodate a pair of anglers, as well as a bow-mounted trolling motor. In the forepeak is a big anchor locker, while the casting deck houses three dry-storage lockers, all featuring hatches with gelcoated undersides, gas-assist support struts, gasket seals and compression latches. Storage for four fishing rods is built into the lockers on either side of the bow deck. The center compartment can double as a fish box.

There’s also a small casting deck aft with enough room for a single angler, and under it you’ll find three ­compartments: an 18-gallon livewell in the center and access to rigging — as well as storage space — in the two side compartments.

The center console is packed with functional features. A stainless-steel steering wheel with the EdgeWater logo etched in the hub controls the SeaStar hydraulic steering on the port side of the console, and there’s a built-in pad for mounting the throttle-and-shift control box, as well as the control panel for the optional Lenco trim tabs, to starboard of the wheel. A pair of recessed stainless-steel drink holders and a grab handle are also situated on the starboard side of the console. A panel of 10 switches controls everything from the four courtesy deck lights and electric horn to the bilge pump and raw-water washdown system.

The dash will accommodate flush-mount flat-panel displays up to about seven inches, with room for a larger bracket-mounted display atop the console. The helmsman can easily read the EdgeWater custom compass while under way. A thick acrylic windshield provides a bit of protection from wind and spray, while a beefy grab rail surrounding the console offers a sturdy handhold for your angling partner.

A removable hatch on the backside of the console provides ­access to the dual-battery system secured in a well that’s below deck to help keep the center of gravity as low as possible. The console will also store small items such as sunscreen and sunglasses. The ­upholstered passenger seat back in front of the console unsnaps to reveal a waterproof tackle locker containing three Plano tackle boxes. Unsnap the seat bottom, and you’ll find a 12-gallon livewell. A latching waterproof hatch keeps water from sloshing out in rough seas.

The padded leaning-post seat on the 210IS proved ­comfortable and secure during our test, even during some maneuvers in which we brought the boat about at high speed. Below the seat’s anodized-aluminum frame nestles a 72-quart cooler for keeping drinks and food iced while you’re out for a day of fishing.

Handling proved exceptional for this size boat. The 210IS hull knifed cleanly through the one- to two-foot seas on test day, and landed smoothly when we challenged some big wakes generated by nearby yachts powering through the bay. The hull slid a bit in turns with the outboard trimmed up, but tracked well once we brought the trim down a bit. The 210IS needs very little tab to run well, except perhaps to level out unbalanced side-to-side loads or pop on plane more quickly when fishing shallow water.

A host of factory options are available to help enhance the fishability of the 210IS, including four Garmin ­multifunction units, a bow-mounted trolling motor and two different Power-Pole shallow-water anchoring ­systems.

No matter how you order it, EdgeWater’s 210IS combines first-class construction and features with remarkable fuel efficiency, giving new meaning to the term “economy class.”

The post Edgewater 210IS Bay Boat appeared first on Salt Water Sportsman.

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EdgeWater Boats has entered the inshore fishing boat market with the all-new 220 Inshore. A clean- and racy-looking rig designed to fish inshore waters, the 220 is up to the task.

We tested the boat on a blustery winter day near New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Its clean looks and crisp fit and finish first caught my attention. Its sleek sheer and raked stem make it look like it’s running 50 mph while sitting still.

The 220 is based on a good-riding hull design, and the one we tested came rigged with a Yamaha F250 four-stroke outboard, a great power option for the boat. EdgeWater’s Roger Taylor came along for the ride, and after he slipped the boat into the water at the local ramp, we headed off to put it through its paces.

Its 8-foot-6-inch beam gives the 220 excellent stability under way and at rest, especially when you’re walking a big fish around the boat. It’s easy to maneuver around the wide gunwales and never feel as though you might slip overboard. And it’s no problem to throw your cast net and walk it back to empty it in the livewells.

As we pushed the throttle up, the 220 jumped on plane and slipped along effortlessly at a leisurely cruise of 37 mph at 4,000 rpm. Wide-open, the boat ran over 54 mph. I was more interested to see how the boat drifted and felt actually running to the grounds. I liked the increased range and comfortable ride afforded when the boat ran in its sweet spot, and I’d say the 220 Inshore was quite sweet at 4,500 rpm, making 42 to 43 mph and burning around 14 gph, for about 3 miles to the gallon.

Our test boat was tricked out for fishing and well done. The clean foredeck has recessed pull-up cleats and is expansive, offering an anchor locker with a large hatch and a large casting deck. There is a dedicated place for the optional bow-mounted trolling motor, and I liked the removable mount set up on the demo boat – the only way to go, in my opinion, for its flexibility to suit your changing fishing situation. Under the wide casting deck, there’s a huge storage compartment perfect for keeping tackle bags and extra clothes dry and organized. The hatches are finished with carbon fiber on the underside for a neat and custom look when you open them.

The cockpit offers plenty of room to move around, and with 18 inches of freeboard, the 220 can handle a bit of slop, and you won’t feel like you’re going to be thrown out of the boat. The console is well thought out, with a forward seat that is plumbed as a livewell but can be used as drink cooler. Batteries are beneath the sole, under the console, and there is a removable door on the backside that offers great access. There are also three-rod vertical racks on each side of the console.

The helm is positioned to port, with room above on the dash for the Yamaha gauges and ample space for a 12-inch screen and stereo interface. To starboard, a switch panel with waterproof rocker switches offers fingertip control of every function on the boat. Two drink holders and an acrylic windscreen finish off the stylish and functional console.

There are several seating options available, but I liked the leaning post with a cooler underneath, the setup on our test boat. There are also several types of tops available, but again, I really liked the tower option that our test boat came rigged with. The tower gives you better visibility when running the shallows and when sight-fishing. It is set up with a second station and is very well built, with oversize pipe and a powder-coat finish.

The large aft casting deck has room for you to move about and throw a net or sling baits at oncoming fish. There are three compartments with carbon-fiber-finished hatches. The center contains a recirculating livewell forward and a smallish access to the bilge aft. The starboard compartment is dry storage, and to port is another recirculating livewell.

With single-piece-infusion and composite-core foam-filled flotation construction, the 220 Inshore is a well-built, finely finished fishing platform that’s designed to fish. The folks at EdgeWater should be proud of this boat, because the customers that buy it certainly will be.

EdgeWater 220IS

Length……22′
Beam……8’6″
Draft……13″ (boat only)
Boat weight……2,400 lbs. (approx.)
Person capacity……6
Fuel……65 gals.
Transom height……21″
Max hp……250
Price……$63,317 with a Yamaha F250 four-stroke outboard

EdgeWater Boats: 386-426-5457 • www.ewboats.com

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The dual-console EdgeWater 245 CX is a prime example of a boat built to cater to fishermen who are looking for more than a center console. The folks at EdgeWater know what they’re doing – they build quality boats, and they know their customers. The 245 is a crossover boat that suits the needs of the many folks who take their fishing with a dose of Sunday afternoon sandbar socializing and tubing with the kids.

We tested the boat out of Marco Island, Florida, with the folks from Trapper Custom Marine, the local EdgeWater dealer. Rigged with a single 250 hp Yamaha four-stroke, the boat planed off quickly and efficiently and had plenty of get-up-and-go. EdgeWater has continually improved its hulls since its early boats, and the 245 CX rides nicely, with no bang or slam when it comes off a wave, and isn’t noticeably wet.

We ran the boat out the cut at Marco and into the remnants of a winter front with chilly northwest winds, which left a swell to play in and really let us get a feel for the boat. I was impressed with its lateral stability while drifting in the trough; it bobbed like a cork up and over the swells instead of rolling with them, a great characteristic for bottomfishing and drift fishing.

The boat comes loaded with features that will please the family, including a large anchor locker with access from the forward deck – easy to work from, keeping anchoring a minimal chore. The spacious cushioned bow area offers seating with storage underneath, a recessed wraparound handrail, drink holders and a table that drops down into a filler piece. The 245 CX is unquestionably a very social boat.

Walk through the consoles and into the spacious cockpit, and you find a lot of fishing room. The wraparound windshield, with its swing-open center section, provides a great windscreen. It also marries to a door in the center section to close off the cockpit from the bow, reducing the wind blowing through the boat, a very nice feature for when you must close up the boat and leave it unattended.

The port console is remarkable because it houses a head compartment that you can actually get in – even big guys like me can use the head on this boat. It has a molded-in counter and sink, and the door has molded compartments for storage. It’s a truly well-thought-out space that makes the boat very family-friendly. With this feature, you might even be able to talk your wife into fishing more often.

The port companion section has two seats, forward- and aft-facing, that drop into a lounge for optimal sunbathing. The helm console features a great dash with enough room for a 12-inch GPS/plotter/depth-finder screen, VHF and stereo, along with gauges. The helm seat has a flip-up bolster so you can use it as a leaning post instead, and visibility is good in either position.

A huge full-length ski locker in-deck between the consoles offers storage galore, with a nice big hatch for easy stowage and removal of gear. Behind the helm seat, our test boat had an optional tackle locker/cooler cabinet with a freshwater sink, a great option with usable features. The cockpit is plenty big for fishing and has four standard gunwale-mount rod holders, a 28-gallon recirculating livewell to port, and a walk-through door and dive ladder to starboard on the transom. A built-in transom seat features storage space below with easy access panels for the battery switch and some accessories.

With the solid construction practices used by EdgeWater, its commitment to quality and its customer support, the 245 CX may be more practical for some than a center console. If you’re the type of fisherman whose family would use the boat more if it had some creature comforts, the 245 is definitely worth a look. You might just keep mama and the kids happy while you sneak a bit of fishing in.

EdgeWater 245 CX

LOA……24’6″
Beam……8’6″
Deadrise……20 degrees
Fuel……130 gals.
Max hp……350
Weight……3,550 lbs.
Base Price……$97,080 with Yamaha F350

EdgeWater Boats: 386-426-5457 ? www.ewboats.com

The post EdgeWater 245 CX appeared first on Salt Water Sportsman.

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EdgeWater Power Boats has established a successful niche in the recreational market. That’s because its lineup of solid, quality boats never loses its family focus. So when others scaled back because of the economic downturn, EdgeWater launched its biggest cabin boat yet. And while the new 335 Express is nicely outfitted for overnight adventures, it’s all business in the cockpit, where it counts.

That was driven home when I joined EdgeWater’s Peter Orlando and Roger Taylor and their buddies for an early- morning trip this spring. After clearing Ponce Inlet we ran to a nearby wreck to load up on bait. Sabiki’d goggle-eyes and cigar minnows soon joined the mullet netted earlier, and with two standard livewells – 45 gallons in the tackle center behind the helm and 28 more in the port transom corner – it was no problem separating the load of baits to keep them all frisky.

The forecast called for calm seas, but confused and tightly-stacked swells greeted us as we made our way 40 miles offshore. The optional set of powerful Yamaha V-8 four-strokes strapped to the stern let us maintain a fairly comfortable pace regardless. Like its predecessors, the 335 is built using the Single Piece Infusion process. The SPI system vacuum infuses the vinylester resin into the hull and the structure in one step. SPI delivers a significantly higher strength-to-weight ratio than traditional open-molded construction because the hull structure is bonded in one chemical process, with a much higher laminate fiber content. In the 335, the single-piece grid structure gets filled with foam for strength and flotation. The design of the one-piece grid provides smooth finishes in the bilge and other compartments, and optimal placement of under-deck hardware.

As with previous models, EdgeWater enlisted Marine Concepts to help develop this new model and build the tooling. Computer design and three-dimensional modeling created a hull that runs efficiently with twin Yamaha F250 four-stroke outboards. The variable deadrise, deep-V bottom with reverse chines blends stability, fuel economy and dryness in the ride, and comes backed by a lifetime transferable warranty.

After reaching the first of many stops, the crew dropped baits to the rocky formations more than 100 feet below. Groans and shouts of laughter subsequently echoed around the 130-square-foot cockpit as quality red snapper, scamp and grouper came over the side. The insulated 600-quart fish box in the cockpit sole filled rapidly. Even with six anglers working at once, there was plenty of room to maneuver bent rods. Stainless-steel toe rails and thick coaming bolsters increase the comfort level during protracted fights.

The beefy fiberglass hardtop is standard on the 335, and it comes rigged with holders for 12 rods. Matching horizontal racks under the covering boards and lockable rod storage in the cabin midberth accommodate a sizeable arsenal. A second 66-quart fish box is located on the transom centerline, while an optional bait freezer can be added to the storage compartment behind the companion seating.

Both the companion and helm seats are the double flip-backbolster style with thick padding. A foldaway transom bench seat and starboard jump seat add to the overall seating capacity.

The starboard helm is protected by the tall, tempered-glass wraparound windshield and three-sided weather curtain. A power vent helps circulate natural air. The 12,000 Btu heat/air conditioning system is part of the standard cabin package, although piped air to the helm is available as well. The Fischer Panda 8 kw diesel generator with a 21-gallon tank is standard. A Lewmar windlass with remote control, Lewmar bow thruster and Yamaha electronic controls/gauge package are also included as part of the base price. Notable options include TACO radial outriggers, a folding upper station with controls, and various Garmin marine electronics and entertainment choices.

You enter the 335’s signature cabin through the sliding Plexiglas door to port. The cabin features more than 6 feet, 6 inches of headroom, and an overhead foredeck hatch and dual port lights provide natural lighting, while LED lamps illuminate the cabin after dark.

With the main berth in the forepeak, and the convertible galley table/sleeper and large aft berth, the 335 can easily sleep a family or friendly couples. The aft berth includes a U-shaped seating area for relaxing. An enclosed head with electric toilet and shower comes with a 4.2-gallon water heater. The forward galley comes with a two-burner flush cooktop and a refrigerator/freezer. Wood laminate cabinetry, marble countertops and ultra-leather upholstery add to the rich, yacht-like finish.

With the deck box crammed full of tasty snappers and groupers, we made the run back to New Smyrna Beach in under two hours. This comfortable cabin boat passes the fishability test with flying colors.

EdgeWater 335 Express

LOA……34’6″  
**BEAM……11’2″  
DRAFT……2’3″
WEIGHT……13,790 lbs.  
MAX HP……700
FUEL……300 gals.  
PRICE……$360,852**
With twin 350 hp Yamaha four-strokes

_EdgeWater Power Boats ? 386-426-5457 ? _www.ewboats.com

The post EdgeWater 335 Express appeared first on Salt Water Sportsman.

For the many fans of EdgeWater Power Boats, the new 265 CC couldn’t have come at a better time. It’s a natural evolution for EdgeWater, moving from its well-regarded line of smaller center console and express boats to a full-blown offshore fishing machine with all the bells and whistles. And in typical EdgeWater fashion, the company has jumped in with style.

The flared bow and sloping sheer make it a pretty boat, but looks aren’t everything. The 265 has significantly higher sides than did previous models, meaning that it was designed for real offshore work in real rough-water conditions, and its aggressive deep-vee hull will let it run with the big dogs when the going gets tough. Look out SKA!

We ran the new boat off Stuart, Florida, and can attest to its good sea manners. Our test boat was equipped with twin 225-hp, Yamaha F225 four-stroke outboards, which provided plenty of power. The 265 hits a top speed of 55.7 mph at 5800 rpm, according to Yamaha’s own sea trials, and cruises at 36.9 mph at 4000 rpm. That’s pretty fast, as the 265 is no small boat, but it also rides and handles quite well. The variable-deadrise hull is responsive to trim changes and maneuvers well, while also providing a smooth ride.

The 265 is laid out in a conventional center console design, with raised, wraparound seating in the bow. These seats contain two storage boxes, and the cushions provide comfortable seating. There’s a low-profile bow rail and a stainless-steel bow roller with offset cleats. The anchor locker is also offset in the deck, slightly to port.

The sub-console head compartment has some innovative touches, including a porta potty that slides in and out of a storage compartment on rails. You can also order an optional, full marine head. The compartment also contains a sink, located under the front console seat, and a unique combination toilet paper/tackle storage unit keeps all of the “necessities” at your fingertips.

EdgeWater has built a sizeable cockpit into the 265, with a transom bulkhead setup that contains molded boxes in each corner. The starboard box on our test boat held a bait box/rigging station, while the port box contained a live well. The bulkhead between the boxes features a small transom gate, and the bulkhead itself is relatively thin, allowing you to get as close as possible to the engines when fighting fish.

There’s a fold-down passenger seat along the forward edge of the transom bulkhead, and an Armstrong swim ladder on the engine platform. Two hatches in the forward side of the bulkhead provide access to the boat’s batteries, which are located in the bilge, and you can reach the various pumps through two “pie plates” on the engine platform.

Our test boat featured the optional aluminum leaning post that comes with four rod holders, a couple of drink holders, a knife-and-pliers rack, plus an upscale Frigid-Rigid insulated cooler below. You can also order the boat with a leaning post/work station that features an additional live well, a sink, four rod holders and a backrest.

The 265 is built using EdgeWater’s Permagrid stringer system, which features high-tech carbon-fiber materials in the stringers for maximum strength and weight savings. There’s no wood in the boat, as EdgeWater relies upon honeycomb composite coring materials and a composite transom. The hull itself is made of hand-laid fiberglass. Closed-cell foam flotation provides peace of mind, and the deck is self-bailing. Lastly, EdgeWater backs the boat up with a limited lifetime structural warranty.

The 265 CC is a big, bold step for EdgeWater, one that’s sure to be a hit among anglers looking for a rugged, seaworthy center console that can handle offshore conditions. It will also attract the attention of many folks who hadn’t previously considered an EdgeWater.

EdgeWater Power Boats, Edgewater, FL; (904) 426-5457; www.ewboats.com.

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