Trade-A-Boat — November 2017

W

hen faced with a
prime example of a
big, gutsy American
centre console,
suddenly your
own maritime experience, wealth, or
current vessel can begin to seem less
important.
Any true sea dog with saltwater in
their veins will forget everything else
and be unable to resist leaping into the
Robalo R302 to open up the throttle.
In fact, if you don’t get at least a little
excited by the Robalo R302 sportsfisher,
or the ever-increasing offerings of
similar US-built consoles, then perhaps
you’re reading the wrong magazine!
The all-new 2017 Robalo R302
isn’t just a gun fisher; it’s a terrific
entertainer and sportsboat, too.
This is perhaps every angler’s dream

boat – but one with plenty of other

attractions aside from just solid fishing.

At just a touch under 30ft overall,

3.2m wide and with a big deep hull,

she’s got plenty of volume to carry the

masses safely and securely on inshore

or offshore romps in the briny.

The big American company Robalo/

Chaparral Boats has spent almost 50

successful years perfecting its Hydro

Lift deep-vee hull, whereby well

defined strakes and big reverse chines

assist a variable degree deadrise hull.

These boats rise quickly from rest

to plane, softly and efficiently, with

minimal spray and terrific handling.

So it was unsurprising to discover

this particular example was very

stable at rest and has an even attitude

at trolling speeds, which combines

well with the might of the twin

Honda BF250 Silver Bullet four-

stroke outboards to produce frisky

performance and terrific handling –

even in reverse.

Perhaps best of all, the R302 is ready

for some serious fun with an enticing

interior featuring soft, yet practical

moldings, beautiful upholstery and

trim and comfortable seating options.

Add in tonnes of storage, tackle and

wet box options, and she’s a driver’s

delight.

BULLETPROOF

Robalo incorporate Kevlar reinforcing

into all of its larger hulls, supplying

almost-bulletproof construction and

maximising the strength-to-weight.

This big self-draining hull is foam

filled, adding to the enormous

construction strength while assisting

42 trade aboat.com.au