SPEED EFFICIENCY OPERATIONnaut. stat. n. mi. s. mi. sound
rpm knots mph gph mpg mpg range range angle level
1000 4.00 4.60 1.20 3.33 3.83 222 255 0 69
1500 5.74 6.60 2.30 2.49 2.87 166 191 1 77
2000 7.21 8.30 3.80 1.90 2.18 126 145 3 79
2500 10.34 11.90 6.00 1.72 1.98 115 132 5 79
3000 13.30 15.30 11.80 1.13 1.30 75 86 6 85
3500 20.68 23.80 9.70 2.13 2.45 142 163 3 86
4000 26.42 30.40 12.60 2.10 2.41 140 161 3 90
4500 33.63 38.70 16.70 2.01 2.32 134 154 3 94
5000 37.97 43.70 20.20 1.88 2.16 125 144 2 92
5500 45.88 52.80 26.60 1.72 1.98 115 132 2 96
MOST ECONOMICAL CRUISING SPEEDHigh Points
XPowder-coated hardtop pipework
stylishly integrates with the con-
sole; the windshield can remain in
place, hinge down for ventilation,
or be removed entirely.
XHelm boasts real estate for dual
12-inch displays. Standards
include Yamaha digital gauges,
lighted stainless-steel push-button
switches, Infi nity PRV350 stereo,
and SeaDek-covered top with
fl ush-mounted compass.
XIn-console head compartment
includes gelcoat-fi nished interior
and acrylic console door.Specs
· LOA: 26'2" · BEAM: 9'0"
· DRY WEIGHT: 4,200 lb. · SEATING/
WEIGHT CAPACITY: 10/1,800 lb.
· FUEL CAPACITY: 74 gal.How We Tested
ENGINE: 300 hp Yamaha F300
PROP: Yamaha Saltwater Series II
151 / 4 " x 19" 3-blade stainless steel
GEAR RATIO: 1.75:1
FUEL LOAD: 74 gal.
CREW WEIGHT: 355 lb.
Price
$111,685 (with test power)NAUTICSTAR
265 XTS
cast-net and bucket storage awaits to port.
Three livewells/baitwells are standard-
issue, split between a 13-gallon well below
the forward console seat, a 21-gallon well
with transparent lid behind the leaning
post, and a 42-gallon tub aft. The 35-quart
cooler located below yet another casting-
deck hatch is a genuine Yeti.
Though much of the 265 seems de-
voted to fi shy business, NauticStar hasn’t
overlooked comfort. A trio of jump seats
is hidden within the aft casting deck until
their backrests are pivoted into view. Atop
the console livewell is another favorite spot
with a generously padded backrest. And
then there’s the exceptional leaning post
with its ergonomically correct Llebroc
seating featuring fl ip-up bolsters, folding
armrests and a pivot-down footrest bar.NauticStar calls the 265 XTS a beast of a bay
boat, ready to take the most-ardent anglers
to the action in safety, style and comfort.
We say it’s ready for waters inshore and
off — and most especially perfect for those
whose fi shing takes them across large,
open expanses of water en route to shal-
low, protected honey-hole hot spots. For
anglers fi shing the shallows, the 265 XTS’s
14-inch draft is ready to chase game fi sh
into skinny water. When it comes time to
run back home, the planing pods and air-
assist chines incorporated into the hull of
this 4,200-pound boat promises the quick
acceleration we experienced during our
test. Heading outside the inlet? Forty de-
grees of deadrise at the entry neatly splits
chop, and the boat’s beefy displacement
provides stability and a confi dent feel. The
latter was proven on test day as high winds
and 3- to 4-foot waves made for absolutely
snotty conditions. Still, the NauticStar
265 XTS shined, in our opinion, slicingthrough a head sea with fi nesse and deliv-
ering a surprisingly soft re-entry. With a
300 hp Yamaha outboard mounted to the
standard 6-inch Atlas hydraulic jack plate
(an option aboard many boats), we could
really dial in the ride for performance.
The 265 XTS planed in a quick 3.8 seconds
and rocketed to a top speed that peaked at
52.8 mph.
Standards are many, with an obvious
slant toward the angler. Expansive casting
decks are found both at the bow and stern.
Rod storage is abundant, from inwales to
forward lockers to multiple rocket launch-
ers. A generous 43-gallon fi sh box is centered
at the bow. Ten Plano boxes are found below
side-by-side hatches center and starboard;PHOTOS: COURTESY NAUTICSTARNAUTICSTAR
Amory, Mississippi; 662-200-4664 ; nauticstarboats.comC
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