Wakeboarding - April 01, 2018

C

CERTIFIED

TEST

RESULTS

AVAILABLE POWER:

OUTBOARD

PHOTO: COURTESY BOSTON WHALER

Sport 38 LS in our February 2018 issue or

online at boatingmag.com/3050.

Triple 350 hp Mercury Verado out-

boards propelled the 350 Realm and all

seven occupants to over 50 mph (carrying

two-thirds fuel and full water). The design

of this hull is informed by that of its made-

for-bluewater fleet mate, the 350 Outrage,

and it’s built with Whaler’s rattle-softening

foam-filled method. As such, you can push

it into chop at higher speeds without giv-

ing up much in crew comfort, but running

at 4,500 rpm produced a 35 mph cruising

speed and 0.81 mpg efficiency. Deploy-

ing the trim tabs fully, trimming the out-

boards in completely, and throttling back

allowed me to keep the loaded 350 Realm

on plane and maneuverable at just 18 mph.

That’s a great ability should its skipper

ever find herself in real rough stuff. Vis-

ibility forward and to the sides was good

while seated or standing; you will have to

scrunch down to see under the hardtop

when making very sharp turns. A step for

those needing more height to stand and

see is built in. I did not need it.

The black helm won’t reflect in the big

single-pane windshield and features ac-

cessory switches arrayed in a row across

its top, an arrangement we first saw aboard

the 420 Outrage (Boating’s 2015 Boat of

the Year). We liked it then, and since it

returns here, we bet Whaler owners have

given this the thumbs up too. Two large

Raymarine screens occupy the area di-

rectly in front of the skipper, providing the

information and control for navigation,

communication and entertainment. The

rightful inclusion of a magnetic compass

made me smile. The helm seat fits two

people and swivels 180 degrees to face aft

when in port. Abaft is a second doublewide

seat with a flip-flop backrest so it can face

the swiveled helm bench or also serve as

cockpit seating. Beside these seats are two

counters, one containing a sink, against

which a pair of crew could stand and lean,

well-braced. In short, five crew can join the

skipper comfortably in the helm area.

Assessing the aft cockpit, I gently

pushed the faux-stone lid of the prep

center, and it rose and pivoted sideways

to reveal the grill beneath. Beside this —

under the reversible seating — you’ll find

a 230-quart cooler. I like that this opens

fully for easy loading but also features a

small, clear-acrylic access door, which

looks cool and allows grabbing a drink

without displacing a person seated atop it.

Of course, the acrylic will not hold the cold

like the insulated fiberglass surrounding it.

Go forward along the port side to the

bow. Here you’ll find commodious and

luxurious wraparound seating, done up in

multitoned, multitextured vinyl. Consider

adding the optional bow shade. Along with

the standard anchor chute and windlass

with 400 feet of rode that ease anchor han-

dling, the bow of the 350 Realm proves as

functional as it is comfortable.

Belowdecks, you’ll find a cabin with a

convertible V-berth, a flat-screen TV, and

a pretty head with shower. A couple could

weekend aboard, and at the least, the ame-

nity and privacy provided ensure larger

groups pleasure during day cruises.

Want to see how far boatbuilding has

come? Sea-trial Boston Whaler’s 350

Realm. —Kevin Falvey

High Points

XThis boat scores the highest marks for fit

and finish.

XQuick and agile, it will also stay on plane

at low speed, which can enhance safety

and comfort.

XMarvelous use of space, making the helm a

multipurpose area.

Low Points

XYou may need to crouch to see into a

sharp turn.

XOne of the three fuel filters is blocked by the

other two, impeding service.

· LOA: 35'6" · BEAM: 10'10" · DRAFT (MAX):

2'.5" · DISPLACEMENT (APPROX.): 13,600 lb.

· TRANSOM DEADRISE: 23 degrees · BRIDGE

CLEARANCE: 9'11" (with radar) · MAX CABIN

HEADROOM: 6'6" · FUEL CAPACITY: 385 gal.

· MAX HORSEPOWER: 1,050 · AVAILABLE

POWER: Triple Yamaha outboards to 1,050 hp

Price: $467,164

(with test power)

T h e optional Seakeeper

gyroscope stabilizes the

350 Realm in rough

seas, adding to crew

comfort. It installs

neatly and accessibly

under the aft cockpit.

HOW WE TESTED

ENGINE: TRIPLE 350 HP MERCURY VERADOS

DRIVE/PROP: OUTBOARD/14^5 / 8 " X 17" PORT/19"

CENTER/17" STARBOARD GEAR RATIO: 1.75:1

FUEL LOAD: 290 WATER ON BOARD: 45 GAL.

CREW WEIGHT: 1,050 LB.

BOSTON WHALER

Edgewater, Florida; 877-294-5645; bostonwhaler.com

SPEED EFFICIENCY OPERATION

rpm knots mph gph^ naut. mpg stat. mpg range range n. mi. s. mi. angle levelsound

1000 5.82 6.70 3.50 1.66 1.91 576 663 0 72

1500 6.95 8.00 5.60 1.24 1.43 430 495 2 73

2000 7.99 9.20 9.00 0.89 1.02 308 354 3 74

2500 8.69 10.00 15.70 0.55 0.64 192 221 4 77

3000 9.47 10.90 23.90 0.40 0.46 137 158 7 78

3500 13.64 15.70 31.20 0.44 0.50 152 174 7 79

4000 24.33 28.00 35.00 0.70 0.80 241 277 5 86

4500 30.59 35.20 43.40 0.70 0.81 244 281 3 87

5000 33.89 39.00 51.00 0.66 0.76 230 265 3 88

5500 39.10 45.00 68.60 0.57 0.66 198 227 2 88

6030 43.41 49.95 91.00 0.48 0.55 165 190 2 90

MOST ECONOMICAL CRUISING SPEED

48 | BOATINGMAG.COM | APRIL 2018