SPEED EFFICIENCY OPERATION
naut. stat. n. mi. s. mi. sound
rpm knots mph gph mpg mpg range range angle level
1000 4.95 5.70 2.67 1.86 2.13 501 576 0 70
1500 6.86 7.90 4.36 1.57 1.81 425 489 2 71
2000 8.26 9.50 7.20 1.15 1.32 310 356 3 73
2500 11.95 13.75 11.20 1.07 1.23 288 331 5 82
3000 21.51 24.75 13.60 1.58 1.82 427 491 3 82
3500 26.94 31.00 17.40 1.55 1.78 418 481 1 84
4000 31.20 35.90 22.40 1.39 1.60 376 433 1 87
4500 35.98 41.40 29.80 1.21 1.39 326 375 1 90
5000 40.75 46.90 42.00 0.97 1.12 262 302 1 91
5500 44.14 50.80 51.60 0.86 0.98 231 266 1 93
5700 47.36 54.50 56.00 0.85 0.97 228 263 1 94
MOST ECONOMICAL CRUISING SPEEDROBALO
R302
PHOTOS: COURTESY ROBALO BOATS
ROBALO BOATS
Nashville, Georgia; 229-686-7481; robalo.comHigh Points
XAt less than $154,000 with 600 hp
and nearly 30 feet length overall,
this center console represents
substantial value.
XLounge seating and a table in the
bow will appeal to non-anglers in
the family.
XHinged transom seat/hatch
offers easy access to rigging and
the bilge.Specs
· LOA: 29'2" · BEAM: 10'6"
· DRY WEIGHT: 8,920 lb. · SEATING/
WEIGHT CAPACITY: Yacht Certifi ed
· FUEL CAPACITY: 300 gal.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.
Price
$153,795 (base with twin
Yamaha F300s)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 fi sh lockers (two 40-gallon and one
50-gallon) reside under the bow seating.
Powered by twin Yamaha F300 out-
boards, 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
confi dence and predictability. In a cross sea,
it remained pleasingly stable thanks largely
to the R302’s 10½-foot beam.With the smooth-riding, proven deep-V
hull of its predecessor, the new R302 fea-
tures a versatile interior designed for
families that fi sh and boat together. The
hardtop integrates with the console and
leaning post/seating module. A full-height
tempered bonded-glass windshield pro-
tects the helm, with a motorized vent at
the top for fresh air.
Our test boat featured twin fl at-
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 off er individual fl ip-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 sinkwith 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 fi sh 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 fl ips up
from the transom. The step-down head
compartment features an electric porce-
lain marine toilet and a vanity with sinkC
BOAT BUYERS GUIDE FISHING
CERTIFIED
TEST
RESULTSBOAT BUYERS GUIDE 2018 | 135 | BOATINGMAG.COM