SPEED EFFICIENCY OPERATIONnaut. stat. n. mi. s. mi. sound
rpm knots mph gph mpg mpg range range angle level
1000 4.34 5.00 1.30 3.34 3.85 857 987 1 71
1500 6.08 7.00 2.30 2.64 3.04 678 781 2 76
2000 7.43 8.55 3.80 1.96 2.25 502 577 4 81
2500 8.39 9.65 5.70 1.47 1.69 377 434 7 84
3000 12.38 14.25 7.50 1.65 1.90 423 487 10 88
3500 20.46 23.55 9.20 2.22 2.56 571 657 9 90
4000 26.85 30.90 12.90 2.08 2.40 534 614 5 92
4500 31.54 36.30 19.40 1.63 1.87 417 480 5 91
5000 36.06 41.50 24.70 1.46 1.68 374 431 4 94
5500 37.41 43.05 26.30 1.42 1.64 365 420 4 101
5800 38.19 43.95 26.40 1.45 1.66 371 427 4 101
MOST ECONOMICAL CRUISING SPEEDHigh Points
XIntegrated Rigid Industries LED
spreader, side and forward lights
illuminate the whole boat when
needed without draining batteries.
XSide-drain livewell is more reliable
and convenient than standpipe
livewells.
XForward seating is comfortable,
practical, and easily stowable
for fi shing.Specs
· LOA: 24'9" · BEAM: 8'6" · DRY
WEIGHT: 5,250 lb. · SEATING/
WEIGHT CAPACITY: 8/2,800 lb.
· FUEL CAPACITY: 100 gal.How We Tested
ENGINES: Yamaha F300
DRIVE/PROP: Saltwater Series II
15.5" x 17" 3-blade stainless steel
GEAR RATIO: 1.75:1
FUEL LOAD: 80 gal.
CREW WEIGHT: 400 lb.
Price
$145,729 (with test power)EVERGLADES
253 CC
— they’re nicknamed Hopper holders —
and they’ll ensure the crew can carry on
adequate refreshments and keep them in
place as the 253 CC makes its way through
big bays or choppy coastlines. There is ad-
ditional cooler space ahead of the console
under the jump seat, but we are fond of the
accommodation to carry on coolers.
The forward casting decks have stow-
able seat cushions with forward-facing
backrests fi t to rod holders. A thickly pad-
ded bolster with military-quality corners
and double stitching makes the forward
deck a sunning, reclining or dinner-
cruising conversation area for socializing.
Ramcap makes it a tough fi sher, but
Everglades gives it plenty of fun for
families too.Ramcap construction is what? In the
marine world, it is sometimes diffi cult to
fi nd a marketing term that means what it
says. But Ramcap says it all.
It gives the 253 CC Destroyer class
durability and rigidity with an incred-
ibly solid connection from keel to deck, to
hardtop and superstructure. High-density
foam is molded under pressure to both
create unsinkable fl otation and enhance
structural rigidity. That, and the 20-degree
deadrise hull sliced through ferry and
tugboat wakes with nimble gentleness.
Everglades’ construction and design give
the 253 a scant 16-inch draft ideal for fol-
lowing snook and redfi sh in tidal fl ats
while retaining the sea-slicing durability
to venture off shore on milder days.
In the cockpit, the active ingredients
for successful fi shing are all in place. An
oval leaning-post livewell with side drain
and gasketed lid keeps bait circulating,
lively, and fresh to attract your prey. Wewere surprised at the ample cockpit space
behind the leaning post, which means
crew can fi ght fi sh while the gaff er moves
around easily to bring the catch aboard.
Undergunwale rod storage on both
sides off ers sturdy rod hangers to pro-
tect the tackle from banging, and rubber
snubbers hold them fi rmly to the hang-
ers. There is no shortage of gunwale rod
holders either, and they are all plumbed to
drain overboard, not to the bilge like lesser
boats. Insulated fi sh boxes will hold tro-
phy wahoo or mahi, and the livewell in the
leaning post has a side drain to eliminate
hiding places for bait.
Everglades specially designed its lean-
ing post to fi t two 30-quart Yeti HoppersPHOTOS: BILL DOSTER, COURTESY EVERGLADES BOATS (LIVEWELL)EVERGLADES BOATS
Edgewater, Florida; 386-409-2202; evergladesboats.comC
FISHING BOAT BUYERS GUIDE
CERTIFIED
TEST
RESULTS
BOAT BUYERS GUIDE 2018 | 142 | BOATINGMAG.COM