Boaton Whaler 270 Vantage

The 270 is a dual-console boat with forward seating and a large cockpit. Our test boat had the optional fiberglass hardtop, which really completes the boat by allowing everyone to get out of the weather and sun when needed. Starting at the bow, there a built-in drop-down boarding/swim ladder under a hatch in the bow, an option that makes it easy to get on and off the boat at the sandbar after your day of trolling. It has a through-hull anchor chute and anchor with an optional windlass if you opt out of the bow boarding ladder.

The forward cockpit has cushioned U-shaped seating with drink holders and handrails. There is heaps of storage under to accommodate the filler piece that makes the forward cockpit a full sun lounge. There are two insulated bins with drains and a giant under-console storage, accessed from the front of the console with a lift-up gate, with racks for fenders, optional wakeboard racks and room for all kinds of stuff on the ­starboard side.

The windscreen opens, allowing the walk-through, and there is also a door to close off the forward cockpit from the console helm area and aft cockpit. Along the centerline in the floor is a giant storage compartment for rods or skis. The port console has a walk-in head compartment complete with a wood-trimmed vanity equipped with a plumbed sink and Corian countertop, storage and head.

Aft of the console to port is a convertible lounge seat with a big storage area underneath. However, this lounge has more gimmicks than an airport massage chair. It is a versatile and cleverly engineered piece of furniture that any family would use the heck out of. It a straight-up seat for looking forward, or the flip-up piece can ­create a leaning-post-type bolster. It has aft-facing seating that can be laid flat or propped up to a half-lounge with ­backrest.

The starboard-helm console is well laid out with great access to the dash electronics, equipment switches and controls. There is also a storage area under the console accessed from the inside centerline. The swiveling helm chair features a flip-up bolster to convert it to a leaning post, and offers good visibility through the windscreen.
One of the coolest things on our test boat was what Whaler calls the Summer Kitchen. Just aft of the starboard helm chair, this optional fully molded fiberglass cabinet has Corian countertops, a full sink with faucet, a grill, a 12-volt stainless-steel under-counter refrigerator, a swing-out Corian grill cover that expands counter space, storage drawers, tool holders, and storage underneath. Do not cheat yourself and get the 54-quart cooler that is standard: Go for the Summer Kitchen with shore power, charging system and inverter for on-the-water use. This feature alone will increase your boating days with family and friends exponentially, and will without question help its resale value when you are ready to move up.

The cockpit is large with plenty of room for fishing. There is a large in-deck hatch to access the lazarette and all of its neatly placed pumps and through-hulls. There is a recessed, foldout transom seat that offers a comfortable ride and yet tucks away nicely so as not to interfere with fishing. When you order the fishing package, you get a 19-gallon livewell and three additional transom-mounted rod holders. There is a walk-through transom door with access to the swim platform.

Our 270 Vantage test boat was rigged with twin ­Mercury Verado 225 hp outboards. With four aboard and ­three-quarters fuel, it jumped on plane easily and loped along comfortably on the calm, rolling swell off Port Everglades. It turned nicely with good lateral stability, and exhibited no ­unnatural seakeeping tendencies during our ride.
If I were a part-time recreational nearshore fisherman, and enjoyed family time on the boat and wanted to have more of that, I would be all over the 270 Vantage. The 270 has features found on much-larger boats, and they are just as well executed. It had the potential to offer a family a lifetime of memories, great catches and good times  something we all want from our time on the water.