BOSTON WHALER

Boston Whaler's 255 Conquest is very much an outsize version of our ever-popular offshore fishing cabin boats.

Since the last NAFA I've spent time in 2 big Boston Whaler centre consoles — a 210 (20 foot) and a 240 (nearly 24 foot) Outrage. Okay, so big centre consoles aren't everybody's cup of tea, but these were simply awesome boats.

In conceding that few of us are in a position to own big centre consoles in a practical sense though, I can happily switch our attention to the Boston Whaler 255 Conquest. Is it the perfect boat for someone living waterside with offshore access? Well, perfect is a matter of perception I suppose; but if you're in the happy position of having a vacancy for a 25 to 30 footer to park at the pontoon at the back of your place; check this boat out and decide for yourself!

With a 2.66 m (8' 9") beam, the Conquest isn't trailerable — which some may see as a disadvantage even though 25 to 30 footers generally aren't. On the other hand, being so beamy effectively makes this boat seem much bigger than 26 foot 11 inches.

The 255 Conquest's size and hull shape make it the perfect offshore fishing boat to moor behind a waterside home.

The 255 Conquest is set up to be used mostly as a day boat. Inside the cabin the dinette seats 2 couples, or a couple plus kids, quite comfortably. For usage as a bed, the dinette converts to become a big berth for 2 and will certainly be comfortable if a couple owned the boat and occasionally decided to overnight it. There are 2 toilet options to serve this role and a fully lockable cabin door means both privacy and security on a mooring. — unfortunately very necessary these days!

It's as a day boat that the 255 Conquest shines most brightly. This is especially the case in any of the ports between Port Douglas and Port Phillip Bay, not to mention the Top End and the west, where people live and either moor their boats or store them in marinas.

As a social day boat, the 255 Conquest achieves as highly as it does as a serious fishing platform. A fold up lounge stores in the transom bulkhead, and there is an extra pair of seats behind the helm. It has a transom door accessing a fold-away boarding ladder, and being outboard powered, (optional twin or single installation) has no problem landing on beaches or with the shallows found around the many scenic offshore islands and reefs it could call home.

A self-draining cockpit has 2 huge drained overboard fish boxes under the deck and there's an economy size livewell in the aft port quarter. There are upholstered bolsters along the cockpit sides and non-slip moulded into the deck, walkaround decks beside the cabin and anywhere else you're likely to need it.

The optional hardtop and clears allow complete control over the climate in the helm area. From cool temperate to definitely tropical, it's an exceptionally comfortable boat with a ride to suit

Racking for no less than 8 rods around the cockpit periphery plus another 4 along the cockpit sides, 4 more across the back of the (optional) hard top, and yet another 4 racked inside the cabin leave no doubt this boat is aimed at serious fishing for at least part of its life.

Our test boat had an optional hard top, and with the clears in place the helm area was completely sheltered from the most inclement weather. This is all good, but if anything sells this boat it will be its ride in unpleasant conditions.

The cockpit has a lounge that folds completely into the transom, transom door for swimming and beach access, horizontal rod racks, and a pair of big Spaniard-size fish boxes under the deck.