BOAT REVIEW- 2004 Boston Whaler 240 Outrage

by Boatcan on 1 Nov 2011 From its very early days including an introduction on the cover of Life Magazine to the present, the Boston Whaler has become synonymous with safety, dependability and innovation. The company’s creativity and innovation is shown in the ads that many boaters have seen where the boat has been cut into two pieces and neither part sinks, but stays afloat and supports the crew. The openness of a whaler and the bow rider concept was really the idea of the Whaler designers. The vee of the boat bottom and the wide reverse chines became associated with comfortable and dry rides even in conditions where other boats might not ride so comfortably or with as dry a ride for occupants. So a ride on the 240 Outrage was certainly something to look forward to with eager anticipation.

The 240 is a large center console boat. Wide, deep and extremely stable, this boat is just plain exciting. The sturdy stainless T-top gives protection for the driver and passengers and provides an excellent location for fastening extra canvas and windscreen options for even great protection from the elements when out on the water with upleasant weather conditions. Suffice to say, this is a big open boat ideal for so many on water activities.

Whalers have excellent diamond non-skid surfaces. The cockpit floor areas, the gunwale tops, the stern, and the extended built-in platform area all have non-skids. These areas provide footing grip when getting onto the boat from the sides, the rear or over the bow, if you dock in any of these ways. Although our review boat did not have bow seat cushions installed during the review period, this area too had the diamond non-skid so that handling lines, setting or raising the anchor, was safe, secure and footing was never a concern. As we have come to expect, the Boston Whaler has carefully considered safety in all areas and in all places.

While at the dock we had an extensive tour of the boat. The center cockpit is large enough to provide walk-in capability so that changing clothes while travelling, hanging wet gear if fishing, or simply using the built-in head are easily accomplished because of the ample space provided.

In the console is a full electrical breaker panel immediately forward of the helm. This provides a locked area to shut things off while in the harbour and away from the boat but uncomplicated to accessing the panel to reset a breaker that might have tripped or needed to be activated underway.

Further touring gave us a complete feel of the 240 Outrage and all of its features. The large in-floor locker areas provide the option of being used for storage with overboard drainage or closed for keeping the catch of the day iced for freshness. There is a large circulating live well immediately aft of the helm seat and another in the port stern quarter where bait could be kept alive for a day of fishing. There is also storage along the full length of both sides of the boat where extra fishing rods, boat hooks, lines and fenders could be stored and kept out of the way.

Forward and under the bow area seat is a very large locker where larger items could be stored such as canvas, side or aft curtains and other gear that might not otherwise be easily stowed for travel. Space abounds in this boat since, at 24 feet, it is basically a large open boat except for the center console.

Our review boat was powered by two Mercury 150 hp Optimax oil injected outboard motors. Therefore, a complete helm array would be essential if the skipper wanted to stay abreast of what was happening behind while concentrating on what was going on in front and to the sides while underway. It also had the optional Smartcraft system from Mercury Marine.

Smartcraft monitors compression (oil) pressure, temperature, fuel remaining, fuel used, best fuel efficiency, speed, rpm, and it has a synchronizing feature both via the analogue gauges and the digital readouts. This system is still quite new and takes some getting used to but the potential of a single system providing all of the available features and mechanical protection makes such sense from all ways considered. The limited space on all boats is always a premium, so a simple and effective system that takes up almost no extra space is really a tremendous bonus.

The helm seat is large and easily seats two. In either the seated or standing position, the captain has excellent visibility and control. The horizontally mounted wheel (with a stainless spinner knob), the twin single lever engine controls, the full array of equipment switches, the trim tab controls are all easily reached while at the wheel. This is extremely important for a boat like the 240 Outrage since there may be times when changes must be made quickly and accessibility is critical.

The engine starts are a toggle switch since the keys are located below in the master panel. This is a great innovation since the keys are not in the way of other functions at the helm. The master is still in control and keys are turned on when the boat is unlocked and folks are aboard.

While moving in tight quarters, the boat is easily handled by using the wheel or a combination of the wheel and the twin-engine configuration. With practice, owners new to this setup would soon become proficient in the handling of this Whaler as Delivery Captain Jim Boyes so ably demonstrated to Boatcan Staff with ease.

Even from the start of the engines to getting underway was a great experience for both of the Boatcan staff and Captain Jim. Once into open water we took the 240 very quickly to plane. The power and exhilaration of 300 hp unleashed at once is immediate. A slight bow lift and we were under way and moving quickly. The boat shows the handling characteristics for which Boston Whaler has become famous. Nimble, fast and responsive is the description that best suits this boat. Turns are smooth and confident. The boat takes waves solidly and without pounding.

Calm conditions during our ride made for extremely flat water, so we had to create our own waves. However, the boat was sure-footed and dry. Hull spray was deflected down and away from the boat and Captain Jim indicated that in rougher conditions, the Boston Whaler boats are dry and comfortable and this is no exception.

In our review time on board, we took the Outrage through some fairly extreme turns and at cruising full power or powering while entering the turns, the boat literally carved the each turn and gave no hint of skip or slide in any situation. Our belief is that the performance of the boat in emergency or critical situations would probably be better than many of the individuals on board…. In short this boat is impressive in handling and ride.

Boaters have long admired the Boston Whaler models. We have seen the growth from the flat-fronted originals to the evolution of the sharper shape the designers have brought to models of late. We have seen the pictures of the half boats still floating and who knows we may get a ride in one of those someday. However, the 240 Outrage is very impressive. Although perhaps not quite in the performance category, there is plenty of speed to excite most boaters. There is a great deal of space and storage and special features for the fishing enthusiast. There is ease of movement and some creature comforts for family outings. And with the optional canvas package there is plenty of protection from the elements, while getting safe dependable passage if traveling some distance from departure to destination should that be your use of the 240.

As usual, Boston Whaler continues to make believers out of those who at times might wonder why the mystique? There is no mystique in this 240 Outrage. This is quality, safety and performance all built into one package of functionality!

Length-23 ft. 9 in.
Beam-8 ft. 6 in.
Draft-1 ft. 6 in.
Dead Rise-21 degrees
Weight-4,400 lbs.
Fuel Capacity-150 gal.
Power-Mercury Optimax Outboard
HP-2 X 150hp

For more boat reviews like this, go to www.boatcan.com and www.canadianyachting.ca.