Boston Whaler invented the center console, the non-sinkable boat and virtually created the sport of offshore saltwater fishing in a small fiberglass outboard-powered boat. Then, years ago, its managers started resting on the brand’s laurels, as the company was sold by one conglomerate to another. Back in the early 1970s Boston Whaler had only five competitors, and now it has over 50. But the past is prelude.

We have been impressed with the newest generation of models coming out of Boston Whaler the last year or so. Boston Whaler’s new management is not resting on its old laurels anymore because its market share dominance in the category has been pecked away by those 50 nibbling, competitive ducks.

For example, the new Whaler Outrage 280 clearly demonstrates that the builder is paying attention to both center console buyers and its competition. The all-new 280 Outrage has the finest entry in Whaler’s history, a 23-degree deadrise at the transom, and chine flats that are 3-1/2” wide instead of the 6” of yesteryear.

Boston Whaler 280 Outrage (2009-) Specifications

Length Overall	27' 7'' 8.4 m	Dry Weight	6,100 lbs. 2,767 kg
Beam	9' 4'' 2.8 m	Fuel Cap	200 gal. 757.08 L
Draft	20'' 0.5 m	Water Cap	28 gal. 105.99 L
Deadrise/Transom	N/A	Bridge Clearance	8' 9'' 2.7 m
Max Headroom	open
Prices, features, designs, and equipment are subject to change. Please see your local dealer or visit the builder's website for the latest information available on this boat model.

Boston Whaler 280 Outrage (2009-) Engine options

Std. Power	2 x 225-hp Mercury Verado Four-Strokes
Tested Power	Currently no test numbers
Opt. Power	2 x 300-hp Mercury Verado Four-Strokes 2 x 250-hp Mercury Verado Four-Strokes

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The new Boston Whaler 280 Outrage is a powerful contender for the serious offshore angler’s business.

The last generation of Boston Whaler Outrages was introduced in the early 2000s, and it was time for a completely new redesign of these models, says Ron Berman, Vice President of Product Development and Engineering for the company. Center consoles have evolved mightily in the last 10 years, so it was time for Whaler to refresh the line-up says Berman.

What the Customer Wants

Whaler had been doing some serious market research not only among its owners, but also among those of its competitors. What the builder found out was that the market had become more sophisticated and was getting particular about what it expected – and knew it could get – in a new center console.

“We discovered that consumers wanted a soft, dry ride, more seats, better weather protection, greater storage, increased space behind the leaning post or helm seat, larger live wells, and finer finish even in the bilges of the boat,” said Berman. The new 280 Outrage provides all of that and more.

The new Whaler 280 has a sloping sheer line and the deck molding becomes part of the freeboard of the hull as the sheer moves aft, somewhat like Sea Ray has been doing for years in its stern quarters. With a choice of six pastel and earth-tone colors, the two-tone look is attractive to our eye, and makes the freeboard appear lower than it really is. The colors will also help set the Whalers apart from the other brands. (It will be interesting to see how popular “Fighting Lady Yellow” will be.)

The lighter-toned colors are not only distinctive but also more easily repaired than are darker ones. You will not find the traditional dark, rich colors such as navy blue, British racing green and fire engine red on the Whaler option list.



Note the optional pantograph windshield wiper, the powered vent at the top of the windshield, and the absence of aluminum pipes in the field of vision.

The Revolutionary Console Windshield with T-Top

Now lets get to the most innovative part of the boat. Finally, someone has eliminated the huge, ugly, in-the-way, vision-robbing, hard-to-keep-shinny aluminum pipes that most builders use to hold up their T-tops. Boston Whaler has proven that builders don’t have to build boats that way.

Whaler has artfully placed the aluminum piping in the radius of the four corners of the console. You have window mullions, but no offensive piping. Most of the piping that is visible is for hand holds – and is the proper diameter for that purpose – and all are powder-coated in white. Note in the picture above that all of the piping holding the molded, composite fiberglass T-top is also powder coated.

Visibility is the Name of Game

What would you think of a car or a truck brand that put large aluminum pipes criss-crossing the windshield of its product in order to hold an overhead rack in place? Then why is it tolerated on boats?

Look at the pictures here and note that there are no ugly cross bars in front of the helmsman’s field of vision. Note there are not any aluminum poles bolted to the deck in front of or beside the center console to trip over or restrict passage on either side of the console.

There are other aspects of this design that are not so apparent, but they are also important. Boston Whaler has gone to some trouble to eliminate bolts and nuts going through the pipes and aluminum bases both on the deck and in the T-top. That means you are not going to have bolts rattling loose, drips of water from the overhead, and stains emanating from stainless steel fastenings.

The glass used in the windshield and side curtains is tempered, tinted and bonded to the window frame with the same materials that are used in the auto industry windshields, according to Whaler’s Berman.

The Console Inside and Out



We like the tilt wheel and the two foot rests for the skipper, VHF is handy to both skipper and companion, and compass is in front of the helm, not centered. Note the kill switch is low and we hope it is used since it is not on the key chain, which is inside the console. This is our biggest criticism of the new design. There is a button to start and stop the engines.



Inside the console, on the aft bulkhead are the two battery switches and the two ignition keys. While this a fine place for the electrical buses and fuses, we can think of better places for the battery switches. Our guess is that owners will leave the ignition keys in and simply lock the door to the head when they leave the boat.



Headroom in the console is more than adequate and we like the shelves and storage. There is no sink (use the one on the bait prep counter), but there is a telephone shower. Note the sump. However, our Capt. Steve would not be happy to have to work his body into the head to be able to change his stereo tunes.



Both seats have moveable bolsters or “thigh rises” as Whaler calls them. The helm seat slides fore and aft. Note two vertical rod holders on the bait prep counter.



Abaft the helm seats is the bait prep area with a 40 gallon live well in blue, illuminated by both white and red lights -- red so as not to destroy the angler’s night vision. Tackle drawers are below the sink with pull-out nozzle.



To port and starboard of the console are these two jump seats that fold up out of the way in the gunwale. These are one of the most creative and welcome innovations on the 280. Whaler calls them “trolling seats,” for anglers setting in the shade of the T-Top and facing aft watching the baits. Note the clever integral hawse pipe (leading to the breast cleat below) and drink holder. One casting/one hole that is killing two birds.



The useful table stows in the head compartment. Hatch below pedestal holds anything you want including 5-gallon buckets.



This looks like the standard center console cooler-seat-with-back rest, but it is a lot more than that!



Just move the cooler forward and place in the bow-seating niche, then put the backrest in place and you have a casting platform or a bunny pad. How cool is this? The cooler is custom-molded to nestle in the bow.



The 280 Outrage comes standard with a “thru-the-bow” anchor hawse pipe just like the big yachts have. The windlass is optional.



The split bow railing is optional. We prefer it to the conventional wrap around railing because it makes working the anchor easier – plus it is fun to dive off the bow without the railing in the way –and, if for some reason you have to net your fish from the bow, this will certainly make it easier.



There are four tackle drawers in the stern on the port side. This boat is plenty fishy.

Perhaps the best news of all about the Boston Whaler 280 Outrage is her price. With standard twin 225-hp CXXL DTS Verado 4-stroke outboards with hydraulic steering, the MSRP price is $167,621. Given all of the standard equipment, the size of the engines, and all of the innovations, we’d say if you are in the market for a center console this size, the 280 Outrage should be on your short list.

Boston Whaler 280 Outrage (2009-) Standard and Optional Equipment

Marine Electronics
Autopilot
Fishfinder
GPS/Chart
Radar
VHF Radio
Systems
Battery Charger/Converter
CD Stereo
Head: Fixed
Shore Power
Trim Tabs
Washdown: Raw Water
Windlass
Exterior Features
Hardtop
Outlet: 12-Volt Acc
Swim Ladder
Swim Platform
Transom Door
Transom Shower

= Standard = Optional

Boston Whaler 280 Outrage (2009-) Warranty Information

Warranties change from time to time. While BoatTEST.com has tried to insure the most up-to-date warranty offered by each builder, it does not guarantee the accuracies of the information presented below. Please check with the boat builder or your local dealer before you buy any boat.

Full Warranty Information on this brand coming soon!

Boston Whaler 280 Outrage (2009-) Price

Base Price (MSRP)	$167,621.00
Price as Tested	N/A
Prices, features, designs, and equipment are subject to change. Please see your local dealer or visit the builder's website for the latest information available on this boat model.