The powder-coated aluminum towing arch and Bimini is one of many standards on the Everglades 230 DC. Note the retro windshield frame with thick side mullions but no header across the front.

The Mission of the Everglades 230 DC

The 230 DC is somewhat of a departure for Everglades, a builder that has concentrated heavily on fishing machines in center consoles and express types. With the 230 the builder is acknowledging the trend that has been building the last number of years to family boats that can be used for both fishing and towing sports.

However, even before function, Everglades’ mission with this boat as with all of its models is to produce the absolute best boat in class from the standpoints of quality, amenities, features, functionality, innovation and safety. That’s a tall order, it takes imagination, experience and money -- but we think Everglades has done it in the 230 DC.



Capt. Steve makes a video walk-through of the 230 DC and discovers that the aft jump seats are a bit high and there is no outboard grab rail. Note the seat back at left is in the closed position to serve as a casting platform.



Taking a look at this publicity photo, note how high the kids are sitting on the jump seats. At the same time the passenger up front is safely ensconced in her bow seat.

Distinguishing Features

Level Flotation. The USCG requires that all motorboats 20’ (6.09 m) or smaller and powered by a 2-hp engines or larger, float level if swamped. That means that the outboard engine cannot weigh down the boat. Everglades has designed all of its boats -- which go up to 35’ (10.66 m) -- to float level if swamped. (See video of Everglades President Steve Dougherty explaining level flotation…)

Large Scuppers. Everglades knows that if water comes aboard it must be gotten out quickly to keep the boat from swamping. As a result, its scuppers' capacity far exceeds ABYC Standards. (See video of Steve Dougherty discussing scuppers size…)

Fish Boxes Not Placed Outboard. Because the Doughertys have made a career of studying level flotation they have some strong ideas about where fish boxes should and should not be placed for the integrity of the vessel. They will not put them in the cockpit sole, port and starboard, or near the transom. (See short video on this subject… http://www.boattest.com/boats/boat_video.aspx?SubID=1219&ID=2702

Towing Arch is Standard. The 230 DC has a powder-coated arch with ski pylon, rod holders, blue/white courtesy lights, spreader lights and a custom sun top.



When sitting on the large helm seat bolster, Capt. Steve likes the wide header frame on the side window because it is a comfortable place to rest his right arm. Note at left there is no windscreen header.



One of the innovations on the 230 DC is the elimination of a windshield header forward. We think this is a terrific idea because it means no matter how tall the skipper, there will be no window frame header blocking his forward vision. Capt. Steve checks out the smooth, rounded tempered glass edge with his left hand.

No Windshield Frame Header. One of the most annoying things in boats this size and style is to have a windshield frame which is right in the line of sight of the operator. Since boaters come in different heights one height does not fit all unless it is very high. Everglades has solved the problem by eliminating the windshield header frame.

Bow Seat Cushions Bolted On. For those boaters who have had bow cushions fly off or overboard this innovation will be welcome. Everglades uses wing nuts on the under side of the forward lockers to anchor the cushions and make it easy to unbolt them.



Another good idea aboard the 230 DC is the bait prep counter abaft the helm seat. Note the cutting board is over the sink, yet water from the sprayer will flow into the sink. There is a thoughtful hand-hold in the counter providing a standing passenger to hang on when under way.



The cutting board lifts up to reveal the sink.



By pushing down a single black plastic preventer the cutting board can be pulled out of its hinges leaving the sink completely open.

Dougherty Family-Owned Business. The patriarch of the family is Bob Dougherty who started out as an engineer for Boston Whaler in its early days and has been building boats ever since. They all had at least two things in common: 1) they all were unsinkable; and, 2) high quality. Son Stephen Dougherty, also an engineer, now runs the company. (See short interview of president Steve Dougherty explaining family history in boat building…)



This is a core sample from the 230 DC's bow. Note that the closed-cell PVC foam has been layered in two sheets separated by a thin piece of fiberglass. This composite sandwich construction provides great strength.



Everglades does not blow foam into its hulls for flotation. Rather, it uses pre-molded blocks of foam that are laminated in place all over the boat. In this way Everglades can carefully calculate the buoyancy of the boat to make sure that it will float level when swamped.

Construction is Top-Notch. Everglades uses a patented construction process that it calls RAMCAP. The boat is filled with block foam that is molded to fit the voids left for it. In this way Everglades know precisely the amount of floatation in every part of the boat. The all-composite construction uses the finest materials available to the marine industry. Everglades uses 6 lb. density foam, not 2 lb. flotation foam.

Fit-and-Finish. Everglades takes a back seat to no builder in class when it comes to its hardware and fishing work.

Exquisite Design and Execution. Virtually everything on the 230 DC has been carefully designed not only for functionality, but also for utility beyond the normal treatment. It seems as if Everglades' engineers approach every detail of the boat and ask themselves how they make the object better than anything that has come before.



Everglades is the only builder that we know of that uses a gas strut to cushion both the opening and closing of the walk-through windshield, thereby preventing slamming and possible damage. Rubber gaskets keep the window from rattling when under way.

Innovation

In a business where innovation is the life blood of sales, in our opinion, no company in class does a better job of introducing new innovations than Everglades. Like all builders, it keeps close tabs on what the competition is doing, but it consistently comes up with new features, amenities and functionality with virtually every new boat. A great help in that regard is Everglades willingness to let the cost chips (and price) fall where they may if the innovation seems worthwhile. (See Steve Dougherty explain his company’s innovation process…)



These wingnuts hold down the cushions on the forward seats and keep them from blowing away. This is only time we have seen this simple device used in class.

Major Standard Features

●Towing arch with Bimini and pylon

●No windshield header forward

●Head Compartment. To port there is a compartment in the console that has a standard Porta-Potti

●Cockpit coaming bolsters

●Circulating livewell. The 27 gal. (102.6 L) livewell has a light. The lid is 3/8" (9.5 cm) acrylic lid with steel friction hinges and latch

●Prep sink. The sink has a sprayer tapped into raw water.

●High water alarm

●Raw water washdown

●38 gallon fish box



Capt. Steve and an Everglades salesman sit in the front of the 230 DC to demonstrate how much room there is forward. Note their feet in the foot well.



Capt. Steve demonstrates the headroom in the port console compartment. The boat comes standard with a Porta-Potti.



The standard powder-coated aluminum arch has a towing pylon for wakeboarding or skiing. A Bimini top comes with the rig.

Observations

We have not tested the boat so we can make no comments about her performance and handling. The boat is equipped as well or better than any in class as standard, however we are surprised to see that hydraulic steering is an option.

Suggestion. We would make the two jump seats at the transom an inch or so lower so people can sit back and have their feet firmly planted on the deck, particularly children. (The casting lid can stay at the same height.) We'd also put a hand-hold rail outboard of these two seats as well as inboard.

Love Affair. Other than that we have few criticisms of the 230 DC. In fact, Capt. Steve said that he "loved" her when we spoke to him just after he made a video walk-through.

The Everglades 230 DC is a family "do-anything" day boat for people who like details done right and who take pride in having one of the finest boats in class. Needless to say, the Everglades 230 DC does not come cheap. But for those who want a high-quality boat and a prestigious brand name, Everglades should be on their short list.



This is precisely how the 230 is intended to be used -- for day cruising, exploring and watersports in addition to fishing.