Robalo R207 (2019-)

Brief Summary

A younger sibling has been created to occupy the lower end of the Robalo Dual Console lineup, right alongside the R227 and R247. This new R207 shares the same mission of creating a dual console bowrider that successfully crosses over between fishing and a family utility boat. She has a roomy layout with plenty of features to successfully accomplish both of her missions.

Key Features

• 13-gallon (49.2 L) livewell with L.E.D. lighting and blue gelcoat finish
• Built-in cockpit coolers behind helm seats with drains
• Dura-Life Max seating upholstery vinyl
• Encapsulated reserve flotation
• Full wrap cockpit coaming bolsters
• Raw water wash down with hose connector
• Transom storage to access rigging compartment
• Self-bailing cockpit drains
• Storage — under bow seating and starboard helm

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	20' 7'' 6.55 m
Beam	8' 4'' 2.54 m
Dry Weight	3,500 lbs. 1,587 kg
Tested Weight	4,100 lbs. 1,860 kg
Draft	30'' 86 cm
Deadrise/Transom	18-deg.
Max Headroom	open
Bridge Clearance	8' 4'' 2.54 m (w/ tower)
Fuel Capacity	60 gal. 227 L
Total Weight	4,100 lbs. 1,860 kg

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	3.2 sec.
0 to 30	8.0 sec.
Props	19" Saltwater Series 2
Load	2 persons, 1/2 fuel, no water, 50 lbs.of gear
Climate	86 deg.; 92% humidity; wind: 0-5 mph; seas: calm

Engine Options

Tested Engine	1 x 150-hp Yamaha 4-stroke
Opt. Power	1 x 115-hp Yamaha Four-Stroke F115XA 1 x 150-hp Yamaha Four-Stroke F150XA 1 x 200-hp Yamaha Four-Stroke F200XA

Warranty

Hull Warranty Extended	10 Years

Captain's Report Learn More
Watch Our Video

Mission Statement

The mission of the Robalo R207 is to create a cost-effective day boat that successfully bridges the crossover between fishing and family fun. Her outboard power provides a roomy cockpit while the family will appreciate the optional head compartment and her handling characteristics that encourage watersports.

Major Features

• Three Fishboxes. Sometimes crossover boats neglect fishboxes, but not the R207. One is underneath and slightly behind each of the two bucket seats in the cockpit, and a third is located in the bow. They all have drains.

• Cockpit bolsters. Again, cockpit bolsters are something often left off dual console boats. They add to the fishing comfort.

• Toe rails. Likewise, toe rails that are so common on center console boats are usually left off dual console vessels. They add security for anglers in a seaway.

• Wraparound Windshield. With a single mullion moved far back to create a nearly unobstructed arc of visibility, the R207 is as stylish as any on the market in class.

• Livewell. Most dual consoles do not have a livewell as standard equipment. The R207's 13-gallon tank is located under the aft bench seat for ease of access. The interior is colored blue and all edges are rounded to reduce the shock value of the live bait. It has a directional head unit with adjustable flow valve. 

• Trailer Is Standard. The R207 comes with an aluminum single-axle trailer that has 15" tires and submersible lights.

Performance

Our Robalo R207 had a LOA of 20'7" (6.27 m), a beam of 8'4" (2.5 m), and a draft of 14.5" (.36 m). With an empty weight of 3,400 lbs. (1,542 kg), 30 gallons (113.56 L) of fuel and two people on board we had a test weight of 4,000 lbs. (1,814 kg).

With a 150-hp Yamaha fourstroke turning a 19" (48.26 cm) Saltwater Series 2 propeller, we reached a top speed at 6000 rpm of 42.2 mph. At that speed, fuel burn was measured at 16 gph giving us a range of 142 miles. Best cruise came in at 3500 rpm and 24.5 mph. That reduced the fuel burn to 5.6 gph and the R207 could keep that speed up for 9 hours and 36 minutes and 205 miles while still maintaining a 10% reserve. We had a quick time to plane of 3.8 seconds, continued accelerating to 20 mph in 5.7 seconds and we reached 30 mph in 9.2 seconds.

Handling

The R207 was a fun boat to drive. She had a firm feel thanks to the Seastar hydraulic steering, so there wasn't a lot of cranking and banking going on. That firm steering will also have an effect at the dock. Make approaches slow because cranking the wheel from one side to the next is not something that happens quickly.

She has high topsides and a wide flared bow, qualities that would make her a good offshore boat. She also tends to throw water well out to the sides which created a very dry ride. Upon accelerating the bow comes up 11 degrees. Once on plane, don't be shy about using the trim to get her onto her cruising attitude. Adding too much trim results in ventilating the propeller as opposed to generating bow oscillation.

Comparison

When we compare the R207 with other dual console 20-footers, most of which were at the high end of the price scale, we discovered something interesting. Because of her price, one might think that the R207 would be stripped out and light, but it is just the opposite.

At 3,400 lbs. (1,545 kg) she is the second heaviest boat in class. Typically she was 600 lbs. (272 kg) more than most and as much as 1,400 lbs. (636 kg) more than one well-known brand. Her weight is reflective of the fishing features built-in as standard mentioned above, plus the fact that she simply has more material in her hull and deck. That is good because it makes her rugged and should also give her a more comfortable ride. On the other side of the coin it could make her a bit slower and less fuel-efficient, all things being equal.

To make up for the weight, Robalo has done two things that help the speed and fuel efficiency. First, the boat has a beam of 8'4" (2.54 m) instead of 8'6" (2.59 m) and second, the boat has an 18-degree deadrise at the transom instead of 19 degrees, which is typical among competitive boats. Finally, the R207 is limited to 200 hp max and some other boats in class are rated up to 250 hp. The name of Robalo's game is not speed, but rather lower operating costs.

Features Inspection

The Stern

There are relatively large platforms to either side of the Yamaha outboard. A recessed three-step reboarding ladder is concealed under a hatch to the starboard platform. Pull-up cleats are located outside of the platform on the forward raked caprail.

There were two things we'd like to see added to the mold. First would be a small platform against the transom, just ahead of the outboard, to serve as a place to stand while servicing the engine. Second, we would put a slight extension of the platform out to the sides, just abaft the caprails, to ease boarding from a floating platform to the stern platform.

Cockpit

The cockpit can be entered from the port or starboard side swim platform and is facilitated by stepping on nonskid platforms created by folding down the jump seats. Once we're inside the cockpit, the seats can be flipped up to create four-across seating across the stern. Our test boat also had the optional snap-in carpet.

Fishing Features

Because a primary mission of the R207 is fishing, the aft end of the cockpit is an open space measuring 3' x 6’ (.9 m x 1.8 m) or 18 sq. ft. (1.7 sq m). Padded bolsters to each side make it comfortable for fighting fish. The bolsters start at 19” (48.3 cm) and top out at 25” (63.5 cm). At deck level is a toe rail for added security. The caprails are 8 1/2” (21.6 cm) wide and flush-mounted rod holders are to either side. Storage for two rods goes under the gunwales to either side.

Fishboxes are in the form of two built-in self-draining cockpit coolers behind the dual bucket seats as well as a single insulated self-draining compartment in the bow. A 13-gallon (49.2 L) aerated livewell is underneath the center bench seat and the cushion is removable by sliding it sideways, which removes the pins from the hinge sockets. For fishing, this cushion as well as the cushions in the bow, can be left in the back of the pickup. A raw-water washdown is standard. The entire boat, with its fiberglass-lined cockpit, can be hosed down and cockpit drains lead directly overboard.

 

Family Features

The utility of the R207 does not extend just to fishing. A powder-coated ski tow frame surrounding the outboard is available as an option. Additional options include a wakeboard tower with a kneeboard holder.

Seating

The seating across the stern consists of two jump seats to either side of the bench seat. Under the starboard seat are the battery, fuel filter and battery switch. Beneath the port seat, we found a battery box to accommodate the optional second battery with crossover switch. Dual bucket seats that swivel and slide fore and aft are forward. Ultra-comfort pedestal seats with flip-up bolsters are available for the helm and passenger as an option. All seating and bolsters are upholstered in Dura-Life Max vinyl.

Sole Storage

Between the two bucket seats is the usual in-deck ski locker. The catch is hinged from the front and held open by a gas-assist strut. There is padding underneath the hatch as well as along the bottom of the storage compartment to protect gear. The compartment measures 18” (45.7 cm) deep and runs a full 6 ½’ (1.90 m) fore and aft.

Port Console

The port console has a corner mounted door held closed by a latch and strap. Inside the door are a hanging rail, toilet paper holder, and magazine holder below. The compartment will serve as a convenient changing room, or you can opt to convert it to a head by adding the optional Porta-Potti.

Helm Console

The helm console is uncluttered thanks to the use of dual optional Yamaha Command Link multi-function gauges. There’s space to the right of the gauges to accommodate an optional Garmin 740S GPS. Rocker switches are below and to either side of the tilting five-spoke stainless steel wheel. There was plenty of leg room underneath the console and we noticed that the console was an off-white color to reduce glare. A standard compass is located at the top of the panel directly in line of sight with the helm. A stainless steel drink holder is over to the starboard side.

Walkthrough

Distance between the two consoles was 19” (48.3 cm) and a door on the helm console opens to also serve as an air dam below the walkthrough windshield. Behind that door is a snap-in cover over the opening to the console storage.

Bow

The bow was a little cramped, but serves its purpose. Sitting in the forward facing seats my legs stretched forward to the wraparound bolster. Stainless steel rails are just inside the caprails and side mounted speakers serve as the only interruption to the padded bolsters. A standard filler cushion will turn the bow into a sun lounge.

With the cushions removed, the entire bow becomes a wraparound casting platform with storage underneath the seats and a sizable fish locker under the forward hatch. The foredeck is also large enough to walk on and cast-netters will appreciate that the entire foredeck is also nonskid. A hatch at the foredeck covers an anchor locker that is self-draining, anchor keepers are to either side of the opening.

Engine Choices and Pricing

Engine options are three Yamaha fourstroke outboards: 115-hp, 150-hp and 200-hp. With the 115-hp outboard, the MSRP is $36,695. The boat sells for $39,790 with the 150 or $43,185 with the Yamaha 200-hp engine.

Observations

Robalo has done a good job of creating a crossover boat between fishing and family fun. The R207 is roomy enough to handle eight people and there is a seat for each one. The addition of an optional ($469) powder-coated ski tow frame can turn the R207 into a watersports platform.

We find that the R207 is rigged for fishing a little better than most dual consoles. Naturally, she is slightly more oriented to fishing than to watersports given her heritage. Wiring for a trolling motor can be added for $588.

Looking over the options list, we see many items that many people will want to put on the boat: Bimini top and boot ($1,174), hydraulic tilt steering ($175), Porta-Potti ($121), pull-up cleats ($228), dual battery system with crossover switch ($406), dual battery charger ($241) and trailer spare tire kit ($403). So about an extra $3,000 has the boat well-outfitted for general work. I'd probably opt for the 150-hp option, which means the total rig would have an MSRP of around under $40,000. That is a lot of boat for the money.