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Shallow Sport 25 X3 (2017-)

1 x 300-hp Evinrude E-TEC G2

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Brief Summary

The Shallow Sport 25 X3 is a dedicated flats boat designed for pursuit of redfish and other inshore species typically found in shallow backwaters. It comes standard with a 6" (15.2 cm) jackplate to hike the Evinrude 300 E-TEC G2 to maximum height, allowing the boat to ease over the shallowest shoals. And, unlike most extreme flats boats, the tri-hull design allows for a 9' (2.74 m) beam, adding extra deck space both fore and aft.

Key Features

  • 10 Year Warranty
  • Fiberglass Center Console
  • Custom Aluminum Ice Chest Rack in Front of Console
  • Recirculating Live Well
  • 100% Composite Construction
  • Premium Steering System
  • Stainless Steel Four Blade Propeller
  • Deluxe Binnacle Control

Test Results

RPM MPH Knots GPH MPG NMPG STAT. MILE NM dBa
600 2.5 2.2 0.3 9.3 8.1 667 579.7 N/A
1000 5 4.3 0.7 7 6.1 507 440.9 N/A
1500 7 6.1 1.7 4.1 3.5 292 254.1 N/A
2000 8 7 3.4 2.3 2 169 147.1 N/A
2500 9 7.8 5.1 1.7 1.5 126 109.5 N/A
3000 12 10.4 7.3 1.6 1.4 119 103.2 N/A
3500 21 18.3 8.2 2.5 2.2 183 159.6 N/A
4000 26.5 23 9.4 2.8 2.4 202 175.7 N/A
4500 34 29.6 12.3 2.8 2.4 198 172.4 N/A
5000 38 33 15.2 2.5 2.2 180 156.3 N/A
5500 45 39.1 22.6 2 1.7 143 124.6 N/A
5700 46.5 40.4 24.5 1.9 1.7 137 119 N/A
View the test results in metric units
shallowsport_25x3_chart_2017.jpg

Specifications

Length Overall 25' 5" / 7.75 m
Beam 9'
2.74 m
Dry Weight 2,500 lbs.
1,134 kg
Draft 9.5"
24.1 cm
Deadrise/Transom N/A
Max Headroom Open
Bridge Clearance N/A
Weight Capacity N/A
Person Capacity 10
Fuel Capacity 60 gal.
221 L
Water Capacity N/A

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane 5.6 sec.
0 to 30 7.5 sec.
Ratio 1.85:1
Props RX4 Blade 15x18
Load 2 persons, 11/12 load, no water, 50 lbs. of gear
Climate 74 deg.; wind: 7 mph; seas: light chop

Engine Options

Tested Engine 1 x 300-hp Evinrude E-TEC G2
Std. Power Not Available
Opt. Power 1 x 250-hp Evinrude E-TEC G2 HO E250XH
1 x 300-hp Evinrude E-TEC G2 E300X
1 x 300-hp Evinrude E-TEC G2 E300LU
1 x 250-hp Yamaha VF250XA
1 x 300-hp Yamaha F300XCA

Captain's Report


Shallow Sport 25 X3 run port

The Shallow Sport 25 X3 has a multi-hulled tunnel, trimaran-type hull. Twin-hulled catamarans are known for being stable and can have a good ride in sloppy conditions in larger vessels. Adding the additional third (trimaran) hull gives more displacement for carrying extra weight.

Overview

This boat combines the shoal draft of a flats boat with the choppy-water capability of a deeper-V bay boat. Multiple hulls make the boat extremely stable at rest and she can easily accommodate several anglers with all of their gear. One look at this boat and there’s no mistaking that this is a serious single-purpose fishing machine.

Unusual Hull Design

Shallow Sport 25 X3 trihull design

The hull design is what sets this boat apart from the norm in the industry. The sharp entry of the three sponsons smooth out the chop on open water.

Shallow Sport 25 X3 shallow water rest

At rest, the 25 X3 floats in shallower water than a traditional bay boat due to the additional floatation provided by the third sponson (hull) down the center of the boat.

Major Features

  • • Trimaran hull


  • • Packet transom design


  • • Console Riser


  • • 6-inch Hydraulic jack plate


  • • Large bow casting deck


  • • Shoal draft


  • • 100% Composite Construction


  • • Recirculating livewell

Pocket Transom

Shallow Sport 25 X3 transom pocket

The hull extends past the transom to form a pocket for the outboard engine. The additional displacement helps the boat to float in shallower water, and by moving the thrust of the outboard forward of the stern, the hull will plane off quicker with minimal bow rise. The added buoyancy aft also helps to support the engine’s weight.

Shallow Sport 25 X3 jack plate

A hydraulic jack plate can raise the outboard without starving the engine for water because of the hull’s ability to funnel water flow up to the propeller. Note that there is no external hydraulic steering or mess of wires and hoses in the outboard well -- this is due to the Evinrude E-TEC G2 300-hp outboard engine, which has internal hydraulic steering.

Bow Casting Deck

On a typical fishing boat, the majority of casting is done from the bow of the boat. Bow-mounted trolling motors make it easier to maneuver the boat and approach wary fish. If the bow deck is large enough for more than one angler to cast, more water can be covered in less time to pattern the fish.

Shallow Sport 25 X3 bow casting deck

A standout feature of this boat is the over-sized bow casting deck. With the 9-foot beam carried forward to a rounded bow, it equates to a massive deck that several anglers could fish from at the same time.

Shallow Sport 25 X3 front deck

The perimeter of the bow deck has a built-in toe rail, which is actually a safety feature and helps to keep flyline from blowing off of the deck.

Shallow Sport 25 X3 webbed interior finish

Shallow Sport chose to use a “webbed” interior finish even though the liner is a molded part complete with anti-skid and molded hatches. Note the pad to starboard for a bow-mounted trolling motor.

Shallow Sport 25 X3 locker and storage

Below the three molded deck hatches are an anchor locker and three dry storage compartments. Deep drain channels and rubber gaskets help to keep water out and gear dry.

Stern Casting Deck

A stern casting deck is equally important to accommodate more fishing buddies, and it’s the best place for livewells, so the bait can have the smoothest ride possible without getting beat up from sloshing water.

Shallow Sport 25 X3 rear deck open

The transom pocket takes up some of the room on the stern casting deck, but it’s a good trade-off for the increased performance.

Shallow Sport 25 X3 rear deck open 2

The stern casting deck includes a center-mounted livewell, flanked by port and starboard compartments for dry storage and systems access. A folding swim ladder to port is a safety feature that the ABYC requires for certification.

Shallow Sport 25 X3 self-bailing deck

The cockpit deck is self-bailing and has a pair of large drains in the port and starboard corners.

Console Riser

Navigating in shallow water, it’s imperative that the captain be able to see unmarked channels and underwater obstructions. A console riser gives a better vantage point for seeing down onto the water.

Shallow Sport 25 X3 riser

Situated higher in the boat, the ride is much drier with less chance of any spray getting you wet.

Shallow Sport 25 X3 riser rear

This riser is made out of molded fiberglass. It may take a little getting used to stepping up and especially stepping down when leaving the helm, but the advantages are worth it.

Shallow Sport 25 X3 beam

The 9-foot beam leaves plenty of walkway room between the gunnel and the console riser.

Shallow Sport 25 X3 riser console storage

Another advantage of a console riser is additional storage. The weight of any gear stowed under the riser should not have any ill effect on the CG of the boat.

Shallow Sport 25 X3 release well

Built into the aft portion of the riser is a plumbed release well. Moving the weight of the water forward, off of the transom, will help the boat to have a shallower draft.

Console and T-Top

Shallow Sport 25 X3 narrow center console

The center console is narrow, with the steering wheel mounted almost dead center. This setup has the captain centered between the steering wheel and the throttle whenever a passenger joins him up on the riser. Steer with the right hand, throttle with the left; it feels very natural.

Shallow Sport 25 X3 helm seat

The helm seat is a simple leaner with a backrest, but the seat cushion is deep enough to be comfortable to sit against the backrest. The seat cushion also tips forward to access the fiberglass storage tray below.

Shallow Sport 25 X3 aluminum rack cooler

An aluminum rack holds a cooler in place just forward of the riser. The front of the center console has backrests attached and, along with the seat cushion on top of the cooler, it forms forward seating.

Shallow Sport 25 X3 white color

The white powder coating matched the clean, white look of the boat. Above the helm is a fiberglass electronics box, and attached to the leading edge of the T-top is a LED light bar, which would be a welcome feature when running after dark. The diagonal supports for the T-top are in the operator’s field of vision and can take some getting used to.

Power

Shallow Sport 25 X3 test boat power

The Shallow Sport 25 X3 on our test boat was powered by an Evinrude E-TEC G2 300-hp engine. Because of its 5-year no-scheduled maintenance program, it matches the utilitarian nature of this flats vessel.

The max horsepower rating for this boat is 300, which was how our test boat was powered. The Evinrude E-TEC G2 had a 25-inch shaft and a gear ratio of 1.85:1. It was propped with a 15” diameter by 18” pitch R4, 4-blade stainless steel propeller.

Additional Performance Numbers

Top Speed. Our test boat had an estimated test weight of 3,901 lbs. (1,769 kg). We hit a top speed of 46.5 mph (40.4 knots) at 5700 rpm.

Best cruise was 26.5 mph (23 knots) with a fuel burn of 2.8 mpg. The boat hit 20 mph (17.4 knots) in 4.3 seconds and reached 30 mph (26.1 knots) in 7.5 seconds.

Shallow Sport 25 X3 runstar

Shown here going nearly flat out. Note that very little of the Shallow Sport 25 X3’s hull is in the water.

Ride and Handling

The triple sponsons cut through the heavy chop of the bay where we tested the boat and the tunnels never bottomed out. Turns were flat with just a slight lean inwards and there was no slide. From idle, the boat planed off with very little bow rise. At rest, the hull was incredibly stable. The transom pocket made backing into the slip a bit of a challenge, but the trade-off of what it does to enhance performance makes it well worth it.

Price

TBD

Available Options

  • • Lenco trim tabs


  • • Freshwater washdown


  • • Pro Air System


  • • 3 to 4 Bank Battery Charger


  • • Aluminum T-top


  • • Poling Platform


  • • Bow casting platform


  • • Power Pole


  • • Sound System

Shallow Sport 25 X3 specific design

The Shallow Sport 25 X3 was specifically designed for flats, swamps, bayous, and other places where shoal draft is needed to get to where the fish are hiding. Once there, her stability with three portly anglers on the bow will be hard to beat.

Observations

We ran this boat across a heavy bay chop, and although every manufacturer says their boat has a “soft dry ride,” this one actually did. With three people aboard, the boat hardly reacted as we walked around the deck. The bow casting deck is one of the largest we’ve seen on a 25-foot bay boat.

The shallow draft would allow this boat to also be pressed into service as a flats boat, but we are not sure this boat would be easy to push across flats with a push pole. We’d opt for a bow-mounted trolling motor instead.