Speed, Range And Solid Construction Make The Boston Whaler 260 Outrage A World Class Fishing Machine

For those of us of a certain age, there are perhaps no more iconic boating ads than those of the 1960s in which two halves of a Boston Whaler remained floating, with passengers still aboard, after it had been sawed completely in half. Since that time, Boston Whaler has established a worldwide reputation for building safe, unsinkable boats with tremendous lateral stability and exceptional load capacities. Unfortunately, the same features that led to these desirable characteristics resulted in a less desirable reputation for a rather punishing ride, particularly in rough water.

The Outrage 260 model was actually 27 feet and 10 inches in length overall, including the bow pulpit. It was introduced in 1998 and remained in production through the 2002 model year. Maximum beam was kept to 8 feet and 6 inches so the boat could be transported over the road without special permits–although at more than 5,000 pounds loaded, a large vehicle is needed for the task.

The Outrage 260 featured Whaler's newer "deep-V" hull form and a considerably softer ride in rough water than earlier models. However, innovation in design did not cause Boston Whaler to change its commitment to building strong, unsinkable boats. The Outrage 260 is built with a rather traditional layup of chop strand, unidirectional and woven fiberglass fabrics with plastic resin. What sets the Outrage 260 – and all Boston Whalers models, for that matter – apart, is not what goes into their construction, but how the parts are assembled.

Whaler's "unibond" construction system joins the two fiberglass halves – the outer shell and the liner – with closed cell foam while the foam is still in a liquid state. This construction creates a single, foam-core hull that is unsinkable even when sawed in half, in addition to being strong and very rigid. The deck is built in a similar fashion and joined to the hull with epoxy adhesive and mechanical fasteners. Hardware is through-bolted where the underside is accessible, and it is tapped into plywood or plastic backing plates molded into the composite where it is not.

Although the oldest Outrage 260s have only been in service for about 10 years, they are holding up well. Plywood reinforced transoms are susceptible to water penetration and, eventually, deterioration if motor mounts and other hardware are not properly maintained. And, if the hull is damaged severely enough so that the foam core is immersed in water for a prolonged period of time, water absorption can complicate repair.

The Outrage 260 is a large "center console" sport fisher. From the locking stainless steel rod racks beneath the gunnels to a large live-bait well at the port stern, few, if any, fishing features are left out. There are two fish boxes built into the cockpit sole which are 10 inches wide, one foot deep and nearly six feet long. The cockpit is 27 inches deep with a vinyl upholstered bolster at just the right height for the average person to brace against when fighting larger fish. A foldaway seat forward of the outboard motor well stores out of the way when not needed. Forward of the center console, a bench seat and two angled bow seats accommodate storage beneath. The back of the port bow seat lifts to reveal more rod storage. A foredeck locker has plenty of storage for the anchor rode and even a cleat for securing the bitter end of the rode. The anchor is securely stowed into a centerline slot of the bow pulpit.

Whaler has made efficient use of every available space, although, as with most large center console models, the helm seat is too far away from the helm to allow the operator to steer while seated. Fortunately, Whaler had the foresight to design the seat to serve a dual purpose as a leaning post.

For safety reasons, there are stainless steel handrails around the helm seat, a secure bow rail, and grab handles on each side of the seat bench seat forward of the helm. Decks have an aggressive, molded-in, nonskid surface for secure footing, and there are forward, aft and mid-ship mooring cleats.

Whaler has done a good job of providing a usable, if somewhat cramped, head beneath the center console. The head is accessed via a starboard bi-fold door and includes a small sink and storage locker.

Most Outrage 260s are powered by twin 225 HP Mercury OptiMax outboard engines, although occasionally other power options will be found. The Outrage 260 will reach an impressive top speed of nearly 50 MPH and cruise literally all day long at 30 MPH thanks to the 200-gallon fuel tank beneath the cockpit deck. At 30 MPH, the Outrage 260 has a range of more then 400 nautical miles. Another notable feature is a removable hatch that allows full access to the fuel tank. Now here is a manufacturer who took American Boat and Yacht Council's standard for fuel tank accessibility seriously.

The Outrage 260 makes an ideal bay or coastal fishing boat, but with a better than 400-mile range, a big boat feel and abundant safety features, it is offshore capable and easily reaches the deep-water fishing spots along the Eastern seaboard. I must admit to not being the most avid or accomplished fisherman, but it seems to me the Offshore 260 has all the features a 26-foot fishing boat in this size range should have.

Jack Hornor, NA is the principal surveyor and senior designer for the Annapolis-based Marine Survey & Design Co. Hornor writes for BoatU.S. Magazine and other marine publications.

Boat Sales | Market Sales