Everglades 230 Center Console, Yamaha F300

By Andy Adams

Versatility, accommodations and unsinkable construction

There are some good reasons why we’re seeing more and more center console saltwater fishing boats appearing on our inland bodies of water across Canada–versatility, comfort and performance–and yes, they are great for fishing!

Exterior Features

Let’s start at the top–literally. Like most center consoles, our Everglades 230 Center Console test boat featured a full fiberglass hardtop and it was fairly long, offering a bit more sun protection than many. Of course, it keeps the rain off, but the hardtop also offers a handy mounting spot for lights, speakers, electronics, aerials and more. Our test boat included a zippered overhead compartment to keep lifejackets within arms reach.

The top is on a large-diameter, white powder coated frame which is sturdy, attractive and allows you to grab it anywhere for a secure handhold. Around the trailing edge of the hardtop is an array of rod holders on very strong framing. All of these features make it much easier to step into the boat – just grab on anywhere and step down. If you’ve ever had the misfortune of slipping and falling into a fiberglass boat from up on the dock, you know how important this can be.

The decks are all finished in diamond pattern nonskid that continues right to the transom where you could also step on to the casting platforms or the swim platforms.

The exterior provides functionality from bow to stern. At the stern, the swim platforms include a port side fold down boarding ladder and these let you get close enough to the water to bring in a really big fish, or to put on your ski or wakeboard with equal convenience.

Fishing Features

Those port and starboard aft casting platforms are key fishing features and Everglades has cleverly added latches and hinges so you can swing these up to reveal port and starboard jump seats for family seating space.

In between these is an enormous 27 gallon aerated live well. A thick clear plexiglass lid lets you keep an eye on things and it has a gasket to prevent spills. Locating the live well at the stern like this gives the fish the softest ride.

Also in this area are controls for the live well and easily accessed switches for the dual batteries.

The cockpit is where the fishing action is centered and there is a generous amount of floor space for moving around and landing a fish. There is rod storage in the hull sides and underneath the helm seat is the standard fiberglass 65 quart Yeti cooler. Just above that is the optional slide out drawer where you can keep your favorite lures near at hand.

There are also a pair of tackle boxes built into the starboard side about amidships. That’s a good location because a lot of the fishing action happens near the stern of the boat and you don’t want to get in the way when the action heats up.

Family Features

A lot of the family-friendly part happens in the forward section. Our test boat had upgraded white powder coated handrails running from the anchor locker back to mid ships. The anchor locker is laid out to handle a good length of chain rode and a big hook plus, there are brackets to secure a bow boarding ladder for swimming or beaching the boat. The ladder stows neatly in the head compartment.

To protect the boat and make anchoring easier, there is also a stainless steel chute and bow roller.

The main feature in the bow is a large nonskid-finished casting platform and our test boat had a removable sun pad over this area as well as padded bolster coaming. These details make the bow a much more comfortable area for passengers to relax or tan and yet, it is well laid out for working a fish down the side.

There is also a forward facing bench seat for two that is sure to be the best seat in the house on hot summer days. Below that seat is a large space in the head compartment of the center console. This makes the head compartment more accommodating and is also useful for storing large items or locking up valuables. Brackets in here secure another padded section which can convert the bow area and the forward facing bench seat into one long sun lounge – very nice!

Lift the sun pad and it reveals a huge 60 gallon self-bailing fish box that could also serve as a very large storage area or self-draining cooler. We counted a dozen rod holders on board!

This really is a very versatile big family boat. Few are aware of the patented unsinkable Ramcap construction method that Everglades boats are built with. Everglades unsinkable construction is based around their pre-engineered 6lb density foam structure. This is a much stronger and durable system than some other boats that use a 2lb foam.

Everglades describes their 230 Center Console as a family-friendly multipurpose fishing boat and it’s rated to handle up to 12 persons and up to 300 hp maximum, to push its 25 feet overall length. The beam is 8 foot 6 inches making it legal for trailering without needing a permit in most jurisdictions. The hull weight comes in at 4,300 lbs while the powerful Yamaha F300 adds another 558 lbs.

Performance and Handling

You will notice that weight the first time you slice through a big wave at speed. The Everglades has a solid and muscular feel, yet the brawny Yamaha F300 can take the boat from trolling speeds to wide open in mere seconds. The Yamaha delivers huge torque and could hold a steady speed down to wakeboard speeds. At 12 to 17 mph, there was a fair sized wake then, it flattens out as the speed rises and slalom skiers will like the wake shape and size.

Another feature is the ski pylon located high on the hardtop frame – this will make it much easier to pick a skier or boarder out of deep water and it will make tubing more fun too. It functions much like the tower on a wakeboard boat.

The helm seat is good for standing, leaning or seated operation and Everglades has a patented lowering windscreen for protection when you want it and wind in the face when the weather is really hot.

Overall, this is a beautifully finished and impressively solid boat that can handle a huge load of people or gear, and the big Yamaha F300 can fly it up to 50 mph top speeds.

The Everglades 230 CC is the kind of boat that is redefining the boating experience for a lot of families!

SPECIFICATIONS
Engines: Yamaha F300 4.2L Offshore outboard. Dual overhead cam, variable valve timing and multi-point EFI equipped V6 four-stroke engine, 300 hp. 15 ½ x 17 stainless steel prop.

ENGINE RPM MPH
Idle 2.7
1,000 5.2
1,500 6.9
2,000 8.8
2,500 9.6
3,000 11.7
3,500 27.2
4,000 33.1
4,500 38.7
5,000 41.6
5,500 47.5
6,250 49.9 MAX

Length overall including engine: 25’0”/
Beam: 8’6”/
Weight hull only: 4,300lbs/
Fuel capacity: 108gal/
Fresh water capacity: 9gal/
Waste holding: portable MSD
Maximum power: 300 hp
Price: $124,900 (MSRP in US $)

Test boat, performance data and pricing supplied by: Executive Yacht, www.executiveyachtcanada.com

Photo Captions
Photo 1 – The Everglades 230 combines high style and versatility with outstanding quality. Credit: Everglades Boats
Photo 2 – This shot reveals a huge number of features; the white powder coated deck rails and frame for the hard top, big bow cushion over the live well and the port side entrance to the head compartment in the console. Credit: Andy Adams
Photo 3 – The helm / companion seat is very versatile with standing, leaning or seated positions, tilt steering and the benefit of a windshield that can be raised or lowered depending on the weather. Credit: Andy Adams
Photo 4 – This is the underside of the hard top. It provides far more than shelter; overhead radio compartment, interior lighting, rod holders, audio system speakers and a huge zippered compartment to keep lifejackets near at hand. Credit: Andy Adams

Other Photo Credits
Photos 5 – 8 Credit: Andy Adams