Boston Whaler 350 Realm

The Great Entertainer: Designed with several social zones, the Boston Whaler 350 Realm is all about entertaining.

By Andy Adams

Photos by Boston Whaler

You might be dreaming of an adventure boat, or a luxury cruiser, or maybe a serious fishing platform. You might dream of an overnight exploration boat, or a boat that entertains a big group of friends or family. Whatever your ambitions, the features and appointments, and the stellar performance of the Boston Whaler 350 Realm, equipped with triple Mercury Verado V10-cylinder 425 horsepower engines, feels like it could do just about anything. It’s the Great Entertainer.

My introduction to this boat was in Florida at the Mercury Marine unveiling of the V10 425hp engine. A V10 is the sort of exotic engine you get in a Lamborghini. It’s amazing that Mercury builds these exotic engines, but this is the state-of-the-art in high-end outboards now. They are a great match with the Boston Whaler 350 Realm.

While this shot shows triple Mercury Verado V10 400hp engines, our test boat had the new 425hp versions and they absolutely give the boat wings.

Overall Design

This is classic Boston Whaler deep-vee hull design with handsome proportions in what I would call a modified centre console. (‘Whaler calls it a modified express cruiser.)

Beginning at the bow, you have a comfortable area with lounge seating, fold-down armrests, drink holders, storage and high-end stereo system plus USB and charging connections. A shade is available to fly over the whole area. An aft-facing bow seat sets up a great cocktail spot with the removable teak-topped table with a compass rose inlay. This can lower to make an extended sun lounge. In the bow anchor locker is a washdown, an electric windlass and the anchor passing through the stem, well away from the hull.

The secure and high hull sides with wide floor space gives comfortable passage to the helm area or to the cockpit. The hard top spans the full beam in the helm area giving more sun protection and passenger security. The glass windshield has an electric centre vent. Air-conditioning and reverse cycle heat is standard.

In seconds, the helm seats can rotate to face aft, creating a delightful cafe-style dining area.
The forward cabin is ideal for changing and has a well-equipped head, and the seats slide to become a queen berth space.

Passenger Comfort

The luxurious and inviting cabin below the helm includes a convertible vee berth/seating area and a well-equipped head with vacuum flush and a shower for comfort on overnight trips. This is perfect for changing into bathing suits, giving little ones a safe place out of the sun and of course a washroom for anyone on board.

Boston Whaler has given the 350 Realm a unique and practical interior layout. There are three rows of forward-facing seats plus the bow seating. Passenger movement is on the port side while the starboard side is enclosed by exterior galley facilities. This is where the great entertaining amenities start to really shine.

The twin helm seats have several footrest positions and the whole double seat can rotate to face aft when moored. The second-row seat, when facing forward with the removable teak tables mounted here, make a great dining area for four under the hardtop.

The big roof has a zippered ceiling compartment for the side and aft panels. It’s quick and easy to enclose the interior to dine in air conditioned (or heated) comfort.

Creating another social zone, the middle seats flip to face aft and teak tables can make another dining or social area by the transom. Folding footrests ensure that everyone is comfortable. A power sun shade protects the whole aft cockpit.

Everyone gets a clear view facing forward while underway.

Food Prep

To starboard of the helm seats is a sink with running water and a food prep counter that swings out to reveal an electric grill underneath. Under the middle seat is a 230-quart insulated bin that can be ordered with refrigeration. The whole seat lifts for access, while a separate acrylic door allows you to conveniently reach in for a can of pop or other small items.

Drink holders and a covered sink make smart use of the counter space for food prep. A section swings open revealing the grill yet maintaining counter space.

Water Activities

Water activities like swimming, snorkeling and SCUBA diving are a natural for the 350 Realm. On the portside is a massive dive and boarding door with removable stainless steel dive ladder and swing-out assist handle for easier water interaction. There is also another swim ladder off the transom.

Throughout the interior, the 350 Realm has rich upholstery and an optional high-gloss teak package that creates a really elegant atmosphere. The stainless-steel fittings and hardware are first-class, and we can’t forget that famous unsinkable Boston Whaler construction!

The port side dive door open with the assist handle folded out of the way. The dive ladder stows under the helm seat.

Helm Features
Dual 16” Simrad screens plus a JL Audio system with many speakers and zones, digital and  stainless-steel switches, RGB courtesy lighting, auto dimming, red, white and blue map lights are just some of the helm features.

The 350 Realm is standard with power steering and Mercury Joystick Piloting for worry-free docking. This also has Skyhook functionality for effortless station keeping while you wait for bridges to open or for your turn at the fuel dock. A bow thruster is available and so is a Seakeeper 3 12-volt Gyro Stabilizer system.

Dual 16″ SImrad screens carry all the information and switching, plus redundant conventional switches are included.

Fishing Features

For the serious fisherman, Boston Whaler offers several other models, notably the new Outrage 360. The Realm puts the emphasis on elegance, amenities and comfort, but it still can fish too! The cockpit has a pressurized port side live well plus two insulated fish boxes in the cockpit sole.  Gemlux outriggers are optional. Rod holders are located across the transom and up the gunwales. Deck hawes and inboard cleats are a great feature and keep the aft decking clear for fishing.

The big unsulated locker with optional refrigeration and small door keep cold drinks handy.
The handy plexiglass door let’s you reach in for a can of pop without opening the big lid. The teak footrest can fold down for added floor space.
The 217-litre insulated bin can be your big refrigerator.

Performance

My trip to Tampa was originally to experience the new 425hp V10 Verado engines, and I have saved the best to the last. These are smooth, quiet and yet have a serious exhaust note when you lay into the throttles. Weighing 18,830lbs, the triple Verados hit 30mph from a standing start in just 9.65 seconds. Swinging 4-blade stainless-steel Revolution X props, the 350 Realm hit 29.5 mph at 3,500rpm, but the higher efficiency comes at higher speeds with the Verados running 4,500rpm doing 40.7mph and still achieving a best 0.7 miles-per-gallon.

The 350 Realm really covers distance effortlessly. It’s hard to believe three 425hp V10 engines can go so fast and use so little fuel. And if you want a thrill, open them up. The test boat hit 6,498rpm and 62mph!

Even then, handling was sure-footed and smooth in the Atlantic chop on test day. The power steering gives real confidence, and the V10’s had Mercury’s Active Trim, so the driver is not distracted trying to get the optimum settings.

Where ever you want to go, the Boston Whaler 350 Realm is ready to take you and your family almost anywhere in style and comfort. It’s the Great Entertainer!

The floor hatch opens to the batteries and mechanicals. The lid secures the teak tables when not in use.

SPECIFICATIONS Boston Whaler 350 Realm

ENGINES: Triple Mercury Verado V10s, dual overhead cams, 4-valve per cylinder, electronic fuel injection, 425hp each, Joystick Docking, Lenco Autotrim

RPM SPEED
1,000 6.1

1,500 8.9

2,000 10.8

2,500 12.5

3,000 17.4

3,500 29.2

4,000 35.2

4,500 40.7

5,000 45.8

5,500 50.8

6,000 56.4

6,495 62.0

Length overall: 35’6” / 10.82m
Max Beam: 10’10” / 3.30m
Weight: with engines, fuel, water and batteries: 18,830lbs / 8559kg
Fuel capacity: 385 gal / 1457L
Water capacity: 45 gal / 170.34L
Waste capacity: 10 gal / 38L

Price: Base $776,280 USD with triple Mercury Verado V8 engines and Joystick Piloting

Price and boat supplied by supplied by Boston Whaler, www.bostonwhaler.com .

In the cabin below the helm is a full head with vacuum-flush MSD and Shower.

Video Gallery

Bennington 22 MSB

By Andy Adams

If you’ve already had firsthand experience with a pontoon, you will easily understand the appeal of the Bennington 22 MSB. But if you haven’t, let’s start by reviewing a few of the reasons why pontoon boats have become top sellers in markets across North America.

Pontoon boats began in the early 1950s as basically four steel drums lashed to a frame. They were not unlike the log rafts of ancient cultures and not much more sophisticated at first.

Read More

Destinations

The Best of Two Worlds

By Mathew Channer

Interior British Columbia might not be as famous for recreational boating as Canada’s Great Lakes, yet it is no less a world-class boat­ing destination. The mountains offer their own flavour of marine adventure with their series of long, deep ribbon lakes, and there is perhaps no area that embodies this more uniquely than the iconic Okanagan basin in southern B.C. One could be forgiven for assuming this valley was purpose-built for nautical fun, with a few delightful perks thrown in to make the area entirely irresistible (wine-tasting, anyone?).

Read More

Lifestyle