Cutwater C-302 Coupe
POCKET ROCKET
Cutwater’s outboard-powered C-302 Coupe is a fast, spacious pocket cruiser that’s ideally suited to exploring every inch of Canada’s lakes, rivers and coastlines.
By Craig Ritchie
Blending the comfortable layout of its popular C-30 Sedan with the riveting performance of a double-stepped hull with patented laminar flow interrupter technology, Cutwater Boats’ new C-302 Coupe is a fast and capable cruiser that’s ideal for exploring Canada’s waterways in comfort.
Measuring an even 30 feet in length and riding on a 10-foot beam, the C-302 Coupe builds on the runaway success of Cutwater’s original C-30 pocket cruiser, while adding a number of thoroughly modern twists. The most obvious change in the new model is the switch from sterndrive to outboard power, with a pair of counter-rotating Yamaha F300s now riding in place of the original boat’s 435-horsepower Volvo Penta D6. Today’s outboard engines boast so many technological innovations that their choice for a vessel of this size has become almost automatic on the strength of benefits like lighter weight, easier maintenance and the ability to tilt the props up and out of the water when the boat’s not being used, protecting the lower units from fouling by marine growths. Relocating the power to the outside of the transom also does wonderful things for interior cockpit space, giving the C-302 Coupe the remarkable ability to appear much larger than it really is.
But those lightweight twin 300s are just the beginning of multitude small changes that combine to make the C-302 quite a different boat from its sterndrive-powered sibling. Cutwater’s high-performance, double-stepped hull, for example, lifts easily onto plane and stays there even at a surprisingly low rpm, contributing to both driving performance and fuel economy. The addition of patented laminar flow interrupters further enhance cornering, allowing the C-302 Coupe to easily manage wide-open throttle speeds of well over 50 mph. The proof lies in the standard Yamaha digital gauges, which reveal a top speed of 53 mph while still delivering impressive fuel economy of 53 gallons-per-hour (gph) or 1.01 miles-per-gallon (mpg) during Cutwater’s performance trials. Throttling back to a more leisurely 25 mph and 3,500 rpm still brings cruisers to their destination with plenty of time to spare, while enjoying even better fuel economy indicated at 18 gph or 1.34 mpg. That’s the kind of performance that really speaks to boaters who enjoy the ability to take longer cruises without having to worry about fuel stops.
Built to Surprise and Delight
What really sets this yacht apart, however, is the way it makes the most of its deceptively compact dimensions, providing far more comfort and amenities than one might expect from a boat of this size. Step aboard via the large rear swim platform and through its wide transom door, and the C-302 Coupe’s thoughtful design becomes obvious right away. Everywhere you look, it seems like Cutwater has devised yet another pleasant surprise to delight C-302 owners with.
For example, a large, comfortable bench seat that folds neatly into the transom wall when not in use provides comfortable seating without taking up any real space. But what really impresses guests perusing the cockpit is the unique way that each gunnel folds down and outward to create additional cockpit seating. These brilliant side jump seats are wide enough for two, extremely comfortable, and provide a unique perspective that’s literally from outside the boat.
A further surprise can be found in the transom itself, where lifting a large topside hatch reveals a Kenyon electric grill, augmented by a sink and a faucet providing hot and cold running water. The surprising part is that the grill can lift out when not required, exposing a 113 L transom live well that’s hidden beneath it.
The ability to quickly convert this boat from comfortable family cruising to serious offshore fishing gives the C-302 Coupe considerable added appeal – especially with fishing being by far the most popular form of recreation among Canadian boaters. The anglers in your crew will come to love this yacht’s large built-in fish boxes and neatly integrated rod holders, while its raw-water washdown and self-draining cockpit floor make clean-ups as easy as it gets. Who wants to end a day on the water by scrubbing non-skid? Just hose it down as you go and the boat stays clean with no muss, no fuss.
Regardless of whether you’re fishing offshore or gunkholing with the grill loaded up and some nice cold drinks, the cockpit is very much the place to be on the C-302 thanks to its integrated seating and the overhead sun protection afforded by its extended hard top. A removable cherry cockpit table makes this an ideal spot for the ultimate dinner with a view, while cockpit courtesy lights invite you to linger a bit and watch the sun go down.
With this boat’s emphasis on maximizing interior space, the side decks leading to the bow are just wide enough, while thoughtfully-placed railings along the edge of the hard top provide additional assurance as you move forward. There in the bow Cutwater delights with further surprises in the form of two flush hatches that open to reveal even more seating, with dual cushioned observer seats along with a central forward lounge. This is a great space to escape with a book while destressing and recharging your internal batteries while soaking up some sun. The bow also houses the anchor locker, complete with a self-launching stainless-steel bow roller and the primary control for the windlass.
Have Your Cake and Eat It
Cutwater offers the C-302 in two slightly different versions, allowing owners to select their boat with a view to how it will be used. The cruising-focused Coupe model features a traditional layout with the cockpit and salon separated by a solid bulkhead with a centerline door. The nearly-identical Sport Coupe model is designed to appeal to day boaters with an open layout that provides a continuous, uninterrupted space from the transom to the windshield – closing off the salon would require canvas. Here in Canada, the Coupe design with its greater occupant protection may very well prove to be the more popular variant – especially as it provides greater efficiency for the available forced air furnace and cockpit air conditioner – but Cutwater offers both to ensure buyers can have this boat exactly as they prefer.
In either variant, as you step from the cockpit forward into the salon you’ll find a fully-equipped galley immediately to port, positioned to serve both salon and cockpit occupants with equal convenience. The well-designed galley boasts more counter space than some city condominiums. With amenities like a full refrigerator/freezer, a two-burner stove, an oven and even a wine/water cooler, it might be better equipped than some of those condo kitchens to boot, and it wouldn’t be hard to produce an enormous range of dishes from within its compact footprint. Large, wrap-around windows make the galley a truly pleasant work space, while its location right on the main deck ensures that anyone preparing a meal remains part of the conversation.
A spacious dinette sits opposite the galley to starboard, with a high-low table that converts to sleep two when you have overnight guests. The aft dinette seat deserves special mention with its reversible seatback. Open the bulkhead window located immediately behind it and you can use the rear portion of the dinette as an aft-facing cockpit seat by simply plunking your bum right through the window frame. It’s a rather brilliant design, and one of the most obvious examples of the tremendous innovation found on this boat.
The forward end of the dinette seat can also be adjusted for either rear-facing or forward-facing seating; in its forward-facing mode, it forms the double-wide helm seat. Cutwater has yet another appealing surprise here, but let’s come back to that in a moment.
The attractive helm console provides plenty of space to accommodate large flush-mount touch displays, along with controls for the standard bow and stern thrusters. You’ll also find a remote control for the anchor windlass, which is a nice touch, along with the Garmin DSC-capable VHF radio. Built for cruising, the C-302 Coupe includes a 2,000w sine wave inverter to power accessories without having to endure any generator noise. Throughout the boat you’ll find no shortage of power, with no less than five 110-volt outlets and a further three 12-volt outlets.
Opposite the helm is a comfortable companion seat. When not required, this seat back folds flat, allowing a retractable counter top to lower into its place.
An audiophile Fusion stereo with an auxiliary input and Bluetooth wireless streaming capability also comes standard in the C-302 Coupe, along with two HDTVs complete with DVD players located in the salon and the master suite.
A Master Suite Like No Other
Step forward between the helm and companion seats and a few short steps takes you below decks to the master suite in the bow. An asymmetrically shaped, memory foam island bed is positioned on an unusual diagonal axis, which makes the most of the space while still leaving sufficient space to allow direct access to the head. The bed also lifts to reveal a substantial amount of storage space beneath it. The suite boasts opening portholes to either side and opening hatches overhead for excellent lighting and cross-ventilation. Additional storage, in the form of several drawers and shelves plus a roomy hanging locket accommodates a cruise-worth of clothing and other personal items.
The head is neatly designed and well equipped, with an electric toilet, a basin sink, a small vanity, port lights and a spacious shower with a retractable enclosure.
One thing that’s immediately noticeable about the Cutwater C-302 is the amount of headroom below. There’s up to six feet, eight inches of clearance, which only adds to this boat’s seemingly magical ability to appear bigger than it really is.
The C-302 has a second mid-cabin stateroom, which brings us back to the dinette on the main deck. Access to this second stateroom is through a wide door that’s neatly integrated into the base of the dinette seat. The kids will absolutely love this one – beyond the fact you enter through the dinette by lifting the aft settee, they have a completely private space they can make all their own. Empty nesters will love this space too, although they’re far more than likely use it for additional storage.
Have It Your Way
Cutwater takes immense pride in the fact that all of its C-302 models are sold fully-equipped and ready to cruise. But as boaters themselves, the company’s engineers and designers know how much we all love to tinker and personalize. So although the boat comes with a long list of standard features, there’s an impressive option list that allows owners to order a range of upgrades right from the factory.
The most popular of these feature enhancements are packaged into groups for convenience. The Northwest Edition adds amenities like an anchor, chain and 200 feet of line, a Garmin autopilot with remote, a Garmin navigation package with dual 7612 chartplotters, a 4 kw radar dome, depthfinder and GPS antenna, a forced air furnace, LED lighting, a macerator discharge, a microwave, a solar panel with control panel, a wireless remote for the bow and stern thrusters, underwater lighting and steel rails on the swim platform for added safety.
For those who plan to spend a whole lot of time on the boat, the available Luxury Edition package adds niceties like air conditioning, the Garmin autopilot and navigation pack, a combination microwave / convection oven, a 5kW gasoline generator, LED lights, macerator, the solar panel, thruster remote and swim platform rails. Still further individual options include an aft cockpit sun shade, an aft steering station with electronic controls that’s popular with serious anglers, a triple-axle trailer, a cockpit ice maker and various hull colour upgrades.
Cutwater’s original C-30 pocket cruiser has long been one of the most popular models in the company’s lineup with its nearly perfect combination of size and creature comforts. But with its new outboard power and multitude of small but meaningful refinements, the new C-302 Coupe builds on that great platform and elevates the design to a whole new level. Boaters in search of a comfortable, fast and fuel-efficient cruiser that can go anywhere will find this yacht checks all the boxes.
CUTWATER C-302 COUPE
LOA: 30′ 0″ / 9.14m
Beam: 10′ 0” / 3.05m
Draft (engines up/down): 26”/30” / .66m/.84m
Dry weight: 9,800 lbs. / 4,445 kg
Fuel Capacity: 1,135 L
Water Capacity: 302 L
Holding tank capacity: 151 L
Std. Power: 2 x Yamaha F300
Price in USD: $315,000
