When the Rybovich family first developed fast-for-their-time offshore sportfishing boats back in the 1950s, they built classic 35’ models (some still fishing today) that were commonly referred to as “day boats.” With twin 180-hp gas V-8 engines, they cruised in the 20-25-knot range, with ranges of around 150 nautical miles. They had forward cabins with berths, so customers theoretically could cruise in them, but that capability was beside the point. They were quick, nimble, and certainly capable of entertaining as well as fishing.
Now look at a modern “day boat”, Boston Whaler’s 330 Outrage, available on the Bay at Chesapeake Whalertowne. There are no berths, but the center console houses a useful changing room with VacuFlush toilet and lots of storage. It comes with twin V-8s, but they are sophisticated 300-hp Mercury Verado outboards (or optional 400-hp V-10s). Cruising speeds, according to Mercury’s tests, are 20-35 knots, with range of 350-400 nautical miles, fuel efficiency better than one nautical mile per gallon, and twice that when trolling. Top speeds are 45-50 knots, and acceleration is quick with both engine choices. A deep-V 230 running bottom and a sharp bow cleave seas whether offshore or in a short Chesapeake Bay chop.
This is the kind of boat a hardcore Chesapeake angler might take to Ocean City or Wachapreague for serious summertime blue-water fishing tournaments, then bring it back to the Bay for fall red drum and rockfish. She’s an all-weather vessel capable of fishing right through the winter if her crew is willing, with plenty of rod and tackle storage, toerails and bolsters for fighting fish, livewells and fishboxes.
At the same time, she can carry up to 14 people for social outings with plenty of seating. That includes a bow lounge with convenient stowable table, a double lounge seat with armrests on the console’s front, with cavernous, lockable storage below, a dive door with ladder in the port side of the cockpit, and (optional) bow and aft sunshades for lazy picnics on the hook or a sandbar.
Maneuverability is intuitive with integrated joystick control and bow thruster. In fact, that combination is a good indicator of just how well this vessel’s systems work together. Boston Whaler is a Brunswick company, which means that its boats benefit from several levels of engineering integration. The project team for each model, with training and experience in everything from naval architecture and electrical engineering to human ergonomics and customer/dealer input, designs the hull for specific Mercury engines with Simrad electronics, C-MAP cartography, and full electrical systems from Brunswick’s Navico Group.
The 330 Outrage’s 189-page Owner’s Manual describes all of the 330 Outrage’s systems in detail, including all of the access points for checks and maintenance. Rest assured that her design team took that access especially seriously, whether for a handy owner or a trained marine technician. Better yet, take a test run with Chesapeake Whalertowne and see how seamlessly this Boston Whaler thoroughbred performs from dock to open water.
List price for the 330 Outrage is around $530,000 with fishing and family options and twin Mercury 300s with joystick. Upgrade to V-10s for an additional $32,000 and add a seasickness-reducing Seakeeper 2 gyro for an extra $70,000. Whalertowne still has two 2024 models available, with special late-season pricing.
SPECIFICATIONS
LOA: 33’1”
Beam: 10’2”
Draft: 22”
Transom Deadrise: 230
Persons Capacity: 14
Fuel Capacity: 300 gal.
Freshwater Capacity: 40 gal.
Waste Capacity: 6.5 gal.
Livewell Volume: 50 gal.
Weight: 9,000 lbs. (dry, no engine)
Weight with engine, fuel, & batteries: 12,579 lbs.
Max HP: 800
Bridge Clearance: 9’10” w/ Hardtop
Bridge Clearance: 11’3” w/ Hardtop & Radar
