Boat of the Week: The Safe & Strong Whaler 280 Outrage

“Great family boat for fishing and cruising,” says one of the customer comments about the 280 Outrage on Boston Whaler’s website. It’s a boat that is perfect for the Bay and available to buy at Chesapeake Whalertowne. The Outrage line of 23–42’ center console models all run on offshore ready, deep-V hulls built robust and unsinkable with Whaler’s Unibond foam-filled construction.

The 280 Outrage’s bottom ranges from a wave-cleaving, sharp forefoot to a 23⁰ V aft for cushioning while running at speed in rough seas. And run this model does, with twin either 300-hp or 400-hp Mercury Verado outboards, but with surprising efficiency. According to Whaler’s performance figures, the 280 has a range of 250-300 nautical miles at speeds in the range of 20-35 knots (3.,000-4,500 rpm), with top speeds of 50-55 knots.

Meanwhile, wide chines damp spray and provide stability at rest or on the troll.  This model receives a B/C rating under the CE Yacht Compliance Classification, for conditions offshore well beyond anything a prudent Chesapeake skipper would choose to go out in.  Even so, it’s comforting that the boat offers such a strong safety margin.   

Another customer says of the 280 Outrage’s features, “It’s the small details that make the difference. Things such as upholstery stitching, latch and hinge hardware, gas struts etc…that makes a difference.”

Look for family features like a large seat for two in front of the console, with cavernous storage beneath; bow seating for two or three with a detachable table; an optional shade for lunch and relaxing on the hook (anchor windlass optional); an adult-sized head in the roomy console; comfortable seating for two at the helm with footrests and leaning bolsters; a fold-down seat for two in the transom; and a starboard transom door for access to the engines and swim platform with telescoping boarding ladder.  

Stow the bow cushions and table, though, and the 280 is ready to fish. You’ll find rod holders in the gunwales, under the gunwales, across the transom, and on the aft side of the hardtop, which can mount outriggers. The helm seat unit includes tackle drawers in the port side, with a bait prep station on aft side that includes a livewell, a freshwater sink, and a tip-out trashcan. There’s another livewell in the port side of the transom, plus two fishboxes in the cockpit sole, flanking a large central hatch for good access to wiring and plumbing.

A thoughtful optional touch for fishing is a pair of fold-down trolling seats recessed in the topsides beside the console. For standing while underway, there are plenty of sturdy, well-placed handholds (more of those important small details). At the helm, Simrad electronics (twin 12” displays, VHF radio, autopilot, and radar) seamlessly integrate with the Mercury engines and Joystick piloting.

See the Outrage 280 in action here:

Here’s one more example of the thoroughness in Boston Whaler’s engineering: you can fully familiarize yourself with the boat’s inner workings with its dedicated, 161-page 280 Outrage Owner’s Manual, which includes 44 pages of wiring diagrams and a schematic drawing advising on reinforcement locations for mounting light to heavy duty aftermarket equipment. The 280 Outrage is built to last for many years of safe, comfortable fishing and day cruising. Current MSRP for a well-equipped 280 Outrage is $380-400,000, but with 2025 models just arriving, there are still-new 2024 boats at Chesapeake Whalertowne offered at special late-season prices.

SPECIFICATIONS