In Depth Look: Boston Whaler 280 Outrage

October 5, 2024

The Boston Whaler 280 Outrage stands as a versatile blend of high-performance fishing and family comfort. Known for its rugged construction and luxury touches, the 280 Outrage is an ideal vessel for offshore adventures, delivering the perfect balance of fishing features, family-friendly amenities, and cutting-edge technology. Whether you’re planning a fishing trip or a day of relaxation, this boat ensures that no feature is overlooked.

Specs

Length: 28′ 0″
Beam: 9′ 4″
Dry Weight: 6,200 lbs
Capacity: 12 passengers
Draft: 22″
Fuel Capacity: 186 gallons
Max Horsepower: 800 HP
Base Price: $294,604

Fishing Features

The Boston Whaler 280 Outrage is purpose-built for serious anglers. One of the key features is the deluxe leaning post, which isn’t just for leaning—it’s an all-in-one fishing command center. This leaning post incorporates a 30-gallon pressurized livewell, essential for keeping bait fresh and lively, and offers a designated bait prep area to make rigging easy, even in the midst of action. Additionally, you’ll find 2 built-in rod holders right on the post, ensuring your gear is within arm’s reach.

But it doesn’t end there. With a total of six gunnel-mounted rod holders, three transom rod holders, and five more mounted on the T-top, the 280 Outrage ensures you’ll never run short of storage options for your fishing rods. These rod holders make switching between rods quick and efficient, ideal when you’ve got multiple lines in the water. Under-gunnel rod racks keep additional rods secure but readily accessible, and they’re a perfect fit for extra gear on longer trips.

For the catch itself, the boat comes equipped with two large aft fishboxes with pump-outs, giving you plenty of storage space to keep your catch fresh until you get back to the dock. If you’re planning longer trips or need even more bait storage, an optional 17-gallon aft port livewell is available, providing flexibility for larger outings. The spacious cockpit also ensures that even when you’re reeling in a tough catch, you’ll have plenty of room to move around without feeling cramped.

Anglers who frequently troll offshore will appreciate the option for outriggers, extending your fishing capabilities by allowing for more efficient and controlled trolling lines. Whether you’re targeting big game fish or just out for a relaxing fishing day, the 280 Outrage delivers every essential feature needed to elevate your fishing experience.

Family Features

The Boston Whaler 280 Outrage doesn’t compromise on comfort, ensuring that the entire family can enjoy a day out on the water. Starting at the bow, you’ll find a spacious seating area and console lounger with plush cushions and backrests that make lounging a pleasure. This layout encourages socializing, offering plenty of space for family and friends to relax and enjoy the view. Conveniently placed drink holders (eight in total) around the boat ensure your beverages stay secure, even when the waters get a little choppy.

The helm seats are equally luxurious. With flip-up bolsters and backrests, these seats cater to both the captain and co-captain, ensuring a comfortable ride whether seated or standing. The T-top and tempered glass windshield offer much-needed protection from the elements. Directly behind the helm, the leaning post serves double duty. Beyond the fishing utilities, it’s equipped with a freshwater sink and a pull-out shower, so you can rinse off after a swim or just freshen up during a long day on the water.

One standout family feature is the fully enclosed head inside the console. Outfitted with a portable head and courtesy lights, it offers privacy and convenience—perfect for longer trips when you need more than just a quick stop. The head also features additional storage, making it a useful space for stashing personal items or extra supplies.

For water sports and swimming, the 280 Outrage includes a portside dive door, allowing easy access to the water. When combined with the removable stainless steel dive ladder, this feature makes entering and exiting the boat a breeze. At the stern, the foldaway seat adds additional seating without compromising deck space. When it’s time for swimming, the covered telescoping swim ladder at the swim platform makes it easy to jump in and out of the water, whether you’re snorkeling or just taking a refreshing dip.

Additional Standard Features

The 280 Outrage is well-equipped with modern technology and conveniences, starting with the Simrad 12″ NSX display at the helm, which offers top-of-the-line navigation tools, fishfinding capabilities, and more. Push-button remote ignition and LED navigation lights come standard, ensuring a streamlined and easy start to any adventure.

In terms of maneuverability, the boat features recessed electric trim tabs and tilt steering, both of which enhance your control over the vessel and smooth out your ride in various sea conditions. The SmartCraft deluxe gauge package offers real-time data on your boat’s performance, giving you key insights while on the water.

Storage is never an issue on the 280 Outrage. Forward in-floor storage is spacious and versatile, complete with two 5-gallon buckets, which are perfect for stowing away smaller items or cleaning supplies. A raw water washdown ensures that cleaning the deck and gear post-fishing is quick and efficient, keeping your boat pristine.

Optional Features

For those seeking to upgrade their boating experience, the Boston Whaler 280 Outrage offers a comprehensive list of optional features. The T-top can be upgraded to a hardtop with electronic box, providing more storage and protection. If comfort is key, opt for deluxe helm seating, which adds an adjustable captain’s chair and a stationary companion seat, offering the ultimate in comfort for long days on the water.

For added convenience, you can enhance the forward bow area with a filler cushion, converting it into a spacious sun pad, ideal for lounging. For serious fishing enthusiasts, the deluxe leaning post with an integrated cooler keeps food and drinks cold and close by.

Electronics upgrades are also available, including an additional 12″ Simrad NSX display or the larger Simrad 16″ NSO display, giving you more control and data at your fingertips. The Simrad Dome Halo 24 Radar, autopilot, and VHF radio options ensure you’re prepared for any long-range trips or offshore adventures. And for enhanced control over your vessel, the Vessel View 4-inch display offers easy monitoring of your engine systems.

Luxury options like the bow table and sunshades at both the bow and cockpit create comfortable zones for dining or relaxing. For enhanced stability in rough waters, the SeaKeeper gyroscopic stabilizer offers a smoother ride, ensuring comfort for everyone on board. To cap it off, underwater LED lights not only add style but also enhance nighttime visibility, adding a touch of class to your nighttime excursions.

Conclusion

The Boston Whaler 280 Outrage offers a superior experience for both seasoned anglers and families looking to enjoy time on the water. Whether you’re heading offshore in search of game fish or cruising with the family on a weekend adventure, this boat has the tools and technology to make every trip memorable. With a robust list of standard features and a wealth of customizable options, the 280 Outrage provides an unrivaled boating experience that can be tailored to your specific needs.

Comparable Boats