Sailfish 276 DC (2021-)

Brief Summary

The Sailfish 276DC is a dual console built on a hull that’s designed to head offshore. Her cockpit mixes fishing and cruising while the bow can be filled in to create a large recessed sunpad. The port console contains a private head compartment.

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	29'4" 8.94 m
Beam	9'1" 2.77 m
Dry Weight	7,050 lbs. 3,197.83 kg
Tested Weight	8,739 lbs. 3,965 kg
Draft	18" 46 cm
Deadrise/Transom	22° - 24°
Bridge Clearance	8'6" 2.6 m
Fuel Capacity	177 gallons 670 L
Total Weight	8,739 lbs. 3,965 kg

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	6.2 seconds
0 to 30	9.5 seconds
Props	14 1/4 x 17 Reliance
Load	4 persons; 45% fuel; 50 lbs. gear

Engine Options

Tested Engine	2 x 150-hp Yamaha XCA
Opt. Power	2 x Yamaha F150XB 2 x Yamaha F150XCA 2 x Yamaha F200XB 2 x Yamaha F200XCA 2 x Mercury 150XL 2 x Mercury 200XL DTS 2 x Mercury White Motor Upgrade (200 HP Only)

Captain's Report

Report by Eric Colby

Mission Statement

Sailfish designed the 276DC to be a dual-console boat that can head offshore with the manufacturer’s proven Variable Degree Stepped (VDS) hull that has some of the best freeboard in class. She’s also a comfortable cruiser for the family with available convertible seating in the cockpit and a deep bow with some clever storage solutions.

Sailfish 276DC Major Features

• Hull and deck reinforced w/Kevlar and carbon fiber
• Fiberglass hardtop
• Aft folding seat
• Windlass
• Livewell
• Fore and aft fish boxes
• Private head compartment

Sailfish 276DC Performance

The 276DC is available with twin outboards from Yamaha and Mercury ranging up to a total of 400 hp combined. Our test boat had twin 150-hp Yamaha four-stroke outboards. She has an LOA of 27’ (8.23 m), a beam of 9’1” (2.77 m) and a hull draft of 18” (45.72 cm). With an empty weight of 7,050 lbs. (3,198 kg), 70 gallons (264.98 L) of fuel, no water, four people and test equipment, we had an estimated test weight of 8,250 lbs. (3,742 kg).

The twin Yamaha 150-hp outboards spun twin 14 ¼” x 17” (36.20 cm x 43.18 cm) Reliance stainless-steel three-bladed props. At a maximum of 5900 rpm, we hit our top speed of 42.0 mph. Best cruise came at 4000 rpm where we measured 25.8 mph. The motors burned 21.6 gph, which translated into 1.0 mpg and a range of 341 statute miles with 10 percent of the boat’s 188-gallon (711.66 L) fuel capacity held in reserve.

In acceleration tests, the 276DC planed in 6.2 seconds. She ran through 20 mph in 7.7 seconds and through 30 mph in 9.5 seconds.

Handling. On test day, we were running in calm conditions so the only way to get a feel for the 276DC’s ride was to cross our photo boat’s wakes. She changed directions quickly and efficiently with no adverse characteristics and had a nimble feel.

Features Inspection

The Cockpit. The 276DC’s cockpit has the space anglers want when fighting a fish and they can lean into the 3” (7.62 cm) thick bolsters that ring the area. Freeboard at the stern is 33” (83.82 cm) and we measured 37” (93.93 cm) amidships and 40” (101.6 cm) at the bow. In the aft port corner is a livewell that has an acrylic hatch, rounded corners and blue finish. There are rod holders and combination beverage and rod holders in the 6”-wide caprail, transom and hardtop frame. Pull-up cleats are used throughout the boat to keep fishing lines from snagging. A gate to starboard leads aft to the swim platforms that extend past the motors. A locker on the starboard step houses the four-step re-boarding ladder and to port is a wet locker. When the fishing is done, the 276DC comes with a seat that folds out from the transom and our test model had the optional seats that fold in from the gunwales.

Cockpit Cruising Features. Moving forward under the 276DC’s standard hardtop, to starboard is an aft-facing seat with storage in the base. Just ahead, our test boat had the optional bar that has a sink beneath a removable cover in a Corian countertop. There’s also storage/plumbing access in the base. Across to port, is another aft-facing seat with dedicated storage for a portable cooler beneath a hinged bottom cushion. Just aft in the gunwale is a socket for the portable table. One of the options that look worthwhile to us is the convertible lounge that’s forward to port. It has a backrest that can be positioned in multiple settings, including laid flat to create a sunlounge. As with the other seats in this area, the bottom cushion is hinged and lifts up to access spacious storage.

The Helm. Across to starboard, the helm has a single captain’s chair. Atop the dash, the compass is in line with the tilt steering wheel. There’s space in the vertical panel for two 10” (25.4 cm) screens. Our test boat had a 7” (17.78 cm) Yamaha Helm Master screen and a control head for the Fusion stereo, plus rocker-style accessory switches that light when activated. The Yamaha digital engine controls are to the right with the trim-tab buttons just ahead. To the left is the windlass panel. For added comfort, there’s an angled footrest finished in SeaDek mat. The VHF radio is installed overhead in the hardtop, which is supported by a frame that integrates the tempered glass windshield.

The Consoles. The port console opens to reveal a private head compartment that includes the standard electric marine toilet, a sink and an opening screened port. Headroom inside is 52” (132.08 cm) and 35” (88.9 cm) when someone is seated on the toilet. There’s also a hatch in the helm console that accesses the open space inside, plus the rigging. In the deck, twin stainless-steel gas struts open a hatch for a locker that measures 67.5” (170.18 cm) long and has a 101/2” (26.67 cm) wide opening.

The Bow. The center section of the tempered glass windshield opens and below an airdam can close off the walkway on cold days. The bow is laid out with angled backrests and folding armrests on the console front. There’s a cushion for a person to sit facing aft in the bow and a bolster encircles the entire area. There’s a bracket for the table to be moved from the cockpit to the bow. An optional filler cushion can turn the area into a large recessed sunpad and outboard on each side are stainless-steel rails, beverage holders and USB ports. The bottom cushion to port has storage underneath and there’s an insulated cooler under the bow seat. To starboard, the lounge and backrest lift up together to provide crawl-in access to the helm console and storage including a dedicated spot for a 5-gallon (18.93 L) bucket. Beneath an in-deck hatch is the forward fishbox. In the foredeck, the anchor locker hatch opens access to the standard Lewmar Fish Pro windlass. The stainless-steel Lewmar anchor passes through a stainless-steel plate in the bow.

Price

Base manufacturer’s suggested retail price with twin Yamaha F150XCA four-stroke outboards: $179,850

Options To Consider (Not discussed in report)

• Three-piece hardtop enclosure
• Bow shade
• Bow thruster
• Optimus 360 Joystick steering
• Portside dive door & ladder
• Propane grill
• Motor flushing system

Observations

The Sailfish 276DC is among the saltier dual-console models available. For the price, the company makes some high-end items including the windlass and hardtop standard equipment, which is rare. For fishing or cruising, she has some of the deepest freeboard in class, which enhances comfort and security. The attention paid to small details like the stitching on the vinyl and the multiple textures on the upholstery give the boat an upscale feel.