Boston Whaler 250 Outrage (2019-)

Brief Summary

The Boston Whaler 250 Outrage comes fully-loaded for fishing like nearly all Boston Whalers: the deluxe leaning post features a 30-gallon (114 L) pressurized livewell, a bait prep area, rod holders, a freshwater sink plumbed to the 26-gallon (98 L) water tank and plenty of tackle storage with the drawers on heavy-duty stainless steel sliders. A U-shaped, aft-facing lounge at the bow makes her more family-friendly, and a filler turns the bow area into a large sun pad, while an optional teak table makes it a lunch spot.

Specifications

Length Overall	25' 5'' / 7.75 m
Beam	9' 2.74 m
Dry Weight	5,350 lbs. 2,427 kg
Draft	20'' .46 m
Deadrise/Transom	22-deg.
Max Headroom	open
Bridge Clearance	9' 8'' 2.95 m (max)
Weight Capacity	3,642 lbs. 1,652 kg
Person Capacity	12
Fuel Capacity	172 gal. 651 L
Water Capacity	26 gal. 98 L

Engine Options

Tested Engine	Currently no test numbers
Std. Power	1 x 350-hp Mercury Verado FourStroke XXL L6 DTS
Opt. Power	2 x 200 CXL L4 DTS Mercury Verado 4-stroke 2 x 225-hp Mercury Verado 4-stroke 1 x 350-hp Mercury Verado 4-stroke XXL L6 DTS White

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The Boston Whaler 250 Outrage has a LOA of 25'5" (7.75 m), a beam of 9' (2.74 m), and a displacement weight of 5,350 lbs. (2,427 kg).

Overview

The Outrage Series is all about fishing. However, this model is also loaded with features that allow her to transition into a family runabout with little more than a hose down to aid that changeover. But there’s no denying the fact that with a built-in livewell, rod holders everywhere, an open cockpit for fighting, and padded bolsters, fishing is in the Outrage DNA.

The Boston Whaler 250 Outrage has been given a makeover from stem to stern, both above and below the waterline.

The industry is no stranger to the 250 Outrage, it’s been around for years, but now we have an upgraded version that, among other things, has Boston Whaler’s new variable degree deadrise that has taken a proven offshore performer and made it even better. Add to that the completely revamped bow area and the 250 Outrage is now even more of a contender for the mid-level center console customer.

Features Inspection

Fishing Features

As this is undeniably a fishing boat, we’ll start our features inspection with how well she accommodates that task.

Cockpit

With plenty of open real estate, the cockpit presents a welcome place for anglers to bring the fight to the fish. Padded bolsters all around add to the comfort level, and the deep cockpit brings those bolsters up to a safe level for offshore work. Toe rails add a secondary level of safety allowing one to tuck a foot under the rail for a little extra support, making it that much easier to stand while the boat is rolling over the swells.

The cockpit provides plenty of open space for fishing, and it’s also safe for offshore runs.

When it’s time to bring the catch aboard, two massive, in-deck fishboxes on the cockpit deck will handle that chore. They’re finished throughout, hatches are held open by gas struts, and the opening is guttered, which, along with the gasketed hatch, keeps water out by channeling it away. One thing we’d like to see changed is the turn and lock latches being switched over to lift and lock. There’s a big difference in our book.

A pair of in-deck fish lockers will store the catch of the day.

Leaning Post

Boston Whaler includes a deluxe leaning post that features a 30-gallon (114 L) pressurized livewell, a bait-prep area, rod holders, a freshwater sink plumbed to the 26-gallon (98 L) water tank, and plenty of tackle storage in the form of drawers on stainless steel sliders to the port side.

The deluxe leaning post is fully featured and still leaves plenty of room to the sides for maneuvering about the boat.

Drawers to the side of the leaning post are on stainless sliders with ball bearings.

Nestled into those side decks are optional flip-out trolling seats that are surprisingly comfortable. We see them not so much as made for cruising, but definitely convenient for watching the lines while staying in close contact with the captain. Under gunwale rod storage is to both sides of the cockpit.

Family Features

Bow

Boston Whaler’s most notable change in this latest iteration of the 250 Outrage has to be in the bow area. What the company did was to take the least used area with regards to fishing and gave it a shot of adrenaline for family features. The result is a premium level gathering area.

A forward lounge seat is just ahead of the traditional console seat.

Ahead of the traditional console seat is a U-shaped aft-facing lounge that is far more practical and comfortable than the usual V-seating. This creates opposing seating for not only a casual conversational atmosphere but with the addition of an optional bow table, it becomes an intimate al fresco dining area.

A filler cushion turns the bow into a large sun lounge.

Add a teak table for al fresco dining. Notice the lower supports under the cushion for using the table as a base for the bow filler cushion.

Again, with the primary duty of any Outrage being fishing, the bow cushions are optional. Additionally, a filler cushion can be added to bridge the area between the two seats to create a doublewide lounge seat with an outstanding view of the waters ahead. This option will necessitate the purchase of the bow table, which most will be purchasing anyway. The table has dedicated storage inside the head compartment. Forward coaming bolsters are optional but pretty much a must-have item. We’d consider adding the bow sunshade since shade is such a precious commodity when spending a day on the water.

Under the forward console seat is an insulated and self-draining cooler.

Cockpit

While the bow may be capturing the lion’s share of the attention, the cockpit certainly was not left off the family-values chart. A flip-out transom seat serves as another area to relax in as well as a comfortable seat where one can enjoy a cruise. Nearly every boat has a flip transom seat nowadays, but some are easier to deploy than others. We’ve seen some that have to be wrestled from their storage space, others that come down but not up, and still others that need the padded bolster lifted out of the way before doing anything. Boston Whaler seems to be among the few that get the concept of the easy stow/deploy version, and it can be done with one hand.

Boston Whaler’s transom seat can be stowed away just as easily as it is deployed.

Stern

Of course, it’s a given that on any family day, there’s going to be activity not only on the water but also in it. At the stern, the 250 Outrage has a single or twin-engine installation with swim platforms to both sides. To starboard is a three-step reboarding ladder concealed under a hatch.

A three-step reboarding ladder is to the starboard platform.

Head

The head is the staple of any boat that transcends the line between family and fishing. Because this compartment is lockable, it makes a logical place to put the battery switches and breaker panel. The head comes standard with a Porta-Potti and a pump-out VacuFlush toilet is optional. This is also a “wet head” with a shower mounted into one corner, making for easy cleanups after a dirty day of fishing. The head compartment is designed to channel water overboard, and, as such, a shower is included as standard equipment.

Operational Features

Moving on to operations, one of our favorite features that Boston Whaler exemplifies is the “pump room.” In the center of the cockpit deck is a hatch that leads to a compartment that houses all of the onboard livewell pumps, recirculating pumps, bilge pumps, steering pumps, water tank, and any other readily serviceable equipment, all within easy reach. This is a great feature and clearly shows that Boston Whaler is serious about making the ownership experience as pain-free as possible. We’ve seen all this equipment tucked behind the flip transom seat on competing models, in an area where few can fit let alone perform service.

The “pump room” is in the middle of the cockpit deck and makes all equipment easily reached for servicing.

Helm

The helm is easily recognizable as being from Boston Whaler with its padded brow over a row of rocker switches, all logically grouped. Below is a panel that can house a choice of one or two, 12” (30.5 cm) displays or a single 15” (38 cm). All electronics are optional, and Raymarine is the provider of choice for factory-installed models.

The helm is classic Boston Whaler and the panel can hold a single or dual navigation displays.

Being Mercury powered, a SmartCraft display is also provided giving selectable information on the engine’s status. This completely eliminates the need for separate gauges and, therefore, goes a long way toward removing clutter from the panel. The stainless wheel is mounted to a tilt base, and Boston Whaler includes a steering knob. Trim tab controls are directly adjacent with the DTS (Digital Throttle and Shift) control binnacle in the center of the console. Behind, Boston Whaler makes available a set of deluxe dual seats with flip-up bolsters and flip-down armrests.

Notice how the deluxe helm seats are open to provide ample ventilation and keep your back cool.

All of this is surrounded by an optional hardtop with tempered glass windows to three sides. The hardtop is only offered with the dual engine installations, and it includes a bow and cockpit floodlight, a two-color (red/white) dome light, an electronics box and lifejacket storage. A second version is available with all of the above plus radial outriggers. Most notably, the hardtop supports are integrated into the console, so they take up none of the precious side deck space. With a single-engine installation, choose the optional T-top that still includes the bow and cockpit floodlights, dual color dome light, lifejacket storage, and rod holders. An electronics box is also available, as is a version with radial outriggers.

At the bow, an optional anchor windlass makes the deploying and retrieving an easier task. Notice the rod holders to either side.

Power

With a single 350 Mercury Verado as standard, there’s no shortage of power with the Boston Whaler 250 Outrage. Both engines are connected with a tie bar. Standard hydraulic power steering is provided. For twin-engine power, choose from a pair of 200 Mercury Verados or a pair of 225s.

The Boston Whaler 250 Outrage has a LOA of 25’5’’ (7.75 m), a beam of 9’ (2.74 m), and a draft of 20’’ (.46 m). With an empty weight of 5,350 lbs. (2,427 kg), 50% fuel and two people onboard, we had an estimated test weight of 7,608 lbs. (3,451 kg). Powered by twin 225-hp Mercury Verado outboards turning 14 5/8X17 Enertia props, we reached a top speed of 49.7 mph at 6000 rpm. At that speed, we were burning 46.1 gph for a range of 172 statute miles.

Best cruise was 30.6 mph at 4000 rpm. At that speed, the fuel burn was reduced to 18.6 gph while still holding back a 10% reserve. We reached time-to-plane in 3.1 seconds, accelerated to 20 mph in 4.8 seconds, and continued accelerating to 30 mph in 7.5 seconds.

Observations

While it’s hard not to be impressed with the 250 Outrage, we think that Boston Whaler has done its customers a service by updating this popular model with features that keep it competitive. Now, it’s not only an excellent fishing machine but a comfortable family day cruiser as well.