Boston Whaler 270 Vantage (2014-)

Brief Summary

The Boston Whaler 270 Vantage is designed from the keel-up to be a multi-purpose boat that can tackle almost any mission with family or fishing buddies. The fender holder below the helm console is just one example of clever use of storage space, and the broad bow doubles as either a casting platform or a sunning area, once the cushions are in place. The walkthrough windshield provides wind and spray protection, and a full set of cushions for the bow make this a comfortable spot to catch some rays -- or remove them to catch some fish.

Key Features

• Bow bolster
• Bow cushions with backrests and flip-up armrests
• Bow walkthrough block off panel
• Drink holders (6)
• Fiberglass lids with latches
• Package tray with drink holders
• Recessed storage / cup holder compartment
• Welded stainless steel forward side rails
• Portable head with pump-out
• 150 CXL L4 DTS dual Mercury Verado FourStroke engines with power steering

Test Results

Specifications

Length Overall	26' 10'' / 8.18 m
Beam	9' 0'' 2.74 m
Dry Weight	5,200 lbs. 2,359 kg
Tested Weight	6,196 lbs. 2,810 kg
Draft	20'' 0.51 m
Deadrise/Transom	20 deg.
Max Headroom	open
Bridge Clearance	9' 1'' 2.77 m (w/ hardtop)
Fuel Capacity	175 gal. 622 L
Water Capacity	20 gal. 76 L
Total Weight	6,196 lbs. 2,810 kg

Acceleration Times & Conditions

Time to Plane	3.8 sec.
0 to 30	6.3 sec.
Ratio	1.85 : 1
Props	14 1/2 x 17 Enertia
Load	Load: 2 persons, Fuel: 5/9 full, Water: none, Gear: 50 lbs.
Climate	Temp: 69 deg., Humid: 80%, Wind: 10-15, Seas: light chop

Engine Options

Tested Engine	2 x 225-hp Mercury Verado
Std. Power	2 x 150-hp Mercury Verado Four-Stroke
Opt. Power	2 x 200-hp Mercury Verado Four-Stroke 2 x 225-hp Mercury Verado Four-Stroke

Warranty

Deck Warranty Extended	3 Years
Hull Warranty Extended	10 Years

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Mission of the Boston Whaler 270 Vantage

She is intended to be a boat for "all reasons" and thereby appeals to a wide range of boaters both in saltwater and freshwater locations. Perhaps more than any other boat in the Boston Whaler line, she is designed to be an all-purpose boat that can be optioned-out to make her competitive in most any activity.

Distinguishing Features

Dual Console.

Hard as it is to believe, the Vantage Series will be the first dual-console model in the current Boston Whaler fleet. What distinguishes her from other dual console boats on the market is that her port companion seat is double wide, and the walk through is not on the centerline which means the head compartment can also be larger. But the differences do not end there.

Designed to be Multi-Purpose.

In the last several years many boat builders have been re-purposing their existing boats and marketing them as dual-purpose or multi-purpose boats. Usually this takes the form of putting a trolling motor on the bow of a sportboat, or adding a towing pylon to a fishing boat. The 270 Vantage has been designed from the keel-up to be a multi-purpose boat and for that reason we can think that she can actually do a better job at multiple missions.

Activity-Specific Option Packages.

While the 270 Vantage can do an adequate job of most water activities for the casual boater in its standard configuration, consumers who want to be more serious about fishing, watersports or entertaining can select a single package tailor-made for their specific pursuit. While this is not a new concept, Boston Whaler has done an impressive job of providing a comprehensive list of options making it possible to upgrade to numerous specialties.

Level Flotation if Swamped.

All open boats run the risk of being swamped in unusual conditions offshore, in challenging inlets, or by improper boat handling. Boston Whaler has built its reputation on building boats that will float level if swamped, something that is rare among boats on the market today of any type.

Durability and Longevity.

While it is a bit too soon to know how well the 270 Vantage will stand up to a life on the water, most of the rest of the Boston Whaler family of boats has a remarkable record of being fairly good-looking boats and quite serviceable 30 to 40 years after being launched. We think that phenomenon is due to several factors -- the foam-cored hulls, thick laminates, high-quality, over-size hardware, and an owner base that takes better care of their boats in the first place because they are more knowledgeable than the average boater.

A Brunswick Company.

Because both Boston Whaler and Mercury Marine are owned by Brunswick if something goes wrong with the engine during the warranty period, Boston Whaler will see to it that the problem is solved.

Basic Specs and Design

The 270 Vantage is 26'10" (8.18 m) LOA plus an extra 5" (12.5 cm) longer due to her swim platforms. She draws 20" (.51 m), but a more revealing aspect of this boat is her beam.

Beam.

When we compare her beam to 27' center consoles we find that at 9'0" (2.74 m) she is actually a little less than many of them. This may at first seem like the other boats are actually larger inside, but that is mitigated by the 270's design which carries the beam farther forward and has more vertical hull sides and therefore more deck space than it would otherwise. Further, because center consoles have to have a center console wide enough for two people, plus have room to port and starboard to get forward and back, they need the extra beam for men to be able to get around. That extra beam adds frontal area which makes these boats harder to push.

Blunt Bow on Deck.

The 270's beam is brought forward not to a point as on most boats, but rather to a blunt bow which is roughly 4'6" (1.37 m) wide, or almost exactly 50% of the boat's max width. By doing this, the builder is able to install more area forward for casting, sunning, entertaining, and jumping or climbing off the bow. Boston Whaler has been able to do this without resorting to a pickle-fork or a split-chine design.

Displacement.

At 5,200 lbs. (2,359 kgs.) without engines or fluids, the 270 is in the middle when we compare her displacement to 27' center consoles. This is partially due to her having less beam. The result, obviously, is a boat that is easier to push with the resulting advantages in speed and fuel efficiency.

Other Specs.

Her deadrise at the transom is 20-degrees which is typical for this type of boat. Her gunwale height is 28" (.70 m) and her transom height is 30" (.76 m) with a single engine and 25" (.64 m) with twin engines. Her fuel capacity is 175 gallon (622 L).

Power Options

Standard power on the 270 is a pair of 150-hp 150 CXL L4 DTS Mercury 4-stroke Verado outboards with power steering. Optional engines are twin 200 CXL L4 DTS Verados with a deluxe gauge package and power steering, or twin 225 CXL L6 DTS Mercury Verados with a deluxe gauge package and power steering.

Speed?

We have not tested this boat so can give no definitive speed and fuel consumption numbers. However, the techs at Boston Whaler have tested her with the twin 225-hp Mercury Verado option and report a top speed over 52 mph. They report that at 3500 rpm the boat travels 25 mph, burning 13.2 gph.

Activity-Specific Features

Sunning, Day Boating. The standard 270 Vantage is set up for sunning with the bow seating area designed for lounging. The back rests are at an angle and there are flip up arm rests.
In the cockpit the companion seat back folds forward at an angle for lounging or will lie flat to provide a double wide sun pad. The foldaway stern bench seat is a good place to sit while underway. As shown in the pictures, mom and a couple of small children can ride facing forward in the double-wide companion seat.

Options.

On the option list we find a sun lounge that will make the area forward of the windshield a large sun bathing pit.

Entertaining.

When having little guests aboard it is reassuring to know that the depth of the cockpit is 28" (70.6 cm). (Incidentally, 28" is 4" more than required by ABYC Standards.) There are courtesy lights in blue and white which help guests move around at night. The standard boat also comes with a 54 quart cooler, cutting board, and sink with pull-out sprayer.

Optional Package.

Perhaps the most popular option package will be the one for entertaining called the "Summer Kitchen." This package takes into account that owners will be entertaining at anchor as well as when tied up to the dock. Items in this package include--

• 12-V refrigerator with stainless steel front

• 1500-watt inverter

• Battery charging system

• Corian counter top

• Dedicated storage

• Electric grill

• Shore power access

• Utensil holders

• Sink with pressure water is standard

We would also order the optional table for the bow, and the optional Fusion stereo AM/FM system with 4 waterproof speakers.

Watersports.

The 270 Vantage comes standard with small platforms integral to the hull port and starboard outboard of the engines. These are the launching spots for skiers, wakeboarders and divers. These platforms are small on all boats of this type due to outboards taking up most of the space, and the 270 Vantage is no exception. However, the transom gate to starboard makes access easy to the starboard platform and provides a bit more space. There is a telescoping dive ladder on the stern and an optional 4-step beach boarding ladder on the bow. In the cockpit sole between the consoles there is a lockable storage compartment large enough for skis and wakeboards.

Optional Package.

There is a ski pylon available and this will probably do for casual water skiers. Those more into the sport or wakeboarders should consider the optional Watersports Tower package. This tower has --

• Welded aluminum frame

• Tow bit

• Navigational lights

• Rod holders (4)

• Wakeboard racks are extra

• Tower-mounted speakers with amp are extra

Fishing.

The 270 Vantage comes standard with four gunwale-mounted stainless steel rod holders, cockpit combing bolsters all around and below are deck lockable rod storage. Cleats are out of the way. And, in the cockpit, they are on the bulwarks. Forward the cleats are in a carved out indentation in the bow to eliminate snagging a line. The boat has two large storage compartments which can be converted into fishboxes.

Optional Package.

Boston Whaler knows what fishermen want and have provided most of it in one, easy-to-order package. Included are--

• 19 gallon livewell with light

• Bait and fish prep station

• Raw water washdown

• Stainless steel toe rails in the gunwales with storage shelf

• Stainless steel rod holders in the transom

Anglers wanting to have a little fun at night may consider the optional underwater lights, which are guaranteed to attract fish -- and sometimes game fish.

Features for All Reasons

Having listed many of the activity-specific features above, there are also a number of features that most any boater will use. They include the clever fender holder below the helm console, the starboard windshield wiper, the bow walkthorough block-off door, compass, the deluxe Boston Whaler helm seat with bolster, the fold-out bench seat with padded back rest, and the portable head with pump out in the port compartment. Recessed electric trim tabs are standard as are stainless steel props for maximum performance and durability. A number of other standards have already been mentioned in the sport-specific sections.

Options for All Reasons

One of the important aspects of the 270 Vantage is that it can be effectively customized with options, however some options we think are applicable to any sport. Heading our list is the fiberglass hardtop that is seen in most of the photos on this page. We are firm believers in sun protection and there is nothing more refreshing than shade with a 20-knot breeze made by boat speed on a hot summer day. Other options that some people might want to include are the VacuFlush head system, the tandem-axle trailer, or the premium stereo system. The 270 also has four electronics/navigational packages. Every boat should have a VHF radio, and all boats need canvas for winter storage or sun protection if for nothing else. Again, all one has to do is check off the box on the 270 Vantage's option list.

Observations

Regular readers know that we at BoatTEST.com have always liked the dual console concept. The reason is that it is so versatile. It is also a good way for people who don't want to own a sportboat to take advantage of the room a bowrider provides. Boston Whaler has looked at the dual console boats on the market, incorporated the good ideas, thrown in a few new ones of their own, then wrapped it all up with its secret sauce and the Boston Whaler build technique to produce a boat that fits into its line perfectly.
We often say that all boats are a compromise, but we think that in this case the builder has given a lot of thought to how boaters can get close to their perfect boat with the 270 Vantage. Clearly, the strategy has been to provide a versatile basic platform that can be customized to eliminate most of the compromises.
As everyone knows, Boston Whalers aren't cheap; so by allowing the buyers to outfit the 270 Vantage as they would like, at least the money spent is on equipment and features that will be used, appreciated and add utility for the customer.