Boston Whaler 290 Outrage (2026-)

• Deluxe leaning post w/aft facing seat
• 20 gal livewell
• Dual in-deck fish boxes
• Portside dive/boarding door
• WhalerStep™ hull
• Hard top w/rod holders
• 2 x 250-hp Mercury V8 outboards

• SeaKeeper gyro
• Trolling motor + pre-rig
• Hardtop system featuring full glass windshield, flood lights, life jacket storage
• Bow table
• Joystick control
• Aft facing bench livewell
• 2 x 300-hp Mercury V8 outboards

Being a center console, the Boston Whaler 290 Outrage offers a complete walk around deck and deep bow well for serious fishing activities. As well, this space will also provide plenty of opportunities for a family day out.

Bow

Helm

Cockpit

Aft

Combining the best of a center console with that of Boston Whaler’s well-known ride, the 290 Outrage delivers. Our test boat had a weight of 10,615 pounds and was powered by a pair of 300-hp Mercury V8 outboards. Test day conditions saw the air temperature at 80°, 74% of relative humidity, with calm sea conditions and wind at 10 mph. We had 119.5 gallons of fuel of the 194 gallon capacity with a 10% reserve and two people on board.

At 5500 rpm we hit a top speed of 51.2 mph and our best cruise came in at 37 mph with a 4000 rpm turn of speed. The 21.5 gallon/hour fuel burn translates to a 1.7 miles per gallon and a range of 298.9 statute miles while holding back a 10% reserve of the 194 gallon fuel capacity. She got up on plane between 3000-4000 rpm. During hole shots, we went from 0-10 mph is 3.5 seconds, 0-20 mph in 6.0 seconds, 0-30 mph in 7.5 seconds, and 0-40 mph in 9.0 seconds.

Riding on that double-stepped hull, along with the optional 300-hp V8 Mercury outboards really made a difference. Fast, quick response to the helm during maneuvers, a solid feel underway, and built-in Boston Whaler confidence, all combined for an exciting time aboard.

The Boston Whaler 290 Outrage combines the best of what this legendary builder’s design and engineering teams could put into a center console boat whose prime directive is to provide a safe boating experience whether inshore or offshore fishing or spending some quality family time out on the water.

Combining its sea-proven WhalerStep™ hull technology, for improved fuel efficiency, the 290 Outrage has the ability able to deliver a smooth, controlled ride with outboard power. In addition, its proprietary closed cell foam fills in all the spaces between the liner and the hull, creating one solid structure, eliminating the need for stringers, and creating the unsinkable legend Boston Whaler is known for. Along with built-in fishing amenities, including wide walk around decks and plenty of deck space aft, storage, and comfortable bow and cockpit seating, the Boston Whaler 290 Outrage is poised to take her rightful place in the prestigious model lineup.

REMEMBER, LIFE IS BETTER ON A BOAT!

Experts and Boat Owners

What has set BoatTEST apart from the many video-makers currently on the Internet and Social Media is the fact that for 26 years, only USCG-Licensed captains and experienced boat owners have tested and written our reports and made our videos. We believe that to provide boat owners the information they deserve, only other boat owners – who know the challenges of ownership -- can accurately report on it.  It is that level of expertise and ownership experience that goes into every video and Captain’s Report that we publish.  Because we know what it is like owning and operating a boat, we can pass-on the information that prospective boat buyers need to know.

Capt. Boomies

Captain Boomies (aka Capt. Kate) holds a 200- ton USCG license and worked on superyachts for 20 years, captaining vessels up to 150’ before retiring several years ago. She now is a delivery skipper of all manner of vessels. When not testing boats for BoatTEST, she often can be found taking new yachts off their cargo ships in the port of Baltimore, getting them operational, then delivering them to dealerships. Unbeknownst to dozens of boat owners in the Chesapeake Bay, Capt. Boomies was actually the first skipper of their boats, because she actually delivered them to the dealerships. She is also active in boat instruction and making videos for her personal website. Capt. Boomies believes boating is fun,, and people doing it should not take it too seriously, she always inserts a bit of humor and theatricality into many of the tests she does.  But don’t be fooled by that, Capt. Boomies has wrong more saltwater out of their socks than most people every sail over. 

Capt. Ken Kreisler

Capt. Ken Kreisler is a well-known figure in the marine industry, with extensive experience testing boats for major boating magazines. He has held USCG 100-Ton License for 40 years and has served as a delivery and charter fishboat captain, project manager for two small passenger ferry catamarans, making sure every details met USCG build standards. Capt. Ken is an accomplished writer, having received several BWI awards and the John Burroughs Association certificate of commendation for his children's book, "NATURE SPY," published by Macmillan. He resides with his family on the Shrewsbury River in Monmouth Beach, NJ, where he enjoys boating on his 24-foot Grady White Explorer.