Everglades 285CC (2023-)

Specifications

Length Overall	30' 1" 9.16 m (with engines)
Beam	9' 6" 2.89 m
Dry Weight	9,200 lbs. 4,173.04 kg
Draft	24" 60.96 cm
Deadrise/Transom	23 degrees
Bridge Clearance	7' 9" 2.36 m (to hardtop)
Fuel Capacity	200 gallons 757.08 L
Water Capacity	20 gallons 75.7 L

Engine Options

Std. Power	2 x 300-hp Yamaha outboards

Captain's Report

Everglades Christens New 285cc with Gulf Stream Crossing

As boating continues to “return to normal,” Everglades Boats revived its annual rendezvous in Bimini, Bahamas. It also introduced the new 285cc with the 60-mile (96.56 km) run to the famous fishing spot, proving to be the perfect shakedown run.

The fleet launched from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale with the company’s vice president of product development, engineering and quality, David Brown, at the helm of the 285cc. 

“We figured what better way to show what this boat can handle than to take it 60 miles (96.56 km) offshore to the sportfishing capital of the world,” said Amanda Aloy, Everglades marketing manager. “We wanted to let our Everglades owners lay their eyes on our newest model before the rest of the world.”

Serious Testing

Before making her way to Bimini, the 285cc ventured from the Everglades factory in Edgewater, FL, down the Intracoastal waterway to Port St. Lucie. She got to Fort Myers via the Okeechobee waterway. From there, the 285cc made its way to Key West including a stop in Ocean Reef before completing the trip to Port Everglades. Prior to this trip, the Everglades team put more than 100 hours on the 285cc during validation, which included several fishing trips.

“This team takes quality very seriously,” said Aloy. “We want to make sure all the fishing features are easily accessible and electronics are operating properly, among other things, the only way to truly test that is to take the boat out for some real fishing.”

She continued, “The first fish on board was a sailfish, which I’m told is good luck.”

Versatile Performer

Everglades says the 285cc hits a “sweet spot” for families and avid anglers. “All of our boats are designed with extreme attention to detail and safety in mind,” said Brown. “We design our boats to have the best-in-class fishing features combined with unparalleled social amenities.” 

Before the boat went into production, the first 285cc went through an extensive review of naval architecture, structural, electrical and system validation, according to Everglades.

The Numbers

With twin 300-hp Yamaha outboards, the 285cc has an overall length of 30’1” (9.17 m) with a 9’6” (3.15 m) beam and a transom deadrise of 23 degrees. On its own, the hull draws 24” (60.96 cm) and when the engines are down, they add 11” (27.94 cm). Dry weight with engines is listed at 9,200 lbs. (4,173.05 kg) and fully loaded with fluids and options, the estimated weight is 11,100 lbs. (4,989.52 kg). Fuel capacity is 200 gallons (757.08 L) and freshwater is 20 gallons (75.71 L).

Bridge clearance is listed at 8’7” (2.62 m) with radar and 7’9” (2.36 m) without. She comes with a 25-gallon (94.64 L) livewell. 

In tests conducted by Everglades, the twin 300-hp engines pushed the 285cc to a top speed of 55.4 at 5800 rpm. Best cruise was recorded at 3500 rpm where the boat ran 30.1 mph and burned 18.4 gph. That translated to 1.64 mpg and a range of 312 statute miles with 5% of the boat’s fuel capacity held in reserve, according to the company.  

BoatTEST’s policy is to reserve 10% of the boat's fuel capacity when projecting the range for a boat. 

From a standing start, Everglades said the 285cc accelerated to 20 mph in 5.3 seconds and ran to 30 mph in 8.6 seconds.

Noteworthy Highlights

Like all Everglades models, the 285cc is built with the company’s patented closed-molded RAMCAP construction that uses high-density closed-cell structural foam flotation to make the boat unsinkable. She’s built with no wood and has a composite transom and a full hull liner that mates to the deck, creating a boat with single-piece construction. 

The helm console is rigged with Garmin digital switch with touch-screen control. The patented sliding windshield is made with tempered glass and an intelligent wiper and washer system. It’s integrated into the aluminum structure that supports the fiberglass hardtop that includes LED and spreader lights, an electronics box and life jacket storage. The private head compartment comes standard with a 6-gallon (22.71 L) holding tank and an opening port. A premium audio stereo includes a Fusion control with JL Audio M-series speakers including an amplifier and subwoofer. 

New on the 285cc, the captain and a companion travel in a rotating two-person helm lounge with mezzanine seating on the aft side with tackle storage. 

At the bow, the 285cc has an anchor locker with a standard windlass and through the stem anchor chute for the stainless-steel plow anchor with 200’ (60.96 m) of 1/2” (1.27 cm) rope and 10’ of ¼” (.635 cm) chain. Cushioned bow seating includes removable backrests and the bow casting platform can turn into a sunpad with a filler cushion and a pedestal-mounted bow table.

There’s seating for two on the front of the console and the bottom cushion opens to reveal a 23-gallon (87.06 L) insulated cooler. In the cockpit, a hullside door opens on heavy-duty hardware and bolsters ring the perimeter. Two stainless-steel-framed seats fold in from the gunwale and transom where there is also an insulated 25-gallon (94.64 L) cooler box. 

Standard equipment includes charging systems for the house and start batteries, auto-retracting stainless-steel trim tabs and raw- and fresh-water washdown systems.

Observations

Everglades is one of only three builders of center consoles that state in writing that its boats will float level if swamped. That is one reason that they cost more. Another is that the company follows best practices in all of its construction and the boat has several of Everglades' innovations — which always cost more but are nice to have.