The backrests and cushions will be much appreciated by guests.
The 206 Cayman S comes standard with a 115-hp Yamaha, however, the boat is rated to handle up to a 200-hp outboard.
All the seating, like the helm bench, is dual purpose. In this case, the bench acts as a hinged cover for the large 70-quart (66 L) cooler beneath, and the back rest flips forward and aft for driving or watching the troll.
The first things we noticed about this boat as we prepared to step aboard are the large 9” (35 cm) wide gunwale and lots of seating.
With cushions and backrests removed, the forward casting deck with diamond pattern non-skid is revealed. Note the stainless steel hardware and cupholders, which all have drain tubes to the self-draining cockpit.
The console has 20” (50.8 cm) of walkway on either side, which is good for this size boat. The throttle and shift is quite vertical and not ergonomic.
The center console has a double bench seat/leaning post with adjustable bolster.
The helm is shown with the powder-coated T-top frame, a $4,335 option.
The acrylic windshield is installed on an aluminum base and tall enough to protect the driver when standing up to steer. It is surrounded by a stainless grab rail.
The front console seat flips up to reveal the forward livewell (15-gallon/57 L). The seat back flips down to access the console interior.
The center console seat back flips down to give access to helm wiring.
Bow hatches hinge up on stainless steel pistons to reveal rod holder storage to port, general storage in the middle, and a 45-gallon (170 L) insulated self-draining fishbox on the right. Note that the port locker has three rod racks.
The boat has pop-up cleats and the forward hatch is pre-wired for the optional ($2,120) trolling motor. The forward hatch also has lock downs for the Danforth anchor.
The aft 15-gallon (57 L) livewell is flanked by folding jump seats with batteries below.
The battery selector switch is mounted externally under the starboard jump seat on the stern for easy access.
Folding down the jump seat backs makes a smooth aft casting deck. The compartments on either side of the engine hold a 5 gallon (19 L) bucket and folding swim ladder, respectively.Overview
The Robalo 206 Cayman S is the smallest boat in Robalo’s bay boat lineup, a center console equipped mainly for inshore fishing and loaded with seating for friends and family. BoatTEST’s Captain tested her with an optional Yamaha 150-hp four-stroke outboard. She has a U.S. Coast Guard rated capacity of 8 people or 1,200 pounds, whichever is reached first.
“Mostly she does what Bay boats do: fishing in skinny water, and she does it quite well.”
Mission And Intended Owner
- Built To Do: Inshore fishing in skinny water, plus day trips with friends and family
- Designed For: Anglers and families who want plenty of seating in a compact bay boat
- Locus Of Operation: Protected inshore waters and the shallows
- Other Uses: Optional water ski and swim outfitting for cruising or utility use
“In fact, the Cayman S is synonymous with seating.”
Design Overview
- Hull: Extended pad hull with a shallow 15-degree deadrise, for more stability at low speeds while fishing and more speed
- Cap Rails: Wide 9-inch cap rails
- Casting Decks: Bow and stern convert to casting decks with no tripping hazards, using countersunk hinges and pull-up cleats
- Drainage: Stainless cup holders drain through tubes into the self-bailing cockpit
Specifications
- Length Overall: 20 feet, 6 inches
- Beam: 8 feet
- Deadrise At Transom: 15 degrees
- Dry Weight: 2,600 pounds with the engine
- Fuel Capacity: 50 gallons
- Capacity: 8 people or 1,200 pounds
- Cap Rails: 9 inches wide
- Console Side Clearance: 20 inches on each side
- Livewells: Two 15-gallon aerated livewells
- Cooler: 70 quarts
Test Conditions And Test Weight
- Sea State: Mild conditions, the kind she is designed for
- Load: 70% fuel, two people and test gear
- Test Weight: 3,245 pounds
Performance
- Tested Power: Optional Yamaha 150-hp four-cylinder four-stroke
- Standard Power: Yamaha 115-hp
- Top Speed: 47.9 mph at 5,900 rpm
- Best Cruise: 25.1 mph at 3,500 rpm, burning 5.2 gph
- Fuel Economy At Best Cruise: 4.8 mpg
- Range At Best Cruise: 217 miles, holding a 10% reserve
| RPM | MPH | GPH | MPG | Range (Miles) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,500 | 25.1 | 5.2 | 4.8 | 217 |
| 5,900 | 47.9 | — | — | — |
Acceleration:
- Time To Plane: 2.5 seconds
- 0–20 mph: 6 seconds
Sea Trial And Handling
- Low-Speed Stability: Her extended pad hull and 15-degree deadrise are designed for stability at low speeds while fishing
- Conditions: Tested in the mild conditions she is designed for
Engine Room Or Mechanical Compartment
- Batteries: Under the aft port and starboard seat bottoms, which flip up
- Instrument Wiring: Easily reached by folding down the back of the seat in front of the console
Features Inspection
The Helm
- Leaning Post: Wide, vinyl covered
- Console Seat: Double bench with an adjustable bolster, with a 70-quart drained cooler below
- Footrest: Angled, for seated operation
- Console Top: Compass, with drained open storage on both sides, including a charging port to port
- Dash: Illuminated push buttons with integral breakers and Yamaha engine gauges
- Wheel: Stainless steel on a tilt base, with an optional steering knob
- Throttle: Binnacle control
- Cup Holders: Stainless, with built-in drain tubes
- Windshield: Acrylic, on an aluminum base, protected by a sturdy stainless rail and tall enough to protect the operator
- Grab Handles: On the sides of the console
- Top: Standard Bimini, with an optional T-top preferred by anglers
Anchor Locker And Ground Tackle
- Hatch: Covers the anchor so a thrown cast net won’t snag
- Anchor Lockdowns: For a Danforth-style anchor
- Trolling Motor: Wiring for an optional trolling motor in the hatch
- Cleats: Pull-up, with a non-skid deck
Cockpit Arrangement And Equipment
- Jump Seats: Well padded, folding down into a functional aft casting deck
- Livewell: 15-gallon, between the jump seats
- Bucket Locker: Built in, with storage below
Bow Arrangement
- Seating: Bow seats with removable backrests create twin forward chaise-style seats
- Casting Deck: Stowing the cushions creates an elevated casting deck
- Storage: Hatches held open by stainless struts reveal a self-draining insulated fish box, open storage in the center and more storage, with lift-and-lock latches on the port hatches
- Console Front Seat: Six vertical rod holders, with a 15-gallon aerated livewell below on tension hinges that protect fingers
General Construction
- Countersunk hinges and pull-up cleats throughout the casting areas
- Standard single-axle trailer
Advantages And Disadvantages
Advantages
- Lots of seating for a 20-foot bay boat
- Two 15-gallon aerated livewells
- Bow and stern casting decks with no tripping hazards
- Planes in just 2.5 seconds
- 4.8 mpg and a 217-mile range at best cruise
- Hatch over the anchor prevents cast net snags
- Wide 9-inch cap rails
- Easy access to batteries and instrument wiring
- Standard trailer
Disadvantages
- Shallow 15-degree deadrise suits mild conditions
- Standard Bimini; the T-top that anglers prefer is optional
- Steering knob, trolling motor and the 150-hp engine are optional
