The Largest Whaler to Date Is a Fleet-Footed Fishing Platform

Six people onboard, two- to four-foot seas outside the inlet, three- to five-footers in the Gulf Stream, an increasing 15- to 20-mph wind and a 60-mile run to the fishing grounds. These numbers might lead some to suggest recalculating at the nearest dockside restaurant. But we threw a new number into the equation that made it easier to point the bow offshore: 370. As in the new 370 Outrage, the largest boat Boston Whaler has built to date.

There's a trend among many builders to offer large center-console boats powered by multiple outboards because of the design's versatility, the better power-to-weight ratio, and the comparative ease of outboard maintenance. With the 370 Outrage, at 37 feet, 6 inches and at a base price of $384,000, Whaler is making a loud entrance to the party,

But the question is, by going so big, did it try to do too much? That's the type of inquiry that can only be answered 60 miles offshore with a full trolling spread.

CREATURE COMFORTS

Put six people aboard a 37-foot walkaround or express, and they might feel confined. Sure, there's a cabin below decks, but usually the most comfortable ride is in the cockpit. The open design of a center console, combined with the 370 Outrage's wide, 11-foot, 6-inch beam, provides a lot of move-around space. Plus, Whaler provides so many standard creature comforts that our crew had no problems finding a relaxing spot to kick back for the long run.

Start with the foldout transom bench that locks into place. The coaming bolster serves as a padded backrest for the spot that may be the most agreeable when running in heavy seas. (Typically the farther aft you go, the more comfortable you'll be.) The only downside came from taking spray while running into a heavy sea, a problem remedied by sitting at the deluxe leaning post.

The helm is protected by a sturdy standard hardtop and tempered-glass windshield with an electric vent. The captain and two others can sit or stand, still protected from the elements, in seats with folding armrests and flip-down bolsters. Whaler also molds in split-level footrests under the dash to accommodate boaters of different heights. There's additional seating for two on the bow sun lounge plus padded seating on the bow storage lockers.

For entertaining offshore, the bait-prep station on the leaning post's aft side includes an electric grill, a freshwater sink, and refrigerator/freezer. Place a cold drink in any one of the 12 stainless steel cup holders strategically placed around the boat.

The inboard swinging dive door on the port side is another cockpit highlight. It is gasketed and fixed with stout stainless steel hinges that have 12 screws per side. Grab the dive ladder stowed under the transom bench, attach it and go for easy water access away from the props. Whaler engineered it to swing inboard so it could serve double duty as an access point when docking side-to.

When it's time to fish, lift the latch atop the console lounge to reveal lockable rod storage as well as dedicated spots for two five-gallon buckets, a 36-quart cooler and some of your gear.

DOWN UNDER

Below decks, the console cabin has faux teak flooring that's easy to maintain. The galley has a "glass" bowl sink mounted on top rather than inset, with a microwave underneath. I loved the dedicated glass and plate stowage to keep the optional Whaler dinnerware secure during the lumpy run.

The settee/berth has a TV to keep boredom at bay on the hook, and the two ports have privacy shades for overnighting. The head, with shower, is simple to keep clean, and the sump is readily accessible for maintenance. However, the head could use a grabrail, so you don't get knocked around on the throne offshore.

Throw in the anchor windlass, bow thruster, shore-power inlets and diesel generator, and the standards list grows more impressive. Optional equipment includes air conditioning and a retractable remote control cockpit sunshade with misters. It's the type of boat that, fully loaded, is easy to operate and enjoy. On test day, we ran rough, but we weren't exactly roughing it.

RUNNING RUGGED

With all the standard amenities, its heft and its wide beam, the 370 is meant to run with the Intrepids of the world rather than tournament-style center consoles such as the Yellowfin 36 or the Contender 36 Open, which has a narrower beam and carries less than half the dry weight.

With a dry weight exceeding 13,000 pounds, the 370 is designed to run heavy, not fast. During prototype testing, Whaler filled the hull with gravel to simulate different load conditions, and built the boat to respond. To that end, you can pack the 370 with gear and guests without significantly affecting performance. On test day, with six anglers and a full arsenal of fishing gear and bait, a load of fuel and a full freshwater tank, the boat still felt responsive and lively. Our two-and-a-half-hour run in a head sea proved the 370 Outrage's sea-keeping abilities. Maintaining a cruise speed between 28 and 30 mph, we didn't experience any bone-jarring pounding.

Running the test numbers back inshore in flat conditions, the 370 showed it does have some giddy up, exceeding 52 mph with the triple 300-horsepower Verados run wide open. At idle, those Verados were whisper quiet (see performance box); between the engines and the well-protected helm, we could maintain a conversation even at cruising speeds.

For such a big, heavy boat, the 370 showed uncommon agility in both tightly carved turns and S-turn maneuvers. We executed hard turns at near full throttle without blowing out the props or digging in too much and throwing passengers.

Whaler prides itself on the unsinkable nature of its fleet's hull construction, and the 370 is no exception, with two and a half times the amount of Coast Guard required closed-cell foam injected between the hull and deck. It also gives the boat a solid feel without notable vibration or shuddering. The powder-coated, aluminum hardtop supports didn't budge during our run, and the top didn't flex when I grabbed hold and did the "pull-up" test.

All hardware aboard the 370 Outrage is made from 316-L stainless steel, the highest grade for marine use. The hefty 10-inch cleats are through-bolted through a composite backing plate to help distribute the pulling load from docklines.

Lift the ram-assisted, double-sided hatch in the cockpit sole to view the 370's guts, and you'll notice that Whaler didn't skimp in places you don't always see. There are no rough edges, no fiberglass splinters, and no corners cut in the little details. The bilge is gelcoated and orderly, with easy access to the bilge pumps and seacocks. Wiring is supported and chafe-protected, and you can reach the remote filters, the batteries, and the diesel generator. When running far offshore, this solid construction and access are appreciated.

PRIMED TO FISH

When we arrived at our fishing destination, we used the 370's standard SmartCraft gauges to set a precise trolling speed. From there, we took advantage of the boat's fishing features to quickly set up the spread. The bait-prep station aft on the leaning post has tackle drawers, lure bags, a cutting board, and a 55-gallon oval livewell with a blue interior and a clear hatch. Note that it also has a red light, so you don't ruin your night vision. There's an additional 24-gallon livewell along the transom so you can keep baits separate.

Rod holders? Try five along the transom, five in the cockpit gunwale topsides, four in the bow topsides, and six on the hardtop. An inwale rod rack to starboard holds three more, and don't forget the lockable storage under the sun lounge. Whaler also builds downrigger ball storage slots in all its center consoles. It's a shame outriggers aren't offered standard, though; no self-respecting offshore angler is going to buy the boat without them. Why not make the optional foldout trolling jump seats on either side of the console standard, too?

The 370's wide beam makes for a spacious cockpit, allowing a large crew to work the spread without getting in each other's way. The toerails and coaming bolsters make it easy to fight a fish standing up. It's a great fishing platform, with one caveat: You have to swing your rod far past the transom when fighting a fish from the cockpit to clear the triple Verados. Outboard-powered fishboats will always be at a disadvantage from this standpoint; with inboards, all the hardware is inside and under the boat.

Big fish can be boated through the "doggy door" on the transom, then iced down in the cavernous fishboxes in the cockpit sole. The boxes on our test boat included optional freezer plates with independent thermostats, so you can set each to a different temperature. Sushi, anyone?

Our crew spent 10 hours on the boat, five running and five trolling. That's enough time to answer any of the hard questions about the largest Whaler in the fleet. We ran in heavy seas, trolled in rolling swells, and put the boat through its paces throughout the rpm range. The 370 Outrage holds its own as a high-end offshore boat made to cruise in comfort and fish without hassle. Sure, like any boat, it has its foibles. But when it comes to competing in the supersized center-console market, it has the right stuff.

Pete McDonald was a technical editor at Boating magazine for 11 years and is currently a contributing editor to Saltwater Sportsman and other publications.

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