Boston Whaler 285 Conquest Review

The Boston Whaler 285 Conquest is a versatile and beautifully-built walk-around that’s equally adept at big-water fishing or weekend cruising.

Although open center console boats may rule in the deep south, across much of North America boaters prefer more protected designs that provide greater comfort in cold weather. That’s a big reason why walk-around styles continue to vastly outnumber center consoles on the Pacific Coast and on big inland waters like the Great Lakes, where occupant protection trumps 360-degree access to the water.

The protection of the 285 Conquest’s walk-around design offers greater comfort to boaters on northern waters.

For years Boston Whaler’s timeless Conquest series has epitomized big water walk-around boats, with the “just-right” sized 285 Conquest being among the most popular choices. It’s more than a question of size, as the 285 Conquest gets everything just right, being big enough to be comfortable, seaworthy enough to handle choppy waters, compact enough to be easily handled by even relative novice boaters, and easy to own with its outboard power and low maintenance requirements. It’s also among the most versatile boats on the water, and that’s something which becomes apparent as soon as you step aboard.

The spacious aft cockpit is left open for fishing, or can be set up for weekend cruising with retractable gunnel seats and a removable table.

The heart of the Boston Whaler 285 Conquest is its unsinkable hull with a self-draining cockpit, meaning any water that does come on board from rain or spray simply runs down the deck then out the overflow drains all by itself. This is a boat designed to be cleaned at the end of the day by spraying it out with a garden hose or the built-in transom shower, giving the 285 Conquest immense appeal among people who would rather spend time enjoying their boat than cleaning it.

Every inch of available space is devoted to comfort or storage — or both. Drawers in a cockpit prep station keep small items close by yet safely out of the way.

An integrated aft swim platform – complete with a retractable stainless steel boarding ladder – doesn’t just provide access to the water, it makes a convenient path to step aboard from the dock. From the platform, a neatly designed acrylic transom door leads into the spacious aft cockpit. Right away, Boston Whaler’s attention to detail is abundantly clear, from simple things like the positioning of deck hatches and the neat incorporation of storage elements so that no space is left underutilized, to the generous appointment of cockpit coaming and the confidence-inspiring cockpit interior depth that provide comfort that goes above and beyond. Look around and you see integrated drink holders, flush-mount rod holders, retractable cleats, grab handles and sturdy welded railings all formed from 316-L stainless steel for exceptional corrosion resistance and a look befitting a high-end boat. On the non-skid deck, large hatches to either side open to reveal insulated storage lockers with drains, allowing their use as fish boxes. Across the transom there’s a foldaway stern seat that sits flush when not in use, and is surprisingly comfortable when deployed. Wide gunnels easily accommodate downriggers, with rod storage beneath, while a 26-gallon live well is sure to be appreciated by all the anglers in your crew.

In-deck insulated fish boxes are huge and positioned along the sides for easy access.

The versatility of the Boston Whaler 285 Conquest’s design makes it equally suitable as a serious offshore fishing boat or a compact cruiser able to access waters large and small with equal ease. Additional foldaway seats on the port or starboard sides are available as factory options for those who need this space for entertaining rather than fishing, along with an elegant cockpit table. A cockpit refrigerator is also an available upgrade, along with an overhead extending sunshade that provides protection for the entire cockpit area.

An available overhead cockpit sunshade offers great protection from the mid-day sun.

Step forward and you’ll note the innovative port-side convertible lounge seating in the Boston Whaler 285 Conquest, with exquisite upholstery work and super plush backrests – there’s even cooler storage beneath. The helm seat comes with an expected flip-up bolster and armrests, and an unexpected slider function that allows the driver to adjust it automotive-style for optimal comfort. The helm itself is big, and designed to easily accept the user’s choice of single or double flush-mount touch-screen displays. An integrated glass windscreen and hard top are much appreciated, as is the thoughtful inclusion of a windshield wash system to deal with dead bugs and salt spray, in addition to the port and starboard wipers. A bow thruster is also available.

The neatly-designed helm is built with large flush-mount touch-screen displays in mind.

Below, a welcoming cabin sleeps four adults in comfort with a plush forward V-berth/dinette and a mid-cabin double berth. deluxe galley and private head. Overhead rod racks in the cabin keep your equipment handy but safely out of the way. A galley with a microwave, a solid-surface counter and a sink with faucet and cutting board handle basic meals, while an overhead skylight floods the space with light. A VacuFlush head with a 6.5-gallon holding tank and dockside pump-out comes standard, along with a Fusion audiophile stereo. Air conditioning is a popular upgrade.

A versatile port-side multi-position lounge seat is an ideal place to stretch out and enjoy the views.

Standard power on the 285 Conquest is twin Mercury 250 four-stroke outboards, which push the big Whaler on plane in six seconds flat. Top speed at wide-open throttle is just shy of 52 mph, making the 285 not only a capable boat, but a speedy one to boot. Twin 225s save a bit of money, and offer near-identical performance.

With a top speed in excess of 50 mph, the Boston Whaler 285 Conquest is a fast and comfortable performer.

With its great looks, versatile layout and low maintenance requirements, the Boston Whaler 285 Conquest is an easy boat to like. Little wonder it’s long been a strong seller and continues to thrill new buyers today.