Everglades 253 CC Review

Story by Craig Ritchie Aug. 05, 2017

Crossover center consoles have been all the rage in boating recently, and the all-new Everglades 253 CC makes it easy to understand why.

This completely redesigned hybrid offshore boat blends some of the most appealing features of the company’s best-selling 243 CC and 273 CC models, along with some thoroughly modern engineering and inspired design.

Let’s start with the seating – one key factor that positions this center console above the crowd. Up in the bow you’ll find twin lounges with removable, forward-facing backrests. Low-profile, powder-coated bow rails provide extra security when underway. Lift the seat cushions and you’ll find spacious locking storage cabinets in each seat base large enough to accommodate even bulky gear.

Bow seating in the 253 CC is spacious and comfortable. Or remove the cushions and enjoy twin raised casting decks.

The forward end of the lounges wraps around to provide a single rear-facing seat with back support, making a great spot to stretch out and enjoy the sun. Flush-mount pop-up cleats let you stretch out your arms without worrying about bumping anything. On the forward deck, a hatch opens to provide access to the anchor locker, which can accommodate an optional windlass.

Prefer to fish? Then stow the seat cushions and the bow provides twin elevated casting platforms, each topped with a non-skid finish.

A double-wide cushioned seat on the forward face of the console conceals an 87-quart EverCooler.

There’s a cushioned seat for two located on the forward face of the console, of course, which is perhaps the best seat in the house when underway. At anchor, it forms one end of an intimate area for conversation with those in the bow. Ready for something cold to drink? You’ll find a massive built-in 87-quart EverCooler right in the seat base. LED courtesy lighting just above the floor level is a thoughtful touch.

The Everglades 253 CC is a spacious boat – thanks to its efficient layout there’s no less than 91 square feet of cockpit space, which is quite impressive for a 24-foot boat. Clever integration of secure storage spaces greatly contributes to this sense of roominess, such as the under-gunnel port and starboard rod storage and dry storage, the lockable rod storage with cushioned protection under the forward bow seating, the massive 69-gallon in-floor insulated fish box up front and the 26-gallon live well with its clear lid, conveniently integrated into the aft side of the helm seat. The double-wide helm seat features independent pull-up bolsters for comfort, and powder-coated arm rests for security. There’s plenty of storage in the seat base, including space for a couple of Plano-style flat tray boxes right in the seat base on each side. In addition to the aforementioned live well in the aft face of the seat base, you’ll find a couple of stainless steel cup holders and two dedicated storage nooks designed to securely stow a pair of Yeti Hopper soft-sided coolers.

The double-wide helm seat offers independent pull-up bolsters.

The star attraction to this boat is its beautifully engineered center console, which includes a full-size, step-down head compartment complete with a Porta-potti with dockside pump-out. That’s a real treat in a 24-foot boat.

An elegant dash design puts the compass and push-button switches in a neat row up top, creating a massive amount of space to accommodate up to two 12-inch flush-mount displays.

On the business end of the console, an elegant dash puts the compass and push-button switches in a neat row up top, creating a massive amount of space to accommodate up to two 12-inch flush-mount displays. A stainless steel steering wheel with a turning knob is standard, along with twin stainless cup holders. Ahead, Everglades’ trademark power windshield raises or lowers at the touch of a button, lifting to provide protection from the elements or lowering to open up the cockpit on a warm summer day. Overhead, the standard hardtop has plenty of space to accommodate the standard Fusion stereo control head with Bluetooth connectivity, as well as a VHF.

At the stern you’ll find a yet another insulated cooler in the center of the large elevated rear casting deck, and surprisingly comfortable jump seats in each of the corners. The entire front face of the rear deck opens to reveal access to the batteries, chargers and bilge area. Sweet.

The tempered glass power windshield can be raised or lowered as desired for optimal comfort.

Being an Everglades, the 253 CC also comes with the company’s unsinkable Ramcap close-molded, variable deadrise deep-V hull. With no wood anywhere and a high density PVC-composite transom, it’s guaranteed for life. Molded-in diamond non-skid throughout the interior of its self-draining cockpit provides secure footing even when wet.

A 26-gallon aerated live well with a clear lid fits neatly into the aft side of the helm seat.

The Everglades 253 CC is so thoroughly equipped, in fact, that it doesn’t leave a lot of room for options. Outriggers, a jack plate, engine upgrades and electronics packages are available, but most buyers will find this boat beautifully equipped just the way it is.

With its standard SeaStar power steering and a Yamaha F300 four-stroke, the Everglades 253 CC tops 45 mph at wide open throttle, making it one fast ride indeed. Pull the throttle back to a more leisurely 3,500 rpm or so and you’ll still zip along at around 25 mph while getting almost three miles to the gallon.

With a single Yamaha F300, the 253 CC easily attains a top speed of more than 45 mph.

Everglades enjoys a solid reputation as a builder of high quality, innovative boats that are fun to drive and a joy to own. The new 253 CC lives up to that heritage, and raises the bar even higher for the next generation.