Boston Whaler 220 Outrage Review

It’s long been said that new trends and developments in the automotive world inevitably trickle down to the recreational boating industry. But while much of the recent focus has been on specific developments like smartphone integration, a bigger shift has been completely sneaking under the radar: the widespread growth of outboard-powered center consoles.

Where we once accepted the idea of sedans being made for for carrying passengers, pickups for hauling cargo, limos for a touch of luxury and sports cars for just plain fun, over time these different vehicles have all merged to become the modern SUV, a single, versatile design that’s luxurious, fun to drive, and still capable of hauling all your gear.

Boaters also want this contemporary blend of versatility, comfort, passenger capacity and cargo hauling ability too, and they want it in a good-looking package that’s fun to drive. No market segment has answered that call like the modern center consoles, such Boston Whaler’s all-new 220 Outrage – a true go-anywhere, do-anything floating SUV.

There’s comfortable seating in the bow with storage lockers beneath, along with a forward-facing seat on the cooler in front of the console.

At 22 feet, five inches on overall length and with a full eight-foot-six beam, the all-new 220 Outrage debuts a fresh hull that’s a bit deeper and with narrower chines that deliver a softer ride, even in rough water. There’s also a bit more flare to the bow to better deflect spray, giving the 220 Outrage a dry ride on even the windiest days.

But even with those subtle changes, the 220 Outrage is still every inch a Boston Whaler, meaning it really is unsinkable. Take a chain saw to it – as Whaler has done for years in their advertisements – and the chopped up pieces will still float.

Another unique feature in the 220 Outrage is a height-adjustable leaning post.

The high-tech engineering that goes into the Outrage hull continues inside. The transom seat retracts into the transom when not in use, providing more open floor space for fishing. The leaning post for the driver and navigator is height-adjustable – a rare but welcome feature. In its base you’ll find a convenient 20 gallon live well, plus secure, safe storage for the knives and pliers that are a staple on any fishing boat.

A live well in the leaning post base accommodates the catch of the day, with a gas ram-supported lid for one-handed operation.

The real innovations, however, are found in the console itself, which conceals a small cabin with a head compartment – an unheard-of feature in a 22-foot boat.

The 220 Outrage manages to fit a head compartment into the console base – an unusual and welcome feature for a 22-foot boat.

The helm is designed to accept two eight-inch multi-function displays on either side of the engine gauges. An MP3 player input hides inside the catchall tray at knee level, complete with a handy 12-volt DC outlet. Toe space beneath the helm footrest is another much-appreciated addition on a boat this size. The stainless steel steering wheel – which tilts for comfort – includes a turning knob, while the integral windscreen does a fine job of keeping the breeze at bay while underway.

The neat helm console has space for a pair of flush-mount multi-function displays, plus a stainless steel tilt wheel with a turning knob as standard.

The overhead T-top offers some innovations of its own. The optional PFD storage bag has been redesigned to open with Velcro, rather than the traditional zipper. Zippers can corrode over time, making it more difficult to access the PFDs when you really need them. Velcro doesn’t corrode, so there’s a safety improvement here beyond added convenience.

Up front, the Boston Whaler 220 Outrage offers plenty of seating in its open bow section, with large, insulated storage compartments concealed beneath. There’s also seating on the forward face of the console, atop the integrated cooler.

Storage in this boat is exceptional, with under-gunnel fishing rod storage, storage in the console, and a neat compartment in the port aft corner that accommodates tackle trays. There are also twin fish boxes in the cockpit floor, to both port and starboard, eliminating the need to bring a separate fish cooler aboard.

A convenient transom storage locker keeps tackle trays close at hand.

As one would expect from a Boston Whaler, the cockpit is completely self-draining, so an overnight rain simply runs off without flooding the boat. Nav lights are LED, so you never have to replace the bulbs. The huge fuel tank lets you spend more time enjoying the boat and less time heading to the gas pump. An integral swim platform includes a stainless steel grab rail and telescoping, stainless steel boarding ladder. And if that doesn’t do it for you, an extensive option list lets you personalize this boat any way you like.

Boston Whaler’s fishing roots are clearly evident, with in-floor cockpit storage, a convenient drying tray for used lures, and a useful holster to safely store pliers and knives.

The standard engine for the 220 Outrage is a Mercury Verado 225, which delivers a top-end speed of around 45 mph, blistering acceleration, and surprising fuel economy. You can upgrade to a 300-horsepower Verado that makes this an honest 55 mph boat, but at a significant cost – plus it requires 91-octane fuel. It’s also possible to order the boat with twin 115s, which provide a bit more maneuverability in tight spaces and the added safety factor of having twin engines. That may be a consideration for saltwater boaters who head out far offshore, but since performance is still on par with the single 225, most buyers will likely stick with standard power.

Boston Whaler’s 220 Outrage is a versatile, sporty and capable boat that does a lot of things well. But is it really a floating SUV? Absolutely. We’re going to see a lot of them out on the water.

Boston Whaler 220 Outrage Specs

LOA: 22’ 5”
Beam: 8′ 6″
Draft: 15”
Dry weight: 3,100 lbs.
Fuel capacity: 405L/107 gal.
Water capacity: 76L/20 gal.
Passenger capacity: 10
Maximum horsepower: 300 hp

For more information:
www.bostonwhaler.com