All-purpose boats that try to do it all usually end up not pleasing anyone. Serious anglers get frustrated attempting to fish from a bowrider, and taking the family for a cruise in a typical offshore fishing boat is roughly akin to dumping them in the back of a pickup truck, with not much to hold on to and fewer places to sit. However, there is an answer ' the Glacier Bay 2640 SX Renegade.

Responding to feedback from owners who said they wanted a boat that can do more than fish, Glacier Bay designed a deck layout that's party-barge plush without compromising its fishability. The superior ride characteristics of the catamaran hull make for an ideal family boat, so everyone's happy. Rectangular-shaped catamarans provide more deck area than monohulls, and every inch is taken advantage of on the Renegade. The open bow does double duty as either a casting platform or a U-shaped seating area, with lockers for fish and gear located beneath the seat cushions. A rail keeps everyone aboard, and the anchor locker is conveniently located immediately aft of the standard bow roller. The walk-through windshield provides access to the cockpit and points aft, but while the windshield works well to keep wind out of the cockpit, a lower door would make it even more efficient.

The huge interior volume of the twin hulls is put to good use in the cockpit; on the port side is a crowd-pleasing enclosed step-in head, plus a cavernous dry storage area. As great as the head is, it'd be even better if it was plumbed with a drain and shower head. Within easy reach from the bow or the cockpit, the starboard side of the walk-through houses the optional 12V refrigerator, which is a must for happy cruising. The helm is well-appointed with easy-to-read gauges and a seat set high for 360-degree visibility, while the area underneath can be used as a marlin-sized 2-foot-2-inch-by-6-foot fishwell/storage locker.

Amidships, a large L-shaped settee wraps around a table, providing comfortable and secure seating for the whole family. With the Bimini top up, this is the coolest spot on the boat when the sun is shining, or with the side curtains in place, a snug place to ride out heavy weather. A 12V livewell is located at the edge of the settee, making it easily accessible from either the bow or the rear cockpit. Continuing aft is the bait prep station, complete with a freshwater sink, prep table and scads of drawers. The large rear cockpit is an angler's heaven, featuring a built-in tackle station, rod racks, rod holders and lots of fighting room. Beyond the transom is a unique swim platform that extends between and almost past the outboards for diving, landing fish, or inspecting props. In addition to the expected boarding ladder, it has a rail for maximum safety.

'So it has tons of room ' big deal. Cats are funny looking,' say many boaters who are still resistant to the catamaran design. But all it takes is one ride through five-foot seas to convert a skeptic. While not all cats live up to the hype, Glacier Bay has gotten it right, which is one reason the U.S. Navy uses a 26-foot Glacier Bay to escort submarines in and out of Norfolk. Sharp entry angles on the twin hulls slice chop, allowing the boat to run smooth without pounding.

Rated for a maximum of 300 hp, the test boat is powered by twin 130-hp Honda 4-stroke outboards, which run so quiet the crew has to keep checking to make sure they're on. Positioned well aft of the transom, they register a scant 65 decibels at idle, and measure a reasonable 85 decibels at 30 mph. With the thottles wide open at 36.3 mph, the sound meter indicates a mere 89 decibels.

Cats plane differently than a monohull, with a sort of bob before the main event, which occurs in just 4.7 seconds; the 2640 SX accelerates from 0 to 30 mph in 9.6 seconds. In high-speed turns there is scarcely any heeling, and the ride stays bone dry. There's none of the 'sneezing' blow-back of spray common on some other cats when the area between the bows releases a mix of wind and water in a soaking mist.

Overall, the boat has an amazing ability to domesticate snotty conditions, which translates into time on the water on days when monohulls are tied up at the dock. Twin engines provide get-home insurance and the option of single-engine trolling for fuel efficiency, which almost seems redundant with a 4-stroke. With a fuel flow of 6 gallons per hour when cruising at 3000 rpm (18.1 mph), the Rene-gade's two 90-gallon fuel tanks will make you a rare sight at the fuel dock. And as if all that wasn't enough, a 16-inch draft lets you explore skinny water, and the combination of an extremely fuel-efficient hull design and Honda 4-stroke outboards means you get more miles from each gallon of gas than in a similar-sized monohull, making the Renegade cheaper to operate.

In dead-calm conditions, there are faster boats to be had, but when the seas are building, chances are the Renegade is almost as swift as many traditional monohull, high-horsepower sportboats, and the ride will be better on the cat. At 4,600 pounds, the Renegade 2640 SX is light enough to be easily trailered by a full-sized SUV. With ample room and comfortable surroundings for whatever the day brings, an amazing ability to tame rough seas, and impressive fuel-efficiency, the Renegade can make even the most dubious boater a believer. If you're seeking a 'compromise boat' that the entire family can enjoy, the Renegade 2640 SX (with a hull price of $58,789) represents a viable alternative to similarly sized monohulls, with at least twice the utility, creature comfort and sea-handling ability at no extra cost.