Boston Whaler's 235 Conquest

Boston Whaler's new 235 Conquest has the Whaler DNA, reliable, utilitarian and highly functional embodied in every inch of this stellar family walkaround.

July 1, 2005

The 21-foot center console boat rockets across the water at 50 mph, no doubt on its way to some hot redfish or seatrout spot on the coast. Center consoles are the mainstay of saltwater fishing, mainly because their open design gives anglers such freedom of movement and driving balance ' no matter how many people are aboard. Well, in this particular case, the center console isn't heading toward any saltwater fishing hole for the very good reason that it's in Branson, Missouri, in America's Heartland. And the driver isn't even looking for fish, but rather, is on a pleasure cruise of Table Rock Lake.

This center console has the name Tahoe on it, but isn't the company famous for its freshwater ski and fish boats, bowriders, or deck boats? So what is this? Would you believe all of the above? Tracker is known for providing consumers with a great bottom line, and the 215 CC is no exception. First, the insides of most of the compartments and hatches aren't finished, which is not a problem because the part of the boat that people actually see is quite stylish. Another feature is the use of ultra-light-gauge plastic doors for hatches like the one found on front of the center console.

The center console helm station is very well laid out with all the gauges set high into the 'do the wave' molded dash. Extra points are given for the depression in the top of the console where drivers can stow all the stuff boaters carry around, i.e. cell phones, suntan lotion and handheld GPS units. Another cost-cutting measure is the pair of low-tech bucket seats for the driver and co-pilot, but they're reasonably comfortable and swivel and adjust fore and aft. Located to the right of the wheel is the standard AM/FM/CD Aquatronics 1400 four-speaker stereo system that will serve to get the party started. The console's windshield is tall enough to be effective and is framed with a sturdy stainless-steel grab rail that protects it while giving passengers a place to hang onto when standing next to the driving crew.

The 215 CC is offered in an inboard/outboard configuration, as well as a side-console outboard version. For seating, the Center Console gives you a stern bench, as opposed to the wraparound U-lounges seen on the others. The only cool feature missing on this model is the innovative changing room that rises up out of the cockpit sole. The center console isn't really big enough to make use of a portable head, so Tahoe doesn't offer one, although small kids could probably squeeze in there, but well-fed writers? No way. Instead, it makes a great place to stow items like the pair of pedestal fishing seats that come standard and fit into the roomy foredeck that serves as your casting platform when you shift into fishing mode. There's also a pedestal receptacle in the stern to give anglers more elbowroom. There's plenty more dry storage under all the lounge seats.

Tahoe did more than give anglers a token effort thanks to features like under-gunwale rod storage on both sides. There's a pair of rod holders in the stern, and live-baiters will appreciate the aerated livewell with pumpout in the bow. And to keep frequently used lures handy, there's a built-in two-tray tackle box. The 215 CC comes pre-wired to accept a trolling motor, and there's an available 24-volt, 70-pound thrust MotorGuide unit ($750) that has Quick Disconnect for angler convenience.

The 215 Center Console shifts seamlessly into entertainment mode with plenty of seating, a cockpit table, and port and starboard entertainment centers that include covered sinks (or coolers) with a freshwater spigot, adjacent two-liter bottle holders for beverage preparation, along with a removable cooler and trash can. There are even 12 cup holders scattered all about the boat ' two more than the maximum allowable 10 passengers. The bow seats feature enough recline and legroom for comfort and are upholstered with marine-grade, UV-resistant vinyl that has a stain-resistant top coating.

Skiers will love the tall, removable pylon that keeps the rope above the outboard, and there's a large, wide ski locker set into the deck that's even long enough to store the trolling motor when it's resting. The wake is pretty flat at just under 30 mph so slalom skiers can cut hard, but since the 215 CC stays on plane at 20 mph and plows up a pretty good jumping wake when you have stern passengers (or ballast), even wakeboarders are happy. Getting on and off the Tahoe is easy with twin boarding ladders fore and aft, and the anchor resides in a locker that has a cradle and plenty of room for line. There's also a bow cleat that's located right on the centerline for an even pull when anchored.

Despite the cable steering, the HydroStep Hull carves turns well and only ventilates the prop in really hard turns with the trim up in running position. In the afternoon, the wind kicks up a chop that's easily dispatched by the 215's 20-degree deadrise deep-V hull.

As you would expect, this member of the Tracker family features a black engine on the transom, but this one isn't a Mercury, but rather a 175-hp Suzuki 4-stroke (not pictured), its newest mid-range in-line four-cylinder powerhouse. Featuring the largest block in its class helps give it plenty of oomph, because, as Suzuki likes to point out, 'There is no replacement for displacement.' Coming out of the hole, the 175-cubic-inch engine proves its point by putting the Tahoe on plane in less than five seconds with very little bow rise ' good news for those who are looking to get XL skiers up and going without turning it into an aerobic tug of war exercise.

The Suzuki is something of a teaser since, as of now, Tahoes can only be ordered with Mercury outboards, and boats can't be ordered without engines (the 215 was tested at a Suzuki press event). The standard package lists for the very low price of $24,295 (trailer not included) when equipped with a carbureted Mercury XL Saltwater 150, but owners should strongly consider moving up to an OptiMax 200 that brings the bottom line up to $30,540. In return, they get vastly reduced emissions, smoother starting and performance, and better fuel economy. For another five grand, you can even put a state-of-the-art Verado 225 on the transom, which gives you the ultra-quiet performance of a 4-stroke with the kick-in-the-pants acceleration of a supercharger.

There's one notable option that should be a standard feature on a boat with this much torque: hydraulic steering. This test model features dual cable steering, which is perfectly acceptable for a 16-footer with a 75-hp engine on it. With this inadequate steering system you will definitely get a workout as you try to counter the formidable amount of torque that tries to spin the wheel hard right. And left turns are all but impossible to execute without the driver emitting a grunting noise. True, once the boat is running at cruise speed, you can trim it up in a way that negates most of the 'yankage,' but owners won't be happy with this package without hydraulic assist, period. Spend the $1,000 or so to make it happen and you won't regret it.

Steering aside, the bottom line is that the Tahoe 215 CC is designed to allow boating families to have plenty of fun no matter what activity they choose, at a price that won't make you adjust your budget elsewhere in order to get on the water.

The Verdict:

You'd be hard-pressed to find a 21-foot deck boat with this many features at this price that'll allow you to do whatever you wish. The 215 is capable of shifting seamlessly from fishing to watersports to entertainment platform. Resist the urge to go bare bones, and spring for the hydraulic steering.

LOA 21'2"
Beam 8'5"
Weight 2,200 lbs.
Fuel 45 gal.
Top Speed 51 mph
(w/175-hp Suzuki 4-stroke)
Time To Plane 4.9 seconds
0-30 mph 8.5 seconds
Decibels @ Idle 57 dB-A
Decibels @ 30 mph 82 dB-A
Decibels @ WOT 93 dB-A
Base Price $24,295
(w/150-hp Mercury XL Saltwater)
Hull Warranty 5 years
NMMA Certified? Yes

Tahoe
2500 East Kearney
Springfield, MO 65803
(417) 873-5900
www.tahoesportboats.com