Boat Test: 2024 Boston Whaler 210 Vanatge

Overview

When it’s time to design a new model, Boston Whaler uses input from a variety of sources, including Whaler dealers and owners. The strength of that process shows in the new 210 Vantage dual-console. This is a “right-size” family boat that’s small enough to tow behind a midsize SUV or pickup, but large enough to allow its occupants to move about freely and safely while fishing, towing toys, and exploring. We ran 210 Vantage Hull No. 5, powered by a 250 hp Mercury Verado V-8, on a choppy January day on Chesapeake Bay, but more on that later.

Interior and Accessories

A big part of the design’s success lies in the asymmetrical consoles. The port console extends to almost to the hull’s centerline, providing shoulder room inside, while the running bottom’s 20-degree deadrise provides depth for 4 feet, 2 inches of headroom for the portable toilet with deck pump-out ($1,568). This also allows for a broad portside lounge in the bow that seats two facing forward, if they know each other well. The U-shaped bow seating offers insulated storage underneath and encircles an optional table ($2,006) that stores in a dedicated rack in the port console. The starboard lounge and its back ingeniously form one curved lift-up unit hinged at the top for excellent access to ­storage within, which extends back into the starboard (helm) console and ­offers optional fishing-rod racks (part of the Fishing Package, $1,943).

A tempered-glass windshield wraps completely around both ­consoles. The helm offers hydraulic power steering, side control for throttle and shift, a choice of factory-installed Simrad electronic ­displays with 9-inch ($3,567) or 12-inch ($5,249) screens, a Simrad VHF radio ($1,018), and a JL Audio stereo with four speakers ($2,231), plus Mercury VesselView Mobile engine monitoring and ­Active Trim. The skipper gets a custom helm seat with a pedestal, slide and flip-up bolster. During our sea trial, we found the helm and sightlines comfortable either sitting or leaning with the bolster flipped up. The only weather-protection option is a well-engineered folding Bimini top with boot ($2,129). It remained firmly planted during our breezy test day.

To port, a similar pedestal seat comes ­standard, but our test boat sported the ­optional double-wide convertible lounge ($4,690) with a multiposition back and ­storage beneath. It would be valuable not only when facing ­forward underway, but also ­facing aft for watching a skier or socializing with people sitting in the stern jump seats. It also converts to a full sun lounge. A cockpit table is optional ($1,649). The design team borrowed the transom layout from the Dauntless models: a central surface flanked by jump seats that fold down to form a ­casting deck or nonskid access to the two swim ­platforms. The central surface holds two cup holders on either side of three vertical fishing-rod holders. The central one holds the optional ski pylon ($2,633).  The jump seats conceal access to wiring and batteries. Two platforms make ­boarding easy from floating docks. The starboard swim platform holds a covered telescoping swim ladder with a stainless-steel grab rail for boarding from the water.

The optional Fishing Package includes an 18-gallon lighted livewell under the aft seat of the port lounge, a raw-water washdown, lockable storage for rods up to 7 feet long in the console, and two additional gunwale-mounted rod holders. Notably, the space to starboard aft of the helm chair is intentionally empty. Though it could hold an extra cooler or a tackle box, the open space allows for easy movement around the cockpit, whether ­handling fish or water toys.

Shopping? See and inspect Grady-White’s Freedom 215 ($123,240 base boat, plus a ­Yamaha F250 with IDES—integrated digital electric steering—in Classic White). ­Standard are a portable head, Bimini with front and side curtains (drop is optional), and a stereo. The base 210 Vantage with a white 250 Mercury V-8 Digital Throttle and Shift is $129,123. 

Engine

The 210 Vantage rides a 20-degree ­running bottom with paired lifting strakes that, with the Active Trim and manual use of the trim tabs, allowed for comfortable, dry running on our test day’s choppy water. Wide reverse chines keep the hull stable at rest. Those wide chines, by the way, don’t cause the hull to slap when coming down off waves due to a designed-in curve on each inside edge rather than a hard angle. The big, white V-8 Verado hustled our ­tester from zero to 30 mph in 7 seconds, despite a headwind against the ­Bimini top in its boot. It gave the boat a wide range of efficient speeds: 18 to 33 mph (3,250 to 4,500 rpm), with a top speed of 48.3 mph. Choose this engine for full loads of people, coolers and towed toys. That said, according to Mercury’s performance reports on Boston Whaler’s ­website, Mercury’s 200 and 225 hp V-6 ­engines provide plenty of performance for most uses, with lower prices and somewhat better fuel economy. As always, think through the way you’d use this boat, and apply due diligence before making a decision. ­Either way, this new multipurpose dual-­console fits neatly into an open niche in Boston Whaler’s lineup. The model is going to make a lot of water-loving families very happy.

Read Next: Boston Whaler 280 Dauntless

How We Tested

• Engine: Single 250 hp Mercury V-8
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/14.5″ x 17″ Enertia 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel load: 75 gal. Water Load: 0 gal. Crew Weight: 380 lb. 

High Points

• Convertible transom changes from seats to a casting platform and serves well the 210 Vantage’s multiple missions.
• There’s enough headroom in the port ­console for a tall adult to sit comfortably on the ­portable toilet (with pump-out).
• The storage layout in the starboard console is ingenious, including its front-opening door and horizontal rod holders.

Low Points

• Add a tray for small accessories such as a cellphone and sunglasses in the port console door, just like the one in the helm console to starboard. 
• The head compartment would be improved by the addition of ventilation and a tray on the back shelf to hold toilet paper, hand ­sanitizer, and cleaning supplies.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

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