Boat Test: 2023 Ocean Sport Roamer 30

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Overview

Unfortunately, our sea trial of the Ocean Sport Roamer 30 on the Chesapeake did not challenge the Roamer 30. Soft landings in a couple of large boat wakes hinted at how smoothly its sharp bow and 20-degree transom deadrise would come down in gnarlier stuff. The boat did maneuver well as I simulated careful jigging maneuvers in current eddies around large bridge pilings and over oyster reefs.

Interior and Accessories

The Roamer 30’s large cockpit lends itself to all kinds of fishing. The transom holds a 30-gallon bait tank, with raw- and freshwater washdown bibs and a stout door to the broad transom platform and engine bracket. Padded bolsters line the pit at thigh height, with fiberglass toe rails below that also function as shelves for gear such as boat hooks. I admired the three-tray foldout tackle box and the eight-rod rocket launcher on the aft edge of the cabin top.

I noted cavernous storage lockers with drop-in bins, plus two 12-volt AGM cranking batteries and four 6-volt deep-cycle batteries. A step on each side of the cockpit leads to an 8-inch-wide side deck, with sturdy handrails for the climb and along the cabin top all the way to the foredeck. There’s plenty of space on top for brackets to secure kayaks and paddleboards. The foredeck holds an anchor bracket, windlass, and a locker for plenty of anchor rode.

As to cruising accommodations, the Roamer 30 provides a generous V-berth, with storage under the forward cabin, reading lights, a cedar-lined hanging locker to port, and an enclosed head with a shower to starboard. Cabinetwork is right up to the high Nordic Tug standard. Headroom taped at 6 feet, 2 inches in the cabin and 6 feet in the head. The pilothouse/salon is bright, with even more headroom and another sturdy handrail, this one running overhead the full length of the space. The helm to starboard includes a shock-absorbing chair made for long hours. It’s easy to see how the Ocean Sport Roamer 30 fits Pacific Northwest fishing and cruising missions, but also easy to see how well it would fit on any other cruising ground on the continent.

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How We Tested 

• Engines: Twin 350 hp Mercury Verados
• Drive/Props: Outboard/14 ¹/₂” x 17″ Enertia 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 400 gal. Crew Weight: 660 lb.

High Points

• Sturdy grab rails in the right places on the deck and in the salon allow safe movement in sloppy conditions.
• Rugged construction and mechanic-designed systems ensure a long working life for the Roamer 30.
• Interior cabinetwork and amenities reflect experience with cruising boats. 

Low Points

• Bottom of the steering wheel obstructs the skipper’s view of the critical bottom line on the sonar.
• No provision for lockable fishing-rod storage; stock boat offers only eight holders along the aft edge of the pilothouse.

Toughest Competitor

Sea Sport’s 30′ x 10′  Voyager 3000 ($400,000 base with twin Suzuki 300s) is another 12,500-pound pilothouse fisher-cruiser from the PNW. It shows comparable performance with twin Suzuki 300 outboards, offers a similar cruising accommodation plan, and provides a large cockpit for fishing.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

Ocean Sport Boats – Burlington, Washington; oceansportboats.com

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