The brand new Boston Whaler 285 Conquest

With innovation as its hallmark and improved usability throughout, the brand new 285 Conquest most certainly adds to Boston Whaler’s legendary status.

“The new 285 Conquest exemplifies where the Conquest line is evolving,” said Ron Berman, Boston Whaler’s vice president of product development and engineering. “It improves upon its predecessor in styling, performance, storage and overall functionality.

“We listened to advice from customers and dealers, and the result is a Conquest model that will turn a lot of heads.”

The 285 is engineered with Whaler’s patented Unibond® system, which ensures the brand’s legendary unsinkability.

Boston Whaler raised the 285’s sheer line while lowering the deck profile to give the boat an even more rugged, seaworthy appearance and better feel on the water. The hardtop and windshield have been integrated to provide improved weather protection, and they allow for three distinct variations – an open windshield, an enclosed windshield and a pilothouse.

“We wanted the boat to look strong, but with a sense of luxury out on the water or tied up at the dock,” Mr Berman said.

But this was much more than an aesthetic upgrade. The all new hull – re-crafted from the keel up – planes, handles and flat out runs better than the previous 285. Hardcore offshore anglers will especially appreciate these performance gains.

The refinements carry over to the cockpit, helm deck and below, with the new 285 Conquest providing improved helm visibility with an integrated tempered glass windshield system, while maximising storage, elbowroom and headroom in the cabin.

The ergonomics and ruggedness of the windshield hardtop system is unmatched.

A good example of the 285’s above-deck enhancements is the new patent-pending port lounge. Seating areas here have been raised to improve forward visibility, while an innovative “flip and slide” backrest (with pull-out footrest for facing aft) allows forward or aft-facing configurations.

A removable filler cushion or an optional pull-out table provide even more flexibility. New spacious drawer storage beneath the port lounge keeps tackle or other items within easy reach in the cockpit. A starboard storage and prep area behind the helm chair has ample space to store large carry-on items or house an optional refrigerator.

The 285’s generous cockpit space offers numerous comfort options, including Whaler’s signature foldaway stern bench seat and a port or starboard pull-out seat – all of which can be united around an optional cockpit table for a unique setup ideal for entertaining.

An optional cockpit sunshade slides out from the hardtop to keep all the festivities nice and cool.

For anglers, a multipurpose live-well, rod holders and dual insulated in-deck fish-boxes with pump-outs come standard. Premium options such as 12 volt transom receptacles for electric reels, hardtop-mounted radial outriggers, and Raymarine chart-plotter and fish-finder upgrades round out a worthy arsenal for hauling in trophy fish.

The improvements continue in the cabin below, where new materials and finishes create a warm and inviting environment. The deeper hull and a more open layout increase the sense of spaciousness, especially in the galley, which adds a skylight and abundant storage. The forward V-berth effortlessly converts to a dinette table in seconds, and full width bow cushions and an upholstered headboard in the mid-berth indicate the 285’s dedication to comfort and luxury.

The expanded options list – which includes a low-CO gas generator, large forward sun pad, Raymarine electronics and available pilothouse aft bulkhead – further demonstrates Whaler’s commitment to delivering the level of sophistication and sumptuousness its customers expect.

“Boston Whaler customers assume they will get more from our boats than they would from others in the market,” Mr Berman added. “The 285 Conquest, indeed all of our 2012 Conquests, should meet and exceed our customers’ expectations for express walk-around vessels.

“We expect more from our boats because you expect more.”