June 07, 2012
By David Conway
August 2011 WebXtra
Power and comfort in the Everglades 5 Series flagship fishing machine.
In the last few years a number of boat builders in the high-end center console category have come to understand that to appeal to their market, their boats must accommodate not only the fishing desires of the primary owners, but the desires for comfort and pleasure on the water shared by the owners and their friends and families. That awareness of their clients' lifestyles led Edgewater-based Everglades Boats to develop the well-appointed line of 5 series boats, whose designs and construction combine hard-fishing capability with very comfortable features. The 5 series comprises three boats: the 275 CC, 295 CC and 325 CC.
The Everglades 325 CC carries forward the traditional qualities of the Edgewater brand. They've taken their 35-foot hull and cut it down to a 32-foot boat. The boat incorporates smart, innovative designs and functions, like the new patented hydraulic windshield and wide, convenient dive/dock door at the stern with a dive ladder carried under the gunnel, with Edgewater brand top of the line construction, like the proprietary RAMCAP (Rapid Molded Core Assembly Process) constructed, solid core hull and Everglades' comprehensive in-house metal fabrication.
Specs:
LOA: 32 feet, 4 inches
Beam: 10 feet, 8 inches
Draft: 24 inches
Bridge Clearance: 8 feet, 9 inches
Transom Height: 30 inches
Transom deadrise: 25 degrees
Average deadrise: 41 degrees
Cockpit area: 131 sq. feet.
Max HP: 700 hp
Weight, no engine: approx. 9,000 pounds
Person Capacity: 14
Weight Capacity: 5,200 pounds
Fuel capacity: 327 gallons
Water capacity: 35 gallons
Livewell capacity: 43 gallons
Fishbox forward: 129 gallons
Fishbox aft: 81 gallons
Base price for 2012—boat only is $232,195. Powered with twin Yamaha 350HP-W/1 Command Link Plus Display is $306,831. Currently, there's a three-month build time on orders for the 325CC.
The cockpit, at 131 square feet, is extremely spacious and unobstructed, and there's ample walkaround room from the cockpit past the console to the bow. The beam is a roomy 10 feet, 8 inches. Powder-coated rails run around the boat so there's something to hold onto as you move.
At the console, Everglades built more space for electronics at the helm station, so that wider multi-function display screens would fit easily. Now two 15-inch MFDs, two VHF radios and engine gauges will mount into the console. Trim tab switches are mounted on the console by the wheel and the dual Yamaha binnacle controls.
The switches on the panel have lights on their ends to let you know that they're on, and the battery switches are now conveniently on the panel.
The patented design of the tempered, curved glass windshield (with wiper and washer) opens hydraulically and adds convenience and a breeze at the touch of a button. Raise it for your ride out and lower it when you need the breeze. Lower it to eliminate the glare on the evening rides to the dock. The side of the console has thick, tempered glass.
The bolsters of the super-cushioned captains' chairs are adjustable, and the fishing station behind them is built not to obstruct the view, reach or mobility of the people in the chairs, so that they might easily fish while seated.
Beneath the seats, in the shade where it should be, is a 94-quart cooler on an extending, sliding base.
The hard top is integrated into the console, so there is a free space to reach over the fishing station and move around without obstruction. The hard top is larger than in earlier versions of the 35-foot Everglades and has stereo, LED lights, speakers, spreader light and rod holders across the back.
The life jacket storage is integrated into the hard top for out-of-the-way, dry storage with easy access.
The work station is ergonomically designed with handles built-in all around it. At the work station, complete with stainless steel sink with a saltwater and freshwater detachable faucet, there's ample built-in storage space in eight drawers with all stainless steel bearings and hardware.
The marine head with pump out is extremely spacious. There's even a shower fixture on the sink for washing down—all of which drains directly overboard. Having that roomy marine head will make plenty of people happier about longer trips offshore, and, sensibly, there are ventilation ports on both sides of the compartment.
There's a large, completely finished dry storage compartment at the bow. On either side, under the cushions, are additional storage spaces that can be used as additional fish boxes. They drain overboard.
The anchor locker has a freshwater/raw water rinse and a stainless steel windlass. There's also a switch to operate the windlass in the anchor locker, so that you can operate from there or the helm. The bow also has oversize stainless steel cleats.
There's a large 124-gallon fishbox forward (and an 81-gallon fishbox at the stern).
The two rod lockers, each capable of carrying 4 rods up to 9 feet long, are both lockable—extremely convenient for anglers who might disembark during a day's trip or on an overnight venture.
Red LED courtesy lights spaced just above the deck all around the boat.
There are ten recessed stainless steel rod holders on the gunnel around the boat, including two on the front of the bow.
There's plenty of room on the bow, which, with cushions that snap on and are standard, is a comfortable lounge area for sunning, resting, napping. There is a recessed, powder-coated railing around the bow for safety and ease of movement. Also, standard, are stainless steel drink holders and flush-mounted speakers at the bow.
Without cushions, it's more space for a few people to fish or cast.
The center table rises or descends with a push of a nearby button, depending on the desired use of the bow space.
There are two wide, roomy and comfortable chair-seats in the front of the console, with arm rails for comfort and safety and drink holders.
Back in that 131 square foot cockpit with a 10-foot, 8-inch beam, there's plenty of room to maneuver. There's also under gunnel rod storage.
The 81-gallon stern fish box.
The bilge access hatch has watertight seals and opens to a wide and spacious compartment.
The batteries have lock-down covers, which act like a dive bell to prevent the batteries from being submerged.
In the bilge compartment, which is completely finished, there's a manifold for multiple pump accesses with only one through-hull for the manifold. The Everglades' process of RAMCAP construction includes gel capping every surface of the boat. “It's a patented process,” says Greg Allen, “in which the hull is cored and then filled with construction grade foam logs. Then there's an interliner placed on top and it's all resined and chemically bonded together. It's not a traditional stringer system, but one solid, rigid piece of construction, and the RAMCAP process provides a softer, more stable and comfortable ride in rough seas.”
It's a twin-engine application, and Everglades runs it with 300s and 350s. Max HP is 700 HP.
There are two stern seats with combing pad backrest. When not in use, they fold up and disappear. Across the back of the stern, there are six rod holders and a stern door for access to the engines.
Battery charger at the stern, port side.
The livewell at the transom, painted ultramarine blue, has rounded corners and a 43-gallon capacity.
The dive/dock/fish door is wide with a fortress-like strength hinge.
The dive ladder is nearby, stored securely under the gunnel, within reach. The hinge was designed and built in house.
