Robalo 265 Feedback

 Well the time has come that I may be upgrading from my 232 Wellcraft. I have been looking at either the Boston Whaler 255 conquest or the Robalo 265. I know the stats and the reputation of the whaler but I am interested in any feedback anyone can offer on the Robalo. Here is a couple of picks of a similar one I have been looking at. Maybe the whaler owners can comment as well.

 

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Posts: 167

Date Joined: 02/11/09

Spent a fair bit of time in a

Wed, 2015-01-14 08:24

Spent a fair bit of time in a 255 conquest. It had a few issues with the way the live bait tank was set up, there not fully glassed up on the to edges and really poorly finished off and leaks seawater straight into the bildge, also had issues with keeping the killtanks dry and empty. Water always leaked through the bungs of those. The ride was not as nice as the hype makes out to be, they run a 20 degree deadrise and big chines up front so it does slap a fair bit, it is a really dry boat however. You also need to make sure you have a car that can tow 4.5T, ours had a steel trailer and was a bit over that.

Never been in a robalo, but if your looking at boats this size also consider the Sailfish 2660 / 2680 / 270 WAC, I had the 2380 WAC Sailfish, it was much better quality and finished off then the bostons and they have a hull that rides better. The sailfish runs an old seacraft hull from the 60's, has a 24 degree deadrise, heaps of bow flair and very nice features. if your restricted to 3.5T towing the 2360 / 2380 / 240 WAC sailfish might tick some of your boxes too. 

Cheers  

pgreen1's picture

Posts: 395

Date Joined: 20/02/08

 Cheers Luke. Food for

Wed, 2015-01-14 08:57

 Cheers Luke. Food for thought. Thank you

Posts: 55

Date Joined: 16/03/09

Robalo 265

Wed, 2015-01-14 11:15

Have been in both the Coastal 252 and the R265 in a cornering sea with a 15knot SW and didn't find that the ride on the Robalo was noticeably different to that of the Wellcraft. Both were set up in a similar format (twin rig and hardtop with clears) and were kind to the knees and back whilst being very dry.

Personally I would probably go for a Coastal 270 as they seem to have the right weight to power combinations suited to fishing around WA, ride like nothing else I've been in and have heaps of room to fish 4-5 people.....but they can be a pain to tow around the metro area.

Haven't been in a Whaler but by all reports they are the go to offshore boat and the resale value kills both the Robalo and Wellcraft.

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Evolution 552X Platinum

pgreen1's picture

Posts: 395

Date Joined: 20/02/08

 yes very true the resale on

Wed, 2015-01-14 11:36

 yes very true the resale on the whalers is up there. I love the Wellcraft I have now 232 fisherman but just looking for something a little larger with a cabin now. The Robalo I was looking at has twin 250's so power is not a problem. Most of them in the states seem to have twin 150's.

 

Thanks

hayden's picture

Posts: 164

Date Joined: 10/01/10

 Buy a 252 coastal have look

Wed, 2015-01-14 14:50

 Buy a 252 coastal have look at robalo there pretty good but wellcraft are a lot better 

snuffs's picture

Posts: 140

Date Joined: 06/08/12

I own a 255 conquest and have

Wed, 2015-01-21 22:09

I own a 255 conquest and have been in the raballo's numerous times for deep sea trips. If you want to chat about them both give us a pm. In terms of Luke's email on the issues with the boston in the live well and kill tanks they are true. I had both issues myself. Did my head in for a while, but was really cheap and easy to fix them properly and permanently. Cheers john

saltlife's picture

Posts: 35

Date Joined: 14/02/14

I have the Robalo 235. Good

Thu, 2015-01-22 08:26

I have the Robalo 235. Good ride and well finished off.

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West is Best

seaswirl's picture

Posts: 268

Date Joined: 29/08/10

 Had a 255 conquest. ..great

Thu, 2015-01-22 09:43

 Had a 255 conquest. ..great boat..only problem was that I feel the cockpit is a bit small for a boat that size.

pgreen1's picture

Posts: 395

Date Joined: 20/02/08

 Cheers For the feedback

Thu, 2015-01-22 11:15

 Cheers For the feedback guys.