You want a fishing boat you can take off the dock even when the wind and waves have most anglers calling off the day’s adventure? A center console that gives you every angling advantage possible when you’re on the hunt for those billfish and tuna? One that that blasts from point A to point B at twice the speed of your granddad’s boat? One that isn’t a mere “boat,” but warrants shouting in all caps is a BOAT? If you say yes, yes, yes, and yes, you need to check out the newest in the Everglades fleet, the 315cc.
Those who’ve been studying up on high-end center consoles will have already run across Everglades a time or two. Their 243cc made our list of Best Center Consoles for Inshore Fishing. Everglades was named among the Top 10 Center Console Fishing Boat Manufacturers of 2023. And their 455cc got the spotlight in our Biggest Center Consoles in the World roundup. The Everglades name comes up again and again for one simple reason: they build some rockin’ cool boats.
Everglades 315cc Construction
As a rule of thumb we address construction later on in boat reviews, because most fiberglass boat construction is fairly standard and there are usually other aspects of a new boat model that take precedence. But in this case, the construction techniques are so unique that they demand a full and immediate examination. The 315cc, like all Everglades boats, is built with the company’s RAMCAP construction method. Rather than assembling the hull and deck then pumping in foam, like most builders, they mold the foam to form first. High-density liquid foam is poured into molds which are bolted shut and can withstand thousands of pounds of pressure. The foam solidifies (at about three times the density of the foam in an average boat) into precisely engineered units that fit perfectly between the fiberglass parts, then the deck and hull are sealed around it and chemically bonded under a vacuum. Net result? You get a boat that can’t sink, won’t make a hollow drumming sound as it chews through the waves, and is backed up with a limited lifetime hull warranty.
The boat’s other pieces-parts are created just as thoughtfully. Wiring harnesses are crafted in-house with tinned-copper, heat-shrink connections, and Deutsch waterproof plugs. Pipework is sand-blasted then powder-coated. Upholstery includes flow-through foam and anti-mildew vinyl with an acrylic topcoat plus Tenara thread designed specifically for outdoor use, to stand up to UV rays and saltwater exposure. Hardware is 316-grade stainless-steel, backed and/or bedded. And potential water-collecting items like cup holders and rodholders are plumbed to drain overboard.
The bottom line? Construction of the Everglades 315cc is about as high a high point as you’ll find on any boat being built today.
Everglades 315cc Design
The hull of the 315cc has an incredibly aggressive 25 degrees of transom deadrise. That’s about as sharp a V as you’ll find, and it’s designed to provide the smoothest wave-splitting ride possible. Topsides, the design is all about fishability. The console is kept relatively svelte to maximize deck and pass-through space, coaming bolsters ring the interior 360-degrees, and the transom bench seating folds flush to maximize cockpit space.
As you inspect the interior you’ll note that Everglades finds a way to use virtually every square inch of available space. Pocket doors are set in the inwales to boost stowage from the back of the console all the way up to the bow cockpit. Livewells push back to take space in the motor well instead of into the cockpit. Pockets are molded into the inwales next to the bow seats for cup holders. Racks are designed into the forward console sunbed compartment to hold the cocktail table/casting platform insert, fenders, and lines. Life jacket stowage is integrated into the hard top. There’s a tool stowage compartment inside the anchor locker. And in one of the most ingenious touches, fresh and raw water washdowns sit flush inside the sides of the leaning post and pull out from fully enclosed retractable reels.
Everglades 315cc Fishing Features
The list of stock angling items on the 315cc fits the bill for serious offshore action. There are 16 flush-mount rod holders, under-gunwale racks, twin lighted 25-gallon livewells in the transom, twin 40-gallon macerated and insulated fishboxes in the deck, and an 80-gallon macerated box in the foredeck. Even a pair of under-gunwale power ports for electric reels appears on the list of standard features.
Serious anglers (that means you!) will want to get the optional Fishing Package, which adds six rodholders in the sides of the forward lounger, four rodholders inside the console, a removable fillet table, and a pair of 18’ Gemlux outriggers. Whether or not to opt for the rigging station will be a tough call, as it replaces the aft-facing mezzanine-style seating — which provides ideal bait-watching seats for bluewater trollers.
Everglades 315cc Comfort Features
While this is a fishing boat through and through, top-end center console owners demand top-end luxury in this day and age. Thus there’s no shortage of cushy seating on this boat, particularly on the forward lounger and the flanking bow seats, which have removable backrests. As we noted a moment earlier the two aft-facing seats on the back of the leaning post are ideal for watching baits. They boast fold-down arm rests, flip-up bolsters, and diamond-stitching. Our guess is that the anglers in your crew will be racing to see who can secure one the moment the lines are set.
Inside the console compartment you’ll find a head, sink and countertop, and extra stowage areas. You can boost the boat’s cushy factor by adding optional goodies like the bow shade, but the biggest optional goodie of all is the Seakeeper 2 gyroscopic stabilizer system.
Everglades 315cc Performance
The 315cc is designed to run with a pair of Mercury V10 5.7L 400 hp Verado outboards. Spinning at 4500 rpm these powerplants deliver a cruising speed a hair under 40 mph, while getting close to 1.3 mpg. Ease the throttles back to 4000 for most efficient cruise, where you’ll see speeds in the low-to-mid 30s and closer to 1.4 mpg. Or, firewall them and watch as the boat races up into the mid-50s. Note that these performance figures were gathered (by the manufacturer) on a boat with half fuel, full water, 500 pounds of people and gear, and a Seakeeper installed. So they’re real-world figures, not pipe-dream numbers you’ll only see when the boat is running on fumes without anyone else aboard.
Everglades 315cc Specifications
- Length Overall: 31’6”
- Beam: 10’4”
- Weight: 11,510 lbs.
- Draft (minimum): 2’3”
- Transom Deadrise: 25 degrees
- Max HP: 800
- Fuel Capacity: 300 gal.
- Water Capacity: 35 gal.
There are boats, and then there are BOATS. By now you can probably guess which we think this one is. All shouting aside, take this one for a sea trial and we’ll bet you agree that hitting the caps is appropriate.
See Everglades 315cc boats for sale on Boat Trader.
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