Boston Whaler 330 Outrage: A two-step with a marlin

The Boston Whaler Outrage line of centre console fishing boats has been around for half a century, and with each new model, the American manufacturer raises the bar higher. Whether it's offering a new layout, inventing another convertible relaxation area, or sometimes even undertaking radical changes like a new hull — as is the case now. The two new models from Boston Whaler — the Outrage 290 and 330 (the hero of this article), presented at the Miami International Boat Show in February 2026, represent a breakthrough for the company: for the first time, Outrage series boats feature a hull with two transverse steps.

The term "two-step hull" sounds catchy and rhythmic, evoking associations with the dance, popular in America in the 1920s. A solo dance on the water or a duel with a stubborn marlin fighting on the hook — the 330 Outrage, with its new hull, is ready for any performance.

Smooth ride, ease of planing, and fuel efficiency — these are the characteristics that boat owners care about most. The implementation of steps improves all three parameters. But Boston Whaler didn't just copy traditional solutions: the engineers added a long, skeg-like guide element behind the second step, which stabilises the boat in turns. A common complaint about stepped hulls is reduced manoeuvrability when cornering. Here, that problem is eliminated. Furthermore, the steps help the boat run more level, with less stern squat. This means the boat meets the wave with the sharpest part of the bow, cuts it more effectively, and slamming impacts to the hull are significantly reduced. The result? A smooth ride, precise handling, reduced fuel consumption, and a less fatigued crew, leaving them with energy for that duel with a marlin. For this new hull, BW coined its own name — the WhalerStep Hull.

While gaining a new hull, the 330 Outrage has not lost the main quality of Boston Whaler — the famed unsinkability. The boat is still built using Unibond technology. The hull and deck are moulded separately, then joined in a steel form that is bolted together. Foamed polyurethane is injected under pressure into the cavity between them. It fills the nooks, expands, and hardens, forming a monolithic structure together with the hull. Theoretically, you could chop the boat into pieces, and each piece would remain afloat. The shipyard loves to demonstrate this at events with press and clients, though for the show, of course, they use half of a small tender with an outboard, not a large boat. Besides maintaining buoyancy, the polyurethane dampens vibration and noise and acts as thermal insulation.

The Outrage 330 is excellent as a pleasure boat and as a support vessel (tender) for a superyacht, but it is created, of course, first and foremost for fishing. A spacious aft cockpit, a 190-litre livewell in the transom, and optionally another 150-litre livewell under the aft seat of the helm station. Two more 215-litre fish boxes are located under the deck. Enough for both catch and bait. Eight rod holders along the gunwale, plus three in the transom and another five on the hardtop. In the bow storage compartment under the lounger, there are special places for a couple of buckets and mounts for ten fishing rods. An important point: this compartment locks, so you can safely leave your gear after fishing without worrying about its safety. The bow area is equipped with long loungers with moulded backrests, cup holders within easy reach, and a neat handrail around the perimeter. Behind the helm station is a seat facing the stern with a folding backrest that converts into a rigging station or fish cleaning station. There is a gate in the port gunwale, which makes boarding easier when docking side-to and also allows hauling a heavy catch onto the boat without lifting it over the side.

A dedicated fishing feature is the 16-inch NSO EVO3S touchscreen at the helm (two displays can also be installed). Includes a full set of navigation and echo-sounding equipment to help you not miss a trophy: Active Imaging with CHIRP sonar, SideScan, DownScan functions, and integration with the Mercury VesselView system. The helm station itself combines minimalist design with simple, clear ergonomics – only the essentials on the console, nothing to distract from boat control and fish finding.

Another nice bonus for fishing enthusiasts is the optional trolling motor prep kit. With the growing popularity of bow-mounted electric motors even on large boats, many owners would resort to fabricating mounts and running wiring where the manufacturer never intended. Boston Whaler, however, has pre-planned a dedicated space for mounting the motor, eliminating the need to improvise. The pre-rig kit includes three Group 31 battery boxes, a mounting panel for the trolling motor, and a built-in battery charger.

Despite the fishing focus of the Outrage, Boston Whaler understands that many clients are anglers with families. Therefore, comfort is given no less attention. This is evident in the large number of seats and relaxation areas, so well integrated into the cockpit that they don't interfere with movement around the boat while fishing. Space has been found inside the centre console for a comfortable toilet — essential for family outings. There is also a sink with a pull-out shower. There's a freshwater shower for rinsing off at the stern and one in the bow for the anchor. And the family (and neighbours in the marina or anchorage) will appreciate the JL Audio sound system with six speakers, a 10-inch subwoofer, and an 800-watt amplifier.

As for performance, according to independent tests, with a pair of 300-hp V8 Verado engines from Mercury Marine at 4500 rpm, the Boston Whaler 330 Outrage can cruise at 40 knots, consuming about 1.5 litres of fuel per kilometre. The top speed is just over 50 knots. Those who find that insufficient can order two 425-hp V10s. The cruising speed won't increase much, but the top speed will confidently exceed 60 knots.