The Bay Charger 2230L Sport handles like a performance boat ahead of the Mercury 300 Pro XS outboard and fishes like a big-water center-console with a shallow draft. It made just over 60 mph with two aboard, with the potential to do more when broken in. We cruised at 35 mph at 4,000 rpm and made 3.2 miles per gallon. The motor is part of the magic. Charger’s hand-laid V-bottom pad hull and transom pocket completed the formula. It cut through wakes and lake chop just by tickling the trim button down a few clicks.
The 2230L Sport’s finish is a clean red-and-white combo with black accents. The interior is finished in a light gray skid-resistant gel that will prove easy to clean.
Its long, wide foredeck features an anchor locker, a 140-quart baitwell, and removable fishing seat. A Garmin Force trolling motor is optional, as is a Garmin 126sv graph. The deck extends rearward a few feet down each side, with more storage under hatches; on the port side, a rod locker with a 10-rod tube system offers plenty of room for tackle boxes as well. The starboard-side bow locker is bulk storage. Just ahead of the center console is more floor storage. Easy molded step-ups to the foredeck are at the starboard and port sole corners of the cockpit. The fiberglass center console is shaded by a powder-coated aluminum T-top. The clear Lexan windscreen is low but provides adequate protection. The instrumentation featured Mercury Smartcraft electronic analog gauges, along with Garmin 93sv graph and a Hertz sound system with two 8-inch speakers. Dual toggle-switch panels control electrical functions. There’s a 30-gallon ahead of the console and a 20-gallon tank on the aft deck and the 90-quart helm cooler seat.
Aft, two jump seats convert to deck space when stowed. The other aerated livewell is on the port side of the deck. A portside boarding ladder and platform on the transom are standard.
This Charger 2230L Sport’s retail price of $105,900 reflects the T-top, stereo, Garmin graphs, jack plate and other options added. It’s well-equipped for fishing, performance and fun.
How We Tested
- Engine: Mercury 300 Pro XS FourStroke
- Drive/Prop: Outboard/Mercury Bravo 14.5″ x 22″ 4-blade stainless steel
- Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 16 gal. Crew Weight: 500 lb.
High Points
- The 30-gallon aerated baitwell under the console seat is convenient.
- Raw-water washdown on the aft deck bulkhead is standard.
- Aft jump seats fold down to complete the casting deck.
Pricing and Specs
| Price: | $105,900 (as tested) |
| LOA: | 22’3″ |
| Beam: | 8’5″ |
| Draft: | NA |
| Dry Weight: | 2,450 lb. |
| Seat/Weight Capacity: | 8/1,150 lb. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 60 gal. |
| Livewell Capacity: | 30 gal.; 20 gal. |
Speed, Efficiency, Operation
Charger Boats – Richland, Missouri; chargerboats.com
