The first thing that struck me as I eyeballed this boat at the dock was, awesome, a dual console with outriggers. Though the 15-foot retractable ‘riggers mounted to the arch are a $4,292 option, they showed that the new 230 DC may be family-oriented, but as a fishing machine it is all business.
The list of fishing items is solid, from the four rod holders on the arch and four gunwale-mounted holders aft to the two inwale racks per side. Throw in the 27-gallon circulating livewell, 40-gallon fish box and (relatively) large cockpit, and you’re ready to bloody the decks (and rinse them with the raw-water washdown). Those decks, by the way, are as solid as can be.
Simply put, Everglades builds a hell of a boat. You could argue that for a 23-footer it is overbuilt — and overpriced. It’s true that Everglades is not afraid to build one of the most expensive boats in its category, and the 230 DC is no exception. It starts in the mold.
Everglades uses RAMCAP (rapid molded core assembly process) construction, injecting foam into a stainless-steel mold built to the precise tolerances of the hull. This creates a solid structural block of six-pound-density foam that fits exactly into the hull. It’s glassed into the hull and vacuumed together to create a single structure. Because of that, Everglades doesn’t need to inject foam into the hull sides, allowing for thinner topsides and more room in the interior. So the boat feels wider than other boats with an 8-foot-6-inch beam that I’ve tested.
The resulting performance: We hit a nasty confused chop at 50 mph with nary a shudder, rattle or flex. That’s great for the family-fun aspect of the boat, which includes a ski pylon built into the arch, molded swim platforms, fold-down cockpit jump seats, swiveling passenger console seat, bow cockpit and sun-lounge insert (among others).
The frameless windshield is another construction plus; the glass is embedded into a sturdy powder-coated frame with beefy supports and built-in grab rails. It looks cool and offers more evidence that this boat is built solid from top to bottom.
Comparable model: Scout 245 Dorado
