Pathfinder has labeled its new 25-footer as the 2500 Hybrid, with “Hybrid” meaning this fabulous new boat is equally at home whether you are chasing redfish or trout in the bay, stripers or tarpon in the pass, or false albacore or cobia in coastal offshore waters. And as a well-designed, ruggedly built, crossover fishing platform, it performs all of these angling tasks well. What did our test reveal?
This is Pathfinder’s first boat with resin-infused hull and deck, making it stiff and strong and in possession of the ideal resin-to-glass ratio. The 2500 Hybrid features a double-stepped hull that allows it to deliver a heart-thumping speed of nearly 60 mph. Yet, unlike many stepped hulls, this one showed no handling foibles.
More than one angler can use the forward casting deck at a time, while you’re at the helm, positioning the boat next to the weed line, rip or drop-off. This forward area boasts three large lockers, gasketed to keep out washdown water and spray, plus anchor stowage. Trolling-motor wiring is standard, as is the 6-inch Atlas jack plate back aft, between the Yamaha F300XCA outboard and the transom. A full-width step allows easy access to the casting deck, while hiding a 47-gallon fish box large enough for trophy catches.
The console is constructed to leave room behind the helm for offshore anglers to fish safely, yet the sizable stern casting platform remains. Flip-up seats add comfort for families while concealing stowage large enough for five-gallon buckets. You can carry a full quiver of more than 20 rods in racks and in lockable underdeck compartments.
With the Yamaha F300, this Pathfinder has square performance: 3,000 rpm gets you 30 mph, 4,000 gets you 40 mph-ish, 5,000 is about 50 mph, and you’re straight across at 5,800: 58 mph.
Everything is beautifully detailed, from the carefully loomed and labeled wiring in the console to the Lucite battery cover to lights in every compartment for night fishing.
If you’re considering a sport-ute fishing machine that can handle everything from shallow bays to working wrecks outside the inlet, schedule a sea trial aboard a Pathfinder 2500 Hybrid.
High Points
* Power-assist steering for a second station, trolling-motor wiring and a jack plate are all standard features.
* Beautifully outfitted, from the integrated jump seats to the through-hull fittings with seacocks.
* Man, is it a blast to run! The high-tech construction and the stepped hull delivered impressive performance.
How We Tested
Engine: Yamaha F300
Drive/Prop: Outboard/SDS Hub 15″ x 21″ 3-blade stainless steel
Gear Ratio: 1.75:1
Fuel Load: 67 gal.
Crew Weight: 425 lb.
Price
$82,576 (with Yamaha F300)
Contact
Pathfinder Boats Fort Pierce, Florida; 772-465-0631; pathfinderboats.com
