Overview
Robalo’s 246 Cayman SD packs a lot of deck space, fishing amenities and relaxation features into this broad-shouldered bay boat, making full use of its 9-foot beam. It’s transom deadrise is 16 degrees, giving it a softer ride than most other bay boats sporting a 12- to 14-degree deadrise.
The boat rides tall in the water, giving riders a feeling of security and an extremely dry ride. That’s what we experienced in our test drive near Daytona, Florida, when we borrowed the 246 Cayman SD from Tom Barrett at Dealer’s Choice Marine and took it out on the windy Intracoastal Waterway. Also evident is the firm tracking in turns, the stable deck underfoot, and the lack of drumming as the hull crushed the chop. At rest, the 9-foot beam provides an unsurpassed steady casting platform.
Interior and Accessories
The 9-foot beam’s stability also adds confidence when skippering from the upper station. The seat is perfect for two people, and the dash has ample room for a Yamaha Command Link display and a second chart plotter of your choice. The upper station is easily accessible from both sides via powder-coated ladders designed to enhance solid durability and styled for good looks.
Under the console is a roomy chamber for a portable head, storage, and easy access to the electronics and NMEA 2000 backbone.
The 246 Cayman SD is a tournament-ready angling platform. Rocket launchers totaled 12 in the hardtop, second station seatback and leaning post. Then there are dual undergunwale rod holders on each side. On top of the gunwale there are four rod holders per side. That’s a lot of storage.
Dual livewells give 80 gallons of bait-carrying capacity, and rigging can be handled easily behind the leaning post. There’s space for a 114-quart Igloo beneath it too.
Best of all, this is all accomplished while providing comfortable sun lounges with stowable cushions and backrests at the bow. Those combined with the forward console seat, dual leaning-post seat, and aft double jump seat that folds out from the casting platform make this an ideal family-fun boat for full fishing crews.
How We Tested
- Engine: 300-hp Yamaha 4.2 L V-6 outboard
- Drive/Prop: Outboard/SWS II 15.5″ x 17″ 3-blade stainless steel
- Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 75 gal. Crew Weight: 400 lb.
High Points
- Tempered-glass windshield.
- Clear, removable plexiglass dividers keep different baits separate.
- Ample compartment under the console opens from the front for easy access.
Low Points
- Narrow hardtop provides less shade, but also less casting obstruction.
- Limited helm space for electronics, but ample for most boaters with a single chart plotter.
Toughest Competitor
Look at Ranger’s 2510 Bay with a Mercury 300 and upper station ($109,667 base with test power, without electronics, trolling motor and power poles). It has three standard livewells—one 30-gallon in the leaning post, a crustacean well aft, and a 30-gallon livewell forward. It bristles with rod holders and tackle storage. Forward seat cushions and removable backrests are optional.
Pricing and Specs
| Price: | $102,493 (as tested with trailer) |
|---|---|
| LOA: | 24’6″ |
| Beam: | 9’0″ |
| Draft (max): | 1’0″ |
| Displacement: | 5,000 lb. (dry with power) |
| Transom Deadrise: | 16 degrees |
| Bridge Clearance: | 11’1″ |
| Max Headroom: | N/A |
| Fuel Capacity: | 90 gal. |
| Max Horsepower: | 350 |
| Available Power: | Single Mercury or Yamaha outboard |
Speed, Efficiency, Operation
Robalo Boats – Nashville, Georgia; 229-686-7481; robalo.com
