#Product Trends
Edgewater Crossover 230 CX Boat Test
There seems to be no end to the demand for dual consoles or, as EdgeWater calls its model, a crossover. It is the SUV of salt water, bringing the spacious seating of a bowrider to the fishability of a center-console EdgeWater’s Crossover 230CX is a bull’s-eye in that market both for its size and the features packed into it.
For creature comforts, there is ample seating forward with fold-down armrests. Cockpit seating wraps around from the port side to the starboard-side transom door. Adding more versatility is the sliding seatback that will convert the portside lounge from a back-to-back seat to a full-length lounge—just lay the seatback forward for that bonus arrangement.
The hardtop is standard on the 230CX, and it brings shade, a spot to hang some rocking stereo speakers, plus an overhead dashboard to hold the VHF and stereo head unit. At the helm, there is room for a factory-rigged Garmin chart plotter. Both the dash on the hardtop and the helm are trimmed in glossy black acrylic. Electrical switches for all systems are stretched across the dash, and the stainless-steel buttons are LED-trimmed for easy identification.
The captain’s chair is adjustable with a flip-up bolster and foldaway armrests. Just aft of it is a cockpit galley with a freshwater sink and a slide-away cooler below it.But all that comfort doesn’t cut into fishability. There are two livewells: one on the transom and one under the aft seat. That way, you can carry crustaceans and mud minnows separately, or you can carry frozen cut bait in one and let it drain overboard. Four rod holders on the aft gunwales and a pair up front are well-placed. Lower the cocktail table for a beam-to-beam casting deck.
On plane, the boat was most comfortable near 30 mph. It possesses plenty of deadrise and a sharp stem to knock down seas. We tested it with 1,000 pounds of crew and a half-full fuel tank, netting about 42 mph—only losing 1 mph over a standard two-man test crew.
High Points
Nonskid deck is textured for traction but slick enough for easy cleaning.
Even with our large crew, the boat planed off quickly without tabs.
Large compartment in the port console holds a head compartment.
Low Points
At lower speeds, the 230 was tender and required tabs to level the ride.
Toughest Competitor
The Boston Whaler 230 Vantage ($128,370 base with Mercury 250, hardtop and blue side colors) broke new ground, and we would characterize it as 60/40 family over fish, while the EdgeWater proves somewhat fishier.
