Boat Tests

Little Big Man

Everglades’ new 210 CC delivers big-boat amenities and some surprising standards in a small package.

By Walt Stearns

Everglades 210 CC w/ single 250hp Yamaha four-stroke

LOA 21’ 7”
Beam 8’ 6”
Draft 15”
Fuel 95 gal.
Dry Weight 4,600 lbs.
Water 35 gal.
Deadrise at Transom 19 degrees
Max HP 250

Some of you remember the 1970s—particularly the fuel crunch, when cars lined up around the block just to tank up. It was also a time when the 21-foot center console was pretty much the top dog in sport fishing—small enough to fish most places inshore, yet large enough to venture offshore in good weather for dolphin, wahoo or sailfish. Powered by a single two-stroke outboard in the 150 to 200hp range, the 21 wasn’t too bad on gas, either. Somewhere along the way our desire for bigger and faster—fuel bill be damned—became the driving principle. Now, with gas at $4 a gallon, many are starting to think about the good old days: Remember when we took dad’s 21 Aquasport offshore and nailed a bunch of kings?

Prior to founding Everglades Boats, Bob and Stephen Dougherty spent a number of years building boats for other manufacturers. Eventually they decided it was time to build family-friendly fishing boats their own way. In one of their most recent entries, the 210 CC, Everglades has managed to walk the line, satisfying not only the fishing fanatic but the wife and the kids with full features on both sides of the negotiating table. Right up front, at 21’ 7” overall, and with a highly trailerable 8’ 6” beam, this is not your dad’s old Aquasport.

Interestingly, the 210 CC replaces the company’s 211 CC. Rather than just shaving a few inches off the old length, they freshened the design with a little forward thinking. As fish boats go the 210 has an impressive list of standards: Under-the-gunwale rod racks (two per side), four stainless, flush-mounted rod holders, a 40-gallon, self-draining fish box (beneath the forward casting platform), and a lighted 27-gallon circulating live well molded into the transom just forward of the motor.

Everglades’ designers made good, efficient use of the 210’s limited cockpit space—if you can view 36 square feet of deck space as “limited”—by blending style and thoughtful “extras” with fishing functionality. For example, the traditional-style bow roller accommodates a removable ladder for easy boarding from the beach. The bow rail is split at the center for convenient boarding access. Once detached the ladder collapses, creating additional storage space up in the bow. Also, those less inclined to fish in 36-hour installments will also appreciate the fact that the forward casting platform quickly converts into a padded sun deck. Anticipating a long-standing deal-breaker between fishermen and spouses, Everglades took the initiative to cleverly squeeze in a spacious head compartment with porta-potti—a rare and welcome commodity on a boat this size, inside the console.

Much as we all try to raise our families to be hard-core fishermen, the kids sometimes have greater interest in wakeboarding or water skiing, which is the reason the 21’s designers incorporated a ski pylon right above the transom live well. Don’t worry though, it’s well camouflaged —the pylon also features two rod holders that are ideal for a pair of down-the-middle flat lines.

Most everything put into Everglades boats—seat cushions, stainless hardware and electronics—is fabricated at the plant right down to the aluminum work, which features clean, white powder-coated surfaces. The 210’s leaning post, which converts smartly into a comfortable bench seat, has a gas shock-controlled foot rest that drops down smoothly and securely. Complementing the helm is the 210’s beefy hardtop equipped with red/white LED lights, one aft cockpit spreader light, speakers, four rod holders, and a slick forward windshield that slides down out of the way for unlimited visibility on the better days.

Everglades bills their boats as virtually unsinkable by utilizing high-density, closed-cell polyurethane foam, so the 210 gets a rated weight carrying capacity of 2,000 pounds. The boat is constructed via the company’s patented RAMCAP process, where the polyethylene foam is pre-molded to follow the shape of the hull. This foam core is then sandwiched between the hull and inner liner, which are fitted together under pressure. The end result is a rigid hull with through-and-through floatation, backed with a 10-year limited hull warranty. The company goes one step further in the event the original owner should sell the boat: If the boat is sold within the first ten years of ownership, Everglades will back the next owner for the remainder of the warranty. Like all boats from Everglades, the 210’s power options include models from four of the major players in outboards—Honda, Mercury, Suzuki and Yamaha.

Cruising around off Stuart, Florida in a 210 CC powered by a single 250-hp, four-stroke Yamaha we experienced a nice ride and found the 210 to be quick. Getting a bit heavy-handed on the throttles, while at the same time tuning the trim, we topped out at 48 mph at 5900 rpm. A little more civilized 5200 rpm setting saw a minor drop to 42 mph—still plenty fast.

Dropping down to a more realistic three-quarter throttle (4500 rpm) put the 210’s pace at 35 mph with a fuel consumption rate of 11.9 gph. Doing the math, a 21 with its stock 95-gallon fuel tank and max power – a single 250-hp outboard—would have a range of 270 nautical miles, certainly enough for a few days of fishing and family fun.

For more information contact Everglades Boats at (386) 409-2202 or visit www.evergladesboats.com.

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