Electronics:
Garmin GPSMap GPS/Fish Finder
Garmin VHF Radio

Hull & Deck Equipment:
Hardtop
Swim Ladder
Live Well
Rod Holders
Rocker Launchers
Transom Bench Seating
Forward Bow Seating
Fresh and Raw Water Washdowns
Windlass
Electric Head
Clarion Stereo
Pressure Water System

Mechanical Equipment:
Trim Tabs
Holding Tank
Fresh Water Tank

Boat Test Comments:

Key Features

• Fiberglass powder-coated hardtop with rod holders, electronic box with wiring, and LED spreader lights and dual color map lights
• Bluetooth stereo with AUX and USB Jacks, and 4 speakers
• Electric freshwater toilet head system with 8 gallon holding tank
• 20 gallon cooler/livewell with plex lid, SS sink/bait prep station with pressurized water system in wet bar
• 40 gallon fishboxes under port and stbd bow casting deck hatches
• 55 quart cooler molded under center casting deck hatch
• Bow seating with cushions and center filler cushions
• Cockpit table with dedicated storage
• Full transom seat folds flush into transom wall with protective cover
• U-shaped bow seating converts to bow casting platform

Robalo is no stranger to building quality boats; they’ve been doing it since 1968. The hull design is where the quality starts, and we’ve long been fans of the company’s Hydro-Lift hull design. Pronounced hull strakes and wide reversed chines provide for a smooth and dry ride in what would otherwise be unforgiving conditions. This, combined with the heavy-duty Kevlar hull with a variable degree deadrise, provides quick acceleration and solid stability.

Robalo’s Hydro-Lift hull design provides a dry, stable ride with quick acceleration.

The hulls are hand-laid using bi- and tri-axial fiberglass. Adding to the strength is a Kevlar reinforcement, further improving on the power-to-weight ratio. Composite corings create a completely rot-free construction. Add the poured ceramic composite transom, and it’s easy to see how Robalo can provide a 10-year warranty.

The Robalo R302 not only serves as a well-heeled fishing machine, it also crosses over into family comfort with a versatile bow configuration.

Robalo has designed the bow of the R302 to be both versatile and functional. It starts with wraparound bow seating that, coupled with a forward-facing seat just ahead of the console, creates an intimate gathering area for everyone on board. There are storage spaces under each of the seats. A standard full cushion package adds to the comfort level, and a side mount pedestal table increases the functionality.

Further forward, a hatch conceals an anchor locker with a standard windlass. Foot control switches are in the Diamond Lustre non-skid deck and a separate control is at the helm station. The 14-pound (6.35 kg) anchor is secured to a stainless anchor roller. Robalo provides 200' (61 m) of anchor rode.

When it's time to convert to fishing, remove the cushions and lower the pedestal table to create a large, elevated casting deck. The under-seat storage double as fishboxes with a 40-gallon (151.4 L) capacity for each.

The wide cap rails add to the safety factor. Pull-up cleats eliminate snags and a rode locker is located fully forward under a flush mounted hatch. The polished stainless steel anchor is mounted to a roller recessed into the foredeck.

The helm console has the open space to provide a head, but as not everyone wants or needs one, it’s over on the options list as an electric toilet ($470). The compartment is quite roomy, so much so that the door is actually only a 2/3 section of the console front seat. This puts the latch right at the occupant’s back but it’s small enough, and recessed into the seatback padding, for it to not be problematic.

Again, attributing to the abundance of space in the compartment, the head and sink are now moved over to the starboard side. This flies in the face of the industry standard where the toilet is always in the middle, facing the door. This solution actually provides more useable space to the compartment, and that makes the concept of the wet head, with the pull-out sprayer at the sink, even more of a functional addition rather than just another line in the standards checklist.

The helm panel reflects Robalo’s commitment to embrace technology. Two switch panels to both sides of the console flank the center panel that is large enough to house twin 16” (40.6 cm) multifunction displays. Of course, a wide array of options are available for the panel, from both Simrad and Garmin, which include radar and autopilot.

The steering wheel is positioned to the right-hand side of the panel, and there's plenty of room alongside for an observer to participate in the navigation functions. To the right side of the steering wheel are the digital throttle controls. With the hand moved ahead to advance the throttles, the trim tab controls are right within reach of the fingers. The Optimus Joystick, for outboard joystick control, is right alongside the steering wheel and makes maneuvering the R302 around the docks a non-event.

The compass is mounted to the center of the dash, rather than in line with the helm station, and a pair of recessed areas with padded bases for placing “quick drop” items are to both sides. These spaces are also self-draining. A black Sunbrella console cover is included as standard equipment.

Like the bow, the cockpit is made to be both comfortable and functional. The functionality comes from the wide-open space surrounded by padded bolsters upholstered in premium vinyl with Nano Block Technology to protect against years of continual onslaught from the sun. Stainless steel toe rails add to the safety. A 25-gallon (94.6 L) livewell is in the port quarter. When it's time to ride out to the fishing grounds, a flip-out three-across bench seat easily deploys from the transom. Keep the catch in one of the two 50-gallon (189 L) in-deck fishboxes to port and starboard.