CONTINUOUSWAVE

Hi all.

I am trying to figure out the various hull versions of the Conquest 28-feet models. Here’s what I’ve been able to deduce:

By all accounts the early 2000’s 280 CONQUEST hulls are hard riding in any kind of chop.

[SPECULATES] The hull was redesigned in 2007 with a deeper V-hull, and the ride was much improved.

Q1: has anyone experienced [an improved ride in a c.2007 28 CONQUEST compared to an early or c.2000 28 CONQUEST]?

[SPECULATES] The 280 [CONQUEST] hull was redesigned again in 2012 with an even deeper V-hull.

I am not sure about any difference between 2007 hulls [and 2012 hulls] ride.

Q2: has anyone experienced [an improvement in ride in a c.2012 28 CONQUEST compared to a c.2007 28 CONQUEST]?

Any corrections to my [speculation about] design years and details would be appreciated.

Any first-hand experience with the various [28-feet CONQUEST hulls] would be appreciated.

Part of the confusion here is that there are actually two different Boston Whaler CONQUEST model lines which have been referred to as a "28 Conquest.”

The original 28 Conquest came out c.1998 or c.1999, and was produced until c.2004 or c.2005. Somewhere around c.2002 the “28 CONQUEST” was renamed the 295 CONQUEST, but (as far as I know) there were no important changes. That hull was 30-feet 8-inches LOA (including the pulpit so about 28-feet without) and had an 10-foot-4-inch-beam.

Note, however, that the 28 or 295 Conquest had a very unusual hull design: the Vee of the hull did not continue all the way to the stern. Instead the boat was essentially a 26-foot-hull with approximately a 2-foot integral flotation bracket. Here's a picture. It's a little hard to see, but the transducer is at the end of the V: http://www.rlboats.com/assets/images/pr ... m-1038.jpg

As I recall, in c.2005 the 295 Conquest was retired and was replaced by the 305 Conquest. At or around the same time, the 285 Conquest was introduced.

The 285 CONQUEST is actually slightly smaller than the 28/295 Conquest: 27-feet 10-inches LOA and 9-foot-6-inch-beam. They look very similar, but the easiest way to tell the difference is that the 285 only has one cabin porthole whereas the 28/295 has two cabin potholes.

With regard to ride, I can only comment on the 28/295 CONQUEST, which I owned for several years and took pretty far offshore in all conditions. In my opinion, if you are looking for a deep-V boat that can handle a tight chop head-sea, this is NOT the boat. The 28/295 CONQUEST is a moderate V-hull with a wide beam, and it carries its beam far forward. So while it's very stable at drift and handles beam seas and following seas well, it's quite susceptible to pounding in a head sea. Anything more than a 15-knot-wind-driven chop gets uncomfortable quickly, and large swells can be very problematic. I'm certain that the unusual transom and bracket design contributes to its relatively poor head-sea handling. If you take a 26-foot-boat and add a bracket, it will still handle more or less like a 26-foot-boat. However, most 26-foot-boats do not have a 10-foot-4-ind-beam.

My guess is that the 285 CONQUEST handles better than than the 28/295 CONQUEST—but I've never set foot on a 285 CONQUEST, and I have no first-hand experience. But the actual V-hull of a 285 CONQUEST is probably a bit longer than the 28/295 CONQUEST, as (I believe) the hull of the 285 CONQUEST runs the full length. In addition the 285 CONQUEST has a narrower beam, and that should make a difference. I don't know if Boston Whaler actually changed the hull shape, for example, to make a finer entry forward. Perhaps others can comment.

JTC—very good summary of the two distinct models.

If the goal of “ride quality” is to be able to run 30 to 40-MPH into four-foot head seas, you won’t be happy with most Boston Whaler hulls.

The typical Boston Whaler hull tracks very nicely in following seas and does not bow steer and veer off track.

Most boaters do not go out and offshore into large head seas. More often a Boston Whaler boat owner might find themselves trying to return to shore in a big following sea, and they will be very happy that their Boston Whaler boat tracks easily down-seas and has a gentle ride.

Very helpful. Thank you.

To add more potential confusion, does the Conquest 26/275 share these head-sea-pounding qualities of the 28?

And does the 305 as well? Thank you all.

If you want a boat that will go at high speed into large head seas, you better give up on the Boston Whaler CONQUEST line. Look at long, narrow, 40-foot-or-larger offshore deep-V boats, with a deadrise of 25-degrees or more. They will be more suited to making way upwind in big seas.

There just aren't any 26- to 28-foot boats with cabins, accommodations, and a 9- or 10-foot beam that can be run comfortably into big head seas.

Any conquest 26 or 275 owners/riders out there that can comment on the ride quality ?

Or any 305 owners out there that care to comment?

I’ve ruled out the early years 28/295. Strange hull design.

Get a 35- or 40-foot Contender if you want to get out in four to six-foots seas, and then be prepared to get tossed around for however long it takes to catch fish.

SeattleD wrote:Any first-hand experience with the various [28-feet CONQUEST hulls] would be appreciated.

I've read a lot of complaints on the hull design of the Conquest 28, especially regarding the "notched" hull. I don't see how this hull is really any different than a boat with an offshore bracket. and those boats ride just fine.

I've owned a 2000 model [CONQUEST 28] for some time now, and I have to say I couldn't be more pleased with the boat in general. It feels like a tank. It might pound a little in head rough seas, but if that bothers you that much then don't go out in it.

My 2000 CONQUEST 28 is stable at drift and handles extremely well in all weather I've taken it into. A lot of people do claim that it gets onto a plane slow and won't plane at low speed. I think perhaps this is more a problem caused by four-stroke-power-cycle engines. Mine is powered by twin 250-HP two-stroke-power0cycle engines, and the boat jumps on a plane very quickly and will hold plane down to around 15-MPH.

I would definitely not shy away from this boat. It's a great family fishing boat and condo. I think there are just a lot of whiners out there that probably shouldn't be in the ocean in the first place.

ASIDE: I know this is an old post, but figured I'd chime in just in case others are still looking.
[Moderator's note: good information never goes out of date.]