Let’s face it, if you don’t get at least a little excited by the Robalo R302, or ever-increasing offerings of big, gutsy American centre console sportsfishing weapons, then perhaps you’re reading the wrong review. It doesn’t matter your experience, wealth, current, future or past boating exploits, any sea dog with salt water in their veins will want to jump into the R302 and give it a caning! This is every fisherman’s dreamboat – but one with plenty of other attractions to boot!

Robalo Hull Design

The 2017 Robalo R302 isn’t just built for serious anglers — it’s also a stylish entertainer and capable sports boat. Measuring just under 30 feet in length with a 3.2-metre beam and a deep, spacious hull, it offers ample room and reassuring stability for both inshore adventures and offshore runs.

Robalo and its parent company, Chaparral Boats, have spent nearly five decades refining their renowned Hydro Lift Deep-V hull design. The sharp strakes and pronounced reverse chines work in harmony with the variable deadrise to deliver a hull that planes quickly, rides smoothly, and keeps spray to a minimum. It remains impressively steady at rest, with a balanced stance at trolling speeds that complements the power of the twin Honda 250HP “Silver Bullet” four-stroke outboards. The result is lively performance, crisp handling, and confident control, even when manoeuvring in reverse.

Where the R302 really shines is in its versatility. The interior is both inviting and practical, featuring soft yet durable mouldings, premium upholstery, generous seating arrangements, and an abundance of storage, tackle, and wet-box options. It’s a skipper’s dream at the helm, and when it’s time to head offshore, the R302 transforms into a true bluewater performer.

Bullet Proof

Robalo integrates Kevlar reinforcement into all of its larger hulls, creating an exceptionally tough structure with an ideal strength-to-weight balance. The robust, self-draining hull is fully foam-filled, boosting rigidity, reducing noise, and enhancing buoyancy for an added layer of safety. Confidence in their craftsmanship is evident. Robalo supports each boat with an industry-leading 10-year limited hull warranty and a five-year component warranty, offering long-term peace of mind. Their commitment to customer satisfaction has also been recognised through the NMMA CSI Award for ten consecutive years.

Family Comfort

While Robalo boats are designed to impress serious anglers with their feature-rich, fishing-focused layouts, they’re also built to appeal to everyone aboard, whether that’s the whole family or just a favourite companion for a weekend on the water.

The R302 delivers both performance and refinement in equal measure. Powered by twin Honda 250HP “Silver Bullet” four-stroke outboards, this flagship model reaches an exhilarating top speed of around 42 knots. It transitions smoothly onto the plane, maintaining a steady, efficient ride all the way through to wide-open throttle. Yet, dial it back to a comfortable cruising speed of 27 knots at 4500 RPM, and the engines sip a modest 58 litres per hour, delivering an impressive 475-nautical-mile range from the massive 1,360-litre fuel tank. With a 26-litre holding tank and 114 litres of freshwater, the R302 is well-equipped for long-range, off-the-grid adventures.

Deck Space

Having spent plenty of time aboard large American centre consoles, I’ve found that only a handful truly suit my style of fishing. Many sacrifice deck space, pushing the console too far aft and crowding the transom with seats and mouldings. The Robalo R302 breaks that trend — offering a generous working deck and a clever, practical transom layout that accommodates everything from battling a marlin to relaxed reef fishing at anchor.

The cockpit design is a standout for both comfort and function. High gunwales with padded coamings, recessed rod racks, and well-placed rod holders and drink stations make for an efficient workspace. A walk-through transom door leads to the boarding platform with a telescopic ladder, while a fold-away rear lounge provides flexible seating that stows flush for more fishing room. The pressurised live-bait tank in the port corner, non-skid decks, twin underfloor kill tanks, and a central compartment housing four neatly secured batteries show Robalo’s attention to detail. There’s even a pull-out freshwater shower at the stern, perfect for rinsing off salt and sand after a big day, or cooling off on a warm afternoon.

Centre Console, Helm and T-Top

Robalo’s long history of crafting premium fishing platforms is clearly evident throughout the R302. The integration of the centre console, T-top, and bolster-style comfortable seating is among the most refined setups I’ve seen. The fully moulded T-top, finished on both the upper and lower surfaces, spans almost the full beam of the boat, offering exceptional shade and protection from the harsh sun. There’s ample space above for aerials, rocket launchers, outriggers, or even a life raft or water-sports gear—the layout is versatile enough to suit any setup. Access is somewhat limited, requiring you to step up via the side coamings, but the thoughtful inclusion of built-in spotlights and downlights beneath the canopy, plus a large overhead communications and storage console, more than compensates.

The powder-coated alloy frame of the tower not only looks sharp but also adds a reassuring sense of rigidity, giving you something solid to brace against, plus helm protection when the sea gets rough. The tower structure blends seamlessly into the fibreglass console, where the sleek black dashboard fascia houses twin Garmin GPSMAP 7416xsv 16-inch multi-touch displays, along with the full suite of switchgear, stainless-steel steering wheel, autopilot controls, Lenco trim tab switches, remote audio control, enclosed glovebox, drink holders, and twin Honda binnacle throttles with sync function. Visibility from the helm is outstanding, and the dashboard ergonomics are spot-on—but it was the automatic windscreen vent that truly impressed me; a small touch that makes a big difference.

Individual Flip Up Bolsters

The helm seating module is another standout. Upholstered in premium triple-stitched marine-grade vinyl, it provides both comfort and durability. The moulded base conceals a pressurised livewell, a sink with pull-out shower handset, and a compartment designed to secure a large portable icebox underneath. This thoughtful configuration pairs perfectly with the spacious rear cockpit, making the R302 a fully equipped fishing machine.

Thanks to the R302’s generous beam, wide side decks flank the console, fitted with stainless-steel grab rails and even toe rails for added security. There’s plenty of elbow room for multiple anglers to work both sides simultaneously when the bite is on. Behind the forward seating lies a well-appointed toilet and vanity compartment, featuring over six feet of headroom—transforming the R302 from a hardcore fishing rig into a comfortable all-rounder for extended cruising or entertaining.

The bow area is where practicality meets leisure. Convertible forward seating with a drop-down table and removable cushions quickly converts from a social lounge into a serious casting deck. You can easily picture a crew of anglers casting poppers to GTs on a tropical reef one day, then relaxing over drinks at sunset the next. Sculpted mouldings provide comfortable backrests, with a tilt-out bin on one side and a tackle locker on the other. There’s wet storage beneath every seat, plus a massive underfloor locker extending deep into the bow for bulky gear. A recessed stainless grab rail runs the full perimeter for safety, while the raised bow platform doubles as a casting perch and houses the factory-fitted windlass and large pop-up cleats for secure anchoring and mooring.

Honda's 250HP “Silver Bullets”

Robalo has rated the R302 to handle up to 700 horsepower, and given the trend toward ever-larger outboards, it wouldn’t be surprising to see some owners push it to that limit in the near future. The Melbourne-based team at Robalo Australia, being dedicated Honda Marine dealers, chose to equip their demo model with a pair of Honda 250HP “Silver Bullets.” And honestly, those engines deliver more than enough muscle — they’re among the most impressive and refined powerplants in their class.

Each BF250 is a 60° SOHC V6 with 24 valves and a displacement of 3.583 litres, producing 250 horsepower at 5800 RPM. In practice, its effective range stretches from 5300 to 6300 RPM, meaning the power output is likely conservative. The engines incorporate Programmed Fuel Injection (PGM-FI), a robust 60-amp alternator (delivering 756 watts), and a 2.00:1 gear ratio that ensures strong torque and smooth acceleration.

As Honda’s flagship marine engine, the BF250 combines proven automotive and marine engineering. It features an advanced dual air-induction system, AMP+ variable idle charging, Intelligent Shift and Throttle (iST) for precision control, engine sync for twin setups, and the trio of BLAST, Lean Burn Control, and VTEC technologies — delivering instant throttle response, impressive efficiency, and quiet operation. Every Honda outboard is backed by the company’s industry-leading “True 7” Non-Declining Warranty, offering seven years of consistent coverage.

When it comes to real-world performance, the specs only tell part of the story. The Honda BF250s don’t just look sleek — they sound fantastic, respond instantly, and balance power with exceptional fuel economy.

Wrap It Up

Australia’s boating community has wholeheartedly embraced the rise of big American centre-console fishing machines, and Robalo stands proudly among the elite names in the field. The R302 represents the pinnacle of offshore sportfishing designa blend of rugged capability, advanced technology, and luxurious comfort. It’s a true all-rounder: part performance thoroughbred, part elegant cruiser.

Take the helm and you’ll quickly understand why the Robalo badge carries such respect. This is one boat that’s built to thrill.

Specifications

General: Offshore Deep-V Centre Console

Material: Foam-filled, Kevlar/fibreglass composite

Length OA: 8.89m

Beam: 3.2 m

Weight: approx. 4100kg (dry with engines)     

Deadrise: 21 degrees (variable degree deadrise)

Draft: 53cm (up)  810 (down)

Max HP: 700

Capacities

People: 16

Fuel: 1136 lt

Water: 114 lt

Holding Tank: 23 lt

Engine

Make/Model: Honda BF250 X 2

Type: single overhead cam (SOHC) 60˚, 24 Valve V6

Rated: 250 HP @ 5800 RPM  

Displacement: 3583cc

Weight: 288 kg each       

Gear Ratio: 2.00:1

Propeller: 17" 3-blade Solas S/S

Options Fitted

Powered by twin Honda BF250 4-stroke outboards, this setup also includes a casting deck infill with cushion, glass side panels for the console windscreen, dual 16-inch Garmin multifunction displays with autopilot, 24-nautical-mile radar, SideVü imaging, a 1kW transducer, and several other thoughtful extras.

Performance Figures (Supplied)

RPM

KNOTS

Range NM

6250

42 (WOT)

 

5500

34

347

4500

27

475

4000

22

468

Note - 1136 litre fuel tank with 10% reserve

 

Contact: Robalo Australia, Williamstown, VIC 3016

 

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