Robalo vs Boston Whaler comes down to price, size range and construction. Robalo's 2026 national prices sit below Boston Whaler's 2027 starting prices at every size compared here where both builders publish one. Boston Whaler builds center consoles up to the 42'6" 420 Outrage and calls its foam-filled boats unsinkable.
| Size | Boston Whaler (length, max hp, fuel) | Robalo (length, max hp, fuel) | Starting price (Whaler / Robalo) |
|---|
| 17 to 18 ft | 170 Montauk: 17'4", 115 hp, 25 gal | R180: 18'4", 150 hp, 50 gal | $52,948 / $48,995 |
| 19 to 20 ft | 190 Montauk: 19'4", 150 hp, 60 gal | R200: 20'7", 200 hp, 70 gal | $63,710 / $61,095 |
| 21 ft | 210 Montauk: 21'4", 200 hp, 66.5 gal | R222: 21'6", 250 hp, 90 gal | $85,178 / $82,795 |
| 22 to 23 ft | 220 Dauntless: 22'0", 250 hp, 70 gal | R230: 23', 250 hp, 90 gal | $120,740 / $100,995 |
| 25 ft | 250 Outrage: 25'5", 450 hp, 172 gal | R250: 25'3", 400 hp, 165 gal | $192,775 / $144,795 |
| 27 to 28 ft | 280 Dauntless: 27'9", 600 hp, 160 gal | R270: 27'6", 500 hp, 180 gal | $264,532 / $183,395 |
| 30 ft | 290 Outrage: 30'6", 600 hp, 195 gal | R300: 30'6", 700 hp, 280 gal | $364,206 / $255,495 |
| 36 ft | 360 Outrage: 36'5", 1,350 hp, 415 gal | R360: 36'6", 1,200 hp, 350 gal | Not shown / $511,895 |
Figures were read from each builder's US website on 23 October 2026. Lengths are each builder's length overall (LOA); Boston Whaler gives the Dauntless length on the centerline from the bow to the engine mounting point. Boston Whaler prices are the model year 2027 starting MSRP shown in its online configurator, in US dollars, including freight but not dealer prep, taxes or registration. Robalo prices are its 2026 Reel Deal nationally advertised prices, which exclude options, dealer prep, freight, taxes, title, registration, documentation and licensing. Because Boston Whaler's figure includes freight and Robalo's does not, the real gap at each size is somewhat smaller than the table shows.
Browse Boston Whaler, Robalo and other center console boats for sale on Searchshop.
Each Robalo center console was paired with the Boston Whaler center console closest to it in length, using only the specifications, prices and warranty terms each builder publishes. Every figure was read from bostonwhaler.com and robalo.com on 23 October 2026 and then checked a second time by a separate review. Nothing here comes from sea trials or test drives, and neither brand is called better overall.
Some figures cannot be compared directly. Boston Whaler gives weight without engines and weight with engine, fuel and water, while Robalo gives dry weight with engines, so weights are left out. Boston Whaler lists "Draft" while Robalo lists "Draft Up" (and "Draft Down" on some models), so draft is left out too. Beam, maximum horsepower and fuel capacity are given in the same units by both builders, so those are compared.
Boston Whaler's center console range runs from 15 feet to 42 feet across three families, while Robalo's runs from 16 to 36 feet. Boston Whaler's online configurator covers the Montauk family (150, 170, 190 and 210), the Dauntless family (220, 250 and 280) and the Outrage family (250, 290, 330, 360, 380 and 420). It describes the 220 and 250 Dauntless as bay boats with a center console layout and the 420 Outrage as its flagship.
Robalo's 2026 lineup lists nine center consoles from the R160 to the R360, three Explorer center consoles (R202EX, R222EX and R232EX), six Cayman bay boats and four dual consoles. Its smallest center console, the 16'4" R160, starts at $35,495; Boston Whaler's 15'5" 150 Montauk starts at $39,583.
- Boston Whaler: says it has built boats "since 1958," builds them at its factory in Edgewater, Florida, and lists itself as part of the Brunswick family.
- Robalo: describes itself as "a leader in the marine industry since 1968" and is based at 300 Industrial Park Blvd. in Nashville, Georgia.
Robalo sets one national price for every model, while Boston Whaler publishes a suggested retail price and leaves the final price to the dealer. Robalo's Reel Deal page says "All Robalo models are Reel Deal Priced," offers "a single, fair, Nationally Advertised Price," and says the program applies at authorized dealers in the contiguous United States. It also says "select Robalo Reel Deal models include a trailer - standard." The R200 page, for example, says that boat is "packaged with an aluminum trailer that includes brakes."
Boston Whaler's configurator shows a starting price and a "Total MSRP" for each build, and its notes say "Dealer alone sets the final purchase price." Its prices include freight but not dealer preparation, taxes or registration. The configurator pages read for the 360, 380 and 420 Outrage did not show a starting price.
At the sizes where both builders show a price, Robalo's figure is lower: $48,995 for the R180 against $52,948 for the 170 Montauk, and $255,495 for the R300 against $364,206 for the 290 Outrage. Neither figure is an out-the-door price, and the standard equipment differs: Boston Whaler's starting price uses its base Mercury engine, while Robalo says select models, such as the R200, come with a trailer. Compare written out-the-door quotes that list the engines, trailer, options, freight, prep, taxes and fees before you decide.
Boston Whaler builds its reputation on unsinkability, while Robalo's pages stress hull design and warranty. Boston Whaler says founder Dick Fisher's "breakthrough use of pourable foam created the first truly unsinkable powerboat," and its owner support page says "Boston Whaler uses closed cell foam in each of its boat models." The same page warns that water forced into the hull can separate the foam from the fiberglass, so check drains and through-hull fittings on a used Whaler.
Robalo names its Hydro Lift multi-angle hull design on the R230 page and a "Michael Peters-designed hull" on the R300 page. Boston Whaler says the 290 Outrage is built on its patented WhalerStep hull, which it says delivers "a drier ride and improved fuel efficiency." These are each builder's own claims; ride and flotation were not tested for this article, and the Robalo pages read do not make an unsinkability claim either way.
From 17 to 21 feet, each Robalo is rated for more horsepower and carries more fuel than the Boston Whaler Montauk closest to it in length. The 170 Montauk has a 7'3" beam, a 115 hp rating, a 25-gallon tank and a persons capacity of 7. Robalo's R180 is a foot longer, with an 8-foot beam, a 150 hp rating, a 50-gallon tank and an NMMA passenger capacity listed as 8/1,200 lbs.
The 190 Montauk has an 8-foot beam, a 150 hp rating and a 60-gallon tank, with a standard 115 hp Mercury. Robalo's R200 is 20'7" with an 8'4" beam, a 200 hp rating and a 70-gallon tank, and Robalo says it includes an enclosed head.
The 210 Montauk and R222 share an 8'6" beam. The 210 Montauk is rated for 200 hp with a 66.5-gallon tank, and a deluxe leaning post option adds a 30-gallon livewell. The R222 is rated for 250 hp with a 90-gallon tank, twin 30-gallon fish boxes and a 15-gallon livewell under the standard leaning post.
At 22 to 23 feet Boston Whaler offers the 220 Dauntless, and at 25 feet it offers both a Dauntless and an Outrage against one Robalo model. The 220 Dauntless and Robalo R230 are both rated for 250 hp with an 8'6" beam. The 220 Dauntless carries 70 gallons, and an optional reversible pilot seat adds a 32-gallon livewell; the R230 carries 90 gallons and comes with a 25-gallon livewell.
At 25 feet, the 250 Outrage has a 9-foot beam, a 450 hp rating, a 172-gallon tank and a 30-gallon livewell, starting at $192,775. The 250 Dauntless is the lower-priced Whaler at this size, at $162,939, with a 425 hp rating, an 87-gallon tank and a standard 25-gallon livewell. Robalo's R250 has a 9'2" beam, a 400 hp rating and a 165-gallon tank, at $144,795.
From 27 feet up, Robalo lists more fuel at 27 and 30 feet, while Boston Whaler's Outrage line continues well past Robalo's largest boat. The 280 Dauntless has a 9-foot beam, a 600 hp rating and a 160-gallon tank. Robalo's R270 has a 9'6" beam, a 500 hp rating and a 180-gallon tank.
The 290 Outrage and Robalo R300 are both 30'6". The 290 Outrage has a 9'4" beam, a 600 hp rating and a 195-gallon tank. The R300 has a 10'6" beam, a 700 hp rating and a 280-gallon tank, plus a triple-wide helm, a hardtop with a skylight and a freshwater shower.
Boston Whaler gives a persons capacity even on its biggest boats (12 on the 290 Outrage, 20 on the 420 Outrage), while Robalo lists the R270, R300 and R360 as "Yacht Certified" instead of giving a number.
The 360 Outrage and the R360 are within an inch of each other in length and beam. The 360 Outrage is rated for 1,350 hp with a 415-gallon tank; the R360 is rated for 1,200 hp with a 350-gallon tank, twin 100-gallon fish boxes and a cabin, at $511,895. Past 36 feet, Robalo stops, while Boston Whaler lists the 38-foot 380 Outrage (1,700 hp, 445 gallons) and the 42'6" 420 Outrage (1,800 hp, 700 gallons).
Robalo publishes a lifetime limited hull warranty for 2026 models, while Boston Whaler's owner pages refer to a 10-year limited warranty. Robalo's warranty page says "All 2026 Robalo models come with a Lifetime Limited Hull Warranty and 5-Year Premium Level limited component warranty - standard." Boston Whaler's owner support page explains how to transfer "the remainder of the 10 year Limited Warranty and the 3 year Component Warranty" after buying a used boat, by registering it with Boston Whaler. The Boston Whaler pages read do not set out the terms for a new 2027 boat, so ask either dealer for the written warranty for the exact model year before you sign.
Boston Whaler says "All Boston Whaler boats are sold with Mercury Marine engines," and that "All warranty inquiries, repairs, and support will be handled at your local dealership." Robalo's R200 page says that model is "Powered by Yamaha"; ask the dealer which outboard brand is offered on the Robalo you want, and how far the nearest service dealer is from where you keep the boat.
Searchshop dealers list more Robalo boats than Boston Whaler boats. On 23 October 2026 the listing feed held 73 listings with Robalo in the title, 39 of them center console or Explorer models (34 new), and 18 listings with Boston Whaler in the title, 10 of them Montauk, Dauntless or Outrage models (9 new). Most Robalo listings came from Texas dealers and most Boston Whaler listings from Michigan dealers. No listing showed an asking price, so no market prices are given here.
Choose Robalo if you want a lower published price, one national price and more fuel and horsepower in the smaller sizes, and Boston Whaler if you want its foam-filled construction, a choice of Dauntless or Outrage at 25 feet or a center console longer than 36 feet.
- A national boat price before you visit a dealer: Robalo's Reel Deal price applies at every authorized dealer in the contiguous US, with freight, prep and fees extra; Boston Whaler's MSRP is a starting point and the dealer sets the final price.
- A first boat of 17 to 21 feet: the R180, R200 and R222 carry higher maximum horsepower ratings and larger tanks than the Montauk closest in length.
- Unsinkable construction: Boston Whaler says it uses closed cell foam in every model; Robalo's pages read make no such claim.
- The biggest boats: Boston Whaler's Outrage line runs to the 42'6" 420 Outrage; Robalo's largest center console is the 36'6" R360.
- Buying used: inspect the hull, engines and wiring with the used boat inspection guide, and on a Whaler check for water between the hull layers.
Shop Boston Whaler, Robalo and other center consoles for sale on Searchshop, see how Robalo compares with another builder in Grady-White vs Robalo, compare more brands in best center console boats, see how the layouts differ in center console vs bay boat, and read the center console buying guide.
Neither brand is better for every buyer, because they differ in price, construction and size range. Robalo's 2026 national prices are lower than Boston Whaler's 2027 starting MSRPs at every size compared here where both show a price. Boston Whaler says every model uses closed cell foam and builds center consoles up to 42'6". Compare written dealer quotes for the same size and engines.
Boston Whaler's 2027 starting MSRPs run from $39,583 for the 150 Montauk to $482,892 for the 330 Outrage, among the center consoles that show a price in its configurator. The 210 Montauk starts at $85,178 and the 250 Outrage at $192,775. These prices include freight but not dealer preparation, taxes or registration, and the dealer sets the final price.
Boston Whaler calls its boats unsinkable because they are built with foam flotation. The company says Dick Fisher's use of pourable foam "created the first truly unsinkable powerboat" and that it uses closed cell foam in each of its boat models. It also warns that water forced into the hull through damage or a badly sealed fitting can separate the foam from the fiberglass, so inspect used boats carefully.
