Boston Whaler to debut new 285 Conquest Pilothouse at Seattle Boat Show

Pilothouse and “Alaska bulkhead” powerboats in the 20- to 30-foot range are popular here in the Pacific Northwest. Heck, I own one myself.

It’s cold half the year, and it can rain at any time of the year, so being able to close the cabin door and crank up the heat is a necessity for any serious cruising boat, the way air conditioning might be in Florida.

So it’s entirely appropriate that Boston Whaler has chosen to debut the new 285 Conquest Pilothouse at the Seattle Boat Show. In case you won’t be there, you can see a whole slideshow over at Boston Whaler. Let’s see what the press release says…

Boston Whaler Unveils Hull # 1 of 285 Conquest Pilothouse at Seattle Boat Show’s Opening Day, Friday January 27

SEATTLE – Boston Whaler has chosen the 65^th Annual Seattle Boat Show for the world debut of its new 285 Conquest Pilothouse. The boat will be unveiled at a special event – open to members of the media and select invitees – at 5pm on Friday January 27, opening night of the show. Tim Schiek, Boston Whaler’s president, and Kevin Roggenbuck, president and CEO of Lake Union Sea Ray will offer remarks and a champagne toast to mark this milestone. They and other Boston Whaler representatives, including Lenn Scholz, Boston Whaler’s director of product development will be available to answer questions.

“We’re thrilled that Boston Whaler chose the Seattle Boat Show as the launching pad for its cutting-edge new 285 Conquest Pilothouse,” said George Harris, president of the Northwest Marine Trade Association, organizers of the Seattle Boat Show. “Boston Whaler is a well-known and well-loved brand in the Pacific Northwest and showgoers will be ecstatic to be the first boaters to see it.”

The groundbreaking new 285 Conquest Pilothouse features Boston Whaler’s first-ever full-enclosure pilothouse design—ideal for the unpredictable boating weather in the Pacific Northwest. The brand-new 210 Montauk will also be making its debut. The largest Montauk yet, the 210 offers a suite of premium fishing features in a package that allows anglers to boat farther and stay out longer than ever before.

The 285 Pilothouse includes a state-of-the-art integrated windshield-hardtop system, aft bulkhead with door, and a fully enclosed, weather-protected helm offering unprecedented comfort and cover from the elements.

“We can’t think of a better place to launch our new pilothouse design than at the Seattle Boat Show, one of the largest and most prestigious boat shows on the West Coast," said Tim Schiek, president of Boston Whaler.

Navagear will be there! Here’s the more generic press release on the 285 Conquest Pilothouse:

Boston Whaler debuts cutting-edge new 285 Conquest Pilothouse

Edgewater, Fla. (January 24, 2012) – With Boston Whaler’s landmark release of the 285 Conquest Pilothouse, the boatbuilder firmly establishes itself as an industry leader in boating innovation. Featuring Boston Whaler’s first-ever pilothouse configuration, which includes a state-of-the-art integrated windshield-hardtop system, aft bulkhead with door, and a fully enclosed, weather-protected helm, the 285 Conquest Pilothouse offers unprecedented comfort and cover from the elements.

“The 285 Conquest Pilothouse represents a bold step forward for Boston Whaler,” said Ron Berman, Boston Whaler’s vice president of product development and engineering. “Along with the fall release of the totally redesigned 285 Conquest, the new pilothouse feature is an integral element in the evolution of our Conquest line. For boaters in more volatile weather regions, like the Pacific Northwest, the 285 Conquest Pilothouse is the ideal vessel.”

The revolutionary pilothouse provides total helm climate control, with a tempered-glass, full enclosure windshield system with electric vent, and a bulkhead with locking door. Windshield wipers with wash system enhance captain visibility, and an optional cockpit diesel heating system keeps the pilothouse toasty in cold weather. Inside the pilothouse, a starboard prep center provides a sink, cutting board, cup holder and handy storage underneath. To port, an elegant and innovative lounge with solid-surface, pull-out table adds to the overall richness of the space. Captains will enjoy a brand-new adjustable helm seat with flip-up bolster and armrests for unprecedented comfort and convenience. And attached to the hardtop, cockpit floodlights, a dome light, a ventilation hatch and rod holders augment the pilothouse’s safety and utility. An available retractable canvas sun shade will provide protection from sun and rain all the way to the aft combing.

But there’s much more to the 285 Conquest Pilothouse than the enclosure itself. A spacious cabin lies below, inviting overnighters with an airy ambience courtesy of warm LED lights, a skylight over the galley, and stunning headroom. Families sleep well thanks to a sumptuous Vberth with filler cushions and plush mid-double berth. The deluxe galley features a refrigerator, microwave, sink with faucet and cutting board, trash receptacle, 110-V outlet, and premium wood-grain cabinetry. Passengers can enjoy total privacy out on the water thanks to a homelike head with VacuFlush™ pumping system, stainless steel sink with pull-out shower, mirror, hanging storage and a shelf for toiletries.

“When we designed the new 285 Conquest Pilothouse, comfort in any condition was of the utmost importance—from the helm to the cabin,” Berman said. “This boat stands out from the crowd in that regard. You will be hard-pressed to find another vessel in its class that provides accommodations that are as generous, even luxurious, as what you’ll find on the 285 Pilothouse.”

The 285’s thoughtful amenities include abundant storage, topside and below. An innovative, three-drawer port storage compartment offers a convenient home for tackle. Four under-gunnel rod racks and four cabin interior rod racks lend anglers more than enough room for their fishing equipment, and dual in-deck fishboxes with drains and pump-outs are perfect for putting fresh catch on ice. The anchor tucks away neatly in a heavy-duty stainless steel anchor roller and is operated by a standard windlass. Additional spacious storage lockers lie beneath the V-berth cushions and in the mid cabin.

For all its convenience and intuitive design elements, it could be easy to forget that the 285 Conquest Pilothouse is also a technological dynamo. Standard dual 225-hp Mercury FourStroke Verado® outboards represent the cutting edge of modern marine power. They come paired with deluxe SmartCraft™ helm gauges, DTS Digital Throttle and Shift, and hydraulic power steering that puts the captain in total command. Available factory-installed Raymarine® electronics provide the latest in navigation electronics technology. A 200-gallon fuel tank gives owners peace of mind for weekend overnight trips or offshore angling outings. Owners have a suite of entertainment tools at their disposal, as well, including Clarion® waterproof speakers (two in cabin, two in cockpit) with iPod and AM/FM/CD functionality.

“Serious boaters trust the Conquest name because it can provide a premium experience for a range of pursuits,” Berman said. “Fishermen will seek out the pilothouse for its rugged angling features and all-weather setup. Families will find first-class amenities throughout for overnight outings and entertaining guests. We’re excited by the possibilities provided by the pilothouse feature. Boston Whaler is dedicated to offering the most gracious on-water experience to its owners, no matter your boating style, and to that end, the 285 Conquest Pilothouse delivers on numerous levels.”