June 12, 2019
By Florida Sportsman Editor
In 1997 when Bluewater president Paul Skilowitz left the world of oceangoing yacht design and construction, he didn't leave all of that knowledge behind to begin a career building fishing boats, he applied the same principles of yacht building to this new endeavor. For starters, a quick look around the deck on the Bluewater 355 reveals finish work, fine hardware, and esthetics to rival the finest boats on the water. In addition to this attention to detail you'll find an immensely balanced hull design and this is no accident. By applying carefully thought out weight distribution in the construction process the result is a boat that levels quickly and enables Bluewater to install their console farther forward than your typical center console. The net effect is a roomier cockpit which is an asset for both fishing and diving alike.
First impressions left us with the feeling that this is a very large 35-footer and that remained with us throughout our test day. The boat is also laid out with the serious blue water anglers best interest in mind. For below deck useful area, you won't find a boat this size with more insulated storage space or live baitwell capacity. Beneath the forward deck are three fish box storage compartments. The largest, at the center deck is a giant excursion sized hold that a couple of grown men could get into. Adjacent to this on both sides are a matching pair of wing boxes that would each probably hold enough fish for any reasonable anglers needs on their own. Just ahead of the console is a very deep gear storage compartment. The cockpit aft also offers four separate insulated holds each below deck and large enough to handle an insane amount of storage. The center deck hatch reveals a massive 90-gallon live well ahead of a large bilge access compartment. Across the transom is an additional 60-gallon pressurized well along with a rigging sink and cutting surface.
Among the many notable features which add convenience and comfort to the 355 are a spacious console interior with well over six feet of headroom, a stylish Corian counter/sink and electric head. Ultra-comfortable closed cell foam upholstery throughout the boat and a 3-tone color scheme from top to bottom add style. Smart details like multiple Quick-couplers throughout the deck from stem to stern for easy wash-down hookup wherever you need it are touches that bleed over from a yachting background. The Bluewater 355 represents a couple of decades' worth of experience refining their designs and improving them to meet the demands of discriminating owners as the industry evolves. This boat should leave the most discerning potential owner wanting for nothing.
Bluewater 355 Specifications
Length: 35 feet 9 inches
Beam: 10 feet
Draft: 24 inches
Deadrise: 24-degrees
Weight: 12,380 pounds
Maximum Horsepower: 1050
Fuel: 390 gallons
Fresh water: 35 gallons
Base price: $299,000 w/twin 350-Suzuki
The Bluewater 355 fished like a much larger boat and is built to handle weather that most people would rather not find themselves in.
The Bluewater 355 fished like a much larger boat and is built to handle weather that most people would rather not find themselves in.
With triple 350-HP Suzuki’s, the 355 is a force to be reckoned with from a speed and power standpoint.
The perfectly balanced hull design of the 355 allows nearly dead center console placement splitting fore and aft work space evenly.
Three giant insulated fish holds and a roomy dry storage hold along with multiple rod storage points are located below the spacious foredeck.
A classy three-tone color scheme enhances an already highly finished appearance.
A stylishly finished head compartment in this console offers over 6-feet of headroom.
This heads up display features twin MFD’s and all easy to reach switching within your eye line.
Plenty of tackle storage, leader spool reels, and a bait prep center complete this helm station tackle center.
A huge cockpit offers plenty of breathing room along with four insulated fish holds and a massive 90-gallon live well below deck.
An additional 60-gallon bait well and second rigging sink are located across the transom.
