May 17, 2018
By Florida Sportsman Editor
The concept of building “Hybrid” boats out of Bay boats is very popular lately and we are seeing more manufacturers building inshore boats with features to make them more “offshore capable” for anglers seeking dual purpose vessels. Young Boats has utilized a similar theory but has reverse engineered a true offshore hull design to also serve as a back country boat as well. The Young 27 is a pure blue water machine at first glance but performs remarkably well in shallow back country waters with the help of a 36V trolling motor and PowerPole. This is a highly customizable boat and Young will build to suit based on personal fishing style but the two models we tested both featured GemLux Carbon fiber outriggers and were rigged for serious offshore battles. They each featured the aforementioned trolling motors and PowerPole which made them extremely effective at fishing in remarkably skinny waters (17”) around coastal docks and mangrove shorelines. An added benefit of the new technology found in these trolling motors was the ability to deploy the motor to serve as an anchor while fishing over offshore reefs and wrecks. The 36V motors easily held position in fairly sloppy conditions which added a level of simplicity to bottom fishing without anchoring that was easy to get used to.
The deck layout on the Young 27 is an open design with a low enough freeboard to reach the water around most of the boat and a gunnel height that hits most people above the knees very comfortably. It is offered with forward seating or an open foredeck and a rear seat in the cockpit across a very wide transom gunnel. The transom accommodates a large 50-gallon release well and two additional 30-gallon wells will ensure enough live bait capacity to suit anyone's needs. Three insulated fish boxes (1 forward, 2 aft) are standard. A very smart fiberglass leaning post and tackle center features port and starboard tackle tray storage (12 pull out Plano boxes) as well as leader spools, knife, and plier holders and a removable acrylic filet board. This is a very easy boat to fish from and move around in both from a layout and stability perspective. The hull has an exceptionally solid feel while running and nothing about it feels hastily put together. An extensive list of standard features leaves the factory with every boat and with the addition of a handful of added optional features this quickly becomes a seriously rigged boat that wears more than one hat comfortably. For anyone looking to combine the best of both worlds from the Gulf Stream to the river the Young 27 is mighty tempting.
Young 27 specifications:
Length: 27 feet 7 inches
Beam: 9 feet 4 inches
Draft: 17 inches
Deadrise @ transom: 20-Degrees/ @ bow entry- 60-degrees
Weight: (w/o power) 3700 pounds
Recommended Horsepower: 300-400
Fuel: 150-Gallons
MSRP: $89,900.00 Hull- Power options from $28,900.00-$54,700.00
The Young 27 in her element bringing offshore and inshore techniques together.
The Young 27 in her element bringing offshore and inshore techniques together.
The Young 27 is offered with an open foredeck for maximum workspace or in the forward seating layout seen here for family friendliness.
Forward seating offers additional storage options adjacent to an in deck insulated fish box.
This second station design adds infinitely better visibility while not interfering with the deck space.
This clever removable bi-fold door locks away your electronics and stores away neatly fitting into a slot on the console entry.
The streamlined helm surface area is fully utilized incorporating twin MFDs and all instrumentation.
The Young 27 console is streamlined however still large enough to accommodate a marine head.
A dual independent helm seat design allows either driver or passenger to sit, lean or stand comfortably.
This transom-width padded bench seat (with backrest) for cruising quickly converts to a casting deck.
The Young 27 cockpit certainly doesn’t lack space for tackle or rod storage.
A 50-gallon release well (center) is framed in nicely with a matching pair of 30-gallon live tanks for boundless capacity.
A wide open access point to service below deck systems is useful for when you need to reach a pump in a hurry.
