January 07, 2014
By Sam Hudson
Battle-tested in blue water, Edgewater takes on the inshore scene.
EdgeWater Power Boats—known for its offshore fishing boats—jumped into the inshore arena without missing a beat. The In Shore series of boats from EdgeWater will feature 19-, 21-, 22- and 24-foot models. (The actual hull molds were purchased from Century Boat Company.) First came the 22-foot 220IS in March. Then, in October, EdgeWater introduced its 24-footer.
The 240IS is the beefiest model in EdgeWater Power Boats' line of shallow-draft coastal bay boats. At 2,700 pounds, the 240IS features a 14.5-degree deadrise and 19-inch cockpit depth—enough boat to get offshore during lazy seas. A 13-inch draft still allows for backwater trips, like the impromptu tarpon trip we took near New Smyrna Beach to test out the boat.
Up front, two lockable rod lockers frame an oversize center storage compartment and anchor locker. One option allows a rod locker to be turned into a fish box. Features include a full console with available T-top, 10-inch jackplate and two rear livewells.
EdgeWater 240 IS Specifications:
Length: 24 feet
Beam: 8 feet, 6 inches
Draft: 13 inches
Max HP: 350 hp
Fuel Capacity: 77 gallons
Hull Weight: 2,700 pounds
Hull Deadrise: 14.5 degrees
Bridge Clearance: 7 feet, 10 inches with T-top
Cockpit Area: 79 square feet
EdgeWater Power Boats
211 Dale Street
Edgewater, FL ?(386) 426-5457
www.ewboats.com
The monster deck space is hard to miss. Standard anchor locker and storage compartment take up the center spaces. Outside, notice the rod lockers that can handle offshore tackle and fly rods.
Open up the center storage compartment and throw in tackle boxes, buckets, life jackets, castnet, and even bean bags. That strong black material on the underside of the hatch? That's carbon fiber.
The 240 IS tackle lockers are versatile. Store rods when there's no room available above deck, or fold the locker's rod holders out of the way for more storage space. Rod lockers can be plumbed as an optional cooler/fish box.
In front of the console is a padded seat. Stick an extra cooler or tackle box under the seat for easy access. The padded seat folds up and down to make more room for fishing upfront.
For more room upfront, lift up the seat and fold the legs inward. The seat will rest against the center console and allow for more foot space.
EdgeWater command center is clean and well-organized. Features include Yamaha gauges, LED-lit switches, VHF radio, Clarion sound system and room for other electronics.
Look down and there's a fold-up footrest. Some boat companies mold a step into the console, but EdgeWater likes the ability to collapse the footrest out of the way when not in use. Top right, necessary cup holder and storage bin for keys, cell phone and wallet.
EdgeWater's Roger Taylor fishes from the bow—you can fit two additional anglers up there. The framed T-top is a popular option, says Taylor.
Four rod holders edge the T-top—don't forget to take down rods when going underneath a bridge. Bridge clearance with T-top is 7 feet, 10 inches. At center, an LED spotlight floods the deck at night.
There's room for a portable toilet, but probably not necessary on this inshore boat. Still, there's plenty of space inside the center console for access to the electronics wiring.
Rick Ryals and Roger Taylor head off to New Smyrna Beach. A full length shot of the boat reveals the deck layout, cockpit configuration, and center console and livewell setups. Cockpit depth is 19 inches and cockpit area is 79 square feet.
The bench console seat handles extra rod holders. If the backrest gets in the way, simply pull it out of its rod holder mounts.
The full-size re-circulating livewell is strategically placed aft of the console. Baits are easy to reach if drift fishing or freelining baits offshore. The backrest is easily removed if it gets in the way of fishing.
The aft center livewell can also serve as a release well—plenty large for slot redfish. Port and starboard, extra storage compartments can also serve as a cooler.
Aft, take off the separate hatch to get to the bilge compartment.
This port compartment can be used as storage, a cooler or be plumbed for a livewell. The starboard side features a twin compartment. All EdgeWater compartments are remarkably large for inshore fishing standards.
A clean look. Maximum horsepower is 350, but even 300 hp is plenty of speed to push this boat past 50 mph. EdgeWater mounted this Yamaha to an Atlas jackplate. At left, the Power-Pole mounts to an engine bracket.
Checking out the transom, this boat is rigged for most running conditions. From right to left, AFTCO trim tab, Power-Pole, Yamaha 300-hp outboard mounted to an Atlas jackplate and the portside trim tab. Transom height is 25 inches.
Rick and Roger are off to find some tarpon. The 300-hp Yamaha planes the 240IS without much help from the trim tabs. All EdgeWater boats are built with unsinkable floatation.
Originally Published Florida Sportsman Online Oct. 2011
