WEBVTT
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(whooshing)
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The following opinions
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are solely those of BoatTest.com and its test captain.
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(upbeat music)
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Hi, Caption Steve from BoatTest.com,
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and today I'm on a brand new Center Console
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from Robalo, the R222ES.
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The S stands for expanded seating,
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which makes this much more family friendly,
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along with being fish friendly.
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Let's take a look as I do a full features
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walk through and a sea trial.
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Let's start right in by getting around the water
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and see how she handles.
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The Robalo R222ES has a length overall
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of 21 feet, six inches,
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a beam of eight feet, six inches,
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and a draft of 34 inches.
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With an empty weight of 3,700 pounds,
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one quart of fuel,
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and two people onboard,
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we had an estimated test weight of 4,255 pounds.
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With a single 200 horsepower Yamaha 4-stroke,
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turning at 15M 14.25 reliance prop,
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we reached a top speed of 43.4 miles per hour
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at 6,100 RPM.
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Our best economic cruise was reached at 3,500 RPM
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and 21.4 miles per hour.
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It was at that speed, that our 5.3 gallon per hour fuel burn
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translated into 4.1 miles per gallon and a range of 330
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statued miles, all while still holding back a 10%
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reserve of the boat's total fuel capacity.
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As for her handling, she has Robalo's HydroLift Hull,
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which consists of the routed keel, two running strakes,
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and a rounded entry to the slightly reverse chine.
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This had us coming up on plane in 2.8 seconds,
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accelerating to 20 miles per hour in 4.9 seconds,
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and continuing through 30 miles per hour in 7.7 seconds.
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She comes up on plane with a ten degree bow rising,
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quickly settled into her five degree
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bow high cruise attitude,
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yet again we had flat calm conditions across the state
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when we tested,
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so we can't comment on how well
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she handles rough conditions,
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but we did notice that no matter how hard we
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tried to induce pounding as we crossed
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our camera boat's wakes,
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she was having none of it.
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In turn tests,
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she tracked well with just a slight grab to the turn.
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Hard maneuvering had her ventilating the prop a bit,
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but under normal operations,
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it showed no adverse affects at all,
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not even chine walk.
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Now if this boat makes such an excellent crossover
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between family and fishing,
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let's start our tour by looking at how
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she handles each category.
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We'll start with fishing.
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Ten inch step brings us to an elevated casting platform
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we can walk all the way around,
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but more importantly,
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notice the wrap around bolster,
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so no matter where we are,
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we have comfort when we're fishing.
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There's an optional filler that can
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go into this section here that will give us a
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full walk around platform.
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For storage, we've got two 30 gallon fishboxes
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with overboard drains and separate storage in the center,
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and notice the hatches are held open with tension hinges,
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and I love the lift and lock latches instead of the
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turn and lock latches.
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(clanking)
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Thank you, Robalo.
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Now notice as we come back into the cockpit,
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we've got padded bolsters going all the way around
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the boat so no matter where we are,
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we've got comfort when we're fighting a fish.
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These start at 21 inches and top out at 26 inches,
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and the top rails,
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we've got rod holders, two to each side.
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This, along with five at the back of the leaning post,
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and four at the back of the optional T-top,
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give us 13 in all.
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Under the gunnel,
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we've got rod storage for two rods to both sides.
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Notice the padded area for protecting your reels,
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and we've got a stainless steel toe rail
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to give us just a little bit more safety
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while we're fighting a fish.
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Underneath the aft bench seat,
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we've got a 16 gallon livewell,
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dedicated holder for a five gallon bucket,
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plus additional storage.
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This is also where the battery switch is.
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Underneath the seat back,
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we've got a battery charger that plugs in
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right underneath the starboard gunnel.
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Now every fish boat gets dirty with
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fish guts, blood, scales.
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This one can hose off easily enough.
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There are two inch deck drains to either side of
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the cock pit, and take a look at the hoses
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that are connected to those drains.
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Now we're gonna be driving out to the fishing grounds
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at this home station,
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which begins with an acrylic windshield mounted on top
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of the fiberglass console.
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To both sides of the center mounted Ritchie compass,
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we've got recessed areas that are padded and self-draining.
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Just below,
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we've got open real estate for an optional
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Garmin 741 display.
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Over to the right hand side,
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twin Yamaha Command Link gauges
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with stainless steel bezels.
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We've got toggle switches on both sides
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with circuit breakers right next to those switches.
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At the bottom of the port hand side switches,
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we've got an accessory plug,
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just below that,
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an MP3 and USB port, all within close proximity to the
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two drink holders and the Clarion stereo.
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The steering wheel is center mounted
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and mounted to a tilt base.
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Just over to the right hand side,
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we've got the Yamaha Engine control.
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There's an option for a steering knob
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that I highly recommend.
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Engine choices range from 150 horsepower
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to 250 horsepower.
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On our test boat,
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we've got a Yamaha 200 4-stroke.
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Just below,
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we have both open storage
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(clanking)
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and enclosed storage.
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Now whether you go in this stainless steel framed
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optional T-top or the fiberglass hard top,
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both will give you grab handles running the full length,
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and notice that it's bolted into the deck
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that gives you 21 inches of sidedeck space
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between the frame and the bolster.
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The optional T-top also comes with an option
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for mounting an electronics box.
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The leaning post has a seat that's double-wide
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and has individual flip up bolsters.
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Now let's talk about ergonomics at this home
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for just a moment.
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Even though we have a double-wide helm seat,
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the helm itself is mounted in the center of the console.
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I'd like to see it moved over to the side
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so that we can fit two people here a
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little more comfortably.
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Moving down,
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there's a recessed area for your feet,
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but I would like to see that all the way flush
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to the deck so that you're not putting
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your foot on an edge.
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Even better,
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when the we're in the seated position,
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I'd like to see a flip down footrest coming
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from the leaning post itself.
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Now let's transition over to family features on the R222ES,
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beginning with expanded seating across the transom
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and a fixed bench seat five feet five inches across,
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and notice how it's in close proximity to the leaning post,
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so not only can we brace ourselves into the seated position,
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we also have a stainless steel grab handle
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going across, plus, just underneath,
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we have on a pull out tray,
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a 72 quart carry on cooler that we can fill up with lunch.
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It's also an option for putting a cushion right up on top.
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We've got a swim platform to both port and starboard.
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The starboard one has a concealed
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three step reboarding ladder.
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Removable seat backs can go into position to
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both port and starboard to give us comfortable
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lounge seating, that, in conjunction with the
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seat just ahead of the console,
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gives us a nice conversational atmosphere.
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An optional table can go into the center
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that will also lower;
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a filler cushion will turn this whole area into a sun pad.
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The stainless steel grab rail adds to the safety,
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as does the 21 inch cockpit depth at the bow.
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Inside the console,
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we've got plenty of room for the standard porta-potty.
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We can opt for an electric head.
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Notice the grab handle to help close the door.
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Now when it comes time for coving,
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we can anchor the R222ES quite easily.
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There's an anchor locker all the way full,
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and notice we got anchor keepers.
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The road can run through this notch in the gel work
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that's molded right into the deck,
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(clanking)
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and we've got pull up cleats to both sides,
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and the entertainment continues well into the night
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with courtesy lighting throughout the boat.
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Lastly, she's also loaded with upscale features,
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such as this stainless steel bow scuff plate,
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and notice how it's fixed to a molded in recess in the stem,
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the stainless steel rub rail insert,
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and the trailer has a dual speed wench
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with an adjustable clutch mechanism.
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Well, clearly we've got a Center Console that
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combines comfort and utility all wrapped up into one,
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the family and fish friendly R222ES,
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and that's my full look and sea trial.
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For BoatTest.com, I'm Captain Steve.
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We'll see you on the water.
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(whooshing)