WEBVTT 00:00:10.000 --> 00:00:16.000 Hi, I'm Randy Vance, I'm in New Smyrna Beach today where I'm testing Robalo’s R257. 00:00:16.000 --> 00:00:23.000 This dual console is fresh off the press, the first one of its kind. 00:00:23.000 --> 00:00:28.000 It's 25 feet long plus and a 9 foot 2-inch beam. 00:00:28.000 --> 00:00:33.000 We've got a deep dead-rise hull that's being pushed by two 200 horsepower Yamaha motors and we're making almost 50 miles an hour with it. 00:00:33.000 --> 00:00:38.000 It's a good performing boat but it's designed to fish and entertain your family as well so come on aboard and let me show you how Robalo’s done it. 00:00:44.000 --> 00:00:48.000 Now we like the Yamaha setup here it's got digital throttle and shift with electronic throttles right here and they're really convenient to reach for. 00:00:53.000 --> 00:00:57.000 You've got push button starting and stopping and this boat is equipped with the full maneuverability joystick. 00:00:57.000 --> 00:01:03.000 That gives you drift point, stay point and fish point plus the ability to set a heading and follow it. 00:01:03.000 --> 00:01:07.000 Anytime you're working around the dock you're going to enjoy and appreciate that joystick. 00:01:07.000 --> 00:01:12.000 The three spoke wheel is tilting, you've got flush mounted switches here which you'll find are the easiest to clean up the dash around and a 12-inch Simrad. 00:01:22.000 --> 00:01:26.000 Now the way this vessel is set up, the engines are talking to the Simrad display. 00:01:26.000 --> 00:01:32.000 You can break up the screens and give yourself an instrument cluster as well as sonar and chart plotting all on the same screen. 00:01:38.000 --> 00:01:43.000 Now this boat is also optionally equipped with the Lenco ProGlide trim tabs. 00:01:43.000 --> 00:01:47.000 It automatically manages the attitude of your boat so if somebody moves around it'll level it up and it gives you the ideal trim for the conditions in which you're driving. 00:01:47.000 --> 00:01:52.000 Now I like the way the Fusion audio system is controlled through that Simrad display but you've also got a volume on /off switch here for quick access. 00:01:52.000 --> 00:01:57.000 There's four speakers in the hard top angled back towards your cockpit, two in the front and a subwoofer right here under the dashboard. 00:01:57.000 --> 00:02:07.000 It's a powerful thumping stereo system and convenient to use. The helm seat is extra wide and it's easily adjustable with levers that are easy to reach. 00:02:13.000 --> 00:02:17.000 The bolster flips up so you can see over the windshield when you're docking or a lot of people just like to have the breeze over the windshield anyway. 00:02:21.000 --> 00:02:26.000 On the port side you'll find that there's a console that opens up and down below you've got a changing room with a flushing toilet and the fresh water sinks. 00:02:30.000 --> 00:02:36.000 It's amazing how roomy it is on this 25-foot boat. I like the lounge on the port side. 00:02:36.000 --> 00:02:40.000 First of all, you've got a flip up bolster so your partner can stand up as well. 00:02:47.000 --> 00:02:53.000 But the seat bags split open and spread out extending the lounge aft and bringing a leaning back forward so that you can stretch out and lean back with a great view over the motors. 00:02:57.000 --> 00:03:01.000 One last feature I don't want to overlook on the helm and the portside console are the wireless chargers. 00:03:01.000 --> 00:03:07.000 In addition, you've got a USB and a USB-C port for those cables. 00:03:07.000 --> 00:03:12.000 Now as you can see the hard top provides plenty of shade and in this case all the way to the transom. 00:03:12.000 --> 00:03:17.000 The seat flips out to give you a comfortable lounge but as you see stowed away you've got a fighting cockpit ready to take on big fish. 00:03:17.000 --> 00:03:22.000 On the port side, you've got a live well with an acrylic lid and it's 30 gallons to carry plenty of bait. 00:03:22.000 --> 00:03:27.000 And a transom door on the starboard side for pulling in your fish. 00:03:27.000 --> 00:03:32.000 This boat is even equipped with a port side boarding door and it's one of the smaller boats that we'll find this feature on. 00:03:32.000 --> 00:03:35.000 Open it up and you've got easy dock side access or it's another great place to pull your fish in. 00:03:40.000 --> 00:03:47.000 Now the R257 does not forget anglers at all. You've got six shotgun rod holders in the transom, got one on each gunnel and up above you've got six rod holders. 00:03:52.000 --> 00:03:58.000 That's plenty of rod storage but under the starboard side you've also got another rod hanger which we think most people are going to use to put a boat brush. 00:03:58.000 --> 00:04:07.000 Now for keeping your catch fresh there are two 50-gallon fish boxes in the floor. Those are insulated and they're macerated to pump overboard. 00:04:12.000 --> 00:04:18.000 Also in the cockpit is a stainless-steel sink with fresh water supply, a drawer underneath that has a cooler in it, and you've got a USB /USB-C and 12 volt receptacle. 00:04:24.000 --> 00:04:28.000 Now as we said this vessel is made for all kinds of water sports including wakeboarding and water skiing. 00:04:33.000 --> 00:04:38.000 There's a toe point up above between the rod holders and an enormous compartment in the center deck to keep your boards, your skis, and maybe a tube. 00:04:43.000 --> 00:04:48.000 The first thing you'll notice as you move forward is there's a wind dam here that closes off this compartment. 00:04:52.000 --> 00:04:57.000 When that's closed and the windshield is closed, your cockpit is protected from the wind and the rain, which is a nice feature when you have to boat in inclement weather. 00:04:57.000 --> 00:05:03.000 Stepping through, you've got two deep lounges facing forward, A center seat facing aft bolsters all around so that everybody's got a comfortable back rest. 00:05:07.000 --> 00:05:12.000 You'll notice the depth of it is going to be ideal for keeping mothers and fathers calm while the kids play up there and their safety rails all the way around for a secure ride. 00:05:17.000 --> 00:05:21.000 Now this boat's also equipped with the optional windlass. When you get that option you get a raw water wash down and you get controls both in the windlass hatch and at the helm. 00:05:26.000 --> 00:05:30.000 While we're talking about raw water outlets, remember there's one in the cockpit as well as a fresh water outlet. 00:05:30.000 --> 00:05:35.000 You've got easy access to the bilge pumps, the live well pumps, and all the other plumbing and fuel filters. 00:05:35.000 --> 00:05:46.000 Like every other Robalo we've tested, the hardware is highly polished and durable. This one has friction hinges on all the hatches and we really like the fact it comes standard with fender hangers that clip into their own little sockets. 00:05:51.000 --> 00:05:56.000 Whether your family likes to fish, snorkel, dive, beach comb, hang out at the sandbar, or pull kids on tube, the R257 has everything on board. 00:06:02.000 --> 00:06:07.000 You need to keep them entertained all day on the water. 00:06:07.000 --> 00:06:10.000 I'm Randy Vance.