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EVOLUTIONARY PROGRESS
EDGEWATER’S NEW 318 IS THE LATEST IN A LONG LINE OF SMART AND WELL-EXECUTED BOATS
BY KARL ANDERSON
Some companies evolve faster than others, and have their niche formula so tuned-in, they need little tweaking to continue to build successful boats. Riding on the new EdgeWater 318, I couldn’t help but think about how this company has grown to build good, solid, honest boats. The fit and finish, storage, overall layout and ride have evolved over the past several years and are fully developed on this new model.
I recently ran the new 318 out of Stuart, Florida with factory rep Roger Taylor and really liked what I saw. The boat performs well, running dry and comfortably in all directions. She lands softly and didn’t pound at a very comfortable 33 mph cruising speed. The boat trolls nicely with a quiet bubble trail at the slower kingfish and sailfish speeds, and she maintains her maneuverability, not falling off with the wind or sea.We drifted for a bit and she had very good lateral stability.
Twin Yamaha F-250 four-strokes eased the hull on plane swiftly and cruised along at 25 mph at 3500 rpm while burning 15 gph. We then found her sweet spot at 4000 rpm, reaching 33.1 mph while burning 19.5 gph, which gives the 318 a little more than 450 miles of range with her 300 gallons of fuel. At 5000 rpm we ran 44.7 mph burning 32 gph, then we pushed her to the pins she turned up just over 6000 rpm, reaching 53 mph tracking and holding the water beautifully.
The 318 is loaded with features and is a well thought out and executed center console, aims to please the toughest family critics and some opinionated fisherman as well. On the foredeck are pull cleats and a large anchor locker hatch that opens to house a molded anchor receiver with a windlass and stainless roller to keep the anchor secure. There is also a raw water washdown in the anchor locker to rinse the rode, chain and anchor after retrieving it. The forward cup-shaped seating houses insulated fish/storage boxes on either side that drain on-deck with two vertical rod holders and a drink holder just aft of them. An additional molded storage compartment is fully forward in the center.There is an optional casting deck insert for the 318 that hydraulically raises up to a table.A semi-recessed handrail wraps around the front of the cockpit, while a huge 625-qt. fish box equipped with a macerator is in the deck forward of the console. All the hatches are fully molded and gasketed making a good fit and seal.
The console has a forward seat that houses a 54-qt. Igloo cooler and the entrance to the console is through a large door on the port side that has nifty molded storage compartments on the backside on the door. The easy-to-access battery compartment below the console is dry and well ventilated, and a removable panel offers access to the rear of the dash and electronics panel.A molded sink with pull out shower, cabinet and electric head are standard equipment and are set along the starboard side while a large cabinet with multiple drawers is along the forward bulkhead.
The helm is neatly laid out and features a generous electronics dash, an ergonomic set up with easy viewing and access to all switches, and the Lenco electric trim tab switch is perfectly positioned in front of the throttle so you can trim the boat without ever having to remove your hand from the throttles. The leaning post/bolster seats are fully adjustable and slide fore and aft. Our test boat had on optional Frigid Rigid cooler under the leaning post and also had an optional molded hardtop with electronics box, six rod holders along the back, and Taco 18-foot radial outriggers.
The cockpit is well laid out with lockable under gunwale rod storage alongside the console. Abaft of the rod storage are racks for mops and quick rod storage under the gunwale as well. There is a large access hatch to the lazarette that offers easy access to pumps, plumbing and the bilge, and there’s a removable foldaway rear bench seat along the aft cockpit bulkhead. Along the centerline of the aft bulkhead is a 66-gallon storage/livewell box. A 28-gallon circular livewell is to starboard and a walk-through transom door to port. There is a rigging sink and pull out shower next to the transom door.
The EdgeWater 318 is an impressive boat and the benefactor of a long methodical improvement process. She is excellently executed with fine glasswork, neat wiring and plumbing, and a clean, finished look. All in all the 318 is a family friendly boat that can hold her own when the bite is on, and run comfortably when the weather kicks up.
February/March 2007