Far from ordinary, setting the trends for the future, redefining comfort and fishability, this new offering from the Doughertys is an exceptional example of design and craftsmanship that is consistent with their vision; building the best designed and built production boats you can buy. Everglades has consistently produced boats that are beyond ordinary in every way. They are doing things other boat builders dream about .Powdercoating all the exposed metal components, building electrical systems to military specifications, providing standard features that others have as options and simply creating long term value for their owners. I attended the Everglades Dealer meeting in Edgewater Fl last fall and saw the prototype of the 290 pilot. It was just a hull with a mock up console and just been created from a scale model that Bob Dougherty had built. Bob is going strong in his mid 70s and probably has made more important design innovations as anyone in the boating industry and he is still at it .He and his son Steve are the driving force behind Everglades and as a team have built the most successful new boat company in the industry. There were so many unique and functional aspects to the boat that were design concepts at that time ,we all wondered if it could be pulled together in time for the Miami Boat Show. Not only was it ready, it won the most prestigious award for a boat in its class. It was named the best fishing boat for 2005, winning out over some very high dollar competition.

This is a day boat with legs. It has enough range for a 250 mile day with fuel to spare. What this means to the fisherman is the rigs and distant areas are reachable with relative ease. The pilot console makes the boat S.U.V. like in terms of quiet and comfort. There is almost no wind noise with the doors on and this makes for a less fatiguing boating experience .This is not a triple engine King Mackerel Tournament speed demon for young guys that like to hang off the Tee Top to preserve their dental work and knee joints. It is more akin to a Lexus Sedan than a Corvette. Not to say this is a slow boat, with 225 Hondas or Yamahas it will reach out and touch 50 miles an hour.

One of the first things one notices about the boat when boarding is the seating. There is a brilliantly designed jump seat across the stern that is a double seat and is built from their favorite material for strength and durability, aluminum and epoxy powdercoat. There are two handles on this feature, one will deploy the very comfortable seat and the lower handle raises the whole apparatus to reveal the "service entrance" There is another piece of 1/4"X10" Aluminum C channel across the stringers that holds the two starting and 1 house battery. They are held down with a Stainless Steel clamping system .Above the 3 batteries is a neat wiring harness for the onboard charging system and battery monitor systems .Below and in easy reach are the pumps, thru hulls and rigging tubes. This is just good design .The circuit breaker panel is above deck for easy access and includes an emergency crossover switch for the engines and house batteries .On the rear bulkhead there is a set of six upright rod holders with drains and another fishing amenity, a slide out baiters box. On the starboard side is the transom door, fitted with a very high quality magnetic latch.

Moving forward to the rear of the Pilot Console is a 66 gallon lighted live well with extra aeration system surrounded by a really functional tackle/rigging station. There are multiple drawers and compartments with ample room for baits, rig, lures and tackle componenets.Knife and plier holders are at your fingertips and the baitwell lid is a cutting board that when open, supports the baitwell in the open position.To the right is a sink plumbed both with fresh and saltwater.There is lighting above for night vision as well as a rear spreader light to light the cockpit. Overhead are 6 rod holders in the rocket launcher position as well as two pointing aft for rigging convenience. One of the few options on this boat are kingfish rod holders pointing out from the rear edge of the top. At your feet is one of two below deck fish boxes.

Coaming pads and toe rails are incorporated in the gunnels as we move towards the unique "PILOT CONSOLE" . That Console is what sets this boat apart from the rest.There are two distinct driving positions,both comfortable and selectable for either the passenger or the driver.The retractable bolster can be in the leaning post position or as a full seat with backrest and footrest molded into the console. There is even an aviation style armrest with beverage holder between the seats . The dashboard has ample space for flush mounted electronics, with a retractable, motorized "security shield" to protect the screens and give a clean look. Our test boat has the Honda Fuel Management system installed which is incorporated into the Tach and Speedo and is tied into the engines ECMs for accuracy. Overhead on both the front and rear of the hardtop there are electronics boxes molded into the top as well as stereo speakers and both red L.E.D. lighting for preserving night vision and white lighting. On top of the Hardtop are Taco Adjustable 18' Outriggers. They are easily accessed from below the top with no gymnastics needed.

Below this "Command Center" is a very large step down Shower/Head. The headroom is over 6' and it has plenty of ventilation to avoid claustrophobia. The head is porcelain and has a Y valve and holding tank. You can actually read the newspaper in there if you so desire .There is a sink and counter space with more storage and a sump pump in the floor for the overhead shower. This is a great asset to divers as well as just freshening up after a long day on the water.

As we look toward the stern from the bow area another feature that is unique to this boat becomes apparent. There is a curved glass windshield with an automotive style wiper/washer. This is a first on a boat this size and is useful feature .Console ventilation is also enhanced by a set of "wind wings" .Below the windshield on the front of the console is a dual seat that has headrests and is quite comfortable. It also looks aviation inspired. There are beverage holders in natural places throughout the boat ,made of stainless steel and with drains .The bow seating area has two lockers with cushions for stowing large items and in the hullsides are rod storage lockers on both sides .On the bow floor is a very large fish box with pump and drain. This area is perfect for sunning, socializing and makes this boat a little more useful than the hardcore fish boats without creature comforts .On the front of every 290 Pilot is a standard windlass. The anchor locker it feeds will hold enough rode for even the most dedicated deepwater bottom bouncer. High intensity docking lights are built into the hull and are also standard.

The patented "Ramcap"hull is consistent with the Everglades look with the sweeping turned down spray chine around the sharp entry and 21 degrees of dead rise at the stern. The average dead rise is 37 degrees. What that means to the boater is there is enough Vee to soften the seas but not too much to make the boat unstable at rest .Recessed Trim Tabs are standard giving even more control to compensate for load, wind, and sea state. The Ramcap Process results in a one piece, rigid hull structure that is unsinkable and feels and sound more solid than other more traditional construction methods. The foam core is a high density foam, hand fitted to its structural spaces, then the hull and deck are vacuum bonded together for a truly one piece hull. This process is unique in the industry.

This boat combines big boat performance with trailerability. I can be pulled with a 3/4 ton vehicle with no problem, although many will reside in boat lifts .This is a boat that will fill the needs of families that fish hard, and play hard, travelling to marinas for overnights, diving and just having the best of all worlds in a day boat.

Marc Grove