If you’re in themarket for a “does everything” boat, the Princecraft Ventura 224 might just tick all your boxes. Combining play, comfort and fishing, this deck boat is the essence of the word multi-functional.
Seating can be found on one of two bench seats forward or an L-shaped bench aft, all made of plush, heavyweight upholstery. The L-shaped bench offers a spot to chat close to the captain, but somewhat impedes access to the starboard transomdoor unless the helm seat is swivelled out of the way. Access to the boat is also available through a side door to port atmidship.
The spacious open bow on the 224 is perfect for easy conversation and offers plenty of storage for gear, but the open layout also leaves passengers exposed to the elements — particularly at speeds close to WOT.
For those hoping to fish with the 224, there are two fold-down pedestal seats and a trolling motor on a raised casting deck up front. Two more pedestal seats are mounted at the transom, where a boarding ladder allows for convenient reboarding for swimming or watersports.
The captain is sure to be comfortable nestled in the swivel bucket seat with slide. The optional Mercury SmartCraft gauges keep all info at the ready, and leave plenty of room for any instrumentation you may wish to add.
Although the visibility is great forward with the bow pedestal seats folded down, the sporty, “smoked” curved windscreen on the helm console does tend to distort vision straight ahead a little. This feature has a quick release, though, if it really becomes an issue.
With three on-board for our test, the Ventura 224 accelerated quickly out of the hole, planing in just under three seconds. It also performed well through themid-range, going from 20 to 30mph in four seconds. The boat carved nicely through its own wake and those thrown from other boats, staying planted firmly in the water, and cruised seemingly effortlessly. The aluminum hull was a little louder than perhaps fibreglass would be, but the lighter material will surely translate to savings at the pump.
All in all, Princecraft has a great all-around versatile family deckboat with its Ventura 224.
SPECS
According: sboattest.com
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