2026 Boston Whaler 280 Vantage
Price on request
Boat in Brielle, NJ 08730 US
Built in 2026
280 Vantage
3 Engines (--, 2x Mercury)
28 feet
Gas
Fiberglass/Reinforced
2026 Boston Whaler 280 Vantage
Twin Mercury 300 V8 Joystick | Platinum Hull | Exceptionally Optioned
The 2026 Boston Whaler 280 Vantage is one of the most versatile dual-console boats ever built-equally at home entertaining at the sandbar, cruising with family, or heading offshore when conditions allow. Designed with Whaler's legendary unsinkable construction and refined with premium amenities, the 280 Vantage delivers confidence, comfort, and performance in one exceptional platform.
This boat is powered by twin white Mercury 300hp V8 AMS engines with Joystick Piloting, offering effortless docking, smooth cruising, and responsive handling. Finished in a Platinum Gelcoat Hull with Chrome Graphics, this 280 Vantage presents a striking, upscale look on the water.
Power & Performance
Twin Mercury 300hp V8 AMS Verado - White
Joystick Piloting
Stainless Steel Anchor (Anchor Package)
White Rubrail w/ Stainless Steel Insert
Helm & Electronics
Deluxe Navigation Package (Simrad)
Simrad HALO24 Dome Radar
1kW Thru-Hull Transducer
Simrad VHF Radio
Fiberglass Hardtop with Integrated Speakers
White Frame Hardtop
Black Canvas (Optional)
Cockpit & Entertaining
Cockpit Refrigerator
Cockpit Table
Bow Table with Filler Cushion
Standard Exterior Upholstery Package
Sunshade
Weather Curtain
Cockpit Cover
Shore Power
Fishing & Watersports
Fishing Package
Beach Boarding Ladder
Wide, uncluttered cockpit layout for versatility
Head & Convenience
Vacuum-Flush Head
Pump-Out with Overboard Discharge
Excellent interior access and storage throughout
Why the 280 Vantage
Legendary Whaler unsinkable construction
True crossover platform: cruise, fish, entertain
Joystick docking with twin outboards
Premium electronics, climate protection, and amenities
Ideal for family use, coastal cruising, and entertaining guests
The 280 Vantage combines offshore prowess with bowrider comfort in a 28-foot dual console boat thats destined to put a smile on your face. Whalers legendary unsinkable hull and classic lines make it a timeless craft built on a foundation of safety and performance, and a host of practical options let you configure it to be the custom boat of your dreams. The 280 Vantage is a multi-talented performer for every way you and your family like to enjoy the water, from exploring the islands to offshore fishing to endless watersports thrills.
- Sleek, redesigned bow available with both windlass and boarding ladder
- Convertible portside lounge seating adjusts to an array of configurations
- Easy access from the dock or the water via the standard portside dive door
- Dedicated fishing features include cockpit fishboxes, transom livewell and strategically-placed rod holders
- Available with Seakeeper gyro-stabilizing system
- Thoughtfully designed windshield provides unobstructed visibility with great weather protection
- Optional hardtop can be equipped with an electrically acuated cockpit Shureshade
- Optional summer kitchen includes grill, refridgerator and invertor
- All hardware 316-L stainless steel
- All rails welded 316-L stainless steel
- 28” cockpit depth
- 8” stainless steel cleats – bow (2), pop-up stern (2), pop-up spring line (2)
- Anchor windlass with 200’ of rode, chain and anchor
- Bow and stern eyes
- Cockpit coaming bolsters
- Cockpit courtesy lights – dual color blue/white
- Covered telescoping swim ladder with stainless steel grab rail
- Drink holders (12)
- Heavy-duty rub rail
- Insulated in-floor fishboxes with pump-out (2) (located aft) (25 gallons)
- Livewell with light (19 gallons)
- Molded fiberglass port side dive/boarding door with removable stainless-steel dive ladder and deployable grab rail
- Motorwell drains
- Rod holders (gunnel-mounted, stainless steel) (3)
- Self-bailing cockpit sole
- Stainless steel grab rails
- Transom door with stainless steel latch
- Coaming pocket with courtesy light and drink holders (2)
- Sink with freshwater faucet
- Starboard aft facing seat with integrated cooler (11 gallons)
- Stainless steel grab rail
- Integrated storage (deleted with refrigerator)
- Bow bolster
- Bow cushions with backrests
- Bow walkthrough block off panel
- Drink holders (4)
- Fiberglass lids with latches (3)
- Integrated centerline bow cooler (12 gallons)
- Recessed storage / cup holder compartment
- Welded stainless steel forward side rails
- USB charging receptacle (dual)
- 12V receptacle
- Access panel to electronics
- Cast stainless steel steering wheel with urethane grip
- Compass
- Courtesy light
- Dash visor
- Drink holders (2)
- Electronics mounting surface
- Helm and companion footrests
- Electrical switch panel with circuit breaker protection
- Storage bucket
- Tempered bonded glass windshield
- Trash door
- Windshield wiper (starboard)
- Dash visor
- Decorative floor inlay
- Interior light
- Gasketed lockable entry door with dual gaskets and draw down latch
- Molded fiberglass console liner
- Portable head with pump-out
- Sink with faucet and Corian countertop
- Stainless steel grab rail
- Stainless steel storage hooks (2)
- Storage locker
- Storage inboard with material keeper
- Aft facing seating at starboard prep station
- Bow seating area with lounge backrests and armrests (port and starboard)
- Convertible port lounge seat with gasketed storage
- Deluxe custom Boston Whaler helm seat with high/low pedestal
- Fold-out stern seat with backrest
- Bow anchor locker with drain and windlass
- Captain’s pocket storage with USB outlet below the dash
- Cockpit storage center
- Console storage with stainless steel latch
- Head storage compartment
- Insulated bow storage lockers (port and starboard with overboard drains)
- Centerline insulated cooler with overboard drain
- 250 V8 Black Dual Mercury Verado engines with hydraulic power steering
- Automatic bilge pump
- Battery trays (4)
- Electric horn
- Freshwater system (20 gallons) with bow and stern sprayers
- Fuel tank (185 gallons)
- LED navigation lights
- Livewell (19 gallons) (located transom, port side)
- Recessed electric trim tabs with indicators
- SmartCraft deluxe gauge package
- Stainless steel propellers
- Tilt steering
- Transducer mount area
- Grab rails (located on centerline, stainless steel) (2)
- Lighting – LED navigation lights
- Lighting – LED overhead courtesy lighting (blue) (4)
- Lighting – LED courtesy map light (red/white) (1)
- Rod holders (4) (white or black depending on frame color selection)
- Tow bit (white or black depending on frame color selection)
- Welded aluminum integrated frame with tempered glass windshield (white or black depending on frame color selection)
- Display key engine data on your smartphone (Android or Apple iPhone)
- Bluetooth connection via Vessel View Mobile app (compatible while connected to stereo)
- Troubleshooting assistance with dealer notification
Additional Mercury options available.
The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.
Videos from Comstock Yacht Sales - Brielle on this 2026 Boston Whaler 280 Vantage
2026 Boston Whaler 280 Vantage Video Tours
Boattest.com Review
Overview
The Boston Whaler 280 Vantage is a thoughtfully designed crossover boat that successfully balances spaciousness, functionality, and seaworthiness. It offers a versatile layout with ample seating and storage options, combined with a solid performance profile. This model addresses customer feedback by raising the bow for improved seaworthiness and incorporates features that enhance both comfort and utility.
Exterior Design and Deck Layout
The 280 Vantage features an open cockpit with generous dimensions—four feet fore and aft and seven feet, eight inches side to side—protected by 28-inch high bulwarks. Seating is abundant and adaptable, including a transom bench, a seat behind the refreshment center, and a versatile forward-facing seat that converts into an aft-facing chaise or sun pad. Storage is integrated beneath seating areas, with dedicated compartments for items such as a five-gallon bucket, bow table, and pedestal. The boat includes multiple reboarding options: a port-side dive door with an inward-opening ladder and swing-out handle, a concealed ladder on the starboard swim platform, and a bow ladder adjacent to a Lumar windlass and polished anchor setup. The bow seating wraps fully around with storage underneath, including a built-in cooler. Additional features include a freshwater shower near the ladder, stereo speakers integrated into the bulwarks, and a hardtop providing six feet, eight inches of clearance with grab rails, lighting, and enclosure capability.
Refreshment Center and Fishing Amenities
On the starboard side, the refreshment center is equipped with a Corian countertop, storage compartments, a removable section, and a sink that can be replaced with an electric grill. An electric refrigerator is located below the counter. Fishing features are well represented with a standard 19-gallon live well, two 25-gallon macerated fish boxes, and 12 rod holders around the boat, with options to add five more and rod storage beneath the starboard bow seating.
Helm and Operational Features
The helm is ergonomically designed with a soft-touch dash housing a compass and a 12-inch multifunction display integrated with twin Mercury outboards. Additional instrumentation includes a separate outboard display, Fusion stereo controls, rocker switches, VHF Raymarine radio, trim tab controls, and ignition switches. The helm seat is high-end, ventilated, with flip armrests and bolster, and offers swivel and slide adjustments. Storage cubbies with connectivity are conveniently placed, though padding for sensitive items would be beneficial. The mechanical room hatch in the cockpit provides access to power steering pumps, live well pumps, bilge pumps, batteries, and other essential systems, emphasizing ease of maintenance.
Private Accommodations and Head
The boat includes a head compartment with four feet, six inches of headroom and three feet of sitting headroom. It features a Corian countertop, laminated wood cabinetry, and a sink. The head door is secured with a magnetic catch and opens to provide convenient access.
Power and Performance
The 280 Vantage offers engine options ranging from twin 250 to twin 400 horsepower outboards. The test model was equipped with twin 300-horsepower Mercury Verado engines paired with advanced mid-sections and 16 by 20 echo-inertia props. The boat achieved a top speed of 56.7 miles per hour at 5,900 RPM. Optimal cruising speed was 32.9 miles per hour at 3,500 RPM, with a fuel consumption of 15.9 gallons per hour, resulting in a range of approximately 345 statute miles while maintaining a 10% fuel reserve from the 185-gallon capacity. Acceleration was brisk, with planing in 3.5 seconds, reaching 20 miles per hour in 5.8 seconds, and 30 miles per hour in 7.7 seconds. Handling characteristics were predictable and responsive, with no chine walk or sliding during turns, providing a stable and comfortable ride even through wakes.
Conclusion
The Boston Whaler 280 Vantage impresses with its combination of spacious and flexible design, thoughtful amenities, and strong performance. Its multiple seating configurations, ample storage, and fishing features make it a versatile platform for both leisure and sport. The ergonomic helm and well-considered mechanical access enhance usability and maintenance. Overall, the 280 Vantage delivers a well-rounded boating experience that meets the demands of diverse users without compromising on comfort or seaworthiness.
Overview from around the web 2026 Boston Whaler 280 Vantage
Customers are praising the 2026 Boston Whaler 280 Vantage for its exceptional versatility and innovative design
Many highlight its smooth and stable ride, even in choppy waters, making it ideal for both family outings and serious fishing trips. The spacious layout and thoughtfully crafted seating provide comfort and convenience, while ample storage keeps gear organized and accessible. Enthusiasts appreciate the powerful performance paired with fuel efficiency, as well as the high-quality materials and attention to detail that Boston Whaler is known for. Overall, owners commend the 280 Vantage for delivering a reliable, fun, and well-rounded boating experience.
The Biggest Pros and Cons
The 2026 Boston Whaler 280 Vantage offers a compelling blend of versatility, performance, and premium features, making it a standout choice in the dual-console boat category. Here are some of the key pros and cons to consider:
Pros
Versatile Layout: The 280 Vantage’s dual-console design provides ample seating and storage, making it ideal for family outings, fishing trips, or watersports.
Exceptional Build Quality: Boston Whaler’s reputation for durability and unsinkable construction ensures peace of mind on the water.
Powerful Performance: Equipped with efficient outboard engines, the 280 Vantage delivers smooth handling, impressive speed, and excellent fuel efficiency.
Comfort and Amenities: Features like a spacious cockpit, customizable seating arrangements, a freshwater shower, and optional head compartment enhance onboard comfort.
Advanced Technology: Integrated navigation, premium sound systems, and digital controls contribute to a modern, user-friendly experience.
Safety Features: Wide non-slip decks, sturdy rails, and excellent visibility enhance safety for all passengers.
Cons
Price Point: The 280 Vantage is positioned as a premium boat, which may be a significant investment compared to smaller or less equipped models.
Size Considerations: While spacious, the 28-foot length may require more storage space and a larger trailer for transport compared to smaller boats.
Fuel Consumption: Depending on engine choices and usage, fuel consumption can be higher than smaller, less powerful boats.
Learning Curve: New boaters might find the advanced systems and controls require some time to master fully.
Made For
The 2026 Boston Whaler 280 Vantage is designed for boating enthusiasts who seek a versatile and high-performance vessel that excels in both leisure and adventure. Ideal for families, anglers, and watersports lovers, this boat offers a perfect blend of comfort, durability, and innovative features. Whether you're cruising coastal waters, fishing offshore, or enjoying a day of water sports, the 280 Vantage provides a reliable and stylish platform that meets the needs of active boaters looking for quality and versatility.
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 2026 Boston Whaler 280 Vantage | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price on request | Price on request | Price on request | Price on request | Price on request | Price on request |
| Brielle | Brielle | Brielle | Brielle | Brielle | Brielle |
| 28' | 28' | 24' | 33' | 25' | 22' |
| - | Mercury | MERCURY | - | Mercury | Mercury |
| - | 300 hp | 300 hp | - | 400 hp | 250 hp |
| 102 | 162 | 110 | 110 | 162 | 91 |
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Meet the Broker
Address
Boat Location
Contact Comstock Yacht Sales - Brielle about 2026 Boston Whaler 280 Vantage
1029 Highway 70 , Brielle, NJ, 08730
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