The Belzona 327 Walk Around has one of best setups for walking around that you’ll find on this type of boat. Besides that, it sports some of the most innovative features you’ll find on any type of recreational boat, period. Whether you want to fish, cruise, dive or do all of the above, the 327 Walk Around has you covered.
Starting with its original 325 console and carrying into the 327 Walk Around, Belzona builds cockpit dive doors into each gunwale that slide aft on a stainless-steel trolley system mounted on a self-lubricating track. The system works effortlessly and looks seamless enough so that, if you weren’t looking for them, you might not notice. While these doors were conceived with divers in mind, it should be noted that Belzona built them to open wide enough to accommodate wheelchair entry from a dock. While they were closed and latched during testing, they did not rattle or leak during extreme maneuvers such as hard-over turns or crossing doubled-up wakes at speed, nor while taking on abeam seas at rest. The 327 earned good performance marks overall, due in part to its deep-V hull that sports a flat lifting pad at the keel to help with lift and efficiency.
The 327 also features a forward-raked windshield that’s seamlessly integrated into the sturdy hardtop, which in turn is supported by a stout fiberglass beam that’s molded into the one-piece fiberglass leaning-post unit. The captain and first mate have separate seats with flip-up bolsters and flip-down footrests, and there’s an entertainment center built into the back. The cockpit’s flip-down transom bench increases creature comforts yet conveniently folds out of the way when it’s time to wet a line.
In the cabin belowdecks, there is a galley with a Corian counter, cherry-wood cabinets, and a V-berth that doubles as a dinette. The head is a highlight; it features a VacuFlush toilet and a separate shower stall behind a bi-fold door. The overhead port and three fixed windows per side permit ample natural light that prevents feelings of claustrophobia.
Normally, such a cabin prevents much usability on the bow deck, but this boat sports a deep and wide walkway around the crown that makes for safe passage whether tanning on the sun pad, handling the anchor or lines, or fighting a fish.
High Points
* Available with fishing, cruising or adventure packages.
* Sliding dive doors on both sides of the cockpit are a true innovation.
* Forward-raked full windshield provides excellent protection from the elements at the helm.
* Gunwales on the bow walk-around area are wide enough to sit on.
* Impressive hardtop is supported aft by a fiberglass beam built into the leaning post.
Price: $310,071 (with test power)
How We Tested
Engine: Twin 300 hp Mercury Verado FourStrokes
Drive/Props: Outboard/15 1/4" x 19" 4-blade stainless steel
Gear Ratio: 1.85:1
Fuel Load: 100 gal.
Crew Weight: 380 lb.
More Information
Belzona Marine - Miami Lakes, Florida; 305-512-3200; belzonamarine.com
