Everglades 360 LXC

A new breed of luxury cruiser, the Florida-family fishing boat, emerged in recent years. Most retain angling vestiges such as center-consoles, rod holders, fish lockers and livewells. Yet one of the latest — Everglades’ 360 LXC — utilizes its proven 35-foot-4-inch running surface (found in the 350 LX cruiser and other models) as the basis for a new layout that incorporates luxury and comfort into four sectors.

The 360 LXC features a center-console helm configuration but, like many boats of this ilk, forgoes the walk-around capability on the starboard side. Here you will find a wet bar with a sink and hot and cold fresh water. An Isotherm icemaker nestles below. The console itself features a newly designed 42-inch-wide dash panel that integrates a pair of flat-mounted Garmin 7616 multifunction displays. The Yamaha electronic throttle and shift levers are placed ergonomically on a pod to the right, optimizing control of the triple Yamaha F350 outboards. Our boat (hull No. 1) featured the optional Yamaha Helm Master system ($45,009) with joystick control to help make docking easier.

Helm seating for three features flip-up bolsters and fold-down armrests. While a full windshield is a good idea — check out the one aboard the Jupiter Marine 34 LX ($544,785 similarly equipped but with triple Yamaha F300s) — the forward view on our boat was obstructed by bars and wiper arms. A redesign is in process.

You’ll find one of the most inviting spots forward of the console. This “day area” includes a U-shaped lounge with a pedestal dining table. Convert the lounge to a bed by lowering the motorized table and inserting a filler cushion. Either way, enjoy the 32-inch flat-screen TV that rises from a pod opposite the lounge. In case of inclement weather, you can completely envelope the day area and helm deck with the 360’s standard EZ2CY enclosure. When it’s muggy, turn on the 16,000 btu air-conditioning system, one of two systems (there’s also a 10,000 btu air conditioner for the cabin) powered by a Kohler 7.5 kW gasoline generator for when you’re away from shore power.

Accessible via a pocket door and wide companionway, the step-down cabin features a 75-inch-long angled master berth and a 71-inch-long by 49-inch-wide midcabin berth. With a maximum of 68 inches of headroom, the cabin includes an enclosed head compartment on the port side with a porcelain pump-out marine toilet, a countertop with a sink, and a shower.

A galley to starboard includes a sink, microwave and a refrigerator/freezer. There’s also a 16-inch flat-screen TV that you can enjoy from the comfort of the master berth. An overhead hatch lets you ventilate the cabin on sultry days. Cold storage abounds aboard the 360 LXC, including two fridges topside — one on each side of the covered galley abaft the helm seating — and an 83-quart cooler built into the port gunwale (though we don’t like the icebox drain that dumps onto the deck; Everglades says it will drain overboard in subsequent models). You can opt to change one of the topside fridge units to a wine cooler.

Those who like to barbeque will love the outdoor galley with its electric grill, food-prep counter, sink and faucet — all of which serves as the focal point for the 100-square-foot social area in the aft cockpit.

Wrap-around seating spans 91 inches across the transom and 35 inches along each side. Movable armrests with drink holders let you adapt to suit the occasion. Snap-in woven-grass deck coverings add a touch of class. On sweltering days, extend the SureShade from the hardtop over the aft cockpit.

If it’s really hot, take a dip using the utility door on the port side of the cockpit, which swings inward into a recess in the gunwale (so you can step aboard at a floating dock). A removable dive ladder lets you easily climb back aboard.

The 360’s hardtop features aft-facing LED spreader lights, dome lights, an electronics box and three nonopening sunroofs. LED docking lights help guide you into the slip. A beefy powder-coated aluminum frame supports the fiberglass top, with the middle legs serving as ladders to go aloft. You can order one of two upper stations — the sport ($26,923) or the full ($34,357).

For safety, when going forward to man the anchor (which rests in an in-stem stainless-steel roller), there’s a beefy bow rail. An electric windlass lets you easily deploy and retrieve the ground tackle. All Everglades models reflect the company’s Rapid Molded Core Application Process (RAMCAP) construction. This means the 360 LXC is built around pre-molded high-density foam, which is laid in and then vacuum-bonded to the liner for strength and durability. It also renders the 360 unsinkable.

The boat sliced smoothly through the waves and cornered with the precision reserved for sports cars. After riding in every seat, we could not find an uncomfortable one while underway at speeds in excess of 55 mph.

We looked for some fishing features and spied four gunwale rod holders, but even they doubled as drink holders. To us, the Everglades 360 LXC represents the pinnacle in the evolution of the Florida-family fishing boat. With a great emphasis on luxury, comfort and entertaining, this boat takes the genre to a new plateau.