Boston Whaler 320 Vantage wins 2015 Miami Boat Show Innovation Award

[Serious News]

Boston Whaler's new 320 Vantage debuted at the Miami International Boat Show to an attentive audience of boating enthusiasts and members of the press - and it did so bearing one of the industry's most coveted accolades: an Innovation Award in the Deck Boats category from the National Marine Manufacturer's Association (NMMA).

"We're honored to have received the Innovation Award for our newest Vantage," said Boston Whaler President Huw Bower. "The 320 Vantage represents the next generation of design ingenuity and capability for Boston Whaler, so we're thrilled to have this award crowning its introduction to the market."

Standout elements of the 320 Vantage include its portside companion seating, a remarkably versatile feature that converts to form multiple configurations, including a sprawling sunpad and various social setups. In addition, the forward seat is electrically actuated and can be used with bolsters up while running. The roomy open bow is another graciously designed space, with amenities including a large integrated cooler and lounges with back- and armrests.

Additional features lend comfort and convenience on all-day outings, including spacious port and starboard console compartments with a convertible berth and a well-equipped head, respectively; and a cockpit utility center with sink, cooler and storage, plus an optional grill and refrigerator, for easy entertaining. And thanks to Whaler's exclusive Unibond® construction and superior dual-console design, the 320 Vantage provides a remarkably soft, safe, dry ride, and smooth, predictable handling-key selling points for families with children and hardcore anglers alike. Two reliable and quiet Mercury® Verado outboards fuel the fun.

"The Vantage series has always been about multi-functionality, offering a 'new view on the possible,'" said Jeff Vaughn, Boston Whaler's Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Customer Service. "The 320 Vantage expands those possibilities even further, with sophisticated design solutions and comfort-minded features that make the boat as well suited for serious fishing and watersports activities as it is for leisurely cruising and entertaining."

2015 marks the third consecutive year Boston Whaler has received an Innovation Award. "This winning streak is significant because it mirrors our trajectory as a company," said Bower. "For the past several years we have been experiencing unprecedented growth, such that Boston Whaler, with the full support of our parent company, Brunswick, recently invested 10 million dollars into a major expansion of our manufacturing facilities, including the addition of more than 120 jobs. To achieve this level of success in today's economic climate is a testament to our fantastic team, and to the extraordinary new ideas and new solutions put forth by our talented engineers, designers and builders."

The Innovation Awards program, organized by the NMMA and judged by Boating Writers International (BWI), recognizes products that best meet criteria including innovative distinction from other products currently being manufactured; benefit to the marine industry and/or consumer; practicality; and cost-effectiveness. The judging committee is comprised of BWI members who perform product testing throughout the year and have specific expertise in marine products. This year's contest featured a record number of entries, up 68 percent compared to last year, making Boston Whaler's win even more notable.

"The 320 Vantage signifies our investment in smart design and purposeful innovation-innovation that improves the boating experience and continues to push the boundaries of what's possible," said Bower. "We're pleased to earn recognition from the NMMA that our efforts have again hit the mark."

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[Serious News]

Boston Whaler unveils new 320 Vantage at the Miami International Boat Show

Boston Whaler

MIAMI, Fla. — When Boston Whaler introduced the Vantage® series less than three years ago, it changed the game for dual-console capability, offering a new view on the possible. The 270 and 230 Vantage were met with raves from customers and acclaim from the industry for their innovative design and remarkable versatility. This Thursday, February 12, the next evolution makes its debut at the Miami International Boat Show: the all-new 320 Vantage.

“We’re thrilled to introduce this larger and even more sophisticated Vantage model,” said Boston Whaler President Huw Bower. “In the same way that its predecessors offered customers true ‘no-compromises’ boating, the 320 Vantage balances comfort and ease with rugged, multifaceted performance. And it builds on that winning formula with advances in design and technology that thoroughly empower active families.”

Cutting-edge features and amenities are the hallmarks of this multicapable model. For instance, the next-generation portside companion seating is more versatile than ever: Two spacious benches convert seamlessly to form multiple configurations— facing forward or aft, combined to form a huge sun lounge, with bolsters up, with or without the aft ottoman engaged…the list goes on. In fact, innovative seating can be found throughout the boat. The Vantage’s convertible aft bench seat, with its elevated backrest, offers a comfortable place to stretch out, and folds neatly away to maximize cockpit space. The roomy open bow is another inviting place to relax, thanks to amenities including a large integrated cooler, port and starboard lounges with back- and armrests, and optional JL Audio® speakers.

For entertaining, the cockpit utility center with electric grill, fridge and sink can feed a crowd—and can be optioned as a complete fish prep station. A new cockpit sunshade deploys electronically from the 320’s hardtop to extend protection all the way to the aft bench. The boat also features a starboard dive/boarding door with a removable stainless-steel ladder for easy access to and from the water.

“The utility of this boat is incredible, and never at the expense of its comfort,” said Jeff Vaughn, Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Customer Service. “We have listened to the customer and factored in everything we know about how our boaters actually use their boats. The result is a sense of ease that makes the 320 Vantage a perfect platform for just about any on-water activity.”

Dual console compartments provided added comfort for every member of the crew. The generous starboard head console is equipped with all the conveniences, while the portside console features a convertible berth and fold-up table, making it a prime place to sneak in a nap or take a break from the midday sun.

And thanks to Whaler’s exclusive Unibond® construction and superior dual-console design, the 320 Vantage provides a remarkably soft, safe, dry ride, and smooth, predictable handling—key selling points for families with children and hardcore anglers alike. At the helm, a state-of-the-art VesselView display and available Raymarine® navigation electronics offer seamlessly integrated control. And strong, reliable and quiet Mercury Verado® outboards efficiently power all-day watersports, leisurely cruises and serious fishing runs.

“The Miami Boat Show attracts a huge audience of discerning customers from around the world, making it the perfect venue in which to debut a model as
spectacular as the 320 Vantage,” said Bower. “With Vantage, we offered a new view on the possible. With the 320, we’re pleased to expand that view even further.”

For more information, please contact Traci Davis at (386) 409-6419 or by email at tdavis@whaler.com.