Robalo R360

Purpose-built for serious anglers, the R360 packs performance into robalo’s most ambitious build yet

By Gary Reich

December 9, 2020

When it comes to fishing boats, it’s difficult to beat the brand recognition and reputation enjoyed by Robalo Boats, which has been building solid, value-focused craft for anglers for more than 50 years. The latest to join the stable is the company’s largest boat to date: the Robalo R360 center console.

“Robalo is known for heavy-duty construction, legendary rides and an unwavering desire to stay on the cutting edge of innovation,” says Buck Pegg, Robalo’s executive vice president. “Our team is thrilled to provide the R360 as a world-class fishing boat to our customers who view fishing as a way of life along with those who use it as a way to escape.”

This flagship is the first Robalo to feature a stepped hull. It rides on double steps and a Kevlar-reinforced hull with an aggressive, 23-degree transom deadrise. The Michael Peters-designed steps bolster performance and efficiency while the heavy dose of deadrise allows the R360 to easily slice through a steep offshore chop.

The R360 is available with twin or triple outboards, up to a maximum of 1,200 hp. Standard power is a pair of 300-hp Yamaha F300 4-strokes. Triple 300-hp Yamaha outboards are an option. Yamaha’s intuitive Helm Master joystick control is standard for both twin- and triple-engine setups, and it should make it easier to stay on the fish, pull into your home slip or belly up to the fuel dock.

The 11-foot, 4-inch beam provides oodles of room inside the gunwales for fishing and family fun. Forward is an elevated, U-shaped social zone with twin forward-facing chaise lounges, bolstered backrests around its rim and a two-person chaise. A drop-in table completes the area. Alternatively, the cushions can be removed and the tabletop dropped to create a casting platform.

In the cockpit is an aft-facing, three-person bench behind a bank of three bolstered helm chairs, all covered by a standard fiberglass hardtop. A drop-down transom bench seats three. Adding to the R360’s comfort is a mini-cabin under the console with a sink, head, flip-up bench seat and a modest, upholstered berth.

Anglers will appreciate several standard fishing features. These include twin 100-gallon in-deck fish boxes; rod holders from stem to stern; twin 30-gallon livewells; two diver doors on each side of the cockpit; standard electric reel power outlets; and a 65-quart YETI cooler. A Simrad electronics package with twin 16-inch multifunction displays, radar, autopilot, sonar and VHF radio also is standard.

Though pricing was not available when this issue wrapped, you’d be hard-pressed to find a fishboat in the 36-foot range with as many standard features as the R360. Factor in the Michael Peters hull, robust construction and Yamaha power and it seems Robalo may have a hit on its hands.