2023 Ocean Sport Roamer 30 Boat Test, Pricing, Specs

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overview

Unfortunately, our sea trial of the Ocean Sport Roamer 30 on the Chesapeake did not challenge the Roamer 30. Soft landings in a couple of large boat tows suggested how smoothly its sharp bow and 20-degree transom deadrise would fall into gnarly material. The boat maneuvered well as I simulated careful jigging maneuvers in eddies around large bridge piers and over oyster reefs.

interior and accessories

The Roamer 30’s large cockpit is suitable for all types of fishing. The transom includes a 30 gallon bait tank with raw and fresh water bibs for washing up and a sturdy door to the wide transom platform and engine mount. Padded pads line the pit at thigh height, with fiberglass toe bars underneath that also double as storage for gear like boat hooks. I admired the three-tray, fold-out tackle box and eight-bar rocket launcher on the rear edge of the canopy.

I noticed cavernous storage cabinets with drop-in bins, as well as two 12-volt AGM starter batteries and four 6-volt deep-cycle batteries. A step on each side of the cockpit leads to an 8 inch wide side deck with heavy duty handrails for stepping up and along the cabin to the foredeck. There is plenty of room at the top for brackets to attach kayaks and paddleboards. The forecastle includes an anchor bracket, windlass and locker for plenty of anchorage.

As for cruising accommodations, the Roamer 30 offers a spacious V-berth with under-fore cabin storage, reading lights, a cedar-lined wall cabinet to port and an enclosed head and shower to starboard. Furniture construction corresponds to the high Nordic tractor standard. Headroom taped at 6 feet, 2 inches in the cabin and 6 feet in the head. The wheelhouse/saloon is light, with even more headroom and another sturdy handrail running the full length of the space. The starboard helm station includes a shock absorbing chair designed for long hours. It’s easy to see how well the Ocean Sport Roamer 30 suits fishing and cruising in the Pacific Northwest, but also how well she would suit any other sailing destination on the continent.

Continue reading: SUP and kayak carrying systems for boaters

As we tested

• Engines: Twin 350hp Mercury Verados
• Drive/Props: Outboard/14 ¹/₂” x 17″ Enertia 3 blade stainless steel
• gear ratio: 1.75:1 fuel load: 400 gallons. crew weight: 660 pounds.

highlights

• Sturdy handrails in the right places on deck and in the saloon allow for safe movement in muddy conditions.
• Robust construction and mechanically engineered systems ensure a long service life for the Roamer 30.
• Interior design and amenities reflect the cruise ship experience.

low points

• The underside of the steering wheel obstructs the skipper’s view of the critical bottom line on the sonar.
• No provision for lockable fishing rod storage; Storage boat offers only eight brackets along the aft edge of the wheelhouse.

Toughest competitor

Sea Sport’s 30′ x 10′ Voyager 3000 ($400,000 base with two Suzuki 300s) is another 12,500 pound pilothouse fishing cruiser from the PNW. It shows comparable performance to two Suzuki 300 outboards, offers a similar cruising accommodation plan and a large cockpit for fishing.

prices and specifications

Price:	$539,500 (base MSRP with two 350hp Mercury Verados)
LOA:	30’3″
Beam:	10’9″
Draft (max.):	2’11”
Shift:	12,500 pounds (dry)
Transom Deadrise:	20 degrees
bridge distance:	10’1″
Maximum headroom in the cabin:	6’2″
Fuel Capacity:	400 gallons.
water capacity:	80 gallons.
Maximum HP:	800
Available power:	Two Mercury outboard engines totaling 700 hp; two Volvo penta diesel Z-drives with a total of 580 hp

Speed, efficiency, service

ocean-going pleasure craft – Burlington, Wash.; www.oceansportboats.com