Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2006 boat specs
Boston Whaler
Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2006
2006
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VS
Boston Whaler 285 Conquest 2013 boat specs
Boston Whaler
Boston Whaler 285 Conquest 2013
2013
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Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2006 vs Boston Whaler 285 Conquest 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat

The Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2006 vs Boston Whaler 285 Conquest 2013 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2006 at 26,0 ft versus Boston Whaler 285 Conquest 2013 at 27,8 ft. At 49 lbs and 73 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 500 hp, the Boston Whaler 285 Conquest 2013 has a 50-hp advantage over the Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2006's 450-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2006 carries 15 gallons versus 2 gallons in the Boston Whaler 285 Conquest 2013. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2006 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Boston Whaler 285 Conquest 2013 caps at 12. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2006 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2006 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 26,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Boston Whaler 285 Conquest 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 12 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeBoston Whaler
MakeBoston Whaler
Model255 Conquest
Model285 Conquest?
Model Year2006
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 9 in. (2.66 m)
Beam9 ft. 6 in. (2.9 m)
Beam - Meters2.67
Beam - Meters2.9
Beam - Inches105
Beam - Inches114
Bridge clearance - Detail7 ft. 3 in. (2.20 m) With Hard Top: 9 ft. 5 in. (2.87 m)
Bridge clearance - Detail8 ft. 10 in. (2.69 m) with hardtop 9 ft. 4 in. (2.84 m) with radar and spotlight
Bridge clearance - Meters2.87
Bridge clearance - Meters2.84
Bridge clearance - Inches113
Bridge clearance - Inches112
Draft [max] - Detail16 in. (.40 m)
Draft [max] - Detail20 in. (0.5 m) hull only
Draft [max] - Meters0.41
Draft [max] - Meters0.51
Draft [max] - Inches16
Draft [max] - Inches2
Weight - Detail4,900 lbs. (2,222 kg)
Weight - Detail7,300 lbs. (3,311 kg) no engine
Weight - kg2222.6
Weight - kg3311.22
Weight - lbs.49
Weight - lbs.73
Height [transom]25 in. d / 30 in. s (.63 m / .76 m)
Height [transom]25 in. (0.63 m)
Length - Meters8.2
Length - Metersnot available
Length - Feet26
Length - Feet27.83
Length - Inches11
Length - Inchesnot available
Length overall - Detail26 ft. 11 in. (8.20 m)
Length overall - Detail27 ft. 10 in. (8.51 m)
Length overall - Meters8.2
Length overall - Meters8.48
Length overall - Inches323
Length overall - Inches334
Deadrisenot available
Deadrise20°
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard225 XXL OptiMax? Mercury
Engine/s standardDual Mercury? Verado? 225 CXL L6 DTS FourStroke with SmartCraft Deluxe Gauge Package and power steering
Fuel tank capacity - Detail150 gal. (567 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detail200 gal. (757 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Liters567.81
Fuel tank capacity - Liters757.08
Fuel tank capacity - Gal15
Fuel tank capacity - Gal2
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard - Twin
Engine maxMaximum: 450 hp (335 kW) Minimum: 225 hp (167 kW) Maximum Engine Weight: 1,220 lbs. (553 kg)
Engine max500 hp (372 kW) maximum
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Operational Info
Maximum capacity6,100 lbs. (2,766 kg)
Maximum capacity3,968 lbs. (1,800 kg) Swamped Capacity: 2,100 lbs. (952 kg)
Maximum people14
Maximum people12
Water capacitynot available
Water capacity30 gal. (113.5 l)
Holding tank capacity - Detailnot available
Holding tank capacity - Detail6.5 gal. (24.6 l)
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters26.5
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal6.5
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull typenot available
Hull typeDeep Vee

Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2006 vs Boston Whaler 285 Conquest 2013 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2006 or the Boston Whaler 285 Conquest 2013?
The Boston Whaler 285 Conquest 2013 is the longer of the two at 27,8 feet overall. The Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2006 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 1,8 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2006 or the Boston Whaler 285 Conquest 2013?
For trailering, the Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2006 has the edge at 49 lbs dry weight versus 73 lbs for the Boston Whaler 285 Conquest 2013. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Boston Whaler 285 Conquest 2013 is rated to a maximum of 500 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2006 tops out at 450 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2006 is Coast Guard rated for 14 passengers, while the Boston Whaler 285 Conquest 2013 is certified for 12. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The Boston Whaler 285 Conquest 2013 measures 114" wide, compared to 105" for the Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2006. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2006 or the Boston Whaler 285 Conquest 2013?
The Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2006 has the bigger tank at 15 gallons, versus 2 gallons on the Boston Whaler 285 Conquest 2013. That 13-gallon difference translates to roughly 39–65 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2006 and Boston Whaler 285 Conquest 2013 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2006 and the Boston Whaler 285 Conquest 2013 are built by Boston Whaler. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.