Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2010 vs Boston Whaler 280 Vantage 2022 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2010 vs Boston Whaler 280 Vantage 2022 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.
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 450 hp, the Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2010 has a 200-hp advantage over the Boston Whaler 280 Vantage 2022's 250-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 15 gal and 18 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2010 is rated for 14 passengers, while the Boston Whaler 280 Vantage 2022 caps at 8. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2010 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Boston Whaler 255 Conquest 2010 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 14 passengers and at 26,9 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The Boston Whaler 280 Vantage 2022 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 8 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeBoston Whaler
Makenot available
Model255 Conquest?
Modelnot available
Model Year201
Model Yearnot available
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 9 in. (2.7 m)
Beam9.60 ft
Beam - Meters2.67
Beam - Meters2.93
Beam - Inches105
Beam - Inches115
Bridge clearance - Detail7 ft. 3 in. (2.2 m) 8 ft. 2 in. (2.5 m) with hardtop 9 ft. 6 in. (2.9 m) with radar
Bridge clearance - Detailnot available
Bridge clearance - Meters2.9
Bridge clearance - Metersnot available
Bridge clearance - Inches114
Bridge clearance - Inchesnot available
Deadrise20°
Deadrisenot available
Draft [max] - Detail16 in. (0.40 m) boat only
Draft [max] - Detailnot available
Draft [max] - Meters0.41
Draft [max] - Metersnot available
Draft [max] - Inches16
Draft [max] - Inchesnot available
Weight - Detail4,900 lbs. (2,222 kg) no engine
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg2222.6
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.49
Weight - lbs.not available
Height [transom]25 - 30 in. (0.63 - 0.76 m)
Height [transom]not available
Length - Feet26.92
Length - Feet29.1
Length overall - Detail26 ft. 11 in. (8.2 m) with pulpit 24 ft. 8 in. (7.5 m) hull length
Length overall - Detail29.10 ft
Length overall - Meters8.2
Length overall - Meters8.87
Length overall - Inches323
Length overall - Inches349
Draft Minnot available
Draft Min1.90 ft
Body / Hull
Hull materialFiberglass
Hull materialnot available
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typenot available
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard250 XXL DTS Mercury? Verado? FourStroke
Engine/s standardnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail150 gal. (567 l)
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters567.81
Fuel tank capacity - Liters681.37
Fuel tank capacity - Gal15
Fuel tank capacity - Gal18
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeoutboard
Engine max450 hp (335 kW)
Engine maxnot available
Engine makenot available
Engine makeMercury
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower250 hp
Engine 2 Engine Makenot available
Engine 2 Engine MakeMercury
Engine 2 Horsepowernot available
Engine 2 Horsepower250 hp
Engine 2 Fuel Typenot available
Engine 2 Fuel TypeGas
Engine 2 Drive Typenot available
Engine 2 Drive Typeoutboard
Operational Info
Water capacity20 gal. (76 l)
Water capacity2
Maximum capacity4,300 lbs. (1,950 kg) Swamped Capacity: 6,100 lbs. (2,767 kg)
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum people14
Maximum peoplenot available
Holding tank capacity - Galnot available
Holding tank capacity - Gal6
Holding tank capacity - Litersnot available
Holding tank capacity - Liters22.71
Trailerablenot available
TrailerableYes
Boat typenot available
Boat typePower