Most boaters go to boat shows or look at the brokerage section of magazines to indulge in a little fantasizing, just in case they win the lottery. That delicious daydream is usually dampened when the logical side of the brain overrides the wishful-thinking hemisphere with minor details, like the fact that the chance of you winning 'the big one' is roughly the same as you getting a date with a supermodel. But the next time you engage in some daydreaming, pay attention to what you would be doing on this fantasy boat of yours. When you snap out of it, try to see if there might be a boat that will accomplish many of the same things without costing more than a waterfront 'cottage' on Long Island. You might find yourself looking at Hydra-Sport's new flagship, the Vector 2800 Walkaround.

If you are serious about fishing, the first priority is to have plenty of fighting space, and with the 28-footer's nearly 10-foot beam and helm-forward design, you get enough uncluttered space to hold a championship heavyweight bout. Thigh-high gunwales with cockpit bolster pads and toe rails help make fishing safe and comfortable. The 38-gallon livewell is lit for nighttime excursions, and features rounded edges and a recirculation pump to help keep live bait in prime condition. By placing the livewell in the center of the transom, the 2800 won't list when filled to the brim. Directly adjacent is the bait prep area that has a sink, cutting board and pressurized water spigot for quick cleanups. Two large, long fish boxes with macerating pumps are set into the cockpit sole and are close to the stern so that angry fish can be put into the box before slapping you senseless.

Unlike some larger boats, there are a pair of padded, rearward-facing jump seats that have storage compartments underneath and allow the crew to be able to relax while waiting for the next bite. A stern bench seat gives passengers the best ride on the boat and can be folded neatly away when the fishing starts. With a built-in tackle box, re-rigging is easy and helps to keep cockpit clutter to a minimum. Rod storage isn't a problem with four in-gunwale holders, four under-gunwale racks with bungee cord stays, and five rocket launchers in the optional hardtop, not to mention additional cabin storage racks.

A true dreamboat is one that won't turn into a nightmare when conditions turn bad, and Hydra-Sports has traditionally excelled when the going gets tough. It shouldn't take long to figure out if the Vector 2800 has the right stuff, since conditions for the sea trial are delightfully bad with steep four-foot seas that are turning back boats that can't cut the mustard from the south Florida inlet. The 2800 Walkaround is built like a tank, weighing more than 8,400 pounds with twin Yamaha F225 4-strokes. The deep-V hull is reinforced with Kevlar for added strength, and features Hydra-Sports' Integrated Structural Grid system, which is bonded to the hull with methacrylate adhesive, creating a bond down to the molecular level. Simply put, the occupants will break before the boat does.

Greeting the head seas eagerly, the 2800 does a good job of slicing through the chest high waves. With a 23-degree deadrise at the stern and a sharper entry, you have to drive the boat too fast to get it to slam. The Yamaha F225s are a good match and will provide years of service and save owners money at the pump. The weight of the 2800 helps to keep the boat tracking straight and resists falling off waves when taking them at an angle. At trolling speeds with the beam to the waves, the Hydra-Sports doesn't violently roll from side-to-side, and anglers can stand without holding on to anything. Running downseas, the Vector does a good job of keeping its bow from diving too far into a trough, like some boats with cabins will do. The Yamahas are very responsive and allow the skipper to stay positioned behind a wave when entering the nasty inlet by working the throttles. In the gentler swells inside the inlet, the Vector 2800 starts porpoising, but by using the standard electric trim tabs and finding the right engine trim and speed, the situation is corrected. A floating 2-by-4 allows the driver to demonstrate the 2800's agility, despite its beefy weight.

No fantasy boat would be complete without a well-equipped oasis that can sleep more than one couple, and the 2800 WA comes through again. As you step down, the first thing you notice is the standard 5,000-BTU air conditioning, which is refreshing in more ways than one, since A/C is almost always an option. If you add on a gas generator, that ups the ante $8,000. Immediately on the port is the fully equipped galley that comes with a standard 12-volt refrigerator, butane stove and microwave. For convenience there is a built-in trash receptacle, plenty of storage, twin inlaid countertops, and hot and cold running water in the large, deep sink. The standup head gives bathers the luxury of hot water fed by a 29-gallon tank, but also comes with loads of counter space and storage as well as a VacuFlush head with pumpout. The porthole opens to provide ventilation and natural lighting to augment the electrical fixtures.

The V-berth consists of four thicker-than-usual cushions that fit together well to create a comfortable sleeping surface. The extra width of the 2800 helps to make it possible to sleep beam-to-beam, providing the occupants don't play in the NBA. The bow cushion is a large pie-shaped section that's designed to stay in place, but with the three smaller cushions removed and the pedestal table installed, a five-person dining station is created. The back bolsters are about twice as tall as you will find on most walkarounds, and make it comfortable to scoot back and relax. The real surprise on the 2800 is an amidships berth that can sleep two. The entrance is tall and wide enough to allow guests to enter without looking like they're playing Twister, and while the berth is not particularly wide, it is long enough for a six-footer to stretch out comfortably.

One of the things that will create the illusion that you are on a more expensive boat is a first-class helm station, and Hydra-Sports gives captains a command center that will make driving a pleasure. The custom aluminum wheel is pleasingly plump and will reduce hand fatigue when making long passages, which is possible with its 284-gallon fuel tank. The twin Yamaha controls are ergonomically placed close to the wheel and are some of the best on the market. The only beef with the helm station is that several of the accurate Yamaha gauges are obscured by the big wheel. The electronics box sits high on panel for easy reading, is large enough to fit three large displays, and has a lockable smoked acrylic cover. Owners who select the hardtop option have another lockable box above.

The swivel bucket crew seats are substantial and have firm, thick padding for comfort. The windshield is not very tall and offers limited protection against the elements, but most serious offshore fishermen prefer this arrangement since they don't want to look through glass when trying to find weedlines or follow birds. If you are living the good life, you don't want to do any backbreaking manual labor, so Hydra-Sports throws in an electric windlass as part of the standard package. The switch can be activated from the helm or in the bow, which is easy and safe to get to, with a wide walkaround and tall bowrail.

OK, so you checked the numbers and you didn't win the lottery, but that doesn't mean you can't live like you're on Forbes' list. Hydra-Sports' Vector Series means owners get a boat that's already decked out with the most popular features. The options list is small and includes a choice of hard or soft tops, gas or diesel generators, and different power choices ' but all except one boat sold so far has been rigged with twin Yamaha F225s. Priced with the twin counter-rotating 4-strokes, the Vector 2800 Walkaround goes for $120,364. That's by no means petty cash, but when you take into account the standard features, seaworthiness and widebody space, the Hydra-Sports performs like a much more expensive boat.