How good of a cruising area is Tampa Bay? Well, it's the only body of water that has an NFL team named after it (Green Bay is named after the town). Those who boat in the bay have a vast and varied playground at their disposal. If you want to venture off by yourself, there are plenty of isolated anchorages, but if you are in the mood to socialize, there are some great spots to hang with the gang and experience what the Gulf of Mexico does best: Provide sun worshipers with white sandy beaches that have swimmer-friendly, gently sloping drop-offs.

If you catch a day with no wind, you can cruise around in a 14-foot jon boat, but Tampa Bay is a big body of water, so when nature's fan is clicked on high, you had better have a seaworthy vessel. Most bowriders don't fit into that category and are best sui-ted for light lake duty, but Crownline's new 270 BR is a 26-foot runabout that thinks it's an offshore boat.

First impressions are important, and the 270 BR scores high marks for its sleek styling. The pointy snout and highly raked windshield that wraps around the cockpit like a pair of designer sunglasses gives it the predatory look of a performance boat, and armed with a 375-hp, 8.1L Volvo Penta GI power plant, it's no sheep in wolf's clothing. Another pleasant surprise is being able to board without stepping on the plush 34-ounce vinyl upholstery, thanks to the walkthrough at the center of the stern that has an available filler cushion when you need extra seating. The plush standard snap-in Berber carpet invites those who come aboard to kick off their shoes.

Sliding behind the helm is like settling into your favorite chair at home. The adjustable helm seat has a flip-up thigh riser that sports an important difference. Most flip-up bolster seats pivot 90 degrees and are fine if the driver is standing up. But if the pilot sits on the top, they end up getting a sideways wedgie with the skinny end of the cushion. Crownline's wide flip-up section stays parallel and raises the driver 7 inches to provide a comfortable high chair seat that allows better visibility and ventilation as you peer over the windshield. Even though the helm can accommodate a range of drivers from tall to small, the bucket seats can be ordered with a height adjuster for a perfect custom fit. The standard tilt steering wheel is thickly padded and has thumb rests for those who like the nine-and-three driving position. The Faria gauges have stainless-steel bezels that sit in a dash that has a sporty faux Kevlar look. The tach and speedometer sit fairly low and can be partially obscured unless the wheel is sufficiently tilted down, and there are some dash and compass reflections visible in the lightly-tinted windshield, but these minor nitpicks do little to detract from the otherwise ergonomically correct helm design.

After cranking up the engine, the driver engages the Volvo Duoprop outdrive into reverse and eases the beefy bowrider back with a subdued, yet throaty 'chub-chub-chub' sound that measures only 58 decibels at idle. For those who want their presence announced via high performance through-hull exhaust, Corsa's Captain's Call or Quick and Quiet II systems are available as options. The wind is fresh from the southwest at 15 knots as the crew pushes away from the dock at the legendary Renaissance Vinoy Resort that has hosted many celebrities, like Babe Ruth, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Presidents Coolidge and Hoover. It is a suitable disembarking location for the boat that wears a crown. After clearing the marina and advancing the power lever, the Crownline comes smartly on plane and streaks to 30 mph in less than six seconds.

For those who have smaller boats, puttering around this relatively pro-tected section of Tampa Bay isn't a bad way to spend the day. On the starboard side is the futuristic, five-story St. Pete Pier that is a destination in itself, but for those who want to explore and have seaworthy boats, it's just the appetizer before the main course. Rounding the pier, the seas are better than two feet in the open bay and are tightly grouped. But with a 23-degree deep-V deadrise that progresses slightly sharper toward the bow, the Crownline 270 slices through the chop effortlessly. In addition to the soft ride, the driver and co-pilot have bucket seats that have a four-spring, SAS shock-absorbing system that dampens the punishment when things get rough.

Turning the big Volvo loose, the 270 accelerates to more than 50 mph, despite a three-quarters full 88-gallon tank and choppy sea conditions. When all three passengers sit on the starboard side there is a slight list, so the driver looks for trim tab controls that unfortunately aren't there. But they are available as options and should be added, even though the boat runs surprisingly well without them. Handling the Crownline at top speed is about as easy as driving your car on the interstate. Carving hard turns in the 270 BR shows a nimbleness not generally associated with most 5,500-pound boats.

Heading southwest, the 270 BR is pointed toward Egmont Key, one of the best recreational areas accessible by boat only. Approaching the island with a southwestern wind puts you in the lee and is the preferred anchorage for smaller boats, but the most scenic beach is found on the windward side. The best approach is around to the north of the island through Egmont Channel, being careful not to turn too soon to the south. But once on the western side, the water is deep enough for the 270 BR's 38-inch draft. On the weekends in warm weather, you will have plenty of company, but on weekdays like this, you can find a stretch of beach all to yourself.

Anchoring the 270 BR is safer than on a closed-bow boat in rough conditions, because instead of standing on a pitching deck, you just kneel on the bow cushion, flip open the triangular hatch, which can be dogged shut, pull the anchor out of its Danforth cradle and drop it. There is a cutout for the line and the two pop-up bow cleats are very close to the front, so you don't get a lot of side pull when anchoring in rough water, which can generate an uncomfortable sloshing motion. When the hook is set, hopping off the boat to do some beachcombing is simple with the stainless-steel boarding ladder that is neatly concealed under a cover on the roomy swim platform. There is also a pair of storage compartments on the Euro-transom essential for equipment like fenders, ski ropes and vests.

As good as the 270 performs when running, it excels as an entertainment platform. The cockpit features a U-lounge that maximizes the ability to invite all your friends. The large, removable oval-shaped cockpit table is within easy reach of all those seated and stows away neatly in a dedicated storage area under the seats. Crownline's carpeted, under-seat storage compartments open 'backwards' with the hinge toward the centerline and are easy to access because of the pull straps. The sculpted sectional seat cushions are well-padded, have comfortable backrests, and with 16 cupholders scattered about, there is always one within easy reach. A wet bar resides behind the captain's seat and is nicely integrated into the cockpit. Fed by a 20-gallon freshwater tank that also supplies the transom shower and head spigot, you are not likely to leave anyone high and dry. There are two built-in coolers ' one in the bow, one in the cockpit ' in addition to the 25-quart Igloo carry on, so a cold drink is always close by. The roomy head compartment is easy to enter and has a sink and a standard portable head.

After catching some rays and splashing around while listening to the jammin' premium Sony CD stereo, it's time to head back to the Vinoy. This time the driving duties are turned over to the second in command and the captain reclines on the port bow rider seat, which has a backrest with just enough angle for reclining comfort and with enough legroom to accommodate a Shaq-sized passenger. Despite the choppy seas, the rider up front gets a smooth-enough ride to doze off. Soon, they are lacing the Crownline 270 up to the hotel's floating dock after a great day on the water in a boat that is perfect for a big-water place like Tampa Bay.

With the Volvo 8.1L GI DP configuration, the 270 BR is priced at $70,367, which isn't cheap. But in a recent J.D. Powers and Associates survey of Crownline owners, Crownline received no less than a four out of five ratings in boat quality and reliability, value, riding and handling, and overall rating for large runabouts. Only Cobalt scored higher. So while you are paying a premium price, you are getting a superior product, which is not always the case. You can find plenty of boats on the market that cost less, but trying to find one you like better will take some work. And isn't the idea of boating not to work?