VECTRA 2290 CC OB

Although Vectra has fielded a fish ‘n’ ski bowrider before, this is its first venture into the center console bay boat market, and with it, the company brings a fresh approach to family fishing. What first grabs your eye is the flat casting deck up front that has an under-deck livewell, a fishing chair receiver and a boarding ladder – a rarity for a fishing boat. Just behind the foredeck is a comfortable sideways lounge and also a nice rearward-facing seat.

Some of Vectra’s pleasureboat mind-set is apparent in the inclusion of a stand-up head compartment in front of the center-mounted console that’s the perfect size for this 22-footer. The basic helm station has plenty of room for flush-mounted electronics like the Lowrance CC X-38c HD unit installed on our test boat.

The captain and his best fishing buddy sit on a flip-back helm bench that does double duty as a rearwardfacing fishing chair when at rest. Underneath the seat is an Igloo marine cooler with a 68-quart capacity that’s a little hard to access. The large helm seat and fixed stern jump seats make it hard to move around the stern.

In addition to the T-top rod holders, as well as those on top and underneath the gunwale, a clever fishing feature is the flip-up transom bait cutting board that stays out of your way when not in use. There’s another livewell back here along with room for another fishing chair.

Powering the Vectra 2290 test boat is Yamaha’s F225 four-stroke that gives this bay boat plenty of kick. We planed with moderate bowrise in just 2.8 seconds and hit 30 mph in 6.6 seconds. Top speed was an impressive 50.4 mph in the chop, which the Vectra handled fairly well, considering its relatively flat 13-degree deadrise. Hard turns prompted some ventilation, but unless your hat flies off at top speed, it’s not a maneuver often done in this sort of boat.