Large And In Charge
Azure's behemoth 298 Bowrider may look intimidating, but once you get behind the wheel, it's smooth sailing.
By Randy Scott
When you climb aboard the Azure 298 Bowrider, you’re not exactly sure what to expect. A lot of
bowriders offer plenty of space, but this one offers acreage. At 29 feet in length with an
8-foot-6-inch beam, it’s rated to accommodate 16 passengers and can carry as much as 2,800 pounds
in weight — well over a ton.
That’s a big boat. Yet, when you hop aboard, it doesn’t feel nearly that big. And, better still, when you crank the engine and take it for a spin, it doesn’t feel unwieldy either. To the contrary, you’re taken aback by its nimble handling. For such a long boat, it planes quickly — so quickly, in fact, you switch your wristwatch to stopwatch mode and push the start button at the same moment you push the throttle all the way forward. The bow rises, but you observe that forward visibility is only lost for a couple of seconds before the bow begins to drop. In approximately 5 seconds, the boat has planed-off, and you start working the trim button to keep the bow out of the water for optimum cruising performance. Needless to say, you’re impressed.
You throttle the engine — in this case, a 375-hp MerCruiser 496 Mag — up to about 3500 rpm, which is generally an efficient cruising speed. The ride is smooth and stable. You feel comfortable behind the wheel, so you begin to put the boat through the paces by turning the steering wheel to port, progressively trimming in, and then tightening your turning radius until the boat is nearly turning in its own length. No prop ventilation. Sweet. You perform the same maneuver in the other direction and get the same mannerly results. Retrieving a fallen skier in crowded waters won’t be a problem, you conclude.
Feeling comfortable with the 298’s performance up to this point, you wonder how it’ll handle rough water. Your series of tight turns has created an area of tumultuous water, so you run out a little ways, turn around and head right for it. The 298 slices right through the chop with nary a bump in the ride, and you’re liking it more and more.
Finally, it’s time to see what this little jewel will do at wide-open throttle, so you find a clear stretch of water and hammer the throttle. The Azure roars to life, and soon you approach the engine’s peak rpm, at which point you begin to play with the trim setting while simultaneously monitoring the speedometer. Before long, you’ve got the trim set at a level where you’re getting the most speed, which is in the neighborhood of an invigorating 56 mph. The ride is free but controlled, and you can’t hold back from grinning.
As you return to the dock, you’re pleased the 298 doesn’t have any low-speed maneuvering quirks to make you look any worse at docking than you are. The integrated swim step — although very large — tapers in at the corners, which reduces the chance of banging the swim platform when reversing toward or pulling away from the dock. Smart.
Once you’re tied securely to the dock, it’s time to peruse the interior. You’re first drawn to the transom area, where you notice that the stylish swim platform looks sculpted rather than designed in the unappealing “lip-style” common to some boats. And the recessed swim ladder is mounted on the tapered section so swimmers can board away from the propeller, which is another good idea. A double-wide passenger seat sits atop the engine compartment and is designed with a swiveling backrest that allows you to face forward or aft, and folds flat to create a sunlounge. You envision yourself sitting here with your favorite beverage watching the sunset from a quiet cove.
Continuing your self-guided tour, you notice the 298’s seats have an aesthetic appeal that complements their comfortable ergonomic design. Seat backs are hinged to open wide for unparalleled access to the storage compartments they conceal. You later learn Azure designed the cockpit with the helm station located further back than on many bowriders to create a more functional bow area that can accommodate more passengers.
You like the layout of the refreshment center, which runs along the starboard gunwale. It’s not too big, yet it’s functional with a sink, freshwater faucet, bottle holders and storage cabinet. The boat also comes with an integrated 48-quart cooler fit to accommodate a small army. The enclosed head with screened port and sink is another convenience. You step inside and are pleased with the room it offers.
Storage is always a concern when you have a boat capable of carrying 16 passengers, and as you start lifting seat cushions and opening hatches, you see the 298 offers a considerable amount of it. There are three in-sole compartments alone — including one that’s designed with brackets to hold a water ski upside down and elevated above the sole so it can drip dry.
The BW test boat includes an optional aluminum radar arch that seems right at home on this 29-footer. A clever design allows it to double as a wakeboard tower with a light on top that also serves as a tow bar.
With your tour complete, you conclude that the 298 is an impressively large bowrider capable of hosting your next family reunion. And it does so with panache, not just utilitarian function. And the performance? It’s so nice you untie the 298 and take it out for another run.
The Verdict
Looks can definitely be deceiving when it comes to Azure’s 29-foot 298 Bowrider, because this big boat still gives passengers a controlled and smooth ride just like its smaller counterparts. A swimmer’s delight, the 298 has a stylish swim platform and convenient swim ladder constructed with safety in mind. With more than enough space on board, especially in the bow area, it’s your ticket for entertaining a crowd.
Azure 298 Bowrider
LOA
29'
Beam 8'6"
Weight 5,885 lbs.
Fuel 70 gal.
Top Speed 58.4 mph* (w/420-hp, 8.1L Volvo Penta GXi)
Base Price $63,565 (w/300-hp, 5.7L Volvo Penta Gi)
Price As Tested $76,899 (w/375-hp MerCruiser 496 Mag)
Hull Warranty Limited Lifetime
*Top speed provided by Azure
Azure Boats, 2800 Marina Drive, Elkhart, IN 46514, (574) 264-6336, www.azureboats.com
That’s a big boat. Yet, when you hop aboard, it doesn’t feel nearly that big. And, better still, when you crank the engine and take it for a spin, it doesn’t feel unwieldy either. To the contrary, you’re taken aback by its nimble handling. For such a long boat, it planes quickly — so quickly, in fact, you switch your wristwatch to stopwatch mode and push the start button at the same moment you push the throttle all the way forward. The bow rises, but you observe that forward visibility is only lost for a couple of seconds before the bow begins to drop. In approximately 5 seconds, the boat has planed-off, and you start working the trim button to keep the bow out of the water for optimum cruising performance. Needless to say, you’re impressed.
You throttle the engine — in this case, a 375-hp MerCruiser 496 Mag — up to about 3500 rpm, which is generally an efficient cruising speed. The ride is smooth and stable. You feel comfortable behind the wheel, so you begin to put the boat through the paces by turning the steering wheel to port, progressively trimming in, and then tightening your turning radius until the boat is nearly turning in its own length. No prop ventilation. Sweet. You perform the same maneuver in the other direction and get the same mannerly results. Retrieving a fallen skier in crowded waters won’t be a problem, you conclude.
Feeling comfortable with the 298’s performance up to this point, you wonder how it’ll handle rough water. Your series of tight turns has created an area of tumultuous water, so you run out a little ways, turn around and head right for it. The 298 slices right through the chop with nary a bump in the ride, and you’re liking it more and more.
Finally, it’s time to see what this little jewel will do at wide-open throttle, so you find a clear stretch of water and hammer the throttle. The Azure roars to life, and soon you approach the engine’s peak rpm, at which point you begin to play with the trim setting while simultaneously monitoring the speedometer. Before long, you’ve got the trim set at a level where you’re getting the most speed, which is in the neighborhood of an invigorating 56 mph. The ride is free but controlled, and you can’t hold back from grinning.
As you return to the dock, you’re pleased the 298 doesn’t have any low-speed maneuvering quirks to make you look any worse at docking than you are. The integrated swim step — although very large — tapers in at the corners, which reduces the chance of banging the swim platform when reversing toward or pulling away from the dock. Smart.
Once you’re tied securely to the dock, it’s time to peruse the interior. You’re first drawn to the transom area, where you notice that the stylish swim platform looks sculpted rather than designed in the unappealing “lip-style” common to some boats. And the recessed swim ladder is mounted on the tapered section so swimmers can board away from the propeller, which is another good idea. A double-wide passenger seat sits atop the engine compartment and is designed with a swiveling backrest that allows you to face forward or aft, and folds flat to create a sunlounge. You envision yourself sitting here with your favorite beverage watching the sunset from a quiet cove.
Continuing your self-guided tour, you notice the 298’s seats have an aesthetic appeal that complements their comfortable ergonomic design. Seat backs are hinged to open wide for unparalleled access to the storage compartments they conceal. You later learn Azure designed the cockpit with the helm station located further back than on many bowriders to create a more functional bow area that can accommodate more passengers.
You like the layout of the refreshment center, which runs along the starboard gunwale. It’s not too big, yet it’s functional with a sink, freshwater faucet, bottle holders and storage cabinet. The boat also comes with an integrated 48-quart cooler fit to accommodate a small army. The enclosed head with screened port and sink is another convenience. You step inside and are pleased with the room it offers.
Storage is always a concern when you have a boat capable of carrying 16 passengers, and as you start lifting seat cushions and opening hatches, you see the 298 offers a considerable amount of it. There are three in-sole compartments alone — including one that’s designed with brackets to hold a water ski upside down and elevated above the sole so it can drip dry.
The BW test boat includes an optional aluminum radar arch that seems right at home on this 29-footer. A clever design allows it to double as a wakeboard tower with a light on top that also serves as a tow bar.
With your tour complete, you conclude that the 298 is an impressively large bowrider capable of hosting your next family reunion. And it does so with panache, not just utilitarian function. And the performance? It’s so nice you untie the 298 and take it out for another run.
The Verdict
Looks can definitely be deceiving when it comes to Azure’s 29-foot 298 Bowrider, because this big boat still gives passengers a controlled and smooth ride just like its smaller counterparts. A swimmer’s delight, the 298 has a stylish swim platform and convenient swim ladder constructed with safety in mind. With more than enough space on board, especially in the bow area, it’s your ticket for entertaining a crowd.
Azure 298 Bowrider
LOA
29'
Beam 8'6"
Weight 5,885 lbs.
Fuel 70 gal.
Top Speed 58.4 mph* (w/420-hp, 8.1L Volvo Penta GXi)
Base Price $63,565 (w/300-hp, 5.7L Volvo Penta Gi)
Price As Tested $76,899 (w/375-hp MerCruiser 496 Mag)
Hull Warranty Limited Lifetime
*Top speed provided by Azure
Azure Boats, 2800 Marina Drive, Elkhart, IN 46514, (574) 264-6336, www.azureboats.com
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