Pathfinder 2800 Hybrid

Pathfinder has long held the admiration of saltwater anglers for its high-performance, resin-infused hulls, great fit and finish, and angling features that deliver hard-core fishability in in bay boats and hybrid models.  Now, Pathfinder has put all of this together in its largest model yet—the new 2800 Hybrid. 

The 2800 Hybrid rides on a double-step hull, a design that notches the bottom from chine to chine. This draws air into the water under the hull, aerating the wetted surface and resulting in less friction between hull and water. Typically, all other things being equal, step hulls show a 10 percent gain in speed over non-step hulls. The 2800 Hybrid also tracks safely through aggressive turns with confidence. 

This is the first Pathfinder step-hull to offer twin outboards. A pair of Yamaha 350 hp V-6 outboards on our test boat pushed the 2800 Hybrid to nearly 70 miles per hour in my tests. A twin-engine jackplate can raise the outboards up to 6 inches for shallow-water holeshot. The hull itself boasts a surprising 17-inch draft. This model is also available with a single Yamaha XTO 450. 

Both fore and aft fishing decks are designed with convertible comfort features. Aft, a double-wide couch unfolds from the compact aft casting deck. Bolsters along the gunwales from the aft platform to the front casting platform cushion your legs while fishing. The walkways around the console are wide, allowing an angler and a gaff man to work side by side without crowding each other.

There are two livewells in the cockpit. One is a large, aquarium-like affair in the leaning post module. It has a generous 40-gallon capacity with three acrylic windows to keep a watchful eye on live bait, be it pilchards, ballyhoo or sardines. The other well is in the port side of the aft casting deck and is ideal for crabs or shrimp or even an added number of pilchards. Two large fish lockers reside beneath the deck, one on each side.

On the foredeck there are folding backrests that offer comfortable forward-facing seating when the cushions are added. Cushions are held in place by powerful magnets and can practically be thrown in place. That is a standard feature you can be sure will lengthen the life of cushions, just for the sheer ease of adding or stowing them during fishing. The magnetic attachments are so powerful, the cushions stay in place even at wide open throttle.

Under the forward seats, dry storage lockers can be used to secure rods. Two center storage boxes hold additional gear and a dedicated anchor locker is on the top deck. The deck itself is spacious enough to allow access to the anchor locker while accommodating placement of a 48-volt trolling motor. Batteries are in the floor locker just ahead of the console.

You won’t find a transom door or side door in the 2800, a move which enables the beam-to-beam aft casting deck. It’s an easy step over to a wide transom platform. The platform is uninterrupted by rigging from beam to beam. A boarding ladder is easily deployed from on deck or in the water. The unfettered space under the gunwales enables placement of racks for rod and gaff storage. 

To maintain the plumbing of the livewells, bilge pumps, fuel filters and more, the aft casting deck couch lifts on hinges to provide ample access.

The forward door to the center console offers easy access, swinging to port to reveal two steps down to the head compartment sole. These steps begin before the console “ceiling,” so stepping down can be done without ducking down. Once inside, I found the roomy compartment offers ample headroom. It houses a circuit panel, a plumbed head, a switch for the trolling motor batteries and a storage rack for the oval teak table that, once installed in the foredeck, turns the bow area into a picnic spot.

There are several innovative features in the console. First, a vent in the console door is hidden beneath the seat-back cushion and brings air into the console. Second, the side windows can be opened or removed. The starboard side window allows access to the optional upper station, thanks to ladder steps and a wide passage through the hardtop support structure. Third, a Bowmar sunroof slides back for access to the upper station controls. While there is a bench seat for the upper station, skippers also can stand on the console top to drive while bracing their legs against a swiveling bolster that drops from the underside of the hardtop. A lot of planning went into all of this overall design.

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 At the main helm, we found two 16-inch Garmin displays flush mounted above toggle switches on a stylish black surface. Below the switches, there’s a padded tray with dual magnetic inductive phone chargers. Double captain’s seats are comfortably positioned with flip-up bolsters and folding arm rests. Below the steering wheel are two footrests, one ideally positioned for comfortable sitting and one to brace yourself while standing. A JL Marine Audio system with an optional upgrade adds four extra speakers, two subs and an amp to drive them.

All the casting-deck hatches are guttered and drain to the main deck and aft scuppers, one in each of the aft quarters. Insole hatches have plumbing to carry water overboard. While Pathfinder once used a “sandy grit” nonskid surface, now the decks are covered in flawless diamond plate nonskid; it is so well done that I would hesitate to add EVA foam matting on the deck surfaces.

Specifications

Pathfinder – Fort Pierce, Florida; pathfinderboats.com