The 230CX feels more spacious than glancing at the boat’s specs would indicate. Its length is listed at 22 feet, 8 inches, but the integrated swim platform—with boarding ladder, anchor storage, and starboard transom door—was designed to feel like an extension of the cockpit, essentially adding 18 more inches at the stern.
At the bow, there’s a stainless-steel anchor roller and dedicated anchor locker with overboard drain. Its covering hatch is part of an elevated platform—leveled with the top of the gunwales—large enough to afford stable footing for cast-netting bait. Twin forward-facing seats double as loungers thanks to armrests and bolster cushions. Insulated compartments with overboard drainage under the seats serve as dry storage or fish boxes to ice down the day’s catch. A removable table with drink holders facilitates sharing cold beverages and snacks, and a filler panel with cushion quickly turns the bow lounge into a social zone for three or four.
The EdgeWater clearly places a premium on comfort. It boasts a family-friendly, dual-console layout that puts a fully finished head compartment with port-a-potty opposite the helm, across the center aisle permitting transit from bow to stern through a door that works with the ClearView glass windshield’s hinged center panel to block the weather when closed. The fiberglass hardtop with powder-coated aluminum frame is standard. It offers additional shelter from the elements and provides an electronics box, spreader lights and nifty grab rails overhead, plus allows mounting of optional outriggers and weather curtains.
The helm houses a Ritchie compass, hydraulic tilt steering, 12-volt outlet, drink holder, catch for mobile devices, indicator switches for the recessed electric trim tabs and, on the dash, a full-width panel of waterproof switches, digital multifunction gauge, and enough room for a 12-inch multifunction display, plus stereo or VHF radio, with extra mounting space provided by the electronics box overhead.
The helm seat includes a flip-down bolster and armrests and is mounted on a fiberglass module with a strategically located prep station in back, complete with sink, cutting board, freshwater sprayer, dual cup holders, and cooler-storage slide. Portside companion seating backs up to a similar seat with a storage drawer beneath. The backrest that divides them flips down to form a bench facing the cockpit, where there’s additional seating for three with a sizable storage compartment inside, and a smaller compartment next to it that can be plumbed as an optional 28-gallon livewell to supplement the dedicated 12-gallon oval livewell on the port transom corner.
Underwater lights add to the dock appeal, and also attract bait and curious gamefish at night. Lighting under the gunwales brightens up the cockpit, and a raw-water washdown simplifies cleanup. Six combination drink/rod holders line the covering boards, increasing the rod storage, which also includes horizontal racks for three rods on the starboard gunwale, and four optional flush-mount holders on the transom, where you also find a retractable ski pilon. Other options include a fore and aft shade system, and anchor windlass.
Upon completion of our dockside survey, we took the EdgeWater out for a spin on the Indian River, where its snazzy performance made an otherwise dreary day fun. Pushed by 250 horses (max rating is 300), the 23-footer jumped through every hoop with the desired aplomb and precision.
The single-piece infused crossover hull cut through wakes at speed without pounding, creaking or rattling. Splash, which started even with the dash at planing speed and behind the helm seats when running wide open, was negligible, essentially stopped in its tracks by the boat’s design and configuration.
Handling was predictable, and the turning radius surprisingly tight. The electronically assisted steering completely eliminated feedback and torque on the wheel during abrupt turns. Acceleration proved better than average. It took the EdgeWater 9.1 seconds to go from still to 30 mph, and at wide-open throttle with three people on board, we clocked the boat at a smidgen over 42 mph, certainly zippy enough for most recreational activities.
With so much to offer in a boat this size, the latest EdgeWater is bound to be a crowd-pleaser. Anyone looking for a fun and dependable multitasker that won’t break the bank should check out the 230CX and take one for a ride.
Specs
Length: 22’8″
Beam: 8’6″
Draft: 15″
Deadrise: 23 degrees
Fuel: 106 gal.
Weight: 4,623 lb.
Max HP: 300
Price: $127,600 w/ Yamaha F250
EdgeWater Boats: ewboats.com
Test Conditions
Weather: Cloudy
Location: Edgewater, Florida
Wind: Southwest 6 knots
Sea State: Smooth
Test Load: Three adults, 44 gallons of fuel
