Surefire Satisfaction: When it comes to sport utility, Concept's 326 gets the job done.

Our test team didn't even have to move Concept's 326 from the docks at the Hyatt in Sarasota, Fla., to notice that the center-console had the makings of an excellent sport-utility boat.

The 32-footer was designed to get the most out of fishing and diving trips. It was loaded with stowage for rods, bait and gear, featured a thick strip of cushioned padding along the gunwales and included seating for eight.

But it wasn't until we took it out for evaluations that we realized the $147,000 utility boat stood out in the performance department as well.

PERFORMANCE
The deep-V hull was equipped with a pair of exceptionally quiet 250-horsepower Verado outboards from Mercury Marine. The power plants, which were spinning 23"-pitch Mercury Mirage Plus propellers, produced solid acceleration numbers.

Going from 30 to 50 mph took 5.8 seconds and from 40 to 60 mph needed 10.6 seconds. From a standing start, the center-console was running nearly 50 mph in 10 seconds and in twice that time it was going 62 mph.

Top speed in the center-console was a solid 67.1 mph at 6,300 rpm. As the boat approached its top speed it developed a slight porpoise but a little trim tab was all that was needed to settle it down.

The V-bottom got on plane in 3.2 seconds with the tabs dragging. During handling drills, the 326 had great manners, turning precisely to input from our test drivers. Also worth noting was the smooth power steering the Verados offered.

Our observers also praised the visibility at the helm and when the water got a little bumpy, they used the grab handle on the console.

For buyers who will likely use the Concept 326 for fishing, the V-bottom offered good range. At 55 mph, the boat could run more than 350 miles with its 220-gallon tank full. Slow it down to an average speed of 45 mph and the boat has a 440-mile range.

WORKMANSHIP
From what we've seen from Concept, the builder consistently does top-notch mold work. The 326 was no different with the red, black and gray graphics done in paint. To protect the work, there was a rubrail with a rubber insert.

Our test model was laid up with Hydrex vinylester resin and various layers of fiberglass. The builder cored the boat with Divinycell and Coosa high-density foam. Nonskid covered the boat's spacious sole.

The center-console included an aluminum arch with a red bimini top over the helm. The forward-leaning arch was powder-painted white to match the gelcoat and situated on top were two VHF antennas and a navigation light.

A tinted, acrylic windshield sat atop the helm and featured a small bench seat in front. Access to the underside of the dash was easy via a port-side stowage compartment. Our workmanship inspector was especially impressed with the orderly wiring arrangement. In fact, our inspector gave the 326 the highest ratings for overall construction, attention to detail and fit and finish.

Hardware on the 326 included five Accon Pull-Up cleats - a pair on each gunwale and one on the bow - stainless-steel twist latches on all the stowage hatches, a navigation light on the bow and a couple of heavy-duty, aluminum, powder-painted handrails around the front section.

The engines were installed on an integrated aluminum platform from the transom, which had grab handles on each side and was finished in red nonskid.

INTERIOR
Inside, we found abundant and easily accessible stowage. Along with the head compartment at the bow, Concept's 326 featured eight lockers of varying sizes on the deck, all of which were finished off and self-draining.

On top of the transom were three more stowage wells - the two on the outside lifted out, providing access to the batteries, and the rectangular one in the center had a clear lid.

Just ahead of the transom was seating for three, which consisted of two dropout benches. The benches' W-shape, anodized red bases flipped up toward the bottoms, which folded down toward the transom. The padded backrest and armrests were mounted to the transom and gunwales, respectively, and featured two-tone red and white upholstery. A pair of anodized red cupholders sat in each armrest.

Passengers could also hold onto the handles on the back of the two bolster-style seats at the helm, which was the boat's centerpiece.

The helm was comfortable and the manual dropout bolsters shared an armrest. The Mercury throttles and shifters were in an extension from the helm, which tied into the bolsters.

Our testers felt the dash layout worked well on the center-console. The SmartCraft gauges sat in chrome and red bezels in a panel ahead of the tilt steering wheel, and the Ritchie compass and trim indicators were mounted on top of the dash in front of the windscreen.

Directly in front of the steering wheel, aft of the accessory switches were a pair of anodized red cupholders. A small glove box on the observer's side of the helm included the stereo system and a VHF radio.

Accompanying the bench seat in front of the helm, which included a cooler under the cushion, were two rear-facing seats on each side of the head compartment in the bow.

The 326 offered plenty of rod stowage with cutouts in the gunwales for a couple of rods, as well as rod receptacles mounted on top of each gunwale.

OVERALL
There's no doubt that this boat was built for the sporting enthusiast. Whether the activity involves fishing or diving, the Concept 326 was as durable and practical as they come.

There's a lot to like about a boat that can handle rough water, has a pair of quiet and dependable engines and can be washed out with a garden hose.

TEST RESULTS

TEST CONDITIONS

HULL INFORMATION

PRICING INFORMATION

ENGINE & PROPELLER

OPTIONS ON TEST BOAT
Upgrade to twin Mercury 250 Verado engines ($12,779), graphics ($9,800), arch with bimini ($5,095), dual bolster ($4,651), CD stereo system ($1,657), tab indicators ($1,459), freshwater shower ($695), dual antennas on arch ($641), two-tone upholstery ($600), tilt wheel ($520), VHF radio ($480), Livorsi Marine gauges ($352) and anodized bezels ($340).

ACCELERATION

MIDRANGE ACCELERATION

RPM VS. MPH

TOP SPEED AT RPM

PLANING

FUEL ECONOMY
At 25 mph - 2.5 mpg
At 35 mph - 2.3 mpg
At 45 mph - 2 mpg
At 55 mph - 1.6 mpg
At 65 mph - 1.2 mpg
At WOT - 1.2 mpg

FUEL CAPACITY
220 gallons

TEST CONDUCTED AT
Sarasota, Florida

MANUFACTURER
Concept Boats, Dept. PB, 2741 S. Brink Ave., Sarasota, FL 34239, 888-635-8712, www.conceptboats.com

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