Pathfinder 2300 HPS: Take Flight
With Yamaha’s fast and efficient SHO outboards, this bay boat has wings.
October 25, 2011
Pathfinder is known for building high-performance bay boats, but their new 2300 HPS takes it a step farther—literally. Designed specifically to match a range of Yamaha’s new four-stroke SHO outboards, the 2300 HPS combines a bustled (bump-out) transom with a stepped hull bottom. Net result? You’d better shout “Hold on!” before you slam the throttle down on the dash, or your passengers could end up on the wrong side of that transom.
The Pathfinder 2300 HPS is set up for a range of Yamaha outboards from 150 hp to the 300-hp F300XCA, shown above.
One of the traits of these new motors is awesome acceleration, which matches that of a two-stroke. Combine the 2300 HPS hull with a Yahama VF250 and you have a boat that jumps out of the hole in less than three seconds, accelerates to 30 mph in a hair over six seconds, and continues gaining speed until topping 63 mph.
Another beautiful thing about a stepped design, however, is that it may also result in a fuel economy boost. Even at blazing-fast speeds the 23 HPS nets close to three mpg. At a very reasonable 3000 rpm, 31.6-mph cruise, it gets darn near five mpg.
The Pathfinder features plenty of well-gasketed stowage areas, including locking rod boxes.
If performance like this in a bay boat designed for hard-core saltwater anglers doesn’t get you excited, you’re either chronically landlocked or you’ve probably stopped breathing. The rest of us will want to take note of the Pathfinder’s equipment. It comes with a thorough list of items included as standard features, such as a six-inch hydraulic jack plate with blinker-style controls, a leaning post with four rocket launchers, console rodracks, locking rodboxes (which can hold fly rods up to nine feet long), hydraulic steering, a raw-water washdown, and a 35-gallon lighted livewell. The only must-have item that’s an option is the compass.
The boat’s layout is meant to maximize fishing, period. The foredeck is roomy enough for two anglers, gunwales are walk-around wide, and both fore and aft decks are rigged with pop-up hardware to prevent snags with your fishing line. There’s even a slight lip around the casting decks, so fly anglers don’t have to worry about stripped line sliding overboard as they struggle with snook, tarpon, and the like.
The 2300 HPS is constructed in pure Pathfinder style, which starts off with a hull mold that’s framed in steel to prevent distortion and variances from boat to boat. Coring is PVC expanded-particle foam, the stringers and transom are all-composite, and the nickel-tinned wire harnesses have water-tight Deutsch connectors leading to waterproof, breaker-equipped switch panels. The livewell plumbing system is particularly well built and designed with sea strainers and shut-off valves at the intakes, and cartridge-style pumps that can be replaced in a matter of seconds.They say you’ve got to crawl before you can walk, but who cares—we die-hard bay anglers don’t want to walk our way to the fishing grounds, we want to fly out there ahead of the competition. With the 2300 HPS, Pathfinder has taken the steps to get you your wings. Just remember to hold on when you slam down the throttle.
Comparison shoppers will want to see the Hydra-Sports 23 Bay Bolt, Ranger 2310 Bay Ranger, and Scout 240 Bay Scout.
For more information, visit Pathfinder Boats.
—Lenny Rudow
