Boat & Sail

Builder · Mid · Nashville, Georgia

Robalo

Mid-tier center-console builder, founded 1968. Owned by Marine Products Corporation (same parent as Chaparral and Blackfin). Saltwater fishing focus, value-priced against Whaler and Grady.

Robalo center console at offshore cruise
Founded
1968
Headquarters
Nashville, Georgia
Ownership
Marine Products Corporation
Tier
Mid
Website
robalo.com

Robalo is the mid-tier saltwater center-console line under Marine Products Corporation, the same parent that owns Chaparral and Blackfin. Founded in 1968, the brand has been part of MPC since 1995. Production happens at the MPC plant in Nashville, Georgia.

The brand argument is value: Robalo center consoles run 15 to 25 percent below equivalent Grady-White or Whaler hulls and target the same saltwater-fishing buyer. The trade is slightly less premium fit and finish and a softer resale curve. The hull form is a moderate-V designed for inshore-to-coastal use.

Our reviews

Robalo hulls we have on the water.

Robalo R230

Robalo

Robalo R230

The Robalo R230 ranked #3 in our best center consoles 2026 guide. The mid-tier 23-footer that fishes four and runs nearshore for half the Whaler price.
Robalo R242

Robalo

Robalo R242

Ranked #6 in our best center consoles under 30 ft 2026 guide. The R242 is the value-tier answer at 24 feet, and the boat that turns up most often on first-center-console shopping lists.

Lineup

Current platforms.

Model breakdown

Each platform, what it does and where it falls short.

Robalo R160 / R180 / R200

The R160 through R200 are the entry hulls. Bay-boat layout on the R160 and R180, center-console on the R200. Single Yamaha or Mercury outboard.

Things we like

  • · Value pricing 20 to 30 percent below premium-tier equivalents
  • · MPC parts pipeline through the dealer network is fast and inexpensive

Things we don't

  • · Resale softer than Whaler or Grady at equivalent LOA
  • · Hardware grade is mid-tier, periodic refresh needed in saltwater service

Robalo R230 / R242 / R272

The R230, R242, and R272 are the volume sellers. Twin Yamaha F250 or F300 V6 from the R242 up. Hardtop optional. The R242 is the volume seller and the cleanest mid-segment Robalo.

Things we like

  • · Twin-Yamaha R242 holds 28-knot cruise at 1.5 mpg
  • · Hardtop with electronics box and Garmin GPSMap available
  • · Pricing 18 to 25 percent below Grady-White 251 Coastal Explorer at equivalent rigging

Things we don't

  • · Hardware longevity in saltwater service runs 5 to 8 percent shorter than the premium-tier equivalents
  • · Resale on the R242 runs 5 to 10 percent softer than Whaler or Grady comparables

Robalo R302 / R317 / R360

The R302 through R360 are the brand's offshore flagships. Triple Yamaha F300 V6 outboards, hardtop standard, mezzanine seating optional.

Things we like

  • · Triple-Yamaha R317 holds 30-knot cruise on a 32-foot hull
  • · Pricing 18 to 22 percent below Grady-White 336 Canyon at equivalent rigging

Things we don't

  • · Triple-engine maintenance at three service intervals
  • · Resale gap to premium offshore comparables widens at the larger LOA

Buyer's guide

The Robalo story and what to know on the used market.

Origin and ownership

Robalo was founded in 1968. The brand was acquired by Marine Products Corporation in 1995 and consolidated production at the MPC plant in Nashville, Georgia. MPC also owns Chaparral and (since 2017) Blackfin, and the three brands share parts and dealer infrastructure.

Production stayed in Georgia through the MPC consolidation. The lineup focused on saltwater center consoles after 2000, with the bay-boat line added in the mid-2000s.

Design philosophy

The Robalo hull is a moderate-V (typically 19 to 22 degrees at the transom). Designed for inshore-to-coastal saltwater use rather than sustained offshore. Runs stable at slow troll, planes early, gives up some ride quality in 4-foot head seas against premium-tier comparables.

Yamaha is the standard outboard rigging. Mercury is occasionally available as a dealer option. The factory tunes around Yamaha F250 and F300 V6 torque curves.

Construction is fiberglass with composite stringers across all current production. Build queue runs higher volume than the premium-tier brands, parts and service pipeline through MPC is the practical advantage.

Used-market notes and known issues

Yamaha F300 V6 cylinder-wall corrosion pattern surfaces on 2017 to 2020 rigs without annual fresh-water flush. Inspect on any used Robalo.

Hardware grade in saltwater service runs slightly shorter than premium-tier brands. Stainless work-loosening on rear T-Top mounts surfaces at five years; service kit available through MPC.

Hardtop powder-coat shows pitting in salt-heavy markets at five years. Refinish runs $1,200 to $1,800 at a marine fabrication shop.

Dealer network is wide but service quality runs dealer-dependent. Ask for documented service history before purchase.

Resale

Robalo holds resale at the mid-tier average. Three-year depreciation runs 18 to 25 percent. Five-year depreciation runs 32 to 40 percent. Used market is wide and inventory turns fast, which keeps the floor stable but does not match the premium-tier resale curve.

Where Robalo fits

Buyers cross-shop Robalo against Sea Hunt, Sportsman, and the lower trim levels of Boston Whaler. The argument for Robalo is the value pricing (15 to 25 percent below the premium tier) and the MPC parts pipeline. Buyers who prioritize resale should pay up for Whaler or Grady-White. Buyers who prioritize the deeper-V offshore ride should look at Regulator. Buyers who want a saltwater-capable hull at a softer price stay with Robalo.

FAQ

Frequently asked.

How does Robalo compare to Boston Whaler?
Robalo runs 15 to 25 percent below Whaler at equivalent LOA. Build quality and hardware grade are mid-tier against Whaler's premium tier. Resale is softer. The argument is value: get a saltwater center console at a price that opens up the segment to buyers who could not afford Whaler new.
Is Robalo offshore-capable?
The R242 and larger handle inshore and light-offshore use comfortably. The R302 and up handle sustained offshore in 3-to-4-foot chop. Tournament-grade offshore use should look at premium brands (Whaler, Grady, Regulator) instead.
What's the maintenance cost on an R242?
Annual service on twin Yamaha F300 outboards runs $1,800 to $2,400. Bottom paint $400 to $1,000. Storage $1,500 to $4,500. Insurance for a $130,000 hull runs $900 to $1,800. Total seasonal cost runs $4,500 to $7,500 outside of fuel.
Who owns Robalo?
Marine Products Corporation, the same parent that owns Chaparral and Blackfin. The three brands share parts and service infrastructure through the MPC dealer network.

Compare

Categories Robalo fits.

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