A Boat With Dual Personalities – Glacier Bay has bridged the gap between fun cruiser and serious offshore fisherman. The legendary Glacier Bay hull design, proven by various ocean crossings up to 1300 miles, has been fitted with the accoutrements of an inshore family cruiser, resulting in the new 2240 Renegade SX. The catamaran hull, which carries its ample width all the way to the bow, has two large bench seats forward of the windshield. Aft of the windshield, an L-shaped lounge with a removable table and an additional small bench seat provide plenty of seating under the optional Bimini top. The control console located to starboard features great visibility, good ergonomics, and room for electronics. The swivel helm seat provides more captain-comfort than a bench seat, lessening fatigue on long boating days. Across from the helm, the port-side console opens to reveal a utilitarian head with great storage for items that must stay dry.
While the rest of the boat says fun, the large, uncluttered cockpit screams Fish On! This boat comes ready to fish with standard features including gunnel mounted rod holders, rod storage under the starboard gunnel and in the head, a tackle storage center, and a bait prep station. The 30-gallon live-well incorporated into the bench seat aft of the helmsman’s chair is standard equipment; as are a saltwater wash-down system and two fish lockers under the cockpit sole to handle the day’s catch. The transom cutout for access to the swim platform is just wide enough to serve as a step for junior boaters or a good place to sit while donning swim fins or SCUBA gear. Options for the boat include a retractable swim ladder and a fresh water system with a cockpit shower. The 2240 also features an abundance of storage and easy access for electronics installation and systems maintenance.
By far the most notable feature is the boat’s ride. During sea-trials on a blustery day in Maui’s Southern Bay, the boat slices through the chop without a complaint at 40 miles per hour. We found the 22-footer to be quite economical, averaging well over two miles per gallon at 35 mph. The tendency of catamarans to “lean the wrong way” in high speed turns rather disconcerting. To lessen this predisposition, Glacier Bay has canted the engines outboard. (The propellers are not directly under, but rather outboard of the center of the motors.) Top quality hardware and construction methods are employed on the 2240.