The Wild Islands 25 hull design is also used for commercial and military boats.

Plenty of boaters recognize the Rosborough name. Founded in 1955 in Nova Scotia, Canada, the builder’s biggest hit in the recreational arena was its remarkably utilitarian RF 246 trawler—a trailerable, inboard- or outboard-powered cruiser that still has a loyal following. Rosborough sold the RF 246 molds to Eastern Boats in 2012.

Today, the Canadian builder is getting back into the recreational market after spending the last 9 years focusing on military and commercial projects. The new model, the Wild Islands 25 (WI 25), is based on the proven commercial hull found in its HammerHead 25. The WI 25 made its debut at the U.S. Powerboat Show in Annapolis, Maryland, in October.

“We have a very successful military and commercial boat business,” says Matt Veinotte with Rosborough Boats. “So, we wanted to use our proven hull design in another type of boat, a new center console for the recreational market. The Wild Islands 25 is the result of those efforts.”

The WI 25 has a distinctively rugged and salty look about it, from the squared-off stem and chunky transom extension to its generous freeboard, flattened forward deck cap and discrete reverse sheer. A canvas-covered T-top, squared center console and angled, three-piece windshield complete the Rosborough 25’s smart-looking but utilitarian vibe.

The tempered-glass enclosure protects a console with a big dash that has plenty of room for electronics.

As for the deck plan, designers havepushed the center console forward to prodduce an unusually large aft cockpit for a boat this size. The area has a generous U-shaped lounge with seat cushions and backrest bolstering at the gunwales. When the boat is in serious fishing mode, the cushions can be removed and the lounge structure used as a casting platform with elevated views of the fishing action.

Behind the tempered-glass console enclosure is an unusually expansive dash with room for multifunction displays, engine instruments, VHF radio, control switches and more. A stainless-steel, destroyer-style wheel and engine controls are within easy reach of the optional twin Ullman jockey-style helm seats that feature shock mitigation. (A leaning post is standard.) Under the console unit is room for a porta-potty.

The forward deck has a raised cap that initially seems like a hindrance to fishing but actually provides a secure feeling for anglers as there is plenty of room for making long casts. A bench-style seat forward of the center console is a great place to kick back on runs to and from the fishing grounds.

"This no-nonsense fish boat has just the right number of comfort features."

From stem to stern, the deck is covered with an aggressive nonskid gelcoat treatment. It may not be the easiest surface to kneel on, but it will definitely keep your deck shoes firmly planted in wet conditions. A foam anti-fatigue deck can be requested as an option.

The WI 25 rides on a continuous deadrise hull form with 21 degrees of transom deadrise that should make quick work of choppy seas without pounding. The single-piece fiberglass hull is reinforced with a beefy stringer system. Standard power is a single 200-hp Yamaha F200 outboard, with 225- and 250-hp models available as options. For redundancy offshore, a pair of 115-hpYamaha F115s can also be specified. Detailed performance figures were not available at press time.

The WI 25 is the latest introduction from a well-known company that knows how to build boats for the sea. In a market packed with luxury machines that pull double-duty as both fishing and fun platforms, a no-nonsense fish boat with just the right number of comfort features is a welcome addition.

LOA: 25’0” Beam: 8’0” Draft: 1’6” Displ.: 3,500 lbs. Fuel: 85 gals. Power: (1) 200-hp Yamaha Price: $92,250

This article was originally published in the January 2022 issue.

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