With twin 5.7L sterndrives, the 288 averages about 2 miles per gallon, which is compar- able to other boats in this class. We took our boat into much rougher water than pictured here; it pounded very little.

Ever drive a boat and feel like the ocean held the upper hand, with the waves totally manhandling the hull (and you), like when Hulk Hogan threw Rocky all over the ring in their exhibition wrestling match in “Rocky III”?

We’ve taken beatings from boats like that, most recently during sea trials at this year’s Miami Boat Show. However, the Crownline 288 BR was not one of those brutal foes. To our surprise, this speedy, open-bow party boat provided a smooth, dry ride as we ran one of Miami’s choppy inlets. …