2010 G3 Boats V175 FS

When R&D dollars get tight – and they are these days – some manufacturers opt for cheap and cheerful, but highly visible changes to new model year boats.

With its 2010 V175 FS, G3 takes the opposite approach by designing a completely new hull with changes that are hard to see but make a big difference in performance and capability.

Part of the Angler series, the new V175 FS is aimed at boaters who plan to venture onto large

rivers or lakes. At first glance, it does not look much different from the old V175 FS, but specifications

start to tell the real story.

The new boat’s riveted aluminum hull is an inch longer and two inches wider. It also has a 25- inch transom (five inches higher than its predecessor), higher topsides, and improved strake size and placement. The changes combine to produce improved bow lift, added stability and better sea-handling, especially in bigger waves and following seas.

In late fall testing, the boat tops out at 39.5 mph at 5800 rpm, powered by a Yamaha F115 four-stroke. Increasing the engine size to the 150-hp maximum brings top speeds over 50 mph.

But for most fishing and watersports applications, the 115 works fine. The test boat is solidly on plane at 20 mph and cruises nicely between 25 and 30 mph.

The boat is well-equipped for fishing, with livewells and a portside coaming locker that holds at least seven fishing rods. The tall windscreen does a good job of breaking the wind and the canvas top stores out of the way on board.

With the aft jump seats folded down and an insert in place in the bow, there are two spacious carpeted casting platforms, with sockets for swivelling seats. In the bow, wiring for a trolling motor is pre-rigged. Sensible, easy-clean vinyl flooring is installed in the cockpit.

To move into sport mode and prepare for added passengers, wakeboarders or water-skiers, the bow insert can be removed and cushions installed. In the cockpit, jump seats fold back from the aft casting platform. The swim deck and boarding ladder to starboard of the outboard are ready.  

In either mode, the new V175 FS looks good enough for the most style-conscious angler or family boater. But when waves and wind rise, the new design will prove its worth.

TEST BOAT ENGINE
Yamaha F115, 106.2 ci / 1.741 litre, inline four-cylinder, fuel-injected four-stroke gasoline outboard producing 115 hp, driving a 19” pitch stainless steel propeller.

ACCELERATION (mph/sec)
0-20 / 5.04 ; 0-30 / 8.49

TOP SPEED (rpm/mph)
5800 / 39.4

CRUISING SPEED (rpm/mph)
3500 / 21.3 ; 4000 / 26; 4500 / 30.0 ; 5000 / 33.1

SOUND LEVEL AT CRUISE (4000 rpm)
Helm – 78 dbA ; Aft cockpit – 85 dbA

SOUND LEVEL AT TOP SPEED
Helm – 84 dbA ; Aft cockpit – 89 dbA