This latest iteration of the 2500 includes a number of small enhancements. The hull retains its 7.7m (25ft) overall length and 2.45m (8ft) beam, giving a “big boat” feel while being small enough to remain reasonably towable. The overall weight is around 2780kg, at the upper end of the towing range, but Rayglass supplies the boat on a custom-built Hoskins tandem galvanised trailer with the Sens-a-Brake electrically boosted braking system.

The forward cabin has a generous-length double bunk, a galley with fridge, gas range top and a sink, with a pressurised hot and cold fresh water system. A 75-litre freshwater tank provides drinking and washing facilities.A separate toilet compartment with privacy door makes this truly a family boat, while the electric macerating toilet unit makes it simple to use. Energy efficient LED lighting is used throughout. The galley has a fold-out table and a storage cupboard above it. An option not fitted to the test boat is a moulded table under the squabs, which can be fitted into a pedestal in the cockpit for al fresco dining. As this is not a fully enclosed hardtop, the main cabin flows right out into the cockpit. The padded helm and passenger seats are swivel-mounted onto moulded pods. Two additional padded rear-facing seats are behind them. Those seats swing up to reveal huge storage lockers suitable for bulky gear like dive tanks or water toys. Access to the foredeck around the cabin sides is easy thanks to a wide non-slip footing moulded into the deck and generous stainless handholds along the cabin top. A hatch covers the anchor winch, which is the latest Maxwell RC8 model. A Manson 15lb anchor sits snugly in the bowsprit.

The helm station is dominated by the Garmin GPSmap 7012 display, and a trio of Mercury digital gauges, including the new Eco-Screen gauge as well as the Merc-Monitor that provides the NMEA2000 interface between the new generation Verado motor and the Garmin display. In addition to trim tab controls there is the anchor winch control plus digital rode counter, Garmin GHC10 Auto pilot and twin windscreen wipers, as well as the usual bank of power switches. Steering is through an electrically powered hydraulics, and the throttle control is a light Smartcraft digital throttle and shift unit.

The cockpit is well set-up for fishing despite the large cabin area taking up a fair amount of the boat’s length. A wooden gunwale capping on either side is just the right height to sit on while providing thigh support when standing. The cockpit is easy to clean with a wash-down hose, and the whole area is self-draining. This particular boat has been set-up for game fishing so there are mountings for two outrigger poles on either side of the cabin. A large rotatable spotlight has been fitted to the cabin roof, and there is also a floodlight into the cockpit. Under the floor are two removable drop-in fish bins of 250-litre capacity. An optional bait board drops into a sturdy holder in the transom, which is strong enough to mount a ski pole. Out the back the Mercury Verado 300hp four-stroke outboard provides ample grunt, and yet it does not dominate the spacious boarding platform. The starboard side transom has a live bait tank, while the port side features a lowered section to step through onto the boarding platform, where a boarding ladder is tucked away. Under a hatch a basin with fresh water hose is available for cleaning up, or a freshwater shower. At water level trim-tabs are fitted either side of the big Mercury, and new LED light units positioned either side of the motor provide underwater lighting at night. On a rough day on the Hauraki Gulf, the big Rayglass proved to be a very dry boat. Very little spray got onto the windscreen, thanks to the fine entry bow and curved chines.

Rayglass boats are unsinkable thanks to the foam that is injected between the hull and the interior mouldings. This foam creates a rigid hull that is very quiet. Thanks to the planning strakes moulded into the hull, the boat lifts and stays on the plane beautifully. We put the boat through some extremely tight turns, and it never let go. Even at speed it just digs in and makes the turn, heeling enough for it to be comfortable. The latest generation Verado proved an absolute pleasure. When idling it is almost impossible to hear the motor ticking over, while even at full speed the sound of water rushing past is louder than the motor. We were able to converse in normal tones at all times. At rest the boat settles down and is extremely stable, despite the fine entry hull. Thanks to the weight of the boat it hardly moves when the occupants move around, and will prove to be a very good fishing platform.