Cruisers Yachts wants to welcome you to their family of quality boats with the introduction of the 280Cxi. This new model is basically an amenities package that Cruisers is adding to the popular 2870 Express edition. The CXi boasts a long list of standard features, many of which you would desire on your new platform anyway, delivered at a price that is almost unbelievable. How do they do it you ask? Well they certainly did not skimp on build quality as our testing determined.Cruisers Yachts has always built their boats to be rugged and dependable. Good thing too, as our test day was brutal. We encountered twenty mile an hour winds combined with a 3-foot confused sea, which provided the ultimate shake down test. Throughout the day, the Boattest crew was surprised as to the toughness of this pocket cruiser. There were no squeaks, rattles or groans from the vessel. No doors popping open, latches loosening or other typical boating announces. We did bobble a bit in the rough stuff, but the 280 remained dry, another attribute to a well-designed hull.Comfortable CockpitLets talk comfort, after all that’s what a cruiser is all about. Starting with the cockpit, the layout is roomy and functional. The aft cockpit area offers a pair of facing settees, which provide room for up to five adults. A small table can be inserted for alfresco dining and/or sunset cocktails. The seat cushions are comfortable, but the seating arrangement does not convert into a sun lounge which would be helpful considering that there is no place provided on the boat for sun tanning. Other notables in the aft cockpit are the dual storage lockers located to port and a wide transom walk-through for easy access to the swim platform.Behind the WheelForward in the cockpit is the helm station and a large companion way. The helm is stocked with all the cruising necessities. Faria analog gauges trimmed with gold bezels provide engine information, while a Garmin GPS supplies navigational help. Also within easy reach is a Raymarine VHF radio and controls for the bow-mounted searchlight. Despite having all this equipment standard, I found the dash layout confusing while I hunted for switches and readouts. On the other hand, foredeck access was good, with molded steps at the helm, leading you through a narrow windshield door to the bow. The foredeck features an anchor locker and roller, plus has excellent non-skid surface, all of which greatly improve the mooring process. Swim PlatformAt the stern, you’ll find an expansive and equipped swim platform. Starting with the molded transom area, which provides a pair of fender brackets, shore power hook-ups and filler ports for fuel and water. One step down from the molded platform is an additional bolt-on swim platform that grants two and a half feet of additional activity space. This stout platform includes a recessed, heavy-duty boarding ladder that telescopes neatly out of sight. Down BelowThe 280’s cabin has an impressive amount of usable space. Starting with a wide companionway that uses a sliding hatch for the upper portion of the door, and a bi-fold acrylic panel for the lower portion. Stepping down in the salon affords 6 feet, 2 inches of headroom and enough width for the chef to work the galley without being bumped by guests moving about the salon’s crescent shaped settee. Complimented by a slender, solid wood dining table, the settee will seat four comfortably and provide the best spot to watch the DVD equipped television. You can also watch the screen from the 280’s aft cabin, which has almost as much width and headroom as that of the forward double berth. Both sleeping areas include privacy curtains and a pair of reading lights.GalleyThe galley includes a refrigerator, microwave oven, a single-burner electric cooktop and a sink with faucet. A solid surface countertop offers decent workspace as well as conceals the sink and cutlery drawer under removable panels. The galley also has several cabinets with ample space for stowing supplies during those long cruises. The head compartment is located to port and is well appointed with an electric pump-out toilet, vanity with sink and faucet.After reading this, you may still be wondering how Cruisers Yachts can offer so much value at such an affordable price? Well, I haven’t figured that out either, but I do know that the special pricing won’t last and the orders are pouring in for the ’04 season, so don’t miss out!Cruisers Yachts 280 CXi (Not in Production) Test Result HighlightsTop speed for the Cruisers Yachts 280 CXi (Not in Production) is 40.5 mph (65.2 kph), burning 36.7 gallons per hour (gph) or 138.91 liters per hour (lph).Best cruise for the Cruisers Yachts 280 CXi (Not in Production) is 29.1 mph (46.8 kph), and the boat gets 1.38 miles per gallon (mpg) or 0.59 kilometers per liter (kpl), giving the boat a cruising range of 125 miles (201.17 kilometers).Tested power is 2 x 225-hp Volvo Penta 4.3GXi gas sterndrive.For complete test results including fuel consumption, range and sound levels go to our Test Results section.Standard and Optional EquipmentCruisers Yachts 280 CXi Standard and Optional EquipmentMarine Electronics GPS/Chart StandardVHF Radio StandardSystems Air Cond./Heat StandardBattery Charger/Converter StandardStereo StandardHead: Fixed StandardPower Steering StandardShore Power StandardTrim Tabs StandardTV/DVD StandardWater Heater StandardGalley Microwave StandardRefrigerator StandardStove StandardExterior Features Arch: Electronics StandardCarpet: Cockpit StandardOutlet: 12-Volt Acc StandardSwim Ladder StandardSwim Platform StandardTransom Door StandardTransom Shower Standard