It is no secret that this year will be a huge opportunity for people with good credit
who want to buy a boat to get what they have always wanted. A recent survey of BoatTEST
members has revealed that despite the recession many died-in-the-wool boaters are
planning to take advantage of this never-before-seen "buyers market." They are now
doing their research to zero-in on the precise boat they want before they start
contacting dealers. And dealers tell us that their phones have started to ring.
But with so many choices and so many deals available making the right selection
may be harder than you think. And while there are many good deals, buyers must
be sure that they don’t get a “good deal less.”We have several important tips for new boat buyers this year --
Boat Tests & Reviews
Bayliner 340 Cruiser
The 340 Cruiser is Bayliner’s flagship, geared toward value conscious buyers,
equipped with a host of standard features while sporting intelligent, contemporary styling. Best of all, the 340 has the
tried and true Bayliner price. As we have
said before, this latest offering from US Marine
shows the company’s dedication to improving product quality and is confirmation that
this is not your father’s Bayliner anymore. Join us as Captain Ron takes us through the 340 Cruiser from
Bayliner.
One of the surprising aspects of many large motoryachts, say 70’ to 130’, is that
like their 40’ to 50’ little sisters – they are remarkably similar. The reason is
that production boats in this size range are still “production boats.” Their layouts,
paneling, staterooms and practically everything else except countertops and floor
treatments are standardized. And these boats cost several million dollars!
There is a builder which will customize an 80’ to 130’ motoryacht yet still charge
no more than production boat prices. That company is Hargrave. BoatTEST’s Charity
Hughes takes a video look at the Hargrave Sandrine to point out how one very demanding
client personalized their large motoryacht. Learn more about the Hargrave Sandrine.
Mainship took a fresh look at
the desires of cruising families and the need to update their 40 Trawler. The result
is today’s Mainship Expedition. This is a relatively new series for them. The builder
has opened up the salon and it is now more inviting for that relaxing time after
a day’s voyage. Take a video tour through the Mainship Expedition Trawler.
Meridian calls their 341 Sedan a “compact
cruiser with a big yacht attitude.” We like to think of her more as a “starter motoryacht.”
The builder’s designers have tasked themselves with creating a functional cruising
boat for two couples or a family, packing in many amenities found on far larger
yachts, for an affordable price. The 341 has two cabins, good salon seating, a galley,
and a very well equipped flying bridge. We have compared this boat with others in
her class and found the Meridian outshines them in most areas.
Join Capt. Steve as he takes a video look --
Apply for a personal sea trial.
Hargrave News
Hargrave Expands Display
to 16 Motoryachts at Miami
See the 114’ Hargrave Sea Legend.
Just landed: the 100’ Hargrave King Baby.
The 100’ Hargrave Seafarer.
The 84’ Hargrave On A Roll.
Hargrave Custom Yachts has doubled its space at the Miami Yacht and Brokerage Show,
Feb. 12-16 on Collins Ave. in Miami Beach and will have 4 new Hargraves and 12 pre-owned
motoryachts, 68’ to 115’ -- most of which are Hargraves -- on display. It certainly
seems as if Hargrave is on a roll, and it’s famous “disappearing pilothouse” 84-footer,
called On A Roll, will be on display. Company CEO Mike Joyce said, “Each Hargrave
represents the specialization and true personalization that we can offer our clients.”
The company's forte is in a high degree of customization at production motoryacht
prices. By special arrangement, BoatTEST members will be offered VIP tours through
these yachts at the Miami show.
Bertram Yachts and Ferretti Group have collaborated on the birth of their new 360 design,
which is the first 30+ footer to be introduced to the Bertram line in years.
She is offered
in either an open or hardtop version. This model is a long-delayed replacement of
the popular 31. In fact, the 360 is a direct descendant of the classic 31. Today’s
360 Open captures the essence of the traditional fishboat layout with the modern
flair and sleeker, softer lines that post baby boomers are used to. Our first impressions
on the 360 Open? Solid. Serious. A man's boat.We asked Capt. Steve to take a video look at the recent New York
Boat Show.
During the last 30 days BoatTEST Member Services has been working with scores of
people all over the world looking for new and used boats. Most, of course, are from
North America. About 35% of the members are looking for new boats and the boats
being sought range up to 80'. BoatTEST staff contacts the members seriously in the
market and helps facilitate a desirable transaction. One of the things Member Services
will be doing is advertising the boats of qualified buyers in the "Boats Wanted" section
of the weekly BoatTEST and Offshore Motoyacht newsletters (see below). If you are
in the market this spring for a new or used powerboat then perhaps you should consider
taking advantage of BoatTEST's FREE Member Services program.
To read the details --
BoatTEST.com videos now appear on over 7,500 classified powerboat listings on BoatTrader.com,
the world’s largest classified boat listing website. These listings are part of
a one-month trial on the listings of just 15% of the website’s 3400 dealer-advertisers.
When the program is rolled out to all of Boat Trader’s dealer-advertisers, as many
as 51,000 – or about one-third – of all of the website’s classified listings could
have BoatTEST video tests and reviews. This follows by two months the introduction
of BoatTEST videos on Europe’s leading classified boating website, BoatShop24.com.
To learn more about these strategic partnerships and learn how BoatTEST videos are
helping consumers all over the world make more informed buying decisions -- squeeze
your mouse.
BoatTEST.com members are currently in the market for the boats listed above and
on the "jump" and have provided full contact information. Dealers, brokers and other industry institutions
in possession of these boats are invited to contact BoatTEST.com to be put in touch
with the people who have identified themselves as searching for these boats. BoatTEST.com keeps all Member Services
contact information confidential
until released by the member.
Formula Boats prides itself on its fit and finish so at the New York Boat Show we
asked our test captain Steve Larivee to take a video look at their workmanship, joinerwork,
and general fit and finish. To find out what he discovered, take a look at this short video.
One of the items that marine surveyors check under the heading of basic hull components
are thru-hull fittings. These are simple pieces of hardware that are often ignored,
but a failure can be catastrophic, causing a sizeable yacht to sink in short order.
So what do we look for?
For some boaters tides and currents are something to think about only rarely. For
others, they are a constant concern. While checking tide and current predictions is traditionally done using tide
tables, today there are several free programs that allow you to check tides and
currents from just about anywhere. Many great options are available to allow you
to enter a location and receive the predictions electronically on your laptop or
mobile phone. Learn more.
Fairline debuted the latest addition to their Squadron line at the London Boat Show
last week.
The new Squadron 70 is an update and redesign of the popular Squadron 68 and she now
features an extended hi-lo swim platform which not only makes handling and storing
the tender easier, but also allows for a larger more accessible platform for serious watersports.
This motoryacht is meant not just for entertaining but also cruising, and
the designers got it right by offering owners a choice of layouts both above and
below deck. See specs and images of the Squadron 70 from Fairline.
Last week’s article covering the battery switch dilemma was quite popular with our
readers and they have asked for more. The author of the articles was Capt. John
Wenz, a marine surveyor who is also a yacht captain with over 30 years experience.
In this installment Capt. John explains how to charge both of your batteries and
answers some reader’s questions. To get the juice flowing -- switch to "BOTH".
An explosion and fire which killed a 19-year old deck hand on Lake Norman has resulted
in citations for the marina and boat owner and law suits have been filed. This tragedy
once again underscores how careful we all must be while refueling. In this case
there are allegations that the engine, generator and A/C were running while the
refueling was going on. The local news report is instructive --
In this lesson, Aids to Navigation for Recreational Boaters, Capt. Steve recognizes
that some boaters find the system of buoys intimidating. He feels that making
sense of it all is not difficult once you know how to look at the system as a
whole instead of as individual parts. Capt. Steve takes the big picture and breaks
it down so the boater can get a better understanding of why these markers are where
they are and how to make sense of them. The 10 videos presented this week are part
of his USCG-approved boating course called “Smart Boating.” Watch Captain Steve's
video boating lessons every week on BoatTEST.com.
First Place
“George enjoyed a secluded day on Lake Shrinkadink but it was not until he took
off his wet suit that he realized how the lake got its name.” – B. Tarnowski
Second Place
“The payments don’t stop in the winter, I’m not gonna stop using it in the winter!”
– E. Bird
Honorable (almost) Mention
“Honey -- we have another escape attempt from the insane asylum.” – D. Glair
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