By definition, virtually all megayachts look impressive
because they are so big. But many are paper tigers, sort of floating “Potemkin Villages”
that are best kept tied up at a dock because they are not really designed nor equipped
to be good sea boats. In the trade they are called “ditch diggers” because they
spend most of their lives plying the ICW from Long Island to Ocean Reef. Now there
is nothing wrong with owning a huge, glitzy yacht that is long on spritz and short
on spunk, if that is what your heart desires. But some yachtsmen hanker for something
more, such as a large motoryacht that can go virtually anywhere its adventuresome
owner wants to explore. And it is that kind of yachtsman and that kind of boat we
are looking at this week. It is the 120’ Sandrine, owned by Rick and Sandra Sorenson,
and the Sandrine is the largest yacht ever built by Hargrave. Let’s take a video look at some of the important mechanical aspects
of this yacht which make her a world cruiser --
Bertram has a
new flagship, the 700. This 74’ 2’’ boat is loaded for trophy sportfishing on the
outside, and for luxurious comfort on the inside. She has four staterooms, all of
which are en suite, a starboard dining area for five, and a huge galley for the
culinary artist in the group. We tested her with twin MTU 2200-hp Series 2000 16
cylinder engines and twin Mitsubishi anti-roll gyros. Take a look at the Bertram 700.
Formula 40 PC
Formula continues to build one of the best performance cruisers we have tested.
Their designs scream out for attention and thrill you with solid performance which
is
unexpected in a boat this size. For the latest 40 PC, Formula has made a solid commitment
to pod drive technology. They will now only offer it with Volvo Penta’s IPS.
Take a tour through Formula's 40 PC and see how it performs.
Ocean Yachts 37 Billfish
It is not often that a new design concept comes along in boating, and when one does,
we often find that it is a throwback to something done years ago that got lost.
Such an example is the Ocean Yachts 37 Billfish. She is actually better set-up in
many ways for sportfishing than the traditional convertible. That, together with
the fact that there is a downsizing trend going on among offshore sportsmen, means
that she is the right boat for the times. We like her utility, her cockpit and her
economical operation. Join Capt. Steve as he takes a video look at a boat offshore fishermen should consider.
Regulator 32 FS
The 32 rides high
on the tide of Regulator Marine’s offshore fishing boats and the FS makes this
center console more family-friendly. This FS or Forward Seating version features
comfortable bow seating, with plenty of standing room left over for fishing. Take a look at the 32 FS from Regulator.
Jeanneau is France's largest boat builder and has long
been world-famous for their full line of sailboats. In the 1980s this innovative
company broke tradition and created a line of sleek, user-friendly sailboats
that captured sailors’ imagination and won their hearts. Jeanneau now is the largest
builder of sailboats in the world. If the past is prelude, will they do the same
thing in the powerboat field? For the last eight years Jeanneau has been building
powerboats and now has ten 30' to 50' express and flying bridge models in their line. Jeanneau calls its powerboat line “Prestige.” They are modern and innovative
and because the company is trying to break into the U.S. they are comparatively
low
priced. If you are interested in something a little different with a European flare
you should check out Jeanneau's Prestige line.
If truth be told, one of the biggest reasons women (read:
wives) are not as enthusiastic about boat ownership as are men, is the fact that
they often get relegated to schlepping fenders, throwing lines, and fending off
when Dad docks the boat. As hard as it is to believe, we have even seen some men
yell at their wives when docking. The advent of joystick control two years ago
has changed all of that. Now Dad can dock the boat like a pro, and if he really
wants to perform like a pro he’ll turn the helm over to his better half and schlep
the fenders himself. Because joystick control is so easy, his bride can dock the
boat and dry her nails at the same time. This spring, both Larson Boats and Cruisers
Yachts is inviting boaters to test drive their boats with joysticks so that they
can see for themselves how easy joystick boat handling can be. Contact a dealer
now for a free sea trial with no obligation. (Don’t forget to take your wife.)
For eight year J.D. Power & Associates
has conducted a survey among buyers of newly registered boats over a one-year period.
The awards were announced last Thursday,
Feb. 12, at the Miami Boat Show.
In the
“Express Cruiser” category Regal won for the third consecutive year and was tied
this year by Sea Ray for first place honors, both scoring 858 points on a 1,000-point
scale. Only four brands were ranked -- Regal, Sea Ray, Rinker and Bayliner. J.D.
Power says that for a boat builder to qualify for a ranking it must receive at least
100 completed questionnaires, which is the reason that only four companies were
ranked in the “Express Cruiser” study. To find out more about the study -- ask the mouse.
Simrad was honored with the Electronics Innovation of the
Year Award given at the Miami Boat Show by the NMMA and BWI. This revolutionary
new radar utilizes solid-state broadband radar technology to provide superior target
detection and separation, extremely low power draw, ease of use, instant tuning,
and has “no radiation hazard” according to the builder. Tim Queeney, editor of Ocean
Navigator magazine says, “This is the most significant advance in radar since World
War II.”
Find out more about this radar breakthrough and see pictures of its defining
characteristics -- tune your mouse.
Engine News
Volvo Penta
Stern Drives Win
Consumer Satisfaction Award
The annual J.D. Power award for customer satisfaction in the stern drive engine category goes to Volvo Penta.
J.D. Power and Associates announced last week that Volvo Penta ranked highest in
overall satisfaction among EFI stern drive owners according to its 2009 Marine Engine
Competitive Information Study. This is the second year in a row that Volvo Penta
has received the award. MerCruiser finished second in a two-company competition.
“Customer Satisfaction is a core value of the Volvo Group, and we constantly strive
to improve each customer’s experience with Volvo Penta engines,” said Clint Moore,
President and CEO of Volvo Penta.
PCM/Crusader Wins Inboard Award
Pleasurecraft Engine Group (PCM and Crusader)
won the Power award in the Inboard EFI Segment, this is its fourth consecutive year in the
winner’s circle.
Our restless boating friend, Bill Noble, sent us a few postcards this week from
his latest travels around the world, reminding us once again why we love boating.
We don’t know why the sea holds such a strong fasination -- is it the water, the land, the land and the water, the fresh air,
or the thrill of stepping back on terra firma after a day on the water. Whatever
it is, we thank Bill for pointing out some great places to go boating all around
the world. Join us around the world in 12 seconds -- fly the mouse.
If you are in the market this spring or early summer for a new or used boat, then
why not let BoatTEST.com help you find the right boat at the right price? Simply
fill out the short questionnaire and hit “Submit.” Within a few hours we will have your
“Boat Wanted” notice listed. Our Member Services Dept. will then search dealers
and brokers for the boat you want. The service is free to you and we will help you
with any brand. The service is limited to new boats 20’ to 29’ and new and used
boat 30’’+. Sign up here.
This Russian video
reminds us of the first time we were in Moscow just after the
fall the Soviet regime riding in a taxi going 90 mph down the city’s streets. “I
know what I’m doing,” shouted the driver in broken English as he blasted through
intersections with no stoplights. He had obviously learned how to drive by watching
American car-chase movies. The new crop of Russian boat owners seem not to have
read Charles F. Chapman. See what we mean -- put in mouse.
End of an Era
Knickerbocker Yacht Club Goes on the Block
Founded in 1874 on the Harlem River in New
York City, the Knickerbocker Yacht Club
was one of the oldest clubs on Long Island Sound, which was the epicenter of the
sport of boating in America around the turn of the century and into the roaring
‘20s. Located in Manhasset Bay on the north shore of Long Island Sound, from the
KYC docks one could see the sleek commuters on their way to Wall Street. Next door
was East Egg, home of the Great Gatsby. We are sad to learn of this turn of events
as KYC was an important part of metro New York’s boating community. To read the details --
We have long argued that a well-chosen and properly-equipped mobile phone can replace
a computer aboard for many common onboard tasks. It boots up faster, takes less
power and is far more portable. But there are times when phone and laptop can work
together. Using some simple software and cabling, you can "tether" your mobile phone
to your laptop and use it as a modem to connect to the Internet, eliminating the
need for Wi-fi hotspots and expensive aircards. We've been doing it for several
years now and find that it saves us money and works extremely well. Read more --
During his annual “state of the industry” address at the Miami International Boat Show, NMMA President Thom Dammrich said, “Boating is not going away.” He expects
a turnaround to begin in the second half of this year for new boat sales.
He also
said that the NMMA is working with government officials to use TARP funds to support
dealer floor plans as well as working to promote credit union lending for new boats.
Find out more about the “state of the boating industry”--
Just like Microsoft, we at BoatTEST.com thought we would
design some new software and put it out for public use before it is thoroughly tested.
It is our new classified section, and like Microsoft, we invite you to search over
our new functionality, discover what doesn’t work, and then let us know. (But unlike
Microsoft, we won’t charge you for the pleasure.) Also, give us your constructive
suggestions on how we can make this important classified section work better for
you. In addition to our own listings, BoatTEST now incorporates the listings from
BoatTrader.com, YachtTrader.com and PWCTrader.com. With over 100,000 new and used
boat listings our new software should make your research more comprehensive
and easier. If it doesn’t, please write our webmaster at Sunny@boattest.com. Thank you.
Boat dealers and brokers: The only reason people come to
BoatTEST.com is if they are doing research on boat buying. The only reason that
our members fill out a “Boat Wanted” form is because they are actively in the market
NOW and want to learn about the best deals available. If you have a good deal and
would like to be put in touch with the people who want the boats on this list -- sign up here.
This week Capt. Steve covers basic rules of the road
in these twelve new lessons and guidelines on: navigating safely through narrow channels,
using caution with larger vessels in narrow channels, how to signal to another boat
when there’s a blind spot, overtaking another boat, and rules for powered-driven
vessels versus sailing vessels when crossing paths. These are basic rules which
all recreational boaters should be aware of. The videos presented this week are part
of Capt. Steve’s USCG-approved boating course called “Smart Boating.” Watch Capt. Steve's
video boating lessons every week on BoatTEST.com.
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