Seaswirl was started in the American Northwest in the late 1950s but didn’t become
a national brand until about 15 years ago. Five years ago it moved its production
east to take advantage of Genmar’s production economies. Now the company builds
15 models from 18’ to 33’ in center console, walkaround, and dual console configurations.
Most of the Stripers are designed differently from many center consoles, most notably
because of their high freeboard forward, deep, secure cockpits, all composite transoms,
and affordable price. By building a solid basic boat without lots of frills, they
keep the price low, allowing you to add only what you want so you don’t pay for
what you don’t need. Capt. Smith compares the Striper line with other brands and discovers
a few things that may surprise you -- see video here.
The 171 Pro Bass is one in a series of three bass rigs from Smoker Craft. Her hull
has a 10 year warranty and the carpeting carries a 5 year warranty. The hull and
sides are constructed of heavy 0.100 gauge welded aluminum. She has a large 50”
fishbox/livewell in the stern casting deck.
See complete test and video of Smoker Craft 171 Pro Bass.
Hydra-Sports Vector 2200 VX
To design a serious
fishing boat, it helps to be serious about fishing. The folks at Hydra-Sports are
fishing fanatics. They’ve designed the 2200 VX for fishing and for fun. The Vector 2200 VX has
big boat features in a single-engine package. The basic boat is ready to fish, right
off the production line. Yet it’s also very versatile. A cuddy cabin, extra fuel
capacity, and a large cockpit, provide a platform for all kinds of waterborne activities.
See the Hydra-Sports Vector 2200 VX.
Stratos 201 XL Evolution
Stratos sprints
into its 25th year of cranking out hand-crafted fishing rigs with the 201 XL Evolution.
Alan Stinson designed this high performance, tournament-ready bass fishing rig that
is ready
to satisfy competitive fishermen everywhere. The 201 XL Evolution is ready to compete
right out of the showroom with standards like the Minn Kota 24-volt trolling motor
and Humminbird 767 electronics. See test video of the Stratos 201 XL Evolution.
Premier 235 SunSation FS
Premier's lineup ranges
from simple, no frills doubles to high-end triples to the PTX versions. Just below
Premier’s high-end models, you’ll find their touring boats, which include the SunSation
family. The 235 SunSation FS offers your family the perfect platform for sightseeing,
watching the fireworks, or enjoying watersports. Hop onboard and start creating
lasting family memories. Captain John Wenz takes a look at the 235 SunSation FS from Premier.
There is no tougher condition on a stern drive lower unit
than saltwater. For years Yanmar has developed their stern drive units for Japan’s competitive
commercial fishing business where reliability is a given -- and problems can’t be
ignored or swept under the rug. Failure in Japan is not an option because it means
loss of face. Little wonder, then, that Yanmar waited until it was quite confident
in its stern drive unit before launching it on the marine market worldwide. Yanmar’s
stern drive is called the ZT350 and it is squarely targeted at Mercury’s Bravo III.
The transom plate and bolt holes are the same so that it is easy to repower your Mercury unit with
the new Yanmar option. Join us for a video look at Yanmar’s new stern drive --
At the Miami Boat Show TrailerBoat Magazine presented its
2009 “Zenith Award” for design excellence to Four Winns for its new SL 222. The company calls the hull design a “split chine” as the boat’s hard chines do not come together
at the stem but rather rise to the deck in the bow area. TrailerBoat editor Ron
Eldridge said the SL 222 “...stood out because of its overall utility, advanced features
and style...[she]...is a trendsetter that’s raising expectations of what a boat can
be.” BoatTEST.com’s Director of Testing, Capt. Rob Smith, gave the SL 222 a thorough
examination last year. He also reviewed the SL 222's big sister – the
SL 242 and tested the huge SL 262. To see what everyone is talking about, check out our video review
of the SL 222 --
Rarely do we see a new product win praise from so many different quarters, but that
is what has happened to the Sea-Doo GTX Limited iS personal watercraft, introduced
last year. Two boating magazines, the Boating Writers guild, and the U.S. Coast
Guard have all bestowed their coveted awards on the new PWC. The unit has several
innovations that contribute strongly to both comfort and safety. The USCG gave an
award to BRP’s president for the introduction of an “unprecedented electronically
controlled hand-braking system.” The BWI/NMMA award for product innovation went
to the GTX and the judge said, “It’s good enough to make an average rider, like
me, feel like a pro.” Motor Boating Magazine gave the GTX their "Best of the Year
Award." See
our video review --
At the Miami Boat Show we took one of the new Triton 301 CCs out for a spin on Biscayne
Bay to get a feel for the boat. As we stepped aboard the first thing we noticed
was that it was like stepping onto a concrete dock instead of into a 30’ boat. Next
we walked around her and it became clear that the 10’10” beam makes this a really
big 30-footer. It’s the widest 30’ CC we know of and that pays off in side clearance
around the console, extra room everywhere, and in stability. To find out how she felt running -- cast your mouse.
Bayliner is well-known for entry-level boats and its 245 Cruiser is no exception.
Once the kids are off to school or starting a career it is time for Mom and Dad
to begin enjoying the pleasures of the cruising life. A good way to begin is with
a trailerable boat and at 6100 lbs. this package is about as light as they come.
Moreover the 245 is a good transition boat from a runabout as you can still waterski
or wakeboard behind it. Equipped with a galley, head with shower and a convertible
bow settee, the 245 offers a place for candlelight cocktails and a cozy nest for
weekend overnighting. If you haven’t thought about the cruising life, there is
not a better time than now. The Bayliner 245 has an MSRP of $60,497 with a single
250-hp 5.0 L stern drive. See complete test video --
Are you a boater looking to buy a specific boat?
BoatTEST’s new FREE Member Services Boat Buying Program helps consumers
find the best values. Quite often the best new boat deals can not be publicly advertised.
Already BoatTEST has helped dozens of boat buyers find out about good deals they
would not have found on their own. If you are in the market for a boat -- sign up
here.
Call us Ishmael. Just when things were slowing down a bit
on the personal watercraft scene, along comes a new specie – the personal porpoise
craft, or PPC, for short. Sea-Doo and Yamaha hold on to your handlegrips, because
you haven’t seen anything yet! Powered by a 215-hp Rotax engine the new, trailerable two-person
“Sea Breacher” is capable of speeds up to 40-mph, can breach, dive, roll over, jump into the air and come splashing down upside down. It is a great craft for wakeboarders
who don’t want to get wet! The two men who built this purposeful personal porpoise have made some terrific videos and have cooked up some big plans. To find out all about
it and how you can be the first in your yacht club to have one -- fiddle your flipper.
PFDs are required in all boats, but figuring out which types -- I, II, III, IV,
or
V -- can be confusing at first. Moreover, there are now many different styles and
brands of the five types, each with their own unique attributes, making proper selection
even more perplexing. The USCG tells us that the single most important thing you
can do aboard to protect yourself, your family and guests is to make sure PFDs a
worn at all times. That is particularly important in boats
under 26’. Capt. Steve
explains the PFD mystery in one quick video --
Honda ranked highest in overall customer satisfaction in the 2009 J.D. Power study
among owners of 4-stroke EFI outboard engines. Overall customer satisfaction index
scores are based on performance across seven factors: starting ease, quietness at
cruise, reliability, fuel economy, shifting smoothness, lack of exhaust fumes and
ability of boat to accelerate rapidly. Honda Marine pioneered 4-stroke engine
technology and the blocks used in their outboard engines are the same as those used
in their automobiles. Honda has won the 4-stroke outboard Power award four out of the
last five years. The J.D. Power Study 4-stroke EFI rankings were --
Evinrude won the 2-stroke DI outboard engine category in the 2009 J.D. Power study,
beating Yamaha by 15 points and Mercury, which was in last place, by 21 points.
A J.D. Power spokesman said Evinrude demonstrated “considerable improvement in both
satisfaction and quality in 2009...and performs particularly well in shifting smoothness,
fuel economy and reliability.” Todd Markusic, the Power spokesman, said, “Engine
hesitation during acceleration and the engine running roughly have the most significant
negative impacts on customers’ satisfaction with their engines.” This is the third
time
in eight years that Evinrude has won the 2-stroke DI award; the other years were 2003 and
2007. This years' rankings were --
"I was hanging on that bow as the boat was vertical," said Wesley Szanyi, owner
of a $75,000 high-performance boat that reportedly "hit a wave, lost its engine,
and started taking on water," off Cocoa Beach, Florida last week. In a local news
video broadcast Szanyi was all smiles but he admits he was on the verge of panic
as his boat was slowly sliding vertically underwater.
To read the rest of the story --
We consider them requirements, and so we compiled a list that can act as a primer
on how to buy a mobile phone for marine applications. If you are looking to purchase
a new phone, we suggest you consider the list while comparison shopping. If you
already have a phone, it may help you decide whether to keep it or to look for a new
one. Learn more about our requirements for purchasing a mobile phone for marine applications.
Innovation Award
Mako 18 LTS Wins Writers’ Award
Mako’s “Rapid Planing System” enables
low-speed planing with no
bow rise in skinny water.
If you have ever owned a small boat that had horrible bow rise before it would get
on plane, then you will appreciate the Boating Writers International/NMMA Innovation
Award to Mako for their new 18 LTS. The bay boat has a patent-pending “Rapid Planing
System” that not only pushes the boat up on plane quickly, but it can do it in only
24" (60.96 cm) of water. The boat has a stepped hull. The BWI/NMMA Innovation Awards
are given out each year at the Miami Boat Show. The judge said that the boat gets
out of the hole quickly in skinny water and does it at an affordable price (as low
as $16,495 according to the Mako website).
If you are new to boating a little apprehension about your first launching is perfectly
normal. There are definitely some basic rules you need to follow when launching
and most boaters know them well. If you are new to boating, not to worry, it is
all a piece of cake, as long as you are careful. All it takes is a lesson or two,
observing others, and some practice. A good place to start is right here --
It is no secret that used boat prices, just like homes, corporate planes, hotel
rooms and most everything else are fetching lower prices than they did a year ago.
That’s the bad news. The good news is that in all likelihood your boat’s value has
not fallen nearly as far as your stock portfolio. Traditionally boat dealers and
boat owners could refer to several used boat price guides to check trade-in values
with some degree of accuracy. But these days the price guides can’t keep up with
changing market. Now your best bet is to use classified ads as a guide. That’s
what the dealers are doing. Happily, BoatTEST’s classified section now has over
100,000 listings. Keep in mind that these are retail prices and dealers will offer
you less in trade because they must re-sell them. Also, we’d kick out the highest
and lowest prices and go for the mean.
Visit BoatTEST’s 100,000 classified listings --
Occasionally a letter crosses our desk that cries out for publication. With seemingly
everything going wrong these days, it is heart-warming to hear about things going
right, even a small something. In this case good customer service from a huge multi-national
conglomerate publically traded company is what got our attention! In honor of good
– and quick! – customer service in the marine industry, BoatTEST.com is instituting
its “Customer Service (Coveted) Ducky Award.” The first winners are Roberta Frusteri,
Export Customer Service Manager of ITT Rule, Jabsco, et al, Gloucester, MA, and
Martin Basham, managing director of RW Basham Pty Ltd, Waterloo, NSW.
Find out what good customer service really is --
This week Capt. Steve covers basic rules of the road in these ten new lessons and
guidelines on: different categories of boats and who must keep out of the way, restrictions
on working vessels, fishing vessels and all other vessels which may not be able
to maneuver because the nature of their work, sea planes, and why one should never
anchor in the middle of a channel. 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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