The 341 Meridian is a sedan which has aspirations of being
a mini motoryacht. The builder says it is designed
for people who want to do extended
cruising, and if it is your dream to someday own a large motoryacht, this is a fine
place to start. There are not many true cruising boats in this size range, so you
owe it to yourself to carefully check out this boat. Thirty-five feet is a bit stubby
for a cruising boat and that is why boats in this range often have a case of the
uglies. Yet, somehow Meridian’s naval architects have managed
to draw a 35’ 10” sedan bridge cruiser that doesn’t offend the eye. And packed into
this boat are more accommodations and utility than one usually finds on these size
boats.
One of the most demanding captains we know of is Capt. Steve, so we asked
him to test the Meridian and give us a report --
The 340 Cruiser
comes with a few new features for 2009, like a choice of interior configurations
with standard fixed berth or optional open lounge layout, a private aft cabin separated
by a solid bulkhead and door, and a Northstar 550 color chartplotter/GPS package.
Another feature is the continuation of the new look for Bayliner. This isn’t your father's Bayliner anymore. Take a look at the Bayliner 340 Cruiser.
Formula 400 Super Sport
Formula has made numerous changes with the latest version of the 400 Super Sport. The
most recognizable is the change from a stern trunk to a multi-purpose sunpad that
converts to a lounger where you can sit back, and relax while watching the action
off the stern. Optional low-maintenance teak-grained vinyl decking on the swim platform
and cockpit sole enhance the looks while not creating a back-breaking task to maintain.
The helm sports a silver, burl or wood finish and the company has redesigned the
galley for more function and better utilization of space.
Take a tour through Formula's 400 Super Sport.
Four Winns V358
If you are ready for the long weekends aboard an express cruiser and you don’t want to skimp on style and
comfort, the V358 is fast becoming a yacht of choice to take you to your favorite
get-away. She has all the comforts, style, and performance expected from Four Winns. Four Winns offers many engine options from several
companies so you can have a real choice here to find the right power for your application.
Join Captain Rob on his boat test of the Four Winns V358.
Grand Banks Eastbay 55SX
Grand Banks has built in more luxury and room for entertainment and cruising
with the
55SX. For the single handers, there is now a side entry door for the helmsman.
There are additional changes at the helm which make it more comfortable for long
cruises, such as the plush captain’s chair and powered sunroof. The 55SX features
two cabins and two heads as the standard layout, but is also available with three
cabins. Take a look at Eastbay 55 SX.
As you read this (on Wednesday March 18) two Yanmar 6BY2
260-hp diesels are being lowered into the engine room of a 19-year old Tollycraft
at Collins Marine in Bethel Island, California. This is the latest project for a
man who has sailed across the Pacific and ranged from Panama to Alaska in powerboats
of all kinds. His name is Lee Simpson and he loves living aboard and cruising wherever
he may be – and he does it for less money than most people. The latest boat and
one that he is repowering is a 40’ Tollycraft. To find out more about this exciting repower
project-- step on it.
Doral has tested more engine combinations in
their Alegria than most any other builder in a boat this size. With a top speed
of 41 mph this express cruiser is hard to beat. More important, the boat’s best
cruise is at 30.5 mph where she gets slightly over one mile per gallon. The Alegria
with IPS has joystick steering at low speeds making docking easy and fun. But the
real story with this boat is the incredible attention to detail and the extensive
use of wood below which gives the interior a warm and cozy yacht feel. And she is beautiful-- blending European styling with North American functionality. For more
information --
They won’t fit behind houses in Ft. Lauderdale, but that’s
a good thing because this design is intended for people who want to go places, lots
of them, and in virtually any kind of weather. Readers might recall the article
we published a fortnight ago about “Darth Vader’s” latest. Well, this is that boat’s
recreational little sister. If you have something against catamarans, forget it
because this design is beyond that. She is intended to go 45 knots WOT, but we’d
like to see her go 20 knots and sip fuel. She has four staterooms below, crew quarters,
plus a 30’ wide main salon. And that’s just the beginning. To read all about her--
pamper your mouse.
If you are planning to buy a new diesel-powered boat that has ZF marine
gears this
spring, you can have it fitted with ZF’s new Joystick Maneuvering System (JMS).
Viking, Tiara, and MasterCraft are already offering the system on some of their models.
New boats at dealerships or in process at the factory can have the JMS installed
or retro-fitted, according to a ZF spokesman. Moreover we’re told that
ZF plans to offer a JMS retrofit for the aftermarket as early as this fall. To find
out more about what is happening-- tweak your joymouse.
Recently we took a special video look at the new 101’ Seafarer built by Hargrave
and now she is ready for charter. The boat is available from now until July
anywhere from the Bahamas to Newport, RI. She comes with a crew of four, including
stew and chef. The folks at Hargrave, who are handling her charter, tell us that
the owner is giving $4000 off on the APA (advance provision allowance). She was
designed for world cruising and has all of the amenities a vessel this size should
have.
Find out more information and her charter rate --
The SeaKey safety system was first introduced in 2002 and is now installed in over
10,000 boats. This proven system is primarily directed at boater safety and boat
security. Not only can you send an SOS at the touch of a button, but the system
also tracks the boat in case of theft. It’s like “On Star” in automobiles, but it
has far more uses, including keeping track of your kids when they use your boat,
and knowing where your captain really is. Read all about this incredible safety device--
Recently Inmarsat launched its newest I-4 satellite and now it has activated broadband
service for mariners using KVH TracPhone FB500 and FB250. This means that businessmen
can work from their yachts and stay in touch with the rest of the planet with both
phone and broadband Internet service. Because of Inmarsat’s limited capacity, connection
charges are not cheap. You can pay for connection by the minute, by kbs, or with
a monthly subscription fee of $3300. Find out more --
Used boat prices are dropping just like new boat prices. If you have been thinking
about buying a used boat but haven’t checked the prices in a few months, then we
invite you to take a look now. To make it easier for you, BoatTEST.com now imports
over 100,000 listings from BoatTrader.com so that you can check them out right on
BoatTEST.com. Likewise, BoatTEST’s videos and reviews can be accessed right on participating
dealers’ listings on BoatTrader.com. Buying opportunities have never been better for both new and used
boats -- check out prices.
Through the Freedom of Information Act the Associated Press has been able to obtain
a 23-page USCG report on the accident that took the lives of three men, two of whom
were NFL players, recently in the waters off of Clearwater, Florida. The report details the effects
of hypothermia and the importance of filing a float plan. New information has come
to light, but the USCG cautions that hypothermia may have affected the memory of
Nick Schuyler, the lone survivor. For the AP report --
In case you haven’t noticed, virtually everyone in the marine business is producing
e-newsletters these days and our partners at Trader.com joined the party.
Trader currently has over 115,000 new and used boat listings. Their monthly newsletter
is packed full of boats for sale, boating tips, boat show dates, news, and video
tests from BoatTEST. Best of all the Trader e-newsletter is free.
To sign up
now --
The last several years mold remediation in houses has blossomed into a multi-million
dollar business and has kept many lawyers out of the soup kitchens. We’ve all
lived with mold all of our lives, but it is now an environmental flavor of the month,
so you’d better not be caught with your spores down. Not only does mold smell
bad, it can be bad for your health and degrade the finish of your boat costing you
hundred of dollars when you go to sell it. Capt. Pauley will give you the quick cure -- wipe your mouse.
Looking for a new or used boat but afraid you might not be getting the best deal?
Smart buyers know that the best way to come out on a boat is to buy it right. There
has never been a better time to buy than today. Simply let BoatTEST.com know what
you are looking for and we’ll have dealers calling you with deals. Just sit back
and wait for the phone to ring. Sign up here --
If you are a boat dealer looking for customers, BoatTEST.com might have some for
you. All you have to do is check the list of boats
our members are looking for to
see if they want what you happen to have in stock. You might get lucky --
This week Capt. Steve goes over fourteen new lessons and
guidelines on reading charts and how to plot an exact position by using degrees,
minutes and tenths of minutes to tell anyone exactly where you are in the world.
If you’re going to be out in the open ocean it’s important to learn how to read
charts for your own safety and to help give direction to other boaters, as well
as your coordinates should an emergency arise. Capt. Steve also suggests getting
into the habit of checking the Local Notice to Mariners which the Coast Guard publishes
to report any changes or deficiencies in aids to navigation. 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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