We just completed our test of the Meridian 580 and
we’re here to tell you that this motoryacht is a tremendous value no matter how
you want to look at it. Capt. Steve put the 580 through her paces and he was impressed
both with the boat’s handling and the execution of her interior joinerwork. She
has a surprising list of standard equipment that is usually optional on many
boats. Moreover,
a lot of good, solid design planning went into the 580 which shows us that
this is the builder to watch during the next several years. The Meridian 580 is
an outstanding contender in her class – and a million dollars less than some of
her competition!
Don’t miss Capt. Steve’s full report --
Cruisers Yachts
have some new kids on the block and the 420 Sports Coupe is one of them. This
model addresses one of the age-old issues some of us have with a hardtop. Rather
than have the last foot or so open with Isinglass that you have to tangle with,
on this model the windshield wraps around the entire top and you need only add the
camper canvas across the back when the weather turns on you. The cockpit has lots
of seating that can be converted into a sunpad. Take a look at the Cruisers Yachts 420 Sports Coupe.
Carver 44 Sojourn
Carver's new addition to its 11-model family from 36' to 56' sits squarely in the
middle. The concept of this boat is to provide affordable comfortable cruising accommodations
for two couples or for a family. The emphasis in boat building these days is at
the stern, and Carver has certainly zeroed-in on that aspect to provide
plenty of space for all sorts of activities.
Take a tour through Carver's 44 Sojourn.
Jeanneau 38 S
For the last eight years Jeanneau has been building powerboats and now has 10 express
and flying bridge models in their line, from 30’ to 50’. Jeanneau calls its powerboat
line “Prestige.” They are modern, innovative and because the company is trying to
break into the U.S. they are extremely low priced. If you are interested in something
a little different with a European flare you should check out the Prestige line.
Come aboard the Jeanneau 38 S.
Hargrave 84 Mar Azul
Hargrave Custom Yachts has long sought to drive home
to the motoryacht-buying public how far customers can go to “personalize” the boats
they build. Nothing dramatizes the point better than this innovative new design
concept which looks like a raised deck pilothouse motoryacht on the outside, but
on the inside does not waste valuable main deck real estate as do conventional pilothouse
configurations. According to Hargrave owner Mike Joyce, “This boat was designed
to be handled by a husband and wife,” and is equipped with everything a cruising
couple will need. Take a look at the Mar Azul from Hargrave.
Recently we have received quite a bit of mail from readers
asking if we think this or that brand will survive the current recession. Typically,
readers tell us that they are thinking
about buying a new boat but a salesperson
from a competing brand (usually a bigger one) has said the brand the buyer has their
heart set on will not survive the recession. Above you can see examples of three
out of more than 20
brands that did not survive the devastation caused by the 10%
Luxury Tax promulgated by the U.S. Congress in 1991. So, which builders will survive
this rather large bump in the economic road? We think you might be surprised by our answer --
In all likelihood, three men lost their lives because
NFL player Marquis Cooper didn’t want to lose another anchor, as occurred on a fishing
trip the week before. (Mistake #1) After William Bleakley tied the boat’s anchor rode to a pad
eye on the port side transom of the boat, (Mistake #2) Cooper shoved the throttle of his 200-hp
outboard forward in an attempted to free the snagged anchor (Mistake # 3). With the anchor holding
the boat down and the thrust of the engine trying to push the boat forward, it is
little wonder that topping seas in what may have been 40 knot winds spilled over
the boat’s transom and swamped it. Survivor Nick Schuyler told FFWCC officers that
once the boat swamped, it quickly capsized to the port side. To read the official report of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission’s report -- read on.
For the last 20 years we have stood in awe of the rapidity with which Sunseeker
Yachts in Poole, England has introduced exciting new models and taken much of the
world by storm. The company’s founders started as boat dealers in the 1970s
and were quick to get the message that those stogie, hide-bound British yachtsmen
were ready for a little excitement in their lives. Once started, they never looked
back, each year introducing still larger models culminating a couple of years ago
with the 120’ beauty that is the production queen at boat shows around the world.
Recently Sunseeker launched its new Predator 64 -- mouse aboard.
The 3100 SE is the largest boat in Maxum's Sport Cruiser series and the second
largest boat in the builder’s whole line. Maxum is a Brunswick-owned builder and
is generally considered to be a step-up boat from the Bayliner brand. The 3100 SE
is designed to be a versatile express cruiser suitable for day cruising and water
sports, as well as a weekender for a couple or small family.
A bimini and cruising canvas comes standard on the 3100 SE which lengthens this boat’s
season, something we like. To find out our take on the boat’s standard equipment
--
Perhaps it is a coincidence that in the 1970s and ‘80s
high-speed cruising powerboats had a dramatic rise in popularity. Could it have
been it was because thousands of former WW II PT boat crews were then hitting their peak
earning years? Certainly the quest for speed in convertibles and motoryachts caught
the engine companies by surprise as they scrambled to cobble together Rube Goldberg
diesels that could generate the horsepower to power these brutes. The PT boats
used triple V-12 Packard engines which feed on aviation gasoline. To find out what the PT boats were like and why they captured the
imagination of a generation --now hear this.
Starting today (April 1, no fooling!) OceanLED will pay up to $1000 for a haul-
out
for any customer buying four or more of their 3010 Pro-Series underwater lights.
The offer is good for the first 250 customers from now until June 30th. You can
select any color, any style, in 50-degree or 180-degree lens options. The lights
must be purchased through an authorized dealer (not online) or boatyard. OceanLED
is suggesting that while your boat is hauled-out, why not get the bottom painted
using Interlux paint, which is co-sponsoring their promotion. We love it! While
you’re on OceanLED’s nickel, why not check your cutlass bearings, change zincs and
have your props re-balanced, too? To find out who your local OceanLED dealer is -- turn on your mouse.
The murder of the owner of a 44’ sailboat last week off the Thailand coast has
shocked the yachting community and provides warning for boaters cruising in
unfamiliar waters. Malcolm Robertson tried to stop thieves from making off with
his dinghy and paid with his life. Mrs. Robertson said she was “trussed up naked
like a chicken” for nine hours by thieves. Yachtsmen cruising in waters outside
North America and Western Europe would be well advised to keep a person on watch
throughout the night and be prepared with emergency measures in case of trouble.
Radar units are available that sound an alarm when a perimeter is crossed. To find
out more about this tragedy and to add your comments for cruising safety --
There has been much in the news about what is happening in Detroit, in housing,
on Wall Street, and elsewhere – but what exactly is the current recession doing
to the industry that builds the boats that we love? Everyone knows that sales are
down, but what exactly is going on among the companies that dream up, design and
build our boats? Will some positive changes come out of this economic trauma?
To find out, we surveyed some of America’s premier builders --
Bottled water for drinking often costs more than gasoline and that’s why a good on-board
water filter is a great way to lower your annual boat operating costs. Water from
boat water tanks is notoriously foul and, with good reason, most boaters we know won’t
drink it. Yet lugging costly bottled water aboard is a pain, takes up space and is
expensive. You only need room to fit one 3M water filter to the freshwater line
in your galley, for example, and you can have pure water to drink or to make iced
tea, lemonade or whatever. It’s a practical, low-cost way to upgrade your boat this
spring.
Watch Capt. Rob explain it all --
Last week we reported on the U.S. Navy entering the ranks of Samurai Seamanship
with the collision of two of its vessels in the Strait of Hormuz. Our trusty contributor
-- and American jingoist -- Bill Noble, has asked us this week to publish the U.S.
Navy’s 2008 pictorial slide show so that this newsletter can stay “fair and balanced.”
To those 25% of our readers who are not American, we would be glad to publish the
slide shows of your country’s navy in action, or inaction, as the case may be. That
this is propaganda is no doubt, but we think that you will agree with us that most
of the photos would win 1st prize in most any art show. These pictures are in the
finest tradition of that truly great WWII Navy band of photographers – the Steichen
Unit. Pictures that are hard to forget --
Have you ever seen a new boat that has a gel coat finish that is so bright and glossy
that you want to rub your hand over it and feel its soft, "silky"
contours? Have you
ever seen an old boat where you have wanted to do that? Weather, UV, oxidation,
abrasions, scratches and just plain normal use all take a heavy toll on delicate
gel coat. We have found a product that the bobuffatyard pros use that is economical,
easy to apply and can make an old boat look like new for under $29.
It is called
Yacht Brite "Buff Magic," and in 2003 it won the NMMA’s Innovation Award. To find
out more and where to get it -- polish your mouse.
This week Capt. Steve goes over nine new lessons and
guidelines on setting a course and taking bearings. Capt. Steve explains that bearings are
the basic forms of determining your position, and you should always look around
to get your bearings with a point on land. Other basics covered in these lessons
are the differences between nautical and statute miles, and using speed and distance
to find out time to travel. These are basic lessons 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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