There’s a new sassy gal on the block for 2010 and BoatTEST.com got the first date.
She’s the all-new Regal 2300 – so new, in fact, that she’s not yet posted on the
Regal website. Consider this her coming out party. The Regal 2300 is no high school
ingénue, but rather a classy lady that will stop conversation when entering virtually
any marina. She’s fast -- something we’ve always been attracted to -- and she has
a stepped hull that Regal calls FasTrac. You might have heard some nasty gossip
about her FasTrac sorority sisters, so one of our missions when testing the Regal
2300 was to see how she really performed. Clearly this was a job for Capt. Steve,
who is known for preferring attractive ladies who also cook.
Here’s the real skinny
on this new babe, but please, keep it confidential -- avert mouse eyes
New Video
2009 Tahoe Q4 SS Review:
$19K for a Starter Package
According to one dealer we spoke with the new 2010 models are selling for about
$700 more than the 2009 models and he was out of the 2009 Q4 SS boats. Shop around and
you may be able to find some 2009s still in inventory for the $18,635 package price.
According to Tahoe this includes dealer prep and freight, along with the engine
and trailer. Sometimes you see a low-priced “starter” boat but then you have to
add necessities which make the advertised price realistically unattainable. Not
so with Tahoe. Recently Capt. Steve took a good look at the Q4 SS.
Watch the video and read his review of the Tahoe Q4 SS --
In 1992, Bob Menne started the Premier Marine pontoon boat
company in Wyoming, Minnesota. At about that time pontoon boats were taking off
in popularity and Premier simply got in front of the trend and has stayed there
ever since. It is unquestionably the most innovative pontoon builder in the country
and it now builds pontoon boats from 14’ to 44'. The company’s motto is “You dream
it, and we’ll build it.” That’s right, not only can you buy one of the company’s
standard models, but you can also have Premier build a custom-made pontoon boat
for your specific purpose. Premier boats are used in both freshwater and saltwater
and are sold all over the world. To give you a taste of exactly how grand a pontoon
boat can be we offer this photo tour of the 31’ “Boundary Waters” --
During the last two weeks there have been several reports of PWCs exploding or catching
on fire. In the two reports where the PWCs were identified, the units were older,
which means that PWCs – just like boats – are far more prone to having fire issues
as they age. It makes sense. PWCs are built to USCG and industry standards, but
years of pounding, vibration and lack of maintenance take their toll. This week
Allstate is sponsoring three safety videos that each last about 2 minutes. Watch
and follow the advice on them and you should have a safe, fun summer on your
PWC.
See all Allstate safety videos --
Tigé corporate videos are some of the most informative on the market. The builder’s
in-house wakeboarding pro takes us through the important details of the company’s
exciting new tower which is shot-through with innovation. Then the wake dude shows
Tigé’s hole shot, maneuvering and awesome wake-making capabilities. We think you’ll like these five short Tigé-made videos --
In a tough economy, everyone is price conscious. We may want the Mercedes but they
cost more than a Hyundai. But the real question is-- if you pay for the Mercedes
do you get value for your money? Where Formula is concerned, we think you do. We’ve
done previous reports on what’s referred to as, “The Formula Difference”, and in
this economy, a builder better be making a real difference. And it is here where
Formula delivers. Most boaters we know are not willing to compromise their expectations
of craftsmanship, fit-and-finish and seakeeping abilities in a boat they own just
because Lehman Brothers had no standards. These are people who take pride in the
boat they own and have no plans to be buying the blue light specials. Formula’s 270
Bowrider is a boat that sets the standards in its class. No matter what boat you
are considering, you owe it to yourself to experience the benchmark. (Someone once
said, you never regret buying the very best, so at least you should know what it
is.)
We have asked Capt. Rob to show us the important aspects that set the Formula 270
apart from the rest --
It may look like a pickle fork bow, but it’s actually a V-hull with chines that
don’t meet at the stem, rather they stay “split” and run up to the deck on the bow.
This is why Four Winns calls the SL 222 a “split chine” design. Her bow is just
one of the many design features that show how far forward-thinking Four Winns’ staff
really is. The list of good new ideas just goes on and on as you make your way to
the swim platform. Check out Capt. Rob’s video and captain’s report for a detailed
look at this award winning sportboat. It may just change your mind about what a
boat should bring to the table-- or towrope! Capt. Rob’s full report --
Many of our members and visitors have told us they would like to purchase a new
boat this year, but are apprehensive about moving forward in this economy. That
is why the team at BoatTEST.com has created a strategic partnership with the folks
at Bayliner and Maxum called the "Factory-Backed" Program. Through this program, BoatTEST
will ensure that our members receive world class customer service and consideration
as well as the piece of mind that the factory is behind the deal all the way. The
fact is, due to the economy there has never been a better time to buy a new boat.
If you live near the areas listed above and are interested in these models or any Bayliner
or
Maxum model, get connected here.
The 20’ to 25’ category of sportboats is one that Sea Ray has dominated for years,
but in
a survey of the six most populous boating states, Yamaha inched by in a rolling 12-month sales window that ended March 2009. The rest of the country usually
follows the trend set in these states. For several years Yamaha’s 23-foot models
had been the highest selling sportboats in that size range. Yamaha offers sportboats in
just two sizes, 21’ and 23’, and all of them have twin 1052 cc engines that
drive water pumps. Yamaha was down 28% from the previous 12 months and Sea Ray was
down 46% for the same period. It is unclear what the reason is for this relative improvement
in Yamaha boats’ popularity, but most people point to their quality, features and
price, which runs from
$31k to $43k.
Finding the right prop for your application is not as easy as you may think. In
fact, it is our experience that proper prop selection is one of the most difficult
tasks in boating to make sure you are getting optimum performance. Mistakes can
be costly in terms of fuel consumption, drive train wear, prop longevity and speed.
The right pitch and diameter is not the end of it, but rather just the beginning
of the process. There are numerous other aspects to prop selection including rake,
cup, surface area, material and the number of blades. Capt. Rob offers some good advice about props --
Triton has a reputation for building strong boats for freshwater applications. Their
unibody construction gives strength while reducing performance-robbing weight, and
this is just as important in their saltwater boats as well. The new Triton 261CC
has not only those characteristics, but also offers serious fishing features that
will bring the fight to the fish. BoatTEST.com has not been asked to test this boat,
but nevertheless we feel it is one of the best boats built in class and consumers
should give it at least a "once-over" before moving on. There is a lot about the boat
to like, so we asked Capt. Steve to check out the 261CC and give us his report.
Take
the bait -- you know you want to --
New Boat
Caravelle Crossover 240: Bowrider with Deckboat Punch
Competition is heating up in the deckboat arena, and the design folks at Caravelle
have rolled up their sleeves and launched a contender that is sure to KO a number
of her competitors. Caravelle has been in business for 40 years and it is incorporating
some of the highest tech materials seen in any boat in this class. The Caravelle
Crossover 240 has a long list of standards that give her plenty of points in her
category. Coupled with the right mix of options and a competitive price, this is
one fight that ain’t over till it’s over. We gave Capt. Steve a ringside
seat, and he’s reported back to us. In this corner-- the Caravelle Crossover 240
Boston Whaler has been touting the un-sinkability of their boats for decades, and
with good reason. It’s like Christie Brinkley says -- “If you’ve got it, flaunt it!”
The company responsible for so many classics has re-tooled its mid-sized center
console for better performance, and – we fervently hope – a softer, dryer ride.
For Whaler this is an important new boat, because the old Outrage was a classic
and this is the sweet spot of 20-foot boat sales. We look forward to testing the
new Boston Whaler 250 Outrage this fall, but since we can’t wait, we asked Capt.
Steve to take a look and give us his opinion. Will it pass his scrutiny?
Capt. Steve Looks
Smoker Craft Ultima 162: The Stuff Memories Are Made
Of
Capt. Steve’s first boat was a 16-footer. And it’s the boat that started him on a
journey that culminated in a career that has made him a world-famous boat captain
having to beat back groupies with a GPS! Well, at least that’s how he explains it
-- and he get’s some pretty interesting fan mail. As it turns out, the Smoker Craft
Ultima 162 is the perfect size for teaching boating responsibility to your kids,
the same way Capt. Steve was taught -- by giving responsibility. And the Smoker
Craft Ultima 162 is just the boat to do it. Read Capt. Steve’s report and see what we mean --
Vetus is a huge Dutch marine supply company that specializes in aftermarket parts
for recreational powerboats. They have been in business for over 50 years and they
develop, manufacturer, and sell hundreds of products for the aftermarket. One of
their latest creations is the tank that you see pictured above which was conceived
for people who want to add a water tank or holding tank to their existing boat and
utilize some hard-to-get-to space. Vetus is using new
technology so that boat owners can actually custom form their own tank from 15 gallons
(59 liters) to 40 gallons (150 liters). This might be ideal if you have decided
to hold on to your old boat and you want to upgrade, or you need added tankage.
To find out how it works --
If you haven’t caught the program “Pleasure Boater” on cable TV, then you are in
for a treat. It is aired on Versus and on the Sun Sports cable channels. The programs
have been running all spring long, but they are now going into summer re-runs so
you can still catch them. We count Capt. Ted Jones as a good friend and we’re here
to tell you that he is a real USCG-licensed captain. He reminds us a bit of the
Captain from Gilligan’s Island because of his cap and his great sense of humor.
He is an avid boater and in each episode he explores several different nautical
related subjects – most of which are not the normal boating magazine or TV program
fare. Each week you can also see the best of BoatTEST's most recent tests. Learn more about Pleasure Boater and the Masters Entertainment
Group that produces it --
A personal watercraft burst into flames Thursday afternoon at Lakeside County Park
on Soda Bay Road south of Lakeport, California. The cause is still under investigation,
according to Kelseyville Fire Protection District Engineer Scott Crawford. The '80s-model
SX Kawasaki watercraft's fuel cap was missing, and a rubber band held a plastic
zip bag over the opening. The fire started when the rider turned the ignition.
To learn more about this close encounter of a Stooge kind -- slap your mouse --
Construction workers working on a bridge over a dam who watched the tragedy play
out, reported that a man and a woman were in an outboard powered-boat with its engine
not operating and were being swept in a fast-moving river. The boat was carried into the bridge but
the occupants were unable to keep it from going over the dam. Reportedly neither
occupant was wearing a PFD when the incident started, but the woman had time to get
her life jacket on which kept her afloat as she was caught in the undertow
at the
base of the dam. The man in the boat drowned. Watch this local news video for the details --
Our mail box was filled recently by reader submissions from southern Fairfield County,
CT with links to a YouTube video post of past SYC Commodore Jimmy Love’s wooden
cabin cruiser burning. This sad video documents how important it is to have a fire
boat ready to go in a harbor as within a few minutes one was on station and quickly
brought this fire under control.
This month’s USCG Safety Recalls involves Evinrude outboard engines and two MasterCraft
boat models. Both recalls involve problems related to fuel systems and are therefore
quite important. As always, if you know someone who has one of the products mentioned
in this recall, please forward this notice to them.
To see the recall --
Boating Safety
A Collision at Sea Can Ruin Your Whole Day
If you ever wanted to be a boat racer, then perhaps you should look at this video
which will show you all of the fun you have been missing. Many of the clips look
funny, but unfortunately in most of them there is at least one body being hurdled
through space to the concrete-hard water. There are a lot of ways one can get hurt
boating, but boat racing – or racing your boat – lead the list. Imagine what would
happen to Indy cars if they were running over an asphalt track that had 3-foot high
speed bumps? In fact, in 1961 the bricks on Indy’s front straightway were finally
paved over because a popular driver’s car went out of control due to the uneven surface of the track causing a fatal accident.
Next time you run your boat fast remember
you are travelling over one of the roughest surfaces for a vehicle on earth. See
the video --
Capt. Steve's Lesson
How to Approach an Inlet and Dock
in a Strong Current
This week Capt. Steve goes over six new lessons and guidelines on how to dock
your boat in a strong current and how to carefully approach an inlet in heavy waves.
Capt. Steve will demo some approaches
that show you how to dock going into the current, which is what you want, but he’ll
also go over how to dock with the tide behind you, and how to slowly drift into
the dock with the tide. These are basic procedures 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.
We do not SPAM, nor do we sell, rent, or give your member information to ANY third party without your permission. You will receive our FREE weekly e-newsletter, which you may easily cancel at any time
Most of our content, boat tests and videos are available for free viewing. However, there is a small charge for access to archived videos and tests.
