Marquis Yachts tells us that their boats have a new level of attention to detail
that rivals top-tier builders. The typical Marquis Yachts customer is an owner/operator
with average boating skills who is also looking for quality and modern Euro-styling.
Let’s take a look the 420 Sport Coupe and see. Deck shoes only when stepping aboard.
By now, IPS and joystick docking is not a new topic. Everyone
loves the full control while docking larger boats, even while the whole marina is
watching. But what about those veterans of the engine controls, the traditional
boat captains -- we never really got their opinion, or really let one wring it out
and see how it handles. So, we sent Capt. Steve, a tried-and-true aficionado of
close quarters handling in yachts of all sizes, to assess an IPS joystick on the
Regal 44 Sport Coupe. Check out his “first time with an IPS joystick” video here.
No, Capt. Steve-- it is not a video game.
Closer Look
Bayliner 320 Cruiser:
Layout Options to Please Everyone
Bayliner seems to be continuing with their goal of putting more people on the water
than anyone else. Bayliner boats are well built, well designed and priced to sell.
Not only is this 320 Cruiser a good looking boat, but it is offered in various layouts
to suit your tastes and needs. And, by keeping it affordable, they’ve created another
winning combination that will have more families enjoying our favorite pastime.
Check out our report and see if the Bayliner 320 Cruiser will be your next boat.
Good
times -- right this way --
Motoryachts
Hatteras 60 Motor Yacht:
That's "Entry Level" at Hatteras
We got a call last week from a man who has owned a 40’ sedan for several years and
he is now looking for “a new 50-footer,” but what caught his eye were a 58 and a
68 both of which BoatTEST published articles on in the last six weeks. “I really
like them both, but the 68 is too much money,” he said, “and I’m not sure I can
handle the 58-footer.” The fact is that if he can handle his 40-footer well, has
experience and has self-confidence, in our experience he will be fine with either
the 58 or 68-footer. In normal, no-wind and no-current circumstances, a single-engine
stern drive can be harder to dock than a large twin-engine motoryacht. So it is
with this conversation in mind that we will approach the Hatteras 60 Motor Yacht,
the smallest motoryacht in the Hatteras line, as well as look at basic buying considerations
in this category of yacht. Step aboard (sans shoes, please) --
With 24 models ranging from 18’ to 41’, Monterey Boats is a diverse company that
is not satisfied with just a piece of the action. They’re going after the whole
pie and with the new 320 SY, they now have 8 models in their Sport Yacht category
that range from 26’ to 41’. With so many people asking us about this new Sport Yacht,
we just had to take an initial look to see what she brings to the waterfront. Your
tour begins here --
As a test captain, I keep my ear to the ground for when something newsworthy comes
down the road. Here’s something I found while skulking around the Sea Ray docks.
Sea Ray’s popular 38 Sundancer has always been a premier family cruising and entertaining
platform, but it only came with V-drives. Customers talked, Sea Ray listened and
now, the 38 “DA” is offered with Axius joystick controls linked to twin 375-hp Merc
496 Magnums as standard. The options list offers engine upgrades up to twin Merc
425-hp with Axius, and twin 364-hp Cummins diesels driving Zeus pods. And for the traditional captains, such as myself, straight
shafts hanging off V-drives are still available with two gasoline powered options
(regular and H.O.), and one option for twin Yanmar diesels. We’ve all heard that
now is a great time to buy. Deals are everywhere just waiting to be had, but at
Sea Ray, they’ve also combine choices with their deals. This is a combination that
makes the difference. Explore Sea Ray’s Seven Seas sales event --
Nordic Tugs is inarguably the most recognizable of the semi-displacement designs
on the water today. With a long-standing pedigree and huge popularity, this tried-and-true
long distance cruiser has earned her stripes as a proven design that withstands
the test of time. The best way to get a down and dirty view of a new Nordic Tug
42 is without the hype of marketing polish and temporary boat show decorations,
in other words -- just a raw boat on the hard. This way to the factory --
New Boat
Rampage 38 Express:
Fishability with Comfort Thrown In
Express fishboats are often made for taking the fight to the fish and not much else.
The cabins are typically no frills, bunk down for the night and get back to fishing
the next morning, layouts. A few actually make the cabin family-friendly by making
separate staterooms and settees with tables. Rampage, the “Made for fishermen, by
fishermen” company, has created a sleek and functional battlewagon in their 38 Express,
and her cabin keeps the guys happy at the end of the day too. Come aboard and take a look --
Speed is basically a simple combination of thrust vs. weight. Add a lot of horses,
throw in just the right amount of lightness without making it too weak, stir, and
serve. But Formula Boats chose not to follow that standard recipe. They wanted a
boat that maintained the Formula performance heritage that has come to represent
the overall image of the company. The first series was called SR1 and performed
very well. However, technology and design being what it is, advancements were made
and a new line of go-fast boats were developed. That new line is called FASTech
and it completely replaced the SR1 line. The first model of the new FASTechs was
the 353. Subtle changes followed but the FASTech line endured and has now grown
into four models. This current 353 is the newest version of the Formula line of
go-fast boats, but it still follows a trend that sets it apart from most others.
Find
out what that trend is --
Second Opinion
Cruisers Yachts 520 Makes the Most of a 15' 6" Beam
Test numbers and performance are only part of the consideration that goes into the
purchase of a new yacht. Interior design and layout as well and the quality of materials
will have just as great an impact in your enjoyment while cruising. Come aboard
and see why Cruisers Yachts gets high marks when reviewed from a woman's point of
view. Step carefully here.
Tiara 3900 Sovran
One Stateroom, One Purpose
The team at Tiara Yachts tells us they have worked diligently to provide as much
space as possible within the 39’ 3” length and 13’11” beam of the 3900 Sovran. They
credit the IPS pod drive system from Volvo Penta and a single stateroom layout for
helping to achieve their goal. We think the 3900 is a fair balance between a comfortable
salon and a practical and enjoyable helm and cockpit area. Come along as Capt. Rob takes a closer look at her performance and
her beauty.
Since the introduction of the Inboard Performance System, better known by the acronym
IPS and the advancement of the EVC (Electronic Vessel Control), Volvo Penta has
been looking more like a software company than an engine company. We are all familiar
with the enhanced performance and increased maneuverability that POD drive systems
offer to even the novice captains, but remember that the concept is not new -- POD
drive systems have been driving commercial ships for several decades. What is new,
are the advancements in their operating controls. Throttle up here --
New Reader "Photo Story" Section
for Sharing Useful Information
Virtually every day we get pictures or emails from readers sharing their boating
experiences, asking questions, making suggestions, and telling us about stories
in their town. Our readers are sharp, very involved in boating, and have a lot of
good information to impart, yet we have not had a vehicle to pass on these pearls
to the rest of our readers until now. We are calling it “Photo Story” and it is
a place where you can post most anything that is on your mind relative to powerboating.
We posted this new functionality last Thursday on our home page and already a number
of readers have taken advantage of it. There is an old saying that “In every head
there is a different world.” We look forward to sharing what is in your head about
powerboats and related subjects with our readers -- millions of them -- all over
the planet. Remember, this is a family website. To see “Photo Story” --
Second Look
Four Winns V378:
Could They Mean 378 Things to Like?
Four Winns continues to impress with their V series. Case in point, the V378 has
enough features to practically turn this weekender into a live-aboard. A quick look
at the options list shows very few items as the standards take up the bulk of the
room. Couple that with the sheer volume of space on this boat and we have a winner
on our hands. But just to make sure, we sent Capt. Steve and his critical eye to
give the V378 the once over and report back to us. Now what is he going to complain about?
It all happened in Salem, Mass. – you know, the place where they used to burn witches
at the stake. Well, they are still having trouble with women, but this time they
are flying on boats instead of broomsticks. One female Salem boater recently got
in hot water after she was rescued from the cold water. It seems that she and her
chum were jumping wakes, trying to catch big air with her center console, when both
were thrown from the boat, which then raced to shore running 100’ inland and ending
up in some trees 25’ above the water. To see a picture of this lady and get the whole scoop -- jump your
mouse.
If you have a boat, you have metals that are being exposed to a harsh salt water
environment. We all can relate to the rusted screw, bolt, windlass safety pin, and
various other metal parts on our boats and trailers. Royal Purple recently asked
us to test their Maxfilm product and report back our opinion. One of the claims
from Royal Purple is that “Maxfilm leaves an exceptionally tough and durable lubricating
film for improved operation and long-lasting protection against wear, rust and corrosion.”
Let's see what we found.
One of the unpleasant discoveries made when commissioning time arrives is the abundance
of mold and mildew that has grown on cushions, bulkheads, fabrics and in dark, hard
to reach places in your boat. Mold can be a health hazard and it will certainly
spread if it isn’t removed. Once the mold and mildew are properly removed, then
you have to take steps to keep it from coming back. For more information about mold and how to get rid of it--
Help spread the knowledge and fun of the BoatTEST.com newsletter to your extended
boating family. Using the link above, you can send a request to five of your boating
buddies.
*Remember, BoatTEST.com does not spam. Your friend will be sent a link that they
can opt-in with.
We don’t know what it is about the rocks off Cap Ferrat,
but each year a large megayacht seems to find them irresistible. Granted, the tiny
peninsula is lovely enough to attract folks such as Bill Gates, Paul Allen, and
Andrew Lloyd Webber who have homes there, but its spiky shores are hard on aluminum
bottoms. Last year it was the 243’ (75 m) Mirabella V sailboat, this year it was
the 127’ Pari motoryacht. Writer Somerset Maugham called Cap Ferrat “The escape
hatch from Monaco for those burdened with taste." It also seems to be the landing
spot of large yacht captains lacking anchoring experience, to say nothing of not
keeping proper anchor watch. We are recommending Capt. Steve’s video Lesson #41 about “How to
Anchor” for some of the Med’s skippers --
If funding holds out and construction remains on schedule she will be launched a
year from now. The 97’ 6” (30 m) vessel “Planet Solar” will be powered exclusively
by 4,964 sq. ft. (470 sq. meters) of photovoltaic cells mounted on deck driving
two electric motors in her two hulls attached to multi-blade props. Her designers
claim that she will have a WOT (not warp) speed of 14 knots. We look forward to
testing this boat as soon as she is launched. We're told that the concept of the
project is to draw the attention of the world to the reality of using alternative
sources of energy in order to preserve the planet. To find out more about this fantastic boat and when it will be stopping
at a port near you -- beam up mouse.
For the past several weeks BoatTEST has been following professional filmmaker Sprague
Theobald on his epic adventure through the Northwest Passage. Last week we left
the crew of the Nordhavn 57 as they traveled through Devon Island. This week we
joined them as they arrived at Beechy Island, passed through Bear Point and patiently
waited for the ice to melt so they could continue pursuing their ultimate goal.
Adventure continues here --
This week Capt. Steve goes over four new lessons and guidelines
on what you should do if your boat capsizes. First and foremost get your life jackets
on. Stay with the boat and try to get as far on top of the boat as possible in order
to keep your body out of the water. Remember, you want to keep your body temperature
from dropping. Do not attempt to swim for help as you will just exhaust yourself.
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.
Second Place " U.S. Coast Guard, 'Your vessel name -- please repeat vessel name -- I
almost got it that time -- try it once more -- just a little louder.'" - M. Burton
Honorable (almost) Mention "The Chinese bankers invited the Obama administration onto their yacht
to break the bad news that there will be no more loans."
- S. Sanford
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