Carolina Cat 23CC:
A Multi-Tasking Cat
When a company intends to make a crossover boat it's usually a combination of fishing and family fun, with token features for each mission at best. But this Carolina Cat 23CC has a whole new take on multi-tasking. She has the running draft of a flats boat, the roominess of a center console, the legs for long distance traveling, and the rough water handling of a deep-V all rolled into one. With this much utility, surely the ride has to give, right? Wrong! Join us on the test ride...
Request factory price quote
|
Captain's Report
Chaparral 244 Xtreme:
Making Waves in a Big Way
Who would have thought that a company known for making luxury sportboats and small
cruisers could ever have a chance in the ski/wakeboard market? But that's exactly what happened when Chaparral came out with its Xtreme line-up. The 244 Xtreme has
both a deep-V bottom and ballast bags which together can make a huge wake. Then,
there is Xtreme's striking styling. Make no mistake about it, Chaparral is not just kidding with its intention of competing in this highly specialized market.
More...
Request a brochure
|
New Test Video
Intrepid 375 Center Console:
Improving A Blue-Blood Breed
The new Intrepid 375 Center Console was originally designed to replace the 370 Center Console with a boat that provides more comfort, sleeker styling, and the ability to carry larger engines. What emerged is a new thoroughbred center
console that is the envy of connoisseurs of elegant boat flesh. It's important
to see how a boat is built when money is no object.
Let's take a look...
|
Test Video
Cruisers Yachts 41 Cantius:
An Open Floor Plan Cruiser
The 41 Cantius has the same open floor plan and cruising capability as her big sister (the well-known 48 Cantius) while still providing a capable weekend retreat at a price that puts her within reach of more people. And like the 48, our tests
have proven her to be a solid-handling boat in sloppy offshore conditions.
See how she runs...
|
Test Video
Evinrude ICON:
Digital Controllability for Outboards
The days of running sliding control cables from the helm all the way back to the engine through a fairly tortuous route are well behind us as far as many builders
are concerned. Now it's a matter of a simple wire run and digital controls for control shift and throttle. Adding another control station is as simple as running another wire and swapping between stations can be done at the push of a button. Evinrude's entry into the world of digital controls is called ICON and to find out just how capable it is, we did a full test of the controls to see what they offer.
More...
|
Construction Process
Harris FloteBote:
Not All Toons Are Created Equal
This spring pontoon boats as a class had the largest year-over-year sales increase
of any type of boat on the market. But what separates the good toons from those
that are off-key is more than price. There is far more to good toon construction than meets the eye as you will see in our Harris FloteBote construction
video.
See how it is done...
|
Captain's Report
36'
Jeanneau Leader 10:
Clever Utilization of Space
At 36’ (10.85 m) the Jeanneau Leader 10 hits the sweet spot of the size range between young couples moving up and empty-nesters moving down, and does so with a level of affordability that Jeanneau has become known for. This Leader 10 offers two private staterooms with a roomy salon and galley that allows two couples, or a family, to cruise in comfort. Jeanneau leaves the build quality in, yet
is able to keep the price from getting out of hand by cutting back on the non-essentials.
Take a look at what we mean...
|
Test Video
Mako Pro Skiff 17 CC:
Light Boat, Heavy Work
Anybody who's been around work barges is familiar with the utility that skiffs inherently
have. The Mako Pro 17 Skiff CC features an inverted V-hull that draws only 8” (20.3 cm). She's capable of carrying heavy loads of nets across shallow waters or tackling rough water to get to the coastal ledges. Look at our full test video...
|
Review Video
MasterCraft X-2:
Time to Wake Up
MasterCraft is one of the premier builders in the rarefied atmosphere of inboard-powered
ski/wake boats. Long known for its superb styling and high-quality fit-and-finish,
we find that the X-2 is no exception. While the X-2 may be a small package with it’s 20’ (6.1 m) length overall, she packs an abundance of amenities in a garage-friendly
package.
More...
|
Test Video
Nitro 290 Sport:
Nitro Goes For The Family
Normally we see builders of bowriders throw a trolling motor on the bow and call
it a "crossover" fishing boat. Here we see just the opposite. This time it's a company known for making affordable bass boats and doing a crossover into the watersports category. Nitro seems to have made a good combination that goes beyond the token fishing features that we normally see. This is a boat designed for the whole family and she is not just a warmed-over bass boat.
Take a look at our full report...
|
Captain's Report
Robalo R247:
A Dual-Console For Any Mission
The dual console Robalo R247 certainly qualifies as belonging in the salty category. At 5,000 lbs. (2,268 kg) dry, with a single 300-hp engine and a 22-degree deadrise at the transom she is not afraid of lumpy water offshore. But because she's able to handle conditions like that, she has a lot of appeal for boaters looking to head
beyond a protected inlet. Depending on whether you're fishing with the guys or playing with the family, Robalo offers the options for exactly the mission
planned.
Take a look...
|
Captain's Report
Sea Ray 310 Sundancer:
She's Loaded and Built Right
Few models are as recognizable as the Sundancer series from Sea Ray; indeed, the builder pretty much invented the express cruiser type as we know it today. With the 310 Sundancer Sea Ray is providing consumers with a nice balance of features and amenities at a reasonable price. Although she's gone through some minor changes over the years, the model has stayed largely the same and faithful to her roots.
May we have this dance?
|
Test Video
Tahoe Q8 SSi:
54.3 MPH WOT with 300-hp
The Tahoe Q8 SSi is the flagship of the Tahoe runabout line-up and we found her
to be a well thought-out family boat. With a 300-hp Mercury Centurion engine, she reached a top speed of 54.3 mph with pleasing handling characteristics. The builder quotes
a price of under 29k for her. The rest of the story...
|
Test Video
Tigé RZ2 Platinum Edition:
Loaded to the Max
Tigé tells us that its RZ2 was designed for those who want both big wake and high
style. She's tricked out for performance and has virtually every
available option. Tigé calls her the Platinum Edition and we'd be willing to bet that she will leave wake duded wanting little else. Let's take it on a test ride...
|
Test Video
World Cat 255 DC:
Offshore Performance with Crossover Features
The World Cat 255 DC had some interesting features that made her pretty evenly split between a serious offshore fishing boat, a family runabout, and an entertainment platform that can handle large crowds. With her twin hulls and narrow entry she's able to handle herself well in sloppy conditions.
Full test video...
Factory price quote
|
Lesson of the Week
How to Handle Your Boat
in Different Sea Conditions
This week Capt. Steve goes over five lessons and guidelines on understanding wave characteristics and how to handle your boat in different types of sea conditions. Learn how to approach a head sea and make the ride more comfortable for you and your passengers, learn how to handle the boat in a following sea. The videos presented this week are part of BoatTEST.com’s Boating Course which is USCG-approved. Watch these video boating lessons every week on BoatTEST.com.
To view this week’s lessons --
Order all lessons on DVD--
|
Ducky Award Winner
First Place
“But Hon, it's never too cold to be on the water!” – J. Barton
Second Place
“Dear Santa, I hope my father understands what I want this time...” – E. Baki
Third Place
“Evidence that PWCs existed in the Ice Age.” – C. Wells |
What's Going
On Here?
You write the caption! Will you win the coveted "Ducky Award" for best caption?
Simply fill in your caption and you may get lucky -- quack here.
We need reader help!
If you have a picture that you think needs some explanation, email it to us.
|
|
All articles, Captain's Reports, video content or other
material which appear on BoatTEST.com and in its newsletters are accurate and factual
to the best knowledge of BoatTEST.com and its staff. All findings, beliefs, experiences,
or endorsements presented are the honest opinions of BoatTEST.com or its contributors.
In compliance with FTC 16 CFR Part 255 BoatTEST.com advises its readers that content
that appears in its newsletter or on its website may have been produced for compensation
or the prospect of future compensation. BoatTEST.com makes no claims for the veracity
or motivation of reader comments, Owners’ Reports, and other contributions which
are all clearly labeled as such.
|
|
|
Download the performance chart
Request a 2012 Harris FloteBote catalog
Download the performance chart
