Hatteras 60 Motor Yacht:
A World-Class
Offshore Cruiser

The Hatteras 60 Motor Yacht is the real thing: her 18’ 2" (5.54 m) beam is as much as 2' wider than other motoryachts in class, her displacement is far greater than all others, and her fuel capacity is 60% greater than many motoryachts this size.

Hatteras designed the 60 Motor Yacht to take on ocean conditions while providing comfort and luxurious features for entertaining and weekend trips with friends. In other words, she's a real motoryacht not just a warmed-over express cruiser on steroids. We took her on a full test and found her to have excellent riding characteristics. At low-speed, Captain Steve tells us that he found her to be one of the most responsive boats he's been on in class.  The complete story is ready for viewing in our full test video. Let's take a ride on the Hudson...

Request Literature

New Features Video

Carolina Cat 23 CC:
A New Take on Multi-tasking

The Carolina Cat 23CC brought us up to 44.7 mph with a pair of 115-hp Yamaha 4-stroke outboards. Her greatest range at best cruising speed was 295 statute miles.

The Carolina Cat 23CC provides no-frills amenities to a capable multi-tasking fishing boat. She has the shallow draft of a bay boat, the handling of an offshore fishboat and the roominess of a deckboat. But no-frills does not mean bare-bones in this case, and we think boaters should judge for themselves the price/amenities relationship. Just take a look at our full features video. More...

Request factory price

Test Video

Tigé RZ4:
Looking Cool Counts, Too

With features like the Convex V-hull and TAPS 2 technology the Tigé RZ4 is one serious performer when it comes to making big wake.

The Tigé RZ4 is at the top of this brand's lineup and deservedly so. She provides state-of-the-art performance and innovations. But for boaters on lakes and rivers she can do more than just wake and bake, she also makes a cool runabout that should be a magnet for discerning babes. Talk about multi-tasking! Let's go for a ride and see how she performs. Hang on or hang 10...

Setting up your boat for wake surfing...

New Boat

Monte Carlo Yachts 70:
Aerospace-Thinking Comes to Yachting

The Monte Carlo Yachts 70 is more than just another pretty motoryacht, she is designed for the next generation of world-wide boaters.

On July 21st the team at Monte Carlo Yachts introduced its newest model to the world, the MCY 70. This is the third such introduction in as many years, but this is no ordinary yacht and Monte Carlo Yachts is no ordinary builder. The most striking aspect of the new MCY 70 is not her aggressive new design, use of space, or interior fit-and-finish, but rather it is the vision, values and techniques that have gone into this yacht's world-class manufacturing process. In this initial review we will look at some of the differentiating factors that we think make the Monte Carlo Yachts 70, and the entire brand, the new standard for large motoryachts. More...

Captain's Report

Chaparral 264 Sunesta:
A Boss Ride on the Lake

The Chaparral 264 Sunesta has an LOA of 26'4" (8.03 m) and a beam of 8'6" (2.59 m). Her dry weight comes in at 5,400 lbs (2,499 kg).

Chaparral designed the 264 Sunesta WT to be a "full-service" bowrider that can handle a large number of people and at the same time be nimble enough for a variety of watersports activities. Because of her high freeboard she can be used in big water and stay dry. Her long list of options allow her to be dialed into the type of entertaining or watersports the owner is looking for. More...

Request a brochure

Captain's Report

Harris FloteBote 230 Crowne:
The Royal Treatment

Perhaps the most unusual aspect of the 230 Crowne is a molded fiberglass and aluminum exterior construction that permits styling touches to make her more attractive than a pontoon with a flat panel fence.

The folks at Harris FloteBote tell us that their Crowne series is their top-of-the-line, and when a builder of high-end pontoons calls something "top-of-the-line" then boaters can expect something special. In fact, there are so many features to this 230 Crowne that shoppers in the pontoon market may want to use it as a benchmark.  Take a look at the full captain's report. More...

Features Video

Robalo R180:
Don't Call Her "Entry-Level"

Our test Robalo R180 had a 115-hp Yamaha 4-stroke on the transom, but she can handle up to 150-hp. Note her high freeboard, an important design trait that Robalo has always been known for.

Robalo created the R180 to be an affordable fishing platform that is also loaded beyond what we typically see in a "starter" boat. The fact is that she has all of the basics done right and her ss hardware is as good as that on boats that are twice the price. We think she is a vessel that even salty veterans will appreciate whether they are trading down or simply getting a second or third boat for their fleet. Look...

Request a brochure

Review Video

Tahoe 215 Xi:
A Deckboat For Fishing

The 215 Xi sits in the middle of a popular category with a length overall of 21'6" (6.5 m) and a trailerable beam of 8'6" (2.59 m).

The Tahoe 215 Xi combines the spacious layout and roominess of a deckboat combined with fishing features. This means on Saturdays Pop can catch dinner and on Sundays take the whole family on a picnic cruise. Of course whenever you're looking for crossover boat there some key features that you should be aware of, and in this video we take a look at some of them. More...

Features Video

Intrepid 475 Sport Yacht:
For the Discerning Buyer

Because she's powered by outboards, the Intrepid 475 Sport Yacht is able to provide much more interior space.

Intrepid Powerboats is one of the most upscale builders of powerboats in the world. Every boat they create is unique and custom built to the owner’s specifications. They are also sold factory-direct so customers are dealing first-hand with the builders and designers. This 475 Sport Yacht is among the largest of their lineup and she offers a lot of differentiating features from boats in her class. Let's take a features walk-through to show what we mean. More...

Have a specific question? Email the builder -- kclinton@intrepidpowerboats.com

Test Video

Jeanneau NC 9:
A New Concept in Affordable Cruising

The Jeanneau NC 9 measures 30'11" (9.43 m) with a 10'4" (3.15 m) beam. Her classic styling means she should never go out of style.

The Jeanneau NC 9 is aimed at a broad range of boaters looking for an affordable cruiser with a lot of utility. We found her to be a good-handling boat and she easily converts into different modes for cruising, overnighting, or entertaining. Best of all, affordability is in and glitz is out. Take a look...

Test Video

Boston Whaler 230 Dauntless:
Focused on Family Utility

While this new 230 Dauntless may have excellent fishing capabilities we find that the focus is definitely on family fun.

Boston Whaler may have built a reputation for quality fishing machines, but the new 230 Dauntless is squarely focused on the family unit.  Of course the fact that she is built around an offshore-friendly hull only makes her more attractive as a family boat. Let’s see how she performed in our full test video. More...

Test Video

Volvo Penta DPH Lower Unit: Designed for High-Torque Diesels

Sponsor

Shurhold Buff Magic
and Pro Polish

BoatTEST.com staff recently tested two of Shurhold's products and made videos to show the results.

BoatTEST.com recently tested Shurhold’s Buff Magic and Pro Polish formulas. We were able to locate a boat in need of some TLC to the exterior. There were some small scratches, paint was starting to fade and water marks were present. This boat was the perfect specimen for testing to see if Buff Magic and Pro Polish can do the job.  Watch the video...

Where in the World?

Picture of the Week

Find out where this picture was taken and when...

See the larger picture, when and who took it -- and where!

Send us your favorite boating images.

When sending a photo, let us know when, where and what boat you were on.

Smart Boating

BoatTEST.com's    
DVD Boating Course

Sometimes it's not what you know, but what you've forgotten.  Smart Boating, because safe boating just isn't enough.

Based on the feedback we’ve been getting about BoatTEST.com's Boating Course it’s clearly not only for beginners, but for veteran boaters as well. Perhaps that is why the NMMA started promoting the course after just one look. It's the most complete boating course available...period. Order here...

Lesson of the Week

Preparing Your Boat for Transport

This week Capt. Steve goes over six lessons and guidelines to safely trailer a boat. These are basic procedures which all recreational boaters should be aware of. The videos presented this week are part of BoatTEST.com’s USCG-approved Boating Course. 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

“When the water comes up, that lunker bass will be right there!” – S. Ick

Second Place

Third Place

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.

BoatTEST.com, LLC
51 Bank Street, Suite 2A
Stamford, CT 06901
203-323-9900
editorial@boattest.com

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.