Robalo R305:
3 Missions in 1 Walkaround

With an LOA of 29'2" (8.89 m) and a beam of 10'6" (3.2 m) the R305 represents the largest of Robalo's four boat walkaround lineup.

The mission of the Robalo R305 is to create a roomy multi-purpose boat with fishing, family watersports activities, and overnighting capabilities. She manages to blur the line between the three functions creating a boat with a lot of utility. With a clever use of space both above and below decks and innovative thinking throughout, this R305 becomes a compelling option in class. Let's climb aboard for our full test and features review video. More...

New Engine Video

Yamaha 1.8L Jet Engine:
Yamaha’s Watercraft Go-To Engine

Capt. John checks out the Yamaha 1.8L engine at the Yamaha testing facility.

At 1812cc this supercharged powerhouse is the go-to engine for most of the Yamaha watercraft lineup, and with good reason. She has enough power to reach impressive speeds, even in a single engine boat installation. And if it’s that good in a boat, imagine the possibilities in a WaveRunner. Today we take a detailed look at the components and performance of Yamaha’s most popular watercraft engine. More...

New Features Video

MJM 40z:
Handling Rugged Offshore Conditions

When we schedule a boat test it's independent of weather, so we have to take whatever conditions Mother Nature gives us. Unfortunately we usually get a a flat calm day.

We've been singing the praises of both the construction method and handling characteristics of this MJM 40z for some time now, but our tests have all fallen on days with relatively calm conditions. MJM staff on the other hand can take this boat out any time they desire, and after waiting three months they got just the heavy sea conditions they wanted.  Here is the video...

New Test Video

New Bayliner 210 DB:
An Impressive Outboard Deckboat

The forward 75% of the Bayliner 210 DB is pretty much the same as her near sister -- the 215 DB sterndrive. But the aft 25% makes all the difference.

For many years Bayliner has built deckboats with only sterndrive power and minimal amenities. That mindset has held back sales to those growing numbers of boaters wanting outboard power as well as something more than a plain-Jane sportboat. Now all that has changed with the introduction of the new for 2013 outboard-powered 210 DB. She offers multi-purpose features to take her seamlessly from watersports to fishing. Further, Bayliner gave a lot of design attention to the stern to make this outboard very user-friendly for watersports. Let’s take a look at our full test review...

New Features Video

Monte Carlo Yachts 65:
More Motoryacht Splendor

The Monte Carlo Yachts 65 is the stunning sequel to the mega-award-winning 76.

When Monte Carlo Yachts came out with the 76 the yachting community looked on in awe.  Not only was her styling a breath of fresh air, but her innovations, construction techniques and approach to large motoryacht building were obviously years ahead of the traditional yards.  Now Monte Carlo Yachts has launched its 65, a smaller version of the remarkable 76, and a boat that is just as capable.  In fact, we think she'll be the 76's biggest competition.  Let's step aboard the 65 for an interior review and see why this is becoming one of the most sought after brands in the large motoryacht world. More...

Test Video

Aqua Patio 240:
Tested With an Evinrude E-TEC 250

The Aqua Patio 240 has an LOA of 25'1" (7.65 m) and a beam of 8'6" (2.59 m). We tested her in light chop with a 20-mph wind blowing across the lake.

The Aqua Patio 240 was created to add handy features to a roomy platform. Our boat also had the optional G-Force III package that includes lifting strakes, power assist hydraulic steering, an additional 27” (68.6 cm) center tube and a 50 gallon (189.3 L) fuel tank. We came away impressed with both the layout and performance which can all be seen here in our full review video. More...

Test Video

Chaparral 257 SSX:
A Premium Level Bowrider

The Chaparral 257 SSX has an LOA of 25'6" (7.77 m) and a beam of 8'6" (2.59 m). She's part of the premium luxury lineup from Chaparral.

When we see a stunning new design from a manufacturer, we sometimes find ourselves asking if performance was left off the drafting table. We're happy to say that in the case of the Chaparral 257 SSX that she is among the best performing Chaparrals we've tested. She exhibits crisp acceleration, easy turning performance with no chine walking or tendency to fall off the turn, and she sliced cleanly through the wakes generated by our camera boat. Our full test is ready for viewing so let's check out the full story of how this premium level bowrider did. More...

Test Video

Beneteau Barracuda 9:
Offshore Performance Assessment

The Barracuda 9 has a LOA of 28'10" (8.78 m) and a beam of 9'9" (2.98 m). We tested her with a pair of 225-hp Yamaha four-strokes, but was that too much power?

The Barracuda 9 is a unique boat that turned a lot of heads on test day. She's built around Beneteau's proprietary Air Step hull, which our tests of other models have shown provides a marked improvement in offshore handling. To validate that those characteristics transferred to the Barracuda 9 we conducted a full test. See the video...

Test Video

Cruisers Yachts 45 Cantius:
Euro Style with American Engineering

The Cruisers Yachts 45 Cantius has a LOA of 45' (13.7 m) and a beam of 14'6" (4.3 m). She represents a whole new perspective on the utilization of space.

The Cantius series is one of the most stylish designs that we've seen in recent times from an American builder. The latest 45 Cantius is the third express cruiser in the series and she offers more of what people like in the first two Cantius models. We tested her with a pair of IPS 500 pods and not only got excellent cruise numbers, but very respectable range numbers across the board. Just as important, she handles rough water with aplomb. More...

Test Video

Formula 37 PC:
How Does She Handle with Axius?

Our test of the Formula 37 PC showed a top speed of 46.7 mph and a best cruise range of 206 miles while maintaining a 10% reserve.

Our most recent test of the Formula 37 PC was conducted on a boat equipped with the optional Axius joystick for close-quarters maneuvering. This was convenient as the place that she was docked left only inches to spare both fore and aft. It was a great opportunity to discover just how functional the system is and how well the Formula 37 PC performs with it.  See it now...

See how Formula makes its hulls and decks.

Review Video

Glastron GT 200:
A Sportboat with Retro Aesthetics

The Glastron GT 200's retro features are packaged in a sportboat with an LOA of 20'4" (6.2 m and a beam of 8' (2.44 m).

Glastron has managed to create a boat that has design that shouts "retro" while still including modern features that we've come to expect. She capitalizes on the current styling trend to take the best from the past. Here's our full review video...

Test Video

Meridian Yachts 391 Sedan Bridge:
306-Mile Range at Best Cruise

The Meridian Yachts 391 Sedan Bridge has an LOA of 40'11" (12.5 m) and a beam of 13'11" (4.2 m). With Total Command docking, anyone can easily maneuver her into a tight slip.

When it's time to move up to a cruising boat few choices are as cost-effective as one from Meridian Yachts. This 391 Sedan Bridge was tested with a pair of 425-hp Cummins engines that brought her to a top speed of 32 mph. To imagine the places she can go, simply take a map and draw a circle 306 statute miles out from the center. That's her range at best cruise. More...

Check out how Meridian Yachts are built and see what materials are used.

Test Video

Hatteras GT63:
Few Are Built Quite Like Her

The Hatteras GT63 is much more than a pretty face. She has the constitution to keep on trucking for decades.

In the world of luxury offshore performance fishing yachts, the materials and building process used to construct these machines make all the difference between a boat that looks great today and one that will look the same 10 years from now. Each Hatteras GT63 is constructed using the resin infused process which provides for an ultra-strong, yet lightweight yacht capable of handling brutal offshore conditions without wear and tear. That combined with a cutting-edge hull design gives us a battlewagon that can not only get up and go, but as our test showed, can deliver comfort and luxury as well. More...

Check out Hatteras' finishing process.

Test Video

Volvo Penta:
New V8-225 Tested

The Volvo Penta V8-225 is a 225-hp workhorse designed to fit into the same space as the popular V6-225 hp engines, but with more torque and a better power-to-weight ratio

Volvo Penta created the new V8-225 engine to provide boaters in the 18’-24’ (5.5 m-7.3 m) range a catalyzed 225-hp 8-cylinder sterndrive alternative to the popular 6-cylinder 225-hp engines. That means V8 durability, power and smoothness are now available in a V8 that burns cleaner than any engine Volvo Penta has produced to date. We recently tested this new engine to see how it performs, so let’s take a look at the video and see how Volvo Penta has done. More...

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Start the New Year Right

BoatTEST.com’s
4-DVD Box Set
Boating Course

Sometimes it's not what you know, but what you've forgotten. Our 4-DVD video covers it all.

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 video course available.  Order here...

Lesson of the Week

How to Survive and Treat Hypothermia

Survival in cold water will depend on how well you are able to minimize your body’s heat loss.

This week Capt. Steve goes over four lessons and guidelines on recognizing the signs of hypothermia, how to help avoid it, and what you can do to lessen the effects on your body. Hypothermia does not only happen in cold water, even in 70 degree water you can still experience a significant loss of body heat. The videos presented this week are part of BoatTEST.com’s Smart Boating Course which is USCG-approved. Watch these video boating lessons every week on BoatTEST.com.

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