Glastron GS 209//Formula 350//Four Winns V475//12 Reviews
Formula makes upscale boats that are a bit more expensive, but we categorize them
Bavaria is the largest builder of recreational boats in Germany, and one of the largest in the world. Its factory is as modern as they come and it is one of a handful of boat builders which uses robotics in construction. In addition to being on the cutting edge in building technology, Bavaria also has a different take on express cruiser design, and we find it refreshing. It will be interesting to see what influence this design has on other builders over the next couple of years.
It's not hard to create a ski and fish boat. Just add a livewell and a trolling motor, and serve. But being able to ski behind that same boat takes a little more thought. This 170 OB is powered by only a 115-hp motor, so we wondered if that was enough. Our tests of previous Bayliner's have shown that its design team is quite adept at creating a hull that does more with less power. So to find out, we pulled a wakeboarder along on our performance test of the 170.
If you plan to cruise for 5-6 hours just to get to the fishing grounds, you're going to be spending the night there. That's a simple fact. You'll also want to be doing it in comfort. Hydra-Sports knows fishing and fishermen, but they also know that wives are a big part of where the checkbook funds gets doled out. That's why you'll find more than bunks and a sink in the cabin of the 3600VX. In fact, you'll find a level of class that we think is a welcome addition to the fishing genre. Let's take a closer look at how Hydra-Sports does overnights.
If we had to sum up the Flyer Gran Turismo 34 in one word, it would have to be "comfortable."
Trawlers are slow and go forever at speeds that only a sailboater would envy. The Swift 44 is something different. While the looks and layout of the Swift 44 may make you think “trawler,” her planing hull allows her to scoot along at over 25 knots, and cruise at respectable speeds while getting about 1 nautical mile per gallon, or slightly better. However, if you like the slow lane and smelling the roses along the way, she can accommodate that, too. At 8 kts she'll keep going for over 700 nm with a 10% reserve. If that's not enough for you, wait until you see the price. It will make owners of slow-boats-to-China green with envy.
If a cruising couple were to take off for an extended voyage, then you can imagine
The 42 Charter has the look of a fishing boat with the amenities of a coastal cruiser, and we think she combines the attributes of the two quite well. But there are two more qualities of the 42 that customers find appealing. First is the semi-custom build method that let's you pick exactly how your boat will be laid out. Second is the price. While we wouldn't say that this is a "price-point" boat, the fact is that a lot of the fluff is left on the design floor so you're paying for a real cruising and fishing boat, not a dockside showpiece. Need more details?
The flagship of the Four Winns fleet is its V475 Express Coupe powered by twin 435-hp Volvo Penta IPS600s with joystick. This twin stateroom, two-head boat is remarkable for the amount of standard equipment that is packed into her MSRP. Even a beautiful navy blue hull comes at no extra charge (or choose from several other colors). And she comes equipped with virtually everything you need to immediately take off for the Bahamas or the far north. Just add fuel and food.
Because only about 10% of the sportboats sold in America these days are cuddys, many boat companies no longer even build them. But not Glastron. With roots that go back over 50 years, thankfully Glastron still builds a cuddy. It is a design which is to our eye looks like a sports car on water. Yes, it won’t hold the two extra people you could get in a bowrider, but it has some other very distinct advantages.
The team at Evinrude has continued to evolve the technology behind two-stroke engines, showing boaters that these engines will be around as long as the 4-stroke. See the full review video and all the details that make this engine hum...
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PVA towels are better than a natural chamois. |
When we asked the team at Shurhold what was different about their PVA towels they told us that they absorb 50 percent more water than natural chamois, making for faster and more effective drying. We gave the towels a shot on our test boat after a few hours on the water in Long Island Sound. We washed her down with fresh water and wiped her down from the windscreen to the keel. The total elapsed time to completely dry a 24' boat was 11 minutes and 20 seconds. Take our word for it, there were no spots or streaks left behind, just a nice shine. The towels come in an extra large size of 17" x 27" (43 cm x 69 cm).
Visit Shurhold to order...
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Order your four-disc DVD box set today and make your boater the smartest boater in the marina. |
With more content than any other boating course, the BoatTEST.com Smart Boating course makes a perfect gift for the boater in your life. Perhaps that is why the NMMA started promoting the course after just one look. It's the most complete boating course available...period. Order your 4-disc DVD box set today and get it in time for the holidays.
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If you are one of those handy or hands-on types make sure you use genuine marine parts when servicing your boat. |
This week Capt. Steve goes over five lessons and guidelines on tips for doing your own boat maintenance. In these lessons Capt. Steve will also go over some tips on marine head maintenance, and battery care. These are basic procedures which all recreational boaters should be aware of. 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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First Place
“Who said, ‘If you build it, they will come?’”
– C. Squire
Second Place
“Just when you think you've hit rock bottom you find out it's mud and you can sink lower.” – J. Beleski
Honorable Mention
“Honey, I told you for 10% more we could have been on the other side!” – S. Lehman
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