New Volvo Penta V8-225: High Torque
at the
Low End
Volvo Penta has created the new V8-225 engine to provide boaters in the 18’-24’ (5.5 m -7.3 m) range a catalyzed sterndrive 8-cylinder alternative to the popular 6-cylinder engine that currently exists. Now boaters can have V8 durability, power and smoothness in an engine that burns cleaner than in any engine Volvo Penta has produced to date. Watersports enthusiasts will appreciate getting what amounts to 300-hp
of torque at the low end. See our test and new video...
Ask a question.
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New Features Video
Hatteras 60 Motor Yacht:
Elegance In A Practical Yacht
Our new video tour of the Hatteras Yachts 60 Motor Yacht shows thoughtful touches at every turn. For example, she can be ordered with or without a lower helm station, and
the island in the galley eliminates the "dead-end" alley seen in conventional designs.
Her African mahogany wood interior with dark Wenge trim is elegant and modern.
Most important to us, the interior of the Hatteras 60 Motor Yacht looks stately and cozy. Our latest video highlights all of this and more...
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New Test Video
Hurricane FunDeck 226F OB:
Pontoon Top/Fiberglass Bottom
Here’s an interesting boat from the company that started the deckboat trend. She
has a skiff-like fiberglass bottom and above the deck, fences of a pontoon boat. She is powered by an Evinrude E-TEC 150 that gives her a top speed of 43.6
mph and has an incredible time to plane of just 2.6 seconds. We put her to a full test to check out her performance and handling.
See the full test video...
Request a brochure.
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New Features Video
New
Cruisers Yachts 45 Cantius:
2 Master En Suite Staterooms
We think the designers at Cruisers Yachts have broken the code on how to build a
classy 45' express cruiser for two couples or a family to cruise in with privacy.
This clever design has a whole new perspective on the utilization of space.
The mid cabin accommodates two reclining seats that convert to a berth and this
could be the master, as could the forward stateroom. The galley-up and aft is centrally located between the salon and aft deck gathering areas.
Let's take a full features walk-through...
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New Captain's Report
New
Robalo R207:
Multi-Mission Dual Console
The new Robalo R207 is a dual console bowrider that successfully crosses over between fishing vessel and a family "utility" boat. She's got a roomy layout with plenty of features to successfully accomplish her missions.
Full captain's report on the all-new Robalo R207...
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Features Video
Meridian Yachts 341 Sedan:
Transition to Yachting
When it's time to grow out of the bowriders and day cruisers and transition into a real cruiser, there are some requirements that owners are going to want to have met. Some of those needs will be ease of maintenance, low price and roomy accommodations.
Meridian Yachts has long been a proponent of affordable cruising and no other boat in its lineup exemplifies this more than its smallest model, the 341 Sedan.
See our video on the 341's features...
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New Test Video
Cruisers Sports Series 258 Bow Rider:
New Product Line, New Test
Cruisers Sport Series is a division of KCS International Inc. and is the company's new line
of sportboats designed to bring a breath of fresh air to the largest category
of fiberglass boats. The concept is to take a big boat build approach and push it
down, rather than take a small boat culture and push it up, which is how
most boat brands grow. We recently tested
the 258 Bow Rider and found her to be a feature-rich boat that stands apart from
other sportboats in several ways. Today we report on her handling characteristics.
More...
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New Test
Monte Carlo Yachts 65:
A Motoryacht with Style and Gravitas
While this MCY 65 may be the smaller sibling of the much-awarded MCY 76, she leaves no doubt that anything was spared in her build or amenities. With a three stateroom/three head layout plus crew quarters, she’s destined to provide an owner/operator with a level of luxury typically reserved for much larger yachts. Our tests have shown an impressive top speed of 29.7 kts.
Read our full captain’s report...
Ask
a question.
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Test Video
Bayliner 175 BR:
Impressive Performance
from the Standard Engine
The Bayliner 175 BR comes with a standard 3.0 L 135-hp engine and, since Bayliner is so adept at tweaking the best performance out of less horsepower, we weren't surprised to find that WOT speed topped 40 mph. (41.4 mph to be exact.) Her
time to plane was an impressive 3.7 seconds, and at 26 mph she gets 5.7 miles per
gallon. Perhaps most important of all we found no bad habits in her handling.
MSRP with freight: $18,461.
See for yourself...
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BoatTEST goes behind the scenes at the Bayliner factory to take a look at the upholstery process and materials used by Bayliner. |
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Test Video
MJM Yachts 40z:
For Going the Distance
Here’s a boat that is sure to cause dock envy. Our tests show that the 40z has a top speed of 40.2 kts and burns only 14 gph at her cruise speed of 20.6 kts. Beyond the performance, the 40z is incredibly strong as she is built from lighter, stronger, Kevlar/epoxy composite technology… a technique also developed for racing sailboat hulls. Add to the mix a pair of Volvo Penta IPS drives to really round out her easy
handling, particularly in
following seas and when docking.
Our full test review...
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Review Video
Wellcraft 232 Fisherman:
Purpose-Built for Its Mission
The Wellcraft 232 Fisherman is intended for getting out to the fight and back in again in one piece, thanks to her solid construction and 20-degree deadrise
at the transom. Her T-top is standard as are all of the features needed to go
offshore fishing. Her fold-away transom seat and portable head in the console
are standard, making her a family boat as well. Let’s take a look at our review video for the inside story.
More...
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Lesson of the Week
Using Sound Signals
To Alert Other Boaters
This week Capt. Steve goes over sixteen short video clips and guidelines on using sound signals to alert other boaters of your intentions on the water. By using specific sound signals boaters can communicate whether they want to pass another boat to port or starboard, cross in front of a slower boat even though they are the give-way vessel, and several other things. These are basic procedures which all recreational boaters should be aware of. 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 --
To order all lessons --
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Ducky Award
Winner
First Place
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Second Place
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Third Place
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