Boston Whaler 345 Conquest:
Family-Friendly/Hard Core Express Fisherman

The Boston Whaler 345 Conquest offers all of the fishing goodies in a tough, good-looking package with creature comforts below.

The 345 Conquest has Boston Whaler's legendary construction in a fast and sea-kindly offshore express capable of running with the big dogs--and delivering all the fishing extras in a handsome and comfortable package. This flat-running fisherman has 4' (1.22 m) of freeboard up front and a fine forward entry that's a wave-killer. The enclosed pilothouse keeps the captain and crew dry--and provides a dining table for six that converts to a queen bed, plus a mid cabin for sleeping, a private head and galley. More...

Test Video

Yamaha AR192:
Entry-Level Jet Boat

With a 14'' (.35 m) draft, the Yamaha AR192 can run almost anywhere, and is a good way to get started in boating.

With both the boat and the motor built by Yamaha, the Yamaha AR192 gets a big jump on quality right out of the blocks. The jet drive unit is flush with the bottom of the boat, allowing running in as little as 14'' (.35 m) of water. The usual issue of low speed maneuvering in a jet drive is absent thanks to the "thrust directional enhancer", which makes her attractive to entry-level boaters. More...

Features Video

Cruisers Yachts 430 Sports Coupe:
Space, Comfort and Practical Luxury

In the competitive 42’ to 44’ (12.80 m to 13.41 m) sport coupe market, Cruisers Yachts 430 Sports Coupe with two ensuite staterooms is hard to beat.

The 430 Sports Coupe from Cruisers Yachts offers remarkable headroom both at the helm and in the salon. A sliding sunroof opens up the helm to a few rays when one wants them--or keep it closed and kick on the AC/heat. Cherry veneer cabinetry is attractive, yet requires zero maintenance. Synthetic or real teak decks are available, and there are many other choices for upholstery and décor. A queen island bed in the master stateroom and twin berths aft complete this comfortable package. More...

Captain's Report

Tracker Panfish 16:
Small but Stout

The Tracker Panfish 16 is a lightweight aluminum ideal for two anglers fishing small waters--and it boasts a surprising amount of storage space.

The Tracker Panfish 16 is a little boat for fishing in protected waters with a weight-carrying capacity of 880 lbs. (399 kg). She's got a Minn Kota trolling motor, Lowrance depthfinder, with a 20-horse Mercury outboard and a trailer. The package goes for under $10,000, which means nearly anyone can get on the water. She has a shallow draft, upfront stick steering, plus all-welded aluminum construction. Don't be fooled by the low price -- the boat is well-built in Tracker state-of-the-art aluminum fabrication plant. More...

Features Video

Jeanneau Velasco 43:
2 Staterooms, 2 Heads

Next to the settee is a hatch to a large storage compartment (aka “the dungeon”) that has room for dry goods, a freezer or an optional wine cellar. The hatch, which can be seen behind the removable ladder, leads to the engine room.

The Jeanneau Velasco 43 is a versatile cruising yacht with a range of over 500 NM at displacement speeds--and power for much faster on-plane performance via twin 380-hp Cummins QSB6.7 diesels. Good headroom, sliding glass doors and a sliding sunroof give a feeling of spaciousness to the salon. The large flying bridge is designed for a cruising party--or an afternoon of sunning and socializing. Find out what she looks like...

Test Video

Mercury Glass Dash:
Intuitive and Easy-to-Use

Almost as easy to operate as a smartphone, the Mercury Glass Dash brings touchscreen simplicity to navigation and yacht function monitoring.

Mercury's Glass Dash, built in partnership with SIMRAD Electronics, brings touchscreen smartphone simplicity to controlling virtually all boat systems. A full complement of virtual engine gauges, on giant displays spanning 16'', 19'' or 24'' diagonally, make virtually all jobs simple and easy. Eco-settings help the captain set rpm, outdrives and trim tabs for maximum fuel economy, and there's also a full suite of electronic apps for everything from operating bilge and livewell pumps to autopilot, plus the usual GPS options, complete fish-finding capabilities and lots more. The entire system can be operated wirelessly via iPad, and it's all waterproof. More...

Test Video

Robalo R222:
A Kevlar Keel Can Pay Off

The Robalo R222 offers a Kevlar-reinforced keel and a relatively high freeboard.

The Robalo R222 has a strip of Kevlar that is placed into the fiberglass lamination at the keel of the boat to protect against hard groundings or high-speed contact with a floating object. Few center consoles have this feature at any price point. The crew riding offshore will fight for the broad transom seat at the transom, the smoothest ride in the boat -- and this seat drops down out of the way when it's time to fish. Her 21-degree deadrise at the transom is a good compromise between comfort, speed and economy. More...

Test Video

Meridian Yachts 341 Sedan:
A “Phase I” Cruiser

The Meridian Yachts 341 Sedan makes an excellent transitional cruiser for those looking to step up from day boating and bowriders.

The Meridian Yachts 341 Sedan is a logical step up into the world of cruising yachts for many people. Pretty much the whole main cabin is the salon, the galley is down a step on the way to the accommodations below, and the guest cabin is a mid cabin with twin berths going fore and aft. The folks at Meridian Yachts tell us that every boat gets a water-booth leak test to make sure the interior stays dry in the rain and offshore. More...

Product Video

PowerTech! Props:
5-Star Customer Service

PowerTech! props literally cover the waterfront, providing a broad range of choices to fit nearly any powerboat.

The right prop can morph a frog into a prince at the kiss of a wrench: and PowerTech!'s amazing selection of props can cure virtually anything from poor holeshots to lethargic mid-range to gimpy top-end. And, their props are quality one-piece castings, just like props from the outboard factories, the difference being the level of customer service provided. (Pssst...they return phone calls.) More...

Propeller worksheet.

Design & Style Review

Sea Ray 220 Sundeck:
Space to Spread Out In Style

Thanks to re-engineering of the Sea Ray 220 Sundeck, capacity has been increased from 10 to 12 persons.

With a notable 12-person carrying capacity, the good-looking Sea Ray 220 Sundeck offers deckboat partying room in a premium-grade hull with sport boat styling. Thanks to the squared off bow, there's extra space up front, and Sea Ray now delivers premium levels of upholstery. Standard power steering and a Sony stereo complete the upscale package. More...

Captain's Report

Pursuit DC 265:
A Lux-Class Fisherman

The Pursuit DC 265 can go toe-to-toe with the fishiest boats in class or take the family cruising in style - or both.

The dual console layout on Pursuit's DC 265 offers more protection and comfort than on center consoles, making her more family-friendly. She's loaded with all the hard-core fishing goodies a serious angler demands, yet provides the amenities families prefer. The 21-degree deadrise means a more comfortable ride offshore--and so does the heavily-padded upholstery from bow to stern. Families will also like the oversized head (for a 26-footer), and the transom door providing easy access to the swim platform. Pursuit is famed for its fit-and-finish and an overall quality of workmanship second to none in its class. See her here...

Captain's Report

Tahoe Q4i:
Versatile and Well-Equipped

The Tahoe Q4i is an entry-level bowrider that has lots of extras making her a good, all-around family boat.

The Tahoe Q4i is loaded with everything needed to enjoy tow-sports, cruising or simply messing about on the lake. The Tahoe Q4i delivers, at an amazing price, with trailer, of under $23,000--including power steering for the standard 135-hp MerCruiser, a fire extinguisher, in-deck wakeboard storage and some striking graphics and color schemes. More...

Snapshot Review

Regal 2250:
A Cuddy Sportboat with Options

This Regal 2250 combines an inviting layout for a crowd along with a plush interior cuddy just right for some private time.

The Regal 2250 offers seven hull colors, five boot stripe shades, either Mocha or Titanium upholstery and sport graphics to deliver a one-of-a-kind production boat. An option on many other tow-boats but a standard feature on the Regal 2250 is the automatic fire suppression system in the engine compartment. An optional pump-out head tucks under the V-berth forward in the cuddy. We like cuddys because they look cool. More...

Captain's Report

Larson FX 1750 SC:
Light, Tough, & All Fiberglass

VEC molding creates a good-looking fish boat that's loaded with all the necessities of the angler's life in the Larson FX 1750 SC.

The Larson FX 1750 SC is a side-console fishing boat built with VEC closed-mold technology that results in a very light but very strong and durable hull. This multi-species design is deep enough to deliver a dry, comfortable ride in rough water, and six seat bases allow fine-tuning the interior for whatever the target du jour happens to be. Standard equipment includes a Minn Kota trolling motor at the bow and a Lowrance HDS-5 on the console, plus outboard power options to 150 horses. She is nearly as light as aluminum, as handsome as fiberglass can be, and because of VEC, her hull is tough and surprisingly damage resistant. More...

Where in the World?

Picture of the Week

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Expert Boating

 BoatTEST.com’s
4-DVD Boating Course

Sometimes it's not what you know, but what you've forgotten. We have the perfect solution for you.

Based on the feedback we’ve been getting about BoatTEST.com's Video Boating Course it’s clearly not only for beginners, but also 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 your 4-disc box set...

Lesson of the Week

Using Sound Signals
To Alert Other Boaters

A vessel leaving a dock in a busy channel should make its intentions clear by sounding off one long blast.

This week Captain Steve goes over sixteen lessons 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 Smart Boating Course which is USCG-approved. Watch these video boating lessons every week on BoatTEST.com.

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