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New Cruisers Yachts 54 Cantius // Sea Ray 290 // Sailfish 275 // 14 Reports


BoatTEST Newsletter February 3, 2016
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Boattest.com: Tests You Can Trust

See Cruisers Yachts’ All-New


54 Cantius at the Miami Boat Show


Cruisers Yachts 54 Cantius
Avoid the crowds to see the all-new Cruisers Yachts 54 Cantius by requesting a “Special Viewing” with a factory representative at the Miami Boat Show.

The folks at Cruisers Yachts have asked us to extend an invitation to BoatTEST members for a special viewing of its all-new 54 Cantius at the “Yachts Miami Beach” boat show from February 11 to 15. If you plan on visiting the Miami show, simply click on the button below to receive a “VIP Invitation” for a special viewing – don’t wait in line! If you are not planning on visiting the show but would like to set-up a special viewing at a Cruisers Yachts dealership, then click the dealer button below. To see our report on the new 54 Cantius,
click here...

Special Show Invitation   Special Dealer Showing

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New Test Video


Ranger Boats Z520C:


71.7 MPH WOT w/ Evinrude E-TEC G2 250 H.O.


Ranger Boats Z520C
Powered with a color-matched Evinrude E-TEC G2 250 H.O. outboard, the Ranger Boats Z520C looks fast and she is, topping out at 71.7 mph in our test runs.

Coupled with the new Evinrude E-TEC G2 250 H.O. turning a Raker HO 14½“ x 26” three-blade stainless steel propeller, the Ranger Boats Z520C delivered hole shot times of 3.8 seconds, impressive considering the prop selection was aimed at top end speed. She delivered at WOT as well, reaching 71.7 mph at 5700 rpms. Fuel economy is good for the genre -- at 3000 rpms and 32.5 mph, she averages 5.0 mpg. Ranger Boats is noted for building top-shelf bass boats that offer many premium features as standard equipment -- rod box power ventilation is one of those numerous features on the Z520C.

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New Captain's Report


Boston Whaler 280 Outrage:


Bluewater Angling Classic


w/ New Running Surface


Boston Whaler 280 Outrage
With a 23-degree deadrise, a 9'4" (2.84 m) beam and lots of freeboard, the Boston Whaler 280 Outrage is ready to take on long offshore runs in challenging sea conditions.

The new version of the Boston Whaler 280 Outrage is a serious bluewater fishing machine. She has a new running surface that includes a flat pad at the stern designed to give better hole shot performance and less bow rise on acceleration. Features for the angler include two 55-gallon (208 L) fishboxes hidden below the deck, with pneumatic assists to hold the hatches open while handling fish. The optional deluxe leaning post includes a rigging station, sink, a 30-gallon (114 L) livewell and ice chest for storing frozen baits at sea. A second 20-gallon (76 L) livewell is located at the transom.

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Test Drive

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New Captain's Report


Riviera Belize 54 Daybridge:


Traditional Styling w/ Modern Functionality


Riviera Belize 54 Daybridge
With a nearly plumb bow, aft tumblehome and a relatively subtle flying bridge, the Riviera Belize 54 Daybridge adds classic styling appeal to modern cruising features.

The Riviera Belize 54 Daybridge is a three stateroom yacht that offers a near-custom level of interior fit-and-finish. The transom bench seat has an electrically-adjustable table that lowers for entertaining and rises to a comfortable height for dining at the touch of a finger. An electric BBQ and sink with hot and cold pressure water are located beneath a lid on top of the transom, accessible from the swim platform. A tender garage is tucked into the transom. A runner system with electric winch helps make tender launching smoother, and the center section of the swim platform hydraulically lowers to facilitate the launch.

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Test Drive


Dealer Contact

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New Test Video


Sea Ray 290 Sundeck:


Yacht Certified Roomy Bowrider


Comfortably Seats Up to 17


Sea Ray 290 Sundeck
Thanks in part to her broad bow seating area and a 9' (2.74 m) beam, the Sea Ray 290 Sundeck seats up to 17 adults while underway.

The Sea Ray 290 Sundeck is designed for a large family or multiple families to enjoy a day of watersports or cruising. The broad deckboat-style bow adds space that just isn't there in most conventional runabouts, and the swim platform is larger than most, extending 2'9" (.84 m) from the transom to make for easy transitions into and out of the water during tow-sports. The company's Quiet Ride technology, which features 1'' acoustic foam around the engine box as well as a full-beam bulkhead separating the engine from the aft cockpit, plus numerous other quieting measures, definitely cuts noise levels significantly.

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Test Drive

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Updated Captain's Report


Prestige Yachts 680:


Entertaining in Grand Style


Prestige Yachts 680
The large U-shaped couch in the salon of the Prestige Yachts 680 is separate from the dining area forward, creating an added entertainment venue, and the large windows provide abundant natural light.

The Prestige Yachts 680 comes well fitted out for entertaining with multiple spacious venues both inside and out. The flybridge includes a forward sun pad and an L-shaped seating area aft with built-in table. The outdoor galley here has a sink, ample counter space, a grill, refrigerator and a separate icemaker. At the bow, a forward facing bench seat can accommodate multiple people and a sun pad with retractable cabana-like sunshade can easily deploy when wanted. She has an aft galley for easy access to the cockpit as well as from the salon/dining areas.

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Test Drive


Dealer Contact

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Test Video


TRACKER Pro Team 195 TXW:


High Performance All-Welded


Aluminum Basser


Tracker Pro Team 195 TXW
The new TRACKER Pro Team 195 TXW all-welded aluminum bass boat delivers performance and fishing features approaching that of fiberglass rigs costing many thousands more.

The Pro Team 195 TXW delivers exceptional performance for an aluminum bass boat thanks in part to the company's "Revolution" hull design. Powered by a Mercury 150-hp 4-stroke with a 24” pitch Tempest propeller, she jumped on plane in 3.3 seconds and ran a top speed of 57.9 mph at 5800 rpm WOT. Best cruise was 23.7 mph at 2500 rpm, where she burned 3.05 gph, giving her a range of 210 miles. She comes fully loaded with all the necessities for tournament bass fishing.

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Test Video


Evinrude E-TEC G2 200 H.O.:


Innovative Technology


Evinrude E-TEC G2 200 H.O.
The technology inside the Evinrude E-TEC G2 200 H.O. is as advanced as the dramatic styling of the multi-piece cowl, which allows for some 400 color combinations to match any boat.

Clean sheet engineering has produced dramatic advances in the Evinrude E-TEC G2 200 H.O. from top to bottom. The exceptionally neat installation results from the rotary actuator set up in the steering gear system which is hidden inside the motor housing -- it not only looks good, but it protects the steering system from corrosion. The company says its zero-flex rigid mounting system results in easier control at maximum speeds on performance boats, and as our captain reports. The iTrim system automatically adjusts the trim angle while on plane for best efficiency.

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Features Video


Formula 310 Bowrider:


Upscale Sportboat w/ 50.1 mph WOT


Formula 310 Bowrider
The Formula 310 Bowrider's interior is built in-house for quality fit-and-finish while the exterior has the company's famed deep-luster mirror-finish thanks to multiple coats of paint, clear-coat and polishing for hours.

The cockpit of the Formula 310 Bowrider features upscale touches including a dual helm seat with individual bolsters, a wet bar with cooler -- a refrigerator is optional -- and plush upholstery made in-house with flow-through foam, extra thick, two-tone vinyl and Starlight XL framing. A Clarion AM/FM/CD stereo with iPod, Bluetooth and six speakers are included. She's a 50 mph boat with only the base power package, twin 300-hp MerCruiser 350 MAG MPIs. Power to twin 430s is available.

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Test Drive

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Captain's Report


Hatteras 45 Express:


Sportfishing Cruiser w/ 45 MPH Speed


Hatteras 45 Express
In the cruising version, the Hatteras 45 Express is a performance cruiser that has the solid build and handling of an offshore-sportfishing yacht.

The Hatteras 45 Express offers two layouts, allowing a choice depending on whether she will be used more as a couples cruiser or as an overnighter for four people. By eliminating some of the settee, a separate cabin can be added to port that features a pair of over/under berths in an enclosed stateroom. Luxury touches include seating at both the helm and observer positions. The Sportfish version comes ready to go fishing, with a rigging station that also includes an electric grill for preparing a fresh catch for the table. Under the deck is a pair of insulated fishboxes, while the transom hides a molded-in 56-gallon (212 L) livewell. The cockpit deck is reinforced to support the installation of a swiveling fighting chair.

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Test Drive


Dealer Contact

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Test Video


Chaparral 337 SSX:


New Upscale Bowrider w/ Cabin


Chaparral 337 SSX
The Chaparral 337 SSX combines eye-catching style with a 22-degree deadrise and the company's Extended V-Plane bottom to offer comfortable cruising when the water is rough as well as when it's smooth.

Part sportboat, part overnight cruiser, the new Chaparral 337 SSX is a bowrider that includes a full-beam cabin with standup head and shower. She features numerous luxury touches including electric actuation of the aft sun pad/chaise, an optional wet bar in the aft cockpit, and a stylish fiberglass hardtop equipped with LED overhead lighting and four speakers. Powered with twin 300-hp MerCruiser 6.2s, the boat delivers performance to match her sportboat style, topping out at 48.5 mph in our test runs. Best cruise came in at 3500 rpm where she ran 23 mph (20 knots) and burned 18.8 gph, resulting in a range of 165 statute miles.

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Test Drive

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Test Video


Monte Carlo Yachts 70:


Jet-Age Engineering, Design and Style


Monte Carlo Yachts 70
The Monte Carlo Yachts 70 has exceptional design and construction while also delivering excellent performance and handling.

From the ridged aluminum substructure under the subfloor to the engineered foam core and honeycomb structural elements, the Monte Carlo Yachts 70 is an example of a balance of jet-age technical engineering and old world craftsmanship. The company says soft mounting of the interior environments to the boat's structure achieve a unique level of quiet as well as layout versatility. She carries a CE "A" rating.

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Test Video


Sailfish 275DC:


New Dual Console w/ Fishing Heritage


Sailfish 275DC
The transom seat on the Sailfish 275DC flips down easily for relaxing, but it also folds away quickly when it's time to go fishing.

The new Sailfish 275DC has been designed from the keel up as a real multi-tasking, full-featured boat that can appeal to the serious fisherman as well as the family. She has relatively high freeboard for the class, ranging from 36.5” (.93 m) at the stern to 47.5” (1.21 m) at the bow. Combined with plenty of flair, this is sure to give her a drier ride than many open boats of this size as well as increasing security for all aboard. The tall dual windshields will also keep wind and spray out. Ten rod holders plus under-gunwale rod storage, a 30-gallon (114 L) insulated and lighted baitwell, tackle storage drawers and in-floor insulated fishboxes are among the angling amenities.

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Test Drive

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Test Video


Regal 3200:


Roomy Bowrider w/ Day Cruiser Comforts


Regal 3200
The Regal 3200 combines the eye appeal of classic black and white exterior styling with lots of freeboard and a 21-degree deadrise in a handsome upscale bowrider that can also function comfortably for day-long family cruising adventures.

The Regal 3200 is a roomy, luxurious bowrider that gives up nothing as a day cruiser. She's designed to carry up to 14 passengers thanks in part to her 10'4" (3.15 m) beam, one of the widest in class. Luxury features include the PowerTower, which lowers at the touch of a button to allow passage under low bridges. The tower includes a tow pylon, and supports the standard Bimini top. Two teak tables can be positioned fore or aft in side-mount brackets. An entertainment center in the cockpit includes sink, roll-out cooler, and an optional electric refrigerator. The console head includes a cherry wood vanity, vessel-type sink and an optional electric-flush toilet.

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Test Drive

Dealer Contact

Price Quote

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Test Video


Bayliner VR5:


New 20'4" Runabout w/ Beam-Forward Design


Bayliner VR5
The new Bayliner VR5 is an entry-level runabout, but she sports numerous upscale features for added eye appeal, comfort and practicality.

The new Bayliner VR5 features quality touches including two-tone upholstery with contrast stitching, rubberized surfaces in storage slots on the consoles, a tilt steering wheel and a carbon-fiber pattern dash. The beam-forward design adds space in the forward seating area, while the sun pad/chaise at the stern also increases lounging areas. Options include SeaDek flooring for added eye appeal and comfort.

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Test Drive

Dealer Contact

Price Quote

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Product Promotion


Shurhold Rope Handle Bucket:


Easy on Hands, Easy on Boat Finishes


Shurhold Rope Handle Bucket
The Shurhold Rope Handle Bucket adds a comfortable, durable grip to the ubiquitous 5-gallon plastic bucket found on most boats for cleanup chores.

The Shurhold Rope Handle Bucket features a thick, soft, 3/4" nylon rope replacing the metal handle -- it's easy on the hands, long lasting and corrosion- and rust-proof. The rope is secured inside the rim of the bucket, leaving the interior smooth for easy stacking of multiple buckets. It's available in a 3.5 gallon white version or 5-gallon black or white models.

Get a free bucket base when you use this link.

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