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Bavaria Sport 450 Coupe:
4-Season Boating
with 2 or 3 Cabins
With a 14'6" (4.42 m) beam, the Bavaria Sport 450 Coupe offers exceptional space for a 45-footer, and the broad hydraulic swim platform adds nearly 4' (1.22 m) of very usable exterior deck space adjacent the aft sun pad/chaise. The trunk area underneath is large enough to hold a small tender or inflated water-toys. Twin Volvo Penta IPS600 drives with joystick control plus a standard bow thruster eliminate docking concerns, and a broad windshield with narrow mullions make for exceptional visibility at the helm. Two en suite staterooms are standard, and an optional layout allows the yacht to sleep six.
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Captain’s Report
MAKO 334 CC:
New 64.4 MPH Tournament Machine
With 1050 horsepower on her transom, the MAKO 334 CC topped out at 64.4 mph in our test runs. She's one of the fastest center console fishing boats that we've ever tested. And surprisingly, at a more sedate cruising speed -- 3000 rpms and 29.8 mph -- she delivered a range of about 403 miles. Despite all that power on the transom, we found noise levels moderate at the helm, just 83 dBA at cruise. She comes fully-equipped for tournament level offshore fishing.
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New Captain’s Report
Icom IC-M25:
A Compact, Waterproof Radio
w/ "AquaQuake" Technology
The Icom IC-M25 handheld VHF is a compact, lightweight marine radio that's competitively priced and offers some unique features. When it's immersed, it emits an audible alarm, the screen lights up, and a red light on the base flashes -- a big plus during a night emergency at sea. When the radio is retrieved from the water, the "AquaQuake" feature puts out low-frequency sound waves that eradicate water from the speaker, preserving sound quality, according to Icom.
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Captain’s Report
Ocean Alexander 85 Motoryacht:
World-Class Build w/ 4 En Suites
Quality construction accompanies the luxurious level of fit-and-finish throughout the Ocean Alexander 85 Motoryacht. The giant hull is resin-infused, making her both lighter and stronger. Carbon-fiber reinforcement in key points adds strength with minimal weight, and marine-grade aluminum beams support decks and bulkheads. Alexseal professional-grade polyurethane paint provides a high-gloss finish and ensures longer color retention, eliminating the oxidation -- and lots of maintenance -- that comes with exposed gelcoat.
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Features Video
Yamaha 190 FSH:
Jet Power CC Equipped to Fish
The Yamaha 190 FSH is an unusual combination of a jet drive system with a center console, resulting in a boat that is highly fishable, but that has the sporty handling characteristics of jets, including half-turn lock-to-lock steering. She can run in just 16'' of water, and the Yamaha Articulating Keel gives maneuverability even in off-throttle, low-speed operation. Fishing extras include a livewell, rod racks, bow and stern casting decks, and a convertible aft facing seat.
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Captain’s Report
Beneteau Monte Carlo 5S:
New 49'6" Yacht w/ Retro Panache
The Beneteau Monte Carlo 5S combines retro exterior styling and modern design in the interior spaces. The S model has no flybridge control station but instead offers a large sun pad/lounge area with convertible table for al fresco dining or cocktails atop the salon. The accommodations level provides exceptional space thanks to smart engineering: use of jackshafts to the IPS drives allow placing the engines forward of the crew quarters/lazarette, for improved balance.
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Captain’s Report
Mercury Remanufacturing 540 MAG Bravo 4V:
Big-Bore Muscle for Repowering
The Mercury Remanufacturing 540 MAG Bravo 4V is a 440-hp V8 designed to improve acceleration in offshore-style boats with race-like performance while still providing the durability and affordability that owners expect in an every-day engine. It provides racing-engine power at just $16,993.75 per engine, and only the less-expensive Bravo X-Drives are required.
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Captain’s Report
Riviera 50 Enclosed Flybridge:
Yacht-Grade Interior, Bluewater Hull
The Riviera 50 Enclosed Flybridge is an Australian-built convertible with a seaworthy bluewater fisherman hull that includes yacht-grade interior space, luxury, and convenience. Volvo Penta IPS drives increase usable living space, allowing a three-stateroom, two-head layout, and the semi-enclosed flybridge adds both comfort for the captain and an added entertainment venue with interior stairs, providing all-weather access. An expansive grill in the cockpit encourages al fresco entertaining.
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Captain's Report
World Cat 230SD:
Practical for Big Water
The World Cat 230SD is roomy like a bowrider, spacious like a pontoon, and even more comfortable offshore at speed than a deep-V. The 23’ (7.01 m) catamaran hull provides safety and comfort in dodgy weather. We think this design has some major advantages over conventional sportboats in ride, comfort, and seaworthiness. At 21.7 mph for best cruise, she has a 267 statute mile range and over 12 hours of endurance with a 10% fuel reserve.
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New Test Video
Sea Ray 310 SLX:
Upscale Runabout Loaded with Extras
With seating for 17, the Yacht Certified Sea Ray 310 SLX welcomes a party afloat. Add the cockpit entertainment center with sink and optional refrigerator and grill, and she's ready for a cookout. The boat comes with many standards that are costly options in most other vessels in its category, including the electric tower with articulating Bimini and a dual touchscreen electronics display, enabling multiple control functions. Standard power is twin 250-hp MerCruisers, but she's also available with other power options up to twin 350s, as well as twin 260-hp Mercury Diesel TDIs.
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Test Video
Volvo Penta V8-430:
Powerful Lightweight V8
Technical advances on the Volvo Penta V8-430 include variable valve timing for faster acceleration, increased top speed, and smoother, quicker response in the mid-ranges. Volvo Penta reports that it's up to 20% more fuel-efficient than the big block engine it replaces and is also 300 lbs. (136 kg) lighter. The engine features closed loop cooling to avoid saltwater corrosion and water pickup issues.
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Features Video
Boston Whaler 320 Vantage:
Multi-Mission Coastal Bowrider
The Boston Whaler 320 Vantage is a large bowrider that also offers a convertible settee/twin berth tucked into the port console and a head with shower in the starboard console. Add the "summer kitchen," and this is a bowrider that actually welcomes overnighting in the same boat used for tow sports or serious bluewater fishing or diving. A hullside dive door makes for easy entry into the water. The entire boat displays the low-maintenance durability that has become the Boston Whaler trademark.
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Test Video
Formula 310 FX5:
Sportboat with High Style
Racing style gauges, Livorsi racing-style throttles and shifters and lots of colorful carbon-fiber trim makes the performance mission of the Formula 310 FX5 clear, and she delivers. Powered with twin 380-hp MerCruiser 8.2 MAGs in our test runs, she topped out at 58.0 mph. A power engine hatch makes it easy to show off all that horsepower, as well as to make the daily engine checks.
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Test Video
Hatteras GT 70:
Flagship Sportfish w/ 2 x 2600-hp MTUs
The Hatteras GT 70 ranks high in the quest for the ultimate bluewater sportfish. She offers noteworthy speed when powered with the optional 2600-hp MTUs, and with a range of over 500 miles at cruise, she's a go-anywhere-at-anytime fishing machine. She's equipped with every imaginable fishing option, including electrically operated teaser spools, an ice chipper that can feed directly to the fishbox, and a massive, high-gloss teak fighting chair. We think she has the best layout in class.
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New Test Video
Dusky 252 Open Fisherman:
Low-Cost CC w/ Evinrude E-TEC G2 300 Power
Priced factory-direct at about $52,000, including the Evinrude E-TEC G2 300 as rigged in our test runs, the Dusky 252 Open Fisherman offers an exceptional value in a big, deep center console that's well-equipped to tackle blue water fishing. The available 60-gallon (227 L) livewell is one of the largest in class, a plus for the big baits used to attract billfish, in particular. The fold-down seat at the transom will offer an easy ride on a long run offshore, and the 20-degree deadrise should offer a good combination of wave-cutting ability and rapid planing. The 13'' (.33 m) draft, engine up, will make her easy to beach for a family swim.
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Captain’s Report
Four Winns H350:
Seaworthy Bowrider w/ Cabin and Head
The Four Winns H350 hides a cabin and head with shower below decks, and the large hullside windows provide plenty of light below, as well as adding eye appeal to the exterior. The hardtop is standard, as is the slide-out cockpit shade. Four bucket-type seats, including the captain's chair, are found at the consoles, and all swivel around 360-degrees, adding seating at cocktail hour. Two movable cockpit tables and a grill are also included.
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Features Video
Pursuit ST 310:
Upscale Build in an Offshore Fisherman
The Pursuit ST 310 is an upscale center console with all of the options an offshore angler is likely to want, including a hideaway rod rack under the cockpit seats, a 20-gallon (76 L) aerated livewell, sink, a fishbox with overboard drain, and a large hardtop with rocket-launcher rod holders. She's also well-equipped for a slow cruise around the harbor at sundown with top-grade two-tone upholstery and seating that wraps almost 360-degrees around the forward cockpit. A changing room/head is tucked into the console.
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