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Rotax iST Controls // Sailfish 320 // Yamaha 242 // 13 Reports


BoatTEST Newsletter June 8, 2016
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Boattest.com: Tests You Can Trust
IN THIS ISSUE
- Hysucat 8.5

- Sailfish 320CC

- Yamaha 242X E-Series

- Chaparral 337 SSX

- TAHOE 2150

- Riviera 445 SUV

- Cruisers Sport Series 278

- Formula 40 PC

- Grady-White Canyon 271

- Bavaria Virtess 420 Coupe

- Rotax iST Controls

- Hatteras 45 Express

- Regal 3200

- Picture of the Week

- Boating Course On DVD

Hysucat 8.5:

4 Hysucats Patrol America's Cup World Series


Hysucat 8.5
The Hysucat 8.5 is a unique RIB in catamaran design, given a boost in performance via a hydrofoil wing, spanning the area between the hulls.

Four Hysucat 8.5 RIBs will patrol the Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series in Chicago June 10-12 as chase-boats to follow the foiling, wing-sailed AC45 catamarans on the course. These high-speed sailing cats can hit 50 mph, but the Hysucats can go just as fast. The Hysucat 8.5 is a functional platform for a wide range of uses -- day boating, fishing, marina hopping, diving, and snorkeling, and would also make a roomy tender for a larger yacht. At planing speeds, she rides on a stainless steel, wing-like hydrofoil positioned slightly ahead of the boat’s center of gravity, spanning the tunnel created by the catamaran hulls.

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Captain's Report


Sailfish 320CC:


Offshore CC w/ Variable Deadrise Hull


Sailfish 320CC
The mission is clearly fishin' aboard the Sailfish 320CC -- there are rod holders and fishing accoutrements everywhere, and plenty of freeboard both fore and aft should keep her dry in most conditions.

A central point of difference in design on the Sailfish 320CC is the variable deadrise hull, which decreases from 24-degrees at the keel to 22-degrees nearest the chine. The design is aimed at delivering a soft ride from the deep-V keel area, quicker lift, the ability to stay on plane from the middle sections, stability at rest and at trolling speeds from the outer sections, and the sharp chines. Performance is strong, according to Sailfish test reports, with speeds in the mid-50s with twin 300-hp outboards.

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Test Video


Yamaha 242X E-Series:


New Wake Sports Jet Boat w/ Advanced Drive Controls


Yamaha 242 X-E
The Yamaha 242X E-Series offers a combination of premium jetboat performance along with wake essentials such as ballast, drive controls, and wake accessories.

The Yamaha 242X E-Series jet offers a brand new drive control tab within its Connext helm control system. This tab allows the drive to set a GPS controlled speed, choose from one of four acceleration profiles, adjust the ballast to the exact percentage fill that is desired, and then save all those settings into five programmable selections. The boat can take in up to 1,400 lbs. (635 kg) of ballast when needed. She's equipped for sound; Standard is a 1000 watt system pumped through a 10” subwoofer, six cabin speakers, two can speakers on the tower, and a tower speaker bar with an additional 10 speakers.

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Test Video


Chaparral 337 SSX:


Versatile New Upscale Performance Cruiser


Chaparral 337 SSX
Part bowrider, part sportboat, part overnight cruiser, the Chaparral 337 SSX is a highly versatile family boat designed for entertainment.

The Chaparral 337 SSX combines the open space and topside seating of a large bowrider with the overnight capabilities of a compact cabin/sitting area and standup head. With twin V-8 engines, she offers the performance that will appeal to those looking for a sportier boat than a typical bowrider. She functions well for watersports, and the Extended V-Plane bottom design with 22-degrees of deadrise at the transom can soften the ride when conditions get bumpy. The standard fiberglass hardtop is equipped with LED overhead lighting and four speakers. The stern quarters have Chaparral's signature stainless-steel grills.

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Test Video


TAHOE 2150:


Family Deckboat w/ Angling Options


Tahoe 2150
The TAHOE 2150 bottom features three lifting strakes per side and a reverse chine to help the boat plane quickly.

The TAHOE 2150 is designed as a "do-everything" deckboat with more interior space than sterndrive powered competitors due to her outboard power. She’s rated for 11 passengers, and the cockpit has plenty of depth to keep kids and pets safe. She comes standard with a refreshment center, cockpit table, and a removable ski tow pylon. Optional packages for wakeboarding, entertaining with an electronics/stereo upgrade, or fishing are available. She can be powered by up to 225-hp, which delivers top speeds over 50 mph.

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Captain's Report


Riviera 445 SUV:


Versatile Cruiser w/ Multiple Missions


Riviera 445 SUV
As the “SUV” designation implies, the Riviera 445 SUV is a sport utility vessel that's a good fit for fishing, cruising, entertaining, scuba diving, and various day-boating activities.

The Riviera 445 SUV is a capable open water cruising vessel that blends contemporary styling with modern marine systems. She's a low-profile design, keeping the center of gravity down, so should be stable offshore and also pass easily under low bridges. With two en suite staterooms, one of which has three berths, plus a convertible dinette option in the salon, the 445 SUV sleeps five to seven persons. The master suite is forward, with two long in-hull windows for good views and natural light and an opening hatch overhead for natural ventilation.

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Cruisers Sport Series 278 Bow Rider:


Agile Sportster with Attitude


Cruisers Sport 278 Bow Rider
The Cruisers Sport Series 278 Bow Rider sports dramatic graphics and sleek overall lines but also offers plenty of freeboard and interior depth, making her a good family sportboat.

Whether the mission is wakeboarding, water skiing, tubing, catching some rays or just spending the day on the water, the Cruisers Sport Series 278 Bow Rider is designed to provide functionality in a sporty package with upscale accommodations, superior ride quality, and plenty of sizzle. Powered with a Volvo Penta 320-hp V8 turning a DuoProp drive she was quick out of the hole in our test runs, jumping on top in 3.9 seconds. She reached a top speed of 46.2 mph.

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Test Video


Formula 40 PC:


Sportboat Performance w/ Accommodations for 6


Formula 40 PC
The slender forward entry, sharp chines, and gleaming painted exterior finish mark the Formula 40 PC's heritage from a stable of fast, easy-riding, and upscale sportboats.

The Formula 40 PC is a "performance cruiser," a luxury-grade weekender with accommodations for six built into a hull that offers exciting performance when desired. Powered with twin Volvo Penta 370-hp IPS500s, she topped out at 40.9 mph in our tests, and as with many IPS-drive boats, offered a wide range of cruising speeds with no penalty in range, allowing the captain to set rpms to suit sea conditions. An auto-trim system keeps the boat riding level no matter what the load or change in speeds. Those at the helm keep cool, as do those below decks, thanks to a standard 18,000 BTU air-conditioning system and 12 kW generator.

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Captain's Report


Grady-White Canyon 271 FS:


Bluewater Fish Chaser with Extras


Grady-White Canyon 271
The upswept sheer and widely flared bow of the Grady-White Canyon 271 FS along with her abundant rod holders and 42-gallon livewell mark her primary mission as a bluewater fishing machine.

The Grady-White Canyon 271 FS is a classic offshore center console with all the fishing extras anglers want in all the right places. The high windshield keeps spray off those behind the console, and a standard washer and wiper help keep the view clear even in rough going. A large livewell, bait-prep station, rocket-launcher rod holders, and tackle storage all are found abaft the helm seating.

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Test Video


Bavaria Virtess 420 Coupe:


Versatility Afloat in a 3/2 Family Cruiser


Bavaria Virtess 420 Coup
An unusual option for sliding cockpit furniture allows for a wide-open transom area on the Bavaria Virtess 420 Coupe when desired or the seating can be readjusted to a more conventional position aft.

The Bavaria Virtess 420 Coupe is one of the few express-style boats with a sun pad on the hardtop, plus a second at the bow. She's set up as a 3/2, but convertible furniture allows added guests for sleepovers on occasion. Sliding glass doors open the cockpit to the salon, and a powerful chilled water AC system is standard, as is an electric bow thruster -- usually extra cost options in this category. A 12-kW diesel generator is also standard. Most interior woodwork is mahogany with teak and oak available as options, benefiting from CAD/CAM fitting and construction for durability and cost efficiency.

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New Captain's Report


Rotax iST Controls:


All New Digital Control for Rotax Jets


Rotax iST Controls
The Rotax iST Control system eliminates the slack and delay of cable control in jetboats, making maneuvering easier and more precise.

The Rotax iSt Control system brings digital control to Rotax water-jet power. The iST control offers the ability to adjust the jet pump’s neutral position from the helm. With conventional jet boats, it’s common for a boat to wander slightly forward or backwards in neutral. With iST, the driver can adjust the neutral positioning in 1mm increments, so the boat will actually stay in place when in neutral. The stylish shift/throttle handle is an optional Livorsi Marine design. A multi-function instrument shows the range of adjustment increments for the neutral position system.

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Test Video


Hatteras 45 Express:


Express Cruiser w/ Sportfishing Genes


Hatteras 45 Express
The Hatteras 45 Express and Express Sportfish are a combination of the Hatteras and Cabo design teams that combine yacht-grade comforts with bluewater sportfishing genes.

With a tremendous power to weight ratio, the Hatteras 45 Express offers remarkable speed for her size; with the optional twin 1136-hp CAT C18 Acert diesels, she topped out at 45.0 mph and had a cruising speed of nearly 35 mph, with a 344-mile range. For tournament anglers, she's a hard combination to top, providing sea-keeping capabilities and comfort of the big sportfisher configurations along with the comfort of a top-shelf cruising yacht. The helm is centered, with classic Palm Beach style throttles and stainless steel wheel harking to the traditions of sportfishing.

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Test Video


Regal 3200:


Spacious Bowrider Seats 14


Regal 3200
The Regal 3200 is a roomy bowrider, offering seating for up to 14, and she’s designed for big water, big crowds, and big entertaining possibilities.

The Regal 3200 is clearly designed for entertaining lots of friends. The standard entertainment center in the aft cockpit comes with a freshwater sink, trash receptacle, and a slide-out 36-gallon cooler on roller hinges. A refrigerator and electric grill are optional. Dual teak cocktail tables with side mounts can be moved to six different locations, adding versatility to the layout for lunch or entertaining. She includes top-shelf extras like the watersports tower and electric trim tabs in the standard package.

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