BoatTEST Newsletter August 24, 2016

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Pursuit DC 295:

New Multi-Mission Dual Console w/ 9'10" Beam

News

Yamaha WaterCraft Group:

New 2017 Boats and PWCs From Yamaha

Yamaha introduced its 2017 line of watercraft yesterday and has advanced both the WaveRunner and jet boat models with innovation, features and technology. Perhaps most noteworthy is the new EX WaveRunner series, which will have a starting retail price of $6,599. At the opposite end of the line is the new high-performance GP1800 WaveRunner, which is designed for closed-course racing and for experienced enthusiasts. There has been a complete redesign of Yamaha’s signature 21’ (6.40 m) wakeboat, the 212X, which features a 7” Connext helm control system with joystick controls, and is powered by a Yamaha 1.8 L engine. It also has a triple ballast system providing 1,100 lbs. (499 kg) of extra weight for better wake-making. We will be testing all of the new Yamaha watercraft in September, so stay tuned. In the meantime, check out www.YamahaWaveRunners and www.YamahaBoats.com to learn more...

Captain’s Report

World Cat 230 SD:

Smooth-Riding Cat w/ 51" Freeboard Forward

The World Cat 230SD draws only 11" (.28 m) with the outboard up, yet her catamaran design allows taking on rough water with aplomb. The twin hulls also make her very stable at rest, and twin-engine (and fuel system) redundancy means she brings home the family safely every time. When underway, the 230SD bow coaming is over 51" (1.29 m) off the water, according to our test captain, ensuring a dry ride in most conditions. A bow ladder makes for easy beach access.

New Accommodations Video

Beneteau Oceanis 41.1:

Versatile Long-Range Sailing Yacht

The Beneteau Oceanis 41.1 provides the flexibility of day sailing or racing as well as offering the comforts necessary for intermediate to long distance cruising. This is a 41’ (12 m) boat that has robust space below, thanks in part to her hard chine design and generous beam. She's available in two-or-three-cabin layouts with one or two heads, and the deck layout makes her suitable for sailing shorthanded.

New Crew Video

Hargrave 116 Raised Pilothouse:

Elegant Interiors in a Premiere 5-Cabin Yacht

A 9' (2.74 m) gloss-finish Sapele wood and stone dining table is just one example of the elegance of the interior spaces of the Hargrave 116 Raised Pilothouse. The massive sliding glass doors open at the touch of a button to a Bianco Rhino stone entry floor, a beautiful white marble quarried in Namibia. The buffet tops and forward counter are the same marble. The 24' (7.32 m) beam allows plenty of space for a five-cabin layout, including a full-beam owner’s suite forward on the main deck.

Test Video

Evinrude E-TEC G2 200 H.O.:

High-Tech V6 w/ Prodigious Torque

The Evinrude E-TEC G2 200 H.O. is engineered to produce high torque, excellent performance across the whole RPM range, and world-class fuel economy. Innovative internal hydraulic steering and tilt/trim mechanisms are protected from corrosion, as well as eliminating outboard well mess. A beefed up gear set increases reliability in the lower unit.

Test Video

Scarab 255 Impulse WAKE Edition:

Wakesporting w/ Jet Propulsions

The Scarab 255 Impulse WAKE Edition was designed as a “wakesporting” boat, appealing to family and guests alike. On the stern, the standard soft swim mat covering is comfortable on bare feet and eliminates the chances of slipping for those who are gearing up to wakeboard or just jumping off for a swim. Like almost all jet boats, her acceleration is thrilling.

Test Video

NITRO® ZV18:

Value-Packed Multi-Species DC

The NITRO® ZV18 delivers the high freeboard, protective windshields, and overall fishability of aluminum multi-species boats in a good-looking fiberglass model. Packaged with a Mercury outboard motor, a trailer, and a healthy complement of fishing equipment including a trolling motor, fishfinder, and livewell systems, she’s intended to provide lots of bang for the buck. She delivered on performance in our test runs powered with a Mercury 200 OptiMax, getting on plane in 3.4 seconds and reaching a top speed of 46.5 mph -- not bass boat velocity, but more than fast enough for running big northern lakes.

Captain’s Report

Ocean Alexander 70 Evolution:

Pod Drives for Easy Handling, 4 Staterooms

The luxurious Ocean Alexander 70 Evolution is one of the largest motoryachts on the market with pod drives. She combines ease of operation with the size and accommodations to comfortably enjoy a passage in most conditions. Standard equipment includes a 1,500 pound (680 kg) capacity hydraulic swim platform that provides both the needed space and carrying capacity for a tender as well as ease of entry into the water. The bow offers an added entertainment venue with a sun pad and a lounge with settee and table. A sun shade is optional. The pod-drive system makes easy handling in the harbor.

Captain’s Report

Four Winns H230:

Designed to be Dry and Durable

The Four Winns H230 is an upscale bowrider with a deeper interior than many in-class, and a little extra freeboard helps to keep the cockpit dry. Added depth provides the feel of a larger boat. The water-level swim platform has a soft-touch pad, easy on the feet, and much less slippery than fiberglass and also adds eye appeal. Her copper wiring has a tin coating to inhibit corrosion in saltwater environments, plus internal silicone seals to keep humidity out of connectors. Quality touches like this make a big difference in maintenance issues as a boat ages.

Dealer of the Week

Boulder Boats:

Dealer for Malibu, Cobalt, Axis, Premier, and Four Winns

Boulder Boats of Henderson, Nevada and Mesa, Arizona joins the BoatTEST family this week with over 100 boat listings, both new and pre-owned. This dealer specializes in premium-quality ski/wakeboard boats, sportboats, and pontoon boats, as well as late-model pre-owned boats of most major sportboat brands. Some of the most exciting boating venues in the Southwest, including Lake Mead and Lake Powell, are within driving range of both of the dealer’s locations. The folks at Boulder boats have been in business for over 10 years and look forward to helping BoatTEST members.

To see their new and used boats, click here...

Test Video

Andros Boatworks Offshore 32:

407 N.M. at 31.2 kts. w/ 2x E-TEC G2 300s

The livewells of the Andros Boatworks Offshore 32 reveal her mission -- there's a lighted 50-gallon (189 L) well in the transom, another 100-gallon (378 L) well in the aft deck, each fed by 1600 gph pumps -- she can haul baits big enough for billfish when desired. Her 53 mph speed in our test runs, powered with twin Evinrude E-TEC G2 300s, means she's capable of getting far offshore fast -- and even more importantly, of getting home quickly when weather threatens. The engines delivered an impressive cruising range of 407 nautical miles, opening the possibility of long island-hopping fishing trips without having to rely on local fuel sources.

Features Video

Beneteau Gran Turismo 49:

Express Cruiser w/ 3 or 4 Stateroom Layout

The Beneteau Gran Turismo 49 is an express cruiser that provides multiple gathering areas for family and friends while maintaining a sleek and elegant profile. She’s offered in two or three stateroom layouts. Volvo Penta D6 IPS600 diesels are standard, making for confident handling around the docks, and a 13.5 kW generator is also included. The "garage" overlooking the swim platform is large enough to handle a small tender, and the optional hydraulic swim platform makes launching the ship's boat simple if it is stowed there.

Captain’s Report

Bavaria Sport 360 HT:

Turn-Key Express Cruiser w/ Sun Roof

The Bavaria Sport 360 HT is an express cruiser that offers comfortable three-season cruising thanks to her enclosed cabin and salon, opening hardtop, and broad window design. Her high freeboard creates a seaworthy hull as well as increasing internal volume in the cabin and salon and in the lazarette and engine room. The American Edition is a turn-key cruiser, complete with electric trim tabs, a Garmin GPSMap 7410 chartplotter and GPS, a Volvo Penta joystick docking system, a diesel generator, a 100-watt search light with remote control, and air conditioning.

Test Video

Boston Whaler 320 Vantage:

World-Class, Family-Friendly Fisherman

Powered with twin Mercury 350 Verados in our test runs, the Boston Whaler 320 Vantage topped out at 49.1 mph, and just as importantly, she delivered a range at best cruise of over 300 statute miles while running 36.5 mph. Like all Boston Whalers, she's fully loaded for fishing, but her mission is also clearly family fun with a "summer kitchen," including electric grill and refrigerator, a convertible sun lounge in the cockpit, a double-wide swiveling companion seat, and even bunk space for two below decks. Her upscale upholstery is among the best in the industry both in build quality and eye appeal.

Test Video

Sea-Doo SPARK:

Light-Weight, Entry-Level PWC

With a base price of only $5,299, the Sea-Doo SPARK is an entry-level PWC that provides some quality touches, including the D-Sea-Bel System, which combines a series of resonators and vibration-absorbing components to reduce noise. At only 352 lbs. (160 kg), the SPARK ranks among the lightest vehicles on the water, making her a good choice for carrying on the swim platform of a larger vessel.

Test Video

Premier 290 Grand Entertainer:

50.1 MPH WOT Toon w/ 2x E-TEC G2 300s

With a 36" (.91 m) diameter center pontoon and twin Evinrude E-TEC G2 300-hp outboards, the Premier 290 Grand Entertainer offers far more performance than most pontoon boats. Powered with twin Evinrude E-TEC G2 300s, she topped out at 50.1 mph in our test runs and went 0 to 30 mph in just 4.4 seconds, according to our captain. The bar includes a solid surface top, refrigerator, and four deluxe bar stools, and is even equipped with wine glasses and martini glasses standard. Couches are Flexsteel designs, far more comfortable than standard foam upholstery.

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