BoatTEST Newsletter October 26, 2016

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Formula 430 Super Sport Crossover:
New Outboard-Powered Hi-Lux Crossover

Comparison

48’-53’ Express Cruisers:

We Tale the Measure of 4 Yachts

Express cruisers in the 50’ range are things of beauty that often become an integral part of their owners’ lifestyle. They are at once a waterfront summer cottage, a seaside entertaining platform, and a little ship that can propel its owners and guests to far off adventures. They are also complex and expensive. Selecting the right one for each individual is definitely not as simple as buying a car, and is likely to be the second largest purchase an owner makes after his house. Remember, that a boat in this category must create its own electricity, generate its own heat and air conditioning, provide sleeping accommodations for guests, as well as propel itself at speeds consistent with the owners’ expectations. The four models that we have selected in the 48’ to 53’ range are about the same length on the waterline, their accommodations plans are basically the same, but there the similarities end. Let’s compare them in order to match the right boat for each owner’s needs.

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Features Video

Monte Carlo Yachts 105:


Special Invitation for a Classy Lady’s Debut

The Monte Carlo Yachts 105 makes her American debut at the Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show Nov. 3-7. The builder has asked BoatTEST to extend a special invitation to its members for a special viewing.

The MCY 105 is the fifth new large yacht introduced by Monte Carlo Yachts within five years, and certainly its most spectacular. She epitomizes the opulence and style that has made Italian design and large yacht-building the envy of the megayachting world –- and that is a crowd that is not easy to impress. She is the first MCY yacht with a separate pilothouse. That, together with the main deck owner’s stateroom forward, give her two important signature attributes of large, custom-built motoryachts. Her beam is 23'5" (7.14 m), which is one of the greatest in class. She is highly customizable and because of MCY’s aerospace construction techniques, a new build can be accomplished faster than most yards, without skimping on quality. We invite our BoatTEST members who are visiting the Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show to request a special invitation.

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New Test Video

Evinrude E-TEC G2 150 H.O.:

High-Tech, High-Torque Powerhouse

The Evinrude E-TEC G2 150 H.O. can be purchased with the power-steering system built into the mounting bracket, eliminating hoses and wiring from inside the boat and giving the steering unit long-term protection from corrosion and dirt. (Conventional external steering is available in the G2 150 version, which makes it adaptable to repower applications.) Steering effort can be adjusted based on user preference, and as in most modern automobiles, the system provides more help at low speeds, less at high speeds. Electro-statically applied titanium oxide coating and extensive use of stainless steel hardware ensure long term durability and resistance to saltwater corrosion. She is ideal for repowering single and twin applications.

Captain’s Report

Bavaria Sport 360 HT:

A Special American Edition

With the push of a button, the Bavaria Sport 360 HT becomes an open express as the sunroof slides aft. Side windows slide down as well to enhance the open feel. Below decks she offers sleeping for four with a forward master stateroom and a midships cabin with two single berths that convert to a twin. The American Edition comes 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, air conditioning, 110V shore power, and a water-in-fuel kit, among other things.

Test Video

Beneteau Gran Turismo 49:

2/3 Staterooms + Tender Garage

The Beneteau Gran Turismo 49 is offered in two or three stateroom layouts and is powered exclusively with Volvo Penta IPS600 drives for ease of docking and positive steering control. The IPS system also gives a level fuel burn, getting 0.8 NMPG at 2000 rpm and 10.6 knots, to 0.7 NMPG at full speed of 3400 rpm and 28 knots. This gives a big advantage for the captain in long runs across open water where sea conditions can require a variety of speeds for comfort. A 13.5 kW generator is standard, as is a tender garage in the transom.

Test Video

Andros Boatworks Tarpon 26:

51.3 MPH WOT w/ Evinrude E-TEC G2 300

The Andros Boatworks Tarpon 26 is a panga-design, narrower than most in class at 8'2" (2.49 m), which reduces weight and improves performance and fuel efficiency. In our test runs, the economical state-of-the-art Evinrude E-TEC G2 300 gave us a best cruise at 3500 rpm where we hit 29.7 mph and burned 8 gph, giving the boat a range of 267 statute miles. The boat is exceptionally well-equipped for offshore fishing, with a 40-gallon livewell that's fed by an 1100 gph Rule pump with high-speed pick-up and ball-valve shut off. There's also an inline bait pump filter, a big plus when it comes to keeping weeds or bait scales from jamming the aerator.

Test Video

Beneteau Monte Carlo 5:

A 3-Stateroom, 2-Head Cruiser

The 49'10" (15.19 m) Beneteau Monte Carlo 5 merges what might be called a post-modern retro look with smart engineering and contemporary interior design. She's a striking three stateroom/two head yacht that combines efficiency and upscale materials. With a 14'1" (4.29 m) beam carried well forward, she has an unusual amount of space below decks for the class. Broad glass doors fold back to open the salon fully to the cockpit, creating one large area for entertainment. She is definitely for the yacht owner who wants something different, yet classy.

Captain’s Report

Glastron GT 205:

Roadster Flair, Multiple Missions

The Glastron GT 205 is available in three versions, all built with flair and finished off with bold colors aimed at the younger demographic that enjoys watersports of all genres. Sterndrive power of 200 to 300 horsepower from Mercury or Volvo Penta provides a brisk ride. A standard stereo, weather protected in the port console glove box, includes an MP3 adapter and four speakers. The SF model includes swiveling fishing seats for bow and stern, a livewell and rod racks, and is pre-wired for a bow mount trolling motor. In this way the boat can serve multiple purposes.

Captain’s Report

Hatteras 90 Motor Yacht:

A Legendary Builder w/ Euro Design

The Hatteras 90 Motor Yacht is a perfect size for a couple who has arrived, and is now ready to make a big splash world-wide. The company says the interior can be built to semi-custom specifications to please any taste. Optional fold-out balconies incorporated into the bulwarks provide added outdoor space when desired. She offers plenty of muscle for the engine room, with a choice of twin Cat or MTU diesels from 1600 to 1980 horsepower. Most important, with 55 years of experience building large motoryachts, her systems and installations are first rate. In some cases, Hatteras engineers actually wrote the book about them.

Captain’s Report

MAKO® 214 CC:

Fully-Equipped Mid-Range Fisherman

The MAKO® 214 CC is a fully-equipped mid-range center console fisherman with more standard features than many in class. With a 14" (.36 m) draft, she's a capable shallow-water performer, and her 91-gallon (345 L) fuel capacity is larger than most in class, allowing offshore runs on the right days. She has jump seats in the aft cockpit corners standard, and an optional folding seat that fills the center of the transom area in front of the engine, an unusual feature in a smaller CC. The seat folds out of the way to provide access to the engine and the swim platforms on either side of the outboard mount. The hawse pipe and hidden cleats are a big-boat touch that keeps the gunwales clear for angling.

Test Video

Beneteau Swift Trawler 30:

Trawler Practicality, 23.0 Knots at WOT

The Beneteau Swift Trawler 30 rides on a semi-planing hull, which gives her a top speed of 23.0 knots with the standard Volvo Penta 370-hp D6. At 8.3 knots, she got 1.6 NMPG for a range of 277 NM, while at 5.8 knots she can travel over 1,000 NM between refuelings. A door adjacent the helm as well as a hullside door allows for easy dock line handling when she is being single-handed. The fully-opening transom, similar to some of Beneteau's sailing yachts, adds utility for watersports, entertaining, and for easily getting supplies aboard.

Test Video

NITRO® Z21:

Loaded Tournament Machine w/ 71.1 MPH WOT

At 21’2” (6.45 m), The NITRO® Z21 is the biggest model in the Z Series fleet. The hull and cap were designed with input from Nitro's Elite pro anglers to make her a highly-efficient tournament machine. She has a lower profile than other boats in the Z series, cutting weight and reducing wind resistance to produce more speed, according to the builder. She got on plane in 3.5 seconds in our tests and ran 71.1 mph, powered with a 250-hp Mercury OptiMax Pro XS turning a Fury 24" propeller.

Captain’s Report

Regal 30 Express:

Upscale Pocket Cruiser w/ 9'6" Beam

The Regal 30 Express comes equipped with many standard features that mark her as a top-shelf pocket cruiser, including both a gas-powered generator and air-conditioning as part of a special package deal. She's also equipped standard with a radar arch, remote control spotlight, trim tabs, automatic fire-suppression in the engine compartment, and lots more. The cockpit seats are engineered for multiple configurations, including facing forward, facing aft and booth style seating, and all can lay flat to form a large sun pad. Her 9'6" (2.90 m) beam provides more interior space than many in class.

Test Video

Sailfish 290CC:

58.0 MPH w/ 2x Mercury Verado 300s

The Sailfish 290CC, powered with twin 300-hp Mercury Verados in our tests, delivered impressive speed, topping out at 58.0 mph. Her range is also very good, maxing at about 370 statute miles at 4000 rpms and 36.2 mph. She comes well-equipped for bluewater fishing, with a 35-gallon (132 L) aerated baitwell in the leaning post and a 30 gallon (114 L) well aft, high-speed water pickups for the wells, huge insulated fishboxes with overboard drains and lots of rod holders. The 9' (2.74 m) beam and 39'' (.99 m) cockpit depth at the bow should help keep her stable and dry, while the 21-degree variable deadrise hull softens choppy water.

Captain’s Report

Wellcraft 241 Fisherman:

Bay Boat w/ Coastal Capability

With a 15-degree deadrise and a draft of just 14'' (.35 m), the Wellcraft 241 Fisherman is well-suited to operate on large bays and other inshore waters. On a relatively calm day she can do coastal work. She has more freeboard than many in the bayboat genre, which should make her drier. Powered by a Yamaha F250 in our test runs, she topped out at 50.1 mph. Twin 34-gallon (129 L) aerated livewells provide more bait capacity than most CCs of this size, and an added optional 14 gallon (53 L) well is available on the bow step.

Captain’s Report

World Cat 230SD:

A Family-Friendly Dual Console Cat

The World Cat 230SD carries her 8'6" (2.59 m) beam pretty much all the way to the bow, considerably increasing the usable space up front for seating and lounge areas over conventional runabouts. Catamaran redundancy, including separate outboards and fuel systems, gives her a get-home-safe quality. With an 89-gallon (337 L) fuel capacity, she's got a good potential range. She also has a much deeper vessel thanks to her offshore fishing heritage, which should deliver a dry, safe ride even off the beach.

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