Top 10 Researched Boats for 2016
While some of the boats in BoatTEST’s “Top 10 Researched Boats” in 2016 were predictable, the Hatteras GT 70 scored first place by a healthy margin over the second-place Hatteras 45 Express. The Hatteras 70 Motor Yacht ranked ninth, giving Hatteras three of the top 10 most-researched positions of all boats researched on BoatTEST in 2016. Hatteras is under new ownership which has invested heavily in developing a new line of boats and it seems clear that there is a resurgence of interest in this iconic American brand. In fact, Hatteras was the first company to build a convertible out of fiberglass over 56 years ago.
Below are the “10 Most Researched” boats on BoatTEST in 2016. Click on their model designation to see our videos and complete Captain’s Report on each model--
1. Hatteras GT 70
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2. Hatteras 45 Express
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3. Beneteau Swift Trawler 30
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4. Boston Whaler 420 Outrage
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5. Sea-Doo Spark
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6. Beneteau Gran Turismo 40
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7. Boston Whaler 280 Outrage
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8. Riviera 6000 Sport Yacht
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9. Hatteras 70 Motor Yacht
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10. Hysucat 8.5 Rib Hydrofoil
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10 Most Researched Bowriders
The Formula 350 FX CBR is a luxury crossover that has become so popular that Formula is building the concept in other size boats -- little wonder, then, that it scored #1 in the “10 Most Researched” bowriders for 2016. The other bowriders in the list span a wide range of price points, functions, and luxury.
1. Formula 350 FX CBR
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2. Boston Whaler 370 Vantage
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3. Four Winns H290
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4. Chaparral 337 SSX
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5. Sea Ray 19 SPX
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6. Formula 290 BR
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7. Sea Ray 310 SLX
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8. Chaparral H2O 21 Ski & Fish
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9. Chaparral 227 SSX
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10. Cruisers Yachts 338 BR
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10 Most Researched Center Consoles
Boston Whaler scored the top three positions among people researching center console boats on BoatTEST. But overall the brands and types of boats were quite diverse, ranging from the Yamaha 190 FSH jet boat to the luxury 420 Outrage.
1. Boston Whaler 420 Outrage
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2. Boston Whaler 280 Outrage
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3. Boston Whaler 330 Outrage
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4. Mako 234 CC
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5. Yamaha 190 FSH
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6. Mako 334 CC
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7. Key West 239FS
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8. Robalo R222
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9. Tidewater 252 CC Adventure
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10. Yellowfin 26 Hybrid
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10 Most Researched Deckboats
For the last 15 years deckboats have increased in popularity as consumers have been looking to carry more people aboard for entertaining and watersports. Today some of the larger deckboats can actually carry more people than many pontoon boats.
1. Tahoe 2150
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2. Sea Ray 290 Sundeck
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3. Sea Ray 270 Sundeck
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4. Chaparral 284 Sunesta
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5. Regal 22 Fasdeck ESX
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6. Sea Ray 240 Sundeck
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7. Chaparal 224 Sunesta
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8. Hurricane Sundeck Sport SS 201
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9. Tahoe 215 Xi
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10. Sea Ray 260 Sundeck
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10 Most Researched Bay Boats
Robalo has grabbed five positions in the 10 Most Researched Bay Boats, with its brands accounting for both the largest and smallest boats on the list. This category of boats has heated up in the last several years as canals have been developed along the ICW and those living inland have found the class to be easy to trailer and economical to buy and use.
1. Robalo 246 Cayman
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2. Robalo 226 Cayman
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3. Robalo R160
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4. Boston Whaler 170 Montauk
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5. Robalo R180
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6. Mako Pro 17 Skiff CC
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7. Mako 19 CPX
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8. Boston Whaler 170 Dauntless
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9. Mako 21 LTS
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10. Robalo 206 Cayman
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10 Most Researched Dual Consoles
We particularly like dual console boats because they offer the best of two worlds -- fishing and family cruising. They are definitely more family-friendly than center consoles or bay boats, but they also can be fished from and in any case look far more salty than sportboats. Little wonder, then, that they have increased in popularity over the years -- particularly in saltwater locations.
1. Sailfish 325DC
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2. Robalo R247
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3. Sailfish 275DC
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4. Robalo R207
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5. Grady-White Freedom 375
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6. Grady-White Freedom 275
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7. Grady-White Freedom 235
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8. Grady-White Freedom 285
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9. Wellcraft 220 Sportsman
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10. Grady-White Freedom 192
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10 Most Researched Express Cruisers
Express cruisers have long dominated the imagination of boaters seeking more room and a vessel with longer legs. They function as classy dayboats for entertaining, and a cozy motoryacht for overnighting or long passages. Our Top 10 most-researched boats range from 30’ to 60’ (9.14 m to 18.3 m).
1. Hatteras 45 Express
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2. Beneteau Gran Turismo 40
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3. Riviera 6000 Sport Yacht
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4. Riviera 445 SUV
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5. Cruisers Yachts 54 Cantius
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6. Cruisers Yachts 45 Cantius
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7. Sea Ray 400 Sundancer
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8. Cruisers Yachts 60 Cantius
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9. Regal 30 Express
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10. Formula 45 Yacht
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10 Most Researched Motoryachts
Everyone likes large motoryachts, including the 3 million people who annually come to BoatTEST to research boats. Who can resist finding out more about these beautiful vessels? They are hard to top when it comes to exciting, elegant entertaining, but they also serve double-duty for most people as a summer (or winter) retreat. Best of all, they can be used for serious adventure travel.
1. Hatteras 70 Motor Yacht
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2. Monte Carlo Yachts 105
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3. Sea Ray L650 Fly
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4. Hargrave 116 Raised Pilothouse
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5. Monte Carlo Yachts 76
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6. Ocean Alexander 100 Motoryacht
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7. Monte Carlo Yachts 65
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8. Galeon 500 Fly
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9. Monte Carlo Yachts 86
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10. Ocean Alexander 112 Tri-Level Motoryacht
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