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Scarab Open 195 Fish:
Versatile Family-Friendly Jet Center Console
The new Scarab Open 195 Fish is a well-suited center console for those looking for a boat with many missions, including watersports, fishing, and sandbar relaxing. What makes this jetboat stand out from its competitors is its ease-of-use and handling, which will be beneficial for those who are not as experienced in boating, but still want to join in on the fun.
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New Captain’s Report
Galeon 430 Skydeck:
Fully-Equipped, Flawlessly Finished
The unusual cockpit arrangement of the Galeon 430 Skydeck is designed to be reconfigured for sunning, lounging, cocktail parties or dining. Exceptional build quality includes flawless dark walnut joinery throughout, with solid wood doors gasketed to prevent rattle when underway. Fuel and water tanks are stainless steel, and 44,000 BTU A/C is standard.
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Test Video
Beneteau Oceanis 60:
Ocean-Going Sailing Yacht w/ 16'4" Beam
The spacious Beneteau Oceanis 60 is available with three staterooms, three heads, or with four staterooms and four heads. Crew quarters with two berths and a head come in both layouts. The swim platform folds out from the transom to reveal a dinghy garage. Mast height is just over 90' (27 m), and she carries a 2,000 sq. ft. (186 sq. m) sail plan, with handling eased by well-placed power winches.
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Comparison
18'-20' Bow Rider:
We Compare Four Entry-Level Sportboats
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Sea Ray SPX 190
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Tahoe 450 TS Outboard
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Chaparral 18 H2O Sport
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Glastron GTS 180
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This week's comparison compares four entry-level boats that are excellent choices for folks young in body, or young at heart -- or both! When it comes to fun vs. cost, well-built entry-level sportboats like these can't beat. All four are affordable, can live on a trailer, require very little upkeep, but can take the owner and guests on memorable river and lake adventures. They are fun for the whole family and all can tow tubes, skiers, and wakerboarders.
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Test Video
Hatteras 70 Motor Yacht:
Mediterranean Style in a Classic U.S. Build
The Hatteras 70 Motor Yacht mixes Mediterranean-influenced exterior lines, the builder’s proven offshore engineering and construction strengths, and flawless contemporary interiors. Her 21' (6.40 m) beam is one of the widest in class. A bottom with tunnels and a 5'3'' (1.60 m) draft opens many cruising grounds, and power options to twin 1800-hp MTUs gives her long legs when needed.
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Test Video
Wellcraft 241 Fisherman:
Shallow-Draft Bay Boat w/ Tandem-Axle Trailer
One look at the livewells on the Wellcraft 241 Fisherman is all that's required to confirm that she's a dedicated bay boat ideal for the live bait angler with two aerated 34-gallon (129 L) wells, one in each corner of the aft casting deck. This gives her twice the bait capacity of many in-class, a huge plus for those who specialize in tossing live sardines, threadfins, or finger mullet for an assortment of inshore gamefish. There's also a dedicated spot for a five-gallon bucket in the bow storage compartment, another must for live baiters who often store their nets in these buckets.
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Test Video
Chaparral 230 SunCoast:
Outboard Power in a Quality Runabout
An anchor locker at the bow of the Chaparral 230 Suncoast hides a beach ladder for easy access when the boat is nosed into shore. A filler cushion turns the bow into a sizable sun pad. Hardware throughout is heavy-gauge, polished stainless steel that will stand up to salt as well as freshwater use. The extended swim platform provides room for launching watersports.
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Updated Test Video
Formula 37 Performance Cruiser:
Sportboat Performance & Accommodations for 6
The Formula 37 Performance Cruiser has many standard features that are optional in other builds, including a 32” LED/LCD HDTV/DVD with Blu-ray disc player and WiFi in the main salon and a built-in WalVac sweeper system. Flawless polyurethane paint and Imron graphics give the classic Formula finish. Twin 430-hp MerCruisers turned in a 46.7 mph speed at WOT.
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New Features Video
Four Winns HD 220 OB:
Roomy Bowrider w/ Outboard Power
Upscale upholstery in the Four Winns HD 220 OB includes Comfort-Ride seats that utilize a foam integrated suspension system to absorb impact plus side air vents to keep things cool and ventilated on long days under the sun. The console has luxury car finish with hand-fitted, top-stitched upholstery, and precision-textured trim. She has more freeboard than many in class, and the outboard design adds available storage under the aft seats.
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Test Video
Grady-White 251 CE:
Coastal Fishing Machine for the Family
The Grady-White 251 CE is designed to be a coastal fishing machine, and can also function as a watersports platform or bowrider with all of the utility of a deckboat. Her 16-degree deadrise at the transom gives her a respectable top speed and good mid-range fuel economy, and with a draft of 14" (0.36 m), she makes a good boat for poking into shallow flats as well as sliding up on the beach to let Fido out for a run.
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New Test Video
Ocean Alexander 70 Evolution:
Engineered for the Owner/Operator
The Ocean Alexander 70 Evolution is designed for an owner who enjoys captaining his own yacht for weekend and extended cruising from a home base, with enough living and entertaining space for family and friends onboard. Her long list of standard equipment includes a hydraulic swim platform, flying bridge hardtop, Volvo Penta IPS drives with joystick plus much more. Wireless interface technology allows an IPad to monitor and control the 70 Evolution's electrical systems and hotel services.
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New Captain’s Report
Sea Ray SLX 310 OB:
Premium Runabout Seats 17
The Sea Ray SLX 310 OB utilizes large, triangular planes set into the aft edge of the hull to create an articulated running surface that improves acceleration, reduces bow rise, and keeps the boat at optimal trim, according to the builder. The electric PowerTower and Bimini are standard, as are dual touch-screen electronics. Twin outboard power boosts performance and makes for easy low-speed handling.
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Test Video
Maritimo M54:
Motoryacht Comfort Plus a Sea-Kindly Convertible Hull
The Maritimo M54 might be seen as a luxury motoryacht built on a convertible hull, delivering the comforts and entertaining space of a cruising yacht along with the sea-kindly, rough water abilities of a convertible. The large, flat foredeck gives a good view over the bow and also serves as a good spot to mount a tender. The enclosed, air-conditioned bridge functions not only for navigation but also as an added entertainment area.
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Test Video
World Cat 230CC:
Shallow Draft Flats Rig w/ Twin OB Power
The World Cat 230CC provides the stability and sea-keeping ability of a small catamaran with the shallow draft of a true flats boat, floating in just 9" (0.23 m) with the outboards up. Powered with economical Yamaha 115 twin outboards, she has a cruising range approaching 300 miles at 19.0 mph. And she gets on plane in just 2.6 seconds, another plus for those who operate in very shallow water at times, as well as making her a credible watersports tow boat.
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Features Video
Hargrave 116 Raised Pilothouse:
Custom Finish in an Elegant Production Yacht
Powered with twin 1950-hp Cat C32 Acerts and carrying up to 7,000 gallons (26,498 L) of fuel plus 1,000 gallons (3,785 L) of water, the elegant Hargrave 116 is ready to take the fortunate owner and guests cruising pretty much anywhere on the world's oceans. There are accommodations for up to 10 guests and eight crew. Interior guest areas are predictably luxurious, with white marble flooring insets and high-gloss Sapele wood cabinetry. The marble treatments are continued in the main dining table and countertops throughout.
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Test Video
Sea-Doo GTR-X 230:
"X" Means "Extra Performance"
The GTR-X 230 is Sea-Doo’s affordable X-model entry into the performance muscle-craft segment. This new for 2016 model now represents the most affordable performance entry in the company’s 5-model X (for extra performance) model lineup and delivers with exciting performance and no shortage of standard features. It’s powered by the 1500 HO ACE four-stroke, Rotax engine with three in-line cylinders and four valves per cylinder. Oh, and it’s optimized for regular fuel.
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Test Video
Campion Chase 550 OB:
Fuel-Efficient Runabout w/ Kevlar Keel Protection
Three-color French-stitched upholstery and piped edge trim distinguish the interior of the Campion Chase 550 OB. A 10' strip of Kevlar protects the keel area. Powered with Evinrude's E-TEC G2 150 H.O., she got on plane in just 3.2 seconds and hit 45.5 mph at WOT. The 19-degree deadrise is adequate to soften the ride in a chop, and hard chines running all the way to the bow assist in keeping spray under control, according to our test captain.
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Test Video
Regal 26 Express:
Compact and Trailerable Express Cruiser
Though the Regal 26 Express is fully trailerable thanks to her 8'6" (2.59 m) beam and 6,200 pound (2,812 kg) dry weight, she's set up to sleep four. She also fits a compact galley with microwave, refrigerator, and cooktop below decks. She's set up to function as an agile watersports platform, and with 4'11" (1.49 m) of freeboard forward, she's far more seaworthy than most in this LOA.
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