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Updated Mercury Outboard Joystick // Mako 414 // Riviera 5400 // 13 Reports


BoatTEST Newsletter April 19, 2017
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Boattest.com: Tests You Can Trust
IN THIS ISSUE
- Mako 414 CC

- Mercury Marine JPO

- Riviera 5400 Sport Yacht

- World Cat 280CC-X

- Sea Ray 350 Sundancer

- Formula 350 FX CBR

- Prestige 680

- Yamaha EX

- Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 62

- Beneteau Monte Carlo 6

- Cruisers Yachts 338

- 16'-20' Aluminum TRACKER® boats

- Selecting the Right Outboard

- Picture of the Week

- Boating Course On DVD

MAKO® 414 CC:


New 60.3 MPH Family Fishing Flagship


MAKO 414 CC
The new MAKO 414® CC is the flagship of the fleet, and has an LOA of 41' (12.5 m) and a beam of 11'11" (3.63 m). Our test boat was rigged with quad Mercury 350s, and the maximum horsepower rating is 1675.

The new 414 CC flagship comes fully-rigged for fishing, and with quad Mercury Verado 350s, she can get to the fish fast; top speed was 60.3 mph in our tests. Maximum horsepower rating is 1675. The Blue Water Family Edition includes full upholstery for the bow, including a filler to turn it into a sun pad, removable backrests for lounge-type seating, and a table. There's also a two-person chaise style lounge on the front of the console, with fold-up armrests, integrated cup holders, and tall backrests.

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New Product Video


Mercury Marine JPO:


Updated Joystick Piloting for Outboards


Mercury Marine JPO
Mercury Marine’s updated Joystick Piloting for Outboards (JPO) brings the ease of joystick docking and more to outboard-powered boats. In the image above, note how the two engines are forming a “V” to move the boat sideways to the dock.

A recent and extremely boater-friendly innovation from Mercury Marine, JPO (Joystick Piloting for Outboards), provides full joystick maneuverability for boats with twin, triple or quad outboards. This is a convenience that even veteran boaters will appreciate because large outboard-powered boats are not always easy to maneuver, particularly in strong winds or currents. We recently tested Mercury’s updated JPO.

Find out what happened...

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New Captain's Report


Riviera 5400 Sport Yacht:


2 or 3 Stateroom Luxurious Cruiser


Riviera 5400 Sport Yacht
The Riviera 5400 Sport Yacht has a sleek profile enhanced by molded style elements in the hull and large hullside windows as well as a pronounced windshield brow.

The luxurious Riviera 5400 Sport Yacht is offered in two- or three-stateroom configurations, both with two heads. The hardtop extension covers the entire cockpit deck, which is equipped with upscale furnishings that would look at home inside the salon. The salon opens to the sky via electric sun roofs. She includes a tender garage and an electric winch for effortless launch and retrieval.

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New Test Video


World Cat 280CC-X:


High-Tech Catamaran Design w/ 48.7 MPH WOT


BOAT NAME
The World Cat 280CC-X has exceptional freeboard forward, and combined with the sharp entry of the twin hulls and the 9'2" (2.79 m) beam, she's an impressive performer in rough water.

The all-new World Cat 280CC-X has a new VectorFlo tunnel designed to reduce friction plus a new sheerline and tumblehome to present a sleeker look. The three-piece hull allows more deck space. Integrated docking lights give the boat a cleaner look and added safety when operating at night. Using its first all-CAD design, advanced materials and resin infusion, World Cat held down the weight of the 280CC-X to keep her light and agile. Powered with twin 200-hp Yamahas, she ran 48.7 mph in our tests.

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New Features Video


Sea Ray Sundancer 350 Coupe:


Distinctive Styling in a New Coupe


Sea Ray Sundancer 350 Coupe
Seating with chaise-style adjustable backs add useful exterior space on the bow of the new Sea Ray Sundancer 350 Coupe.

Dramatic exterior styling identifies the new Sea Ray Sundancer 350 Coupe, but she still fits accommodations for six into her interior areas thanks to an 11'4" (3.45 m) beam and plenty of freeboard. The optional transom galley likely will be popular: It has a solid-surface countertop, grill, and refrigerator that can transform the aft swim platform into a patio cookout. Mercury's Axius Joystick, SmartCraft Digital Throttle & Shift, and SmartCraft VesselView display are all standard equipment.

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Test Video


Formula 350 FX CBR:


Twin Ilmor 430s = 56 MPH


Formula 350 FX CBR
The Formula 350 FX CBR displays a distinctively sporty profile and backs it up with solid performance from twin 6.2 liter Ilmor sterndrives.

The Formula 350 FX CBR (Crossover Bow Rider) is a large bowrider with sportboat performance, and she also includes a compact cabin for comfortable overnights. Powered with twin 430-hp Ilmor engines with electro-hydraulic One Drive sterndrives, she topped out at 56.0 mph in our tests. Joystick controls and counter-rotating props on each drive allow confident control around the docks.

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Test Video


Prestige Yachts 680:


Versatile Layouts, Accommodation for 8


Prestige Yachts 680
The large lounging and seating area at the bow of the Prestige 680 will be one of the more popular spots on the yacht for hanging out on sunny days at anchor.

The Prestige 680 is offered in three or four-suite layout. The master is just steps away from the lower helm, with a private entry separate from the other staterooms. With a draft of just 5'2" (1.58 m), she's capable of cruising in relatively shallow water, opening up many areas out of reach to many large yachts. At 66,000 lbs. (29,937 kg) , she's also one of the lighter yachts in class, improving fuel efficiency and performance.

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New Features Video


Yamaha EX:


A Yamaha PWC for $6,599 Base


Yamaha EX
The Yamaha EX models are shorter, lighter and more affordable than any three-person, 4-stroke WaveRunner that Yamaha has produced in the past.

The Yamaha EX is an entry-level PWC, but she rides on a durable fiberglass hull that ensures longevity. The new fuel efficient three-cylinder, 4-stroke 1019cc engine is 40% smaller and 20% lighter than its 4-cylinder predecessor, yet still puts out more power. The company reports a top speed of 51.1 mph. Her base price is $6,599.

More...

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Captain’s Report


Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 62:


3 Staterooms & 3 Heads


BOAT NAME
The new Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 62 offers comfort and ease of handling in the large performance cruising market at an attractive price point.

The Oceanis Yacht 62 offers two layout versions: the first with three staterooms and three en-suite heads; the second with the same three staterooms plus a smaller bunkroom in place of one of the heads. We would suggest that the three stateroom, three head layout is better for three couples, whereas the second layout might be better for a single, larger family with small children. Crew quarters with two pipe berths and a head in the bow come in both layouts.

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Test Video


Beneteau Monte Carlo 6:


Modern Construction plus Versatile Layout


BOAT NAME
The Beneteau Monte Carlo 6 has a distinctive style that signals an owner who marches to a different drummer.

The Beneteau Monte Carlo 6 combines the best tradition of Italian design with the industrial know-how of Groupe Bénéteau. With the characteristic sharp entry of the brand, she cuts through rough seas more comfortably than virtually any yacht in class, according to our test captain. A 16'1" (4.90 m) beam gives plenty of interior space as well as adding stability in beam seas.

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Test Video


Cruisers Yachts 338 Bow Rider:


Luxury Bowrider w/ Large Cabin Below


Cruisers Yachts 338 Bow Rider
The Cruisers Yachts 338 Bow Rider has the usual large bowrider amenities, but also hides away a cabin with convertible berth and mini-galley below decks.

The Cruisers Yachts 338 Bow Rider is one of the classiest crossover bowriders her size. She combines a huge seating area up front with a large mid cabin suitable for overnighting by a couple in comfortable surroundings. A mini-galley and enclosed wet head make weekend cruises a possibility. She displays exceptional cockpit depth throughout, adding safety for children and pets, and the swiveling seats in the aft cockpit can function both as lounging areas and as a spot for watching those on the tow-line.

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Comparison

We Compare 4 Aluminum TRACKER® boats:


Match the Boat to the Use and Water

TRACKER Targa V-20 WT
TRACKER® Targa™ V-20 WT

TRACKER Pro Team 195 TXW
TRACKER® Pro Team™ 195 TXW

TRACKER Pro Team 175 TXW
TRACKER® Pro Team 175 TXW®

TRACKER Pro Guide V-16 WT
TRACKER® Pro Guide™ V-16 WT

This week's roundup compares four TRACKER aluminum fishing boats. Marine-grade alloy aluminum is the material of choice for many fishermen and recreational boaters who want a strong, lightweight, fuel-efficient, and impact-resistant hull. TRACKER has been building aluminum boats for almost forty years, and their experience shows in the four boats in this roundup. Little wonder that it is the largest selling aluminum fishing boat brand in the world. Each of these four boats was designed for a specific purpose, so let’s compare them to find the best one for specific applications.

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New Consumer Report


Selecting the Right Outboard Engine


Selecting the Right Outboard Engine
An outboard engine is the most important and most costly component on your boat. To a large extent, as goes the engine, so goes the boating experience, because making a mistake when choosing an engine can be costly.

Everyone has their own set of priorities when it comes to selecting an outboard engine. Some people care primarily about top speed, others about fuel-efficiency, but all owners want reliability. But most important is making a good match between the boat, its primary mission, and the engine specified. This week we offer some important tips on outboard selection.

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Where in the World?

Picture of the Week


Picture of the Week

Find out where this picture was taken and when.


See the larger picture, when and who took it -- and where!


Send us your favorite boating images.


When sending a photo, let us know when, where and what boat you were
on.





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