Intrepid 407 Cuddy:
Overnights for 4 Plus 58.0 MPH WOT
The Intrepid 407 Cuddy is remarkably fast, powered with triple 400 Mercury Racing outboards, with a top speed of 58.0 mph in our tests. A dive door on the port side includes a ladder that folds into a compartment below deck when not in use. Accommodations include a queen berth amidships and a convertible settee at the bow, plus a standup shower/head and a compact galley. Fit-and-finish, attention to detail, and overall build is best-in-class.
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New Test Video
Sea Ray Sundancer 350 Coupe:
New Express Cruiser Sleeps 6
The new Sea Ray Sundancer 350 Coupe is a nimble express cruiser that comes fully-loaded with top-end features including 16,000 BTU cabin AC/heat and 18,000 BTU cockpit air, Rockford Fosgate® Stereo with Bluetooth and media inputs, anchor windlass, spotlight and lots more. She can sleep up to six in two staterooms and on the convertible settee below decks. Watch our new test video.
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New Captain’s Report
Regal 33 XO:
Sporty Express w/ Outboard Power
By outfitting the Regal 33 XO with twin outboards, the company has freed up a large amount of cockpit space for dayboat entertaining, as well as to provide robust lazarette storage and room for a generator. Outboard power gives her the ability to explore backwaters and out-of-the-way coves, in addition to the obvious advantages of reduced maintenance. By providing a large, wraparound swim platform with long extensions port and starboard of the twin outboards, she also doubles as a watersports platform.
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New Captain’s Report
Riviera 575 SUV:
Classy Multi-Mission Sport Yacht
The Riviera 575 SUV combines the blue-water cruising and fishing abilities of the Riviera 57 Enclosed Flybridge convertible with the single-level, leisurely entertaining, and cruising features of the company's Sport Yacht design. The cockpit layout includes a transom seat, an L-shaped Mezzanine settee with table, a wet bar with twin BBQ, a refrigerator, and an icemaker. CZone touchscreen systems controls are standard. Virtually all aspects of this yacht are best-in-class.
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New Product Video
Mercury Dual JPI:
Inboard Joystick for Twin Inboards
The Mercury Dual JPI system basically integrates twin engines with a bow thruster, or bow and stern thrusters combined, to give full low-speed maneuverability. The system can also function with only a single thruster, offering a cost-effective alternative to pod drives. The lighted ring around the base validates which way the thrust is being directed by turning color and lighting in the direction the stick is moved. It can be used with twin Mercury gas inboards, or Cummins diesels.
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New Features Video
Hampton Endurance 658:
"80' of Yacht in 65' of Hull"*
*Says Capt. Steve. When we first heard this remark in the new features video for the Hampton Endurance 658 we thought it was hyperbole. But when we checked out the boat we realized that, as usual, Capt. Steve was right -- take a look at our new features video of this remarkable yacht and you'll see what he means. This long range cruiser is completely paneled in wood like a classic megayacht, she has three en suite staterooms plus a captain's cabin, a 16' x 16' boat deck, a Portuguese bridge, a day head of the aft deck and much more. Equally important is the way the boat handles and rides -- her displacement provides the riding comfort of a far larger vessel.
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Captain’s Report
Prestige 460:
Right-Sized for an Owner/Operator
The Prestige 460 is right-sized for owner operation, but she features an optional single-berth captain's cabin -- or a hideout for the kids -- in the stern. The bow sun pad converts to a chaise lounge position and even adds support under the legs. A pop-up cabana provides shade when desired. The exceptionally low flying bridge also includes a large sun lounge.
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Test Video
Wellcraft 241 Fisherman:
Fully-Loaded for Nearshore Fishing
The Wellcraft 241 Fisherman is a large bayboat, but she floats in just 14" (0.36 m), also making her a capable flats fishing boat. Twin 34-gallon livewells in the aft casting deck provide lots of bait capacity, and underdeck storage for a five-gallon (19 L) net bucket will be welcome to captains who catch their own baitfish. With a 250-hp Yamaha Four-Stroke, she ran over 50 mph in our tests.
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Test Video
Cruisers Yachts 41 Cantius:
Family Cruiser w/ Entertainment Venues
The Cruisers Yachts 41 Cantius has a triple wide sliding door that presents a seamless transition from the cockpit to the salon. The swim platform includes two removable bar stools, adding an entertainment function to this venue, something that is unusual. An electrically-actuated sunroof is standard, as is a lounging area on the bow. All materials and equipment used are first class.
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Test Video
World Cat 230CC:
Shallow Draft Plus Rough Water Performance
The World Cat 230CC floats in just 9" (0.23 m) of water, yet her sharp twin hulls make her an exceptional rough water boat. She's also fuel efficient, with a range of nearly 300 miles with twin 115-hp outboards, and her broad bow adds lots of extra fishing space up front. Independent fuel and electrical systems provide the redundancy that can be important in offshore runs or remote areas of backcountry.
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Test Video
SUN TRACKER® PARTY BARGE® 22 DLX:
Family-Sized Entertainment Platform
The SUN TRACKER® PARTY BARGE® 22 DLX comes with a QuickLift Bimini top, easy clean vinyl decking, 26-ounce marine-grade UV resistant upholstery, and LED navigation and courtesy lights. Unlike some pontoon boats, it also has a full-width swimdeck aft, and the aft-facing double-wide seating is a good spot to watch kids on the tow-line. Powered with the optional 150-hp Mercury FourStroke, she had a top speed of 36.1 mph in our tests, which is good performance for a twin-tube toon.
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Test Video
Sea-Doo Spark Trixx:
Entry-Level PWC Priced Right
The Sea-Doo Spark Trixx is competitively priced, but she includes lots of extras not found on some entry-level PWCs. Standard features include the Sea-Doo iBR intelligent brake and reverse system for quick stops and improved handling at the docks. The Extended Range Variable Trim System allows extreme trim positions for trick-riding, and the D-Sea-BeI system combines a series of resonators and vibration-absorbing components to keep noise levels low. Most important is her low price.
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Updated Captain’s Report
Formula 31 Performance Cruiser:
Premium-Class Sport Cruiser
The Formula 31 Performance Cruiser is set up to accommodate entertaining, weekend cruising, and longer excursions. She also delivers sporty performance thanks to the twin 375-hp MerCruiser option, which delivered a top speed of 46.8 mph. Formula is the only brand in class to paint its hulls, creating the trademark gleaming finish. She has a long list of extras, including a radar arch and electric windlass.
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Comparison
We Compare Four 16'-24' Pontoon Boats
SUN TRACKER® FISHIN' BARGE® 22 XP3
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SUN TRACKER® BASS BUGGY® 18 DLX
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SUN TRACKER® PARTY BARGE® 20 DLX
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SUN TRACKER® PARTY BARGE® 16 DLX ET
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This week we compare a quartet of SUN TRACKER® pontoon boats, ranging from 16’ to 24’. We have picked SUN TRACKER® because it builds a wide range of boats for all missions, and its pontoon boats are an extremely good value, in our opinion. Whether equipped for fishing, cruising or watersports, SUN TRACKER® pontoon boats are affordable to buy and inexpensive to operate. The smallest boat in this group doesn't even need gas; it's electric. (The other three carry single outboards.) All four of these pontoon boats are different in design and mission, so compare them to discover the best platform for any application.
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New Consumer Report
15 Things You Need To Know Before Repowering Your Outboard
Repowering an outboard boat is a big decision because engines aren’t cheap -- and with some new features on the market, it is easy to buy the engine brand that is behind the curve -- as a couple of them are. Ironically, the first thing to think about before repowering is the boat, not the new engine. The boat may not be worth repowering, or it may no longer serve your needs into the future. We examine twins vs. singles, 2-stroke vs. 4-stroke, maintenance, warranties, and much more.
Get the check list here...
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