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Hatteras 100 Raised Pilothouse:
World-Class Styling and Build
The new Hatteras 100 Raised Pilothouse motoryacht heralds this venerable company’s return to the market with all Kalenberg trumpets blasting. She has a sleek, new style and a sure-footed aggressiveness that announces that now – with her new owner – Hatteras is very much back in business. She is just one of three new Hatteras yachts being introduced this winter, the others are a 45 Express and a 70’ (21 m). Make no mistake about it, this is a motoryacht designed and built for people who want to own a true sea-going vessel, not just a floating party platform good for little more than going from marina to marina along the ICW. She is designed to do it all, as her 275,000 lb. (124,738 kg) displacement, her 4,660-gallon (17,640 L) fuel capacity, and her twin Cat C32A 1900-hp diesels makes clear in no uncertain terms.
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New Captain's Report
Sea-Doo GTX Limited 215:
Premium 3-Seat PWC w/ Cruise Control
The new Sea-Doo GTX Limited 215 is a high-end three-person watercraft that will appeal to riders who want the latest high-tech accessories, such as the brake and reverse system, variable trim system, and cruise control. Sponsons in the aft quarter on each side of the running surface help provide stability when the craft is operating at high speed. She's powered with a supercharged 1494-cc Rotax engine with closed loop cooling for improved durability in brackish or salt waters. Resonators and vibration-absorbing components throughout the craft reduce noise levels.
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Captain's Report
Maritimo M48:
Two Roomy Ensuite Staterooms
Maritimo's redesigned M48 II is a two-stateroom yacht with the full-beam master moved aft. A guest stateroom is located in the bow and both have en suite heads. The Maritimo trademark, a large, fully enclosed flybridge, forms an added area for cruising and entertaining as well as an out-of-the-weather helm with exceptional visibility. Internal stairs make this area easily accessible in all weather. We think this makes a comfortable cruising boat for two couples or a small family -- thanks to the second head.
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Captain's Report
Jeanneau 54:
Performance Cruiser
w/ Spacious Living Areas
The Jeanneau 54 carries her maximum beam (16’1”/4.92 m) nearly all the way to the transom, creating a spacious salon and cockpit that are extraordinarily wide and accommodating. A center mounted drop leaf cockpit table serves the ship’s guests for al fresco dining and provides a sturdy hand hold or foot brace under sail. Overall, the 54 is designed for entertaining and comfortable cruising. She has many clever design innovations that must be seen.
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Test Video
Evinrude i-Dock:
Joystick Steering & Much More
Evinrude's i-Dock joystick system employs a PCM to control the engines via hydraulic pumps. The system is available not only for new boats and the Evinrude E-TEC G2 Series of engines, but for repower as well. Minor adjustments to the stick gives incremental changes to steering direction, while stronger input gives more pronounced steering effects. As with all joystick systems, rotating the stick causes the boat to spin within its own length. A "Boost" button allows adding engine rpms where necessary to overcome wind or current. A unique feature is the capability to control steering the “feel” of the digitally-linked steering wheel, changing lock-to-lock and steering resistance parameters at will.
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New Captain's Report
Azimut 50:
Sleek, Fast and Full of Light
One of many notable features on the new Azimut 50 is the atrium that pours natural light into the galley at the base of the stairs to the helm deck, creating a bright, attractive venue that's out of the traffic flow. A huge sun pad covering much of the foredeck is one of the more entertaining features, and full-width couch seating is also available on the bow. Every cabin below deck, including the heads, has a portlight providing natural light.
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New Captain's Report
Chaparral 337 SSX:
Big Bowrider w/ Overnight Cabin for Two
The new Chaparral 337 SSX combines the layout and deck space of a large bowrider with the below deck accommodations of a compact cruiser. An Ultraleather lounge below deck converts quickly into a berth that should sleep two adults comfortably. Sink, shower and porcelain toilet are standard in the head. There are fittings for the side-mount hideaway table in both the forward and aft cockpits. The aft-facing couch seat on the transom folds down to form a sun pad when the boat is at rest.
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Test Video
Beneteau Swift Trawler 50:
Long Ranger w/ Planing Capabilities
The appropriately-named Beneteau Swift Trawler 50 is a practical combination of a roomy, long-range trawler with a planing motoryacht running surface. At hull speeds, she sips fuel, making long passages without refueling possible -- up to 621 miles at 8.6 mph. When speed is needed to outrun a storm, she can crank up to over 24 mph to get home quickly. A wrap-around windshield creates excellent visibility from the helm, and the standard joystick enables for easy docking.
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Test Video
Boston Whaler 285 Conquest:
Fisherman Doubles as Family Weekender
With a 20-degree deadrise at the transom, a 9'6" (2.90 m) beam and hard chines carried well forward to knock down spray, the Boston Whaler 285 Conquest should be a competent offshore performer, even on marginal days. The 200-gallon (757 L) fuel tank gives our test captain a range of 270 statue miles at 25.7 mph and 4000 rpms when powered by the twin 225 Mercury Verado outboards (with a 10% fuel reserve). While top speed was 43.8 at 6000 rpms. The standard electric windlass with helm controls and stainless steel ground tackle makes anchoring easy without sending someone out on the bow.
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Test Video
Four Winns H210:
Sportboat w/ Retro Exterior, Modern Interior
The reverse transom design and the rounded stern quarters of the new Four Winns H210 recall classic hulls with tumble home lines, giving her a retro look that's emphasized by the available dark hull colors. The standard Sony stereo system has four speakers, two of which are in the forward cockpit. Protected inside the glove box are USB and auxiliary inputs, including Bluetooth, allowing users to integrate many electronic options. The large swim platform, standard, provides plenty of space for the family to gear up for towsports. A color-matched tandem-axle trailer is part of the standard package.
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New Test Video
Bavaria Sport 400 Coupe:
Diesel Sterndrives For Economical Cruising
The new Bavaria Sport 400 Coupe we tested was powered by twin 300-hp Volvo Penta D4-300s turning DuoProp 65 drives. With a one-third tank of fuel, best cruise was found to be at 2750 rpm and 25.4 mph. At that speed she burned 20.0 gph and extended the range to 226 miles with a 10% fuel reserve. When we compare her miles per gallon at best cruise we see that she compares favorably with other boats in class. Thanks to sterndrive joystick control, she is easy to handle around the docks.
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Product Video
PowerTech! Propellers:
Engineered for Performance and Speed
Most boaters are aware that higher pitched props have the potential to generate greater boat speeds, but the prop experts at PowerTech! Propellers point out that getting satisfying performance from a given hull/horsepower set-up is a lot more complicated than simply aiming for maximum velocity. The best props for most uses offer a combination of strong hole shot with the typical weight aboard, good mid-range acceleration and cruising economy, and a satisfying top speed. Blade geometry, including rake and cupping, can be as important as pitch. PowerTech! is our go-to source for all prop questions.
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Propeller worksheet.
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Captain's Report
Pursuit DC 325:
Bowrider w/ Overnight Cabin and Fishing Features
The Pursuit DC 325 is a multi-mission family boat that combines the comforts of a large bowrider with the utility and features of a premium class offshore fishing boat. The standard hardtop provides shade as well as a location for rod holders, outriggers and spreader lights, and the high walkthrough windshield, along with lots of freeboard, promises a dry ride from this 20-degree deadrise hull.
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Test Video
REGENCY 254 LE3:
Luxury Pontoon w/ 47 MPH WOT Speed
Powered by a Mercury Verado 250 L Pro FourStroke turning a 17" pitch Enertia stainless steel prop, the tri-toon REGENCY 254 LE3 jumped from 0 to 30 mph in 7.1 seconds. Most efficient cruise is at 3000 rpms and 17.5 mph, where she burned 6 gph in our test runs, but those wanting more speed will probably choose to run her around 4000 rpms more frequently, where she travels at 25.0 mph and burns 11.1 gph. At the 5800 rpm max, she reached 47.1 mph.
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Test Video
Mercury Remanufacturing 383 MAG Stroker:
New Life for Older Boats
Boaters with sound older boats running tired engines can save money by repowering, rather than trading up to a new rig. Mercury Remanufacturing's 383 MAG Stroker is one solution for inboards or sterndrives. The reworked engine begins with a used MerCruiser 377 MAG V8 iron block core that gets bored, stroked, machined, and rebuilt with many new and improved parts. The finished engine has 383 CID, produces 350 horsepower, and weighs in at 932 lbs. (423 kg) in rebuilt form. It breathes through a long runner intake manifold with multi-port fuel injection, and is driven by the latest 555 ECM with SmartCraft digital capabilities.
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Product Overview
Shurhold Bucket Base:
Make Your Bucket Behave
Most boaters have a 5-gallon (19 L) plastic bucket or two on board for chores from helping with wash down to holding tools to stowing cast nets. But these buckets routinely slide across the deck with the motion of the boat — unless they're secured with a device like Shurhold's new Bucket Base, a non-skid soft synthetic rubber ring that fits the bucket bottom securely and grabs on to any horizontal surface aboard, including teak decking. The composite is UV-resistant and it floats. The ring is ventilated so that it does not grow mold underneath. Suggested retail is $12.95 -- and there's currently an exclusive offer for BoatTEST.com readers: Get 25% off the new Bucket Base by using the coupon code BTBB at checkout. Offer expires 12/14/15.
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