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World Cat Glacier Bay Edition 2780:
Multi-Mission Cat w/ Blue Water Capabilities
The Glacier Bay brand has been folded under the parent World Cat umbrella and will be known as Glacier Bay Editions. Design, materials, and construction will not change, according to the company. The World Cat Glacier Bay Edition 2780 is a text-book cat with very sharp forward entry on the twin hulls designed to cut waves and give the classic smooth cat ride in a chop. A full deck-to-top wrap-around safety glass windshield system plus a heating/cooling option makes her a multi-season cruiser.
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Review
Volvo Penta Forward Drive:
See Four Winns and Regal Tests
One year ago, Volvo Penta introduced its forward facing drive. Because the drive faces forward, and its dual props are 26” farther forward than conventional sterndrives. With the addition of ballast bags, boats with the FWD drive throw big wakes, which can be competitive with the far more expensive inboard tow boats. More...
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Test Video
Yamaha AR240 HO:
Twin Jet w/Articulating Keel Steering
The all-new 24’ Yamaha AR240 HO is a twin-jet-powered sport boat with interesting advancements in hull design, steering systems, and overall vessel management systems. Equipped with two of Yamaha's powerful 1.8 L H.O. jets, the boat leaps on plane in 2.3 seconds and tops out at 51.8 mph. The articulating keel system not only helps the boat track at speed but makes slow speed handling much easier around the docks, according to our test captain. The all-digital Connext helm system runs all of the boat’s systems, lights, music, pumps, and provides all of the operating data, such as fuel flow and engine functions.
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Captain’s Report
Beneteau Swift Trawler 30:
New Solution for Cruising Couples
The new Beneteau Swift Trawler 30 was designed for couples or those interested in extended cruises at a more affordable price. On these extended cruises, it’s important to maintain comfort and function, and the Swift Trawler 30 does that. She responds well to the helm, even at lower speeds, and when the waters get rough, she can take care of herself, says our test captain.
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Captain’s Report
Cruisers Sport Series 275 Express:
Sporty, Trailerable Mid-Cabin Express
The Cruisers Sport 275 Express is a sporty package that manages to fit a salon/galley area in the bow along with a mid-cabin for the kids into a 28' 8" LOA. She still leaves plenty of space topside for a large cockpit with wet bar, convertible transom seating, and a cocktail table. Exceptionally plush upholstery throughout adds a feel of class to the boat, and the deeply-padded adjustable helm seat includes a flip-up bolster and flip-down arm rests. With an 8'6" beam, she's trailerable behind a competent tow vehicle.
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Features Video
Monte Carlo Yachts 86:
Creative Elegance, Built to Entertain
The Monte Carlo Yachts 86 displays remarkable creativity in style, comfort, and use of space throughout. Among the most notable features is the massive entertainment area at the bow, which includes an electrically-actuated table to seat up to eight and push-button backrests that convert sun lounges to couches. Port and starboard bulwarks offer a section that folds out electrically with railings that store in the bow to form a balcony on either side. Inside the salon is a huge glass table that converts to seat up to 12 for dinner, while the carbon fiber hardtop on the flybridge has a "soft top" sunroof that slides back.
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Test Video
REGENCY 254 LE3:
Luxury Pontoon w/ 47.1 MPH WOT
The REGENCY 254 LE3 standard equipment list includes a Lowrance HDS-7 depth finder with an aft-facing camera, a stereo with a 900-watt amplifier, a privacy/changing curtain, and a stainless-steel propeller. The oversized helm seat includes self-leveling arms, and a power Sunbrella Bimini top is also standard. The self-closing gates have magnetic latches. She rides on triple 26" diameter pontoons with lifting strakes, giving 47.1 mph WOT with the standard Mercury 250 Four-Stroke outboard.
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Test Video
TAHOE 550 TS:
19'10" OB Powered Bowrider
The TAHOE 550 TS is a turn-key bowrider that provides outboard performance and dependability with the standard 115 Mercury Four-Stroke, including a color-matched single-axle trailer. With the optional Merc 150 Four-Stroke, she topped out at a spirited 48.8 mph and showed agile but predictable handling throughout the acceleration range. Dry weight is just 2,395 lbs., making her an easy tow behind most family vehicles, and with an LOA of 19'10", she should fit in many suburban garages when riding on a swing-tongue trailer.
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New Captain’s Report
Hatteras 60 Motor Yacht:
Blue Water FB Cruiser Sleeps 6 in Luxury
The flying bridge, enclosable with isinglass, is likely to be the most popular spot aboard when the Hatteras 60 is underway, providing U-shaped lounge seating to port, two cocktail tables, and an electric grill. There's space aft to store a tender with davit. A sunpad atop the trunk cabin at the bow converts to a wide seat, a great spot to watch the ICW go by at idle speed, while a c-shaped lounge provides al fresco dining at a large table on the aft deck. We'd take her down island in a heartbeat More...
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New Captain’s Report
Wellcraft 221 Fisherman:
Versatile Bayboat w/ Family or Fishing Packages
The Wellcraft 221 Fisherman comes ready to go fishing, complete with factory-rigged Evinrude, Mercury, or Yamaha power. Lots of rod holders, including six verticals on the console, along with twin 34-gallon baitwells aft and 5-gallon bucket storage at the bow, makes her ready to go fishing. The Family Package option includes cushions for the bow and removable backrests, so passengers can sit up facing forward. There is a Porta-Potti in the console. The Tournament Trim Package has a leaning post upgrade, helm deck pad, tournament graphics in tri-tone gelcoat scheme, and upgraded cockpit interior. A color-matched trailer is standard.
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Captain’s Report
Mercury Remanufacturing 357 Alpha 4V:
Affordable Replacement for
Stock MerCruiser 250 V8
The Mercury Remanufacturing 357 Alpha 4V is an inexpensive direct replacement for V-6 and small-block V-8 engines in sterndrive boats packaged with an Alpha drive. The block is bored slightly to increase displacement and clean up the cylinders, which adds torque for better bottom-end power, quick acceleration, and sporty hole shot for towing watersports. The remanufacturing process includes grinding and polishing crankshafts and installing new stainless steel valves and springs, cast hypereutectic alloy pistons, rings, and bearings as well as using new valve covers, oil pans, and water pumps on the outside.
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Captain’s Report
Regal 30 Express:
Compact Mid-Cabin Loaded with Extras
The Regal 30 Express is equipped standard with a long list of features that are extra-cost options from many builders, including a "radar arch," remote spotlight, water heater, trim tabs -- and for a limited time -- air conditioning and a generator. A walk-through windshield allows easy passage to the bow, while convertible seating provides a couch/sun lounge at the transom. The dash includes non-fogging Faria analog gauges, and the hand-wrapped, tilt-base steering wheel is also standard.
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Captain’s Report
Riviera 445 SUV:
Sleek, Seaworthy, and Highly Livable Design
The Riviera 445 SUV is a multi-purpose cruiser built on a seaworthy design blending the builder’s traditional indoor/outdoor livability with current operational technology -- including pod drives from Volvo Penta and a Mastervolt CZone digital monitoring and control system for lighting, pumps, and a host of other onboard equipment. The master is ensuite, and the VIP includes three berths, a welcome feature when visitors bring a child. Twin IPS-600 power with joystick makes for easy handling around the docks.
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Test Video
MAKO 19 CPX:
Speedy, Shallow Draft Bay Boat
The MAKO 19 CPX draws just 12'' (.30 m), making her a competent flats boat, but she can also run out the inlet and fish along the beaches on the right days thanks to her bow flare and relatively tall freeboard for a boat in this class. Casting platforms bow and stern make for ease in sight-fishing, and the flip-up back on the helm seat converts to offer a spot for watching live baits while anchored offshore. With a weight of 2155 lbs., she's easily trailerable behind mid-size vehicles. Powered with the optional 150 HP Mercury® FourStroke, she topped out at 50.1 mph.
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Captain’s Report
Four Winns H230:
Sporty Bowrider w/ Quality Build
The Four Winns H230 is a good-looking mid-range bowrider that offers sporty performance along with family-friendly features, like the seating which faces the swim platform -- it's convertible to a sun pad or chaise lounge spanning the width of the boat. Quality touches include excellent new color options, new interior vinyls, new billet aluminum dash panels, standard Kicker stereo system and all-composite construction for long-term durability.
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Captain’s Report
Scarab 165:
Lightweight Jet w/ 150-hp Rotax Power
The Scarab 165 is an entry-level boat for those who need a bit more space than that available on even the largest PWCs, and for those who just don't feel comfortable straddling the engine -- but still love the "wet and wild" potential of personal watercraft. The racing-style helm has stainless steel finishes and toggle-type controls for most functions, and both analog and digital gauges are included standard. The squared off bottom of the steering wheel is designed to give a bit more leg room. "Lateral Thrust Control" steering directs jet thrust to either side of the transom during low speed maneuvers, making for easier docking.
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Test Video
Volvo Penta V8-300:
Small Block, Lightweight V8 w/ Advanced Engineering
The Volvo Penta V8-300 is actually a 350-hp platform built on an aluminum 5.3 L block that has been electronically re-tuned to govern its output. Virtually everything on the basic block has been designed and assembled by Volvo Penta. The FEAD (Front Engine Accessory Drive) is a unique feature. This housing bolts to the front of the engine and supplies all the plumbing and mounting locations for the engine’s accessories are within easy reach for routine maintenance. By eliminating some hoses and hose clamps, among other things, maintenance is reduced. Closed circuit cooling protects against corrosion in coastal areas, and the engines come with a five-year manufacturer's warranty at no added charge.
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New Captain’s Report
Andros Boatworks Tarpon 26:
Classic Panga Design in a Modern Build
w/ Evinrude E-TEC G2 300
The Andros Boatworks Tarpon 26 powered with an Evinrude E-TEC G2 300 displayed excellent performance, jumping on plane in 3.6 seconds and topping out at 51.3 mph. Fuel economy with the advanced two-stroke was excellent for a boat of this size, reaching 3.7 mpg at 3500 rpms and 29.7 mph. Her upswept bow and the flair at the gunwales should help keep spray out of the cockpit. She draws a scant 10 inches with the motor up, and a 21-inch jackplate allows raising the prop high while under power for shallow crossings.
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