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Beneteau Gran Turismo 40:
Sleek Euro Styling, Advanced Hull Design
The Beneteau Gran Turismo 40 features the Air-Step 2 hull design, which the company says reduces fuel consumption, increases maximum speed, and delivers more nimble handling at planing speeds. This is generally what stepped hulls do, and our tests have verified that. An open-air galley is accessed from the swim platform, keeping cooking odors outdoors, while a second galley below decks allows food preparation in less than perfect weather. The large electric sunroof is standard, opening the cockpit to sun and airflow. Joystick control on the Volvo Penta D6 sterndrives makes for easy docking, according to our test captain.
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Captain’s Report
TRACKER® Targa™ V-18 Combo:
Tough, Practical Family Fishing Machine
The high dual windshields of the TRACKER® Targa™ V-18 Combo keep wind and spray out of the cockpit, and the all-welded aluminum hull can handle beaching on gravel shorelines as well as bumping off the occasional stump. She comes fully-loaded for fishing, including forward and aft fish wells, a Minn-Kota 24-volt troller, Lowrance 3X color fishfinder, and movable swiveling fishing seats. Bowrider style seats forward add family comfort, and a Bluetooth-capable AM/FM stereo with MP3/USB ports is standard.
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New Test Video
Regal 23 OBX:
Outboard Power w/ FasTrac Hull
The Regal 23 OBX is the first outboard-powered boat from Regal, adding performance and versatility to the lineup. By eliminating the sterndrive engine, more interior space becomes available for guests and gear. She has the broad bow of a deckboat, giving added seating and storage space for a family. A beam-width seat faces aft at the transom, providing a comfortable spot for pre- and post-swim relaxing, and a cooler in the compartment here provides access to drinks without having to climb back into the cockpit.
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Test Video
Riviera Belize 54 Daybridge:
Classic Line w/ Yacht-Grade Interior
The Riviera Belize 54 Daybridge features near-custom interiors combined with a solid and seaworthy hull. Vertical hull sides add interior volume below deck to this three stateroom motoryacht, and alternate layouts are available. A wing-up window opens the galley to the cockpit for easy al fresco serving, and an electric grill under a cover at the transom welcomes cookouts. A tender garage is also tucked into the transom, and a runner system and hydraulic center section facilitate launching.
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New Captain’s Report
Glastron GTS 205:
Classic Style Sportboat for Towing Sports
The Glastron GTS 205 includes upgraded graphics and colors on the exterior and interior, a rubber mat on the swim platform, and a racier-style steering wheel at the helm compared to the standard 205. The interior includes the roadster style windshield, analog helm instruments and classic pull-style accessory switches. With a weight of just over 3,000 lbs. (1,361 kg) and 15 power options from MerCruiser and Volvo Penta ranging from a 200-hp V-6 to a 300-hp small-block V-8, owners can pick the performance wanted.
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New Test Video
Boston Whaler 250 Outrage:
Family Comforts in a Dedicated CC Angler
The Boston Whaler 250 Outrage comes fully-loaded for fishing like nearly all Boston Whalers: the deluxe leaning post features a 30-gallon (114 L) pressurized livewell, a bait prep area, rod holders, a freshwater sink plumbed to the 26-gallon (98 L) water tank and plenty of tackle storage with the drawers on heavy-duty stainless steel sliders. A U-shaped, aft-facing lounge at the bow makes her more family-friendly, and a filler turns the bow area into a large sun pad, while an optional teak table makes it a lunch spot.
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Test Video
Monte Carlo Yachts 65:
Distinctive Style, Advanced Engineering
The Monte Carlo Yachts 65 has lots of practical design thinking built into her, including a passerelle tucked into one of the rear stairs, the large teak beach swim platform with standard hydraulic lift for launching the vessel's tender, and her black carbon fiber hardtop, reducing weight topside. The aft galley is centrally located to the gathering areas and features full-size appliances as well as ample ventilation and natural light. Triple sliding glass doors provide a seamless passage from cockpit to interior areas. Overall, she has the look of the MCY 105 megayacht at a fraction of the price.
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Test Video
Yamaha 242 Limited:
Twin Jet Sportboat w/ 51.9 WOT
The Yamaha 242 Limited features twin 1812 cc H.O. Yamaha jet engines that deliver impressive performance, with hole-shot times at a noteworthy 2.4 seconds and a top end of 51.9 mph. Both engines and boat conditions are monitored with a GPS-based information control center on the dash: Digital displays can provide latitude, longitude, compass heading, water depth and temperature, engine speed, vessel speed, highest speed, fuel level, fuel used, and lots more.
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Captain’s Report
World Cat 295CC:
Upscale Fishing Machine w/ Cat Comfort
With a deep-footed catamaran design combined with a 9'6" (2.90 m) beam, the World Cat 295CC is ready to go fishing in weather that leaves many monohulls tied to the dock. Dual fuel and battery systems for the twin outboards add a get-home factor that's missing on many offshore boats, and cats are noted for performing well on a single outboard when necessary. Upscale diamond-stitched two-tone upholstery with piped seams covers an exceptional amount of seating space, particularly at the bow, where 8-to-10 adults can easily relax and watch the ICW go by. A hardtop is standard, as is a bolstered leaning post with 42-gallon (159 L) livewell.
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New Features Video
Ocean Alexander 112 Tri-Level Motor Yacht:
Motoryacht w/ Accommodations for 10 Guests
The Ocean Alexander 112 Tri-Level Motor Yacht features a 24'6" (7.47 m) beam just as we might find on a custom-built aluminum hull of this length. The advantage of fiberglass -- of course -- is lower maintenance and peace of mind when it comes to hidden interior hull corrosion. Deck-to-ceiling windows throughout the salon area provide a flood of natural light as well as great visibility for guests. The foldout center of the 5' wide teak swim platform provides a stairway into the water and an easy way to launch/retrieve a tender. The upper deck includes lounge space and a Jacuzzi -- or an added helm station, as the buyer prefers.
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Test Video
Cruisers Sport Series 298 Bow Rider:
Spacious Bowrider w/ Sporty Graphics
The new version of the Cruisers Sport Series 298 Bow Rider features all-new hull graphics, and her interior upholstery package is as upscale as any in class, with the same fabrics and vinyls used in the company's 54-footer. Form-fitting chaise lounges with armrests provide comfort at the bow, while the aft seating assembly is convertible to a broad sunlounge. A wet bar and a console head add utility, and a Bimini top and cover are standard.
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Captain’s Report
SUN TRACKER® FISHIN' BARGE® 22 XP3:
Family-Friendly Fun Fishing Platform
The SUN TRACKER® FISHIN' BARGE® 22 XP3 comes ready to fish with aerated livewells and swiveling fishing seats both at the bow and at the stern. An optional bow-mount trolling motor is available, and there are abundant rod holders throughout the boat, plus a locking rod box to store gear overnight. She also features comfortable multi-density foam seating covered in marine-grade vinyl for weather-resistance. She includes a limited 10-year bow-to-stern warranty. With the 150 Mercury FourStroke outboard, she's competitively-priced at $29,995.
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New Test Video
Key Largo 2486 WA:
49.5 MPH WOT w/ Evinrude E-TEC G2 250 H.O.
Powered with an Evinrude E-TEC G2 250 High Output outboard, the Key Largo 2486 WA got on plane in 4.8 seconds, reached 30 mph in 8.1 seconds and topped out at 49.5 mph turning an RX4 4-blade 15 x 18 stainless steel propeller. This is strong performance for a boat weighing over 5,000 lbs. (2,268 kg). Just as impressive was the fuel economy -- she got 3.2 mpg at 34.4 mph, giving a range of 374 miles. She comes well-equipped for angling with toe rails, gunwale bolsters, transom livewells, and plenty of rod holders. We like walkarounds and express fishboats because of their seakeeping abilities offshore.
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New Test Video
Sailfish 270CC:
Engineered for Offshore Work
The Sailfish 270CC makes intelligent use of advanced materials to keep the boat as light as possible, yet strong enough to endure years of duty fishing far offshore. Carbon-fiber reinforced deck beams run athwartships to stiffen the deck, while Kevlar reinforces key areas for strength, including where the transom attaches to stringers and hull side. The variable deadrise stepped hull has a 24-degree deadrise at the aft keel to soften the ride, stepping to lesser values at the chines to provide quicker planing and better stability.
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