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Before and After Repowering:
Old Engines vs. New Evinrude
E-TEC G2 300s
If you have ever wondered what repowering might do for your boat, this report should give you an idea of how dramatic the change can be. Our test team followed a repower job on a classic 2007 Hydrasports 2900 CC, and found that changing to new 300 Evinrude E-TEC G2s gave a 45% improvement in top speed, a 36.3% increase in fuel efficiency at cruise and a 34.9% improvement in range. The new engines also allowed trimming the lower units completely clear of the water thanks to an 81-degree tilt range. But there’s much more to the story.
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New Captain’s Report
Cruisers Yachts 60 Fly:
A New 60' Flybridge Cruiser
Large hull-side windows in the Cruisers Yachts 60 Fly bring light to the two- or three-cabin layout below decks to match that brought into the main salon/galley by the arching windows above decks.
We find docking particularly easy from the flying bridge. A lazarette large enough to hold a kayak or multiple water toys sits between twin stairways leading to the cockpit from the swim platform.
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New Test Video
Yamaha 212X:
Upscale, Watersports-Ready Twin Jet w/ 50.8 WOT
The Yamaha 212X comes fully-equipped with 1,100 lbs. (498.95 kg) of total ballast in three tanks, a billet aluminum rear view mirror, a premium watersports tower, a premium sound system that includes a tower mounted sound bar, subwoofer, 500 W amplifier, and six Polk audio midrange speakers. She's basically a turnkey wakesports rig, but with the added plus of the handling of a twin jet. The Connext controller is a 7” touchscreen that includes intuitive menus to give full control of the towing parameters, boat data, and sound system.
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Test Video
TRACKER® Targa™ V-20 WT:
Tough, Roomy Multi-Species Boat
The TRACKER® Targa™ V-20 WT is an all-welded V-hull built from .125 gauge marine aluminum, more than tough enough to handle beaching on rocky shores or bumping off stumps and gravel bars. With a 102" (2.59 m) beam, she offers lots of fishing room, but at 2,195 lbs. (996 kg) dry, she's light enough for trailering behind mid-size vehicles. She's competitively-priced at $32,995 with a Mercury 150XL FourStroke and tandem-axle trailer.
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Features Video
Maritimo M58:
All-Season Flybridge Cruiser
The fully-enclosed and air-conditioned flying bridge of the Maritimo M58 functions as an added entertainment area, with two sofas, a high-gloss teak pedestal table and an aft balcony in addition to the helm area. Enclosed stairs allow all-weather access. Opening side windows and a large overhead sunroof plus the aft doors make an easy transition to an open bridge when the weather is right. Below decks, she offers three staterooms and two heads. The trim level is superior throughout; all cabinetry, including the doors to the refrigerator and pantry, are matching grain high-gloss teak. The decking is rosewood and maple Amtico.
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Test Video
Chaparral 250 Suncoast OB:
Roomy Deck w/ 51.5 MPH WOT
Outboard power to 300-hp gives Chaparral's 250 Suncoast OB exceptional performance; she ran over 50 mph with a Yamaha 250 in our tests. The integral swim platform has full walk-around capability instead of being cut off ahead of the motor well as in most outboard runabouts, and the upholstery and fit and finish is a step above industry standards throughout. A four-step stainless steel beach ladder folds out from within the anchor compartment in the bow.
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Captain’s Report
Beneteau First 22:
Sailing Made Easy and Safe
The Beneteau First 22 is built specifically as a one-design sail training vessel. Her cockpit is large enough to accommodate four adult students and an instructor -- all sitting on one side of the cockpit. She has twin rudders, a swing keel and draws just 2'4" (.71 m) with keel up. Most important, she is easy to sail. Lifelines, a self-bailing cockpit, and positive flotation add security. We think she makes a good boat for fleets.
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Test Video
Boston Whaler 280 Outrage:
57.0 MPH WOT w/ Mercury 300 Verado
Though the Boston Whaler 280 Outrage is a full-out offshore fisherman, she also has upscale touches that will please the family, including a standard T-top and head as well as a doublewide forward-facing lounge seat with flip down armrests. Underneath is deep, roomy storage with steps for easy access. At the bow, there’s a recessed windlass with a handheld remote and freshwater washdown. The anchor and chain hangs on a thru-the-stem stainless roller.
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Test Video
Bavaria Sport 450 Coupe:
2 or 3 Staterooms w/ 2 Heads
The Bavaria Sport 450 Coupe comes in two-or-three-stateroom layouts, either with two heads. She's the right size to function as a large cruising and entertaining vessel, and the standard teak swim platform has an optional hydraulic extension that allows easy carriage of a tender. Large sunpads bow and stern welcome sun worshippers, and there's a dingy garage under the aft sun pad. A 12 kW generator is standard in U.S. models.
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Comparison
33'-35' Bowriders:
BoatTEST Compares the Big Four
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Sea Ray SLX 350
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Four Winns H350
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Chaparral 337 SSX
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Cruisers Yachts 338 Bow Rider
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This week's comparison includes bowriders from 33' to 35'. All of these bowriders are huge -- and they can entertain more people than most pontoon boats can legally carry. In many ways, bowriders this size are the quintessential dayboats for serious watersports and entertaining. They maximize on-deck space, and they're big enough for entertaining with one group forward and the other one aft. They are powerful enough for watersports of all kinds and heavy enough to give guests a comfortable ride in most reasonable conditions. For owners who like to boat by day and stay ashore at night, they make good day cruisers.
Compare them here...
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New Test Video
Manitou 23 Encore SHP:
Roomy Pontoon w/ Good Handling
The Manitou 23 Encore SHP rides on a 27" diameter center pontoon and two 23" diameter outer pontoons, allowing her to lean into turns like a V-bottom monohull, and also improving overall performance. Powered by an Evinrude E-TEC G2 150 H.O., she got on plane in 3.2 seconds, went 0 to 30 mph in 6.9 seconds, and reached 36.8 mph at WOT. Evinrude’s integrated steering eliminates the need for external ram steering in the well, making for an exceptionally clean installation.
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Captain’s Report
Glastron GTS 205:
Turn-Key Runabout w/Retro Style
The Glastron GTS 205 sports a number of classic touches including roadster style windshield, analog helm instruments, and classic pull-style accessory switches. The bold reverse spear exterior graphics complement the three-tone upholstery. The two-level swim platform with soft-surface decking will make an easy spot to gear up for watersports. She comes equipped with a color-matched single-axle trailer at an MSRP of $38,340.
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Test Video
Sailfish 320CC:
High-Tech Build in a Family Fisherman
The Sailfish 320 CC comes fully-loaded for fishing, but families will especially appreciate the new cushions and bolsters and the V-shaped lounge in the bow, which has removable backrests. A side mount pedestal table makes the bow into an inviting snack and cocktail area, or add the filler cushions to turn the bow into a sun pad. At the stern, the flip-down bench seat provides space for three more people to sit. Freshwater outlets at the transom, leaning post, and in the console head make it easy to knock the salt off after a swim.
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New Test Video
Four Winns TS 242:
Fully-Loaded Wakesports Platform
The Four Winns TS 242 is the company's first dedicated wakesports model, fully-loaded with all the necessary extras including 2,000-pound (907 kg) ballast tanks, ZeroOff speed control, and wakeboard tower. The boat's props are tucked forward of the lower unit, providing safety for the boarder, and along with the trim tabs, excellent fine-tuning for the quality of wave for surfing. The U-shaped bow seating area converts to a sunpad with addition of an optional cushion to cover the footwell.
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Test Video
TAHOE® 450 TS:
18'5" Runabout Right-Sized for Most Garages
The TAHOE® 450 TS is a turn-key package complete with a 90-hp Mercury 4-stroke outboard and matching trailer. She's sized to fit most suburban garages with a 20’3” storage length thanks to the folding tongue on the trailer. And at a weight of just 3,005 lbs. (1,363 kg) as tested, she's light enough to be towed by most mid-size vehicles.
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Test Video
Riviera Belize 54 Daybridge:
Luxury in a Rugged Cruising Yacht
The Riviera Belize 54 Daybridge has an electric BBQ and sink with hot and cold water beneath a cover on top of the transom, accessible from the swim platform. A tender garage is tucked into the transom, unusual on a yacht of this size. A runner system with electric winch helps make tender launching smoother, and the center section of the swim platform hydraulically lowers to facilitate the launch. The transom bench seat has an electrically-adjustable table that lowers for entertaining and rises to a comfortable height for dining at the touch of a finger.
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Test Video
MAKO® 284 CC:
Fast, Fully-loaded Blue Water Fisherman
The MAKO® 284 CC comes fully-rigged for offshore fishing, including a massive 50-gallon aerated baitwell in the rigging station behind the console seat/leaning post. The station also includes a freshwater sink, tackle storage with Plano boxes and a cutting board. The in-deck fishboxes are also huge, 365 quarts and insulated, allowing for storage of lots of ice on island runs. The boat rides on a 21-degree deadrise that eases rough water, but has a flat running surface at the aft keel to assist in rapid planing and in staying on plane at lower rpm when necessary in rough water.
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Test Video
Beneteau Gran Turismo 40:
Style, Space, and Open-Air Entertaining
The new Gran Turismo 40 introduces a silhouette conceived by designers Nuvolari-Lenard and a redesigned cockpit. She features a center helm and optional lowering swim platform. Incorporating the new Air Step 2 hull design, she provides a combination of increased fuel efficiency and maneuverability while offering an appealing sense of style, according to our test captain. The electrically-operated sunroof allows air to flow freely though the cockpit both at anchor and underway.
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