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Galeon 385 HTS:
An Impressive New Express
There's a new brand of cruising boat now available in North America -- Galeon. Galeons are built in the Gdansk Shipyard (made famous by Lech Walesa and the Solidarity movement over 25 years ago). One of their smallest boats is the 385 HTS reported on here, but their line extends up to the 660 Fly, and they are all something to behold.
Galeon has combined Old World craftsmanship with the latest design trends and added to that combination some of the most exciting innovations in this class and size range that we have ever seen. Joinery work and fit-and-finish is right up there with custom yacht building from the world’s best yards. All of the latest engines, equipment, and electronics are used and overall the breadth of detail and quality is remarkable. It is rare that a new-comer to the boating industry can teach the veteran builder some new "tricks", but Galeon has done it.
Today, we introduce the 385 HTS in great detail because we feel it is important for consumers to get an in-depth idea of the substance of this boat and of this new line of boats in North America.
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New Captain's Report
Scarab Open 195 Fish:
New Jet-Powered Multi-Mission Sportboat
The new Scarab Open 195 Fish comes equipped for angling, watersports, sunning, swimming, diving and net casting, among other things. The combo makes sense because the jet allows navigation in shallow water where outboard lower units would run into trouble. An optional swiveling fishing seat fits into sockets on the bow and stern casting platforms -- or covered with the included cushions, these areas revert to seating/sun pads. We think it’s cool, and the whole family should like spending time aboard.
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New Test Video
Formula 430 SSC:
Quad Outboard Cross-Over Hits 64.2 MPH WOT
The Formula 430 SSC (Super Sport Crossover) with 1600 outboard horses hanging on the transom is definitely a head-turner at the docks, and like virtually all Formulas, she's clearly performance oriented, with a top speed of 64.2 mph. The 430 SSC has a full galley below decks, as well as a standup head and shower and a compact salon area that converts to a double berth thanks to the powered, adjustable height table. The cockpit wet bar has a hideaway cover for the sink. There are refrigerators both in the cockpit and in the galley. Oh, and she is also a bowrider!
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New Test Video
Wellcraft 222F:
Freeboard, Flair, and Fishing Extras
With an 8'6" (2.59 m) beam, the Wellcraft 222F is wider than many in the 22-foot range, adding fishing space as well as providing added stability in beam seas. She has all of the usual center console fishing extras, including a 23-gallon aft livewell, and performance is good, topping out at 48.4 mph with a 250-hp 4-stroke Yamaha. Wellcraft now has an all-new line of boats and this is one of them.
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New Captain’s Report
Sea Ray Sundancer 350 Coupe:
Precision Construction in a New Coupe
The Sea Ray Sundancer 350 Coupe has a bow seating area, unusual in a coupe design of this size and a great spot for a bit of sundowning at anchor. She comes ready to take on tropical cruising, with 16,000 BTU cabin air conditioning standard and 18,000 BTU cockpit air optional. She's set up to sleep four below decks and two more in the salon on the convertible lounge. Sea Ray has one of the state-of-the-art building facilities in North America.
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Test Video
Monte Carlo Yachts 70:
Designed for Entertainment in Grand Style
The Monte Carlo Yachts 70 design team made intelligent use of all exterior spaces on the yacht, but the bow draws particular interest: it can transform into a variety of configurations to function as anything from a sun lounge to a covered formal dining area to a cocktail party venue. The Portuguese bridge provides safe access to the area underway. There are two accommodation plans to choose from: a three-stateroom, five-head configuration with crew’s quarters: or, a four-stateroom with a master walk-in closet and crew’s quarters. Twin 1200-hp MAN V8s give her a top speed of 32.9 knots, and throttled back to a cruise at 14.5 knots her range is about 400 NM.
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Captain’s Report
Sailfish 320 Express Walk Around:
Built for Bluewater
The Sailfish 320 Express Walk Around puts the emphasis on comfort, cockpit seating, over-nighting, and the kind of sea-keeping capabilities that only a closed bow boat with high windshield can provide. The V-shaped banquette provides a cozy place for lunch, dinner or cocktails in candle light, and converts to a double berth for overnights. She still provides all the expected Sailfish angling amenities, including a 30-gallon aerated baitwell, 14 rod holders and racks for downrigger weights under the gunwales. The catch can be iced and stored in two in-deck fishboxes in the cockpit.
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Captain’s Report
Beneteau Oceanis 38.1:
Versatile Layout in an Easy-Sailing Yacht
The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 offers versatile interior layouts including two or three staterooms, wet head or separate stall shower and a choice of L-shaped or straight galley. Joinery can be done in blond oak or mahogany and there are three standard fabric choices, or the buyers can pick their own. Twin rudders ensure full control when she heels, and two keel choices tailor her draft to local waters. Twin helms also improve visibility under sail, as well as during docking.
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Test Video
Chaparral 337 SSX:
Bowrider w/ Compact Cabin, Head
With sportboat styling, the new 337 SSX from Chaparral includes a stylish fiberglass hardtop equipped with lights and audio system. The full-beam cabin includes a couch that converts to sleep two. She also provides a roomy seating area forward, with a portable table, like other large bowriders. The roomy swim platform provides plenty of space for gearing up for watersports, and is broad enough to haul a large tube or other water toy.
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New Test Video
TRACKER Pro Team 175 TXW:
Tough, Lightweight and Easy to Tow
The TRACKER® Pro Team™ 175 TXW comes well-equipped and ready to fish. It includes a Minn Kota® Edge bow-mount trolling motor, Lowrance® Hook-4x color fishfinder and a 21-gallon (79.5 L) aft livewell, and is packaged with a single-axle trailer. A locking rod box in the bow deck can handle rods to 8' long. Powered with an economical Mercury 60 ELPT four-stroke, she ran 35.2 mph.
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New Features Video
Four Winns TS242:
New Wakesports Platform w/ 8'6" Beam
The Four Winns TS242 is the company's first dedicated wakesports model, fully-loaded with all the necessary extras including 1,800-lb. 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. She carries her 8'6" (2.59 m) beam well forward, adding seating space at the bow, and a Porta-Potti tucks into the starboard console.
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Features Video
Beneteau Gran Turismo 49:
Cruiser/Racer w/ Style, Space
The Beneteau Gran Turismo 49 is a sleek and stylish express cruiser that in its fifth year of production has continued to be a standout model in the 50' express cruiser market. She’s offered in either a two or three stateroom layout, both with lots of headroom thanks in part to the high freeboard of the yacht. Powered by standard Volvo IPS 600s, the Gran Turismo 49 is a boat that likes to be driven hard.
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Test Video
Grady-White Fisherman 236:
Fishing & Family Amenities
With the signature Grady-White bow shear line, plus lots of flare and freeboard forward, the Grady-White Fisherman 236 is one of the more capable offshore performers in class. Like all Grady-White's, she has a solid, all-composite build; weight is 3,900 lbs. (1,769 kg) dry. Her 20-degree deadrise at the transom is a good meld of stability and ride comfort. Optional fold-out backrests and sun pad inserts transform the bow into a comfortable spot for family day-cruising, adding versatility to this otherwise hard-core fishing machine.
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New Test Video
Yamaha SX195:
Agile Supercharged Jet
The Yamaha SX195 is the first boat in the Yamaha lineup to be powered with the new 1.8 liter supercharged and intercooled SVHO Yamaha engine, which provided impressive acceleration as well as a top speed of 52.3 mph. The Articulating Keel system allows for much improved handling around the docks compared to conventional jetboats, and also provides better straight line tracking during acceleration and quicker response when turning, according to our test captain.
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New Test Video
SUN TRACKER PARTY BARGE 22 DLX:
Party Platform w/ Watersports Potential
The SUN TRACKER PARTY BARGE 22 DLX rides on 24" diameter pontoons that include wave deflectors forward and nose cone keels that protect against grounding as well as making for easier steering. A quick release handle on the Bimini allows one person to quickly raise or lower it, according to the company, and new heavy-gauge vinyl flooring provides cool, non-slip footing that's easily hosed clean.
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Comparison
23'-27' Bay Boats Compared:
Four Boats for Thin Water
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SeaVee 270Z
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Ranger 2510 Bay Ranger
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Wellcraft 241 Fisherman
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Robalo 226 Cayman
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This week's roundup compares four boats designed for fishing in relatively sheltered waters, but they'll serve as fun family boats, too: Most people do most of their boating on just the kind of water these boats are happiest on. Each one can sneak into very thin water, so they're ideal for chasing shallow-water prey or bonefishing on the Florida flats -- and they're great at beaching for swimming and a picnic, too. While not meant for offshore boating, each of these four can handle the chop, so there's no worry about getting back home if the breeze pipes up. If you like mooching around in thin water, or racing back and forth across the bay, one of these four might be just right for you.
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