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Cruiser Yachts 60 Fly:
See New Video with Test Numbers
The new Cruisers Yachts 60 Fly was designed for day-boat entertaining and serious cruising in style. She can be ordered in either a two or three stateroom layout, each with two heads. The helm on the flying bridge is in a center console which allows guests to surround the captain. The aft section of the flying bridge has a large table with seating on three sides. There is a lower helm and the boat is powered through pod drives.
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Ocean Alexander 70 Evolution & 100 to Display
at Yachts Miami Beach
Ocean Alexander's new 70 Evolution and 100 models, which will be on display at Yachts Miami Beach in February, are loaded with standard features that are high-dollar extras in most yachts in class. The 70E is the first in the line to include twin 900-hp IPS drives, and also has a hydraulic hi-low swimstep platform and CZone monitoring with iPad interface. The 100 features chilled water AC, bow and stern thrusters among many other items of standard equipment. Ocean Alexander is extending a special viewing of these models to BoatTEST members during the Yachts Miami Beach Show. To reserve your VIP viewing at Yachts Miami Beach, click
here!
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New Test Video
Beneteau Swift Trawler 50:
New Cruiser with Attractive Features
As her name implies, she is a “swift” trawler, not a slow, heavy displacement trawler that moves at 6 to 8 knots, often on a single engine. She has twin 435 diesel engines and is designed to get up and go, when she has to. We recorded a top speed of 21.3 knots at WOT. Below decks she has two large staterooms ideal for two-couple cruising, plus a third cabin that can be sleeping quarters or an on-board office.
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New Test Video
Sailfish 236CC:
High Freeboard w/ Deep Cockpit
The 236CC is positioned as a “family fishing” boat with an optional head, functional at offshore and inshore fishing, and comfortable seating spaces. Our test boat was equipped with a single 250-hp Yamaha outboard engine and had an estimated test weight of 4,900 lbs. (2,223 kg). We hit a top speed of 42.6 mph at 5800 rpm. Best cruise was 29.9 mph with a fuel burn of 2.6 mpg.
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Captain’s Report
Sea Ray 400 Fly:
New Sedan w/ Open Floor Plan
The staterooms of the Sea Ray 400 Fly come with a compliment of pillows and bedding, curtains for the hull side windows, 12V stereo with Bluetooth connectivity, central vac and Chestnut wood cabinetry as standard. Decking is carpeted throughout. A 16,000 BTU reverse cycle air-handling system provides cooling or heating as desired. She's equally well-equipped in outdoor areas--the flybridge has an L-settee, of which the front converts to a dual forward-facing seat near the helm.
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New Article
14 Things to Look for in Any Powerboat
Every boat should have some basic things done right -- and many of those things are not required by the USCG regs. For example, all boats stored on a dock or mooring should have a self-draining cockpit that flows overboard. Some of our 14 basics are for safety and others are for comfort. Either way we recommend that all boat buyers check out these 14 things to look for before writing a check.
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New Test Video
NITRO Z17:
She Planes in 3.7 Seconds
Some of our readers have asked us what is the difference between a NITRO one of the far more expensive bass boats on the market. The answer is: nothing substantial. The Z17 is a good example of a bass boat that has it all -- 23-gallon aerated livewell, trolling motor, lockable rod storage, large casting platforms fore and aft, bike seat and folding fishing seat with pedestals, custom GALVASHIELD trailer with a 100,000 mile hub warranty, two batteries, battery charger, and a 115-hp out board, among many other things.
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Test Video
Four Winns HD 240 OB:
A Deck Boat for 11 Passengers
Four Winns’ new HD 240 OB Signature Series is the latest example of the new breed of outboard-powered deck boats designed for hosting a crowd during a day on the water. She has a USCG-rated capacity of 11 passengers. We like her aft-facing lounge seat on the stern and two high-backed captains’ chairs. An enclosed head provides an important amenity. Accessories include a built-in cooler, a stereo with Bluetooth capability and four speakers, and fore and aft boarding ladders. She also comes packaged with a tandem-axle trailer.
Overall, she is a very large deck boat with high freeboard, outboard power, and a stern designed to launch watersports.
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New Features Video
Beneteau Gran Turismo 46:
New Stepped Hull Design w/ 13'9" Beam
The Beneteau Gran Turismo 46 brings sleek Italian styling to a stepped-hull design that can handle either sterndrive or IPS drives, producing reduced fuel consumption, increased maximum speed and more nimble handling at planing speeds. An electric sunroof brings light and air to the helm deck, while oversize hullside windows make the full beam master below decks bright.
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New Captain's Report
Galeon 445 HTS:
For Entertaining and Couples Cruising
Galeon’s mission with the 445 HTS (Hard Top Sport) is to provide a sport-oriented, open-deck yacht experience that can also deliver comfort, luxury, in modern design. She has a hydraulic swim platform, tender garage, and optional sport-friendly appointments. Below, we find two en suite staterooms making her ideal for two-couples cruising, as well as the galley and dinette.
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New Test Video
MAKO Pro Skiff 21 CC:
Lightweight CC w/ 10" Draft
An interesting design feature on the MAKO Pro Skiff 21 CC is the "Advanced Inverted V Hull" (AIV), with an anti-spray design at the bow to catch spray and direct it under the boat between the twin keels, not only keeping the boat dry but also providing her with a broad, catamaran-like stance in beam seas plus a massive load capacity and impressive stability. She provided strong performance on a 150-hp Mercury FourStroke, with hole shot times of just 3.0 seconds and a top speed of 46.6 mph.
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Test Video
Beneteau Monte Carlo 5:
Traditional Accommodations + Crew Quarters
The Monte Carlo line of Beneteau cruisers is targeted at boaters who want a yacht that has distinctive looks yet still has all of the traditional functionality people are used to. This interior accommodations drawing shows that the vessel makes two-couple or family cruising comfortable with beds for 6 to 7 below. Since most people we know will not have a captain the crew quarters aft becomes a “bonus room”. Some owners will probably use it for storage.
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Test Video
Wellcraft 222F:
296 NMile Range at 20 Knots
The Wellcraft 222F with Scarab Offshore Package adds styling and practical features to the company's recently introduced 222 model. She has an 8'6" (2.59 m) beam. The 21-degree deadrise is a good compromise, plenty of Vee to ease the ride, yet not so much as to make her tender, and with a draft of just 16" (0.41 m), the 222F with Scarab Offshore Package will function as a bay boat and for fishing the edge of the flats as well as for heading offshore when conditions are right.
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Test Video
Glastron GTS 180:
47.6 MPH WOT w/ Evinrude E-TEC G2 150 H.O.
The GTS model designation is the top of the line version of the 180 with upgrades and amenities that the GT version does not have as standard. Since this is the smallest model in the Glastron line, it should be considered an entry-level boat, which means it is affordable and designed to entice boaters.
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New Test Video
Formula 430 SSC:
High-Performance w/ Extreme Luxury
Formula has held nothing back in producing the new 430 SSC (Super Sport Crossover), which is its first outboard-powered boat in recent memory. On deck she has a large bowriding cockpit, powered hi-low tables in both the bow and main cockpit, galleys on deck and below, dinettes on deck and below, stand-up head, sleeping accommodations for four, and triple, individually adjustable helm seating. A single joystick reins in all of those horses, making docking easy. Quad 300s or 350s are also available. She has a 21-degree deadrise bottom, Formula’s signature painted hull sides, and is loaded with surprises.
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New Test Video
Grady-White Canyon 306:
High Performance w/ Family-Friendly Features
Grady-White’s Canyon 306 is a boat that combines rugged, sport fishing character with a level of comfort and accommodation in design that leaves it available to double as a family boat as well.
The boat is big 30’ 6” (9.3 m) LOA, 10’7” (3.23 m) wide, and has a smart array of features that cater to the fisherman without ruling out a more social, entertainment-boat application.
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New Features Video
Yamaha SX195:
Supercharged Jet w/ Articulating Keel
Yamaha's SX195 is powered with the 1812CC Super Vortex High Output supercharged jet, the most powerful jet system the company makes, and as a result it delivers impressive performance, getting on plane almost instantly and reaching 30 mph in under 6 seconds in our tests. Top speed was 52.3 mph. The articulating keel system improves steering both at speed and around the docks.
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Features Video
Boston Whaler 250 Outrage:
Top-Shelf Open Fisherman w/ Extras
The Boston Whaler 250 Outrage, with a 9' (2.74 m) beam, 22-degree deadrise and 172-gallon fuel capacity, is well suited to fishing far offshore. She includes a deluxe leaning post with 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. Standards include trim tabs and the integrated hardtop with rod tubes and lights.
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Comparison
24'-26' Pontoon Boats:
We Compare Four 'Toons
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Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 DLX
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Manitou 23 Encore SHP
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Regency 220 LE3 Sport
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Sun Tracker Fishin' Barge 24 XP3
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This week's comparison compares four pontoon boats ranging between 24' and 26' overall length, a size that we think is the ideal combination of form, function and finance. 'Toons are versatile vessels that combine maximum deck space relative to length; stability at anchor for swimming, fishing or lunching; and as many creature comforts as the typical suburban patio. For mooching around on lakes, rivers and sheltered bays, it's hard to beat a pontoon boat. Compare all four of them in detail.
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