Four Winns HD 270 OB:
Roomy Bowrider w/ Upscale Fit-and-Finish

Powered with the 300-hp Evinrude E-TEC G2, the Four Winns HD 270 ran 0-30 in 6.8 seconds in our tests. The standard swim platform includes after-pods designed to help her get on plane more quickly.

The Four Winns HD 270 OB has the eye appeal of a bowrider with the added space up front of a deckboat, thanks to carrying her 8'5" (2.55 m) beam well forward. She offers numerous upscale touches, including soft-cover footing on both the swim platform and at the bow entry from the fold out beach ladder. Her deeply-padded, sculpted, and French-stitched upholstery is a match for most anything in class. Being an outboard, she has much more storage in the stern. A 300-hp Evinrude E-TEC G2 drove our test boat to a top speed of nearly 49 mph.More...

Captain's Report

Galeon 500 Fly:


Innovation Afloat, Foldout Side Decks and More

The Galeon 500 Fly includes a large sun lounge area ahead of the console as well as a second sun pad with chaise back rests at the bow.

An unusual feature of the Galeon 500 Fly are the folding bulwarks on the side decks which fold down, creating an additional entertaining area when both are deployed. The aft cockpit settee, which includes a telescoping teak table, rests upon a rotating swivel, allowing the settee to rotate 360-degrees so that it can face forward, toward the swim platform or any angle in between. When the table is lowered, the settee converts into a sun pad.

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New Test Video

Yamaha EX:


$6,599 Starting Price, Sporty Handling, & Seats for 3

The Yamaha EX can readily handle three riders thanks to the large, extended seating. A tow hook is standard for tubing.

The Yamaha EX is built of fiberglass rather than molded plastic like some economy PWC's, promising better durability and longevity. Its Yamaha TR-1 3-cylinder four-stroke engine is 40-percent smaller, 20-percent lighter and more fuel-efficient than its 4-cylinder M1 predecessor, and also puts out more power. She has a 13.2 gallon tank, and runs on regular gas. The RiDE system allows for rapid deceleration when needed, as well as providing reverse steering and better low-speed handling.

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Features Video

Beneteau Gran Turismo 40:


Italian Styling Plus Sportboat Performance

A broad island berth welcomes owners to the forward master of the Beneteau Gran Turismo 40, and two panorama windows with opening ports and shutters plus opening deck hatches with screens bring in lots of light and air.

The Beneteau Gran Turismo 40 displays Italian flair in the exterior styling and has interior finishes that speak both to the luxury lifestyle and to practicality. She has a top speed of over 44 mph with twin 370-hp sterndrives. A BBQ grill facing the swim platform provides space for a cookout, and there's also an enclosed galley below, along with accommodations for four.

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Test Video

Grady-White Fisherman 236:


A Family-Oriented Fisherman

The Grady-White Fisherman 236 is available in a variety of hull colors including Celestial Blue, shown here.

The Grady-White Fisherman 236 is a true bluewater fishing boat, but her family-friendly amenities set her up for comfort, entertaining, and skiing. She includes a fully insulated livewell equipped with a full-column distribution plenum and insulated fishbox with overboard drain in the transom, lots of rod holders and racks and even toe rails so anglers can brace to haul up fish. The upswept sheer, a Grady-White tradition, adds freeboard to keep her safe and dry, and optional cushions and backrests will keep the family happy.

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New Features Video

Cruisers Yachts 54 Fly:


New Flybridge Cruiser Sleeps 6

The upper salon of the new Cruisers Yachts 54 Fly features a complete 360-degree view through broad, stylish windows. A retracting window and sliding door open the galley to the cockpit.

The new Cruisers Yachts 54 Fly maintains her flowing Euro-style exterior lines while adding an additional entertainment venue on the bridge, as well as giving the skipper a far superior view of the sea ahead. With a 15'6" beam and 6'6" headroom in the master and VIP, she feels as spacious below decks as above according to our test skipper. Her top speed was 36 knots, her range around 225 NM.

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Test Video

Regal 23 OBX:


Outboard Performance, Deckboat Space

With lots of freeboard and flair, the Regal 23 OBX is more seaworthy than many deck-type boats in class, and her 20-degree deadrise promises a smooth ride in a chop, as well.

The Regal 23 OBX is a roomy deck-style boat with the sleek lines of a sporty runabout. Thanks to outboard power options to 250 horsepower she also offers sporty performance, with a top speed of 49.9 in our test runs. She carries much of her 8'6" beam well towards the bow, adding seating space, and the flair created by the design should keep her drier than many in upwind runs.

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Captain's Report

Prestige 460:


Sunning Fun Forward, Aft and Topside

The aft cockpit of the Prestige 460 features an L-shaped lounge that, along with the adjustable table, converts to a large sun pad.

The Prestige 460 offers plenty of exterior lounging space including a convertible sunpad aft and a broad chaise lounge with adjustable back and knee supports at the bow. The aft space can also be enclosed with the optional curtains, making it an added sleeping venue for weekenders.

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New Teaser Video

Robalo R302:


Sneak Peak at a New Robalo

At the recent Miami boat show, Captain Steve took a quick look at Robalo’s new R302 which he will be testing soon. See the quick video…

Robalo’s R302 takes the place of the R300 in the builder’s center console lineup. Perhaps most noteworthy is the vessel’s 10’6” (3.20 m) beam, which is over a foot more than many boats in class. Her price is also competitive. With a boatload of standard fishing features she is well rigged for coastal or offshore expeditions. Her list of standard equipment is long and therefore her options list is short. Take a look at our quick boat show preview video.

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Captain's Report

Hatteras 100 Raised Pilothouse:


Italian Panache in a U.S.-Built Yacht

Twin stairways provide easy access to the swim platform/tender dock of the Hatteras 100 Raised Pilothouse, while the open sundeck on the flying bridge provides a pleasant spot to relax and enjoy the ride.

The Hatteras 100 Raised Pilothouse combines sleek Italian exterior styling with efficient American construction techniques to create a yacht as at home on the Riviera as on the ICW. The salon and galley feature panoramic windows and skylights, and a main-deck master suite is optional. A large granite-topped bar welcomes guests to the flying bridge, and there's also a spacious sunning area aft. High bulwarks and a broad seating area turn the bow into an added entertainment venue.

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Comparison

Crossover Bowriders 33’-43’:

We Compare 6 Crossovers

This week we compare six boats that are the newest development in the evolution of bowrider design – the “crossover.” This new class of boats makes a lot of sense: They combine the functionality of a bowrider with some overnighting accommodations. The forward cockpit adds seating, lounging and even dining space on deck. Thanks to a little extra freeboard, there's enough volume below to fit a cabin – some are minimal and others are surprisingly large. Here are six models to compare.
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Captain’s Report

Beneteau Oceanis 48:


Easy Sailing on Deck, Easy Living Below

The Beneteau Oceanis 48 is a fast, easily driven design with plenty of space throughout. Ample beam carries forward, providing excellent room below as well as on deck.

The Beneteau Oceanis 48 blends performance with ease of handling, whether for a day sail, an extended weekend get-away, or long term cruising. A variety of interior layout configurations will fit most needs, with spaciousness below as well as on deck. The rigging layout keeps the cockpit clean and uncluttered; winches and key control lines are within easy reach with smart stowage nearby.

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New Test Video

TAHOE 1950:


Speedy Deckboat with Fishing Options

With a 150-hp Mercury FourStroke, the TAHOE 1950 got on plane in just 3.5 seconds and reached a top speed of 49.7 mph in our test runs.

The TAHOE 1950 carries much of her 102" beam all the way to the bow, adding seating space forward as well as increasing the size of the bow swim-deck. A beach ladder provides easy access here. A fishing package is available, with swivel seats that fit on the bow and stern platforms, a bow-mount troller, live well and sonar.

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Test Video

Wellcraft 241 Fisherman:


Roomy Bayboat w/ 14" Draft

With a 14" draft and a 15-degree deadrise, the Wellcraft 241 is designed for shallow water angling as well as quick planing and fuel-efficient operation.

The Wellcraft 241 is a bayboat that comes ready to fish, with 34-gallon aerated baitwell, lots of rod holders, fishbox with overboard drain, and casting platforms forward and aft. A tandem axle trailer protected with Gatorhyde corrosion proofing is part of the package. Powered with a single 250 Yamaha four-stroke for our tests, she reached a top speed of over 50 mph.

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Test Video

Scarab Open 195 Fish:


Jet-Powered Center Console Fisherman

The Scarab Open 195 Fish features a conventional center console, but the digital throttle connects to a 250-hp Rotax supercharged jet.

The Scarab Open 195 Fish is powered with a 250-hp Rotax jet. The Scarab Open 195 Fish is unusual among center console fishing boats in that she's powered with a 250-hp Rotax jet. This allows her to operate in just 12 inches of water, and also gives the well-known jet-boat agility at speed. At docking speeds, the newly-designed machined aluminum reverse bucket, independent of the jet nozzle, allows much better steering than most jets according to our test skipper.

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New Captain's Report

Riviera 5400 Sport Yacht:


Two Sunroofs Plus a Tender Garage

The Riviera 5400 Sport Yacht includes a tender garage large enough to hold a 10' tender with outboard attached, according to the company, and an electric winch makes for easy launch and retrieval.

The entire aft deck of the Riviera 5400 Sport Yacht is protected by a hardtop, adding an all-weather entertainment venue here. A sliding sunroof opens this area when desired, and a summer kitchen is standard. A second sunroof opens the salon to sun and air. The centerline helm is a first for Riviera and adds a whole new realm of usable space to the main deck layout.

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Test Video

Glastron GTS 180:


Sporty Outboard Runabout w/ Extras

We tested the Glastron 180 with an Evinrude E-TEC G2 150 H.O. engine, which included the iNR digital throttle/shift system as well as iTrim, the automatic trim system.

Though the Glastron GTS 180 is a compact, entry-level runabout, she has upscale features including dramatic gelcoat graphics, plush multi-color upholstery and “roadster” design aesthetic from the windshield to the yellow, fog-resistant gauges and push-pull switches. She delivered strong performance in our tests, powered with a 150 H.O. Evinrude E-TEC G2, topping out at 47.8 mph at 5700 rpm.

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New Consumer Article

12 Important Things to Look for in a Pontoon Boat

First and foremost, a pontoon boat is about having plenty of seating space.

Pontoon boats have been among the most popular models for the past few years and there are no signs of that trend slowing down. Manufacturers are listening to consumer requests for more performance, more styling and more luxury. Regardless of whether a family is looking for a boat to putt around the lake at sunset or a do-everything model that can run fast enough to surprise some bowriders and tow watersports, there are some features that we would want in any pontoon boat.

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