Four Winns HD 270 OB: Roomy Bowrider w/ Upscale Fit-and-Finish
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...
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Captain's Report
Galeon 500 Fly:
Innovation Afloat, Foldout Side Decks and More
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 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
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 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 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
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 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
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
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
Formula 430 Super Sport Crossover
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Four Winns Horizon 350
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Chaparral 337 SSX
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Grady-White Freedom 375
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Formula 350 Crossover Bow Rider
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Cruisers Yachts 338 Bow Rider
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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 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
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
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 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 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
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
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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