BoatTEST Newsletter March 8, 2017

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Pursuit DC 295:
Bowrider Ready for Offshore Fishing

The Pursuit DC 295 includes many quality features that are extra-price options in most, including an electric anchor windlass with remote at the bow, a hardtop, an electric head, trim tabs, wet bar and more. She has all the hard-core fishing equipment needed for offshore and bay angling, but she's also loaded with family-friendly features including large lounge seats with arm rests up front, audio speakers, optional cocktail table and sunpad filler. More...

Test Video

Cruisers Yachts 60 Fly:

Sleek, Modern Design w/ 3 Staterooms

The bow seating area of the Cruisers Yachts 60 Fly has reverse crescent seating and port and starboard chaise lounges, and is set up to accept two side-mounted cocktail tables. Electrically-adjusting Stidd helm seats provide comfort for the captain, and large Raymarine touchscreen displays monitor all yacht functions as well as navigation. Autopilot is standard, and joystick controls make for easy handling in the harbor. Standard layout is three large staterooms, but the secondary salon below can also be converted to a double if desired.

Test Video

Formula 430 SSC:

64.2 MPH WOT on Quad 400-hp Outboards

The Formula 430 SSC combines the space and comfort of an express cruiser with the open-air seating of a jumbo bowrider. She's the first outboard-powered boat the company has released in years and she has a host of luxury features including adjustable air-conditioning at the helm and three-across power footrests to ease the ride at speed.

Test Video

Grady-White Freedom 235:

Ready for Fishing & Family Fun

With convertible seating arrangements, a large head compartment and generous storage space, the Grady-White Freedom 235 with her bowrider configuration provides seating for ten, along with a multitude of functions and features which make her a versatile competitor in the popular dual console category. Like all Grady's, she's also well equipped for serious angling.

Test Video

Four Winns HD 220 OB:

Quick, Sporty and Spacious

The swim platform is one of the more attractive venues in the stylish Four Winns HD 220 OB; it's covered in two-tone soft non-skid with the company logo embedded, and overlooked by a broad lounge seat that readily converts to a sun lounge. The outboard configuration means space usually taken up by the motor box is now available for storage, and the lighter outboard power produces strong performance.

Comparison

We Compare 43' to 46' Flybridge Cruisers

This week we round up four flybridge cruisers ranging from 43' to 46'. For many boaters, a forty-something-footer without a flying bridge is not worth considering. Not for them the jaunty express, but rather they prefer the wind-in-the-face, sunshine-on-the-shoulders experience of life on the flying bridge. What better place to work on a tan, enjoy a 360-degree view of the horizon, or watch the sunset, cool drink in hand? Let’s compare four new boats of the breed.

More...

Captain’s Report

Monte Carlo Yachts 80:

Luxury Ocean Ranger w/4 Ensuites

With up to 3300 horsepower, 1,585 gallon fuel capacity and a CE Class A rating, the Monte Carlo Yachts 80 is designed and built to handle serious offshore conditions. Vacuum infusion assures the fiberglass hull is light for the genre, yet strong; the company says she is 8 to 10 percent lighter than most competitive yachts, which means greater fuel efficiency and better performance. The Portuguese bridge welcomes guests to the bow, where two large couches with adjacent cocktail tables can convert to sun lounges in minutes.

Test Video

Yamaha GP1800:

High Performance PWC w/ Ultra Lightweight

The Yamaha GP1800 features a super lightweight hull made with Yamaha’s NanoXcel2 technology, sheet molded under extreme pressure to produce the strongest and lightest hull and deck available in the industry according to the company. It's powered by Yamaha's most powerful PWC engine, an 1812 cc supercharged four-stroke, which produces amazing performance given the 769-pound dry weight of the machine.

Captain's Report

Beneteau Oceanis 48:

Sailing Yacht Offers 6 Interior Layouts

The Oceanis 48’s six different cabin configurations highlight different functionality and goals: a simple two-cabin, two-head layout can be increased to a five-cabin, three-head layout, while maintaining much of the interior space of the main salon. The hard chine hull design promotes an easily-driven yacht whether under sail or power and offers good secondary stability in a breeze, according to our test captain. The design coupled with her 15'7" (4.75 m) beam also increases interior volume and roominess.

Test Video

Regal 23 OBX:

Upscale Runabout w/ Outboard Muscle

The Regal 23 OBX is the first outboard-powered boat from Regal, adding performance and versatility to the lineup. She carries much of her 8'6" beam all the way to the bow, adding seating space, and she includes many upscale features not common in the competition, including a standard Garmin GPS 7607 at the helm. The swim platform extends out on either side of the outboard for launching watersports.

Test Video

Wellcraft 222F:

Function Meets Fishability

The Wellcraft 222F is well designed for bay or off-the-beach fishing, with plenty of freeboard and a 21-degree deadrise that should deliver a soft ride even in chop. A 23-gallon aerated baitwell keeps shrimp and sardines happy, and the fishbox has an overboard drain for easy washdown. Performance was good, topping out at 48.1 mph with a single 250 hp Yamaha.

Features Video

Sea Ray Fly 460:

Stylish, Fully-Equipped Sedan Cruiser

The Sea Ray Fly 460 comes fully loaded with everything to make the family at home afloat, right down to a Dyson vacuum system and a zone-controlled reverse-cycle heating and cooling system. A Raymarine eS12 widescreen 12.1" color LCD GPS/chartplotter with integrated Quantum closed dome radar scanner is also included. She sleeps six and has convertible berths in the bow stateroom to enhance versatility.

New How to Wake Surf Video

The Yamaha Wakesurf 212X is a dedicated wakeboarding/wake surfing platform, with auto-fill tanks allowing addition of up to 1100 pounds of ballast aft to shape the perfect wake. She also includes a broad 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.

New Accommodations Video

Ocean Alexander 100 Motoryacht:

4 Ensuites and Oceanic Reach

The Ocean Alexander 100 Motoryacht is all about entertainment both in exterior and interior areas of the upper decks. She comes fully-loaded with standard features that are extra-cost options on most yachts in class, including twin Kohler 53 kW generators, twin remote-control winches and bow anchors, chilled water AC and bow and stern thrusters. Her 4,000 gallon fuel capacity gives her a range of 1300 NM at a cruise of 11.9 knots.

New Consumer Article

12 Important Things to Look for in a Sportboat

Sportboats are fast, agile and sexy, and they also make great all-around family boats. Whether you prefer sterndrive or outboard, large or small, riding on a trailer or tucked into dry storage, here's a guide from our experts that will make your choice of a new sportboat easier.

Test Video

Sailfish 270CC:

A Solid Offshore Battlewagon

The Sailfish 270 CC features a build with carbon-fiber reinforced deck beams running athwartships to stiffen the deck, while Kevlar reinforces key areas for strength, including where the transom attaches to stringers and hull sides. The result is a hull that's light but strong.

Test Video

Scarab 255 Impulse WAKE Edition:

Twin Jet with 52.3 MPH WOT

With twin 250 Rotax 4-TEC jet power, the Scarab 255 Impulse WAKE Edition is a spirited performer, with a 3.1-second hole shot and a top speed of 53.2 mph. She comes loaded with features including a folding wakeboard tower with Bimini, four-speaker stereo with Bluetooth and MP3 connectivity, and a tandem-axle trailer with brakes, chrome wheels and swing-away tongue. Intelligent Neutral and Reverse (iNR) makes the boat more responsive and easier to drive.

Test Video

Sea Ray SLX 250:

Classic Lines in a Premium Sea Ray

The Sea Ray SLX 250 includes high-end amenities such as digital instrumentation and engine controls, plus options like a submersible hydraulic swim platform, rarely seen on boats of this size. Sculptured and embroidered multi-tone seating gives the interior an upscale look and feel. Standard trim tabs retract against the running surface and conform to the shape of the chines.

Test Video

Chaparral 21 H2O Sport OB:

Agile, Affordable OB Bowrider

The Chaparral 21 H20 Sport is a boldly styled runabout sold as a complete package with base outboard power and tandem-axle powder-coated trailer for $31,395 without options. The transom sunpad is a versatile design that can flatten out for laying in the sun, prop up on either side for a backrest, and can lift completely to reveal both storage and the transom walk-through. She's available with Evinrude, Mercury or Yamaha power to 200-hp.

Test Video

MAKO® Pro Skiff 19 CC:

Shallow Draft Flats Fishing Machine

The MAKO® Pro Skiff 19 CC is designed for hard-core flats anglers and is wide and stable enough to venture into the bay as well on a good day. Two hull sponsons provide floatation and keep the boat floating high, while an anti-spray design at the bow prevents water from coming aboard. She weighs just 1,350 lbs. (612 kg), allowing good performance on a single 115-hp outboard; she topped out at 44.5 in our test runs.

Test Video

SUN TRACKER PARTY BARGE 22 DLX:

Low-Maintenance Party Platform

The SUN TRACKER PARTY BARGE 22 DLX has a number of features that make her particularly family-friendly. The 9' Bimini top has a "QuickLift" deployment system and storage pockets, and the entry gates are all double-latching and have pinch-prevention hinges to protect little fingers. Heavy gauge vinyl decking allows for quick cleanup and long wear, and a double-wide sunlounge sits just ahead of the transom.

Features Video

Hatteras 60 Motor Yacht:

Long-Ranger Crafted for Comfort

The Hatteras 60 Motor Yacht has an 18’2” beam, which is the greatest in class and has benefits both in terms of more room all over the boat, but also in riding comfort offshore. With the extra beam comes extra weight, which further adds to her stability and comfort in a seaway. Also setting her apart is her 1,200-gallon (4,542 L) fuel capacity, which is 50% greater than some motoryachts her size.

New Rigging Options Video

Evinrude Repower:

Conversion Kit for Easy Re-Power Hookups

In order to make re-powering easy and more economical, Evinrude has created an “adapter” control package that converts mechanical controls to digital. Evinrude's new system of controls linking to the new E-TEC G2 outboards makes conversion fast and easy. For a bit more money, an owner can replace the mechanical controls with an all-new, all-digital system.

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