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Regal 33 XO // Riviera 575 SUV // Intrepid 407 // 15 Reports


BoatTEST Newsletter May 3, 2017
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Boattest.com: Tests You Can Trust
IN THIS ISSUE
- Intrepid 407 Cuddy

- Sea Ray Sundancer 350

- Regal 33 XO

- Riviera 575 SUV

- Mercury Dual JPI

- Hampton Endurance 658

- Prestige 460

- Wellcraft 241 Fisherman

- Cruisers Yachts 41 Cantius

- World Cat 230CC

- Sun Tracker Party Barge 22

- Sea-Doo Spark Trixx

- Formula 31 PC

- 16'-24' Pontoons

- Repowering Your Outboard

- Picture of the Week

- Boating Course On DVD

Intrepid 407 Cuddy:


Overnights for 4 Plus 58.0 MPH WOT


Intrepid 407 Cuddy
The Intrepid 407 Cuddy is an ideal island hopper, with blazing speed, full fishing accessories, comfortable bowrider type seating and overnight accommodations below decks.

The Intrepid 407 Cuddy is remarkably fast, powered with triple 400 Mercury Racing outboards, with a top speed of 58.0 mph in our tests. A dive door on the port side includes a ladder that folds into a compartment below deck when not in use. Accommodations include a queen berth amidships and a convertible settee at the bow, plus a standup shower/head and a compact galley. Fit-and-finish, attention to detail, and overall build is best-in-class.

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New Test Video


Sea Ray Sundancer 350 Coupe:


New Express Cruiser Sleeps 6


BOAT NAME
The new Sea Ray Sundancer 350 Coupe is built for entertaining, cruising, and watersports.

The new Sea Ray Sundancer 350 Coupe is a nimble express cruiser that comes fully-loaded with top-end features including 16,000 BTU cabin AC/heat and 18,000 BTU cockpit air, Rockford Fosgate® Stereo with Bluetooth and media inputs, anchor windlass, spotlight and lots more. She can sleep up to six in two staterooms and on the convertible settee below decks. Watch our new test video.

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New Captain’s Report


Regal 33 XO:


Sporty Express w/ Outboard Power


Regal 33 XO
A pair of 300-hp Yamaha outboards provides plenty of power for the 11,500-pound (5,216 kg) Regal 33 XO, one of the few express models in class with outboard power.

By outfitting the Regal 33 XO with twin outboards, the company has freed up a large amount of cockpit space for dayboat entertaining, as well as to provide robust lazarette storage and room for a generator. Outboard power gives her the ability to explore backwaters and out-of-the-way coves, in addition to the obvious advantages of reduced maintenance. By providing a large, wraparound swim platform with long extensions port and starboard of the twin outboards, she also doubles as a watersports platform.

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New Captain’s Report


Riviera 575 SUV:


Classy Multi-Mission Sport Yacht


Riviera 575 SUV
The Riviera 575 SUV is a versatile fishing and cruising design available with either shaft drives or IPS systems.

The Riviera 575 SUV combines the blue-water cruising and fishing abilities of the Riviera 57 Enclosed Flybridge convertible with the single-level, leisurely entertaining, and cruising features of the company's Sport Yacht design. The cockpit layout includes a transom seat, an L-shaped Mezzanine settee with table, a wet bar with twin BBQ, a refrigerator, and an icemaker. CZone touchscreen systems controls are standard. Virtually all aspects of this yacht are best-in-class.

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New Product Video


Mercury Dual JPI:


Inboard Joystick for Twin Inboards


Mercury Dual JPI
Mercury Marine’s JPI (Joystick Piloting for Inboards) gives joystick functionality to boats powered with twin MerCruiser gas or Cummins diesel engines, without the need -- or expense -- of pod drives.

The Mercury Dual JPI system basically integrates twin engines with a bow thruster, or bow and stern thrusters combined, to give full low-speed maneuverability. The system can also function with only a single thruster, offering a cost-effective alternative to pod drives. The lighted ring around the base validates which way the thrust is being directed by turning color and lighting in the direction the stick is moved. It can be used with twin Mercury gas inboards, or Cummins diesels.

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New Features Video


Hampton Endurance 658:


"80' of Yacht in 65' of Hull"*


Hampton Yachts Endurance 658
The flying bridge of the Hampton Yachts Endurance 658 includes a standard hardtop providing protection for the helm as well as the spacious entertainment area aft.

*Says Capt. Steve. When we first heard this remark in the new features video for the Hampton Endurance 658 we thought it was hyperbole. But when we checked out the boat we realized that, as usual, Capt. Steve was right -- take a look at our new features video of this remarkable yacht and you'll see what he means. This long range cruiser is completely paneled in wood like a classic megayacht, she has three en suite staterooms plus a captain's cabin, a 16' x 16' boat deck, a Portuguese bridge, a day head of the aft deck and much more. Equally important is the way the boat handles and rides -- her displacement provides the riding comfort of a far larger vessel.

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Captain’s Report


Prestige 460:


Right-Sized for an Owner/Operator


Prestige 460
The extension of the flying bridge over the aft cockpit provides added shade and rain protection aboard the Prestige 460.

The Prestige 460 is right-sized for owner operation, but she features an optional single-berth captain's cabin -- or a hideout for the kids -- in the stern. The bow sun pad converts to a chaise lounge position and even adds support under the legs. A pop-up cabana provides shade when desired. The exceptionally low flying bridge also includes a large sun lounge.

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Test Video


Wellcraft 241 Fisherman:


Fully-Loaded for Nearshore Fishing


Wellcraft 241 Fisherman
Vertical rod racks on the console as well as behind the leaning post, in the gunwales and on the optional tower means the serious angler can go with a full arsenal of tackle rigged and ready aboard the Wellcraft 241 Fisherman.

The Wellcraft 241 Fisherman is a large bayboat, but she floats in just 14" (0.36 m), also making her a capable flats fishing boat. Twin 34-gallon livewells in the aft casting deck provide lots of bait capacity, and underdeck storage for a five-gallon (19 L) net bucket will be welcome to captains who catch their own baitfish. With a 250-hp Yamaha Four-Stroke, she ran over 50 mph in our tests.

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Test Video


Cruisers Yachts 41 Cantius:


Family Cruiser w/ Entertainment Venues


Cruisers Yachts 41 Cantius
The Cruisers Yachts 41 Cantius is right-sized as a cruising yacht for two couples or a family of four to six, and she has enough space to act as an entertainment platform for larger groups as well.

The Cruisers Yachts 41 Cantius has a triple wide sliding door that presents a seamless transition from the cockpit to the salon. The swim platform includes two removable bar stools, adding an entertainment function to this venue, something that is unusual. An electrically-actuated sunroof is standard, as is a lounging area on the bow. All materials and equipment used are first class.

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Test Video


World Cat 230CC:


Shallow Draft Plus Rough Water Performance


World Cat 230CC
The World Cat 230CC has the draft of a flats boat, the freeboard of an offshore center console, and the ride that only a catamaran can provide.

The World Cat 230CC floats in just 9" (0.23 m) of water, yet her sharp twin hulls make her an exceptional rough water boat. She's also fuel efficient, with a range of nearly 300 miles with twin 115-hp outboards, and her broad bow adds lots of extra fishing space up front. Independent fuel and electrical systems provide the redundancy that can be important in offshore runs or remote areas of backcountry.

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Test Video


SUN TRACKER® PARTY BARGE® 22 DLX:


Family-Sized Entertainment Platform


Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 DLX
There's abundant storage below the hinged seat cushions aboard the SUN TRACKER® PARTY BARGE® 22 DLX.

The SUN TRACKER® PARTY BARGE® 22 DLX comes with a QuickLift Bimini top, easy clean vinyl decking, 26-ounce marine-grade UV resistant upholstery, and LED navigation and courtesy lights. Unlike some pontoon boats, it also has a full-width swimdeck aft, and the aft-facing double-wide seating is a good spot to watch kids on the tow-line. Powered with the optional 150-hp Mercury FourStroke, she had a top speed of 36.1 mph in our tests, which is good performance for a twin-tube toon.

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Test Video


Sea-Doo Spark Trixx:


Entry-Level PWC Priced Right


Sea-Doo Spark Trixx
The "open architecture" of the Sea-Doo Spark Trixx shell not only makes her instantly recognizable on the water, but also saves weight and allows easy replacement of damaged parts.

The Sea-Doo Spark Trixx is competitively priced, but she includes lots of extras not found on some entry-level PWCs. Standard features include the Sea-Doo iBR intelligent brake and reverse system for quick stops and improved handling at the docks. The Extended Range Variable Trim System allows extreme trim positions for trick-riding, and the D-Sea-BeI system combines a series of resonators and vibration-absorbing components to keep noise levels low. Most important is her low price.

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Updated Captain’s Report


Formula 31 Performance Cruiser:


Premium-Class Sport Cruiser


Formula 31 Performance Cruiser
The Formula 31 Performance Cruiser is all about a fast, sporty ride, but she's also got all of the amenities and build-quality that move her into the luxury cruiser class.

The Formula 31 Performance Cruiser is set up to accommodate entertaining, weekend cruising, and longer excursions. She also delivers sporty performance thanks to the twin 375-hp MerCruiser option, which delivered a top speed of 46.8 mph. Formula is the only brand in class to paint its hulls, creating the trademark gleaming finish. She has a long list of extras, including a radar arch and electric windlass.

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Comparison

We Compare Four 16'-24' Pontoon Boats

SUN TRACKER® FISHIN' BARGE® 22 XP3
SUN TRACKER® FISHIN' BARGE® 22 XP3

SUN TRACKER® BASS BUGGY® 18 DLX
SUN TRACKER® BASS BUGGY® 18 DLX

SUN TRACKER® PARTY BARGE® 20 DLX
SUN TRACKER® PARTY BARGE® 20 DLX

SUN TRACKER® PARTY BARGE® 16 DLX ET
SUN TRACKER® PARTY BARGE® 16 DLX ET

This week we compare a quartet of SUN TRACKER® pontoon boats, ranging from 16’ to 24’. We have picked SUN TRACKER® because it builds a wide range of boats for all missions, and its pontoon boats are an extremely good value, in our opinion. Whether equipped for fishing, cruising or watersports, SUN TRACKER® pontoon boats are affordable to buy and inexpensive to operate. The smallest boat in this group doesn't even need gas; it's electric. (The other three carry single outboards.) All four of these pontoon boats are different in design and mission, so compare them to discover the best platform for any application.

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New Consumer Report


15 Things You Need To Know Before Repowering Your Outboard


15 Things You Need To Know Before Repowering Your Outboard
Many well-built fiberglass boats will -- if well maintained -- last a lifetime, but its outboard engines may not. Virtually all outboard engines are far better than they were just 10 years ago, and for that reason alone are worth considering.

Repowering an outboard boat is a big decision because engines aren’t cheap -- and with some new features on the market, it is easy to buy the engine brand that is behind the curve -- as a couple of them are. Ironically, the first thing to think about before repowering is the boat, not the new engine. The boat may not be worth repowering, or it may no longer serve your needs into the future. We examine twins vs. singles, 2-stroke vs. 4-stroke, maintenance, warranties, and much more.

Get the check list here...

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Where in the World?

Picture of the Week


Picture of the Week

Find out where this picture was taken and when.


See the larger picture, when and who took it -- and where!


Send us your favorite boating images.


When sending a photo, let us know when, where and what boat you were
on.





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