Our Mission
For more than 20 years, BoatTEST.com has been the pioneer of streaming boat reviews on the web since it first started in 2000. BoatTEST has become the most trusted source for third-party tests and reviews of new powerboats and engines. We provide the most thorough data and opinions so boaters can make informed decisions about their next boat purchase. With more than 3,500 videos — tests, reviews, factory tours and interviews — BoatTEST is the world's largest online resource for new boat research.
Our Team
Founder
Jeff Hammond
Jeff is a 51-year veteran of the boating industry, and over the years has been an editor or publisher of 7 major boating magazines in America, including Boating, Yachting, Motor Boating, The Skipper, Motorboat, and Motoryacht International. He was the founder of Power and Motoryacht and was co-founder of BoatTEST.com, where he is now the CEO. Recently Hammond started Sovereign Boat Club, a limited membership club with premium boats.
Jeff has owned a number of boats over his career ranging from a 15’ sailboat to a 92’ motoryacht, with fishing and cruising boats in between from 19’ to 55’. He has sailed, raced and cruised all over the world in both sail and powerboats. He has written three books on boating, including one on the America’s Cup. In 2020, he founded and created Sovereign Boat Club, a premium boat club that is affordable and exclusive. He currently lives in Newport, Rhode Island and is a member of the New York Yacht Club.
Jeff has owned a number of boats over his career ranging from a 15’ sailboat to a 92’ motoryacht, with fishing and cruising boats in between from 19’ to 55’. He has sailed, raced and cruised all over the world in both sail and powerboats. He has written three books on boating, including one on the America’s Cup. In 2020, he founded and created Sovereign Boat Club, a premium boat club that is affordable and exclusive. He currently lives in Newport, Rhode Island and is a member of the New York Yacht Club.
Director of Testing
Capt. Steve Larivee
Capt. Steve has now been with BoatTEST for over 14 years and has held a 100 Ton Captain’s license for over 40. When not traveling the globe for BoatTEST, he operates high-speed island ferries and party fishing boats all over his home waters of Nantucket Sound. When not driving boats, he can be seen in the air as a private pilot. His iconic tagline “We’ll see you on the water” is probably the most copied in the industry. We tried to get him into the Guinness Book of Records for Most Boats Driven but it was rejected as being “unchallengeable.”
Head of Sales
Kieran Conaty
Kieran works with marine manufacturers to develop content marketing programs and advertising campaigns that connect customers to BoatTEST’s vast audience of consumers researching their next marine-related purchase. Prior to joining BoatTEST in 2015, Kieran was a national account manager with PassageMaker Magazine for 16 years. Living in Annapolis, MD, Kieran is an avid kayaker who enjoys exploring the Chesapeake Bay. Other hobbies include running, genealogy research and writing bios in the third person.
For more information on BoatTEST’s program details and website metrics, email [email protected] or call 443-924-1909.
For more information on BoatTEST’s program details and website metrics, email [email protected] or call 443-924-1909.
Chief Financial Officer
Justine Hammond Macdonald
Justine is the Chief Financial Officer of BoatTEST.com and oversees other areas of the business. She has been with BoatTEST.com since its inception in 2001 and has held various positions at the company over the years, including Managing Editor and Director of Video Productions.
Justine comes from a boating family and has a background in both cruising and sailing. Her first boating experience was at the age of 7 on an Opti in Long Island Sound. Justine has been bareboating most of her adult life from the Caribbean to New England, Nova Scotia, the Inside Passage of Alaska and in the Pacific around the Polynesian islands of Tonga. She has owned a 19' Grady-White, 22' Regal, and currently a 62' tug boat, the Wallace Foss.
Justine comes from a boating family and has a background in both cruising and sailing. Her first boating experience was at the age of 7 on an Opti in Long Island Sound. Justine has been bareboating most of her adult life from the Caribbean to New England, Nova Scotia, the Inside Passage of Alaska and in the Pacific around the Polynesian islands of Tonga. She has owned a 19' Grady-White, 22' Regal, and currently a 62' tug boat, the Wallace Foss.
Associate Editor
Frank Sargeant
Frank Sargeant, author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Boating and Sailing along with nine other books, is a former charterboat skipper and long-time outdoors editor of the Tampa Tribune. He is also former editor of SEA Magazine, and former contributing editor of Boating Magazine. His writing has won more than 60 national awards.
Project Manager
Danette Szakaly
Danette manages various projects for BoatTEST and Sovereign Boat Club, including all the daily administrative tasks for its boat owners and members. Experienced in the marine industry, Danette previously held positions at The Moorings & Sunsail and Dream Yacht Charter.
An avid boater and sailor herself, she and her husband currently own a 43’ sailboat that they cruise regularly.
An avid boater and sailor herself, she and her husband currently own a 43’ sailboat that they cruise regularly.
Social Media Content Creator/Manager
Krista Dooley
Krista is a Social Media Content Creator/Manager as well as Project Manager at BoatTEST.com, where she develops and designs social media content on various platforms as well as assists with client fulfillment and communication on various Boattest projects. She has 12+ years' experience in Social Media and Project Management before joining Boattest in the fall of 2022. When she isn't busy at work, she is busy as a mother of four and enjoys spending time with her husband and children on their Sailfish center console, fishing, cruising on Rhode Island waters.
Cameraman/Video Editor
Dan Carney
Dan joined the team as a video editor way back in 2005 and helped the company move towards all digital video recording and editing. This helped BoatTEST produce quality video well suited for today’s increased internet bandwidth. Dan is also one of BoatTEST's cinematographers. He enjoys the creative process of working with our Captains to carefully craft compelling video content and capture boat brands in creative and interesting ways. Dan’s love for boating began in high school while maintaining an 18' Boston Whaler center console as a summer job and enjoying boating trips on the Sound.
Cameraman/Video Editor
Kurt Rotter
Kurt Rotter has shot hundreds of BoatTESTs over the last 15 years. He adores his boat clients and treats every test with the utmost care. When not flying around the country and shooting boats, he fishes and hunts in his home state of Minnesota. He owns several bass boats and loves being out on the lake.
Web Developer
Kyle Kuhn
Kyle has been with BoatTEST for five years and is in charge of creating and maintaining the website. He graduated from Sacred Heart University with a major in design.
Content Manager
Jaclyn Marr
Jaclyn is the content manager and production coordinator at BoatTEST.com, where she plans and formats the daily newsletter, posts content to the BoatTEST website and its social media pages and assists with client fulfillment. She has a bachelor’s degree in communication from Manhattan College. When she can get away, she enjoys spending time with her family in Vermont. After the workday ends, she can be found at the park with her dog Alfie or walking him around the neighborhood.