Astondoa 66 Flybridge | Jeanneau Leader 9.0 | Sea-Doo GTI SE 170 - 03/26/20
BoatTEST Newsletter March 26, 2020
New Editor's Report
Astondoa 66 Flybridge:
Windows to the World
The Astondoa family has unveiled a modern, luxurious flybridge yacht. Customizable for each client, the Astondoa 66 Flybridge gives owner/operators the ability to entertain and accommodate. And with large deck layouts and cozy nooks on every level, it’s easy to imagine turning an afternoon cruise into a weekend retreat. More...
Reckless Florida East Coast Boaters Cause Launch Ramp Shutdowns
Boaters at Haulover Sandbar in south Florida did not practice proper social distancing.
After boaters ignored requests from state and local officials to practice social distancing and not gather in large numbers and raft up last weekend, boat ramps in Palm Beach County and in Miami-Dade were closed by officials. Boating is one of the few ways to get out of the house and enjoy the outdoors — if done with social distancing. It is a shame that irresponsible, thoughtless boaters choose to ignore common sense in these pandemic times. More...
America's Boating Course:
Online Boating & Boat Safety Instruction
America's Boating Club offers instructional courses for operators of all skill levels.
America’s Boating Club offers a wide variety of instructional courses in boating skills and marine safety. Choose from any full course or seminar that interests you. These comprehensive sessions provide members skills for Powerboating, Fishing, Sailing and Paddle Sports, as well as overall boating, and they are all available on members' home computer, tablet or smartphone. Courses are in-depth and usually require 12-16 hours over a six to eight-week period. Seminars are two-hour workshops on a variety of boating subjects. Members can mix and match to suit boating education needs, and local squadrons and clubs can provide in-person guidance. ABC also encourages members to volunteer to teach individuals and classes, provide free Vessel Safety Checks, crowd sourcing navigation updates, waterway cleanups and more. BoatTEST heartily endorses the ABC program, which we think is one of the finest in the nation. More...
Captain's Report
Jeanneau Leader 9.0:
Outboard-Powered Dayboat Overnights 4
The 30’ (9.12 m) Jeanneau Leader 9.0 is an interesting collaboration between the Jeanneau design team, Michael Peters Yacht Design, and Sarrazin Design. Her control station is to starboard behind a high windshield, and the walkway to the bow is to port. Forward, she’s all sun pad, and the elevated bow deck makes it possible to provide accommodation space below for a small family with convertible bunks for four. The cockpit galley comes standard with a sink and offers an optional refrigerator and propane gas burner. A dinette table, which is convertible to a second sun pad, is just a step away. We think this boat offers a lot of functionality at a reasonable price. More...
Schedule a Test Drive Dealer Contact Request Pricing Request
Test Video
Sea-Doo GTI SE 170:
A PWC Designed for Stability
The Sea-Doo GTI SE 170 is a personal watercraft with a low center of gravity and a bottom designed to enhance stability. She features the company’s Ergo-Lock seating, with a molded saddle that clicks into position and lets a rider’s knees and legs remain secure in extreme maneuvers. The LINQ accessory system on the aft deck accommodates a cooler, an accessory bag or an added fuel tank. For watersports, a ski-tow pylon can be installed and there’s a flip-down ladder on the transom for easier reboarding. The 170-hp Rotax 1630 ACE engine pushes her to speeds exceeding 50 mph and has closed-loop cooling for improved corrosion resistance. More...
Schedule a Test Drive Dealer Contact Request Pricing Request
Boating Tips
Hand-Holds on Boats are Important
Virtually all of the cruising boats we test have one great failing – very few, and sometimes no hand-holds. It is as if the builders think all boating is done at the dock. And, while that is unfortunately true for many boaters, hand-holds should be built in for those who do want to actually go boating. Not surprisingly, the worst offenders are the modern-styled boats coming out of southern Europe. These are the same brands that a few years ago were putting square corners on all of the salon consoles and tables – something most have more recently fixed. More...
Expert Boating
BoatTEST.com's
4-DVD Boating Course
Sometimes it's not what you know, but what you've forgotten. We have the perfect solution for you.
Based on the feedback we've been getting about BoatTEST.com's Video Boating Course, it's clearly not only for beginners but for veteran boaters as well. Perhaps that is why the NMMA started promoting the course after just one look. It's the most complete boating course available... period. Order your 4-disc box set...
Watch the trailer...
BoatTEST.com, LLC
51 Bank Street, Suite 2A
Stamford, CT 06901
203-323-9900
[email protected]
All articles, Captain's Reports, video content or other material which appear on BoatTEST.com and in its newsletters are accurate and factual to the best knowledge of BoatTEST.com and its staff. All findings, beliefs, experiences or endorsements presented are the honest opinions of BoatTEST.com or its contributors. In compliance with FTC 16 CFR Part 255, BoatTEST.com advises its readers that the content which appears in its newsletter or on its website may have been produced for compensation or the prospect of future compensation. BoatTEST.com makes no claims for the veracity or motivation of reader comments, Owners' Reports and other contributions which are all clearly labeled as such.