Axopar 37 XC Revolution | Mako 214 CC | Nimbus T9 - 03/15/20
BoatTEST Newsletter March 15, 2020
Most Popular Boats and Products of the Week
Every week BoatTEST publishes news items on about 25 boats and products. Readers have asked which ones are the more popular each day, so below you can find the answer – by day.
Monday #1
Axopar 37 XC Revolution:
New Concept, Bold Styling, Sleeps 4
The Axopar 37 XC Revolution with the maxed out Brabus Marine custom paint and interior might not be quite the thing for those who like to make a low-key entry to the harbor. With the impossible-to-ignore designs available from the German custom car builder Brabus, the Axopar looks as exciting as its performance warrants. BoatTEST has already tested earlier versions of the Axopar 37, with rave reviews particularly for her speed and rough water performance, among the best in class. However, the XC Revolution model has a new double-stepped bottom design aimed at fine-tuning directional stability, improved grip in turns, increased cruising speed and lowered fuel consumption — that test is coming soon. In the meantime, here’s an inspection of this model, which includes an air-conditioned cabin with innovative gull-wing door access on both sides as an option. Another surprise on a boat of this design is the separate aft cabin accessed from the pilothouse — she can sleep four. More...
Tuesday #1
Hatteras Battlewagons:
40-Knot Speeds Loaded for Big Game
Arguably the best example of the modern offshore battlewagon is Hatteras Yachts’ series of five GT convertibles. They range in length from 45' to 70' (13.72 m to 21.34 m), and feature at least two operating stations, a large cockpit and dedicated tackle storage for serious angling. The luxurious salons, fully equipped galleys and belowdeck accommodations rival those found on high-end offshore motoryachts. The GT Series share many features including convex, modified-V hull bottoms that have variable deadrise angles and the Carolina Flare that helps give the boats their signature look. Propellers that are custom designed for each boat spin in deep tunnels for maximum performance and efficiency. The tunnels also let the boats draw less water than competitive boats. The Hatteras Hatt/CON system gives the captain touchscreen control and monitoring of every system from screens located throughout the boat. It can also be downloaded to a smartphone, a computer or a tablet. Big twin CAT diesels provide every model with speeds to 40 knots. More...
Wednesday #1
MAKO® 214 CC:
Trailerable Design for Coastal Work
The 214 CC has some technical touches that show that the builder’s design and engineering teams understand open fishing boats well. All of the hatches are gasketed so they won’t rattle and to discourage leakage in sloppy, wet conditions. The gaskets contact with a high lip around the opening that creates a deep gutter and gravity-feeds water to drain tubes that pipe the water to the bilge rather than allowing it to overflow into the compartment. The non-skid is a raised circular pattern that allows easier washdown and draining than the solid diamond pattern seen on many, and it is also easier on bare feet. Stainless-steel gas-assist struts keep the hatches up when opened. Stainless-steel hawseholes lead to cleats under the gunwale on either side of the boat in the cockpit, preventing fishing line snags. The hull has more freeboard and flair than the company’s inshore or bay boat models — she’s designed to head outside the inlet. At a package weight of 4,535 lbs. (2,057 kg), she’s readily trailerable by mid-size and larger vehicles. She also has some family-friendly extras, including removable chaise-type backrests for the front seats and an upholstered bench seat all the way across the transom. More...
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Thursday #1
Sharrow Engineering Propeller:
Revolutionary Prop Wins NMMA Award
The Sharrow Propeller™, which we have extensively reported on since last fall, won the NMMA’s (National Marine Manufacturers Association) prized Innovation Award last month at the Miami International Boat Show. When we compared the aluminum Sharrow Propeller™ to two conventional stainless-steel 3-blade props on the same boat with the same outboard, we found the Sharrow was faster at every RPM level and also produced better fuel economy. It also planed the boat at far lower rpm. And, our team reported better cornering, less vibration and a more controllable reverse. The aluminum prop tested by BoatTEST last year was CNC machined out of a solid billet of aluminum by a 5-axis router. At the Miami show, Sharrow had several stainless-steel loop props on display that were also milled out of a solid stainless-steel billet. They weighed 5,000 lbs. (2,273 kgs.) and cost $5,000, according the CEO and inventor Greg Sharrow. Now, customers have the option of either aluminum or stainless-steel props. See the results of this thorough test here...
Friday #1
Nimbus T9:
30’ Dayboat Designed for Comfort, Versatility
Nimbus' Scandinavian design team builds its boats for the yachtsman who appreciates comfort, versatility and functionality. The Nimbus T9 is a case in point: She’s a 9-meter (30'6") center console yacht tender, but also has all the necessities to function as an upscale dayboat and can even handle the occasional overnight with the console cabin berth. She has the open transom that's becoming very popular in Euro-designed open boats. The deck extends on both sides of the outboard, providing an easy way aboard. The hardtop is standard and includes a sunroof so the skipper can catch some rays when desired. LEDs provide overhead light after sundown. Powered with a single 350-hp Mercury Verado, she had a top speed of 44.8 mph in our tests. She’s also available with Volvo Penta sterndrive power. More...
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