Beneteau Swift Trawler 47 | Aquila 32 | Sharrow Engineering Propeller - 01/05/20
BoatTEST Newsletter January 5, 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
BENETEAU Swift Trawler 47:
Planing Trawler w/26-Knot Top Speed
The Swift Trawler 47 is built for mid-range cruising, with a range of approximately 970 miles at an economical 8 knots, allowing a 10% fuel reserve. She can carry up to 510 gallons (1,931 L) of fuel. True to her name, she can also get on plane and cover the distance to port quickly when a storm threatens. Top speed was 26 knots in our tests, powered by the standard 425-hp Cummins QSB 6.7L diesels. Though the engines are mounted directly under the cabin sole, heavy sound-proofing keeps noise levels to a minimum — just 73 dBa at 8.1 knots and 84 dBa at WOT. She’s also considerate of neighbors in an anchorage, with the generator exhaust exiting underwater. More...
Schedule A Test Drive Dealer Contact Request Pricing Request
Thursday #1
Aquila 32:
Bow-Riding Cat w/Seats for 16
The Aquila 32 is essentially an XL bowrider on a power catamaran hull. The design gives an impressive amount of seating space — up to 16 adults — due to the 12'8" (3.9 m) beam of the twin hulls. Aquila also came up with an unusual solution for the lack of swim platform space and access that is common in outboard-powered boats by placing the platform aft of the engines. Access is via a pass-through between the engines. The platform has a hydraulic option with folding stairs to become a teak beach. The design allows the engines to be tilted completely out of the water, thanks to lift struts on the aft seatbacks, which push them out of the contact zone for the cowlings. More...
Friday #1
Sharrow Engineering Propeller:
The Next Big Thing in Powerboats?
The Sharrow Engineering MX-1 Propeller promises so much innovation in marine propulsion that BoatTEST sent a four-member test team to the Detroit River for seven days of intensive testing with company chief Greg Sharrow to check out the claims. This remarkable aluminum "loop propeller" proved not only to be faster and more fuel efficient than conventional 3-blade stainless-steel props at idle speed and mid ranges, but also at wide open throttle — an unheard of combination for any prop. The Sharrow MX-1 was 2 to 7 percent faster at WOT on the same boat with the same 150-hp Mercury FourStroke engine as well as the same fuel and passenger load. The prop put the boat on plane quicker and improved maneuverability at idle speed. Test team director Steve Larivee also reports increased smoothness and reduced noise with the Sharrow.
See the full test and numbers here...
New Login Procedures.
New BoatTEST Website:
New Login Required
Home page for the new BoatTEST website.
Most regular BoatTEST Members know that we have a new website with larger pictures, new functionality and easier to read Captain’s Reports. We are now requiring a password to access many of the important features of the site, such as —
- Pricing Information
- Archived videos and tests
- Boat-to-boat comparisons
- BoatTEST’s Seamanship Library
- New Boat Maintenance Log (coming soon)
- Ask a Question Feature
- Free invitations to VIP events
- Free tickets to select boat shows
To log into our new website, simply click on the login button that appears in the upper righthand corner of every page. This will also keep your information secure.
LOG IN HERE...
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.