Brunswick Buys Navico for $1 Billion | Outback 50 | World Cat 280DC-X - 06/24/21

Editor's Report

Outback Yachts 50

A New Breed of Adventure Yacht

Outback Yachts was founded by an experienced cruiser who took long trips through the Florida Keys with an active family. The new 50 actually measures 56’3” (17.15 m) and she was designed following the philosophy that “form follows function.” In addition to her open aft area, she’s available in three main deck layouts and can be configured to sleep up to six belowdecks. More...

Test Video

World Cat 280DC-X

Short- and Long-Term Benefits of a Cat Hull

If a potential buyer ever had a question about the efficiency of an offshore catamaran like the World Cat 280DC-X over a similarly sized monohull center console, here’s an easy answer. Among the top V-bottom center-console builders, the maximum engine horsepower offered is twin 300-hp. World Cat pairs the 280DC-X with twin 200-hp Yamaha outboards. With that power, our test boat hit 48.5 mph at 5500 rpm and had a best cruise of 20.5 mph at 3000 rpm, where she had a range of 474 statute miles. The smaller engines also help keep the purchase price lower. More...

Test Video

Aviara AV36

Custom Windshield Makes Sense

The AV36 is the flagship model of a new series of premium day boats from Aviara. The company is a subsidiary of MasterCraft and the designers have applied some things learned from the wakesports world. For example, on its towboats, MasterCraft offers a windshield with side panels that stop short of the helm so the driver can communicate with an athlete in the water. On the AV36, the windshield also has shorter sides than typically used. It gives the captain a place to rest his right arm and makes it easier to grab a dockline when operating single- or short-handed. More...

Test Video

Robalo 246 Cayman SD

Fish and Cruise w/Equal Aplomb

The flagship of Robalo’s Cayman line, the 246 Cayman SD is a large bay boat that can double as a family cruiser. The 24’6” (7.47 m) long boat draws 12” (30 cm) and has 16 degrees of transom deadrise, so the design works well for fishing the shallows. As we’ve seen with other Robalo models, she also has interior features that lend themselves to hanging out with the family on Sunday including bow seating with backrests, a table and filler cushions plus a two-person lounge on the front of the helm console. More...

Boating Business News

Brunswick Buys Navico for $1 Billion

Lowrance HDS-12 LIVE

SIMRAD – Cruise 9 Chartplotter/Fishfinder Combo

The Brunswick Corp. announced this morning at 6:30 a.m. that it is buying Navico, a marine-electronics conglomerate, for $1.05 billion. Navico owns the Lowrance, Simrad, B&G and C-Map product lines. This is a giant step for Brunswick into the world of sophisticated navigational electronic equipment and advances its vertical integration strategy.  At the same time, this acquisition further consolidates brands in the marine market. We can expect to see Navico products installed as standard and optional equipment on all Brunswick boat brands including Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Bayliner, Lund, Crestliner, Harris and many others. Read all about it...

Boating Destinations

6 Places to Visit in Florida

If you want to know the best boating destinations in a given area, talk to the people who live and boat there. The folks at Denison Yachting have been plying the waters of South Florida for decades and here are their top six boating destinations in the region. More...

"Life is short and it's here to be lived."

– Kate Winslet

Chilling out on a boat with family and friends is one of life’s great joys.  SBC can put those experiences in your life at an affordable price in a premium boat.  Annual memberships in five premium boats ranging from 27’ to 35’ (8.2 m to 10.6 m) are now available in St. Petersburg, Bradenton, Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, Fla.

Check them out at SovereignBoatClub.com or call 727-200-3474.

Photo Of The Day

"On the bow of our 38' (11.58 m) Aquila catamaran in Sebastian, Fla."

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