Cabo 41 | Boston Whaler 325 Conquest | Nimbus 365 Coupe - 03/22/20
BoatTEST Newsletter March 22, 2020
Most Popular Boats of the Week
Every week BoatTEST publishes news items on about 25 boats. Readers have asked which ones are the more popular each day, so below you can find the answer – by day.
Monday #1
Cabo 41:
Fully Equipped
Bluewater Express Fishboat
The Cabo 41 has a huge cockpit for her LOA, measuring 12’4” (3.76 m) wide by 10’9” (3.28 m) from the transom to the mezzanine seating. This, along with the 48-gallon (182 L) baitwell in the center of the transom and the tuna door to starboard just 8" (20 cm) off the waterline, indicates her mission. She’s a dedicated, fully equipped bluewater fishing machine. However, she’s built in a more compact footprint and at a far lower cost than the larger convertible goldplaters. The lower deck accommodations sleep four in air-conditioned comfort, including a queen berth in the bow master, and also includes a full galley and head with a separate shower. The tuna tower and controls in the test boat were optional, but we recommend it as it is actually higher than the flying bridge on a large convertible. The twin 715-hp Cummins QSM11s pushed her to a top speed of about 32 knots. We think she is an ideal boat as a step up from a large center console, or a step down from a large convertible. More...
Tuesday #1
Sea-Doo Fish Pro:
PWC Designed for Serious Fishing
The Sea-Doo Fish Pro is a lot more than just a PWC with a few fishing features added. She has an 11.5-inch (29 cm) extension of the aft deck that not only adds fishing and storage space, but also increases stability and load capacity. At a total length of 147" (373 cm), she provides a compact, easy-to-trailer package that will fit in any garage. Or she would also make a useful addition to the swim platform of a multi-mission yacht. She includes a Garmin ECHOMAP Plus 62cv Fish Finder with a 6-inch (15 cm) screen and in-hull transducer. On the back deck is a 13.5-gallon (51 L) LINQ cooler designed for fishing, with a recessed work surface, four rod holders, trolling slots and tackle and bait storage. The 2020 model has the 1630 cc Rotax 170-hp four-cycle, which is the most powerful naturally-aspirated engine in the Sea-Doo line. The engine has a cruise mode for low-speed trolling. More...
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Wednesday #1
Boston Whaler 325 Conquest:
Seaworthy Express Sleeps 4
We tested the new Boston Whaler 325 Conquest with twin Mercury Verado 350s, which produced a top speed of 48.6 mph turning 17” (43 cm) pitch Enertia props. (If you have to have a 50-mph boat, twin Mercury 400s are optional.) She planed at just over 12 mph, which is a big advantage when you have to slow down to handle rough seas offshore, where this boat is well designed to operate. At 4000 rpm and 28.8 mph, she burned 22 gph for a range of about 350 SM — crossings to the Bahamas from Florida ports would be no issue. The fully-enclosed bow not only turns her into a pocket weekender with a cabin and accommodations for four below, but also makes her much more seaworthy than open-bow center consoles of similar size. Like all Whalers, she promises level flotation if swamped. This is a major new development from Whaler and offers boaters excellent functionality in an easily-manageable sized boat. More...
Thursday #1
Frauscher Mirage 740 Air:
Torqeedo Electric Drive Runabout
The electric-drive Mirage 740 Air is positioned as a stylish — and nearly silent — superyacht tender that can carry six to and from shore and venture out from the mothership to explore. She’s also well-suited to lakes and inland waters where combustion engines aren’t allowed, or where owners of water-side cottages want to make a statement about their love of classic runabout design. She’s intended to operate where she can be plugged in and recharged regularly. Torqeedo’s Deep Blue power system combines a high-rpm 100 kW brushless inboard motor with twin BMW i3 Series, 40 kW batteries. The high-capacity lithium batteries are stacked one above the other in the engine compartment aft. The direct-drive motor has twice the power of previous models and is available for electric-power only, or in a hybrid configuration with a DC generator and an integrated onboard energy management system for longer-range cruising. More...
Friday #1
Nimbus 365 Coupe:
Cruiser Ready for the New Paradigm
The Nimbus 365 coupe is a highly functional asymmetrical cruiser that's designed to return us to the days of comfortable overnight cruising. The new 365 takes maximum advantage of available space in just 36’ (10.97 m) to accommodate a family on short or long cruises, and she’s well suited for couples. She has a bow master and a guest stateroom below, plus a salon settee that converts into yet another berth that kids will enjoy. The master has a private entrance to the single head, which has a separate shower stall and also functions as the day head. She has a standard diesel heater, A/C, and a Panda-Fisher generator.
Two 100-watt solar panels on the overhead help keep the batteries charged without excessive generator operation. Two electrically-operated sunroofs add natural light to that, provided by the large windows all around. A side door adjacent the helm allows the captain to assist with lines on docking. She performed well on a single 440-hp Volvo Penta diesel in our tests, reaching a top speed of 24.3 knots. Fuel use at lower speeds was consistent from 2400 up to 3000 rpm, settling in at 1.3 nmpg, allowing the skipper to select for most comfortable ride with little concern for range.
Nimbus is the largest boat brand in Sweden, and this boat was obviously designed for boaters in Northern Europe. Sweden has the highest density of boat ownership in the world per capita, with about one boat owned for every four households vs. 1 in 10 for the U.S., including Jon boats. With just three to four months of prime boating weather in the Baltic, Swedes make boating a family – and extended family – activity. Their boats double as a summer cabin. The single diesel in the Nimbus 365 makes for economical cruising, and the diesel heater keeps the boat snug on cold nights. The A/C provides utility for America’s southern boaters, and the sun roof and side door make operating this boat in the tropics comfortable. More...
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