CL Yachts CLA 76 Flybridge | Cheoy Lee Celebrating 150th Anniversary - 08/21/20
BoatTEST Newsletter August 21, 2020
Talking w/ an Industry Legend
This week’s video boating news webcast hosted by Capt. Steve includes —
- Interview with Leon Slikkers
- Siren Marine
- Highfield Boats
- Preview of Yamaha's 2021 Lineup
- How to Tie a Reef Knot
- Mako 214 CC Highlights
- Captain's Exam Questions
Test Video
CL Yachts CLA 76 Flybridge:
Celebrating 150 Years w/a SOTA Motoryacht
The CLA 76 Flybridge is from CL Yachts, the rebranded luxury division of long-time Hong Kong manufacturer Cheoy Lee Shipyards, which is now relocated up the Pearl River in a large modern facility. She’s designed to be a motoryacht that can cruise long distances and sleep eight comfortably in four staterooms or she can day boat and host a party in her large entertaining areas in the aft deck, salon and flying bridge. The CLA 76 Flybridge is also engineered to cruise efficiently at myriad speeds, and she is built light and strong to optimize range.
This year, Cheoy Lee is celebrating its 150th anniversary. The history of this yard is truly fantastic, as it has survived the upheavals that have swept that part of the world during those years. We have periodically visited the shipyard for 40 years, first in Hong Kong, then on Lantau Island near the airport, and now in mainland China. Like family-owned boatyards in the U.S., the company is run by five adult brothers (all but one with engineering degrees, and the other with an MBA from Stanford) who take a fierce pride in the boats they build. Today, their main business is building commercial vessels for companies and countries all over the world, that must meet the strictest international build standards, and that culture permeates their motoryachts. This is an unusual situation for yachts in this size range, to have a strong commercial operation supporting the infrastructure that makes building a recreational motoryacht, both state-of-the-art and competitively priced. And, this is one of the reasons that CL can build large motoryachts as quickly, and as well, as any yard on the planet. More...
Video
Garmin Posts Strong Second-Quarter Earnings
Chartplotters and sonars helped drive strong sales for Garmin.
We don’t normally report on the fortunes of publicly owned businesses, but we think this one is important for a couple of reasons. For the second quarter of 2020, Garmin International, which makes Garmin electronics for marine use, reported a year over year increase of 9%, compared to the same time last year. The biggest gains were in fitness and marine, which were up 4%. Much of the credit for the gain in marine went to the company’s Panoptix sonar technology that provides 3D imaging beneath the boat. But it also highlights a sea change in electronics buying that has been going on for the last 15 years or so – namely, electronics installed in the factory. More...
BoattestLEASING
Kids Rule!!!
Boat ownership can be challenging for first-time boat buyers, particularly if they are kids. But nothing builds self-confidence better than learning boating skills both in the boat, swimming around it, and enjoying tow sports from it. Now, there is an easy and low-cost way to introduce your children to the fun of boating, that won’t jeopardize their college education. BoattestLEASING offers charters and leases at affordable prices. For example, a 10-day lease or charter of a Pursuit DC266 in St. Petersburg, FL costs only a few hundred dollars per month. Full instructions for both kids and parents are included at no extra charge. Find a friend at BoattestLEASING.com and contact Greg Sweeney at (727) 200-3474 | gsweeney@BoattestLEASING.com
Test Video
Tracker Pro Guide V-16 WT:
Powdercoating Ensures Longevity
For the 2021 model year, Tracker has upgraded its Pro Guide V-16 WT with some noteworthy treatments and features. First, she’s finished in the company’s exclusive Diamond-Coat 2.0 finish that consists of powdercoated hullsides protected by a clearcoat. Powdercoating is better than paint because it thermally bonds to the surface as it cures, can be applied in thicker layers and it provides superior color retention. The clear coat then goes on to provide additional protection. Anglers chasing fish aren’t afraid to bump a rock or stump so this process will help save the finish. To protect the passengers, the Pro Guide V-16 WT has a new tempered safety glass windshield with an opening center section. More...
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Captain's Report
Riviera 4800 Sport Yacht Series II
Platinum Edition:
Dressed and Equipped to Thrill
The Riviera 4800 Sport Yacht Series II Platinum Edition
In a category full of white boats, it’s amazing how a color upgrade can make an express yacht stand out the way Riviera’s 4800 Sport Yacht Series II Platinum Edition does. When this express yacht pulls into a marina or harbor, it’s impossible to not do a double take. Riviera got it just right with the hardtops and arches finished in Platinum Silver along with a gunmetal colored sunpad on the foredeck. To finish things in aggressive styling, the electronics arrays, air intakes and boot tops are rendered in black. Inside, the salon and cockpit connect seamlessly, and the helm station would be at home in the cockpit of a private jet. More...
Test Video
Boston Whaler 380 Outrage:
More Deadrise to Tackle Big Water
The inset photo was taken during our test of the 380 Outrage.
For the new 380 Outrage, Boston Whaler sharpened the deadrise at the transom from 15 degrees to 23. That’s a huge difference. The team then focused on distributing the deadrise to add more amidships than on previous models to provide a more comfortable ride at the helm. A padded keel with minimal rocker angle helps the boat get on plane more easily, minimize bow rise and increase visibility at all speeds. Finally, Boston Whaler’s “dynamic running surface” has triangular planes integrated into the running surface. They increase lift and are more efficient than traditional tabs, according to the manufacturer. We ran her in 8’ (2.44 m) to 10’ (3.05 m) seas and wanted to go back out for more. More...
Picture of the Week
Swinging room automatically creates social distancing — even in paradise.
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Expert Boating
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