Several years ago when this picture was taken, BRIG’s staff numbered about 200. Since that time it has doubled in size but they are all refugees now.
We reported weeks ago that the BRIG RIB factory is near Kharkiv, Ukraine, where some of the fiercest Russian attacks have been made. Kharkiv is the country’s second-largest city and is only 20 miles from the Russian border. When the plant was evacuated more than a month ago, there were 420 employees. At the Palm Beach boat show last Saturday, we interviewed the president of the RIB-maker’s largest dealer – BRIG USA. Find out about the BRIG families, the factory and how you can help them. More...
Spanish builder Astondoa Yachts used nuances on its 66 Flybridge to make her feel larger than her 66’5” (20.13 m) overall length. In the salon and galley, she has windows that are longer and taller than other boats in class. Designers also employed slightly shorter backrests on the furniture and the overall result is that more natural light is let in. The builder used the same approach in the master stateroom with oversized windows. More...
Sun Tracker manufactures entry-level or value-focused pontoon boats and the Party Barge 22 XP3 is a good example of the company’s mission. Her size is something of a sweet spot for families. She has triple pontoons and the XP3 performance package with lifting strakes and wave deflectors. She has a national price of $47,995 with a 150-hp Mercury outboard. We hit 35.8 mph in our test. The Stow-More system provides added storage in the lounge seatbacks. More...
Cruisers Yachts offers the 38 GLS in sterndrive and outboard-powered versions. We tested her with triple 300-hp Mercury Verados, the base package and found them to be plenty potent. She can be powered by up to triple 400-hp Verados, but the lower-rated engines could be the better pairing because of engine design. The 300-hp engine is based on a naturally aspirated 4.6-liter V8 while the 400 is a supercharged 2.6-liter inline 6. The bottom-end torque that comes with the V8s showed itself by putting our test boat on plane in just 5.4 seconds. She hit a top speed of 51.9 mph at 6000 rpm. More...
Which is best, one or two outboard engines? That’s an essential question that many people who have decided to buy a larger rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RIB) – or any boat, for that matter – need to answer. This dilemma has become even tougher to solve in recent years thanks to the increased horsepower, and reliability, of outboard engines – to say nothing of ubiquitous tow services in U.S. waters. Here is some food for thought. More...
Moisture in fiberglass laminate and in cored-composite construction is the source of significant consternation for boat owners, buyers and builders alike. Nothing can kill a used-boat sale faster than the banshee-like shriek of a moisture meter being passed over saturated core or wet hull laminate. Moisture meters have been used in the marine industry for decades; some would say they’ve been a boon, others a curse. I’m one of the former, while many of my broker colleagues are the latter. So, who’s right? More...
Most experienced boaters learned about docking using good old fashioned trial and error. Most of us have heard the old adage, “Never approach a dock faster than you’re willing to hit it.” This is a good starting point for new boaters who want to learn how to dock with confidence. There are five more tips worth taking aboard as well. More...
The crew at Nautical Ventures says “Hip, Hip Hooray” for being named Fairline’s newest U.S. dealer. Leading the team is CEO Roger Moore (aka 007), third from the right in the front row, who told BoatTEST that he’s happy that MI6 and Fairline have brought him in from the cold. The new Squadron 58 is inset.
Fairline Yachts has added a new dealer in the United States plus another in Canada, strengthening the British manufacturer’s presence in North America. Nautical Ventures will handle Fairline product in Florida, while Groupe Thomas Marine in Quebec will sell and service the yachts in Canada. But these two dealers are not the only thing new at Fairline – Capt. Steve has just flown back after a test of Fairline’s new boat, so stay tuned. More...
Nestled between Bradenton and St. Petersburg, in the mouth of Tampa Bay, you'll find a little piece of paradise called Egmont Key. Spend the day snorkeling, picnicking and exploring at one of the best boating destinations in the Tampa Bay area. Get your saltwater therapy in the crystal-clear waters of Egmont Key on a Sovereign Boat Club boat. For details go toSovereignBoatClub.com or call 727-200-3474.
Some or all of the content contained in this newsletter may be sponsored. BoatTEST makes all possible efforts to ensure all material that is published in this newsletter is true and accurate.
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