Grady-White Freedom 285 | How to Avoid Spin Outs - 02/04/21
BoatTEST Newsletter February 4, 2021
Captain's Report
Grady-White Freedom 285:
350-Mile Range w/Twin Outboards
Grady-White offers the Freedom 285 with twin 250-hp or 300-hp four-stroke outboards from Yamaha. As with all Grady-White models, she rides on the manufacturer's proven SeaV2® hull. Grady says the twin 250s will push her to 51.5 mph and an optimum cruise of 30 mph and 16.4 gph. Do the math and that translates to 1.82 mpg and a range of 352.3 statute miles with 10% of the boat’s 214-gallon fuel capacity held in reserve. Twin 300s increase the top speed to 54.6 mph and have a best cruise of 29.5 mph with a 15.4 gph fuel burn. This calculates to 1.85 mpg and a range of 356.47 statute miles. That’s a round trip from Fort Lauderdale to Key West on a single tank in a boat that serves equally well for cruising and fishing. More...
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Features Video
Leopard 53 Powercat:
Premium Cruising Cat w/Max Interior Space
At 53’1” (16.18 m) long with a 25’2” (7.67 m) beam, the 53 Powercat is the flagship of Leopard’s fleet. The manufacturer says she has 31% more interior volume than the 43 Powercat and no monohull in the same size range could match her for space. The cavernous feel is enhanced by 6’10” (2.08 m) of headroom and continuous wraparound windows in the salon. Her flying bridge is also among the largest in class and belowdecks, she can sleep up to 8. More...
Captain's Report
Sun Tracker Fishin’ Barge 22 XP3:
Built to Last
Sun Tracker Fishin’ Barge 22 XP3
The first thing people think of when they hear “pontoon” boat is lots of passengers on board. Sun Tracker designed the Fishin’ Barge 22 XP3 with the usual fishing layout up front and a more lounge-oriented plan aft. The company adds value to the boat that’s rated for 11 passengers by building her strong. The pontoons have internal bulkheads that separate each chamber and are welded all the way around to provide an airtight seal. Because they’re part of the performance-oriented XP3 package, the 26” (66.04 cm) diameter pontoons are formed from .100 gauge aluminum alloy. Decks are attached with Z-bar cross members and M-shaped brackets. More...
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Features Video
Nordhavn N60:
Expedition Yacht w/Enhanced Exterior Space
The Nordhavn N60 followed the N55, which the company’s customer base gave high praise to for the interior but wanted more out of the exterior spaces. The N60 was designed with a larger aft deck and more spacious flying bridge including the aft boat deck. The aft deck on the N60 is 10’5” x 14’5” (3.18 m x 4.40 m) and has 152.25 sq. ft (14.14 sq. m) of open space. The flying bridge is accessed from a set of stairs on the boat deck. Aft is a Sunbrella-covered lounge with an FRP table on dual pedestals and there are two captains’ chairs at the upper station. By comparison, the N55 had a smaller lounge and single seat at the upper helm. More...
Boating Tips
How to Avoid Spin Outs
Sometimes a powerboat spinning out is a simple matter of a driver trying to turn too tight at too high of a speed. Other times, it can be caused by equipment failure or a minor adjustment of small fin on the underside of an outboard’s or sterndrive’s cavitation plate. Read on to learn how to avoid this unnerving incident. More...
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