New 2x 300-HP Outboards at ½-Price | MasterCraft X24 | Formula 310 BR - 05/07/20
BoatTEST Newsletter May 7, 2020
New Test Video
MasterCraft X24:
A Moving Grandstand for the Show
The MasterCraft X24 has been updated to make her an even better boat for wake surfing.
The bow, cockpit and stern have space for 18 passengers on the MasterCraft X24, making her a phenomenal platform for a large audience to see surfing performances. Some owners may want to sell tickets. The X24 has an improved bottom design, an easier-to-use ballast system and more comfort and amenities. The optional GEN2 surf system adds 4,300 lbs (1,950.45 kg) of ballast in mere minutes and can be controlled by an available touchscreen at the helm. Simply push a button to call up a preset wave profile for a given rider. Applause meter is optional. More...
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Repowering
2x Evinrude E-TEC G2s at Half-Price
Now is the perfect time to consider re-powering – but the question is what brand to select? When it comes to cost, the Evinrude E-TEC G2 outboards win hands-down. Here’s why: While all outboard engine brands of a given horsepower cost about the same, that is only part of the story. If a joystick is wanted on a twin-engine installation, that will cost $25,000 extra on a Yamaha rig – but, Evinrude charges only $6,000 more. That’s a savings of $19,000, right out of the gate. Then there is required dealer maintenance. 4-stroke engines require a 20-hour dealer visit, plus annual oil/filter and other required maintenance that can easily run $800 or more for a pair of large outboards per visit. Over the course of 5 years, that adds up to another $4,800, or more. New Evinrude G2 engines require no regularly-scheduled dealer maintenance for 5 years. Taken together, those two details save an owner $23,800 over the course of 5 years – about the cost of one of those big 300-hp engines. Half-price. See our video on an actual re-power project. More...
The Catamaran category is among the most diverse with sail and power offerings. In the latter, there’s even more variety with outboard and inboard propulsion and deck designs for fishing, cruising or even high-performance. One of the 40 catamarans listed at VirtualBOATSHOW.com even topped 100 mph. To visit the boat show – admittance is free – click here...
VirtualBOATSHOW.com Catamaran Docks
Test Video
Aquila 32:
Outboard-Powered Cruising Cat
The Aquila 32 is an outboard-powered catamaran designed for day boating and cruising. Her designers took full advantage of the boat’s 12’8” (3.35m) beam with spacious convertible seating in the cockpit and an inviting bow that has nearly twice as much space as a similarly sized V-bottom bowrider. Her wetbar comes standard with a sink and refrigerator and a grill is a worthwhile upgrade. Belowdecks, she has a private cabin to port and head compartment in the starboard sponson. More...
Test Video
Formula 310 Bowrider:
Infinitely Customizable Dayboat
Whether she has outboards or sterndrives, the 310 Bowrider still has a large swim platform.
Why have a boat like everyone else’s? When spending the kind of money, it takes to own a premium 31-footer, most people we know would like to add their own, personal touch. The Formula 310 Bowrider is likely the only boat in class available with sterndrive power from MerCruiser, Volvo Penta or Ilmor Marine or twin Mercury outboards. Giving the consumer as many possible ways to customize a boat falls in line with the company’s Formula Flex program that lets owners customize a boat to a greater level than virtually any production boat on the market. It also helps a buyer save money on power. Retail pricing starts at $309,190. More...
Test Video
Maritimo X50:
Express Yacht w/Balanced Design
When principals of a boat manufacturer have put in time on the aquatic racecourse, they get a better understanding of details that create better performance. Design elements like engine and fuel-tank placement get more attention. On the Maritimo x50, company owner and former offshore racer Bill Barry-Cotter and his design team placed the boat’s engine room and fuel tanks amidships. Moving 25 percent of the boat’s fully laden weight forward created a better balanced boat, which improves performance. It also saves money because expensive pod drives aren’t required. There’s more space, including headroom in the engine compartment and, finally, it let Maritimo create a clever aft cabin. More...
Boating Access
Recreational Boating Returns in Maryland
Maryland boaters have been anxious to get on the water with their families.
Maryland governor Larry Hogan announced yesterday that the restriction on recreational boating has been lifted. Boaters will be allowed back on the water starting today at 7 a.m. The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) called the reopening of the state’s waterways “a responsible approach to balancing the need for social distancing with access to outdoor recreation.” More...
Boating Safety
i911 Helping Coast Guard Save Lives
The sooner the Coast Guard can find a boat, the better the chance of a successful rescue.
Command center personnel and rescue crews in the United States Coast Guard have a new tool that helps them find a stranded or distressed vessel more quickly. Known as i911, the program lets Coast Guard staff use a mariner’s cell-phone number to locate a boat. More...
BoattestLEASING:
Looking for Boats To Lease
Boston Whaler 280 Vantage
Yamaha 275SD
BoattestLEASING is now looking for late-model, premium boats from 26’ to 35’ (7.92 m to 10.66 m) to lease to like-minded boaters in the eastern U.S. Boat Leasing is now trending strongly, given the times we live in. Boats are a safe and healthy way for a family to have fun outside and at the same time maintain social distancing. By leasing unused days in a boat, owners are utilizing a valuable asset for a financial return on the investment. BoatTEST’s leasing program helps boat owners pay down their boat loan, as well as to cover a portion of annual operating costs. To find out more, contact General Manager Greg Sweeney at 727-200-3474 or [email protected].
BoattestLEASING Website I Have a Boat to Lease
BoatTEST REPORTS
Video Webcasts
Each Episode of BoatTEST REPORTS is a fast-paced review of the week’s boating news, plus boat-buying tips, previews of future boat tests and new product reviews. The video webcast premiers each Friday morning on BoatTEST’s Facebook page, or see it in re-runs here...
Safe, Healthy Boating,
Wave of the Future
Social distancing and still having a great day!
Send your pictures in that show “Safe, Healthy Family Boating” to [email protected]. Each week, we’ll pick a winner who will receive a coveted BoatTEST hat personally signed by Capt. Steve.
Expert Boating
BoatTEST.com's
4-DVD Boating Course:
Now Offered as Streaming From Any Device!!!
Sometimes it's not what you know, but what you've forgotten. We have the perfect solution for you.
Based on the feedback we've been getting about BoatTEST.com's Video Boating Course, it's clearly not only for beginners but for veteran boaters as well. Perhaps that is why the NMMA started promoting the course after just one look. It's the most complete boating course available... period. Order your 4-disc box set...
Watch the trailer...
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