New Absolute 62 Fly | New Seakeeper 1 | Formula 270 Bowrider - 02/27/20
BoatTEST Newsletter February 27, 2020
New Features Video
Absolute 62 Fly:
Comfort, Functionality & Beauty
in a 3-Stateroom Yacht
The Absolute 62 Fly has flowing modern exterior lines and her interior décor is likewise contemporary. The atrium-style staircase fills the entry to the cabins with light, and a soft-touch wine chiller is just a few steps from the main deck. A sliding mirror in the master bath opens to a large side window to provide natural light here, as well. A heated towel rack is just outside the shower. All the zebra-wood cabinetry below decks includes soft-close latching drawers. The VIP at the bow includes an angled queen and large windows on both sides, again providing lots of light and great views while underway. The guest stateroom includes two single berths that slide together at the touch of a switch to make a double. See the full walk-through and test of this new yacht here ...
New Captain's Report
Seakeeper 1:
Compact, Lightweight Stabilizer
for 23' to 30' Boats
The Seakeeper gyro system has proved itself on large boats. The company introduced its smallest model a few weeks ago, the one many people have been waiting for – the Seakeeper 1. The new unit is designed for open boats in the 23' to 30' (7 m to 9 m) class. It measures just 22.9" L x 23.56" W x 15.68" H (58.16 cm L x 59.84 cm W x 39.82 cm H), small enough to fit under a seat or into a storage compartment of many boats – importantly, it does not have to be mounted on the centerline. It weighs only 365 lbs. (166 kg). Seakeeper says it uses less electrical current than your stereo cranked up on high. Housing the motor, bearings, and flywheel in a vacuum allows the flywheel to spin up to three times faster and halve the power consumption while also reducing flywheel weight by 2/3. A patented glycol/seawater cooling system enables the flywheel to operate in a vacuum without overheating. It is quiet, which is important on a fishing boat, maxing out at around 75 dBa, we’re told. The price is about $14,900, plus installation. See the details here...
Test Video
Formula 270 Bowrider:
Flawless Finishes in a Premium Dayboat
Ever wonder why Formula boats like the Formula 270 Bowrider are such eye-catchers? One reason is the flawless paint job on the hullsides. The company uses Axalta ChromaPremier Basecoat and Imron Elite Clearcoat — it’s the same paint you see on Cadillacs and Mercedes, applied in one of five dust-free painting booths. The paint is then buffed and polished for hours to achieve the flawless Formula finish. It’s one of the factors that increases the price of this premium line, but it has also become one of the reasons that discriminating buyers love them. Note that customers can have the boat painted to pretty much any color and pattern they desire with the Formula-Flex program. The company also offers plenty of options in power on this classy dayboat, including MerCruiser and Volvo Penta sterndrives as well as the Ilmor 380-hp V8 based on a Corvette block, which pushed her to 51.0 mph in our tests. See our test here...
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Captain's Report
SUN TRACKER FISHIN' BARGE 24 XP3:
Tri-Toon Fully Equipped for Fishing and Family
Sun Tracker Fishin’ Barge 24 XP3
The Fishin’ Barge 24 XP3 is well-suited for a fishing trip up front, with two swiveling fishing seats, an aerated baitwell, rod and tool racks, cutting board and the optional bow-mount trolling motor with foot control. Note the grass-cloth vinyl flooring. A second baitwell and fishing seats are found aft. This area can also be equipped with a movable table to make a lunch spot for the kids. A full-width swim platform across the transom is a good place to gear up for watersports. She rides on three 26" (66 cm) pontoons with lifting strakes and wave deflectors, adding considerably to the capacity and performance over smaller 24" (60.96 cm) pontoons used in some competitively-priced pontoon rigs. The larger pontoons also make it possible for her to be powered by larger outboards, up to the optional 250-hp Mercury Verado Pro 4-stroke that allows her to tow multiple tubes or skiers. More...
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Test Video
Pardo 43:
Euro-Style Dayboat
w/Accommodations for 4
The Pardo 43 is a premium-class Euro-styled dayboat with lots of space to party on deck, but she also fits accommodations for four as well as a head and shower into the cabin area. The cockpit dining table can seat six when the reversible backs on the forward settee are flipped forward, and an open-air kitchen is just ahead. The standard hardtop includes smoked glass insets, LED lights and speakers, and an available power-shade extends sun protection over the seating areas aft. The test boat was powered by twin 435-hp Volvo Penta IPS600s, with the engines set well forward and connected to the drive systems via jackshafts. This helps to balance the boat and allows for easy planing without excessive bow-rise. She has a 55-degree entry forward, tapering to a 16-degree deadrise at the transom. Hard chines all the way to the bow keep down spray. More...
Test Video
Everglades 335CC:
Built to "Best-Practice" Standards
Some boat manufacturers build to a price point by skimping on engineering, cutting an occasional corner, down-grading the grade of materials used that is not readily apparent, taking equipment off the standard list which is really necessary, and by having a barebones infrastructure. Everglades doesn’t do those things. In fact, it goes in the opposite direction in all areas, and even has a building process that is unlike any other in the industry that creates level flotation, if the boat is swamped. This makes their boats among the most expensive in class. The 335CC comes loaded with standard features that are extra-cost options on many boats, including the oversized hardtop, wrap-around three-pane windshield, and the power center glass, which quickly lowers to provide ventilation. Triple Pompanette Platinum Series seats with foldup bolsters and hinged armrests provide console seating. All the company’s offshore models are equipped with Yamaha XTO Offshores and come with the Yamaha Helm Master joystick. The upper command station with a sunshade was one of the few options aboard the test boat. See the full test and walk-through here...
Dealer Spotlight
Strong's Marine Celebrates
75th Anniversary
Strong's Marine celebrates four generations on the water.
Strong's Marine is a family-run business that is currently celebrating their 75th anniversary. The family was taught "Super Service" — striving to deliver a caring and personal level of service to a boater and their family. This began in 1945 when Stewart Strong launched Strong & Holland Marina in Lindenhurst, NY. Jeff and Re Strong, along with their son Ryan, have continued to grow the business across Long Island, NY, including three locations in Mattituck, two in Southampton, sales and service location in East Hampton, Port Washington and Freeport. Strong's Yacht Center in Mattituck Inlet is the home base for Strong's Marine's yacht division. With immediate access to Long Island Sound, the 16-acre facility has 45 slips and seven indoor storage buildings to accommodate yachts up to 110’ (34 m). More...
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