New Alumacraft Competitor 185 FSX | Volvo Penta Forward Drive | Maritimo X60 - 10/12/20

BoatTEST Newsletter October 12, 2020 

New Test Video

Alumacraft Competitor 185 FSX:

Fishing Boat w/Family Features

The Competitor 185 FSX comes well equipped for fishing and available options can be added for cruising and watersports. She’s also one of the best handling multi-species boats we’ve run.

More...

Schedule a Test Drive Dealer Contact Request Pricing Request

 

Propulsion Technology

Volvo Penta Forward Drive:

Advantages Over an Inboard

The Volvo Penta Forward Drive has its counter-rotating DuoProps 26” (66.04 cm) farther forward than where they would be on a conventional aft-facing drive. That, plus the fact that the body of the lower unit is between a surfer and the props, makes the design safe for the sport – something that has been empirically proven by five years of consumer use. The design also has a number of performance advantages over an inboard propulsion system, including: the ability to trim, side-to side movement, sharper turning, more positive backing down and easier maneuvering for docking. To find out more and to order the free Forward Drive Buyer’s Guide, click here...

 

Fall Virtual Boat Show:

Boat Production is Limited—

Order Now for Spring Delivery

Boats aren’t produced like automobiles – essentially, all fiberglass boats over 18’ (5.48 m) are hand assembled.

The word we are getting from builders and dealers around the country is that new boats are in short supply because of a major sea-change in boat buying due to COVID-19. First-time buyers have flooded the market and, according to MarineMax, account for nearly 50% of boat sales, rather than the normal 20% or so. Our advice to people thinking about buying next spring is simple: Move up the buying decision to this Fall to make sure you get what you want – rather than the model no one wants in late Spring. The best place to start your search is with BoatTEST’s Virtual Boat Show. There are more than 2,000 boats on exhibit here, most with videos, both new and used. Admission is FREE, no masks required...

Virtual Boat Show Entrance

 

Features Video

Maritimo X60:

Balanced Performance and Accommodations

The X60 is designed with her engines and fuel tanks installed farther forward to better distribute weight throughout the boat. This approach also created an aft accommodation space that’s accessible from the salon and swim platform that can be configured in a handful of layouts.

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20% Discount for

Winter-Only Charters/Leases

2020 Pursuit DC266 available for special Winter-Only rates.

BoattestLEASING is making available a winter-only (November through April) charter or lease of a premium, twin-outboard 27’ dual console in St. Petersburg, FL. The boat, a 2020 Pursuit DC266, is equipped with a joystick, electric flush head, livewell, chartplotter and Garmin fish-finding sonar, plus much more. For a 10-day, non-consecutive lease or charter, the DC266 is being offered at a 20% discount from annual rates. The down payment is $8,928, with just 6 monthly payments of $496. This is your chance to fish and cruise the Florida west coast out to 100 miles, for a fraction of the cost of a new boat. For more information, contact General Manager Greg Sweeney at 727-200-3474 | [email protected].

See Video of the Boat

 

Features Video

Boston Whaler 325 Conquest:

Convertible Seating for Myriad Activities

The 325 Conquest’s large cockpit has space for fishing and seats that adjust for forward- and aft-facing travel. For a weekend getaway, she sleeps four belowdecks and has a wet head with a pull-up shower.

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Test Video

Aviara AV36:

Large, Luxurious Day Boat

From her adjustable aft lounge with multi-level bar-stool-style backrests to the open cockpit with a galley to her bow area with the pass-through offset to port, the AV36 is focused on entertaining.

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Video

Jenna Stevens:

A Determined Lady Captain

Even though she was better qualified than her superiors, Jenna Stevens took her first job in the yachting industry as a stewardess. Then she worked her way up to command passenger vessels longer than 200’ (60.96 m).

More...

 

Boating News of the Week: Episode #26

Boat fires are a hazard that affects mostly older boats. Wire insulation chafes or denigrates with time and use. Today we have a remarkable video of what happens when a boat fire gets out of control and destroys new boats. If you’ve ever thought about having a Seakeeper on your boat, Capt. Steve will give you some pointers, and we also explain the remarkable new Siren Marine-CZone lash-up that permits remote monitoring of virtually every electrical system on your boat... plus lots more.

See Episode #26 See All Episodes

 

Photo of the Day

Days of wonder – there is nothing quite like watching children discover the world around them.

We – and our 160,000 newsletter readers – want to see your boating photos and videos! Email us at [email protected] and we may feature your submission in our newsletter.

Email Us

 

Expert Boating

OOOPS!!!

They Should Have Watched Smart Boating!

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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