New Axopar 37 XC Revolution | Greenline 40 Hybrid | Carver C52 - 03/09/20
BoatTEST Newsletter March 9, 2020
New Captain's Report
Axopar 37 XC Revolution:
New Concept, Bold Styling, Sleeps 4
The Axopar 37 XC Revolution with the maxed out Brabus Marine custom paint and interior might not be quite the thing for those who like to make a low-key entry to the harbor. With the impossible-to-ignore designs available from the German custom car builder Brabus, the Axopar looks as exciting as its performance warrants. BoatTEST has already tested earlier versions of the Axopar 37, with rave reviews particularly for her speed and rough water performance, among the best in class. However, the XC Revolution model has a new double-stepped bottom design aimed at fine-tuning directional stability, improved grip in turns, increased cruising speed and lowered fuel consumption — that test is coming soon. In the meantime, here’s an inspection of this model, which includes an air-conditioned cabin with innovative gull-wing door access on both sides as an option. Another surprise on a boat of this design is the separate aft cabin accessed from the pilothouse — she can sleep four. More...
Test Video
Carver C52 Command Bridge:
Modern Build in a Family Cruiser
Unfortunately, there are not many American-built options for flybridge cruisers these days. Yet, Carver is still in business and still producing good value boats, its niche for decades. The Carver C52 Command Bridge is built with vacuum-infused resin technology that eliminates voids and resin build-up, making the hull and other components both lighter and stronger. The multi-layer fiberglass stringers extend up the bow to prevent “oil canning” in head seas. Aluminum floor trusses add strength with minimal weight, and aluminum bracing is also used in the window frames to allow larger spans. The V-drive propulsion system with the twin 600-hp Cummins QSC 8.3L diesels eliminates the cost of pods and their maintenance. The V-drive design also permits the builder to make the living quarters below slightly larger. She has a large en suite master amidships and a VIP at the bow. An added guest stateroom can be optioned as an office or as storage. There’s also space for a single crewman aft of the engine room, if wanted. More...
Review Video
Fusion Apollo Entertainment System:
Premium Marine Audio Entertainment
Fusion Apollo Entertainment System
The Fusion Apollo 770 is not only loaded with premium features, it’s also designed for intuitive operation by anyone familiar with a touchscreen smartphone. It’s the world’s first marine WiFi stereo, providing a far greater depth of sound than Bluetooth systems. It can quickly link to most phones and tap into the playlist. The system is equipped to allow the buyer to tune and configure the speakers and sound levels, rather than seeking expensive professional help for maximum sound quality. Speakers in each zone can produce custom output — more base in the cockpit, for example, and less in the cabin. The system also allows playing different music in different zones of the boat. See more here...
Test Video
NITRO Z20:
Fully-Loaded and Fast to the Fishing
How fast will it run? That’s often the first question customers ask when looking at a tournament class bass boat. Equipped with the optional 250-hp Mercury Pro XS 4-stroke mounted on the standard 12” manual jackplate and turning a 24” pitch Fury propeller, the Nitro ran 76.6 mph in our test, which is about 4 to 5 mph faster than most in class without fine-tuning. Speed is important to high-dollar tournament anglers because the first to the best spots often makes the best catches, and anglers can make more casts per spot if they can move fast between locations. The 50-gallon (189 L) fuel tank is good for about 148 miles at WOT, enough for a long day on a big lake. She’s fully rigged for action directly from the factory, including a Minn Kota Ultrex trolling motor up front, two Humminbird Helix sonar/GPS units, a Merc 225 outboard and tandem axle trailer. She is priced at $52,595. More...
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Test Video
Greenline 40 Hybrid:
Diesel Plus Electric Power
For those relaxed trips when the captain and his guests are in no hurry, operating for extended periods on the electrical drive system of the Greenline 40 Hybrid allows nearly silent propulsion that is environmentally friendly and a welcome change from noisy idling diesels. The system would be particularly useful on the long no-wake zones found in some parts of the ICW. The electrical system, which includes six large photovoltaic panels integrated into the top and large lithium polymer storage batteries, not only can power the motors for up to 20 miles. The batteries can be recharged by the twin 220-hp Volvo Penta D3 diesel engines, which power the electric motors as generators when they’re in use. Shore power also does the job. The hybrid version of the yacht can be converted from diesel to electric power at the flip of a switch, with the same throttle control operating the power levels. More...
Test Video
World Cat 280CC-X:
Offshore Cat Ready for Fishing
With twin hulls, a 9'2" (2.79 m) beam and exceptional freeboard forward, the World Cat 280CC-X is clearly ready for long offshore runs in any fishable weather. She runs well on her twin 200-hp Yamaha 4-stroke engines with her moderate 8,380-lb. (3,801 kg) test weight, keeping fuel use to a minimum for the genre. Her most efficient cruise was at 3500 rpm, running at 25.6 mph with a 10.2 gph fuel burn and a range of 444 miles — all while holding back a 10% reserve of fuel. More...
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