New Boston Whaler 280 Vantage | Cruisers 38 GLS | Summit 54 - 11/30/20

BoatTEST Newsletter November 30, 2020 

New Test Video

Boston Whaler 280 Vantage:

New and Improved over the 270

All-new Boston Whaler 280 Vantage.

Someone once said “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” The Boston Whaler 270 Vantage not only wasn’t “broke,” it was, in fact, one of the brand’s most popular models. But, Boston Whaler takes customer feedback seriously and the new 280 Vantage is a good example. The successor to the 270 Vantage is all-new, not a warmed-over 270 hull. The 280 is more than 2’ (.61m) longer, 6” (15.24cm) wider, and more than 1,700-lbs. (771.11kg) heavier. She has redesigned bow seating, a hardtop integrated with the windshield and a port-side door, a port quarter livewell, and one-degree more deadrise at the transom. Most important for families, there is 36” (91.44cm) of headroom over the toilet seat for full adult sitting headroom that the 270 did not have. All of these refinements, and more, are the direct result of customer input, the company’s ingenious engineering staff, and the builder’s willingness to invest heavily in new tooling, something that comes right off the bottom line, which is why some builders hold on to old tooling forever. More...

Schedule a Test Drive Dealer Contact Request Pricing Request

 

Virtual Boat Show

Cruisers Yachts 38 GLS:

900-HP Day Boat Tops 50 MPH

The second-largest outboard-powered boat in the Cruisers Yachts line, the 38 GLS is designed as a dayboat with space for passengers from the open bow to the stern. She has a fold-out section of the starboard bulwark called a Beach Door that connects the cockpit to the swim platform. Belowdecks, there’s a lounge plus a wet head with a shower.

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Features Video

Summit Motoryachts 54:

Premium LRC w/ Modern Plan

The Summit Motoryachts 54 has an interior designed by J.C. Espinoza to have a modern, contemporary look and feel with more open spaces. A window between the galley and cockpit opens to connect the boat’s primary gathering areas, creating a large social environment. Above, the flying bridge has a large L-shaped lounge around a table that’s close to the helm so guests can keep the captain company during a cruise.

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Test Video

Manitou 25 LX RFX Dual Engine:

Next-Level Performance Pontoon

One of the advantages that the Manitou 25 LX RFX Dual engine has when it comes to performance is her power-to-weight ratio. Powered by twin 300-hp Mercury outboards, our test boat had an estimated weight of 6,071 lbs (2,754 kg). That translates to 11.17 lbs./hp, which is similar to the ratio of a high-performance fiberglass catamaran. Being a triple pontoon means the 25 LX RFX can carry twice as many people as a go-fast cat, which adds to the fun.

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New Model

New Regal 42 FXO

At the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show last month, Regal Marine introduced its largest outboard-powered model, the 42 FXO. She’s a flying bridge yacht powered by triple 425-hp Yamaha XTO Offshore engines and the engines enhance her versatility. She pushes 50 mph, but because the motors can be trimmed clear of the water, she can also back up to a sandbar or beach.

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Boating News of the Week: Episode #31

This week's video features Brunswick Corp.'s electrification of a large Sea Ray, good news from MasterCraft, Axopar’s new small boat Spyder, and congratulations to Yamaha for winning the NMMA’s Innovation Award. The new product is a single-engine joystick with lots of functionality, all explained in a Yamaha video. This week’s main feature is Part II to our Buyer’s Guide to Motoryachts, focusing on interior layouts. More...

Episode #31 All BTR Episodes

 

Photo of the Day

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Expert Boating

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