New Boston Whaler 405 Conquest | Maritimo X50 | Formula 240 Bowrider - 01/07/20
BoatTEST Newsletter January 7, 2020
New Captain's Report
Boston Whaler 405 Conquest:
Multi-Mission SUV of the Sea
A few years ago, the idea of powering a boat over 40' (12.6 m) long and weighing in excess of 30,000 lbs. (14,343 kg) with outboards would have seemed incomprehensible. However, the current availability of powerful multiple outboards with rigging eased via digital controls has encouraged designers to come up with some impressive yacht-class boats like the new Boston Whaler 405 Conquest. We tested her with maximum power, quad Mercury 400 outboards, which put her on plane in 4.7 seconds and pushed her to a top speed of 52.0 mph. She’s available with a full-glass enclosure under the standard hardtop. A generator and A/C system can cool not only this area but the galley, convertible dinette, the master and two guest bunks below decks. The company styles her as an SUV of the Sea, ready for extended offshore fishing trips as well as cruising, diving and day-boating. An option rarely seen on boats in class is the second joystick on the port side, a plus considering the 13’6” (4.11 m) beam. More...
Test Video
Everglades 273CC:
Skipper-Friendly Upscale CC Welcomes
Offshore Anglers
Fully loaded, the console of the Everglades 273CC would do credit to a 50-foot (15 m) goldplater. She has plenty of space for a pair of 16” (40.64 cm) multi-function displays as well as the Yamaha Command Link monitor in the center. The neatly-labeled push-button switches light up when activated, making it easy to see what’s on and what’s off, day or night. The standard compass is correctly positioned directly ahead of the steering wheel. Just ahead, the available power windshield, moving up and down, is unique in the industry and allows adjustable ventilation. The Yamaha joystick is available for dual power options of 200 or 250 horsepower. She can also be ordered with a single Yamaha 425, without the stick, of course. More...
Schedule A Test Drive Dealer Contact Request Pricing Request
Features Video
Maritimo X50:
Well-Balanced for Efficient Operation
With the twin shaft-drive Volvo Penta D11s and the saddle-type fuel tanks positioned amidships, the Maritimo X50 is a well-balanced boat compared to other designs with the engine weight and drive systems at or near the transom. This allows her to plane relatively quickly — about 6.2 seconds in our tests. More importantly, the combination of hull design and reduced drag in the running gear lets her stay on plane at lower speeds and operate more efficiently in the cruising range. Best cruise was measured at 2200 rpm and 28.7 knots. At that speed, the 54.3 gph fuel burn translated into .5 nmpg and a range of 364.7 nm, holding back a 10-percent reserve of the boat's 766-gallon (2,900 L) fuel capacity. More...
Test Video
Sea-Doo SPARK:
Low in Price & Maintenance Costs,
High in Fuel Efficiency
The Spark is one of the lowest-priced PWCs in class, from $5,499 with the base 60-hp engine or $7,099 with the optional 90. The company says the Rotax powerplant is up to 15 percent more fuel efficient than competitors of similar performance. Over a seven-year period, Sea-Doo owners can save upwards of $400 on routine maintenance compared to others in class as well, according to Sea-Doo. The closed-loop cooling system ensures durability in saltwater use. The Polytech GEN 2 Hull is molded polypropylene with long glass fiber reinforcement, giving strength with minimal weight — she scales just 405 lbs. (184 kg) dry. For those buying the Spark as a first ride for the kids, Sea-Doo offers a “learning key fob” that replaces the standard lanyard. This interacts with the electronic throttle and reduces the performance level of the engine to give a new rider the chance to slowly get acclimated to the handling. More...
Schedule A Test Drive Dealer Contact Request Pricing Request
Test Video
Formula 240 Bowrider:
53.6 MPH WOT w/8.2 L Merc MAG
With an 8’6” (2.59 m) beam and a tested weight of 5,744 lbs. (2,605 kg), the Formula 240 Bowrider is readily trailerable with full-size tow vehicles, but she delivers the same level of quality, performance and the much-admired automotive-grade painted finish as the company’s larger models. We tested her with the optional 430-hp MerCruiser 8.2 MAG engine with Bravo III drive and counter-rotating props, which put her on plane in 3.6 seconds — impressively quick for a sterndrive setup. Top speed was 53.6 mph and best cruise was at 3000 rpm and 31.1 mph, at which she got 2.92 mpg — a pleasant surprise for those who hate frequent visits to the fuel docks. More...
Schedule A Test Drive Dealer Contact Request Pricing Request
New Product
Envoy Aviation
Because Boaters Fly Too
Everyone knows that the BoatTEST crew travel... A LOT. Sometimes though, it saves time and money by traveling off the airline grid. Charter flights take us where we want, when we want, and the personal attention is more than a tipping point. Check out our video of our travel partner, Envoy Aviation, and see if the same will work for you. Chances are... it will. Contact them at (321) 325-5005 or send an email to [email protected]. Be sure to mention you found them at BoatTEST.com. More...
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New BoatTEST Website: New Login Required
Home page for the new BoatTEST website.
Most regular BoatTEST Members know that we have a new website with larger pictures, new functionality and easier to read Captain’s Reports. We are now requiring a password to access many of the important features of the site, such as —
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