New Brabus Shadow 500 | New Mako 236 CC I Sea-Doo Spark - 04/27/20
BoatTEST Newsletter April 27, 2020
VirtualBOATSHOW.com
***Express Cruisers***
Last week, the VirtualBOATSHOW.com opened up its digital gates online and show visitors began to stream in. As can be seen above, there are “Spring Deals” on a number of the boats being exhibited. There are over 115 Express Cruisers exhibited along the docks, so be sure to see them all. To visit the boat show – admittance is free – click here...
VirtualBOATSHOW.com Express Cruiser Docks
New Test Video
Brabus Marine Shadow 500 by Axopar:
Customized for Ownership Pride
Brabus Marine Shadow 500 by Axopar
German luxury automobile customizer Brabus has partnered with Axopar, building the Brabus Marine Shadow 500. The boat is based on the Axopar 28’s 31’3” (9.53 m) twin-stepped bottom and is powered by twin 250-hp Mercury four-stroke outboards. She planed in 3.1 seconds and ran a top speed of 62.7 mph at 5990 rpm. At the helm, her steering wheel has buttons on the left side that control the engine trim and thruster while those on the right manage the audio system. Six high-backed bucket seats in the cockpit are finished in bright-red custom stitched upholstery. The pair at the helm rotate to create booth-style seating around a removable table. More...
Test Video
Sea-Doo Spark:
Affordable, Easy to Learn PWC
When we first tested the Sea-Doo Spark in 2016, our director of testing, Capt. Steve did something a little unconventional at the end of his performance evaluation. He let an inexperienced rider take control of the machine. The teenager took to the entry-level watercraft, looking comfortable from the get-go. The Spark is an intuitive craft to learn with the thumb-trigger throttle on the right handlebar and the optional iBR (Intelligent Braking and Reverse) is on the left. Sea-Doo has managed to keep the base price affordable at $5,499 since its introduction years ago. More...
Schedule a Test Drive Dealer Contact Request Pricing Request
Test Video
MAKO 236 CC:
New, Well-Equipped Center Console
The Mako 236 CC is an all-new design from the keel up for 2020 and she is one of the best equipped center-consoles we’ve seen in class. For starters, she has something most boats in this size range aren’t even offered with — a hullside dive door that comes standard. At the helm, Mako equips the boat with a 9” (22.86 cm) Garmin multifunction display that has integrated CZone digital switching. This extra step provides electronic switching for all electrical system components and there are redundant mechanical switches in the console. She comes standard with a single 300-hp Mercury outboard or can be equipped with twin 150-hp motors as well. More...
Schedule a Test Drive Dealer Contact Request Pricing Request
New-Age Boating
Anchored and Isolated on a Sailboat
The Ferrie family has been isolating at sea on its Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 44i.
Planning and preparation are key when you take a family of six (and two Labrador retrievers) on a two-year sailing adventure along the East Coast and through the Caribbean. But who plans for a pandemic? Meet the Ferrie family aboard its Sun Odyssey 44i, who are anchored off the U.S. Virgin Islands for several weeks — unable to go ashore. More...
New Product Video
Chaparral Infinity Power Step:
Innovation Award Winner
The Infinity Power Step is available on five Chaparral sterndrive-powered models.
The Infinity Power Step is a swim platform section that folds into the water to provide easy access and reboarding for two- and four-legged swimmers. It’s electrically powered and is available on five Chaparral models with sterndrive power, including three SSXs and two Surf boats. The step will not deploy if the engine is running and it’s linked to the drive’s tilt and trim so the two will never come in contact. More...
Industry News
Century Acquires Vanquish Boats
Vanquish built classic runabouts as well as dual- and center-console models.
Century Boats has purchased Vanquish Boats, a builder of custom, classic runabouts and dual- and center-consoles. They are designed by Doug Zurn, who is known for his Downeast-style offerings and will be re-introduced as the Century Coronado series. This signals a return to Century’s 95-year-old roots when the company built traditional-looking runabouts. More...
Video
Monte Carlo Yachts Build Series Part 7:
Painting and Commissioning
Owners can choose from an almost unlimited choice of colors for a Monte Carlo yacht.
In our final peek behind the curtain at Monte Carlo Yachts, we take a look at the painting and commissioning. Like virtually everything else MCY does, this process is state-of-the-art and is accomplished efficiently. This segment concludes our series on MCY’s build processes. More...
Boater Access
Michigan Lifts Ban on Boating
Last Friday, Michigan’s governor rescinded a ban on motorized boats.
Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer ended a ban on motorized boating last Friday. This is an important move for recreational boaters and related businesses because the activity generates billions of dollars for the state’s economy. After all, Michigan is called “The Great Lakes State.” More...
BoattestLEASING:
Looking for Boats To Lease
BoattestLEASING is now looking for late-model, premium boats from 26’ to 35’ (7.92 m to 10.66 m) to lease to like-minded boaters in the eastern U.S. Boat Leasing is now trending strongly, given the times we live in. Boats are a safe and healthy way for a family to have fun outside and at the same time maintain social distancing. By leasing unused days in a boat, owners are utilizing a valuable asset for a financial return on the investment. BoatTEST’s leasing program helps boat owners pay down their boat loan, as well as to cover a portion of annual operating costs. To find out more, contact General Manager Greg Sweeney at 727-200-3474 or [email protected].
BoattestLEASING Website I Have a Boat to Lease
Safe, Healthy Boating,
Wave of the Future
Did you go boating this weekend? Send in some pictures!
Send your pictures in that show “Safe, Healthy Family Boating” to [email protected]. Each week, we’ll pick a winner who will receive a coveted BoatTEST hat personally signed by Capt. Steve.
Expert Boating
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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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