New Formula 380 SSC w/2x 600s | Azimut 78 | Grand Banks 54 - 10/11/21

New Test Video

Formula 380 Super Sport Crossover

Premium Day Boat w/1,200 HP w/Two-Speed Trannies

Formula’s 380 Super Sport Crossover is not a new model for the vaunted company, but if a boat can experience a resurgence, she’s having one. That’s because she’s powered by two 600-hp Mercury V12 Verados. They pushed the boat to 59.2 mph at 6200 rpm, but it was the engines’ two-speed automatic transmissions that stood out in our evaluation. They cannot be heard or felt shifting, and the only way to tell the trannies are in second gear is to look at the glass dash. Out of the hole, the shifting transmissions and twin props per motor helped put our 23,685-lb. (10,743.34 kg) test boat on plane in 7.0 seconds. More...

Virtual Boat Show

Azimut 78

Flying Bridge Motoryacht w/3 Engines

Azimut Yachts says its 78 lets guests connect with the sea on all levels. Her flying bridge has an open concept with an extra-large aft area left wide open to accommodate a tender or become a dance floor. Large windows flood the salon with light. Belowdecks, she has accommodations for eight guests plus two crew members. Propulsion is triple Volvo Penta IPS1200 or 1350 pod systems. More...

Review Video

NW Explorations Mother Goose Flotilla

Now is the Time to Book

Part Two of Leg #1 of the Mother Goose Cruise from Port McNeill, BC, to Ketchikan, AK, travels among the pristine islands of British Columbia from May 27 – June 9, 2022. It’s our favorite leg of the cruise. There are just two boats – pictured above – left for this leg.

The annual NW Explorations Mother Goose Flotilla cruise from Bellingham, WA to Sitka, AK and back is scheduled for May 13 to September 7, 2022. These cruises offer once-in-a-lifetime experiences and BoatTEST founder Jeff Hammond highly recommends booking now. These charters are the only ones to earn the BoatTEST Recommended Gold Seal. Another ringing endorsement is that the New York Yacht Club often uses NW Explorations for “cruise-in-company outings.” More...

Features Video

Grand Banks 54

Tradition Merges w/Modern Functionality

The Grand Banks 54 is a flying-bridge motoryacht that blends modern construction with classic lines. She’s built with weight-saving composites, but still has the custom craftsmanship that we’ve come to expect from the legendary manufacturer. The GB54’s salon has a traditional feel with high-gloss teak accents and a large table with space for guests on facing lounges. The overhead is actually a false level with all the air conditioning run just above so there’s more even distribution of cooling air. More...

Navigation Equipment

Pro Bass Angler Run 5 Lowrance 12" Displays

Three Lowrance displays on the bow of Shin Fukae's Bass Cat tournament bass boat.

Bass Pro Tour professional Shin Fukae has one of the sharpest rigs on tour, and his Lowrance electronics setup is no exception. Fukae runs five Lowrance HDS-12 Live units on his Bass Cat. Fukae’s console setup is relatively standard with one unit dedicated to 2D sonar and mapping, while the other is used for side and down scan with active imaging. More...

Test Video

World Cat 280CC-X

High-Tech, Low-Weight Cost

World Cat spent more than two years developing the 280CC-X, saying she was intended to advance catamaran design and performance. The idea was to lure more monohull owners with a focus on aesthetics. She has a sweeping sheerline, tumblehome aft and a sleeker overall look than most offshore cats. Maximum deck space is afforded by her three-piece design. She was the first World Cat designed with all CAD software, advanced materials and resin-infusion. This kept weight down and made her a lighter, more agile boat with twin 200-hp Yamaha outboards. More...

Boating Safety

Are You Prepared for a USCG Boarding?

When the Coast Guard boards, be cooperative and prepare to answer questions.

The U.S. Coast Guard isn’t to be feared like Big Brother or a cop who hasn’t met his daily quota of tickets. However, they may ask you to stop so they can board to be sure you are obeying federal law, including having a list of items on your boat. Do you know what they are? If you don’t have them, the Coasties are authorized to tow your boat to the nearest port. Find out what they are...

Towing Advice

How and Where to Tow Safely

When towing a tube, board rider or skier, a veteran driver knows the value of picking the right line that provides a clear path for the boat and for the person at the end of the tow rope. But there is more to it than that – as our superhero in red tights will tell you. More...

Explore Rivers, Bays, Sounds and the Gulf

Bradenton is in the epicenter of some of the best cruising grounds in Florida. Even on land, there are fun things to visit by water, such as the city’s Riverwalk. There are just four memberships left in SBC’s beautiful Robalo R317, which is ready to take your family and friends out on the water for a day they’ll remember. Explore Bradenton by boat! For membership details, go to SovereignBoatClub.com or call 727-200-3474.

Photo Of The Day

"Aboard a 29-foot (8.84 m) Sportsman CC in Tampa Bay, Fla."

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