New Fountain 34SC | Design Your Own Boat | Auto Routing Dangers - 08/16/21

New Captain's Report

Fountain 34SC

A Serious Performance Center Console

Fountain Powerboats has three designations for its center consoles: the NX is the luxury series, while anglers will want to check out the Tournament Editions; the 34SC we tested is part of the Performance line and the numbers back up that labeling. She is a fast double-stepped vessel designed for sporty cruising and entertaining. With triple 300-hp Mercury outboards we hit a top speed of 68.2 mph. If an owner’s speed itch needs more scratching, he can upgrade to triple 450-hp engines from Mercury Racing and run an estimated 86 mph.

More...

New Video

Riviera’s New 645 SUV

Riviera's Spy in the Sky

Because of the COVID-19 lockdown in Australia, BoatTEST has not been able to test Riviera’s new 645 SUV, so we are showing you a corporate video of the boat’s world premiere thanks to the company’s spy in the sky. The music track sounds remarkably like Hans Zimmer’s heroic music and the boys down under at Riviera obviously were having some fun with this one. More...

Test Video

Hatteras GT59

Out-of-the-Box Added Utility

While convertibles like the Hatteras GT59 above are designed for fishing and not entertaining, the fact is they are good at that, too – with a little imagination. In our experience, the cockpit makes a perfect place for a cocktail party on an evening cruise. Put a table in the middle with beverages, ice and finger food and you’re all set. (That’s what they do in Europe.) Generally, men like to lean or sit on the covering boards and the ladies will sit on the mezzanine. Hatteras is flexible when it comes to the layout of the salon/galley and accommodations. Again, use your imagination. Get rid of the galley’s aft counter and open up the space. Below, Hatteras has several different layout plans but for the money this boat will cost, you can come up with your own. For example, try three en suite staterooms. Make the forward cabin for grandchildren with bunks to port and starboard. Think out of the box. More...

Electronics Review

The Possible Perils of Auto Routing

Letting the GPS lead the way when on a road trip couldn’t be more straightforward. Just follow the directions as the machine barks them out and watch the screen. At sea, things aren’t quite that simple. For a start, there are no pre-defined routes, except for channels and harbor entrances. Find out what you need to consider. More...

Seamanship

How to Troubleshoot Electronics

Good seamanship in the modern age means being able to cope with the vicissitudes of electronics. In the days of wooden ships and Iron Men, that meant knowing one halyard from another. Today it means knowing how to keep one’s electronics functioning. A boat’s electronics are the most complicated and failure-prone of systems on any modern boat. Rule #1 is to fire them up at the dock and make sure all is well. If not, then it's time to start troubleshooting. We’ll tell you how to start. More...

We Have Boats (and Fun) in Stock!

Regal 33 SAV – St. Petersburg

Robalo R317 – Bradenton

Most new boats are sold out and for some brands that means until 2023. But the Sovereign Boat Club can provide a premium boat for you this season while you wait to take delivery of your own boat in a year or two. We have a couple of memberships left in each of the two boats shown above. Don’t miss a summer of boating, because at SBC you don’t have to wait. Locations: St. Petersburg and Bradenton, Fla. Check them out at SovereignBoatClub.com or call 727-200-3474.

Photo Of The Day

"Heading to Maine with all hands and feet on the wheel. Steady as she goes."

Share your boating photos with us!