New Galeon 420 Fly | New Cruisers 38 GLS | New Lowrance Transducer - 09/01/20
BoatTEST Newsletter September 1, 2020
Video
Portrait of a Boat-Builder as a Young Man
Tiara Yachts founder Leon Slikkers.
Leon Slikkers began building boats at age 18 for Chris-Craft in 1946. These were the post-war go-go years for classy wood runabouts on inland lakes and rivers all over America. And, this is where Slikkers served his apprenticeship in wooden-boat building. At age 92, he still puts in a full day at Tiara Yachts starting at 8:30 in the morning. Find out in Part 1 of our 3-part interview how Slikkers got started and what formed the foundation of his remarkable boatbuilding career. More...
Test Video
Cruisers Yachts 38 GLS:
51.9 MPH WOT w/3x 300-hp Mercs
Given the Cruisers Yachts 38 GLS’ size, 38’ (11.58 m) LOA, 12’6” (3.81 m) beam and estimated test weight of 18,826 lbs. (8,639 kg), she has impressive performance. She comes standard with triple 300-hp Mercury outboards. Triple 350s are an available option – but we don’t think the upgrade is necessary. Our test boat planed in 5.4 seconds, which is about the same time it took to hit 20 mph. She ran a top speed of 51.9 mph at 6000 rpm and her best economical cruise came at 4500 rpm where she ran 35.8 mph and had a range of 245 statute miles while burning .8 mpg. The folks at Cruisers Yachts tell us that this model has been highly popular this summer because she is both a large dayboat for entertaining and a compact cruiser for long weekends. More...
Test Video
Boston Whaler 285 Conquest:
Offshore Boat w/First-Class Features
Boston Whaler’s 285 Conquest is an express fishboat that doubles as a comfortable cruiser. Because this 28-footer is an express with a closed bow and a high windshield, with integrated hardtop, she has excellent sea-keeping abilities. That makes her ideal, for example, for a run to Bimini, across the flats, through the Tongue of the Ocean and on to Nassau with the family for a long weekend. Likewise, for anglers, she can make a long run out to a distant canyon and stay overnight offshore with sleeping accommodations, and a mini galley. We like express fishboats for their versatility offshore, ability to island hop in comfort, and safety. More...
Schedule a Test Drive Dealer Contact Request Pricing Request
Test Video
Galeon 420 Fly:
Pick 2 or 3 Staterooms w/2 Heads
Shown is the accommodations plan for the 420 Fly’s three-stateroom layout.
The Galeon 420 Fly is available in a three-stateroom galley-up configuration or as a two-stateroom layout with the galley down. In both configurations, the boat has 2 heads, something that is unusual in a 42-footer. Our test boat was the galley-down, two-stateroom version. We were impressed with the dinette on the same level in the salon and not raised, which is usually in order to get headroom below. The guest stateroom had 6’3” (1.91 m) of headroom. The master head has a separate shower stall. More...
New Product
Lowrance Active Imaging 3-in-1 Nosecone Transducer Now Available
Lowrance announced that its new Active Imaging 3-in-1 Nosecone transducer for the Ghost freshwater trolling motor is now shipping. The optional accessory provides higher resolution images of fish and structure at a longer range. More...
Test Video
Sun Tracker Sportfish 22 XP3:
Affordable Lake Entertaining Platform
Sun Tracker’s Sportfish 22 XP3 is one of the most affordable ways to get 11 people out on the water in a boat that easily crosses over from fishing to cruising to watersports. She had a comfortable ride and was among the easiest handling pontoon boats we’ve run, especially in her price range. Her on board systems are basically foolproof and she’s well equipped with a livewell, a full complement of gauges and a heavy-duty boarding ladder. She’s offered with a single outboard ranging from 115 hp to 200 and the 150-hp model on our test boat was an excellent match. More...
Schedule a Test Drive Dealer Contact Request Pricing Request
Boating News of the Week: Episode #20
This week’s video boating news webcast hosted by Capt. Steve includes —
- Part Two of our Interview with Leon Slikkers
- New Yamaha Jet Boats and Malibu 24 MXZ
- Highlights of the Endurance 720
- New MerCruiser Bravo Four S Drive
- How to Tie a Sheet Bend
See Episode #20 See All Episodes
Photo of the Day
All smiles during a family boat ride.
We want to see your boating photos and videos! Email us at [email protected] and we may feature your submission in our newsletter.
Expert Boating
OOOPS!!!
They Should Have Watched Smart Boating!
Sometimes it's not what you know, but what you've forgotten. We have the perfect solution for you.
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...
BoatTEST.com, LLC
203-323-9900
[email protected]
All articles, Captain's Reports, video content or other material which appear on BoatTEST.com and in its newsletters are accurate and factual to the best knowledge of BoatTEST.com and its staff. All findings, beliefs, experiences or endorsements presented are the honest opinions of BoatTEST.com or its contributors. In compliance with FTC 16 CFR Part 255, BoatTEST.com advises its readers that the content which appears in its newsletter or on its website may have been produced for compensation or the prospect of future compensation. BoatTEST.com makes no claims for the veracity or motivation of reader comments, Owners' Reports and other contributions which are all clearly labeled as such.