New Galeon 470 Sky | MB Sports Tomcat F24 | SiOnyx Aurora Camera - 03/05/20
BoatTEST Newsletter March 5, 2020
New Captain's Report
Galeon 470 SKY:
Flybridge Cruiser Converts to Sleek Express
The flying bridge of the Galeon 470 SKY can be protected with sliding covers on days when control is more comfortable below. This not only prevents weathering but also gives the boat the sleek look of an express. The seats fold down to allow the covers to fit in place. The Tony Castro design offers space forward for two large skylights to bring light to the helm and salon below. She also offers the fold-out gunwales that are rapidly becoming popular in premium class boats of many sizes, adding deck space as well as a “gee whiz” factor. They’re available in an option package that includes movable bar stools, galley access and a fold-out bar to port, as well as a lounging area to starboard. Below, an en suite master and two additional guest cabins with a second head welcome overnighters. More...
Test Video
Fleming 58:
A New One is Available
For many serious cruising folks, the Fleming 58 is the holy grail. She looks right, and she is built right. Every unit is an improvement on the one before in a never-ending quest for perfection by the company’s owners and shipwrights. The only trouble is that the builder has very limited production. We’re told by Fleming’s East Coast dealer, Burr Yacht Sales, that their next 58 with no name on it won’t be available for 18 months. Used ones rarely come up on the market because they are called for by people waiting in line. The dealer also says that depreciation on Flemings is negligible, given what we normally see in motoryachts in this size range. So, there is a lot of demand and not much supply, simply because the principals of the company have no interest in cranking them out. Each boat is lavished with many man-hours by an experienced shop-floor crew, and their build is overseen by long-distance cruising yachtsmen that are more interested in the quality of the boats they build than in making a fast buck. Take a look at the 58 – she’s our favorite in the Fleming line. More...
New Editor's Report
MB Sports Tomcat F24:
Pickle Fork Supercharged Wake Boat
New for 2020 is the MB Sports Tomcat F24. It is a big wake boat, the largest in MB Sports’ lineup, with large capacity seating for up to 16 and big power from the Ford Indmar Raptor 6.2L supercharged 575-hp engine. Packaged with a Boatmate trailer, the MB Sports Tomcat F24 sparks interest with its pickle fork bow design. More...
Review Video
SiOnyx Aurora Night-Vision Camera:
Add Safety When Cruising After Dark
SiOnyx Aurora Night-Vision Camera
The SiOnyx Aurora Night-Vision Camera not only records color video or stills day or night, but it gives boaters the ability to see in the dark when entering tricky or unknown harbors — avoiding crab trap buoys or navigating in any low-light situation. It has a built-in compass, a GPS and an image stabilizer. It can help to identify buoys and pick up unlighted hazards to navigation — including other boats without their anchor lights turned on. An app makes it possible to link the camera to a smartphone to see what it is viewing at any moment. Weight is only 8 ounces. It can record for about two hours between recharges, or it can function all night with on-off use. We recommend them. More...
Test Video
Leopard 43 PC:
Power Cat Ready for Extended Voyaging
The Leopard 43 PC is a catamaran with the living space and equipment for an extended voyage and the displacement speed range to make it happen. The 22’1” (6.73 m) beam, made possible by the twin hull design, provides the sort of elbow room that's seen only in monohulls yachts twice this LOA on the flying bridge and the main deck living and entertainment areas. The primary control station is on the flying bridge, but there’s also a throttle-only station inside the house below for operation in inclement weather, with an auto-pilot link to provide steerage. This setup saves space over a full command station on the main deck, allowing a great view for the chef in the large forward galley. Twin 320-hp Yanmars can push her to a top speed of 24 knots when necessary, but she’s built for more leisurely operation. At 1000 rpm and 6 knots, range extends to over 1400 NM. More...
Test Video
Ranger Boats Z519L:
The Best of Everything for Bass Fishing
Ranger boats, along with a couple of others such as Bass Cat, are arguably the brands many knowledgeable bass fishermen hanker for. The Ranger Z519L is a premium class bass boat loaded with the best of everything for tournament competition ranging from local club events to national competitions. She’s surprisingly fast with a Mercury 225 Pro XS Four-Stroke, topping out at 70.1 mph with a 23” pitch propeller. She’s also available with Yamaha power or Evinrude’s 225 E-TEC G2 with power steering. Standard equipment includes a Minn Kota® Fortrex 80 24V trolling motor, Lowrance® HDS-7 LIVE sonar/GPS units both at the bow and on the console, an 8’ (2.44 m) rod box front center with a power ventilation system designed to keep out humidity and mold. The boat also has a Dual-Pro 3-bank battery charter, padded carpet deck coverings, premium seating, an aerated and timed livewell with oxygenation option and a color-matched tandem-axle trailer. More...
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Boating Tips
Autopilots are Essential
So Long as You Keep Watch
Using the autopilot can make the job of maintaining a course much easier.
These days, an autopilot can be found fitted as standard equipment on virtually all cruising yachts. They are so common that it is hard to picture going to sea without one. Instead of having the burden of steering the boat, the autopilot lets you relax and enjoy life at sea. But we often see autopilots on small boats, and here we would be remiss if we did not add a bit of caution. More...
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