New Grady-White Freedom 285 | Cruisers 338 OB | Fairline Targa 65 GT - 05/21/20
BoatTEST Newsletter May 21, 2020
New, Modern, Deepwater
Marina in Bridgeport, CT
In what used to be an industrial center of the city of Bridgeport, CT, now stands a remarkable new 220-slip marina. A father-and-son team of marina and real estate entrepreneurs is rapidly turning Bridgeport’s waterfront into a recreational marine mecca. In addition to the new state-of-the-art marina, the complex includes a much-needed full service boatyard, Boca Oyster Bar seafood restaurant, and a 150,000-sq.-ft. Bass Pro Shops superstore.
Significantly, it is the closest deep-water marina to New York City and serves as an ideal location for megayachts and superyachts, in addition to motor yachts and sailboats. Steelpointe is now renting slips for the season, but that’s only part of the exciting story of Steelpointe. More...
New Captain's Report
Grady-White Freedom 285:
Easier to Board Dual Console
For 2020, Grady-White has updated the Freedom 285 dual console, refining the versatile boat with upgrades developed from customer feedback. For easier boarding, a folding cockpit step retracts into the bulwarks when not in use. There is a hose attached to each engine flush system to make this chore easier. Other standard items include a patented transom flip-down bench seat, all new expanded windshield, an electric extending chaise seat to port, a proper 4-step swim ladder, and a 32 gal. (121.13 L) livewell, bigger than many in this size boat. More...
Schedule a Test Drive Dealer Contact Request Pricing Request
Features Video
Fairline Targa 65 GT:
Express Yacht w/a Premium Helm
Fairline’s f-Drive dash consists of three 15” multifunction displays.
On a sleek express yacht like the Fairline Targa 65 GT, a captain is going to have certain expectations of the helm in terms of equipment as well as comfort. For functionality, it doesn’t get much better than Fairline’s f-Drive, a multifunction glass bridge comprised of triple 15” (38.10 cm) displays flanked by controls to other ship’s systems. The MFDs are tied into most of the boat’s systems including engine monitoring and diagnostics, navigation, battery level, fluids and much more. Dual captains’ chairs adjust electrically up and down, fore and aft, have flip down footrests and are properly padded with supportive bolsters. There is room to get between them and the helm seat is nearly on the centerline of the vessel. More...
Test Video
Cruisers Yachts 338 Outboard:
Bowrider w/Euro Elegance
Wisconsin-based Cruisers Yachts knows its boats are going to be used on large bodies of water like the Great Lakes and at tony resorts on freshwater lakes and rivers across America. Now that the 338 is powered by outboard engines, this elegant crossover cruising bowrider is a natural option for saltwater locations, as well. On the 338 Outboard, the manufacturer carried the boat’s 10’6” (3.2 m) beam far forward, creating a spacious area in the bow, and the room below for seating, a stand-up head, and a place to nap, or even overnight in a pinch. More...
New Product
Marine Maxx Ceramic Coating
Marine Maxx can save an owner time and money when maintaining a boat.
While boat manufacturers focus on making it easier to operate a boat, through our BoattestLEASING sister company, we discovered a product that makes it easier to maintain one, too. Marine Maxx is a ceramic coating spray that lives up to its spray-on, wipe-off billing. It saves us time when maintaining the leased vessels, and that’s something any boatowner can appreciate. More...
Walkarounds combine the fish-fighting space of an open aft cockpit, the ability to “walk around” the boat to work an angry fish much like what would be possible on a center console, and the protection and safety provided by a foredeck and full-height windshield. They also offer more versatility than other similarly sized boats because they can have a cabin and, more importantly, a head belowdecks. Unfortunately, these models are dwindling in numbers and only a few builders still offer them – but we have most of them here. VirtualBOATSHOW.com has more than 15 Walkarounds on display. To visit the boat show – admittance is free – click here...
VirtualBOATSHOW.com Walkarounds Docks
Test Video
Sea Ray Sundancer 350 Coupe:
Three-Season Express Yacht
The 350 Sundancer is one of the most spacious coupes we’ve been on.
For a buyer who wants an express-style yacht, the deciding factor can often be the right mix between a sleek profile and having space to entertain. Sea Ray’s designers found the winning combination in the Sundancer 350 Coupe. She strikes a sleek, slippery profile from the outside, but has an open, inviting feel in the cockpit and salon. More...
Safe Boating Week
10 Tips for Social Distance Boating
Many state and local officials are putting their own twist on what social distancing means when boating. In some areas, the waters are open without restrictions. In others, the limits are numerous so it’s hard to keep up with all of it. The National Safe Boating Council has put together a list of tips for boaters to follow when they are on the water. More...
How to Reduce the Pain of Depreciation
Sailfish 270 Walkaround
New boats depreciate very rapidly, even faster than automobiles. Depreciation, in fact, is the more costly aspect of boat ownership. Over the course of 5 years, new boat depreciation is typically on the order of 50% for most boats.
But now there is a way to mitigate your boat’s depreciation, and that is by leasing your boat to other like-minded people on those days it’s not in use. BoattestLEASING will market, manage and maintain your boat in a turnkey package that lets you use your boat, and earn income, too. For more information, contact general manager, Greg Sweeney at 727-200-3474 or [email protected] or visit our website.
Boating News of the Week: Episode #6
If you missed BoatTEST's video news of the week webcast last Friday morning, you can now see it in "re-runs." Episode #6 included an interview with long-time ABYC technical expert, Ed Sherman, plus had boat buying tips for small boat owners, highlights of our test of the Fleming 65 and Axopar 37, and much more. Check out all of our weekly videos...
See Episode #6 See All Episodes
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...
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