New Leopard 53 PC | Riviera 575 SUV | Yamaha FX HO - 05/08/20
BoatTEST Newsletter May 8, 2020
Boating This Week:
Rescue, Records, Sales, New Boats
BoatTEST REPORTS Episode 5: Lifting the Lockdown
This week’s BoatTEST REPORTS is a six-ring circus of news, new products, buying tips and new boats that you won’t want to miss. Capt. Steve has new USCG Exam questions – and answers – for skippers that think they know it all. There is an important boat buying tip that anyone buying an express cruiser will want to know, and then there is Yamaha Boat’s remarkable sales event with zero down, zero APR, and zero payments for 180 days. Our hat is off to Yamaha for instituting such a creative payment program to help boaters in the trying days ahead. See all of this and more NOW...
New Test Video
Leopard 53 Powercat:
New, Improved Cruising Cat
The flagship of the Leopard line, the 53 Powercat is designed to be the next level of the cruising power catamaran. On test day, we experienced a rare real-world look at the 53 Powercat’s abilities because we were running in 3’ to 5’ seas. Regardless of the wave direction, she acquitted herself well, with her sharp plumb bows slicing through the seas. Two noteworthy improvements over her predecessor were the full lower helm station and engine rooms that were much easier to access thanks to hatches in the cockpit deck instead of under the aft berth in the cabin. More...
Test Video
Riviera 575 SUV:
Express With Propulsion Options
The Riviera 575 SUV is appropriately named because there isn’t much she can’t do on the water. She’s one of the few boats in class available with pod or conventional straight shaft inboard propulsion. Regardless of what the owner chooses, the engines are positioned farther forward to improve the boat’s balance. This makes her better riding in all conditions. If pods are chosen, they connect to the engines via jackshafts. With a spacious cockpit and elevated mezzanine seating, she’s designed to fish or cruise in equal comfort. More...
Dual Consoles are among the most versatile boats on the water. It could be argued that no category has benefitted more from the big outboard evolution because these models are getting bigger with many offerings exceeding 30’ (9.14 m) long. The class started out basically as fishing bowriders, but has evolved into versatile family boats that are equally capable for angling, cruising or day boating. VirtualBOATSHOW.com has 63 bowriders on display. To visit the boat show – admittance is free – click here...
VirtualBOATSHOW.com Dual Console Docks
Test Video
Yamaha FX HO:
Family PWC w/Big Sales Incentives
Many families choose to purchase a couple of personal watercraft instead of a single boat. A modern cruising machine like the Yamaha FX HO can comfortably accommodate at least two people and it can be optioned for more versatile experiences. Multiple riders also means various skill levels so Yamaha lets parents set rpm limits for the high-output 1.8-liter engine. The FX HO also features Yamaha’s RIDE digital control system, electronic trim, cruise control and a no-wake mode. The big news is Yamaha’s Spring Sales Incentives – 0 Down, and much more. Visit their website for details. More...
Test Video
Boston Whaler 240 Dauntless:
Functional, All-Purpose Center Console
The Boston Whaler 240 Dauntless is a Swiss Army knife on the water with options and packages that can be customized to activities. For cruising, a seat on the front of the console and flip-up backrests for the bow seats make the area more comfortable. An optional table enhances the bow’s utility. For watersports, a ski tow pylon installs just ahead of the outboard motor. An available All-Activity Tower includes storage and a poling platform, while the reversible helm seat comes with a livewell, raw-water washdown and stainless-steel rod holders. More...
Schedule a Test Drive Dealer Contact Request Pricing Request
International News
New Hybrid Venice Water Taxi
The new hybrid Venice water taxi can carry 14 passengers.
The Italian design firm Nuvolari Lenard recently finished a new water taxi design for the city of Venice. It uses a hybrid diesel-electric propulsion system and can seat up to 14 passengers. Named Named Thunder, the prototype was built at Cantieri Vizianello in Venice. The yard developed the mechanical and electrical coupler for the hybrid propulsion system. More...
Sportfishing News
Boat Builders Support Billfish Conservation
The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) in late 2019 launched the Boat Builders for Billfish Coalition, a sportfishing industry-led alliance created to generate support for billfish research and advocacy. One of the group’s primary objectives is to create a more extensive satellite tagging program for billfish. More...
BoattestLEASING:
Looking for Boats To Lease
Pursuit DC266
Nimbus T9
BoattestLEASING is now looking for late-model, premium boats from 26’ to 35’ (7.92 m to 10.66 m) to lease to like-minded boaters in the eastern U.S. Boat Leasing is now trending strongly, given the times we live in. Boats are a safe and healthy way for a family to have fun outside and at the same time maintain social distancing. By leasing unused days in a boat, owners are utilizing a valuable asset for a financial return on the investment. BoatTEST’s leasing program helps boat owners pay down their boat loan, as well as to cover a portion of annual operating costs. To find out more, contact General Manager Greg Sweeney at 727-200-3474 or [email protected].
BoattestLEASING Website I Have a Boat to Lease
BoatTEST REPORTS
Video Webcasts
Each Episode of BoatTEST REPORTS is a fast-paced review of the week’s boating news, plus boat-buying tips, previews of future boat tests and new product reviews. The video webcast premiers each Friday morning on BoatTEST’s Facebook page, or see it in re-runs here...
Safe, Healthy Boating,
Wave of the Future
"Not another boat for 100 miles."
Send your pictures in that show “Safe, Healthy Family Boating” to [email protected]. Each week, we’ll pick a winner who will receive a coveted BoatTEST hat personally signed by Capt. Steve.
Expert Boating
BoatTEST.com's
4-DVD Boating Course:
Now Offered as Streaming From Any Device!!!
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...
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