New Monachus Issa 45 | New Volvo Penta Engines | Cruisers 38 GLS - 01/29/20
BoatTEST Newsletter January 29, 2020
New Test Video
Monachus Issa 45:
Practical Sophistication in a
Euro-Built Downeaster
The Monachus Issa 45 is a European interpretation of the Downeaster, with the low profile, swept bow with trunk cabin, lots of teak and a seaworthy hull design leavened with some styling touches direct from the Mediterranean. She’s a semi-custom build, with the owner involved in the feature-selection from the hull up. She can be built with one, two or three staterooms, all models have two heads. Her large cockpit makes her functional as a day boat for entertaining. Power is provided by twin Yanmar diesels in 370 or 440-hp models. We tested her with the twin 440s and reached a top speed of 27.2 knots. At 2400 rpm and 16.9 knots, she burned 10.4 gph for 1.9 mpg, giving a range of 270 NM. At 1000 rpm and 6.5 knots, her reach extends beyond 1000 NM. This new, highly customizable, express cruiser should be seen by anyone contemplating a boat in this class. More...
New Special Report
Volvo Penta Diesels Re-Engineered:
Next-Generation D4 & D6 Marine
Propulsion Systems
Volvo Penta’s Next-Generation Diesel Propulsion Systems
When it comes to marine diesel engines, no company on the planet works harder to provide the solutions needed by recreational boat owners than Volvo Penta does. And, that is precisely the reason that its diesels are used in so many applications in the boats that we test. A good example of the company’s dedication to boaters is Volvo Penta’s introduction last year of its re-engineered D4 and D6 diesel engines. We’re told that they took Volvo 300,000 engineering hours and 40,000 hours of testing to accomplish. By all accounts, the new engines are a vast improvement over the ones they replaced, and that is why BoatTEST is making this special report on the engines. Let’s look at the enhancements and see what they mean to boaters. More...
Test Video
Cruisers Yachts 38 GLS:
Fold-Out Beach Door for Easy Water Access
The “Beach Door” on the Cruisers Yachts 38 GLS is akin to the fold-out balconies we sometimes see on large yachts, but it’s just as useful on this top-shelf dayboat/weekender. The door lowers at the touch of a switch to greatly enlarge the space available for taking a swim or gearing up for watersports. This is particularly useful in an outboard-powered boat like this one where the triple Mercury 300 Verados take up much of the water access at the transom. The door locks in place when raised and cannot be operated when the engines are running. The cockpit entertainment area includes an outdoor galley with a sink, refrigerator, grill and TV. Below, she has a double berth amidships and a convertible U-shaped dinette seating area at the bow. More...
Test Video
BENETEAU Monte Carlo 6:
Classic Design, Engineering & Modern Build
The distinctive look of the Monte Carlo 6, with her tulip bow and round portlights, recalls yacht profiles of decades past. Her interior décor is modern. Joinery is brushed oak manufactured-wood from durable Alpi, while the standard galley and head decking is a tough laminate manufactured in house in a slated teak or teak-and-holly design. More...
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Test Video
Sailfish 245 DC:
Dual-Purpose Cockpit in a Dual Console
The cockpit of the Sailfish 245 DC is well-equipped for offshore fishing with multiple rod holders, 25-gallon (95 L) aerated baitwell, tool racks and washdown. The cockpit also morphs into a good spot for lunch, relaxing or entertaining with fold-out seats in the transom and on the port side. She has the freeboard and deadrise to make her one of the more capable DCs in this LOA. Her three-way companion seat lounge to port can face aft or turn into a lounge. The cockpit also includes a refreshment center with a sink and cooler storage to starboard. The pop-up ski tow pylon in the center of the transom adds another option for the family’s day on the water. More...
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Test Video
TRACKER PRO TEAM 175 TXW:
Well-Built w/Versatile Performance
The Pro Team 175 TXW is factory-rigged with a Mercury outboard, Minn Kota trolling motor, Lowrance fishfinder and a custom-matched trailer with New Galvashield Impact corrosion protection for improved durability. With a package weight of just 2,233 lbs. (1,013 kg), she's easily towed behind mid-sized vehicles. For easier retrieval, the trailer has upright load guides and carpeted bunks, and transom straps secure the boat once it’s in place. Unlike some lightweight aluminum boats, the Revolution variable deadrise hull is surprisingly stable. More...
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Boating Tips
How to Handle a Power Catamaran
Power catamarans have advantages and disadvantages when compared to monohulled boats.
Powercats and their brethren tunnel boats are all over the place today. You’ll see them on the flats, in the bays and in the blue water, and well out of sight of land. These twin-hull boats offer many advantages over monohulls, though they offer some disadvantages as well. The cat-versus-mono debate has been driven into the ground through years of discourse, but whichever hull design you favor the basic argument can be boiled down to this: Powercats usually display superior efficiency and stability, a softer ride and more deck space than a monohull, but they look ugly, feel strange when turning, may snap-roll, and cost more than monohulls. More...
New Login Procedures.
New BoatTEST Website: New Login Required
Home page for the new BoatTEST website.
Most regular BoatTEST Members know that we have a new website with larger pictures, new functionality and easier to read Captain’s Reports. We are now requiring a password to access many of the important features of the site, such as —
- Pricing Information
- Archived videos and tests
- Boat-to-boat comparisons
- BoatTEST’s Seamanship Library
- New Boat Maintenance Log (coming soon)
- Ask a Question Feature
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- Free tickets to select boat shows
To log into our new website, simply click on the login button that appears in the upper righthand corner of every page. This will also keep your information secure.
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