New Monachus Issa 45 | Sailfish 242 CC | Carver C52 Command Bridge - 02/07/20
BoatTEST Newsletter February 7, 2020
New Features Video
Monachus Issa 45:
Euro-Styles with American Influence
We’re seeing more U.S. yachts with European styling touches these days, but not many European yachts with American influence. The Monachus Issa 45, built in Croatia, is taking many of its design and layout cues from traditional high-quality American builds emanating from Maine. Forward, she has a traditional trunk cabin and she has pronounced tumblehome aft. In between, we find a boat built with teak decks and cap rails, and dark wood with old-world craftsmanship inside. Our test boat also made extensive use of real leather in the furniture, including the helm chairs. But the interior design is largely custom-fitted to the desires of the customer. For example, she can be built with two en suite staterooms, or one large, open salon below with an island-berth forward. Some owners might want to make this vessel strictly a dayboat by eliminating the berth and having one, large leather banquette with a table for cozy cocktails and a candle-lit dinner at night. No expense has been spared in her build. All hardware is robust, and what might be found on a far larger boat. Because she is new to the U.S. market, her pricing is intended to be compelling. She’s powered by twin Yanmar diesels in 330- or 440-hp versions, and standard bow and stern thrusters make docking simple with her Lewmar joystick. Monachus will have five boats on display at the Miami show, Feb. 13-17. More...
Test Video
Formula 430 All Sport Crossover:
Modular Construction for
Efficient Construction
Formula 430 All Sport Crossover
The Formula 430 All Sport Crossover is a true multi-mission bowrider set up for dayboating, fishing and diving, but also has a surprisingly spacious cabin with a convertible dinette and midship berth for two. She’s loaded with premium features including powered triple-wide helm seating with available in-seat A/C and powered tables up front. She also includes twin Raymarine multi-function screens, Mercury Digital Throttle and Shift with SmartCraft VesselView and joystick piloting for the quad Mercury 300 outboards. The signature Formula painted hull, topped off with Imron Elite Clearcoat, adds the finishing touch. More...
Test Video
Sailfish 242 CC:
Trailerable Broad-Beamed Bluewater CC
The Sailfish 242 CC has the freeboard and depth needed to fish far offshore, yet with a weight of about 7,350 lbs. (3,336 kg) including engines and fuel, she’s readily trailerable behind full-sized tow vehicles, greatly expanding the horizons of the owner. She has excellent range with the twin 150-hp Yamahas provided on the test boat, maxing out at 342 SM at 3000 rpm and 20.4 mph. She also has extended trolling range — at 1000 rpm and 5.3 mph, she burned 1.4 gph for a range over 500 SM with the 146-gallon (579 L) fuel capacity. Top speed was 52.2 mph, turning 19” (48 cm) pitch propellers. Her 9' (2.74 m) beam is 6" (15 cm) wider than most in class, which adds greatly to fishing space and improves beam stability. She also offers upholstery and seating packages to accommodate the family. More...
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Features Video
Carver C52 Command Bridge:
Good Value in 3-Stateroom Yacht
The plumb bow of the Carver C52 gives her a classic yacht look and also adds usable space to the VIP stateroom, forward. Her master is amidships and has a private stairway from the salon. There is also a third stateroom, and there are two heads. Two hull side windows combine with the overhead hatch to add lots of natural light below. Her standard twin QSB 6.7 480-hp Cummins diesels connect to the props via vee-drives, which are less expensive than pod drives. She’s a good value for the genre. More...
Test Video
Manitou 23 Encore SHP 575 Dual Engine:
Functional Stern Platform w/2x Evinrude G2 200s
Manitou 23 Encore SHP 575 Dual Engine
Rigging widely-separated outboards on pontoon-style boats can be a bit tricky and unsightly on traditional outboards with all their cables, wires and hydraulics. But that’s not the case with the twin Evinrude E-TEC G2 200-hp outboards we tested on a Manitou Encore SHP 575. The all-digital outboards offer clean, single-tube rigging with integral electric power steering, tilt and automatic trim, and digital shift and throttle. The oil tanks are under the cowl, eliminating another tubing run. And, with Evinrude’s iDock joystick system costing thousands less than competing systems, there’s little reason not to add this control system and ensure effortless docking, even in windy conditions that sometimes make handling a pontoon tricky. The electronic direct injection 2.7 liter V6s pushed the boat to a top speed of 53 mph. See the full test here...
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From Boston Whaler
Using Trim Tabs
Check out this on-the-water demonstration showing just how effective trim tabs can be at leveling the ride when there’s an unbalanced load on a small boat. Lenco electric trim tabs are among the many options offered by Boston Whaler for buyer comfort, convenience and safety. More...
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New BoatTEST Website: New Login Required
Home page for the new BoatTEST website.
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