New Nimbus T9 | Boston Whaler 380 Outrage | Palm Beach 55 - 03/13/20
BoatTEST Newsletter March 13, 2020
New Test Video
Nimbus T9:
30’ Dayboat Designed for Comfort, Versatility
Nimbus' Scandinavian design team builds its boats for the yachtsman who appreciates comfort, versatility and functionality. The Nimbus T9 is a case in point: She’s a 9-meter (30'6") center console yacht tender, but also has all the necessities to function as an upscale dayboat and can even handle the occasional overnight with the console cabin berth. She has the open transom that's becoming very popular in Euro-designed open boats. The deck extends on both sides of the outboard, providing an easy way aboard. The hardtop is standard and includes a sunroof so the skipper can catch some rays when desired. LEDs provide overhead light after sundown. Powered with a single 350-hp Mercury Verado, she had a top speed of 44.8 mph in our tests. She’s also available with Volvo Penta sterndrive power. More...
Updated Test Video
Boston Whaler 380 Outrage:
Ready for Family or Hardcore Fishing
Boston Whaler aficionados viewing the massive front lounge, padded bow seating, teak-finished table, and the large Bimini available to shade the bow may have a bit of difficulty comprehending that this is one of the company’s hardcore fishing models. But that’s the advantage of the Boston Whaler 380 Outrage over many dedicated bluewater center consoles. Despite the comforts, she’s fully-loaded for fishing as are all in the series, with a 45-sq.-ft. (4.18 sq. m) cockpit providing plenty of fighting room and broad walkways past the console to chase fish forward when necessary. To both sides aft are huge macerated fishboxes that can be refrigerated. Forward, there are spreader lights behind the hardtop, two color courtesy lights, a remote camera and rod holders integrated into the supports. Cannonball holders for downriggers are integrated into toe rails. A hatch opens to a drawer designed to hold a 5-gallon (18.93 L) bucket. The whole deck is canted to channel water to the big twin deck drains to each side. The model we tested also had the upper control station, a huge plus in spotting fish at a distance. More...
Test Video
Formula 290 Bowrider:
Redefining the Premium Bowrider
The Formula 290 Bowrider is a bowrider in the sense that a Mercedes 500 S-Class is a car. She has the usual abundant bow seating that is convertible to a sun pad, as well as the large swim platform aft with adjacent seat that's also convertible for sunning. But the quality of the build is distinctively different. All the multi-density foam upholstery is designed and built in house, with heavy-gauge sun-resistant vinyl coverings that can be ordered in a wide variety of color patterns via the company’s Formula-Flex program. The trademark painted exterior is also available in an almost limitless palette of colors and patterns, all sanded and polished to perfection and protected with clear coat. The swim platform includes a swim seat deployed from under the center, which also functions as a reboarding ladder. The head in the port console includes a porcelain head with pumpout and a Corian-top sink. She also runs like a Formula, with power options to twin 430-hp V8s. More...
Schedule a Test Drive Dealer Contact Request Pricing Request
Test Video
Palm Beach 55:
Downeaster w/Solid Teak Cabinetry
The Palm Beach 55 is an all-purpose Downeast design that's ideal for picnics, entertaining, and for taking friends out to the islands and coastal spots, rain or shine. She has luxurious accommodations, both outside in the extra-large cockpit or inside in the salon, which has two seating venues. She’s built by Grand Banks, so it's not surprising that the interior is finished in beautifully-executed solid Burmese teak. She’s also ready to carry two couples on an extended cruise, with a galley-down, two en suite configuration below. (A three-cabin version is also available.) Her exterior styling gives her a longer and lower appearance than the typical Downeaster because the house is longer and her windshield is raked about 34-degrees, along with her mast. And, her coach roof has a longer run over the cockpit. All of these subtle details make a big difference to the eye. More...
Test Video
TRACKER® PRO GUIDE™ V-175 WT:
Durable Welded-Aluminum Fishing Platform
The Pro Guide V-175 WT is compact, with a 17’7” (5.36 m) LOA and 97” (2.46 m) beam. She is also lightweight, with a dry weight of 1,385 lbs. (628 kg), making her easy to trailer and easy to store. But she has lots of freeboard and flair forward as well as a 20-degree deadrise at the transom that gives her better big-water capabilities than many dual-console aluminum fishing boats in class. The “Diamond Coat” finish combining tough powder-coat paint with clear coat also gives her a long-lasting finish that should endure even rock-ribbed northern walleye and pike waters where this style of fishing boat is most popular. The high windshields and center air dam help to keep out spray and chilly winds at the console seats. She has all the necessary fishing features, including aerated live wells bow and stern, locking rod boxes, tackle storage, and movable swiveling fishing seats. More...
Schedule a Test Drive Dealer Contact Request Pricing Request
Boating Tips
How to Make a Landfall
These days with GPS as your guiding hand, making a landfall should be straightforward and easy. You will have accurate positions on your way into harbor or approaching your anchorage, and everything should be positive and easy. Before we had the luxury of GPS, making a landfall was the highlight of the navigation challenge. But – even with GPS – it can present its challenges. Find out how to handle them. More...
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