New Nordhavn N60 | New Leopard 53 PC | Forecasting Sea Conditions - 02/17/20
BoatTEST Newsletter February 17, 2020
New Features Video
Nordhavn N60:
Expedition-Grade Yacht Ready for
World Cruising
Here’s a yacht to inspire cruising dreams: The Nordhavn N60 is designated an “Expedition Cruiser” for good reason. She’s a premium-class yacht built to the highest standards of safety, durability and seaworthiness. The pilothouse and helms are equipped as well as any large commercial ship, and better than some small cruise ships we have been on. The engine room has 5’7” (1.7 m) headroom. Since the boat is powered by a single 325-hp John Deere engine, there is plenty of space around the engine so all gear is easily reached. The engine is cooled through a keel heat exchanger, which keeps raw water out of the engine. She has massive hull construction with no concern for weight, and everything is aimed at maximum strength. In fact, this is one of the few power yachts we know of where ballast is added — she carries some 21,800 lbs. (9,888 kg) low to ensure she stays upright in the most severe conditions. The Nordhavn is truly designed to go around Cape Horn, and many of the brand have done just that. Thruster hydraulics are powered by a 110-hp John Deere “wing” engine, which also serves as a back-up propulsion engine and drives a folding prop. Air for the engine room comes from an intake high on the mast, ensuring salt-free intake in most conditions. As expected, she is set up for maximum range at displacement speeds. She carries 2,250 gallons (8,517 L) of fuel in four tanks, which gives her a maximum range of 6000 NM at 1000 rpm and 5.6 knots, over 2700 NM at 1600 rpm and 7.6 knots. More...
Test Video
Sea Ray SDX 270:
Premium-Grade Deck Design Seats 15
The Sea Ray SDX 270 carries her 8’6” (2.59 m) beam well forward, adding seats for three or more up front in addition to those in the cockpit and facing the aft deck. She has seats for up to 15 while underway. Options allow the customer to replace some of this seating with a cockpit wet bar with sink and refrigerator. There’s an abundance of available shade via the standard arch with Bimini or an optional watersports tower with articulating Bimini. Premium touches include hexagon-stitched, embroidered Ultravinyl upholstery over multi-density foam seating, underwater LED lights, and an available powered swim platform to create a teak beach, rare on boats of this size. A broad “swim step” seat flipping from the platform into the water to act as a seat is also optional. More...
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Test Video
Cruisers Yachts 54 Cantius:
Open, Airy and Ready to Entertain
The arching roofline of the house on the Cruisers Yachts 54 Cantius gives her a modern Euro look, while lots of windows, doors and abundant overhead lights give the interior an open and airy feel. To starboard and across from the forward end of the galley is a two- to three-person sofa with a portable cocktail table available. On the port side just ahead of the galley, the four-seat dinette is raised and has a wraparound lounge that should accommodate six with the addition of two inboard deck chairs. Aft, a power-window adjacent the galley and sliding doors allow opening the entire area into one large entertainment venue, with a two-stool bar to port. The large sunroof gives the whole area an al fresco feel when open. All interior decking is low-maintenance Amtico. More...
New Captain's Report
Leopard 53 PC:
Stability, Space, and Sea-Worthiness
The first thing that impresses about the new Leopard 53 PC is the 25’2” (16.18 m) beam. This is comparable to monohull yachts twice her length, providing a huge amount of space for the designers to work with on the main deck and flying bridge. She’s available in either three or four stateroom layouts, and these are somewhat larger than we might expect in a cat of this LOA. Large hullside windows give them a bright, open feel. The three-stateroom version has the master stateroom to starboard with the head forward. Amenities include his-and-her sinks and a large separate shower in the bow. Stairs to the cabins are between the lounges in the salon. Guest cabins are in the port hull and each has an en suite head. The four-stateroom version has essentially four identical cabins. We haven't tested her yet, but we did test her predecessor, the Leopard 51 PC. We look forward to testing the new 53 soon, but we do have a report on the vessel. More...
Test Video
Hell's Bay Boatworks Estero:
Evinrude G2 300 Has a
5-Year Anti-Corrosion Warranty
The Hell’s Bay Estero is a dedicated saltwater bay boat with an 8’6” (2.59 m) beam, 13” (33 cm) draft and a dry weight of 3,659 lbs. (1,660 kg). She proved to be a good match for the Evinrude E-TEC G2 300, which has internal digital power steering fully protected from exposure to saltwater, iTrim which automatically trims the boat, and a maximum tilt of 81-degrees, bringing the lower unit completely clear of the surface to prevent electrolysis and marine growth issues. Because Evinrude coats all parts that contact raw water with titanium oxide and because all of its metal fasteners are stainless-steel, the company is able to offer a five-year anti-corrosion warranty, which is the longest in the industry. The 3.4-liter V6 provided strong performance, topping out at 55.6 mph in tests. More...
Schedule A Test Drive Dealer Contact Request Pricing Request
Boating Tips Article
How to Forecast Sea Conditions
Is weather coming in, and what will it do to sea conditions?
The sun is shining, there’s a cool breeze out of the east and everyone is enjoying themselves. Then, out of nowhere a thunderstorm appears on the horizon. How fast is it moving? How far offshore have you travelled? In no time at all, your little boat is engulfed in a storm. But, if you were able to forecast it, would you have still gone out? 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
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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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