New Ocean Alexander 45 Divergence | Yamaha 195S | Maritimo X60 - 01/22/20
BoatTEST Newsletter January 22, 2020
New Test Video
Ocean Alexander 45 Divergence:
Fit for a Concours d’Elegance
The new Ocean Alexander 45 Divergence is a major departure in size and style for this well-known builder of luxury yachts. To start, she’s considerably more compact at 47'5" (14.45 m). Previously, their smallest build was a 70-footer. She's also outboard-powered and a center console, both unheard of from this company. She’s still all Ocean Alexander in terms of construction, quality fittings and levels of fit-and-finish throughout. We tested her with maximum power, four 350-hp Mercury Verados turning 17” (43 cm) pitch props. She got on plane in 6.6 seconds and had a top speed of 46.5 mph. Best cruise was at 5000 rpm and 38.7 mph, at which she got 0.6 mpg for a range of about 263 SM with the 607-gallon (2,298 L) fuel capacity. She has overnight accommodations for two or more in the console cabin. Among the many luxury touches is a pop-up TV that's viewable from the cockpit. Surprisingly, she’s also available well-equipped for offshore fishing. Check out this all-new open yacht here...
Test Video
Zodiac Open 5.5:
2-Stroke Evinrude 3-Cylinder 115 H.O.
is Ideal for RIBS
We tested a Zodiac Open 5.5 RIB with the new 115 H.O. Evinrude E-TEC G2. The minimal 1,290-lb. (585 kg) dry weight of the rigid inflatable design combined well with the quick windup of the power-on-every-stroke Evinrude for hole shot times of 3.5 seconds in our tests, turning an RX3 21” (53 cm) pitch propeller. Top speed was 46.5 mph. This is a package that might be used as a yacht tender, so off-plane operation inside harbors might be a major part of her duty, and there the fuel consumption of the direct-injection three-cylinder shines. At 1000 rpm, she got 12.3 mpg. Note this is with the High Output version of the 115, which actually puts out around 126 horsepower, according to Evinrude. Since she’s 2-stroke, there are no messy oil changes. More...
Schedule A Test Drive Dealer Contact Request Pricing Request
Test Video
Yamaha 195S:
Full-Featured Entry-Level Jetboat
The Yamaha 195S is the company’s smallest single-engine jetboat, but she offers all the amenities needed for a day on the water including a portable table and console seats that swivel 180 degrees to turn the cockpit into a social area. The standard tower with a high tow point easily folds away for trailering or storage. Her 8’2” (5.92 m) beam carries well forward, adding seating space across the bow, and this area can be converted to a sun pad. The 2020 model is several inches longer than last year’s model, adding usable space, and the engine is the 1.8L SVHO, the super-charged version. More...
Features Video
Maritimo X60:
Clever Design Allows Variable Layouts
The most obvious mark of innovation on the Maritimo X60 is her space at the transom for the “Beach Club” lounging area, among other options. But this feature is made possible by a less obvious engineering feature. The twin 1000-hp Volvo Penta D13s are positioned just aft of amidships and drive the props with straight shafts. This eliminates the weight and expense of pod drives, and gives the boat far better balance. The aft cabin space can also be used as stateroom, or nearly anything else one can imagine. Check it out here...
Test Video
MAKO® Pro Skiff 19 CC:
Competitive Pricing in a
Saltwater Flats Package
The Pro Skiff 19 CC has an exceptional amount of fishing space thanks to her squared-off bow, yet floats in just 9" (23 cm) of water. She has a 1,450-lb. (657 kg) load capacity, which is large for her size. She’s also competitively-priced. Complete with a 115-Mercury FourStroke and a galvanized trailer, this well-equipped skiff goes for $26,390. The Advanced Inverted V tri-hull has a spray pocket up front to mitigate the “sneeze” that's sometimes associated with this design. The multiple hulls add greatly to her beam stability. She planed in 3.7 seconds, which is a plus in boats used in the shallows or when the day’s mission is water skiing instead of fishing. Top speed was 44.5 mph, and she’s easy on the gas at cruise — getting 7.9 mpg at 20.5 mph. More...
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Equipment Tips
The Ultimate Livewell
Having multiple livewells allows for storage of bait for different kinds of fish.
Livewells are tricky to get right. How can you tell if the livewell in a boat you’re looking at makes the grade? Some critical features to look for include rounded sides, directed and high-volume flow, to name a few. Check out the full report if you want to have the ultimate livewell. More...
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Home page for the new BoatTEST website.
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