New Prestige 420 Fly | Ranger VS1782 WT | Shurhold One Bucket System - 01/08/20
BoatTEST Newsletter January 8, 2020
New Captain's Report
Prestige 420 Fly:
Designed for Couples & Small Families
The Garroni-designed Prestige 420 Fly is in the same class as the company’s larger yachts and is intended for buyers moving up from a sportboat, or for those stepping down from a larger yacht. The extension of the flying bridge over the aft deck adds a surprising amount of entertainment space topside, and also provides shade and spray protection for those aft. Both the upper and lower helm stations have joystick controls (optional) for the V-drives coupled to the twin Cummins 6.7L 425-hp diesels. More...
Schedule A Test Drive Dealer Contact Request Pricing Request
Test Video
Ranger Boats VS1782 WT:
All-Welded Aluminum Multi-Species
w/Ranger Quality
The Ranger Boats VS1782 WT has eye appeal and lots of practical utility thanks to the powder-coat paint covering her all-welded .125-gauge aluminum hull. Upscale touches for the genre include Ranger-grade tri-tone seating, molded fiberglass consoles and high windshield, which is an advantage when the boat is used for chasing walleyes and northern pike on chilly northern lakes. Standard equipment includes a Minn Kota® 70PD 54" BT trolling motor and a flush-mount Lowrance Hook-2 sonar/GPS as well as a multi-bank on-board charger. We tested her with the optional 150-hp Mercury Pro XS turning a 19” Tempest prop, which put her on plane in just 3.0 seconds and pushed her to a top speed of 47.8 mph. The matching trailer is part of the turnkey package. More...
Schedule A Test Drive Dealer Contact Request Pricing Request
Review Video
Shurhold Ultimate One Bucket System:
Improving the Ubiquitous 5-Gallon Bucket
Shurhold Ultimate One Bucket System
The 5-gallon (72 L) bucket is a boater’s best friend at cleanup time, but the standard bucket has a few flaws. That’s not the case with the Shurhold Ultimate One Bucket System. The hard-to-hold wire handle is replaced by a sturdy rope that makes it easier to lift and to hold with wet hands, and that won’t pull out under a load. The system includes a padded cover that allows the bucket to become a storage device, and the cover also functions as a seat when needed. The non-skid ring around the bottom not only prevents the bucket from marring decks, it also makes it possible to use as a step stool. Add the Bucket Caddy, which includes five types of boat-cleaning products, and you've got a compact boat cleaning kit where everything is always right where it’s needed. More...
Test Video
Regal 19 Surf:
Recreational Surf Boat Priced Right
Powered with Volvo Penta’s Forward Drive system, the Regal 19 Surf is designed for recreational-level wakeboard surfing and general dayboating. The Forward Drive system puts the props forward under the hull, well away from surfers close to the transom. The “Quick Launch System”, controlled at the touch of a virtual button on the Regal View glass dash, drops special oversized tabs to help get the boat on plane almost instantly. She got up in just 2.9 seconds in our tests. The tabs can also be adjusted to shape the wake. The system can also automatically raise the tabs as the boat levels off and gains speed, adjusting for best efficiency whether there are two aboard or lots more — she has seating for nine. More...
Schedule A Test Drive Dealer Contact Request Pricing Request
Features Video
Ocean Alexander 70E:
Designed & Equipped for a Cruising Couple
With 6’2” (1.88 m) of headroom, bright LED lighting and a 23" (58 cm) wide walkway between the twin 900-hp Volvo Penta 1200 pod drive diesels, the engine room of the Ocean Alexander 70E welcomes the owner/operator. Access is via a water-tight door to the crew quarters aft, which can function as a hideaway for the kids if no crew is aboard. With a bow thruster in addition to the steerable IPS drives controlled by joysticks on the flying bridge, the main deck helm and the aft deck, the 70E presents no docking issues and could readily be handled by an experienced cruising couple. At about 80 percent power, 1750 rpm, she ran 15.7 knots and consumed 45 gph for a range of about 327 NM. At a 5-knot displacement speed, she can travel over 1,700 nm between fuel stops. More...
Test Video
Yamaha EX:
Compact, Affordable & Easily Trailerable PWC
The Yamaha EX WaveRunner models are shorter, lighter and more affordable than any three-person, 4-stroke WaveRunner the company has produced in the past. The 13.2-gallon (49.97 L) tank is considerably larger than others in class. The TR1 3-cylinder 1019cc engine is 40-percent smaller, 20-percent lighter and yet more powerful than the engine it replaces. The base model starts at $6,899. With a 3’7” (1.09 m) beam and a low center of gravity, she’s one of the more stable PWCs we’ve tested, and all versions are equipped with a three-person seat. With a weight of 577 lbs. (262 kg), she’s easily trailerable behind even compact vehicles. More...
Boating Tips
Don't Be Afraid of the Dark,
Prepare for It
Good night vision to see navigation lights is critical to operating a boat in the dark.
Enjoying a great day of boating can often be shortened by the setting sun. Many boaters fear that extending their experience into the night may bring unknown risk to them and others. With just a little additional planning and preparation, nighttime boating can be done safely and effectively. 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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