New Radical Sea-Doo Pontoon Boat | New Brabus Shadow 500 Cabin Test Video - 08/13/21
BoatTEST Newsletter August 13, 2021
New Launch
Sea-Doo's Radical New Pontoon Boat
Sea-Doo has been building personal watercraft for decades, but yesterday the parent company BRP announced it is entering the pontoon boat market. Called the “Switch,” it is a radical new pontoon boat design that has built-in interchangeable modules, sort of like furniture on a Lego board. Want to fish? Put seats facing out. Want to have a party? Circle the seats facing in. Want to have a dance hall? Get rid of the seats. Switch models are available in lengths ranging from 13’ to 21’ (3.96 m to 6.4 m) and this machine is the only pontoon boat with handlebars. To see what else makes it unique, click for more...
New Test Video
Brabus Marine Shadow 500 Cabin
Luxury Meets Performance
Brabus Marine takes a 31’3” (9.53 m) Axopar twin-stepped hull and gives it the royal treatment inside and out. Overseas, Brabus is known for its premium custom cars and trucks and now the company has moved to boats. The Shadow 500 Cabin is available in four color choices for the 32-ounce (.91 kg) upholstery with custom stitching. The twin-step bottom is paired with twin 250-hp Mercury Pro XS outboards that pushed our test boat to a top speed of 62.1 mph and popped her on plane in 3.5 seconds. More...
Editor's Report
Outback Yachts 50
Purpose-Designed and Built
Outback Yachts Outback 50 is a 56’3” (17.15 m) new breed of sport yacht. Powered by twin 425-hp Cummins, she cruises comfortably at 20 knots, according to the builder – we haven’t tested her. She carries 550 gallons (2,081.97 L) of fuel, so her range will depend on speed and sea conditions. But she’s definitely ready for the Bahamas and family fun with water toys most anywhere. In the video made by the company, you’ll find out why she was built and what she is designed to do. More...
Features Video
MJM Yachts 35z
40 Knots on 700 HP
With the trend toward multiple outboards on almost any type of boat showing no signs of slowing, it’s impressive that MJM Yachts gets 40.9 knots out of a pair of 350-hp Mercury Veardos on its 35z. This is a boat pushing 38’ (11.6 m) with an as-tested weight of 14,923 lbs. (6,769 kg). At a best cruising speed of 24.5 knots at 4000 rpm, she’ll cover 269.1 nautical miles on a tank of fuel. Part of that efficiency can be credited to her bottom design and part goes to MJM’s construction. Each boat is built with E-glass and Kevlar laminates pre-impregnated with resin for optimum saturation. The hull is cored with Corecell foam and cured in a large oven to create a light, stiff, strong boat. More...
Review Video
Talos Lightning Detector
Lightning striking a boat happens more than people realize. It’s estimated that one in 1,000 boats are hit each year and with record new-boat sales the last two years, that means there are many inexperienced boat owners on the water. They would be wise to invest $139 into a Talos Lightning Strike Detector SFD-1000 series. It can recognize lightning from up to 25 miles away and all alerts are color-coded. More...
Seamanship
Towing Can Be Dangerous Unless Done Right
One of the things that sets apart boaters is that, more often than not, we are willing to help each other. At some point, many of us have found ourselves at one or both ends of a tow rope. To make the exercise as safe and hassle-free as possible, read our story...
"Must-Visit" Destination
Tangier Island, a Trip Back in Time
Tangier Island in the middle of Chesapeake Bay is a trip back in time. The marshy sliver is a mile wide and three miles long and is only accessible by boat. Until the advent of television, the local population mostly spoke a 17th Century version of English, but that is pretty much gone now. Virtually every family makes its living from the bay. The residents reflect the island’s rugged lifestyle and when visiting, make sure you bring your appetite for softshell crab. We call this a “Must Visit” destination. More...
“Live the Life You’ve Imagined.”
– Henry David Thoreau
Imagine you and your family enjoying a $220,000 boat for less than the sales tax. For people in Bradenton, Florida, the above Robalo R317 is a boat they can call their own. There are just eight club memberships in this versatile, offshore-ready boat. Check it out at SovereignBoatClub.com or call 727-200-3474.
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