New Ranger 622FS Pro | Formula 380 SSC | Krogen Express 52 - 12/16/20

BoatTEST Newsletter December 16, 2020 

New Captain's Report

Ranger Boats 622FS Pro:

Multi-Species Boat w/400 Mercury Verado

Ranger 622FS Pro

The Ranger 622FS Pro is a multi-species fiberglass boat that comes standard with a high-performance 400-hp Mercury outboard, a jack plate, a livewell and a power-pole shallow-water anchor. The manufacturer also provides a 9” (22.86 cm) touchscreen called RIDE (Ranger Intelligent Display Engine) that gives the driver the status of virtually every on-board system. Alongside, there’s space for a fishfinder with up to a 12” (30.48 cm) display. She’s a hot rig... find out how hot...

Schedule a Test Drive Dealer Contact Request Pricing Request

 

Virtual Boat Show

Formula 380 SSC Sterndrive:

Day Boat w/a Private Beach

With all the hype that big outboards are getting, there are still people who prefer a sterndrive powered boat like the Formula 380 SSC sterndrive for day boating on a big lake or river. The main reason is the huge un-cluttered swim platform. The standard full-beam platform on the 380 SSC measures 3’6” (1.07 m) fore to aft and Formula offers an optional hydraulic section that adds another 2’ (.61 m). When the platform is down, it offers a measure of safety because the props are forward of it.

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Test Video

Grady-White Freedom 235:

Dual Console w/300 HP

The pairing of the Grady-White Freedom 235 dual console and a 300-hp Yamaha four-stroke outboard delivers the right combination of performance and efficiency for cruising, fishing and watersports. In our test, she hit a top speed of 44.5 mph at 5900 and was just plain fun to drive, according to our test captain. When conditions permit a run offshore for fishing, dial back to 4000 rpm and 30 mph, and she’ll burn 12.4 gph. That translates into 2.4 mpg, giving her a range of 251 statute miles. For wakesports, she planes off in just 3.8 seconds and the driver has unobstructed visibility whether driving from a seated or standing position.

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Schedule a Test Drive Dealer Contact Request Pricing Request

 

Test Video

Krogen Express 52':

New Hardtop Expands Her Utility

The Krogen Express 52’ is the first model in the semi-displacement series of boats from the longtime trawler builder and one of the “firsts” on our test model was a hardtop instead of a bimini on the flying bridge. It’s 6’8” (2.03 m) off the deck and it expands the yacht’s cruising utility because with the hardtop, the whole flying bridge area can be enclosed.

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New Launches

Model Highlights from

MasterCraft, Cobalt & Palm Beach Yachts

MasterCraft Boats has added to its multi-sports NXT model line with the NXT24. Cobalt has also been busy by expanding its Surf series with the R6. For those who think bigger, the Palm Beach 55 is worth a second look. See a video that will give you a taste of them all.

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Boat Design

Stepped Bottoms Explained

Stepped bottoms are no longer reserved for offshore go-fast boats. They help a boat gain speed by reducing hydrodynamic drag and improve pitch control for a more stable ride. Dag Pike experienced steps firsthand when he was the navigator for the late Fabio Buzzi’s White Iveco raceboat in 1984. He takes a deeper dive on steps and why they work.

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Pre-Owned Yachts

2012 92’ Lazzara

Helios

Helios is a 2012 Lazzara 92 LSX yacht powered by quad Volvo Penta IPS 800s. She has a top speed of 30 knots and cruises at 21. She had a fresh coat of bottom paint in 2019 and the electronics at the upper and lower helms have been recently updated. There are aft docking stations with Volvo Penta joysticks on each side of the cockpit. The galley has upgraded stainless-steel appliances and belowdecks, the full-beam master has a private spa with a hot tub and a fold-out balcony.

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This Yacht Used Yachts 81' - 100' All Denison Yachts

 

BoatTEST Reports: Episode #33

How to Afford Your Dream Yacht

The word we are getting from virtually all boat builders is that their production is sold out for the next six months – much of it at retail. Two popular brands that we know of have every boat they can build next year already purchased by dealers. This means for the summer boating season you want, decisions should be made now. This week, BoatTEST Reports lets you in on some of the latest new boats launched, and a lot more. More...

Episode #33 All BTR Episodes

 

Photo of the Day

All smiles!

We – and our 160,000 newsletter readers – want to see your boating photos and videos! Email us at [email protected] and we may feature your submission in our newsletter.

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Expert Boating

OOOPS!!!

They Should Have Watched Smart Boating!

Sometimes it's not what you know, but what you've forgotten. We have the perfect solution for you.

Based on the feedback we've been getting about BoatTEST.com's Video Boating Course, it's clearly not only for beginners but for veteran boaters as well. Perhaps that is why the NMMA started promoting the course after just one look. It's the most complete boating course available... period. Order your 4-disc box set...

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