New Yamaha 255 FSH Sport E | Grand Banks 54 | Formula 330 CBR - 06/03/21
BoatTEST Newsletter June 3, 2021
New Test Video
Yamaha 255 FSH Sport E
Family-Friendly Jet Propulsion
The largest model in Yamaha’s center-console line, the 255 FSH Sport E is a 25’ (7.62 m) boat that has been refined for 2021 with more family-friendly features like a fiberglass table and seats for the bow. She also includes the E series of fly-by-wire features for improved functionality. She’s powered by twin 1.8L Yamaha Marine SVHO jet engines and comes with a hardtop and forward and aft casting platforms. More..
RIP
Dag Pike, Powerboater Extraordinaire, Dies at 88
Ironically, Dag Pike passed away on the weekend of the 2021 Cowes-Torquay-Cowes offshore powerboat race, which he won twice.
Veteran navigator, seaman and author Dag Pike died on May 29 at the age of 88. He had more than 65 years of experience on the water in sail and powerboats and wrote more than 40 books on boating subjects. For the last several years he was a regular contributor to BoatTEST and many of the weather, seamanship and navigation articles we have published were written by him. Pike was perhaps best known for his record-breaking Atlantic crossing with Sir Richard Branson and Sir Clay Blyth on Virgin Atlantic Challenger II in 1986. More...
BoatTEST Interview: Part II
Denison Organizes Sales Teams
by Boat Size and Location
Denison has recently opened a new Chicago office to serve America’s heartland.
In Part II, Bob Denison talks about how his 22 offices and 110 full-time employees around the country are organized. He says they handle boats from about 25’ (7.62 m) and larger with the average size about 60’ (18.28 m). More...
Watch Part II of Our Interview
Test Video
Grand Banks 54
Modern Motoryacht w/Classic Lines
The second model in Grand Banks line of planing motoryachts, the 54 is a flying-bridge model that hits a top speed of 29 knots when needed. Slow things down to 9.6 knots and she’ll cover more 1,100 nautical miles. Advanced construction techniques and materials like carbon help keep weight low, which improves her handling. More...
Test Video
Formula 330 Crossover Bowrider
Luxury Day Boat w/Ergonomic Helm
One highlight of Formula’s 330 Crossover Bowrider is her helm. It houses a Raymarine Axiom Pro 9 S multifunction display with a Mercury VesselView screen alongside and Livorsi high-performance gauges. Digital engine controls and a joystick are placed easily at hand without crowding them, as we often see. put the captain in control. A matte-black finish gives the area a premium look and feel. The double-wide helm seat has folding armrests and an angled footrest beneath the helm console. More...
Outboard Buyers' Guide
Three 150-hp Outboards w/Tiller Handles
Need a 150-hp outboard with a tiller handle for your work or fishing boat? Mercury offers two and Honda has one, but there’s only one place where you can look at all three simultaneously to make an informed decision. Click here...
Test Video
Alumacraft Edge 185 Sport
Affordable to Buy and Operate
Because she’s built from aluminum, the Alumacraft Edge 185 Sport weighs about 300 lbs. (136.08 kg) less than a comparably sized fiberglass fish-and-ski model. That means she needs less power to get on plane, run to a fishing spot or tow a skier. We tested with a 150-hp outboard that thrust her on plane in 2.8 seconds and pushed her past 30 mph in 5.2 seconds. Top speed was 45.1 mph. We think she would be just as fun with the base 115-hp outboard. More...
World’s 1st Electric-Boat Regatta
Competitors from all over Europe are participating in the first-ever event being held this week in Venice.
After a year-and-a-half of preparation, the world’s first e-Regatta started today at the Venice Arsenale as part of the Venice Boat Show. The regatta will run over three days including a variety of events intended to show off the benefits of electric boats including low noise, emissions and wakes. Stay tuned for our follow-up report on the two-hour race with a Le Mans start to be held tomorrow. More...
"You Never Regret Buying a Quality Boat."
– Capt. Steve
No one ever regrets buying the best things in life. But if the boat of your dreams is not available this year, why not experience one as an SBC member while you wait. Annual memberships in five premium boats ranging from 27’ to 35’ (8.2 m to 10.6 m) are now available in St. Petersburg, Bradenton, Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach, Fla. Don’t miss another summer. Check them out at SovereignBoatClub.com or call 727-200-3474.
72 Wakeboats on Display
BoatTEST's Spring Virtual Boat Show has 72 wakeboats on display from several manufacturers. Browse the selection by clicking below.
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