New Yamaha JetBlaster | Scout 530 LXF | Greenline Hybrid Trending - 10/18/21

New Captain's Report

Yamaha JetBlaster

New Freestyle Machine

With the new JetBlaster personal watercraft, Yamaha says it wants to provide a new freestyle riding experience. It’s designed for stand-up operation with raised lightweight handlebars and aft foot chocks that help position the rider in the correct posture. Other highlights include power trim, the TR-1 HO Marine Engine and RiDE dual throttle controls. More...

Mega Crossover

Scout 530 LXF

Innovative Boat for All Reasons

Scout Boats has long been known for its innovations, fit and finish and robust stern quarters’ tumble home. The 530 LXF will check all the boxes for many serious boat owners who want to have it all and do it all – she’s a fishing machine, express cruiser, center console, bowrider, watersports platform and teak beach with sunpads all rolled into one. Find out about her lightweight carbon/epoxy infused hull and the details that set her apart from others by going to the builder's website...

Features Video

Greenline 48 Fly

We Have Seen the Near-Future –

And it is Hybrid

The middle arrow is pointing to the “E-Motor” that is both an electric motor and a generator. The arrow to the right points to the V-drive transmission and the arrow at the bottom is pointing to the shaft that can barely be seen.

In case you haven’t been paying attention, Volvo has said by 2030 it will only be making electric cars and GM has said by 2035 all of its vehicles will be only battery-powered. But what Tesla has proved realistically possible on land where the vehicle is going through air is not going to be so easy for a boat traveling on the water.

The reason is obvious: Water has 50 times more viscosity than air. Viscosity is the resistance of a fluid (liquid or gas) to a change in shape. That means it’s going to take more energy to propel a 5,000-lb. (2,272-kg.) boat through the water than a 5,000-lb. car through air.  But making matters even more difficult is the fact that one pound of gasoline has 50 times more energy than one pound of a lithium-ion battery.

That’s why we think Greenline is pointing the way to a transitional period when hybrid propulsion is the most realistic way to transition boat propulsion from ICE (internal combustion engines) to electric power. Just as in 1999 the Honda Insight, and a year later the Toyota Prius, were the first hybrid automobiles, it wasn’t until 15 years later that an all-electric vehicle got traction. Those two carmakers fell on the barbed wire so Tesla could march over a few years later.

Thanks to Tesla’s relentless quest for improvement, battery technology has advanced many fold in the last 15 years and there are people who are suggesting that in 20 more years, batteries will have the same energy as gasoline pound for pound. For now, take a look at our report on the Greenline 48 Fly to see what is likely to be general boating’s first step to total renewable power. More...

Test Video

Eastern Boats 248 Islander

Choose Your Outboard

Eastern Boats is a low-volume semi-custom builder based in New Hampshire and one of the benefits of that is freedom of choice for the consumer. The company recommends a 150-hp outboard for the 248 Islander, but the buyer can choose from engines from Yamaha, Suzuki, Honda, Mercury or even Tohatsu. Two constants remain regardless of the choice, her classic Downeast looks and her affordability. More...

Outboard Engine Buyers' Guide

Something About These Engines

Must Be Different

Anyone who has been stopped by the USCG, or the local water police, most often see that their vessels are powered by Honda outboards – usually 200 or 225-hp engines. It has always struck us as interesting that the U.S. government – which has a policy of buying America products if possible – is using engines made in Japan. In the beginning, around 2000, that was because other brands couldn’t meet the USCG’s requirements for emissions and fuel consumption, and Honda could. But now all major brand outboards can meet those specs, so why do we keep seeing a preponderance of Honda outboards on government vessels? Go to our Outboard Engine Buyer’s Guide and see if you can find out why...

Navigation Equipment

2021 NMEA Awards

Multifunction Display: Garmin GPSMAP 8616xsv

Chartplotters are one of the most competitive segments in marine electronics and their versatility seems to be ever-expanding. With the GPSMap 8616xsv, Garmin took top honors in the Multifunction Display category in the 2021 National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) Awards program. The electronics company was also named Manufacturer of the Year. More...

Cruising Destinations

Nassau Harbor

Home Base for Bahama Adventures

Looking east down Nassau’s harbor we can see the yacht marinas off in the distance.

Cruising into the Nassau Harbor and its calm emerald-clear water is always a thrill, after crossing the Northwest Providence channel with its deep indigo blue water and often lumpy conditions. Once in the harbor, boaters are immediately met with bright, bold, tropical colors painted across the city of Nassau. More...

An Exclusive Club with No Waiting

Since memberships in every Sovereign Boat Club boat are limited and reservations are for full days, not four hours, there are no wait lists and no tipping the dock attendants to get to the head of the line. Sovereign Boat Club is for people who have arrived, not those waiting to get started. All boats in the fleet have twin or triple engines, a joystick, electric head and offshore capabilities. Affordable annual memberships are available for year-round or seasonal use. Check the boats out at SovereignBoatClub.com.

Photo Of The Day

"A beautiful night on Lake Sidney Lanier, GA."

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