Nordhavn N60 | Boston Whaler 405 Conquest | Yamaha 275SD - 02/23/20
BoatTEST Newsletter February 23, 2020
Most Popular Boats of the Week
Every week BoatTEST publishes news items on about 25 boats. Readers have asked which ones are the more popular each day, so below you can find the answer – by day.
Monday #1
Nordhavn N60:
Expedition-Grade Yacht Ready for
World Cruising
Here’s a yacht to inspire cruising dreams: The Nordhavn N60 is designated an “Expedition Cruiser” for good reason. She’s a premium-class yacht built to the highest standards of safety, durability and seaworthiness. The pilothouse and helms are equipped as well as any large commercial ship, and better than some small cruise ships we have been on. The engine room has 5’7” (1.7 m) headroom. Since the boat is powered by a single 325-hp John Deere engine, there is plenty of space around the engine so all gear is easily reached. The engine is cooled through a keel heat exchanger, which keeps raw water out of the engine. She has massive hull construction with no concern for weight, and everything is aimed at maximum strength. In fact, this is one of the few power yachts we know of where ballast is added — she carries some 21,800 lbs. (9,888 kg) low to ensure she stays upright in the most severe conditions. The Nordhavn is truly designed to go around Cape Horn, and many of the brand have done just that. Thruster hydraulics are powered by a 110-hp John Deere “wing” engine, which also serves as a back-up propulsion engine and drives a folding prop. Air for the engine room comes from an intake high on the mast, ensuring salt-free intake in most conditions. As expected, she is set up for maximum range at displacement speeds. She carries 2,250 gallons (8,517 L) of fuel in four tanks, which gives her a maximum range of 6000 NM at 1000 rpm and 5.6 knots, over 2700 NM at 1600 rpm and 7.6 knots. More...
Tuesday #1
Boston Whaler 405 Conquest:
A New Pilothouse Weekender
The Boston Whaler 405 Conquest has a full galley in the transom.
The new Boston Whaler 405 Conquest continues the company’s expansion of the mission of its fishing-centered boats into fully-loaded family weekenders. The 405 is actually an innovative express cruiser with all of Boston Whaler’s DNA firmly intact. She has a beam of 13’6” (4.11 m), which not only adds fishing space in the cockpit but also living space in the house and below decks. The transom can be optioned with a full galley, including a sink, grill and drawer-refrigerator as shown in the photo, or with a massive baitwell, or with a fold-down jumpseat. Two high-gloss tables can be positioned here for al-fresco dining. There’s also a galley in the house, as well as a dinette that converts to a chaise. Both enjoy the view from the large windows to port and starboard. Below, she’s designed to sleep up to six. And, like all Whalers, she’s unsinkable. More...
Wednesday #1
Yamaha 275SD:
Inventive & Quick Jet Bowrider
Yamaha was the builder responsible for the two-tiered aft deck, which is now copied on many modern runabouts. With their new 27' (8.23 m) model, they have created chaise seating on the second row – and a new third level. Now, there are submerged “swim seats” that mount at the transom and let swimmers stay cool in the water while enjoying a drink on the swim platform. The arching side windows add a styling feature and keep the crew dry when swimming or watersports are not on the agenda (see inset image). With twin Yamaha 1812cc supercharged Yamaha SVHO engines combined with the jet propulsion system, the Yamaha 275SD is very fast getting on plane — just 2.4 seconds in our tests, despite a test weight of about 6,500 lbs. (2,951 kg). She floats — and runs — in just 22" (56 cm) of water thanks to the jet systems, and the articulating keel system eases steering. Top speed was 52.0 mph. No Props. More...
Thursday #1
Ocean Alexander 45 Divergence:
Day Yacht for the New Generation
There are a lot of dayboats on the market these days, but many of the more traditional ones are really more suited to old fuddy-duddies. Ocean Alexander is seeking a different clientele for its new 45 Divergence – one more comfortable along the south coast of France, or perhaps Miami, or even Nantucket in the summertime, but definitely not in stodgy Maine ports of call. She is a fully-equipped, luxury-grade day yacht that is ready for entertaining, cruising, or watersports, and she is the smallest boat built by Ocean Alex. Obviously, the port and starboard fold-out balconies grab attention, but they also add functionality to the boat. Note the teak decking throughout and the premium two-tone couch seating, with color-matched quad 350-hp Mercury Verado outboards. She topped out at 46.5 mph in our tests. More...
Friday #1
Fleming 65:
Dream Trawler for World Cruising
From keel to masthead, the Fleming 65 is the real thing – and what thousands of cruising folks aspire to. She carries the iconic lines that have made a pilothouse trawler with a Portuguese bridge the envy of anyone who dreams of a far horizon. Unfortunately, only a handful can be built each year, so don’t expect to see many on the waterways. While the 65 is just 10’ (3.04 m) longer than the Fleming 55, she has around 70% more displacement. Her 18’8” (5.7 m) beam gives her lots of living area, wide side decks, and the heft that it takes to handle challenging sea conditions. Therein lies the important difference between the Fleming 65 and the 55. To starboard on the bridge deck is a day head that can be ordered as a "wet-head," and an insert for the settee creates a convenient watch berth. This arrangement allows the pilothouse to be used as an extra cabin when necessary. Either one or two Stidd helm chairs can be installed. Water-tight sliding doors on either side give the operator a good view for docking. Note the large destroyer-type wheel and the electronics controls on the armrest of the captain’s chair. More...
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