Riviera's YachtFish | Living Aboard Budget | New Axopar 45- 2/2/2026

CRUISE/FISH IN COMFORT If you're ready to step up to a comfortable motoryacht from a hard-core fishing machine, you don't have to give up finding and fighting trophy fish on occasion.  We think the Riviera 78 offers the best of both worlds: she fishes like a convertible, but with the room and comfort of a motoryacht.  Stretching 81'5" with a 19'8" beam and twin MAN V12s on straight shafts, she can keep up with the speedsters. With 2,695 gallons of fuel, she morphs into a Zane Gray Pacific Island cruiser. 
 

SPEED WITH SHELTER The Axopar 45 XC Cross Cabin pairs a fully enclosed, light-filled main deck with triple 300-hp Mercury Verado V8s and a stepped hull that runs efficiently into the 40-mph range. Sliding side doors, opening balconies, and twin roof panels blur the line between inside and out, while two staterooms support real distance cruising.
 

PLAN BEFORE DOCKWALKING The Miami International Boat Show returns to Collins Ave., putting large yachts and key builders back along one continuous waterfront. BoatTEST readers can preview boats in advance, book VIP appointments with select brands, and save 10% on tickets. Fewer transfers, less guesswork, and more focused time on the docks.

RIVIERA MOTOR YACHTS Arguably, among the highest quality express and convertible motor yachts in their class, Riviera Yachts’ vessels will be on display at the Collins Ave. venue at the Miami boat show, Feb. 11-15. For those who can’t make it, there's a dealer near you. In the meantime, check out Riviera’s complete line on BoatTEST.

4.6 SEC PLANE The Robalo R230 is a 23-foot center console tested with a single 250-hp Yamaha outboard to a top speed of 48 mph. She planes in 4.6 seconds, carries 90 gallons of fuel, and posts a best cruise of 26.8 mph with a 130-mile range using a 10% reserve. Layout includes a convertible aft casting deck, 25-gallon livewell, and forward seating that converts to a casting platform.
 

YOU'RE NOT GETTING ANY YOUNGER And, boats aren't getting any cheaper.  That's why the Sovereign Boat Fleet was formed -- it has all of the advantages of boat ownership, and none of the disadvantages. We have 6-month and 12-month programs, and one for any purse. Don't miss another season -- enjoy the Axopar 29 seen above.

175-245 HP Perkins has officially launched a new marine diesel lineup spanning 175 to 245 hp. Built on the company’s 7-liter 1206 common-rail platform, the M175C, M200C, and M245C are offered with multiple cooling, gearbox, and installation configurations, 500-hour service intervals, and compliance with current EPA, IMO, and EU emissions standards.
 

RUN THE NUMBERS Thinking about living aboard full time? Before casting off, this article walks through the real costs of life afloat, from fuel and dockage to insurance and maintenance. Drawing on long-term cruising budgets and updated cost ranges, it shows how different boats, cruising styles, and spending choices shape what life on the water actually costs year to year.
 

WEATHER WINDOW ROULETTE Timing is everything on Lake Michigan. In this episode, the Boomershines wait out the weather in Charlevoix, then join a fleet of Loopers making a carefully timed run to Leland. With choppy seas, clear water, and time ashore in Fish Town, the day delivers equal parts planning, exploration, and one unforgettable onboard mishap.