Seakeeper 1 | Ranger Tugs R-25 | Vicem Classic 58 - 09/27/20
BoatTEST Newsletter September 27, 2020
Most Popular Boats and Products of the Week
Every week, BoatTEST publishes news items on about 25 boats and products. Readers have asked which ones are the most popular each day, so below you can find the answer.
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The largest single type of fiberglass boat built these days is the center console – over 35,000 were sold last year. While they might seem simple and look all the same at a boat show, the fact is that they are all quite different. They are not cheap, and that is why buyers of them would be wise to watch our video “Buyer’s Guide to Center Consoles” narrated by Capt. Steve.
Monday #1
Seakeeper 1:
Anti-Roll Stabilization for Smaller Boats
The long-awaited Seakeeper 1 arrived this year, and we have tested it. It’s the smallest gyroscopic anti-roll stabilizer that the company makes and is intended for boats from 23’ to 30’ (7.01 m to 9.14 m). It runs on DC power – and that means no generator is needed. Its small envelope and flush-mount design allow it to be installed almost anywhere on a boat up to 30’ (9 m) long. It does not have to be tied into the stringers, but many builders are now putting in – as standard – stringer seats to take the unit, so it can be added in the aftermarket. Seakeeper said that more than 30 builders are planning to offer the new unit as standard or optional equipment. The unit weighs just 365 lbs. (165.56 kg.) More...
Tuesday #1
North Pacific Yachts 49 Pilothouse:
LRC w/a Social Focus
On the North Pacific 49 Pilothouse, the raised house is the heart of this long-range cruiser. In addition to the fully equipped helm that has space for up to twin 15” (38.1 cm) multifunction displays and two high-backed captain’s chairs, there’s an L-shaped settee just abaft that lets passengers join the skipper during an extended cruise. Additionally, the table in the pilothouse lowers and converts to a berth for the offwatch, or for grandkids when at anchor. North Pacific sets up the boat to be run by an owner/operator with a focus on ease of piloting and good access to equipment for maintenance. More...
Wednesday #1
Ranger Tugs R-25:
Outboard-Powered w/Functional Platforms
One of the new features on the Ranger Tugs R-25 is the 20 sq. ft. (1.86 sq. m) Clear-Path swim platforms, port and starboard of the engine. These are among the biggest we’ve seen, and they have loads of utility to the boat for swimming, diving, utilizing a dinghy, and engine checks. The walkway in front of the engine is free of rigging and other obstructions. It has heavy-duty handrails and lets users safely board a dinghy, net a fish or help pull aboard the family dog after a swim. There’s a folding ladder and a shower, too. All of this is, plus much more room inside where the inboard engine used to be. More...
Thursday #1
Nordhavn N60:
Engineered for Easy Maintenance
The engine room on the Nordhavn N60 we tested was surgically clean, had headroom that averaged around 5’ (1.52 m) and was cooled with Dayton blowers and intakes. There’s excellent space all around the single John Deere diesel, and systems are grouped by function. For example, all the hydraulic systems are to port with the main tank positioned aft. Each of the boat’s four fuel tanks has its own sight gauge. All of this encourages daily fluid checks, inspection of sea strainers and the like. The folks at Nordhavn have been building transoceanic trawlers for 42 years and have learned a lot from the hundreds of owners that have taken their boats nearly everywhere in the world in all conditions. The result is an engine room that is as owner friendly as possible. More...
Friday #1
Vicem Yachts Classic 58:
Traditional Downeast Yacht
The Vicem Classic 58 has traditional Downeast lines, and her interior is something from bygone era and is finished in fine mahogany at the manufacturer’s yard in Turkey. The yard’s location is key, because the man-hours that went into her build creates tremendous value because of the exchange rate. Behind the beauty is some serious unconventional brawn – Vicem builds her hull from mahogany as well, using cold-molded construction and encapsulating the entire hull in West System epoxy. This cold-molded build is actually much stronger than conventional fiberglass hulls and is far more puncture-resistant yet has all of the other advantages of a purely fiberglass hull. More...
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