In-Use Report: Robalo R317 | $6 Million Tournament | How Radar Finds Fish - 08/26/21

New Editor's Report

New Raymarine Axiom+

In today’s hyper-competitive electronics market, a multifunction display that’s intuitive and easy to use can have a big impact on a buyer’s decision. Raymarine’s Axiom+ is optimized for speed and equipped with a quad-core processor that lets a user redraw charts, navigate with augmented reality and experience RealVision 3D sonar. Defender Industries carries the whole series. More...

Test Video

Robalo R317 In-Use Report

Member Reviews and Our Maintenance Report

In May, a Robalo R317 was introduced into the Sovereign Boat Club (a division of BoatTEST) and there are now 170 hours on the boat, enough for our staff to get feedback from our members about it. Enough for us to get a good idea of her system installations. Here are some of the things SBC members have said: “Feels like a far bigger boat.” “It has a comfortable ride, slices through chop, the hardtop and everything is solid – no rattles.” “The boat is extremely dry in chop because of the higher freeboard and bow flare.” One of our prospective members liked the boat so much after a demo ride, he is now in the process of buying one, we’re told. Since our staff oversees maintenance and repairs, we know what goes right and wrong. She hasn’t missed a day of service due to equipment failure. More...

Big Game Anglers Win Nearly $6 Million At The MidAtlantic Tournament

Maryland state record blue marlin being hoisted to the weigh-in station. According to the crew it took angler Billy Gurlach more than 3 1/2 hours to bring the 1,135-lb. (515.9 kg.) blue marlin seen above to gaff, after bringing it to wire more than a dozen times. 

Last Friday, the 30th annual MidAtlantic tournament headquartered at the Canyon Club Marina in Ocean City, MD, set records in a number of categories – including cash payouts. The total purse of $5,929,050 was split among the winning crews. There were 203 entrants. The most spectacular catch was the 1,135-lb. (515.9 kg.) blue marlin seen above that garnered $1,167,762 or over $1,028 per lb. The heaviest white marlin caught was 82 lbs. (37.27 kg.), bringing home $1,017,604 or $12,409 per lb. for the winning crew. Read all about it...

Captain's Report

Sea Ray SLX 250

Bowrider w/Premium Appointments

Sea Ray designed the SLX 250 to be a luxuriously appointed family bowrider with maximized seating in the cockpit. Because she is an SLX, and Sea Ray is taking a dead aim on the best in class, her standard-equipment list is robust. Highlights include digital instrumentation and engine controls, a private head and aft-facing transom seating with a convertible backrest. She comes standard with a 300-hp MerCruiser 6.2L MPI ECT Bravo Three sterndrive and options up to 430 hp are available. More...

Features Video

Schaefer Yachts 580

Entertainment-Ready Flying Bridge

The model on the flying bridge holding on to the safety railing is intended to show how much room there is on the bridge of the Schaefer Yachts 580. The flying bridge has a large L-shaped lounge to port around a table that has folding extensions. A wetbar with an icebox comes standard and a grill can be added. There’s 6’6” (1.98 m) of headroom beneath the fiberglass hardtop and the entire upper level can be enclosed with isinglass to further enhance the boat’s utility. Stairs access the flying bridge, which we prefer to a ladder.

More...

New Launch

New Alumacraft Models for 2022

For 2022, Alumacraft boats has introduced its Pro Series Bass boats. The line features more ergonomic seating, added storage and expanded color options – including stealth black seen above – for a more modern look. The company says the boats are optimized for angling at an affordable price. More...

How to Get More Functionality from Your Radar

By adjusting sea clutter and gain controls, it is often possible to pick up circling birds, a sure sign game fish are having dinner.

Sadly, many boat owners with sophisticated and expensive radar units use them for little more than spotting targets in the fog. But they also can be a welcome navigational and piloting device, if properly used. Some radars can even help anglers spot circling birds.  Here are six tips on how you can increase your radar's range, performance and usefulness. More...

SBC Club Boat w/Walk-in Shower

Some people only want to go First Class. That’s why they join the Sovereign Boat Club, where every boat has an electric flush toilet, joystick and some even have a walk-in shower. Annual memberships in boats ranging from 27’ to 33’ (8.2 m to 10 m) are now available in St. Petersburg and Bradenton, Fla. Check them out at SovereignBoatClub.com or call 727-200-3474.

Photo Of The Day

"A four-year-old's first paddle board ride."

Share your boating photos with us!