Lightning is one of the most common threats to a boater. The odds of dying from a strike are one in 161,856 compared to one in 3,748,067 for a shark attack. A lightning strike will fry your electrical system and might blow a hole in your bottom as it exits. So, is it worth investing $139 for the Talos Lightning Strike Detector SFD-1000? Check out our real-world test. More...
Eastern Boats is a small builder based in New Hampshire that specializes in affordable Downeast-style cruisers and the 248 Island is among the company’s most popular models. She has a straightforward layout above and belowdecks that makes her easy to maintain, operate and spend a few days on the water. More...
For many applications, the simple in-line four-cylinder 200-hp engines make a lot of sense. Only two manufacturers offer them. Check out the differences here...
Cruisers Yachts offers the 38 GLS in sterndrive and outboard-powered versions. We tested the latter with triple 300-hp Mercury Verados, the base package. She’s available with up to triple 400-hp engines, but unless an owner just wants the most power he can get, the base engines more than get the job done. She planes in just 5.4 seconds and hit a top speed of 51.9 mph at 6000 rpm. Slow down to 4500 rpm and 35.8 mph and she’ll cover 245 statute miles with 10% fuel to spare. In case you missed it – MarineMax now owns Cruisers Yachts. More...
In addition to being one of the most popular tournament-level bass boats on the water, Nitro’s Z19 might be one of the most affordable in class. That’s because the only engine offered on the boat is the Mercury 200 ProXS, while its top two competitors have the more expensive 225 ProXS. The smaller motor not only saves money at the time of purchase, it should be less expensive to operate as well. More...
The 645 SUV came to be as a response to requests from the company’s dealers and customers for a large motoryacht that focuses on single-level entertaining and living, according to Riviera owner Rodney Longhurst. A customer who owned a 575 SUV told Longhurst, “I’m really happy with my 575, but give me a call if you ever do an SUV version of the 64 SMY.” Once he learned the company was moving forward with the 645 SUV, the customer ordered one sight-unseen. The 645 SUV can cruise offshore and has luxuriously appointed indoor and outdoor gathering areas all on one level. More...
New boats built to National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) standards have UL-Listed seacocks that are installed with a backing plate against a boat’s hull to distribute the stress. When checking a boat’s seacocks, make sure they are UL Listed for marine use. Click below for more details.
