Yamaha 252SD | Manitou 25 LX RFX | Sharrow Propeller - 01/10/21
BoatTEST Newsletter January 10, 2021
Most Popular of the Week
Last week, BoatTEST published the top researched bowriders and alumnium boats plus the top products and articles of the year. In our weekly recap, readers have asked which ones are the most popular each day, so below you can find the answer.
Happy New Year from the BoatTEST team!
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Monday #1
Yamaha 252SD:
Leaving the Jet Appellation Behind
With the new 252SD, Yamaha pushed the boundaries of what a 25’ (7.62 m) bowrider can be. Notice that we didn’t say jetboat because the company’s intent is for consumers to look at her as a bowrider and not a jetboat. Yamaha stepped up its game in every area, comfort, technology, handling and fit-and-finish. In fact, there have been so many advances in improving steering these vessels, the jets are no longer an issue – except on the positive side. She has a 20-degree deadrise, and as can be seen in the photo above, she has a higher freeboard than some bowriders this size.
One of the advances in the boat is the Connext Touchscreen. It has several features including fuel level, battery voltage, bilge pump and blower activation, water depth and time permanently docked regardless of which screen is selected. At the top of the display are seven icons to select alternative screens. And that’s just one of the new features. More...
Tuesday #1
Manitou 25 LX RFX Dual Engine:
A Patented Hull for Improved Handling
In our experience, Manitou pontoon boats have been in the upper echelon of performance and luxury and the 25 LX RFX Dual Engine, tri-toon, is a good example. Powered by twin 300-hp Mercury outboards, our test boat hit a top speed of 62.0 mph. She’s also quick, reaching 20 mph in 4.8 seconds and 30 mph in 6.6. The SHP 575 performance package has outer pontoons that are 25” (63.5 cm) in diameter with the center one measuring 27” (68.58 cm). All the pontoons have strakes on both sides and the center pontoon is mounted 5 ¼” lower in the water.
Manitou’s patented tri-toon Sport Handling Package (SHP) design lets the boat act like a V-bottom in turns; she naturally leans into them, like a monohull, at a comfortable angle and is just plain fun to drive. The reason for this is that the center toon is not only larger in diameter but also deeper.
RFX identifies the boat as having the twin aft-facing chaise-style lounges built on fiberglass bases. These seats as well as those throughout the boat are quite comfortable and supportive. The two high-backed captain’s chairs at amidships swivel, recline and have flip-up armrests. Luxury does come at a premium, but to many, it’s worth the money.
Manitou builds pontoon boats from value-oriented basic models to the most luxurious on the market. By offering a wide range of models for all aspects of boating, the brand becomes a one-stop shop for quality pontoon boats. More...
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Wednesday #1
Sharrow Marine:
Revolutionary New Propeller
Something that looks as different as Sharrow Marine’s new propellers is bound to draw lots of clicks and page reviews. But these propellers are about a whole lot more than just looking different. They make a difference.
In our tests, the Sharrow propeller out-performs conventional wheels at all rpm settings in terms of speed and fuel economy, improving efficiency by as much as 18%. It produced the highest top speed, created less vibration and improved handling even in reverse. The Sharrow Care Protection Plan covers every propeller the company sells for no additional cost. In the last year, the company introduced two new sizes and opened a new facility in Detroit. More...
Thursday #1
Propellers — 3 Blades or 4?
When considering the number of propeller blades for a recreational boat, the basic thought line has been that a 4-blade prop will provide a better holeshot but give up some top end while the 3-blade will be faster. With more people taking a look at other criteria, including fuel economy and mid-range efficiency, the choice might not be so simple. We’ll explain it for ya. More...
Friday #1
Solving the Battery Switch Dilemma
Solving the Battery Switch Dilemma
Even an experienced boater might turn sheepish and uncertain when asked which setting his “1-2-Both” battery switch should be on. More than likely, his answer will be, “I always leave it on Both because it’s what someone told me to do.” Owners of boats with at least two batteries and a switch can read on to gain the knowledge to answer the question with confidence. More...
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