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Evinrude E-TEC G2 200 H.O.:
Engineered for Performance and Durability
The new SLX gearcase on the Evinrude E-TEC G2 200 H.O. features larger gearing and prop shaft, a hydrodynamic design to reduce drag, and a cambered skeg to reduce steering torque as well as improve handling. The metals and finishes used in the engines allow the company to offer a 5-Year/500 hour Anti-Corrosion Warranty.
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Test Video
Four Winns HD 270 OB:
Bowrider Handling, Deckboat Space
The Four Winns HD 270 OB has the eye appeal of a bowrider with the added space up front of a deckboat, thanks to carrying her 8'5" (2.57 m) beam well forward. She's one of the few outboard-powered runabouts in this LOA, leaving space for a huge lazarette under the aft seating where an inboard would otherwise sit. She comes packaged with a factory-matched tandem trailer at under $100K. Powered by an Evinrude E-TEC G2 300 HP outboard, she had a top speed of 48.9 mph at 5900 rpm.
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Test Video
Beneteau Oceanis 41.1:
Sailing Yacht w/ Shoal or Deep Keel
The Beneteau Oceanis 41.1 offers a versatile layout with an owner’s choice of two or three stateroom configurations and one or two heads. She's an intermediate-sized sailing yacht, providing the flexibility of day sailing or racing as well as intermediate to long distance cruising. She's available with two keel options -- deep draft at 7’2” (50 cm) and shallow draft at 5’7” (1.70 m).
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Test Video
Hargrave 116 Raised Pilothouse:
5-Stateroom Elegance & Style
The Hargrave 116 Raised Pilothouse layout features five guest cabins, including an owner’s suite forward on the main deck spanning almost the full 24' (7.32 m) beam of the yacht. She also has accommodation for up to eight crew. Luxury touches are found throughout, including Cream Marble and Perlato Silica Marble slab flooring on the lower levels. According to our test captain, the flying bridge deck is among the best-equipped entertainment and gathering areas in class.
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Captain’s Report
TRACKER Pro Guide V-175 WT:
Durable, Lightweight Twin Console Angler
The Tracker Pro Guide V-175 WT is an all-welded .100 gauge aluminum hull, giving her the toughness necessary to operate on rock-ribbed northern lakes and rivers. Hard chines help to keep down spray and add stability at trolling speeds. The walkthrough windshields are higher than many, giving wind and spray protection in chilly weather, and her relatively light weight, 1,385 lbs. (628 kg), makes her easily towable with smaller vehicles.
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Captain’s Report
Wellcraft 220 Sportsman:
Family Fisherman/Dayboat
The Wellcraft 220 Sportsman has the layout of an exceptionally deep bowrider, but she also comes well-equipped for fishing, with baitwell, rod storage, trolling rod holders, and large insulated fishboxes. A Bimini top, console head, and optional ski pylon makes her fully functional as a family day boat for watersports and gunkholing, as well. She's available with Evinrude, Mercury, or Yamaha outboards to 250-hp.
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Test Video
TAHOE Q7i:
Turn-key Package w/ 53.7 MPH WOT
Powered with a 260-hp 5.0 MPI MerCruiser during our 2014 test, the TAHOE Q7i reached a top speed of 53.7 mph, and her sporty handling made for an exhilarating ride. The PowerGlide hull with Hydrostep lifting strakes delivered a quick time to plane of under three seconds, and she reached 30 mph in 7.7 seconds. The Extreme edition we tested includes silver/black consoles, silver wheel accents, silver upholstery accents, and bold hull graphics.
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New Test Video
Sea-Doo GTI SE:
Family Fun, Affordable Price
Sea-Doo personal watercraft are meant to be fun, and depending on the lifestyle, there are many to choose from, ranging from beginner to pro-racer. Somewhere in the middle of that spectrum is the biggest target audience, the families. That’s where the four GT Series watercrafts come in, and the GTI SE is just under the most loaded version. In our opinion, it has more than most families would want for a day of fun on the water. In fact, we had to be convinced that our test version wasn’t powered with a bigger engine. The ride was forgiving and nimble, and the performance can be limited to the rider’s skill level.
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Captain's Report
Sailfish 320 Express Walk Around:
Fishing Machine w/ Overnight Space for 5
The Sailfish 320 Express Walk Around features all of the usual fishing amenities, but also includes a compact, cabin capable of sleeping up to five for overnights. An air-conditioning/generator package option makes her viable for longer cruises in warm climates. She's well set up for multiple missions; the helm deck has a lounger to port transformable to aft facing seating to watch either the rods set to troll or the kids at the end of the towline.
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New Test Video
Manitou 23 Encore SHP:
Tri-Toon w/ Evinrude E-TEC G2 150 H.O.
The Manitou 23 Encore SHP is a performance tri-toon with an oversized center tube, allowing the boat to lean into turns and helping to smooth the ride. Powered by an Evinrude E-TEC G2 150 H.O. outboard, our tests showed she had a top speed of 36.8 mph at 5500 rpm and a best cruise of 18.1 mph at 3500 rpm. Patented V-Toon technology hull design and the Sport Handling Package (SHP) allow the boat to handle more like a fiberglass sportboat, according to our test captain.
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Captain’s Report
Glastron GT 245:
50+ MPH w/ 380-HP Sterndrive
The Glastron GT 245 has a three-way sun pad on the transom that can also function as a chaise and as an aft-facing lounge seat overlooking the swim platform. The diamond-stitched, swiveling bucket seats at the consoles can be turned 180 degrees for relaxing at the docks. She can be optioned up to a 380-hp engine, allowing her to easily crack the 50-mph barrier, according to the company.
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New Captain’s Report
Formula 31 Performance Cruiser:
Full-Featured Performance Cruiser
The Formula 31 Performance Cruiser presents a familiar Formula profile with a forward-swept radar arch, sleek, flowing lines, high-gloss finish, and many upscale features. The helm features a full array of custom, chrome-bezel Livorsi® illuminated gauges set in burl wood-finish dash panels to monitor the boat’s systems. The powered engine hatch provides access to twin sterndrives starting with 300-horsepower packages by MerCruiser or Volvo Penta.
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Test Video
Scarab 255 Impulse WAKE Edition:
Twin Jet Handling, 53.2 mph WOT
With twin 250 Rotax 4-TEC jet power, the Scarab 255 Impulse WAKE Edition is a spirited performer with a 3.1-second hole shot and a top speed of 53.2 mph. She comes loaded with upscale features, including a folding wakeboard tower with Bimini, four-speaker stereo with Bluetooth and MP3 connectivity, and a tandem-axle trailer with brakes, chrome wheels, and swing-away tongue. The company's Intelligent Neutral and Reverse (iNR) system makes the boat more responsive and easier to drive.
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Captain’s Report
Sea Fox 206 Commander:
Family-Friendly Angler
The Sea Fox 206 Commander features high-tech construction including Penske board in the transom and Klegecell sandwich foam in the deck and hullsides for stiffness and light weight. Folding aft jump seats create an aft casting platform, as well as providing the smoothest spot in the boat during rough-water runs. The bow includes dual padded, curved backrests, stainless steel drink-holders and armrests, and an optional cushion converts the whole area into a sun pad.
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Comparison
85'-90' Motoryachts:
We Compare Four Classy Cruisers
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Ocean Alexander 85 Motoryacht
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Monte Carlo Yachts 86
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Hatteras 90 Motor Yacht
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Ocean Alexander 90 Motoryacht
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This week's comparison includes four classy 85' to 90' motoryachts, any of which will excel at long-range cruising, weekend harbor-hopping with family and friends, entertaining business associates, or part-time chartering to defray expenses. Not many years ago, yachts this size and weight ambled over the oceans at 10 knots or so; folks with a lot of time on their hands were fine with that. Throttling back any of today's boats results in greater cruising range, but when time is more important than money, they can sprint, too, thanks to compact, high-horsepower diesels. Weight is also a factor: there is around 70,000 lbs. between the heaviest and lightest (also fastest) boat in this comparison. And that makes cruising more fun for people with limited time to spend onboard and who tire of seeing the same coastline weekend after weekend; in a couple of hours, you can be someplace new. But while these four classy cruisers are similar in general, they are much different in their specifics. Find out all the details.
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