Sea Ray SLX-W 230:
Family-Friendly Wake Surf Inboard
The Sea Ray SLX-W 230 is a luxurious family bowrider that can become a towsports machine with the push of a button on the dash-mounted touchscreen. She comes standard with three ballast tanks and the Dynamic Running Surface with Wake-Shaping tabs that turn the boat into a serious towing platform. An unusual option on a boat this size is the Mercury JPI system, combining the main propeller with an electric bow and stern thruster for precision handling not only around the dock but for retrieving those in the water.
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New Test Video
Boston Whaler 380 Outrage:
Rough Water Performance & 50 MPH WOT
The new Boston Whaler 380 Outrage has a narrow entry giving clean penetration in sloppy seas, and her 23-degree deadrise makes for a soft re-entry, with water being thrown wide and low. The SeaKeeper gyrostabilizer is an unusual option on a boat of this size, adding stability at rest and at trolling speeds. She also has an exceptionally broad 11'8" (3.56 m) beam, adding to fishing space and giving room below decks for a sleeping cabin for two. A bow thruster is standard, easing control at the docks.
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New Captain's Report
Vicem 46 IPS:
Downeast Design; All Wood Interiors
The Vicem 46 has the classic look of a Downeast design, with traditional lines and graceful tumblehome. Wide plank teak is used on all exterior decking. Interior decking is mahogany and patterned inlay holly. Steam-bent mahogany continues the flawless woodworking even on the salon overheads. The inlaid cabinetry below decks is equally striking for those who want the elegance of a boat with an all-wood interior.
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Test Video
Intrepid 407 Cuddy:
High Performance Fishing Machine
The Intrepid 407 Cuddy powered with triple 400 Mercury Racing outboards ran 58.0 mph in our tests, making her a good choice for tournament anglers who need to get far offshore fast. Below deck, a mid-cabin double berth, convertible settee, and standup head and shower make her a capable weekender, and lots of comfortable seating forward of the console allow her to function as an entertainment platform -- or an island hopper. And -- no one builds a boat quite as well as Intrepid.
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Test Video
Chaparral 21 H2O Sport OB:
Bold Style Plus Outboard Performance
The Chaparral 21 H2O Sport OB is a boldly-styled runabout sold with base outboard power and tandem-axle powder-coated trailer for $31,395. The transom sun pad is a versatile design that can flatten out for laying in the sun or prop up on either side for a backrest, and can lift completely to reveal both storage and the transom walkthrough. She delivered sporty performance in our test ride with a 3-second time to plane and a top speed of 48.4 mph.
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Comparison
We Compare 4 Dual Consoles
Grady-White Freedom 335
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Sailfish 325DC
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Boston Whaler 320 Vantage
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World Cat 320 DC
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This week's comparison is of four dual-console boats between 32' and 34'. Dual consoles combine the crew comforts of a bowrider with most of the functionality of a center console, but with a lot more comfort for the crew. They also, generally, have more storage space. These boats have two consoles, but are multi-functional: Dual consoles can be set up as family day-cruisers, watersports platforms, or as fishing boats with enough gear to satisfy all but the hardest-core angler. Different builders target their dual consoles to different users, so finding the exact boat to meet one's needs takes research and maybe a few visits to boat dealers.
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New Features Video
World Cat 280CC-X:
High-Tech Cat w/ Comfortable Interior
Cats are generally the most stable boats on the water. With twin hulls, a 9'2" (2.79 m) beam and exceptional freeboard forward, the World Cat 280 CC-X is clearly ready for long offshore runs in any fishable weather. Her sheerline and tumblehome present a sleeker look than most cat designs, and the broad bow gives far more deck and seating space than conventional monohulls. Her moderate 7,300 pound (3,311 kg) weight allows her to run well on twin 200s, keeping fuel use to a minimum for the genre.
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Test Video
Grady-White Express 370:
Blue Water Battlewagon
The Grady-White Express 370 comes well equipped for cruising, with two berths, full galley, head with walk-in shower, dining space, cockpit grill, air conditioning, and an optional enclosed three-sided pilothouse. Like all Grady-White's, she's also ready for serious angling, with lots of rod holders, large refrigerated fishbox on the transom and a rigging station and livewell behind the console seating. Powered with triple 300-hp Yamahas for our tests, she topped out at 48.3 mph.
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Captain’s Report
Beneteau Oceanis 38.1:
Sailing Performance w/ 2 to 3-Stateroom Layout
The modern lines of the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 produce good performance under sail. Twin rudders and steering wheels maintain precise control. Her wide beam is carried well aft, provides speed off the wind, and a large, comfortable cockpit suitable for entertaining at anchor. She's available in two- or three-stateroom layouts.
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Test Video
NITRO® ZV21:
Multi-Species Fishing Machine w/ 60 mph WOT
The NITRO® ZV21 is designated a multi-species boat, which means she's capable of taking on big northern lakes for walleye and pike, but can also double as a southern fishing platform for bass or panfish. The fiberglass hull delivered 60-mph speeds with the Mercury 300 Verado, and the high freeboard and large windshields should keep anglers dry even on rough, windy days.
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Test Video
Regal 2300 RX Surf:
Primed for Wake Surfing
The Regal 2300 RX Surf is a fully-equipped tow-sports platform, complete with 1,500 pound (680 kg) ballast tanks, PowerTower high tow point, Surf Trim tab system and Volvo Penta Forward Drive outdrive. The FasTrac hull, with a mid-beam step to provide under-hull ventilation, is said to boost speed and/or fuel economy with a given power system. Twin 3-position "UltraLounges" face aft.
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Test Video
Hatteras 70 Motor Yacht:
Euro Style in a True Passage-Maker
The Hatteras 70 Motor Yacht has a LOA of 74’ 6” (22.71 m) and a 21' (6.40 m) beam, which is exceptionally broad for the class, adding lots of usable space both above and below deck as well as increasing beam stability in a seaway. She also has a 5'3" (1.60 m) draft, shallower than many in this LOA, adding confidence in cruising the ICW as well as allowing home dockage in shallower venues. She can be powered by twin 1800-hp 12V 2000 MTUs.
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Captain's Report
SUN TRACKER® PARTY BARGE® 20 DLX:
Entry-Level Pontoon Boat
The SUN TRACKER® PARTY BARGE® 20 DLX is an entry-level pontoon boat, but she has quality touches that most buyers will like, including pillow-top, multi-layer foam furniture finished with UV resistant, marine-grade 26-ounce vinyl, 28-ounce marine grade carpet, Bimini top and a swiveling captain's chair with folding armrests. The full-width aft swim platform is useful for watersports and also allows easy access to the outboard. Standard power is a Mercury ELPT four stroke Command Thrust.
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Finance Captain's Report
Sterling Associates:
Boat Buying Made Easy
Since 1991, Sterling Associates has provided financing, insurance, and documentation services for those in the process of purchasing a boat. The company handles transactions from $25,000 and up for both new and used boats. The average size transaction is around $200,000 with a median somewhere between $500,000 and $600,000, according to the company. When buying a boat, consumers should always check the rates offered by Sterling.
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Test Video
Cruisers Sport Series 298 Bow Rider:
A Total Watersports Boat w/ Room
This boat is big and has one of the largest watersports launching platforms in class. The Cruisers Sport Series 298 Bow Rider is a big-water sportboat with plenty of freeboard and flair to keep her dry in bumpy upwind runs. She has a 21-degree deadrise to ease the ride, and her 8'6" (2.59 m) beam provides lots of lounging and seating space. A Bimini and cockpit cover are standard, a camper back optional.
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New Consumer Report
12 Important Features in a Center Console
These days the most popular monohulls boats are center consoles and they are being used more and more not just for fishing, but for family outings, entertaining, and even towing sports. While every angler knows what equipment is needed and families know the amenities they want to be satisfied in a boat, we often lose sight of the basics. In our report this week, we outline 12 important features that every center console should have. It is a “must read” for people in the market for a center console, new or used.
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