New Captain's Report
Palm Beach 55:
Easy-Riding Downeast Design
Conventional boating wisdom is that only deep-V boats can provide a smooth ride on plane in rough water, but the Palm Beach 55, a handsome Downeast design with only 8-degrees of deadrise, delivered an impressive ride in some very rough seas during our test runs. And, less V aft means more fuel-efficient performance, as well as less tendency to rock and roll in beam seas. Note the sharp forefoot, which cuts through seas easily.
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Features Video
Riviera 68/72 Sports Motor Yacht:
An Anchoring System Done Right
The Riviera 68 and 72 are essentially built the same forward of the mezzanine, and one of the places where they are identical is on the bow. The standard anchor windlass is a powered vertical unit that can handle chain or line, something few boats have outside of trawlers. Note that there are two large cleats ready to tie-off line, and the access to the chain locker is large enough for even a portly owner/operator to descend if a chain needs to be untangled. We also like the “working pit” abaft the windlass to make the crew more secure in snotty conditions.
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Test Video
Regal 19 Surf:
Entry-Level Wakesports Platform
Most wakesports boats are weighted down with 2,000 lb. (907 kg) of ballast water in inflatable tanks aft to make them “squat” and roll up a large wake. The Regal 19 Surf takes a different course, using oversized tabs to create and shape the wake. The tabs are controlled with a glass dash “Regal View” system that can also be used to get the boat on plane almost instantly—2.9 seconds—then automatically trim up as she comes on plane. The Forward Drive lower unit with props facing forward makes this wake boat possible.
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Test Video
NITRO® Z19:
Rods at the Ready
The front deck of the NITRO® Z19 is a well-organized battle station for a tournament bass fisherman or a serious weekend warrior, because it has plenty of space to lay out a full complement of rigged-and-ready rods, with tie-downs to keep them in place when on plane. There is also a well to keep the foot control of the trolling motor where it belongs, and there’s space to flush-mount a 12” GPS/sonar. Lockable port and starboard rod boxes for rods to 8’ (2.44 m) long are standard.
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Review Video
10 Advantages of a Cat:
Easy Handling at the Docks
Cats are a different breed, so to speak, when it comes to some aspects of slow-speed operation. By having the outboards widely separated on the transoms, when putting one engine forward and the other in reverse, the boat easily pivots around its centerline because the lever arm is relatively long. On twin-engine monohulls the outboards are very close together, just a few inches from the centerline, which makes it hard to pivot the boat – even with a joystick. See our video on the 10 Advantages of a cat.
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