Boston Whaler 380 Outrage | Grand Banks 60 Skylounge | Formula 310 Bowrider
The redesigned Boston Whaler 380 Outrage has a dramatic increase in deadrise from the original, from 15-degrees to a whopping 23-degrees for a dramatic improvement in rough-water ride. The design extends the sharp deadrise well amidships to deliver a more comfortable ride at the helm. A running pad with minimal rocker angle helps the boat plane easily, minimizing bow rise, and increasing visibility at all speeds. The “dynamic running surface” trim tab system incorporates large triangular planes integrated in the running surface to increase lift and effectiveness compared to traditional transom-mounted tabs.
The Skylounge of the Grand Banks 60 is reached from inside the main cabin and is a large space for entertaining when in day boat mode. Like the rest of the yacht, it’s fitted out with meticulous woodwork in real matched-grain teak – most of it solid. Power windows to port, starboard, and aft, and two hatches overhead, allow the crew to ventilate the space by natural means. Importantly, there is a day head here, as well.
The Formula 310 Bowrider offers eight engine options including sterndrives and outboards. We tested the 310 with twin color-matched 400-hp metallic blue Mercury Racing engines. The electronically-steered engines connect seamlessly to Merc’s joystick control for effortless docking. Bracket-mounting the outboards allows for a full-beam swim platform, with water access to the sides.
Engine rooms in sub-50-foot yachts are notoriously cramped, dark and a tangle of hoses and equipment shoe-horned in, and key equipment is nearly impossible to reach. But that’s not the case with the Cruisers Yachts 46 Cantius, which has the important things such as through hulls, sea strainers, fuel filters, engine water fills, and oil dipsticks within easy reach. There’s also adequate space to get at the standard Onan 13.5 kW generator, and the whole engine room is fully insulated to help reduce noise.
One of our most popular videos in 2019 was our animation on how 2-stroke and 4-stroke outboard engines work. Knowing the details of the engines’ designs can help put in perspective the basic differences in the two propulsion concepts. Until last year there were three brands of 2-strokes available in the U.S. – but now there is only one, Evinrude. In essence, the two biggest outboard engine makers threw in the towel, as the engineering and technology of the Evinrude E-TEC G2 2-stroke engines was demonstrably superior, among other reasons.
Most fishing boats, in both offshore waters and in inland lakes and rivers, are open boats. They are easy to get around on when fighting fish, they are relatively lightweight, fast, and affordable. But most of them have some vulnerabilities, some have more than others, in any given condition. We take an in-depth look at what you should know about open boats, using them, and being prepared for the worst.
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Based on the feedback we’ve been getting about BoatTEST.com's Video Boating Course it’s clearly not only for beginners, but also for veteran boaters as well. Perhaps that is why the NMMA started promoting the course after just one look. It's the most complete boating course available… period. Order your 4-disc box set...
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