Palm Beach 55 | Beneteau Monte Carlo 6 | Regal 29 OBX
The Palm Beach 55 hides a full-sized tender garage under the teak deck. The garage houses a 10’8” (3.05 m) inflatable with an outboard that is included as standard equipment. When the deck is raised, it also lifts the stern of the tender into position to slide out on the installed rails and transition right into the water. A system of lines and pulleys make launching and retrieval reliable. This important detail allows the boat to function much better as a practical cruiser.
The center-mounted main-deck command station of the Beneteau Monte Carlo 6 includes a power-adjustable Besenzoni captain’s seat with navigational controls on the port armrest and joystick control for the twin Cummins QSC diesels to starboard, giving the operator full control without having to stand up. The console is finished in a mix of Alpi woods and leather inlay. The “glass dash” is mounted to a pod-style panel. Ahead is a massive single-piece windshield.
The Regal 29 OBX has seating for multitudes, in part thanks to smart engineering like the transom seats, which operate on a power slide to move fore and aft, providing alternately 10” (25.4 cm) more legroom for seated passengers, or more lounge space when forward to connect with the amidships seating. The backrests can flip to create a lounging area facing the swim platform, as well. The entire assembly lifts to access a large lazarette—which is the engine box on the sterndrive version of this boat.
Powered by Evinrude’s E-TEC G2 150 two-stroke, we recorded a top speed for the Larson FX 1850 DC of 44.1 mph at 5900 rpm. It took 2.3 seconds to plane, 3.1 seconds to 20 mph, and 5.9 seconds to 30 mph. Our best cruising speed with the highly efficient outboard came in at 23.8 mph at 3500 rpm, which yielded 5.59 mpg and 181-statute-mile range. Note the exceptionally clean single-tube installation on the transom thanks to the all-digital controls and integrated steering system of the E-TEC G2.
The Malibu Wakesetter 23 LSV is reportedly the best-selling towboat of all time, and we can see a lot of reasons why. The company introduced the industry-changing SurfGate in 2012, allowing creation of steep, surfable wakes on either side of the boat at the touch of a button. The Wakesetter also includes quad Hard-Tank ballast allowing the driver to set the shape and size of the wake by adjusting the load with ease. Other features are the hydraulically actuated Power Wedge II for instant wake control, Gorilla tracking fins for cornering performance, and a reputation for a quality build and eye-catching styling throughout.
The tiny bubbles created by cavitation can add up to real damage over time. The energy released as each bubble dissipates creates a shock wave that can pit and erode the metal of a prop. Boaters should know what to look for to head off performance-sapping, long-term damage.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Sometimes it's not what you know, but what you've forgotten. We have the perfect solution for you. |
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...
|
BoatTEST.com, LLC |
|
All articles, Captain's Reports, video content or other |