Palm Beach 55 | Chaparral 210 | Alumacraft 185
The sit-down helm of the Palm Beach 55 has the same outstanding level of fit-and-finish in real Burmese teak seen in the rest of the yacht. The glass dash is relatively low, maximizing vision forward. Note that the black vinyl on the dash extends all the way to the windshield to reduce glare. The “A” frame, like we often see in an automobile, allows the power vent window to operate. Three raked windshields across the front of the cabin are clear tempered glass and each has its own pantograph wiper with 24 V synchronized motors, variable speed control, and washers.
The Alumacraft Edge 185 Sport is a lightweight package when powered by Evinrude’s E-TEC G2 150 H.O., scaling just under 2,700 lbs. (1,225 kg), and the high-torque two-stroke delivered an impressive performance. Turning a Rebel 15 1/4" x 19" 3-blade prop, she jumped the aluminum hull on plane in just 2.8 seconds and reached 30 mph in 5.2 seconds. Top speed was 45.1 mph and best cruising speed was 26.6 mph, at which her range was 175 SM. Noise levels are minimal, just 71 dB at idle, 83 at WOT. Evinrude now owns Alumacraft.
All powered vessels must give way to boats approaching from the starboard quadrant. (Rule 15 of the USCG Nav Rules). The trouble is, if an operator can’t see his forward starboard quadrant because of thick mullions or a dense A frame, there could be problems. There are quite specific ABYC standards regarding obstructions presented by permanently fixed equipment, hardtop supports, windshield mullions, overhead brows, and bulkheads. Does your boat conform to them? |
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| Chaparral 210 SunCoast |
Swim platforms often look tacked onto outboard sportboat models. But that’s not the case with the Chaparral 210 SunCoast, which has the platform cleanly blended into the overall design. The three-step telescoping boarding ladder tucks neatly under a hatch to starboard. The aft facing seats are a good place to gear up for watersports. The bottom cushions lift up to reveal storage and access to the battery switches. Beneath the cushions, the hatch is finished in non-skid so it can serve double-duty as a step to a fixed pier.
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| Galeon 380 Fly |
The low top hamper of the flying bridge on the Galeon 380 Fly maintains the sleek lines of her styling and also makes it easier to get under low bridges. The radar arch can be folded down to gain a bit more clearance when necessary. The aft extension of the flying bridge provides shade for the cockpit, while a large Bimini folds up to shade the upper control station. Note the considerable rake of the windshield and the nearly full-length hullside windows, adding to the flowing style of the exterior.
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| MAKO® Pro Skiff 19 CC |
The MAKO® Pro Skiff 19 CC is an ultra-shallow-running flats fishing skiff that floats in just 9” (0.23 m) of water thanks in part to its “Advanced Inverted V” running surface, a modified twin-hull design that carries the 7’9” (2.36 m) beam nearly all the way to the bow, and provides maximum flotation. She’s fully equipped for angling with a 25-gallon (95 L) aerated baitwell, rod holders, built-in 85-quart (80 L) ice chest and plenty of space up front to mount a trolling motor. She’s economically priced at $24,390, including a Mercury FourStroke 115 and galvanized trailer.
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Factory Video
Hatteras Paint and Finish:
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Hatteras Paint and Finish |
Painted hulls look better, period, but many manufacturers don’t offer them because it’s very costly and time-consuming to sand, prime, paint and buff to yacht-grade standards. Hatteras, however, paints every hull in an extensive 10-step process that can take up to 15 days to complete. Epoxy filler fills any imperfections in the molded hull and long-board sanding, as shown here, then fairs the surface to perfection. Multiple coats of primer and automotive-grade paint, buffed to a mirror-like finish, complete the process. Painted hulls are more resistant to UV fading than gelcoat, and also easier to keep clean.
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Boating Tips
10 Common Mistakes Boaters Make
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It’s comforting to know that in most places in the U.S. help is just a VHF call away. But, the general idea of being an educated boater is not to have to use these services. |
We have assembled 10 common mistakes that boaters make. All of them can cost money, and some can be much more serious. They span the gammet from simple to complex on big boats and small. Plus, we’d like to hear about mistakes you’ve made that we can pass along to our other BoatTEST Members. (We’ll keep your name secret.)
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Expert Boating
BoatTEST.com’s
4-DVD
Boating Course
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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...
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