Grady-White Freedom 275 | Tiara Sport 38 LS | The Ultimate Livewell - 09/11/19
BoatTEST Newsletter September 11, 2019
Test Video
Grady-White Freedom 275:
Dual Purpose Dual Console
From family fishing to water sports, the Grady-White Freedom 275 can be optioned with 200-hp Yamaha 4-strokes, as our test boat was. Best cruising speed was 31.5 mph (50.69 kph) at which she got 2.2 mpg (0.93 kpl) for a range of 365 SM (317 NM). Top speed was 48.9 mph (80.14 kph). During the test, she ran 1.6 gph (6.05 lph) at a trolling speed of 5.6 mph (4.8 kts) -- getting over 3 mpg (2.6 nmpg). Her V-bottom delivered a smooth, dry ride in our tests, and is one of the most important attributes of this vessel. More...
Schedule A Test DriveDealer Contact RequestPricing Request
Captain's Report
Grand Banks 60 Skylounge:
Fine Fit-and-Finish, Practical in Design
The Grand Banks 60 Skylounge displays the fit-and-finish for which the brand is famed, but she’s also a very practical and efficient design. Thanks to her hull design and lightweight construction with extensive use of carbon fiber, she achieves surprising speeds and fuel economy. Powered with twin 900-hp Volvo Penta diesels with shaft drive, top speed was 31 knots, while she burns 8 gph at 10-knot displacement speed for a range of 1,721 NM, per company tests. More...
Test Video
Tiara Sport 38 LS:
2x 527-HP 7 Marine Power/ 54.6 MPH WOT
Our test captain recently tested the Tiara Sport 38 LS with a pair of Seven Marine 527-hp DuoProp outboards on the transom. The big V8s feature closed loop cooling, the only outboards in the industry with this feature. The engines have both an engine oil cooler and a transmission oil cooler ensuring durability. A supercharger boosts the horsepower output on this 6.2-liter engine, producing considerable torque to quickly get the boat out of the hole and keep her on plane at relatively low speeds. These engines aren’t for everyone, since they are the most sophisticated and most expensive outboards on the planet. More...
Features Video
Aquila 36:
Cat Comfort w/Seating Galore
Many boaters are aware of the amount of space aboard the Aquila 36, thanks to the broad 14'7" (4.45 m) beam. But, there’s also a level of eye-appeal in this brand -- as evidenced by touches like the multi-toned, diamond stitched upholstery and heavy gauge polished stainless-steel hinges on the flip-up bolsters of the double-wide helm seat. There’s seating space for up to 20 aboard, all in similarly-upholstered furnishings. Fore and aft lounges fold out to form extra-large sun pads. More...
Test Video
BENETEAU Antares 23:
Compact Cruiser Sleeps 4
The Antares 23 is actually 27’ (8.2 m) long, including the swim platform, and she packs a lot of living space into that LOA. There’s a compact dinette that can convert into an optional berth. A galley just abaft of the helm seat includes a sink, an optional refrigerator and a gas cooker. Below, she sleeps two in a V-berth, and also includes an enclosed head with an optional shower. There’s a larger dining area in the cockpit, and this area can be protected with an optional aft Bimini, which we recommend. She’s outboard-powered with options to 200-hp. A bow thruster is available. More...
Schedule A Test DriveDealer Contact RequestPricing Request
Boating Tips
The Ultimate Livewell
Many factors go into the construction of a quality livewell.
Livewells are tricky to get right. One design flaw can be ruinous, and very few livewells out there have all of the different features that add up to the ideal. For a live bait angler, this can be of paramount importance. So, how can you tell if the livewell in a boat you’re looking at makes the grade? Here are some of the critical items to look for, if you want to have the ultimate livewell. More...
Expert Boating
BoatTEST.com's
4-DVD Boating Course
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 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
51 Bank Street, Suite 2A
Stamford, CT 06901
203-323-9900
[email protected]
All articles, Captain's Reports, video content or other material which appear on BoatTEST.com and in its newsletters are accurate and factual to the best knowledge of BoatTEST.com and its staff. All findings, beliefs, experiences or endorsements presented are the honest opinions of BoatTEST.com or its contributors. In compliance with FTC 16 CFR Part 255, BoatTEST.com advises its readers that the content which appears in its newsletter or on its website may have been produced for compensation or the prospect of future compensation. BoatTEST.com makes no claims for the veracity or motivation of reader comments, Owners' Reports and other contributions which are all clearly labeled as such.