Ocean Alex 118 | Sundeck Yachts 580 | Cruisers Yachts 60 - 11/01/19
BoatTEST Newsletter November 1, 2019
Features Video
Ocean Alexander 118 Tri-Level Motor Yacht:
Multi-Level Luxury & Entertainment
Ocean Alexander 118 Tri-Level Motor Yacht
The Ocean Alexander 118 Tri-Level Motor Yacht is all about luxury-level entertaining for large groups of guests, and the broad boat deck, just abaft the skylounge, is ideal for this function. The teak table here seats up to eight, while the granite-topped bar offers four swiveling stools. The oversized electric grill is just a few steps away to port, as are the refrigerator and icemaker. There’s plenty of space for lounge chairs aft, and the 3,000-lb. (1,360 kg) crane can make quick work of bringing the ship’s boat back aboard. More...
Test Video
Sundeck Yachts 580:
Fuel-Efficient Engine Choices
The Sundeck 580 has an eye-catching post-modern design with a squared off house, rectangular windows both on the salon and hullsides, an ax bow and stark vertical pipe radar mast. Among her engine choices, she features twin FPT 570 diesels, built by FPT Fiat in Turin, Italy. The 6.7-liter electronically-injected engines proved to be fuel-efficient at displacement speeds in our tests, getting 1.6 nmpg at 8.6 knots for a range approaching 950 NM, while top speed was 23.8 knots. The shaft-drive engines are positioned well forward, giving the yacht good balance at all rpms, and leaving space aft for crew quarters. More...
Test Video
Cruisers Yachts 60 Cantius:
Express Style, Yacht Comforts and Security
The forward bulwarks of the Cruisers Yachts 60 Cantius are not only a design feature of this sleek express/yacht, they also add freeboard forward so they reduce spray. The bulwarks and polished stainless guard rails also make it much safer to make full use of the bow entertainment/sunning area while underway. Note that this entire area can be shaded by the optional Bimini. Deck drains plus side boarding gates get rid of any water that comes aboard offshore. More...
Test Video
Sailfish 275 DC:
8 Hull Colors Are Available
The Sailfish 275 DC is available with eight hull colors, including white, six included as standard. Deep Blue, seen above, and black are premium colors and cost extra. We’d go for Deep Blue, anyway, because it just looks nautical to our eye. The other colors are pastels which all look classy and will not show salt like the Deep Blue and Black. We’re partial to dual consoles because they are so good for entertaining. The 275 DC has a large cockpit with fold-up bench seats both from the transom and the port gunwale. Plus, there is an optional galley to starboard. More...
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Test Video
Aviara AV32:
Innovative Euro-Style Dayboat
The Aviara AV32 features the sort of avant-garde styling seen on upscale European day boats these days, but she’s built in America by the MasterCraft team. One of her cool features, literally, is CoolFeel vinyl upholstery coverings, which greatly cuts the heat buildup when she is left in the sun, making for much more comfortable seating. There is an optional Bimini for both bow and stern. A pair of 380-hp Ilmor V8s provides strong performance, pushing her to over 54 mph in our test runs. An outboard version is also available. See Captain Steve's full inspection here...
Test Video
Boston Whaler 160 Super Sport:
A Good Choice for Messing About
The Boston Whaler 160 Super Sport continues the tradition of boats just made for summers at the shore, gunk-holing, visits to secret beaches, a bit of shelling, snorkeling and fishing -- pretty much just messing about in boats. She is built to last through several generations of use with the unsinkable Uni-bond construction. With a sharp forward entry and a 15-degree deadrise at the transom, she delivers a softer ride than the first versions of this boat. We tested the 160 Super Sport with both a 90-hp and a 75-hp Mercury FourStroke. We found that both produced top speeds around 37 mph (59.5 kph) -- due to equipment variations and more windage on the 90-hp powered boat -- and best fuel economy exceeded 6 mpg (2.5 kpl), which is an economical number. See the test runs here...
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Does Your Helm Pass
ABYC Muster?
Does Your Helm Pass ABYC Muster?
Here’s a fairly wonky look at the ABYC standards boat builders follow in engineering the helm station on all boats that earn NMMA certification. It’s a good reminder for all of us that clear forward vision from the command post is a must, no matter what the running attitude, sea condition or load. While builders must follow the standard for ABYC approval, captains also bear responsibility for doing everything necessary to always keep a sharp lookout and operate in a safe manner. Check out the standards here...
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