Innholdsfortegnelse for Boating Buyers Guide 2019 i Boating

The launch of Yamaha’s EX series marked the brand’s long-awaited entry into the competitively priced “Rec Lite” class of personal watercraft. The EXR takes all that was special about those fun recreationally minded earlier models and adds a dose of horsepower. The result is a spirited craft that still keeps costs in check while providing Yamaha’s trademark reliability. The power that tacks that R onto the model name comes from of a new engine-control unit added to the current three-cylinder 1,049 cc EX engine. The new ECU bumps the EX’s previous 100 horsepower to the EXR’s current 110. The new engine also out-revs the existing power plant by 700 rpm, topping out at an even 8,000 rpm. Other additions include a top-loader intake grate to better supply the pump, and…

When engineers create a 20-foot deck-boat hull with exciting top speed and watersports-capable hole shots using a four-cylinder 150 hp outboard, you either have a great design, a magical motor or a marriage made in heaven between the two. This boat has Stingray’s Z-Plane hull, the result of nearly 40 years of successful engineering. It is designed to provide a stable platform with a crisp ride in chop, plus comfortable steering and stability at any speed. The power comes from Yamaha’s proven 150 hp four-stroke motor. On our muggy day, the boat topped 48 mph, but on cooler crisper days when the air was denser and perhaps the load a little lighter, Yamaha techs saw over 50 mph on their speedo. We think it’s doable. And the driving was done…

The MDX 211 OB Center Console is a new-for-2019 twist on the builder’s popular deck-boat design that excels at both family fun and fishing duty. Family amenities start with a wraparound bench that spans the front perimeter of the cockpit. Comfortable, thickly padded cushions line the interior wall. A pair of removable seat backs offer additional forward-facing back support for those who prefer to stretch. Another passenger perch is built into the front of the center console. Aft, the captain’s 3-foot-wide bench offers the convenience of a leaning post with a flip-over backrest that also allows attention to be focused aft. There’s also a two-person transom bench and single jump seat that combine to accommodate more crew in plush comfort. Does your family’s fun include watersports? A pull-up ski pylon…

We’ve seen Formula’s flagship 310 bowrider before, but this year something was decidedly different about the boat we discovered dockside — a pair of powerful Mercury outboards mounted to an Armstrong bracket at the transom. This choice of power has several advantages, not the least of which is ease of maintenance. Not having to house engines within the hull also opens up considerable space. On the 310 BR OB, the former engine compartment now becomes a spacious lazarette, ready to handle a whole crew’s supply of gear for a season’s worth of fun. How do outboards compare to sterndrives in terms of performance? Our test boat’s twin Verado 350s leveraged the hull onto plane in less than 8 seconds, reaching 30 mph in just over a second more. Top speed…

In the Leader 10.5, Jeanneau’s design team blended above-the-water flair with compact but comfortable living spaces. Speed and efficiency come from a Michael Peters-designed Stepped-Vee Ventilated Tunnel hull. Standard power is twin Yamaha 300s. A bow thruster and trim tabs help fine-tune performance. Our tester cruised at 25 to 35 mph (3,800 to 4,500 rpm). Fuel economy proved excellent for a 10,000-plus-pound boat carrying a 3.5 kW generator and offering a 225-mile range. Noise level was low enough to converse with ease. The skipper pilots from the center of three bolstered chairs, with a dash for twin 12-inch electronic displays. The chairs mount on an athwartship galley unit with an electric grill (optional), twin sinks over a refrigerator, and a recessed grab rail across the after edge. The cockpit holds…

Just because a boat goes fast doesn’t mean it delivers great hole shot or maneuvers with confidence. Fortunately, the Mystic Powerboats M3800 tops 84 mph, blasts from zero to 30 mph in 6.4 seconds, and when I spun the helm of this luxury dayboat, its multi-stepped hull leaned in and allowed me to confidently power through turns. You don’t need experience driving race boats to enjoy the performance the M3800 offers. According to Mystic Powerboats president and designer John Cosker, who’s designed step hulls for Contender, Donzi and others, the M3800’s steps were tuned to deliver exactly that kind of experience. The M3800 also impressed us with innovations, such as the pair of wind-blocking doors that deploy between the console and the hull sides. Coupled with the wide three-person helm,…

Welcome to the world of big air, endless waves and countless smiles. Today’s watersports boats not only deliver unbelievable wakes and waves for riding behind the boat; they are also full of amenities and unique design features to keep you comfortable and entertained while on board. Trust us, there is nothing quite like the experience of surfing a waist-high wave while your friends and family cheer (or maybe laugh) from just feet away. In the pages that follow you’ll find our comprehensive tests of some of the best watersports boats on the market, which will surely point you in the right direction for your on-water fun.…

The all-new ZS series from Supreme marks a huge step forward across the board for the price-conscious boat buyer. The ZS212 is no exception. For starters, its assertive lines and unique alignment of top deck and hull are bold — in a very good way. The ZS212 rides on what Supreme has dubbed its Tapered-V hull. As the name indicates, the hull tapers toward the transom, allowing it to sit deeper in the water, thereby displacing more water to create bigger and better wakes and waves. And even at just 21 feet, this boat can displace plenty of water thanks to 4,400 pounds of available ballast alongside a whopping 81-gallon fuel tank. More than displacement went into the design of the ZS hull, though. Offset chine lifting rails on both…

Forward-thinking design with cab-forward seating and Volvo Penta’s Forward Drive make the HD 220 a boat that family-watersports enthusiasts won’t soon outgrow. From the outside, the HD 220 is sleek. Our tester was sporty with a black and yellow color scheme and the wakeboard tower. Interior design included vinyl in four colors and as many textures, for a rich look that blended well with the exciting exterior look. The crossover hull style offers seating usually found in a deck boat, while the hull bottom with proud chines gives the boat the softer ride you expect from a deep-V bowrider. The HD 220 sliced through chop and wakes, and it remained firmly under control as it skittered over the bumps. The Forward Drive, with props turned forward, gave us a unique…

Sterndrive boatbuilders who want a surf boat in their arsenal have but a single choice of propulsion, Volvo Penta’s Forward Drive. How they enhance and direct their wakes, however, is a different story. Most opt for surf-oriented trim tabs, but Chaparral has licensed technology from one of the big-gun tow-sports manufacturers — Malibu’s Surf Gate. Surf Gate consists of a pair of vertically oriented tabs that lie flush with the swim platform. In use, either the port or starboard tab pivots outward to disrupt the convergence point of water coming off the hull side, thus creating a surf-friendly wake. Ballast, gate activation, speed control, even engine and audio functions are all accessed through a 7-inch Medallion touchscreen centrally located on the dash. In addition to passenger weight, further ballast can…

The T23 is Axis’ biggest traditional bow boat, and it does an incredible job of blending that line with the aggressive looks the brand is known for. Built on the Wake Plus hull, which is designed to push more water to help create the symmetrical and sizable wakes and waves that are Axis’ signature, the T23 is set up to provide fun for riders of all ability levels. With just a driver, passenger, factory ballast (with optional plug-and-play upgrade) and the new Power Wedge III, the T23 puts up a wake or wave that advanced riders will love. Add a few more friends to the boat and the wake only continues to improve. This is a testament to the combination of hull design and tech available on the T23. By…

For 2019, the Supra SE has gotten a refresh both inside and out. Underneath, the SE incorporates deeper hull characteristics to create larger wakes and waves, while simultaneously incorporating a 4,100-pound subfloor ballast system that utilizes two pumps per tank to increase both fill and drain rates. The AutoWake system automatically detects the riding characteristics of the boat, including pitch and roll, and adjusts the ballast accordingly to ensure an even ride — thereby creating symmetrical and clean wakes and waves. The Supra Swell Surf System helps to kick up the wakes and waves that pros live for, and the SmartPlate tab can be adjusted to tweak the shape and size of wakes and waves. All the settings can be saved as AutoWake profiles for different riders. Thanks to the…

There’s a new wave coming from Crownline’s latest surf boat powered by Volvo Penta’s revolutionary dual-prop Forward Drive propulsion system. The boat has an edge in luxury cruising and boasts the handling benefits of trimmable sterndrive power, but it uses wave-building forward-facing propellers. With a crew of five and full ballast tanks, the E 255 put up a wake you would have expected to see behind a V-drive. Riders liked the push and length of it. The Forward Drive doesn’t just excel at making waves though. In high-speed turns, the hull and drive system work together to provide race-ready tracking and steady handling. The E 255 has a glass cockpit instrument touchscreen that reports all engine functions, temps and diagnostic codes, and it gives complete control of the ballast system…

The S20 Cruise is a lot of boat for just under $29,000. Highly configurable, with many upgrades available, it’s a great platform fitted with Yamaha’s F70 four-stroke outboard. With a 13.5-inch-by-9-inch standard Yamaha aluminum three-blade prop, we hit 22 mph at 6,250 rpm. Our best cruise speed was at 15.5 mph and 4,500 rpm; at this gait, the little F70 drew only 2.9 gallons per hour, which calculates to a thrifty 5.3 miles per gallon. While 15 mph won’t win any speed contests, it’s plenty for family cruising and lighter watersports like tubing and kneeboarding. A 90 is the largest engine that can be bolted to the S20’s transom; in that case, the extra ponies would give more speed without reducing economy or range noticeably. Standard single-cable mechanical steering gives…

Berkshire is no rookie in the performance pontoon market, and this new 23RFX Arch STS 3.0 showcases the company’s ability to build a ’toon that’s fleet of foot and amply equipped. Our tester, fitted with a new Mercury 250 Four-Stroke, topped out just shy of 50 mph at just over 6,000 rpm twisting a 16-pitch Mercury Enertia stainless-steel wheel through 1.75 gearing. We hit 30 mph from a dead idle in just 5.4 seconds and full bow-down planing in just 2.8 seconds. It’s a rocket of a pontoon boat, sure to be a hit for watersports and big loads. Even with the big 250 on the transom, the Berskhire can be operated in miserly fashion, if you desire, netting 4.3 miles per gallon at 15 mph and 2,500 rpm. Even…

Testing the Barletta proved exciting. It’s a superb first-year effort for the company, new in the ’toon market but clearly listening to boaters’ desires. This platform does everything well from cruising to watersports. This truly versatile boat of high quality starts with great performance. Rigged with a new Mercury 250 FourStroke, the 25-foot tri-toon reached 45 mph at 6,000 rpm turning a 15-by-15-inch Mercury Enertia stainless-steel three-blade propeller. This package is thrifty too. Best cruise netted 3.6 mpg (4.8 gph) at a sedate 17 mph and 3,000 rpm. Even at 4,500 rpm and more than 31 mph, we still saw just under 3 mpg. Handling was predictable and authoritative, with crisp turning ability and no porpoising, bounce or wallowing at any speed. Acceleration from the Mercury FourStroke gave us bass-boat-like…

Manitou’s 25 Legacy LT Dual Engine SHP is the epitome of luxury and performance from this builder of pontoon boats. It’s also completely devoid of the category’s trademark aluminum from the deck up. Instead, molded fiberglass forms the perimeter enclosure, as well as the consoles and seat bases. The result is a thoroughly modern-looking take on the category. Step through the billet bow gate and parallel lounges nearly 5 feet in length span the port and starboard sides. Stowage, which has lip gutters and drains, is accessed below via cushions on articulating hinges. The helm and its identical new-for-’19 companion to port are both elevated 4 inches above the deck and feature individual, frameless windshields of tempered safety glass. Aft, dual 5-foot rear-facing lounges invite passengers to stretch out. Lift…

A pontoon model that offers a perfect mix of performance and luxury, the Sylvan S5 LZ features a layout that reflects this class of boat’s primary purpose — to accommodate and entertain plenty of friends and family. Expansive 5-foot-8-inch parallel benches span the bow, covered in a new softer-touch vinyl for 2019. An individual passenger seat sits across from the captain’s chair, elevated three inches above the deck for a better forward view. Aft, similar 4-foot-8-inch-long benches with rear-facing seat backs focus attention toward the stern. Cushions hinge outward to reveal low-maintenance roto-molded storage below, with gutters and drains to keep water at bay. Side cushions are cut away forward of the seat backs to keep a pair of stainless-steel cup holders within reach. Color-coordinated vinyl wraps the storage bases…

Barletta’s ownership traces its roots to the RV industry, but marine-industry vets occupy key company roles. The combo’s influence can be seen in the L25UC, which brings both new and familiar ideas to the table. Examples? How about a dog dish that slides out from under the 4-inch-elevated helm? You’ll also find USB receptacles in multiple seating locations, no less than 18 “Yeti-ready” cup holders, even a clever flip-up table that opens to the portside passenger seat with shade below for a pontooning pooch. More practical additions include a nearly 5-foot-deep aft deck area with stainless-steel ski tow bar, integrated fender storage and a clever in-floor compartment to port for wet items. Seating invites both socializing and relaxation. Forward, parallel benches run six feet along the port and starboard edges.…

Harris was one of the very first manufacturers to veer away from the traditional, fence-enclosed perimeter that has long defined pontoon boats. The Crowne SL 270 continues to showcase the manufacturer’s cutting-edge style while mixing in luxury and performance. Key to that style is the Crowne’s sleek exterior design. Rather than fencing, the Crowne opts for fiberglass, molded into four separate modules that simultaneously form the majority of the cockpit enclosure and interior seating. Forward, they angle away from the deck to give the craft angular bow lines and incorporate eye-catching LED running lights. Aft, they flow toward the stern before giving way to an inviting open rear swim deck. There is aluminum present that links the modules, but it is cleverly disguised. The result is a nearly seamless exterior.…

Fishing takes boaters to a different level. No longer just spectators to the pageantry of nature and the beauty of lakes, rivers, bays and oceans, boating anglers become participants in the mysterious watery realms that cover more than three-quarters of the earth’s surface. Fishing is a pursuit that requires perseverance, experience, skill, refined techniques, advanced tackle and, of course, the right boat. We’re here to help you find that boat — the one with the hull, power and features that will allow you to become the ultimate participant, an apex predator, be it upon lake, river, bay or ocean. Cast your eyes upon these aluminum and fiberglass models, make your choice, and then begin your ascent to the top of the food chain.…

In the early days of professional fishing, an 18-foot bass boat with a 150 hp outboard was optimum. Then the waters got bigger as B.A.S.S. ventured into the Great Lakes. The stakes got higher and bass boats stretched to 21 or more feet with up to 300 horsepower. But to most serious bass fishermen, an 18-footer is still preferred. Ranger serves up this Z518 with all the professional advantages of its bigger models and all the performance and efficiency of a compact model. The Z518 has the tough fiberglass stringer and pultruded transom system that give the high-end Comanches their solid ride, speed and controlled handling. And when easing along shorelines and other cover, the 8-foot beam and narrowed gunwales give plenty of space to move about safely on a…

The new Yamaha 190 FSH Sport combines center-console versatility with the advantages of jet propulsion. The new hull is 3 inches longer and 2 inches wider than the previous 190 FSH, and there’s more space in the main cockpit area. The new bottom is deeper forward to improve low-speed tracking, and both the shape of the strakes and an extended running surface are intended to reduce bow rise on acceleration. The forward console seat lifts to access an interior finished with a smooth liner. The space can be used for stowage or as a head. The bow platform is now flanked by a pair of angled pods. The compartment to port can hold four tackle trays, while the one to starboard is devoted to small-gear stowage. In the casting platform,…

The Regulator 23 is fast, durable, smooth-riding, fishable and good-looking, plus it won’t break the bank for serious offshore anglers. The 23 is now rated for dual outboards, and our tester sped over 48 mph with twin 150s on the bracket. Cruising at 29 mph, it burned less than 13 gallons of fuel per hour, giving this efficient boat a cruising range of 310 miles. It could be the ideal kingfish tournament boat. Its 24-degree-deadrise hull with sharp stem cleaves the seas and slides through them without shaking up the crew. In our test on the Intracoastal Waterway, we cruised back over doubled-up wakes with ease and never heard a hatch rattle thanks to positive latches and through-bolted hinges. A full-height wraparound windshield protected the skipper and passenger from spray,…

NauticStar built its reputation crafting boats of value and performance, solid reasons to be named the Official Bay Boat of the Louisiana CCA Star Tournament. The boatbuilder’s Hybrid series of boats exemplifies this pedigree. Versatility proves paramount aboard these three outboard-powered boats. The largest of these is the 251 Hybrid. With its sleek and stylish contours, this 25-foot addition to NauticStar’s Hybrid lineup offers a fresh look. It’s a unique multipurpose vessel, big enough to combine the features of a family-friendly pleasure boat with those of a tournament-ready fishing platform. The 251 Hybrid’s aft deck is covered with SeaDek faux teak decking for good-looking durability, and the oversize fold-down jump seat converts this area into a roomy fishing platform. The boat also features a nice stowage area and NauticStar’s integrated…

Pursuit’s S 288 Sport debuts as the latest member of the builder’s luxury center-console family. It incorporates generous stowage and a sizable console with a step-down head compartment. Boat buyers who place a premium on refinement will appreciate the elegant accents and upholstery. The entire family will love the conveniences. The dedicated anchor locker up front, for example, has a raw-water washdown and a windlass controlled at the helm and via remote — to effortlessly deploy and retrieve the through-stem anchor with the touch of a button. At the bow, above-deck compartments to port and starboard provide substantial dry storage and serve as seats, with comfy cushions on the hatches and coaming bolsters for backrests. A large in-floor compartment just forward of the console stows fenders or other oversize gear,…

Wellcraft’s 352 Fisherman blends angling, luxury and performance in a triple-outboard center-console. Step through the portside dive door and check out the bow seating that converts to twin loungers with backrests. Add a filler cushion to create a sun pad. Or put the bamboo table on its twin pedestals. A forward console seat for two offers an angled backrest and fold-down armrests. An optional Seakeeper 3 gyrostabilizer ($51,333) adds to the comfort by eliminating roll. A pair of foldout bench seats stretch across the transom, and a starboard transom door leads to the integrated swim platform. A covered 32-gallon transom livewell doubles as an insulated cooler. An optional 12-volt DC chiller ($7,667) minimizes the need for ice. A covered sink on the portside transom has a freshwater faucet. A covered…

Odds are if you’re investing in a 45-foot boat, you’re not looking for a one-trick pony. The Insetta i45c proved itself a multi-hull boat that’s truly designed to fit multiple purposes and fulfill many different missions. Looking for a seaworthy offshore fishing boat? Or want take a long-distance cruise? Go diving or sightseeing? Spend the day entertaining guests? The i45c has got you covered. This center-console catamaran offers twin and quad outboard-engine installations, starting with Yamaha F300s and running all the way up to Seven Marine 627s. Prefer to up your cruising range with diesel power? Insetta will rig the boat with twin Yanmar 370 hp sterndrives that get 1.6 mpg at 3,000 rpm. No matter how you power it, the twin asymmetrical stepped hulls and narrower tunnel design give…

Ethanol in fuel has been proved to be destructive to marine engines, Gunn says. “Most outboards made since 2000 can handle E10, or 10 percent ethanol, but not E15. And there are difficult challenges even with E10.” The flame temperature is actually a little cooler in ethanol than in gasoline, and ethanol will cool the incoming charge of air more than gasoline; however, lean fuel-air mixtures burn much hotter than rich ones, and running an engine designed for gasoline on ethanol mixtures causes the engine to run very lean, and thus, hotter. This is because ethanol requires less air to burn than gasoline, so increasing the ethanol content in fuel will cause the engine to run still leaner and hotter. Gunn is referring in part to the lower energy in…

You shop and shop and shop for a boat — and maybe forget that picking power is at least as important a factor, if not more, to your enjoyment of your time afloat. Ah, but Evinrude makes the selection simple. Want more power for less fuel? Easy, trouble-free operation? Better hole shots and acceleration? The satisfaction that comes from treating the environment — and your favorite places within it — gentler? Then the choice of outboard power is simple: Evinrude. With Evinrude E-TEC and E-TEC G2 engines, when you’re on the water, the only attention you need pay your outboard is an occasional glance back, with a flash of pride and smirk of satisfaction. Then, back to the fun ahead. POWER TO THE PEOPLE! Two-stroke outboard power has long been…

Yamaha’s flagship WaveRunner, the FX Limited SVHO, combines performance, handling, luxury and a collection of limited-edition amenities that separate it from the pack. The FX hull handles a wide variety of water conditions, from a carve on morning glass to ocean waves and rollers. Cranking the bars reveals a smooth transition into turns with an intuitive inside lean. In rougher waters, the hull tracks straight as an arrow with nary a wander or glitch to be found. Electric trim fine-tunes the hull attitude to the conditions, as well as puts more hull in the water when making those aggressive turns. Raising the trim enhances the craft’s top speed. At 1,812 cc, the engine below the saddle is the largest-displacement offering in the PWC industry. It benefits from both a supercharger…

It’s not easy to put the quantity of seating you’d usually only find on a pontoon into a svelte 20-foot deck boat, and then give it the exciting speed and agility you’d usually only find in a performance runabout. But Crownline partnered up with Suzuki in the E 205 XS to do just that. Top speed, acceleration, low bow rise and enough torque to power through turns without falling off plane are the most noteworthy characteristics of this combination. Stability and good idle-speed tracking are also tops, as we experienced in our tests. The latter trait comes thanks to what Crownline calls “power chines,” a term to describe hard reverse chines or proud chines, which enhance lift and improve hookup in turns. The Suzuki power was plenty to enjoy watersports…

Rinker has always been known for building boats appreciated by serious boaters. Its lineup displays style and flair but is deeply rooted in practicality. The Q3 is the latest offering that fits right in line with the Rinker mission. Viewed from the dock, this boat has instant appeal thanks to its sporty lines and pretty gelcoat, along with the optional forward-raked ski and wakeboard tower. But that pretty form is also built for hard-core function. You’ll note that the Q3 has some of the deepest, most secure freeboard in the cockpit and bow lounge among comparable runabouts. Rinker calls the bow area “hot tub” style, with plenty of seating, forward-facing backrests against the consoles and stainless-steel grab handles strategically placed for the crew to grab and stay secure underway. The…

The Sea Ray SLX 310 OB stands as a beautiful dayboat (the accepted term for a gigantic bowrider) that features serious style, creature comforts, and a crisp, nimble performance. Just what you’d expect from a Sea Ray. So, what’s unexpected? How this SLX gets up and goes. In lieu of sterndrives, twin 300 hp Verado outboards powered our test SLX. While you can upgrade to 350s, the smaller engines did a fantastic job, smoothly propelling the boat to a 52 mph top speed while comfortably seating a crew of five. The SLX has Sea Ray’s standard hull form, featuring a classic V tapering to 21 degrees at the transom, and the boat handled smoothly in lock-to-lock turns at 30 mph. All the while it traversed wakes from other boats and…

Boats with deep-V hulls, like Tiara Sport’s new 34 LS, are often credited with the ability to crash through rough seas with great ease. But such boats rarely seem to get credit for the efficiency that comes with that ability to run faster more comfortably — even if the waves turn out to be smaller than scary-size. Our test of the Tiara Sport 34 LS proves the point: Note that the fuel economy this boat posted during testing remains constant between 30 and 40 mph. So if you want to cruise faster, it won’t cost you more. And as our test proved, its deep-V hull and svelte beam-to-length ratio does run more comfortably through varied conditions than the hulls of many other boats we’ve tested. That ride comfort forms a…

Oh, what a boat! Triple Mercury Racing 400R motors are color-matched at the factory to complement the color scheme of the boat, but when we pressed the throttles down and the engines leaped into action, the last thing on our minds was the color. Step-bottomed boats can be fickle, slipping out of crisp turns unexpectedly, making some experienced boaters forgo them for more predictable conventional V-bottoms. There was nothing unpredictable about this boat though. Sharp turns got sharper as we fed in more throttle, and acceleration curves got steeper as we got bolder with the throttles. The 390 Sport ran flat out with a touch of trim and got surprisingly good mileage for a boat powered with three huge outboards. After a good run breaking 80 mph, we throttled down…

Take the head-snapping acceleration of a jet-pump drive system, add turn-on-a-dime maneuverability, speed control, a wakeboard tower, ballast and radical race-boat styling, and you get the Scarab 195 ID Wake Edition. Scarab’s jet propulsion has a docking mode, which lengthens the throttle stroke to avoid overcorrection. That makes sliding the Scarab into the slip an easy endeavor. Another unique feature is a true neutral adjustment. Tap a switch to raise or lower the jet bucket and balance the flow, which makes it easy to hold a true neutral spot on the water — something you’ll appreciate when pulling riders in towed sports. The sporty helm on our test boat had dual tachometers with both analog and digital displays. Lighted toggle switches are permanently labeled, and they’re easy to read and…

One of the first things you notice while getting into the 2019 Axis A22 is the new interior. The materials and patterns have been updated for 2019, giving the Axis line a whole new look and feel that we really enjoyed. Add in a new more streamlined captain’s chair, an adjustable rear bench seat, and a pop-up ratchet seat back on the port side, and you have an interior that’s comfortable and customizable for everybody. The dash continues the Axis tradition of combining digital and analog gauges and switches, making control of the boat’s functions simple and easy. A new head unit to the left of the steering wheel features a large knob for easy volume control, and the audio system has zone control, so you can blast the tower…

Glastron is making a name for itself as a surf-boat company, and it’s not doing it with rough-riding inboard systems. The company is doing it with Volvo Penta’s trimmable Forward Drive, a system that gives the boat better maneuverability than most other drive systems and the smooth ride only trim adjustments can offer. On the GTD 225 Surf and Fish, counter-rotating dual props face forward, and they’re set forward of the transom, well away from riders behind the boat. Exhaust is funneled through the prop hub, keeping the air behind the transom fresh and safe. Our 280 hp system gave plenty of thrust to move big crews, and we proved it in our tests. Our expert surf rider liked the ride for its long, forgiving wave with excellent push. Ballast…

Brand new from the bottom up for 2019, the ZS232 has flagship written all over it. While it’s not Supreme’s longest boat, it’s by far the builder’s biggest when it comes to onboard ballast and overall weight. The ZS is also the boldest and most unique-looking boat Supreme has ever built. On the water it’s a sight to behold — just one look and it screams wake-making machine. With its unique Tapered-V hull, which pinches in toward the transom to allow the back end to sink deeper into the water more easily, the ZS232 puts out large symmetrical wakes and waves that can hit the pro level in terms of size and rideability. With eight separate ballast zones holding a total of 4,600 pounds, all controlled from the touchscreen on…

Regal continues to expand on their “power of choice” concept by offering the LS4 in a surf-friendly package powered by Volvo Penta’s Forward Drive. The choice continues to push wakesurfing beyond the inboard market, while retaining all the features of this luxury-minded bowrider. Forward Drive makes surfing safer by positioning the prop safely under the hull. Regal’s Surf System does the rest, combining wake-shaping tabs with 2,000 pounds of water ballast contained within collapsible bags plumbed into three of the LS4 Surf’s storage compartments. The touchscreen display covers all of the above, controlling the filling of ballast, position of the tabs and desired speed. When not in surf mode, Forward Drive continues to pay dividends. Directional thrust provides nimble handling in both forward and reverse. The ability to trim increases…

As a sleek-looking 25-foot wakeboat, the Fi25 makes an immediate impact. And thanks to 5,050 pounds of available ballast plus Centurion’s new Opti-V hull, which utilizes 20 degrees of deadrise at the transom to sit lower in the water, that impact carries over to the wakes and waves. Without a doubt, the Fi25 made some of the biggest we tested this year. For wakesurfing, fill the ballast and activate the onboard QuickSurf Pro System, and you’ll be riding one of the most powerful wakesurf waves on the market, allowing you to ride farther back and move forward with ease. The QuickSurf Pro tabs switch easily and quickly, which lets surfers transfer from side to side without having to do much guessing. For wakeboarding, drain some of the ballast to help…

Cypress Cay provides a great family-friendly pontoon boat in the new Seabreeze 233. With a very quiet but gutsy Mercury FourStroke 150 outboard on the transom, we ripped off zero to 30 mph in times of 6.9 seconds, planed in 3.5 seconds, and topped out at just over 37 mph with the engine revving at 5,500 rpm. The decibel meter barely broke 80 db even at full speed, and that is quiet. This package is thrifty too. Our most economical cruising speed occurred at 15.8 mph, where we burned 3.5 gallons per hour (4.5 mpg). For a spunky Mercury 150 installed on a 23-foot boat, this combination really puts up respectable numbers for speed and efficiency while underway. Those numbers don’t detail the driving and handling of the Seabreeze, however.…

South Bay’s S224SB2 3.0 offers construction and features rarely found on value-minded pontoons. Examples include everything from the builder’s unique ¾-inch honeycomb decking, which is 50 percent lighter than marine plywood, to full-length extruded risers to 16-inches-on-center crossmembers. There’s even a 10-foot Bimini with a dome light. Passenger-friendly seating, however, remains a pontoon’s bread and butter. The S224SB2 3.0 provides a Transformer-like lounge/sun-pad combo aft. Its forward half consists of an L-lounge with nearly eight feet of seat space. Adding the pedestal table lets captain and crew gather for food and drinks. Behind, a 5-foot-2-inch-by-3-foot-9-inch sun pad awaits those who want to chill or mix things up. Pivot the backrest forward and reclining depth increases nearly 20 inches. A separate backrest with five positions of recline can also be lifted…

Although one can buy the Princecraft Vectra 25 RL for $22,283 (plus freight and prep charges) powered by a 40 hp outboard, we found it provided good fun and peppy performance fitted with a 150 hp Mercury FourStroke. So powered, we attained a top speed of over 38 mph and accelerated from zero to 30 mph in 11.7 seconds. We can already hear the kids you’ll tow on the tube behind the boat laughing with delight. Step aboard and you’ll note that Princecraft created a pontoon of distinction when it built the 2019 Vectra 25 RL. We immediately noticed the charcoal color of the seat bases, a refreshing and sharp-looking change from the de rigueur tan seat bases on most pontoon boats. Gravitating to the helm, we appreciated the new…

With its bold retro-inspired two-tone exterior panels, elegant vinyl coverings and interior composite wall covering, the 2585 Catalina Elite definitely stands out from the crowd. Those exterior panels are uninterrupted by traditional pontoon fencing, giving the Catalina’s exterior a sleek, clean appearance. The optional Blackout Package covered the pontoon tops in an attractive matte coating, a choice that tied in well with the boat’s matte-finish Suzuki outboard. External forward vents add more style points while providing air flow to the storage below the bow passenger lounges. LED docking lights set into black trim pieces complete the exterior. Within the confines of that sleek perimeter, find a versatile mix of seating. Forward, traditional bow lounges stretch a full 6 feet 6 inches. Opposite the helm, a love seat awaits with an…

The Bennington R25 Fastback proves a true neighbor-impresser. Mercury’s new V-8 packs the punch, pushing the R25 Fastback to 45 mph at 6,000 rpm turning a 14.7-by-16-inch three-blade stainless-steel prop. The Merc is as stingy as it is throaty, delivering an economical 17.1 mph, netting 3.25 miles per gallon and burning just 5.3 gallons per hour. This is a hot horse out of the gate. We clocked zero to 30 mph times in 6.84 seconds, which felt even quicker due to the Merc’s sudden and authoritative throttle response. Thanks to the deep cockpit, our decibel meter registered just 74 dB(a) at cruise speed, making for easy conversations without raising voices. Our tester had optional power-assist hydraulic steering to keep effort at the wheel smooth and manageable. It’s hard not to…

Bennington may position the G25 Fastback as one of its mid-class models, but this pontoon boatbuilder’s well-known focus on luxury and premium features remains on full display. Vinyl upholstery has been upgraded to two matched tones for the 2019 model year, in Bennington’s typically rich, upscale colors. An elegant dash at the helm station features matte-finish faux-wood accent panels. That distinctive color and finish carries over to the steering wheel. Rather than the standard aluminum we’re accustomed to aboard many boats, the aft boarding gate is an open framework fabricated from gleaming, polished stainless-steel tubing. The G25 puts a premium on passenger space and comfort. Outside the confines of the fence, spacious bow and aft decks are perfect for both boarding and coving. Within that perimeter, seating lines nearly every…

The parent company that makes PlayCraft pontoon boats has a long history of breaking performance records. It was the first to break the speed barrier in pontoons by entering the world’s largest shootout, the Lake Rescue Shoot-out at Captain Ron’s in Sunrise Beach, Missouri. The company currently holds numerous records in pontoons through its Hampton brand too. And then there’s the Charger bass-boat run down the Mississippi, from its source in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, in under 24 hours — the record still stands. But this Infinity, while quicker than the average pontoon, is just as noteworthy for its beauty and comfort, wrapped like a sports car and pushed by a Mercury Racing 400 hp outboard. PlayCraft originated strakes on its pontoon in the first shootout run. Now…

Boston Whaler recently introduced the newest evolution of one of its most iconic models: the 17-foot Montauk, arguably the first center-console skiff ever produced. Since the original 1961 introduction, 17-foot Boston Whalers have spread around the globe, on missions from boat-ride picnics, water skiing and fishing to life-or-death search and rescue to law enforcement, in everything from inland lakes to coastal bays to the edges of blue water. But if earlier versions proved so successful, why has Whaler bothered to tinker with its design? Can this latest iteration of this successful boat improve on a classic? What could possibly be gained? The 170 Montauk 2018 reimagines a classic. It features the same overachieving versatility, safety, easy maintenance and dollar value but with improved performance. New features include more space, more…

Ranger Boats may have begun its quest for fiberglass performance bass boats over 50 years ago, but it has successfully morphed, carrying its engineering excellence to the hull styles of every fishable boat. The VX1888 WT is not the company’s first foray into aluminum by far, but it’s noteworthy for its fishability, ride comfort and building style — it brings fiberglass to aluminum in a robust and stylish hybrid. On the hull, Ranger’s welds are smoother than a row of nickels — the welder’s standard for an even melding of metal. Inside, the deck sports four swivel bucket seats and a fishing-seat socket on both the fore and aft fishing decks. Fiberglass parts include sleekly designed dual consoles for captain and passenger, borrowed from Ranger’s popular Reata line. Also check…

The Stacked onto the 206 Cayman’s name stands for seating, acknowledging how Robalo borrowed the passenger-friendly bow layout of the 246 Cayman in order to make this shallow-draft bay boat a more versatile choice for cruising and family duty. Snap-in bow cushions create a U-shaped lounge recessed just below the forward casting deck, with four feet of stretch-out legroom both port and starboard, and a filler cushion in the forward platform step. Removable backrests on beefy billet arms slide into place for forward-facing backrests. A shallow coaming bolster adds an additional layer of comfort and security. Another seat awaits in front of the console with a full-height backrest and sturdy handrails to each side. At the helm, the double-wide leaning post features a flip-over backrest to let crew members focus…

It takes audacity for a boatbuilder to replace a successful boat. Cobia proves its pluck, upgrading its popular 237 model-to this 240CC (center console). A brilliant move, it kept the best features of the 237 (hull shape and running surface) and improved an already good deck and console. This is a boat all about creature comforts, whether you’re strictly an offshore angler or need a double-duty boat for the family. The 240CC makes no compromises in either category. Fishermen will love the large 33-gallon in-sole fish box (one of two on board) in direct line with the stern door, so you can boat and stash fish in one motion. The walk-arounds are a full 24 inches wide, with padded coamings and handrails everywhere. The optional hardtop, with powder-coated aluminum frame,…

Blackfin is rapidly expanding its new line of premium outboard sport-fishers, and the new 272DC brings plenty of style, durability, fishability and performance to the angler — just like the storied vessels of the brand’s seminal years. But there’s more to them today, more luxury and more cruising excitement. Thanks to dual Mercury outboards, hole shot proved exemplary for the boat’s size and weight. Its top speed delivered thrills, and with power steering and joystick controls, the boat exhibited more maneuverability than the founders of the brand could have imagined. Mercury’s new V-8s boast more power and more convenience — there are no expensive valve adjustments in the maintenance schedule, and you can check and add oil through a pop-open door atop the cowling. Throughout the vessel, hardware is top-shelf…

Grady-White’s new Freedom 325 emerges from evaluation as an excellent dual-console boat and one more reason for the company to win customer-satisfaction awards. It’s definitely beautiful with its upturned bow designed to ease through the treacherous passes of the Carolinas. The sheer line sweeps back and down in a graceful curve to the deep, but not too deep, secure cockpit — you can wire a fish over the side with your feet tucked firmly under the toe rails. The deck is low enough to fish but still high enough that you can tip dual Yamaha 300 outboards completely clear of the water — a feature essential to the long life of outboards. The platform is deep enough to give easy access to both motors, so cowls can be lifted to…

At 38 feet 6 inches long and a hair over 12 feet wide, Scout’s 380 LXF is a center console, but that’s like saying a Porsche Panamera is a station wagon. We ran the 380 through sloppy cruiser and workboat wakes in South Carolina’s Charleston Harbor. This nicely equipped boat took the largest wakes at well over 40 mph with no slamming. The very pronounced Carolina flare keeps crew dry. The hull is double-stepped to release the wetted running surface for high efficiency. Hull construction features epoxy-infused e-glass, hand-laid and vacuum-infused for maximum weight savings and strength, with no wood core to rot. At the bow, ultravinyl cushions flank a pop-up table that can be set higher for snacking, or lowered and fitted with a center cushion to form a…

When he walked into the Lake View Inn, our old friend Malcolm Sohm was greeted with a resounding chorus of “Goof! Goof!” It was not a derisive chant. Only the IRS and the DMV know the man as Malcolm. To the world at large he’s known as Goofy, a nickname he’s owned since 1972. How Malcolm became Goofy is a long story that involves green beer for lunch on St. Patrick’s Day, a Santa suit and a minibike, and an ill-fated dare to lap the halls of Oshkosh High School. “What a goofy thing to do!” exclaimed Principal Rohm as Malcolm lay sprawled on the terrazzo. It was that easy. Life for Goofy and his wife, Terry, took a turn for the worse in 1995 when their 21-year-old daughter was…

1. RED ‘N’ TACKY SPRAY GREASE Ideal for the marine enthusiast, Red ‘n’ Tacky is accurately applied via a spray can and nozzle, and adheres to the surfaces treated, even in repeated dunking. That makes it ideal for Power Poles shallow-water anchors, trailer rollers and winch stands. $10.99 2. PENETRATING OIL Apply this oil with pinpoint accuracy using the foldable spray-tube nozzle. It penetrates to dissolve corrosion and has anti-seize agents, ideal for keeping fasteners functioning. There is no chlorine, silicone or fluorocarbon in the low-odor formula, making it ideal for use around the house or marina. $6.99 3. REEL OIL A drop or two of this oil unseized a corroded Boga Grip for me in a matter of minutes, saving me from shipping it for repair. Its needle applicator…

The runabout is still the iconic American boat, seen on lakes and waterways all across the country in various shapes and sizes. Here are some of the latest and greatest boats to take advantage of the classic fiberglass runabout form while incorporating modern building techniques, amenties and power choices. We’ve got sterndrives, outboards and jets to choose from, as well as an impressive selection of layouts. Whether you’re interested in a 16-footer or a 40-footer there’s a boat out there for you. Yes, it’s a great time to be a boater in America.…

An all-new 19-foot-5-inch hull is the foundation for a 2019 Yamaha SX195 that’s three inches longer and two inches wider than last year’s model. Do a few inches make a big difference? They can if that extra space is managed well, and Yamaha has put a lot of thought into the cockpit of this new model, and yes, they did capitalize well on the added square footage. A new seating layout features a bench seat wrapping from the stern to the port console. The sole area behind the helm seat is now open for stowing a 25-quart cooler below a detachable table. Even with the table in place there’s always a clear walkway through the boat. The slim helm seat swivels to face the table, and the lower portion of…

About half the U.S. population is expected to live along the U.S. coastlines by 2020 — which means the 2019 216CC is just in time to ride the wave of boaters in coastal waters. Officially a deck boat, the 216CC aims higher. There is ample comfortable seating to qualify it for deck-boat status, but in our test we found much more. Most noticeably, it features outboard power, joining the revolution of swapping sterndrive engines for purpose-built, fuel- and emission-efficient, corrosion-resistant, saltwater-friendly raw power. Outboards add versatility to coastal boats, letting them run along shallow sandbars by tilting the motor up and easing through skinny water without damage to the boat or environment. And at the end of the day, connecting a garden hose to the powerhead flushing port allows removal…

A thoughtful blend of day boat and weekender, the 26 XO takes Regal’s popular 26 Express, which has historically featured sterndrive power, and adds the option of outboard power. This option increases space in both the cockpit and the cabin. Outboard power also provides ease of maintenance, particularly for coastal boaters. Unlike sterndrives, outboards can be tilted completely clear of the water. The sterndrive-powered version of the boat remains available. Step into the cockpit via the port walk-through and discover multiple seating islands to enhance socializing. Regal’s Ultra Lounge sits adjacent to the entryway, dividing cockpit and swim-platform seating with a shared backrest. Flip that back forward and the benches convert to a roughly 4-foot-square sun pad with abundant storage below. To port, an angled bench backs up to the…

Aboard the new Jeanneau NC 1095, my decibel meter displayed lower sound levels than those recorded aboard open or express boats with twin outboard power. That’s thanks to the NC 1095’s full deckhouse with its solid fiberglass sides, and glass windows and sliders. This construction also offers better climate control whether you need heat or air conditioning. It also gives the boat a real yacht feel. As for performance, we hit 44 mph at wide-open throttle, and we noted the admirable range of cruising speeds at which the NC 1095 nets better than 1 mile per gallon. As the performance chart shows, you can achieve this efficiency whether motoring at 12 mph or speeding along at 30 mph. That means you can adjust your speed to suit sea conditions with…

When a boat like this can jump up onto plane in about 4.5 seconds and can hit a top speed of more than 57 mph, it’s certainly an eye-opener. But when it’s a 38-foot day cruiser with a connection to the water that’s sports-car crisp (thanks to the Optimus 360 power steering with electronic throttle and shift), that’s downright startling. As we accelerated and trimmed up, the chines astern lifted nearly clear of the spray, yet the boat stayed hooked up and even accepted some authoritative rudder input, responding without complaint. In port, the Optimus 360 Joystick steering gives confidence to dock this boat like a runabout. Nudge the stick in the direction of travel, and the boat crabs sideways; twist the stick, and the boat pivots steadily. Such devices…

A safety-stop lanyard — aka engine kill switch — comes standard with marine power systems to instantly shut down propulsion if the helmsman gets tossed from the boat. Yet many skippers forget that they’re tethered and walk away from the wheel, inadvertently killing the engine. It can happen at inopportune times such as while docking. Fell Marine’s MOB+ wireless man-overboard systems resolve this issue. Essentially, a remote xFob that you wear connects wirelessly using the WiMEA protocol to a Fell xHub on the boat. When a wearer falls overboard, it breaks the signal and the engine shuts down. A shutdown also occurs when the xFob is approximately 50 feet from the boat. The system allows for a restart of the engine with an automatic override function so crewmembers can rescue…

Starcraft continues to strive to lower the price of entry into the wakesurf market. The MDX 201 IO Surf is the manufacturer’s smallest offering to feature Volvo Penta’s Forward Drive. That power option, along with key surf components, make this a versatile craft not just for surfing but also for general family use. Forward Drive positions twin counter-rotating props forward of, rather than behind, the outdrive unit, to keep the propeller tucked well under the hull. This has made runabouts and deck boats surfable. Trim can help build the wake size, but ballast carries much of the load. A trio of water bags add as much as 1,385 pounds to the boat settling it lower into the water. Surf-oriented trim tabs form and shape the wake to the surfer’s desired…

The newcomer in the acclaimed LSV line from Malibu, the Wakesetter 22 is the smallest of the bunch, but it more than lives up to the lofty expectations that come with the LSV badge. One of the unique options on the 22 LSV is a choice between two different hulls — Wake Plus or Diamond MultiSport. Like it sounds, the Wake Plus is designed for those who just want to wakeboard or wakesurf, while those who also want to slalom-ski should opt for the Diamond MultiSport. The Diamond MultiSport has lifting characteristics that help it sit higher in the water, which reduces the wake for those who want to ski more aggressively. The model we tested was equipped with a Wake Plus hull. Combined with Malibu’s proprietary Power Wedge III,…

Surf, ski, wakeboard? Whatever your watersport of choice, or even if you want to do all three, the new Varatti Z22 from Floe International has you covered. The Varatti has a cathedral hull design that can run shallow for skiers or produce a surf wake when loaded up. It all starts with the Varatti’s Control Center. The 12-inch touchscreen and Intelligent Steering Wheel let you set the boat to your sporting preferences: You can deploy the Quick-Load ballast system with its six pumps and be surfing in under three minutes. You can shape the wake to match your ability and style for both surfing and wakeboarding, or you can minimize the wake for slalom skiing. Using the presets, you can set it up for individual riders with one touch on…

Bryant Boats designers possess deep roots in the hard-core tow-sports scene. They actively ski, surf and wakeboard behind the boats they build, as well as behind boats built by others. So it should come as no surprise that the Bryant Calandra Surf delivered one of the best surf wakes we’ve experienced behind a boat equipped with Volvo Penta’s Forward Drive. Credit Forward Drive for tucking the prop safely under the hull, a feature about which other sterndrives, let alone outboard engines, cannot boast. Credit Bryant’s Surf System for truly pumping up wake volume and shaping it to perfection. The package includes twin, low-profile sub-floor ballast tanks that add up to 1,500 pounds of wake-boosting weight without stealing away stowage space, Wake Worx surf tabs to enhance the wake on either…

The Makai is Moomba’s newest flagship model, aimed at delivering the best experience at a more wallet-friendly price. With an overall weight of 5,200 pounds with 4,000 pounds of available subfloor ballast, the Makai is built to displace serious amounts of water. While we could not collect fuel-flow data, we did prove that the Makai creates the largest wakes and waves of any Moomba. The Flow 2.0 system — two automated contoured plates that extend off the running surface of the transom — engaged to form the wave into a large ridable surface with plenty of push and a pocket that’s easy to find and stay in while riding. By adjusting the Moomba SmartPlate 2.0, a tab center-mounted at the transom, the wave can be made longer and mellower or…

The biggest boat in the Malibu line has gotten a refresh for 2019, which not only makes some of the sport’s best wakes and waves even better but also adds features and comfort never before seen in the watersports industry. Of course, with the Wakesetter 25 LSV you’re getting the signature riding experience the LSV line has become famous for — that means symmetrical wakes and waves with mellow transitions, lots of pop for big air, and a ton of push and length for killer surf sessions. All of that is easily adjusted and shaped thanks to the Power Wedge III, Surf Gate and integrated ballast systems, which together Malibu designates as its ISP (Integrated Surf Platform). One of the major new features in the updated 25 LSV is the…

When a pontoon boats forms the basis for your plans, fun will surely follow. No boat type carries the whole crew for a day on the lake with more room to spare. A pontoon’s rugged aluminum tubes and relatively shallow draft also make these craft ideal for beaching or anchoring in shallow coves. And with modern advances in the design and geometry of the tubes, coupled with the use of high-powered engines, a pontoon boat can provide thrilling speed and acceleration. How do you pick the right one for you? There’s no better start than using the pages that follow.…

Sylvan Marine has produced a great pontoon-boat starter package around its Mirage Cruise 8522 DLZ LE model. Fitted with a 115-horsepower Evinrude E-Tec Pontoon Series outboard, the maximum speed we attained during testing was 29 mph at 5,400 rpm, spinning a Solas stainless-steel four-blade 14.5-by-15-inch propeller through a special 2.25:1 gear ratio. That special gear ratio is unique to the Pontoon Series 90 hp and 115 hp E-Tecs. It makes for a strong runner, which delivers especially powerful grunt on the low end. The Mirage is a thrifty package with the E-Tec. We noted that our most economical cruising speed was 15 mph at 3,000 rpm, where fuel mileage was 6 mpg (2.5 gph). The familiar two-stroke punch and growl delivered by the Evinrude E-Tec proved fun on this boat.…

This SX23 Premium Swingback is a convincing combination of Bennington quality and attention to detail, with a price that gives budget-minded boaters, and especially first-timers, true excellence without a huge payment. Fitted with a four-cylinder Yamaha F150 four-stroke outboard, the boat has performance and economy tied together at the hip. During testing, we recorded 38 mph at 5,900 rpm, swinging a 15-by-14.5-inch Yamaha Reliance three-blade stainless-steel propeller through 2:1 gearing. Minimum planing speed at 14.5 mph and 2,900 rpm gave the SX23 a slow cruise without plowing. Our best cruise speed, where the SX23 Premium Swingback proved most economical, occurred at 4,000 rpm and nearly 23 mph. At that speed, the F150 sipped fuel at 6.4 gallons per hour, garnering just under 3.7 mpg. Acceleration from a dead stop was…

Starcraft’s SLS 5 DC presents well as a higher-end craft for family outings, watersports and evening cruises. With a Yamaha F250 SHO on the transom, it gave a spirited performance with impressive mileage numbers. At full pedal, the SHO twisted a relatively high-pitch Yamaha three-blade stainless-steel prop to 5,800 rpm through 1.75 gearing to net a 46.3 mph top end — faster than most. For mileage, we saw 3.2 miles per gallon at our most economical cruise speed of 18.9 mph and 3,000 rpm. The big Yamaha is very quiet on this hull; average decibel readings were in the 70 to 80 db range, quiet enough for normal conversation — even at speed. The Starcraft provided predictable and smooth handling, taking hard-over turns with a flat stance and spanning larger…

Hampton is the luxury boat brand by the folks at PlayCraft Boats. Play-Craft was the first to set speed records at the Lake Rescue Shootout on Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri, and they currently hold many records. So we weren’t surprised to see this stately deck cruiser pushed by a big V-8 Yamaha outboard. And pushed well, we’d say, after achieving speeds of 50 mph and then showing off a bit with an impressive rooster tail. That power works well with the fiberglass deck-boat hull thanks to the aluminum transom bracket, which brings the motor into solid water well aft of the turbulence created by the transom. The boat cornered quite well in spite of its near-tri-hull design, and it got onto plane quickly with minimal bow rise thanks…

The Harris Solstice DC 250 is a pontoon with sport-boat dreams. This new model looks and feels like a runabout, not a tri-toon. It’s rated for 400 outboard horses (just think of what fun that would be!), but Harris fitted a new Mercury V-6 225 FourStroke outboard to the transom of our test boat. With that engine spinning a 14-inch-pitch Mercury Enertia propeller, top speed was 37 mph at 5,500 rpm. Acceleration from a dead idle to 30 mph came in at a brisk 9 seconds flat. The most economical cruise speed we noted during testing proved to occur at 3,000 rpm, where we recorded 15.5 mph for a net fuel economy of 3.8 miles per gallon, burning 4.1 gallons per hour. The best results from this package were not…

Tahoe really outfitted this 2785 Vision Rear Electric Lounge for families and the party/watersports crowd. Start with plenty of power combined with crowd-friendly amenities and big, comfy seating, add in a tow pylon and rear deck space for watersports, and top it off with electrically adjustable aft-facing loungers — that’s a recipe for all-day excitement and the ability to entertain all age groups. The 2785 Vision Rear Electric Lounge we tested arrived fitted with Mercury’s new V-8 250 hp FourStroke beast. With this power plant providing the push, our top speed maxed at just under 43 mph with a 16-inch-pitch Enertia three-blade wheel spinning at 5,500 rpm. Acceleration was plenty adequate for big loads; we reached 30 mph from a dead idle in 7 seconds flat. The new Mercury is…

Last year, my home state of California instituted its first-ever boater card program, which phases in mandatory boater education over eight years, eventually requiring all skippers to pass a state-certified boater education course and obtain a card issued by the state Division of Boating and Waterways. California joins more than 40 other states and Canada in requiring some form of licensing or mandatory boater education. To provide you with the scoop about these programs, I pulled up the California Boater Card website — californiaboatercard.com — and filled out the application, which included a $10 payment via credit card. The site then referred me to a choice of 10 approved boating-safety courses. I chose the free BoatU.S. Foundation online course, which includes seven sections. “This will be quick, a slam dunk,”…

We don’t hear the term “fish and ski” as often these days, but testing proved Princecraft’s Sport 172 has the attributes that moniker implies. Constructed with 5052-H36 marine-grade aluminum, it weighs in at an easy-to-tow 1,377 pounds (and comes standard with a single-axle trailer). But features like double plating at the chines and on the keel near the bow make it tough enough to handle the rock-bound waters of the Canadian Shield — or your local sandbar. Although the boat is rated to carry a 125 hp engine, we discovered in our trials that a 90 hp Mercury outboard delivers plenty of power. With this engine and two people aboard, we accelerated fast enough that the Sport 172 achieved plane in 3.95 seconds and attained a top speed just shy…

The Alumacraft Tournament Sport 195 was created for pro-level anglers, but this boat is so well-designed it will elevate the fishing game of any weekend tournament warrior or casual worm-drowner while also accommodating family boaters. The abundant dry stowage and multiple rod lockers, the generous livewells, the perfect freeboard height, and the elbow room fore and aft all make angling on board more efficient. And that’s what really separates the pro — and the pro’s boat — from the rest of us and the boats we fish from. On the Northwoods scene since 1946, Alumacraft was acquired by BRP in 2018. So going forward you can expect to find mostly Evinrude outboards powering Alumacraft boats. The Tournament Sport 195 has been in and out of the Alumacraft lineup over the…

If there were an animated movie about bass boats, the Ranger Z521L Comanche would have Clint Eastwood’s voice and John Wayne’s swagger. It’s that good, that American, and its reputation is known by every bass fisherman in the world. The Comanche platform has evolved over decades as solid, stable and reliable. In fact, many a decades-old Comanche, once forgotten in bass fishing’s back country, has been reclaimed from oblivious neglect with little more than wet sanding and recarpeting. That durability comes from a pultruded transom, factory cast under tension for uncompromising true rigidity. It’s bonded to the hull and stringer system. Then, as with all Rangers since the beginning, the hull voids are filled with rot-proof, waterproof, rigid foam filling that makes the boat ride as firm as it is…

A simple truth: The Sea Chaser 24 HFC punches well above its class when it comes to features, construction, standard equipment and affordability. Built by Carolina Skiff, which has a 30-year reputation for reasonably priced quality, the HFC label (Hybrid Fish and Cruise) is perfect because fish and cruise is exactly what this beauty does. Take the whole gang fishing on Saturday, because you’ve got not one but two 25-gallon bait tanks, an optional hardtop with powder-coated aluminum frame, 12 rod holders, insulated lockable fish box, bait-prep station with sink, saltwater washdown and even a side door for boating fish. And Sunday is fun-day with the whole fam-damily. Replace the stern seat cushions and forward seat lounge backrests, and you can carry 12 family members and neighbors on an outing.…

Designed for those who want a capable offshore fishing boat that’s also relatively easy to trailer and store, SeaVee’s 290B features a redesigned interior and a hull built using vacuum-assisted resin-transfer molding, which infuses the cored hull, stringers and bulkhead simultaneously. This fabrication process cuts weight and increases the rigidity of the hull, which allows SeaVee to reduce the number of hull stringers from four to two. That, in turn, creates more space belowdecks for stowage and larger fuel tanks. The 290B features a 251-gallon fuel capacity, up by 19 gallons from the original 290 model. The helm provides enough space to flush-mount twin Garmin GPSMap 7616xsv multifunction displays. Behind-the-helm rigging and cable routing is immaculate. The center console’s forward lift-up hatch grants easy access to a step-down console interior…

As triple- and quadruple-outboard-powered boats increase in popularity, choosing the best mix of propellers for such propulsion systems has grown in complexity. That’s because center engines sometimes require different propping than outside motors. This is particularly true when it comes to deep-V hulls. Twin outboard setups use the same type and size of propeller for each engine, but in counter-rotating pairs. Triples and quads also employ counter-rotation (triples usually have a right-hand prop in the center), but it gets trickier from there. With triples and quads, the drives for center engines on deep-Vs sit deeper in the water than do the outer engines. This allows all propellers to clear the bottom of the hull to maximize performance. To achieve this, such boats are usually equipped with XXL shaft (30-inch) outboard(s)…

Reggie Fountain looms larger than life, with more than 50 years in performance boating. Few people can beat him either on the race course or at the drawing board. We can definitely see his mark on the all-new 39 NX. First there’s the performance. Our top speed hit 70 mph — not record-breaking, unless you’re doing it with a full crew sipping cold drinks in the many lounge seating options. Next, take the bow area. There are V-shaped seats from just forward of the center console to the anchor locker, which in this case is equipped with a windlass. Deeply set for secure riding, the boat has powder-coated grab rails all around, recessed and streamlined but easy to reach. The dual lounge seats forward of the console can’t seem to…