It sounds idyllic, right? You’re going to go overnight on a mini yacht (my words, not theirs) and gallivant around ­Florida’s Sarasota Bay on a beautiful summer day. That’s how I sold it to my wife, at least. See, if you’re not familiar with a pocket cruiser, it generally means a cabin boat under 30 feet length overall designed for boating in favorable, nearshore conditions. Many pocket cruisers prove small enough to trailer as well, which is a huge benefit for those of us who like to consistently see new ports of call. Now, for all you seasoned cruisers out there, you can probably already see where this story gets interesting. At 26 feet, 5 inches with just over a 9-foot beam, the Beneteau Antares 8 is on the small side for overnighting. This is why I led with the “mini yacht” yarn when I was selling this adventure to my wife. I needed someone to photograph for the story, and I needed her to say yes without overthinking it. So, after she overthought it for quite some time, she acquiesced, and we were off to Sarasota Bay.

When we first walked onto the docks, we had trouble spotting the Antares 8—until we realized it was tucked behind an Antares 11. Ten feet longer, the Antares 11 looks like a completely ­different class of boat. After dragging my wife away from that one, we boarded the ­Antares 8 and were ­immediately impressed.

The term “pocket cruiser” is an old one, referring to a cruiser small enough to fit in a vest pocket. Twenty years ago, pocket cruisers were a mainstay of boating, with plenty of boatbuilders providing trailerable cruising boats to a willing populace. Then, they fell out of favor. Now, Beneteau aims to bring back pocket cruisers with the Antares 8. We set out to learn how and why.

In the Pocket

My wife and I personally own a classic Mako of about the same length as the Antares 8, and we had been wracking our brains over how Beneteau would fit cruising amenities on the same footprint. The answer, of course, is a very deliberate layout.

The pilothouse-style design balances the deck space in thirds, with equal attention given to each. The aft third is all about angling; the Antares 8 we weekended aboard came equipped with the fishing package. Multiple rod holders, tackle stowage, and plenty of casting room allow this pocket cruiser to actually fish. The middle third is all about the pilothouse, with a fully enclosed salon complete with air conditioning (more on that later), below-deck sleeping quarters, a ­convertible seating/dining area, fridge and even a cooktop. I was amazed that ­Beneteau was able to pack so much into this size boat. The forward quarter is for the sundeck, bow rails, and anchor locker with a windlass.

After we settled in, I started to explore the helm. Some of the higher-end features on the Antares were blowing my mind. A bow thruster? Now I really did feel like I was on a mini yacht. With a single engine on a 26-plus-foot cabin boat, things can get a little hairy when you’ve got a tight docking situation, especially when you throw in a current and some wind. The Antares 8 proved an easy boat to handle dockside, though, especially with the thruster as an extra tool to use if needed.

Wanting to see how the Antares 8 handled sporty conditions, we made our way to the mouth of the inlet. It was a fairly windy day with a consistent west wind, so there was plenty of fetch to create some small waves to play around in. It’s not a dedicated offshore boat, yet the Beneteau handled the conditions admirably. And the best part was, my wife and I stayed completely dry while we gawked at the high-dollar homes along the mouth of the inlet.

Anchors Aweigh

While it was fun to test this new boat’s mettle, it wasn’t part of the assignment, so my personal indulgence had to come to an end. Besides being off mission, we were feeling hot. This wasn’t a 60-foot yacht with an oversize AC and a generator. This boat’s battery-­powered AC struggled against midday summer heat. And with two small cabin windows, the AC was still the better option than the breeze. It was time to beat the heat the old-fashioned way: by beelining it to the nearest ­sandbar. Can’t do that in a 60-footer.

Not being used to the conveniences of a modern boat, I sent my wife up to the bow when we reached the sandbar. I assumed that at the very least she would be letting down the anchor from the remote at the locker while I backed down to set the anchor. Instead, I realized that the anchor windlass was entirely controllable from the helm, something that blew my classic-boat mind and made singlehanding the Antares 8 an absolute dream. I could drop the anchor and back down on it right from the helm. This was living!

When we were set, my wife hit the mini fridge for a libation as we settled into a bluebird Florida sandbar afternoon. We met some very nice Kentuckians who came ripping in on a Freedom Boat Club pontoon and were discussing having some more “Cuban Sushi” that night.

“Cuban Sushi?” the wife asked.

“Yes,” the husband answered, “the stuff with the fish and the ­peppers and all that.”

“Oh, you mean ceviche! We can get some more of that,” the wife said.

True story. And forevermore in our household, “ceviche” and “Cuban Sushi” will be interchangeable terms. Funny how quickly life changes like that.

Shortly after, another boat showed up with the most aquatic Labrador I had ever seen. It was just deep enough that the dog couldn’t stand, so it swam from person to person, patrolling the area.

Dine and Doze

After a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon full of socializing, snorkeling and soaking in the Gulf waters, we said our goodbyes, I weighed anchor (from the helm, what luxury!), and we were on our way. We had a dinner date at an on-water restaurant in the bay. But first, a quick cleating ­lesson was in order.

Growing up a farmer’s daughter in South Georgia, my wife doesn’t have as much experience boating as I do. When we take our Mako to the Bahamas, we always have a crew full of friends who are seasoned boaters, so the guys are always the dock crew. In this case, we were a crew of two, so I needed my wife to learn to cleat off lines in a hurry. I taught her “the right way” as I had been taught from one of my sailing uncles, and we soon found ourselves the sole vessel in front of a fully occupied on-water restaurant with a strong current running and a ­crosswind. It was a high-pressure situation for my wife. She’s wound tight as it is, so the ­restaurant gawkers didn’t make things any easier for us. Luckily, I had my secret weapon: the bow thruster. We threw out our fenders, doubled back to go in nose first, then let the current nestle us in perfectly on the port side. My wife tied off a couple of perfect cleats, and we were ­strolling down the docks to dinner, cool as ­cucumbers. The gawkers were desperately disappointed not to see a Qualified ­Captain moment.

Read Next: Beneteau Antares 11

Fortunately, the restaurant manager sat us at a table right in front of the Antares 8. Perfect for capturing some golden-hour views of the boat and relaxing with a coastal dinner. When we were just about finished, I went to the boat and turned on the air conditioning, which bothered absolutely no one because it doesn’t make any sound. By the time we were wrapping up dinner, the sun was low and the temperature was comfortable inside the cabin, with the AC humming along on enough battery power to get us back to port.

We hooked back up to shore power at the dock, grabbed a ­shower at the hotel marina, and settled in for the night. How was the sleep? I’ll say this. You can’t expect your best night’s sleep on a pocket cruiser, but you also can’t expect any of the adventure of overnighting on a small boat without a little discomfort. We would do it again in a heartbeat, especially to the Bahamas, where the Antares 8’s shallow draft would allow for endless exploration of secluded coves and beaches. That would give us the opportunity to kick back, drop a line, reel in a big one, and make some fresh Cuban Sushi right on deck.

Essentials for Overnighting on a Small Boat

If you’re expecting a stately king-size bed or a stand-up shower from a pocket cruiser, you’re going to be disappointed. It’s ­essential to recognize a boat’s strengths and weaknesses so that you can set your expectations.

For example, consider bringing an air mattress. The “bed” that you’re going to be sleeping on is just a converted cushion, and “high-density marine-grade foam” is a far cry from a mattress and box spring. Recognizing that it might not be your best night’s sleep, bring all the essentials to make coffee in the morning. My wife brought her French press and made home-quality coffee on the Antares 8’s small cooktop. You’re also going to want to bring toiletries because smaller boats tend to have freshwater washdowns rather than enclosed showers. Bring linens or a sleeping bag, and an overstuffed pillow to accommodate the lack of give in the cushions if you’re going sans blowup mattress, and be prepared for the AC to freeze you out when it catches up.

We dined at on-water restaurants, but you’ll want to pack light prepared meals if your destination is more remote, which I think it should be. This boat’s real strength is in its ability to get into tight anchorages and get you off the grid in search of some adventure, so bringing a few essentials and finding some secluded mooring buoy to overnight should be on the to-do list of any Beneteau Antares 8 owner.

The post Pocket Cruiser Overnighting on Beneteau’s Antares 8 appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

With its ability to cruise, fish, dive, entertain and even overnight, it’s tempting to dub Regal’s 43 SAV the proverbial “jack of all trades,” but that would imply it’s also a master of none. On the contrary, I found this Sport-Activity Vessel one of the most well-thought-out, well-executed boats I’ve tested to date. From the intuitive flow of its layout to an abundance of features and design, Regal seems to have thought of nearly everything—and for everyone who comes aboard. 

Interior and Accessories

Peruse the 43 from stern to bow, and the boat reveals itself in five distinct zones, each of which suits a specific task or desire. Start at the stern, and the immediate impression is of the ultimate sandbar boat. Large terrace doors to both port and starboard lower to add nearly 50 square feet to the aft cockpit, creating an airy platform at the water’s edge. Twin settees face each other forward and aft. Pull a cold one from ice boxes on either side of the former; one smartly doubles as an ice maker. A 43-inch flat-screen TV pivots out from underneath the hardtop. Watch the kids run and jump off the open wings, or take a stroll along an unencumbered swim platform to access the boarding ladder. It opens outboard, away from the boat’s trio of outboards. In a rarely seen yet practical nod, there’s even an adjacent storage locker for a stern anchor, keeping a Danforth readily at hand when setting up off the beach. 

When it’s time for fishing, terrace doors pivot inward to complete its deep and secure aft cockpit. Each features a large dive door to access the dock or to pull in that big tuna. Two pressurized 30-gallon livewells await at the transom station. Twin 60-gallon fish boxes are beneath the floor to port and starboard. Rod holders are found across the transom as well as in gunwales, rocket launchers at each corner of the hardtop, and a polished wood rigging table that can be optioned adjacent to the forward settee. Outriggers can also be added for those seeking to troll. 

Step deeper under the protection of the hardtop to—voilà!—a summer kitchen. Prep fillets on the cutting board over its deep sink, toss onto the pair of electric grills immediately adjacent, and the freshest-ever catch of the day is on its way to being plated. Twin ­pullout drawer refrigerators offer an abundance of cold storage below. In between, a trio of drawers stash the necessary extras. Overhead, a 16-inch Garmin display is flanked by a pair of wireless phone-charging cradles and speakers. Plush helm seats forward complete the ­picture, pivoting 180 degrees to provide comfortable seating while watching some mahi sizzle, catching up with the latest college game day, or keeping an eye on the trolling spread. 

Turning to the helm, a pair of 22-inch ­Garmin touchscreen displays dominate the dash, each sporting a custom Regal interface with common task bar. A great example of how these screens could be configured was showcased during our test at day’s end—the eclectic onscreen mix including everything from navigation chart, engine data, and vessel controls to hullside camera and live college football game, courtesy of the optional KVH satellite dome on the roof. That same data can also be seen on the large aft screen, overhead monitor in the summer kitchen, and on Regal’s unique GarmRests—Garmin screens built into helm armrests that keep controls and ­monitoring a fingertip away.

Access the cabin via an electric door to the left of the helm. Highlights below include more than 6 feet of headroom and an abundance of natural light, courtesy of a large portside glass window forward and twin rectangular windows midcabin. Forward couches convert to a queen-size berth. Aft, two twin innerspring mattresses morph into a king with the use of a headboard filler cushion in the full-beam stateroom. The elegant head compartment adds a full-size toilet, glass sink bowl, and clear shower partition. Back topside, access the bow via a portside walk-through. Lounges wrap the perimeter, offering space for up to eight passengers. Pop in the pedestal table for food and drinks. Lower it, add a filler cushion, and turn the entire space into a sun pad.

Engines

Regal’s deep-V OceanTrac 2 hull delivered a smooth, confident ride in the 2- to 3-foot seas we encountered on our test day. Credit not only design, but also construction. Hull and stringers are vacuum-infused together. Carbon fiber is added to key areas for additional strength. As to performance, our test boat neared 53 mph with its trio of 450 hp ­Yamaha XTO V-8s. Optional power ­configurations extend as high as 1,800 hp. 

An interesting competitor is found in Scout’s 42-foot-4-inch 42 LXF ($1,341,804 with quad Mercury 350 Verados). A more ­traditional center-console, it offers similar multiuse versatility, with its own summer kitchen, single-berth cabin with well-appointed head and shower, and impressive array of tech. If you’re looking to rock the sandbar, however, its singular portside “beach platform” is more like a small dock. Lower the ­Regal’s massive twin terrace doors, and you’ve got your own floating island.

Read Next: Regal LX36

How We Tested

• Engines: Triple Yamaha 450 XTO Offshore V-8
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/Yamaha XTO OS 16 ⁵/₈” x 19″ 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.79:1 Fuel Load: 283 gal. Crew Weight: 1,170 lb.

High Points

• Standard Seakeeper 4 produces stability at rest, even in rough seas. 
• Optional Regal LivePower automatically switches power sources and keeps charge.
• Regal offers terrace doors port and starboard. These fold out to increase cockpit size and grant great vibe and water access. 

Low Points

• Anchor locker offers access to windlass and freshwater sprayer close at hand, but access to anchor rode can be challenging.
• Deep transom lazarette might prove difficult to access if you’re not agile.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

The post Boat Test: 2025 Regal 43 SAV appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

From the land of Ferrari, it’s no surprise that the new Sessa C44 pops onto plane in just 8 seconds flat and, pushed by a pair of Volvo Penta D6 ­diesel IPS 600s, this ­stylish cruiser tops out at over 35 mph. Not bad for moving 14 tons of Italian luxury.

The Sessa C44 is a lean express cruiser, accented by a slash of windows in the topsides, but one of its surprises is that we found as much as 6 feet, 9 inches of headroom inside its cabin.  

Interior and Accessories

If you are a buyer appreciative of this boat’s style and performance, you will want to consider your boating usage because Sessa offers the C44 in your choice of two cockpit layouts. The extended cockpit version (for entertaining many) gives you two swoopy dinettes, protected by both the hardtop (with opening moonroof) and a sliding shade aft, while the standard layout ­offers a wide sun pad (no second dinette) with a spacious tender garage underneath. Both versions have a standard hydraulic swim platform that can handle up to a 900-pound tender or PWC, and the tender garage will conceal and protect a small boat up 7 feet, 6 inches in length. The skipper is cosseted in a bolstered helm seat, facing a Euro-styled dash with Raymarine Axiom GPS and ­Volvo Penta engine monitor. Just abaft the helm is an outdoor galley with a grill, sink and drawer-style refrigerator.

Step below into the lower salon, and you’ll find a large convertible dinette to starboard opposite a full galley with a four-burner Kenyon ­ceramic cooktop, microwave/convection oven, fridge, and lacquered eye-level cabinetry.  

The owner’s cabin is lush, with an angled queen berth that allows you to walk on each side (to keep your dignity intact while climbing in or out), plus a leather-topped bureau, full-height hanging locker, and enough stowage shelves and drawers for long weekends. The en suite head features a stall shower with Lucite doors.  

Forward, the guest cabin sports scissoring single berths that combine into a double, as well as private access to the day head with its curtained shower.  

Sessa, a three-generation family builder, might be a new name for some skippers on this side of the pond, but the C44 will add it to their vocabulary.

How We Tested

• Engine: Twin Volvo Penta D6 diesel IPS 600 (440 hp)
• Drive/Prop: IPS pod/Twin 3- and 4-blade counter-rotating nibral T6
• Gear Ratio: 1.82:1 Fuel Load: 175 gal. Crew Weight: 650 lb.

High Points

• Sessa’s North American team has a warehouse filled with parts, as well as a service team for nationwide support.
• A tender garage? Yes! Opt for one of its two layouts, and Sessa C44 offers a garage on the transom, just like a dinghy garage on a large yacht. This can house a dinghy up to 7 feet, 6 inches long with an outboard.
• The choice of two different layouts allows buyers to tailor this new Sessa to their specific needs. 
• A third outdoor galley is hidden in the transom, with a grill, a refrigerator and a sink.

Low Points

• The two fuel tanks, totaling 252 gallons, carry less fuel than competing-model boats, and crimp the range, allowing just over 200 miles at 26 mph. 
• The helm seat is on the narrow side for two people, and the absence of a seat opposite the helm means a companion must join the skipper. 

Toughest Competitor

The Galeon 450 HTC ($1,198,515) is similarly sized, with Volvo Penta V-drive diesels and either two- or three-cabin layouts. No transom garage, but it does offer foldout side decks.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

The post Boat Test: 2025 Sessa C44 appeared first on Boating Mag.

Editor’s Note: Today, at the Discover Boating Miami Boat Show, Monterey Boats’ Elite 30 was awarded the Boat of the Year trophy by Editor-in-Chief Kevin Falvey. Look for our video with complete coverage of that event, coming soon.

Boating’s Boat of the Year (BOTY) stands as the most prestigious award in recreational boating. Why? There are many reasons, including the decades-long history of editorial objectivity used to select the BOTY. Boatbuilders do not pay to be considered for the award, nor do advertising dollars sway our Tech Team’s decision. The record stands for itself: Non-advertisers, and those who advertise very little, have both earned the honor of Boat of the Year.

What, then, is the BOTY criteria? 

First, it must be a boat we have tested in the ­preceding year. It must also meet or exceed all ABYC, NMMA, and other industry standards and ­regulations. The determining factor, though, is that the boat must excel in its category more than any other boat stands out in any other category. Often, and again the record bears this out, the BOTY is copied and sets a trend, advancing the state of the sport.

For 2024, we chose Monterey’s Elite 30 as BOTY by virtue of its layout. It’s the result of a new way of seeing boat design—melding the best features of a dual-console, a center-console and a bowrider. In doing so, it changes the way we think about and use boats. Congratulations, Monterey!

Read our full review of the Monterey Elite 30, here.

The post 2024 Boat of the Year: Monterey Elite 30 appeared first on Boating Mag.

Tiara applied its considerable experience with boatbuilding magic to conjure a unique sport yacht. The outboard-powered 43 LE provides the best attributes of a cruiser and a dayboat. 

Twin Mercury Verado V-12 600 outboards power the 43 LE to nearly 50 mph. These “big boat” engines are super-quiet and can go a long time between scheduled maintenance. They are also loaded with the latest technology. Did you know that only the gear case of these V-12s turns when you spin the steering wheel? That allows mounting them closer together, which in turn provides space for other nice things, such as the expansive platform extensions the 43 LE boasts on each side of the engines.

Speaking of rotation, Tiara incorporates a seating and entertainment module in the cockpit that you can spin around to suit the moment. For instance, while underway, you might face it aft. While enjoying a beach or cove at rest, you can align it to face the portside terrace—the foldout cockpit side—to see family and friends coming and going from the water. The seats of this module feature plush upholstery. On its back half, we discovered a stylish faux-stone counter, with flush lids concealing a sink and grill. 

Now that you’re at the cove swimming and grilling, how about co-mingling with those in the cabin? The aft bulkhead of the 43 LE’s deckhouse opens wide to bring the outside in and the inside out.

On the other hand, you can close up the cabin and cruise in climate-controlled luxury. In the salon, you’re treated to amenities such as a teak sole, pop-up TV, ­expansive portside lounge with a teak ­table, and a galley with beautiful cabinetry, a sink, microwave and dual-burner cooktop. There’s a great view through the expansive windows for all aboard. The helm has a solo swiveling captain’s chair and teak dash bedecked with all controls.

Belowdecks, find two large cabins, each privatized by a bulkhead. The 43 LE’s forward cabin features an island berth, while the aft cabin (make this space yours) spans the complete beam of the boat. A well-appointed head features designer style and a separate shower stall.

High Points

• Cockpit lounge rotates to face the portside “terrace” or up to 180 degrees to face fully aft.
• Portside gunwale folds out with the push of a button to create a “terrace” to the water.
• High bow rail and handholds on the hardtop ensure safe transit.

How We Tested

• Engine: Twin Mercury 600 Verados
• Props: Verado 12 15 ³/₄” x 26″ 3-blade and 17 ¹/₃” x 26″ 4-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 2.50:1 Fuel Load: 438 gal. Crew Weight: 800 lb.

Pricing and Specs

The post 2025 Tiara Yachts 43 LE appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

It was a decade ago that Bayliner last offered a near-30-footer with a cabin, the 285 SB. But by tapping into resources from its international Brunswick sister company, Quicksilver—sold in 87 countries around the world—Bayliner brings overnighting capability for couples and small families back home to the US. Built in ­Poland, the Trophy T29 Explorer reflects current trends in Euro styling.

Pilothouse boats are often seen north of the Mason-Dixon, but Boating’s crew tested the T29 Explorer on a frigid test day in St. Petersburg, Florida. Its let-the-outside-in design also makes it usable in the tropics thanks to a sliding glass door to starboard, windows to port, a large overhead sunroof and a rear sliding glass door. For boats shipped to warmer climates, it’s available with a 12-volt Mabru air-conditioning unit ($16,335) that also has a heater and can be powered by a 36-volt lithium battery bank that allows owners to eschew generators, which are noisy and prone to breakdowns. For boats sent north, there’s a powerful diesel-heater option for $5,380 that also comes with a defogger, which will keep visibility through the huge, curved-glass windshield optimal. So the pilothouse and climate control offer owners benefits in both regions.

Engines

Our test boat was powered by twin Mercury Verado 225 hp V-6 ­outboards, the only package offered in the US. These proved an ideal match for the T29 EX, with its moderate 17 degrees of deadrise. It reached plane in 7.1 seconds and accelerated to 30 mph in 13.3 seconds. The 225 is the largest in Mercury’s V-6 lineup and features the same 85-amp ­alternator as the 300 hp V-8. It also has a pop-open service port on top, so checking the oil doesn’t require removing the cowling. The 3.4L non-supercharged V-6 is a quiet outboard, but when measuring sound levels during the sea trial with the rear cockpit door slid shut, it was downright preternatural, registering just 83 decibels at wide-open throttle, which also netted a top speed of 47.9 mph. Usually, the decibel reading on a center-console boat this size would be about 92, which is nearly twice as loud. At an econo-cruise speed of 26 mph, the sound level was a ridiculously low 75 decibels, allowing people to converse at normal levels.

Interior and Accessories

The compact helm preserves space but is ergonomically sound. The narrow dash is tall enough that shorter drivers might need a riser for better visibility, especially during hole shots, where the bow rise hit 7 degrees. Although most twin-engine Mercury offerings come with the option to add Joystick Piloting for Outboards, the Bayliner doesn’t list this as an option, perhaps because there’s no space in the correct place to physically add a joystick unit. Instead of a joystick, a bow thruster comes as a standard feature to assist with docking.

One of the Euro quirks of the T29 is the ­optional diesel-fired Wallas stove ($1,880) in the galley behind the helm seat. A 54-quart ­refrigerator is part of the Cabin Comfort ­package ($2,770), which also includes curtains and interior carpeting. To port is a seating group that brackets a bifold dining table that drops to create an additional berth. One of the cleverest features of the seating group is the rear-facing seat that transforms into a forward-facing seat by scooting back the seat bottom and ­repositioning the backrest.

Below are twin cabins, plus a stand-up head compartment. The master features a large two-piece mattress with steps on either side, ­making hopping onto the bed easy. There’s plenty of ­storage with a hanging locker and a large compartment beneath the bed. Usually, amidships berths on boats this size feel like crypts, but this one has a door instead of a curtain and plenty of headroom in its entry, allowing guests to change clothes without contortion. There’s a queen-size bed for comfort and a window for natural light.

Read Next: Bayliner Trophy T23 Pilothouse

On many pilothouse boats, the aft deck feels like an afterthought, but the one on the T29 EX is large enough for casual fishing and features a notable seating innovation. The stern bench’s seat bottom resides on tracks. Pull it forward, and the backrest lays flat to create a sun pad for two. In entertainment mode, a large, two-­pedestal table creates an alfresco dining area using the stern bench and jump seat to port. The boat’s 9-foot-9-inch beam adds to the roominess. Twin ­platformettes on either side of the motors make for easy access to and from the water.

Bayliner’s goal has always been to deliver value-­laden boats, and the Trophy T29 EX gets the pump primed with the Premium Package. For no extra charge, owners get an extended stern sunshade, trim tabs, six-speaker Fusion stereo, hardtop spotlight, Simrad 9-inch NSS EVO3S, microwave and cockpit table, in addition to the big-ticket items already mentioned. The base price for this well-equipped cruiser is $214,565, not including taxes and international shipping. The T29 Explorer is like a motor home on water and is ready to head from the dock on Friday to go exploring.

How We Tested

• Engines: Twin Mercury Verado 225 hp V-6 outboards
• Drive/Props: Outboard/Revolution X 16.75″ x 20″ 4-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.85:1 Fuel Load: 75 gal. Water on Board: 0 gal. Crew Weight: 1,110 lb.

High Points

• A standard windlass makes anchoring easy.
• Helm-side sliding glass door lets you quickly exit to handle dock lines.
• Twin walkways to the bow allow crew to -easily go forward; tall bow rails boost safety.

Low Points

• The cooktop needs fiddle rails to keep pots from sliding around.
• Only two cup holders are on the boat.
• There should be more fishing equipment, whether standard or optional.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

The post Boat Test: 2024 Bayliner Trophy T29 Explorer appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

For the seventh year in a row, Finland has been named the Happiest Country in the World by the World Happiness Report, and I have a theory that it’s because their population owns more boats per capita than any other country in the world not named New Zealand. From this happy place comes the Saxdor 400 GTO, courtesy of chief designer and founder Sakari ­Mattila, who also either founded or co-founded Axopar, Aquador, XO and Paragon.

Interior and Accessories

The “O” in “GTO” stands for “Open,” because the area beneath the expansive hardtop opens on three sides, while an electrically actuated canvas sunroof lets the outside in. If bad weather threatens, side curtains deploy from the support pillars of the hardtop. With the aft window flipped down and an adjacent bifold door shut, the space is fully enclosed and protected.

The 400 GTO’s signature feature is its 13-foot-long pair of sidewalls, which Saxdor calls terraces, and that drop outboard to increase deck space when the engines are off. These transform the 400 GTO into a floating oasis with a party vibe that will draw envious looks at the sandbar. The stern area feels even larger thanks to the clear transom with port and starboard clear entry doors that expand the view. There’s a pair of swim platforms, and there’s enough real estate aft to walk fully across its 11-foot-8-inch beam.

The stern sofa serves dual duty as a rear-facing lounge for two or three. Then, when those reclining want to catch some sun, the entire lounge slides rearward and the backrest lays flat. Just abaft of the twin helm seats is a quad seating group that surrounds a large, height-­adjustable teak table to form a social area. When it’s time to weigh anchor and move, the sofa behind the helm seats raises and moves back electronically. A reversible backrest is then repositioned to accommodate three people facing forward.

Engines

At the helm, single Simrad NSO 16-inch and 9-inch screens come standard, but our test boat was maxed out with the Advanced Navigation Package ($16,100), which includes two more 16-inchers, along with a Halo 20+ Simrad radar as well as a VHF radio and a transducer. Saxdor is all-in on Brunswick technology and offers generator-­free power with one or two Mastervolt lithium-­ion batteries totaling 12 kWh or 24 kWh of ­capacity for $23,100 and $40,700, respectively. These also power the electric grill and stove, along with a standard refrigerator with an option to add another. These options require an upgrade from the standard Mercury V-8 300 hp Verado outboards to 350 or 400 hp 5.7L V-10 Verados that have high-output 150-amp alternators. The ­battery-management system integrates with the Simrad displays, so amp draw and remaining capacity are easily monitored.

There’s a portside walkway, but if you are 5 feet, 10 inches or taller and are heading to the bow, duck! The hardtop is low enough to warrant a “watch your head” warning sticker. At the bow cockpit, a ­U-shaped seating group accommodates five surrounding a teak table.

Down in the cabin, most weekenders will sleep with their feet toward the bow, where headroom dwindles and the beam narrows. A walk-in head compartment offers 6 feet of headroom, and a shower, sink, and standard electric head. Tilting up the companionway steps reveals a storage space that’s convertible to an optional kid’s sleeping area ($2,140).

The Nimbus 11 Weekender—although ­lacking the forward bow seating of the ­Saxdor 400 GTO—uses this space to increase the ­primary cabin size. It has only one, ­smaller drop-down side terrace, but an optional swim platform encircles the twin outboards for extra room while at rest.

Speaking of extra room, one of the most curious features is an optional aft cabin ($10,700), which guests enter by flipping up a section of the amidships cockpit lounge to reveal a hatch that’s like a secret passage to a safe room. Three narrow windows and a tinted hatch overhead admit plenty of light, and there’s a surprising amount of sitting headroom.

The Saxdor 400 GTO was one of the ­easiest 40-plus-footers I’ve ever run. ­Between the standard automatic ZipWake interceptor trim tabs and Mercury’s Active Trim, the skipper just selects the one-throttle ­option to keep rpm even, and advances the throttle without futzing around with tabs or trim, even if guests are wandering around. I could easily keep track of traffic on a busy day on the Intracoastal Waterway thanks to the ­exceptional helm visibility through the tall windshield and nothing to hinder the view on the sides or aft. Despite the water’s surface being chaotic thanks to wakes of all sizes, the twin-stepped hull provided a smooth ride, as evidenced by the legible numbers I wrote in my notebook, even at its top speed of 52.1 mph. It jumped to plane in 4.6 seconds, with a bow rise of only 5 degrees. It hooked up well in hard turns with no blowout.

Read Next: Six Boats Built for Adventure

How We Tested

• Engines: Twin Mercury 400 hp V-10 Verados
• Drive/Props: Outboard/Revolution X 16.75″ x 20″ 4-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 2.08:1 Fuel Load: 179 gal. Water on Board: 20 gal. Crew Weight: 1,225 lb.

High Points

• The vertical stem and narrow entry help pierce waves.
• Twin two-speed windshield wipers keep vision clear during sprinkles and downpours. 
• The standard Sleipner bow thruster interfaces with Merc’s Joystick Piloting for Outboards. 

Low Points 

• There’s no head in the aft cabin; go knock on the master cabin door when it’s time.
• The swim ladder and hot-water transom shower are on opposite sides.
• No bow-anchor scuff plate. 

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

The post Boat Test: 2024 Saxdor 400 GTO appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

Nothing calls for change like an election year, and at this writing, Monterey is offering a bold new candidate for performance- and luxury-minded boating enthusiasts. We don’t use the word “unique” casually in referring to this sleek boat with sports-car flavors and cutting-edge ­European style—there’s nothing like it on the water.

The Elite 30’s appeal for votes begins with its square stem and sleek, tucked-to-the-stem, custom, polished stainless-steel anchor, a fresh look at a center helm, and a broad hardtop that straddles the cockpit port to starboard.

Engines

We’ve seen square-stem boats in the US before, and they can have an alarming gift for stabbing into the next wave, spraying water all over the cockpit. In hard turns, doubling back over rolling wakes, we saw none of that bad behavior. Though the stem brings up the foreword freeboard in a near-vertical angle to the water, that freeboard doesn’t begin until the hull beneath it flares out broadly to keep the stem comfortably above the seas. The 21-degree hull deadrise at the transom cleaves chop for a comfortable ride without allowing it to roll excessively with shifting crewmembers, broad seas or crisp turns. The power of dual Mercury 250 hp V-8 outboards offers exciting acceleration—3.2 seconds to plane and 5.6 seconds to 30 mph. Our top speed was over 53 mph, and the joy of having all this in your throttle hand comes not just from the raw power, but also the unique centered helm that you’ll need to see to believe.

Interior and Accessories

Helm styling is straight out of a performance sports car, with a pair of bucket seats separated by a center console that positions the throttle levers as comfortably as an eight-speed racing shifter and makes the joystick equally reachable. In top-level race boats, the throttle is so ­arranged as one-half the skippering crew manages the wheel while the throttle man reacts to the seas by varying rpm and 150 mph speeds. You could employ a throttle man in this vessel just for fun if you wish, but even at its maximum throttle speed, it handles like a charm, thrilling crewmembers while protecting them from unexpected changes to direction and acceleration.

The next remarkable plank to this compelling candidate’s platform is the design of the hardtop and windshield. Mention center console and hardtop, and you’ll picture enormous stanchions springing from the console fore and aft of the helm, blocking sight lines. The top may extend only halfway to the gunwales from the helm ­perimeter, leaving much unprotected from the sun. Not here. The hardtop rests on highly styled and brilliantly sturdy supports affixed to the gunwales, and it extends well forward of the racily raked windshield and aft over the lounge and bar back-to-back with the helm bucket seats. The safety-glass windshield is full width of the helm and bucket seats, but the windshield stops at the helm sides, allowing fresh air (and passengers) to pass through the cockpit on port or starboard passageways, refreshing us on our test day’s 95-degree, 95-percent-humidity summer swelter. The arrangement is a moderate blend of the extremes of a dual-console windshield and a typical fishing center console. Nothing better than a well-balanced candidate!

We scoured the marketplace for a similar deck and helm plan to no avail, but the Four Winns H9 at a length overall of 29 feet, 11 inches brings a challenger with that vertical-stem style and with a comfortable standard bowrider setup ($343,025 base price with test power and hardtop). It too boasts a glass cockpit, and the hardtop lowers and raises on concealed ram screws to shrink storage height and can even be dropped down for more rain protection while running from a storm. Four Winns’ new designs from across the pond are the result of the company’s purchase by Groupe Beneteau, the world’s largest boat manufacturer.

Forward of the Monterey Elite’s windshield is another lounge that swings on hinges to reveal a comfortable changing room with a head and freshwater outlet that competes well with the Four Winns H9. There’s a ton of storage in drawers and cabinets on the Elite. While neither offers stand-up headroom, it’s deep enough aboard the Elite for comfortable movement. Door closed, the Elite’s forward lounge completes a triangular seating area with bow seats and padded
coamings to allow crew to relax and chat.

Read Next: Monterey 255 SS OB

Aft of the helm is the back-to-back lounge that I mentioned earlier. Nestled up to it is a refreshment bar with sink and fresh water. There are large coolers beneath the lounge. This faces a large lounge astern, giving up to six people face-to-face conversation in comfortable seating. A transom door leads to a spacious swim platform. The seatbacks rock forward, allowing boaters to face the water over the transom, or lay the ­seatbacks down for a comfortable sun lounge.

In a market filled with big, strong ­dayboat candidates, the Elite 30 stands out on the ­campaign trail. It may well emerge as the new sheriff in town.

How We Tested

• Engines: Twin Mercury 250 DTX
• Drive/Props: Outboard/Mercury Rev 4 14.6″ x 20″ 4-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.85:1 Fuel Load: 200 gal. Water on Board: 0 gal. Crew Weight: 430 lb.

High Points

• Glass-cockpit design displays all switching, engine functions, temp, oil pressure, speed and more via the flush-mounted MFD.
• Foredeck and cockpit can be quickly shaded with carbon-fiber poles and canvas ­covering, installable in two minutes or less.
• USB and USBC charge points throughout. The skipper gets an inductive charger.

Low Point

• Natural light and/or ventilation in the form of a window or port would be welcome inside the console head compartment. 

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

The post Boat Test: 2024 Monterey Elite 30 appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

When looking at the Fjord 39 XP for the first time, gather up all your preconceived dayboat notions. Then toss them overboard. This is a delightful craft that breaks all the rules and is a fresh breath of dayboat air.

For starters, it manifests the slab-sided, plumb-bowed look now so common. If you’re still thinking classic sheerline or curving bow, you’re hopeless. But if you want a super-safe boat for kids, with a deck surrounded by 3-foot-tall teak-capped bulwarks with recessed handrails from stern to bow, think Fjord 39. Even better, its layout is all on one level, bow to stern, so there’s nothing to trip Aunt Edna.

This is a beamy boat at 12 feet, 8 inches, and Fjord makes the most of every inch. Six different layouts are offered: Our test boat offered a massive sun pad aft with walkways to the transom on each side and an extending shade from the hardtop. The backrests flip to create two-sided seating around a clever dining/snack/cocktail table with five folds to precisely fit many needs.

Engines

We tested the XP (outboard) Fjord with twin 400 hp Mercury V-10 Verados. An XL version is offered with twin 320 hp Volvo Penta ­sterndrives (440 hp optional). The Mercs booted us along at 43-ish mph, delivering quiet operation (81 decibels flat-out) for conversing or listening to music. Fuel efficiency proved remarkable.

Interior and Accessories

Just forward of the sun bed/dining district is a wide outdoor galley. The Fjord is preplumbed for up to five scattered fridges or ice makers, plus a wine cooler for oenophiles. The galley is owner’s choice: barbecue grill or induction cooktop, with lots of counter space, a big sink, and a lid to hide everything.

Of note, the entire area is shaded by an immense, impeccably molded fiberglass hardtop braced by sturdy curving supports that create a rock-solid sun/rain protector. And the massive windshield stretches from hardtop to dash.    

The helm is a masterpiece of ergonomics, with either two or three adjustable seats with bolsters. We had two Simrad 16-inch monitors for navigation, engine and boat systems; the horizontal dash had a Merc joystick that can link to an optional Sidepower bow thruster; and you can reach everything while seated.

The wide and safe walk-arounds on each side of the helm console lead to another beautifully imagined space. In the bow, a hidden Quick anchor windlass has both bow and helm controls (with counter) and full chain rode to the stainless-steel Lewmar plow anchor. Facing forward, guests can sprawl on the wide sun pad with armrest/rails for security.

Everyone, especially families, will love the goodies hidden under the seemingly low ­cabin house. Surprise—6 feet, 5 inches of headroom! If you decide to spend the night aboard, you don’t have to rough it.  

For starters, the berth is huge: At 7 feet by 6 feet, 1 inch, it’s within 3 inches of full king size. But what is of more interest is the very civilized head with sink, Jabsco electric toilet and­—­­ta-da—a separate and spacious (35-by-30-inch) stall shower with teak flooring. There is ample space for the usual duties, plus changing clothes, showering off, and starting fresh.  

Underway, the Fjord 39 XP is just a giggle. Crank the leather-padded wheel hard over, and the Fjord just leans into the turn like an F-35 fighter jet looking for its prey. I can attribute this to the deep-V hull with hard chines and twin strakes nearly to the bow, which give it a solid bite on the water and no outboard cavitation. Wanna put the hammer down? We forgot to turn on the Humphree Interceptor trim tabs, but the Fjord came up flat naturally, giving the skipper a clear view of the horizon. Top speed? A squinch over 37 knots. 

Once I’d scouted the basics, I started finding some immensely likable details, such as deck and cabinet lockers everywhere, with deep ­gutters to handle biblical rain. Inset into the bulwark next to the helm are brackets to hold the six custom Fjord fenders out of the way but ready, and they’re square, so they won’t wander around when you need hull protection. And it’s a little detail, but one that says quality: leather drawer pulls in the cabin, as well as soft-close drawers. I’m finicky about bilges, and Fjord finishes them as though you’re going to be eating there.  

The combination swim ladder/passerelle needs to be seen. At the touch of a button, the swim ladder extends underwater, unfolding the steps at just the right angle. It can then be raised far above the water (a railing drops into place) to make a passerelle gangway for easy boarding, even from high docks and quays. 

Shopping? Check out the Pardo 38 ($819,000). It’s a foot shorter but with triple Merc 300s, no shower stall, and an optional second cabin.

Fjord construction by Germany’s Hanse Yachts is impeccable, with vacuum-bagged ­vinylester (no blisters!) resin backed by foam coring for strength and insulation. Not a squeak or groan, even in the Gulf Stream.

Read Next: Five Powerboat Trends of Europe

It’s no surprise that the Fjord 39 XP is in demand as a tender for large yachts: seaworthy, dry, and well-built, with safe high sides and a good turn of speed. It will appeal to families for the same reasons.

How We Tested

• Engines: Twin 400 hp Mercury Verado V-10s
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/143/4″ x 23″ 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 2.08:1 Fuel Load: 155 gal. Water on Board: 0 gal. Crew Weight: 800 lb.

High Points

• Huge hardtop with extension to cover aft sun pad.
• Rises flat from a dead stop to plane, so no loss of vision.
• Multiple deck hatches with deep gutters for rain/washdown runoff.
• Deep coamings (36 inches) for kid safety.
• Walk-in shower stall. 

Low Point

• Generator optional; uses solar panels and storage batteries to power blender. 

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

The post Boat Test: 2024 Fjord 39 XP appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

Pocket cruisers are designed to be the “transformers” of the waterway, and Jeanneau ­expertly engineered its NC 895 Series 2 to be Optimus Prime. It is unlikely there is a more carefully planned deck and berth space on any vessel in the new 895’s size class. That is immediately clear from the starboard boarding door to the cockpit. That spacious area is made more so by opening the three-panel sliding door to the salon, joining those areas with fresh sea air. All the salon side windows open as well, and as do two sliding-sunroof panes. And if the sea breeze isn’t cool enough, shut all the glass and run the air conditioner. It’s reversible to create heat on a frosty morning as well.

Interior and Accessories

In the cockpit, the aft lounge slides forward on rails to offer easy ­passage from the starboard side of the transom platform to the portside transom boarding door. Remove the couch cushions and rigid seatback to reveal that boarding option. Underway, the lounge slides aft to expand the cockpit. In the aft position, a lounge folds from the port gunwale to join the aft lounge, transforming the area into a conversation pit. It’s completed by an opposing cushioned bench seat against the slider, and the entire area converts to a sun pad by lowering a cocktail table, padded with cushions to match the seats.

Steps to the port and starboard catwalks to the bow are always ­accessible, and the starboard walkway is accessible from the helm for easy mooring. The narrower port catwalk leads to a triple lounge on the foredeck with an added cushion for seating or for kneeling to address the windlass. The starboard catwalk is wider, and the helm-station door opens to it, giving the singlehanded skipper snappy access to a midship cleat for making fast to the dock. 

If instead of going forward you aim for the salon, Optimus Prime is evident in the dinette with a folding cocktail table that can be lowered to lounge level to complete a third berth. Or leave the table in dinette position but fold the forward half back to the aft half, like closing a book, and the forward lounge seatback folds aft, transforming that to a companion seat for the skipper. Even the skipper’s techie seat swivels to face the salon, should the boat be at anchor. 

The galley also transforms from a compact sink and stove thanks to a removable panel that serves to extend the food-prep counter slightly into the cockpit through the sliding door. It’s welcome added space and connects in securely.

The three-panel sliding door separating the salon from the cockpit opens wide from starboard to port, making cockpit and salon one large gathering area. It’s optimal deck space with prime seating all around. 

Pretty fair competition for the NC 895 Series 2 comes from Cutwater’s 288C ($339,937 base price). Comparable in length, beam and preferred power, the Cutwater offers a somewhat similar deck plan, with a convertible dinette in the salon and convertible aft lounge that folds away like a card trick to open the cockpit or give access to the transom platform. The Cutwater’s salon and forward berth offer comfortable accommodations, but instead of an aft stateroom berth, there’s a double berth tucked beneath the dinette on the salon deck. It’s ideal for kids or teens—perhaps a little cozier than Jeanneau’s more-spacious midberth below deck.

Engines

Both are best powered with a pair of ­Yamaha 250s with electric steering. The Helm Master EX joystick full maneuverability is an essential option, I think, and I would insist on the bow thruster too. With those tools, anyone can grease a boat in the tightest marina fearlessly. On plane, the power steering makes the vessel respond like a sportboat, and both vessels are comparable in displacement and will achieve speeds in the mid-40s with a light load.

When equipped with full ­maneuverability and ­Yamaha’s integrated autopilot through a Garmin GPS display, the autopilot can be addressed through the joystick, the GPS or a dedicated autopilot panel (a feature I’d omit as redundant). At 35 mph, the 895 boasts 150 miles of range using a safe 90 percent of its ­158-gallon fuel capacity. Gentle canal cruising at 5 mph will take you almost 300 miles. A 2-foot-3-inch motor-up draft means getting into the skinniest marinas or past numerous shoaled-in miles of the Great Loop.

Read Next: Jeanneau NC 1295 FLY

When cruising the Great Loop, there’s a spacious cabin below deck with a forward V-berth and a surprisingly spacious midship berth. Separated by doors, they provide comfortable privacy. The companionway to them is via three wide steps for easy footing; on the way down, you’ll pass the circuit panel. A galley includes a microwave, sink and fridge, plus ample storage for cruising supplies. Lockers under the V-berth and a hanging locker provide space to store clothing, but the bulk of the storage on board is found, not surprisingly, under a cockpit hatch, where a large compartment can hold supplies securely, keeping them dry and ready for use. 

With near-robotic autopilot controls, a ­vessel full of versatile transforming ­accommodations both topside and below, the ­Jeanneau NC 895 Series 2 is the Optimus Prime in its class for ­cruisers.

How We Tested

• Engines: Twin Yamaha 250 outboards
• Drive/Props: Outboard/Saltwater Series II 15.5″ x 17″ 3-blade stainless steel
• Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 75 gal. Water on Board: 0 gal. Crew Weight: 500 lb.

High Points

• Stand-up paddleboard and kayak racks on the roof double as handrails when ­traversing the gunwale passageways.
• The three-panel sliding windows open the entire salon to the cockpit.
• The convertible dinette seatback tilts aft to create a two-person lounge alongside the captain.

Low Point

• The transom walkway is covered by the aft cockpit lounge seat. Passage there requires sliding the seat forward.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

The post Boat Test: 2024 Jeanneau NC 895 Series 2 appeared first on Boating Mag.