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BoatTEST - On The Water Newsletter

Hello Boater

St. Petersburg, FL Boat Show

This Friday, Saturday & Sunday

Near-Perfect Weather Predicted

Screenshot 2026-01-15 at 11.20.35 AM

One of the best times to buy a new boat is Dec.-Jan. because dealers may be heavily discounting 2025 model year stock. Also, factories often give discounts for new models before the Spring buying season kicks in. Plus, Mercury, Suzuki, and Yamaha are all offering 7-year extended warrantees, and Honda is offering 5-yr, +3 more available. Don’t miss out on a buying opportunity. Tickets are sold online…

Buy Tickets Here

American Tug 435 

Designed Around Range 

AmericanTug435

ONE ENGINE, 1,000 NM Designed around secure coastal cruising, the American Tug 435 pairs a workboat-derived hull with a two-cabin, two-head layout and a true pilothouse. A single Cummins 550 favors efficiency and range over speed, while standard features like bow and stern thrusters and walk-through upper deck access reflect long-distance cruising priorities.

SEE THE FULL TEST
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Fleming Yachts 78

Owner-Run, Ocean-Capable

Running-port_7

DESIGNED TO CROSS OCEANS The Fleming 78 is a long-range cruising yacht designed for experienced owner-operators. With 3,000 gallons of fuel and twin 1,550-hp MAN V12s, she is intended to cross oceans at displacement speeds while retaining the ability to exceed 20 knots when required. Systems redundancy, wide side decks, and centralized monitoring define her operating profile.

VIEW TEST & PERFORMANCE

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US Coast Guard Captain's License

Practice Questions 

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which vessel is "underway" according to the Rules?

A. A pilot vessel at anchor
B. A vessel made fast to a single point mooring buoy
C. A vessel engaged in towing, not making way
D. A vessel which has run aground

stpetersburg-boat show

Cruising the Abrolhos

Offshore Islands, Limited Access

Riviera 505 SUV in the Abrolhos Islands-1

NOT EASY TO REACH The Abrolhos Islands sit well offshore of Western Australia and remain tightly controlled due to conservation rules and commercial lobster fishing. This account follows a permitted visit aboard a Riviera, covering the realities of access, navigation through reef systems, limited communications, and what cruising looks like in one of the Indian Ocean’s most restricted island groups.

READ THE FULL STORY

Pearl 100 Hybrid Sold

Flagship, First Buyer

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POST-CANNES SALE Pearl Yachts has confirmed the sale of its first Pearl 100 Hybrid shortly after the model’s debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival. The 30-meter flagship is the largest yacht the builder has produced and is the first in its range to feature hybrid propulsion as standard, with delivery planned for 2026.

READ THE BUSINESS UPDATE
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Trim Explained

Getting the Boat Level

TrimTabs

SMALL ADJUSTMENTS MATTER Trim, tilt, and trim tabs directly affect how a boat accelerates, planes, and runs at speed. This Boating Basics guide explains what each system does, when to use it, and how small adjustments can improve efficiency, visibility, and control, especially when passenger load or gear distribution changes.

SEE HOW TRIM WORKS

Pre-owned11

Pre-Owned Yacht Spotlight:

2008 Sea Ray 310 Sundancer

Sea Ray 310 Sundancer

PROVEN DESIGN This 31-foot express cruiser is powered by twin rebuilt MerCruiser 350 MAG MPI inboards with about 100 hours since rebuild. Her cockpit is set up with wraparound seating, a table, wet bar, and transom bench, while below decks she offers a forward berth, convertible mid-cabin, enclosed head with shower, and a full galley. A well-known layout from Sea Ray, paired with generator, air conditioning, and updated navigation electronics.

FULL LISTING & PRICE

Boneheaded Boaters of the Week

Park the Boat Anywhere!

Boneheaded 1.15.2026

PARKING OPTIONAL “Anywhere” turns out to be a very flexible concept. This week’s clips feature boats left high and dry after the water disappears, others pinned in place by snow and ice, and a few captains discovering too late that land is not a fender. Add storms, currents, improvised solutions, and one or two decisions that made sense only at the time, and the result is a strong argument for planning ahead.

WATCH THIS WEEK’S CLIPS

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US Coast Guard Captain's License

Practice Question - Answer 

C) A vessel engaged in towing, not making way

A vessel engaged in towing is still underway even if she is not making way through the water (for example, stopped or drifting).

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Questions? Drop us a line: editorial@boattest.com

 

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