Short ramps, sketchy tows, zero horsepower. ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  

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BoatTEST - On The Water Newsletter

Hello Boater

Nimbus 12 Series 

New 41’7” Platform 

Nimbus-12-Series

BALCONY & TARGA Presented at Boot Düsseldorf in January 2026, the Nimbus 12 Series builds on three models: W12, T12, and C12. All share vacuum-infused hull and deck construction, inverter-powered air conditioning, updated illumination, and windscreen wipers. The T12 adds a solar-capable T-top and starboard balcony, the W12 introduces a Targa version, and the C12 features a galley-up deck salon.

 

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Formula 387 CCF

Tournament Layout, Formula Build

Formula 387 ccf

TRIPLE VERADO POWER The Formula 387 CCF runs on a 23-degree FAS3Tech hull with a 12’ beam and 500 gallons of fuel. Standard power is triple 300-hp Mercury Verados with joystick piloting. In our testing with optional triple 450R outboards, she reached 60.2 mph and cruised at 32.8 mph for a 307-statute-mile range with 10% fuel reserve. Twin 40-gallon livewells, fish boxes with freezer plates, and a sea chest system round out her offshore layout.

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US Coast Guard Captain's License

Practice Questions 

INLAND ONLY What whistle signal would you sound if you are overtaking another power-driven vessel and desire to pass on her left or port hand?

A. one long blast
B. two short blasts
C. two prolonged blasts followed by two short blasts
D. one short blast

BoatTEST Featured Pre-Owned Vessels

Pre-Owned Yacht Spotlight

2026 Ocean Alexander 28L

oceanalexander-28l-2026-25

LEGEND SERIES ENTRY This 2026 Ocean Alexander 28L is an 88’ fiberglass motoryacht powered by twin 1,600-hp MTU diesels. Designed by Evan Marshall for the Legend series, she features a main-deck forward dining room connected to an open galley with a pocket-door partition, a skylounge above, and a full-beam owner’s suite below. Located in Pompano Beach, FL, and fully duty paid.

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Mercury’s “Get 7”

Extended Engine Coverage

Mercury

SEVEN YEARS INCLUDED Mercury’s Spring 2026 “Get 7” program provides seven total years of factory-backed coverage on qualifying 2.5–425hp outboards. Purchased as part of a new boat package or repower through a participating dealer, eligible engines include Product Protection Gold. For anyone weighing a new build, repower, or step up in horsepower, extended coverage changes the math.

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Mapping the Ocean Floor

Seabed 2030 Initiative

58835_son_02_page_1_166387

CHARTING EVERY METER We can map Mars in detail, yet large areas of the ocean floor remain unmapped. Seabed 2030 aims to chart every square metre of the world’s subsea surface by the end of the decade, using advanced bathymetry, satellite-derived data, and contributions from institutions like Plymouth University. The resulting GEBCO datasets will be publicly available.

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Boneheaded Boaters of the Week

They Messed Up!

Boneheaded 2.20.2026

HORSEPOWER MATTERS This week’s Boneheaded Boaters takes aim at “fuel-saving” logic gone wrong. From boats dropped short of the ramp and sketchy sandbar tows to jetskis drafting working tugboats, the theme is simple: shortcuts can get expensive fast. The wild card? An engine-free wildlife tour that suddenly wished it had horsepower when an elephant closed the distance.

WATCH THE CHAOS
LifeIsBetterOnBoat-Banner-NLv2 (1)

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US Coast Guard Captain's License

Practice Question - Answer 

B) two short blasts

Under Inland Rule 34, a power-driven vessel overtaking another indicates its intention to pass on the port side of the vessel ahead by sounding two short blasts.

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