NEW TEST VIDEO. The Formula 457 Center Console Fish is a marriage made in angler heaven. First, she has the performance hull proven in years off offshore racing by Formula. Second, the 457 CCF has the luxury accommodations, details and amenities that the builder has put in gold-plated express cruisers for years. Third is the build quality and the after-market service to stand behind her for five years, something that every owner should have on a boat as feature-rich as this one. She's designed to take a boat load of friends fishing offshore in any weather.
BUYING AN EASTERN BOAT. Eastern sells their Downeast designs factory-direct, which eliminates the "filter" of a dealer. By sitting down with folks at the factory, buyers can get the straight story on what can and can't be done and how much it will cost. Here’s an inside look as a boating couple specifies exactly what they want in great detail. Best of all, Eastern Boats are affordable.
TEST VIDEO. The 53 Powercat includes a main deck helm for inclement weather as well as a control station and large lounging area topside. Three or four cabin layouts take advantage of her 25’2” (7.67 m) beam and her twin 370-hp Yanmar 8LVs deliver impressive 1,600 NM range at 8.2 knots.
PRE-OWNED YACHT. This 85 Vicem displays the remarkable woodworking common to the brand and is newly updated with new AC units, Starlink, running gear service and new exterior upholstery. She has a full package of Simrad and Garmin electronics, two Onan 22.5 kW generators and a 15’ RIB tender. Power is twin 1,200-hp MAN diesels and she accommodates six.
Sharrow Propellers Make Driving a Pontoon Boat More Fun
PRODUCT REVIEW. As a class, pontoon boats can be disappointing on the water. Twin toons are sluggish and tritoons are hard to turn — both are a bear to dock (there's no keel). But toons are cheap, roomy and a pleasant way to spend a day on a lake. For those toon owners who want to be able to turn on a dime, back down with alacrity and dock with positive control, the Sharrow prop is the answer. Her great fuel efficiency is icing on the cake, as is cruising at a lower RPM and reducing noise.
MARINE MAINTENANCE. Should you attach positive or negative connections to your battery first? Faulty wiring is the biggest cause of boat fires. Check this advice from Aaron Hilligoss, chief wrench at Born Again Boating and avoid problems.
MARINE ACCESSORIES. Would your boat benefit from adding a jackplate to raise and lower the engine? The experts at Sportsman Boats say it might, if you regularly operate in shallow water — or if you want to gain a bit of speed and fuel efficiency.
SUPERYACHT TOP 25. The 444.9’ (135.61 m) Lürssen Yachts superyacht Crescent, launched in 2018, has a maximum 72.3’ (22.04 m) beam. She has a steel hull and aluminum superstructure. She accommodates 18 guests and is powered by two enormous MTU 20V 1163 M84s producing 7,512 hp each.
Sailing — where the process is the destination — on Long Island Sound.
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