Sweden has the highest per capita boat ownership in the world – an astounding 1 in 5 households – the last time we looked. Nimbus is the leading Swedish brand and knows its customers. The picture above does a pretty good job of depicting how they use their boats. Their season is short, so they cram as much activity into those days as possible.
Scandinavians like nothing more than getting in the sun and enjoying friends and family. The Nimbus T11 goes fast, but that is really not the focus of most Europeans – they want to lay on the sunpads, use the outdoor grill to cook lunch and dine around a table in the cockpit with friends and family. The accommodations will sleep a couple and their kids, but they’ll spend precious little time below. Now, see Capt. Steve’s video and discover the details of this boat...
We’ve acknowledged the spacious salon and gathering areas on the Fairline Targa 65 GT. The British manufacturer also offers owners a choice of four different layouts belowdecks. They all start with a full-beam master. The standard layout has a guest cabin to port and VIP in the bow, all with en suites, plus a day head. The VIP can be expanded to create co-owners’ suites or a utility room can be added. If more capacity is needed, a fourth cabin is available. More...
The latest Horizon Yachts FD75 is the first of the Fast Displacement (FD) series to be built for Australian owners. Horizon is happy to customize this model to meet an individual owner’s needs. We’re told that this is the first Skyline (Skylounge) FD75. More...
Mabru Power Systems offers owners of boats without air conditioning a chance to get it without a generator. Its 12V DC system can run the air-conditioning unit above for 8 hours from a fully-charged battery, we’re told. The Mabru SC07DC tubing has a 70% to 30% copper-to-nickel ratio that the company says gives it more longevity and durability compared to competitive models that have a 90-10 ratio. The evaporator is copper instead of aluminum and this offers anti-microbial characteristics, reduces odor, according to the company, and it certainly improves efficiency. The unit costs about $5,000 and is easy to install. See our video interview with one of the owners. More...
Yamaha’s AR195 is a 19’5” (5.92 m) family runabout that has the features wakesports enthusiasts want for a fun day on the water. The Sport Tower comes with a Bimini top and it folds down for low bridges and storage. The two-level swim platform is wide enough to sit down and put on a wakeboard and provides easy access to cleaning out the jet pump. At the helm, the 4.3” (10.9 cm) Connext touchscreen integrates operation functions, system info and entertainment, while no-wake mode and cruise control facilitate driving. More...
One of the most exciting exhibits at the Miami Boat Show was the ICON A5 flying boat, seen above. It seats two people and is probably the ultimate water toy. Capt. Steve (who is a pilot) has been chomping at the bit to test one of these for two years. We’re told that more than 150 have been sold. See our video and find out the basic details and the price. If you want to see Capt Steve test one, click here…
A fuel-polishing system can go a long way toward heading off fuel-system issues.
Fuel polishing can help keep dirt out of your engines to a degree, but at some point, the only way to fix a crud-laden fuel system is a good old-fashioned, elbow-deep tank cleaning. Most people think this is a job for professionals, but with the proper tools and planning, any competent DIY’er can accomplish it safely and efficiently. BoatTEST highly recommends this, especially for boats more than 15 years old and most particularly for those in Florida and hot climates. More...
You may have heard of a “turducken” at Thanksgiving: a chicken stuffed into a duck, stuffed into a turkey. Well, you could call this a “fishducken.” A blue catfish was caught by researchers at Salisbury University with the intent to analyze the contents of its stomach. What they found inside surprised them: the remains of an entire wood duck. The discovery sheds light on just what these invasive fish are willing to eat. More...
In Florida, summer lasts all year. Kids love boating and the water. Have fun making memories and taking advantage of endless summers in Florida with an affordable membership in any of our available boats. Choose from either an Everglades 235CC, Robalo R317, Regal 33 SAV, Pursuit DC 266 in the Tampa/St Pete area or an Edgewater 370CC in Riviera Beach on the East Coast. Check them out at SovereignBoatClub.com or call 727-200-3474.
Photo Of The Day
Yesterday, it was announced that the wreckage of Ernest Shackleton’s ship “Endurance,” which was crushed by Antarctic ice and sank some 10,000' (3,000 m) to the ocean floor 106 years ago, has been found. Shackleton’s rescue of his 28-man crew is one of the greatest polar exploration stories.
Some or all of the content contained in this newsletter may be sponsored. BoatTEST makes all possible efforts to ensure all material that is published in this newsletter is true and accurate.