80 panels power a 104’ safari houseboat in Africa ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  

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BoatTEST - On The Water Newsletter

Hello Boater

RAD 40-kW Outboards Power Safari Fleet 

Electric Propulsion in Southern Africa 

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SOLAR-POWERED SAFARI On the Chobe River between Botswana and Namibia, Pangolin Photo Safaris now runs its 104' houseboat and 8-passenger photo boat with RAD 40-kW electric outboards. Power comes from 80 solar panels feeding 183 kWh of lithium-ion batteries, reducing noise and maintenance in a remote wildlife region where parts can take weeks to arrive. This setup shows how electric outboards can make sense well beyond small tenders.

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Solaris Power 40 Open OB

Day Boat, Weekender, Tender

Solaris Power 40 Open (2024) Test & Features Review _ BoatTEST-low (2)

40 FEET, 290 NM At 39’3” LOA, the Solaris Power 40 Open OB carries 265 gallons of fuel and offers two distinct personalities: 32-knot cruising with a 138-nm range, or 290 nm at 6.5 knots. Below are two sleeping areas for four. That combination makes her equally suited to day runs, weekend trips, or service as a yacht tender.

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US Coast Guard Captain's License

Practice Questions 

BOTH INTERNATIONAL & INLAND Which statement is TRUE regarding equipment for bell and gong signals?

A. Any vessel over 12 meters in length must be provided with a gong.
B. Manual sounding of the signals must always be possible.
C. Signals must be able to be sounded manually and automatically.
D. A vessel of less than 12 meters in length need not have any sound signaling equipment.

BoatTEST Featured Pre-Owned Vessels

Pre-Owned Yacht Spotlight

2004 Hatteras 100 Motor Yacht

Hatteras 100 Motoryacht

PROFESSIONALLY MANAGED This offering is for a 1/4 share of the 2004 Hatteras 100 Motor Yacht Magnum Ride, professionally managed by Naples Nantucket Yacht Group with an established charter program providing expense offset. Powered by twin 1,800-hp MTU 16V-2000 diesels, she cruises at 17.38 knots and carries 5,025 gallons of fuel. Seven cabins, nine heads, and a king master suite headline the layout.

FULL LISTING & PRICE
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Medjet Gets You Home

Transport to Your Hospital of Choice

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PLAN FOR THE UNEXPECTED MedjetAssist arranges air medical transport to the hospital of your choice in your home country if you’re hospitalized 150 miles or more from home. There are no deductibles, claim forms, or monetary caps on air transport costs. Horizon memberships add 24/7 security response, crisis consultation, and in-country coordination for events ranging from natural disasters to political threats.

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BoatTEST VIP Membership

Beneteau Motor Yachts Unveil New Models

Prestige F6.7 | Gran Turismo 50 Premiere

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NEW MODELS ADDED At boot Düsseldorf 2026, Prestige introduced its new F6.7 flagship with 170 m² of living space, twin Volvo Penta IPS options up to 1,000 hp, and 30-knot capability. The M48 multihull is being upgraded as the M6, while Beneteau Motor Yachts premiered the Gran Turismo 50 and highlighted recent strong sales across the Swift Trawler and Gran Turismo ranges.

MORE ON THE LAUNCHES

How Trailers Are Made

Inside AmeraTrail’s Factory

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ROBOT-BUILT TRAILERS Most boaters focus on the boat and give little thought to what carries her. This behind-the-scenes tour of AmeraTrail’s 100,000-sq-ft facility shows how OEM CAD files, robotic drilling, precision welding, and corrosion barriers come together to build model-specific aluminum trailers. It’s a closer look at the engineering that makes launching and retrieving safer and more predictable.

STEP INSIDE THE PLANT
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US Coast Guard Captain's License

Practice Question - Answer 

B) Manual sounding of the signals must always be possible.

While electronic sounders are permitted, manual sounding of the signals must always be possible as a primary safety fail-safe in the event of a power or system failure.

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