Table of contents for Boating Buyers Guide 2021 in Boating

Most people who grew up around boats got their first taste of life on the water aboard a runabout. They are to boating what butter is to bread. Today’s runabouts range from boats you can fit in your garage to boats that can fit a football team on board, but they all carry the same basic mission: to provide some zest and sportiness to the captain at the helm while including enough creature comforts to keep the family happy on the water. As you flip through the pages of our Boat Buyers Guide, you’re sure to find one that meets the needs of your crew.…

You may have heard of the Yamaha GP series of WaveRunners thanks to the fact that they’ve won just about every major competition there is to win in the high-speed world of personal-watercraft racing. The GP1800R SVHO is cut from the same cloth. With plenty of creature comforts, this should prove a well-rounded member of the WaveRunner fleet that’s as comfortable as it is fast. With the same 1.8L SVHO marine engine that has claimed so many checkered flags, the GP1800R SVHO is a rocket ship. Add to that a redesigned hull with an ultralight deck and an upgraded jet pump, and you may have to bring an extra pair of shorts. With an effortless top speed of 68 mph, there’s no denying the GP1800R SVHO has the top-end covered,…

This new Starcraft deck-boat model features dual consoles and a full windshield that greatly enhances passenger comfort, especially in cooler climates where that wind protection can extend the season in spring and fall. Both consoles are part of a one-piece fiberglass liner that also forms bench seat bases and is designed to maximize interior room. Inwales are thin and smooth, with no stowage, but there is stowage space in the port and helm consoles, plus a ski locker and underseat stowage. There’s also a small glove box in the port console, which is also topped by a small sink. Seating consists of loungers in the bow with backrests at the consoles, a pair of bucket seats with flip-up bottom bolsters at the helm and to port, and an L-shaped lounge…

Yamaha is stepping up to the big-boat aficionados and building jet-powered craft to 27 feet. The 255XD Wake Series is the pinnacle of its new 25-footers, and it’s feature-rich with Drive technology, a Connext touchscreen, speed control and wakesurfing capabilities. Let’s start with the head-snapping power from dual 1.8L SVHO supercharged powerplants. Together, they crank 500 hp, nestled in a wide-open bilge area that makes maintenance such as oil changes easy. A flushing port on the transom means it only takes a minute to protect your engine from salt water. Jet boats are growing in popularity due to the internalized drive system that allows swimming off the platform without risk of injuries from sharp props. Yamaha countered the tracking deficiencies in most jets by adding what it calls an articulated…

TS The Fountain 34 SC represents the evolution of the center-console, from its fishing-machine origins to a high-performance dayboat. This boat offers legendary Fountain performance presented with the latest materials and construction techniques. The result is a dayboat that can handle nasty chop, blaze to speeds over 60 mph, and look great doing it. This boat rides a classic Fountain hull form: the Positive Lift double-step running surface, with a pad aft and a notched transom to set back the motors. High-density composite core forms the stringer grid and transom. The hull, liner and deck are bonded, tabbed and through-bolted. This boat feels solid as a rock on the water, albeit a fast rock. The helm features a double high-back seat with armrests and individual flipup bolsters, which are shaped…

Largest in the adventurous GLS series from Cruisers, the new 42 GLS clearly shouts “fun on the water.” Certainly, the most visible features are the twin fold-down beach doors that create a spacious swim and lounge platform aft, complete with rear-facing seating. Swim ladders are on each side, and a shower is hidden for rinse-offs. The cantilevered hardtop, with large sliding fiberglass sunroof, provides full sun protection, and an optional powered Makefast awning slides from the hardtop to cool the transom beach as well. The cockpit is unique, with a dinette to starboard that wraps around a custom wood table, while the galley opposite is equipped for entertaining with a grill, fridge drawer, ice maker, sink and storage. Twin bar stools with a counter are thoughtful touches for entertaining. The…

Malibu’s 22-foot-5-inch M220 is a new iteration of last year’s M240, benefiting from the same innovative hull design and features introduced on that flagship model, but in a more compact size and affordable price point. The M-Line hull is the deepest Malibu offers, with increased freeboard to accommodate more passengers, more ballast and increased stowage, and deliver a more secure ride, particularly in rough water. A shovel-nose bow increases the size of its bow cockpit. The main cockpit seating consists of a lengthy wraparound lounge, but includes several innovations focused on passengers taking in the action in the boat’s wake. To each side, a single cushion can be raised to serve as an aft-facing backrest. The Malibu Multi-View bench on the centerline functions like its name implies. In its normal…

The XT23 is a surf star, also packing the premium wakeboard-boat performance and features you need for nonstop fun. Keep the waves custom and the party going with the award-winning GEN2 Surf System and a powerful 2,600 pounds of ballast. On board, enjoy amenities aplenty. Let’s delve into the details. The GEN2 Surf System is appreciated by both experienced enthusiasts and beginners. Easy-to-use presets like “Surf Left” or “Surf Right,” and the newly upgraded touchscreen make it easy to provide a quality watersports experience. Experienced riders benefit from the more than 1,600 subtleties of size and shape the system helps craft. Whether you are tournamentor entry-level, you’ll appreciate the GEN2 Surf System. Underfoot, Deckadence custom flooring provides killer looks, great traction and long life. Overhead, the base ZFT2 Tower will…

Following updates to the A22 and A20 the last two years, Axis has now redesigned and updated its flagship boat, the A24. Long known in wakeboarding and wakesurfing circles as offering some of the best wakes and waves for the price, the A24 has improved upon its hull design for a smoother ride in rougher water. Add to that an additional 4 inches of freeboard from the previous design, and crew now have a more comfortable and drier ride. The higher freeboard and new design cues give the A24 a sleeker look that still maintains the bold, aggressive lines for which Axis is known. New customization options provide buyers more ways to make the A24 their own, while design accents such as billeted aluminum in the dash and cabin areas…

While some might say bigger isn’t always better, it’s likely they haven’t been in Centurion’s newest flagship model, the Ri265. At 26 feet, 6 inches, it’s not only Centurion’s biggest boat ever, it’s also one of the biggest V-drive tow boats on the market. Built on Centurion’s acclaimed Opti-V hull, which features 20 degrees of deadrise, the Ri265 has been optimized for creating some of the biggest wakes and waves. With seven ballast positions throughout the boat, capable of holding a combined 5,850 pounds, the Ri265 can displace serious amounts of water. Add in the transom-mounted QuickSurf Pro plates, which have also been tweaked to complement the new running surface, along with the Stinger Wake Plate in the center, and the wakes and waves can be fine-tuned and adjusted in…

The picture shows the cockpit stairs leading to the flying bridge aboard a large yacht. There is a handrail on the inboard side, per American Boat and Yacht Council standards. According to ABYC H-41, such handholds are required on “weather decks” (areas exposed to weather where crew walk or stand); to assist crew using companionways, ladders and stairways; and in exterior seating areas used when the vessel is underway. In addition, any grab rail must meet a minimum height requirement of 24 inches above the deck. On a boat with only handholds, “the maximum spacing between handholds must not exceed 4 feet.” A handhold should also be within reach of any boarding ladders. The rail on the outboard side of the steps measured just less than 4 feet from either…

Manitou seeks to make pontoon buying easier with its new Aurora LE line by adding more standard features and grouping the most popular options in a single Limited Package. Choose a tube configuration, a color and an outboard with your desired horsepower, and you’ll be done. Our test boat featured the patented triple-tube Manitou V-Toon VP chassis, with 23-inch-diameter outboard tubes and a 27-inch center tube. The bottom of the center tube, which is also fitted with lifting strakes, is 5.25 inches lower than the outboard tubes. The premise is that the boat can heel over on the inner tube in a turn and handle like a V-bottom monohull. On the water, the V-Toon effect is subtle but effective. Our test boat carved neatly on smooth water, with a slight…

In today’s world, the Starcraft EXS-3Q is really an entry-to-midlevel pontoon, with some extra oomph from the optional Mercury FourStroke 200 to add some zoom. This Starcraft has a little something for everyone. For the performance and economy buff, it zips to 30 mph in just 5.7 seconds and tops out at 42 mph. At a cruise speed of 15.4 mph, which is perfect for party cruising, people-watching or a late afternoon beverage jaunt, it sips fuel at just 3 gph. That’s over 5 mpg, with a resulting range of 276 miles from the 60-gallon fuel tank, using 90 percent capacity. Yes, long weekends on a tankful are part of what the EXS-3Q is all about. Fit and finish are one of the EXS’s strong suits. The standard HMX PR25…

Tahoe’s 2485 LTZ Quad Lounge shows off Tahoe quality and features at a bargain price. It bristles with higher-end construction, materials and amenities, yet the as-tested price is just $54,012 with a Mercury 150 Four-Stroke outboard. With that compact and fuel-miserly engine, the 25-foot Tahoe hit a top speed of 38 mph at 5,400 rpm, accelerated from zero to 30 mph in 7.6 seconds, and recorded a best cruise speed of 17 mph at 3,000 rpm, where the Mercury sipped 87-octane regular fuel at 3.6 gph (4.7 mpg). At that pace, normal room-level conversations were easy—the engine and hull noise level recorded was a whisper-quiet 72.5 decibels. Range from the 38-gallon tank is just over 161 miles while leaving 10 percent in reserve. Despite the great price, Tahoe doesn’t skimp…

Corsa is the name chosen for a new line of pontoons from Barletta, intended to be a more-sporty alternative to its flagship L Series line. Corsa has more contrasting color in the interior and the side panels than the L Series, and more shape to the rails. The new Corsa line, including the Corsa 23U we tested, also comes with a long list of desirable standard features that set this boat apart from the fleet in the midrange pontoon market. For example, a one-piece fiberglass elevated helm station is standard, which looks great and enhances visibility from the wheel. It’s also deeply cut away below the wheel and delivered outstanding legroom for our tall boat tester. A premium six-speaker Hertz audio system, which cranked loud and clear on test day,…

Cruiser models may be the entry point into the Harris Boats lineup, but don’t expect lesser construction from this builder just to reach the price point. Quality build details include full-length M-brackets to resist flex, a sturdy mix of extruded aluminum Cand Z-channel cross members for deck support, and tried-and-true tongue-and-groove marine plywood decking that’s built to last. Three-inch deep aluminum rub rails protect the deck edges and wrap over corners. Marine-grade wiring includes plastic grommets and conduit for protection, as well as water-resistant Deutsch connectors. Cruiser series pontoons feature all-new furniture for 2021, with bases fabricated from color-matched, roto-molded composite, and seat cushions covered in soft-touch vinyl. Parallel bow couches span 5 feet, 8 inches to starboard and 4 feet, 6 inches to port, the latter backing up to…

You step down to step up aboard the Bennington 24RTFBA Bowrider. The recessed forward seating area is made possible by the Integrated V-Hull Performance Package, which replaces a traditional center tube with a V-bottom hull between 23-inch-diameter outboard tubes. That center hull mates directly to the underside of the deck. Cut away the deck, and you have space for a molded fiberglass footwell for a step-down U-shaped lounge that’s about a foot lower than the main deck. The primary benefit is to enhance visibility forward—passenger heads don’t block the captain’s view, and you get a better look when approaching a dock because the rails and sides slope down slightly. Bennington View Ports—open gaps between the top rail and the seatback—further enhance forward visibility. During our session, we found this design…

While this PlayCraft represents a midprice package at just under $120,000, it’s a full-zoot custom rig with enough power and speed to satisfy, and features and benefits to keep owners and fun-seekers occupied. Underneath, 0.09-inch-thick, 24-inch-diameter triple pontoons are fitted with skin guards on the nose keels for worry-free beaching. Foam flotation fills each pontoon for safety and noise deadening. Underdeck, all-aluminum cross members are fitted 16 inches on center and covered with aluminum spray-shield panels. Extruded side-deck bumpers and cast corner protectors are standard fare. CCA seven-ply wood decking that features a lifetime warranty is attached with corrosion-resistant fasteners. A color-matched Bimini top is standard, as is a Wet Sounds stereo with four RGB-lit speakers and a remote. Infinity woven-vinyl flooring covers the deck. The furniture layout is spacious…

Jim Dorris, founder of PlayCraft pontoons, is also the founder of performance pontoon boating and the first to race them at the famous Lake of the Ozarks Shootout. Today, Jim, son Joe and grandkids maintain the decadesold legacy. PlayCraft’s creations are still at the top of this now-popular genre, posting record speeds at the LOTO Shootout. A 77.6 mph top speed, a 4-second hole shot to 30 mph, and racing graphics and colors demoralize all comers. The PlayCraft’s most economical cruising speed gave the ship a 177-mile play between gas stops with its 50-gallon tank, with 10 gallons to spare. Handling was nimble for a big 10-foot beam, and the 30-footer seemed eager to make turns as tight as we were brave enough to command. All this is thanks to…

Volvo Penta takes a step toward full autonomy at sea. The lustrous leather steering wheel spun all on its own. Nervous sailors leaned over from the decks of the neighboring Volvo Ocean 65 boats as the 68-foot yacht approached the narrow slot. This stopover of the around-the-world sailboat race was the unveiling of a long-awaited system in modern boating—full autonomy. While autopilot has been available in boats for ages, Volvo’s new docking system moves beyond that. It’s a big step toward true self-driving boats. While cars can be expected to primarily move forward down a road, autonomy in boats is more complex because they have to be able to move in multiple directions. What’s more, for a boat, the road is moving. The yacht uses the joystick-controlled Volvo Penta Inboard…

Boating with family requires some flexibility, and that’s the goal of the new Alumacraft Competitor 185 FSX. This aluminum crossover model retains all of the angling features of the popular Competitor line, and adds extras designed to make the boat more comfortable and versatile on days when fishing is not the top priority. Start at the aft casting deck, where a reinforced socket for an optional ski tow pylon ($366) is in place for those days when watersports fun is on the agenda. That pylon can be conveniently stowed in a dedicated space in the starboard inwale locker. Soft foam mats on the aft deck corners will prove easy on the knees of your crew when reboarding the boat. The FSX package also includes a pair of handy jump seats…

“Go anywhere, do everything” is the mantra for Regulator’s XO crossover boats. The newest 24XO offers a graceful Carolina sheerline over a shallow-running, Lou Codega-designed, 17-degree bottom that sharpens forward into a wave-cleaving, flared bow that can accept coastal assignments on reasonable days. Even with Regulator’s robust construction, the 24XO is light enough to tow behind a compact pickup truck. Fishing comes first, of course. With an optional Minn Kota Ulterra and iPilot system, the 24XO can masquerade as a freshwater bass boat one morning, work an eelgrass bed for speckled trout and redfish the next, drift for flounder the third, and jig an offshore wreck for stripers or black sea bass the fourth. Lockable racks port and starboard in the bow deck hold fly rods to 9 feet, 6…

Grady-White calls its Freedom 275 the “ultimate transformer” because it supports a variety of family fun. It is a Grady, so fishing looms large, and features for the angler include a 29-gallon livewell and two fish/ice boxes, one 165 quarts in the transom and another 96 quarts below the starboard bow seat. The aft cockpit seat folds up to make room for angling action, and to provide access to the livewell—topped with a cutting board for bait prep—and the aft fish box. But this boat is designed to be an all-around dayboat, and the Freedom 275’ bow area features forward-facing settees, with room for six at the table. Angled backrests against the consoles make for comfortable reclining. A companion seat at the port console is standard, with an aft-facing electromechanically…

Boston Whaler’s new 280 Vantage takes dual-console family boats to new heights. Tech features that packed our tester included twin 300 hp Mercury Verado V-8s, joystick control, twin 12-inch Raymarine displays, VHF, AIS and radar, all integrated. Family features included a summer galley, electric head with holding tank, bunk in the starboard console, and tow points for water toys. The integrated hardtop offered shade and protection from rain. Our test boat was owned by a family that keeps it busy. They love the forward cockpit for boat rides, easy anchoring, and dropping the bow ladder at a sandbar. The port console’s head pleases the husband. “People love it,” he said. Even the owner’s linebacker-size boating friend found he could use the 280 Vantage’s head. “We love the three-way port lounge…

Designed to be a do-it-all dayboat, Grady-White’s Freedom 335 is a wide-beam dual console bred for the coastal environment. From fishing to watersports, to cruising to rafting up, this 33-foot-6-inch boat is ready for action. The basic layout features a spacious bow seating area and an open cockpit with convertible seating that stows away to clear the deck for fishing. Angling amenities include a 230-quart insulated fish box below the starboard bow seat, a 166-quart insulated box at the transom and, also in the transom, a 32-gallon lighted livewell, plus four rod holders and six horizontal rod racks. Grady-White’s overboard-draining boxes and cockpit, plus both pressurized raw-water and freshwater washdowns, ensure that cleanup is easy. If angling is not your thing, those fish boxes make dandy coolers. For entertaining, a…

Leveraging manufacturing expertise and command of technology, Volvo Penta debuts upgraded D4 and D6 diesel engines, a new DPI sterndrive, an upgraded IPS drive, and a new generation of its Electronic Vessel Control (EVC) system, all of which may change the way boaters discuss and compare marine power. These new marine propulsion systems tout cost-of-ownership advantages, and Volvo Penta goes beyond materials selection, revealing detailed manufacturing techniques to engender confidence in long-lasting reliability. To prove these points, Volvo Penta flew me, along with a corps of other marine journalists, to its Krossholmen, Sweden, test center and proving grounds, on the shores of the Kattegat, an arm of the North Sea near the Danish Straits. There, I ran the new engines and drives in a variety of craft, with the engineers…

Did you grow up boating in North Carolina? No. The only time I ever went on a boat was when I visited my uncle in Mobile, Alabama. I remember riding his Jet Skis. How did you wind up with a pontoon boat? South Bay is a partner of my racing team. I’d never had any desire to live by the water or own a boat, and then I went out on the lake [where I now live], and we found a rope swing in a cove where lots of boats raft-up for the day. It was really cool. When did you start racing? I started racing go-karts when I was 9. I just kept going and racing in every circuit as I got older and better, and now I’m with…

The iconic Yamaha SuperJet still impresses. You may remember the original SuperJet. It was all torque and performance—and for the average rider, all falls. Thirty years later, Yamaha has introduced the all-new SuperJet, mercifully presenting it with more stability than ever before. And with these changes, the SuperJet is officially available to the recreational market without a race license. Further flattening the learning curve, the new SuperJet incorporates L-Mode, which governs the engine’s performance to 85 percent. Together with the much more stable hull, the learning mode gives beginners a surprisingly stable platform to grow their skills. The most noticeable improvement was in corner stability, with even novice riders able to crank tight turns within an hour, at both slow and medium speeds. This is something you would previously have…

The Yamaha WaveRunner VX Limited HO is the flagship of the most popular personal watercraft series in the history of recreational boating, and for good reason. This well-rounded machine borrows from some of Yamaha’s most popular WaveRunner models for a mix of luxury, performance and value that will appeal to a variety of buyers. When it comes to performance, the VX Limited HO takes its cues from the closed-course-proven GP series. The same running surface that has earned the GP series so many trophies gives the VX Limited HO the handling, hookup and top speed of a much more expensive PWC. Powered by Yamaha’s well-proven 1.8-liter High Output engine, the VX delivers gobs of torquey goodness on the low end without sacrificing top-end speed. Improved ergonomics, including a narrower seat…

Want to surf but don’t have $150,000 around to get in a fancy inboard wake bruiser? Yamaha’s gotcha covered with the 212XD Wake Series. With ballast tanks for 1,100 pounds, plus the ability to set and select rider profiles to give the perfect hole shot and top speed, everything is in place for a great ride on a wake- or surfboard. The Connext screen has mapping for navigation, and engine, audio and rider controls are ready for command with a tap of the screen or a jog of the joystick on the helm. Ballast tanks can be filled individually for the ideal balance. Seating inside for 10 means each rider has a big audience. Drive technology makes docking easy with its paddle controls on the wheel. Touch the Connext screen…

Chaparral’s 300 OSX exudes luxury while defying convention, with a delightfully unique layout for entertaining and cruising. An ultra-wide central command console includes twin standard Simrad NSS9 Evo3 multifunction displays and accessory panels. The deluxe wheel, binnacle, and optional joystick control for twin Yamaha F300 outboards are set into a rich padded dash and protected by a full-width windshield. The deep-V hull is designed to handle with precision and slice smoothly through rough seas. The double-wide captain’s chair is complemented by a single co-pilot seat to starboard. Both offer flip-up bolsters and armrests. When not needed for piloting, the seat base cleverly pivots to starboard to serve as cockpit seating. The Vista View lounge is also innovative; it can change from seating to lounge to sun pad with the push…

Twin 400 hp Mercury Verado outboards with Joystick Piloting serve as the base power for the sleek, sophisticated Aviara AV36. You can upgrade to triple 300 hp outboards with a joystick, or choose to power it with twin 380, 430 or 483 hp Ilmor One Drive sterndrives with One Touch joystick control. When you choose Aviara, you’re choosing luxury, performance and your choice of propulsion. Powered by triple 300 hp Mercury Verado outboards, our test boat blasted to a top speed of over 55 mph and attained plane readily, without enough bow rise to limit visibility, in just 7 seconds. This boat handled rough wakes and waves well, and delivered nimble handling too. It proved itself a thoroughbred boat. While its performance proved great, the Aviara AV36 also embodies luxury,…

Just because a boat can carry a large crew doesn’t mean they want to be together all the time. Another permutation is using areas of the boat in different ways, depending upon the needs of the moment. Tiara Sport’s 43 LE is a high-performing, luxury express dayboat-cum-weekender sport model that allows for all these circumstances. For example, the aft cockpit’s port side folds down, creating the terrace, which is great for water access and works in concert with the aft platforms that extend beyond the triple outboards and offer access to the cockpit from both sides of the transom. But the terrace, when deployed, also physically enlarges the mingling space, not to mention provides an aesthetic reminiscent of an infinity-edge pool. Then there’s the All-Sport Module (ASM), which would be…

With a sustained focus on both technology and comfort, watersports boats continue to offer buyers the on-water fun they’re famous for, in packages designed to suit all varieties of users and budgets. Whether you’re looking for an easy-to-tow 20-footer or need the big-lake capabilities of 26 feet, rest assured there is a boat in this category for you, not to mention your family and friends. More than ever, today’s watersports boats are capable of delivering wakes and waves that can be customized to suit riders of any skill level, which just means more fun for all.…

Hitting the Goldilocks size in the middle of the Moomba fleet, the redesigned Mojo is not too big to tow or difficult to maneuver, nor is it too small to bring a few extra friends. At 23 feet, the Mojo’s footprint is in the sweet spot in boat size to create a crisp, clean wake and wave. By default, the shape of the wake is comfortable with a smooth transition, making it user-friendly at all levels. It can also be customized and programmed thanks to easy-to-control surf tabs mounted to the transom, which help keep things consistent for an ideal learning environment. The strategically designed interior of the Mojo maximizes comfort and functionality without adding any extra cost to the consumer. This is evident in the thoughtful distribution of the…

With more options and features than ever before, the redesigned Supra SL is a premier watersports tow boat designed to provide all 17 riders on board, no matter their skill level, a fun day on the water. First off, Supra didn’t compromise in any way when it designed the wake and wave of the SL. Featuring 3,500 pounds of subfloor ballast, the riding surface can be completely programmed and customized, and is capable of everything from an easy-to-ride, beginner wake, all the way up to a pro-level wake where the sheer volume of water could power a small village. Moving into the interior of the SL, we couldn’t find a single thing to complain about. Everything was purposely designed and meticulously crafted, from the Chill Tech Vinyl (preventing even black…

With a 24-foot-5-inch length overall, wide pickle-fork bow, and the ability to produce truly massive wakes, the Wakesetter 24 MXZ has proven to be one of Malibu’s most popular models. A new and improved version debuts for 2021, offering more interior luxury, more of the latest tech, and yes, more wake-boosting potential. Start with the latter. Malibu’s Wake Plus hull sits deeper in the water at board-riding speeds, naturally boosting wake size. Add 3,385 pounds of water ballast, spread between Malibu’s Quad Hard Tanks, and that wake grows dramatically. The Power Wedge III hydrofoil mimics yet another 1,500 pounds of weight, and depending on the selected angle, shapes that wake face from steep to mellow. For surf duties, Malibu’s Surf Gate, a set of transom-mounted vertical tabs, pivots outward to…

As much as I like to be in the water when I’m out on the water, a good boat bag is essential gear for me. So, when I had the opportunity to test out the Kokatat Dirt Bag, I loaded it up and headed for the docks. The Dirt Bag is designed for stand-up paddlers and kayakers, but it works well as a boat bag too. For one, it has separate storage segments for your shoes and small items, to keep everything dry and organized. So, I could keep my flip-flops and boat shoes separate from the change of clothes I brought to throw on later, as well as the foul-weather gear I always bring just in case. Plus, it has a breathable mesh zip top to keep your gear…

Value is the mission of the Bennington SV line, with boats that start at $17,110. New for 2021 is this 22-foot-11-inch 22SVSR. Nicely equipped for well under $40,000, this triple-tube boat is assembled with many of the same premium materials and features found across the Bennington line, including cool-touch Simtex vinyl upholstery, quarter-inch-thick cross members, and through-bolted deck fasteners. Rotomolded plastic seat bases are drained and vented to fight mildew, and they feature channels that allow water to easily drain off of the deck. Bennington makes the SV purchase process simple by including the features most buyers want as standard equipment, thereby eliminating a mind-boggling long list of options. There are three color choices—red, blue and black—and three interior layouts; our test boat had L-shaped bench seats fore and aft,…

Sylvan’s Mirage X3 CLZ is a true value-package pontoon boat. Even with 250 hp Yamaha outboard power, it sells for under $60,000, and there’s a lot of performance features packed into its 24-foot length overall. The F250 Yamaha pushed the boat easily across the water to a near-46 mph top speed, more than enough to provide excitement for your crew or to outrun the rain back to home port. With that much oomph, it’s easy to see why the Mirage can rip from a dead stop to 30 mph in a cat-quick 5 seconds flat. It can be pretty quiet at lower speeds; at a sedate 16 mph, we recorded a sound level from the wind and the outboard at a whisper-quiet 74 decibels—low enough to hear the stereo and…

For 2021, Bennington Marine offers the big hit from last year—the dropcenter bowrider innovation featuring Vantage-Point Captain’s View and the step-down U-Lounge layout—available in a lower-priced model, the new 23LTSB. At $90,977, versus $140,000 for the 24R luxury model, the new Bennington will attract more buyers. This rig, equipped with a Yamaha 250 VMax SHO, rolled up a 43 mph top-end speed with zero-to-30 mph sprints in 5.3 seconds—faster than most hot-rod bass boats. Best cruise for fuel mileage is just under 19 mph and 3,000 rpm, where the brutish yet refined SHO sipped 5.4 gph, calculating to 3.5 mpg; this means nearly 182 miles on its 58-gallon tank with 10 percent of the fuel in reserve. Thanks to the drop-bow section, piloting the 23LTSB gives the feeling of a…

The new Barletta C-Class pontoons hit the waterways in 2021 with solid construction and a raft of standard features, all at a reasonably low price point. Set up for an owner who plans to host a crowd of guests, the C24UE model we tested came equipped with the Ultimate Entertainer (UE) layout, which places a bench seat with pivoting backrest to port at the side-entry gate. Right behind that is a console with a marblelike top and a pair of bar seats. Guests perched on the bench seat have the choice of facing forward or facing the bar. Aft is the four-way Barletta Ultra Lounge with pivoting backrest. This layout leaves a generous passageway to port to the rear platform, and room to stow a large cooler on the deck.…

For 2021, Misty Harbor Boats introduces the Viaggio line of luxury performance pontoons, aiming at the higher end of the market but keeping the price competitive. If the Diamante 26S is any example, the company will do well. Our test boat impressed with performance, fit and finish, build quality, and several innovative and thoughtful touches. The Mercury Verado 250 powered the Diamante to a 42 mph top speed, and accelerated to 30 mph from an in-gear idle in just under 8 seconds. Fuel-wise, best cruise was at 3,500 rpm, with a speed of 19 mph. Fuel burn was 6.3 gph and 3 mpg, so with the 56-gallon center-mounted tank, range is 150 miles. Sound level is a low 72 decibels at that speed, so conversations can be had at normal…

A top speed of 60 mph is a benchmark for performance pontoon boats—go 60 and you are running with the big dogs. One way to get there is aboard a properly equipped version of the new Manitou LX series. Our test boat, a 25 LX RXF with twin Mercury Verado 300 outboards, ran 62 mph on glass-calm water. That’s clipping right along. For 2021, the Manitou LX series replaces both the Legacy and X-Plode series in the Manitou fleet with a single platform that seeks to combine the luxury of the Legacy with the extreme performance of the X-Plode models. Available in 23-, 25- and 27-foot lengths, most LX models have a fiberglass rear section that replaces the traditional rails and side panels, and all ride on the Sport Handling…

The L Series is the flagship of the Barletta line of pontoon boats, and this L25UCA is a flagship with all of the extras. The “A” in the model code stands for arch, a billet aluminum structure rated to tow 1,500 pounds that incorporates a 10-foot sun top, four speakers and a light bar, and you can raise or lower this fine arch at the touch of a button. This triple-tube model has a chassis designed to support a lot of weight and a load of horsepower. The 26-inch tubes feature dual-stage lifting strakes, which Barletta says reduce drag and help to guide the boat through turns, plus internally reinforced nose cones add durability in rough water or at high speeds, and “wave tamers” knock down spray from the outboard…

A lifesaving option is a wireless engine cutoff device. Wearable fobs or “tags” communicate with a hub or host unit that sounds an alarm and shuts down the engine should the skipper fall overboard. A crewmember overboard fob is programmed to trigger just the alarm. Until then, anyone wearing a fob can move freely about the boat, without the short-leash hassle of a lanyard. There’s a range of systems available, from the electromechanical Autotether Marine cutoff device, to the wireless electrical Fell MOB+, to those that also log location through Bluetooth to guide you back to the MOB and even alert others, such as the ACR Overboard Location Alert System (OLAS) Guardian. And more are on the way. Here’s what to look for in available wireless engine cutoff switches. QUICK…

A fishing boat is more than just waterborne transport fitted with rod holders, insulated wells, lots of storage and, perhaps, a hull designed for taming choppy water. Fishing boats are time machines. As author Norman Maclean observed, with one, you can “experience eternity compressed into a moment. No one can tell what a spot of time is until suddenly the whole world is a fish and the fish is gone.” Use this guide to select your next fishing boat.…

The Bass Cat Cougar FTD is engineered and built to handle all the heft and torque from the latest four-stroke performance powerplants. Our test rig combined a near-80 mph top speed with tight, predictable and smooth handling in our choppy test waters. It’s efficient too; we clicked off 4.7 mpg at a best cruise speed of 33 mph at 3,500 rpm, giving a fishing range of 220 miles. The Cougar is also available in the Hybrid 203 version, which engages the venerable Champion 203 running surface, and now boasts Bass Cat’s latest construction and materials while maintaining a solid reverence for the Champion’s V-bottom and reverse-chine shape. Rock-solid on the water, it generated 73 mph in our tests, with a gentle ride and steady steering at speed. Both models are…

There’s a new player in the center-console fishing-boat business, and the boatbuilder has brought something unique to the water. Yamaha’s 255 FSH Sport E has dual supercharged SVHO engines that generate over 500 hp, and they do it without taking up the transom with motors. The design gives anglers an open casting deck with no obstructions, making it easy to cast and to bring fish aboard. There are two livewells on board. One is forward and has a clear front wall and an acrylic top. Its powerful pump keeps plenty of bait alive, and you’ll have a hard time turning the kids’ attention to fishing with so much action in the baitwell. There’s an aft baitwell holding 30 gallons of water too. We found a spot for 25 fishing rods…

Thanks to the use of advanced design and construction techniques, CAD and new materials, the new Pursuit S268 Sport, which replaces the C 260, makes the argument that bigger is better. It boasts a bigger cockpit, bigger helm, 3 inches of additional cockpit width, and 7 more inches of internal volume (living space) fore and aft. Also, Pursuit added 18 more inches of deck extension on each side of the outboards, letting you board from a dock more securely. Changing a prop is much easier too. Bow seating with an optional pivoting backrests and insulated storage underneath provides places to lounge facing forward. Our test boat came fitted with a powder-coated console frame and standard molded hardtop with optional safety-glass windows. The S268 Sport’s roll moment in a beam sea…

The Scout 330 LXF brings a high level of luxury to the field of saltwater center-console fishing machines. Posh amenities such as twin high-back helm seats, comfy forward loungers, a retractable bow dining table, and a lounger on the forward console will delight cruising guests. There’s also Scout’s undeniable reputation for style reflected in a gracefully sweeping sheer, Carolina-style bow flare, and classic tumblehome of the stern quarters—elements that will capture the attention of envious onlookers. Twin Yamaha 425 XTO outboards vault the 330 LXF to plane in 5 seconds, and from zero to 30 mph in 8.2 seconds. The 330 LXF tops out at over 66 mph. You can expect precise, confident cornering at speed. The double-stepped hull lifts with little bow rise during hole shot, and knifes smoothly…

NorthCoast’s 315 HT is the builder’s flagship cabin model, a boat that combines traditional New England style with modern build techniques and amenities. It has a pure New England profile, with a fully enclosed helm and a large cockpit. The 315 HT can sleep four people belowdecks and is versatile enough to take out for a coastal cruise or an offshore fishing expedition. The 315 HT comes standard with a pair of 250 hp Yamahas, but it is rated for up to twin 300s on the transom. North-Coast’s provided numbers with the max horsepower show a top speed of 59 mph. At its optimum cruising speed of 31 mph, it reportedly burns 18.5 gph. With its 316-gallon fuel tank, the boat can handle long runs between ports before needing a…

Few things in recreational boating lit up social media the way images of Volvo Penta’s Forward Drive did when it was first introduced five years ago. (Actually, images of Forward Drive still draw loads of comments.) Forward-facing propsets are like the Kardashians of recreational boating, garnering commentary from far and wide. “What happens when you hit the bottom?” “Oh, that will be in the shop a lot!” “What’s the point?” Of course, five years later, we know that Forward Drive has proven itself reliable. Thousands of units have been installed, and more than 50 models of boats currently offer with this innovative system. What the internet pundits got right was to question the reason for the creation of such a unique marine propulsion system in the first place. So, just…

1. To ensure your trailer tires are road-ready, you should: A. Refill the tires with helium. B. Check tires for excessive tread wear. C. Buy whitewalls. D. Check tire sidewalls for weather checking and rot. E. B and D F. None of the above 2. You should check your trailer’s bunks or rollers as follows: A. Get brighter-colored outdoor carpet to cover the bunks. B. Put Rhino Liner on the bunk wood. C. Ensure the bunk wood is not rotten. D. Ensure the rollers rotate freely and are not excessively loose. E. C and D F. None of the above 3. Before trailering your boat to the ramp, it’s important to check the coupling/hitch attachment. These checks should include: A. Be sure you’ve inserted the hitch pin and clip into…

Reimagining a bestselling, high-performance model is a tricky task for any personal watercraft manufacturer. Nevertheless, that’s just what Sea-Doo has done with the RXP-X 300 for 2021, tweaking everything from the running surface to the craft’s renowned ergonomics. The result is a craft that’s at once quite familiar and yet a completely new experience from top to bottom. Arguably already one of the most aggressive handling models on the market, the new T3-R hull has clearly benefited from Sea-Doo’s pro-racing experience. It maintains the highly intuitive, lean-in style of its predecessor, relying on a sharp keel and soft outer chines that allow the boat to easily roll into the most aggressive of turns. A new feature, in our opinion, improves the overall experience for race and nonrace types alike. Dubbed…

Starcraft stands as one of the world’s best entry-level boatbuilders, and the SVX 190 shows precisely why. It’s just a great value, with performance and features that belie its price. With max-rated power (a Yamaha F150), it scoots from a dead stop to 30 mph in 6.7 seconds and tops out at 48 mph. At that speed, the Yamaha was buzzing the 19-inch-pitch Reliance stainless-steel prop at 5,800 rpm—just right. It’s quiet too; at best cruise speed, our sound meter showed just 82.5 decibels. That cruise speed was 3,500 rpm and 23.2 mph, where the rig drank 5.9 gph, translating to 3.9 mpg. That’s a 134.5-mile range from its 44-gallon tank, with 10 percent in reserve. Numbers are one thing; feel is another, and the Starcraft just felt alive. With…

Monterey’s 215 SS might just become the builder’s No. 1 seller. It deserves to be thanks to its smart faceted styling, solid construction, and exciting performance with Mercury outboard power. Usually, 200 hp in a near-22-foot boat is relatively modest, but Merc’s new and efficient V-6 engine offers the torque to get on plane in 3.5 seconds, and made 30 mph in 8.8 seconds. Our top speed of 49.3 mph was held below the 50 mph mark, in our opinion, due to the high heat and humidity of the day. Its performance matched the fast look. Coastal boaters are now opting for outboards due to their easy flush-and-stow maintenance. It takes only a few minutes to connect a dock hose and wash away the salt. In addition, the engine’s full…

Formula updated its largest bowrider model with a new optional hardtop that really enhances this wide-beam dayboat’s versatility and style. We tested the sterndrive version of the 310 Bowrider—it’s also offered with outboard power—on a brilliant day that highlighted the hardtop option. A $34,580 upgrade, the fiberglass hardtop covers the main cockpit area and incorporates a skylight, four speakers and lights. For additional coverage over the aft lounge area, consider the optional power SureShade retractable sunshade ($10,690). Most owners will use this boat for lounging and entertaining, and the 310 Bowrider is set in that regard. The boat is equipped with two cockpit tables, and a wet bar to port with a covered sink and space below for a 30-quart cooler or a pull-out Isotherm refrigerator ($2,340). There’s also built-in…

Jeanneau’s newest swift, stylish performance cruiser, the Leader 12.5, is a collaboration between noted designers Michael Peters and Patrice Sarrazin, and Jeanneau’s Design Team. Triple Yamaha 300 hp outboards push the boat to 50 mph, and it’s stable and tight in turns. The Leader 12.5 is available with a Seakeeper stabilizing gyro, genset and bow thruster. In addition, Yamaha offers the exclusive Helm Master EX full-maneuverability system with autopilot and joystick steering. Cockpit seating includes wraparound lounge seating and a cocktail table. An entertainment island separates the helm deck from the cockpit and provides a refrigerator, sink, grill, and you can opt for a second refrigerator or an ice maker. A TV drops down from the hardtop, and that durable structure is supported by handsome stainless-steel struts. Cool the cockpit…

The 42 FXO proves that in half a century of boatbuilding, Regal has gone from building boating fun to luxury boating fun. And it’s been quick to seize on the growing popularity of the new large outboards to propel that fun. Our test boat had three of Yamaha’s massive 425 hp V-8 XTO outboards with integrated electric steering, electronic throttle and shift, and Yamaha’s new Helm Master system with joystick and autopilot. The two large Garmins on the main helm and two above all speak to the Yamaha engines displaying all available engine information. Garmin displays are bright enough to be read in full sun. The helm station has a wide and adjustable seat with flip-up bolsters to clear the way for stand-up driving. Seated driving is comfortable, though a…

Don’t let the smaller size of the Moomba Mondo fool you, this allnew 20-footer boasts 3,700 pounds of ballast, which would be impressive for a 23-foot boat. That ballast load means the Mondo has both bark and bite, making it one of the more versatile 20-footers in the market—a true multisport crossover machine. The wakeboarding wakes and wakesurfing waves combine a good amount of volume with a user-friendly shape (i.e., great for the whole family, including the little ones just learning), but the Mondo’s smaller size means you can even slalom ski recreationally behind it. With room for 13, anybody on board can ride whatever board (or ski) they’d like—further setting the Mondo apart. The Mondo continues that separation in the interior with a smart, well-thought-out design that doesn’t add…

Not just Supreme’s flagship model, the ZS232 also rates as its boldest. In fact, it may just be the most unique-looking tow boat on the water. The sheerline tapers where the deck meets the hull, giving the ZS an aggressive look—and also the appearance of a “Z” on the port side and an “S” to starboard, hence the name. Bold looks aside, the ZS232 is built on what Supreme calls its Tapered-V Hull, which tapers toward the transom, allowing the rear to sink into the water easier, thereby displacing more water for better wakes and waves upon which to ride. With eight separate ballast zones that can carry a combined 4,600 pounds, the ZS232 can be loaded down to help create wakes for all levels of riding. The QuickSurf plates…

Whether you’re new to wakesurfing or just looking for more room at a price that won’t break the bank, the room-for-16 NXT24 is a great way to start your MasterCraft experience. Sit in the sculpted, high-quality captain’s chair and power up the easy-to-use touchscreen with its five-button interface. The NXT24 is equipped with MasterCraft’s award-winning GEN2 Surf System, which allows you to create custom profiles for the friends and family who ride with you, and generate more sizes and shapes of wakes and waves than even the most discerning enthusiast could demand. Whether your riders are big or small, aggressive and experienced, or tentative and just learning, creating a wake or surf wave to suit them is in your command. And the NXT24 allows you to do all this in…

For 2021, Centurion released two all-new boats. The Ri245 is the sibling to the Ri265, but it packs all the same features and technology as the new flagship model in a slightly smaller frame. The Ri245 is new from the bottom up, separating it from the pre-existing Ri models (the 237 and 257). The running surface is redesigned but still built upon Centurion’s acclaimed Opti-V hull, featuring 20 degrees of deadrise that not only helps it displace more water for bigger wakes and waves, but also improves the ride in choppy waters. To complement the running-surface tweaks, Centurion also updated the transom-mounted surf-wave systems—the QuickSurf Pro tabs and Stinger Wake Plate—to further improve the wakes and waves for all types of riders. The Ri245 interior boasts an all-new finished design…

Perhaps no other style of boat has soared more in popularity over the past decade than the pontoon. The once-humble family floater is now a full-on luxury craft, replete with all the fit, finish and amenities you’d find on a high-end fiberglass cruiser. Pontoons have come a long way in the performance category too, with some capable of winning the local poker run. Whether you want to bring aboard your closest friends and family members for an all-day cruise, enjoy a round of watersports, or try to catch your limit, there’s a pontoon covered here for you.…

A new addition to the Harris Sunliner family for 2021, the 230 Sport maintains an affordable price point while bringing in a higher level of trim and increasingly powerful horsepower options. The exterior features a redesigned fence profile, highlighted by a sleek taper aft and, on our test boat, optional black rails. Step aboard and you’ll also find an upgraded interior, with pillow-top furniture covered in new soft-touch vinyl and lumbar recesses backed with diamond-pattern stitching accents. Harris adds a pair of cup holders, along with dual USB ports to top off electronics, placed within each cutaway. Below, roto-molded seat bases include guttered stowage for gear. Harris covered these rot-free seat bases in vinyl for a more upscale feel. Amidships, we found a pair of reclining helm chairs, upgraded on…

After Starcraft introduced the DL Bar last year and listened to customer feedback, it improved the model in user-friendly ways. There’s a new starboard-side galley with a built-in storage locker, and the bar stools have a better storage rack along the starboardside. There are six new lighted cup holders, nonskid footrests underneath, and the bar is easier to convert. Convert into what? When you don’t want to sit and sip, you can pull a couple of levers, store the bar stools, and convert the bar into a huge (64-by-64-inch) aft lounger, complete with an extended deck and stainless-steel perimeter safety railing. A stainless boarding ladder and ski tow help to make this a full-on watersports platform. Performance-wise, the DL Bar features the HMX performance package, which is three 25-inch tubes…

The “L” designator for this new Bennington series stands for luxury, and the first impression is made by the new horizontal diamond press treatment on the upholstery, executed on our test boat in a graphite color, with Rosa Red accents in Simtex, a vinyl material that has a slight texture that keeps it cool to the touch. Side panels in Rosa Red and Smokey Granite contrast perfectly with the optional Blackout Luxe Edition ($3,594; black finish on the rails, deck trim and skirt, Bimini frame and boarding ladder). You may prefer a different color, but we found this look to be really handsome. In typical Bennington fashion, there is clever design behind the luxury. For example, the toe kick below the seat bases creates a few extra inches of deck…

The new Bennington LX Series takes luxury up a notch from the L Series models. Start with the classy fiberglass Voyager helm console, with stowage access in a side door and through the bow seat backrest, a locking glove box with USB and Aux ports, zebrawood accents on the dash and the tilting wheel, bright trim on the analog gauge package that includes an hour meter, and a windscreen. Our test boat replaced the gauges with a Simrad GO7 multifunction display ($3,349) integrated with Suzuki digital rigging. The captain and first mate get reclining high-back seats with armrests. All the seats feature the LX Sport interior with three colors and neat contrasting piping in Simtex, a lightly textured vinyl material that stays cool in the sun. A pair of curved…

Avalon brings a lot to the party. The Catalina 2585 Platinum Quad Lounge does its job maintaining that mantel with a big Mercury Verado 250. With that much power, the 3,100-pound 27-footer scoots from a dead idle to 30 mph in under 6 seconds, and tops out at 47 mph. If you’re more into a sedate cruise, the Catalina likes it best at 13 mph, where the Verado turns 2,500 rpm and sips fuel at just 3.2 gph, reaching 4.2 mpg. At that speed, the 58-gallon tank allows for a 218-mile range with 10 percent of the fuel left to get home. New this year are the perimeter walls, smooth on the outside, with no ribbing or visible rails. They’re sleek and make the boat easy to clean. The optional…

A sculpted fiberglass bow module and fiberglass seat bases distinguish the new Savannah series, now the flagship of the Crest pontoon line. And worthy of a flagship, this boat is both attractive and loaded with standard features. The forward seat bases are incorporated into the bow modules, each with a lounging backrest at the console. The smooth seat bases blend nicely with the helm console and look a little more upscale than the typical molded plastic or vinylcovered bases we see on pontoons. Note how the flowing lines of the bow module are repeated in the side rails, a nice detail. The helm console elevates the captain’s seat and is trimmed with billet aluminum. On our boat, a set of Mercury SmartCraft gauges are presented to the left, with a…

The new Eclipse 25 is the top-of-theline model in the SunChaser series for 2021, a pontoon stretching more than 27 feet in length and loaded with features. The Eclipse name for this series is apt because blacked-out rails and deck trim—all the rage on pontoons right now—are standard. Our boat also had optional black-painted tubes and a black ski-tow rig to complete the “eclipse” effect. The triple-tube X-Treme PR25 Performance Package features three 25-inch-diameter tubes and heavy-duty cross members to boost the max-horsepower rating to 300 with a 25-inch outboard. SunChaser’s X-Treme performance strakes on the center tube and inside the inboard tubes provide lift to boost speed and fuel economy, and this chassis includes a drag-reducing underbelly skin, 60-gallon fuel tank, ski pylon and SeaStar hydraulic steering. A ski…

Here are several ways to make boats powered by Volvo Penta’s Forward Drive surf even better. Not to mention, there are performance advantages across the board. That being said, it takes more than just a Forward Drive unit to create a great wakesurfing wake. Here are some tips and suggestions to help you optimize your Forward Drive boat for endless fun on the endless waves. BALLAST If your boat is equipped with built-in ballast tanks, the rule of thumb is to fill them all the way up for wakesurfing. Beyond that, adding more ballast always helps. Consider adding an aftermarket ballast bag to the rear of the boat, or find two smaller bags—one for port and one for starboard. With wakesurfing, the goal is to create a wave with plenty…

Boating is one of the most fun things to do, but buying a boat sometimes proves stressful and fraught with indecision. New boaters, in particular, likely feel this anxiety. Princecraft’s new MAX series boats strive to serve as salve for the stress. “The MAX concept offers a unique look and a lot of features,” says Rodier Grondin, Princecraft president. “It is pretty simple: You don’t need to take long to pick the options because the boat is already loaded with interesting standard features.” We’d agree with Grondin’s assessment. The Sport 172 MAX comes standard with features that other boatbuilders either offer a la carte or relegate to the aftermarket. These include folding canvas that connects to the windshield, bow cushions, a ski pylon, 160-watt Jensen stereo, stainless-steel ladder, livewell and…

Skeeter’s ZXR21 offers serious anglers a packaged bass boat that looks, performs and is rigged like a custom boat. It is a serious fishing machine that’s designed and hand-built to last for many years of rough-water running and hard angling. Sure, it’s fast and sleek, but more important, it’s a spacious tournament-ready fishing platform. With Yamaha’s VMax SHO 250 bolted to a 12-inch manual Slidemaster jack plate—a hydraulic option is available—we recorded a solid 70 mph top speed at just over 6,100 rpm. On the way there, the Skeeter hull took on boat wakes and midday lake slop easily, giving sure-footed handling. Those who cruise will find its best efficiency is just over 27 mph at 3,000 rpm, where a 170-mile range can be had from the 48-gallon tank, leaving…

Everglades calls its new 235cc an “entry-level” center-console. Not to contradict the boatbuilder, but this fishing/family boat is far beyond the usual stripped starter offering. Check out the helm seats. Everglades has patented the clever swivel helm seat that turns the dual forward-facing seats into mezzanine seating that overlooks the cockpit while still giving the skipper a comfortable leaning post and ample standing room. Either way, the seats have folding armrests and flip-down footrests. Powered by a 300 hp Yamaha Helm Master EX outboard, the 235cc tops out at nearly 46 mph—fast enough for distant fishing grounds and to tow kids on water toys, and plenty to get you home quickly if the weather turns. Drop back to 38 mph, and you get a 202-mile range. The no-glare dashboard is…

For decades, Stingray has been building family runabouts and deckboats with fun fishing features, but with the introduction of its new 269DC, the boatbuilder adds to its repertoire and sets a course toward fishing. Sure, all the accoutrements of a fun rec boat are in the 269DC. The style, after all, is a saltwater-hardened bowrider with the comfort of forward seats, posh interior cockpit seating and a walk-through windshield. Dual-console versatility is the primary asset that has driven the category’s growth over the past five years, and we are glad to see Stingray in it. The seating is firm, with multidensity foam, durable rot-proof stitching, and stainless-steel hinges and hardware. The portside passenger seatback hinges fore or aft to create a sun lounge or back-to-back seats ideal for watching tube…

The new Cobia 330 Dual Console meets all the check points that a serious angler looks for in a boat. But these days that’s not always enough. Want your hardcore fishing boat to have enough amenities to entertain the crew when the lines are in? The 330 has you covered there too. Let’s start with the fishy features. The 330 has a wide-open cockpit with 54.5 square feet of space, which is ample room for working a trolling spread or fighting a fish after the hookup. There’s a bait-prep station behind the port console seating and a 28-gallon livewell in the transom with a clear acrylic lid. Both the 70-gallon in-sole fish box to port and the 45-gallon one to starboard are insulated with optional macerators to handle your catch.…

The Invincible 39 Open Fisherman rides like it’s machined from billet aluminum, corners like a Formula race car, and fishes like an osprey. Two livewells are fed by three 2,000 gph pumps, an 80-gallon in-deck livewell and a 75-gallon transom. Four fish boxes collect the catch, and tackle centers on the leaning post hold everything you’ll need. We lost count of rod holders—there were more than a dozen on the center console, and rod-tip holes in the hardtop accommodated them. There were way more than a dozen on the gunwales, plus two rocket launchers in the hardtop, undergunwale hangers, and an option for a tuna-stick rack in the center console. At the helm, two 18-inch Garmin displays boast chirp sonar and chart plotting. Cockpit space is expansive thanks to the…