We take you aboard the 2024 Solara S-310 SC. This sports cruiser is a lifestyle boat and it’s packed with value. It has more standard features than any boat of its size that we’ve seen. So let’s start off by giving you this impressive list of standard features. This may not be a complete list, but it shows the highlights and we think you will be just as impressed as we were. 

A bow thruster, a marine head with a pump out, a water heater, and the hardtop are all standard. There are so many standard features that make Solara’s production simplified. This allows Solara to offer their boat at a lower price than competitive manufacturers. 

The Solara S-310 SC is powered by standard twin 300-horsepower Yamaha outboards, which allows it to hit a top speed of 50 mph. This runs on a proprietary Solara double-stepped deep-V hull with laminar flow interrupters that deliver efficiency, speed, and great handling. 

A pair of twin Garmin 8612 chartplotters grace the helm alongside your digital displays, a Bluetooth Fusion stereo system, and switch panels made from red carbon fiber, which adds a nice elegant touch to the helm details.

One of the coolest features on this boat is the articulating pod for electronics. The screens are mounted in this movable display, where you hit a switch and you can adjust it for your height, for the glare of the sun, or even just to show off for your friends. Another great feature is the bow and stern cameras. These are great to see what’s going on with your wake in addition to your spotter or even what’s happening while docking. 

Solara’s transformative seating is one of its noteworthy features. Which means you have the seating flexibility and versatility. Seating that you want, when you want it, and where you want it. The fold-out seats, if you don’t want them, give you a wide cockpit. The aft bench deploys in 2 different positions so you can enjoy the sun while in anchor or you can adjust so it faces forward, and it opens up over the swim platform so it takes up no cockpit space. Making it a great place to enjoy the conversation of your friends or spend the ride on a long run to your next cruising ground. 

The lounge area underneath the helm deck is also transformational. There are fishing rod holders and a live well, beautiful and durable EVA foam decking, there’s a grill, shelves for storage, and a standard freshwater and saltwater wash down. This hard top is very structurally sound and looks great, with the added functionality of holding our antennas, you can mount paddleboards and kayaks, and it also has built-in LED lights, a sunroof that can open up to let in the weather, and a full canvas enclosure, which is all standard. 

The cabin is no afterthought on this boat. There’s a hot and cold shower, an expansive V-berth for a couple to spend a night or two on this boat. Should you spend the night aboard, there are plenty of comforts: you can run the 30 amp shore power which will run the heat and AC, fridge, water heater, and more. If you anchor out somewhere, there are lithium phosphate batteries that can run the reverse cycle heat and AC overnight, no problem. And to recharge those batteries, the standard 300 horsepower Yamaha engines come with 70 amp alternators that can help make quick work to put juice back into that battery bank. 

Before we go let’s take a look at the clear path transom. This is a unique feature for Solara boats, working in concert with Yamaha they’ve managed to put the rigging underneath the deck which allows you to walk back and forth across the transom, unimpeded. They’ve also included some great grab rails to aid with boarding and there are nifty fenders on either side, so when you come up with paddleboards, you won’t ding the gel coat. 

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Today we take you on the Jeanneau NC 895 Series 2. This is a 29-foot Cruiser with an enormous amount of rest, relaxation, and cruising space on the main deck and two large staterooms below. This is done all with an open, airy, bright feeling that gives you plenty of space. Our team will show you how Jeanneau did it. 

Now the performance on this boat comes from Dual 250 horsepower Yamahas and this Helm is all tricked up to control them. You’ve got an electronic throttle and shift joystick and it’s even equipped with a bow thruster so you can get into the tightest marinas.

You’ll get a top speed of around 40mph. The entire Salon is surrounded by 360° of tempered glass, with windows and a sunroof that can open up to take in the breeze. It has air conditioning with a reversible air conditioner, so in cooler weather, you can use it for heat.

The galley is complete with a stove, refrigerator, and microwave. While it’s compact they are convertible to help maximize the space. The bow seating area has a triple lounge out there. You’ll also notice there are tall safety rails all the way around so parents can be confident as kids move their way forward on the boat. Jeanneau also has some other convertible tricks to optimize space. 

The portside seat flips up and stowes away to give you more deck space, and on the port side corner when you remove the seat cushion, you have access to the transom walkway. Now the last cool convertible feature at the stern here is the cocktail table drops down to the seat level and you fill it with cushions for a large Sun pad. 

In the center of the cockpit, you’ll find a large hatch that gives you access to an enormous storage compartment. Lift out the subfloor and that gives you access to your batteries and your pumps. 

One nice thing in all the staterooms and the head compartments are built-in. Windows adds to that open airy feeling. The style and comfort are enhanced by the recessed lighting under all the soffits down below.  The forward stateroom berth slides forward to give you more space during the day, and you pull it back to extend it to a full-length bed at night.

As you can see from stem to stern the Jeanneau NC 895 S2 brings plenty of recreation space comfort, and we love the performance with the Dual Yamaha outboards.

The post 2024 Jeanneau NC 895 Series 2 appeared first on Boating Mag.

Welcome aboard the brand new Jeanneau DB/37 OB. Now the DB stands for day boat. Certainly, it is an interesting description for a boat that has great liveaboard accommodations on it and all the attributes of a day boat. Jeanneau’s tagline says more than you expect, and when you look at all the living accommodations down below, you can see why they use it. Come aboard and let us show you. 

The performance of the DB/37 OB comes from Twin XTO 450 Outboard Motors by Yamaha. Top speed is going to be in the high 40s and we love the feeling of the electric steering. It also has joystick steering and helm master plus, giving you the ability to operate the autopilot right through the system. 

The dash is equipped with twin Ray Marine screens plus the Yamaha system to give you all the information about your motors. The wheel tilts, you got all your switches here ideally positioned, and if you look around you have a great view of everything around you. You have a hard top that shields everything to the back seat and a functioning sunroof that you can open. 

Now the way the windows are set up gives you a tremendous 360° View. For the captain and two mates, there’s a row of bucket seats, flip-up bolsters, and armrests. The upholstery is crisp and stunning done with double-stitched threads. 

One of Jeanneau’s specialties is having things on board that have multiple functions. The facing couch arrangement, for instance, has a large teak wood table in the middle that comes back and forth to ease access. Seats that can face each other or adjust to give two seats facing forward and above you’ve got a television that drops out of the ceiling. This entire area folds flat to make a sun pad that’s great for a sunny afternoon as well. 

You’ll find plenty of storage aboard, and throughout the living quarters, plenty of windows to bring in exterior light, a separate shower, and spacious sleeping space. If you take a look at the bow area where there’s a large three-person sun pad that’s extremely comfortable. The bow area has high safety rails all the way around. 

You will be very popular with your friends and family thanks to all its day boat cruising features. When you look at the accommodations down below we know you’re going to be plotting a course to the Bahamas or Block Island or whatever distance destination you have in mind. 

The post Jeanneau DB/37 OB appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

When I pressed the throttles on the 457 CCS, it didn’t rear up like a ­Lippizan, but rather surged forward like a Kentucky Derby thoroughbred out of the starting gate. Formula’s proprietary double-stepped hull kept the bow down as it stretched forward in a long, loping gate, the two-speed transmissions of the Merc V-12 Verados proving their worth. In turns, sharp and hard-over, the 457 CCS held its ground, carved them smoothly, and without the chine tripping or spinning out. The outboards themselves held their ground, sensing with electronic magic the added load that turns cause. They fed in more power to keep the speed steady through the arc. In port, joystick steering and a bow thruster made docking the 47-footer (LOA with ­engines) a breeze. Even an amateur can do it with confidence.

We weren’t surprised by its performance—every Formula that our test team has ever touched over the years has offered a high-performance ­experience thanks largely to the FAS³Tech design and engineering.

In fact, FAS³Tech is the technology below deck on the 457. Instead of stringers and bulkheads laid into the hull and storage buckets glued in place, Formula builds a one-piece stringer grid that melds to the hull in a single piece, and includes all fish boxes, dry-storage compartments and machinery access to the bilge, plus ample wire chases for a nearly unlimited array of accessories. The boat is filled with gadgets such as inductive cellphone-charging brackets, electric adjustable seats, bow cocktail table and a full assembly of navigation equipment—just for starters. Once the grid is bonded to the hull, the two pieces become one. The deck is then bonded in, and three become one. Formula perfected this technique decades ago, when competitors were still using wood stringers and ­transoms.

Another exceedingly well-built center-­console is Pursuit’s Sport 428. Pursuit was an early starter in the sport-model realm, bringing the 280 Sport to market in 2008 and the 310 ST in 2011. Pursuit met the needs of fishermen with broader interests than just wetting a line. The style became so popular, Pursuit expanded it with several models, including the 428. Soon the company rebadged the entire line as “Sport,” but all bristle with a fishing backbone while catering to diving and cruising fans. The S428 ($1,339,935 with quad Yamaha XTO 425s) ­offers a platform more on par with Formula’s far-fishier 457 CCF, sistership to this 457 CCS. The Pursuit has dual-row helm seating with a deck galley to double as a rigging station and mezzanine seating that faces the cockpit. For at-anchor R&R, there is a starboard-side fold-down terrace in the gunwale, and for diving and easy dockside entry, a portside boarding door. ­Formula ­offers port and starboard transom doors to a spacious platform too. ­Pursuit’s 428 is just 43 feet, 9 inches with a 13-foot beam compared with the nearly 46 feet length overall and 13-foot-9-inch beam of the Formula. Size, plus the fact that the Formula is powered by Mercury’s new V-12 600 hp outboards versus the four Yamaha 425s on the Pursuit, accounts for much of the $600,000 ­difference in base price between the two.

Both competitors drench passengers in ­luxury seating with a dual lounge ahead of the console and wraparound seating at the bow.

Interior and Accessories

Formula’s length and beam make for a roomy cabin below deck that includes a double berth that converts from a C-shaped lounge, and it’s nestled into a cheerily lit (with recessed LED lighting and overhead and forward portlights) arrangement with a large head compartment with shower, and an abbreviated galley with microwave, coffee maker and fridge. The topside galley also has plentiful drawer storage, a fridge, and there’s a grill on the transom hiding beneath its own hatch, expanding galley features.

There are rod holders, and in place of a livewell in the CCS, there is a cooler. But when fishing is on the agenda, the equipment is there to help ­ensure angling convenience and success.

In addition to enormous deck compartments, there are compartments in all of the coamings for boat hooks, rods and gaffs if you do fish. They tilt outward from beneath the gunwales and tuck back in flush with them, to keep the passageway clear. Lines, fenders and life jackets are accommodated as well. A transom lazarette, or “boot,” can stow more mooring gear, but aboard our tester, this housed a Seabob water scooter—a Formula option painted to match.

It’s important to note that this boat is not only part of a series, and sibling to the even-more-fishing-oriented 457 CCF, but also either version of the boat is eligible for a program called FormulaFlex. FormulaFlex is an exclusive plan offering boat buyers individual personalization in key areas such as graphics, upholstery and electronics. Many of these preferential changes can be had at no additional charge. If a charge is required for a buyer’s request, you participate in FormulaFlex MyWay, allowing you to choose paid-for changes or options. The point is not so much the charge of a fee for the change as it is Formula’s willingness to make changes to ­accommodate buyers’ ­desires in the first place.

Read Next: Formula 387 CCF

While we can wax on about the deck plan, it’s better to report what our test truly revealed. The Formula 457 CCS is indeed akin to a thoroughbred, delivering a combination of performance, luxury, versatility and great opportunities for owner personalization.

How We Tested

• Engines: Triple 600 hp Mercury V-12 Verados
• Drive/Props: Outboard/29-inch-pitch stainless-steel contra-rotating propsets
• Gear Ratio: 1.75:2.5 Fuel Load: 650 gal. Water on Board: 50 gal. Crew Weight: 800 lb.

High Points

• Tempered-glass windshield raises on electric actuators; can be fully open while running.
• Standard Seakeeper 6 gyrostabilizer, bow thruster, and 18,000 Btu air conditioning in the cockpit.
• FormulaFlex and FormulaFlex MyWay programs offer great personalization. 

Low Points

• Cabin berth has ample room to stretch out, but vertical space allows feet-first entry only.
• The diesel generator is safer than gasoline power, but it requires a second fuel tank. 

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

The post Boat Test: 2024 Formula 457 CCS appeared first on Boating Mag.

Editor’s Note: Boating was granted special early access to these boats, and our Certified Tests will be published in the coming weeks.

Bayliner Boats, a Brunswick Corporation brand, today announced the addition of five new models to its award-winning Trophy lineup. Both the Pilothouse and Explorer series, originally part of the company’s European offering, will be making their North America debut under Bayliner’s flagship Trophy lineup.

“We are thrilled to officially introduce the widely successful Pilothouse and Explorer models to the North American market,” said Benoit Verley, President, Venture Group. “The preliminary feedback from consumers, dealers and partners has been incredibly positive, and we are confident these models will fill a gap in the cabin-style category and exceed the needs of our customers. We look forward to introducing more consumers throughout many of the 2024 boat shows, as well as seeing the models on the water for the 2024 boating season.”

Trophy T23 and T25 Pilothouse

New to the Bayliner North American fleet, the cabin-style Pilothouse is available in 23’ and 25’ are equipped with fishing-focused features and a design intended to spend a full day on the water enabling passengers to switch the vessel from day-to-night mode. Noteworthy standard fishing features, include a dedicated fishing station with livewell system and cutting board; a large fish locker with oxygenated water system and raw water washdown; high freeboards for optimal safety when fishing. Entertaining and comfort standard features, include a slightly asymmetrical cabin with full walkaround and three access sliding doors; spacious fishing cockpit that doubles as a dining area with aft and starboard flip seats; onboard hosting amenities, including a galley with sink, refrigerator, portable stove and sea toilet; ergonomic helm station with space for optional technology upgrades. Consumers can upgrade their models with premium, fishing and comfort packages.

Trophy T23, T25 and T29 Explorer

Providing a full range of 23’ to 29’, the Explorer series is designed to be the ultimate family-friendly model offering a full suite of standard amenities for comfort onboard. Noteworthy features, include a foredeck with opening hatch that can be converted to a large sun lounge; ergonomic helm with mounting space for a 9” GPS/Chart plotter; walkway to the bow area and a sliding cabin entry door; Versatile cockpit area suitable for cruising and dining or sunbathing with easy deployable sun lounge and water access; fully equipped galley with sink, recessed storage and optional stove and refrigerator; enclosed cabin with a fully equipped bathroom and sleeping quarters. Consumers can upgrade their models with premium technology and comfort features.

Read Next: Walkaround vs Pilothouse

All five models will make their boat show debut at the Seattle Boat Show, February 2-10, 2024. The model will be available for purchase across select locations within the Bayliner dealer network, and you can learn more about the models online by visiting, bayliner.com.

The post Bayliner Unveils New Pilothouse and Explorer Series Boats appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

Running a cat on open water—on any water, really—presents a different experience than that aboard a V-hulled boat in the same conditions. Four Winns’ TH36 smooshes into ocean swells like the deepest of V-hulls might. But it’s the “bottom” of the plunge that gives it that smoother-than-pulled-taffy ride. A V-hull, even a great-riding one, stops, if only slightly, as it changes direction from going down to going up. But the TH36 ­changes ­direction without any discernible pause in between. It feels sort of like it’s riding on springs. Super-smooth redirection.

Interior and Accessories

Beyond ride, cats offer more space than monohull boats of the same length. This enables the TH36, a wide-open dayboat possessing all the amenity and sociability ­implied by that moniker, to offer cruising amenities for four people. It is a bowrider layout featuring two consoles, each of which houses a cabin. Heading belowdecks, I found a queen berth in each cabin, and each cabin has its own enclosed head and shower. There’s also a vanity with sink, storage, portlights, and headroom enough for this 6-foot-1-inch-tall boat tester to stand up straight. Appointments and styling meet a high bar. Need more sleeping capacity? Extra guests can slumber on the salon lounges, under the hardtop.

Of course, the main mission—the raison d’être—of Four Winns’ TH36 is dayboating. At this it excels. Check out the boarding opportunities, for one thing. Aft, extending between the twin outboards, is a broad boarding ­platform, with swim ladder under. Engines down, you can step from the float right onto the platform and up a few steps into the cockpit. Plus, this will be a space in which to enjoy a semi-private conversation during any dockside soirées you throw. Tied to a fixed dock at low tide, you say? Use the hullside door. It is high enough to enable gracious boarding.

The cockpit lounges are a credit to Four Winns’ engineering. These slide and lock in ­several ­positions, both with and without tables. Slide them outboard, and two L-lounges reside on each side of a central walkway. Slide them inboard, and you create a giant U-shaped lounge. At the cockpit’s forward end, large, plush upholstered double chaises face aft. It’s all one level from here, right up to the bow lounge—a nice feature.

Amidships, a pair of counters to port and ­starboard house the galley. Lift the faux-stone lids to reveal a cooktop, sink and optional grill. A fridge is underneath, and our test boat’s starboard counter featured an optional refrigerator ($2,450) as well. The recessed handrail looks great, and is smart. Lay out your buffet here, whether it’s just post-tubing snacks for the kids or a repast for a more elegant affair. Let’s move forward, passing the helm for now.

Monstrous describes the size of the TH36’s bow lounge. It’s a square space that’s deep, plush and comfortable, and fitted with drink holders, charging outlets, and lumbar-area storage for cellphones, lip balm, and the like. I’d say eight could crowd in here; six can sit; and four can be super-comfortable. There’s deep storage and access to the anchor windlass. The bow aboard the TH36 proves a naturally fun place for wind-in-your-hair riding. But it also serves as a separate social area from the aft cockpit. Ever notice how people at parties break off into groups? The TH36’s layout accommodates that in fine style, especially when you close the windshield and the wind-block door. A removable table serves this area, and the cushions can be reconfigured to serve as seats or a sun lounge, as the moment requires.

Heading to the helm, you’ll note that the ­styling is ultra-chic, what with two touchscreen MFDs (our tester boasted twin Garmin GPSMap 8416 with transducer and engine display; $8,670) mounted in a pod that seems to float above the accessory switches and engine controls. A single captain’s chair swivels and slides, and proved comfortable during my daylong trick at the wheel. Visibility is good fore and aft, and I found it comfortable to stand at the helm, which I prefer while docking. Opposite the helm is an equally nice double-wide chair for companions to share the ride and, if they’re like my friends, take control of the JL Audio system.

Read Next: Boat Test: Four Winns H2e

For comparison shopping, you can look at Aquila’s 36 Sport. The Aquila is a cat of equivalent length and beam and with similar choices of power. It’s available with the Cruiser Option, which provides a solid door to close off the salon and provide more privacy and better climate control. It also can be ordered with a hydrofoil mounted between the hulls. I ran the 36 Sport with this Hydro Glide Foil System, noting increased speed and enhanced efficiency. Learn more at ­boatingmag.com/foilcat. A price for the Aquila was not available at press time. 

Looking for a dayboat that can cruise or a cruiser that can handle a big crowd? Book time to see the Four Winns TH36.

How We Tested

• Engine: Twin 350 hp Mercury Verado
• Drive/Prop: Outboard/NA
• Gear Ratio: 1.73:1 Fuel Load: 160 gal. Water on Board: 65 gal. Crew Weight: 790 lb.

High Points 

• Space, space, space! (Did I mention space?) 
• Soft riding in the ocean and with a protected cockpit.
• Aft platform between motors is a feature that I loved for several reasons. 

Low Points 

• Wide beam means you might have to pay for a larger slip than monohull boats of -similar length. 
• The overboard discharge valve for the holding tank is really hard to reach. Four Winns says it is working on a solution.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

The post Boat Test: 2024 Four Winns TH36 appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

The Great Lakes waters can go from flat-calm to “sporty” conditions in the blink of an eye. Getting caught in rough conditions, with big waves and tight wave periods between you and safe harbor, is something that, when you go through it, makes you understand why ­Michigan-based builder Tiara Yachts “overbuilds” its boats. Tiara has long been known for building ruggedly seaworthy boats capable of withstanding rough seas. Tiara models are also steeped in luxurious amenities and a high degree of fit-and-finish. The new 48 LE, the ­flagship of its outboard-powered sport yachts, is just the latest in its lineup to prove that Tiara has earned this reputation.

Interior and Accessories

The place to start when reviewing this boat has to be the aft cockpit, with several great features that will surely make it a prime spot for recreating and socializing. Your eyes, and the rest of your body, will be immediately drawn to the power-actuated rotating lounge module. With the push of a button, you can rotate it a full 180 degrees. But its unique tracking system lets you stop it and lock it in place at any angle you desire. Facing forward, it creates a great conversation pit with the aft-facing lounges under the hardtop. Fold out the wings on the high-gloss teak table, and fire up the electric grill for some on-water dining. Facing aft, it provides a tremendous view off the transom while lounging at anchor. Angle it to port to enjoy the foldout ­terrace, another dynamic feature that provides swimmers with water access away from the outboards while at rest. The integrated swim ladder makes for easy reboarding.

Let the socialization continue in the salon under the hardtop, which is bathed in sunlight thanks to the 360-degree windows. Retract the sunroof to create a more open feel. The glass door to the salon slides open and the window to starboard electrically retracts into the bulkhead to create and open flow with the cockpit. Everything adds up to create a boat that’s primed for entertainment.

Belowdecks, both the master and guest suites are brightly lit and feel bigger than they should thanks to the expansive windows built into the hullsides. The master stateroom has its own head with separate stand-up shower that has a built-in bench. Even the guest head has a separate shower with a bench. Looking back, both are far superior to the one in my first apartment. 

At the helm, the captain will no doubt have as much fun, if not more, than the crew behind him at the double-wide helm seat with built-in teak toe kicks. The Garmin Marine Navigation System displays are easy to read at the dash and are bolstered by companion MFDs in the settee to port, so someone can take on navigator duties without crowding the captain.

In terms of performance, the 48 LE lives up to the Tiara legacy. The deep-V sport hull that tapers to 21 degrees of deadrise at the transom handles rough water outside the inlet with aplomb. Adding the optional Seakeeper 6 gyrostabilizer takes the boat’s already excellent seakeeping to the next level while running offshore. Crewmembers prone to seasickness will welcome the addition.

Engines

Tiara has designed the 48 LE to be perfectly-paired with a trio of 600-hp Mercury V12 Verado outboards. With this power package, this 16-ton boat climbs onto plane in just 7.4 seconds and hits 30 mph in a sprightly 10.5 seconds. What’s more, the boat does not squat while coming out of the hole, so the captain never loses sight of the water from the helm. We hit a top end of 52.5 on our test day on Lake Michigan—Tiara noted slightly higher speeds in its own Sea Trials. We did take note at how smooth this 48-footer handled turns at speed, like a much small and lighter boat. Tiara also notes that in its own trials, the 48 LE passed the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) Quick Turn Test at wide-open throttle.

Still window shopping? It’s hard to directly compare boats at this level since they have so unique and customizable features, but do take a look at the Cruisers Yachts 50 GLS ($2,485,000 with triple Mercury 600s) which also has unfolding gunwales in the cockpit to enhance space and water access at anchor. Also take a look at the Intrepid 51 Panacea ($2,307,512 with quadruple Mercury 600s), which has living space belowdecks but is more of a center console layout.

But definitely keep your eyes on the stunning new Tiara 48 LE. It will turn heads at the dock, keep the crew comfortable and entertained, and handle some of the sportiest conditions you’ll see outside the inlet. Another case where being called “overbuilt” is earned. 

Read Next: Tiara EX 60

How We Tested

• Test Engine: Triple 600-hp Mercury Verado V12 outboard motors.
• Propellers: Verado 12 24.5” duoprops
• Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 442 gal. Water on Board: 100 gal. Passenger Weight: 950 lb.

High Points

• The Mercury joystick system is integrated with a bow thruster to make docking and close-quarters handling easier.
• Along with the starboard-side boarding door, there’s a built-in step-down into the cockpit, with a handhold to ensure easy transfer from the dock to the boat.
• Storage and bilge access is greater than that aboard boats with inboard or sterndrive power.
• The power-actuated rotating lounge in the cockpit can be locked in place in almost any position, helping maximize the ­entertainment possibilities.

Low Points

• Galley countertops could use a fiddled rail to keep food and dishware from sliding ­underway.
• Compared with inboards and sterndrives, ­outboards take up a lot of space on the ­transom platform.

Extra Point

The main cabin berth has wireless phone chargers built into either side so the owners never have to be too far away from their smartphones.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

The post Boat Test: 2024 Tiara Yachts 48 LE appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

After a day on the water testing the new Cruisers Yachts 50 GLS, I realized why it seemed so familiar. It reminded me of the Porsche 356 coupe I owned decades ago. It was fast, it was fun, it was comfortable, and everyone looked when I blew past. I loved that car dearly and still regret selling it. 

GLS stands for Grand Luxury Sport and, as the flagship of the “adventuring” GLS series of Cruisers Yachts boats, the 50 is all that and more. This yacht is about fun and entertaining on the water. Once you get past using the words “Cruisers” and “outboards” in the same sentence, this is a quite spectacular yacht. 

Cruisers calls the 50 GLS “the ultimate dayboat,” which is accurate in one sense, but limiting in another. The 50 is great for entertaining a boatload of friends, but also doubles as a surprisingly luxe overnighter, with two staterooms and a spacious head with a separate stall shower.

For starters, the cockpit is spacious, and even more so when the sides butterfly down to a 21-foot beam, leaving the aft seating in an island of comfort with its own table. The transom grill (or optional two grills) is convenient to the cockpit and allows the chef to ­surreptitiously dispose of charred burgers overboard.

Engines

Set well behind the chef is a whacking-great trio of 600 hp ­Mercs that push this 19 tons of comfortableness to just shy of 50 knots (56 mph) with more than enough punch to yank skiers and tow toys right out of the water when you put the hammer down.

Interior and Accessories

Three separate seating areas dot the cockpit, with more than enough room to move about without banging knees, and then there is the bow seating. Press a button and the windshield slides open (no lifting ­required), ­offering a deep walkway (safe for all ages) to reach the trio of adjustable sun lounges (with armrests) on the cabin top. You won’t want to walk 15 feet to the twin Isotherm fridges in the aft cockpit, so a cooler is tucked under a seat with a chiller plate (no ice).   

Cruisers Yachts, now owned by MarineMax, created a good-looking yacht, from the black slash on the topsides that conceals the windows to the sleek hardtop that presents you with choices. Want sun and breeze? Open the sunroof and walkway door, plus lower the electric side windows. Hiding from the sun? A 9-foot MakeFast awning grows from the top to shade the aft cockpit. 

The helm features a trio of 19-inch Simrad monitors (including CZone digital switching), a joystick linked to the Side-Power bow thruster, and a fully adjustable helm seat next to a double companion seat.

Step below and the bright cabin is surprising, with 6 feet, 8 inches of headroom and a queen-size berth forward behind French doors. A mini galley holds a microwave for morning coffee and croissants, and an Isotherm fridge augments the two in the cockpit galley. The enclosed head is most civilized, with a Lucite-doored stall shower more than 4 feet wide. 

A second cabin is tucked under the ­cockpit, with a pair of berths that convert to a queen berth—perfect for kid naps or guests, although it won’t encourage them to linger. Each cabin has 32-inch TVs, and a 55-inch TV pops up behind the cockpit galley.

Before the 50 GLS was dropped into the water, I had a chance to examine the Donald L. Blount-designed hull with two full-length strakes and wide chine flats that threw the spray far to the side underway. It’s clear that Blount’s performance-boat background provided us with a soft ride through 2- to 3-foot seas, but more importantly, the 50 GLS begs you to exercise your secret Mr. Toad. Crank the wheel, and the twin-propped Merc ­V-12s bite like a Rottweiler. The 50 just grins, banks comfortably, and asks for more dog treats, please. Even Aunt Edna is going to love this ride.   

And while you’d think that 36 cylinders hanging on the transom should make muscle-car noises, well, they don’t. At idle, we registered just 58 dB(A) on the decibel meter, and with the throttles down flat, we were at 85 dB(A), which OSHA says equates to the sound of a vacuum cleaner. There’s no “I didn’t hear you” excuse on the 50 GLS.

Hanging those outboards on the stern also opened immense undercockpit space, which had a Kohler 15 kW genset on our test boat (for keeping those blenders mixing margaritas and the AC going at the sandbar), plus a Seakeeper 6 gyrostabilizer. There was also ample storage for boat gear, from fenders to inflatable toys. 

The speed chart tells part of the story (56.6 mph), but not the real-life part. Think in terms of Lauderdale to Bimini in 60 minutes, Long Beach to Catalina in a half-hour, and the same from Cape Cod to Nantucket. Even ­better, this isn’t a pounding ride, but a comfortably luxurious adventure.

Shopping? Another $1 million gets you a ­Formula 500 SSC with four Merc 600s ($3,537,110), plus another 10 mph at wide-open throttle. Do compare and run both boats.

The Cruisers 50 GLS checks all the boxes. It is a bowrider on steroids, an express cruiser with entertaining ambitions, an overnighter in comfort, and a performance boat. 

Like my long-gone Porsche, the 50 GLS is a classic for our own times, and one that should bring you as much fun as my little silver four-banger.

Read Next: 2022 Cruisers Yachts 34GLS

How We Tested

• Engines: Triple 600 hp Mercury Verado V-12
• Drive/Props: Outboard/Verado 18″ x 27.5″ 4-blade (front); 3-blade (rear)
• Gear Ratio: 2.50:1 Fuel Load: 100 gal. Water on Board: 10 gal. Crew Weight: 450 lb.

High Points

• Folding cockpit “terraces” add flexibility and space at rest (but rails would be nice).
• High coamings and grab rails everywhere are safe for kids.
• Cockpit phone-charging station handles six phones, plus one by the skipper.

Low Points

• Galley “splash rail” won’t keep any spilled gazpacho from hitting the upholstery.
• A handrail into the cabin would be appreciated.
• White dashboard creates huge reflections in windshield. Buy black felt!

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

The post Boat Test: 2023 Cruisers Yachts 50 GLS appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

Wanting to create a new flagship for its fleet, someone at Tiara obviously said, “Go big or go home.” And thus was born the largest and most luxurious Tiara ever built: an inboard IPS-powered yacht that, at 60 feet, 3 inches, is the queen of the fleet by a full 10 feet. Tiara also created a new EX line, which I can only assume stands for excellent or exceptional. 

The EX 60 is simply brilliant in many ways, allowing owners to tailor the layout to fit their needs. To create this newest crown jewel required combining the superb quality in construction and finish that Tiara is known for with a satisfying level of performance—in this case, 46 mph.  

I found the interior serene and surprising. It features a full-beam master amidships (you can walk around both sides of the centerline berth) and an equally spacious VIP forward, each en suite. A guest cabin with slide-together berths shares the VIP head. 

But the appeal of the EX 60 is the flow of the main deck from the windshield to the hydraulic swim platform. This is a yacht for enjoying the outdoors, with oversize folding doors in the salon and a power window to embrace the aft deck. Here, Tiara offers several seating modules to tailor the cockpit for every need. Our test boat had the aft lounge and breakfast bar, creating an alfresco dining area with a folding table, a galley with a grill, sink and fridge, and an aft-facing bar with stools. Perfect for relaxing on anchor, the cockpit also expands like an origami butterfly thanks to hinged sides that stretch the beam to more than 20 feet.  

Power for the Tiara EX 60 consists of twin 1,000 hp Volvo Penta D13 turbo diesels. These inline-six 12.8-liter engines connect by jack shafts to IPS pod drives. 

It was everything you’d expect. When hammered down, we hit 30 mph in just 17 seconds and topped out at 46 mph. At a mile-eating 29 mph, we were sipping fuel at 52 gph (besting 0.5 mpg is great economy for a boat this size), and joystick maneuvering takes the white knuckles out of tough docking situations.

How We Tested

• Engines: Twin 1,000 hp Volvo D13 turbo diesels linked by a jack shaft to IPS pods
• Drive/Prop: IPS/Volvo Q6 nibral contra-rotating prop sets 3- and 4- blade
• Gear Ratio: 1.88:1 Fuel Load: 700 gal. Water on Board: 25 gal. Crew Weight: 1,000 lb.

High Points

• Shhh! Just 69 decibels at cruise and only 72 decibels flat-out, making conversation easy.
• Elegant decor by Mary Flores. Plus, Tiara’s design team created carved wood headboards in the staterooms and jewellike welds on rails and other metalwork throughout the boat.
• Seakeeper 9 gyro kept the EX 60 rock-solid, and Volvo Interceptor trim flaps had the boat running flat, even during hard acceleration.

Low Points

• A two-burner cooktop on a 60-footer (not counting the cockpit grill) hints strongly at dining ashore.
• Deck has a lot of ups and downs: Step up to the helm level, up to the dinette, down two steps to the cockpit seating, and down two steps to the swim platform. Sure-footed guests are welcome.

Toughest Competitor

Sixty-footers without a flybridge aren’t common, but the Sunseeker Evo 60 ($2.4 million) or the Princess V60 ($2.6 million) are similar, although missing the fold-down cockpit sides and flexible cockpit layouts.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

The post Boat Test: 2023 Tiara EX 60 appeared first on Boating Mag.

Overview

Axopar’s 45 XC Cross Cabin is based on the same hugely successful formula as its smaller sisters, the 37, 28, 25 and the entry-level 22—but this one’s on steroids.

Deep walk-around decks and the chunky virtually all-glass cabin with its forward-raked windshield all shout “any-weather adventure.” Likewise, the slightly reversed stem and 900 heavy horses on the transom all scream “let’s go!”

That go-anywhere appeal was reinforced the afternoon we joined our test boat, the first one afloat, at the 2022 Cannes Yachting Festival. It glinted in the sunshine, complete with a kayak and an erect electric mountain bike strapped to the hardtop.

Interior and Accessories

The cabin is a Swiss Army knife of features. Stuff slides and glides back and forth, folds up and down, and pulls and pushes in and out, which extracts maximum functionality. For instance, that wheelhouse offers two big canvas sunroofs and a pair of sliding doors on both sides that can slide back to open the forward end of the cabin around the triple-seat helm and companionway, or they can slide forward to open up the lounge-diner end of the cabin to the side decks. If that’s not enough, when in the latter position, corresponding sections of the bulwarks can fold down on both sides to create bench seating, which makes the whole area feel so much more connected to the water.

What’s more, Axopar mounted the aft table and the wet bar/galley module on tracks so they can push forward or back as required. The table also rotates. It’s all about giving those aboard the ability to maximize the space according to the activity.

The forward cabin is surprising in several ways. For starters, it is spacious, zoned with a lower salon with wraparound-sofa seating and an open-plan V-berth tucked into the bow, plus a good-size head-shower compartment. Windows and a skylight above make it nice and bright. But the real wow comes when you open the gullwing doors to flood the space below with even more light and fresh air, never mind provide another two ways to climb in and out. In the right anchorage and with a suitable weather forecast, that means everything can be left open—what a marvelous way to overnight.

On deck, there’s plenty of play space. Essentially, there are sun pads and loungers on the foredeck and various options for the aft cockpit, such as the U-shaped seating with a table aboard our test boat. An alternative cockpit layout features a high sun pad, topping an aft cabin module. We saw the aft cabin and can certify that it will comfortably weekend a couple. 

Our test boat had the maximum number of horses harnessed—triple Mercury Verado 300 outboards, pre-rigged at the factory in Poland.

Engines

With just two of us aboard, and despite Force 4 (15-knot) breezes and lumpy yard-high seas, we were topping out at 42 knots for most of the afternoon we spent aboard. The claimed 48-knot top speed seemed just out of reach until we found ourselves in a slightly flatter spot in the bay by accident, where the 45 XC could sit back more comfortably and stretch its legs properly. Our best reciprocal runs were 47.2 knots and 45.1 knots, respectively.

The bite from those triple Mercs is very satisfying. The boat’s on plane in just under 10 seconds and flat-out in around 30. The 45 XC will oversteer a bit if you let it, which to me always makes the driving experience all the more engaging. There were no obvious cavitation issues either, although you will lose some of the twin-step advantage briefly when cornering too tightly.

The fast-cruise sweet spot is around 38 knots, which translates to around 80 percent of the available rev range and an ultimate range of almost 270 nautical miles. Dropping the speed a bit has a minimal impact on overall range.

Like the rest of the Axopars, prices are keen for what you get, which is a lot. Despite the cost of the trans-Atlantic delivery from the build site in Poland to Florida included, the base price for the 45 XC is $663,880. However, our boat had a good selection of options. All up, it totaled $832,720, but even that didn’t include the optional Seakeeper nor the aft cabin options. Just recently, Axopar also released similar US pricing for the various derivatives. For instance, there’s a fully open 45 Spyder version, which starts at $606,203, then there are three more open-with-roof types from which to choose—namely, the 45 T-Top, 45 Sun-Top and 45 Cross Top.

This 45 is not only up there with the big center-consoles in terms of performance, but it also offers the cabin practicality for even more ambitious cruising itineraries. That feature set makes picking a comparison boat difficult. Big, efficient, ready-for-adventure boats, such as MJM’s 4 model ($1.69 million with triple Mercury 300s), cost a lot more. These are also fitted out to a higher level of luxury and precision, and constructed with more costly materials and higher-tech processes. Where the Axopar is akin to a bright, airy, luxury Airbnb, boats like the MJM are more like custom homes. Both can serve as a base for your next boating adventure.

How We Tested

• Engines: Triple 300 hp Mercury Verado V-8 4.6-liter outboards
• Drive/Props: Outboard/Enertia Eco 16″ x 19″ 3-blade stainless (port and starboard); Enertia 13.6″ x 21″ 3-blade stainless (center)
• Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 280 gal. Water Load: 20 gal. Crew Weight: 350 lb.

High Points

• Styling.
• Versatile cabin, especially the sliding side-deck doors and the huge opening sunroofs.
• Fold-down bulwarks that create mini bench-cum-balconies.
• Opening hatch-style skylights in the forward cabin.

Low Points

• Cabin is noisy, with a lot of rattling and squeaking, which we suspect is down to our boat being a preproduction prototype.

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation

Axopar Boats – axopar.com

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