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The Factory-V class racing offers satisfaction for powerboat racers. The series is divided into classes which are the F-I for single-engine boats and F-II for powerboats with twin engines. The power source of both race series should be similar and the boats' hulls should be standard.

Wellcraft's Scarab 33 AVS, Baja's 33 Outlaw and Donzi's 33 Daytona speedboats are all equipped with unique features suitable to particular boating requirements. Although built differently, all three boats deliver optimum performance.

The Bluewater 510 and Sandpiper Pilothouse 5000 motorboats are compared. Advantages of the Bluewater 510 include shallow draft and a hull strengthened by Kevlar. Advantages of the Sandpiper include roomy pilothouse and strong stainless steel rails at the foredeck.

Mainship Corp. has introduced two new configurations of its 350 Trawler. The 350 is available with a single diesel inboard engine and a bowthruster or with diesel inboards and no thruster. The performance advantages of the bowthruster-equipped single engine outweigh the high-speed feature of the twin-screw version.

The $45,470 Wahoo 2400 WA EFS is a solidly constructed boat with a soft ride at high speeds. The aft bench is too narrow and the locker handles on the jumpseats are uncomfortable. Standard equipment includes a bow pulpit with anchor roller and rope locker.

The ability of a 1996 Chrysler Town and Country minivan to pull a Bayliner Capri 1952 CL is evaluated. The van was driven from Oshgosh, WI, to Mt. Rushmore, SD, and 850-mile trip. The van performed admirably. It was comfortable and easy-to drive.

Six outboard motors in the 225/250-hp category were assessed for performance in a Grady-White Seafarer 22 test boat. The Mercury models had the highest top speeds while the Yamahas had the best fuel economy and the most extra equipment.

The Four Winns 203 Coast Runner is a dual-console motorboat with a choice of layouts, a Stable-Vee hull and good fishing features. An optional 175-hp Johnson OceanRunner outboard motor provides a top speed of 46.7 mph. The base price is $20,465.

The Fairline Marine Squadron 59 cabin cruiser features an excellently-crafted, European-style interiors. This is complemented by the boat's exceptional handling and powerful 582-hp Volvo Penta diesel engines.

Powerquest Boats' $160,845 380 Avenger combines ample performance characteristics with comfort features that outstrip its rivals in the high-speed class. The standard twin MerCruiser 454 Magnum V-8 motors cannot deliver the extreme speeds of some competitor boats, but the Avenger handles very well.

Lazzara Yachts' $2.4 million 76 Grand Salon is one of the most comfortable motoryachts in its class, and it may be the quietest boat on the market today. Top-of-the-line engineering is the hallmark of the Lazzara 76, which helps justify its high price.

The Donzi Z-54 fishing boat features an exquisite design and superb maneuverability. It can attain a top speed of 38.3 mph through its V-12 MAn diesel engines and has a base price of $1.4 million.

The Cranchi Smeraldo 36 features three separate watertight bulkheads to reduce the risk of sinking due to punctures. It also has excellent interiors and exceptional power performance. One disadvantage with the Cranchi Smeraldo 36 is that many of its parts are foreign-made, making repairs difficult.

The Wellcraft 45 Excalibur combines sleek exterior design with finely-crafted interiors. It also offers superior speed and excellent handling features because of its twin 415-hp. MerCruiser 502 Magnum egines.

Three new 50-hp four-stroke outboards were compared with each other and with a two-stroke engine with the same horsepower rating. Honda, Mercury and Yamaha engines were mounted on identical boats and tested. The Honda engine performed the best.

Sea Ray Boats Inc.'s Sea Ray 330 Sundancer ($108,000) boat is an enhanced version of a similarly-named earlier model. The standard Sundancer is equipped with twin 250-hp MerCruiser 5.7-liter V-8 Bravo Three gasoline stern drives, but several engine options are available to buyers.

Tiara Yachts' Tiara 3700 Open express cruiser ($314,900) offers power, a tough hull and a well-designed helm. The Tiara can travel up to 34.9 mph with two 422-hp 3208TA Caterpillar engines. The boat is ideal for cruising and fishing.

The Egg Harbor 42 Golden Egg is ideal for family outings and sport fishing activities. It has spacious and stylish interiors and is powered by two 465-hp Detroit Diesel 6-71TI engines that provides a top speed of 32.2 knots.

The Real Ships 61 Motoryacht offers wide interior and exterior space. The standard powerplant includes two 243-hp John Deere series 400 six-line diesel inboards that provide a top speed of 11.8 miles per hour.

The Trojan Yachts Trojan 35 is motorboat cruiser built entirely out of fiberglass. The only wood within the boat are materials for coring and lockers. Its standard power are provided by twin 310-hp 7.4 liter MerCruiser Bluewater V-8 gasoline inboard engines. Its base price is $138,645.

The Azimuth USA AZ 40 is a 40'2' by 14'11' motorboat cruiser powered by two 340-hp Caterpillar 3116TAs. Its base price of $311,000 is not considered expensive considering its exquisite design and the top-quality materials used in its interior.

The Ocean Yachts 53 Super Sport is a boat designed for anglers who sail weekly to fishing grounds 100 fathoms deep. It is powered by two DDEC-controlled 8V-92TA Detroit Diesel engines. The engines are fuel-efficient, consuming only 11 gph, or 697 miles at 9.9 knots. It has a base price of $1,098,000.

A 300-hp Peninsular V-8 diesel engine was tested against twin 150-hp Yamaha Saltwater Series outboard motors in nearly identical Pursuit 26 Center Consoles. The diesel is less expensive and has greater longevity and lower maintenance costs while the outboards offer better speed and handling.

The Bertram 43 Convertible is an attractive and reliable boat with comfortable accommodations for cruising. Twin 545-hp Detroit Diesel inboard motors provide a top speed of 34.8 mph. The base price is $549,750.

The handling abilities of six production motorboats were tested on an oval course with 22 buoyed turns against the performance of the Seebold Formula-1 Tunnel Boat. Results are presented.

The Shearwater 33 is a well-made express cruiser with a comfortable cabin and many fishing features. Optional twin 388-hp Cummins diesel engines provide a top speed of 36.5 mph. The base price isn $187,000.

The Ocke Mannerfelt B28 ($45,600) is a high-performance motorboat with futuristic styling that features performance-enhancing wings above the waterline and friction-reducing Speed Rails below the waterline. A single Volvo Penta 390-hp gasoline stern drive provides a top speed of 80.7 mph.

The Hustler 50 Pace Boat is a performance motorboat with dayboat-style accommodations, solid construction and good handling. Optional triple 650-hp Detroit Diesel engines provide a top speed of 101.7 mph. The base price is $388,750.

The Lydia 92 is a cold-molded sportfisherman with a combined diesel and gas turbine power system and an electro/hydraulic/mechanical controllable pitch propeller system. Its 8,500 total horsepower provides a top speed of 53.4 mph. The price is $4,000,000.

Ten propellers made of aluminum and stainless steel with three, four and five blades were tested in a Sea Ray Signature with a 235-hp MerCruiser stern drive engine. The Quicksilver aluminum and Quicksilver QSS were the best choices for this boat.

The Formula F-280 Sun Sport is a nicely finished dayboat with a large cockpit, smooth steering and a comfortable ride. A single 300-hp MerCruiser gasoline stern drive engine provides a top speed of 44.1 mph. The base price is $62,150.

The Fountain 42 CS is a production performance cruiser with a top speed of almost 100 mph. A Positive Lift Hull with a stepped design is a major factor in the boat's speed. Triple 502 EFI MerCruiser engines are the standard power package. The base price is $265,532.

The Rinker 236 Captiva Cuddy is a trailerable sportboat with solid construction, many standard features and exceptional performance. An optional 300-hp MerCruiser gasoline stern drive engine provides a top speed of 52.5 mph. The base price is $23,995.

The Sea Ray 500 Sundancer is an express-style cruiser with exceptional ride and tracking, an optional hardtop and a lavish interior. Optional 735-hp DDC 8V-92TA DDEC diesel engines provide a top speed of 39.2 mph. The base price is $512,927.

The Grady-White Sailfish 252 is a well-organized offshore fishing boat with comfortable accommodations for family cruising. Twin 200-hp Yamaha V-6 outboard motors provide a top speed of 44.2 mph. The base price is $72,000.

The Jefferson 42 Sport Sedan is a well-built offshore motorboat that is nicely designed for cruising, entertaining and casual fishing. Twin 291-hp Cummins diesel inboard engines provide a top speed of 25.8 mph. The base price of $250,135 includes many standard features.

Two center-console fishing boats made by Sea Ox are compared: a deep-V hull design and a catamaran. The SeaCat had the better speed, stability, load capacity and performance in rough water. The Dolphin had the longer range.

Three twin engines were tested in a Bertram 30 Moppie cruiser: Caterpillar 3116TA diesel inboards, Cummmins 6BTA5.9M2 diesel inboards and MerCruiser 7.4-liter gasoline inboards. The gasoline engine is recommended for inshore fishing while either diesel is a good choice for offshore use.

The Intrepid 33 has an open-cuddy design, stepped-hull, good performance and excellent handling. Twin 275-hp Mercury outboard motors provide a top speed of 52 mph. The base price without power is $71,500.

The Post 46 II is a quiet-running offshore cruiser with a nicely detailed interior and an internal bonding system to control corrosion. Twin 535-hp Detroit Diesel inboard engines provide a top speed of 36.2 mph. The base price is $546,000.

Four outboard motors specially built for saltwater fishing were tested in a Pursuit 2350 Walkaround: the Johnson OceanRunner 225, the Mercury Offshore 225, the Suzuki 225 EFI and the Yamaha V76-X Saltwater Series 225.

The Mainship 31 Sedan Bridge is a compact cruiser with a flying bridge and lots of standard equipment. Optional twin 340-hp Marine Power gasoline inboard engines provide a top speed of 35 mph. The base price is $94,995.

The Sea Ray 220 Signature Select is an upscale bowrider with numerous special features, good construction and fast performance. An optional 300-hp MerCruiser gasoline stern drive provides a top speed of 56.6 mph. The base price is $32,641.

Two twin-propeller stern drives were tested in Larson 240 Escapade daycruisers, the Volvo Penta Duoprop and the MerCruiser Bravo Three. Both drives are solidly designed, and their performances and prices are similar.

The Hatteras 50 Convertible is a newly designed sportfisherman customized for entertaining and cooking. It has an easy-to-maintain white Vitricor interior, a galley-down layout and optional twin 1,080-hp DDC diesel inboard that provide a top speed of 39.5 mph. The base price is $769,200.

Four deckboats were tested on a cruise of the New York State Canal System branch between Fultonville and and Frankfurt, NY: Chaparral Sunesta 250, Harris Super Dek, Godfrey 240 Midship and Sunbird Odyssey 21R.

A Carver 280 Express was equipped with an Automotive Natural Gas conversion kit to allow it to burn either gasoline or natural gas. Air-flow problems limited the performance of the natural gas engine, but its fuel economy and cleanliness were significantly better than the gasoline engine.

The Tiara 4000 Open Midcabin features a comfortable helm, a well-designed cockpit, an optional swim platform and two private staterooms. Twin 388-hp Cummins diesel inboard engines provide a top speed of 34.6 mph. The base price is $353,900.

The Viking 47 Convertible is a well-designed offshore fishing boat that is easy to handle and features two staterooms. Twin 680-hp MAN diesel inboard engines provide a top speed of 37.2 mph. The base price is $662,000.