Canadian Yachting magazine’s Gallery of 2023 New Boats
By Andy Adams
For most people, the only exposure to new boats has been through their dealer, or in the pages of this magazine since early 2020 when the Canadian boat shows were all cancelled due to the COVID pandemic, but in some other places, the shows went on regardless. The boat business has actually been booming and many marine industry companies have been investing in developing new products of all sorts.
During that time, we have travelled to press events and shows, mainly in Florida, where masks were rare, shots were impossible to judge and where the bars never closed!
Finally, this summer we had a few opportunities to get out in new boats here in our home waters and we have gathered up a grand selection of exciting new boats, engines and equipment to give you a preview of what we think will catch your eye at the shows in 2023!
Cruisers Yachts 50 GLS (Length O.A. 52’4” / 16 m, Beam 14’6” / 4,4 m)
The new Cruisers Yachts 50 GLS is the largest in their adventure-seeking GLS series of sport luxury bowriders and it is simply in a class by itself. The 50 GLS is powered by triple Mercury 600 Verados (that’s three V12 engines each making 600 HP!) and paired with Simrad electronics and joystick docking. The optional Seakeeper 6 gyro stabilizer, powered captain’s chair, and double-wide companion chair allow you to cruise in comfort. The size and speed will take you places you could not have reached before. And when you get there, it’s the dual beach doors that are the real showstopper. Simply lower the beach doors with a press of a button to dramatically increase the cockpit recreational area.
The 50 GLS’s open-concept cockpit was designed with entertainment in mind with endless seating options, a bow table that is power high-low, and our favourite feature, the electric grill, sink, and storage on the aft deck. There are too many features to describe – you just have to see this boat to believe it!
Boston Whaler 280 Dauntless (Length O.A. 52’4” / 16 m, Beam 14’6” / 4,4 m)
The newest member of the award-winning Boston Whaler Dauntless family is the 280 Dauntless. Amazing versatility is perhaps the most attractive feature. Take the family exploring, fish like the pros, and use the opening side doors for swimming and diving…the 280 Dauntless is the ideal platform. We drove the boat in the big rolling chop on the Hudson River and the 280 Dauntless was soft-riding, precise handling and with the optional twin 300-HP Mercury Verado engines, it was fast.
We went for a ride with Boston Whaler’s Traci Davis and Mark Robinson who gave us a great walk-through on the key details.
Princecraft Vogue 27 RL (Length O.A. 27’11” / 8.5 m, Beam 8’6” / 2.6 m)
The Princecraft Vogue 27 RL is a big triple-tube pontoon and it can be equipped with Mercury’s silky-smooth 300-HP V8 Verado engine for effortless performance, even when you have a full boat of family or friends. Options like the electric wakeboard tower and features like the richly upholstered interior and raised helm area add to the enjoyment. A privacy enclosure with head is available and the “RL” designation stands for Rear Lounger. This boat has a really trick rear seating system that can accommodate passengers facing either forward or aft, folding out to be a sun lounge or even a full-size tanning bed. The Vogue 27 RL is the high-end for features and performance and it’s made right here in Canada!
AQS AquaSpirit 450 C (Length O.A. 14’6” / 4.42 m, Beam 6’10” / 2.13 m)
At 14-feet 6-inches and almost 7 feet of beam, the AQS AquaSpirit 450 C is a really useful size for all sorts of activities. The rigid aluminum hull and side tubes make this a very safe and stable boat with big carrying capacity for its size. The Yamaha F70 engine (now available in matching white) is smooth-running and quiet while delivering sufficient acceleration for towed watersports. This would be a great choice for trailering behind a smaller vehicle, for all-round family use and especially for fishing or diving.
Sea Ray 260 SLX (Length O.A. 25’5” / 7.75 m, Beam 8’6” / 2.59 m)
Now available in three different versions, the Sea Ray’s SLX 260 is a big, handsome and versatile stern drive boat while the SLX 260 Outboard takes advantage of Mercury engines up to the new V-10 350-HP Verado. The latest version is the SLX 260 Surf powered by a Mercury MerCruiser 6.2L MPI ECT engine with a forward-facing Bravo Four S drive, integrated SmartCraft technology and Digital Throttle & Shift (DTS) controls. Working in tandem, electric surf tabs and ballast tanks control the height of the wave and produce a long or short pocket. The SLX series can be optioned to exactly suit your desires.
Parker Poland 760 Quest (Length O.A. 26’ 3” / 7.99 m, Beam 8’4” / 2.54 m)
When we first drove the Parker 760 Quest, we were amazed at the fast planing and top speed. The stepped hull design really hangs on in the turns and it also stays on the plane down to low and economical speeds. This is a well-designed and capable boat for exploring Georgian Bay, the Pacific Northwest and other areas where you might spend the day onboard and want to cover a long distance for fishing or fun. With an enclosed head and even space for sleeping, the 760 Quest has a lot to offer!
Lighthouse 264 CC (Length O.A. 26’4” / 7.92 m, Beam 9’6” / 2.74 m)
Made in Canada by Connor Industries, builders of the famous heavy-gauge welded aluminum Stanley Boats line, the Lighthouse 264 CC is a 26-foot centre console model with far more luxurious appointments and features. The first major difference is the handsome navy blue and white paint scheme on the hull and topsides with matching upholstery at the helm, bow area and aft bench seat. A deluxe feature is the side boarding gate that folds in to create a handy step. Powered with twin Yamaha F300 outboards, the Lighthouse 264 CC had strong acceleration and an impressive top speed. This is an elegant platform for serious fishing, exploring or serving an island property.
Gala Viking V330 (Length O.A. 10’10” / 3.3 m, Beam 5’8” / 1.77 m)
We drove the Gala V330 at a Yamaha press event where they were showing their new Yamaha F25 with electric start and power tilt and trim! ‘Fancy equipment for a 25-HP outboard but the Gala V330 is a real boat that can accommodate up to 1,100 lbs or five people in spite of its small size and light weight. I timed it at about 5 seconds to plane off and Yamaha saw a top speed of 31 mph. It is a Ukrainian-made inflatable with a rigid aluminum hull.
Four Winns H2e – Vision Marine 180 (Length O.A. / m, Beam / m)
Four Winns, well-known for their history of sophisticated bowriders and deck boats, has a brand-new bowrider called the H2e. This has handsome styling and through a new partnership with Canadian electric outboard pioneer Vision Marine, the H2e will feature the world’s most powerful outboard electric powertrain, the Vision Marine 180E electric outboard engine. This will be actually on the market in spring of 2023. The Vision Marine 180E electric outboard powers the Four Winns H2e, delivering rapid acceleration and precise handling, with a top speed of approximately 35 knots (40mph).
“Just imagine jumping aboard your H2e, fully charged and ready to go, from your trailer or private dock. No noise, no exhaust, no refuelling, no hassle… just a rewarding day on the water,” states Nick Harvey, Four Winns Brand Director. See the YouTube video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZ8VVnagS0Y
Saxdor 200 (Length O.A. 19’6” / 5.94 m, Beam 7’6” / 2.29 m)
Canadian Yachting will have a full review of the Saxdor 200 in an upcoming issue but here is a teaser. This is a Scandinavian boat with the latest European lines and features; plumb bow, stepped deep-vee hull and radical but very clever interior. The huge bow cushion is a sun lounge that swings up to create a private area for the head or to become a tent for camping! The stylish seats are versatile and the cushioned non-slip floor drains to the open transom where you get a big tow rig. With the Mercury 150 of our test boat, we saw close to 50 mph.
Regal LS 36 (Length O.A. 37’4” / 11.4 m, Beam 11’6” / 3.5 m)
Regal says that their new LS36 merges their luxury yacht series with their sporty bowrider series, making a game-changing new product. When we drove this impressive new boat that we would call a day-boat we were impressed to learn that it is CE Ocean rated. It’s a boat that clearly knows its mission; to deliver maximum comfort and convenience for your group for a day on the water – no compromises. Everything is spacious and gracious. Even the head is roomy. Seating is generous and the cabin with available A/C, an opening sunroof and a huge curved glass windshield for great visibility, is there to make everyone comfortable.
Conclusion
Expect to see all these great boats and even more new models at the boat shows this year. ‘Hope to see you there!
