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12/05/2018 11:00 PMIt may be the deepest part of winter in Connecticut, but now is the time to start preparing for the 2019 boating season. The new models have hit the water.
Diane Basset of Bassett Boat in Old Saybrook, Matt Finch of Louis Marine in Westbrook, and Mark Misbach of Diamond Marine in East Haven have shared their top picks no matter the size boat you may be in the market for.
Finch has seen more boats trending toward coupe styles that allow boaters to spend more time on the upper level of the deck with several features to protect against the elements.
"Before, the trend was the cruisers, but the beauty of the coupe style is that even on a rainy or windy day, you can be up top and see the dock or water," says Finch. "One of the best features of coupes in general is that when you have AC built in, it's got a reverse heat option so it's helping our customers to extend their seasons beyond the short New England summer. They can put their boat in the water earlier in the spring and haul out later in the fall to enjoy it even longer."
20 feet and below
Finch of Louis Marine recommends:
Four Winns 180 (18')
"It's a nice open layout bowrider that is wonderful for daytrippers along the coast or up the river or a great inland lake boat," says Finch. "It's a great entry level day cruiser."
Key Features:
-good overall storage space
-outboard engine
-seating arrangement with comfortable open layout
-low minimum draft
-easy to trailer
Misbach of Diamond Marine recommends:
Stingray 182 SC (19' 1")
"It's a great freshwater or saltwater that appeals to everyone," says Misbach. "It's a great boat for friends and family and it's very roomy for a 19-foot boat."
Key Features:
-bowrider style
-wide lounge seating with reclining back rests
-large self-draining cooler
-115 HP outboard motor
-ample storage
-easy to trailer
Bassett of Bassett Boats recommends:
Monterey M-205 (20')
"It's got great room and fantastic performance," says Bassett.
Key Features:
-ample storage
-extra wide bow seating with removable cushions
-wrap around seating with removable filler cushions
-200 HP engine
20 to 30 feet
Misbach of Diamond Marine recommends:
Key West 239 Family Sportsman (23' 9")
"As quickly as I get them, I sell them," says Misbach. "The center console boat used to just be a fishing boat, but they put seating in it so the whole family can enjoy the boat.
The emphasis has changed from pure fishing to more cruising and watersports, as well as fishing."
Key Features:
-foam-filled for safety
-rront and rear seating with expansive bench seating in the rear
-changing room with toilet
-300 HP motor
-large cockpit
-fishing features include live well, rod storage racks, trolling rod holders, and insulated macerated under-floor fish box
Finch of Louis Marine recommends:
Jeanneau NC795 (24'4")
"The NCs are really, really nice because they're multifunction, multipurpose with a coupe style so you have the enclosed cabin; it's got a nice cockpit off back for entertaining, but you can also remove the cushions to do some serious fishing," says Finch. "With a shallow draft, it can be used in ponds and lakes, but it's also capable of handling Long Island Sound and big rivers no problem."
Key Features:
-coupe style with fully enclosed salon and helm station
-built-in sliding windows, sliding sunroom
-outboard Yamaha 200 HP motor
-up to 38 MPH
-shallow draft
-air conditioning with reverse heat
-sleeps 4
-luxury galley
30 to 40 feet
Bassett of Bassett Boats recommends:
378 SE Monterey (37')
"Our new 378 SE Monterey Bow Rider with hidden cabin under the helm, complete with 44" flat screen TV, has been a big hit," says Bassett.
Key Features
-twin 520 HP engines
-wide open layout
-large cockpit
-spacious seating areas
-optional AC with reverse cycle heat
Finch of Louis Marine recommends:
Carver C37 (37' 8")
"This is a phenomenal boat and my favorite in that range," says Finch. "I love the weight of the boat – it's a heavy boat so you can take a bigger wave and it sits much more stable in the water. It also has a gorgeous interior and the fit and finish quality is phenomenal with real wood, quality appliances, leather seating, and new technology."
Key Features:
-skyhook and joystick control for docking
-engine room
-high capacity air conditioning with reverse heat
-electric cockpit sunshade
-32-inch salon TV/DVD; 24-inch forward stateroom TV/DVD
-two spacious staterooms
-Sleeps 6
40 to 50 feet
Finch of Louis Marine recommends:
Jeanneau Leader 46 (46 feet)
"This has a wonderful upper salon that's almost a sport coupe, so it can run completely open or you can close yourself off completely upstairs," says Finch. "You have a galley down setup with a guest room in the forward v berth and a mid-ship master stateroom that goes the entire width of the boat with a private bathroom."
Key Features:
-46 MPH+
-performance style hull with twin diesel engines
-pod driven
-sleeps 6 with two cabins
-joystick docking system
-sport top with electric aft cockpit glass enclosure
-built-in dingy storage
-hydraulic swim platform