Exclusive Suzuki DF 25 V-Twin Outboard Review

You have to love the broad coverage of Charles Pluddeman’s “Outboard Expert” weekly column. One week, he’s talking about Suzuki’s new 250-hp high performance outboard engine, the next he’s testing the builder’s DF 25 V-Twin model. Somehow, the mainstream marine media completely missed this unique 25-hp model, which introduced by Suzuki more than a year ago. But Plueddeman, as always, is on it. He’s not just interested in the “big stuff”—he’s completely dialed into the small-outboard market. Check out the DF 25 review at www.boats.com/news-reviews/article/suzuki-df25-review-outboard-expert.

Suzuki Goes High-Performance with New 250-hp Outboard

Bass fisherman have another choice for powering their low-to-the-water rocket ships, thanks to Suzuki’s new-for-2008 DF250 SS outboard. Introduced to the press two weeks ago, the potent four-stroke engine is sure to turn a few heads. Look for the engine to go head to head with similar-output direct-injection two-stroke outboards, particularly the Mercury Optimax 250 ProXS and the Yamaha V-Max 250 HPDI. Charlie Plueddeman has the complete—and the first—review of the engine on “The Outboard Expert” on boats.com. Check it out at www.boats.com/news-reviews/article/suzuki-df250ss-outboard-engine-review.

King of Shaves and Roscioli Hotels Triumph In Powerboat P1 Italy Event

Let’s face it: When it comes to V-bottoms, the domestic offshore powerboat racing scene is all but dead. For V-bottom action these days, you’ve got to look to Powerboat P1 in Europe, which has plenty of American-made boats and even a factory-backed team—Outerlimits. But in the second race of the season in Naples, Italy, a Fountain bested the Evolution-class field. Looks like the Fountain versus Outerlimits battle that was so hot on the homefront will reach a boiling point overseas. Check out the news from the Naples event at www.boats.com/news-reviews/article/powerboat-p1-naples-italy-results.

Good Run Video Rocks

OK, I’m usually not a sucker for nostalgic marketing pieces designed to pull on your heartstrings, but “Good Run” on the Discover Boating web site is just amazing. In less than 4 minutes, the producers of this online video manage to take you through one man’s entire on-water life, from fishing with his father to fishing with his grandson. If you want to be reminded of why boating matters—and how powerful it can be—check it out. Visit www.boats.com/news-reviews/article/discover-boating-good-run-video for a quick review and a link to the Discover Boating site.

Malibu Wakesetter 20 VTX is Powerboat Magazines’s 2007 Tow Boat of the Year

Malibu has continued its winning ways in Powerboat magazine’s Award for Product Excellence Program. For the fifth consecutive year, one of the company’s models has taken the publication’s Tow Boat of the Year honor. This time around, the award went to the Wakesetter 20 VTX, a relatively compact wakeboard with surprisingly generous interior space and an endless array of features. Definitely worth checking out if you’re in the market for a top-shelf towing machine, the complete review of the Wakesetter 20 VTX is at: www.boats.com/news-reviews/article/malibu-20-vtx-review

Great Deal with Sea Tow

Spend enough time on the water and eventually something will go wrong—that’s a fact. From mechanical breakdowns to running aground, anything can happen. And even if you’re one of the lucky few who never has a problem, it’s nice to know that if you do help will be on the way. Sea Tow, the nation’s leading marine assistance provider, delivers that kind of peace of mind. Now boats.com customers can get a free 60-day trial to Sea Tow, and Sea Tow customers can get $20 off any “for sale by owner ad” they place on boats.com. Check out this great deal at: www.boats.com/news-reviews/article/sea-tow-promotion

Baja 277 Islander is Runabout of the Year

Beating out a strong field, the Baja 277 Islander took Powerboat magazine 2007 Runabout of the Year award. A new model, the 27-footer combines bow rider form with sport styling and performance. That latter two qualities were particularly compelling to the Powerboat test team, which praised the boat for its driveablity and predictable handling manners. You can find the complete reviews of the 277 Islander on boats.com. In fact, every week for the next few months the site will have a review of one Powerboat magazine’s 2007 award-winners.