Grady-White 321 Coastal Explorer
Design and electrical engineers continue to marshal more power, speed, and intelligence from emerging technology, working to make boating safer and easier on the skipper, and more comfortable for passengers and crew.
If surfing off the boat interests you, check out Indmar’s new Trident Hybrid Powertrain. Florida-based Genesis Marine Technologies has launched the Genesis 24, which it calls “the world’s first hybrid electric wake surf boat.” GMT claims the boat will deliver 70% to 80% better fuel efficiency and four times the operating range of a comparable gasoline-powered towboat – and without range anxiety. The core of the hybrid is Indmar’s 2.3L EcoBoost gasoline engine called the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU). This engine’s purpose is charging a battery bank that drives the electric motor that turns the prop.
The boat can run in complete electric mode or in hybrid mode with the APU running to charge the system, but there’s no mechanical connection between the engine and prop. (Often, the term “hybrid,” when used in regard to automobiles, involves the engine having the capability to turn the wheels, i.e., “prop,” directly while also charging the battery.) The unique system can charge with the engine running underway, at the dock, or with a Level 1–3 EV charger, and delivers 530 hp and up to 1,420 pound-feet of torque at the prop, according to Indmar. The Genesis 24 incorporates a proprietary Gen X hull design, which is a deep-V displacement-optimized hull that creates a consistent 20-foot surf wave. $450,000 | genesismarinetechnologies.com
— MIKE LONGMAN, Contributing Editor
BoatU.S. Magazine has detailed automated vessel stabilization systems (“Rock Steady,” Nov./Dec. 2025), including the Seakeeper Ride, a vessel attitude-control system with a computer brain that the company says takes up to 1,000 measurements per second, then directs transom-mounted rotary blades to make up to 100 adjustments per second to constantly correct your boat’s pitch, roll, and yaw as it cuts across the water. I’ve sea trialed monohulls equipped with Seakeeper Ride and found the consistent, even-keeled plane while underway to be game-changing technology for powerboats. But what effect would Seakeeper Ride have on pontoon boats, which run level by design? We found out at the Miami International Boat Show, where Seakeeper and partner Barletta Boats served up sea trials aboard a Barletta 25EU rigged with a Ride 450 system.
The boat ran great and, according to Seakeeper’s testing, enjoyed a roll reduction of 57% and a pitch reduction of 40%. We experienced this steadiness as we blasted through Government Cut and out into the open Atlantic, but what impressed us about our pontoon boat ride with Ride came when we took the wheel and started carving out turns. The Barletta reacted as though there was a V-hull beneath the deck. The Ride system can be programmed to adjust the heeling angle, so that sliding-sideways feeling common to pontoons can be eliminated. It was more comfortable for both passengers and at the wheel, and we pushed the system by carving out doughnuts and making S-turns, with good control at the helm. Barletta Boats offers Seakeeper Ride on the 23 and 25 Lusso models, with plans to integrate into additional models in the future.
Our boat show experience was relatively short and didn’t encompass the myriad of situations involved with regular usage, reminding us that the operator’s ability to instantly handle the boat should the system fail is very important. Barletta Lusso L23U with Mercury 300 Verado and Seakeeper Ride, $179,500 | ride.seakeeper.com
— LENNY RUDOW, Contributing Editor
While you can load up dozens of transducers and sensors on a boat, none of those gadgets tell you what’s happening at the lure you’re trolling 100 feet away. The Scotty Seeker probe system, powered by marine transducer specialist Airmar, was created to fill that gap. According to the manufacturer, the system includes a hydrodynamic probe that attaches to a downrigger line (a few feet from the lure itself), a receiver for the boat, and a computer hub. The probe gathers data on the lure’s depth, speed, and water temperature, then transmits that data to the receiver every 5 seconds in normal mode and every half-second in “thermocline” mode. Data is then relayed through the hub and displayed on a compatible multifunction display or via the Seeker app on a mobile device. Up to four probes can be integrated into a single system. Each probe has a rechargeable battery with a 100-hour battery life. $1,475 (full system with probe)/$600 (additional probe) | scotty.com
— KELSEY BONHAM BAILEY, Associate Editor
Electric motors have carved out a distinct niche in the small outboard segment, and we see continued improvement in new model introductions. According to the manufacturer, ePropulsion’s second generation of its portable Spirit outboard doubles the power to 2kW – plus adds a 3kW “sport mode.” That equates to the performance of a gas outboard in the 5- to 6-hp range – great for tenders, shallow-water anglers, and small-boat sailors. Other upgrades: tilt angle increases to 90 degrees, color display, and a detachable clamp that eases installation and removal of the motor. Motor weight is about 28 pounds, while the battery adds 23 pounds. Traditional plug-in charge time is about 8 hours, or 2 hours with a fast charger. Spirit 2 is also capable of hydrogeneration. Simply lower the unit down at any speed between 3 and 16 knots and the free-spinning prop feeds juice back to the battery. At 10 knots it produces 380 watts of power. $2,868 | epropulsion.com — L.R.
Keeping fresh ice aboard can be a chore, but many refrigeration systems are too complex or bulky for aftermarket installations. Dometic says its new CSX self-contained system changes that, with a slim design that allows boaters to transform ice chests, galley lockers, fishboxes, and other already-insulated compartments into refrigerated or deep-freezer spaces with minimal retrofitting. Think of it as an “iceless ice chest.” The compact footprint allows CSX units to be installed in spaces with limited clearance. With a plug-and-play design and integrated controls, installation is within reach of a handy DIY boater who can mount and seal the unit, then connect 12/24V DC power. Two sizes are available, with the CSX200 suited for spaces up to 200 liters and CSX400 for up to 400 liters. $999–$1,039 | dometic.com — M.L.
Crawling around a new boat, one that’s polished to a shine and rigged with the latest and greatest accessories, has a powerful “new toy” appeal, even if you’re just window shopping. We found a diverse batch of new boats designed for an increasingly niche boating market. The write-ups below are based largely on data from the respective manufacturers, so we can’t make full representations as to safety, seaworthiness, or fitness for purpose, but these are boats that intrigued our editors, and may be of interest.
Hybrid bay boats have evolved into larger packages with deeper V-hulls that allow these shallow-water designs to venture offshore. This feature and others make many people consider boats like this “hybrid;” the term used here doesn’t necessarily refer to type and source of power. Grady-White has launched the largest we’ve seen with the 321 Coastal Explorer. Big loungers, electrically actuated sunshades, and “sport deck” swim platforms, and loads of comfy seating including triple-wide helm seating with flip-up bolsters come standard. Anglers will love the large bow-casting platform, dual electromechanically folding sport decks (port and starboard) that make great casting spots, and 18-gallon livewells port and starboard. Despite the boat’s brawny nature, it’s light on its feet; the pair of Yamaha F350s on the transom push the 321 CE to 55 mph. But cruise at a mellow 30 or so, and fuel efficiency is 1.7 mpg. $462,425 | grady-white.com — L.R.
Industry giant Brunswick launched its Navan boat brand in 2024 with the C30 (Pilothouse) and S30 (Sport) models. Navan puts an American twist on the rapidly growing adventure boat segment. The new T30 is the third model in the lineup, built on the same patented T-Step hull designed to provide a dry, stable ride with enhanced handling capabilities. (The user must be thoroughly familiar and experienced with the unique characteristics of stepped hulls.)
But above the waterline, the T30 parts with its predecessors, featuring an open layout, flat deck, and higher gunwales, making it more reminiscent of a conventional offshore center-console. With distinctively Nordic-inspired styling and a long list of optional amenities, the T30 remains true to Navan’s ethos of practicality and versatility. In the cockpit, a clever convertible bench seat articulates aft to expose a wet bar that doubles as a bait prep station with optional sink and dual drawer refrigerators. $199,900 | navan-boats.com — M.L.
Seeking to gain efficiency, and boost and improve the ride of its Outrage lineup, Boston Whaler designers created the world’s first Whalers with stepped hulls – the new 290 and 330 Outrage. Called the WhalerStep, this twin-stepped hull design incorporates a keel along the centerline from the back of the second step aft, designed to give the hull extra bite and better control in turns. Whaler says the result is a smoother, drier, and more efficient ride that delivers confident handling, improved range, and safety in demanding offshore conditions. Anglers will find everything they need aboard ranging from the 50-gallon transom livewell to the 57-gallon fishboxes in the deck. Powered with a pair of Mercury Marine V-10 425-hp Verado outboards, the Outrage 330 cruises at 40.9 mph while getting 1.36 mpg. Goose the throttles and the boat can top 60 mph. (Users need to be thoroughly familiar and experienced with the unique characteristics of stepped hulls.) $473,135 | bostonwhaler.com — L.R.
It’s a flats skiff! It’s a tricked-out fishing kayak! It’s a … personal watercraft? Whatever you think about this distinctive PWC, Yamaha’s CrossWave certainly turns heads. At 12-feet, 11-inches long with a 5-foot 7-inch beam, the CrossWave is the only PWC we know of with full walkaround decks. The CrossWave can support up to four riders and integrates 82 gallons of storage between the in-deck compartments and cooler. Rails and built-in attachment points allow for additional customizable storage and gear. The 1.9-liter 200-hp engine tops out around 55 mph, and the 26-gallon fuel tank supports long-day adventures. $32,499 (including trailer) | yamahawaverunners.com — K.B.B.
Boating gear can include any accessory — one that offers a practical solution, or just a little flare — to your boating lifestyle.
Trailer boaters know the balancing act required to pull the boat from the water onto the trailer. The routine of tiptoeing along the truck bumper and trailer frame to stretch out and reach the bow eye with the winch hook is a tightrope walk that occasionally ends with a splashdown in knee-deep water. Behr Claw was created to help keep trailer boaters dry. The pole-mounted, powder-coated head has potent N52 magnets that hold a winch hook, and a telescoping pole adjusts from 3 feet to more than 7 feet. A quick release on the hook catch, which you pull open with a separate cord, helps when using the Behr Claw to remove a hook from the bow eye or a mooring. There’s also a hook on the butt end so you can snag the trailer’s winch hook and pull it out to the boat while standing at the bow. $92 (head only) | $143 (complete) | behrclaw.com — L.R.
This new generation of marine electronics boast sharper screen imagery and faster rendering for a better picture of what lies ahead — and below.
Live sonar is nothing new, but most systems only show one angle at a time and require switching between views to piece together what’s happening around the boat. Lowrance’s ActiveTarget 2 XL delivers a 180-degree “Scout View” from a single transducer, according to the manufacturer. With two XL transducers, anglers can see a full 360 degrees around the boat combined into one image. The transducer is compatible with existing Lowrance ActiveTarget 2 systems, so ActiveTarget 2 hub owners need only upgrade the transducer. $1,799 (full kit); $1,399 (transducer only) | lowrance.com — K.B.B.
Furuno is known for big-boat electronics for offshore sportfishing machines and large yachts. But what about those of us with more modest boats and compact helms? For 2026, Furuno says it has expanded its TZMAP lineup downward to deliver big-boat tech on 20- or 30-something-foot vessels. TZMAP units are available in 9-inch and 13-inch options and designed for boaters who want a simplified, streamlined, standalone unit rather than a fully networked system. They still boast sunlight-viewable multitouch displays, built-in TruEcho CHIRP fish-finding, and Furuno TZ Maps cartography compatibility. With a free TimeZero account, waypoints and routes can be backed up and retrieved via the cloud. $1,595 (9-inch); $2,395 (13-inch) | furunousa.com — L.R.
Published: May 2026
Contributor, BoatUS Magazine
Award-winning BoatUS Magazine is the official publication of Boat Owners Association of The United States. The magazine provides boating skills, DIY maintenance, safety, news and more from top experts.