Boat Spotlights: Four Winns, Grady-White, Malibu, Regulator

SPECIFICATIONS LOA: 26’6” Beam: 8’5” Draft: 33” Weight: 5,350 lbs. Fuel Capacity: 70 gals. Water Capacity: 12 gals. Max Power: MerCruiser/ Volvo 380 hp Base Price: $78,974 FOURWINNS.COM

DEALERS Hall’s Sports Center HALLSSPORTSCENTER.COM Onekama Marine / Lake Michigan Yacht Sales ONEKAMAMARINE .COM SkipperBud’s SKIPPERBUDS.COM

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Four Winns HD 270 Bowrider on steroids.

Offering something for everyone, the new Four Winns HD 270 is a bowrider plus. From the stern-facing lounge seating (where one can watch towed watersports or swimmers) to forward seating that converts into stretch-out sunpads, the 270 will be your family’s favorite vacation spot.

“The HD 270 is a bowrider on steroids,” says Matt Mrozinski of Lake Michigan Yacht Sales. “It has the largest bow seating area of any boat in its class, and what really makes it unique is that it doesn’t sacrifice its rough water ride to get that added bow space.”

The HD 270 impresses with a walk-through from the large transom platform (no climbing over seats), deep backrests forward to secure the kiddos, and swim ladders both fore and aft for beach or offshore use.

To make this a true dayboat, families will appreciate the enclosed head compartment with either portable or flushing toilet (plus sink and lighting), as well as coolers under the bow and stern areas. A table can be repositioned from bow seating to cockpit to the stern lounge, depending on where you want your munchies.

While there is an outboard version of the HD 270, the sterndrive choice offers no less than 13 Mercury or Volvo options ranging from 300 to 350 hp for a top speed of nearly 50 mph and a fast cruise over 30 mph. The fully lined engine compartment is spacious, with room to step down and reach all maintenance points.

The skipper gets an ergonomic helm with back-lit switches, a stereo with Bluetooth, multifunction engine gauges and optional Simrad GPS. Both helm and companion seating have bolsters for standing and can swivel for cockpit entertaining.

Storage is a drawing card for the HD 270, starting with the extra-long locker underfoot that can easily handle waterskis as well as fishing rods. Every seat lifts to reveal full-lined storage for lines, fenders and personal items, and one even has a trash receptacle to keep the boat tidy. ★

Grady-White Freedom 285 Redesigned from the keel up for even greater comfort.

It can be risky to try and update a perennial bestseller, but Grady-White hits one out of the park with its all-new Freedom 285 dual console. With its continued emphasis on sea-keeping, comfort and convenience, the new boat maintains everything that made the previous 285 such a tremendous performer, including the SeaV2 hull, while adding a number of refinements to freshen the design and make the most of today’s technology.

Starting at the cockpit is the 285’s all-new folding step for easy entry and egress. Aft-facing port and starboard seats feature electrically powered cushions that extend to full-length lounges at the touch of a button, while overhead, buyers can select an optional SureShade powered sunshade. A 32-gallon livewell and twin ice/fish boxes come standard, while options include a wetbar, refrigerator and retractable ski pole.

The helm also gets a complete refresh, including a new electrically adjustable helm seat complete with a flip-up bolster. An all-new dash panel provides plenty of space to flush-mount touch-screen displays, while the helm offers improved positioning of the steering wheel, the throttle controls and various switches. A taller, wider windshield improves comfort, and the spacious hardtop allows four people to seek shade. Buyers can opt for a bow thruster and a convenience package with battery charger and dockside power.

The passenger console houses a spacious, newly updated head compartment with indirect lighting.

In the bow, a fiberglass table comes standard, while optional insert cushions create a spacious sunpad. An overhead sunshade is also available.

“The Freedom 285 gives Great Lakes boaters tremendous versatility with room for the whole family and all their gear,” says Shelley Tubaugh, Grady-White vice president of marketing. “From fishing rods to skis and tubes, there’s space for everything on this great all-around family boat.” H

SPECIFICATIONS LOA: 28’ Beam: 9’6” Draft: 22” Weight (dry): 6,500 lbs. Fuel Capacity: 214 gals. Water Capacity: 20 gals. Base Power: 2 x Yamaha 250 hp MSRP: Contact dealer GRADYWHITE.COM

DEALERS South Shore Marine SOUTHSHOREMARINE.COM Beacon Marine BEACONMARINELLC.COM Drummond Marine DRUMMONDMARINE.COM

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SPECIFICATIONS LOA: 23’ Beam: 8’6” Draft: 27” Weight: 5,200 lbs. Fuel Capacity: 65 gals. Max Power: Malibu Monsoon LT4 600 hp MSRP: Contact dealer MALIBUBOATS.COM

DEALERS Munson Ski & Marine MUNSONSKI .COM Walloon Lake Village Marina WALLOONVILLAGE MARINA .COM Buckeye Sports Center BUCKEYESPORTS CENTER.COM

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Malibu Wakesetter 23 LSV The best-selling towboat gets a facelift.

The best-selling towboat of all time is said to be the legendary Malibu Wakesetter 23 LSV and, for 2020, it arrives updated and better than ever. Relying on owner input, the new 23 LSV has design features like a transom walk-over, a fully refreshed interior layout, solid billet hardware, a tuned Wet Sounds audio system, and twice as many color options.

“A bold new look makes this the best,” says CEO Jack Springer. “We designed a boat that not only lives up to its predecessors as the best-selling towboat of all time, but will continue to advance that legacy due to its customer-centric design.”

Two running surfaces are available to tailor the hull to your boating needs, starting with the Diamond Multi-Sport Hull, which favors waterskiing. The Wake Plus Hull is for hardcore board-sports fans, producing trademark Malibu wakes.

A new seating innovation is the Multi-View Wake Bench that converts from a wraparound lounge into a wake-facing seat or dining layout in seconds. Over the cockpit is the brand-new G5 tower that stows gear and provides an elevated tow position, while still folding for clearance. For warm climates, Malibu offers the seating with Cool Touch Vinyl in multiple colors so everyone can stretch out on the cockpit or bow seating without fear of scorching bare skin.

The helm draws on the Malibu Command Center with macOS operating system that keeps watch with both forward- and rear-facing cameras.

To custom-tailor your wake, the MaxBallast system has high-flow pumps to fill and empty the L-shaped tanks faster than ever, and includes a movable underwater wedge for crisp wakes. Another feature, should a rider fall, is the optional Stern Turn rear thruster to assist in a quick pick-up.

Power comes from either the standard Malibu Monsoon M5Di (360 hp), the M6Di (430 hp), or the powerful Monsoon LT4 from GM (600 hp). ★

Regulator 31 Family friendly fi shing machine.

Starting with the legendary Regulator hull and adding a twin 425-hp power option makes the Regulator 31 the fastest boat in the boatbuilder’s fleet. At over 36 feet, this big center console has both fishing and family friendly features.

Start with the side-opening cockpit door, which is perfect for retrieving that big catch or for the kids to climb aboard after a dip in the lake.

The V-shaped bow seating is comfortable for families but, with the dining table lowered and cushions removed, it becomes a big casting platform.

For the skipper, the standard twin seats with armrests, flip-up bolsters and individual folding footrests provide all-day comfort, while the seat console hides tackle drawers. An optional tackle center adds aft-facing seats, and a leaning post with a 40-gallon livewell is also available.

The dashboard holds the factory-installed Garmin Offshore Package with twin 16-inch

GPSMAP chartplotters. The view through the windshield is unmarred by a frame and is high enough for protection while standing. The T-top is standard, with an electronics box, navigation and dock lighting, and it’s prepped to accept TACO Grand Slam 20-foot carbon fiber outriggers.

Inside the console is another amenity for both fishing and family: A stand-up head compartment with electric head and freshwater sink. A 6-gallon holding tank with an electric pump simplifies all-day outings, and all fishboxes are illuminated for night use.

Power for the 31 is either a pair of Yamaha F300 Four-Stroke outboards or twin Yamaha 425 Four-Strokes. Both engines offer the Helm Master joystick steering for effortless maneuvering.

Everyone will appreciate the 74-quart cooler under the forward seat, the padded coamings to keep youngsters safe, and the non-slip surface for sure footing even when wet. ★

SPECIFICATIONS LOA: 36’6” Beam: 10’4” Draft: 23” Weight: 10,800 lbs. Fuel Capacity: 300 gals. Water Capacity: 35 gals. Max Power: 2 x Yamaha 425-hp Four-Stroke MSRP: Contact dealer REGULATORMARINE.COM

DEALERS Catawba Moorings CATAWBAMOORINGS .COM Yacht Works Wisconsin YACHTWORKS.NET

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