It was probably only five or six years ago that the marketplace — and our test team — saw its first NauticStar. We all climbed all over it, notebook in hand, expecting — but not succeeding — to jot down a six- or seven-point punch list this new value-boat builder would want to address before the tester went to market. A recent walk-through of its biggest new offshore boat was similarly rewarding. The main place it failed is not in pricing the boat — it’s a bargain — it’s including features that should really be found only in premium craft.
The top-rated Yamaha motor, for instance, ran the boat quickly up to 48 mph after coming to plane in just 3.8 seconds — ski-boat fast. Its sharp V-entry cleaved wakes in our tests, and the 20-degree deadrise at the transom hull continued to smooth the wakes as we let them slide by.
You also wouldn’t expect to find a large and easy-to-access changing room in a value boat, nor would you think a hardtop would be offered. But both were present. So was tackle storage in the coaming that took smart advantage of space lost by most boatbuilders. Our test boat had three insulated fish boxes, cast-net storage forward and a pressurized raw-water wash-down to clean up after baiting up.
While we found all the angler wanted, we also found plenty the family wanted in sport and comfort. There was a head in our test boat’s changing room. A quality stereo to entertain, and comfortable forward seating and padded bolsters all the way around the cockpit pampered the crew.
NauticStar may have been around for less than a decade, but it’s using a half-century of boatbuilding experience to make its craft exceed expectation. We think it is succeeding too.
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Extra Points**
Leaning post offers secure helm seating required for rugged offshore use.
Transom livewell is blue-tinted and Plexiglas-topped so anglers can easily monitor bait condition.
A folding rear bench seat is standard for cruising comfort.
Stainless-steel latches, hinges and rub rail give the boat enduring good looks.
Test Drive
» Test Engine: Yamaha F250
» Test Prop: 15¼” X 19″ SS
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» Test Load:** People (400 LB.); Fuel (75 GAL.)
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» Top Speed:** 48 MPH @ 6,000 RPM
» Time to Plane: 3.8 sec.
» Time to 30 MPH: 7.3 sec.
» Most Economical Cruise Speed: 26.3 MPH @ 4,000 RPM, 3 MPG
Vital Stats
» Length Overall: 25′
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» Beam:** 8’6″
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» Dry Weight:** 4,000 LB.
» Seating/Weight Capacity: 12/2,500 LB.
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» Fuel Capacity:** 150 GAL.
» Max HP: 400
» MSRP: $73,451 (boat and motor only)
