The following review was written by John Page Williams, Editor-at-large, Chesapeake Bay Magazine. John, senior naturalist for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, has been a regular contributor to Chesapeake Bay Magazine for 30 years, specializing in environmental issues, nature, wildlife, fishing and boats. He has been testing new and used boats for the magazine's Time-Tested and New Boat News departments since 1998.

OCTOBER 2010

L OA  18'  /  Beam7' 11" Draft  3 deg /  Draft >10" Weight  1,200 lb Fuel 30 gal Max. Power 115hp Base Price  $24,045 with Yamaha F70 four-stroke outboard

SeaArk's BayRunner 180MVT is a roomy, super-tough, all-welded aluminum, center-console bay boat with a tunnel bottom that allows it to float and run super-shallow. With bow and stern casting platforms and built-in wiring for a bow-mount trolling motor, it would make a great light-tackle boat for Chesapeake anglers. Its roomy interior and shallow deadrise would also make it a great vessel for a small family exploring creeks and beaches. Though rated for 115 hp, our test boat ran well with Yamaha's new F70 outboard, turning in a top speed of 29.4 mph. Cruising speeds of 15 to 22 mph turned in fuel economy of 7 to 8.5 mpg, with a comfortable ride in a 1-foot washboard chop. A four-blade aluminum propeller held the water from the tunnel efficiently, allowing easy running and turning without ventilation. SeaArk Boats, Monticello, Ark.; 870-367-5317; www.seaarkboats.com