Trailer Boats articles from April 2007

Trailer Boats archives from April 2007

Tune in.(OnPlane)
April 1, 2007... Turn on. Tune in. Drop out. This hippy-dippy phrase--which entered the American lexicon in the 1960s courtesy of Dr. Timothy Leary--echoes the experimental state the media finds itself in today, 40 years later. Only instead of drugs, the media...

America by wood and water.(Letters to the Editors)
April 1, 2007... I read your fine magazine cover to cover every month. Articles showing areas of boating interest are, to me, an invitation to explore these special lakes. We have always owned wood boats (which you might not understand--sometimes even I don't...

Ashamed.(Letters to the Editors)
April 1, 2007... Since when did the American outboard business all go to Japan? I've read Mercury's latest advertisement about a "Rude" awakening, an obvious slam against the Bombardier Recreational Product's (BRP) Evinrude outboard. Well, both Brunswick...

Doesn't cut it.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2007... Regarding your February article entitled "Lube Job," it scares me to think someone would recommend cutting grooves or drilling holes in the inboard area of a trailer's wheel spindles. These components are carefully designed to eliminate any...

New Volvo drives.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2007... I enjoyed the January issue's 2007 marine power buyer's guide. It will make a great reference tool throughout the boating season. However, in the Volvo Penta section you state there have been no significant changes to Volvo Penta's gas-powered...

More power to you.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2007... In the January issue, the Boston Whaler 190 Montauk highlighted in Launch Ramp was incorrectly listed as being rated for 90 hp. The boat's maximum rating is actually 115 hp. Also, our 2007 marine power guide ("Power Play") showed incorrect...

Who needs cars?(DockTalk)
April 1, 2007... Centurion Boats has joined with NASCAR in a licensing deal this year. The move made the boatbuilder's products the first NASCAR-licensed towboats to rip across the waters of Lake Lloyd inside the Daytona International Speedway. Only two models...

New site offers trailer help.(news)
April 1, 2007... For those who just can't get enough information about boat trailers, a new website launched by the Trailer Manufacturers Association can help. Just click on trailermanufacturersassociation.org to find out about the latest issues involving...

All 'toons all the time.(news)
April 1, 2007... We are pleased to announce our newest publication, Purely Pontoons. Focusing entirely on pontoons and everything having to do with 'toons, the annual magazine, the only one of its kind, will offer articles on how to select pontoon boats, how to...

Legislation seeks to control Asian carp.(news)
April 1, 2007... According to the Great Lakes Boating Federation, legislation has been introduced that would direct the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to complete construction of the Asian carp electric barrier on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. If enacted,...

Run away with Sea Ray.(news)
April 1, 2007... Want to get away? No need to stand in airport security lines. The new 210 Select from Sea Ray may be all you need to unwind during the weekend, even if forays to the local lake are all you can manage. Taping out at 21 feet and sporting an 8...

Party with mondo Sun Tracker 30.(fine 'tooning)
April 1, 2007... Efficient and elegant--those are words you usually don't see together, but they certainly apply to the redesigned 2007 Sun Tracker Party Hut 30 Regency Edition. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Boasting a spacious floor plan, the Party Hut 30...

Wake up call.(ski locker)
April 1, 2007... If you like a little down time mixed in with your airtime, then scope out Correct Craft's Super Air Nautique 210. Redesigned for 2007, this 21-footer offers open bow seating and arena-style seating aft, with a removable stern seat connecting...

Skinny-water touring.(working for a living)
April 1, 2007... The jet-driven Chinook Wind stops about halfway up the 50-mile stretch of the Columbia River recently preserved as the Hanford Reach National Monument. All 20 passengers on the 28-foot commercial vessel, operated by Columbia River Journeys...

Stay in control.(power trip)
April 1, 2007... Looking for smooth performance and modern styling from a top-mount binnacle control? Teleflex Marine (217/324-9400; teleflexmarine.com) puts you in the driver's seat with its new CH7800 ($699). Suited for twin outboards or sterndrives, the...

Not without the ball and chain.(reader survey results)
April 1, 2007... In our February Question of the Month, we queried, "What percentage of the time do you go boating with your spouse?" Turns out the ol' ball and chain is as much a part of boating as the anchor. Oops, let's try a better metaphor... the prop....

Volvo's new drives.(PropulsionReport)
April 1, 2007... Volvo Penta has reengineered its two most popular sterndrives, and though the new SX and DPS drives maintain the names we've known for years, they are highly refined from the previous models. The SX is a single prop design and the DPS is a...

Taking care of stainless.(BoatImprovement)
April 1, 2007... Somehow I grew up believing that stainless steel is actually stainless. Of course, I also grew up believing in the Easter Bunny. The jury's still out on the Bunny, but I have come to accept that "stainless" actually isn't. There are a number of...

Going overboard: Hurricane offers a salty new twist with its 257 Sundeck O/B.(TEST)
April 1, 2007... Hurricane's highly successful 257 Sundeck sterndrive is a big winner among deck boat fans, offering size, luxury and comfort that's hard to match. The only question some prospective buyers asked was, "why no outboard version?" Thinking this was...

Power shot: a breakthrough in props or just another wheel? We reveal the truth about Mercury's new Enertia.(PROP SHOOT-OUT)
April 1, 2007... Trailer Boats has done more prop testing over the years than any other boating publication. The reason is simple: You can't maximize a boat's performance without the proper prop. Not all propellers are created equal, however, and wheels...

Pilot project: Pro-Line's good-looking 23 XP handles rainy days and Mondays in all-season stride.(EXCLUSIVE!)(Cover story)
April 1, 2007... We're not sure why it rains so often on weekends, but if you're a boater or an angler, you know what we mean. At certain times of the year, the norm in many places around the country is five sunny days, followed by two windy, bum-busters. Of...

Pocket pathfinders: what's the performance difference between entry-level handheld GPS units and top-of-the-line models? We check them out.
April 1, 2007... Our exclusive GPS shoot-out got us excited about the current state of handheld technology. Improvements in receivers, antennas and software have significantly boosted performance. Today's handhelds act more like bigger, permanently mounted...

Twice as nice: Yamaha redesigns its sporty SX230 HO to add even more comfort.(TEST)
April 1, 2007... Compared to most sporty run-abouts, Yamaha's SX230 High Output, which we tested on Tellico Lake, in Tennessee, stacks up well against its propeller-driven competition. In addition, along with its twin-engine jetdrive system and redesigned top...

New talent: the Chrysler Aspen mixes bold power, a generous tow rating and advanced technology with a style all its own.(TEST)
April 1, 2007... Built on the same chassis platform and assembly line as the Dodge Durango, the Chrysler Aspen that debuted this year offers dealers an elegant product to help them capture some of the still-vibrant sport utility market. Compared to the dramatic...

Inside job: we come clean about onboard dirt.
April 1, 2007... Most boaters know that regular exterior maintenance can go a long way toward keeping a boat happy and healthy. But what about the parts that aren't typically protected by a coat of wax? Unless maintained correctly, vinyl upholstery can quickly...

Rip cord: replacing the starter cord on small outboards is easier than you think.(How-To)
April 1, 2007... If you've spent much time operating a manual start out-board, chances are you've pulled out the starter cord at least once. It's a frustrating and helpless feeling to sit there in the skiff with the pull cord dangling uselessly from your hand....

Smart fueling: handy tips to make fueling your boat cleaner and safer.(How-To)
April 1, 2007... A long with waxing the hull and changing lower unit oil, fueling the boat is a chore most boaters would rather avoid. Even so, by following these tips from the BoatU.S. Foundation's Help Stop the Drops National Clean Fueling Campaign (help...

Bilge water concerns.(TechLetters)
April 1, 2007... I have a 2003 Four Winns 190 Horizon, and when I remove the drain plug at the boat ramp, the bilge doesn't drain completely. Why is this? My dealer says there will always be a little bit of water left. Also, when my boat was winterized last...

Gel-cell batteries.(TechLetters)
April 1, 2007... I've got twin gel-cell batteries in my 22-foot Almar Sounder cuddy cabin. I've also got a "smart" battery charger designed to properly charge them. I've observed that the maximum voltage the batteries ever receive from the charger is about 13.0...

Won't crank.(TechLetters)
April 1, 2007... I have a 2005 Rinker Captiva 262 with a MerCruiser 496 and a Bravo 3 sterndrive. The boat is fitted with a Corsa through-hull exhaust system. My problem is that the engine won't turn over. I replaced the starter and it worked all season, then...

Fuel gauge.(TechLetters)
April 1, 2007... Last summer, my boat had a loose ignition switch connection, which turned out to be an easy fix. Since that time, however, the fuel gauge has quit working. It appears to be getting current, but the needle on the gauge does not move. Using a...

Launching large: I am looking to trade up from my 20-foot cuddy cabin to a trailerable 26-foot cruiser. I have heard dockside wives' tales about issues with launching larger trailer boats, and the possibility of water entering the engine during launch. Is this due to steeper angles and a heavier stern--or is this just nonsense? Richard Ayers, Enterprise, Alabama.(Truck&Trailer)
April 1, 2007... After launching uncounted boats on a variety of ramps, we have experienced no significant differences related to boat size in launching a 26-footer or a 20-footer. The manner in which you launch can make a difference, though. If you allow the...

Keep them safe.(Gotta Have It)
April 1, 2007... No matter how careful you are about keeping track of small children and pets on board, accidents can still happen. Now you can give yourself--and them--a little extra insurance, at least when boating in fresh water. The Safety Turtle ($235) by...

Swingin' a wrench.(Gotta Have It)
April 1, 2007... For the boatowner who's a wrench-head, here's an item of interest. The tools we keep on board often start rusting quickly. Now, Great Neck Saw Manufacturers (800/457-0600; greatnecksaw.com) offers four different tool kits with tools that are...

Stylish electronics mount.(Gotta Have It)
April 1, 2007... The 21st century is definitely the era of electronics, so the question becomes: How do you mount these devices on your boat? Leader Motor Sports (800/828-0844; LeaderMotorSports.com) keeps things classy with its Universal eCaddy Lite Mounting...

Lubricate rust away.(Gotta Have It)
April 1, 2007... We're always on the lookout for lubricants that can handle tough jobs. Whether it is loosening a rusty hinge on your boat's ski locker or lubricating your engine's steering cables, Maxfilm, from Royal Purple (281/354-8600; royalpurple.com) does...

Sweet stainless Anchor.(Gotta Have It)
April 1, 2007... When we reviewed Slide Anchor's (928/855-1108; slideanchor.com) galvanized Box Anchor in the June 2006 issue, we mentioned that a stainless steel version would be available soon. Well, it's here now, and man, does it look beautiful. Of course,...

Good coverage.(Gotta Have It)
April 1, 2007... We're all familiar with Sunbrella fabric because many of us use it for our Bimini tops and cushion upholstery. But did you know Sunbrella works great for grill covers, too? Some cover fabrics do not breathe and trap heat and moisture inside,...

Vanishing tonneau cover.(Gotta Have It)
April 1, 2007... The best way to improve the aerodynamics of your pickup, and thus improve your gas mileage, is to install a tonneau cover. It also adds security by allowing you to stash the boating gear you're transporting away from prying eyes. The Vanish...

You could win a Four Winns 180 Horizon.(Over the Transom)
April 1, 2007... OVER THE TRANSOM CONTEST RULES Do you have a kooky, weird or hilarious picture involving a boat, launch ramp, marina or anything else around the water? Send it in. If your photo is chosen as one of Trailer Boats' Over the Transom winners, you...