Trailer Boats articles from August 2003

Trailer Boats archives from August 2003

Sound of boating.(On Plane)
August 1, 2003... What does boating sound like? The answer often depends on whom you ask, for despite the many similarities between boat owners, there are just as many differences. This thought struck me between the ears recently when the oldest of my three sons...

Hidden horn.(Letters to the Editor)
August 1, 2003... The article in the April issue about the AFI/Marinco Hidden Horn ("Noise Maker") refers to a Model No. 11080. The AFI/Marinco website does not list this product. The closest thing is the 11079, which does not appear to be as loud as the one...

At a distance.(Letters to the Editor)
August 1, 2003... I absolutely love your magazine, and have been a subscriber for several years. I can't tell you how much your technical advice has helped me over the years. However, after reading "Long Distance Dealer' in the May Tech Letters [advising against...

Web sources.(Letters to the Editor)
August 1, 2003... I enjoyed reading the article in the May issue of Trailer Boats entitled "Dot.Components." Your magazine did a professional job informing readers as to the value and convenience of using the Internet, while at the same time reducing the...

Economic prediction: smoother waters ahead for U.S. boating industry.(Dock Talk)
August 1, 2003... Addressing attendees at a boating accessories trade show in July, economist Jeff Thredgold forecast a 3 to 3 1/2-percent growth in real Gross Domestic Product for the U.S. this year, and described the economic outlook for the recreational...

Right to fish legislation gains steam in nine states.(Dock Talk)
August 1, 2003... Model legislation that establishes requirements that must be met before a state's marine waters can be closed to fishing, has been introduced in 10 coastal states thanks to a major effort by the New Jersey-based Recreational Fishing Alliance...

Big Suzy is here.(Dock Talk)
August 1, 2003... It looks as if California-based Suzuki Marine (714/996-7040; suzuki.com) will be the first to deliver a 250 hp four-stroke outboard--the DF250. It is expected at dealers by fall, beating Mercury's 250 four-stroke to the punch. Our editors...

Moomba Outback.(Ski Locker)
August 1, 2003... Even though some inboard ski boats cost $40,000-plus these days, who says you can't buy a brand new ski boat at a budget price? Moomba of Maryville, Tennessee, has created a new version of its Outback ski boat for $24,000--and that includes a...

Nissan's Armada will tow 9100 pounds.(In Tow)
August 1, 2003... The new 2004 Nissan Pathfinder Armada will boast a maximum trailer-weight rating (when equipped with the "Big Tow Package" option) of 9100 pounds. Power for this full-size sport-utility vehicle will come from a 5.6L 32-valve DOHC V-8 delivering...

Do you carry a pair of binoculars in your boat?(Question of the Month)
August 1, 2003... To register your answer, go to our website--TrailerBoats.com--and click on Survey Section. Also, visit our message boards, and give us your thoughts. We will report the results and publish select reader comments in an upcoming issue. ...

Studio Sea Movie Boat.(Workin' For A Living)
August 1, 2003... We've seen big trailer boats, but this one is a showstopper. Built in late 2001 for filming action scenes on the Vltava River in Prague, Czech Republic, for the movie XXX, the Movie Boat was shipped by freighter to Southern California and has...

ZF TriMax ring drive.(Power Trip)
August 1, 2003... Ft. Lauderdale-based ZF Marine (954/581-4040; zf-marine.com) has introduced a new surface drive that when linked with 5.7L V-8 from Tennessee-based Indmar Products (901/353-9930; indmar.com) allows 60-plus mph boats to remain on plane at speeds...

Find that missing owner's manual.(Dock Talk)
August 1, 2003... When boaters purchase their rigs pre-owned, they don't necessarily come away with all the owner's manuals, most important of which are the engine manuals. Recognizing this problem, Yamaha recently hired a document engineering company named...

Blazer Bay 2420.(Something's Fishy)
August 1, 2003... Pensacola Bay in northwest Florida stretched out before us, the waters whipped up by a strong south wind--perfect conditions to review the performance of the 2004 Blazer Bay 2420 bay boat. First impression: Here's a large bay boat with style...

Cobalt 220 bowrider.(Just Cruisin')
August 1, 2003... The best way to describe Cobalt's new 220 is "clean and classy," with more attention to detail, fit and finish than we're used to seeing on a boat this size. With standard equipment such as a swim platform and ski/tow package, she makes a great...

Catch & Reward winners score big in key west.(Dock Talk)
August 1, 2003... Three lucky anglers recently returned from the fishing trip of a lifetime as part of Suzuki's Catch & Reward program in which Suzuki owners who place first, second and third in specially sanctioned tournaments are not only rewarded financially...

Staying warm on your PWC.(Getting Personal)
August 1, 2003... Personal watercraft (PWCs) have become dramatically faster, smoother, and drier in recent years, and many people are using them more for comfortable cruises than aggressive, wet thrill rides. As a result, new riding gear is slowly evolving that...

SportsStuff Speed Zone II.(Watertoy Profile)
August 1, 2003... Shaped tubes are all the rage these days, and no other company has introduced more exotic shapes than SportsStuff of Omaha, Nebraska (888/814-8833; sportsstuff.com). While shapes continue to dominate its line, SportsStuff also offers a...

Radar rules.(Boat Improvement)
August 1, 2003... We were in a channel between two of 300-or-so islands in Maine's Casco Bay, navigating through thick fog with only a GPS chartplotter to guide us. It had been a bright, sunny day when we set out, but the weather deteriorated from sun to soup in...

Keep it cool.(Boating Basics)
August 1, 2003... Spend time on a boat during summer months and you soon realize that staying cool is a top priority. While water can have a cooling effect on air temperatures, it can also increase humidity. In addition, water and boat interiors reflect the rays...

Fresh Yams.(Propulsion Report)
August 1, 2003... Having just returned from the press introduction of Yamaha Marine's new engines for 2004, I got a chance to meet the new king of the hill among direct-fuel-injected (DFI) outboards--Yamaha's VZ300 HPDI (High Pressure Direct Injection) V-6. ...

Outer Limits; Yamaha's new 300 HPDI pushes the envelope of direct-fuel-injected outboards.
August 1, 2003... When Yamaha Marine introduced its 250 HPDI direct-fuel-injected (DFI) two-stroke outboard last year, I wrote that the engine appeared to be capable of producing far more horsepower. For 2004, that prediction has come true. Scheduled to arrive...

Towing tactics; safely towing a boat back to port requires a high degree of skill and patience.
August 1, 2003... The day is a gorgeous I one, with a 10-knot breeze and a few puffy, white clouds hanging from azure-blue skies. The 1- to 2-foot seas split perfectly before your sharp bow, creating rainbows as the early morning sun lays upon the spray. The...

Natural selection: can't decide between a deck boat and a sport boat? Consider the 230 Horizon--a new hybrid from Four Winns.(Boat Test)
August 1, 2003... Can a manufacturer successfully combine the spaciousness and topside amenities of a deck boat with the performance hull of a sport boat? And if so, would it be an attractive boat? For 2004, Four Winns answers this question with its 230...

Pacific dream: the dream of fishing distant San Clemente Island in a trailer boat is more attainable than ever, thanks to an innovative mother-ship concept.(TBM Destination)
August 1, 2003... For many West Coast trailer boaters, cruising to fish the remote Pacific waters off San Clemente Island is but a dream. Its rocky shoreline and crystal blue waters have a storied reputation for big California yellowtail, white seabass, halibut...

Vacation in a V-Berth: for vacation this year, tell everyone you're going on a cruise ... in your boat. Here's how to prepare.
August 1, 2003... My three years of service in the U.S. Army afforded me so many opportunities to sleep in tents and live without life's basic comforts that it completely mined me when it comes to recreational camping. Until we bought our first boat, my idea of...

Rocket runabout: Yamaha's 10-passenger SR230 sportjet delivers runabout features and ride.(Trial Run)
August 1, 2003... From the early stages as four-passenger thrill-craft, sportjets have grown in size over the years, with several manufacturers now offering seven-passenger models. However, at 23 feet long with seating for 10, plus an entertainment area in the...

Fixing wounds: here are five steps for fixing fiberglass injuries.(TBM Hot-To)
August 1, 2003... During the 1960s, boating experienced a giant leap forward when builders began switching from wood to fiberglass--a material that does not rust or rot, and requires a very hot fire before it will burn. However, all fiberglass boats eventually...

Taking flight: more than a glitzy Ford Explorer, the 2003 Lincoln Aviator tows well with a load, and can fly low when unleashed.(TBM Tow Test)
August 1, 2003... To help supply each brand-dealer with the type of vehicles that are the hottest sellers of the day, re-branding has become standard operating procedure for some auto conglomerates. The sport-utility vehicle (SUV) category is a prime example....

Aluminum and salt.(Tech Letters)
August 1, 2003... I have a 1990 22-foot aluminum Sylvan Offshore cuddy cabin with a 3.0L sterndrive. While this boat was meant for fresh water, could it be used occasionally in salt water without causing damage to the boat, engine or drive? Hank, Tap ...

Hydrofoil holeshot.(Tech Letters)
August 1, 2003... My 1997 Regal 1900 LSR is powered by a 4.3L Volvo Penta Cobra SX sterndrive. Although it is a fast boat due to its unique hull design, the holeshot could stand some improvement, particularly when attempting to start a skier in deep water. ...

Series vs. parallel.(Tech Letters)
August 1, 2003... My son-in-law and I remove the batteries from our Crownlines each winter, and store them in the engine compartment of our houseboat. I wire them together in a series with regulation battery cables and hook a combination trickle/full charger to...

Keeping tabs on an 18-footer.(Tech Letters)
August 1, 2003... I enjoyed the article in the March issue on trim tabs ("Changes in Attitude"). I have a Boston Whaler Dauntless 18 powered by a Mercury OptiMax 135. It's a rough ride on Lake Michigan. Will trim tabs smooth out the fide and reduce pounding or...

Finding old parts.(Tech Letters)
August 1, 2003... After years of fishing from shore, I decided to buy a tired old fishing boat. I have had a lot of fun with it until now. The powerhead on the 1977 115 hp Evinrude broke a ting. I am not surprised though, as I knew the engine had lots of hours...

Boosting horses.(Tech Letters)
August 1, 2003... A fellow boater and I have been discussing ways to increase the horsepower of our outboards. He has a 110 hp Johnson, and I have a 90 hp Mercury. He knows someone that can increase the horsepower output of any 90 to 125 hp engine to 140 hp. ...

Balky Merc 200 EFI.(Tech Letters)
August 1, 2003... I have a Mercury 200 CFI that will crank, but when I try to give it fuel, it dies. The onboard computer and fuel pumps have been replaced, and all the electrical equipment seems to check out. Mercury is at a loss for a fix. Can you help? ...

Dodge traction.(Tow Car)
August 1, 2003... My tow rig is a 1997 Dodge Ram 2500 four-wheel-drive (4WD) with open differentials. I don't do any heavy off-roading, but I use it to tow my boat, for light-duty off-road driving and to go on ski trips. So I figured I wouldn't need a...

Bike rack.(Tow Car)
August 1, 2003... I am about to move to California from the Midwest. I have four bicycles to bring along with my 19-foot Stingray. The boat weighs about 2500 pounds. I have seen receiver-style bike racks, but I am apprehensive about these devices. What do you...

Support the hull.(Tow Car)
August 1, 2003... In the Tow Car letter entitled "Weight Off The Rollers" in the May issue, the boat owner was concerned that his trailer may not be supporting his boat properly, because the bunks were only under the rear third of the boat's hull. The reply from...

'Burb quest.(Tow Car)
August 1, 2003... I have been unable to find the tow rating of my vehicle. The owner's manual and the local Chevrolet dealer are no help. It's a 1996 Suburban 2500 4x4, with the 6.5L turbo-diesel V-8 engine, automatic transmission and 4.10:1 axles. The truck...

Checkpoint fishing pliers will last a lifetime.(TBM Tested)
August 1, 2003... If you fish in salt water, you know the value of a good pair of pliers or diagonal cutters for extracting hooks, bending wire leaders and cutting line. You also know what salt water can do to ordinary steel--the pliers quickly become a rusty...

TravelJohn relieves pressure while boating.(Gotta Have It)
August 1, 2003... The new TravelJohn disposable urinal can be a lifesaver when nature calls and there's no portable marine head on the boat. This leakproof, disposable urinal is small enough to fit in a tackle box or glove box--or even a pocket--yet it can hold...

Keep spare propellers secure with a Stainless Marine bracket.(Gotta Have It)
August 1, 2003... All wise boaters carry spare props, but stowing heavy, sharp wheels can pose problems, especially when gear gets bounced around in rough seas. To help keep blades secure, Stainless Marine offers a cool-looking spare prop holder. This polished...

Pro-grade Monster Tower is competitively priced.(Gotta Have It)
August 1, 2003... Monster Tower used its mother company's buying power of over a million pounds of aluminum annually to introduce a professional, large-diameter, polished aluminum wakeboard tower for under $1000. It's made of 2-inch aircraft-aluminum tubing and...

StayAlive survival PFD can be a life saver.(Gotta Have It)
August 1, 2003... Countless hours spent in difficult search and rescue operations throughout the Florida Keys gave retired Florida marine police officer Dan Williams the experience to produce what he considers to be an improved version of the special type D-1...

Shakespeare's gold fittings keep signals loud and clear.(Gotta Have It)
August 1, 2003... Shakespeare recently introduced a new line of gold-plated coaxial cable connectors and adapters to maximize conductivity and minimize corrosion in the marine environment. Boaters can expect to see significantly lower signal loss than with...

Braid's Chum Mate brings 'em to the boat.(TMB Tested)
August 1, 2003... Most saltwater anglers agree that chum makes all the difference. It attracts a variety of saltwater species, from sharks to snapper. Yet, many boating anglers shy away from chumming because it's both smelly and messy. Furthermore, bucket and...

You could win a Four Winns boat.(Photo Contest)
August 1, 2003... 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"...