Trailer Boats articles from August 2004

Trailer Boats archives from August 2004

Loaded question.(On Plane)
August 1, 2004... We never expected to hit such a deep vein when we asked readers whether they preferred to power load or winch their boats onto their trailers (Question of the Month, June). When the question went "live" on TrailerBoats.com, it drew as many...

The good, bad and distant.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2004... Your magazine is great. The how-to articles are informative and I have learned many useful tips. I also like the boat reports. You don't take sides--you tell both the good and the bad. The cruising destination pieces are really good, too. You...

Daily commuter.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2004... I enjoy your articles about tow vehicles, and thought the complaint (Prop Wash, June) that the GM and Ford were not compared fairly with the Nissan Titan [in the Tow Vehicle of the Year test] was incorrect. I think GM and Ford have just assumed...

Cheese and whine.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2004... All these people who write in, complaining about ladies in swimsuits--why don't you send them cheese to go with their whine! I live on a lake, and virtually every boat that cruises by is adorned with beautiful women in bathing suits. If...

Bikini-clad mannequins.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2004... Trailer Boats' response to Marlene Swenson in Prop Wash ("Get Real," April) seemed rather flippant. Most of us males who buy marine publications on a regular basis would do so with or without the bikini-clad mannequins. The marine industry...

How wide can I go?(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2004... I am considering a new boat in the 27- to 28-foot range, and have had discussions with a lot of boaters regarding the [maximum] trailerable width allowed from state to state. We've reached no consensus. We are fairly certain that boats up to 8...

Stick with the plan.(The Game Plan)
August 1, 2004... You have a wonderful publication. Please do not detract from your current formula. It works beautifully. Jim Carle Newington, Connecticut

Dump the plan.(The Game Plan)
August 1, 2004... I would like to see more articles about 26-foot cruisers, runabouts and bowriders, but it seems like you have had more articles about fishing boats and outboards [lately]. We used to really enjoy the magazine, but recently it hasn't been as...

Just add water.(Dock Talk)
August 1, 2004... Selling boats on the water so potential buyers could actually take them out for a test drive would seem to make sense. Dealers could show off their boats in the setting for which they were designed rather than in some bone-dry parking lot off a...

On the road with the boating and fishing tour.(Dock Talk)
August 1, 2004... According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), more than 72 million Americans engage in boating and fishing activities each year. If those involved with the Discover Boating and Fishing Mobile Tour have their way, those...

Trailer Boats columnist lauded.(Dock Talk)
August 1, 2004... He pens the Boating Basics column each month, but that's not all. Trailer Boats regular contributor Dan Armitage recently received a Letter of Commendation from the National Water Safety Congress for his work in the area of boating safety....

Boat wholesale transactions on the increase.(Dock Talk)
August 1, 2004... The Monthly Shipment Report (MSR), released at presstime by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), indicates that the nation's powerboat wholesale dollars through February were up 15.6 percent. Figures for units shipped rose 10.1...

Workin' for a living: adventures in the Atchafalaya.(Dock Talk)
August 1, 2004... Semiretired consulting geologist Coerte A. Voorhies Jr. enjoys a lifelong personal acquaintance with the geology, history, geography, wildlife, plant life and various cultures of South Louisiana. And it's something he relishes sharing with...

Fine 'tooning: Aqua Patio 220 RE-3 Gate changes its tune.(Dock Talk)
August 1, 2004... Minimal maintenance and maximum comfort are key shopping elements for most pontoon boat buyers. That probably explains why the Aqua Patio 220 RE-3 Gate has been one of the line's most popular models since its introduction. Measuring 22 feet in...

Electronics: new E-charts provide fish-catching detail.(Dock Talk)
August 1, 2004... Fish don't stand a chance thanks to collaboration between C-Map and Fishing Hot Spots. With the SuperLakes+ series of electronic chart cartridges from C-Map (800/424-2627; c-map.com), anglers can view highly detailed lake contour information...

In tow: rev up towing power with superchips tuners.(Dock Talk)
August 1, 2004... There's no such thing as too much towing power or too much fuel economy, but how do you improve the performance of today's computer-controlled engines? Superchips (407/585-7000; superchips.com) has the answer with its new Max Micro Tuners....

Getting personal: top gun tandems put to the test.(Dock Talk)
August 1, 2004... With this year's introduction of the muscle-bound Sea-Doo RXP comes renewed interest in high-performance two-seaters. The RXP boasts an unprecedented 215 hp powerplant that is both supercharged and intercooled, but does this make it better than...

Something's fishy: VIP 2230 BayStealth on a mission for fishin'.(Dock Talk)
August 1, 2004... If you're looking for a bay boat that is high on features but moderately priced, VIP's 2230 BayStealth should be on your list of contenders. This all-composite 22-footer has a base sticker of $30,300, which includes a Mercury 150 Salt Water...

Power trip: Honda goes multifunction with new digital gauges.(Dock Talk)
August 1, 2004... It's fast becoming a digital world, and nowhere is the benefit of the digital age more apparent than in full engine management systems, such as Honda's (800/426-7701; hondamarine.com) new digital LCD speedometer and tachometer. ...

Watertoy profile: sizing up Connelly's crossfire skis.(Dock Talk)
August 1, 2004... Making starts on skis more successful and fun, Connelly (800/234-7547; connellyskis.com) debuts the Crossfire, a new pair of waterskis perfect for teenagers and adults weighing up to 275 pounds. The key to the design is the ski's shape. The...

Aquasport 205 Osprey Bay.(Hot New Boats)
August 1, 2004... If variety is the spice of life, then you may want to consider adding the Aquasport 205 Osprey Bay to your spice rack. This versatile 20-plus-footer is designed to take you into the bay or offshore--wherever your fishing trip du jour happens to...

Sugar Sand Mirage Fish & Fun 1800.(Hot New Boats)
August 1, 2004... Sugar Sand's new addition to its Mirage lineup, the Mirage Fish & Fun 1800, is a sweet little 18-footer with a hand-laid fiberglass hull, 12-inch draft and 20-degree transom deadrise. Rated to carry eight, she's said to handle rough water like...

Power loaders win slim victory.(Reader Survey Results)
August 1, 2004... In one of the closer votes in the history of Trailer Boats' Question of the Month, readers indicated by a margin of 12 percent (56 vs. 44 percent) that they prefer to power load their boats onto their trailers whenever possible. ...

Question of the month.(Dock Talk)
August 1, 2004... Are you cooking meals aboard your boat this summer? If so, what is your main cooking device? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Propane or other gas-style barbecue made especially for boating * Other type of barbecue * Camping stove ...

Skipper's challenge.(Dock Talk)
August 1, 2004... How can you avoid getting black smudges from trailer rollers on the bow of your boat? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] a. Always wash your hands before handling the rollers. b. Clean the rollers with a good detergent. c. Replace the...

Quips & quotes.(Dock Talk)
August 1, 2004... More statements you'll never hear at a boat show: "Sir, after seeing you and your wife, I'd like to recommend the trim-tab option." "This little honey was named 'Boat of the Year' by the National Towing Association." "I once saw a...

Sure cure for slippery decks.(Boat Improvement)
August 1, 2004... Don't you just hate it when the nonskid areas of your deck wear thin and become slippery? Not only is this an accident waiting to happen, it is an indication that major maintenance is in order. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION...

Boating bling bling.(Boating Basics)
August 1, 2004... If you've noticed an air of indifference from your regular boating companions when you ask them to join you for a day on the water, it may be time to add a little "bling bling" to your boat. This is especially true if you want to attract...

Ear to the tracks.(Propulsion Report)
August 1, 2004... As this is written, engine manufacturers have been busy introducing next year's products to the boating press--and, as you can imagine, we've been criss-crossing the country to bring you the latest developments. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Hell-bound boating: grab your adrenaline meter and join us for a 100-mile whitewater adventure along the Snake River through Hells Canyon.(TBM Destination)
August 1, 2004... 'Ever been in the green room?" asked Lenny Frasure casually as we relaxed under the cabin's canopy while the broad aluminum jetboat charged upstream along the Snake River, which divides Idaho, Washington and Oregon. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]...

What's cooking? Some simple cockpit cookery can turn mealtimes into culinary adventures afloat. Here's how to get started.
August 1, 2004... Leaden rain clouds filled the sky over Ohio's Lake Otsego, bringing with them unseasonably cool temperatures as the afternoon dimmed to twilight. We had spent two weeks living aboard our 22-foot Sea Ray Weekender while my wife completed her...

The E-factor: Evinrude takes E-Tec to the next level with a new family of performance-oriented, ultra-low-maintenance V-6 two-strokes.
August 1, 2004... When Bombardier launched its Evinrude E-Tec outboards last year, the first question on everyone's lips was: "When will the V-6s debut?" The initial offerings--the first new outboards produced by Bombardier since acquiring the former OMC brands...

Royal treatment: with an outstanding new hull and loads of unique features, Regal's 2665 could be the king.(Cover Story)
August 1, 2004... There are relatively few bad boats these days--and virtually none from major builders. So, aside from price, buying decisions usually hinge on unique features and attention to detail. And in these two aspects, Regal's Commodore 2665 Express may...

20 gas stretchers: squeezed by high fuel prices? Follow these tips to get the most from every drop.(TBM How-To)
August 1, 2004... We're all singing the blues about high gas prices--but, if you're anything like us, that's not stopping you from going boating. Just like the two Middle East oil embargoes in the 1970s--remember those long lines at the pump?--the spike in fuel...

Cabin on wheels: here's a conversion van with all the comforts of home and more towing muscle than you'll probably ever need.
August 1, 2004... Ordinary tow vehicles just get you and your boat to the water. Some are more comfortable or more capable than others, but they all do basically the same thing. Or most of 'em, anyway. We found a tow vehicle that can be both boat hauler and...

Rite of passage: sticky poppet valves can create overheating problems on outboards. Here's how to rebuild 'em in six simple steps.(TBM How-To)
August 1, 2004... Outboards play hard. By design, they spend most of their time operating at high rpm--and all that hard work builds heat. Of course, excessive heat and long engine life go together like war and peace: You can have one or the other, but you can't...

Flushing flow.(Tech Letters)
August 1, 2004... My question comes after reading your March issue's story about the flushing tanks you installed on a trailer ("H2Go"). I have a 2001 Chaparral 260 SSi with an 8.1L and Volvo Penta DuoProp. I frequently enjoy boating in San Diego Harbor,...

Getting the right mix.(Tech Letters)
August 1, 2004... My question concerns the correct oil mixture for a 1960 Johnson 18 outboard. I know the ratio was 25:1 in 1956 and 50:1 by 1966, but what was the mixture for the 1960 model? Also, what do you think about using synthetic two-cycle oil for this...

Old and unusual.(Tech Letters)
August 1, 2004... I have a 1974 Viking Deck Boat that needs to be restored and upgraded, but I have not been able to find parts for this boat, engine or sterndrive. It's powered by a Chrysler slant six with a Volvo Penta AG 270 sterndrive, but there are no...

Beef with access.(Tech Letters)
August 1, 2004... My boat is a 1995 Chris-Craft Concept 18 with a 4.3L Volvo Penta. I've checked with lots of people, and no one has yet come up with an answer to this question: How does one remove the deck "panel" to gain access to the gas tank? I want to check...

Long shot.(Tech Letters)
August 1, 2004... I have been into boating for almost three years now and did a real dumb thing. Before launching my 2001 Larson 190 LXI with the carbureted 4.3L engine, I forgot to put in the drain plug. I did not realize this until I saw the bilge pump light...

Trigger troubles.(Tech Letters)
August 1, 2004... I have a 1972 Mercury 115 on a 16-foot Tahiti of the same year. This has been my pride and joy, and it has performed flawlessly for years. But now it has developed a problem. The boat will run fine for 25 to 30 minutes, sometimes all day, and...

Transmission tale.(Tow Car)
August 1, 2004... My 1992 Four Winns Sundowner 225 tips the scales, fully loaded, at 6000 pounds. For the past two years, I have been towing it with a 1995 Ford E-150 conversion van made by Tradewinds in Elkhart, Indiana. It's trimmed out in a nautical theme so...

Gear swap.(Tow Car)
August 1, 2004... I have a 1997 Ford F-150 and a 2000 Ford Explorer. The F-150 has a 5.4L V-8, automatic transmission, towing package and 3.55:1 gears. It is my primary tow vehicle. The Explorer has 4.10:1 axle gears. Are the two rear axles the same? Can I swap...

Trailblazer mirrors.(Tow Car)
August 1, 2004... I purchased a 1997 Rinker Festiva 212 and am towing it with a 2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer. The Trailblazer is equipped with the 1-6 engine, automatic transmission and 3.73:1 axle. It's a very capable tow vehicle for my boat. I do have one...

What's in a grade?(Tow Car)
August 1, 2004... I have been paying much more attention to Trailer Boats' tow vehicle tests during the last year, as I am looking for my next tow vehicle. And I have a question: What does it mean when you say you towed up a 6 percent grade? Stan Robbs ...

HOOK'er up.(TBM Tested)
August 1, 2004... If you're one of millions of trailer boaters who have trouble aligning the trailer hitch and coupler on the first try, you might find a friend in One Fast Hitch from the company of the same name (888/ONE-HOOK; onefasthitch.com). This is...

No sweat, it's in the bag.(TBM Tested)
August 1, 2004... Too many boaters know what it's like to lose valuables over the side. But now you can give your precious gadgets some extra protection. Bwana Gear (866/222-9262; bwanagear.com) introduces its cool-looking inflatable pouches ($22) that are ideal...

Prop swapping made easy.(TBM Tested)
August 1, 2004... If you're the kind of boater who likes plenty of options when it comes to props, why not check out the Master-Guard interchangeable hub ($29 to $87) from Turning Point Propellers (847/437-6800; turningpointpropellers.com)? Made of a high-tech...

Just zip it.(TBM Tested)
August 1, 2004... Is the dockmaster on your case about messy shorepower cords? You'll become the model dock tenant with Marinco's (707/226-9600; marinco.com) Zip Sleeve (about $35). [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Made of durable canvas, the new sleeves provide...

Protect your PWC.(TBM Tested)
August 1, 2004... When traveling to your favorite waterway, road debris can easily mar the finish on your personal watercraft's bow or bottom. You can protect your favorite toy with Covercraft's (800/426-8377; pwr-sports.com) new Jetbra ($99 to $123). ...

Do you know where your batteries are?(TBM Tested)
August 1, 2004... It's good to be up to speed on how much juice is left in your boat's batteries. The Battery Monitor from Xantrex Technology (604/422-8595; xantrex.com) helps make that task a little easier. The unit's digital display keeps you abreast of...

Give yourself an edge.(TBM Tested)
August 1, 2004... You won't need ESP to impress your friends if you have the new Mariner's Edge ($150) from Speedtech (800/760-0004; speedtech.com). [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] This handy device provides tidal information for more than 500 of the nation's...