Trailer Boats articles from August 2005

Trailer Boats archives from August 2005

Big fish.(On Plane)
August 1, 2005... Just before presstime. Brunswick announced it had bought Triton Boats--its latest coup in an aggressive series of acquisitions. One of the best-selling bass boat brands, Triton also builds saltwater models, but bassing is what put it on the...

Get lost.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2005... I enjoyed reading the article about California's Shelter Cove ("Get Lost") in the April issue. I started fishing at "the Cove" in 1986 when we used to rent a 15-foot skiff all day for $75. It was a great way for three college guys with no boat...

Safety pro.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2005... Your May editorial ("Get Smart") made me laugh. I am a safety professional, and rolling eyes are a part of the territory--but the one or two people I do reach make up for the others. NASCAR used to ask, "How bad have you got it?" but they...

What boat is this?(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2005... In the April issue on page 80, you show an orange and white boat on a trailer with the number 18 on it. I sure hope you can tell me what kind of boat this is, as I really want to buy one. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Kim Schlueter El...

Deja vu.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2005... In the April issue, page 80, there is a picture of a boat in the lower right-hand corner with the number 18 on it. Do you have any idea what make of boat that is? Dave Barkley Flagstaff, Arizona It's a C-Dory pilothouse, something...

Missing the boat.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2005... I get the feeling that people whose boating activities are near the 45th parallel are being shut out regarding the type of boats we need to see in Trailer Boats. We don't need "go-fast" sleds, center consoles or cuddy cabins. We don't need to...

The wanderer.(BIGGER BOATS)(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2005... You have a wonderful magazine that I have enjoyed much and [from which] I have gained a lot of useful information. But I'm not renewing my subscription because I bought a much larger boat that is not trailerable. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Supersized.(BIGGER BOATS)(Letter to the Editor)
August 1, 2005... I have subscribed to your magazine for years, and love every issue. I realize that the title is Trailer Boats, but sometime I wish you would do a test on a boat that's not trailerable, like the Sea Ray 680 Sun Sport yacht. Craig Wagstrom...

Triton joins the Brunswick team.(Dock Talk)
August 1, 2005... Shortly before presstime, Lake Forest, Illinois-based Brunswick Corp., which counts Mercury/MerCruiser, Northstar and Navman electronics, and numerous boat companies, including Sea Ray, Bayliner, Maxum, Baja, Boston Whaler, Trophy, Crestliner,...

Top anglers gain immortality.(Dock Talk)
August 1, 2005... Every year, the International Game Fish Association (IGFA) inducts leading anglers into its Fishing Hall of Fame. Selection is based on contributions to sportfishing in areas such as angling achievement, literature, arts, science, education,...

Mandatory boater education continues to pick up steam.(Dock Talk)
August 1, 2005... Washington has become the latest state to make boater education mandatory. Developed by the Washington Alliance for Mandatory Boater Education and signed into law in May by Gov. Christine Gregoire, the legislation will require the completion of...

Wake tools: Rave on with the Mambo Duo.(Dock Talk)
August 1, 2005... Rave Sports (800/659-0790; ravesports.com) of St. Paul, Minnesota, is known for making outrageous water trampolines, and is now jumping into the towable-tube market. Its Mambo Duo, which features an aerospacelike look, is a good example of...

Launch ramp: Boulton's Skiff Series does it all.(Dock Talk)
August 1, 2005... If you need a boat that can take you anywhere... well except perhaps to the moon... why not check out Boulton's versatile Skiff Series? The semicustom aluminum boats in this lineup are designed to deliver good performance whether you're on a...

Something's fishy: Century's 1902 handles ocean and bay duties.(Dock Talk)
August 1, 2005... A shade over 18 feet in length, the 1902 Bay Boat from Century precisely fills a niche between the common 17-foot center-console class and the over-20 crowd of bay boats that has flooded the market. The 1902 is easy to launch, load and trailer...

In Tow: Tow & Stow Receiver Hitch.(Dock Talk)
August 1, 2005... Here's an adjustable drawbar that is claimed by its manufacturer to be not only the most versatile ball-mount hitch on the market, but the safest, as well. With that kind of boast, we had to check it out for ourselves, so we called Humboldt,...

Just Cruisin': Tahoe's Spunky Q4 is ready for fun.(Dock Talk)
August 1, 2005... Bright red and white and featuring a trim appearance, the Q4 Sport is indeed sassy. Performance is just as spunky, as the 190 hp, 4.3L MerCruiser-equipped rig we tested on Table Rock Lake near Branson, Missouri, reached 50.7 mph at 4800 rpm....

Getting personal: Sea-Doo 3D becomes five dimensional.(Dock Talk)
August 1, 2005... Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) celebrated 2005 with the introduction of two more interchangeable accessories for the innovative 3D, which now offers five unique riding experiences. The Shoq ($300) fits between the handle pole and engine...

Marking milestones.(Dock Talk)
August 1, 2005... This year marks milestone birthdays for a handful of boatbuilders in the industry. While we can't serve cake and punch to all the birthday celebrants, Trailer Boats would like to send a shout out to all the companies that are celebrating...

Electronics: microfiber cloth cleans electronics quickly.(Dock Talk)
August 1, 2005... Regardless of whether you run your boat in fresh water or in salty coastal areas, marine electronics have a way of getting wet and grimy. Any soft rag is probably OK for cleaning the cases of sensitive electronics such as chart-plotters, radars...

Kickers in the minority.(READER SURVEY RESULTS)
August 1, 2005... Based on the results of the June issue's Question of the Month ("Is your boat rigged with an auxiliary or kicker outboard?"), it appears that three out of four survey respondents either don't feel they need a kicker, or have boats that weren't...

Question of the month.(READER SURVEY RESULTS)
August 1, 2005... Do you have a Bimini or full-canvas package? * We have a Bimini or shade top only (no side curtains, connectors or camper canvas) * Yes, we have full canvas, but, other than the Bimini, it doesn't see much use * We put up the...

Skipper's Challenge.(READER SURVEY RESULTS)
August 1, 2005... You will get better maneuverability from a skiboat if you secure the tow rope well ______. a) forward of the transom b) aft of the transom Paraphrased from the 2005 Skipper's Challenge ($25), a book by Dale L. Lydigsen Jr. For...

Gelcoat repair.(Boat Improvement)
August 1, 2005... It seems that one of the universal laws of gelcoat is that eventually it will get damaged. It doesn't take much of a scrape or bump to leave a mark. Ding it a little harder, and you may cause more than just a blemish--you might end up with a...

Sunscreen for your boat.(Boating Basics)
August 1, 2005... The sun can be every bit as damaging to your boat's exterior as it is to yours. Both require protection when exposed to relentless ultraviolet (UV) rays--and applying a skin-care analogy to your watercraft can help slow your boat's aging...

Power trends.(Propulsion Report)
August 1, 2005... As this is written, several engine manufacturers have debuted their new products for 2006, and we have a good idea of what the other companies have in store, as well. But as we've discovered, oftentimes what isn't announced is just as...

Spin doctors: want a different spin on boating? Consider renting a PWC.
August 1, 2005... At one time or another, we've all wished for a boat that had a little more room to accommodate extra guests. And most of us have likely yearned to expand our boating realms with new experiences. To satisfy all the sunbathing, cruising and...

Birthday girl: Seaswirl turns 50 this year, and what better way to celebrate than aboard its new 237 deck boat.(TEST)(Cover Story)
August 1, 2005... Nobody likes turning 50--unless you're a boat company celebrating its golden anniversary, that is. Then it's time to break out the balloons and noisemakers and raise some ruckus... and that's exactly what Seaswirl did in unwrapping its new 237...

Hit it! A rookie goes to waterski school, and we're on hand to record every splash-loving minute.
August 1, 2005... 'Waterskiing is something I've wanted to try since I was a little kid," explained my wife Maria to our neighbor. "So when Dan told me that the resort we were staying at down in the Florida Keys offered a skiing school, I asked if I could sign...

Big is beautiful: Bayliner packs a lot of thoughtful features into its stylish new 265 cruiser.(TEST)
August 1, 2005... When it comes to trailerable cruisers, Bayliner has been one of the more innovative companies, and the thoughtful features and layout of its new 265 show that this model is no exception. Equally impressive is its performance. It wasn't long ago...

Lobstah heaven: we spend six scrumptious days simply messing about in midcoast Maine.(TBM DESTINATION)
August 1, 2005... August in Maine means lobsters, at least 'round Rockland way. And after spending six summer days in the state that made "lobstah" famous--gunkholing by trailered boat and Chevy Tahoe along the southeast coast up to Rockland--I could honestly...

10 essentials: here are 10 items that no PWC rider should be without.
August 1, 2005... In case you haven't noticed, buying a personal watercraft (PWC) is easy. The tough part comes later, when you realize what items you overlooked in the initial thrill of the hunt. And no, we're not talking about a PFD, wetsuit or fire...

Regal ride: the luxurious 2005 GMC Envoy Denali delivers the good life in kingly style.(TEST)
August 1, 2005... Midsize SUVs are hot! Many now offer luxurious creature comforts, third-row passenger seating, sophisticated handling and ride-control systems, V-8 power and tow ratings that approach those of some full-size SUVs. The 2005 four-wheel-drive...

Arc d' triumph: adding an aluminum radar arch will add utility to almost any boat--and you can save by installing it yourself. It's easier than you think.(TBM How-To)
August 1, 2005... One of the up-and-coming must-have accessories for most boaters is the "arch." Generally built of aluminum tubing and originally designed as a radar and antenna support, it has become a common symbol of offshore fishing boats--especially...

Speeds seldom jive.(Tech Letters)
August 1, 2005... The speedometer in my 20-foot Rinker operates off of water pressure with a pickup in the leading edge of the MerCruiser [lower unit]. I recognize that this system can occasionally become clogged and provide in accurate readings. However, when...

Holeshot help.(Tech Letters)
August 1, 2005... I have a Rinker 250 Fiesta Vee with a 320 hp 6.2L MerCruiser/Bravo 3 sterndrive. I've had good luck with the Doel Fin unit and similar hydrofoils giving nice holeshot improvements on smaller boats, but will they work with a larger boat and the...

Oomph for 3.0L engines.(Tech Letters)
August 1, 2005... On several occasions, I've commented on the difficulties in getting an extra level of performance from a 3.0L sterndrive. With the intake and exhaust manifold cast as one piece, meaningful modifications are limited. The following referral from...

Won't wind up.(Tech Letters)
August 1, 2005... I have a 233 MerCruiser in an older 20-foot Crestliner Crusader. I'm not sure of the age, but I believe the boat was built in the early 1970s and that the engine and drive are original. The engine starts and runs good. I've been told that with...

Wants skiing muscle.(Tech Letters)
August 1, 2005... We have a Crownline 21-foot bowrider with a MerCruiser Alpha drive. When pulling skiers and tubers, the boat is slow out of the hole. I contacted my dealer, and he recommends a five-blade stainless prop. I also talked to others, and some...

Trim tabs.(Tech Letters)
August 1, 2005... I would really appreciate your opinion on the hydrofoils that I see advertised. The ads say that they allow planing at lower speeds and offer more control. I have a 19-foot Bayliner with the basic 3.0L four-cylinder sterndrive. My problem is...

An older G3 model.(Tech Letters)
August 1, 2005... I have a 14-foot 1959 G3 Glasspar that I'm restoring. I wanted to know if putting a 19-gallon gas tank in the bow is a good idea. It had a 1967 Johnson 85 V-4 outboard on it. Now I want to put a Honda 50 four-stroke on it, and I'm thinking that...

Trailer-light failures.(Tow Car)
August 1, 2005... My trailer lights seem to last only a season or two. A few issues back, you had an article about trailer lights that do not require trailer wiring. Can you give me the name of the company that manufactures them? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Overloaded trailer.(Tow Car)
August 1, 2005... We purchased a used boat and trailer, and soon afterward, I found a placard on the trailer stating its gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) as 2975 pounds. The manufacturer's literature states the boat has a dry weight of 2200 pounds. The trailer...

A regular guy.(Tow Car)
August 1, 2005... My trailer boat is a 20-foot SeaArk deck boat that tips the scales at about 3000 pounds. I tow it with a 1989 Toyota regular cab pickup with a V-6 engine. I really like the way a regular cab looks, and I don't need all the extra interior room...

Power trailer movers.(Tow Car)
August 1, 2005... I recently heard about electric motorized devices that you hook up to your trailer and walk behind while using them to move your boat in and out of tight parking situations. Can you tell me who manufactures them and where I can go to get one?...

Cross-country overwide.(Tow Car)
August 1, 2005... I really need some help! My boat has a 9 foot, 6 inch beam, which is too wide to legally trailer [without permits]. I want to start taking some cross-country trips to boat on far-away waters, but after dozens of phone calls to state and federal...

Bourdon's tow tip.(Tow Car)
August 1, 2005... Excessive trailer sway can be caused by any number of things: too little or too much tongue weight in relation to the gross weight of the trailer boat package; exaggerated steering corrections; improper distribution of weight on the trailer;...

Hot meals in a jiff.(TBM Tested)
August 1, 2005... As an avid fisherman, I've spent many a cold day on an open boat with nothing more to warm me up than a bologna sandwich. So when backpacking-food company Mountain House launched its Marine Cuisine 800/547-4109; marine cuisine.us) line, I was...

Nothin' but taillights.(Gotta Have It)
August 1, 2005... Trailer taillights all too often have their lives cut short due to constant dunking, especially in salt water. To solve this problem, Pipe-Light (800/281-1084; pipe-light.com) has come up with trailer lights that attach to existing trailer side...

Rack 'em right.(Gotta Have It)
August 1, 2005... If you totally dig 'boarding but have discovered that finding a place to stow your boards has cramped your style, take a look at the new J-Rack from American Ingenuity (800/654-6295; j-rack.com). Created by brothers Dan and Dale Congelliere,...

Can you hear me now?(Gotta Have It)
August 1, 2005... With the variety of electronics finding their way on board these days, the time is ripe for devices such as the Sea Mini ($20 with 8 feet of cable) from Prospec Electronics (843/849-9037; prospecelectronics.com), an auxiliary input that can...

All's quiet.(Gotta Have It)
August 1, 2005... Conforming to the sound ordinances in some areas can be tough for high-performance sterndrives, but Gibson Performance (800/528-3044; gibsonperformance.com) may have just the thing for some boaters. Its new line of Marine Performance...

Get organized.(Gotta Have It)
August 1, 2005... How many times have you laid down a small item on board, only to forget where you put it? It's not hard to do, but it can drive you crazy. Before you have yourself committed, consider the use of a cockpit organizer such as the one from...

Cover your tail.(Gotta Have It)
August 1, 2005... After spending a full day on the water, you head home after the sun sets, only to have someone plow into your sterndrive or outboard on a dark road. Something similar happened to fishing tournament champion Bill Whipple, who then went on to...