Trailer Boats articles from December 2003

Trailer Boats archives from December 2003

Ramp tricks.(On Plane)
December 1, 2003... In more than 30 years of trailer boating around the U.S., I have floated and retrieved boats on just about every imaginable type of launch site. Some could scarcely be called ramps, with surfaces that ranged from gooey mud and liquefied sand to...

Irresponsible illustration.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2003... I can't help but mention the graphic used to illustrate the item entitled "'Teak Surfing' Can Kill" (Dock Talk, September), which I believe was wholly inappropriate. A light-hearted cartoon is a poor accompaniment to an article about a deadly...

Bearing down.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2003... I've been a trailer boater for 13 years, bought my Four Winns 190 Horizon 11 years ago, and maintain the boat and trailer myself. After reading "Keep 'Em Rolling" by John Tiger Jr. in the September issue, I take exception to your advice,...

Volatile response.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2003... I just received the September issue, and, as always, enjoyed it from cover to cover. That being said, I feel it necessary to comment on a potentially hazardous practice advocated in the article entitled "Keep 'Em Rolling" by John Tiger Jr. In...

Go with the flow.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2003... In your September issue, you have a short item on the Navman Fuel 2100 flow meter (Dock Talk, Electronics). It appears you did not check on the performance specs of this unit. If you go to the Navman Web page, you will find that the meter reads...

Bombardier family purchases Evinrude, Johnson & Sea-Doo.(Dock Talk)
December 1, 2003... As predicted in our June issue, the Bombardier family is throwing in with other investors to buy the Recreational Products Division from Montreal-based-Bombardier, Inc. Key brands in the division are Evinrude and Johnson outboards, as well as...

Coast Guard wants to hear from boaters on port security.(Dock Talk)
December 1, 2003... Boaters are being called upon to help defend the nation's ports. U.S. Coast Guard "Captains of the Port"--44 of them in all--have formed a committee and are in the process of drawing up plans to increase security at 361 ports nationwide. One of...

Boating industry fights sea lampreys.(Dock Talk)
December 1, 2003... To fight the spread of the sea lamprey--a highly destructive parasitic fish--in the Great Lakes, the boating industry has turned to Congress. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Chicago-based National Marine Manufacturers Association has asked...

Just cruisin': Crownline 260 EX.(Dock Talk)
December 1, 2003... Bigger is better. That's the motto of deck boat builders these days. And that's why Crownline is launching its largest deck boat to date, the new 260 EX. With 26 1/2 feet of length, including a standard extended stern swim platform, the 260 EX...

In tow 2004 Dodge Durango.(Dock Talk)
December 1, 2003... The all-new 2004 Dodge Durango offers best-in-class power with a standard 210 hp, 3.7L V-6; available 4.7L V-8; and now the all-new 5.7L Hemi Magnum V-8. And it offers a best-in-class towing capability of 8900 pounds. Larger than its...

Power trip: Steyr 246 Monoblock diesel.(Dock Talk)
December 1, 2003... Steyr Motors is the newest player in the lightweight marine diesel arena with the recent introduction of its 246 Monoblock. The Austria-based company has an 80-year history of engine development for civil, military and marine uses stemming...

Workin' for a living: SeaArk VC Commander.(Dock Talk)
December 1, 2003... A reserved smile came over the face of Officer Jeffrey Fugitt as he eased the throttles forward and watched the speedometer of the new 27-foot SeaArk VC Commander patrol boat climb to a respectable 51 mph. The twin 225 hp Evinrude-powered,...

Scorpion 10m RIB.(Launch Ramp)
December 1, 2003... Scorpion's new 10m Open is the latest and largest rigid-hull inflatable (RIB) in the New Forest, England-company's lineup. Powered by twin 315 Yanmar 6LP-STZE diesel engines with MerCruiser Bravo 1 drives fed by a 185-gallon fuel tank, the 10m...

Polar kraft kodiak V198 TC.(Launch Ramp)
December 1, 2003... Looking for a fully rigged multi-species fishing boat that won't break the bank? Polar Kraft's new Kodiak V198 TC comes as a complete package--including a tandem-axle trailer--with all the fishing amenities, such as aerated livewell and...

Electronics: 12-Volt Q & A.(Dock Talk)
December 1, 2003... Could you operate two, three or even four 12-volt accessories on your boat at the same time? I contacted Ed Sherman, curriculum development administrator for the Edgewater, Maryland-based ABYC (American Boat and Yacht Council) and coauthor of...

Question of the month.(Dock Talk)
December 1, 2003... Are you putting any boating-related items on your holiday-gift wish list? 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...

Skipper's challenge.(Dock Talk)
December 1, 2003... EPIRBs have a readiness test switch to check for proper operation; however, there is a certain time and duration set aside for testing to avoid false alarms. It is: a) 1 second during the first five minutes of the hour b) 15 seconds...

One in four readers are strongly influenced by J.D. Power statistics.(Reader Survey Results)
December 1, 2003... While 40 percent of readers consider J.D. Power and Associates survey results "no factor at all" in their boat- and engine-buying decisions, 25 percent say J.D. Power's findings are "one of the major factors" in deciding on a boat or engine....

Term of the month: marlin spike.(Reader Survey Results)
December 1, 2003... No, this is not a medieval fastener used to mount trophy billfish to a den wall. A marlin spike is a smooth, tapered tool used for opening stranded line and for splicing. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Paraphrased from Skipper's Challenge...

Coming next month.(Reader Survey Results)
December 1, 2003... Look for the official Over the Transom voting ballot in next month's issue and help us select the 2003 winner. A prize will be awarded to one lucky participant, but if you don't vote, you ain't eligible. See the January issue for more details.

25,000,000th Tennesse fan will win a boat and truck.(Reader Survey Results)
December 1, 2003... It pays to be a University of Tennessee Volunteer fan. Literally. During the final home game of the 2003 football season, it is expected that Neyland (Volunteer) Stadium in Knoxville will usher in its 25 millionth fan. And to commemorate the...

Getting personal: Polaris Octane.(Dock Talk)
December 1, 2003... Boasting 25 percent more horsepower than any other stand-up personal water-craft (PWC) to date, the race-ready Polaris Octane has widely been described as "a Jet Ski on steroids." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] With a quick-finger twitch, the...

Ounce of Prevention: avoiding trailer breakdowns.(Dock Talk)
December 1, 2003... Though many boaters go to great lengths to keep their boat and engine up to snuff, they often overlook their trailers. Sadly, many a fishing trip, family cruise or day at the lake ends on the roadside--before it even begins. [ILLUSTRATION...

Fender finesse.(Boat Improvement)
December 1, 2003... Fenders are handy accessories for some boat owners and a matter of absolute necessity for others. I fall into the latter category, since I keep my boat in a slip on the river. Even without wind, the wakes of passing boats or the changing tides,...

Invisible killer.(Boating Basics)
December 1, 2003... Internal combustion engines emit a poisonous gas called carbon monoxide. Known to chemists as CO, this gas is colorless and odorless, and this has given rise to an ominous nickname--the "invisible killer." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Since...

Digital dash.(Propulsion Report)
December 1, 2003... Most small-boat builders have been slow to embrace high-tech, digitally fed marine instrumentation. This is primarily due to the absence of a digital system that can be easily and inexpensively adapted to a wide range of propulsion systems. ...

New spin: Maxum sport boats are getting a fresh image, and we test one of the vanguards.(Cover Story)
December 1, 2003... Maxum boats seem to be changing their stripes--both literally and figuratively. Marketing executives are putting a new spin on this brand, with the idea of returning Maxum to its roots. The 2200 S[R.sub.3] sport runabout--new from keel to cap...

Skin deep: we take a close look at the changing face of gelcoat to find out what it all means to boaters.(Special Report)
December 1, 2003... Is gelcoat better today than it was yesterday--or not as good? This is an important question, because the gelcoat on your boat is, in effect, the skin of your boat. And like our own skin, it is a source of protection for the boat and pride for...

Guide to skin care.
December 1, 2003... According to industry spokesmen, care and maintenance for new boat finishes won't be significantly different than before. A care guide offered by Missouri-based Cook Composites and Plastics (CCP) suggests keeping the gelcoat surface protected...

Up river: join us for a fascinating cruise on the upper Mississippi River and through America's heartland.
December 1, 2003... We wanted to go as far as we could, cruising until we ran out of water on each of the three tributaries that make up the navigable headwaters of the mighty Mississippi River. So we trailered our 25-foot Campion from Knoxville, Tennessee, to...

2004 tow ratings: with bold new pickups from Ford and Nissan, 2004 is the year of the 1/2-ton.(Special Section: Towing Guide)
December 1, 2003... From a towing point of view, 2004 may be remembered as the year of the 1/2-ton--for two important reasons. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For one, Ford is debuting a redesign of its intensely popular F-150 1/2-ton pickups. Second--and perhaps...

2004 state towing laws.(Special Section: Towing Guide)
December 1, 2003... Towing laws across the United States vary from state to state. Most are designed around rules that pertain to big-rig commercial trucking. Therefore, it can be difficult to transfer some of the rules to recreational towing. It is always best to...

Slim twins: Yamaha's compact new F150 proves four-stroke outboards can be quick--especially in pairs.
December 1, 2003... Straight, four-cylinder (I-4) engines are a major force in the automotive world, providing great performance, value and remarkable fuel economy. This concept hasn't escaped the engineering minds at some outboard companies. [ILLUSTRATION...

Grady-White 257 Advance.(Test Platform)
December 1, 2003... North Carolina-based Grady-White has always been known for designing and building fine fishing platforms for big water. The new 257 Advance is no exception. This boat is laid out for serious fishermen. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "We think...

Single life.(Slim Twins)
December 1, 2003... In the main story, we describe how Yamaha's new 150 four-stroke performs in a twin-outboard application. Yet, how does it fare as a single? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] To find out, we also ran a lone F150 (25-inch-shaft model) on a Lund...

Steering it right: we update an outboard hydraulic steering system with a compact new cylinder.(TBM How-To)
December 1, 2003... Just yesterday, it seems, I replaced the original Morse hydraulic steering in my boat with a Teleflex Sea Star system. Looking through my log book, however, reminded me that it has been 10 years since the steering was updated. After recently...

Bleeding the system.
December 1, 2003... After you disconnect any part of a hydraulic steering system, you need to purge the air from the system once everything is back together. This is known as "bleeding." Here's how you do it. STEP 1: The Teleflex SeaStar optional fillkit lets...

Vicious V-Dub: Volkswagen's 310 hp Touareg SUV boasts high-tech grace and guts.(TBM Tow Test)
December 1, 2003... Say Volkswagen, and many will speak of the "Beetle" they had in high school or college. Some reminisce about a Volkswagen camper van that powered long-ago vacations, or the utilitarian "Thing" that earned a spot in a few hearts. ...

Make your own dock lines: weaving an eye splice is easy if you start correctly. Here's a step-by-step guide.(TBM How-To)
December 1, 2003... Let's put this project in perspective: Going down to your local marine supply store and buying ready-made dock lines is easy. Yet, for hundreds of years, boaters had to make their own dock lines by weaving an eye splice. You can do the same. It...

Valve replacement: we replace aging and inappropriate through-hull valves with new models designed for boats.(TBM How-To)
December 1, 2003... Every through-hull fitting below the waterline on a boat should be equipped with a valve--and that valve should be one designed for marine applications. On my 21 1/2-footer, the through-hull pick-ups for the live bait system and washdown...

Trailer shocks.(Tech Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2003... Why don't boat trailers have shocks on them? Would it be a good idea to put them on? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Don Pienkowski Stanley, North Carolina Shock absorbers were common on trailers 40 years ago, and I suspect that cost...

Tale of two impellers.(Tech Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2003... Our Editor-at-Large Ron Eldridge had an overheating problem with his 1989 Mercury 150. The outboard suddenly began to overheat at slow planing speeds between 3000 and 3800 rpm, and at slow trolling speeds between 1200 and 1500 rpm. Above 3800...

Propping a 225 four-stroke.(Tech Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2003... I recently bought a 21 1/2-foot KenCraft center console, factory rigged with a Yamaha 225 four-stroke with a Mercury 19-inch-pitch four-blade Offshore prop. Top end is 42 mph at 6200 rpm, yet the maximum rpm range is 5000 to 6000. I tried...

Towing 12,000 pounds.(Tow Car)
December 1, 2003... I recently ordered a 31-foot Intrepid walkaround, and would like some advice on tow vehicles. We have owned Chevy Suburbans, and I would like to get one to pull this boat, but I am concerned about the vehicle being able to handle the...

Trooper towing.(Tow Car)
December 1, 2003... The only requirement (according to the owner's manual) for towing 5000 pounds with my 2001 Isuzu Trooper is that the trailer is equipped with brakes. Isuzu offers no optional towing package (tranny cooler, oil cooler and such), nor does its...

Tranny temp.(Tow Car)
December 1, 2003... My tow vehicle is a 2001 Ford F-250 Super Duty pickup with V-10 and automatic transmission. I want to install a transmission temperature gauge, but have some questions. First, at what temperature should I become concerned? And at what...

Push-pull.(Tow Car)
December 1, 2003... Every time I hit a bump in the road, my trailer's surge brake actuator jerks back and forth. Is there a way to get rid of or dampen this effect? Mark Hanson via e-mail [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] That pushing and pulling you feel...

HoseLock compression fittings complete the job.
December 1, 2003... Pi-Thon Design answers the call of boaters who take pride in every fastener and every bit of hardware on every inch of their boats with the introduction of its new HoseLock three-piece billet aluminum compression fittings. [ILLUSTRATION...

New Fridge Freeze eliminates the need to buy ice.
December 1, 2003... Imagine never again having to stop for ice along the way to the launch ramp. The portable 12-volt Fridge Freeze is a gotta-have item for boaters, and sure to be a hit at tailgate parties. It draws minimal amps while keeping food and snacks...

Lightwave LED flashlights shine brighter and longer.
December 1, 2003... Inspired by modern headlight design, Lightwave Tec Series flashlights employ light-emitting diodes (LEDs) instead of bulbs (the Tec3000 uses seven; the Tec2000 uses four) for a whiter light and longer life. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Tec...

You could win a four winns boat.(Over the Transom)
December 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"...