Trailer Boats articles from February 2001

Trailer Boats archives from February 2001

SPLIT DECISION.
February 1, 2001... American Honda -- the car company that builds the upscale Acura line, as well as Honda automobiles -- is a relative lightweight in the towing market. For example, the highest tow rating in either the Acura or Honda line is 4500 pounds. ...

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS.
February 1, 2001... TRAILER LICENSING One of the items not listed in your "2001 State-by-State Towing Laws" table (December 2000) is if the trailer has to be licensed. Here in Tennessee, you don't have to license a trailer unless it travels across state...

WELLCRAFT PROMOTES NAVIGATION BY PHONE.
February 1, 2001... With the recent hiccup in the economy, boatbuilders are aggressively vying for market share with new programs to lure buyers. One of the most unique is the "FirstMate" program from Wellcraft Marine of Sarasota, Florida (800/603-2628). Here's...

TOYOTA'S NEW SEQUOIA SUV WILL TOW 6500 POUNDS.
February 1, 2001... Toyota's Sequoia has arrived at dealerships, offering trailerboaters yet another choice in the burgeoning sport-utility vehicle (SUV) market. This is the largest and most powerful Toyota SUV to date, boasting a maximum tow rating of 6200 pounds...

MAXUM'S "THRUSTER BOAT" SIMPLIFIES DOCKING.
February 1, 2001... It has always required experienced hands and a deft touch to dock or maneuver a boat in tight quarters. But Maxum Marine of Arlington, Washington (360/435-6534), may be changing all of this with its new Control Max Docking System, featuring...

BAG MAN.
February 1, 2001... The first mate and I exchanged a quizzical glance when the call came in on Channel 16, "Hey! I lost power and I'm drifting into the rocks! Can anyone out there help me?" No identification. No location. Not even an attention-getting "Pan Pan,"...

JUICE BUCKETS.
February 1, 2001... Like boats themselves, marine batteries have become specialized, and choosing the right battery to supply "juice" for your boat will make the most of your days on the water. If it's time to replace your boat's batteries, midwinter is a good...

ELECTRONICS Q&A.
February 1, 2001... GLOBAL PHONE SERVICE Now that 2001 is here, is there a portable phone that we can rely on to keep us in touch everywhere? Bob Bennett Magdalena Bay, Mexico A portable satellite phone system from Global Star has you covered....

MATTER OF CHOICE.
February 1, 2001... As I write, crude oil -- the stuff used to make many boats and propel all of them -- is climbing in cost, interest rates are peaking, and our industry is scrambling for ways to boost boating interest. Trade groups push "certification" programs...

TURBINE OUTBOARD.
February 1, 2001... Mercury recently held its 2001 product press introduction and dealer meeting in Orlando, Florida, and I was there to see and test the newest outboards and sterndrives from this famous Fond du Lac, Wisconsin-based marine engine builder. ...

EASTERN EXPOSURE.
February 1, 2001... You can't go to China without learning something. Having just returned from a waterskiing tour in the People's Republic of China (PRC), I have seen how Chinese skiers work closely together to learn and grow in the sport. I've seen how the...

TROPHY 1703.
February 1, 2001... Big performance. Compact package. Tiny price. These are the three kings that will crown Trophy's new 1703 as head of the inshore court. So if you've been surveying the kingdom for a 17-foot center console that tows easily, fishes hard, and...

MASTERCRAFT X-30.
February 1, 2001... When you're dreaming of double-ups, there's no better ride for rippin' than MasterCraft's massive new X-30 wakeboard boat. Stretching 22 feet, 8 inches by 8 feet, 2 inches, this big, bad V-drive cuts a mean path, thanks to its 3300-pound bulk...

HARRIS SUPER SUNLINER 240.
February 1, 2001... Joining the Harris Flotebote fleet this year is the spacious and comfortable Super Sunliner 240 -- a pontoon party girl just begging for a shindig. It definitely shows in a host of creature features including dual forward settees flanked by...

Salt Slayer.
February 1, 2001... Volvo Penta's new Ocean Series XDP composite sterndrive offers boaters a new weapon in the fight against corrosion It is fairly well known, at least in coastal areas, that salt water and sterndrives don't make the best of companions. Even...

California's Crown Jewels.
February 1, 2001... To commemorate its 30th Anniversary year, Trailer Boats visits California's extraordinary Channel Islands National Park in a new Bayliner 2452 Classic on a voyage of rediscovery Our crossing had been made under thick layers of overcast sky....

Marine Power 2001.
February 1, 2001... Looming emissions regulations and advances in auto-based engines are spurring major changes in marine propulsion. Here is what you will see in 2001 and beyond EDITOR'S NOTE: As this issue went to press, financially drained Outboard...

Shine On.
February 1, 2001... Keeping your boat pristine is more than a matter of pride. It can improve the resale value and make maintenance easier There was a sense of excitement and anticipation in the air. It was spring in New England; time to launch and get back...

Deja Vu.
February 1, 2001... Cruising aboard Bayliner's new 2452 Classic brings back memories of a cherished project boat. But this one is better Having spent hundreds of hours aboard the original Bayliner 2452. It was with great anticipation that learned of the newly...

Smart Move.
February 1, 2001... With a 4500-pound tow rating just for boats, the Acura MDX does the thinking for you The MDX is the first Acura I have tested, simply because the company did not have anything in the past that would merit a tow test. However, this new...

Charging Ahead.
February 1, 2001... Whether you keep your boat on a trailer, at a slip or in a rack, an onboard battery charger can save you time and money. Here's how to install one From the trailerboater's point of view, the idea of an onboard marine battery charging...

Your turn to Vote.
February 1, 2001... "Over The Transom" 2000 Photo Finalists The weird and wild Trailer Boats' "Over The Transom" (OTT) pictures have been delighting readers for 25 years. This year's OTT winners are no exception, and now it is your turn to vote on which one...

Tech Letters.
February 1, 2001... MARINIZED MODS I am refitting and upgrading a 1974 Browning Monte Carlo with a MerCruiser 165. I have been told that this engine is based on a General Motors (GM) 250-cubic-inch straight inline-6 truck engine. The engine that came with the...

TOW CAR.
February 1, 2001... VEKED BY VILLAGER I am getting conflicting information about towing. I have a V-6-powered Mercury Villager. It is rated to tow 3500 pounds with a trailer-tow prep package (whatever that is). I want to purchase an 18-foot Sun Tracker Party...

SURPRISING NUMBER OF READERS GO BOATING IN WINTER.
February 1, 2001... Do you use your boat throughout the winter? That was question was asked readers in our December 2000 issue. Voting on our website -- trailer boats.com -- took place from October 20 to December 15, 2000. It should come as no shock that...

OVER THE THANSOM SWEEPSTAKES WINNER TAKES HOME A FOUR WINNS 170.
February 1, 2001... As announced in our October 2000 issue, Sharon Swedlow of Lyndhurst, Ohio, is the lucky winner in the 1999 Over the Transom voting/sweepstakes. Her name picked at random, Swedlow is an assistant principal for the Health Careers Center of the...

COMPACT HOSE BIB FITS IN TIGHT SPACES.
February 1, 2001... New from Watts Marine is a hose bib that's small enough to fit into cramped spaces. The new MHB-PC has a unique "Y" shape that allows easy hose attachment and handle access. It connects with all 5/8-inch MPT fittings and 3/4-inch garden hoses....

KEEP FOOD FRESH WITH PORTABLE FREEZER/FRIDGE.
February 1, 2001... These portable freezer/refrigerators from ARE USS are just the ticket for your cruising enjoyment. Whether going away for a week or a weekend, these units will chill drinks and freeze fish. Engineered to operate on 12/24-volt or 120-volt...

RECOVER LOST TREASURES WITH POWERFUL MAGNET.
February 1, 2001... Tired of losing expensive tools over the side or crawling around your bilge to retrieve errant metal items? Now, the new heavy-duty magnet from Edmund Scientific Co. makes life easier. Designed to lift more than 200 pounds, the magnet can be...

NEW CHAIR SLIDE COMBINES SAFEFY WITH EASY USE.
February 1, 2001... Springfield Marine Co. introduces its Short Profile Slide, designed to partner with modem helm chairs, including the company's new Thigh Rise Flip Up Seat, to give you a secure ride with minimal adjustment effort. The chair slide features...

LIGHT UP THE SKY WITH TOP-OF-THE-LINE FLARES.
February 1, 2001... Why be left out in the dark? You owe it to yourself to carry the best emergency signal kit available. Skyblazer Signal Products is ready to lend you a hand with its so-hot-it's-smokin' new XLT 1 kit. Three thoroughly tested, red XLT aerial...

Tow Vehicles.
February 1, 2001... How To Choose Your Tow Vehicle Boat and RV shows are superstores for buyers. They offer a unique opportunity to see hundreds of boats and camping trailers all in one location. So it's easy to get carried away in a shopping spree, whether...

Towing Equipment.
February 1, 2001... How To Equip Your Vehicle For Towing Most vehicles require additional equipment for towing. The equipment package often includes various cooling systems, heavy-duty suspension components, the appropriate axle (ring and pinion) gear ratio...

Trailer Hitches.
February 1, 2001... What You Should Know About Hitches Hitches come in many configurations for a variety of uses. Some very large boat and camping trailers (35+ feet) use fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitches that mount in the bed of a pickup truck. Here, however,...

Wiring.
February 1, 2001... How The Wiring On Your Trailer Should Work A trailer must have running lights (tail-lights and/or marker lights), turn signals and brake lights. Some trailers even have back-up lights. It is illegal not to have these lights. To activate the...

Loading, Leveling and Driving.
February 1, 2001... How To Set Up and Drive With a Trailer Behind Your Tow Vehicle Many owners don't set up or load their trailers properly, which often results in trailer sway or poor handling from the tow vehicle. One of the most common mistakes is...

Launch and Retrieve.
February 1, 2001... How To Launch and Retrieve Your Boat Before you launch your boat, but sure to use the checklist at the back of this booklet so you don't forget something important - such as installing the drain plug on the boat. You should spend several...