Trailer Boats articles from February 2003

Trailer Boats archives from February 2003

Saving time. (On Plane).
February 1, 2003... The speed with which a fire-fighting company springs to action has always fascinated me. Within minutes of a call, at any time of the day or night, a team of fire fighters can be in the truck and on its way to the action. I have often...

Training for women. (Letters to the Editor).
February 1, 2003... I am the founder of a networking organization for women in boating called Women Aboard. We have nearly 3000 members all over the world, and our goal is to build confidence. Many of our members have asked if there is such a thing as "trailer...

Through-hull triducer. (Letters to the Editor).
February 1, 2003... In the October 2002 issue, Gene Davis wrote in and asked about a transducer that reads speed and water temperature, as well as depth. The response to his question indicated that these are available in transom-mount versions only. Maybe it was...

Pachanga lover. (Letters to the Editor).
February 1, 2003... I have loved this magazine ever since I saw my first issue. Anyway, I have always owned Sea Ray boats, and have recently acquired a 1990 Sea Ray Pachanga 22. Have you done anything on a Pachanga? I like to save back issues, but my wife puts a...

Flag etiquette. (Letters to the Editor).
February 1, 2003... Your answer to the "Flag Placement" letter in the October issue contains an error. You stated that the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Ensign can be flown from the stem staff. According to current Operations Policy Manual, the U.S. Coast Guard...

Missing the boat. (Letters to the Editor).
February 1, 2003... Armand Boucher is dead wrong in asserting there is "zero coverage" for sail boaters ("No Blow Boats," December 2002), and I'm surprised you didn't pick up on this. A quick glance through any issue reveals information on tow vehicles, launch...

Prop Guard ruling is bad news for everyone. (Dock Talk).
February 1, 2003... In a unanimous decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled late last year that people injured in boating accidents can sue engine manufacturers for damages in state courts. The ruling overturned decisions of the Illinois State Supreme Court and...

Trailer Boats captures photo of new Suzuki V-6 four-stroke. (TBM Exclusive!).
February 1, 2003... As Jim Barron mentions in this month's Propulsion Report ("Bigger Four-Strokes"), Suzuki Marine is set to unveil one or more new V-6 four-stroke outboards at the Miami International Boat Show February 13-18. However, we were lucky enough to...

Tow ratings are now online. (TBM Exclusive!).
February 1, 2003... Got your eye on a new or used truck and wondering how much it's rated to tow? Or maybe you recently bought a bigger boat, and need to know if your current vehicle will handle the load? Now, you don't have to guess. Log on to...

Launch ramp. (Dock Talk).
February 1, 2003... Grady-White Tournament 225 They say you should never fix a ain't broken, but Grady-White did it anyway. The North Carolina boatbuilder, and winner of the J.D. Power and Associates award for customer satisfaction in coastal fishing boats...

Watertoy profile: fly high side seat. (Dock Talk).
February 1, 2003... Wanted bigger wake without losing cockpit seating? Until 2002, wakeboarders could have big wakes only at the expense of a cylindrical water bladder that crowded out passengers. Last year, Barefoot International solved the space problem by...

In tow: trailer labels. (Dock Talk).
February 1, 2003... How do you find the weight-rating data for your boat's trailer? Check the sticker or placard on the trailer tongue. Almost all trailers will have a label that looks similar to the one pictured here, attached to the frame. This example is...

Imports up domestics down. (Dock Talk).
February 1, 2003... According to the Automotive News Data Center, recently compiled sales-trend data indicates that U.S. market share for the Big Three brand trucks (GM, Ford and Dodge) is slipping downward toward that symbolic 50 percent mark. At the same time,...

Overwides only. (Dock Talk).
February 1, 2003... Hinckley Talaria 29 R Posh and expensive, Hinckley's Talaria 29 R picnic boat is more of a curiosity item than a real purchasing consideration for most readers. Yet, this overwide offers a number of innovations -- features we may well see...

Getting personal. (Dock Talk).
February 1, 2003... Yamaha WaveRunner GP1300R Largely sculpted from Yamaha's world-champion, race-bred GP1200R, the faster, more powerful 130CR promises even more of an adrenalin rush. The new WaveRunner is also lighter, quieter, cleaner running and more...

Tracker shows its mettle in metal. (Dock Talk).
February 1, 2003... Though its sales fell by nearly 5 percent in the first half of 2002, Tracker continues to dominate the aluminum boat market. According to retail sales data for the first half of 2002 compiled by Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Statistical Surveys,...

Head. (Did You Know).
February 1, 2003... The term "head" originated on early sailing vessels where the facilities consisted of netting below the bowsprit at the bow -- or head -- of the ship. This spot gained favor because of its downwind orientation.

Blue Nile. (Did You Know).
February 1, 2003... The world's longest river is the Nile, spanning 4160 miles. The Blue Nile begins in the highlands of Ethiopia and the White Nile begins at Lake Victoria. The two branches merge at Khartoum, the capital of Sudan.

Power trip. (Dock Talk).
February 1, 2003... Yamaha High-Thrust T60 Yamaha's new High-Thrust 60 four-stroke outboard is designed to power small pontoon boats at slow to moderate speeds. Dubbed the T60, it uses the same 1-4 block as Yamaha's regular F60 tour-stroke, but has the...

Clarifying two-stroke laws. (Dock Talk).
February 1, 2003... With the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 2006 marine two-stroke emissions deadline growing closer, many boaters have voiced concern that they may no longer be able to use existing outboards and personal watercraft (PWCs) on lakes and...

Electronics. (Dock Talk).
February 1, 2003... Furuno LS6100 Fishfinder Furuno has introduced a new monochrome, liquid-crystal display (LCD) fishfinder that's small in size, but big on features. Called the L26100, this competitively price unit is an excellent choice for both coastal...

Launch solo? (Dock Talk).
February 1, 2003... Many Readers Are Self Reliant at the Ramp Nearly half of you launch and load your boats with no help from friends. At least that's the indication of a recent survey on our website, TrailerBoats.com, which asked, "While launching or loading...

Workin' for a livin' bayou recovery boat. (Dock Talk).
February 1, 2003... When a situation goes from waterborne search-and-rescue to search-and-recovery operations in the bayous of St. Martin Parish, Louisiana, the call usually goes out for Megan Haydel, her three-year old golden retriever, Chancey, and a custom...

Term of the month. (Dock Talk).
February 1, 2003... Cairn No, its' not what you stop doing before serving divorce papers. A cairn is a navigational aid consisting of a pile of stones built in a symmetrical or non-symmetrical form.

Skipper's Challenge. (Dock Talk).
February 1, 2003... The inner ring of the compass rose of a nautical chart idicates: (a) north compass bearings, (b) magnetic bearings, (c) deviation, or (d) variation Paraphrased from Skipper's Challenge ($19.95), a book by Dale L. Lydigsen Jr. For more...

Matter of access. (Boat Improvement).
February 1, 2003... My wife's niece, now a charming young woman in her first year of college, could never remember my name as a child. She always referred to me simply as "the big guy," proving that being a large person has its advantages. I was thankful that she...

Current events. (Boating Basics).
February 1, 2003... Many boaters this season plan to celebrate the bicentennial of the historic Lewis and Clark expedition by retracing portions of the route taken by the Corps of Discovery. If you are one of these boaters, you'll be doing some cruising by river,...

Bigger four-strokes. (Propulsion Report).
February 1, 2003... Both Mercury and Suzuki are on the verge of introducing the most powerful four-stroke outboards ever, and we've got some juicy details. First, let's talk about Mercury Marine's new 250 hp four-stroke--known at Merc's Fond du Lac,...

Space shuttle: Monterey's new 245 cruiser offers big-boat amenities in a trailerable package.
February 1, 2003... Have you bought a new computer lately? Noticed how the same size (or smaller) package offers more features than your old computer? The same thing is happening in boats. Take Monterey for instance. This Williston , Florida-based builder's new...

Diesel revolution: diesel sterndrives are making inroads into the outboard-dominated center console market. Here's why.
February 1, 2003... An insurrection is underway in saltwater-style center consoles. Thus far, the rebellion has been rather hush-hush. Yet, slowly but surely, the "diesel revolution" is churning up momentum. Since the inception of the center console, outboards...

Marine power 2003 eye of the storm: batten down the hatches! A whirlwind of change is about to sweep over the world of marine power.
February 1, 2003... Over the past few years, we have seen a whirlwind of changes in the way we propel our boats. Yet, for 2003, dramatically new products are less prevalent. The winds of innovation have abated a bit as manufacturers backfill lines with...

Lunar landing: California's largest lake, Salton Sea is one of the most bizarre boating destinations on earth.
February 1, 2003... A trip to California's largest lake is a little like boating on the moon. On the shores of Salton Sea, barren rocks stretch as far as the eye can see. The atmosphere seems incompatible with human life. The skies are filled with...

Lock 'n Load: we swap out an old, worn trailer winch for SeaSense's new 2000-pound dual-drive winch in six easy steps. (TBM How-To).
February 1, 2003... Peering intently at the rearview mirror, I grimaced as my boat and trailer emerged from the water. My winch had been slipping out of gear the last couple of trips, and I kicked myself for not replacing it sooner. I envisioned the winch giving...

Island time: Baja's new 242 Islander combines go-fast performance with a crowd-pleasing interior.
February 1, 2003... What Great Lakes anglers commonly refer to as a "walleye chop" slapped the bow of the sleek Baja 242 Islander as we cleared the break-wall at the harbor entrance and entered the open waters of Lake Erie. Small whitecaps foamed atop the tight...

Preferred seating: fresh upholstery can make a big difference in the comfort and look of your boat. Here's how to get the job done right. (TBM How-To).
February 1, 2003... Readers of Trailer Boats are by and large a very self-reliant group--able and willing to tackle a wide range of do-it-yourself boat-improvement projects. However, there are a few jobs that require the expertise of professionals. One of these...

2003 tow vehicle of the year: we line up a shoot-out among three New Age diesel-dually pickups, and let 'em roar. (Boats 21st Annual).
February 1, 2003... This is the year of the diesel. A pair of new diesel engines hit the market this year -- the Dodge/Cummins 5.9L High Output (HO) turbodiesel I-6 and the Ford Power Stroke 6.0L turbodiesel V-8. They join the General Motors (GM) Duramax 6600...

Tech letters.
February 1, 2003... ADDING TWO BARRELS I have a 1996 Bayliner 2050 with a MerCruiser 5.7L V-8 and an Alpha drive. I was recently able to calculate my mileage--about 2.2 mpg. A neighbor told me that by switching carburetors from the existing two-barrel to a...

Tow car.
February 1, 2003... CHEVY CARE I own a 2002, 3/4-ton Chevy Suburban with an 8.IL V-8 and a 4.10 rear end. What a towing machine! I love it! What should I do to maximize its life? lam thinking about synthetic oils for the engine, transmission and axle fluids....

West Marine's rechargeable horn is a real blast. (TBM Tested).
February 1, 2003... West Marine has introduced a U.S. Coast Guard-approved, refillable signaling horn that uses compressed air instead of gas. It's called the EcoHorn. West Marine says that this light, portable unit cranks out 115 decibel (dBa) blasts, and as many...

Nikon's binocs guide you in crowded waters. (TBM Tested).
February 1, 2003... No fishing boat is complete without a pair of binoculars, but not all binocs are boat worthy. In our opinion, a good set should be not only waterproof, but shockproof and fogproof as well. We tested Nikon's new 7x50 OceanPro Compass...

Show your brand loyalty with hitch cover lights.
February 1, 2003... Whether you're a Chevy, Dodge, or Ford fan, Bully Truck Accessories has got you covered. The Southern California-based company has just added truck manufacturer logos to its lighted hitch-cover tine. All models are oval shaped, made of...

2003 Boat show calendar.
February 1, 2003... FOR FEBRUARY ALABAMA Mobile Boat Show, Feb. 6-9, Mobile Convention Center, Mobile; 334/478-7469; gulfcoastshows.com Huntsville Boat Show, Feb. 7-9, Von Braun Center, Huntsville; 361/749-4436 ARIZONA International...