Trailer Boats articles from February 2005

Trailer Boats archives from February 2005

Favorite things.(On Plane)
February 1, 2005... Like all technology-based products, boats are constantly evolving as designs, materials and production methods improve. And driving these advances is an increasingly astute public. As boatbuyers become more discriminating about the product and...

Heavy-weight boat.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... I've been reading Trailer Boats for about 10 years now and look forward to every issue. My wife sometimes holds them hostage until I work on the "honey do" list. I recently purchased a 1996 Baha Cruiser 240 WAC with a V-8 Volvo Penta...

Good to be loved.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... I don't know what to do without your magazine. David J. Strome Wilmington, Ohio

We BAD.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... Two issues in a row!!! BAD, BAD!!!! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] No bikini babes... D. Ward via e-mail Apparently, you are referring to the cover shots of our October and December issues--although you must not have been...

Cabin on wheels.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... Didn't realize you were testing vehicles to go over rough terrain. I had a real chuckle when I saw photographs in the Ford E-350 tow test report ["Cabin on Wheels," August, 2004]. All I could visualize was towing a trailer over the rocks. Maybe...

Duke of oil.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... I really enjoyed the October article by Bill Grannis, entitled "Duke of Oil." I own a Yamaha 200 OX66 and would like to see some research and testing of fuel/engine treatments for two-cycle outboards. Over the years I have read and heard...

Light-truck registrations on the rise.(Dock Talk)
February 1, 2005... According to a 2003 Polk National Vehicle Population census, light trucks, the kind used to pull trailer boats, make up 40 percent of the traffic on the road. Pickups and SUVs, especially later models, make up the bulk of these vehicles. The...

Don't miss out.(Dock Talk)
February 1, 2005... This month is the last chance to vote for your favorite Over the Transom photo. The photo receiving the most votes will win the photographer a new Four Winns 170 Horizon runabout. What's in it for you? Those returning ballots postmarked no...

Genmar offers a new way to grow boating.(Dock Talk)
February 1, 2005... Last fall, Genmar unveiled its plans to start a boat rental program through interested dealers. The plan calls for qualified participating dealers to enter into a three-year agreement and pay a monthly fee for each Triumph boat or Windsor Craft...

Watertoy profile: Manta Ray flies across the water.(Dock Talk)
February 1, 2005... The new Manta Ray from Sevylor (323/727-6013; sevylor.com) is another example of how PVC plastic can be shaped into creative and imaginative forms to provide a new experience for tow sports. Most tubes are shaped like a circle or triangle....

Getting personal: Honda GPScape cranks up the fun.(Dock Talk)
February 1, 2005... With the introduction of the latest AquaTrax, Honda recognizes that people are mostly using personal watercraft (PWC) for touring, and the company is continuing to refine its products with this in mind. The new F-12X GPScape is a three-seater...

Workin' for a living: protecting Maryland's liquid assets.(Dock Talk)
February 1, 2005... Archaeologist Dr. Susan Langley of the Underwater Archaeology Division for the Maryland Department of Cultural Resources spends her days diving rather than digging. In fact, Langley, a certified scuba instructor, is responsible for the...

Electronics; The long ranger: Midland's GXT400.(Dock Talk)
February 1, 2005... We've always found it handy to take a couple of two-way "family" radios when we're on the water. Many small boats don't carry VHFs aboard, and having a set of compact handhelds lets you communicate with friends on shore or talk to other boaters...

Launch ramp: hot, new Glastron GS 219 is ready for anything.(Dock Talk)
February 1, 2005... The Glastron GS 219, which tiptoed onto the scene in mid-2004, is now being debuted with gusto. The 21 1/2-foot cuddy could be just what the doctor ordered after the holiday rush, when, without much of a fuss, you can get away from it all for a...

Just cruisin': don't forget your martini.(Dock Talk)
February 1, 2005... We were curious as to how Kent, Washington-based Martini Marine got its name. According to John Livingston, a former designer for Regal Boats who bought the company in 1999, he and a friend were checking out the company's launch design when a...

Something's fishy: Sheaffer's tower of power.(Dock Talk)
February 1, 2005... When I was researching Florida's St. Petersburg/Clearwater region for this month's travel feature "Holy Pete!" (page 54), I tried to find the best trailerable-sized boat for the area. Several sources directed me to a local builder who...

For the love of the game.(READER SURVEY RESULTS)
February 1, 2005... The response to December's Question of the Month, "Does your spouse or family enjoy boating as much as you?" surprised us only by the low percentage of "lone wolfers." Only 5 percent of those surveyed indicate their spouse or family doesn't...

Question of the month.(Dock Talk)
February 1, 2005... Does your boat have a wakeboard tower and, if so, do you think you're getting your money's worth? * Yes. It's one of the best investments we've ever made * It does, but it's not seeing as much use as we originally thought it would ...

Skipper's challenge.(Dock Talk)
February 1, 2005... If your plastic portholes suffer from minor scratches, try using________ as a polish to bring back the original clarity. Save the rest on board in case you get shipwrecked. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] a. Cocoa butter b. Raw potatoes...

Finishing touch.(Boat Improvement)
February 1, 2005... It's a never-ending battle. Over time, the elements take their toll and that beautiful finish on your boat's wood trim wears away and exposes it to the ravages of sun, rain, dirt and salt spray. Don't let this happen to your brightwork....

Going digital.(Propulsion Report)
February 1, 2005... The digital age is supposed to simplify life, not make it more complicated. However, in communicating with readers, I find there is confusion in discerning between analog and digital instruments. An analog system may have an LCD readout, such...

Angler management.(Boating Basics)
February 1, 2005... We were trailing two lines from our deck boat, attempting to invite a hungry walleye or trout to dinner when my fishing partner noted the late-model cuddy cabin approaching at planing speed. It was just before noon on a clear day, and we were...

Kodak moment: capturing your boating experiences on film is a wonderful way to share your adventures. Here are tips for taking great pictures.
February 1, 2005... Boats are magic carpets that whisk us to beautiful and often remote places. America's lakes, rivers, tidelands and coastlines are home to a variety of waterfowl, songbirds and mammals. At water's edge, moose, otter, deer and wading shorebirds...

Seafood combo: Sea Ray's new 270 Amberjack successfully blends cruiser comfort with offshore fishability.(EXCLUSIVE!)(Cover Story)
February 1, 2005... Let's get down to brass tacks. If ample fishability mixed with a healthy dose of cruiser comfort sounds like your recipe for the perfect boat, step aboard the new 270 Amberjack. You'll like what Sea Ray has cooked up. On the other hand, if...

Rx for fun: with its muscular new RXT, Sea-Doo again is hoping that bigger is better.(TEST)
February 1, 2005... Sea-Doo has never shied away from a good, old-fashioned horsepower battle. It could be argued, in fact, that throughout the company's history in the personal watercraft (PWC) market, benchmarks have been designated not so much by the year or...

Holy Pete! Fabulous beaches, great fishing and boater-friendly amenities make Florida's St. Petersburg/Clearwater area a Mecca for mariners.(TBM DESTINATION)
February 1, 2005... A mere 20-minute drive from downtown St. Petersburg and practically in the shadow of Tampa Bay's dramatic Sunshine Skyway span is a launch ramp that positively dwarfs others in comparison. In fact, the 32 lanes at Fort De Soto Park on Mullet...

Smooth operator: featuring variable valve timing for extra torque, Yamaha's new F250 is its most powerful four-stroke yet.(TEST)
February 1, 2005... The first four-stroke V-6 outboards hit the scene four years ago when Honda and Yamaha debuted 225 hp engines for the 2002 model year. It didn't take long for the envelope to be pushed: Suzuki upped the ante by introducing a 2004-model 250 hp...

Natural progression: the new S225 is a great example of Kayot's ongoing evolution in deck boat design.(WORLD PREMIERE)
February 1, 2005... When the SUV craze began last decade, who would have thought that BMW, Volkswagen and Mercedes Benz would jump in and add utility vehicles to their lineups? Likewise, as family boats got bigger through the 1980s and beyond, who would have...

Cleared for takeoff: equal parts catamaran and helicopter, the Nano Speed Needle takes boat design to new heights.
February 1, 2005... Boating is a tradition-bound sport, and a strong part of that tradition dictates that a boat should look like a boat. Conventional thinking also says that a boat should be pointed at the bow, have a wide middle and a flat, V-shaped or rounded...

Monster muscle: Ford's brawny new F-350 Super Duty dually packs more towing power than ever.(TEST)
February 1, 2005... Crowned Trailer Boats' Tow Vehicle of the Year in 2003, Ford's F-350 four-wheel-drive (4WD) Crew Cab dually, powered by the then-new 6.0L V-8 Power Stroke turbodiesel outscored the competition in half of the categories judged. As capable as...

Warming trend: keep your crew toasty with an easy-to-install boat heater.(TBM How-To)
February 1, 2005... Even in southern climes, winter can be chilly, particularly when you're boating. So how do you stay comfortable on board when temperatures drop? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] How about installing a heater on your boat? We decided to tackle...

Synthetic outboard oil.(Tech Letters)
February 1, 2005... I have a 1992 Evinrude 150 that was recently overhauled. I have been using dinosaur oil since it was new. I am thinking of changing to synthetic oil and would like your opinion. Is there any value to using the more expensive synthetic oil? Do I...

Growling noise.(Tech Letters)
February 1, 2005... My 1996 MerCruiser 5.7L sterndrive has developed a growling noise when I put the boat into a hard turn. Any idea what is causing it? Walt Warner Victoria, British Columbia, Canada A certain amount of noise is normal when the...

Oldie but a goodie.(Tech Letters)
February 1, 2005... I have a 1970 18-foot IMP Pawnee tri-hull with a 165 hp MerCruiser. The boat runs good with two exceptions. First, the engine only turns 4200 rpm at wide-open throttle (WOT). My friends tell me it should be turning in the 4400 to 4800 rpm...

Criminal act.(Tech Letters)
February 1, 2005... The local sheriff chewed me out last month for using power to put my boat back on the trailer. He said it was an "unsafe maneuver" and I suspect he would have given me a ticket if I had not been from out of state. I have powered my boat on and...

Steering torque.(Tech Letters)
February 1, 2005... I'm perplexed! The cavitation plate on my Johnson 120 has an adjustable fin on the underside to counter the effect of a spinning prop. My boat pulls pretty hard to the right, but you can only adjust the fin in one direction--the direction that...

Stop guessing.(Tech Letters)
February 1, 2005... I have a Nitro 188 fish 'n ski with a 2002 Mercury 150 XR6. I have less then 50 hours on the engine, and I have received two different answers from Mercury dealers on when to change my water pump impeller. One advised me to change it after...

Transom bracket.(Tech Letters)
February 1, 2005... I am in the process of repowering a late 1980s 24-foot Grady-White Offshore with a Suzuki 250 four-stroke. The boat has a standard (notched transom), and I am considering adding an engine bracket with a swim platform to enhance performance and...

Marine batteries.(Tech Letters)
February 1, 2005... My dealer recommends that I install a marine battery in my boat. What is the difference between a "marine" battery and the one in my car? Jonathon Summers Cambridge, Ontario, Canada In many cases, the quality of the battery...

Different ratings.(Tow Car)
February 1, 2005... Please help me understand the different types of tow ratings. I just bought my first boat and need some advice. I have a Ford F-150 SuperCrew 4X4 with the standard rear axle ratio. According to Ford's RV & Trailer Towing Guide, my truck can tow...

The right tires.(Tow Car)
February 1, 2005... My trailer (an EZ Loader carrying a 1977 Sea Ray SRV 185) and tow car (a 1994 Lincoln Town Car) have always had matching wheels and tires. Recently, I swapped out the passenger tires on the trailer for a set of trailer tires. The new tires have...

Trailer jacking advice.(Tow Car)
February 1, 2005... I have been searching the message boards at Trailer Boats' website (TrailerBoats.com) for information about jacking up a trailer for changing tires and other repair and maintenance chores. Most folks suggest looking at the trailer...

Bourdon's tow tip.(Tow Car)
February 1, 2005... With the dawn of the boating season soon approaching, thoughts usually turn to getting the boat ready. But what about your tow vehicle, and specifically, its transmission? The transmission is the heart of the tow vehicle, and is often the most...

Rainwear "lite" suits boaters on the go.(TBM Tested)
February 1, 2005... When fishing on a friend's boat or traveling to some exotic destination, I usually weigh the inconvenience of dragging along my foul-weather gear against staying dry in a surprise rainstorm or wind-driven spray. Too often, I leave my heavy rain...

Keep an eye on the fish.(Gotta Have It)
February 1, 2005... Here's a cool little product that's fun even if you don't fish. Fish Cameras from Aqua-Vu (218/825-0733; naturevision.com) can give you insight on where to sink your line or merely show you what life is like under your boat. The fish-shaped...

Prolong battery life.(Gotta Have It)
February 1, 2005... Did you know vibration is a leading cause of premature battery failure? The vibration and shock that are inherent to boating can cause a battery's internal circuitry to loosen. When lead plates start to move, they may touch and cause a short,...

Just stop it.(Gotta Have It)
February 1, 2005... When you want to relax on your pontoon boat, why let the sound of your gate banging against the boat's fencing ruin your peace and quiet? This is where the Flexible Door Stop ($3) from MarineEast (732/477-7484; marineeast.com) comes in....

Tame the chill factor.(Gotta Have It)
February 1, 2005... It's still winter, but that doesn't mean diehard boaters stay off the water. Because even springtime boating can be a chilling experience, why not dress accordingly? The Mustang Classic Bomber Jacket (from $150), based on the Float Coat design,...

Take a page from penchant.(Gotta Have It)
February 1, 2005... If you can't get enough of the boating trivia we feature in the Skipper's Challenge section of Dock Talk, then get your hands on a copy of Dale L. Lydigsen Jr.'s 2005 edition of Nauti-Benders Page-A-Day Boater's Calendar ($14) from Penchant...

Stabilize your fuel.(Gotta Have It)
February 1, 2005... It's hard to keep moisture from entering your fuel system, and its presence can wreak havoc. Because water is heavier than fuel, it collects in the bottom of fuel tanks causing rust, corrosion and fuel leaks. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A...

Contents: your guide to towing.(TOW GUIDE)
February 1, 2005... If you love to fish, waterski, cruise, camp, hike or just get outside and enjoy some clean, fresh air, a trailerable boat or camping trailer can be a great way to satisfy that craving. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] You can take a trailer...

Chapter 1, tow vehicles: how to choose your tow vehicle.(TOW GUIDE)
February 1, 2005... Whether you're an old pro or a novice, towing can be tricky. The first step in any case is to have the right equipment, and that begins with having the appropriate tow vehicle. However, there's one thing to keep in mind when choosing a tow...

Chapter 2, towing equipment: how to equip your vehicle for towing.(TOW GUIDE)
February 1, 2005... Most vehicles require additional equipment for towing. The optional towing equipment package offered on most vehicles often includes various cooling systems, heavy-duty suspension components, the appropriate axle (ring and pinion) gear ratio...

Chapter 3, leveling, loading and driving: how to set up and drive with a trailer behind your tow vehicle.(TOW GUIDE)
February 1, 2005... A trailer tows best when level, so do your level best to get it that way by adjusting the hitchball height. This can be done using a dropped or raised drawbar, or with an adjustable hitch. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Weight distribution can...

Chapter 4, trailer wiring: how the wiring on your trailer should work.(TOW GUIDE)
February 1, 2005... To be highway legal, a trailer must have running lights (taillights and/or marker lights), turn signals and brake lights. Some trailers even have backup lights. Of course, this means you must tap into the tow vehicle's electrical system. ...

Chapter 5, trailer hitches: what you should know about hitches.(TOW GUIDE)
February 1, 2005... Hitches come in many configurations for a variety of uses. Some very large boat and camping trailers (35-plus feet) use fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitches that mount in the bed of a pickup. Here, however, we will focus on those used for the...

Chapter 6, launching and retrieving: how to launch and retrieve your boat.(TOW GUIDE)
February 1, 2005... Before you launch your boat, be sure to use the checklist at the back of this booklet so you don't forget something important--such as installing the drain plug. You should spend several minutes preparing your boat for launching before you even...

Chapter 7, safety checklist: checklist for safe towing, launching and loading.(TOW GUIDE)
February 1, 2005... You can never be too safe when trailering, and just as any good pilot goes over his safety checklist before taking off, it's a good idea to approach towing in the same manner. The following is a checklist of important items you need to address...

Chapter 8, 2005 state towing Laws: road rules for all 50 states.(TOW GUIDE)
February 1, 2005... Although some are content to boat or camp close to home and never trailer across state lines, others are more adventurous and love to take their craft to new locations. The beauty of trailer boating is, after all, being able to go where our...

Towing resources: for more information.(SOURCES)
February 1, 2005... Copies of Your Guide to Towing can be downloaded from the Trailer Boats' website, or obtained at select boat and RV shows around the country. Trailer Boats 20700 Belshaw Ave. Carson, CA 90746 310/537-6322 ...