Trailer Boats articles from February 2007

Trailer Boats archives from February 2007

Mr. Showman.(OnPlane)
February 1, 2007... 'Started in the mail room and worked my way to the top." It's the classic American success story. Deep down, we all want to be that guy: The one who, through hard work and sheer savvy, not only rises to the pinnacle of his profession, but along...

VHF shoot-out.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the editor)
February 1, 2007... Very good article comparing handheld VHF radios ("Little Boomers," October 2006; also online at TrailerBoats.com). Your test served as an excellent real world example of what people could expect from their handheld radios. I was amazed at the...

Lift off.(Letters to the Editors)
February 1, 2007... My husband says he saw a write-up about a key chain--it's very small and fits neatly in your pocket, but if it is dropped in the water it inflates and brings the keys to the surface. We have looked all over the Internet without success to...

Get educated.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the editor)
February 1, 2007... It's interesting to read about the controversy surrounding state requirements for boater education (see On Plane, "Back to School," September 2006; also online at TrailerBoats.com). While it's a hot issue, fueling the fire on the "it's a hidden...

Used walkaround cuddies.(Letters to the Editors)
February 1, 2007... I'm a longtime subscriber and I'm hoping you can give me a little help. I'm in the market for a used 17- to 19-foot walkaround cuddy and wondered if you know how I could find out which manufactures have produced them and for what years? ...

Boat licenses.(Letters to the Editors)
February 1, 2007... I have been a boatowner for many years. When I arrive at any boat landing, the story is always the same: no one knows how to back up a trailer or maneuver a boat. If someone does, usually only one person in the vehicle can do both, so that...

Dock talk: TBM is official mag of '07 masters.
February 1, 2007... Every year, during Memorial Day weekend, thousands flock to Callaway Gardens, near Atlanta, Georgia, to watch people fly--over and across the water at the end of a towline, that is. The annual Masters Water Ski & Wakeboard Tournament, hosted by...

Heads up.(news)
February 1, 2007... Centurion Boats (209/384-0255; centurion boats.com) has broken new ground with its sporty Enzo series. All V-drive models in the series will be available with options that include not only heated seats, but a Heads Up Display that allows you to...

Field editor captains winning team.(news)
February 1, 2007... It was a tough battle, but when Field Editor Steve Quinlan's crew hauled in an 819-pound mako on the last day of Versus' (previously Outdoor Life Network) Shark Hunters II: East vs. West tournament, he and his Team Strike Zone also hooked first...

The Harris Crowne affair.(fine 'tooning)
February 1, 2007... Imagine stealing away to trace the waterways aboard a bit of history. Harris Kayot celebrates its 50th year with the re-launch of its flagship Harris Flotebote, the Crowne. A sleeker version of its former self, the 2007 250 Crowne (also...

NauticStar's fish-twisted bowrider.(something's fishy)
February 1, 2007... Too pretty to be a fishboat? Well, yeah, sort of. The thought of dropping a slimy mackerel on the decks of a NauticStar 2000 DC may be a bit much for those who feel compelled to keep a cool boat completely spotless. With its glass-like gelcoat,...

High-octane Kawasaki.(getting personal)
February 1, 2007... A Jet Ski packing 250 hp--can you believe it? Back in 1991 when Sea-Doo introduced the XP, the first high-performance PWC with a 60-horse engine, I would have never believed that the power race could escalate this far, but it has. The 2007...

Express yourself.(launch ramp)
February 1, 2007... If you like the idea of a big boat but don't want to fork over big bucks for a slip, then consider Pro-Line's new 23 Express. Family cruisers are sure to appreciate a cabin that allows escape from sun or rain. Even if you're tall enough for...

TBM readers a hands-on bunch.(reader survey results)
February 1, 2007... When we asked in our December Question of the Month if readers winterize their boats, and, if so, if they do the work or farm it out, we expected a majority to say they winterize their rigs. We were surprised, however, to learn that fully 85...

The other gets you air.
February 1, 2007... CHAPTER I CHOOSING A TOW VEHICLE How to pick the right truck for towing Towing isn't nearly as challenging as some people think, and the first step in ensuring that it's a fun, carefree experience is having the right equipment. This...

Rocket man.(PropulsionReport)
February 1, 2007... The International BoatBuilders Exhibition and Conference (IBEX), held in Miami Beach each fall, is a trade-only event where new products, materials, tools, components and boatbuilding techniques are displayed to the marine industry. And each...

Clean thy bilge.(BoatImprovement)
February 1, 2007... A science fiction thriller could be made about the stuff that lives (or perhaps died) in a boat's bilge. Have you ever looked down there? It's spooky. Bilge muck oozes fore and aft, sliming everything it touches. Because bilge yuck can get...

Polar explorer: Polar's new 2700 Walkaround is tough on fish, easy on fuel.(TEST)
February 1, 2007... With gasoline at roughly twice the price it was just a few years back, going offshore these days is a bit of a financial challenge. That's why a rig such as Polar's new 2700 Walkaround might be just the ticket to get you and your crew out on...

King's passage: join us for a 325-mile adventure through some of Alaska's wildest waters.(DESTINATION)
February 1, 2007... Deep swirls from the tails of migrating sockeye salmon magically appear on both sides of our 26-foot Glacier Bay catamaran as its twin knife-edge hulls slice through the glass-smooth waters of Alaska's Iliamna Lake. The salmon are two days out...

Smoke on the water: if you crave utility but still have a need for speed, Stingray's 220DR may be your dream ride.(TEST)
February 1, 2007... Like all Stingray boats, the 220DR sport boat was developed on Lake Robinson in Hartsville, South Carolina. The lake's water is unusually warm because of the superheated discharge from the local nuclear power plant. But it's the new look and...

Lube job: Compy takes an innovative approach to trailer hub lubrication.(How-To)
February 1, 2007... Trailer boaters know the importance of proper trailer hub/spindle lubrication. Lack of it can lead to problems with the hub or bearing that can range from merely a cancelled outing on the water to a fire that can start in a trailer hub and burn...

Field of dreams: got the boating bug? Here's how one couple went about buying their first rig.
February 1, 2007... 'Honey, I want a boat." It's the battle cry of many men and women each spring, as the weather warms and the water beckons. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For more than three years, I had been lobbying my wife about buying a boat. She finally...

Cage match: armed with a new engine, new transmissions and titanic towing comfort, the Yukon XL Denali and Expedition EL face off in an SUV smackdown.(SHOOTOUT)
February 1, 2007... With Ford's introduction of the long wheelbase Expedition EL for 2007, it wasn't a question of if, but when we would pit it against the GM equivalent--a 2007 Chevrolet Suburban or GMC Yukon XL. In order to make this cage match as fair as...

Vote and win! 2006 over the Transom photo contest finalists.
February 1, 2007... Each issue, our wacky and weird but always fun Over the Transom photo contest brings you images that depict the zanier side of boating. Realizing that there's no one more qualified to judge the funniest of the funny than our loyal readers, each...

Tempted by another.(TechLetters)
February 1, 2007... I am planning on purchasing a 22- to 26-foot Hewescraft, Duckworth or North River aluminum rig this spring, and am trying to decide which engine to buy. In the June 2002 issue you reviewed the Honda and Yamaha 225 hp four-stroke outboards, and...

Gel vs. lead-acid batteries.(TechLetters)
February 1, 2007... My trailer boat has two batteries, one is a conventional lead-acid type, the other is gel. I have read this is a mistake, yet the guy who sold me my onboard charger says, "don't worry about it, just set the charger for gel." The rational was...

RPM range.(TechLetters)
February 1, 2007... I have a 23-foot 1989 Donzi Ragazza with a 260 hp 5.7L V-8 and an OMC Cobra drive. Top speed is 38 mph at 4000 rpm. I want to find out what the original wide-open-throttle (WOT) spec is, and what prop size you recommend. My current wheel is a...

Repower question.(TechLetters)
February 1, 2007... I have a 1974 IMP Inca with a 225 hp OMC sterndrive. The boat is in excellent shape, but, after several rebuilds, I've decided the engine and drive have reached the end of their useful lives. Removing the engine and drive leaves a large hole in...

Ethanol concerns.(TechLetters)
February 1, 2007... I have read about the effects of E10 ethanol and gasohol fuels on a boat's fuel tanks, lines and engine. The prospect of black sludge forming out of the walls of fuel lines, or bottom-of-the-tank buildup suddenly dislodging and running through...

Small diesels for towing.(Truck&Trailer)
February 1, 2007... Veteran trailer boaters know the advantages of the big diesel powertrains, such as the new entries from Ford and Dodge, as well as the potent diesel V-8 offered by GM. But what about small displacement diesels, such as those found in the new...

Good gauges.(Truck&Trailer)
February 1, 2007... I often read comments in Trailer Boats about engine or transmission gauges that help keep an eye on fluid temperatures and alert the driver to a problem that might be crippling if left unattended during a long road trip. What are these exactly,...

Powerband.(Truck&Trailer)
February 1, 2007... I'm a new subscriber and was wondering what you mean when you talk about a tow vehicle or engine's "power-band?" [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [GRAPHIC OMITTED] Benjamin Garry Canton, Michigan When we speak of an engine's...

Step bumper blues.(Truck&Trailer)
February 1, 2007... I just bought a 1992 Ford F-150 Super Cab with the 4.9L straight-six engine and the four-speed automatic. It has the 3.55:1 axle gears and a Super Cooling Package, but no receiver-style trailer hitch. The step bumper is rated at 5000 pounds,...

Tire choices.(Truck&Trailer)
February 1, 2007... I have read a great deal about which tires are best for trailers, and all about their proper pressures and maintenance. But what about tow vehicle tires? Would a wider tire be better for traction on slippery launch ramps? [ILLUSTRATION...

Tongue weight.(TOW TIP)
February 1, 2007... Want to know your trailer boat's tongue weight? Take your rig to a scale. Public scales large enough to accommodate boats are commonly found at truck stops, recycling centers and moving van companies. First, park the trailer boat by itself on...

One-stop shopping.(Gotta Have It)
February 1, 2007... Multitools are good additions to any boater's toolbox. Compact and able to perform a variety of functions, the new SL Pro Series ($60-$70), from Tool Logic (800/483-8422; toollogic.com) is a professional-grade multitool that comes with several...

What color is your fender?(Gotta Have It)
February 1, 2007... One of the critical items to have on any boat is a fender... or two... or more. And why just settle for the same old white ones that everyone else has? Taylor Made (518/773-9400; taylormadeproducts.com) announces its True Color line for...

Calling all cruisers.(Gotta Have It)
February 1, 2007... Maptech has released the second edition of its Embassy Cruising Guide ($45) for Florida. This update is necessary for anyone who spends time cruising Florida's beautiful waters because in the past few years destructive hurricanes and extensive...

Tidy transom.(Gotta Have It)
February 1, 2007... If you're a boater who obsesses about the fit and finish of your rig, then this is the item for you. These billet aluminum hose clamps (starting at $27) are designed to secure power steering hoses and fuel lines, keeping the transom spic and...

Keep track of your rods.(Gotta Have It)
February 1, 2007... Rods and reels can cost a pretty penny these days, so why take a chance on losing them? With AFI's (707/226-9600; marinco.com) new locking molded rod holders ($30) you'll have one less thing to worry about when out for a relaxing day on the...

Comprehensive coverage.(Gotta Have It)
February 1, 2007... Keeping a cover on your boat is a good idea. But when it rains or snows, moisture accumulation can be a problem if the cover is not well supported. In fact, when pooling occurs on a cover, eventually causing it to cave in, it can make matters...

Your'e getting warmer.(Gotta Have It)
February 1, 2007... Boating in the winter can be great, but it is also fraught with hazards, not the least of which is a cracked engine block due to storing the boat in below-freezing temperatures. To ward off this nightmare, many boaters in the know use bilge...

Remote possibilities.(Gotta Have It)
February 1, 2007... It just makes life easier. Livorsi's (877/548-5900; livorsi.com) new Hatch Actuator Remote ($299) offers easy hatch lifting from up to 300 feet away. It can also switch cabin lights off and on, among other feats involving electric or hydraulic...

Over the Transom.(Photo Contest)
February 1, 2007... YOU COULD WIN A FOUR WINNS 180 HORIZON 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...