Trailer Boats articles from January 2003

Trailer Boats archives from January 2003

Adjusting course. (On Plane).
January 1, 2003... As you have surmised by now, the inside of Trailer Boats has a slightly different look. But hold on. Before you stage a mutiny, allow me to chart the changes. This course adjustment -- most of which affects the departments and columns --...

Launching faux pas. (Letters to the Editor).
January 1, 2003... Lucy, you got some 'splaining to do. After reading my December 2002 copy of Trailer Boats, I'm a bit confused. Your magazine spends an enormous amount of ink and paper instructing the readers on proper launch etiquette. Yet, the cover of the...

Water is your friend. (Letters to the Editor).
January 1, 2003... The article written by Dan Armitage about finding bottom in Back to Basics (December 2002) brought back some memories, and a good lesson. At one point during my learning years, I managed to hit a rock in the Willamette River near Portland,...

Reason for renewing. (Letters to the Editor).
January 1, 2003... I've been reading Trailer Boats for many years. It's a great magazine. I just wanted to tell you how much I have come to enjoy the editor's column, On Plane. Your December column ("Main Attraction") was excellent and right on! I agree with...

Real beauty. (Letters to the Editor).
January 1, 2003... How about a boat in a beautiful place rather than a boat and beautiful woman on the cover? Lora Wright Tucson, Arizona

Keep the women. (Letters to the Editor).
January 1, 2003... Please ignore prudes who don't like women on the cover of Trailer Boats. The beautiful women that graced the covers and articles of the last two issues make your magazine just that much better. That's one of the pleasures of boating, and being...

Power point. (Letters to the Editor).
January 1, 2003... As a longtime marine-engine marketing guy, I was interested to read Jim Barron's Propulsion column in the December Trailer Boats ("Power on Power"). I'd like to point out an important shortcoming of the J.D. Power customer satisfaction study...

Atlantic phone. (Letters to the Editor).
January 1, 2003... Our story in the October 2002 issue on installing a hardtop ("Hard Body") contained an incorrect phone number for Atlantic Towers. The correct toll-free number is 800/831-8889.

Power hitters. (Dock Talk).
January 1, 2003... Bennington, Chaparral, Cobalt, Correct Craft, Grady-White, Ranger and Sea Ray are the big winners in the second annual J.D. Power and Associates study of satisfaction among boat buyers. For 2002, California-based J.D. Power expanded the number...

Sea Ray stays on top of fiberglass boat sales. (Dock Talk).
January 1, 2003... Sea Ray is maintaining its dominance in the fiberglass market, according to retail sales data for the first half of 2002 and compiled by Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Statistical Surveys. However, the same data indicates that Glastron, which...

Win-win. (Dock Talk).
January 1, 2003... More than $1 million has been awarded to boating anglers through Suzuki Marine's "Catch & Reward" program. The outboard builder pays prize money to owners who take top honors in Suzuki sanctioned fishing tournaments. The program, which...

Something's fishy. (Dock Talk).
January 1, 2003... Quinlan, Steve We first laid eyes on Triton's 2486 Walkaround as it was being backed down the ramp in Ventura Harbor, California, and our first thoughts were how beefy and seaworthy it seemed. Our testing grounds couldn't have been...

Watertoy profile: Airhead's Space Shuttle MTC. (Dock Talk).
January 1, 2003... Airhead's Space Shuttle MTC (multi-towing craft) is the mother of all tubes. Load it with all your space-consuming gear -- coolers, beach chairs, skis, wakeboards and other tubes -- then secure everything with the cargo net and tow it behind...

Overwide towing tips and permits. (Dock Talk).
January 1, 2003... Boats with beams that exceed 8 1/2 feet are known as "overwides," and they are often heavyweights, as well. With the trailer, it's not unusual for one to tip the scale at 10,000 pounds or more. For this reason, we recommend using at least a...

Overwides only. (Dock Talk).
January 1, 2003... Editor's Note: For readers who are interested in boats that are slightly bigger than models we normally cover, we proudly inaugurate Overwides Only -- a department dedicated to testing craft with beams in excess of 8 1/2 feet. Our first boat in...

Term of the month. (Dock Talk).
January 1, 2003... FAKING: We're not referring to the fish stories you tell. In marine terminology, faking refers to laying out anchor rode in a multi-curved S-shape (like that of a radiator coil) to facilitate free running when ifs dropped overboard.

Getting personal. (Dock Talk).
January 1, 2003... The horsepower race in personal watercraft (PWCs) is back, and Sea-Doo is now ahead with the introduction of the first supercharged model -- the 185 hp GTX4Tec Supercharged. Based on the four-stroke GTX 4-Tec three-seater, this iteration is 20...

In tow Ford pickups go independent. (Dock Talk).
January 1, 2003... The word from one Ford Motor Co. engineer (who would speak to us only under conditions of anonymity) is that the redesigned 2004 F-150 pickup would almost certainly carry the same type of independent-rear-suspension design as the 2002 Explorer...

Skipper's challenge. (Dock Talk).
January 1, 2003... If you are cruising offshore and lose hydraulic steering oil, which fluid can be temporarily substituted? (a) fresh water, (b) sea water, (c) beer or (d) all of the above. Paraphrased from Skipper's Challenge ($19.95), a book by Dale R....

Ski locker. (Dock Talk).
January 1, 2003... This is the first V-drive wakeboard boat from Regal, and it lives up to its Gen-X moniker -- Session. After two years in the concept stage, the company unveiled this 2003 model with a single purpose: to maximize the wakeboard experience. ...

Electronic boater. (Dock Talk).
January 1, 2003... Boaters who navigate with C-Map NT+ electronic charts can have them updated for a fraction of the cost of new cards. For $79 a year, you can join Club C-Map, which entitles you to one free update each year. You can also update additional...

Cooking on board? (Dock Talk).
January 1, 2003... MOST READERS SAY NO Most trailer boaters have not cooked aboard their boats. At least that's the indication of a recent Web survey among Trailer Boats readers. The survey question -- "Have you ever cooked dinner on your boat?" -- appeared...

Launch ramp. (Dock Talk).
January 1, 2003... The Solara 2200i is a new boat, but the hull has a familiar look. That's because it is the brainchild of John Livingston, who also designed the famed Regal FasTrac hull. Livingston is founder and president of Solara Boats, which so far features...

Did you know? (Dock Talk).
January 1, 2003... * The rule-of-thumb formula for determining a boat's maximum capacity is: People = Length x Weight/15 * The maximum civilian fine for discharging oil in U.S. waters is &5000. * Archimedes' Principle of Buoyance states: If the mass...

Pickups dominate vehicle sales in U.S. (Dock Talk).
January 1, 2003... It should come as no surprise to trailer boaters that two of the most popular low vehicles led auto sales in the U.S. last year. According to the California-based Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association (SEMA), Ford and Chevy together...

Made in the shade. (Boat Improvement).
January 1, 2003... One of the joys of owning an open boat is planing across the water with the wind in your face and the sun overhead. Yet, dermatologists advise you to protect your skin with sunblock and seek the solace of shade whenever you can. Bimini...

Defining sea terms. (Boating Basics).
January 1, 2003... One moment we were catching perch from the comfort of a boat gently tugging on its anchor in 30 feet of water. The next moment, we were struggling to weigh anchor and get under way as the tranquil waters morphed into a caldron of white-capping...

Catalysts of change. (Propulsion Report).
January 1, 2003... This is the year that emission regulations go into effect for inboard and sterndrive engines in California. When it comes to emissions standards, California seems to set the pace, and so it is a safe bet that these regulations will become...

Exclusive American epic: to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Lewis and Clark's historic expedition, five hardy trailer boaters set out to retrace the epic journey of the Corps of Discovery. (TBM Travel Adventure).
January 1, 2003... Bill Parsons has always been a dreamer. As a boy, he read stories about the exploits of this country's early explorers. He became enamored of the idea of retracing the two-year, four-month journey of Capt. Meriwether Lewis and Lt. William Clark...

Throttle rocket: light the fuse and stand back! Stingray's redesigned 220SX loves to fly.
January 1, 2003... Some boats are built for fishing, some for cruising and some for water-sports. Stingray's recently redesigned 220SX sport cuddy, on the other hand, is built for wide-open throttle. Oh sure, we tested the boat at the usual range of rpm....

Sole search: how-slip-resistant are today's deck shoes? We test 17 models against non-boating shoes to find out.
January 1, 2003... All it takes is one slip on a slick deck to convince most boaters it's time to trade in the sneakers or flip flops for a pair of bona-fide boat shoes. After all, sure footing is paramount to boating safety, and there are scores of deck shoes...

Talk radio: here's how to install a VHF radio on a boat with limited helm space.
January 1, 2003... A wise man once said, "Communication is the key to understanding." However, most boaters would say, "Communication is the key to safety." And most communication between boaters is via marine VHF radio. It far surpasses any other mode in...

Carolina dreaming: both rugged and affordable, Carolina Skiff's 200 Sea Chaser makes fishing fun.
January 1, 2003... Carolina. Skiff has been in business for nearly 20 years, and has built a loyal following for its simple, practical hulls. They may not be fancy, but they are rugged, easy to maintain and affordable -- three attributes that make the 220 Sea...

Rafting up: know the right techniques and etiquette and you will always be welcome at a raft-up.
January 1, 2003... My palms were sweating profusely as we inched toward the larger boat, which was swinging on its anchor and dancing in the current of an incoming tide. Its skipper had set out his fenders and stood on the foredeck waiting for my wife to toss a...

Standing tall: a tripod-style ski pylon can make watersports more fun. Here's how to install one.
January 1, 2003... Most sterndrive boats today come with ski-tow eyes, but these are usually so low on the transom that I wonder why boatbuilders even bother. Most outboard boats don't have any place to tie off a ski line, and so you have to use a bridle that...

Pick your favorite: 2002 "Over the Transom" photo contest finalists.
January 1, 2003... This year's "Over the Transom" photos are as wild, wacky and funny as they get, but, which one is the best? Heck, we can't decide. So we're leaving it up to you, the readers, to pick a winning photo from 2002. Cast your vote from one of...

Trail safe: the keys to trailering your boat safely revolve around maintenance, planning and preparation.
January 1, 2003... It is a very common scene: a boat on a broken-down trailer at the side of the road. The owner kneels amid scattered tools and wrestles with the problem. The dejected family members are perched on a nearby guard rail like birds on a wire,...

Shady deal: here's an easy and quick way to create some shade in the cockpit. (TBM How-To).
January 1, 2003... If you've ever longed for shade at the marina or while anchored in a quiet cove, you will love this idea from John Mucci of Lindenhurst, New York. We ran into Mucci and his wife, Maureen, at a Sea Ray owner's rendezvous in Montauk, and...

Steppin' out: Toyota's V-8-powered 2003 Tundra StepSide has a bold look and performance to match. (TBM Tow Test).
January 1, 2003... The 2003 Tundra, Toyota's most powerful pickup yet, has given Toyota a foot in the door to the mainstream, full-size truck buyer. It rivals any pickup -- be it compact, mid- or full-size -- in comfort, handling, styling and overall quality....

Boat show calendar.
January 1, 2003... 2003 FOR JANUARY ALABAMA The Boat Show, Jan. 17-19, Von Braun Center, Huntsville; 256/830-8300 ARIZONA Arizona National Boat Show, Jan. 9-12, Phoenix Civic Plaza, Phoenix; 800/657-3050; greenband.com ARKANSAS ...

Tech letters.
January 1, 2003... BATTERY SELECTOR I have a 1999 Rinker bowrider. On the rear port side is a toggle switch that allows me to choose between "start battery," "house battery" and "emergency battery." The latter I believe uses both batteries. When should I...

Tow car.
January 1, 2003... TRAILER SAGA Four years ago I ordered a new aluminum Loadmaster trailer rated or 10,500 pounds with tandem axles, stainless disc brakes on all wheels, stainless brake tubing, sealed lights, and a Demco DA 10 actuator. I tow a 1994 Sea Ray...

Captain Hook lets you stay high and dry. (TBM Tested).
January 1, 2003... Are you tired of wading into the water or balancing on the trailer tongue to connect the winch hook to the bow eye? The Captain Hook Boat Retriever claims to solve the problem, and we tested it to see. Captain Hook works on a simple-enough...

Straighten your antenna with Shakespeare Shim Kits. (Gotta Have It).
January 1, 2003... If you're one of those people whose vertically challenged antennas are an assault on the senses, help is at hand. Shakespeare's new Style 414 Shim Kit makes antenna adjustment a snap. The durable, predrilled shims, made of flexible rubber...

New CD takes all the pressure out of 'Tying the Knot'. (Gotta Have It).
January 1, 2003... Want to learn all the basic knots, but can't find them all in one place? Search no further. A new CD called Knot Tying: The Basic Knots includes two lines and 21 must-know knots taught by a professional instructor using an effective hands-on...

Epco transom tie-downs keep boat and trailer together. (TBM Tested).
January 1, 2003... Got a beefy boat? If so, don't take any unnecessary chances by trailering it with wimpy transom tie-downs. I recently bent the buckle on one of my tiedowns trying to put a little too much tension on the webbing, so I replaced them both with a...

Give yourself vision with Navy one binoculars. (Gotta Have It).
January 1, 2003... Unless you were born with superhero vision, you need binoculars on a boat. Weems & Plath, which recently took ownership of the Navy One line of binoculars, offers a choice of three waterproof vision enhancers that feature stimulated penetration...

Harmony sunglasses won't leave a lasting impression. (Gotta Have It).
January 1, 2003... There are a lot of polarized sunglasses out there, but few can match the new Harmony sunglasses from Polar Eyes in terms of comfort and price. They're super lightweight, and feature soft-tipped temples and an extra-wide nose bridge for maximum...

Handheld spotlight cranks out 2 1/2 million candlepower. (Gotta Have It).
January 1, 2003... Any boater who cruises at night or ventures out in the wee hours of the morning should have a handheld spotlight aboard -- and the more powerful, the better. The new Model 9770 Xenon High-Intensity Discharge (HID) handheld spotlight from J.W....

Your guide to outboards: how to choose and equip an outboard. (Introduction).
January 1, 2003... Produced by the editors of Trailer Boats and Bass & Walleye Boats, this 32-page guide will help you choose the outboard that's best for you. We'll walk you through the available technologies, give you the lowdown on accessories and systems,...

Choosing an outboard: what buyers need to know. (Chapter 1).
January 1, 2003... When choosing an outboard, the most important question to ask is: "How are we going to use our boat?" Your answer is likely to involve mixed usage, where varied pursuits such as fishing, waterskiing or cruising come into play. Once you've...

Available technologies: understanding two-strokes and four-strokes. (Chapter 2).
January 1, 2003... In Chapter l we briefly discussed the differences between conventional two-stroke outboards and the "new technology" four-strokes and direct-fuel-injected (DFI) two-strokes. Nowwe'll take a closer look at how each type of outboard works....

Outboard systems: selecting essential systems and components. (Chapter 3).
January 1, 2003... Today, most outboards are purchased with the boat as a part of a package. Even so, buyers often face choices in steering systems, controls and instrumentation. Take the time to study your options and choose the setup that best suits your...

Helpful accessories: gear that provides the finishing touch. (Chapter 4).
January 1, 2003... Many outboard accessories that used to be offered as options are now standard equipment, particularly on larger engines. Some accessories enhance convenience, others improve performance, and some do both. Power trim is a perfect example. If...

Optimizing performance: how to get the most from your outboard. (Chapter 5).
January 1, 2003... There are two types of boaters: those who want more performance, and those who need more performance. If you are in the first group, you probably have a fast boat. Trouble is, no matter how fast it is, it's still not fast enough. (Bass boaters...

Maintenance and TLC: the dos and don'ts of outboard care. (Chapter 6).
January 1, 2003... Regular maintenance is the best way to assure your outboard will provide many years of trouble-free service. Many boaters, however, fail to act until it's too late. The time for preventative care is just after your last outing, not just before...

Future directions: promising trends in outboard power. (Chapter 7).
January 1, 2003... The past five years have seen the rapid development of environmentally friendly outboards, and it won't be long until the carbureted outboard -- as we have known it -- is gone. New-technology engines idle better, run stronger and are far more...