Trailer Boats articles from July 2000

Trailer Boats archives from July 2000

GETTING IT FIXED.
July 1, 2000... Recently we tried to get one of our newer boats in to a dealer for warranty service. It was at once a revealing and frustrating experience. Purposefully deciding not to exercise any "media clout," we phoned the service department time and again...

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS.
July 1, 2000... THE OTHER MITTEN I enjoyed the article on Wisconsin's Door County ("Open Door") in the May 2000 issue. This region is truly delightful. However, the author, Andy Larsen, needs a refresher in geography. Wisconsin is not the mitten shaped...

DON'T THROW OUT YOUR DIFFERENTIAL GPS RECEIVER.
July 1, 2000... By now the entire world is aware that the U.S. Department of Defense has put a halt to "Selective Availability" (SA), the intentional degradation of Global Positioning System (GPS) signals. With SA on, a GPS was only accurate to within 100...

GM INTRODUCES 4WD CREW CAB VERSIONS OF S-10 AND SONOMA PICKUPS.
July 1, 2000... Chevrolet and GMC will be expanding their compact pickup lines with crew cab versions of the 4WD S-10 and Sonoma. Both 2001 models will seat five. Scheduled to be at dealers this fall, the new pickups will be equipped with the 190 hp...

CHART UPDATES VIA E-MAIL.
July 1, 2000... Boaters who want to update nautical charts can now do it via the Internet. The National Ocean Service (NOS) says that mariners can get weekly updates via e-mail. The service is a joint effort between NOS and Maptech, Inc., the company that...

SKIPPER'S CHALLENGE.
July 1, 2000... VHF radio transmissions between boats should be of the minimum duration possible. These should not exceed which of the following: three, five or seven minutes?

TERM OF THE MONTH.
July 1, 2000... "Tumble Home" No, it's not what sailors do after a night at the pub. "Tumble home" refers to a cabin or hull with a width that becomes narrower as height increases.

EXPANDING SHOREPOWER.
July 1, 2000... The mini-galley in my boat was equipped with a shorepower outlet, but it was inside a cabinet. Not very convenient. I wanted to install another outlet. Adding to a shorepower system is not difficult, but you should follow four important...

GREEN CLEANING.
July 1, 2000... Chances are that at this point in the summer, the boat is in need of a mid-season clean-up. That's especially true if you intend to allow your craft to put on its best face during the most popular boating week-end in America, the Fourth of...

ELECTRONICS Q&A.
July 1, 2000... ZAP MASTER I sometimes get caught in thunderstorms with a lot of lightning striking around me. My fishing tower is bolted to the cabin. but I don't think it is grounded. Am I safe? Byron Grams Tampa Bay, Florida No one is...

SECOND THOUGHTS.
July 1, 2000... I've been harping for years that reducing the size and weight of inboard engines could lead to big changes in boat design. Smaller engines could let designers create more usable space and amenities. And if engines weighed less, boats could be...

POWER PREDICTIONS.
July 1, 2000... Marine propulsion manufacturers are constantly striving to build more powerful and durable drive systems. Lately, there have been exciting developments in both the outboard and sterndrive arenas. Here are some updates, along with a few...

WORLD CAT 246 DUAL CONSOLE.
July 1, 2000... The latest entry in the blossoming field of twin console power cats, World Cat's 246 DC is a 24 1/2x8 1/2-footer that serves double duty as a family craft and serious fishing boat. Howzat? Elementary, my dear Watson. It's as easy as...

REGAL 2300 LSR.
July 1, 2000... Touting the flare of Regal's trademark FasTrac hull, the new 2300 LSR is 23 feet, 9 inches of performance and comfort that's dressed to thrill. Amply endowed, this curvaceous bowrider will get your blood going with its 50-plus-mph speed and...

SEASWIRL 200 CUDDY CABIN.
July 1, 2000... If you're seeking value and versatility, Seaswirl's new 200 Cuddy Cabin delivers both in a futuristic-looking 20-foot, 1-inch by 8-foot, 4-inch offering that's equally at home overnighting at the marina or cruising your favorite cove. Checking...

SPEED CONTROL.
July 1, 2000... Would you get butterflies if called upon to shoot hoops with the legendary Michael Jordan, or to ride with NASCAR champ Jeff Gordon? Well, I recently had a similar experience in the field of waterskiing. I had the opportunity to drive a...

Boat Camping Hotspots.
July 1, 2000... Here are four of the country's hottest boat camping destinations, just in time for the July 4th holiday One of the pleasures of owning a trailerable boat large enough to sleep on is, well, actually sleeping on it. Overnight. As in camping....

Room to Roam.
July 1, 2000... Monterey's new Montura 218 LS combines a startlingly roomy cockpit with sleek lines and fierce speed first impressions are important, and right off the bat we fell hard for the attractive styling of the new Monterey Montura 218 LS. It...

21 Overnighting.
July 1, 2000... When spending the night on board, there are certain items that you must have. Here are the top 21 Going on your first weekend cruise can be a daunting experience and, if you're like most of us, you'll fall somewhere between the "take it...

Swing Time.
July 1, 2000... Your compass can lead your astray. An expert tells us why and how to "swing" it back into shape One of the first lessons instructors teach you in boating safety courses is how to read your compass and use it to navigate. This is important,...

Quiet Riot.
July 1, 2000... The latest personal watercraft are quiet, environment friendly and more powerful than ever The last few years have been a very rocky road for personal watercraft (PWCs), and it is getting tougher for manufacturers to compete. In fact, it...

Scouting Party.
July 1, 2000... Competitively priced, lightweight and versatile, Scout's new 175 Dorado has all the earmarks of a great family boat Running up and down the Intracoastal Waterway in an open 17-foot boat can go one of two ways. It can be nice and smooth or...

New Boundaries.
July 1, 2000... We find surprising differences between Ford's two new pickup/SUV hybrids--the Sport Trac and F-150 Super Crew Just about every automaker these days is going flat out to recreate trucks and truck-like vehicles. Ford, for example, is already...

Inspecting an Outdrive.
July 1, 2000... How can you tell if the outdrive on a used boat is in good condition? Let us take you through the steps There are a lot of benefits to owning a sterndrive-powered boat. This popular marine power configuration (also known as inboard/outboard...

Topaz Lake.
July 1, 2000... Just off Interstate Highway 395 between Nevada and California at an altitude of about 5000 feet lies Topaz Lake, a trailer-boater's dream destination. If you are towing, the lake is about 1 1/2 hours from Reno, Nevada, five hours from San...

SMOKERCRAFT MILLENTIA 16.
July 1, 2000... Affordable and durable -- that's what the aluminum boats from SmokerCraft are all about. According to the company, it's the boat's openness created by abundant interior space, a generous beam and bottom width that has helped make this...

MARTINI MARINE 21.
July 1, 2000... If you're looking for traditional launch-style craft, take a look at the Martini 18 and 21. Featuring inboard diesel marine power from Yanmar, these unique boats offer classic old-world styling with all the features of today's sportboats. ...

NORTH RIVER RANGER 21.
July 1, 2000... North River produces a handful of designs to suit various river boating activities, whether it be shooting the rapids or fishing, and all of these all-aluminum-hulled craft can be outfitted with tons of great gear. The Ranger 21 jetboat is...

New Player.
July 1, 2000... When you think of purpose-built tournament-style skiboats, a traditional V-drive or direct-drive immediately comes to mind. Well now you can throw that thought away. Open your mind to a new genre of skiboat. A sterndrive craft can also be a...

Green Impact.
July 1, 2000... In California, the new emissions regulations for outboards, sportjets and personal watercraft are not hurting sales, according to dealers For good or bad, right or wrong, emissions regulations on tap for California's boaters are leaving a...

SEA-DOO DEMO DAYS ROLL INTO TOWN.
July 1, 2000... If you've ever wanted to tear around the lake on a Sea-Doo personal watercraft (PWC) or sportjet, you'll get your chance this summer when a bright yellow tractor trailer pulls into town for Sea-Doo Demo Days. Part safety seminar, part product...

OREGON AND BRITISH COLUMBIA TO HOST PRO SKIERS AND WAKEBOARDERS.
July 1, 2000... The water is sure to he sizzling in Portland, Oregon, when the U.S. Pro Waterski and Wakeboard's "Pro Tour 2000" stops for its second-to-last competition of the season, July 15-16 at Blue Lake Park. And you can bet things will heat up even more...

TAHOE BOATING INFO GOES ON-LINE.
July 1, 2000... Frustrated by a lack of in-depth information on boating at Lake Tahoe, Michael Slater took the bull by the horns and started his own website about this stunning national treasure, located along the Nevada/California border. Over the last three...

KILLER CONVICTED IN BOATBUILDER'S MURDER.
July 1, 2000... Authorities closed the book on the murder of Harry Christensen, president of Advantage Boats of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, after suspect Bobby Joe Keese, 65, confessed in Arizona Federal Court that he shot Christensen last year while posing as...

Tech Letters.
July 1, 2000... REPOWER LIMITS In the April 2,000 Tech Letter "Repower Concers," Mr. Barron gave checking the outdrive for its power limits. I am considering the purchase of a 22-foot 1978 Sea Ray with a 228 hp MerCruiser stemdrive package. The engine...

TOW CAR.
July 1, 2000... TOWING 10,000 POUNDS We are considering the purchase of a 1988 28-foot Carver Santiago. We figure that the boat, with trailer and other stuff will weigh 10,000 pounds. What vehicle will tow it? We have a 1994 1500 Suburban. Can it be...

RISLONE PRODUCTS HELP KEEP ENGINES RUNNING SMOOTHLY.
July 1, 2000... Keeping your tow vehicle in tip-top shape can help ensure a trouble-free season of trailerboating. One step you can take in that direction is adding Rislone Upgrade to your motor oil. According to the manufacturer, Upgrade creates a...

RB-2 SPELLS RELIEF FOR QUEASY BOATERS.
July 1, 2000... Get that queasy feeling when the water gets rough? Take along a ReliefBand RB-2 from Woodside Biomedical, Inc. and you may avoid the symptoms of seasickness. The RB-2 is a non-prescription, FDA-approved medical device that uses mild...

SEE LIKE AN EAGLE WITH ZOOM BINOCS FROM NIKON.
July 1, 2000... Weighing a mere 12 1/2 ounces and measuring 4.7x4.3 inches, the optically upgraded Eagleview Zoom II from Nikon fits easily into a pocket or glove box, making it simple to have on hand for taking a look at what lies ahead. The 8- 24x25 Nikon...

EXTEND-A-FLO WASH BRUSH MAKES CLEAN-UP EASIER.
July 1, 2000... You want to keep your boat, tow vehicle and trailer clean and shiny, not only because it looks good, but also because road salts, tar, salt water and all other grime promote corrosion. With the Extend-A-Flo Wash Brush from Ettore Products Co....

THERE'S NO SLIPPING WITH SURE STEP DECK POLISH.
July 1, 2000... From Canada comes a unique polish meant only for the non-skid areas of your fiberglass boat. Cleaning, scrubbing, UV rays, and regular polish can make your non-skid areas slippery. But thanks to Aurora Sure Step non-skid deck polish, the...

CLARION'S NEW MARINE STEREO IS TRULY WATERPROOF.
July 1, 2000... Clarion's Marine Audio XMD1 AM/FM CD Player with CD Changer Controller was designed from the ground up specifically for the marine environment. It is so watertight that a properly installed unit can withstand a 65-gallon-per-minute stream of...

NAUTICAL OUTFITTERS' MINI PAD EYE IS STRONG AND SYTLISH.
July 1, 2000... Made of 316 stainless steel and capable of withstanding 2000 pounds of pull, the new mini pad eye from Nautical Outfitters is impervious to sun, salt and the corrosive marine environment. These aesthetically pleasing pieces lay flush when not...

AVOID LAUNCH RAMP WHEEL SPIN WITH AIR LOCKER.
July 1, 2000... If your tow vehicle is equipped with a Dana 35 to Dana 80 differential, and you're looking for more traction on the launch ramp, Air Locker, Inc. might have your answer. Air Locker's newest momentary differential lock-up features an on/off,...

ORIGO'S NEW ELECTRIC STOVES ARE EURO-STYLED.
July 1, 2000... Origo has updated its EuroTech line of electric stoves by eliminating the metal frame around it and replacing it with a rounded glass edge. The solid black glass stovetop provides a smooth transition from stove to countertop, and will match...