Trailer Boats articles from July 2005

Trailer Boats archives from July 2005

Price is right.(On Plane)
July 1, 2005... Americans are known as the world's most voracious consumers. Whether it's cars, motorcycles or, in this case, boats, we like our stuff. In fact, the only thing that we may like more than our stuff is dreaming about what we will buy next. ...

Babe magnet.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2005... I'm not renewing. Your magazine doesn't really deal much with the kinds of boats I use and seek. I'm looking at trailerable, bluewater boats--outboard-powered deep-Vs from 24 to 26 feet--similar to the C-Dory advertised in your magazine, but...

SPF 50.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2005... Your magazine is terrific. I think I have a great article idea for older readers: sun protection for boaters. My three boating friends and I are all over 50 and are more concerned about the "sun factor" than younger boaters. John F. Sigler...

Steer clear.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2005... Thank you for your Boating Basics column on avoiding large commercial vessels ("Rule of Tonnage," May). This is an important topic that should be taught in any safe-boating class. As you advise, staying clear and maintaining visibility are wise...

For the record.(Correction Notice)
July 1, 2005... Our review of Tahoe's 195 deck boat ("Practical Matters," May) mistakenly lists a matching trailer as standard equipment. Although Tahoe offers single-axle and tandem-axle models as options, a trailer is not included in the base price and price...

Want more 'toons.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2005... Since I don't yet own a boat, and lack any appreciable amount of boating experience, I use your magazine as a prime source of information. Thanks for being so helpful. Currently, I'm very interested in the Windsor Craft 240, but outside of a...

Carbon monoxide warning decals now mandatory in California.(Dock Talk)
July 1, 2005... The Anthony Farr and Stacey Beckett Boating Safety Act, which became effective May 1, requires that all new and used motorized boats sold in California display carbon monoxide warning stickers on the transom and helm. The decals are designed to...

How safe is that new truck?(Dock Talk)
July 1, 2005... The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released findings from its crash tests for model 2005 pickups. Topping the agency's charts in crash-test safety ratings are the Dodge Dakota two-door and Toyota Tacoma two-door....

It's a winner, and that's no bull.(Dock Talk)
July 1, 2005... After processing baskets full of ballots from readers across the country, we have determined the winner of the 2004 Over the Transom photo contest. It was a cliffhanger, but December's entry, Jay Erickson of Stanch-field, Minnesota, emerged the...

We'd love to hear from you.(Dock Talk)
July 1, 2005... A hot-button issue these days is access to waterways, due to fewer, and hence crowded, launch ramps. We would love to hear from our readers about any problems they have encountered. What are the greatest impediments in trying to get your...

The little boat that could.(Dock Talk)
July 1, 2005... When Angel Velez and his crew headed out into rough seas on his Trophy 2503 on the first day of the 2005 Yamaha/Contender Miami Billfish Tournament, other contestants didn't really consider them as serious competition. "Our boat was the...

New outboards added to Evinrude's E-Tec line.(Dock Talk)
July 1, 2005... Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP) continues to fill out its Evinrude E-Tec line with the introduction of a 130 V-4 hp engine and a 60-degree V-6 powerplant that will be available in 150, 175 and 200 hp. The lightweight outboards will come...

Getting personal: Yamaha's FX Cruiser HO takes care of business.(Dock Talk)
July 1, 2005... Yamaha introduced the first high-back PWC cruiser seat for a rear passenger in 2004, but it wasn't until this year that it extended the same level of comfort and security to the driver, and perfected the seating concept. [ILLUSTRATION...

Wake tools: Jet Pilot cuts loose new riding shorts.(Dock Talk)
July 1, 2005... They look like baggy shorts, but they offer protection from the water and the cold. What's the secret? With the Crown Jewel Ride Short, Jet Pilot (760/734-1111; jetpilot.com) of Vista, California, has something new for all 'board and...

In tow: fuel efficient trailering helps stretch summer fun.(Dock Talk)
July 1, 2005... The peak of the summer vacation season also sees a peak in gasoline use, and with the spike in prices at the pumps it pays to know how to squeeze every mile out of a gallon of fuel--both on the water and on the way there. As a guy who makes his...

Electronics: let your fingers do the walking.(Dock Talk)
July 1, 2005... Taking a cue from the automotive industry, Sea Ray (sea ray.com) has teamed with Delphi Corp. to offer a steering wheel that's equipped with integrated controls for the stereo, as well as the boat's MerCruiser SmartCraft digital instruments....

Launch ramp: Formula's new 240 equals hot times with cool style.(Dock Talk)
July 1, 2005... Formula, one of those companies with a certain cachet on the water, has put its spiciest ingredients into its 240 Bowrider, which debuted this year. In fact, this hot little party platform is so new that, as of this writing, the running shots...

Ski locker: trim the waves to suit your personality.(Dock Talk)
July 1, 2005... We all want big wakes when we wakeboard, but I don't know anyone who wants to weigh down his transom with cinder blocks or wait as a giant bladder fills with lake water--the traditional methods for creating big wakes. The people at Pivotal...

Just cruisin': Princecraft's new addition has versatility plus.(Dock Talk)
July 1, 2005... How many times have you wished you had a boat with the social accommodations of a deckboat, the flash of a ski boat and the sportiness of a fishboat all rolled into one? Your wish is Princecraft's command. Enter the 192V L2S O/B, a new addition...

Get your shine on.(READER SURVEY RESULTS)
July 1, 2005... Back in May, we asked readers how often they wash and wax their boats. We always knew you cared about your rigs, but the results from the May issue's Question of the Month surprised even us. According to our survey, nearly one in four readers...

Question of the month.(READER SURVEY RESULTS)
July 1, 2005... How do overwides (boats with beams greater than 8 1/2 feet) fit into your boating future? * They don't * Can't say what the future holds * I like the extra room; I may buy one some day * I plan to get one * Already own...

Skipper's Challenge.(READER SURVEY RESULTS)
July 1, 2005... The one-third fuel rule is a good way to figure out how much fuel you should have when heading out. According to the rule, you should have one-third out, one-third in and one-third ________. a. at the dock b. in reserve c. still...

Sacrificial lambs.(Boat Improvement)
July 1, 2005... Salt water is an evil brew that can eat holes in a boat and leave it at the bottom of the sea. Well, maybe that sounds a little dramatic, but if your boat has any metal on it, you need to be warned that we're not overstating the situation. When...

Vacation towing.(Boating Basics)
July 1, 2005... The words, "Did anybody report an accident?" turned the bustling motel lobby quiet. Every head in the adjacent breakfast room spun around to hear the tale of the guest who had just checked out--only to find the side of his boat buckled in by...

There's nothing new.(Propulsion Report)
July 1, 2005... Volvo Penta's Inboard Propulsion System (IPS) was covered in the March Propulsion Report, in which I highlighted this tractor drive that protrudes through the hull and turns steerable props that face forward. The system is currently designed...

Trophy match: it's outboard vs. sterndrive as we pit Trophy's 1902 Walkaround against its 1952 sister.(Engine Shoot-Out)
July 1, 2005... We like a good brawl every now and then--and when it's outboard vs. sterndrive and two-stroke vs. four-stroke, it doesn't get much better. About the only way to sweeten the pot would be to compare boats as well as powerplants--which we did by...

A cruise through time: present meets past along Canada's Lachine Canal.(TBM DESTINATION)
July 1, 2005... When we pulled into the Lachine Pleasure Craft Harbour near Montreal, Quebec, after towing our 25-foot cruiser from Tennessee, we saw a flurry of bikers, inline skaters and joggers on the winding paved paths along the waterway. There were...

Double your fun: with optional twin engines and a boatload of neat features, Hurricane's big 26-footer takes deck boats to new heights.(TEST)(Cover Story)
July 1, 2005... Hurricane is one of the pioneers in deck boats. Based in the heartland in Elkhart, Indiana, this builder has always offered innovative designs and its SunDeck 260 is no exception. As proof, we seldom see a deck boat of this size. And other than...

Planet propeller: searching for the perfect prop? Our buyer's guide will help you choose from more than 300 models.(Exclusive!)
July 1, 2005... If you believe the scuttlebutt on the docks, choosing a propeller is one of life's great mysteries. Some would even say you have a better chance of hitting the lottery than you do of picking out the right prop. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Warranty wars: don't battle over warranty disputes without first passing our boot camp in successful claims strategies.
July 1, 2005... Matthias Engels looked forward to spending a summer riding his new personal watercraft (PWC). After he'd logged 43 hours on it near his home in Kennewick, Washington, his watercraft was sidelined with problems. "It would drop to idle speed...

Trifecta: Windsor Craft takes an innovative approach to pontoon boats with its rotomolded, 24-foot, triple-hull design.(TEST)
July 1, 2005... Take one look at the Windsor Craft 250, and you'll immediately notice that it's not a garden-variety pontoon boat. What's so different? There's no aluminum, except for the powder-coated aluminum railing on deck. And instead of a rectangular...

Pumped up: with more power, Ford's 2005 Expedition almost makes you forget it's still the familiar, attractive and sturdy SUV we've known for almost a decade.(TEST)
July 1, 2005... It's been nearly three years since we looked at the venerable and incredibly popular Ford Expedition. Our last visit ("Expeditionary Force," October 2002) revealed segment-firsts, such as independent rear suspension, fold-flat third- row seats,...

Sun buster: adding a shade top makes boating more comfortable. Here's how to install one in five easy steps.(TBM How-To)
July 1, 2005... When it comes to canvas shade tops, most of us go one of two routes: We either pony up for the optional Bimini when we buy the boat, or somewhere down the road we go to a canvas shop for a neat-fitting custom top. Fortunately, this is one...

What to buy.(Tech Letters)
July 1, 2005... I am considering a new 200 hp out-board for my Ranger. I am confused as to the difference between Mercury's [3.0L] 200 OptiMax and [2.5L] 200 OptiMax XS. I have heard that engines have to remain within a narrow range of their rated horsepower,...

Outboard oil.(Tech Letters)
July 1, 2005... I purchased a 2003 Yamaha 90 two-stroke outboard to replace a 17-year-old 70 hp unit. I have been using oil that meets Yamaha's specs, but several of my friends who have Yamahas have told me that I should only be using Yamaha oil because of the...

Prop picks.(Tech Letters)
July 1, 2005... I own a 1996 Bayliner 2452 with a 5.7L MerCruiser and an Alpha drive. The boat came with a 16X16-inch prop and I had trouble getting out of the hole. I switched to a 15X14-inch prop and got better holeshot. I was thinking of going to a...

Sterndrive corrosion.(Tech Letters)
July 1, 2005... I have a 1988 OMC Cobra sterndrive that, over the years, has developed small areas of corrosion that have lifted the paint and left white stuff (that looks like battery corrosion). After wire brushing and sanding the areas, I can still see some...

Is EFI worth it?(Tech Letters)
July 1, 2005... My question is about the value/cost of upgrading my carbureted 190 hp V-6 sterndrive to fuel injection--jumping up to 220 hp from the fuel-injected version seems too good to be true. I have seen add-on kits for $1500. Can you give me your...

Swing your partner.(Tow Car)
July 1, 2005... I am currently in the market for a new boat, but I need to store it inside my garage due to the weather here in Ohio. My problem is the length of my garage compared to the length of the boat and trailer. As near as I can tell from my...

Help on hills.(Tow Car)
July 1, 2005... My 1998 Toyota Tacoma 4X4 has the 150 hp four-cylinder engine and 3.42 axle gears. It's stated towing capacity is 3500 pounds. My trailer boat weighs just less than 3300 pounds (I weighed it at a truck scale--thanks for that bit of advice), so...

Beginner's luck.(Tow Car)
July 1, 2005... This is my first year boating and I love it. Your magazine is a great help. Here's my question: The bearing caps on my trailer's axles are the old-fashioned, grease-filled type. They are messy and the only way I know if they're properly...

Manual labor revisited.(Tow Car)
July 1, 2005... In the April Tow Car column, we answered questions concerning manual transmissions and wheelbase lengths as they pertain to towing from reader Richard Barone of Meriden, Connecticut. We since have received additional information that should...

Bourdon's tow tip.(Tow Car)
July 1, 2005... Need some practice backing up and maneuvering your trailer on the launch ramp? Are you trying to teach a spouse or teenager to handle the rig? Don't practice on the ramp. Find the largest parking lot (shopping center, industrial park or church)...

Find your center.(TBM Tested)
July 1, 2005... Two questions arise when powerloading a boat onto its trailer: Am I centered on the trailer; and how much farther must I go before hitting the bow stop? The trouble is that once the loading process begins, the winch stand and bow stop are often...

Tower power.(Gotta Have It)
July 1, 2005... There's nothing like catching some serious air to your favorite tunes. At least that's Monster Tower's (877/77-tower; monstertower.com) message with the introduction of its Polk and Tantrum Audio "Bullet" style speakers. The chrome-plated,...

Shady dealings.(Gotta Have It)
July 1, 2005... These days, you can't be too careful about sun protection, and with the new Mantis portable Bimini top from Pro-Techt (404/929-9980; pro-techt.com) your boating days can be made in the shade. Weighing less than 7 1/2 pounds, the portable Bimini...

An ounce of prevention.(Gotta Have It)
July 1, 2005... As trailer boaters, we often take extra safety precautions to make sure things run smoothly both on and off the water. Because others may not be as careful, it's always a good idea to increase your visibility to those around you. PropLite...

Casting call.(Gotta Have It)
July 1, 2005... If you're big on fishing but short on space, Emmrod (888/924-6227; emmrod.com) offers 23- to 27-inch fishing rods that are said to have the action of a 6-footer. Made of stainless steel, the rods feature a spring coil design that provides...

Keeping tabs.(Gotta Have It)
July 1, 2005... Trim tabs can have a tremendous positive effect on a boat's performance--and on your body. New from Nauticus (800/233-0194; Nauticus Inc.com) are the Smart Tabs II ST1610 Series ($349), designed especially for boats between 23 and 30 feet....

Water music.(Gotta Have It)
July 1, 2005... If you just can't get enough of your favorite new CD, or if you're the type who likes to download a succession of tunes to cruise by, check out this new iPod-ready CD player, the CMD4 ($450), from Clarion (800/GO-CLARION; clarion.com/usa). No...