Trailer Boats articles from July 2006

Trailer Boats archives from July 2006

Raising the bar.(On Plane)
July 1, 2006... It's one thing to have vision, but it's quite another to have the courage to act upon it. Those who summon both are capable of great things. Ralph and Carlotta Poole, who launched Trailer Boats 35 years ago this month, possess both...

NMMA has the floor.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2006... On behalf of the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), I want to address the response of readers to your "Question of the Month" (March), which asks if NMMA-certified hulls are better and safer than noncertified hulls. To clarify,...

Blast from the past.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2006... Maybe you could include some old test reports. Sometimes it's good to read nostalgic tests from the past. I have a subscription to a motorcycle magazine and enjoy reading about the old machines once in a while. Brian Hughes ...

Time stops.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2006... When Trailer Boats arrives, my wife teases me, as everything stops in the house so I can read it. Keep up the good work. Every issue continues to be better than the last. Tony Raiche Russell, Kentucky

Enough already!(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2006... I read ad nauseam the mailbag responders who attempt to portray the inclusion of great-looking women in your photos as sexist and objectified. These are poorly disguised attempts at political correctness based on the modern pseudo feminist...

Yami's monster FX.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2006... Wow! With a 1952cc powerplant, Yamaha's 50th Anniversary FX Cruiser HO features the world's largest displacement engine for a mass-produced PWC. Yet, the Getting Personal article in your May issue says the top speed is still below 60 mph. Hmm...

Allegheny heart and soul.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the editor)
July 1, 2006... I just finished reading your March story about "Pittsburgh's Playground," the Allegheny River. My family has boated on the Allegheny for four generations. We own a cottage just north of Murphy's Island. I actually remember Mr. Stob's boat...

North Carolina woman wins "Hitch Up" & Getaway Sweepstakes package.(Dock Talk)
July 1, 2006... Beth Haskell likes to enter contests and she's occasionally won some things over the years--but this devoted boater never dreamed she'd win a five-figure boat package. That all changed when the Durham, North Carolina, resident learned she was...

Program expanded to cover more kids.(Dock Talk)
July 1, 2006... BoatU.S. Foundation announced that it has added 45 new sites to its Life Jacket Loaner Program for Kids. The move brings the number of nationwide locations offering children's PFDs for loan to more than 400. The goal of the program is to ensure...

So many boats, so little time.(Dock Talk)
July 1, 2006... Looking for a boat or accessory for your boat? In this fast-paced world, it's tough sometimes to get time to look around, especially for purchases of the nautical kind, which often take a fair amount of research and comparison shopping. But...

Fine 'tooning: not the same old 'toon.(Dock Talk)
July 1, 2006... Pizzazz is not a term that usually leaps to mind when one thinks of pontoons. The Princecraft Sportfisher 22 LP4S, which combines great fishing features with family-fun sparkle, may be an exception. The manufacturer has thought of everything...

Something's fishy: Polar Kraft Kodiak V188 FS.(Dock Talk)
July 1, 2006... The V-Force Hull with Torque Control Design (TCD) makes Polar Kraft's new 18 1/2-foot Kodiak V188 FS worthy of a maximum rating of 200 hp, yet it still handles extremely well with as few as 115 horses. With a combination of lifting strakes and...

Ounce of prevention: battling ants.(Dock Talk)
July 1, 2006... It is small but mighty. It congregates in the thousands and can lift up to 40 times its own weight. It is a decomposer, consuming anything from dead plants to dead animals. Yet, it has a sweet spot and often gravitates toward those little...

In tow: slotted discs boost stopping power.(Dock Talk)
July 1, 2006... Whenever you are towing--and especially when hauling extremely heavy loads--there's no such thing as too much stopping power. But whether you are driving a stock pickup or SUV, or have modified your rig with programmers, chips or towing...

Getting personal: ride safe--ride smart.(Dock Talk)
July 1, 2006... There is more to responsible PWC riding than operating within your limits. When navigating around other boaters, you must also consider what their interpretations of your actions might be. Given the uncanny maneuverability of some PWC, a good...

Wake tools: tools of summer.(Dock Talk)
July 1, 2006... It's July, and a host of new water-sports gear will surely increase your fun factor behind the boat. Here's a sampling of what's hot this summer: Six-time world slalom champion, Andy Mapple, is back to competing, but now he's doing it on...

DFI two-stroke tops economy quiz.(READER SURVEY RESULTS)
July 1, 2006... In our May Question of the Month we asked: "Aboard identical 20-foot runabouts, which would post the best overall fuel efficiency?" It was a multiple-choice question and the answers respondents could pick from were: Direct-injected 200 hp V-6...

Question of the month.(READER SURVEY RESULTS)
July 1, 2006... When you buy your next boat, will you be sticking with the same brand or switching gears? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Staying with the same brand * Definitely switching to something else * I'm open-minded; I'll consider anything...

Skipper's challenge.(READER SURVEY RESULTS)
July 1, 2006... Launch Ramp Faux Pas What is a common mistake not mentioned in this list of embarrassing snafus? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1. Not using the parking brake or tire chock 2. Inability to back the trailer 3. Submerging the...

Now hear this.(Boat Improvement)
July 1, 2006... Your boat's VHF radio is a valuable tool that can keep you informed about the weather, put you in touch with the Coast Guard when you need help, and keep you in contact with other boats so you can learn where the fish are biting. But no matter...

Summer reading.(Boating Basics)
July 1, 2006... It was a gorgeous Fourth of July and perfect for enjoying Northern Michigan's Chain of Lakes. This historic inland waterway offers narrow, winding passages that connect to wide-open water on larger lakes, such as Mullet and Burt, on its path...

Fill'er up with ethanol.(Propulsion Report)
July 1, 2006... We have been receiving inquiries from readers about the effects of ethanol in gasoline as a replacement for MTBE--the oxygenate that's added to gas blends in many areas to help curb emissions. The main beef with MTBE is its unfortunate habit of...

Showstopper: Sea Ray's classy new 250 Select EX will turn heads wherever you go.(TEST)
July 1, 2006... Whether you're seeking nimble performance, sun-worship space or rope-pulled fun, Sea Ray's new 250 Select EX has you covered. Though it's categorized as a sport boat, the Select EX fits into the Sea Ray marina as a "premium luxury" model--yet...

Blade runners: breakthroughs in technology, materials and design are resulting in some exciting new props this year. Check out these wheels.
July 1, 2006... There's an incredible variety of boats plying today's waters--everything from fishing rigs to cruisers, pontoons and sportboats--but despite their differences, they all have one thing in common: a propeller. (OK, forget jet boats for now,...

Downeast Jewel: filled with gorgeous islands and excellent cruising, Maine's Casco Bay may offer the ultimate in salty Downeast charm.(TBM DESTINATION)
July 1, 2006... As I stood at the shoreline, a couple of campers walked by and looked at my boat. One of them asked if I was getting ready to paint the hull. They were kidding, of course, and I had to laugh. There was my 17-foot Bayliner--stuck in the sand...

Boating breakthroughs: jump aboard as we celebrate marine milestones that have helped shape today's boats, trailers and tow vehicles.(Trailer Boats 35th Anniversary Special Section)
July 1, 2006... Boating technology is accelerating at a dizzying pace, as breakthroughs in electronics, digital controls and instruments, closed-mold boatbuilding and advanced new engines push our sport headlong into the future. Frankly, it's easier to take...

35 years of innovation.(Trailer Boats 35th Anniversary Special Section)
July 1, 2006... 1971 to 1975 Trailer Boats launches in the summer of 1971 and immediately establishes a benchmark by being the first boating magazine to provide comprehensive tests that include objective, substantiated data on speed and fuel consumption....

Full steam ahead: where is boating headed? We share our thoughts on the future.(Trailer Boats 35th Anniversary Special Section)
July 1, 2006... While predicting the future is risky, it's fun to speculate on what lies in store for boaters. Based on our observations, both short- and long-term changes in boats, trailers, tow vehicles and even launch facilities will be driven by access and...

Three-card stud: we pit small block and big block gas sterndrives against a diesel to see which comes out on top aboard a 280 eliminator.(TEST)(Cover story)
July 1, 2006... Engine comparisons are always a blast to do, and when we get a chance to check out a diesel sterndrive against small block and big block gasoline engines, it's three times the fun. Unlike comparisons of similar horsepower (such as a showdown...

Flashback: with bold looks and surprising towing power, Toyota's retro FJ Cruiser will please the young at heart.(TEST)
July 1, 2006... Blending the old with the new is never easy, and some do it better than others. By melding fresh, hip designs with past glories, Toyota has created a new SUV that brings back pleasant memories, while offering the conveniences and technological...

Which filter is best?(Tech Letters)
July 1, 2006... I have a 22-foot offshore fisher with twin Yamaha 130 outboards. Each engine is fed by its own 70-gallon fuel tank going through its own Racor outboard filter with the translucent plastic bowl. Recently, I've had to frequently clean the idle...

Spark plug life.(Tech Letters)
July 1, 2006... One thing I don't understand is why marine outboard spark plugs have to be changed every six months. This is the recommended interval according to my Yamaha handbook. I have a 1995, two-cycle 90 hp Yamaha and I am clueless. Automotive...

Market share.(Tech Letters)
July 1, 2006... I've been searching for some information and I hope you can assist. What I need to know is: Of the top outboards on the market--Honda, Mercury, Bombardier/Johnson/Evinrude, Suzuki and Yamaha--which has the most sales in the U.S., and what...

Propping question.(Tech Letters)
July 1, 2006... I bought a 2002 Chaparral 196 SSI; it's the first boat I've ever owned. It has a 220 hp 5.0L MerCruiser and used to have a 21-inch-pitch three-blade aluminum prop. We always have four to eight people on the boat, family and friends, and have...

It's backwards.(Tech Letters)
July 1, 2006... We love our 1989 Yamaha 115 two-stroke outboard. It powers a 1988 Glastron Z-17 to speeds of more than 50 mph. We recently had a steering repair, which required lifting the engine off the boat. Now, the trim gauge is working backwards. What did...

Old vs. new.(Tech Letters)
July 1, 2006... I read with interest about the new 300 hp Suzuki four-cycle outboard. But I remember back in the late 1980s that Evinrude (or maybe it was Johnson, or both) put out a 300 hp two-cycle. Now I am wondering just how a 300 hp outboard of the '80s...

Just right.(Tow Car)
July 1, 2006... My wife and I have been looking for a new tow vehicle that can pull about 5000 pounds, is not too big and not too small, has some power, and four seats for us and the two kids. I am looking at midsize crew cab pickups; my wife is leaning toward...

Waiting for a rating.(Tow Car)
July 1, 2006... After a recent purchase from a used car lot, I have had no luck finding the tow rating of my 2001 Toyota 4Runner four-wheel drive. It has the V-6 engine and automatic transmission. There was no paperwork or owner's manual with the truck when I...

Nissan knowledge.(Tow Car)
July 1, 2006... I just need a truck to tow my boat 10 miles to the water. I don't want to drive a truck daily, so I'll keep my nice new car for that. One of the tow vehicles I am looking at is a 1988 Nissan King Cab piokup with the 3.0L V-6. One of my...

Tired of tires.(Tow Car)
July 1, 2006... Why am I having so many problems with trailer tires? I have a 1990 Bayliner Capri on an Escort (2650-pound GVWR) trailer. I have been replacing tires every other season. The boat is stored during winter on a gravel driveway away from the mud,...

Bourdon's tow tip.(Tow Car)
July 1, 2006... We see many boats being towed with just the bow roller strap securing the boat to the trailer. This is unacceptably risky, in our humble opinion. Forget that the bow roller, once tight and locked, would probably never unwind and loosen its grip...

Set them free.(TBM Tested)
July 1, 2006... My old diesel engine has proven to be a great test bed for many a product, and this one will probably help countless other boaters out of tight spots. My helpers, and even the professional mechanic we eventually called in, agreed that when it...

A bag worthy of BigFoot.(Gotta Have It)
July 1, 2006... The BigFoot Bag from PortaQuip (577/883-0200; bigfoot bag.com) brings a whole new meaning to utility bags. The line offers a unique and handy way to protect, store and carry your favorite stuff--from wakeboards to extra clothes--when you're...

Funnel and toss.(Gotta Have It)
July 1, 2006... Having to fill an outboard reservoir or sterndrive with oil can be a pain: It's hard to avoid drips and spills--and even harder to clean up after the inevitable happens. If you're a little on the accident-prone side, the new Fast Funnel...

Square away your sticks.(Gotta Have It)
July 1, 2006... If fishing is among your favorite onboard activities, then you know the value of a secure rod holder. TACO Metals (800/226-8201; tacometals.com) also understands, and has introduced an affordable Clamp-On Rod Holder ($30) for light tackle use....