Trailer Boats articles from June 2001

Trailer Boats archives from June 2001

SITTING SHOTGUN.
June 1, 2001... One of my sons is at the age where he wants to take our boat out on his own -- just he and a couple of his fishing buddies. He's anxious to stretch the limits of his independence, and that means Dad doesn't fit into this kind of trip. I...

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS.
June 1, 2001... WHO WON? Who won the "Over the Transom" photo contest for 2000? Nancy Schmidt St. Bonifacious, Minnesota Funny you should ask, Nancy. We announce the winner in this issue. Check out "Back at the Ramp, "page 93. TRAILER...

UNIQUE PROMOTIONS KICK OFF WITH FISHING AND BOATING WEEK.
June 1, 2001... Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Washington have been selected to participate in aggressive pilot programs to promote recreational boating and fishing in the United States. Led by the Alexandria-based Recreational Boating and Fishing...

BOMBARDIER RECALLS EVINRUDES TO FIX POSSIBLE FUEL LEAKS.
June 1, 2001... As outlined on Trailer Boats' website at presstime, Bombardier Motor Corp. of America has issued a recall of all 1999 and 2000 Evinrude Ficht outboards in the 200 and 225 hp categories. Montreal-based Bombardier recently completed purchase of...

BOATING INDUSTRY SEEKS SATISFACTION.
June 1, 2001... Chicago, Illinois-based National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) the leading boating industry organization, will be measuring customer satisfaction among boat and marine engine buyers for the first time. Similar to the customer...

SKIPPER'S CHALLENGE.
June 1, 2001... Which type of line has the greatest flotation characteristics: (a) nylon, (b) dacron or (c) polypropylene? For the answer, turn to page 93. Excerpted from Skipper's Challenge ($19.95), a book by Dale R. Lydigsen, Jr.

TRUE GRID.
June 1, 2001... My boat has a huge fish locker in the transom -- a side benefit of having inboard power. The absence of an outboard or sterndrive -- and all of the related rigging -- leaves lots of room at the stem, especially in the center of the transom...

SKINNY WATERS.
June 1, 2001... There is a list of famous last words circulating on the Internet that includes gems such as: "I wonder where the mother bear is?" and "I'll bet I set a world record doing this!" Fateful phrases bring to mind ones I've heard while aboard...

ELECTRONICS Q&A.
June 1, 2001... VHF PHONE SERVICE I understand that a company called MariTel will soon be taking over most VHF marine-radio channels throughout the country. Will I need something special in my VHF to take advantage of this service? Matt Mettler ...

WHY BOATS POUND.
June 1, 2001... When it comes to trailerable, hard-chined, monohull powerboats, "pounding" is a fact of life. Such hulls support the vast majority of fast, planing runabouts, cuddies, cruisers and fishing boats that trailer boaters have come to know and love....

TIGHTER SPECS.
June 1, 2001... The Chicago, Illinois-based National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), the leading boating industry organization, is the entity that currently sets the standards for rating marine engine horsepower. NMMA rates horsepower in one of two...

GREAT GADGETS.
June 1, 2001... Think of the great moments in life -- your first homerun or first kiss, for example. It's the fleeting seconds and brief encounters that make up the most memorable events. By contrast, in watersports, we often direct our attention to the big...

Launch Ramp.
June 1, 2001... ASTRO 2350 SD If it's 'round-the-lake performance you're hungry for, then fill up on Astro's 2350 SD, a 23-foot, 2-inch-long "main dish" that comes trimmed with all the goodies. Got an appetite for speed? This big deck boat quenches your...

Aggressive Force.
June 1, 2001... With new ownership and a fresh attitude, MasterCraft is aggressively pursuing both the traditional skiboat and runabout markets Aggressive thinking is now a way of life at MasterCraft Boat Co. of Vonore, Tennessee. It all started in...

Cruise Control.
June 1, 2001... A weekend on the water could be just what the doctor ordered, and here are 15 mid-cabin cruisers that can help fill the prescription Trailerable mid-cabin cruisers are the economical answer for the family that wants the extra room of a...

Tab, Please.
June 1, 2001... Can a $120 set of trim tabs make a difference in boat performance? We install a pair on a 19-foot Maxum bowrider to find out Nearly any planing hull can benefit from a set of trim tabs such as those offered by Bennett or Trim Master. When...

Doin' the 'Dacks.
June 1, 2001... There is no better way of exploring New York's Adirondacks region than by boat 'Adirondack history is a tale written on the water. In the Adirondacks, people have traveled, conducted warfare, hunted and fished, gone to church proposed...

Family Room.
June 1, 2001... Rinker's Flotilla 26 proves to be a powerful and roomy playpen for active boating families Deck boats are hot. They represent one of the best-selling categories in recreational boating today. The Rinker's Boat Co. manufactures the Flotilla...

Finders Keepers.
June 1, 2001... With scores of fishfinders from which to choose, how do you decide on the one that's right for you? Here are some tips, based on what you get for your money Today, there is a mind-boggling array of fishfinder models -- each one a marvel of...

Avoid the Crunch.
June 1, 2001... Docking in high winds is fraught with potential boat damage and injury. Here are tips for getting her to and from the dock in five windy scenarios There are some important things to keep in mind when maneuvering around docks and piers in a...

Playing it Straight.
June 1, 2001... Chevy's TrailBlazer features a powerful new straight-six engine and a 6200-pound tow rating Chevrolet has not used an inline-six cylinder (I-6) engine since 1985. So, why would the automaker bring it back now? Well, for those who remember...

Tech Letters.
June 1, 2001... MOVING EXPERIENCE I am moving to Florida, and I am wondering if I should take my current boat or if I should sell it here and buy something different when I get there. I have a Stingray 220LX that I use on Lake Mead, Nevada, and Lake...

TOW CAR.
June 1, 2001... DUALLY DISCS I am in the market for a new 1-ton dually this year, perhaps a 2002 model. Does the GM dually have rear disc brakes? I think four-wheel disc brakes make sense, especially when I am considering towing a 12,000-pound fifth-wheel...

SAFEGUARD YOUR PRECIOUS CHARTS.
June 1, 2001... You could be lost without your charts. Now you can protect them from wind, rain, food and beverages. Sport Masters introduces the Chart Guard to its family of marine gear. Made of space-age materials that also happen to be buoyant, Chart Guard...

TACKLE LURE MANAGEMENT WITH SAFETY AND SPEED.
June 1, 2001... When you go on a fishing trip, the last thing you want to spend time on is untangling hooks and lures -- risking the possibility of hooking yourself. Now, Finovationz offers its new Tackle-Rack LMS Model TR-2000, which could make your fishing...

MAKE THAT METAL SHINE...AND LAST.
June 1, 2001... Tired of scuzzy-looking hardware? Rediscover pride in boat ownership with Star brite's new Chrome & Stainless Polish. Formulated to clean, shine and protect marine metals, the nonabrasive polish can remove dirt, grime, oxidation, stains and...

KEEP THE ENVIRONMENT CLEAN AND AVOID FINES.
June 1, 2001... Your boat may not be the Exxon Valdez, but that doesn't mean it will never leak gas or oil. Under the Federal Water Pollution Act, even owners of small craft can be fined up to $5000 for a single violation. The Bilge Shark marine spill kit, new...

INCREASE YOUR TOWING SAFETY.
June 1, 2001... When towing a boat, your taillights maybe hidden or more difficult to see. Muth has designed the Signal Mirrors system to address this problem. The mirrors appear as regular rearview side mirrors, but when signals are turned on, a flashing...

WHEELS FOR EVERY PORT.
June 1, 2001... Your boat can get you where you want to go on the water. But once you tie up in a new port of call, how do you get around? It's no problem with the new Mariner foldable motorbike from Di Blasi. The lightweight scooter features a rust-resistant...

WATERPROOF THAT CANVAS AND UPHOLSTERY.
June 1, 2001... How many times have you sat down on a cushion only to find - too late - that it's soaked through? Suffer the embarrassment of wet pants no more. With Marykate Fabric Waterproofer you can restore water repellency to practically any fabric found...

KEEP YOUR VALUABLES SAFE.
June 1, 2001... Keys, ID, medicine, credit cards, cash. Where do you put it all when you're working around the boat and it's just not practical to carry a purse or billfold? SurfSafe and the larger Keep-It Safe sports cases may be the answer. The colorful,...

MERCRUISER GIMBAL-HOUSING REPAIR.
June 1, 2001... Should the gimbal housing on your MerCruiser stern-drive ever fail due to corrosion, you could be in for a couple thousand dollars worth of repairs - or even more for a replacement. The GHR Kit, billed as "the alternative," though designed for...

AVOID BUYING PRESCRIPTION SUNGLASSES.
June 1, 2001... Prescription eyeglass wearers take note: Now you can shield your eyes from damaging UV rays, look stylish and save money all at the same time. The new Jonathan Paul Glides easily fit over small prescription glasses, saving you the aggravation...