Trailer Boats articles from June 2002

Trailer Boats archives from June 2002

Consider the source. (On Plane).
June 1, 2002... Shortly after I bought my boat, a friend called with distressing news. The craft for which I had plunked down almost $30K was an ill-designed deathtrap, lie told me in a state of near panic. Talk about buyer's remorse! My brow furrowed and...

Photo fury. (Letters to the Editors).
June 1, 2002... Generally, your Over the Transom photos are amusing. However, the photo in the April 2002 issue was ill-considered, scary, and certainly not funny. The little girls perched on the transom of the docked boat are really cute, but to sacrifice...

Tribute to Kovacik. (Letters to the Editors).
June 1, 2002... I first met Bob Kovacik in the 1960s, while he was on the staff of Petersen's Sports Car Graphic, and I was editor of Hot Rod magazine. We developed a friendship that continued after he left Petersen, most recently reconnecting in 1998 while...

Hydra-Sports fan. (Letters to the Editors).
June 1, 2002... In reading "Command Central" in the April issue, I was disappointed that you did not mention two of the best saltwater fishing boats available. You start off by describing trends for 2002, including larger bait systems, increased fuel...

Info addict. (Letters to the Editors).
June 1, 2002... I have been a subscriber for many years now, and a boater much longer. I am addicted to your magazine, and I am writing for two reasons, both related to the April issue. One is your On Plane column, in which you tell of the passing of Bob...

Correct phone for ProPulse propellers.
June 1, 2002... In our March story entitled "Comp Time," we listed the wrong phone number for ProPulse composite propellers. We aplogize for any confusion. The correct number is 941/355-4488.

Personal watercraft industry moves to stall national park ban. (Dock Talk).
June 1, 2002... The personal watercraft (PWC) industry and an anti-boating environmental group are locked in a last-ditch battle over PWC use in 21 national parks. At issue is an April 2001 out-of-court settlement between the National Park Service (NPS),...

Senate votes to exempt pickups from economy standards. (Dock Talk).
June 1, 2002... In what may be a boon to trailer boaters, the Senate approved an amendment in March to an energy bill that would exempt pickups from future Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. The Senate also killed a measure that would have...

"Ficht" badging will be dropped. (Dock Talk).
June 1, 2002... "Ficht is dead," according to George Broughton, Bombardier's chief engineer for Evinrude outboards. "It is not a word we use any more." Though the technology will still be employed in Evinrude's direct-fuel-injected (DFI) two-stroke outboards,...

Customer satisfaction high, according to new marine industry survey. (Dock Talk).
June 1, 2002... In contrast to a recent J.D. Power & Associates study, a survey of boatbuyers by a marine industry group indicates a relatively high customer satisfaction index (CSI). While the J.D. Power study indicated low customer satisfaction (when...

Term of the month warp. (Dock Talk).
June 1, 2002... No, it is not the speed at which Technical Editor Jim Barron usually drives boats. Warp means to move a docked vessel by hauling on its lines. (Definition courtesy Practical Seamanship by Trailer Boats columnist David S. Yetman)

Cheeky solutions. (Boat Improvement).
June 1, 2002... As we went through the list of options to order on our new boat, the salesman suggested we consider upgrading from the standard seats to something that might offer better support. He pointed to an impressive-looking captain's chair in the...

Learning the ropes. (Back To Basics).
June 1, 2002... Have you experienced any mysterious partings this boating season? How about unexplained gelcoat loss, either aboard your boat or one docked nearby? If this describes you, it's obvious that your skills in tying off leave something to be desired....

Electronics Q&A.
June 1, 2002... HARD TO PORT My new autopilot abruptly dodges to port when I transmit on my VHF radio. The installer tells me the VHF is at fault, and that I should have it repaired or replaced. What do you think? Tony Randall Vista, California...

Shifty thinking. (Propulsion).
June 1, 2002... The right prop is absolutely critical for optimum performance. Still, a single prop can't do everything. One that offers good low-end grunt and acceleration generally won't supply the best top speed. Many boaters seek a compromise between these...

The right boat. (Ski Locker).
June 1, 2002... To the casual observer, a ski boat is anything that has a ski eye or a telescoping tow bar mounted to the transom. However, for waterskiers and wakeboarders who are passionate about their sport, there's more to a true ski boat. Throughout...

Baja 275. (Launch Ramp).
June 1, 2002... If you don't believe in love at first sight, you've never laid eyes on the new Baja 275. Big, bold and beautiful, she's 27 feet of heart-stopping thrills masquerading as a performance cuddy -- complete with all the accoutrements necessary for a...

Lowe Tahiti 222. (Launch Ramp).
June 1, 2002... One of the benefits of aluminum construction is light weight, and that makes tin boats efficient with smaller engines. Of course, it also means they're easier to tow. Lowe's Tahiti 222 deck boat fills the bill on both counts. Rated for...

Aqua Patio 240 Deluxe Cruiser. (Launch Ramp).
June 1, 2002... Queen of this year's Aqua Patio fleet, the new 240 Deluxe Cruiser sets the pontoon world spinning with an extraordinary floor plan. The most striking part of the layout -- and a feature that reminds us of the famous "bow flying" scene in...

Grudge match: Honda and Yamaha compete on Mississippi's Gulf Coast for the ultimate four-stroke bragging rights. (Engine Test).
June 1, 2002... The rivalry between Honda and Yamaha is intense, born of fierce corporate competition not only in the U.S., but around the world. So in the eyes of these two companies, every outboard comparison test carries high stakes. For this test, the...

Great divide: the V-drive market is splitting into two segments -- buyers who want luxury and buyers who want wakes. (V-Drive Buyers Guide).
June 1, 2002... V-drive boats have been around for many years. Yet, it's only been 12 years since a ski boat maker reoriented a V-drive for water-sports. In that time, builders have added a number of features that have become identified with V-drive craft...

Economy class: Glastron's affordably priced GS 279 brings cruiser comfort to a new class of boatbuyer. (Boat Test).
June 1, 2002... With Glastron runabouts appearing in a James Bond movie and at Cypress Gardens Ski Show in the 1970s, the 46-year-old boatbuilder's performance image is well etched in the minds of boaters. In the past seven years, however, Glastron has...

Blue-light special: join us as we go on patrol with the waterborne peace officers of the Tennessee River. (TBM Lifestyle).
June 1, 2002... Pick your dream job. What would it be? Since you're reading this magazine, it would probably have something to do with boating or being around water. Well, how about spending your workday aboard a 21 1/2-foot Sea Ray, cruising the rivers...

Mastering mal de mer: the best way to deal with seasickness is understanding the malady and ways to prevent or treat it.
June 1, 2002... Seasickness can be comical -- as long as it happens to someone else. Your fishing buddy or boating companion, at first eager and enthusiastic, is reduced to a helpless, wimpering victim doubled over at the gunwale. You chuckle to yourself...

Vacation planner: Hurricane's Sundeck 237 serves up peppy performance and room for all your favorite boating pastimes. (Trial Run).
June 1, 2002... The waters around the Florida Keys can get skinny as a swimsuit model. Since my family was heading to the Sunshine State on our annual angling trek, I knew we needed a boat that could handle the shallow stuff. I also wanted a hull that could...

Power up: using a high quality battery charger will make life easier for you and your batteries.
June 1, 2002... If you have ever turned your boat key to hear the dreaded "click, click," you know how a dead battery can ruin your day. If your batteries are not charged sufficiently, you are destined to have a frustrating and possibly unsafe outing. While...

In the running: Toyota's midsize SUV may not be as powerful as its competition, but it's still a contender. (TBM Tow Test).
June 1, 2002... We last examined the venerable Toyota 4Runner in 1998 when the late Bob Kovacik stacked the 4Runner up against the newly introduced Lexus RX300 to compare the luxurious Lexus with the somewhat Spartan, but highly respected Toyota SUV. Kovacik's...

Hydro helper: a special "buoyancy tank" sets the HydroBubble apart -- but does this lightweight anchor really work? We test it to find out. (TBM Sea Trial).
June 1, 2002... We typically conduct our anchor evaluations at Nevada's Lake Mead for two reasons: It's a windy place with big water. Put 'em together, and you've got the recipe for a good test of any anchor's ability to dig in and hold tight. Our latest...

Tech letters.
June 1, 2002... FLAT SPOTS I own a 1994 24-foot Bayliner. When I purchased the boat two years ago, the trailer had new tires. Three of the tires are wearing normally, but one tire has worn out. It has flat spots on the tread. I replaced the tire and had...

Tow Car.
June 1, 2002... 460 POWER CURVE I'm trying to find torque/horsepower charts for my truck. I've looked all over the Internet, and even though it's a very common engine, I've had no luck at all. I pull a 3200-pound boat and trailer setup and frequently...

Si-Tex's compact True-Color Radar helps you "see" better in fog. (Gotta Have It).
June 1, 2002... It will be radar love when you check out the new T-700 Series LCD True-Color Radars from Si-Tex. Whatever is around your boat will come to life on a compact 6 1/2-inch TFT Color LCD screen, as target echos are depicted in different colors...

Navigate Midwest waterways with confidence. (Gotta Have It).
June 1, 2002... For those who like to know before they go, a detailed guidebook is just the thing. Newly available from Pelican Publishing is the Cruising Guide from Lake Michigan to Kentucky Lake: The Heartland Rivers Route, by Capt. Rick Rhodes. The book...

Magellan's new SporTrak Pro is a good thing in a small package. (Gotta Have It).
June 1, 2002... You don't have to be an explorer to take advantage of Magellan's new handheld SporTrak Pro GPS. Featuring 23 MB of built-in memory, the waterproof, compact GPS not only offers a database of marine navigation aids, but can also help you navigate...

Steer your smaller outboard with a Teleflex hydraulic system. (Gotta Have It).
June 1, 2002... With BayStar from Teleflex Morse, even boaters with small outboards can enjoy the control, safety and comfort of hydraulic steering. Designed for use with single outboards up to 140 hp, the compact system is said to eliminate engine torque at...