Trailer Boats articles from June 2004

Trailer Boats archives from June 2004

The long and short of it.(On Plane)
June 1, 2004... Eventually, the pendulum swings both ways. A universal axiom, yes... I just figured it somehow didn't apply to boat companies. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Yet, after years of branding boats with numerical monikers that make them seem...

Thinly disguised.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... Your "2004 Tow Vehicle of the Year" article (March) is a blatant, thinly disguised means of eliminating the [towing] competition. I refer to your arbitrarily setting a tow rating that only favors a few vehicles. Your pick of the Tow Vehicle of...

Right to bear arms.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... I read in the April Dock Talk (Barbs & Gaffes section) about the unarmed harbormaster in Salisbury, Massachusetts. I work as an assistant harbormaster in nearby Beverly, Massachusetts. We also are unarmed, yet we patrol 13 miles of coastline....

Uses regular unleaded.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2004... In the March issue's sterndrive shoot-out ("Dogfight") between Volvo Penta's 4.3L GXi SX and MerCruiser's 4.3L Alpha 1, we stated that the 4.3L GXi requires midgrade 89-octane fuel. Volvo Penta (757/436-3800; volvopenta.com) tells us that, in...

Get Real, revisited.
June 1, 2004... I respectfully and strongly disagree. Not with Trailer Boats, but with a letter in the April edition. In "Get Real," Ms. Swenson argues that Trailer Boats should not use "bimbo" [models] that are scantily clad. What a joke! She says she does...

Longlining banned in West Coast offshore waters.(Dock Talk)
June 1, 2004... Early in March, the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announced that new regulations would apply to commercial longline fishing off the West Coast. The law, which took effect April 12, prohibits shallow...

Optimism on the upswing for recreational boating industry.(Dock Talk)
June 1, 2004... In its latest Marine Business Leader Outlook Quarterly Survey, the Recreational Marine Research Center, a joint venture between the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) and Michigan State University, reported that optimism among...

And the winner is ....(Dock Talk)
June 1, 2004... It was a close race between several contestants in Trailer Boats' annual Over the Transom photo contest. But the readers have spoken. Once the voting deadline had passed and we tallied all the ballots, we discovered that the August 2003 entry...

Lake Powell Marinas receive upgrades.(Dock Talk)
June 1, 2004... Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas has announced the expansion of its Wahweap, Bullfrog and Halls Crossing boating facilities, to be completed in time for this summer's boating season. Among the improvements will be launch-ramp upgrades and...

Let others know where you are.(Dock Talk)
June 1, 2004... If you venture far from shore, and especially if you enjoy the solitude of singlehanding, it's good to have something onboard to help rescuers pinpoint your location in the event of an on-the-water emergency. Last fall, the Federal...

Quintrex trolls U.S. market.(Dock Talk)
June 1, 2004... Major Australian boatbuilder Quintrex Boats recently announced its move into its new U.S. headquarters located in Moncks Corner, South Carolina. In an effort to make inroads into this country's marine market, Quintrex planned to start...

Honda Marine enhances website.(Dock Talk)
June 1, 2004... Feeling bored? Click on to Honda Marine's redesigned website for a good time. Actually, at honda-marine.com, you can get the lowdown on any Honda outboard through pull-down menus. In fact, every outboard has its own page that's chock full of...

Watertoy profile: D3 skis do the trick.(Dock Talk)
June 1, 2004... D3 skis are the third incarnation of three-event skis by Denny Kidder. For 25 years, Kidder has designed and manufactured skis. First, in the late 1970s it was Kidder Skis. Then came KD in the late '90s. Now, with the D3 series, Kidder has...

Four Winns 250 Horizon delivers the goods.(Just Cruisin')
June 1, 2004... Debuting in Trailer Boats' August 2003 issue, the Four Winns 230 Horizon made us look twice. Here was a distinctive rig that blended an open-bow sport boat with deck boat features. The next-generation theme continues with this year's new 250...

Triton 2690 is built for big water action.(Overwides Only)
June 1, 2004... Triton's 2690 Center Console is the second largest boat this Ashland City, Tennessee, builder makes. With a beam of 9 feet, it falls into the overwide category for towing, albeit barely. Still, 6 inches of extra girth add up, especially when...

In tow: 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee gets Hemi power.
June 1, 2004... Redesigned from the ground up, the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee will not only sport updated exterior and interior designs, it's also equipped with a choice of three full-time four-wheel-drive systems, new independent front suspension and...

Garmin "colorizes" its 76 Series GPS handhelds.(Electronics)
June 1, 2004... 'Making a good thing better" is the basic premise behind Garmin's (800/800-1020; garmin.com) launch of its GPSMAP 76C and 76CS handhelds. These color versions of the company's popular 76 Series units feature more than a pretty screen, however,...

Vested interests for PWC enthusiasts.(Getting Personal)
June 1, 2004... Life jackets, or personal flotation devices (PFDs) in U.S. Coast Guard-speak, are without question the most important piece of riding gear you'll ever own. They keep you afloat in the event of an emergency, provide some amount of protection to...

What to look for in a neoprene PFD.
June 1, 2004... Once you get past the sticker shock of a neoprene PFD, you'll probably agree that the comfort is worth the investment. But what should you look for, and what makes one vest different from another? Here are a few pointers to get that perfect...

Sanpan 2500 DC makes it look easy.(Fine Tooning)
June 1, 2004... The new Sanpan 2500 DC offers the caliber of floating luxury that would have made her the star of Cleopatra's fleet. With room to entertain visiting royalty (or up to 16 of your friends and family), this 25-footer has enough to offer to make...

Grady-White Tournament 185.(Hot New Boats)
June 1, 2004... Known for its salty sportfishers, Grady-White brings to the 2004 table its peppery little dual-console Tournament 185. This versatile 18-footer is designed for families who enjoy casting a rod or two, but also skiing, tubing, swimming--and just...

Hurricane Fundeck GS 2002 OB.(Hot New Boats)
June 1, 2004... There's a new storm brewing on a waterway near you. One of the latest deck boat offerings from Hurricane, the Fundeck GS 202 has plenty to offer skiers and fishermen alike. A roomy layout and well-placed amenities make entertaining your friends...

San Diego skipper and world-class kayak anglers take offshore fishing to the extreme.(Adventures in Boating)
June 1, 2004... When San Diego-based skipper Ed Heller asked Jim Sammons and Jeff Krieger if they would venture far offshore to battle tuna from kayaks, using his 2680 Glacier Bay Glacier Cat as a "mothership," there was a moment of hesitation. While these...

Boaters divided over getting wet.(Reader Survey Results)
June 1, 2004... Our latest survey queried readers about whether they carry rain suits aboard. The responses were evenly divided, with the naysayers having a slight edge. Fifty-three percent of those polled said they do not include raingear as part of their...

Question of the Month.
June 1, 2004... Do you prefer to power load your boat, or do you winch it on to the trailer? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] To register your answer, go to our website--TrailerBoats.com--and click on Question of the Month. Also, visit our message boards, and...

Skipper's challenge.
June 1, 2004... If the towline is kept too tight when towing in rough seas, too much stress will be put on the deck hardware of both vessels. One way to reduce stress is to: a. keep a constant supply of margaritas going b. hold the line by hand ...

Taking the kids along.(Boating Basics)
June 1, 2004... National Fishing & Boating Week--observed this month from June 5 to 13--is a popular time for state watercraft and wildlife agencies to offer special events that promote boating and fishing among adults and children. This month also marks the...

Always juiced.(Boat Improvement)
June 1, 2004... It happens every day at thousands of launch ramps. People try to start their boats, only to discover that their batteries have dropped dead. While this is all too common when boats are first pulled out of winter storage, summer heat also takes...

Outboard vs. sterndrive.(Propulsion Report)
June 1, 2004... A common question that I seldom answer to anyone's satisfaction is the classic, "Which is better, an out-board or sterndrive?" Over the years, I have taken several positions, and my current thinking is that both have their advantages. ...

Hard-hat fishing: what Texas' Sabine Pass lacks in beauty, it makes up for in rod-bending action.(TBM Destination)
June 1, 2004... Thinking about a fishing trip out to the Gulf of Mexico oil rigs outside of Sabine Pass, Texas? Here's a helpful list to get you started: Graphite spinning rod spooled with 12-pound test--check. Tacklebox full of plastic paddle-tail grubs and...

Capital gain: investing a little fun time aboard Glastron's value-priced SX 195 yields maximum family returns.(Test)
June 1, 2004... For almost 50 years, Glastron has meant performance, and the company's most recent offerings serve up a great mix of performance and value. The sporty 18 1/2-foot SX 195 is a prime example. Carrying a base price of $16,863, it comes with a...

Head for the sea: great adventures await those who go down to the sea in small boats.
June 1, 2004... You know the lake like the back of your hand, and could navigate it in your sleep. You know where the big ones bite, the best spot for a picnic, the sandiest beach and exactly where the water will get shallow come August. [ILLUSTRATION...

Sophisticated muscle: we pit four deluxe cruisers in a PWC cage match to see which four-stroke comes out on top.(PWC Shoot-Out)
June 1, 2004... Competition is an interesting thing. One minute you're on top of the world; the next, the competition is right back in your face. That's a quick summary of where the "deluxe cruiser" class of personal watercraft (PWC) has been and where it is...

Trophy queen: this new limited edition tournament center console is designed to take Trophy owners into the winner's circle.(Cover Story)
June 1, 2004... Judging from the new 2305 Tournament Edition, Trophy is getting deadly serious about tournament fishing. With a keen eye on this segment of the market, Trophy debuted a new limited edition platform at this year's Miami International Boat Show,...

Plastic fantastic: molded of pliable plastic, Triumph's 191 Walkthrough opens a new dimension in multipurpose hulls.
June 1, 2004... Plastic is everywhere these days--even in boat hulls. Triumph Boats of Durham, North Carolina, uses polyethylene plastic exclusively, and its just-launched 191 Series demonstrates how the firm is expanding its worldview. Initially, the company...

Crew cut: Chevy's sharp new 1/2-ton crew cab offers room for all in a clean-cut package.
June 1, 2004... Released to dealers midyear, the 2004 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab pickup can haul a family-sized load and a big boat, too, thanks to a maximum tow rating of 8500 pounds. In order to achieve this 1/2-ton pickup's maximum tow rating,...

Shady deal: here's a first-rate, aftermarket T-top that adjusts to fit nearly any center console.(TBM How-to)
June 1, 2004... The center console is one of the most popular fishing boat designs among coastal and offshore fishermen. This configuration is also favored by freshwater striped bass enthusiasts and even walleye fans who ply large inland waters. And while...

Weighing my options.(Tech Letters)
June 1, 2004... I am looking to buy a new boat and I am not sure of the best engine option for me. What is the difference in fuel consumption between a 5.0L and a 5.7L engine? Is fuel consumption more related to boat weight or engine size--or both? Will a 5.0L...

Prime time.(Tech Letters)
June 1, 2004... I have a 5 hp Nissan outboard that generally runs well. I'm pushing a small, plastic Pelican (by the way, it's a great, inexpensive dinghy alternative). I crank it up and get the boat on plane and zoom around for a while. However, if I do this...

That flexy feeling.(Tech Letters)
June 1, 2004... I purchased a 1986 18-foot Bayliner and have noticed that the floor is quite flexible between the seats and just forward of the floor storage compartment. I suspect I have some rot. I am fairly handy and would like to know if this is a repair...

Reliable juice.(Tech Letters)
June 1, 2004... It is time to replace the battery in my 18-foot Larson runabout. The current battery doesn't hold a charge very long. My kids beach the boat on a sandbar and listen to the stereo all day, and I am afraid that they will run the battery down and...

Dropping a lower unit.(Tech Letters)
June 1, 2004... I want to change the water pump on my 70 hp Mercury. The manual I bought says to disconnect the shift lever before removing the lower unit. Where do I disconnect it? Tom Kalish Bellflower, California I don't know what manual you...

Durango dilemma.(Tow Car)
June 1, 2004... After some research, I recently bought a 2004 Dodge Durango 4X2 Limited with the Hemi engine, tow package and 3.55 gears. When I went to the dealer to shop, I stressed to two different salespersons that my biggest concern was whether the...

Ford van fan.(Tow Car)
June 1, 2004... I have a 2001 Ford Econoline 150 Traveler Van with the 5.4L V-8, automatic transmission and 3.55 rear axle. The van's gross combined weight rating (GCWR) is 12,000 pounds and the tow rating is 6900 pounds. My new boat is a Sea Ray 240 Sundeck...

Wrong tow rating?(Tow Car)
June 1, 2004... In your "2004 Tow Vehicle of the Year" test (March), you state that midway through your testing period, you decided to eliminate vehicles with tow ratings less than 8000 pounds, including the Toyota and Dodge 1/2-ton, crew cab pickups. I...

Put your best foot forward.(TBM Tested)
June 1, 2004... Normally, I prefer to go barefoot while boating. But let's face it: There are times when this just isn't practical. Cool weather or splintered wooden docks are just two examples of situations for which you need proper footwear. Although...

Hey dad! Keep track of your kids.(TBM Tested)
June 1, 2004... Maintaining a high profile is a good thing when it comes to water play. A new device from CDP Manufacturing (313/562-6901; cdp-captain hook.com) not only helps you keep an eye on your loved ones when they're in the water, but also increases...

It's a bird, it's a plane ...(TBM Tested)
June 1, 2004... No, it's not a UFO, it's the new U-Turn tube ($159) from Connelly (425/775-5416; connellyskis.com). This 60X72-inch U-shaped water toy is designed to rock and roll, surf and fly. You can use it in a sitting or standing position and it's great...

Made in the shade.(TBM Tested)
June 1, 2004... Once you get your Bimini in place, it can be a hassle to take it down again. Usually, there are lots of tiny pins and screws involved, and these are oh-so-easy to lose--usually overboard. Accon Marine (727/572-9202; acconmarine.com) has come up...

Got juice?(TBM Tested)
June 1, 2004... Fresh, fully charged batteries are the lifeblood of any powerboat. Guest's (707/226-9600; marinco.com) marine battery chargers, available in 27 models, can accommodate virtually any craft--including those with four-battery installations. Now...

Throw in the towel.(TBM Tested)
June 1, 2004... Even terry cloth can leave scratches on a fiberglass surface--like the ones on your boat. And cotton baby diapers can leave streaks. What to do? Swobbit Products (800/362-9873; swobbit.com) has come up with a high-tech answer to such nagging...