Trailer Boats articles from June 2005

Trailer Boats archives from June 2005

Take the plunge.(On Plane)
June 1, 2005... Nothing is constant but change. And one of the sea changes that's been unfolding over the last decade is the integration of swim platforms into hulls. Rather than yesterday's bolt-on teak or fiberglass steps, most boats now come with some kind...

How long is it.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2005... I really liked the "Tow Vehicle of the Year" test in the March issue. I particularly appreciate how you "supersized" the towed load for the trucks with higher tow ratings to really see what they could handle. I remember reading in an older...

It's my bible.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2005... Your magazine is a blessing. I've been a subscriber for a couple of years now and must say that it is my bible. Ed McNamara Fremont, New Hampshire

There oughta be a law.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2005... Thank you for the story on boating under the influence ("Hard Lesson," March). In the years we boated, we witnessed a drunken father with his teenage son and friends waterskiing. Before lunch, one of the boys had his leg ripped open when...

For the record.(Correction Notice)
June 1, 2005... Innovative Lighting (515/388-1011; innovativelight.com) has alerted us that the LED trailer lights discussed in April's Boat Improvement column are actually Part No. 261-4400-7 (stop/turn/taillight units) and Part No. 200 Series (sidemarker...

What a drag.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2005... My name is Larry Meddock, and I am executive director of the Water Sports Industry Association (WSIA). Our association has been working diligently on the topic of platform dragging. You make reference in your March issue (on page 17) to...

Clean sweep.(Dock Talk)
June 1, 2005... Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP), which makes Evinrude and Johnson outboards, recently became the first outboard manufacturer to receive the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Air Award. The manufacturer was honored for...

Build a better life jacket and win $5000.(Dock Talk)
June 1, 2005... While life jackets save lives, many boaters don't wear them because they are uncomfortable. In search of a solution, the BoatU.S. Foundation and the Personal Flotation Device Manufacturers Association are teaming up to sponsor the "Innovations...

Ehlert Publishing recognizes the year's finest Power Sports products.(Dock Talk)
June 1, 2005... At the recent Power Sports Awards Dinner in Newport Beach, California, an annual event held by Ehlert Publishing, Trailer Boats' 2005 Tow Vehicle of the Year award (see story in our March issue), was presented to Toyota for its 2005 Tacoma...

Correct craft icon passes.(Dock Talk)
June 1, 2005... Walter O. Meloon, the oldest of three sons of Walter C. Meloon, founder of Correct Craft, passed away in March at the age of 89. Known for carrying on his father's tradition of "building boats to the glory of God," Meloon, who started working...

Just cruisin': affordable Baja 192 delivers family-style performance.(Dock Talk)
June 1, 2005... The newest member of Baja's "Go Fast" lineup is also its smallest and most affordable. At 19 feet, 2 inches in length, the 192 Islander, with its open-bow design and $19,467 base price, is family affordable. But don't let the price fool you:...

Working for a living: to the rescue.(Dock Talk)
June 1, 2005... New Hampshire's Lake Winnipesaukee is the largest lake in the Granite State. It lies in the foothills of the famed White Mountains at an elevation of 504 feet above sea level. The 23.5-mile-long glacial-formed lake is from 1 to 15 miles wide...

Ski locker: double your fun with MasterCraft's MariStar 280 SST.(Dock Talk)
June 1, 2005... Last year, MasterCraft, which builds specialized ski and wakeboard boats, introduced the MariStar 280 and X80. Based on the same hull and deck, these models feature a length of 28 feet, 3 inches (including swim platform) and a beam of 9 1/2...

Launch ramp: Azure AZ240 bursts onto boating scene.(Dock Talk)
June 1, 2005... Bennington Marine's newest brand, Azure, debuts the AZ240 this year. Marrying deck and sportboat styles, the 24-footer exudes quality and zest. Its spacious, well-considered layout reflects the deck boat part of the equation. The boat features...

Getting personal: need a lift?(Dock Talk)
June 1, 2005... Personal watercraft (PWC) are among the easiest boats to trailer and launch, but nothing beats having one or more in the water, ready to go at a moment's notice. Unfortunately, there is no good way of applying anti-fouling paint to the...

Mixed nuts.(READER SURVEY RESULTS)
June 1, 2005... When we asked readers where they buy their trailer parts (Question of the Month, April), the response was like a can of mixed nuts--there wasn't a single choice that clearly dominated the others. Trailer manufacturers or specialty supply shops...

Question of the month.(READER SURVEY RESULTS)
June 1, 2005... Is your boat rigged with an auxiliary (or kicker) outboard? * Yes. It's used primarily for fishing, but I also like the safety of an extra engine * Yes. I bought it for emergency propulsion * No. But I wouldn't mind having one ...

Skipper's Challenge.(READER SURVEY RESULTS)
June 1, 2005... Applying a coat of automotive paste wax to newly cleaned chrome, aluminum, brass or bronze, then buffing it off can extend the shine up to________percent longer. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] a. 30 b. 40 c. 50 Paraphrased from...

Happy trails.(Boat Improvement)
June 1, 2005... Have you ever found yourself miles from home yet facing an urgent need for something back in your garage? It can put an uneasy feeling in the pit of your stomach, and maybe even leave you stranded. Well, trailer boaters don't have to go through...

Fresh hookups.(Boating Basics)
June 1, 2005... National Fishing & Boating Week is celebrated annually the first full week of June (this year's dates run June 4 to 12), and there's no better time for you to add angling to the activities you and guests can enjoy from your boat, Most states...

Digital is not always simpler.(Propulsion Report)
June 1, 2005... Mercury has announced expanded availability of its Digital Throttle and Shift (DTS). Originally offered only on big block V-8s and select outboards, DTS is now available on small block V-8s and will probably be extended to the V-6 sterndrive...

Rig for range: looking to travel farther in search of more fish or exotic cruising grounds? These tips will allow you to safely expand your horizons.
June 1, 2005... As our waters become more crowded, cruisers are having a harder time finding secluded cruising grounds and fishermen are facing stiffer competition for fish. Both situations are causing boaters to push their vessels' range capabilities in hopes...

Sizzling sister: Mercury's new I-4 Verado four-strokes pack all the punch of their six-cylinder sisters.(TEST)(Cover Story)
June 1, 2005... Mercury's launch of smaller Verado four-stroke outboards comes as no surprise--we have known they were coming for more than a year. These inline four-cylinder powerhouses are offered at 135, 150 and 175 hp, and are expected to be available by...

Bimini Fling: seduced by Bimini's beauty but daunted by the 55-mile crossing from Florida? No problem ... join a convoy.(TBM DESTINATION)
June 1, 2005... At 6:15 a.m. and right on schedule, the predawn stillness was broken as the first of the mandatory radio checks could be heard far down the docks. The sound of the crisp, formal exchanges carried clearly over the protected waters at Fort...

Super size it: overwides or just the right size? Full of sass, these 12 queen-size bowriders give new meaning to the phrase 'room to roam'.
June 1, 2005... Are your kids turning into couch potatoes? Do they play video games in your cruiser's cabin instead of fishing, tubing or wake-boarding? If you like big boats and want to keep your kids wholesomely healthy, check out these queen-size bowriders....

Enzyme additive increases fuel economy up to 15%.(Advertisement)
June 1, 2005... Product Description Startron[R] is the world's first fuel treatment to be based on naturally occurring enzymes. Although this is a very unique application of enzyme technology, we encounter various enzymes in our everyday lives. For...

Southern comfort: Bryant's well-built 214 bowrider is loaded with unexpected touches.(TEST)
June 1, 2005... Bigger isn't always better... that's pretty much how Bryant Boats feels about things. This small company based in eastern Tennessee builds something like 400 boats per year--which is the equivalent of the quarterly (or heck, monthly)...

The inner child: trying to choose a PWC? First, get in touch with the inner you.
June 1, 2005... With row upon row of shiny new personal watercraft (PWC) lining dealers' showrooms, choosing a new ride can prove to be a daunting experience. Some are luxuriously expensive, others surprisingly affordable. Some are powerful muscle machines,...

Premium blend: advertised as a 1/2-ton but more akin to a midsize truck, Honda's first U.S. pickup is the talk of the town. But how does the new Ridgeline tow? Jump in and see.(TEST)
June 1, 2005... Touted by Honda as a 1/2-ton pickup that boasts an interior similar to a full-size truck but the overall length of a midsize, the new Ridgeline has stirred up a lot of interest. During our standard tow test regimen, we often encounter intrigued...

Smooth move: here's a 10-step program for replacing cumbersome mechanical steering with BayStar's hydraulic system.(TBM How-To)
June 1, 2005... We were hoopnetting for lobsters one night from my friend's 1986 Starcraft 191 Islander when the pitfalls of mechanical steering came to light. Trying to steer in tight pirouettes around an obstacle course of floating buoys without getting the...

Skeg repair.(Tech Letters)
June 1, 2005... I have a 1985 17-foot Chaparral 176 with a four-cylinder sterndrive. When moving the boat and trailer around, about 3 inches of the skeg point broke off. Can I just take a file and smooth down the skeg, and run the boat that way, or is a repair...

More power.(Tech Letters)
June 1, 2005... Have you done any articles on performance upgrades to 3.0L MerCruiser or Volvo Penta sterndrives? Can anything be done to improve exhaust, intake, ignition or other systems? Arne Tomassen Calgary, Alberta, Canada Both the 3.0L...

Roll out the carpet.(Tech Letters)
June 1, 2005... This may be a dumb question, but can you install removable/snap-in carpet on a rolled gunwale boat? Keith Sheeley via e-mail There is no reason carpet can't be installed in a rolled gunwale boat. Most have a simple double bottom...

Loose steering.(Tech Letters)
June 1, 2005... I noticed that the steering on my 2002 Bay-liner 215 is a little loose, with an inch or two of play either way. Is this something that needs fixing, or do boats develop this with time? Troy Duran via e-mail It depends on where the...

Dual vs. single prop.(Tech Letters)
June 1, 2005... I'm in the market for a new boat in the 20- to 21-foot range. I want a soft-riding hull and lots of pulling power to tow skiers. I have seen boats with single- and dual-prop drives, both with Volvos and MerCruisers. One dealer told me that a...

Swim platform.(Tech Letters)
June 1, 2005... My Crownline has a molded-in swimstep that, compared with the new units I have seen on some other late-model boats, isn't as large as I'd like. I have seen the teak and fiberglass add-on platforms available in catalogs and marine hardware...

Wants a bowrider.(Tech Letters)
June 1, 2005... I have a 19-foot runabout with a six-cylinder 150 hp MerCruiser. It's old but it still runs well. The hull has a full forward deck, but I would like to remove this and convert the boat into a bowrider with a walk-through windshield to gain...

Hot about heat.(Tow Car)
June 1, 2005... I have a 2004 Grady-White 257 Advance center console with twin four-stroke Yamaha 150s. It's towed with my 2002 GMC Yukon Denali powered by a 6.0L V-8 and equipped with the tow package. My concern is that the transmission temperature gauge...

Surge or electric?(Tow Car)
June 1, 2005... I am shopping for electric brakes for my trailer, but I heard from a buddy that electric brake systems are no good for boat trailers. The advantages of electric brakes make them an obvious choice for both travel trailers and boat haulers. What...

Real-world rating.(Tow Car)
June 1, 2005... I have a question concerning the 2005 Ford F-350 Crew Cab DRW (dual rear wheel) you tested in the February issue ("Monster Muscle"). According to your records, the truck weighed 7660 pounds and its tow rating (trailer weight allowance) is...

Arizona tow laws update.(Tow Car)
June 1, 2005... I wish to point out an error in the "2005 State Tow Laws" section of your December 2004 issue, in which you report a 55 mph maximum towing speed limit for Arizona. During a call to the Arizona Department of Transportation, I was informed that...

Bourdon's tow tip.(Tow Car)
June 1, 2005... Take care of your vehicle's trailer wiring harness connector. If water, dirt or other contaminants are allowed to collect and remain inside the receptacle, corrosion can lead to eventual failure. Keep the vehicle's spring-loaded cover flap in...

Quickly remove calcified crud.(TBM Tested)
June 1, 2005... There are a couple of areas on the deck of my boat where water collects, and after it evaporates, it leaves a hard, crusty residue. I had tried rubbing compound, a scrubbing pad and even bleach, but the calcified crud would not budge. Then, I...

Cool cooler.(Gotta Have It)
June 1, 2005... If you use your boat as a launchpad for in-the-water activities, check out the Big Bobber ($44) from Creative Sales (866/869-8115; creative salescompany.com). The floating cooler will keep drinks and snacks close at hand, eliminating the need...

Got light?(Gotta Have It)
June 1, 2005... Compared to standard filament bulbs, LEDs offer powerful illumination, use little power and have a long service life, so if you're looking for a go-anywhere light, Innovative Lighting's (515/388-1011; innovativelight.com) portable LEDs might be...

Floatable fashion.(Gotta Have It)
June 1, 2005... Gone are the days of hideous-looking, uncomfortable personal flotation devices (PFDs). It makes sense that if something is comfortable and decent-looking you're more likely to wear it, and wearing PFDs while on the water not only makes sense,...

Keep an eye on the CO.(Gotta Have It)
June 1, 2005... It's no joke. Carbon monoxide can kill without much warning. Boaters and watersports enthusiasts who enjoy hanging out near the back of the boat are especially at risk. New from Fireboy-Xintex (616/735-9380; fireboy-xintex.com) is the...

Avoid domestic disputes.(Gotta Have It)
June 1, 2005... Aligning a trailer with a hitchball can be a harrowing experience. One person signals madly and shouts directions at a hapless driver who is trying to connect with something that is out of his or her line of vision. This is usually accompanied...

Cleaning solution.(Gotta Have It)
June 1, 2005... Swabbing the deck won't be such a chore anymore with the new Aqua Jet 5.0 Washdown Pump Kit ($250) from Johnson Pump (847/671-7867; johnson-pump.com). The powerful pump is rated to deliver water at 5 gallons per minute at a maximum of 70 psi,...