Trailer Boats articles from March 2004

Trailer Boats archives from March 2004

Guessing game.(On Plane)
March 1, 2004... Read enough questions in our Tow Car section and you'll notice a lot of guesswork, as in, "I don't know my towed weight, but I'm guessing it's between 8700 and 9800 pounds." Some questions try to draw us into this guessing game with...

River re-run.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... We've got a couple of "oops" to talk about in our article on the upper Mississippi River ("Up River," December 2003). [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] First, the navigable portion for most pleasure craft of the upper Mississippi River is 857...

Well oiled.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... I read Jim Barron's "Propulsion Report" in the February 2004 issue and I felt he did a good job of pointing out the load differences between marine and automobile four-stroke engines. I've often described a boat engine as "always going...

Exhaustive search.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... I read Jim Barron's article on Outboard Propulsion System's JetPac ("Jet Travel," January). This system is intriguing, so I went to the OPS website (jetpac.us) and learned even more. Yet, I cannot find where the exhaust for the JetPac vents....

Knotty problem.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... I look forward to every issue of Trailer Boats. However, I have a minor nit to pick with the picture of a cleated line used to open your Dock Talk section (photo at top right). While the line as belayed to the cleat in the picture may be...

Mercury accuses Japanese of 'dumping' outboards.(Dock Talk)
March 1, 2004... Early this year--as we went to press--Mercury Marine filed a petition with the U.S. Department of Commerce and U.S. International Trade Commission, accusing Japanese outboard manufacturers of violating U.S. antidumping laws. The term...

Boat builders are bullish.(Dock Talk)
March 1, 2004... The economic outlook among marine industry business leaders rose to near-record levels in the third quarter of 2003, according to the Chicago-based National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). Based on a 200-point scale, with 100...

Jeep yearns to hum.(Dock Talk)
March 1, 2004... This new Hummer-sized Jeep concept vehicle is on the drawing boards, and a prototype was built for the Detroit Auto Show held early this year. Chrysler--Jeep's parent company--reports that production feasibility is under study at this time. If...

Overwides only: Four Winns 288 Vista.(Dock Talk)
March 1, 2004... Four Winns introduced its seventh Vista cruiser model in 2004--the all-new 288, which carries on the luxurious tradition of its predecessors while introducing innovative new features, as well as styling changes. This sophisticated new overwide...

SportsStuff Big Mable.(Watertoy Profile)
March 1, 2004... The wizards at Omaha, Nebraska-based SportsStuff live at the epicenter of towable tube creativity. For 2004, they've morphed up more new shapes for us to ride. A prime example is Big Mable, a 72X80-inch oversized chaise lounge for two...

Barbs & gaffes.
March 1, 2004... IMPACT STATEMENT A 20-foot Baja boat ricocheted off the 1-77 causeway in North Carolina recently, which resulted in the boat flipping onto the road and into the path of an oncoming automobile. The vehicle struck the boat while it was still...

Workin' for a living Boston Whaler Guardian Fireboat.
March 1, 2004... The Special Operations Division of the Washington, D.C., Fire Department has two primary missions--waterborne fire fighting and river rescue. Yet, it is the river rescue part that consumes the bulk of its time. The waterborne first responder...

Just cruisin Ranger Reata 180VS.(Dock Talk)
March 1, 2004... The sky was gray and threatening rain on Table Rock Lake just outside of Branson, Missouri, but it didn't matter to me. I was there to test Ranger's new Reata 180VS. The lake's choppy conditions would be a good test bed for this boat. The...

Set a new course with guide to GPS with Charts.(Dock Talk)
March 1, 2004... Break out that small handheld GPS. You know, the one that you bought, used a few times and consigned to a desk drawer. Massachusetts-based Maptech, Inc. has come out with a simple-to-understand guide to using the Global Positioning System and...

Getting personal Kawasaki Jet Ski STX-15F.(Dock Talk)
March 1, 2004... New for Kawasaki for 2004 is the cleanest-running, three-passenger personal watercraft (PWC) ever. The race-bred Jet Ski STX-15F is the first PWC to earn a California Air Resources Board three-star rating for ultra-low emissions and comply with...

Boaters bare soles.(Reader Survey Results)
March 1, 2004... In our recent Web survey concerning the most common footwear among boaters, the most popular choice is "none." [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] More than 40 percent of the readers said they prefer to go barefoot while boating. Sandals came in a...

Did you know?(Dock Talk)
March 1, 2004... * Texas has more square miles of inland water than any other state. * Most boat owners began boating at 12 to 14 years of age. * Ninety-six percent of all new boats registered are less than 26 feet long; only 27 percent of boats owned...

Skipper's challenge.(Dock Talk)
March 1, 2004... A single quart of oil discharged overboard can cover an area equivalent to: a) a tennis court b) a hockey arena c) a football field d) three football fields [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Term of the month: kedge.(Dock Talk)
March 1, 2004... Kedge refers to moving a boat by hauling on a line fastened to an anchor that has been dropped some distance away. Paraphrased from Skipper's Challenge ($19.95), a book by Dale L. Lydigsen Jr. For more information, contact Penchant...

Something's fishy Everglades 223 center console.(Dock Talk)
March 1, 2004... When I stepped onto the Everglades 223 center console, I knew this was a different boat. The folddown rear seats are like I had never seen before, the T-top is fiber-glass with the underside color matching the yellow hull color, and the...

Electronics Interphase 169CS GPS/Chartplotter.(Dock Talk)
March 1, 2004... A recent houseboat vacation to Northern California's Lake Shasta proved an ideal opportunity to test the new Interphase 169CS wide-screen color GPS/chartplotter. It's true that chartplotters are more common on saltwater boats, but that's been...

Replacing names.(Boat Improvement)
March 1, 2004... Sooner or later, that bright and shiny name on your boat will fade away and need to be replaced. Your first step in this project is to remove the old name. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Most of these names are made of vinyl, which can be...

Don't go overboard.(Boating Basics)
March 1, 2004... The closest I have come to falling overboard came while answering the call of nature. I was saved from an embarrassing, if not life-threatening, swim by the fortuitous placement of a grab rail. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] According to the...

Bigger E-Tecs.(Propulsion Report)
March 1, 2004... As we went to press, we learned that Evinrude engineers are finalizing a new generation of powerful V-block outboards--all based on the E-Tec direct-fuel-injected (DFI) two-stroke technology. Officials at Evinrude's parent...

Fun factor: our junior test crew evaluates some of the newest watertoys, and votes on the coolest tubes.
March 1, 2004... It's nice to know that for today's kids there is still something that can out-cool the hottest new video game. If you need proof, just take a bunch of kids, a couple of boats and some inflatable watertoys to a nearby lake or river. See what...

Baja's new 245 combines wholesome family features with strong performance and a sexy look.(Super Model)(Cover Story)
March 1, 2004... Think of Mercedes Benz and quality workmanship comes to mind. Think of Volvo and safety's the synonym. Think of Grady White and hardcore saltwater fishing lights up in your brain. Think of Baja boats and what do you see? For many boaters,...

Capital cruising: thinking of visiting Washington, D.C., this Summer? Don't forget your boat.(TBM Destination)
March 1, 2004... We had spent nearly a year navigating the waterways of eastern North America--a voyage known as the Great Loop. Yet, time seemed to slip away, causing us to bypass some of the most interesting side trips. So we decided to return with our...

Dog fight: we stage a V-6 shoot-out between the top dogs in the sterndrive field.(MerCruiser vs. Volvo Penta)
March 1, 2004... One of the most plentiful engines ever produced is the General Motors 4.3L V-6. In addition to finding its way into many GM cars and trucks, this engine has also become a standard powerplant in many boats. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Tank corps: we install a tank that keeps bait alive and easy to access aboard our project boat.(TBM How-To)
March 1, 2004... From Florida to California, Maine to Mississippi, saltwater boating anglers seem to be using live bait more than ever. This is because live bait is one of the most effective enticements to game fish, be it striped bass, tuna, tarpon, redfish,...

2004 Tow Vehicle of the Year; more power and higher tow ratings make this the year of 1/2-tons on steroids.
March 1, 2004... There's big news in the 1/2-ton pickup category for 2004. Some models in this hot-selling class have received an injection of more power, and yet another has been completely redesigned. The addition of an entirely new player has also stirred...

Re-inventing the wheel: we experiment with an underpowered boat and find the best prop is not always stainless.
March 1, 2004... The editors committed a cardinal sin recently. We intentionally under-powered a 21 1/2-foot saltwater fishing boat, removing a 225 hp two-stroke outboard and replacing it with a 140 hp four-stroke. However, this was all part of an experiment...

[H.sub.2]GO: we install and test a 12-volt powered washdown system that travels with your trailer.(TBM How-to)
March 1, 2004... In a perfect world, all launch ramps would have abundant washdown facilities, and they would be free of charge. Unfortunately, we do not live in a perfect world, but we've found a way to beat the system--and it lets you wash your rig before you...

Gearing down: when it comes to tow vehicle axle ratios vs. fuel economy, the facts add up, but maybe not the way you think.
March 1, 2004... Just a few months ago, a fellow from Florida was complaining that his truck wasn't performing as well as expected during a vacation to Arkansas. It was sluggish in merging with freeway traffic with his Sea Ray 240 Sundancer in tow, and was less...

2004 Boat show calendar: for March and beyond.(Calendar)
March 1, 2004... ARIZONA 2nd Annual Scottsdale Boat & RV Sale-A-Thon, Apr. 22-25, WestWorld, Scottsdale; 888/696-5606; greenband.com CALIFORNIA Fred Hall Fishing, Tackle and Boat Show, Mar. 3-7, Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach;...

Get the bow up.(Tech Letters)
March 1, 2004... I have a 1994 Robalo 2440 walkaround powered with twin 200 hp counter-rotating Mercury outboards. The boat is quite bow heavy, and has a greater-than-average deep-V fore and aft. At speeds above 40 mph, the boat rides too level, even with the...

Old six-shooter.(Tech Letters)
March 1, 2004... In the May 2003 issue you answered a query in this section regarding an older boat with an I-6 sterndrive engine ("Oldie but Goodie"). Here's another one. I recently purchased a 1979 Reinell with an I-6 MerCruiser sterndrive. Can I burn...

Diesel dynamics.(Tech Letters)
March 1, 2004... After reading the opening question (and answer) in the January Tech Letters ("Euro Diesels"), I feel you need to brush up on your diesel info. The relative energy of diesel to gasoline is only one of the factors that allow diesel engines to get...

Water-pressure gauge.(Tech Letters)
March 1, 2004... Can a water-pressure gauge be installed for a sterndrive engine? I have a 19-foot Bayliner with a 135 hp engine. It comes with the factory water temperature gauge. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The water temperature gauge lets me know when...

Unhappy wanderer.(Tech Letters)
March 1, 2004... I own a 2000 Tahoe 204 deck boat powered by a MerCruiser sterndrive. When running at slow, no-wake speeds, the boat tracks back and forth and will not run straight until I reach about 2500 rpm. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I have received no...

Oil change.(Tech Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
March 1, 2004... The Trailer Boats website message boards had a thread that deals with the need to change oil before putting the boat into winter storage. The thinking behind some of the comments is that modern oils are so good that the engine won't be damaged...

Tow car.
March 1, 2004... RAMP STRATEGIES I have a Chevy Astro minivan and use it tow my 3250-pound boat/trailer. Most of the time it works like a champ. But, I have encountered slipping and sliding when on steep boat ramps. What can I do to improve its ramp...

Perfect Curve radio is inexpensive and light, but sounds great.(TBM Tested)
March 1, 2004... If you like music while you're on the water, or if you just want to drown out the sound of a noisy engine or nagging spouse, the Perfect Curve hat radio could be the answer. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It is an inexpensive, light-weight FM...

Blue Sea Systems' new Arctic Night Circuit Breaker Panel is Waterproof.(TBM Tested)
March 1, 2004... Arctic Night DC Waterproof Circuit Breaker Panels are Blue Sea Systems' newest line of waterproof accessory switch panels. Ideal for open-cockpit boats, these panels are IP66-rated, which means they are approved "for use on ship decks."...

Typhoon waterboard/ski tower installs easily on all trailer boats.(TBM Tested)
March 1, 2004... Cook Manufacturing Corporation recently introduced a weld-free, modular aluminum alloy ski/wakeboard tower that includes four independent, fully vinyl-covered board racks, a 360-degree navigational light and stainless steel fasteners. Cook...

Trailer Guardian keeps boats hitched up.(TBM Tested)
March 1, 2004... Montana-based Safety Products sent us a new accessory called Trailer Guardian that is designed to prevent decoupling while towing, as well as trailer theft, by locking the trailer coupler to the ball mount. The company claims that this...

Hammerhead Gear Keeper now available in a Mini.(TBM Tested)
March 1, 2004... You paid the big bucks for a good set of marine stainless fishing pliers, so the last thing you want to do is lose them overboard. Hammer-head Industries, maker of Gear Keeper security equipment attachment accessories, has introduced a product...

Protect valuable handhelds with Kwik Tek's waterproof Dry Pak.(TBM Tested)
March 1, 2004... With the proliferation of cell phones, handheld GPSs and personal data assistants (PDAs), a Dry Pak waterproof case by Kwik Tek could be a wise Investment for protecting your valuable handhelds when you're on the water. Dry Paks are...

You could win a Four Winns boat.(Photo Contest)
March 1, 2004... OVER THE TRANSOM CONTEST RULES Do you have a kooky, weird or hilarious picture involving a boat, launch ramp, marina or anything else around the water? Send it in. If your photo is chosen as one of Trailer Boats' "Over the Transom"...