Trailer Boats articles from March 2007

Trailer Boats archives from March 2007

Commitment.(OnPlane)
March 1, 2007... Exactly one year ago, I wrote about the marine industry's effort to boost business by creating Certified Dealerships. The goal is to increase profits by attracting more customers--and the way to do that, the industry figures, is to promote the...

New format.(Letters to the Editors)
March 1, 2007... After being a loyal subscriber and avid reader of your magazine for many years, I was disappointed with your latest redesign. The change in format is understandable and the continuation of your department articles is appreciated, but the change...

Heavy metal.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2007... In response to the October 2006 issue's Boat Improvement column on restoring aluminum, I have found that for small areas a new Brillo pad and some elbow grease cleans and polishes the surface really well. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Outboard aficionado.(Letters to the Editors)
March 1, 2007... Your magazine may want to publish an article on the "real" differences between sterndrives and outboards. My opinion is that a sterndrive has virtually no advantage on a boat less than 22 feet. Larger boats may be OK, especially when the hull...

Dream boat.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2007... I am a subscriber and enjoy your magazine. In August 2005, my wife and I finally purchased our dreamboat: a 2002 Grady-White 25-foot center console with a four-stroke Yamaha 225. It is equipped with a radar and depthfinder. I realize the boat...

Price shopper.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2007... I wonder why in your annual buyer's guide ("Power Play," January) there is no pricing for Cummins MerCruiser Diesel (CMD) engines? Instead, you list "price on request" in the tables. I am interested because I hope to buy a new diesel, and want...

No trailer sailors?(Letters to the Editors)
March 1, 2007... I just picked up a copy of Trailer Boats, as this was the first time I had seen it on my newsstand. I was interested in your towing coverage--nice job. But how come no trailered sailboats? There are many sailboats being trailered, and we must...

Beat your buddies across the lake.(DockTalk)
March 1, 2007... Even James Bond would look twice at the new Bladerunner 35 GT4 from ICE Marine. Built in the United Kingdom and inspired by offshore race boats, the Bladerunner is constructed with an "air entrapment monohull." This design features twin tunnels...

One for the books.(news)
March 1, 2007... Trailer Boats' annual Your Guide to Towing is now available, free of charge, to United States Power Squadrons and United States Coast Guard Auxiliary boating safety instructors to supplement course materials. Developed by the editors of Trailer...

Schools of fish.(news)
March 1, 2007... Fishing your way to success? The popular pastime may become one way to earn a college scholarship if Fox College Sports (FCS) has its way. The Fox News affiliate has announced plans to expand its second season of the National Collegiate Bass...

Two Boats in one.(launch ramp)
March 1, 2007... Torn between the roominess of a deck boat and the snap and speed of a sportboat? Chaparral can solve your dilemma with its new 236 SSX. Featuring a deck boat-style layout but underscored with a racier V-bottom, this rig will keep you and 11 of...

Eye on electronics performance on a beer budget.(news)
March 1, 2007... If you're clamoring for a VHF set with champagne performance, but at a beer budget price, Icom (425/454-8155; icomamerica.com) hears you loud and clear. Selling for less than $200, its new IC-M302 fixed-mount VHF features watertight...

Blasting about on Yamaha's VX Cruiser.(getting personal)
March 1, 2007... With the introduction of Yamaha's new, ultra-comfy VX Cruiser, there are fewer reasons to spend the extra $2300 for the FX Cruiser. The base WaveRunner VX four-stroke, introduced in 2005, was designed as way to make PWC ownership more...

Good times to go.(making a splash)
March 1, 2007... A PWC provides the freedom to race across the open water or slowly explore the shoreline and fish from the shallows. But while these craft increase accessibility, they're sometimes lacking in storage space, especially when it comes to food and...

Boating's philosophical side.(reader survey results)
March 1, 2007... When we asked, in our January Question of the Month, "What is the primary reason you go boating?" we had a pretty good idea how readers would respond. Turns out that 100 percent of you do it to have a good time. But wait, there's more! ...

Cool comfort.(PropulsionReport)
March 1, 2007... Last month we covered the Rocket Engine and Torqeedo Electric outboard, both innovation award winners at the International BoatBuilders Exhibition and Conference trade show. In this issue I would like to profile a few more interesting products...

Rubber doughnuts.(BoatImprovement)
March 1, 2007... Trailer tires are often overlooked. When it comes to general maintenance, it's tempting to lavish our attention on the pretty, shiny stuff, or on something that will make the boat go faster, the fish bite harder, or life aboard more...

Island time: packing 425 hp, Baja's Islander 277 offers relaxation to go.(TEST)
March 1, 2007... The one rap on larger bowriders is they're not always the fastest rigs on the water--wide beams and lots of weight mean mile-a-minute speeds are not part of the boating day. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] But then there's Baja's new Islander...

King's passage part II: giant bears, big salmon and even bigger water highlight the final leg of our 325-mile Alaska adventure.(DESTINATION)
March 1, 2007... With the sun blazing down from a nearly cloudless blue sky and sockeye salmon slipping out of our way as we cruise down giant Iliamna Lake, we begin to grasp just how big and wild this region of Alaska really is. Iliamna, which is situated...

Memory maker: with a cozy cabin for two and plenty of room for entertaining, Maxum's new 2100 SC3 is bound to stir up a little magic.(EXCLUSIVE FIRST TEST)(Cover story)
March 1, 2007... What's old is new... in old saw, perhaps, but one that perfectly describes cuddy cabins--a design that has lost some of its shine in recent years to the glaring limelight that builders have lavished on big bowriders and deck boats. ...

Carolina crossover: whether you're chasing striped bass in lakes or prowling flats for permit, this 23-foot Sea Chaser has you covered.(TEST)
March 1, 2007... Serious saltwater anglers are always on the lookout for a rig that works as well in skinny water as it does in nearshore fisheries. Carolina Skiff's Sea Chaser 230 LX Bay Runner fits this dual purpose quite well, as we discovered during our...

Larger than life: some rigs seem bigger than they really are ... like Crownline's new 240 LS sportboat.(TEST)
March 1, 2007... How big is a 24-foot boat? It sounds like the start of a "Who's on first" gag, but this is actually a legitimate question--especially when you're standing on the dock next to Crownline's new 240 LS. When it comes to bowriders, there aren't...

25th anniversary 2007 Tow vehicle of the year: the 1/2-ton pickup race is hotter than ever. But who makes the best hauler?
March 1, 2007... Half-ton pickups are the most popular tow vehicle class. The category has been hot for a decade and is still steaming, for those who know how to compete in this smokin' market. Every one of the five trucks in this year's test has, at the very...

Foul play: thinking of storing your boat wet? Then you'd better consider bottom painting. We show you how.(How-To)
March 1, 2007... Anyone who has stored his boat in the water for any length of time without some form of hull protection soon learns what lost performance really means. Fresh, salt or brackish water... it doesn't matter: Bottom growth can turn a planing hull...

Just for kicks: get the most from your kicker by first choosing wisely, and then propping it correctly.
March 1, 2007... An auxiliary outboard (or "kicker") serves several purposes, the foremost of which is emergency power should the main engine fail. In addition, kickers are often used for trolling--and are particularly useful on rigs where the main engine won't...

Up or down?(TechLetters)
March 1, 2007... Last year I bought a new Sea Ray 205 Sport. After a great season of enjoying my new toy--and I am pretty handy with tools--I decided to winterize it myself. Being a new owner, I got a lot of different advice on winterization. A friend told me...

Dry rot.(TechLetters)
March 1, 2007... I have an old 20-foot Reinell that I inherited from my father. The hull appeared to be in good shape, but the upholstery was shot. I took out the back-to-back lounge seats and replaced them with two pedestal-mounted bucket seats. But when I...

Custom fuel tanks.(TechLetters)
March 1, 2007... Do you know of any company that makes custom one-off plastic fuel tanks? I am building a boat and preparing for the ethanol invasion. Larry Miller San Diego, California I'm not aware of any one-off manufacturers of plastic fuel...

Big iron's future.(TechLetters)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2007... I noticed in the December issue's tow ratings guide that for 2007 the GM 8.1L engine is not offered in any of the 2007 vehicles. Is the big iron being phased out all together, or is it only available in heavy-duty applications? Will it be...

Throttle body vs. carb.(TechLetters)
March 1, 2007... I would like to know the pros and cons of a throttle body vs. carburetor. I purchased a freshwater-cooled, computer-controlled 502 XLI Crusader Marine engine with less than 100 hours on it. The problem is the engine is missing the throttle body...

Choosing power.(TechLetters)
March 1, 2007... I'm considering purchasing a new Bayliner 246 Discovery cruiser. I've had several MerCruiser sterndrives in the past, and would like some advice on the power needed for this boat. I had a 1983 Cruiser Inc. Holiday 20 with a 228 hp MerCruiser...

Task for Tahoe.(Truck&Trailer)
March 1, 2007... I want to trade up from a Stingray 240 CS to a new Stingray 250 CS cruiser (25-feet long, with an 8 1/2-foot beam) that sleeps five (tightly), and am concerned that my 2004 Chevy Tahoe four-wheel drive with the 5.3L V-8 may not be able to...

Back-up trouble.(Truck&Trailer)
March 1, 2007... In the August Tow Car letter from Mike Stephens ("Reverse Thinking"), he described a problem with his Ford F-150 not being able to back up his trailer because it wouldn't sync electrically with his trailer's brake reverse-lockout solenoid. I...

Oil bath hubs.(Truck&Trailer)
March 1, 2007... What do you think of oil bath hubs for trailers? I am thinking of changing [from grease-based bearing protectors] because I am always worried about blowing out seals when I grease my trailer's bearings. I have heard that oil bath hubs are...

Gear storage.(Truck&Trailer)
March 1, 2007... Are you always looking for a handy place to stow trailer accessories--such as tie-down straps--when launching? Here's a simple answer: Get a U.S. Army surplus ammunition box. You know, a metal box about the size of a shoebox with the swing-down...

EL Camino fan.(Truck&Trailer)
March 1, 2007... Call me crazy, but I have always wanted a Chevy El Camino. And I want to use it to tow my boat to the lake. I have the opportunity to buy one that's in pretty good shape, so it won't cost me a small fortune to restore. I still need some advice,...

Dually or 4WD?(Truck&Trailer)
March 1, 2007... It's time for a new tow vehicle, as my trusty steed (a 1988 Ford F-250) is ready for pasture. My boat is a 26-foot cruiser. It's tall and weighs about 9000 pounds. I often read in Trailer Boats about the towing benefits of 4WD and I understand...

Transmission crisis.(Truck&Trailer)
March 1, 2007... I have a 2002 Chevy Suburban with about 70,000 miles, and I am towing just less than 8000 pounds. The truck has a four-speed automatic transmission, and I would like to know if there is anything I can do to increase its longevity and maintain...

Bundle up.(Gotta Have It)
March 1, 2007... Spring boating can get a bit nippy, but the clothing designers at Gill (770/945-0564; gillna.com) have you covered--literally. Two new entries from Gill's Softshell line prove the company is serious about warmth and style. Softshell clothing...

Streak-free clean.(Gotta Have It)
March 1, 2007... You've just finished washing down your boat and what do you see? Water spots. Help your hull shine by using a Quick Dry Flexi-Gel blade from Swobbit (561/596-2085; swobbit.com). One foot long, the blade works better than a traditional squeegee...

Ratchet-tight fit.(Gotta Have It)
March 1, 2007... The key component of the Guardian boat cover from DOWCO (800/558-7755; dowco-inc.com) is a ratchet-fastening system that provides a secure fit on your boat while protecting it from the elements. A rope sewn into the perimeter of the covers...

Stable does it.(Gotta Have It)
March 1, 2007... Boaters are well aware of the side effects from ethanol-blended gasoline: fuel separation; decreased fuel economy; rough starts; clogged filters; and corrosion. So, do something about it! The Fuel Stabilizer from CRC Industries (800/272-8963;...

Stop rollin'.(Gotta Have It)
March 1, 2007... Instead of using old 2x4s to block your trailer, reach for the Wheel Stop, an inventive new product from Camco Mfg. (800/334-2004; camco.net). The patented Wheel Stop ($25) simply slides between the tires on your double-axle trailer, and then...

Shockingly good seat.(Gotta Have It)
March 1, 2007... Taking a long ride offshore can be liberating, but it's usually bumpy, too. The trek is a lot more comfortable in a Reflex seat from Tempress Products (214/678-9400; tempress.com). Two levels of shock absorption on the Reflex keep your back...

Skeg protection.(Gotta Have It)
March 1, 2007... Boating in skinny water is a nerve-wracking experience, as everyone waits for that horrible crunch of the engine. The Blackfin Skeg ($70), from Re: The Outdoors (334/612-0859; blackfinskeg.com), protects your engine's skeg and is said to...

You could win a Four Winns 180 Horizon.(Over the Transom)
March 1, 2007... 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 winners,...