Trailer Boats articles from May 2001

Trailer Boats archives from May 2001

STAY COOL.
May 1, 2001... This month, columnist David Yetman delves into various aspects of rough-water handling in his article, "Small Boats, Big Seas" (page 40). In reading his story, I could not help but relate his sage advice to my own experiences behind the helm in...

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS.
May 1, 2001... USING SYNTHETICS IN MARINE ENGINES In your January 2001 issue, the article entitled "New Economy" stated that by using synthetic engine oil in your tow vehicle you could dramatically improve performance. Is this true of marine engines, as...

HONDA UNVEILS ITS V-6 FOUR-STROKE.
May 1, 2001... You may recall our account of running a prototype four-stroke V-6 outboard ("On Plane," December 2000). While sworn to secrecy at the time, we can now tell you, it was a Honda. The company showed a non-running model to the press at the...

SAFE BOATING TV/WEB TEST.
May 1, 2001... This month, you can test your safe boating knowledge without attending a class. In conjunction with Safe Boating Week (May 19-25), Speedvision Television will air "The United States Power Squadron's Safe Boating Test." The hour-long...

DON'T RELY ON CELL PHONES.
May 1, 2001... The use of cell phones for boating emergencies is not viable, according to a U.S. Coast Guard-funded study by the Annapolis, Maryland-based National Boating Federation. There are two key points behind the conclusion: (1) The Coast Guard does...

BOMBARDIER SUPPORTS OMC OUTBOARD WARRANTIES.
May 1, 2001... As detailed on the Trailer Boats website at presstime, Bombardier Motor Corp. of America announced it will stand behind the original product warranties on 2000 and 2001 Evinrude and Johnson outboards. Bombardier purchased the bankrupt Outboard...

PLEASURE POWER.
May 1, 2001... Creature comforts we take for granted on shore are more enjoyable and appreciated on a boat. A cup of hot coffee at the breakfast table is nice. Sipping the same coffee while you watch a sunrise from your favorite anchorage is even nicer....

ALTERNATIVE LAUNCH STYLES.
May 1, 2001... There comes a time in any reasonably adventurous trailer boater's career when the traditional launch procedure simply won't work. Sure, if you boat in the same water and use the same launch ramp during the same time of year, season after...

ELECTRONIC Q&A WITH GORDON WEST.
May 1, 2001... DSC NUMBERS Is there a simpler and less expensive way to obtain a digital selective calling (DSC) identification number than dealing with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)? I can't get a straight answer out of them as to what a...

'GLASSING GUIDELINES.
May 1, 2001... Hands-on boaters are often willing to make repairs or changes to their boats. Plywood is often the material used in these projects. To improve it's durability and appearance, an exterior covering of fiberglass cloth and resin is in order. ...

MIGHTY MITES.
May 1, 2001... Last month, I discussed my long-running interest in diesel power for trailerable boats. To recap, I had indicated that the lack of popularity in small-boat diesels could be directly traced to three factors: high cost, relatively lackluster...

WATERSKI WARMTH.
May 1, 2001... Five-time world champion slalom skier Andy Mapple always wears a wetsuit on his home lake near Orlando, Florida. Like many pro waterskiers and wakeboarders, Mapple has little body fat to keep him warm. Few waterski in icy waters, but like...

SEA RAY 210 BOW RIDER WITH PRECISION PILOT.
May 1, 2001... How do you improve on one of boating's most popular bowriders? Simple: Add a revolutionary thruster system that makes docking a piece of cake, then offer buyers a hip, new wakeboarding tower that makes Sea Ray's 210 Bow Rider look as great as...

BAJA 292 ISLANDER.
May 1, 2001... If big fun is high on your agenda, you won't find any bigger thrill than taking the wheel of Baja's 292 Islander -- a go-fast 29-footer that blends performance and family the way green eggs go with ham. Satisfying both the left and right sides...

YAMAHA WAVERUNNER GP800R.
May 1, 2001... Adrenaline junkies can take their addiction to the next level with Yamaha's new WaveRunner GP800R -- a midsized two-seater based on a high-performance, semi-V design that's as close to a competition hull as any Yamaha has introduced. Twin 44mm...

Utopian Vision.
May 1, 2001... With the well-mannered, nicely appointed Utopia 185 sportjet, Sea-Doo is clearly aiming for a bigger share of the runabout market When sport-jets using two-stroke personal watercraft engines were introduced in the mid-1990s, the boats...

Small Boats, Big Seas.
May 1, 2001... Getting caught in high winds and heavy seas is a very real possibility for all boaters. Here are techniques to help you get home safely. The caller on Channel 16 in formed the U.S. Coast Guard that he was headed for Jeffrey's Ledge some 25...

Electrified.
May 1, 2001... Trailer Boats takes a hard look at Amrad's new electric trailer brakes, and tests them against a traditional hydraulic-surge system Trailers have always been a focal point for us. After all, your boat rests and rides on them much of the...

Playing Full Deck.
May 1, 2001... Today's deck boats are merging traditional features with runabout style and performance They are starting to look more and more like runabouts. Deck boats have become increasingly slicker and sleeker, often vying with their sportboat...

Backwater Wonder.
May 1, 2001... Jacksonville's backwaters are brimming with scenic beauty, wildlife and fish Flying into Jacksonville, Florida, reveals the awesome nature of this region. From the air, it is a mind-boggling labyrinth of meandering rivulets, creeks and mud...

Here's Your Q.
May 1, 2001... The new 21-foot Tahoe Q7 assumes its rightful place as the queen of Tracker's fleet "Whadya' say we go cruise the beach?" asked the lanky Oklahoma bass angler as he shucked his gaudy pro-staff shirt and settled into the Tahoe's deep-bucket...

Icing Call.
May 1, 2001... With an 8500-pound tow rating, GMC's powerful all-wheel-drive Denali sport-utility vehicle can save the day on slick roads or ramps Only a handful of GMC pre-production Denali sport-utility vehicles (SUV) had come off the assembly line for...

Center Piece.
May 1, 2001... Stingray Powerboats takes a fresh approach to powering a center console fishing craft Most of the changes in center console fishing craft over the last few years have been minor in nature -- refinements for the most part. Stingray...

Signs of Weather.
May 1, 2001... As a boater, judging the weather is like surviving a lengthy visit from a testy mother-in-law. By planning a course in advance with possible escape routes, knowing when to hang around and when to leave, and when to take advice and when to...

Native Son.
May 1, 2001... Osprey's salty, seaworthy 24 Fisherman is true to its Pacific Northwest heritage We've always viewed boats that are built for the Pacific Northwest as real boats. By that we mean they are built to handle the rough, sometimes treacherous...

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING TOTALLY DIFFERENT.
May 1, 2001... Hallett Boats of Irwindale, California, has long been a leading manufacturer of custom performance sportboats. The company, however, recently announced some big plans. According to a report by the Southern California Marine Association (SCMA),...

THREE-WAY MERGER.
May 1, 2001... A merger between Eagle Marine and Eagle Power Boats, of Sylvan Lake, Alberta, Canada, and Harbercraft of Vernon, B.C., was recently announced. According to newly appointed President and CEO Byron Bolton, the marriage between the companies will...

SAFE BOATING IDEAS PAY OFF.
May 1, 2001... Twenty-eight grassroots organizations across the country will share more than $46,000 in grants. The Boat/U.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water will award cash to recipients, chosen from a field of 190 applicants, for their...

MEXICAN GOVERNMENT EYEING MARINA ADDITIONS.
May 1, 2001... Plans are in the works to build new marinas in Baja, according to a report in Western Outdoor News. The plan, called the "Nautical Staircase Project," and sponsored by the Mexican government, will involve creating new marinas at San Felipe, San...

LUBRICANT LOVERS UNITE.
May 1, 2001... When a product has been around as long as WD-40, it's bound to have a reasonably good customer base. But the spray-on lubricant in the familiar blue-and-yellow can has developed a following resembling that of a pop icon. So much so that the San...

BOATBUILDERS TO REDUCE EMISSIONS OVER TWO YEARS.
May 1, 2001... As a result of a 1997 lawsuit, boatbuilders and others involved in composite manufacturing must take additional precautions when using spray booths. The suit was filed against the California Air Resources Board and the South Coast Air Quality...

Guns Aboard.
May 1, 2001... Having a firearm on your boat while south of the border can land you in a Mexican jail After living more than 20 years in Mexico, where federal gun and drug checks along the highways are routine, I cannot imagine anyone trailering a boat...

EAGLECRAFT TALON 24.
May 1, 2001... Daigle Welding & Marine, manufacturer of EagleCraft boats, has 16 years of experience building custom aluminum boats ranging in size from 18 to 36 feet. Backed by this knowledge and expertise, the company is now offering its first production...

ELIMINATOR DAYTONA 26.
May 1, 2001... The Daytona series from Eliminator is a legend in its own time, and a 26-foot model of this hot tunnel boat is now available. Standard equipment aboard this California custom includes such niceties as five-color gelcoat graphics, powder-coated...

KOBER KAT SK3000.
May 1, 2001... Tunnel boats are a popular choice on Western waters, especially on the Colorado River lakes. Kober Kat just added two models to the wide selection of tunnel hulls available to the go-fast boat buyer. Kober Kat is already producing the SK3000...

Super Skiff.
May 1, 2001... Key Largo's new 23-footer offers fishability, value and a solid ride The trouble with trailer boating is that there are lots of good boats, and there are lots of cheap boats -- but there aren't very many good, cheap boats. The concept...

ORGANIZATIONS REACH PROTECTION SETTLEMENT FOR MANATEES.
May 1, 2001... The result of a January 2000 lawsuit against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a settlement designed to address the needs of recreational boaters, manna operators and manatees in Florida, was reached in early...

WELLCRAFT 29 SCARAB SPORT OPEN.
May 1, 2001... If you suffer from too little time to fish, the cure is as easy as stepping aboard Wellcraft's new 29 Scarab Sport Open. This step-hulled 29-footer will get you to the grounds in a heartbeat, so you can spend more time with your lines in, and...

ANGLER 2100 DUAL CONSOLE.
May 1, 2001... As sturdy as it is sporty, Angler's 2100 Dual Console is what we call a "marinized" bowrider. Blending the best attributes of a family runabout and center console fishboat, this 21 1/2x8-footer has a knack for keeping everyone happy -- so it...

SEAARK 176 EXTREME.
May 1, 2001... SeaArk's new 17 1/2x6 1/2-foot 176 Extreme sets a benchmark in aluminum bassboats. For starters, its sleek, new hull appears to be made of fiberglass -- not all-welded aluminum. It also boasts specially formed, one-piece gunwale caps that...

Inflation Protection.
May 1, 2001... Take care of your inflatable boat fenders, and they will take care of your boat Among the inventions of the last century, three of the greatest are duct tape, WD-40 and inflatable boat fenders. All have been the salvation of boaters, but...

Slick Think.
May 1, 2001... Synthetic engine oils are all the rage. But are they right for today's gasoline inboards, sterndrives and four-stroke outboards? What is the best oil for your gasoline-powered marine engine? If you were to believe all the advertising,...

Tech Letters.
May 1, 2001... LOSING SPEED I have a 1998 Rinker 21-foot cuddy with a MerCruiser 5.7L EFI sterndrive. The engine has 255 hours on it, mostly in the 2500 to 3200 rpm range. I am using a three-blade stainless steel prop. In the past I got a maximum rpm of...

TOW CAR.
May 1, 2001... ADDING LIMITED SLIP Aloha guys. I could use your assistance in selecting a gear ratio for my truck. The truck is a 1979 Chevy Blazer two-wheel drive (2WD). It has a 350 auto trans with a 383 cid rebuild in good health. It's turning...

TRAILER BOATS COLUMNIST TELLS ALL IN PRACTICAL NEW BOOK.
May 1, 2001... New from Bristol Fashion Publications is Modern Boatworks, by Trailer Boats' "Boat Improvement" columnist David S. Yetman. The 244-page, illustrated book covers a wide range of topics of interest to hands-on boaters, and provides information on...

PLOT A COURSE TO FISHING SUCCESS.
May 1, 2001... Keep track of yourself and the fish at the same time with JRC's versatile, user- friendly Plot 500F combination colorchartplotter and fishfinder. This unit features a 6 1/2-inch sunlight-viewable LCD display that overlays 50 and 200 kHz onto...

STAY ALERT AND AWAKE AT THE HELM.
May 1, 2001... Who needs those fancy coffee boutiques when you can brew up your own first-class cup of joe right on board your own boat? New from Waeco Adler/Barbour is the Mobitherm Coffee-Maker de Luxe. This stylish coffeemaker features a removable water...

PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY YOUR TOGGLE SWITCHES.
May 1, 2001... Why suffer the frustration of flicking a switch only to have nothing happen? Protect your toggle switches from dirt, moisture and corrosion with Cole Hersee's new Toggle Switch Boot Covers. Made of high-grade silicone rubber that is bonded to a...

JB-80 HELPS SPRAY AWAY YOUR METAL CONCERNS.
May 1, 2001... All boaters know how tough the marine environment can be on metal. New from Justice Brothers is another weapon you can use in the battle to protect your hardware. JB-80 contains the company's metal conditioner, which is specially formulated to...