Trailer Boats articles from May 2004

Trailer Boats archives from May 2004

Home port.(On Plane)
May 1, 2004... Can't say why, exactly, but the worn, damp and weathered wood of my favorite dock calls to me like an old friend. As familiar and reassuring as a pair of faded jeans, it simply feels like home. Somehow, somewhere, I know I belong there. And...

New skipper at the helm.(On Plane)
May 1, 2004... There's an adage about the happiest two days in a boater's life being the day he buys his boat and the day he sells it. Well, I don't see it that way. A new boat? Sure, it gives me butterflies. But the last time I sold my boat, tears filled my...

Where's the wood?(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2004... Can you please tell me how I can reach the company that manufactures the Alsberg sportjet? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Michael Walker Sister Bay, Wisconsin Alsberg Boat Works can be reached at 866/781-9220; alsbergboats.com. Based...

Boat lover times 50.(Letters to the Editor)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2004... I bought my first boat--a 12-foot plywood model with a 3 hp Sea King outboard--in 1947. About 50 boats later, my wife and I now own seven rigs, ranging from a 1997 MerCruiser-powered VIP runabout to a 1958 Larson with a 50 hp V-4 Johnson. ...

Lose the triple bs.(Letters to the Editor)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2004... I would like to see more stories on technical subjects, seamanship and boat handling, and less emphasis on busty babes in bikinis. Everwell Wilcox Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina

Shop 'til you drop.(Letters to the Editor)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2004... I plan to purchase a 20- to 23-foot, outboard-powered cuddy cabin in the next couple of years, and want to say keep up the good work. I've been subscribing for 10 years (the longest of any continuous subscription for me), and your material is...

Craving more powerful E-Tecs.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2004... I own a 1994 Grady-White Seafarer powered by a Johnson 225 Ocean-Runner, and fish as often as I can. My favorite spots are Catalina Island and the Long Beach coast. I have heard about a new Evinrude E-Tec, possibly with 225 horses. Have you...

Genmar sells aluminum boat companies.(Dock Talk)
May 1, 2004... Minneapolis, Minnesotabased Genmar Holdings, Inc. announced in March the sale of its aluminum boat companies--Lund, Lund Canada, Crestliner and Lowe--to Brunswick Corp. The transaction brought Genmar $191 million in cash plus an added potential...

Nissan Titan pickup awarded top towing honor.(Dock Talk)
May 1, 2004... Trailer Boats Associate Publisher Jim Hendricks and Automotive Editor Stuart Bourdon recently visited Gardena, California-based Nissan North America to present one of the magazine's most treasured prizes: the 2004 Tow Vehicle of the Year...

Early explorer's voyage retraced in inflatables.(Dock Talk)
May 1, 2004... When naturalist Alexander Freiherr von Humboldt traveled from Venezuela to Brazil via the Amazon jungle 200 years ago, he discovered the Arm of (Brazo) Casiquiare, which connects South America's two largest rivers, the Amazon and Orinoco....

Ship Shape TV gaining wider audience.(Dock Talk)
May 1, 2004... Some people seem to know everything when it comes to boat maintenance. But if you don't have all the answers, Ship Shape TV might be just the resource you need. Hosted by John Greviskis (left), the half-hour how-to show, now in its 10th year of...

United States Coast Guard revises boater registration rankings.(Dock Talk)
May 1, 2004... Due to an error in reporting 2002 boat registrations earlier this year, which put California at the top of the list in numbers of registrations per state, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has revised its list. The resulting correction places...

Watertoy profile Barefoot International lowers the Boom.(Dock Talk)
May 1, 2004... As towers for wakeboarding and booms for barefooting proliferate, the time is right to meld the two aluminum structures together. After all, both share a common goal: Shorten the learning curve so riders and 'footers have more fun on the water....

In tow expanded midyear selections from Chevy.(Dock Talk)
May 1, 2004... Available in mid-2004, the Silverado 1500 Crew Cab joins Chevrolet's line of 1/2-ton pickups. The new Crew Cab configuration combines the driver- and passenger-friendly features of a 1500 Series model with Chevy's roomiest cab, and features a...

Something's Flshy McKee Craft Freedom 23 Tournament.(Dock Talk)
May 1, 2004... On the heels of McKee Craft's decision to become a sponsor of the Southern Kingfish Association (SKA) comes a new model specifically targeting the tournament trail's popular 23-foot-and-under class. Truth be told, the new Freedom 23 Tournament...

Ounce of prevention: tips for staying safe afloat.(Dock Talk)
May 1, 2004... MAKE SURE YOU AND YOUR BOAT ARE READY TO HIT THE WATER Spring is here, and more boaters are hitting the nation's waterways, looking for a good time. But every year, according to the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), an average of 700 recreational...

Electronics: Humminbird takes Wireless Sonar to the next level.(Dock Talk)
May 1, 2004... With the debut of the Wireless Sonar Link, Humminbird (334/687-0503; humminbird.com) has made its SmartCast technology compatible with the company's entire line of Matrix depthfinders. The upshot is that boaters who already have fixed-mount...

Overwides only: Pro Sports 2860 Kat SC.(Dock Talk)
May 1, 2004... 'Supersize it" seems to be the motto of Pro Sports, as the narrowest beam the Riverside, Alabama, company builds is 8 1/2 feet. We caught up with Pro Sports at the Miami International Boat Show, where we had the chance to put its 2860 Kat SC...

Power trip: sure cure for smoked pistons.(Dock Talk)
May 1, 2004... If you've been around outboards long enough, you've probably known someone that's smoked a piston (maybe even yourself). Perhaps you're a go-fast enthusiast and were running your outboard too close to the edge when a lean condition burned it...

Launch ramp hot new boats.(Dock Talk)
May 1, 2004... REINELL 246BR To help celebrate its 75th Anniversary, Reinell Boats introduces its 246BR. Designed in the fashion of an SUV (Sport Utility Vessel), this 24-foot, 6-inch-long, fiberglass beauty has family boating written all over it. From...

Workin' for a living tough old turkeys.(Dock Talk)
May 1, 2004... Every day of the year, rain or shine, with only rare exception, the team of 97-year-old Dewey Patin and his son, Carol, give new meaning to the phrase "small workboat." Old hunting, fishing and trapping habits die hard in the swamps of...

Reader survey results.(Dock Talk)
May 1, 2004... BOATS ARE ALWAYS ON VACATION Our latest Web survey asked if our readers planned on taking their boats on vacation this year, and an over-whelming majority said "yes." Of course, more than one wag suggested that boats don't need vacations,...

Question of the Month.(Dock Talk)
May 1, 2004... Have you ever bashed--I mean, really mangled--your propeller? [square] Yes [square] No To register your answer, go to our website--TrailerBoats.com--and click on Question of the Month. Also, visit our message boards, and give us...

Skipper's challenge.(Dock Talk)
May 1, 2004... When trailering a boat, too little weight on the tongue will: a) Cause the trailer to pull up on the vehicle b) Make the trailer fishtail c) Create steering problems Answer to Skipper's Challenge: a) and b)

Did you know?(Dock Talk)
May 1, 2004... National Sate Boating Week is May 22 to 28. Check out safeboating campaign.com for more information. And speaking of safe boating, here's a timely tip from the National Safe Boating Council: Every year, people die from carbon monoxide...

Food for thought.(Dock Talk)
May 1, 2004... Never let your boat take you somewhere your brain didn't get to five minutes earlier. As told to Dan and Gini McKain by Chief Rick Harries, retired U.S. Coast Guard boatswain's mate

Term of the month: seiche.(Dock Talk)
May 1, 2004... Seiche refers to the temporary fluctuation of water levels on many lakes, which results from strong winds or sudden changes in barometric pressure. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Paraphrased from Skipper's Challenge ($19.95), a book by Dale...

Distracted driving.(Boating Basics)
May 1, 2004... By now, the boating season is in full swing, and the long Memorial Day holiday offers many families the first opportunity to hitch-up the boat and hit the road for an extended weekend on the water. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION...

Curing the terrible twins.(Boat Improvement)
May 1, 2004... You waited patiently for the spring boating season to arrive, only to discover that your boat decided to conduct a little science experiment while it was in storage. We're talking about mold and mildew--two common problems that plague boaters...

Miami musings.(Propulsion Report)
May 1, 2004... As I write this, I've just returned from the Miami International Boat Show where I got to see and drive some of the newest entries (and soon-to-come entries) in the propulsion field. Of these, Mercury (800/MERCURY; mercurymarine.com) made the...

Changing of the guard: a U.S. Coast Guard bid for standardization has launched a new class of 25-foot, fast-response patrol boats.
May 1, 2004... More formidable than ever, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) has undergone a transformation over the last several years. With the metamorphosis accelerated by the tragic events of 9-11, the guard has changed its mission focus from largely reactive to...

Play it cool: we put a six-pack of coolers through a grueling shoot-out to see which chest is best.
May 1, 2004... When you think about it, ice chests play a critical role in the boating experience. It doesn't matter whether you're fishing, cruising with the family or towing your buddies around on 'skis and wakeboards--sooner or later, you're going to reach...

Hat trick: Sea-Doo's innovative 3D offers three distinct riding experiences in a midpriced PWC.(Boats Test)
May 1, 2004... When Sea-Doo invited us--tongue planted firmly in cheek--to help "search" for test personal watercraft (PWC) that were reportedly lost in the Bermuda Triangle, we fully expected the company to reveal a new stand-up model. Sure enough, upon our...

Mission fission: Correct Craft's new SV-211 blurs the boundaries between traditional ski and wakeboard boats.(Exclusive!)
May 1, 2004... Question: Can a towboat satisfy the demands of both slalom skiers and wakeboarders? Answer: Only if it can produce both small wakes and big wakes. Correct Craft calls its new Nautique SV-211 V-drive a "multi-watersport towboat designed...

Catalina cruisin': immortalized in song, Southern California's beautiful Santa Catalina Island is a perfect weekend getaway.(TBM Destination)
May 1, 2004... It was chilly (by Southern California standards, at least) as we launched the Bayliner 245 at dusk. A stiff 15-knot wind served as a harbinger of the cold front that was moving in. Not the best conditions for a trip to Santa Catalina Island, 22...

Mako madness: a 19-foot Mako center console turns in a spirited performance with Honda's new 150 four-stroke.
May 1, 2004... Mako is one of the older builders of center console fishing boats, and I'll admit that I have a soft in my heart for this brand. A dealership I owned in the early '70s was one of the first Mako outlets on the West Coast, and I will never forget...

Born to tow: Nissan's new Pathfinder Armada SUV 4X4 was built for full-size activities.
May 1, 2004... Max. Tow Rating: 9100 lbs. Rating as Tested: 9100 lbs. Seemingly, every month yet another new sport-utility vehicle (SUV) hits the market. It's as if a huge storm broke upcountry and we're in the midst of a flash flood in the lowlands....

Inside job: here's how to check valve adjustments on Yamaha's V-6 four-strokes.(TBM How-To)
May 1, 2004... Experienced boaters know the importance of preventive maintenance. Like any complex machine, a boat needs regular maintenance to operate reliably and at peak performance. Some chores, such as keeping the hull clean, are easy, but must be...

Trailer bunks.(Tech Letters)
May 1, 2004... I've seen boat trailers with two types of fixed bunks. One uses a carpeted 2X6 board laying flat on the trailer upright. The hull sits on the flat (6-inch) portion of the board. The second type uses the 2X6 stood on end. The hull rides on the...

Shallow thinking.(Tech Letters)
May 1, 2004... We have a 16 1/2-foot Four Winns 170 CQ with a Volvo Penta I/O (sterndrive) and a V-6 engine. As Yuma, Arizona, residents, our boating activities are usually on the Colorado River above Imperial Dam. The water is rather shallow--only a couple...

Trim bleeds down.(Tech Letters)
May 1, 2004... I own a 1992 Rinker 235 Vee with a 5.7L MerCruiser/Bravo II. While cleaning up the boat at the end of the boating season, the sterndrive was in the up position. The next morning, it was in the down position. I raised the drive and, again, the...

Monitor yourself.(Tech Letters)
May 1, 2004... I would like to give you my solution to the ongoing problem with batteries and battery switches. I have a 2001-model 25-foot cuddy cabin. The first season, I was faced with how to keep both batteries charged and still make my time on the water...

Now neither engine will run.(Tech Letters)
May 1, 2004... I have a 22-foot ProLine powered by a Mercury 200 Saltwater outboard. I have never had a problem with this package until now. Since my dealer installed a 15 hp kicker for trolling and as an emergency "limp-home" engine, neither engine has run...

Now it wiggles.(Tow Car)
May 1, 2004... Last weekend, I pulled my boat out of storage, prepped her and then took off for the lake. But now my trailer has a barely noticeable wiggle that wasn't there when I tucked her into the shed last fall. I haven't hit or run over anything. Any...

Suspension solution.(Tow Car)
May 1, 2004... Recently I bought a new boat and am towing it with the same 1999 Chevy Blazer I used to tow my first boat. But the new boat has much more tongue weight. The Blazer's rear end is practically dragging on the tops of the tires, and when I go over...

Hot rod Ford.(Tow Car)
May 1, 2004... What can I do to my truck to make it tow better? It's a 1997 Ford F-150 4X4 Super-Cab with the 5.4L V-8, automatic transmission and a 3.55 limited-slip rear axle. What about a supercharger? My current boat is a 20-foot Bayliner that weighs...

No more sleepless nights.(TBM Tested)
May 1, 2004... Every time you walk away from your boat leaving your electronics onboard, you take a chance. Will they still be there when you return? If you treasure your GPS and depth-finder but are not good about removing them after every trip, here's some...

Give yourself a brake.(Gotta Have It)
May 1, 2004... When it comes to brakes, you don't want to mess around--especially when towing several thousand pounds of boat behind you. Performance Plus Brakes (866/756-5536; performance plusbrakes.com) is offering auto, truck and SUV brake pads that the...

Slick solutions for outboard enthusiasts.(Gotta Have It)
May 1, 2004... Treat your two-stroke right. Everyone knows how important proper lubrication is to outboard performance. New from Amsoil (800/777-8491; amsoil.com) is Saber Outboard Synthetic PreMix 100:1 Two-Cycle Oil. Compatible with most mineral and...

Wetsuits with style.(Gotta Have It)
May 1, 2004... Diving and watersking are popular activities for both male and female boaters. But for years, women had little choice in wetsuits. That's changed as wetsuit manufacturers, like many of those in the sport clothing industry, have begun to design...

Gill foul-weather gear is ideal for boating.(Gotta Have It)
May 1, 2004... Some people just can't wait for perfect weather to get out on the water. But that doesn't mean you have to be uncomfortable. Gill North America (800/822-6504; gill na.com) has introduced a new line of technical apparel designed especially for...

New Waterproof Charts look good on paper.(TBM Tested)
May 1, 2004... Maptech (888/839-5551; maptech.com) has expanded its popular Waterproof Chartbook series to cover California's most popular saltwater cruising areas, including San Francisco Bay, the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta and Southern California waters...