Trailer Boats articles from May 2005

Trailer Boats archives from May 2005

Get smart.(On Plane)
May 1, 2005... Want to clear out a room full of boaters? It's easy. Just mention "boating safety" and poof! everyone will disappear. It's a worthy topic, no doubt--it's just that despite all the safety hoopla from the U.S. Coast Guard, USCG Auxiliary, U.S....

Hooked on Amberjack.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2005... Your article on the Amberjack 270, "Seafood Combo" (February), was very enticing. I immediately took my wife to a local Sea Ray dealer and we both love the boat. It handled like a dream, has all I need for fishing room and my wife is crazy...

Eye of the beholder.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2005... I was tempted to write regarding the obviously surgically enhanced model on the January cover, but did not. My comment would have been that perhaps men prefer natural women. Then I read the letter in February ("We Bad") from D. Ward, so here is...

Back into it.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2005... I've been away from boats for a while and have recently gotten the bug again. I want a decent, affordable (read inexpensive/entry level) 15- to 16-foot fiberglass center console rated for up to a 60 hp four-stroke. I like the Triumph 150CC (is...

It's snow fun.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2005... My neighbor just shared his copy of Trailer Boats with me while I took a break from snow blowing. Great articles. I've seen the magazine occasionally and it's always superb. I especially enjoy the marine propulsion articles. [ILLUSTRATION...

Don't leave home without it.(Dock Talk)
May 1, 2005... Whether you venture out on the ocean in a 26-foot cruiser-or take to the lakes and rivers in a 17-foot run-about, you should file a float plan. That's the message the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary wants to deliver. The agency has updated its Float...

West marine introduces new program.(Dock Talk)
May 1, 2005... Along with the arrival of the 2005 West Marine catalog this spring, the company debuts its new "gear feedback" program, designed to let customers go online to write or read reviews on any of the thousands of products sold by the nation's...

Sea Ray ramps up for charity auction.(Dock Talk)
May 1, 2005... Each year, Sea Ray auctions off boats, accessories, trips and packages, and donates the proceeds toward finding a cure for cystic fibrosis. This year, a live auction will be held in Knoxville. Tennessee, on June 11. In conjunction with the...

Fine 'Tooning: adventuring with Parti Kraft's Admiral.(Dock Talk)
May 1, 2005... If you're the type who enjoys lavishing first-class treatment on your family and friends, then the Admiral 220 Deluxe Fish is your kind of pontoon boat. New in Parti Kraft's luxury line, the 220--which the company has dubbed the "Adventurous...

Enzyme additive increases fuel economy up to 15%.(Advertisement)
May 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...

Something's fishy: Dual Console Mako serves double duty.(Dock Talk)
May 1, 2005... With a name like Mako, you know these boats are made to be tough. Now, the company that helped popularize center console fishing boats in the 1960s introduces its 216 Dual Console. Designed for versatility, this 21-foot, 5-inch boat fits the...

Trailer Boats Tech Editor recognized for excellence.(Dock Talk)
May 1, 2005... When the Boating Writers International writing awards were handed out at last February's Miami International Boat Show, Trailer Boats Technical Editor Jim Barron was honored for excellence in the Boat Test category. His story, "Extreme...

Getting personal; PWC accessories: seeing is believing.(Dock Talk)
May 1, 2005... There's a big difference between ogling personal watercraft (PWC) accessories in a catalog and actually trying them out on the water. Sometimes, after testing products, we find they disappoint or are not vital enough to be storage-worthy....

Just cruisin': Monterey's 180 FS spells family fun.(Dock Talk)
May 1, 2005... Monterey has a deal for you: For $19K you get a new boat that delivers outstanding fuel economy and plenty of pep. True, Monterey's fresh 180 FS doesn't have as much room for passengers and gear as a 20- or 21-footer, but what this 18-foot...

Stock rocks, but towing mods are popular, too.(READER SURVEY RESULTS)
May 1, 2005... In the March issue, we asked, "Have you made any modifications to improve your vehicle's towing performance?" Our survey showed a 70/30 split between "stock rocks!" advocates and those who have either modified their vehicles or are considering...

Question of the month.(READER SURVEY RESULTS)
May 1, 2005... Other than rinse downs after use, how often do you wash and wax your boat? * At least monthly * At least quarterly * One to three times per year * Every couple years * Never [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] To register...

Give me air.(Boat Improvement)
May 1, 2005... Whether you live in a warm climate or a cold one, every cabin boat needs some means of ventilation. During hot weather, this is mostly for personal comfort--but during the off season when the boat is closed up for long periods, the movement of...

Rule of tonnage.(Boating Basics)
May 1, 2005... My first encounter with a large ship while aboard a small boat wasn't close at all, but it left a lasting impression. I had spent my summer rebuilding an 18-foot runabout while I worked as a lifeguard on Cape Cod. I had no experience boating on...

Catalytic conversions.(Propulsion Report)
May 1, 2005... The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) continue to tighten their grip on emissions controls, and sterndrive engines are squarely in their sights. Sterndrives sold in California have had to...

End of the line: love to get wet? Our watersports expert looks at some cool tools for beating summer's heat.(WATERSPORTS SPECIAL)
May 1, 2005... As watersports fans are well aware, long gone are the days of having just a pair of skis, line and a vest in your boat. As we carve deeper into the 21st century, our choices of what we can do at the end of a line keep expanding--thanks to new...

Buyer's guide 2005 towboat trends: once the realm of specialized slalom boats, dedicated towboats are heading in some exciting new directions. We explore the hottest trends.(WATERSPORTS SPECIAL)
May 1, 2005... Once upon a time, buying a ski boat was easy. You chose an 18-foot closed-bow inboard from either Correct Craft or MasterCraft. Deciding on options such as gelcoat colors and sound systems was easy, too: There were none. But everything...

Details, details: experts share tips on the right way to clean and detail your boat.
May 1, 2005... Back in the March issue, our "Grime Doesn't Pay" story set out to demystify the process of choosing boat cleaning and detailing products for those days when a spray down is simply not enough. But once you have corralled all the soaps, cleaners,...

Practical matters: what would you call a boat that can do it all, from fishing to skiing to cruising? We call it practical.(TEST)(Cover Story)
May 1, 2005... Whether you're in the market for a ski boat or a family-style fishing boat, it's nice to find one that fits both bills. With a base price of $20K, which includes a matching trailer, Tahoe's new 195 OB offers boaters a lot of bang for the buck....

Heaven sent: Idaho's idyllic Priest Lake serves up spectacular scenery and just the right mix of resorts, marinas and "get away from it all" seclusion.(TBM DESTINATION)
May 1, 2005... Tucked away high in the Idaho panhandle amid the pristine Selkirk Mountains, a mere 30 miles from Canada, is one of the Gem State's best-kept boating secrets: Priest Lake. Although it is only 80 miles northeast of Spokane, Washington, it is...

Flexible fusion: Ebbtide's versatile 26-foot flagship merges the best qualities of cuddy cabins and bowriders.(TEST)
May 1, 2005... Some guys who are turning the big 4-0 rebel by growing their hair long or dyeing their graying beards. Others splurge on expensive sports cars or exotic vacations. For its 40th anniversary last year, Ebbtide Boats took a different tack and...

Back to the future: Nissan looks to its roots to beef up the new Pathfinder.(TEST)
May 1, 2005... An all-new Nissan Pathfinder has hit the roads. The third generation of this midsize SUV has gained a larger interior (including third-row seating), a peppy 4.0L multivalve V-6 and a full-frame chassis based on the F-Alpha platform used in the...

Fluid thinking: converting to oil-bath trailer-wheel hubs is fast and easy. Here's how.(TBM How-To)
May 1, 2005... For years, most boat-trailer wheel bearings have relied on grease in the hubs for lubrication--but, more recently, a new genre of wheel hubs has emerged that uses gear oil instead. Intrigued about how well these work, we called Atlanta-based...

Fuel efficiency.(Tech Letters)
May 1, 2005... I am in the market for a new offshore fishing boat in the 24- to 26-foot range. I have had both outboards and sterndrives in the past. I liked the lower maintenance and easier service of the outboard, but also liked the better fuel efficiency...

Propping trolling motors.(Tech Letters)
May 1, 2005... I have two small outboards (3.3 and 9.9 hp) that I have used for trolling. They are both geared and propped to plane small boats. I would like to increase prop diameter and pitch, or use a four-blade prop to increase performance and...

Starts but won't run.(Tech Letters)
May 1, 2005... I have a 2001 19-foot Bayliner with a 190 hp MerCruiser V-6. I try to use my boat all year long, but this winter, it sat for three months. The boat ran fine before it sat up. Recently, when I tried to start it on the trailer, the engine would...

Does it have one?(Tech Letters)
May 1, 2005... My 2-year-old Sea Ray has a Bravo 3 sterndrive. My old Alpha drive had a water pump in the lower unit, and I serviced the pump every two years. I pulled the lower unit on the Bravo and there was no water pump. Is the pump on the engine the only...

45 and going strong.(Tech Letters)
May 1, 2005... I have a 1960 Evinrude V-4 Starflite on a 20-foot Thompson lapstrake boat. Both have provided many years of near trouble-free service. Since the engine was getting a bit tired, I just had it completely overhauled. Last summer, it ran fine...

Is it quiet?(Tech Letters)
May 1, 2005... I'm considering a new boat purchase and can't decide between a 225 hp direct-injected two-stroke or a four-stroke outboard. I have heard that the four-strokes are very quiet. What is your opinion on which engine would be least intrusive? ...

Tow rating confusion.(Tow Car)
May 1, 2005... Your searchable database of tow ratings on the TrailerBoats.com website is an invaluable resource. There is no other place a trailer boater can get this sort of information. Thanks! But, I just looked up my 2000 Ford F-250 SuperCab long bed 4WD...

Too wide for prime time.(Tow Car)
May 1, 2005... We just ordered a Bayliner 288 and plan to trailer it to various fresh- and saltwater boating locations across the country. Since this cruiser has a 10-foot beam, we will need oversize towing permits for each state we visit. The different...

Ramp testing.(Tow Car)
May 1, 2005... I looked up my vehicle's tow rating, but is there some simple way I can figure out how much weight it will pull up a boat ramp before I buy a boat that weighs too much for my truck to haul out of the water? Ron Taylor Round Rock, Texas...

Bigger tires for towing.(Tow Car)
May 1, 2005... My 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 pickup is the best tow vehicle I have ever owned, and it is quite capable of towing my nearly 8000-pound cruiser anywhere I want to go. I want to dress the truck up now, but was told that going to a set of larger tires...

Max capacity.(Tow Car)
May 1, 2005... My tow vehicle is a 2002 Toyota Tundra with a 7000-pound towing capacity. As it's also my work truck, it's set up with thousands of dollars worth of work-related accessories, and would be too difficult and costly to now replace. My dilemma is...

Bourdon's tow tip.(Tow Car)
May 1, 2005... A typical boat trailer's surge brake system actuator can become jammed in the compressed or "on" position after braking down steep grades. This can lead to an unsafe situation with hot, faded, ineffective brakes when you need them most: when...

Cordless compressor suits boaters on the go.(TBM Tested)
May 1, 2005... Portable air compressors suited for use on board have been around for decades, but generally rely on a 12-volt power supply--which can be a drag if you don't have a convenient place to plug into the right outlet. Snap-On Tools' (877/762-7664;...

Keep it dry.(Gotta Have It)
May 1, 2005... There are no two ways about it: Boats get damp. And, dampness--especially in enclosed areas such as lockers and cabins--can translate into mildew, mold and their evil cousins, rot and rust. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] New in the arsenal...

The wheel deal.(Gotta Have It)
May 1, 2005... What will they think of next? You've seen wireless technology in laptops, PDAs and cell phones--but now you can take advantage of it on the water, as well. Livorsi (888/LIVORSI; livorsi.com) offers fingertip control of drives, tabs, jackplates...

Retrieving rover.(Gotta Have It)
May 1, 2005... Dogs love water, but getting your four-legged friend back on board after a swim can be difficult, to say the least. Now, with Paws Aboard (877/987-PAWS; pawsaboard.com) Doggy Boat Ladder ($200), getting your canine companion out of the water is...

Ring around the prop.(Gotta Have It)
May 1, 2005... There's no doubt about it: Spinning propellers can be dangerous--even deadly--to whatever comes in contact with them. In response to this issue, RingProp, which is based in Gosport, Hampshire, England, (marketed in the U.S. by Ocean Marketing,...

Grab that rod.(Gotta Have It)
May 1, 2005... When you're out for a day of angling, it shouldn't be a struggle to retrieve your fishing rods. TACO Metals' (800/653-8568; tacomarine.com) new stainless Drop-Down Rod Holder ($99) makes rod access a cinch, even on tall T-tops. The clamp-on...

See what the fish are up to.(Gotta Have It)
May 1, 2005... Fishermen looking for an angling edge may want to consider the portable Hawk-Eye FF335P depthfinder ($100) from NorCross Marine (888/NORCROSS; norcrossmarine.com). The FF335P features several upgrades and operates at 200 kHz with a 45-degree...