Trailer Boats articles from October 2003

Trailer Boats archives from October 2003

Unforgettable in so many ways.
October 1, 2003... WEEKEND GETAWAYS. FAMILY ADVENTURES. LIFELONG MEMORIES. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Wherever you are... Wherever you are going... Sea Ray will take you there. Head-turning style and your all-day smile lets fellow boaters know you're...

Performance driven, hot looking cruiser types: try one of these on for size.
October 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Regal is an ISO 9002 registered company offering a Lifetime Hull Warranty on all models. * Sportboats, Sportcruisers & Sportyachts from 18' to 42'. Regal Trailerable Cruisers are fast and sexy looking. Just...

Fish story.(On Plane)
October 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I have heard a lot of fishing stories--some true, most not. This one is not only true, but one of the wildest such tales I can recall. It is a story about great fish, human fortitude and teamwork. Best of all, it...

The Chaparral advantage is crystal clear.
October 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Every day you see companies displaying awards and touting their accomplishments. How do you sort fact from fiction? At Chaparral, building award recognized boats isn't a sometimes thing, it's an all-the-time thing....

Introducing a whole new generation.
October 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] THERE'S A NEW GENERATION of boaters and a new series of boats built to make them happy: the Tournament series from Grady-White. The 185 and the 205 now join the 225 offering fun-and-fishing families great choices in...

Help down under.(Prop Wash)
October 1, 2003... My country is the same size as the U.S., but has only half the population of California. Often, if I can't fix it or improvise, I can't use the boat. That's why I particularly enjoy your do-it-yourself articles. We're glad to hear our...

Soldier's dreams.(Prop Wash)
October 1, 2003... I have been reading Trailer Boats since 1996, and purchased my first boat--a Maxum 1900--in 1997. I am currently deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. My wife is forwarding the magazines, and I greatly look forward to receiving them....

Mechanic schools.(Prop Wash)
October 1, 2003... I have finally decided what I want to be when I grow up--a marine mechanic. I have searched far and wide, and the only marine-mechanics school I have been able to find is in Orlando, Florida. I'm from Ohio. How do I get started in this...

Overnight success.(Prop Wash)
October 1, 2003... Just read "Vacation in a V-Berth" in your August issue. It is about time someone woke up to the possibilities of living aboard a small boat. In about 1964, I took our 19-foot FiberCraft from Ft. Lauderdale to Bimini. Three of us lived aboard...

Experience the value. Value the experience.
October 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Our family wanted a lot from our new boat. The kids are so heavily into wake boarding that we absolutely had to have a tower, big sound, big swim platform and big power. I still like to ski, but I need a stronger...

Japan to ease trade restrictions.(Dock Talk)
October 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Japan has agreed to reduce its current inspection and testing requirements on imported engines and plastic fuel tanks. The result of nine months of negotiations with the Chicago-based National Marine Manufacturers...

Powerboat registrations dropped in early '03.(Dock Talk)
October 1, 2003... A struggling economy, pre-war jitters and a cold winter landed a three-punch combination on boat sales in the first quarter of 2003, as new powerboat registrations for fiberglass boats 18 to 26 feet fell 10.4 percent compared to the same period...

Pyramid ski team sets new world record.(Dock Talk)
October 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Skiing behind a 21-foot Dyna Ski boat powered by three Mercury Racing OptiMax 250XS outboards, the Rock Aqua Jays waterski team of Janesville, Wisconsin, set a new waterski pyramid world record at the Mastercraft...

Just cruisin': Sea Ray 200 Sundeck.(Dock Talk)
October 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When Knoxville, Tennessee-based Sea Ray Boats introduced its new 200 Sundeck at its dealer meeting in July, Trailer Boats was the very first to test it. At first glance, we were impressed not only with the...

In tow: new VW tows 7700 pounds.(Dock Talk)
October 1, 2003... Volkswagen introduced its Touareg (pronounced "tur-egg") sport-utility vehicle (SUV) in 2003, and it has turned out to be the best thing the company has done in years to drive customers into its dealerships. This all-new vehicle offers a choice...

The ultimate 4-stroke outboard.
October 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SUZUKI INTRODUCES THE WORLD'S FIRST 250 HORSEPOWER V6 4-STROKE OUTBOARD MORE RELIABLE. MORE POWERFUL. MORE EXCITING. ON THE WATER With 50 miles of open blue water and a whole day ahead of...

Electronics: Furuno LS4100 fishfinder.(Dock Talk)
October 1, 2003... Anybody who spends time around commercial fishing boats, charter boats and sportfishing yachts knows Furuno's reputation for powerful, professional-grade color fishfinders. So when I learned about Furuno's new LS4100--a compact, affordable...

Workin' for a living: Triumph 210 Commercial Tow.(Dock Talk)
October 1, 2003... Towing services for distressed boaters are becoming more common, especially along coastal waters. One such service is Sea Tow, based in Southold, New York, with 90 locations throughout the United States, including 27 in Florida. I spent a day...

Launch ramp: hot new boats.(Dock Talk)
October 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] KAWASAKI JET SKI STX-15F Powered by a high-performance 155 hp engine derived from its cousin, the Ninja ZX-12R sport motorcycle, Kawasaki's new Jet Ski STX-15F takes its place as the company's most powerful...

Power trip: Nissan/Tohatsu's new 8/9.8 four-strokes.
October 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Nissan Marine and Tohatsu Outboards are expanding their four-stroke lines to include 8 and 9.8 hp outboards for 2004. These two-cylinder, carbureted, single-overhead-cam engines are light, each weighing in at a...

Question of the Month.(Dock Talk)
October 1, 2003... What kind of anchor do you carry? a) Fluke-style b) Plow-style c) Bruce d) Navy e) Other To register your answer, go to our website--TrailerBoats.com--and click on Survey Section. Also, visit our message boards, and...

How bad do you want it?(Dock Talk)
October 1, 2003... Time's running out for submitting that funny boating picture for the 2003 Over the Transom photo contest. Ten out of the 11 semifinalists have already been selected, and come November 1, we will select the last semifinalist. [ILLUSTRATION...

Skipper's challenge.(Dock Talk)
October 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In slalom waterskiing lingo, if someone is "skiing 15 off," the total length of the tow rope is: a) 15 feet b) 60 feet c) 75 feet d) 90 feet

Most readers carry binoculars on board.(Reader Survey Results)
October 1, 2003... Three out of four readers carry a pair of binoculars on their boats. That's the indication of a recent survey on the Trailer Boats website. In our August issue, we asked, "Do you carry a pair of binoculars on your boat?" Readers visited...

Term of the month: mouse.(Dock Talk)
October 1, 2003... No, we're not referring to small, furry stowaways or something that moves a cursor on a computer screen. In nautical jargon, a mouse describes a piece of seizing wire or plastic strap used to secure an anchor's shackle pin once it is threaded...

Watertoy profile: HO Phantom boots & skis.(Dock Talk)
October 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] From the mere leather straps placed on the first waterskis 81 years ago, bindings have evolved to provide waterskiers with more foot control while increasing comfort, too. The latest advancement is from HO Sports of...

This is only the half of it! Wait until you see the rest.
October 1, 2003... A perfect example of Crownline's "next generation" of high value, high quality sport boats. It begins with our Fin-Assisted Safe Turn F.A.S.T. Tab[TM] hull, teamed up with Vortex Generators for excellent high-and low-speed stability. Then add...

Getting personal: Turbo Honda vs. Supercharged Sea-Doo.
October 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] This summer, we spent a week running the two most powerful three-passenger personal watercraft (PWCs) side by side. Honda's turbocharged Aqua Trax F-12X and Sea-Doo's supercharged GTX 4-TEC SC represent the top of...

They wouldn't risk being in a conventional boat. Why should you?
October 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Zodiac Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs) are the number one choice of professionals the world over. Now, this same level of performance is available in an exciting new line of sport boats for you and your family. Take a...

Net results.(Boat Improvement)
October 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] My curiosity made me slow down to see what was happening as an officer standing in the bow of an orange U.S. Coast Guard inflatable boat flagged down the skipper of a small center console headed for open water. The...

Storm clouds, rough seas and fish guts. Yes, this is a pleasure cruise.
October 1, 2003... Whatever the conditions, life is good on a Trophy, because Trophy boats are engineered for a smooth, dry ride. Our hulls feature a high bow flare to deflect spray and water; reversed chines provide lift and stability in the turns; and deep-V...

Fueling concerns.(Boating Basics)
October 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It was my first run down from Big Pine Key to Key West to participate in an owners' fishing tournament, but getting there proved more difficult than I had anticipated: A few miles from the ramp, the 115 hp outboard...

Sterndrive developments.(Propulsion Report)
October 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] While the proliferation of new outboards has dominated the news in marine power this year, the two major sterndrive manufacturers have been busy, as well. We have not heard much from Oklahoma-based MerCruiser....

Fun central: Godfrey's Hurricane Fun Deck GS 211 offers an innovative deck-boat layout at an attractive price.(Boat Test)
October 1, 2003... Who says center consoles are exclusive to saitwater fishing boats? Not Godfrey Marine. This Indiana builder specializes in deck boats and is breaking tradition with its Hurricane Fun Deck GS 211. Instead of featuring a starboard console as...

Plug & play: here are some nifty 12-volt appliances and gadgets that can make your boating easier and more comfortable.
October 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Ever get the urge to cook your favorite casserole while cruising along at 30 knots? How about blow-drying and curling your hair on the ride back to the ramp after a day of wave-shredding? Maybe you want to curl up...

The best radio: when your buddy is down the trail.
October 1, 2003... Icom radios are coveted the world over for their military ruggedness, shirt-pocket size, advanced features, and complete ease of use. Our new 4088A FRS radio continues the tradition, quenching demanding user's desires with water resistant...

Diesel performance.
October 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Whether you're looking for more power, more speed, greater towing capacity or better fuel economy, Edge has the answer for all popular late-model pick ups including 2003! Power at your fingertips from 50-200...

The best radio: when your buddy is down the mountain.
October 1, 2003... Talk up to 5 times farther with an Icom GMRS radio! Icom's F21GM bounces signals off trees, rocks and even office buildings to "wiggle" signals through where normal FRS signals are absorbed and lost*. Military rugged, easy to use, and water...

Between the lines: Honda's 150 four-stroke outboard fills the void between big V-6s and mid-range I-4s.
October 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Over the past few years, four-stroke outboard builders have introduced a number of models below 140 hp and a fair selection in the 200-to-225 hp range. Yet, we have seen virtually nothing in between... until now....

Positive I.D.: a vinyl graphics makeover can give your boat a positive new identification. Here's how to get the job done right.(TBM how-to)
October 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] A couple of major elements have changed on my boat recently. It has a new outboard with completely different colors. And it now has a charcoal-gray Bimini enclosure over the helm. With these changes, it was time...

Trim your load!
October 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] He's big, clumsy, & the first to ask: "Man, what's wrong with your boat?" Now you can turn a miserable ride into a great day on the water... regardless of weight distribution. INTRODUCING BENNETT M-80 SPORT...

Immersion therapy: lose yourself on a houseboat adventure on California's Lake Shasta.(TBM Destination)
October 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] What does it take for a frazzled executive and a stressed grade-school teacher to relax completely and leave behind any thoughts of deadlines, e-mails and staff meetings? More important, can a small herd of modern...

What goes in when the boat comes out.
October 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Before your boat goes into storage, make sure STA-BIL[R] Fuel Stabilizer goes in first. Without STA-BIL gas turns stale in just 60 days. Gum forms and engines won't start. But STA-BIL keeps fuel fresh for over a...

D-L[R] brake winches ...
October 1, 2003... For added safety and control! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] For lifting and lowering applications such as raising boats on davits or raising and lowering sailboat keels, D-L Brake Winches are the smart choice. * No runaway loads or...

Batten down: to keep a bilge hatch sealed, we install a stainless compression latch.(TBM How-To)
October 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Take a small boat out on big water too many times, and you will eventually ship some serious seas. It usually happens in one of two ways. A following sea may overtake you and breach the transom. Or you may stuff the...

Rack 'em: double-decker boat trailers are one solution to the 21st century dilemma of too many toys.
October 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] How many times have you dreamed of trailering two boats--say a deck boat and your personal watercraft--with one vehicle? Or perhaps you always wanted to bring both the boat and the Jeep for the weekend....

Home on the road: when you tow with a Roadtrek 190-Versatile camper van, you can bring just about everything else, too.(TBM Tow Test)
October 1, 2003... We usually test pickup trucks or sport-utility vehicles (SUVs), but every once in awhile we like to throw our readers a curve. As the saying goes, "Variety is the spice of life." Our search for interesting tow vehicles turned up something a...

Standing on end.(Tech Letters)
October 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] My husband and I own a 1996 Conquest 21-foot cuddy cabin with a 5.7L V-8 sterndrive. Hubby did a stupid thing with the boat, and it scared me to death. I believe he used the power trim wrong, and he stood the boat...

DFI conversion.(Tech Letters)
October 1, 2003... I noticed that the direct-fuel-injected (DFI) outboards get better fuel economy. Is there an aftermarket kit available to convert a 1994 115 hp V-4 Johnson to DFI? I recall seeing a kit a few years ago for converting an inboard. Mark...

How many blades?(Tech Letters)
October 1, 2003... I recently purchased a 2003 Chaparral 200 SSi sport boat with 350 Mag MPI V-8 coupled to an Alpha drive. It came equipped with a 13 1/2 X23-inch stainless three-blade prop. I estimate the weight of the boat with gas, people and gear is in the...

Stalling problems.(Tech Letters)
October 1, 2003... Thanks to Craig Hoard of Rabidfish Marine Service, Inc., Noblesville, Indiana, for calling my attention to Mercury Service Bulletin 2001-17 that deals with outboard stalling and poor acceleration in model years 2000 and earlier for engines 30...

Outboard vs. sterndrive.(Tech Letters)
October 1, 2003... I really enjoyed Jim Hendricks' article comparing and contrasting outboard and sterndrive powered Sea Rays in July 2003 ("Pony Express"). I own a 1988 Sea Ray Seville 18 powered by a 175 hp MerCruiser sterndrive, so I read the article with...

Let your boat covers really breathe!!!
October 1, 2003... WITH.... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "SNAP-IN", "STICK-ON" or "PUSH-IN" VENTS Installed in Your Trailer Cover, Winter Tarp, or Shrink-Film Cover. * No Sewing, Adhesives, Hardware, or Special Tools Required for Installation. *...

Sold on a need to know basis.
October 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] We understand that accidents do happen, and that your boat won't stay perfect forever. Trust WEST SYSTEM, the epoxy leader for over 30 years. Call today for your $3.00 manual, Fiberglass Boat Repair & Maintenance....

IMCO affordable marine solutions.
October 1, 2003... THUMPER POWER [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] High quality cast aluminum water jacketed exhaust manifolds and risers for popular V-6 and V-8 Chevrolet engines. Outperforms stock cast iron manifolds. Easy, bolt-on replacement. Surprisingly...

Too much truck.(Tow Car)
October 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It seems as if all the tow vehicles tested lately have been in the $35,000 to $50,000 (U.S.) range. Many of us can't afford such luxury, not to mention the fuel these predominantly V-8 powered trucks burn. Why not do...

Why weight distributing?(Tow Car)
October 1, 2003... In the July "Tow Car" column you answered a letter entitled, "Burb Rating," regarding the need for an equalizing hitch. You answered correctly, so I guess my question is really directed at the letter's author: Why, after spending $30,000 for a...

Pulling 5400 pounds.(Tow Car)
October 1, 2003... I need a good all-round tow vehicle that can handle short but steep grades, ski trips and daily driving. My Cobalt 226, trailer and gear weigh about 5400 pounds. I want something substantial with good brakes and extra power to handle a large...

Overhanging hull.(Tow Car)
October 1, 2003... I just picked up a new Starcraft 1810 LX with a 3.0L MerCruiser engine. The boat sits on the trailer with its transom extending past the rear of the bunks by 3 1/2 inches. Is my trailer set up properly? William Horne Paw Paw, Michigan...

Always online, trailerboats.com.
October 1, 2003... For more than three decades, readers have counted on TRAILER BOATS magazine to provide the best in boating and towing coverage. Now you can access much of the same great information on the Web! [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] NOW ONLINE! ...

TBM tested: Footcush deck mat is a treat for feet.(Gotta Have It)
October 1, 2003... "Like floating on a cushion of air." That was my impression after manning the helm while standing on a Footcush deck mat during a rough and bumpy 26-mile trip to Catalina Island aboard my 21 1/2-footer. The Footcush softened the jolts of hard...

Send out holiday cards with a nautical theme.(Gotta Have It)
October 1, 2003... [GRAPHIC OMITTED] New Hampshire-based CardMakers, a greeting-card publisher that has specialized in unique and distinctive themes for 25 years, has introduced a new line of holiday cards for boaters. These colorful cards depict a variety...

Protect your watercraft with a custom cover.(Gotta Have It)
October 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Oklahoma-based Covercraft has designed a custom protective cover for personal watercraft that provides maximum protection from ultraviolet rays, bird droppings, tree sap and air pollutants. It can be used for storing...

Portable electric scooter is worth its weight in gold.(Gotta Have It)
October 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Along the way to the marina, one of your trailer's wheel bearings goes up in smoke, and you realize that you've left your cell phone at home. What now? Do you separate truck from trailer, and then go off in search of...

Boost outboard performance with a WakeSkimmer nosecone.(Gotta Have It)
October 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The new WakeSkimmer low-water pickup nosecone allows outboard engines to be raised higher on the transom for better top-end performance and better access to shallow water. This new product is molded to fit snugly...

Sierra fuel-filter brackets offer maximum corrosion protection.(Gotta Have It)
October 1, 2003... Sierra, a business unit of Teleflex with a reputation for manufacturing quality fuel/water separators since 1988, recently introduced three corrosionresistant filter brackets designed to accommodate its fuel/water separators as well as those...

You could win a Four Winns boat: over the transom contest rules.(Photo Contest)
October 1, 2003... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 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'...