Trailer Boats articles from October 2006

Trailer Boats archives from October 2006

Ground zero.(On Plane)
October 1, 2006... Boating access--or, more appropriately, the loss of access--has been a hot-button issue as sky-high real estate prices squeeze out marinas and launch ramps in favor of private development. But down in little Cooper City, Florida, not far from...

Stretch your range.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2006... Our boat club is considering the possibility of cruising to the Dry Tortugas in the Gulf of Mexico, 90 miles from Key West, Florida. We are all experienced, conservative boaters who would go in a group, but we are concerned about the weight and...

That sinking feeling.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2006... The hydraulic steering went out during the first trip with my new boat, so I took it back to the dealer, who fixed it right away. The next trip I unloaded the boat, and my brother asked me about the drain plug. Since I did not remove it when I...

Vets go skiing.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2006... Last summer at Breezy Point in Rockaway, New York, a group of wounded veterans--including my son--participated in the Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project (800/404-2898; woundedwarriorproject.org), held in conjunction with Disabled Sports...

Required reading.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the editor)
October 1, 2006... I've been a subscriber for two years and have learned a great deal from your magazine. I believe a law should be passed making Trailer Boats required reading for any person who skippers a boat--whether it's his or someone else's. This is never...

Small surprises.(LESS IS MORE)
October 1, 2006... I read with interest the April test of the Scout 175 Sportfish ("Small Surprises"), especially how you lavished praise on the abilities of such a "small" boat. I am a "small"-boat owner (Arima 17 Sea Chaser) and find her very capable and...

Scale it down.(LESS IS MORE)
October 1, 2006... I have been getting your magazine for more than 25 years, and I read it cover to cover within two days. I, for one, love seeing all the beautiful women--and I especially like seeing them driving the boats. One request is to please feature a...

Over the Transom prize awarded.(Dock Talk)
October 1, 2006... "One Horsepower," is the title of the shot readers voted as the funniest photo in our Over the Transom contest. Submitted by Theresa Rodney of Waddell, Arizona, the picture shows her sons, Jerry and John, and friend Jake Briese horsing around...

Baseball's been 'Barry, Barry good' to boaters.(Dock Talk)
October 1, 2006... Major League Baseball's so-called steroid era has produced much more than just chiseled biceps and huge power numbers. Since the turn of the century, nine new baseball stadiums have been constructed to house the ever-growing superstars. But...

Sea Ray knows how to throw a party.(Dock Talk)
October 1, 2006... Throughout July and August, more than 20,000 boaters gathered on waterways at 80 sites across the country to participate in the first AquaPalooza, a celebration of all things boating sponsored by Sea Ray. MarineMax, a prominent Sea Ray dealer...

Wake tools: it's all about release.(Dock Talk)
October 1, 2006... Even at the peak of the 2006 tournament season, pro wakeboarders were already testing new boards for 2007. A few riders, such as 2004 Waterski and Wakeboard Association world champion Andrew Adkison, were using '07 designs in pro contests. ...

Launch ramp: from sportjet to sportfisher.(Dock Talk)
October 1, 2006... YAMAHA SR230 HO Among the 2007 crop of sportjets, Yamaha's SR230 High Output stands out. This 23-footer, designed for budget-minded buyers, is speedy and sporty, but delivers low-end power when asked. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] What...

Getting personal: dream touring.(Dock Talk)
October 1, 2006... Have you ever dreamt of taking a multiday PWC tour on glass-flat water with a support crew to take care of your every need? Discovery River Tours (770/493-1 PWC; pwctours.com) of Tucker, Georgia, makes this dream come true for PWC enthusiasts...

In tow: GM debuts bold new Silverado and Sierra pickups.(Dock Talk)
October 1, 2006... Facing withering competition in a soft market, General Motors--the largest truck maker in the world--is firing back with a new generation of Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra light-duty and heavy-duty pickups. Re-engineered from the frame up, each...

Special report: fresh thinking rewarded.(Dock Talk)
October 1, 2006... Boaters are always on the lookout for new gear that can improve their on-the-water enjoyment. The search has just gotten a little easier, thanks to a series of Innovation Awards presented by a panel of judges from Boating Writers International...

Trailer boaters not afraid of the long haul.(READER SURVEY RESULTS)
October 1, 2006... When we asked in our monthly survey how far readers regularly trailer their boats to the water, we expected the majority of those who voted at TrailerBoats.com to answer "less than 50 miles"--and, in fact, they did, with 31 percent regularly...

Skipper's Challenge.(READER SURVEY RESULTS)
October 1, 2006... Here's a list of major causes of boating accidents. Which is incorrect? 1) Overloading, poor trim, overpowering 2) Slow turns in rough water 3) Failure to watch for obstacles 4) Departing or getting caught in rough weather ...

Question of the month.(READER SURVEY RESULTS)
October 1, 2006... Would you like to see more boats offered with optional outboard power? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Absolutely. I'd much rather have an outboard boat * Yes. I could go either way, so it's good to have choices * Why not? Although...

Restoring aluminum.(Boat Improvement)
October 1, 2006... Aluminum is an important metal for marine applications because it's light, doesn't rust, and is fairly inexpensive compared to some other marine-grade metals. No metal is perfect, however, and aluminum is no exception. Even though rust is not a...

Battery savvy.(Boating Basics)
October 1, 2006... The fall colors were at their peak as we prepared to launch for the final trip of the season--a family "leaf-peeping" weekend afloat. Our favorite college and pro football teams were playing that Saturday and Sunday, so we had packed a portable...

Little Yamahas.(Propulsion Report)
October 1, 2006... The latest additions to Yamaha's outboard lineup are two new 22.1-cubic-inch four-strokes rated at 15 and 20 hp that are not only suited for smaller boats, but might make fine kickers aboard larger rigs, as well. Although most will be used...

Triple threat: Hannon's Cannon shakes up the highly competitive SKA scene thanks to mega horses of three different colors.
October 1, 2006... Just when you think that you've seen it all, along comes Kevin Hannon's 34-foot kingfish boat. The first thing you notice are the eye-popping sponsors graphics gracing the hull. No surprises there--lots of Southern Kingfish Association (SKA)...

Bragging rights: Suzuki stands alone atop the horsepower hill with its new DF300--the world's most powerful four-stroke outboard.(Cover story)
October 1, 2006... After many years of playing follow-the-leader in the horsepower race, Suzuki sprinted to the front of the pack in 2004 when it introduced its 250 hp four-stroke outboard. It was the most powerful four-stroke available until Mercury launched its...

Little boomers: how do 10 popular handheld VHFs stack up? We test 'em to find out.(HANDHELD VHF SHOOT-OUT)
October 1, 2006... With your kids racing on their PWCs and lunch ready back on the boat, have you wished you had a radio to get in touch with them? If so, it's time to consider adding handheld VHF marine radios to your electronics collection. [ILLUSTRATION...

Hurricane party: hurricane's new FunDeck GS 231 is a deck boat with a difference.(TEST)
October 1, 2006... You know the deal: you say tomato, she says tomahtow; you say potato, she says... organic tofu. Or in the case of boats, maybe you say fishboat, she says fun boat. Enter the Hurricane FunDeck GS 231, which unlike many compromise boats,...

Lost & found: when you lose yourself in a houseboat vacation on Kentucky's Lake Cumberland, you just may find yourself.(TBM DESTINATION)
October 1, 2006... Best known for fast horses and smooth bourbon, Kentucky also fosters relaxation and the slowing of hectic lifestyles--if even just for a bit--through what we refer to as aquatic therapy. Others unimaginatively call it houseboating. Either way,...

Control freak: packing up to 430 hp and equipped with speed control--a first for sportjets--Sea-Doo's latest wakes up any 'boarding party.(TEST)
October 1, 2006... Wakeboard packages have been available on sportjets for some time, so while putting a factory tower and ballast system on a jet-driven hull helps tailor the craft to boarding, such rigs present a bit of challenge for riders and drivers alike....

Flex appeal: the all-new 2007 Chevrolet Avalanche offers flexible functionality.
October 1, 2006... Superb ride and handling, a powerful engine, pleasing interior appointments, and an attractively sculpted body are all descriptions that our seasoned staff applied to Chevrolet's 2007 Tahoe, which we reported on in our June issue. A few months...

Pump house: rebuilding your water pump might keep you out of hot water when it really counts.(TBM Step-By-Step)
October 1, 2006... Boaters do the darnedest things. From starting and revving their boats' engines in parking lots before launching to trying to power their way off sandbars, there's seemingly no end to the knuckle-headed moves boaters are capable of. Don't...

Overpropped.(Tech Letters)
October 1, 2006... I have a carbureted Mariner 150 V-6 on my 18-foot Ranger fish 'n ski. I'm turning a 21-inch-pitch Mirage prop at 5100 rpm, and the speedometer shows a top speed of 51 mph. My problem is acceleration. When I pop the throttle open, the engine...

Lifting the boat.(Tech Letters)
October 1, 2006... I want to use davits to lift my 18-foot Bayliner onto the seawall for storage. The boat has a bow eye up front and two eyes on the transom. Are these eyes strong enough to hold it? Jack Walsh Boca Raton, Florida Measure the...

Suggestions for better economy.(Tech Letters)
October 1, 2006... On the subject of saving fuel, can you please tell us readers something new? We have all heard "keep weight down" and "don't fill your tank if you are not going to use it," but no one has talked about the engine (other than to keep it tuned.)...

Frozen lower unit.(Tech Letters)
October 1, 2006... I inherited my father's boat, which hasn't been used in many years. The engine is a 65 hp, four-cylinder Mercury that appears to be in good shape--but I have no idea how old it is. I have been advised to replace the water pump before attempting...

Check with the experts.(Tech Letters)
October 1, 2006... I have a 1999 Evinrude 175 Ficht that has given me trouble-free service until now. The engine has developed a high-speed miss. So far, the voltage regulator, electronic control unit and two coils have been replaced--but it hasn't cured the...

Expedition rating.(Tow Car)
October 1, 2006... My wife and I own a 2003 Ford Expedition with the 5.4L V-8 and 3.73 axle gears. The question is: Can I tow my father-in-law's 1995 Sea Ray 250 Sundancer? He tows it with a 1999 Ford F-350 Crew Cab with the 7.3L PowerStroke diesel and, of...

Bunk to roller swap.(Tow Car)
October 1, 2006... I have a ShoreLand'r trailer and an 18-foot Polar center console with a 70 hp outboard. The bunk boards on the trailer need to be replaced and I would like to replace the bunks with rollers if I can. Who makes retrofit roller boards, and will I...

Tire change.(Tow Car)
October 1, 2006... My tow vehicle (1999 Chevy 1/2-ton pickup) has a set of 235/75-15 tires on it now, but they are due to be replaced soon and I am considering a set of tires with a lower profile (205/75-15) to make the truck look "cooler." How will the tire...

Considering a dually.(Tow Car)
October 1, 2006... I am currently in the market for a new tow vehicle, and since the new boat is going to weigh about 9000 pounds (with trailer) and is a cruiser with tall hull sides that will act like a sail in crosswinds, I am considering a dual-rear-wheel (for...

Old Blazer ratings.(Tow Car)
October 1, 2006... My neighbor has a 1990 S-10 Blazer for sale. It has lots of miles on it, but it's in good shape. It was used mostly as a grocery-getter by his wife (no towing ever), and will come pretty cheap. All I need is a "weekends only" tow vehicle for my...

Bourdon's tow tip.(Tow Car)
October 1, 2006... Get your wife, partner, first mate, girlfriend--or whoever--and yourself a set of two-way radios for use on the boat ramp. Some models sell for as little as $50 a pair. It's a heck of lot easier for a driver and spotter to communicate...

Spill saver.(Gotta Have It)
October 1, 2006... To avoid spilling fuel onto the water when refueling at a marina, there is an easy solution: Get a Fuel Kleen fuel collar ($6). The simple doughnut-shaped collar, made by Centek Industries (800/950-7653; centekindustries.com), slides onto the...

Smart sensor.(Gotta Have It)
October 1, 2006... Each time a boater successfully starts his engine away from the boat ramp, he breathes a sigh of relief. Ease fears of a dead battery with the Marine Battery Brain from Smart Energy Solutions (973/340-6000, batterybrain.com). The Marine Battery...

Portable navigation.(Gotta Have It)
October 1, 2006... Have you wanted to install an electronic navigation system on your boat but been intimidated by the cost? Do you only feel secure out on the water if you have a backup system in place? Maptech (888/839-5551; maptech.com) has a solution to help...

Let there be Lite.(Gotta Have It)
October 1, 2006... Space is at a premium on every boat, so any item that is small, light and works well is something to be treasured. The Pak-Lite flashlight ($25-$30) from Pak-Lite (541/660-0349; 9voltlight.com) is a small cap that snaps onto any 9-volt battery....

Made in the shade.(Gotta Have It)
October 1, 2006... There's nothing better than soaking up some rays while speeding across an open expanse of blue. When you break for lunch on your favorite beach, however, some shade from those same rays is welcomed. The Tent Chair, from Fargason Outdoor...

Cordless freedom.(Gotta Have It)
October 1, 2006... The appeal of cordless electrical products is obvious, but with every cordless item, you have a new battery and new charger to deal with. Ryobi (800/525-2579; ryobi tools.com) solved that problem with its brand of One+ power tools, which all...

A more stable ride.(Gotta Have It)
October 1, 2006... The True Tracker Stabilizer Plate ($40) from Bob's Machine Shop (813/247-7040; bobsmachine.com) is designed to out-perform other outboard stabilizer plates because of the True Tracker's patented rudder-fin design. The fin keeps the boat from...