Bass & Walleye Boats articles from December 2006

Bass & Walleye Boats archives from December 2006

The future of our industry.(Holeshot)
December 1, 2006... When I first began as a fishing/boating editor more than 12 years ago, the average tournament bass boat was 18 to 19 feet in length with an average of 150 horsepower on the transom. Then B.A.S.S. came west, where the pros, who had become...

Dyno sore.(Backwash)(Letter to the editor)
December 1, 2006... Why don't you use dynamometers to test outboard engines? This is standard practice with automotive magazines. There are established calculations to compare tests done at different temperatures and altitudes. Use of dyno results would allow...

Bass, walleye & bay.(Backwash)(Letter to the editor)
December 1, 2006... Under your magazine's title reads, "The Magazine of Performance Fishing Boats." I am not an offshore fisherman, but I've been fishing bass tournaments in Florida since 1986. Throughout the years I've seen the growth of flats boats to where...

Overinflated opinion.(Backwash)(Letter to the editor)
December 1, 2006... I just finished reading the October issue and, as usual, I can't believe I get all this valuable information on boats and engines for only 10 bucks a year. However, I'm confused about the PressurePro tire pressure monitoring system that's...

Where was Honda?(Backwash)(Letter to the editor)
December 1, 2006... I surely enjoyed your article on the comparisons of the three outboards ("Put Up or Shut Up") in the August issue. My question is, why wasn't Honda part of the comparison? You mentioned that OMC elected not to be part of the comparison, but...

Future of two-strokes.(Backwash)(Letter to the editor)
December 1, 2006... What is your opinion regarding two-stroke boat engines? Do you think the EPA will outlaw them in the near future? Your advice is important to me, as I am thinking of purchasing a used 1993 Mercury two-stroke. Charlie Skinner Via...

Off the chart.(Backwash)(Letter to the editor)
December 1, 2006... While reading the Fast Lane article in your October issue I noticed what I believe to be an error. Since I am an avid Dodge fan, I was really surprised to see a 5.7-liter Hemi listed as an option for the 2007 Chevy Avalanche. Steve...

Frequency matters.(Electronic Fisherman)
December 1, 2006... The early days of LCD fishfinder technology saw computers being added to sonar units. Today's fishfinders, in contrast, look more like computers with sonar thrown in. Now, upgrading your electronics and being happy with the results means...

Alternate power sources.(Seat Time)
December 1, 2006... No, this month's Seat Time is not about finding alternate sources of clean, fuel-efficient power for our beloved bass and walleye boats. Rather, it's about a small, grassroots trend in the high-performance outboard marketplace that's slowly but...

Green and bear it.(Fast Lane)
December 1, 2006... Listen! Do you hear that buzz around the gas pumps about boaters ditching gasoline and switching to the cheaper ethanol-based E85 for their new flexible-fuel tow vehicles? Sounds like a good idea. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As the...

Honda redesigns its mid-size four-strokes for 2007.(Around the Dock)
December 1, 2006... Honda Marine's medium-sized BF75 and BF90 four-strokes have been redesigned for 2007, offering simple maintenance, improved maximum speed and acceleration performance, and greater fuel economy. Both engines have a 1.5-liter, 16-valve, inline...

Lund adds fiberglass to its offerings.(Around the Dock)(Brief article)
December 1, 2006... BWB has learned that Lund is set to launch a new fiberglass fishing boat line. According to the company, the line will include the features tournament pros and amateurs know and use, as well as other innovative features not currently available...

Diesels subject to new regs in '07.(Around the Dock)
December 1, 2006... New diesel-powered light and medium-duty vehicles are required to use ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel to help meet stricter emissions limits for 2007. The fuel will also ensure the correct functioning of the new diesel engine technology and...

NMMA boat shows get youth involved.(Around the Dock)
December 1, 2006... To further educate children on maritime activities in, on and under the water, a number of National Marine Manufacturers Association boat shows for 2007 will include an interactive exhibit put together by Captain Kids, a national organization...

BWB reader survey.(Around the Dock)
December 1, 2006... How many blades are on your primary propeller? a) Three blades b) Four blades c) Five blades Make sure your vote counts. Visit BassAndWalleyeBoats.com and click on Survey Section. We will report the results in an upcoming...

Intimidator battery scares away the competition.(Finders Keepers)
December 1, 2006... The Deka Intimidator battery ($166) provides the start-up power large outboards need and can also withstand deep discharges. With its Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) design, the Intimidator delivers 750 cold cranking amps of starting power. Because...

Sta-Bilize your fuel this winter.(Finders Keepers)
December 1, 2006... If you haven't already winterized your engine, now is the time to do so, with the help of STA-BIL from Golden Eagle (800/367-3245; goldeneagle.com). STA-BIL prevents your fuel from oxidizing, which, in turn, will form gum and varnish deposits....

Minn Kota's new trim tab design increases performance.(Finders Keepers)
December 1, 2006... A new line of trim tabs, developed by trolling motor giant Minn Kota, (262/631-6600; minnkotamotors.com) features a tab design that the manufacturer says provides extra boat lift compared to standard straight tab designs. Minn Kota's curved and...

Sea Star Pro hydraulic steering now available in snazzy colors.(Finders Keepers)
December 1, 2006... Two new colorful options are available in Teleflex Marine's (217/324-9400; teleflexmarine.com) line of Sea Star Pro hydraulic steering cylinders. With either the glistening red or silver model to choose from (both $776), you'll be able to have...

DFI Technologies diagnostic interface cable: this computer interface assembly is now easier to find.(Cool Tools)
December 1, 2006... Do-it-yourself owners of Evinrude DI, Ficht or E-Tec outboards know that obtaining special factory tools can be difficult if a dealer does not want to sell them to the public. One of those tools is an interface cable for these outboards, which...

Competent combo: Humminbird's 787c2; This fishfinder/GPS combo offers pro-level performance at a reasonable price.(Fishfinder Test)(Product/service evaluation)
December 1, 2006... The 787c2 sits in a medium-high position in Humminbird's product lineup, but with a 640x480 pixel color screen, a multi-frequency sonar with 500 watts of RMS power, and an included GPS module that supports Navionics-based cartography, you'd...

Super Bee: Bumble Bee's new 2100 Pro Sport is a battle cruiser built for long treks and rough stuff.(Cover story)
December 1, 2006... We've spent over a decade testing Bumble Bee boats, and the 2100 Pro Sport was more of what we've come to expect from the company in terms of its high standards for performance and attention to detail. 'Bee fans will remember that our...

Impact statement: Suzuki raises the bar with introduction of its DF300, the world's most powerful four-stroke outboard.
December 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. The DF250 was the most powerful four-stroke available until Mercury...

Northern exposure: Lund's 1800 Sport Angler meets the needs of foul-weather fishermen.
December 1, 2006... An afternoon spent in Lund's Sport Angler 1800 will leave no doubt that this boat is designed from bow to stern for fishing north of the Mason-Dixon line. Let's start at the stern and I'll explain what I mean. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Black magic: new and improved? We test Minn Kota's new Terrova trolling motor on the water to find out.
December 1, 2006... A top-secret discussion at this year's ICAST show between BWB Editor Steve Quinlan and the top brass at Minn Kota resulted in us being the first boating magazine to get our hands on a prototype of the company's new Terrova electric trolling...

Top Guns: the very hottest and newest freshwater fishing boats available for 2007.(Buyers guide)
December 1, 2006... The old saying "there's no such thing as the perfect boat" implies that no single boat is without some sort of compromise. Fishability vs. family comfort. Passenger capacity vs. size and weight. Performance vs. fuel economy. The list goes on....

Too much to tame.(Shop Talk)
December 1, 2006... I recently purchased a 2004 Kenner bay boat (21 feet, 7 inches) with cable steering. It has a 2004 Mercury 200 with a SS Vengeance 21-inch-pitch prop and a torque plate on the skeg. The boat has a tunnel hull from the center console back. The...

Over-propped.(Shop Talk)
December 1, 2006... I have a 1996 Stratos 201 XLDC with a 1998 Johnson 225 that's mounted on a 5.5-inch CMC hydraulic jackplate with an extra 2 inches of setback (total of 7.5 inches). I have a Bob's Sportsman nosecone to ensure proper water pressure. I've been...

Still won't rev.(Shop Talk)
December 1, 2006... Being a first-time boat owner, I have learned some great tips and practical knowledge from your magazine. My friend and I fish out of his 2004 Tracker Tundra 21 WT, with a 2004 Mercury 225 OptiMax, a 21 Tempest Plus prop, and a 2004 Merc 9.9...

Long shaft, tall order.(Shop Talk)
December 1, 2006... I just bought my first bass boat, a Nitro 911 CDC, from a western U.S. Bass Pro Shops dealer. The boat came with a Mercury 225 OptiMax with a XL (25-inch) shaft. At the time I bought the boat I did not know that the XL designate was for an...

Don't go changin'.(Hot Rigs)
December 1, 2006... New Jersey resident Ed Adams considers himself "old school" when it comes to boats. Being a boater and fisherman his whole life, he's rigged his own boats, and has a "less is more" philosophy: He likes to keep them as simple as possible. "I...

Black sheep no more.(A Jones for Boats)
December 1, 2006... Do you remember when we were considered dorks? If you didn't answer in the affirmative, then be sure to thank the next bass or walleye angler you meet with gray hair. There, my young friend, is someone who suffered so that you could live in a...