Bass & Walleye Boats articles from February 2005

Bass & Walleye Boats archives from February 2005

Back in the Fast Lane.(Holeshot)(Editorial)
February 1, 2005... Our readers are serious about towing. On average, BWB readers own 1.4 tow vehicles, tow 38 times a year (for a total of 3400 miles), and two out of every three readers perform maintenance on their own vehicles, according to our most recent...

Tough customer.(Backwash)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... I contacted you some time ago with a humble request. In case you don't recall, I only asked that you give me the Ranger 620V project boat as a gift. Yes, one simple little request. And with Christmas right around the corner, now would be the...

Balancing act.(Backwash)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... I would have to disagree a bit with Bruce Smith's "Weights and Measures" article (December 2004). The suggestion to bring most weight aft should really depend on the rig. In my case, with a Triton 20X/Honda 225, I have an aft-heavy boat...

Omission accomplished.(Backwash)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... In our December 2004 issue, we featured a new service-reminder hourmeter made by SenDEC, but failed to mention that it can be ordered from any Johnson/Evinrude dealer under Part N. 776020. It is also shown in Johnson/Evinrude's 2004 Parts and...

Foreign language.(Backwash)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... What is the meaning of "holeshot?" I do not hear this word in Japan and there is no explanation about this word in the general dictionary. So, I think that it is the technical term. Please let me know. Tsutomu Ohkawa Miyatsudai...

Vested interest.(Backwash)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... In your December 2004 issue, I found John Tiger, Jr.'s Seat Time comments on high-speed boating safety very curious. All pictures in that issue of the 100-mph-plus Bullet runs show both driver and passenger minus helmets. I understand your...

GPS messages made simple.(Electronic Fisherman)
February 1, 2005... If you use GPS, you have probably seen an alarm box on your screen. Here's how to make sense of several of the most common pop-up messages. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] POSITION...

Outboard mods of the future.(Seat Time)
February 1, 2005... I often receive e-mails and phone calls about how difficult it's becoming to modify today's outboards. It's certainly a changed market from the two-stroke's heyday in the mid- to late 1980s. Twenty years ago, V-6 outboards were, of course,...

Princecrafts now sold through selected MarineMax dealers.(Around the Dock)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Walleye aficionados in search of a new boat should consider checking out a Princecraft at one of the 16 MarineMax stores located in seven states. In October 2004, the high-end retailer signed a deal with Princecraft to carry aluminum fishing...

3M sponsors Grow Boating Initiative.(Around the Dock)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... It didn't take long for a company to make the first contribution to the Grow Boating Initiative, a cooperative effort by marine manufacturers, providers and other players to help promote boating and the boating lifestyle while improving product...

Bass Pro superstores stampede to Buffalo.(Around the Dock)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... In 2004, Bass Pro Shops opened a handful of new stores across the United States, but these were nothing compared to what it is planning to open in 2007. The Syracuse Post-Standard reported in late 2004 that the retail giant announced plans to...

Survey indicates positive growth for marine industry.(Around the Dock)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... A survey on national boating trends and affluent Americans predicts a bright future that includes many first-time boat buyers who are willing to spend big bucks. The survey was conducted by Key Recreation Lending, the marine lending...

FLW Walleye Tour renamed.(Around the Dock)
February 1, 2005... FLW Outdoors' walleye tour will have a new name for 2005 along with new television coverage and much bigger purses. Formerly known as the Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Tour, the tour will celebrate its fifth season as the Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tour....

Gov. Schwarzenegger terminates teak surfing.(Around the Dock)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Growing concerns over the dangers of teak surfing are being addressed at both state and federal levels, and in California, teak surfing has been outlawed altogether. Teak surfing is the practice of holding on to a boat's swim platform...

Find fish Alabama style: we test Humminbird's Matrix 97.(Fishfinder Test)
February 1, 2005... Humminbird has a reputation for making reasonably-priced, easy-to-operate units that perform well. The flagship of its Matrix line is no exception. We found the Matrix 97's bright color screen wide enough for uncompromising split-screen...

BWB field-tested: Trailer Guardian keeps boats hitched up.(Finders Keepers)
February 1, 2005... Montana-based Safety Products (800/861-7416; trailerguardian.com) sent us an accessory called Trailer Guardian that is designed to prevent decoupling while towing, as well as trailer theft, by locking the trailer coupler to the ball mount. ...

Davis instruments' Handi-Mate provides long-distance tiller control.(Finders Keepers)
February 1, 2005... Avoid sacrificing motor control while fishing alone in a small boat by using an outboard extension handle like the one made by Davis Instruments (510/732-9229; davisnet.com). Its Handi-Mate outboard extension handle lets you move forward in...

Batterylast mounts absorb vibration and extend your battery's life.(Finders Keepers)
February 1, 2005... Whether you have an inexpensive starting battery or an expensive "maintenance-free" deep-cycle battery, chances are you don't want to replace it anytime soon. Help prolong the life of your battery with BatteryLast by Evergreen Outdoors Inc....

Z maxed: Yamaha builds new muscle into the next generation HPDI 200 V-6.(Product/Service Evaluation)
February 1, 2005... For those bass boaters who live and breathe strong, fast, fuel-efficient, V-6 two-stroke power--rejoice. Yamaha has definitely kicked the heat up a notch in the 200 hp arena, turning the VMax HPDI 2.6L into a big block, just like its 225 and...

Match made in heaven: our test platform, Skeeter's TZX200, rides as nice as it fishes.(Product/Service Evaluation)
February 1, 2005... The boys down in Kilgore, Texas, haven't missed a step when it comes to keeping pace with the times. Their newest bass boats look just as good as they run. Of course, it doesn't hurt that they're owned by an outboard engine builder that appears...

Best of both worlds: Mercury's 250 Verado and Merc Racing's 250XS offer two entirely different answers to the EPA's tougher emissions regulations.(Product/Service Evaluation)
February 1, 2005... These days, the hot debate in the outboard world is whether or not two-stokes will be able to survive in the face of ever-tougher Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. In just one short model year, the toughest restrictions yet...

Contents: your guide to towing.(TOW GUIDE)
February 1, 2005... If you love to fish, waterski, cruise, camp, hike or just get outside and enjoy some clean, fresh air, a trailerable boat or camping trailer can be a great way to satisfy that craving. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] You can take a trailer...

Chapter 1, tow vehicles: how to choose your tow vehicle.(TOW GUIDE)
February 1, 2005... Whether you're an old pro or a novice, towing can be tricky. The first step in any case is to have the right equipment, and that begins with having the appropriate tow vehicle. However, there's one thing to keep in mind when choosing a tow...

Chapter 2, towing equipment: how to equip your vehicle for towing.(TOW GUIDE)
February 1, 2005... Most vehicles require additional equipment for towing. The optional towing equipment package offered on most vehicles often includes various cooling systems, heavy-duty suspension components, the appropriate axle (ring and pinion) gear ratio...

Chapter 3, leveling, loading and driving: how to set up and drive with a trailer behind your tow vehicle.(TOW GUIDE)
February 1, 2005... A trailer tows best when level, so do your level best to get it that way by adjusting the hitchball height. This can be done using a dropped or raised drawbar, or with an adjustable hitch. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Weight distribution can...

Chapter 4, trailer wiring: how the wiring on your trailer should work.(TOW GUIDE)
February 1, 2005... To be highway legal, a trailer must have running lights (taillights and/or marker lights), turn signals and brake lights. Some trailers even have backup lights. Of course, this means you must tap into the tow vehicle's electrical system. ...

Chapter 5, trailer hitches: what you should know about hitches.(TOW GUIDE)(Product/Service Evaluation)
February 1, 2005... Hitches come in many configurations for a variety of uses. Some very large boat and camping trailers (35-plus feet) use fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitches that mount in the bed of a pickup. Here, however, we will focus on those used for the...

Chapter 6, launching and retrieving: how to launch and retrieve your boat.(TOW GUIDE)
February 1, 2005... Before you launch your boat, be sure to use the checklist at the back of this booklet so you don't forget something important--such as installing the drain plug. You should spend several minutes preparing your boat for launching before you even...

Chapter 7, safety checklist: checklist for safe towing, launching and loading.(TOW GUIDE)
February 1, 2005... You can never be too safe when trailering, and just as any good pilot goes over his safety checklist before taking off, it's a good idea to approach towing in the same manner. The following is a checklist of important items you need to address...

Chapter 8, 2005 state towing laws: road rules for all 50 states.(TOW GUIDE)
February 1, 2005... Although some are content to boat or camp close to home and never trailer across state lines, others are more adventurous and love to take their craft to new locations. The beauty of trailer boating is, after all, being able to go where our...

Towing resources: for more information.(SOURCES)
February 1, 2005... Copies of Your Guide to Towing can be downloaded from the Bass & Walleye Boats' website, or obtained at select boat and RV shows around the country. Trailer Boats 20700 Belshaw Ave. Carson, CA 90746 310/537-6322 ...

Alive & well: lively bait is often the key to catching finicky walleye. Here are expert tips on how to keep your bait in peak form.
February 1, 2005... The nose knows when bait goes south. Any angler who has ever left a worm-filled cottage cheese container out in the sun or forgotten to turn on the baitwell's aerator switch can relate. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "Leeches are the worst,"...

Big horse: VIP's new 2430 Bay Stealth serves multiple duties as a fishing platform.(Product/Service Evaluation)
February 1, 2005... Seconds after the root-beer-colored cockahoe minnow broke the surface of the clear marsh water, the big redfish Beau Parker had been stalking made its classic lightening-fast head turn, inhaling the expertly placed offering. After 25...

Best of the bays: we bring you the latest and best in bay and flats boats for 2005.(Product/Service Evaluation)
February 1, 2005... Though designed originally for coastal-water angling, more and more anglers are catching on to the versatility bay and flats boats have to offer, particularly bay boats. Once used primarily for coastal species, such as redfish, specks,...

Steer clear: we install a Panther Electro Steer on our Ranger 620V Fisherman, which completes our remote-controlled kicker project.
February 1, 2005... Kicker steering can be one of the more troublesome aspects of setting up a boat. Tiller control tends to force the operator into a stationary--often uncomfortable--position. Remote control, on the other hand, allows more flexibility and freedom...

Livin' large: Alumacraft's new Navigator 165T packs a lot of punch into a small, affordable package.(Product/Service Evaluation)
February 1, 2005... My first impression of the new Navigator 165 was that it's one hot boat! It was so hot that I jumped off the seat a nanosecond after the black vinyl accent panels on the pedestal seat singed the backs of my thighs, which my too-short shorts had...

Red rocket.(Hot Rigs)
February 1, 2005... 'My Nitro's holeshot is great, and its 98-inch beam makes it very stable in rough water.'--James Johnston James Johnston, an upstate New York bass angler, was faced with a serious dilemma: He'd been fishing from "standard" two-seat bass...

Switchin' gears.(Shop Talk)
February 1, 2005... Before I jump right into asking you questions, I just want to say you guys do an excellent job, and I love your magazine. I have been a subscriber since 1997. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] I have a 2004 Triton 197 Mag 19-foot, 4-inch aluminum...

Fair-weather outboard.(Shop Talk)
February 1, 2005... I own a 19-foot 1992 Champion with a 1993 Evinrude 200XP with no jackplate. My prop is a 13 1/2X25-inch OMC Renegade four-blade. While it's not exactly a rocket, I can hit about 57.6 on GPS at wide-open throttle (5600-5700 rpm) with two aboard,...

The juice on batteries.(Shop Talk)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... My dealer recommends that I install a marine battery in my boat. What is the difference between a marine battery and the one in my car? Jonathon Summers Cambridge, Ontario, Canada In many cases, the quality of the battery depends...

Got some pull.(Shop Talk)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... I'm perplexed! The cavitation plate on my Johnson 120 has an adjustable fin on the underside to counter the effect of a spinning prop. My boat pulls pretty hard to the right, but you can only adjust the fin in one direction--the direction that...

Glug, Glug.(A Jones for Boats)
February 1, 2005... The black cloud hovering over my personal boating universe is the very same one that creates problems around the world: We have yet to find a workable substitute for fossil fuels. What's that? Did I detect a groan from the Barcalounger? Don't...