Bass & Walleye Boats articles from February 2006

Bass & Walleye Boats archives from February 2006

Smart builders.(Holeshot)
February 1, 2006... Mike Jones' A Jones for Boats column last month, ("Don't Ask, Don't Tell") got me thinking about a topic I covered a couple years back when I was with BWB's sister publication, Trailer Boats magazine. After numerous interviews with top brass...

Catback fever.(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2006... I really enjoyed Bruce Smith's column on the Airaid induction system that appeared in your October 2005 issue. I was especially glad to see that you tested this product on a dyno. I wish you would do a complete article on the actual gains of...

Gimme a break.(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2006... Can you tell me the product name and where to buy the circuit breaker shown in Allan Tarvid's Electronic Fisherman column ("More and Better Trolling Power," October 2005)? I need a 50 amp, and nothing like the one in the article is available...

Keep it real.(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2006... I love the magazine. One thing I would like to see is more dyno results on new motors (just to keep everyone honest). Also, I like that you are doing articles on midsized boat and engine combos, and not just the 150-plus-hp boats. I'm sure with...

'Toon time?(Backwash)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2006... With pontoon boats becoming more popular for fishing, can you please do an article on a pontoon boat set up for bass fishing? Please include fishfinders, rod storage, trolling motors and livewells. If someone made the ultimate pontoon for bass...

Fuelish thoughts.(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2006... I think John Tiger, Jr., hit the nail on the head in his column about boat weight and fuel mileage (Seat Time, December 2005). These new 2000-pound fuel-gulping bass boats have gotten crazy. How about a shootout with 175-hp four-strokes on...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
February 1, 2006... In our Top Guns issue (December 2005), we mistakenly stated in the write-up on Ranger's new Z19 Comanche that it has a maximum horsepower rating of 250. That is incorrect; the Z19 is rated for 225 hp. All the numbers in the spec box are...

Up front or on the console?(Electronic Fisherman)
February 1, 2006... Packaged boats usually come with their best fishfinder mounted on the console and a lesser unit on the bow. Usually only the console unit has GPS, if it's included at all. Is this the best setup for everyone? I did an informal Internet search...

Downtown is upgrade time.(Seat Time)
February 1, 2006... As you read this, it's the dead of winter in the northern hemisphere, and even though boating goes on year-round down South, it's colder there, too. Having lived in central Florida for four years during my college days, I know that boating...

Chapter one, tow vehicles: how to choose your tow vehicle.(TOW GUIDE)
February 1, 2006... 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 two, towing equipment: how to equip your vehicle for towing.
February 1, 2006... 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 three, leveling, loading and driving: how to set up and drive with a trailer behind your tow vehicle.(TOW GUIDE)
February 1, 2006... 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. Weight distribution can affect trailer handling,...

Chapter four, trailer wiring: how the wiring on your trailer should work.(TOW GUIDE)
February 1, 2006... 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 five, trailer hitches: what you should know about hitches.(TOW GUIDE)
February 1, 2006... 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 six, launching and retrieving: how to launch and retrieve your boat.(TOW GUIDE)
February 1, 2006... 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 seven, safety checklist: checklist for safe towing, launching and loading.(TOW GUIDE)
February 1, 2006... 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 eight, state towing laws: road rules for all 50 states.(TOW GUIDE)
February 1, 2006... 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...

Supporting organizations and towing resourses.(Directory)
February 1, 2006... The following assisted in the development of this booklet. Copies of Your Guide to Towing can be downloaded from Trailerboats.com or obtained at select boat and RV shows around the country. Trailer Boats [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

The fit-all tow rig.(Chevrolet Tahoe LTZ 4x4, boat trailer)(Product/Service Evaluation)
February 1, 2006... Like nearly all of my colleagues who work as both automotive and boating journalists, I am asked everyday my opinion on what is the best tow vehicle for boats. And everyday I give the same answer: It depends. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] It...

Evinrude's warranty now coupled with extended protection.(Around the Dock)
February 1, 2006... Evinrude E-Tecs and direct-injection outboards are now being offered with extended protection aside from the standard three-year, no-maintenance factory warranty. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The extended...

IGFA reinstates 50-year-old smallmouth bass record.(Around the Dock)
February 1, 2006... It has been declared once and for all: The smallmouth bass David Hayes of Litchfield, Kentucky, caught in 1955 still stands as the biggest smallmouth bass ever caught. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Hayes caught the smallie bass while fishing...

Johnny Morris inducted to IGFA hall of fame.(John L. Morris, International Game Fish Association)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Bass Pro Shops Founder John L. Morris was inducted into the International Game Fish Association Fishing Hall of Fame in December 2005. The IGFA Trustee Emeritus is a five-time qualifier for the Bass master Classic and an ardent conservationist....

Angler numbers on the rise; funding increases for improving resources.(Around the Dock)
February 1, 2006... The latest figures on the number of fishing license holders in the United States show that there was a 2.1 percent increase from 2003 and 2004. Approximately 28.5 million fishing license holders were recorded in 2004, according to the U.S....

Great lakes restoration strategy formed for 2006.(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Various efforts to restore and enhance the Great Lakes region this year and thereafter were announced in December 2005 when federal, state, local and tribal officials got together to unveil the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy. ...

New Trojan battery offers 290 minutes at 25 amps.
February 1, 2006... The J150 12-volt deep-cycle battery ($179), a new addition to Trojan's (800/423-6569; trojanbattery.com) offerings, is an alternative to two of the company's models (5SHP and 30XHS) and provides 290 minutes of capacity at 25 amps. The J150 also...

Prop case protects it from debris and damage--and fits most models.
February 1, 2006... Protect your prop by placing it in a PropMate ($49.95) by Innovations & Solutions (305/289-7376; propmate.com). The hard, lockable plastic case stores a spare prop on board or in the garage. It also protects the prop from debris and prevents...

Mustang's PFD offers hydrostatic activation.
February 1, 2006... The new Deluxe HT Inflatable PFD by Mustang Survival (800/526-0532; mustangsurvival.com) automatically inflates when a person is 4 inches underwater. It also has manual backup and is approved for recreational use as a Type II PFD, suitable to...

Marine muscle Part 2.
February 1, 2006... Due to gremlins interfering in the production process, the charts for Mercury and Nissan were omitted from our outboard buyer's guide in last month's issue. Instead, the charts for Evinrude, Honda and Johnson were duplicated. We apologize for...

Knockout punch: we test Nitro's exciting, new 591 bass boat with former women's World Champion Penhy Berryman.
February 1, 2006... There's probably no better time for us media types to check out the latest offerings from Tracker Marine than at its annual summer press intro. All of the Tracker brands are represented, and on hand are many of the Springfield,...

Trolling solutions: engine-mounted electric motors can be problem solvers.
February 1, 2006... Given the choice, I would much rather let the family ski behind a fishing boat than having to fish out of a ski boat. If you've tried to do the latter, you know what I mean. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Unfortunately, fishermen don't always...

Overachiever: Alumacraft's new Navigator 175 CS fishes like a much bigger boat at a fraction of the cost.
February 1, 2006... It was about as basic as a fishing boat can be these days, plain Jane battleship-gray inside and out with a simple console to the side. But for color panels of Navy blue and scarlet graphics down each side, it was a watercraft that would be...

Know your limits: our 2006 tow ratings, featuring more than 750 listings, will help you determine the right vehicle for your rig, or the right rig for your vehicle.(Buyers Guide)
February 1, 2006... As bass and walleye boats have bulked up in both size and weight the last few years, due mostly to today's heavier EPA-emissions-compliant engines, we've witnessed the size and muscle of the vehicles that tow them grow accordingly. As a result,...

Raging bull: we greatly enhance the performance of a Yamaha 250 EFI with the help of Hydro-Tec.(Product/Service Evaluation)
February 1, 2006... Hop-up testing and the stories that result are always great fun for both the writers and readers of Bass & Walleye Boats. There's been far too few of these in recent months, and the hope for 2006 and '07 is that we can find a few more "willing...

Sentry on duty: Rapair's Gear Check system warns of lower unit failure.(Product/Service Evaluation)
February 1, 2006... Outboard gearcases take an inordinate amount of abuse in their everyday operations. I'm not talking about hitting rocks or stumps, although that is certainly part and parcel of the punishment they withstand. High oil and bearing temperatures,...

Fox on the hunt: the new Bay Fisher center console delivers value-priced, all-around performance.
February 1, 2006... Bass and walleye anglers who spend any time along the eastern or Gulf coasts no doubt have seen a boat with the name Sea Fox. The brand has been around nearly 50 years because the Renken family has managed to keep its inshore/near-shore boats...

A true Cat.(Hot Rigs)(FastCat, boat)
February 1, 2006... As far as owning boats, Ron and Debbie Pegoli have paid their dues. "We have come a long way since the 14-foot jonboat with the 3-hp Evinrude we had many years ago!" says Ron. The Ohio couple started 2005 with a bang by purchasing a...

Recipe for disaster.(fuel injectors' maintenance)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... My 2003 Stratos Fish 'n' Ski is powered by a 200-hp Evinrude. This outfit runs great. My neighbor told me that Evinrude has had problems with its oil-injection system and suggested that I remove the automatic oiler and use a 50:1 oil mix in the...

Serious need for speed.(nitrous oxide used in outboard engines)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... I have a simple question: Can you put a nitrous setup on an outboard engine? Bob Heigman Drecher, Pennsylvania You sure can. The acknowledged "guru" of outboard nitrous systems is Chuck Goodman of Hydro-Dynamics, Inc., located in...

Casting flaw.(motorboat maintenance)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... Have you ever seen a stainless steel propeller blade start to rip off? If not, here you go! I was running this couple-month-old 25-inch Pitch Mercury Trophy Plus on my new 2005 Ranger 185VX with a 175 OptiMax bolted to a CMC Hydraulic jackplate...

Kicker motor rigging.(Shop Talk)(Champion Bay Champ 21's ventilation)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... I would appreciate any insight you can provide regarding ventilation for an add-on kicker motor. I'm installing an 8-hp Mercury on my 2000 Champion Bay Champ 21 for freshwater trolling for stripers. The Bay Champ has two wet-storage...

Question and comment.(motorboat maintenance)
February 1, 2006... I have a couple of questions regarding John Tiger's article on leakdown testing ("Leaking the Truth," June 2005): Should there be a time component in the test (i.e., take your readings after X seconds, or do you just wait until they stabilize,...

Now you see it ...(motorboat maintenance)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... I'm running a 2001 Mercury OptiMax 200 on a 619 DVS Ranger. When I travel with the boat or store it, I keep the engine tilted up with the factory transom saver. Starting about midseason the low-oil beep started. I then pulled the engine cover...

Raise or trim?(motorboat maintenance)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2006... I have a 1978 fiberglass Lund tri hull with a 1983 50-hp Evinrude that I use 99 percent of the time for fishing. I'd like your opinion on whether it would be better to add a power tilt/trim unit or a hydraulic jackplate? I am looking primarily...

Fantasy league.(A Jones for Boats)
February 1, 2006... As the calendar pages flip past, you sometimes find yourself taking stock. Have you squeezed every ounce of fun out of your life? If the big bus of destiny were to mow you down tomorrow, would you be satisfied? Have you lived life to the...