Bass & Walleye Boats articles from March 2007

Bass & Walleye Boats archives from March 2007

A farewell to Bumble Bee?(HOLESHOT)
March 1, 2007... I like having choices--lots of them--when it comes to the products I consider buying. And when I'm looking for something special or personal (and what could possibly be more personal than a boat), I don't hesitate to look to buy from large...

Contents 2007 Your Guide to Towing.
March 1, 2007... If you love to waterski, fish, cruise or simply get out on the lake and unwind, a trailer boat represents your keys to boating fun. Trailering provides the freedom to go virtually anywhere and have the time of your life. One weekend you might...

Chapter 1 choosing a tow vehicle: how to pick the right truck for towing.
March 1, 2007... Towing isn't nearly as challenging as some people think, and the first step in ensuring that it's a fun, carefree experience is having the right equipment. This starts with choosing the appropriate tow vehicle--a decision based upon the...

Chapter 2 the right stuff: must-have trailering equipment.
March 1, 2007... As discussed in Chapter 1, the optional towing package offered on most vehicles includes the hitch, plus extra cooling systems, a heavy-duty suspension and flasher (to handle the trailer's electrical load), the appropriate axle gear ratio, and...

Chapter 3 get connected: understanding hitches and wiring.
March 1, 2007... Of course, in order to tow you'll need a hitch. Depending on use, hitches are available in a variety of styles. Some extremely large boat trailers, toy haulers or horse trailers, for example, use fifth-wheel or gooseneck hitches that mount in...

Chapter 4 bunks and brakes: selecting the right trailer and brake system.
March 1, 2007... Half of the trailer/boat combination is the trailer. Without a good trailer, you're not going to be able to tow your rig to distant and wonderful locations. There is a lot to think about when choosing a suitable model. The good news is that...

Chapter 5 ready, set, go! Tips for trailer setup, driving and launching.
March 1, 2007... Equally as important as matching the trailer to the boat is setting up the rig in a way that delivers optimum towing performance. In a nutshell, you want to balance the trailer so (1) it places the ideal amount of tongue weight on the tow...

Chapter 6 advanced tow tactics: how to handle large loads and long hauls.
March 1, 2007... There are times when distant waters are simply more appealing than the local stuff. Maybe it's warmer, or the fish are bigger, or maybe it's just the adventure of traveling to a cool new place we've never seen before. Whatever the reason, it's...

Chapter 7 safety first: handy checklist for the road and ramp.(boat trailering)
March 1, 2007... You can never be too safe when trailering. Just as any good pilot goes over his safety checklist before taking off, it's wise to do the same when towing. Here's a list of important items you need to address every time you head to the water. ...

Chapter 8 2007 tow ratings: in-depth look at more than 550 new vehicles.
March 1, 2007... It's a good year when a number of new pickups, SUVs and engines are introduced to the towing public, as 2007 brings significant developments from Ford, GM, Dodge and Toyota. The common denominator is that towing capacities are soaring thanks to...

Chapter 9 road rules: state tow laws and additional resources.
March 1, 2007... As published in AAA's 72nd Edition Digest of Motor Laws SOURCES Copies of Your Guide to Towing can be downloaded from TrailerBoats.com. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Trailer Boats 310/537-6322 TrailerBoats.com Ford...

Logo? What logo?(BACKWASH)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2007... Dear BWB, congratulations on the 100th Issue. I've been around since issue No. 1 and have enjoyed every magazine. In fact, BWB is the only magazine I read cover to cover as soon as it arrives. I can remember e-mailing Bruce Smith about prop and...

No need for speed.(BACKWASH)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2007... Dear BWB, here's a photo of my boat taken at Lake Okeechobee. It's a 16-foot 2005 Williams Craft (williams boatcountry.com) powered by a 60-hp four-stroke Mercury with a 15-inch pitch Vengeance prop. On its best day, it runs 46 mph (on my Merc...

You're right!(BACKWASH)(Letter to the editor)
March 1, 2007... I just received my January issue of BWB and read the article, "Top-Shelf Triton." I agree with the article because I own a Triton 215X. Mine has a 225 OptiMax saltwater series with no setback and the setup works just fine for me. I've had the...

Clean your screen.(ELECTRONIC FISHERMAN)
March 1, 2007... Is that a fish mark on your screen, or a shadow from a water spot? Does your window to the underwater world look like a sheet of waxed paper when the sun hits it? Come clean now... eally. Ask a dozen fishermen how they clean the screens on...

Need more Competition.(SEAT TIME)
March 1, 2007... As I write this column, we're in the dead of winter in the Northeast. As you read this, spring will be quickly approaching (I hope). Boats will be coming out of winter hibernation, and getting them ready for the season will be the order of the...

Knot your problem.(TACKLE TESTED)
March 1, 2007... Knot (nat) n. 1. A more or less complex, compact intersection of interlaced cord, line, rope or the like. 2. A fastening made by tying together lengths, as of rope, in a prescribed way. 3. The last connection between you and that glory fish...

Bumble bee closes shop.(AROUND THE DOCK)
March 1, 2007... Bumble Bee Boats, the small but well-loved bass boat manufacturer based in Tullahoma, Tennessee, declared bankruptcy in January. Though it was building more than 10 boats a week in its heyday, last year the remaining Bumble Bee dealers (only...

"Black sheep" of bass fishing joins Bass Cat family.(AROUND THE DOCK)
March 1, 2007... Bassmaster Elite Series Angler of the Year Mike Iaconelli fished most of the 2006 campaign without a boat contract, but that won't be the case this year. The popular pro angler is now sponsored by Bass Cat Boats. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Web watch: anglermasters.com.(AROUND THE DOCK)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Launched early this year, Angling Master International's AnglingMasters.com is a networking website by anglers for anglers, but with a unique feature that converts the site into one huge virtual lake, and takes a fisherman's bragging rights to...

Reader Survey.(AROUND THE DOCK)
March 1, 2007... How many rod/reel combos do you own? a) 1-5 b) 6-10 c) 10-20 d) More than 20 Go to BWBmag.com and click on Survey Section. We will report the results in an upcoming issue.

Ranger rewards owners.(AROUND THE DOCK)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... FLW and Ranger Boats have together created the Ranger Owners Tournament Championship Series, open to all members of the 2007 owners group. The series includes two tournaments, each offering two automatic berths into the 2007 Forrest Wood Cup in...

Mercury, MotorGuide bonus programs instituted in Bassmaster Weekend Series.(AROUND THE DOCK)
March 1, 2007... Anglers who participate in this year's Bassmaster Weekend Series, a grass-roots bass fishing circuit operated by American Bass Anglers, will have a chance to be awarded bonus money by Mercury Marine and MotorGuide. The 2007 schedule will...

Precision Wholesale's piston ring expander: use this tool to remove piston rings safely.(COOL TOOLS)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Using makeshift tools or your fingers to remove or install piston rings while performing major outboard surgery and rebuilding powerheads can result in a deformed ring or, worse, a broken one. That could not only ruin your day, but cost you a...

Lowrance's HUNTc offers many unique features.(ELECTRONICS TEST)
March 1, 2007... The Lowrance HUNTc handheld GPS doesn't care whether the critters you hunt have scales, feathers or fur. This versatile iFINDER from Lowrance comes dressed in camo, is waterproof, and is ready to guide you to saved hot spots. It also lets you...

Fiberglass cleaner works on painted, gelcoated surfaces.(FINDERS KEEPERS)
March 1, 2007... Tinkering with your outboard? That's fun. Cleaning the fiberglass on your boat? Not so much. A new cleaning gel created by the minds at Davis Instruments (510/732-9229; davisnet.com) won't make the task more fun, but it will make it much...

Fuel stabilizer prevents corrosion.(FINDERS KEEPERS)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... Boaters are well aware of the effects from ethanol-blended gasoline: fuel separation, decreased fuel economy, rough starts, clogged filters and corrosion. So, do something about it! The fuel stabilizer from CRC Industries (800/272-8963;...

Livewell caddy makes weigh-in easier.(FINDERS KEEPERS)
March 1, 2007... Here's the thing about fish--they like to stay in the water. Grabbing your fish from your livewell and carrying them to weigh in can be frustrating, and the Well Mate (865/995-9622; well-mate.net) livewell caddy makes things a lot easier. The...

War of the wheels: we put 21 high-performance props through on-the-water tests in a slice-and-dice race to the finish.
March 1, 2007... Note to self: Schedule more propeller tests. They're sure to be a hit with readers; trouble is, they're expensive and difficult to pull off. Despite the logistical nightmares, we're committed to at least a couple more of these for 2007 and...

All charged up: charger's 296 Pro is a midsize machine that comes ready to fish.(Product/service evaluation)
March 1, 2007... Getting my hands on a Charger is always a pleasure. They're tough, handle well, offer a good ride and are nicely detailed--and the Charger 296 Pro Edition proved to be no exception. It isn't the biggest or the smallest in the line, but I'm sure...

Tow, tow, tow your boat: your vehicle's towing limits may not be as hefty as you think.
March 1, 2007... Let's face it, paying $60 or more to fill your truck's gas tank after a day on the water can put a serious crimp in the joy of fishing. Given the price of gas these days, many boaters are re-thinking their tow vehicle choices and downsizing to...

Pure and driven: Ranger's 1760 Angler proves good things do indeed come in small packages.(Cover story)
March 1, 2007... Not everyone wants (or can afford) a 21-footer with a massive outboard and speed to burn. Some simply need (or prefer) a smaller platform from which to fish. You know, different strokes. With that in mind, we tested a squeaky-clean, bone-white...

Conquer the cold: when it's frigid outside, you need some help to fish effectively and comfortably.
March 1, 2007... To keep the bitter cold at bay aboard their boat, Keith Kavajecz and Jim Kalkofen once shared "a two-bottle day" while pushing the start of the walleye fishing season. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "But they weren't the kinds of bottles you...

One killer tiller: Lund's 2010 Pro Guide may be the ultimate tiller package. Here's why.
March 1, 2007... Walking down the dock, my walleye fishing buddy grinned from ear to ear as he took in the long, broad scarlet-accented Lund, tethered loosely to a pair of worn, galvanized cleats. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] "Now that's a fishing boat!" he...

Let there be lights: keep your trailer lights shining bright. Here's how.
March 1, 2007... Everyone who's towed a trailer has a light story. Electrical problems are rampant on trailers, particularly those that are used hard and put away wet. Today, however, it's probably as easy (and costs about the same) to simply rewire a...

Big bad and beautiful: Mercury Racing's new 300XS ran clean and fast on our speeding Bullet.
March 1, 2007... It's here! Mercury's latest, biggest, baddest and cleanest two-stroke outboard engine, the OptiMax 300XS, has arrived. Performance outboard fans have waited a long time for this engine, and our recent test of a production unit bolted to a...

Porpoising problem.(SHOP TALK)
March 1, 2007... I just purchased an early 1970s Winner bass boat with a 150-hp Evinrude. The boat is in great condition with few hours, and ran fine during the pre-purchase trial. During the trial, the owner sat up front on the casting platform, and now I know...

Alarmed.(SHOP TALK)
March 1, 2007... I have a 1995 130-hp Yamaha, and recently I've had problems with the alarm going off and the engine slowing to a reduced rpm. The engine did this numerous times on my last outing. I can travel about a mile (at different speeds) before the alarm...

Knock, knock.(SHOP TALK)
March 1, 2007... I have a six-cylinder 115-hp Mercury that has given me years of good service. Last year, the engine developed a knocking sound, but continued to run fine. I pulled the transfer port covers and the exhaust cover, and there appears to be no...

E10 fuel.(ethanol fuel for motor boat engines)(Brief article)
March 1, 2007... I have a new Crestliner with a 150-hp Mercury Verado and I'm concerned about the use of E10 ethanol fuel. I've read that I should install a fuel filter in the fuel line, yet Mercury does not recommend this. What problems am I going to have with...

Ask the experts.(SHOP TALK)
March 1, 2007... Got a tough question you need answered? Write it down and send it to our panel of experts here at BWB. Write to us at 20700 Belshaw Ave., Carson, CA 90746, or e-mail us at dkodama@ehlertpublishing.com. Please include your full name, address and...

The Lund plunge.(HOT RIGS)
March 1, 2007... Since he caught his first muskie, Dave Boxall has never lost the thrill of the hunt for them. Later, his hunt turned toward searching for the ideal fishing boat. After years of settling for lesser rigs, the Canadian angler purchased what he...

The next big thing.(A JONES FOR BOATS)
March 1, 2007... One of the most gratifying aspects of the bass and walleye boating fraternity is our collective desire to push the envelope by demanding the next big thing. If something is new and different, and exhibits the slightest inkling of promise, we...