2009 issue - boats & places magazine

$4.95 CAN/US boatsandplaces.com

Vol 14, #3 Winter 2009

Customer No. 2931753Publications Agreement No. 40017717Return postage guaranteedDisplay until March 31, 2009

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/19/08 9:43 AM

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:48 PM

ContentsV O L. 1 4 N O. 3

FEATURES

18 DESTINATION MACKINAC ISLANDStepping back in time

26 CRUISING LIFE: CHOOSING YOUR NEXTCRUISERKnowwhat to look for when you shop

30 GALLEY WORKS: TWO TIMES A CHARMTwomeals for the price (and effort) of one!

42 AND THE SURVEY SAYS…How CSI can help you get a better boat

46 SNEAK PEEK: THE ’09 BOAT SHOW SEASONSee why you should head to the show nearest you

POWER PROFILES

32 ON THECOVERSea Ray 52 Sundancer

36 Monterey 400 SY40 Starcraft Super Fisherman 170 Sport

USED BOAT REVIEWS60 2005 Sabre 42 Hard Top Express64 2000 Cruisers 4270 Express

COLUMNS

10 OUR ENVIRONMENTCleaning and Greening Your Boat

12 ON LOCATIONPowerBoat Television begins another season

14 BY PWCNot Just a Last Resort

54 ELECTRONICSAll About Autopilots

REGULAR FEATURES6 Wavelengths

52 My Boat DIYAdding a Radar Arch

58 TechlineCatalytic Converters

66 On the Shelf70 Ask Us

42

18

26

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:48 PM

Iam looking at possibly fitting a camera in the engine room and one looking astern. The former will give me a screen with the engine room underway and the latter will let me keep an eye on the dinghy under tow – saving me from constantly twisting around. I’m sure you will have your own list of

items to research and/or purchase for your boat for the summer boating season.I am also looking at trading up to a bigger boat. Since I am shopping around, it

seemed like the perfect time to write an article on how to choose a cruiser. And thiscould not come at a better time than just prior to the winter boat show season.

We also offer more tools than ever to help you shop around.BoatTest.ca is North America’s most extensive website for free boat research.

There are over 1,500 boats listed on the site, with the entire model lineup for boatmanufacturers featured. There are also over 700 tests available – some are write-upsfrom Boats&Places while others are video profiles from our television show,PowerBoat Television. The website is fully searchable, with links to dealer sites thatsell each boat type.

Every test also shows similar boats for sale at Boatdealers.ca, which has 14,000boats for sale (new and used) – making it Canada’s highest traffic website. Onceagain, this site is completely searchable and free with e-mail links to the selling dealeror broker. When you find a boat you are interested in on Boatdealers.ca, it will alsoshow any tests on similar vessels that are available on BoatTest.ca

Readers of Boats&Places will be interested to know we now circulate a monthlye-mail newsletter called the Boater News. Each edition features pieces from boththe magazine and PowerBoat Television. In anticipation of the Toronto InternationalBoat Show, the newsletter will be sent each week in December and up to theshow’s January opening. In the Boat Show Special issues, you will find reviews ofnew boats that you can see at the show, as well as a summary of specials from showexhibitors.

BoaterNews.ca will also be featuring our new digital version of Boats&Places,which will allow you to click through to any websites mentioned in the magazineincluding all advertisers. Simply go to BoaterNews.ca and sign up for free.

In other news, we have finished several new DVDs – the latest edition to theDiscover Cruising series (Lake Erie) and two new Boat Handling DVDs with DustyMiller (single engine and twin inboards). Purchase any of these new DVDs at thisyear’s boat shows, log on to our websites or drop in to one of our more than 60retailers.

Looking forward to spring, no matter how things go with the economy, you willfind me sitting on the boat in May, just happy to get away from it all. I suspect youwill be there too… maybe just around the corner in the next bay. �

at the helmBy Brian Minton, Publisher

4 2009 Winter Issue

Winter… A Special Kind ofBoating Season

RIGHT NOW MY BOAT SITS IN A WAREHOUSE IN PENETANGUISHENE,

ONT. WHILE IT HAS SOME WORK DONE TO IT OVER THE WINTER,

I WILL BE CHECKING OUT SOME NEW ACCESSORIES.

magazine

WINTER 2009Published December 2008

Publisher/Managing Editor Brian MintonAssociate Publisher Wayne Arthurs

Editor Amanda Dyer ComissionArt Director Donna SchurmanCirculation ManagerTony GuyAdministration Patricia Burleigh

PowerBoat Television Producer Mike Gridley

ContributorsSteve Auger (Mercury Marine Canada), MikeBurns, Amanda Dyer, Mike Gridley, Michael

Kelly, Greg LeBreton, Mike Milne, Brian Minton,Katherine Minton, Matt Spencer

Marine Sales Wayne Arthurs

Phone 705-725-4669 Cell [email protected]

National SalesMarty Tully, Canadian Media Connection 416-964-3247, [email protected]

Boats&Places is published six times annually by Lifestyle Integrated Inc.

130 Saunders Road, Unit 13, Barrie, ON L4N 9A8Tel.: 705-725-4669

Boats&Places welcomes your letters and comments. Pleaseaddress your correspondence to: The Editor, Boats&PlacesMagazine, at the above address. Boats&Places will not be responsiblefor unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or illustrations.

Contents copyright © 2008 by Lifestyle Integrated Inc. Allrights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproducedwithout written permission from the publisher. Opinions and com-ments contained in Boats&Places are those of the authors and donot necessarily reflect the views of the publisher.

Regular subscription rate is $16.05 with GST for one year.GST No. 895403251, QST# M-1018723243.

Postmaster: Please forward all subscriptions, change of addressnotices and undeliverable copies to: Boats&Places, 130 SaundersRoad, Unit 13, Barrie, ON L4N 9A8. Return Postage guaranteed.Customer No. 2931753Publications Agreement No. 40017717

We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program and the Canada Magazine Fund, toward our mailing and

editorial costs.

lifestyleintegrated.comPowerBoattv.comboatsandplaces.com

boatingontariomagazine.com

discover…Cruising DVD’sGeorgian Bay, North Channel and The 1000 Islands

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Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:48 PM

L

W

B

wavelengths

6 2009 Winter Issue

LAUNCHED!

BRIDGE YACHTSEXPANDS

ridgeYachts Ltd., locatedin Port Dover,Ont., hasexpanded its inflatable boatbusiness.

The acquisition of an adjacent propertyhas provided a dedicated area for the“INFLATABLE BOAT CENTRE.” Salespreviously were integrated with the manyother services provided by BridgeYachts,who have been Zodiac dealers since 1989,experiencing steady growth.The newfacility has already shown increased sales,and the larger drive-in repair departmenthas improved the level of service to allmakes and models.

BridgeYachts are authorized sales andservice dealers for Zodiac, Bombard andAvon, as well as Airis Kayaks and AirDocks byWalker Bay.�

ifestyle Integrated, producers of PowerBoatTelevisionand publishers of Boats&Places magazine, have launcheda new monthly e-newsletter – the Boater News.

Each edition will include video from PowerBoat and articles fromthe magazine, keeping boating enthusiasts in-the-know on new andused boats, boating destinations, and tips and advice on everythingboating.

With the Boater News in your inbox, you’ll always be up-to-dateon the latest and greatest in Canadian boating news.

Sign up for free at BoaterNews.ca! �

MUSKOKA WOODEN BOAT BUILDERSOPEN AT RED LEAVES

ooden boat builders andrestoration experts,ButsonBoats Ltd., have recently

opened atWallace Marina, part of the communityat Red Leaves on historic Lake Rosseau in Ontario.

Ron andTim Butson,who have been building,repairing and restoring wooden boats since 1981,relocated from Bala,Ont., to operate the new boatbuilding workshop and varnish shop.A retail andshowroom display component will soon be added.

The Butson name has been associated with boatbuilding for more than 160 years – back toCornwall,England,where the family was involvedwith building boats in Fowey Harbour.Theirapproach carries on the time-honoured tradition ofwooden craft building deployed by their Muskokanpredecessors.

The Butsons also fashion new boats of theirown design, and are best known for their“Gentleman’s Racer”design, inspired by a line ofboats introduced by Bert Minett more than 50years ago.This new,vintage-style vessel accommo-dates a modernV8 engine with matching increasedpower performance.�

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THREE NEW BOATINGDVDS NOW AVAILABLE

Boaters will have some new DVDs to fillthe winter void with the recent launch ofthe newest addition in the DiscoverCruising series and two videos in the Boat

Handling 101 series.Discover Cruising Lake Erie begins at the Niagara

frontier, entering the lake from the Erie orWelland canals.The cruise follows the most common route for cruisingboaters to tour Lake Erie’s most popular destinations onboth the Canadian andAmerican shores.

From Buffalo and the Erie Canal, the cruise takesviewers to Fort Erie, Port Colborne, Port Dover andLong Point Bay.Crossing the lake, the cruise covers thesouth shore from Erie to Cleveland.Returning north andwest, the DVD highlights Rondeau Bay, Erieau andLeamington then heads to the islands ofWestern LakeErie and on toAmherstburg.

The DVD features the towns,marinas and points ofinterest, from restaurants and shopping to the vineyards ofPelee Island. It also includes chart integration and aerialshots of harbours and anchorages.

In the newest additions to the Boat Handling 101series,Dusty Miller once again instructs boaters in hisunique style – this time,with a focus on Single EnginesandTwin Inboards.Using his 25 years of experienceteaching one-on-one,Dusty shows boaters how to workwith the wind,maintain control even in adverse condi-tions, and land and depart safely and easily.The skillsDusty provides will give you the ability and confidence tountie your dock lines and experience all the fun thatboating has to offer.

To order any of the Discover Cruising or BoatHandling 101 DVDs online, visit the Lifestyle Integratedonline store at http://store.lifestyleintegrated.com.�

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:48 PM

The US Department ofHomeland Security’sCustoms and BorderProtection has launched

a television and print advertising cam-paign in Canada to remind theCanadian public about travel docu-ment requirements for entry into theUS that go into effect on June 1, 2009.

This new phase of theWesternHemisphereTravel Initiative (WHTI)

outreach efforts will include Frenchand English-language advertising onCanadian television and in newspapersand magazines; advertising on the web;public service announcements; thelaunch of new websites and interactivewidget; as well as distribution of relatedinformation through the media andvarious travel stakeholders.

TheWHTI establishes documentrequirements for travellers entering theUnited States who were previouslyexempt, including citizens of the US,Canada and Bermuda.

On June 1, 2009, travellers willneed to present a valid, acceptable doc-ument that denotes both identity andcitizenship when entering the US byland or sea. Most travellers will be ableto select from one of several documentoptions, based upon their individualtravel needs.

Many Canadian travellers alreadyhave a passport, which is aWHTI-compliant document. In addition tothe Canadian passport, there are threeother documents that CBP will acceptat land and sea ports of entry fromCanadian citizens coming fromCanada, Mexico, Bermuda or theCaribbean.These are the provinciallyissued enhanced driver’s licences andNEXUS and FAST trusted travellerprogram cards.

British Columbia has launched apilot program to issue an enhanceddriver’s licence, which currently has520 enrollees, and several otherprovinces and territories are planningto implement EDL programs by June1, 2009.

More details are available online ateither KnowYourBorder.gov orVerslesusa.gov.�

8 2009 Winter Issue

wavelengths

REMINDER FOR CANADIAN BOATERSWHO FREQUENT THE US

CONGRATULATIONSTO CONTEST WINNERS

We are pleased to announce thelucky winners from our BoatTest.casummer contest.

Grand prize winner:Dave Vaughan

Princecraft Springbok 20 fishing boatand 25-hp Mercury outboard

Second prize winner:Kelly Matchett

One week charter in Lake Huron’sNorth Channel from CanadianYacht

Charters

Third prize winner:Angelo Baldin

Walker Bay Genesis 310 DinghyFourth prize winner:Paul Nixon

CobraVHF system,base unit and twohandhelds

Thanks to all who participated andcongratulations to our winners.�

BOATS&PLACES GOES DIGITAL

Starting January 2009, we will be going digital!Simply sign up for Boater News at www.BoaterNews.ca, andwe will send you a link to the digital version of the magazine

along with your monthly e-newsletter.You can read the magazine page by page – just as you do the printed ver-

sion – with the added bonus of fully searchable (by word or phrase) articlesand ads.

If you miss an issue or need to access old stories, back issues will bearchived starting with the Winter 2009 issue.You will also be able to print offall articles in PDF format.

So go to www.BoaterNews.ca and sign up.�

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W

at thehelm

9 2009 Winter Issue

TO BE UPDATED

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:48 PM

10 2009 Winter Issue

T

environmentBy Greg LeBreton

I JUST BOUGHT A NEW

BOAT. WELL... NEW TO ME,

BUT FAR FROM NEW. IN

FACT, THIS HULL IS GOING

TO NEED MORE THAN A

LITTLE “TENDER LOVING

CARE” COME SPRING.

I EXPECT I MIGHT NEED TO

PERSONALLY CUDDLE IT

BACK TO HEALTH.

Cleaning and Greening Your Boat

hat means I’m heading to theToronto International Boat Show to look for cleaning products. It’s not justmy boat’s health I’m going to be concerned about this spring, though.Anyone who owns a boat and enjoysthe water is also concerned about the health of our lakes and rivers.We spend all summer on and in thewater and we don’t want the cleaning, care and health of our boats to impact the well-being of these ecosys-

tems. Fortunately, there are a number of products on the market that can make your boat’s spring cleaning an environmentallyconsiderate activity.

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:48 PM

11 2009 Winter Issue boats&places MAGAZINE 11

Each spring,we have dutifully undercoated our boat with anti-foul-ing paint.That’s the stuff designed to kill the critters that stick to the bot-tom of the hull as it sits in the water all summer.Not this year though.Come spring, I’m going to apply an Easy-Spray BottomWax producedunder the label of Natural Marine.Unlike poisonous anti-fouling paint,bottom wax simply puts a layer between your boat and the nasty guckthat wants to grow on it.As a result, the critters can’t cling as well andthose that do can be easily brushed off. In addition, this bottom wax isreported to lower the drag of the hull as it passes through the water andactually increases the fuel efficiency of your boat.

Once the hull is cleaned, I’m going to have to address the innerworkings of this “new”boat. I was sure I’d need to throw out the batter-ies it came with and get new ones.That’s never a great idea for the envi-ronment.Making new batteries is a very energy intensive process and weneed to make sure old batteries get recycled.The metals in them, likelead, are particularly nasty.The good news is I’ve recently heard of a bat-tery additive,Battery Equalizer,which can be added to your battery torejuvenate it after several months in storage.This product is designed todouble the lifespan of many batteries.Keeping old batteries out of land-fill and lengthening the life of the batteries we already have is alwaysgood for the environment.

There’s bound to be other products that I’m going to need to get thisnew-to-me boat back in the water – head chemical, fibreglass cleaner,teak cleaner… I’m sure the list will be almost endless.Thanks to boatowners’ concern about water quality in our lakes and rivers,manufactur-ers have been quick to provide us with options that are safe for the envi-ronment.

While you’re out shopping, though, you should be aware that manyproducts out there claim to be environmentally friendly even if they are

not.Before you buy a product that sug-gests it is environmentally sound,makesure it is carrying the green EnvironmentCanada EcoLogo.These products havebeen reviewed by NorthAmerica’s mostrespected environment standards organiza-tion and indicate manufacturers and prod-ucts demonstrating environmental leader-ship.

Make sure you look for products carry-ing the EcoLogo symbol as you browsetheToronto International Boat Show thisJanuary.There are sure to be lots of optionsfor making your boat cleaner and“green-er” this spring.�

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:49 PM

A

powerboattvBy Mike Gridley


s winter settles in, our gang here at the show also settle in, butnot to relax.Our work carries on editing the 2009 shows soeveryone gets their boating fix over the winter.When the 2009 PowerBoatTelevision season kicks off in the

first week of January,we’ll take you to a variety of cruising destinations and test ahost of boats, keeping you both entertained and informed.Some of our My Boat projects for the new season started us shooting early

this year. In 2009,we’ll look into some fibreglass repairs when we tackle a water-logged swim platform and follow the steps involved in repowering a twin inboarddiesel cruiser.This year’s Power Profiles are some of our most wide ranging tests in years

and it has been a lot of fun for our test team to be able to hit the water on somany excellent boats.This year, the profiles range from personal watercraft andfishing boats to a 56-footViking Convertible Enclosed Bridge.

Mike Milne is back with us for another season.He was busy testing boats,but also cruising Lake Erie for an extended period this summer in order to bringyou the cruising highlight of the lake for the show.The trip will also be featuredin another installment of our Discover Cruising DVD series – Discover CruisingLake Erie.Other cruising destinations that we will have for you on the show include the

Muskoka Lakes,Mackinac (pronounced “Mackinaw”) Island, the Erie Canal andthe Richelieu River and Chambly Canal.Last year,we received great feedback on our first boat handling feature with

Dusty Miller. Based on this,we worked with Dusty again this summer and willfeature segments on single engine and twin inboard handling on the show. Forthose looking for a more in-depth look at boat handling, these segments are avail-able in an expanded format on DVD as part of our Boat Handling 101 series.

IT SEEMS LIKE THE BOATS JUST CAME OUT OF THE WATER FOR

ANOTHER WINTER ON THE HARD, ESPECIALLY SINCE WINTER

SEEMS TO HAVE COME EARLY THIS YEAR AND A WITH A

VENGEANCE.

A new face for our viewers, but notto the PowerBoatTelevision team isMatt Spencer.While Matt may beunfamiliar you at home, his time withthe show goes back a number of years,as he first worked with us as a highschool co-op student, then as an internproduction assistance prior to graduat-ing from Niagara College’s Radio andTelevisionArts program.Matt grew upon Lake Simcoe and on the cottagelakes of Eastern Ontario, so he knowshis boats.We hope you will enjoy all that we

have to offer on the show this yearand look forward to seeing some ofyou out on the water.As always, if youhave any comments or questions aboutthe show, you can contact me [email protected].�

On Location

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:49 PM

boats&places MAGAZINE 13

TThe Bow Rider: A Camera Guy’s

Perspective

By Phil Molto

Over the past five years, I have had a truly greattime running camera for many of the DiscoverCruising DVDs. From my first day on the water atPenetanguishine on Georgian Bay to this past Julyon Lake Erie, I have logged a lot of hours on thewater, many more then I ever thought possible.

As a youngster, my family did a lot of campingon the Trent-Severn Waterway near Severn Falls. Iwould sit on the rocky point of Tamarack Park andwatch the wooden yachts cruise by, and hoped oneday I too would be able to enjoy that view.

Forty years later, I am doing just that, but ratherthen running the helm, I am most often seenstanding out on the bow with a camera on myshoulder. From open waters to sheltered anchor-ages, from unique channels to welcoming ports ofcall, wow, what a view it has been over the past fivesummers!

Videotaping marinas, waterways and anchorageshas not only given me some great cameramoments, but it has also provided me with theopportunity to experience the boating lifestyle. Atsunset, when the camera gear is put away, I havebeen fortunate to visit with some of you on thedocks and on your boats as you extended yourwarm hospitality. I have great memories watchingsunsets from many locations with gracious boatersfrom both sides of the border.

Thank you for having me on board as yourcamera guest, both on your boats and on your TVscreens. I hope you enjoy the series of cruisingDVDs, as it is a truly pleasurable experience bring-ing them to you. �

Phil Molto is a TV cameraman with 20+ years ofexperience. He is also an outdoor enthusiast and cottageboater. Phil and his family spend their summers on theSevern River and Sparrow Lake with their 17-footThunderCraft.

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:49 PM


In the meantime, I’m sticking with my current favourite PWC cruiseplan. It involves quiet waterfront hotels or resorts with comfortablebeds, near great restaurants.Adventure doesn’t always mean roughing it.When you can’t plan a two- or three-day route around waterfront hotels

with secure overnight docking, finding a waterfront base camp is the next bestbet.

I discovered a great one last fall – Cranberry Resort’s new Harbour Castle.Located in Collingwood,Ont., it is part of a sprawling condominium commu-nity and resort with golf, tennis, swimming pools and its own marina.Nextdoor to the Niagara Escarpment and Blue Mountain, the area is better knownfor downhill skiing.The new Harbour Castle should put the area on small-boat cruisers’ radar.

The new building overlooks the marina,which is well-managed bySouthwinds Marine and offers boaters a free public-access launch ramp, fueland secure storage (if you opt to drop off your trailer or leave your PWC in

CAMP-CRUISING WITH A PERSONAL WATERCRAFT IS A

GREAT WAY TO EXPLORE CANADA’S RUGGED COASTLINE

– ESPECIALLY AREAS WITH SHELTERED HARBOURS THAT

ARE INACCESSIBLE TO LARGER BOATS. I’M GOING TO

TRY IT, NEXT YEAR, I PROMISE.

the water overnight).Jocelyn and I arrived in

Collingwood for a late-Septembercruise, capping off a wet summer thathad left us short of riding time.Oursuite at the Harbour Castle camecomplete with a kitchen/sitting roomand had a great view over the marina.A fairly stable high-pressure weathersystem gave us a great sunny day ofriding to nearbyWasaga Beach,whichoffers 14 kilometres (8.7 miles) ofbeautiful white sand.

The world’s longest freshwaterbeach was a great place to pull up anddrop anchor in shallow water. InSeptember, the water was still warmenough for swimming, but the sum-mer crowds were long gone.We spentan hour snacking and relaxing in thesun before heading out to explore theNottawasaga River.

The river atWasaga was a uniqueboating experience with its 60 kph(37 mph) speed limit (often ignored),lined with resorts, cottages and homes.Along about six kilometres from theriver mouth to theWasaga Marineand the Mosely Street Bridge, theriver ran almost parallel to the beach.It passed Nancy Island, home to aburnedWar of 1812 schooner housed

PWCBy Mike Milne

Not Just a Last Resort

Jocelyn ready to launch

Cranberry Yacht Club with resortmain building in the background

Continued on page 16

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:49 PM

CCAALL JJEETT PPEERRFFOORRMMAANNCCEEToronto, ON

416-745-1044www.caljet.ca

MARRTIINN EQUIPMENT LTD2 Locations serving

Edmonton AB17104-118 Ave or 4630-51 Ave

Edmonton, ABTel: 877-627-8468www.martineq.com

LLEEAATTHHEERRDDAALLEE MMAARRIINNEEOrillia, ON

Tel: 705-325-2249www.leatherdalemarine.com

THHE COVEMuskoka – Mactier, ON

Tel: 705-375-2099www.thecove.ca

NNOORRTTHHLLAANNDD RREECCRREEAATTIIOONNMUSKOKA - Windermere, ON

705-769-3671info@northlandrecreation.comwww.northlandrecreation.com

LLAAKKEELLAANNDD MMOOTTOORRSSPPOORRTTSSDwight, ON

Tel: 705-635-3131www.lakelandmotorsports.ca

BBOWW RRIDDGGE SSPPOORRTTSSCochrane, AB

Tel: 403-932-2019www.bowridgesports.com

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Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:49 PM

in an ultra-modern museum,plus a theatre and a replica lighthouse.Running the river at any speed requires an alert driver with nerves of steel.

The late season meant less traffic – only a few boats and PWC and a couple ofwater-skiers – instead of the usual buzz. Still, staying inside the buoys placed bylocals to warn of low water and within the narrow channel made for a fun ride.There was more to discover back on the Collingwood waterfront, including

the 68-foot Imperial tower lighthouse awaiting restoration on NottawasagaIsland.Many of the MaryWard Ledges stretching far into the bay to the westwere more islands than reefs thanks to low water.The ski trails loomed behindthe town and traced wide green paths down the escarpment.The harbour itselfshowed signs of transition as downtown condos started to replace a once-boom-ing shipyard.After a full day on the water,we were ready to head downtown,which offers

a wide range of shops and restaurants, including the Siamese Gecko – dishing upgenuineThai food, thanks to itsThai owners.

Rising west winds and coolerweather the next day ruled out com-fortable riding and reminded me ofanother of the joys of trailer boatingand choosing a waterfront weekendbase, rather than just loading up thePWC and heading over the horizon.When the weather takes a turn forthe worse, you have painless shoresideoptions. (Okay,maybe I’m goingsoft.)In Collingwood, this meant a

chance to check out theVillage atBlue, a mountain-style area of shopsand restaurants created by BlueMountain owner Intrawest at thefoot of the ski hill.There’s a widechoice of bars and restaurants, includ-ing fine dining (Oliver & Bonacini,Copper Blues, 3 Guys and a Stove),pizza (Fire Hall Pizza Co.), dessert(BeaverTails), or drinks and edibles(Twist Martini andTapas Bar,WindyO’Neill’s).Take your pick.Like any well-planned resort-

based PWC cruise, options, choices,comfort and convenience have notbeen left to chance, but are part ofthe plan.�

VISIT YOUR LOCALYAMAHA DEALER TO VIEWTHE NEW 2009 MODELS

CCOO22 IINNFFLLAATTAABBLLEESSOakville, ON

Tel: 905-844-4386www.co2inflatables.com

MMOONNTTOO RREENNOO MMAARRIINNAALefroy, ON

Tel: 705-456-2122www.montoreno.com

SSOOUUTTHHWWEESSTT MMAARRIINNEE SSEERRVVIICCEESSGrand Bend, ON

Tel: 519-238-2887www.swmarineservices.com

TTHHEE PPEERRFFOORRMMAANNCCEE SSHHEEDDServing Kingston – 1000 Island area

Harrowsmith, OnTel: 613- 372-1280

www.performanceshed.com


Atoka Golf Club is located at Collingwood's Cranberry Resort

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:49 PM

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:49 PM


By Mike Gridley

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:49 PM

f


or over 130 years,Michigan’s Mackinac (pronounced“Mackinaw”)Island has been a summer destination for visitors from all over theeastern United States and Canada.Drawn by its scenery and moderateclimate, visitors began arriving on the island by sail and steamboat in the late

1800s to escape the oppressive heat and dirt of the industrial cities.Today, the island can still onlybe accessed by boat, either commercial ferry or private pleasure craft,making this small piece ofland a popular destination for recreational boaters.

Mackinac Island is nestled in the Straits of Mackinac,where lakes Michigan and Huronmeet.The island is a short 32 nautical miles from the St.Mary’s River and the western reachesof the North Channel and five nautical miles from the Mackinac Bridge that connectsMichigan’s Upper and Lower peninsulas,making the island within cruising distance for thou-sands of boaters.

The island is approximately 2,500 acres, two miles wide, three miles long and just over eightmiles around the shoreline.Mackinac Island State Park comprises some 80 per cent of the island,with the balance largely private lands,most of which are concentrated around the harbour andvillage.

Getting ThereIdeally, the prime destination for boaters is Mackinac Island State Harbor, right in the heart

of the village. If you are planning a trip to the island, it is highly recommended that you make areservation online at www.michigan.gov/dnr or by calling 1-800-44-PARKS due to its popu-larity.

The marina received a complete makeover – which included dredging, new docks, 30- and50-amp power at each slip and landscaping – in time for the 2008 season. The marina can han-dle vessels up to eight feet in length or you can anchor offshore in the harbour. However, beadvised that Mackinac Island’s harbour is still a working one, so there will be plenty of wakesfrom the constant stream of ferries arriving and departing.

If Mackinac State Harbor is full, excellent marina facilities operated by the town can befound in St. Ignace, where the State Department of Natural Resources also plans on opening anew harbour in spring 2009. Once settled in a marina, you are right by the St. Ignace terminalsfor Arnold Transit, which operates a fleet of fast cat ferries that can get you to the island for theday or more in a matter of minutes.

HistoryThe history of the island is long, since

it was first settled by Native Americans asa tribal gathering place due to its loca-tion. According to Anishinaabe-Ojibwetradition, the island is a sacred place andwas home to the Great Spirit GitchieManitou. The Native Americans namedthe island Michilimachinac (“Land of theGreat Turtle”) due to the shape of theisland.

In the 1670s, the island was discov-ered by French traders and missionarieswho set up trading posts and missions. Itwas the French interpretation of thenative name for the island that changedthe spelling, hence Mackinac Island.Over the next 150 years, fur tradingbecame the highly profitable mainstay ofthe island. Continued on page 20

Photo at left: The harbour. Photo below: Aerial view

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:49 PM


After the French and IndianWar in 1763, the British established a fort on theisland, but succeeded the fort to the Americans after the revolutionary war.During the war of 1812, Mackinac Island saw many battles between the Englishand American forces with the British triumphing and regaining possession of FortHolmes. Following the war, the British were forced to succeed Fort Holmes andMackinac to the Americans.

In the 1830s, the business focus on the island switched from fur to fishing andthe island continued to prosper as the seat of government for the region from theearly 1800s to 1882. During this period following the CivilWar is when theisland started to become the tourism destination that it remains today. In 1875congress made Mackinac Island the country’s second national park and the sol-diers stationed here looked after it.When the military departed in 1895, the islandbecame Michigan’s first state park in line with the growing popularity of thetourism industry.

Fort Mackinac Parade Grounds

Victorian summer home

During theVictorian era, tourismon the island boomed and the wealthof the time saw the construction of theopulent summer homes and smallercottages in existence to this day.Thewealth of the railways and otherinvestors also fuelled the constructionof hotels to accommodate the influx oftourists.The largest of these hotels, theiconic Grand Hotel,was constructed oflocal white pine in only four months.

It is this history and the beauty andnature preserved on the island thatmakes a visit for a day or three such adraw.Arriving on Mackinac Island andstepping off your boat is like steppingback in time to a more relaxed andgentile era.

The VillageWhen you first arrive, take the short

walk into the heart of the village andstop by the small yet quaint tourismoffice on Main Street. Here you will beable to obtain information on theisland’s sites, attractions, activities, shopsrestaurants and hotels. The staff canassist in planning your day and makeany reservations that you may require.

An easy way to begin your visit isto stroll Main Street and check out allthe shops along this picturesque stretch.You can find quite a range of clothing,gifts and even antiques to load the boatup with.

One type of staple you will findplenty of is island fudge. During the


Main Street

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:49 PM

MAPLE CITY MARIINNEEChatham, ON

Tel: 519-364-3640www.maplecitymarine.com

RIVVERSSIDEE MAARRIINNAADunnville, ON

Tel: 905-774-3199www.riversidemarina.ca

BBEELLLLEEVVILLLE SSPPOORT && LLAWNN CCEENNTREE

Belleville ONTel : 613-968-4559

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:49 PM

Dining is also excellent on Mackinac Island,with every taste from pub food tofine dining and wines catered to.This past August,we really enjoyed grabbing abeer and lunch over looking the harbour at the Chippewa Hotel, Pink Pony andthe Mustang Lounge. For fine dining on a warm pleasant night, the patio atIroquois Hotel overlooking the beach and round Island Lighthouse is a must.

If you are looking for a night or two off the boat, or would like to stay on theisland rather that travel back and forth by ferry, the choices and price ranges areendless. From the opulence of the Grand Hotel to a relaxing bed and breakfast likethe LilacTree, the island offers a unique selection ofVictoria-era and uniquecharming accommodations.

TTouring the IslandMany day visitors to the island never venture past Main Street and the harbour

area. If you are taking the time to boat to Mackinac, though, you really must setaside the time to explore the island.

There are three choices for getting around Mackinac

Victorian Era, fudge grew so much inpopularity that a rivalry was establishedbetween businesses that first saw thefudge making moved to the front win-dow to attract customers. Later, oneenterprising store owner began ventingthe cooking fudge to the street to drawin the crowds. As you walk Main Streettoday, the air is filled with the aroma offudge from some 15 different fudgemakers.



Biking

Marina from the water

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:50 PM



BOW RIDDGE SPORTSCochrane, AB




LEATHEERDDALE MARINEOrillia, ON


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Tel: 705-635-3131www.lakelandmotorsports.ca

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Edmonton AB17104-118 Ave or 4630-51 Ave

Edmonton, ABTel: 877-627-8468www.martineq.com

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®TM Registered trademark of Bombardier Inc. and its subsidiaries.

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:50 PM


Island.You can walk and explore the many miles of path and hiking trails, youcan rent a bike and tour further afield, such as an excursion around the islandon the costal road, or you can take a carriage tour of the island. If you budgetallows it, book a private carriage tour with Mackinac Island Carriage tours fora private guided tour as we did.In the morning, our tour started downtown and headed up into the island

through the grounds of the Grand Hotel, with a brief stop to take in the 600-foot veranda and the spectacular view out over the straits. From the hotel, weheaded up past some of the largerVictorian-era homes along the bluff and onin to the State Park.Having Dan Mitchell as our carriage driver and tour guide was a real

bonus given his knowledge of the island and its history. Dan kept up a run-ning commentary on everything, including why there are no motorized vehi-cles on the island.As the story goes, when the auto first showed up onMackinac, they unsettled the horses so badly the Carriage Operators’Association was able to convince the town to ban cars, an ordinance on thebooks that still stands.Passing through the undisturbed state park was a pleasant way to pass time,

while enjoying some of the sights that many visitors never see – such as theold musket range above the fort and the original military and town cemeter-ies.A real highlight was a stop at Arch Rock.Arch Rock is a natural limestone outcropping rising 150 feet above the

water.This naturally eroded arch is the place where the First Nations peoplesbelieve that the Great Creator first blew life into the newly created earth.Exiting the state park overlooking Mission Point once again provided a

great view out over Lake Huron and Mackinaw Harbor. From here it was ashort trot to Historic Fort Mackinac, where our tour paused so we couldexplore the fort.Fort Mackinac is locked in the period of the 1880s, when American troops

occupied the fort and managed the National Park.The fort is a collection of14 historic buildings and battlements overlooking the town and harbour.Visitors can tour the historic building and displays, soldiers’ barracks, post hos-pital and more. Daily activities include military concerts, drills, court martialre-enactments, and rifle and cannon firing demonstrations.

Arch rock

Sunset on the boardwalk

From the old fort, our special tourwound its way back to town,wherewe traded in the comfort of the car-riage to tour more of the island bybike.A couple of noteworthy attrac-tions worth a look include theMission Point MuseumTower. Forboaters,Mission Point and theTowerMarine Museum is a must see.Thetower is home to an excellent collec-tion of maritime artefacts and picturesthat covers the extensive marine his-tory of Mackinac Island and the sur-rounding waters of lakes Michigan

Grand Hotel from the water

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and Huron – from the ships that plied these waters,to the lighthouses and the wrecks submersed below.To keep the kids and the admiral entertained,

take the time to visit the Butterfly Conservatory.This tropical oasis is stacked with larvae fromaround the world.As they transform, they create awonderful environment of shape and colour amongthe tropical plants.On our last night on the island we did what

most visitors do.After a great dinner we strolledalong Main Street sampling fudge and ice cream.Heading out from the village to the boardwalk, wesettled in with our cameras to catch the glorioussunset out of the water.�

Military cemetery


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Sure,“Footitis” (that insatiable itch for a biggerboat) can overcome you at any time. However, withthe dead of winter here for a while, it’s nice to thinkabout summer.And with so many boat shows just

around the corner, there is really no better time to look at a wideselection of cruisers all gathered in one convenient location.

TThe Cruiser ABCsSome people decide on the style of boat they want based solely

on looks. If you are one of these people – for example, if you wouldnot be seen in anything but a Sea Ray Sundancer – then go no fur-ther… it’s the end of the story for you!

On the other hand, we can offer some help if you are a shopperwith a bit more flexibility who is wrestling with what cruiser con-figuration will work best for you and your lifestyle.

There are basically five layout options available:• Express Cruiser• Euro Coupe • Sedan Bridge (also called a Convertible or Sport Fish) • Aft Cabin• Trawler

Each one of these, which has variations on the theme within itsdesignation, will offer a boater different benefits – but also somepotential drawbacks. You will likely need to make some trade-offs,with a goal of giving up the least and getting the most.

In order to help you evaluate the various contenders, we havechosen seven variables on which to assess each layout.


Choosing Your Next

Cruiser

“Designers are definitely stepping up to the plate.”

Express Cruiser

Euro Coupe

Sedan Bridge

Aft Cabin

Trawler.

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BBudgetSetting a realistic budget is the first step for any purchase, particularly big ticket

items. When shopping around for a cruiser, your budget compared to your “wishlist” may very well drive you to buy used rather than new. Of course, your moneywill go further with a pre-owned boat, but this simply may not be in the cards foryou.

All around, the cost of boats declined for a short time with the increase in theCanadian dollar and then increased again as the dollar fell rather dramatically inmid-to-late 2008. As boats over 30 feet are to a large degree valued based on the USmarket, the current economic environment in the States is making it possible to getsome great deals in Canada.

Express and express aft cabin models are the least expensive per foot. This makessense when you see that there is more weight and more manufacturing expense insedan bridges and aft cabins. Keep in mind, though, that more length does not nec-essarily translate into more space – for instance, a 50-foot express cruiser has morespace than a 36-foot aft cabin. As a general rule, more money solves any space issues.That being said, most consumers are constrained by budget to some degree.

Some boat brands are generally more expensive than others, as well. This can bebased on quality (either real or perceived), resale, advertising and market share domi-nance. Brands with high market penetration are easier to sell. It is wise to also keepin mind that some brands have improved quality over the years and value may varydepending on age.

Cabin SpaceYour family size and/or how often you have guests on board will determine

your ideal cabin layout. The age and gender of any children will also determinenumber of cabins, cabin layout and location (i.e. separation from the master state-room or entertaining areas). When our son was age 3 to 16, we used to have anexpress with a small side cabin, which worked out perfectly. However, this did notwork as well as he got older.

Boaters who frequently tend to have guests on board generally move towardschoosing an aft cabin, as this type of boat usually has two heads and lots of separa-tion between cabins.

Mid-cabin express cruisers generally provide for adequate separation with someof the newer layouts dedicating a lot of space to the stern cabin, hidden behind asolid bulkhead and cabin door.



Carver 38 Super Sport guest berth

Rinker 320 EC Head

HeadsThere is clearly one advantage to

two heads. If one head fails or isstopped up you don’t have to get tothe marina right away. A second headalso allows for more privacy. Aft cabinsalmost always come with a secondhead. Some layouts also have a “dayhead,” which guests can use with the“master head” separate.

Galley Layout Express and mid-cabin express

cruisers basically deliver a galley in thesalon, with all of the utilities and stor-age on one side. This holds true untilyou get over 45 feet, at which point aU-shaped galley is possible (particularlyon boats with 15 feet or more ofbeam).

Storage in the galley is especiallyimportant. Realizing this in recentyears, boat designers have gotten muchmore creative about storage solutions.We have a tremendous amount of stor-age in our galley, including a largecompartment under a hatch in thefloor.

When looking at cruisers, you willalso want to assess galley appliancesgiven the time you’ll spend on thehook and how you would prefer toprepare meals. Few cruisers have ovens;most have built-in microwaves. The

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:50 PM


refrigerator and/or freezer is often a make or break for many boating families.Wehave a separate refrigerator and freezer,which is a huge advantage for moreextended cruising and limits the freezer run time since the door is opened lessfrequently.

You should also consider location of the galley. In express cruisers the galley isdown below, so there is very little light and the chef will be left well apart fromthe action – a major concern for us with our last boat. Sedan bridges and aft cab-ins come with galley up, down or somewhere in the middle. In fact, Sea Ray hasa 47 Sedan Bridge with the galley aft right at the door to the cockpit.This is apretty neat innovation for Canadian cruising.

DDining Capacity and Salon LayoutYour view on dining capacity and salon layout may be coloured by the length

of your boating season. If you are using the boat solely in July and August, thesalon is less critical. However, if you entertain a lot then seating at the dining areais important.

The position of a television and/or stereo may also be an issue for some. Butdon’t be afraid to think about how you can creatively change existing layouts tomeet your lifestyle. Transitioning from an old-style box television to a new flatscreen gave us a better viewing perspective and a newplace to store wine.

Where the salon is located will also affect the amountof light. Express cruisers are generally quite dark downbelow, whereas Euro coupes, sedan bridges and aft cabinsare bright. This really makes a big difference for somepeople.

Handling and WindageEach vessel configuration has different handling

aspects. Express cruisers don’t have as much windagesince they are lower, hence docking is usually easier.However, we had a Sea Ray 34 Sundancer that wasextremely bow light with the engines located right atthe stern. Aft cabins will have more windage. Althoughthe particular handling aspects may be a bother at first,once you get used to the effect it is rarely an issue.

Sea Ray 47 Sedan Bridge galley

Visibility from the helm shouldalso be taken into account. Expresscruisers don’t give you much visibilityin rough water or allow you to seeinto the water when entering a bay.Sedan bridges and aft cabins, on theother hand, may feel like you arepitching more in rough water if youare running slower.

We have had both and are happywith each – but they are definitelydifferent.

Aft DeckThe aft cabin allows you to use

the back deck as the entertaining area,minimizing the use of the salon. It ishigh enough to give you perspective,and many come equipped with barfridges, ice makers and even televi-sions.

Express cruisers can have a similarlayout, but are generally lower thanwhat you’d find on an aft cabin. It is agood idea to put a camper top on todeal with the insects. Sedan bridgeshave an aft deck, as well, but it is usu-ally open. However, they do have alarge helm area, where entertainingcan work well.

Water AccessIf you plan on swimming, using

water toys or getting in and out ofthe dinghy a lot, you will want toassess the accessibility to the water.

Cruisers 415 Aft Deck

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:50 PM

This is much easier on express and sedan bridgesthan other types of cruisers.

DDocking When considering a cruiser in terms of “docka-

bility,” the key thing is whether there is easy accessto the bow and stern in order to handle lines. Someexpress boats have a walk-thru between the wind-shields, while smaller express boats may have verynarrow access up the sides to the bow. Aft cabins canbe particularly challenging in terms of getting off totie up lines.

The Bottom LineOver the course of our boating lives, we have had

quite a few boats and enjoyed each one for its ownreason. But our needs changed as our lives changed, soour cruiser had to follow suit.

As we have spent more time on board, we wantedmore conveniences – that is the natural evolution ofcruising. At the same time, I have become a little morehandy and creative about how to modify our existingboat to adapt to our changing needs.

Luckily for those in the market for a boat, design-ers are definitely stepping up to the plate, as the cost ofupgrading has dropped significantly. So my wish is thatyou enjoy your next boat as much as we have. �




HHUULLLLYY GGUULLLLYY ––TTHHEE UULLTTIIMMAATTEE BBOOAATT SSTTOORREE

London, ONTel: 519-685-8045

888-253-2320www.hullygully.com



MMOONTO RENOO MARRIINNAALefroy, ON

Tel: 705-456-2122www.montoreno.com

PPARKWAY YYAAMMAAHHAACollingwood, ON

Tel: 705-445-7707www.parkwayyamaha.ca

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/19/08 9:43 AM

G

galley works


By Katherine Minton

Method

• Mix together Spice Mix ingredi-ents in small bowl

• Rub Spice Mix over chicken andunder the skin

• Place chicken in plastic bag• Refrigerate at least 30 minutes, up

to 24 hours• Bring to room temperature before

cooking

• Mix Glaze ingredients

• Pre-heat barbecue• Grill, skin side down to start, mov-

ing around on the grill so that itdoesn’t stick

• Turn frequently for about 10 min-utes to get both sides seared

• Change barbecue to indirect heat(if you have 3 burners, turn offmiddle one and put the chicken inthe middle of the grill; if you have2 burners, turn off one side andput the chicken on the side with-out direct heat)

• Other burner(s) should be set tomedium-low

• Brush Glaze onto chicken• Let chicken cook for another 30-

40 minutes, turning once or twice,basting with Glaze every 5 minutes

• Let chicken stand 5-10 minutesbefore cutting into individual serv-ings (8 pieces; save 2 or 3 fortomorrow)

Serve with store-bought (orhomemade) coleslaw and potatosalad.

rilling whole chicken can be one of the easiest dinners for you and your family – and the leftover cooked chicken is put to good use in quesadillas for lunch the next day. What a great way to make the most of your culinary efforts.

We’re giving you three variations on this – the simple version, simpler version and simplest ver-sion – to give you some options that may be appreciated on your vessel.

Two Times a Charm

DINNER DAY ONE: Barbecued ChickenServes two or three, with leftover for next day

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 3:21 PM

PREP WITH DINNER DAY ONE: Grilled Onions

Make these alongside the chicken so they’re ready to use the next day. Theseare also great to use on a leftover steak sandwich…with melted cheese…butthat’s for another day!

Ingredients1 Red or sweet onion (whole), sliced1-2 tbsp Olive oil

Salt and pepper, to taste

Method

• Place onion slices on large sheet of foil paper• Sprinkle olive oil, salt and pepper over all• Toss (use your hands to save washing a bowl and spoon)• Make a foil pack, carefully folding all ends to seal tightly• Place on barbecue and cook 30-40 minutes, turning occasionally

Store, refrigerated, until ready to use.


LUNCH DAY TWO: BarbecueQuesadillasServes two or three

Galley Tip

When the barbecue is a distance from your boat and it’s notconvenient to wash the carrying/serving platter, use a pieceof foil paper, plastic wrap or waxed paper on the platter.When your chicken is cooked, simply remove the foil paper– no need to wash the platter!

IngredientsCooked chicken

4-6 Flour tortillasGrated cheese SalsaChopped cilantro and/or green onionsGrilled onions

Method• Put ingredients in small serving

bowls • Let everyone put their own

filling on one tortilla• Top with second tortilla• Barbecue about 2 minutes per

side, just until cheese has melt-ed and chicken is heatedthrough

Serve with more salsa andsour cream.

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:50 PM


E

power profile | 2009 Sea Ray 52 Sundancer

xpress cruisers seem to get larger every year in order, in large part, to meet customerdemands for more liveaboard space. Some, like the Sea Ray 52 Sundancer, are true luxuryyachts.At the dock or at anchor, the 52 Sundancer provides the accommodation of a high-style

condo. But when you fire up the twin 670-hp diesels, it provides the performance and excitement of a sport-boat.That’s truly what luxury express yachts should do; the 52 Sundancer does it in spades.At 53 foot, 4 inches, it’s the latest offering from the world’s largest builder of luxury express cruisers. It is

part of Sea Ray’s line of express yachts that range from 38 to 60 feet, and incorporates an impressive lineup ofhigh-tech features and luxury accommodations.The 52 Sundancer is near the top of Sea Ray’s express lineup and fittingly showcases the company’s

approach to design and innovation.And at first glance, the new boat’s distinctive swooping sheerline lets youknow this is a Sea Ray. It’s stylish and visually attractive.Like all great cruisers, though, the beauty is more than skin deep.Along with good looks, luxurious finish-

es and top-of-the-line equipment, the 52 Sundancer also has practical elements that will make sense to expe-rienced cruisers.Stepping aboard, the new Sundancer introduces you to a world of boating to which many cruisers aspire,

but only a few get to experience every weekend.Boarding aft is easy thanks to the massive optional remote-control hydraulic swim platform that extends

the 52’s overall length to 54 foot, 9 inches (16.69 m).The designer’s use of flowing curves continues in thecockpit in the shape of the transom and starboard seating.The cockpit’s expansive space for entertaining is

By Mike Gridley

High-style, high-tech and sporty… true luxury

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:50 PM

enhanced by the refreshment centre,which comes on the test boat with sinkand pressure water, icemaker, refrigerator,under-counter storage and a flat-screenTV.Two steps lead up to the helm area,

where there is a swivelling double com-panion seat/lounger to port and a singleseat with thigh-high flip-up bolster at thehelm to make stand-up driving safe andcomfortable in all conditions.There’splenty of room for storage, another prac-tical touch, under the companion seatand also under the L-shaped seating fur-ther aft.A total of 10 beverage holders mean

the cockpit can handle a real crowd, forowners who plan to entertain at docksideor at anchor.The hardtop will keepeveryone dry and comfortable underwayor at rest. Snap-in carpets add comfort.


The helm station is high-tech all the way. Sea Ray offers a wide range ofoptional and standard electronics that can be ordered to suit any owner’sneeds, starting with a Raymarine E120 chartplotter with radar, fishfinder andautopilot, and ranging up to the Sea Ray Navigator touch-screen monitor.ARaymarine Radar GPS chartplotter combo plus a Sea Ray Navigator IVGPS chartplotter as a secondary display provides the kind of redundancymost captains will want on a boat like this.This kind of setup also gives theoption of keeping an eye on radar and GPS charting on separate screens.Smart Craft instruments keep tabs on the engines and a Smart CraftVessel

View Display tracks additional engine parameters and systems.A well-informed captain can never have too much information, especially when itcomes to engines and fuel usage.Four teak steps, floating on stainless steel supports, lead below to the salon,

where high-gloss dark cherry curved cabinets and trim are accented byrecessed electronically controlled lighting.The woodwork really sets off thebelow-deck accommodations. Immediately to port, the cabinets contain allof the electrical panels for the DC andAC systems.An entertainment system complete with a 32-inch television, Bose home

theatre system and Sirius satellite receiver are tucked away in the port-sidebulkhead. It’s worth reporting that there are three flat-screen televisionsbelow decks, including a 19-inch unit in the master stateroom and a 15-inchin the guest quarters.To starboard in the salon are two Ultraleather sofas, one of which con-

verts to a bed, and a high-low dining table.The U-shaped galley is forward toport and features solid surface countertops.The galley is equipped with a cof-fee maker, two-burner stove, single stainless sink,microwave/convectionoven, and under-counter refrigerator and freezer units.To provide the power to keep electrical equipment as well as the heating

and air conditioning running, the 52 has a 13.5-kilowatt Onan diesel genera-tor,with plenty of sound shielding.CO monitors will help ensure safe opera-tion.The port-side guest cabin has upper and lower bunks, a hanging locker

and storage cabinets.The guest head features a cherry vanity and separateshower stall.


Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:50 PM


The master stateroom forward has an island queen berth, cherry storagecabinets, hanging lockers and a complete Bose entertainment system.Themaster head mirrors the guest head, only larger,which is fitting for theyacht’s owners.Heads both haveVacuFlush units, while all the closets have automatic

lights. Fit and finish is excellent.These are the kind of details you can expectin a boat of this calibre.Before heading out for our on-water test, I had a look below in the

engine room.As one would expect on a 52 footer, there is plenty of space toaccess all engine maintenance points and systems.Those systems are all well-installed and up to Sea Ray’s usual high standard.An oil-changing system for engines and generator will make mainte-

nance a little easier.A well-used cruiser will need sewage pump-outs evenmore frequently than oil changes, so Sea Ray provides a dockside pump-outfeature for its 68-gallon (257-litre) holding tank.After idling out into open water to warm up the optional Cummins

MerCruiser Diesel QSM 11 670-hp engines (640-hp QSM 11’s are stan-dard),we started our testing with some acceleration runs.Despite its bulk(the 52 weighs 40,015 lbs), the boat hit 20 mph in 8.6 seconds.High speedruns produced a very respectable 37.1 mph top speed.The Sundancer settledin at a very comfortable cruise of 30.7 mph at 2000 rpm.Running at cruising speed, the Sea Ray handled full lock turns with

grace, carving cleanly through test day’s light chop and through its ownwake.Every aspect of the 52 Sundancer’s layout and accommodations is

impressive, both on deck and below, but the really impressive elements ofthis cruiser only come out underway.The helm,with all of its high-tech fea-tures, is a captain’s delight and the power of the Cummins diesels – alongwith the excellent characteristics of the Sea Ray’s 19-degree deadrise hull –make the 52 a pleasure to pilot.Underway, on the hook or at dockside, the 52 Sundancer is a top per-

former.�

Specifications

TEST BOAT ENGINESTwin CumminsMerCruiser DieselQSM 11s, 10.8 L (661 cid), 670 hp,inline six-cylinder, four-stroke turbo-charged and after-cooled dieselinboards driving props through V-drives

ACCELERATION (mph/sec)0-20 / 8.6TOP SPEED (rpm/mph)2300 / 37.1CRUISING SPEED (rpm/mph)2000 / 30.7

LENGTH (LOA): 53 ft 4 in /16.26mBEAM: 15 ft 3 in / 4.65mWEIGHT: 40,015 lbs / 18,151 kgFUEL CAPACITY: 560 gals /2,119 litresWATER CAPACITY: 150 gals /567.8 litresPRICE: US$1,382,305 (MSRP)

Sea Ray Boats2600 Sea Ray Blvd.Knoxville, TN, USA 37914

SPEED TESTING BY Garmin GPS

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:50 PM


Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:50 PM


I

power profile | 2009 Monterey 400SY

n today’s sport yacht market, there are certain keys to success thata manufacturer must stick to in order to stay competitive. Safety,ergonomics and luxury, topped off with great performance are afew of the keys that Monterey prides itself on.

Combine that with the company’s state-of-the-art facility in Florida, andit’s no wonder Monterey has won an industry CSI award for the past fouryears.

So how do you top such an impressive list of qualities? By introducingyour largest boat to date as your flagship – the 400SY.You could also buildthat flagship solely around one of the leading propulsion systems, theVolvoIPS.

I had a chance to get out on the 400SY at the end of theToronto In-Water Boat Show last September, and I was already impressed as I walked upthe dock.The sterling hull gave the boat a certain subtle elegance,while theclassic sport yacht lines made this 41 footer look sleek and sporty, even as itsat idle at the dock.

Boarding from the extended swim platform, it was immediately evidentthis cruiser is built for entertaining.The swim platform was roomy and greatfor the kids to play, or for boat hopping at your favourite rafting anchorage.The telescoping swim ladder was subtly hidden underneath a hatch, recessed

By Matt Spencer

Safety, ergonomics and luxury,topped off with great performance

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:50 PM

into the platform.Entering the cockpit through the

starboard side entrance, I wasimpressed with the amount of spacefor lounging or manoeuvring about,making full use of the 12-foot, 6-inch beam.The white and sterlingvinyl complemented the hull nicely,and I could easily picture my nearestand dearest relaxing comfortably inthe large U-shaped lounge.

Our test boat also had theoptional stainless steel electric grillbuilt into the cockpit’s starboard sideconsole.Once dinner or lunch isready to be served, nestled under theport cushion of the lounge you willfind the flip-out cockpit table withfour drink holders. Sitting on thestainless steel hinged base, the table iseasily accessed as the seat just lifts upon hinges itself and the table foldsout.The table is also perfect forboard games or cards on those mildsummer evenings.

Still in the lounge, sitting on theaft cushion, the hinged backrest canslide forward for you to face aft andwatch the kids swim or it can hingeflat to create an extra double sleeperwith the camper top.

On those sunny days your guestswant to hide from the rays but notmiss out on the party, they can relaxforward under the large hard-topradar arch.There, the comfort con-tinues with a large, L-shaped chaiselounge with fore or aft backrests,along with stainless steel drink hold-ers.The hard-top also has overheadlighting for when the sun goesdown and the party is still in fullswing.

Any captain would be more thanimpressed with the helm of the400SY.The moulded, gel-coateddash is a subtle grey to match theinterior trim and houses the fog-resistant analog gauges.They are wellspaced and easy to read, and frontand centre of the helm is the colourRaymarine GPS chartplotter.Oneach side of the plotter are the digi-tal gauges connected to the twinVolvo IPS 500s.Trim tab indicators


and lighted,weather-proof switches are also found well laid out and easily withinreach.

The black steering wheel with silver inset is stylish, sporty and ergonomicallydesigned in front of the double helm seat with flip-up bolster. I found the helmseat perfect for that cozy, cruising couple.

You will find the joystick for theVolvo IPS system mounted just behind thethrottle controls.The central mounting position is perfect for either looking for-ward or aft, depending on how and where you need to position your 400.Andyou can be assured that with the IPS system, you can do it with ease.

Entering below through the sliding companionway door with screen, the softcolours and wood trim are at once welcoming.The synthetic wood floor lookelegant and ease of cleaning came to mind in case dirty feet sneak down below.To starboard, the salon features a large, L-shaped sofa that converts to a sleeper forextra guests.

I liked that the table was not fixed to the ground. It has its own dedicatedstorage for when it isn’t in use, and it doesn’t leave a base in the floor to stubyour toes on.You can be assured, though, that the solid wood table and base arestable and secure without being fixed to the ground. For those nights below


Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:51 PM


Specifications

TEST BOAT ENGINESTwin Volvo IPS 500s, diesel, 340 hpapeice

ACCELERATION (mph/sec)0-15 / 7.03 ; 0-20 / 8.31TOP SPEED (rpm/mph)3600 / 41.2CRUISING SPEED (rpm/mph)2000 / 12.5 ; 2500 / 21.1 ; 3000 / 30.8SOUND LEVEL AT CRUISE(3000 rpm)Helm – 89 dbA ; Aft cockpit – 90 dbASOUND LEVEL AT TOP SPEED(3600 rpm)Helm – 92 dbA ; Aft cockpit – 93 dbA

Length (LOA): 41 ft in / 12.5mBeam: 12 ft 6 in / 3.8mWeight: 22,000 lbs / 9,979 kg (boatandmotor)Fuel Capacity: 330 gals / 1,249 litresPrice: $590,988 (as tested)

Monterey Boats1579 SW 18th St.Williston, FL USA 32696(352) 528-2628

SPEED TESTING BY Raymarine GPS

deck, the salon is also home to a 26-inch flat screen LCDTV complete with a5.1 surround sound system.

The galley has every amenity needed for extended cruising, including upperand lower cabinet storage and a moulded fibreglass counter.The wood finish onthe cabinets is elegant and the stylish sink is neighboured to a two-burner elec-tric stove.Below the microwave/convection oven you’ll find the refrigera-tor/freezer combo.

The galley is next to the aft stateroom with privacy door and full ensuitehead.The aft stateroom has twin sleepers with plenty of storage below each.Acentre cushion is available to convert the twins to a double berth.Our test boatalso came packaged with the optional 15-inch LCDTV.

Next door to the aft cabin is a wine cooler nestled nicely under the cabinstairs.

The forward stateroom is spacious,with plenty of clearance, and features aninner spring mattress with walk-up steps on each side.Cedar hanging lockers anddrawer storage means plenty of room for clothes and gear, and the ensuite headhas an adjustable shower wand and mirrored vanity storage.

When it was time to head out on the water for the sea trial, the IPS systemeasily manoeuvred us through the maze of In-Water boat show slips.Once wewere clear, the twin IPS 500 diesels powered us easily on plane in just over sevenseconds.

Putting the 400SY through our standard trials,Volvo’s EVC (ElectronicVesselControl) system made it easy to synch the twin motors at 500 rpm increments,up to a top speed of 41.2 mph at 3600 rpm.Travelling southeast across LakeOntario,we set the autopilot on the GPS.Our bearing had the waves hittingacross our beam and the 400SY didn’t flinch.The hull remained stable andsecure, holding her path in the two-footers. In the occasional heavy roller, the 17-degree deadrise cushioned the blow nicely.

Testing the handling in the open water, the control is just what you wouldexpect with the IPS and it was responsive and nimble – even for a 40 footer.

Monterey has worked very hard to build a very strong reputation for its boats.The company’s dedication to both quality and customer service is obvious in itsnew flagship, the 400SY.Looking ahead,methinks Monterey might have a fifthCSI award in store. �

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:51 PM

LLEENN’’SS CCOOVVEE MMAARRIINNAAPortland, ON

Tel: 613-272-2581www.lenscove.com

DDEENNNNEE’’SS MMAARRIINNAAKilworthy, ON

Tel: 705-689-5082Fax: 705-689-8630

WWOOOODDLLAANNDD MMAARRIINNEESkeleton LakeMuskoka, ON

Tel: 705-769-2151www.woodlandmarine.ca


Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:51 PM

power profile | Starcraft Super Fisherman 170 SportBy Amanda Dyer Comission


More than ever, boaters want a vessel that can do as much asthey can.Although it’s widely held that families who boattogether stay together, not every member’s idea of boating isthe same.Versatility is the key to maintaining family boat-

ing peace.Starcraft Marine has set itself up well to meet the demands of consumers

who refuse to compromise on their variety of boating needs. Offering anextensive lineup – including aluminum fishing boats, fibreglass runaboutsand deckboats, as well as pontoons – Starcraft understands many boating seg-ments well.This is obvious in the company’s Super Fisherman 170 Sport – aserious fishing machine meets sporty family runabout.Whether you’re on a fishing trip or a family cruise, everyone will appre-

ciate the solid fit-and-finish and roomy feel of this boat.While the raisedcasting platform at the bow is carpeted, the spacious cockpit comes com-plete with vinyl floor for easy clean-up. If you’re interested in a bit of addedcomfort in the cockpit, snap-in carpeting is available as an option.None of your friends will be left behind with a seating capacity for eight.

The 170 Sport comes equipped with a pair of stern flip-up jump seats, slid-ing helm seat and two removable passenger seats.A single in-floor position isavailable in both the bow and at the stern, with three more in the cockpit

No Need to Compromise

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area (including one at the port-side console).If it’s fishing or watersports that takes this boat off the dock, there will

not be any shortage of storage space with lockable in-floor rod storage, lock-able port-side rod storage, open storage at both the port and starboard con-soles, starboard side open storage, and storage compartments under both bowand stern casting decks.The lockable glove box on the port-side console willalso allow you to keep small valuables, such as keys or a wallet, safe andsecure.

Given the “Super Fisherman” name, you’d expect to find a host of fishingamenities on board – well, you won’t be disappointed. Fishing featuresinclude custom accessory rod tracks, an 18-gallon aerated bow livewell, 28-gallon aerated stern livewell and stepped transom for kicker motor. Flipdown the transom jump seats to create a full-beam stern casting deck.

If family fun is on order, the optional swim platform and ladder will pro-vide easy access for everyone on board.The AM/FM Stereo with MP3 plugand CD player with four speakers will keep spirits high during a day of fam-ily cruising and sports.

The helm is nicely protected from the elements with the walk-thru tem-pered glass windshield. Our test boat boasted a full complement of instru-mentation, with plenty more room on the dash for additional electronics.

Water conditions were calm on our hot and humid test day, but theStarcraft 170’s 29-inch depth will definitely offer safety and security inrough, open water.The company’s exclusive Power-Trac hull offered up asmooth ride with confident handling through various tight turns andmanoeuvres.The test boat did seem a little dogged, feeling at times like itneeded a bit more power. No problems there, though, with the boat ratedup to 150 hp.

Despite this, the Super Fisherman 170 Sport turned in more thanrespectable numbers – planing in 3.47 seconds at 11.3 mph and 2100 rpmand reaching a top speed of 38.5 mph at 5000 rpm.The Evinrude E-TEC90 had us out of the hole to 20 mph in 5.37 seconds and to 30 mph in justover eight seconds with the help of the Power-Trac hull.

All in all, the stylish yet versatile Starcraft Super Fisherman 170 Sportdefies classification – getting versatile boaters everything they want at a pricethey can afford.�


Specifications

TEST BOAT ENGINESEvinrude E-TEC 90 with 17 pitch alu-minum prop

ACCELERATION (mph/sec)0-20 / 5.37 ; 0-30 / 8.12TOP SPEED (rpm / mph)5000 / 38.5CRUISING SPEED (rpm / mph)3000 / 20.5 ; 3500 / 24.9 ; 4000 / 29.5SOUND LEVELS AT CRUISE(3500 rpm)Helm – 91 dbA ; Aft cockpit – 93 dbASOUND LEVELS AT TOP SPEEDHelm – 94 dbA ; Aft cockpit – 96 dbA

LENGTH: 17 ft 8 in / 5.4mBEAM: 8 ft 4 in / 2.54 mWEIGHT:1273 lbs / 577.4kg (boat only)FUEL CAPACITY:32 gals / 121.1 litresPRICE:$24,950 (base boat with test power)

Starcraft Marine201 Starcraft Dr.Topeka, IN USA 46571(866) 772-4538

SPEED TESTING BY Magellan GPS

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:51 PM

Y


River. es, selling a poorly built boat should be a crime, but theCustomer Satisfaction Index – the other CSI – is one wayto defend yourself. CSI also lets you encourage boat andengine builders to boost overall quality, helping both you and

your fellow boaters.Customer satisfaction surveys have been around for a while and probably

began when some savvy retailer decided to ask customers for frank, anony-mous evaluations.These days, determining a CSI (usually measured out of 100)and analyzing information from customer surveys is more of a science. It’s alsoa pretty big business.

As well as being a tool for improving product quality and customer rela-tions, CSI is now being used more directly to sell boats.

Instead of just helping companies to internally evaluate their own perform-ance, CSI scores and the awards that come with them are also being used asmarketing tools.You have probably seen a J.D. Power and Associates or MarineIndustry CSI award or photo at a boat show, or in a brochure or ad. But as aboater or boat buyer, you need to know what those awards really mean andhow CSI scores are determined.

Everyone loves a winner, and boat and engine builders love showing offawards. Boat shoppers, for their part, are usually impressed.

The process of getting and giving out honours, though, is fraught with per-ils. Some awards mean little.Those handed out by magazines, sad to say, areoften least reliable. Despite carefully laid-out criteria and hard data, they usuallybecome “Advertiser of theYear” awards, with accolades carefully shared fromyear to year.

Here’s the rub: where there are winners, there are also losers.And nobodylikes to lose.

J.D. Power and Associates, however, treads where others fear to go. Since2001, the California-based company has annually declared winning boatbuilders in seven categories and top engine manufacturers in four categories.

The sole criteria are customer satisfaction and quality – and the judges areboat buyers themselves.Who better to judge a boat than the owner? And whobetter to tabulate CSI scores than an organization outside the marine industry,which is already a specialist in third-party evaluation?

WHEN YOU HEAR

“CSI,” THE WORD

INVESTIGATION MAY

IMMEDIATELY POP

INTO YOUR HEAD –

THAT’S THE POWER

OF TELEVISION.

WHEN IT COMES TO

BUYING BOATS,

THOUGH, FORGET

CRIME SCENE

INVESTIGATION.

AND THE SURVEY SAYS…How CSI can

Regal was the 2008 J.D. Power and Associates award winner in both the Express Cruiser and Small Runabout segments,and also recipient of 2008 Marine Industry CSI Awards in several categories.

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:51 PM

If ads that crow about J.D. Power wins are any indication, manufacturersput a lot of stock in the awards and have a great deal of respect for theorganization that hands them out. But before jumping on the bandwagon,boaters need to be better informed.

WWho is J.D. Power and Associates?In the beginning it was just James David Power III. In 1968, he found-

ed the company that still bears his name. After working at Ford andGeneral Motors, Power began conducting independent and unbiased sur-veys on customer satisfaction for automobile manufacturers. With about900 employees, the company is widely respected in the automotive sector,but only began working in the marine industry eight years ago.

The company was sold to corporate information giant McGraw-Hillabout three years ago, but Todd Markusic, senior director of the powersports group, says it carries on the tradition of third-party impartiality.“We’re not in anybody’s pockets and can’t be influenced by any manufac-turer.”

The company funds its own surveys, and then sells detailed informationto companies. Most major boat and engine builders buy

the reports, Markusic says, and use them to makeimprovements. J.D Power winners also pay alicensing fee for using awards in their advertis-ing.

Here’s how the company gets its ratings.Every year, J.D. Power sends roughly 50,000surveys to people who bought boats duringthe past year (privacy laws mean none go toCanada). About 10,000 of those surveys arereturned, as each is eight pages long andtakes about half an hour to complete. Thesurvey includes about 70 questions onsatisfaction with the boat, queries aboutthe shopping experience, service and


” help you get a better boat

Both J.D. Power and Associates and the NMMA awarded ManitouPontoons in the Pontoon segment.


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quality (based on the number of problems).The company then does customer satisfaction index (CSI) rankings for

boats in various categories. Similar rankings are done in four engine segments.Results are announced annually at February’s Miami International Boat

Show.Also-rans aren’t always happy, Markusic says.“When you don’t like thenews, the easiest thing is to attack the person bringing the news.”A betterapproach, he says, is using the research and working to improve next year’sscore.

The NMMA CSI programAlso widely recognized for its Marine Industry CSI awards, the National

Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) solves the award dilemma bymaking every company that reaches a certain level of CSI performance a win-ner. The NMMA began its CSI program seven years ago.

As the owner of North America’s top boat shows and the voice of themarine industry, NMMA is dedicated to helping boat and engine manufactur-

Nautique (by Correct Craft) was the 2008 J.D. Power and Associatesaward winner in the very competitive Ski/Wakeboard segment, and alsorecipient of a 2008 Marine Industry CSI Award in the Inboard WatersportBoats category.

UNCOVERED BY CSI

• Boat quality is getting better, but owners still report on average almost threeproblems per boat (expressed as “problems per 100 or PP100, the exactaverage is 287). J.D. Power’s Markusic says 200 PP100 would be an excellentscore, representing “Lexus-like” quality.

• Carbureted engines, says J.D. Power’s study, result in more problems than EFIpowerplants – that’s most apparent in small runabouts. Under-powered boatsare also problematic. More power is always better.

• The not-so-good news is that satisfaction with service – just as important assatisfaction with the engine, boat and sales experience – is rated the lowest,according to J.D. Power. “Dealer service appears to be holding the marineindustry back from progress.” So, boat buyers, check a dealer’s reputation forservice before you buy.

• The good news is that overall customer satisfaction is improving. Whenboaters speak out, builders listen.


ers improve their products through itscertification program. Some kind ofCSI program is part of that process.

Although NMMA operates its ownCSI program through a marketing firm,it also lets manufacturers run their ownCSI programs, with results from thoseprograms tabulated and audited byNMMA’s firm. Whether they comefrom manufacturers or the NMMA’sfirm, CSI scores are used to determineawards.

NMMA winds up with surveyscompleted by about 70,000 boat andengine buyers, in 14 boat and twoengine categories. But instead of releas-ing scores and naming winners in eachcategory, it gives awards to all withscores of 90 or over.

Terry Leitz, director of CSI pro-grams for NMMA, says giving a singleaward in each category “does a disserv-ice to the industry.” Scores for questionsin the organization’s survey range fromzero for “completely dissatisfied” to 100for “completely satisfied.” So, Leitz says,“to get 90, they have to have a majorityof customers who say they are com-pletely satisfied.”

Many manufacturers enter boats inmultiple categories, but the bottom lineis that 73 of 107 manufacturers in theprogram wind up with awards. Actualscores and rankings, which would letboat buyers evaluate relative CSI per-

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:51 PM

Grady-White has been a J.D. Power and Associatesaward winner in the Coastal fishing segment forseven years running. It is also a 2008 Marine IndustryCSI Award winner in the Fiberglass Outboard Boatsegment.

formance in a given boat or engine category, are notreleased.

NMMA’s official position is that “at some futurepoint, the intent is to review releasing the CSI ratingspublicly.”That will only happen, though, if program par-ticipants support the move.

In the meantime, Leitz says manufacturers use CSIdata to improve their products – the primary focus ofNMMA’s program.

Leitz says the NMMA’s “census” approach, whichgives every boat buyer a chance to fill out a survey, isdifferent than J.D. Power’s “sampling” survey that looksas an overall sample of boat and engine buyers.

J.D. Power’s sampling approach also means somemanufacturers don’t get ranked because there are toofew of their buyers in the sample.

Good for Boat BuyersNMMA and J.D. Power and Associates are mildly criti-

cal of each other’s programs. That is understandable, sincethey compete for boat and engine builders’ CSI andresearch dollars. Despite their differences, however, bothprograms channel customers’ concerns to manufacturers. Ifthe boat and engine builders are listening, they willinevitably wind up building better boats and engines. Forboat buyers, that’s a very good thing.�

SEE FOR YOURSELF

Visit J.D. Power and Associates online atwww.jdpower.com. Click on Boats to check out

the 2008 Ratings.

Visit the NMMA website at www.nmma.org.Search for “2008 CSI” for link to the complete list

of 2008 Marine Industry CSI Awards winners.


Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/19/08 9:43 AM

T


he winter boat shows are a fantastic venue for boating enthusiasts ofall types and experience levels to get their fix to carry them throughuntil spring splash.Of course, these shows are also a wealth of products and informa-

tion for anything from gear and accessories to insurance and maps – and every-thing in between. If you’re in the market for a new boat, the winter shows are alsorife with special deals, promos and discounts.And with so many different manufac-turers all under the same roof,what better way is there to comparison shop?

Of course,we can’t give offer a synopsis on each and every winter show acrossthe country, but here we have provided a glimpse into a few – showing you whyyou should head to the show nearest you.

Toronto International Boat ShowThe 2009 boating season starts at the Toronto International Boat Show, which

spans more than a million square feet. Over 1,500 of the latest boats, marine prod-ucts and services, as well as fun features for the whole family will fill the DirectEnergy Centre, Exhibition Place, from January 10 to 18, 2009.

On Friday, January 9, 2009, the annual Special Preview Night – Boating forChildren’s Charity will run from 4 to 9 p.m. Guests can bid on more than 200 liveand silent auction items .Tickets are $100, which includes a show preview, admis-sion, food, beverages and entertainment. To date, this annual event has raised morethan $500,000 for local charities.

The “revamped” Lake returns as the world’s largest indoor recreational boatingvenue, pouring in fun with wakeboarding demos, sailboat rides, canoeing, kayaking,paddleboats, windsurfing and much more. Show visitors will have an opportunityto meet wakeboarding pros and get autographs in Wakeboard Alley.

sneakpeek2009 BOAT SHOW

SeasonBy Amanda Dyer Comission

FIND A SHOWNEAR YOU

Toronto International Boat ShowDirect Energy Centre, Exhibition Place

January 10 to 18, 2009www.torontoboatshow.com

Vancouver International Boat ShowBC Place Stadium

February 4 to 8, 2009www.vancouverboatshow.ca

Calgary Boat & Sportsmen’s ShowRoundup Centre, Stampede Park

February 12 to 15, 2009www.sportshows.ca/Calgary

Halifax International Boat ShowExhibition Park

February 19 to 22, 2009www.halifaxboatshow.com

London Boat, Fishing and Leisure ShowWestern Fair Grounds

February 20 to 22, 2009www.boatcottagefishingshow.com

Victoria Boat, Fishing and Leisure ShowPearkes Rec. Centre, Tillicum Mall

February 20 to 22, 2009www.canwestshows.com/boatshow/Victoria

/victoria_index.html

Mid-Canada Boat ShowWinnipeg Convention Centre

February 26 to March 1, 2009http://midcanadaboatshow.com/

Montreal Boat & Water Sports ShowPlace Bonaventure

January 29 to February 2, 2009 www.salondubateau.com

Ottawa Boat, Sportsmen’s & Cottage ShowLansdowne Park

February 26 to March 1, 2009www.sportsmensshows.com/Ottawa

BC Boat and Sportsmen’s ShowTradex, Abbotsford (BC)

March 6 to 8, 2009www.squarefeetevents.ca/sportsmen/

Edmonton Boat & Sportsmen’s ShowAgricom, Northlands

March 12 to 15, 2009www.sportsmensshows.com/Edmonton/

Quebec City Sportsmen’s ShowCentre de Foires D’Expocité

March 12 to 15, 2009www.sportsmensshows.com/Quebec/

Toronto Sportsmen’s ShowDirect Energy Centre, Exhibition Place

March 18 to 22, 2009www.sportsmensshows.com/Toronto/

Moncton Boat ShowMoncton Coliseum

March 27 to 29, 2009www.masterpromotions


The Dock at The Lake at the Toronto International Boat Show

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47 2009 Winter Issue boats&places MAGAZINE 47


Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:51 PM


For more information, includingshow hours and admission, visitTorontoBoatShow.com.

VVancouver International BoatShow

New boat buyers and those lookingto upgrade can find great deals at the2009 Vancouver International BoatShow, running February 4 through 8,2009 at BC Place Stadium and theFalse Creek Yacht Club. Financing isavailable and visitors will find specialshow pricing, rebates and extras atWestern Canada’s premier boat show,creating a boat shopper’s paradise.

More than 400 boats will be ondisplay, ranging from entry-level run-abouts and sport fishers to top-of-the-line cruisers. Attendees will also find awide selection of sailboats and mega-yachts at the popular in-water venue atFalse Creek Yacht Club.

In addition to one-stop shoppingfor the best deals on boats, marineservices, gear and accessories, visitors tothe show will find a wide range ofdaily boating and fishing seminars, aswell as activities for the entire family.

The Vancouver Boat Show isn’t justfor buyers. Experienced boaters andnovices alike can enjoy free boat ridesin False Creek, presentations by differ-ent authors at the BC Marine Authorsbookstore, wakeboarding exhibitionsand much more.

For more information, visitwww.vancouverboatshow.com or call(604) 678-8820.

London Boat, Fishing andLeisure Show

Be one of the thousands to experi-ence the latest and greatest to be seenin the worlds of boating, fishing andleisure by attending the London Boat,Fishing and Leisure Show!

While you are at the show you cansee boats from small to large, every typeof tackle and pole, as well as just aboutany product associated with your out-door leisure time.

A complete alphabetical list ofexhibitors in the upcoming 2009 showis available on the show’s website atwww.boatcottagefishingshow.com.


At the 5,000-gallon Great Canadian Fish Tank Daily, fishing demonstrationsand seminars by Canada’s top anglers deliver a rare underwater view of how fishreact to and strike at various types of bait, lures and fishing techniques.

Some of the biggest names in boating share their insight, experience andexpertise to help boaters of any age or stage expand their knowledge during theFree boating seminars. Meanwhile, the Safe Boating Centre is a great opportunityto ask questions, get advice or attend one of the free daily demonstrations that arededicated to having a fun and safe boating experience.

Demo at The Lake at the Toronto International Boat Show

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:51 PM


Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:51 PM

LLEENN’’SS CCOOVVEE MMAARRIINNAAPortland, ON

Tel: 613-272-2581www.lenscove.com

LEISURE MMAARRINEEWoodbridge, ON

Tel: 905-851-5752www.leisuremarine.com

MMAAPPLLEE CCIITTYY MMAARRIINNEEChatham, ON


CCENNTTRRAALL MARIINNEEMidland, ON

Tel: 705-526-4251www.centralmarine.ca

BBAAYY MMAARRIINNEETrenton, ON

Tel : 613-394-6691www.bay-marine.com

PPOORRTT CCOOLLBBOORRNNEE MMAARRIINNEEPort Colborne, ON

Tel : 905-835-1774www.portcolbornemarine.com


Ottawa Boat & Sportsmen’s ShowThe Ottawa Boat and Sportsmen’s Show brings the latest products and infor-

mation in boating, including powerboats, runabouts, cruisers, inflatables, fishingboats and personal watercraft. It also encompasses fishing (retailers, educational sem-inars and destinations), hunting (gear and lodges), kayaks, outdoor products andservices, travel charters, destinations, lodges and outfitters. The show also offers fam-ily entertainment each day.

Located at The Civic Centre, Aberdeen Pavilion and Coliseum at LansdownePark, the show is conveniently located near downtown Ottawa and close to majorhighways. There is acres of parking available at Lansdowne Park ($5) or you caneasily grab public transit to the venue.

For more information and a list of2009 show exhibitors, go towww.sportsmensshows.com/Ottawa.

Montreal Boat & WaterSports Show

The Montreal Boat and WaterSports Show (Salon du Bateau) is thebiggest event of its kind in Quebec.With more than 400 different boats,150 exhibitors and 30,000 visitors,boating enthusiasts use this event as adiving board to dive head first intosummer.

At the show, you can discover alltypes of boats, from cruisers to kayaks,including some exquisite sailboats. Ifyou are a watersports or fishing nut,there are boats, accessories and serviceproviders to help you prepare for yoursummer season as well.

Get all the necessary informationon lakes and rivers, rules and regula-tions – you can even get your PleasureCraft Operators Card.

If you would like to learn more,visit www.salondubateau.com.�

The Ottawa Boat & Sportsmen’s Show

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Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:51 PM


Adding a Stainless Steel Radar Arch

By Mike Gridley

DEPENDING ON THE MODEL AND YEAR OF YOUR BOAT

A RADAR ARCH MAY NOT HAVE BEEN AN OPTION AT

THE TIME. HOWEVER, A RADAR ARCH IS A GREAT

OPTION TO HAVE FOR MOUNTING ANTENNAS, RADAR

ARRAYS AND OTHER ELECTRONICS. NEEDLESS TO SAY,

FABRICATING A RADAR ARCH IS NOT A TYPICAL DIY

PROJECT, SO WE TURNED TO THE EXPERTS AT

STAINLESS OUTFITTERS IN BARRIE, ONT., TO WORK

WITH US ON THE FABRICATION SIDE ON THIS PROJECT.

how to

Custom Stainless Steel Arch

1 Surveying the Boat

3 Entering data for the bend 4 Bending the main tubes

2 CAD Design

To get started,Andrew Fenton of Stainless Outfitters joined meat the marina to survey our project boat and meet the owner todiscuss the design.The first step in the project was for Andrew totake accurate measurements of the flybridge.We had to work out

the design and location for the new arch, as well as record all of the dimensionsand complete a sketch of the basic layout.Once back at his office,Andrewworked up the design for the custom arch using a CAD system to prepare thedrawings for the owner’s approval and manufacturing.

Getting started with the build, the stainless tube stock for the smaller crosstubes was selected and the pieces measured and cut, then belt sanded to removethe burs.All the cross tubes were then placed in an end mill and concave cut tofit the tube.

After checking the specifications for the main tubes, the stock was selectedand the locations for the bends were laid out.Next, the stainless tubes were fedinto the mandrill, and the data required for the correct bend angle was checkedand entered into the machine.After double checking the positioning, hydraulicpower took over and bent the first precise angle and radius in the tube.With thefirst bend completed, the tube was repositioned and the second and final bendwas performed.The first tube was then set aside and the process was repeated forthe second tube.Once both tubes were bent accordingly, the next process was torun them though the arching machine to bend the constant radius into the topsection of each component.

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:51 PM

the position of the arch on the Silverton’s flybridge took time andpatience.Nevertheless, with the location determined, the first holes forthe port side forward mounting bracket were marked, drilled and boltsinserted.The same process was then repeated for the starboard side.With the front tube of the arch held in place, final positioning of the

arch was accomplished using a level and the rear mounting brackets werepositioned, holes drilled and the bolts installed.On the inside of the flybridge, the backing plates were installed using

lock washers and nuts, then the arch was secured to the mounting brack-ets with high tensile stainless bolts.With the arch mounted, the bolts ineach of the mounts were backed off and silicone sealant was appliedbehind the brackets to complete the project.�


6 Tack welding the cross tubes5 Setting the constant radius arch

8 Drilling the mounting holes

With all of the componentsprepped, the first of the main tubeswas moved to the welding station andthe locations for the cross tubes weremarked out.The cross tubes wereaccurately located and tack welded inposition (one at a time) until all of thetop tubes were in position.Next, thesecond main tube was positioned,double checked for the correct angle,then marked and clamped in position.Additional cross tubes were then tackwelded into both sides of the arch andthe last pieces of stainless – the platesfor mounting antennas – were weldedin place.Fully assembled, the final welding

was completed for every joint.Thefinal step in the manufacturing processwas to detail polish the entire radararch.Where our radar arch project final-

ly turned into a DIY project was forthe actual installation on the boat.The first step of the install was

handled by the owner of the boat,John Ely.Due to the construction ofthe flybridge,marine plywood had tobe installed on the insides using epoxyresin to first bond it in place, then lay-ers of fibreglass cloth were wetted outand laid over the plywood to increasethe strength of the mounting area.To install the stainless arch, a mast

stepper was used to raise the arch andswing it out over the boat. Finalizing

7 Welding the final cross tubes

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:52 PM

H


electronicsBy Michael Kelly, Bayland Enterprises

owever, an improperly operating autopilot can be a majorsource of aggravation and a safety issue. Unfortunately, a lot ofautopilots are incorrectly specked out and installed. Units onsome new boats never get a proper sea trial and operate errati-

cally.These units become a major problem and inevitably cause the owner alot of grief.

Autopilot ModesAn autopilot can make life much easier for the captain, especially on a long

passage or in limited visibility. Always remem-ber the captain has to maintain watchwhile his vessel is underway. Theautopilot has three modes of operation:Standby, Auto and Nav. Standby

In Standby mode, the boat is manuallysteered and the display will give you infor-mation such as the autopilot compass head-ing and most will have a rudder bar showingthe location of the rudder. Auto

Once Auto mode is activated, the boat willmaintain the heading at time of activation. This isa great advantage as the captain does not have to constantly watch the com-pass and can have hands free from the steering.

The heading can be changed by pressing Port or Starboard buttons inincrements of one degree or 10 degrees. More sophisticated controls have apower steering knob, which can be rotated to the desired course change. Aproperly installed autopilot can hold a course much better than a human inwind, current and following seas.Nav

The Nav mode becomes a very desirable function when the autopilot isinterfaced with a GPS/chartplotter. If properly interfaced with the chartplot-ter, data can be sent from the chartplotter to the autopilot.Several functions can be accomplished:• Goto: This is a neat feature. You can select a position on your chartplotter

to go to, such as a navigation buoy that is beyond your range of vision. Youmove your curser over the desired buoy and then press the Goto button onthe chartplotter. You then press the Nav key on your autopilot and theheading to the Goto point will show up on your autopilot display. If youare satisfied with this heading, you press the autopilot Nav key again and

the autopilot will alter courseand head to the Goto posi-tion.

• Nav: Again this selectionrequires navigation data froma GPS/chartplotter. You cancreate a route on your chart-plotter with as many way-points as you want (up to themaximum capabilities of the

chartplot-ter). Byactivatingthe select-ed route,the navi-gation datawill besent to the

autopilot.Bypressing

the Navkey on the

autopilot, you will see thewaypoint displayed on theautopilot and with a secondpress the autopilot will altercourse to go the waypoint ondisplay. As the boat approach-es the waypoint and alarmwill go off to indicate theapproach and then will dis-play the next waypoint in theroute. If you are happy withthe next heading and theheading is safe to turn to, apress of the Nav key on theautopilot will cause theautopilot to change course.

All About Autopilots

A PROPERLY INSTALLED AND SET-UP AUTOPILOT

WILL BE ONE OF THE MOST ENJOYABLE AND USEFUL

PIECES OF ELECTRONICS THAT YOU WILL HAVE ON

YOUR BOAT.


S1 Tiller Group

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 3:21 PM

HULLY GULLY THE ULTIMAATE BBOAAT STOORREE



BROWNS MARINA Crosby, ON

Tel: 613-272-5466800-561-3137

www.brownsmarina.com

KESWICK MARINEKeswick,ON

Tel: 905-476-4343888-604-2628

www.keswickmarine.com

BANCROFT SPORT &MARINE

Bancroft, ONTel: 613-332-1830

www.bancroftsports.ca

TEXPRO MARINE INCPort Dover, ON

Tel: 519-583-0002www.texpromarine.ca

VVIISSIITT YYOOUURR LLOOCCAALL PPRRIINNCCEECCRRAAFFTT

DEALLERR TOO VIEW THE NEW 2009 MOODDEELSS


Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:52 PM


Selecting a AutopilotMost autopilots consist of the following components: a heading sensor,

rudder feedback, a drive system for steering and a course computer toprocess information. A few autopilots also have rudderless feedback andsome use GPS heading rather than a heading sensor.

It is critical the correct system is selected for the boat for proper per-formance. For example, installing a wheel system autopilot on a heavy sail-boat instead of a linear unit, the system will be overloaded and fail in heavyseas when you most need it. Also, if too small a pump is installed on apowerboat with hydraulic steering, it will under perform and too large of apump will cause over steering.

InstallationFor small powerboats (under 25 feet), autopilot kits are available that

include everything you need to do a self installation. That being said, youneed to be very mechanically competent and comfortable cutting intohydraulic steering lines in order to complete the installation yourself (steer-ing system failure when underway would be a drastically serious problem).

Upon correct selection of a system, it is very important to install theequipment properly. The fluxgate compass can often be an issue, as it has tobe located low in the boat about amidships and away from any magneticinfluence. Equipment such as fridges, air conditioning units and metal itemscan have detrimental effects. You should know where the compass is andnever place metal items near it. If the compass is affected by items orimproperly installed, then the autopilot will never work correctly.

Steering components, such as linear drives on sailboats, have to have asecure mount. On some boats, these requirefibreglass reinforcement blocks tomount as the forces in a heavy seacan be very stressful. The lineardrive should also be connected to aseparate rudder arm on the rudderpost and not on the quadrant.

Any hydraulic pumps have to beplumbed into the existing hydraulic.Once again, there is no room for fail-ure here.

Set up and Sea TrialsIt is imperative the completed installation go through a sea trial in order

to ensure all interfacing and operations are functioning properly. There areseveral steps to this.Dockside

At the dock, we would check complete installation, ensure rudder isturning properly for port and starboard turns, and check component forleaks, rudder stops and interfacing of electronics for transfer of data. Sea Trials

After the boat passes the dockside check, it should be taken out on thewater for a full sea trial. • Do a rudder alignment to ensure the rudder feedback into is correct.• Then do a compass calibration. Setting the autopilot in setup mode, the

boat is run through several circles and the heading sensor (fluxgate com-pass) will compensate for deviation. Once complete, it will show theamount of deviation. Should it be over 15 degrees, it would be necessary

to relocate the compass and repeatuntil an acceptable reading occurs.

• The next important step would beto do a heading offset. We look ata known heading (course overground from the GPS workswell). We then dial the autopilotcompass heading to match theCOG. (NOTE: The autopilotsteers according to its own head-ing sensor. The chartplotter usesthe GPS for heading COG andsends this information to theautopilot. IF the autopilot headingsensor and chartplotter COG arenot the same on a straight coursethen the system will fail miser-ably.)

• Next, set up the parameters of theautopilot. This used to be veryinvolved, but most autopilots nowhave an auto learn procedure.While underway, we activate theauto learn and the boat will domanoeuvres on its own and goesthrough a learning process to setup its own parameters.

• The final step is to see how theautopilot performs. We use autoand change course several timesand then use the Nav mode, uti-lizing the chartplotter to confirmall operations are satisfactory.

New Autopilot FeaturesAutopilots today have many new

features that did not exist years ago:• Better heading sensors and now

with internal fast heading sensorswhich improve the course holdingcapabilities of the autopilot andalso provide heading informationfor functions such as radar overlay

• Auto self-learn features that makesetup much easier

• Auto adapt so the autopilot keepslearning the boat’s handling, evenduring continued use

• Wireless remote controls• Fish patterns that can be set so an

autopilot will follow orbits, figureeights and zigzags

Well, happy boating… here’s to get-ting yourself a nice autopilot. �

Hydraulic Drive Unt

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 3:21 PM


Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/19/08 9:44 AM


M

tech lineBy Steve AugerMerCruiser Product Support, Mercury Marine Canada

Editor’s Note:Our guest columnist this issue offers a glimpse into how MercuryMarine Canada is introducing new low-emission or “catalyst” enginesdue to recent regulatory mandates in the US – and what exactlythese engines are all about.

ercury MerCruiser has introduced a lineof Super Ultra Low emission engines inorder to meet the California AirResources Board (CARB) requirements for

exhaust emissions for 2008.The standard for this rating is a maxi-mum of five grams per kilowatt-hour for HC (hydrocarbons) andNox (Nitrogen Oxides + Smog contributors) for engines up to 500horsepower.

These low emissions or “catalyst” engines will be available on 3.0 litre,5.0 litre, 5.7 litre, 6.2 litre and right up to 8.1 litre engines in inboard andsterndrive applications

The engines emissions are rated over the entire Mercury MerCruiser productline; therefore, the catalyst engines will be actually significantly lower than the five-gram rating in order to achieve an average five-gram overall rating with the inclu-sion of the non-catalyst carbureted and electronic fuel-injected engines in theMercury MerCruiser product lineup.

This catalyst system is designed to remain compliant up to and after 480 hoursfor consumer use.These new engines will feature a three-year Mercury CatalystComponentWarranty.

The entire emissions system has been EPA mandated to allow monitoring ofthe catalyst, fuel system, oxygen sensors and comprehensive components using anindustry standard communications link in order to download fault data (engineoperational problems).This means that your dealer can hook this engine up to alaptop with the appropriate diagnostic software and verify the correct operation ofall the major operating systems on the engine, including the new emissions sys-tem, and then record and store that data for future reference.

The basic components of a catalyst system are two oxygen sensors, a catalyticconvertor and electronic control module (computer).

The very basic theory of operation is that the two oxygen sensors are installedin the exhaust system to monitor the gases present in the exhaust system prior toand after running through the catalytic converter.The oxygen sensors send thisinformation to Mercury’s exclusive PCM 09 computer that continuously adjuststhe electronic fuel injection system in order to meet the required air fuel ratio thatwill deliver peak performance yet stay within the exhaust emissions requirements.

The catalytic converter is a device that looks like a muffler installed in lineatop the exhaust manifold. Inside the catalytic converter are precious metals thatallow for the absorption, chemical reaction and gas release needed to turn theharmful gas to safe gas.

In addition to the oxygen sensorsand catalytic converter,Mercury hasadded low permeation fuel lines tothe high and low pressure fuel sys-tems on all 2009 MerCruiserengines.This will also reduce theamount of hydrocarbons released intothe atmosphere versus prior fuellines.

Engines with catalytic convertersand emission control systems can bedamaged by using incorrect grades orlow-quality engine oil that contami-nated the system with phosphorus.Mercury has released a fully syntheticmotor oil for use in engines withemission control systems which willprolong the life of the oxygen sensorsand catalytic converter.�

At Look atMarine Catalytic Converters

The Mercury MerCruiser Perspective

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:52 PM

LLEATHEERDAALLE MARINEOrillia, ON


BAAYSSVILLE MARINABaysville, ON

Tel: 705-767-3323www.baysvillemarina.com

TTHEE CCOOVVEEMuskoka – Mactier, ON


PPIISCCEES MMARRIINEEOakville, ON

Tel: 905-827-4384www.piscesmarine.ca

VISIT YYOOURR NNEEAARREESSTT DDEEAALLEER TTODAAYY TTO VVIEEW TTHE NEW2009 MOODELLSS

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BBOOWW RRIIDDGGEE SSPPOORRTTSSCochrane, AB




PPAAYYNNEE MMAARRIINNEE““55 SSTTAARR DDEEAALLEERR””Pointe au Baril, ONTel : 705-366-2296

www.paynemarine.com




Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:52 PM


used boat review | 2005 Sabre 42 HT ExpressBy Mike Gridley

As Down East-style motor yachts have grown in popularity inrecent years,models from various builders are now found onthe water from the East Coast to the Great Lakes.After severalyears of production, fine examples of these cruisers are showing

up on the used boat market.SabreYachts have been building boats in Maine since the ’70s and they pride

themselves on their handcrafted quality and attention to detail.Our test boat, a2005 Sabre 42 Back Cove HT Express, is a prime example of this.As it holds trueto Down East-style yacht traditions, it is a perfect blend of ingredients that hasmade Sabre the success it is today.The exterior design of the Sabre is a blend of both traditional and modern ele-

ments that sets this boat apart from many in her class.While the design of thecoach house and bow with their teak accents may be traditional, the softer linesand angles found in the cockpit along with the stainless steel hardware are not.The moulded steps,wide side decks and high railings ensure a safe passage for-

ward to handle lines and ground tackle.As befits a serious cruising boat, SabreYachts has outfitted the 42 with a windlass, twin anchor rollers and oversized cleats.Boarding from high or low docks is easy from either the side decks or swim

platform.The cockpit is spacious and uncluttered since all gear can be hidden awayin the three in-deck storage lockers.The moulded-in, rear-facing seats with remov-able Sunbrella cushions are a nice touch.A key feature of the 42 HardTop Express is the helm deck,which not only

provides for expanded living space under the hardtop but also provides an unob-structed view all around for the Captain and crew due to its design and layout it.This will prove especially convenient when manoeuvring in tight quarters.With the aft canvas removed, the helm deck will be a real enjoyment on those

glorious summer days.The opening centre windshield, large sliding windows and

AS IT HOLDS TRUE TO

DOWN EAST-STYLE

YACHT TRADITIONS, IT IS

A PERFECT BLEND OF

INGREDIENTS THAT HAS

MADE SABRE THE SUC-

CESS IT IS TODAY.

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:52 PM


overhead hatch will keep the breezes flowing through.An extra on the 2005 was the optional teak sole in the helm deck. For relaxing

and entertaining, the helm deck features a large L-shaped settee to port with ahigh-low table for dining and a built-in tub chair and refreshment centre to star-board.

The multi-adjustable Stidd helm seats on this boat were an upgrade, sure to beappreciated by a new owner.The helm is nicely laid out with the navigation gearin the upper binnacle and the LCDs for the twin CAT diesels front and centre.Servicing any of the electronics or electrics down the road will be easy since theentire helm tilts forward for access.

Engine access is through the helm deck sole. Once down below, there is plentyof room around the Optional C9 Caterpillar diesels for servicing the engines andsystems.

Heading below, you’ll find a well-finished and appealing space, with cherry cab-inets and teak and holly sole.The L-shaped galley, which is located immediately toport, features a stainless steel sink, electric cooktop, under-counter refrigerator andample cabinetry

To starboard is the guest cabin with a settee that converts to a double berth.The single head has a separate shower stall and a one-piece fibreglass mould that

incorporates the vanity, allowing for quick cleaning.Forward, the master stateroom includes an island queen berth with large storage

drawers in the base, as well as plenty of additional storage in the cabinets and hang-ing locker.

The 42 HardTop Express has a modified deep-V hull that performs well, rising

CertifiedTESTResults

TEST BOAT ENGINETwin C9 Caterpillar Diesels, in-line, six-cylinder, 8.8 L, 538ci,Turbo

ACCELERATION(mph / sec)N/ATOP SPEED (rpm / mph)2510 / 35.1CRUISING SPEED(rpm / mph)1800 / 21.0 ; 2000 / 26.1

Length (LOA):42 ft 3 in / 12.88mBeam: 14 ft 4 in / 4.37mWeight: 30,000 lbs / 13,608 kgFuel: 450 gals / 1,703 litresPrice: $595,000

smoothly on plane and cruisingcomfortably between 20 and 25mph.Top speed was an impressive35 mph with the 503-hp C9CATs.

As can be expected with thisDown Easter, handling was excel-lent and confident.The lake wascalm on this particular test day, butit was clear the Sabre could handleeverything from light chop to two-to three-footers. Should the condi-tions turn sour, the extended hardtop provides plenty of room forthose seeking shelter without hav-ing to go below deck.

Down East-style yachts are trulya unique combination of designand function, offering both elegantaccommodations and efficientcruising.With models like theSabre 42 HardTop Express comingon the used market, they are nowsomewhat more attainable.�

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:52 PM

C


used boat review | 2000 Cruisers 4270 Esprit

ruisersYachts has developed a solid reputation for buildingstylish and well-engineered yachts, particularly with theirmotor yachts and express cruisers. I recently had theopportunity to take a look at a 2000 Cruisers 4270 Esprit, a

model the company manufactured from 1997 to 2003.The 4270 was the largest express model in the Cruisers fleet at its time.This

model was very popular,most notably for it two-stateroom layout down below.The 4270 later evolved into the 440 express and later the 460,which is still inproduction today.The Cruisers 4270 Esprit is solidly built on a fully cored hull, which incorpo-

rates a wide beam of 14 feet.The sporty profile of the 4270 is accented by herlong foredeck and stylish reverse arch.Our test boat was fitted with an optionalhydraulic swim platform,which I think is a great feature on a boat this size.Notonly is it a handy feature for launching and retrieving a tender or PWC, you canalso partially lower the lift to make an easy-to-use swimming platform.A walk-thru transom to port leads to the spacious cockpit, where you find a

large U-shaped lounge off to starboard.Adjacent to the lounge is an entertain-ment centre, complete with a full wet bar.Forward and to port, an L-shaped lounge offers up more seating for guests.To

starboard, the operator can enjoy the comfort of a large double helm seat.Thedash is very well laid out and there is ample room to flush-mount electronics.A

By Mike Burns

ITS SLEEK AND

CONTEMPORARY

STYLING, GENEROUS

ACCOMMODATION

LAYOUT DOWN BELOW,

AND AMPLE ROOM IN

THE COCKPIT WILL BE A

SURE HIT FOR A

CRUISING FAMILY


Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:52 PM


BBAYSVILLE MARIINNAABaysville, ON


DDUNNDAASS MMARRINEEDundas, ON

Tel: 905-522-5081 877-462-3216

www.dundasmarine.ca

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:52 PM


series of analog gauges adorn the upper tier of the dash, andyou’ll also find a recessed area with a clear plastic cover tostore charts and other papers.To the left of the dash, there is afunctions set of moulded steps that lead up to the walk-thruwindshield for convenient access to the bow.

One of the impressive features about this model is theinterior layout down below – in particular, the two state-rooms.At amidships, the second stateroom features an ensuitehead and a full privacy door.The mid-cabin is fitted with twosingle beds that can also convert into a single king-size bed,and is generally much larger than that found on other simi-larly sized express cruisers. In fact, Cruisers actually raised thelevel of the cockpit sole on later models, creating even moreroom in this area.With the added space, this cabin was trans-formed into the master stateroom. In this particular boat,however, the master stateroom is still located forward.

In the 4270’s main salon, there is a comfortable U-shapedlounge off to port with plenty of room to accommodate sev-eral guests.Adjacent to the lounge you’ll find a spacious headthat is fitted with a separate shower stall.

Aft of the head, there is an impressive galley area thatoffers plenty of storage spaces above and below the counter.Other galley features include a 3⁄4-size fridge and freezer,ceramic cooktop, and a built-in microwave below the coun-tertop.

A variety of engine packages were available for thismodel, both gas and diesel.Our test boat was fitted with apair of 8.2-litre Crusader MPI gasoline inboards, equippedwithV-drives.Advancing the throttles, the 4270 came onplane in 7.2 seconds.At 3500 rpm,we attainted a comfort-able cruising speed of 22.1 mph, and atWOT we hit a topspeed of 33.1 mph.

If you’re ready to take the next step and move up to alarger express cruiser, you should certainly consider theCruisers 4270 Esprit. Its sleek and contemporary styling, gen-erous accommodation layout down below, and ample roomin the cockpit will be a sure hit for a cruising family – or forsomeone interested in keeping a large group of guests fullyentertained on the water all day long.�

CertifiedTESTResults

POWER/PERFORMANCETest boat engine: Twin 8.2L Crusader MPI, V8,gasoline inboardsCruising speed (rpm/mph): 2500 / 11.4 ; 3000 /15.8 ; 3500 / 22.1Time on plane: 7.2 secondsTop speed (rpm/mph): 4400 / 33.1Sound level at cruise (3500 rpm): 92 dbASound level at WOT: 98 dbA

SPECIFICATIONSLength (LOA): 44 ft / 13.41 mBeam: 14 ft / 4.27 mDraft: 3 ft 6 in / 1.07 mFuel capacity: 400 gals / 1,516 litresWater capacity: 100 gals / 379 litresUsed Boat Price Range: $170,000 to $200,000

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:52 PM

DDEEEERRBBRROOOOKK MMAARRIINNAASt. Joachim, ON

Tel: 519-728-1123www.deerbrookmarina.com

BBAAYYSSVVIILLLLEE MMAARRIINNAABaysville, ON


BBAAYY CCIITTYY MMAARRIINNEEHamilton, ON.

Tel: 905-574-12221-866-490-1222

www.baycitymarine.ca


Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:52 PM

on theshelf

New Picture Book for TinyBoaters

Looking for a great way to intro-duce the little members of your crew toboating? NicholasAgro’s My First PictureBook of BoatingWords may just be theperfect addition to your bookshelf.

This unique boating book foryoung children contains vibrantcolour photos of boating items,along with the name of each itembelow it. It covers powerboats and sail-boats as well as fishing and other water-

related items.The focus of the book is on teaching children a true boating vocabulary.

Some of the photos in this 24-page book include powerboat, sailboat, dinghy, lifejacket, lighthouse, seagull,marina,harbour and anchor.

An avid boater for 17 years,Agro came up with the idea for the book whilehe was reading picture books to his young son.When he could not find a picturebook of boating words,Agro decided to create his own.

My First Picture Book of BoatingWords is available for purchase in Canada onAmazon.ca.

Seattle Sling Keeps Camera DryBoating shutterbugs need not fear the water any more with CameraArmor’s

new Seattle Sling.This waterproof camera bag, the first in the company’s new line of Seattle

Series bags, features complete protection from the elements, featuring interiordry-bag technology that provides weather-proof protection in addition to impactsafety.The proven dry-bag technology even protects contents when the bag isfully emerged in water.The Seattle Sling protects camera gear from weather,waterand dirt,while providing quick access to equipment.

Product features and benefits include:• Weather and water protection via interior

dry-bag technology• Impact protection in the padded

box inside the dry bag• Adjustable dividers• Multiple compartments, inside

and out• Ergonomic design for comfort-

able wear with padded strap andback support

• Hide-away stabilizer strap keepsbag in place during activity

• Flexible double stitching providesdurability in rough conditions andextended useGo to www.cameraarmor.com to find

a retailer near you.

GREATfinds



Yamaha GeneratorProvides Power For AnyOccasion

Powerful enough to run most resi-dential well pumps, the all-newYamahaEF6300iSDE generator is perfect forconsumers – whether they are on wellwater, are self-sufficient or just want tobe prepared.

Designed as a home standby model,the EF6300iSDE has dual 120/240 voltoutput and more power than previousinverter models.Additionally, it canpower a freezer and electric waterheater for more than five hours on onetank of gas.

Yamaha’s PulseWidth Modulationinverter system produces electricityclean or cleaner than residential power.As a result, the EF6300iSDE is suitableto run computers, satellite television,

DVD and other electronic equip-ment and appliances.

Although it is designedfor home back-up, theEF6300iSDE is also superbfor use at construction sites,

hunting camps, recreationalvehicles, vendor trailers or any-where that clean,quiet poweris needed.

“We’re really excited tobring the EF6300iSDE into

Canada and theYamaha generatorlineup,” said Rick Layzell ofYamahaMotor Canada.“It’s perfect for the

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:52 PM

HHULLLY GUULLY THE ULTIMATE BOATT SSTOOREELondon, ON

Tel: 519-685-8045888-253-2320

www.hullygully.com

GOORDDONN BBAAYY MMARRINEEMacTier, ON

Tel: 705-375-2623www.gordonbay.com


Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:52 PM

VISITYOUR LOCAL ZODIAC DEALERto view the 2009 models

CCO2 INFLATABLESOakville, ON


COO22 IINFLLAATTAABBLLEESSMidland, ON


BBRIIDDGEE YAACHHTSSPort Dover, ON

Tel: 519-583-3199www.bridgeyachts.com

Canadian customer. Apart from our regular homes, Canadiansown a lot of cottages, hunting camps, farms or secondary build-ings where unexpected power outages can cause a lot of aggrava-tion. The EF6300iSDE gives these customers both peace of mindand power in case of an outage – not to mention it runs so quiet-ly they’ll forget that they’re on back up power.”

Most generators need to run at full speed regardless of thepower demand. Yamaha’s Smart Throttle technology automaticallyadjusts the engine’s speed to match power demand, which meansthe EF6300iSDE is perfect for standby operation. A typical gener-ator would need to run at full speed all night long to make sure arefrigerator has the power it needs when it cycles, but theEF6300iSDE will idle quietly until its power is needed. Thismeans you’ll have less noise, fuel consumption and engine wear.

The EF6300iSDE’s electric start and automatic choke makestarting easy.

The EF6300iSDE will be available for purchase at your localYamaha generator dealer in January 2009. For more informationand to find your closest dealer, visit www.yamaha-motor.ca.

Contemporary Interpretation of a ClassicEra

Inspired by the exuberant sport boats of an era where style andpanache held sway, Clarion Boats is pleased to present its latestdesign, the RA 23 Barrelback.

The warmth and beauty of gleaming mahogany, sumptuousleather and sparkling chrome are combined with modern build-ing techniques and powertrains to offer carefree and excitingboating in a manner to which you will become accustomed.

Built without compromise, the Clarion 23 RA 23 is tomor-row’s classic today. Powered by a 300-hp MerCruiser 350Magnum, the RA 23 delivers performance and excitement thatcan raise the heartbeat on demand.

For more information or to order your boat, please contact:Muskoka – Bruce Clealand, Gordon Bay Marine, (705) 375-2623Kawartha Lakes – Bill Paris, Paris Marine, (705) 750-5902Manufacturer – Dwight Boyd, Clarion Boats, (705) 653-3820

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:52 PM

MMAAPPLLEE CCIITTYY MMAARRIINNEEChatham, ON


RRIIVVEERRSSIIDDEE MMAARRIINNAADunnville, ON

Tel: 905-774-3199www.riversidemarina.ca

HHUUNNTTSSVVIILLLLEE MMAARRIINNEEHuntsville, ON

Tel: 705-789-5522www.huntsvillemarine.com

DDOONN HHYYDDEE MMAARRIINNEEHagersville ON

Tel: 905-768-3267www.donhydemarine.com

New Sterndrive From YanmarMarine

The propulsion system is the heart of anyboat. That’s why it’s no surprise owners willdemand high-performance, reliable, durableand eco-responsible sterndrives.

For just such demands, Yanmar Marine USACorp. introduces the all-new ZT350. Bringingtogether leading-edge engines and drives, theZT350 sterndrive is the perfect match forYanmar’s BY and LP diesel engines.

Ideal for new installations or repowering,the hydrodynamic ZT350 features an innova-tive hydraulic clutch for exceptional smooth-ness. Precision-forged gears provide an extra-long service life, while two counter-rotatingpropellers supply superb handling and tighttracking. Large rudder dimensions offer han-dling on both single and twin engine boats.

Incredibly quiet, the easy-to-maintainZT350 sterndrive provides advanced corrosionprotection. With the same installation sizes aspreviously-fitted drives, it employs powersteering, power trim and a through-hubexhaust for lower back pressure. �

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:53 PM

QA


QA

QA

askus

I’m reading more often about pontoons that can reachspeeds of up to 50 mph. Given my experience with these boats,I just don’t understand how this is safe – or even possible.What, if any, advancements have been made to change the han-dling and manoeuvrability of these new pontoons?

Tracey Howe, Ottawa ON

Pontoons have come a very long way from just long aluminum tubes.As boaters desire more speed and performance, manufacturers are addingmore to the pontoons to meet these demands. Lifting strakes,V-keels anda third centre pontoon are often added to help ’toons plane and track. Inmost tri-toon models, the centre log is mounted lower, essentially achiev-ing aV-hull for better banking and overall handling.While a pontoonboat will never be exactly like a runabout, you can rest assured that theyhave advanced tenfold, and driving these more agile ’toons is a greatexperience.

I want to install fender cleats on my fibreglass bowrider.How do I drill the holes for the mounting screws?

Phil Moore,Vancouver BC

Drilling holes in fibreglass is quite easy if you take care. First tape offthe work area with masking tape, then mark the holes. Using new sharpdrill bits follow these steps. Select a small bit for a pilot hole and startdrilling the pilot hole with the drill in reverse to score the gel coat with-out cracking it. Next, with the drill in forward, slowly drill the hole.Switch to the correct size drill bit and repeat the process. Finally, cleanout the top of the hole with a counter sink bit or oversized bit to relievestress on the gel coat.

I have a 32 Carver. My bilge pump was going off every halfhour late last season. I finally found out it was from the shaft.Should I get the marina to fix it or can I?

Mark Wilson, Markham ON

I am assuming you don’t have dripless shafts.As such, there is packingthat allows a small amount of water to lubricate the shaft as it enters theoutside of the boat.This packing wears down over time.You can take thecotter pins out and tighten the nut. Depending on the size, you can findan inexpensive adjustable wrench in any hardware store.Tighten it down ahalf turn before launch; then tighten slowly until there is no water com-ing out while at the dock.When underway, there should be about a dripevery 30 seconds.You can back it off at the dock, quarter turn at a time,until the right amount comes out underway. If you tighten the nut downas far as it will go and water still comes out at the dock, you need torepack the shaft. ONLY DO THIS WHILE THE BOAT IS OUT OFTHE WATER.The packing is flax. If you have any water coming out ofdripless shafts, get to a dock and consult a marine mechanic.These shaftlogs need periodic maintenance and failure is serious.

BBRRIIDDGGEE YYAACCHHTTSSPort Dover, ON

Tel: 519-583-3199www.bridgeyachts.com

CC..AA..SS.. PPOOWWEERR MMAARRIINNEECambridge, ON

Tel: 519-623-2372www.casmarine.com



GGEEOORRGGIIAANN BBAAYY MMAARRIINNAAParry Sound, ON

Tel: 705-746-9559www.georgianbaymarina.ca

HHAAPPPPYY DDAAYYSS BBOOAATT CCEENNTTRREEWindsor, ON

Tel: 519-969-2129www.happydaysboatcentre.com

KKAATTRRIINNEE MMAARRIINNEEKatrine, ON

Tel: 705-382-3806www.katrinemarine.ca

MMAARRIINNEE PPLLAAZZAAOrillia, ON.

Tel: 705-329-1646www.marineplaza.ca

LLUUKKEE TTOOWWNN SSEERRVVIICCEEEli, MB

Tel: 204-353-2020www.luketownservice.comaskus!

If we include your question in the magazine, you will get your choiceof a FREE DVD from our Discover Cruising series.

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Barrie ON Canada L4N 0R2

Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:53 PM


Winter_2009:Winter 2005 12/17/08 2:53 PM

2009 issue - boats & places magazine

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