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contents Fall/Winter ’10

MAGAZINEVOLUME XXXI, NUMBER 8

BoatingWorld July/August 2009

F E AT U R E S

V I D E O

Editor’s Letter The summer of oil

Mailbox Letters from ourreaders

Currents Bits from theboating world

Engines Gauges get aface-lift

Trailering Howcutting corners canlead to disaster

DIY Installing a side-scantransducer

Watersports OffshorePWC racers take a beating

Ask the Experts Ourpanel of experts answersyour questions

BoneheadBlunders Mistakes

no boater should make

Contest: Sudoku Win apolisher pack fromShurhold

Gear The lat-est accessories,gadgets andelectronics

Coast Guard How toavoid carbon monoxide

poisoning

Seamanship Cold-weather safety tips

Contest: Name the Boat Win a set

of waterproof speakersfrom West Marine

D E PA R T M E N T S

BOATS TESTED

Premier 250 IntriguePerformance pontooning at its most luxurious

Four Winns SL262European refinement in aMichigan-made package

Tahoe 228 The deckboat that does

it all

Cobalt 296 The ultimate weekend warrior

America’s Great LoopClimb aboard for an epic journey around eastern North America

Green CleaningA roundup of our favorite“green” cleaning products

The Dog Days of SummerTons of photos of your saltydogs

Premier 250 IntriguePerformance pontooningat its most luxurious

Apex Marine is the world’s leading manufacturer of COMPACT and electric powered pontoon boats that are easy to trailer, easy to maneuver and ideal for smaller lakes, smaller budgets and smaller outboards. Perfect for cruising or fishing and stable in the water, our pontoons are a great alternative to larger boats or V-hulls. See our extensive line of Qwest and Gillgetter Compact Pontoon Boats on our website or call for a brochure. Dealer inquiries welcome.

The Exper ience is Except ionalGO COMPACT

QUALITYS A F E G U A R D

Our exclusive Quality Safeguard program ensures every Apex Marine Pontoon Boat passes a rigorous inspection process prior to shipping.


BoatingWorld Fall/Winter 2010

For many boaters, the Gulf ofMexico is their playground. But theevents since April 20 have changedthat, and I know I’m not the only oneshaking my head and wondering howthis could have happened.

BP is leading the rush to tapdeep-water oil in the Gulf, with areputation for high-risk, high-reward enterprises (it’s the onlymajor oil company to express aninterest in working in Iraq, for exam-ple). The U.S. government has beenactively promoting deep-waterdrilling and subsidizes companiesfor drilling deep, thanks to its royaltyrelief program.

The problem — as demonstratedby the Deepwater Horizon disaster —is that regulation was practicallynonexistent. Before a company candrill, it must submit a proposaltelling what would happen in theevent of a blowout, and BP’s 52-pagereport made for some interestingreading. Unfortunately, it was largelyfiction.

In the report, BP claimed it couldskim 491,721 barrels of oil per dayfrom the surface of the water, but 77days into the disaster we learned thatonly 67,143 barrels had beenskimmed, total. BP also claimed thatoil dispersants are 90 percent effec-

tive, when in reality it’s more like 30percent. Peter Lutz, who died in 2005,was listed as a “wildlife expert” onthe BP team, and the document evendescribed the wildlife that could beaffected, such as sea lions, seals andwalruses — none of which lives in theGulf.

Even with all the misinformationin the document, there was one criti-cal element missing altogether: howBP would stop a blowout. It’s clearthat no one actually read this ridicu-lous report, which would have beenouted had it been written forWikipedia.

After watching the fumbling andbumbling while trying to cap thewell, it became clear there was noworkable plan in place other than todrill a relief well, which BP proudlystated was slightly ahead of schedule.As Bill Maher might say, new rule: Ifyou open a hole in the bottom of theocean, you must be able to close it.Period.

It also turns out that the MineralsManagement System (MMS) was notjust in charge of overseeing safety,but was also responsible for negoti-ating and collecting money for newleases. More wells approved meansmore money generated, and thatcreates a huge conflict of interest. A

editor’s letter alan jones

THE DEBACLE IN THE GULFFree reign for oil exploration in the Gulf isproving costly to our waterways

BY ALAN JONES

I saw it in July as I was flying to Sea Ray’sAquaPalooza signature event from Tampato Austin over the Gulf of Mexico: The Spill,

which is a ridiculous word for what I was lookingat from 30,000 feet. The word “spill” should bereserved for describing small amounts of milk, notthis gigantic sheen laced with rusty brown tendrilsthat stretched for hundreds of miles.


+BW Editors Message May10 9/1/10 4:15 PM Page 8

good first step was taken in June bySecretary of the Interior Ken Salazarwhen the MMS was divided intothree entities: the Bureau of OceanEnergy Management, the Bureau ofSafety and EnvironmentalEnforcement, and the Office ofNatural Resource Revenue. Salazarwas touted as the “new sheriff intown” who was going to clean up themess, but the fact that there haven’tbeen wholesale firings in response todecades of bureaucratic ineptitudeand corruption might lead one tobelieve it’s situation normal.

The bottom line is that we needoil, and if we can get it domestically,all the better. Deep-water drilling inthe Gulf of Mexico isn’t likely to goaway, but if we drill, we have to do itsafely, because we can’t afford anoth-er disaster like this. The cleanup ofthis spill … er … catastrophic disas-ter, which was the equivalent of anExxon Valdez dump every five days,will take many years to accomplish;and things may never be the same.

People who are involved in cuttingsafety corners and disregarding proce-dures to keep drilling from going overbudget or falling behind schedule needto be given 10-year “timeouts” in prisonas a lesson that when it comes to pro-tecting our priceless environment;gambling isn’t allowed.

It’s time for us to take a moreactive role, by legislatively creating atask force of people with the properequipment to inspect wells and thelegal power to take action in emer-gencies such as Deepwater Horizon,all paid for by those drilling in theGulf. I have a feeling we’re going toneed it: The Gulf of Mexico has about7,000 active leases, of which 64 per-cent are in deep water, up to twicethe depth of Deepwater Horizon. Wehave drilled about 50,000 wells since1947, but there are more than 27,000that have been plugged and aban-doned and aren’t being monitored.Yeesh. BW


BoatingWorld.com

+BW Editors Message May10 9/1/10 4:20 PM Page 9


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MAGAZINEBoatingWorld.com

Tip of the DayDaily updates with sage wisdom every boater should know.

Boating World magazine supports responsible forestmanagement, which protects habitat for threatened andendangered species, fosters prompt reforestation and iscommitted to protecting water quality.

New VideosAquaPalooza, Lake ofthe Ozarks Shootout,owner cruises andmore

ForumsConnect with theboating community

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+BW Masthead.Online 9/2/10 2:03 PM Page 6

Sound System with Transom Speakers, Remote, Subwoofer, and Amplifier (Optional)

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Bench Seat with Livewell (with Fishing Package)

Secure Your Gear In Convenient Underseat Storage

Bow Fishing Seats (with Fishing Package)

Custom Fiberglass Console with Instrumentation, Windshield and Custom Steering Wheel

Double Splashguards to Deflect Water Away from Boat

INTRODUCING YOUR NEXT BOAT.

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incoming

MAILBOX Letters from our readers

Ready for RegulationI just read your article on boater

licensing/education (Editor’s Letter,July/August 2010). While I agree with

you on the pervasive cost, I am readyfor some required education and cer-tification.

I have been boating for manyyears, and the number of peoplewithout regard to safety and courtesyon the water has gotten out of con-trol. A few years ago I was hit —although lightly — by a PWC beingdriven by a novice. Fortunately, theyoung lady was wearing a PFD andhad slowed down for traffic, but it wasstill scary because for a moment shedisappeared off her PWC.

I attended a Coast Guard boatingsafety course voluntarily and found itto be highly valuable. I sent my sons-in-law to the same course so they’llhave a better understanding of thesafety issue. Thanks for the articleand for your advocacy.

Mike Kelly, Joliet, Ill.

Avoid Battery DrainIn your June 2010 edition you had

a great article on stereo installation,but here’s a tip your readers may notknow about: Most car and boatamplifiers use a lot of power, whetherthey are being played loud or soft.Our local stereo shop installed a Class

D amplifier in my boat that plays justas loud (or louder) than the otherclasses, but uses a fraction of thepower when anchored at the localsandbar for hours without running

The most pervasive trend is theever-increasing mandate for formalboater education. This year NorthCarolina and Florida joined the 39other states that require some or allof the boating population to pass astate certified test. Florida requiresanyone younger than 21 to becomecertified, while in North Carolina, allboaters younger than 26 must pass atest to avoid getting a ticket whiledriving a boat.

I checked to see what sort of train-ing is available and most are Internetcourses that cost around $30 — if youpass — and there’s no limit to howmany times you can take it. I’ve taken afew and found most to be puffed upwith unnecessary information. Thegood news is that most marine insur-ance programs offer a discounted rateto boaters who have successfully com-pleted a safety course.

Even more good news: BothNorth Carolina and Florida (alongwith many other states) accept theBoatU.S. Foundation’s (a nonprofitorganization) training course, whichis approved by the NationalAssociation of State Boating LawAdministrators (NASBLA) and is rec-ognized by the U.S. Coast Guard asexceeding the minimum require-ments for its National RecreationalBoating Safety Program. Best of all,

it’s free. Unfortunately, 11 states stilldon’t accept this training.

I strongly urge everyone in thestates that do recognize the BoatU.S.course to take the class (I passed it inabout an hour). The proof of trainingcard is a good thing to have in yourwallet if you’re a trailer adventurer,because many places will accept otherstates’ certificates. You can find the linkto the course on BoatingWorld.comunder the “Resources” tab. To locateyour state’s boating laws, go to boa-tus.org/onlinecourse and click on“check the regulations.”

Some states, such as Connecticut,New Hampshire, New Jersey and NewYork, require that boating safety cours-es be completed in a classroominstead of online. This route is farmore expensive, not to mention thelogistics of juggling classroom timewith your busy schedule.

New York takes this law to theextreme by mandating that everyoneoperating a PWC in the state — includ-ing visitors — attend an eight-hourclassroom course that costs $70 at mostprivate venues. Instead of education,this seems more like a disingenuousway to limit PWCs and eviscerate therental industry. I’m all for enhancedtraining, but it shouldn’t be a profit cen-ter for the private sector, because if thisbecomes a cash cow, you can bet we

editor’s letter alan jones

BLUE-LIGHT SPECIALNew boating laws could cause an unwanted,two-boat raft-up

BY ALAN JONES

This year saw a new batch of state boating lawspassed, which continues the trend of increasedboater regulation. While some of the laws

seem fairly innocuous, others may seem to be anunwelcome foot in the door. Law enforcement offi-cers tend to write warnings for the first few months,but now that summer is in full swing, expect thosewarnings to become citations that could smack you right upside the wallet.



+BW Letters FallWinter10 8/26/10 11:08 AM Page 8

incoming

the engine or banks of extra batteries.Jim Prezorski, Fairport, N.Y.

Summer Vacation in the GulfDespite what we saw on the news

reports each night, my family and Ichose to spend our Fourth of Julyvacation on the Gulf Coast, in Ft.Morgan Beach, Ala. We took some

“before and after” photos of what thebeach looked like when we got there

and when we left. What a contrast!The wooden planks were put in placeJuly 3 to support the heavy equip-ment moving onto the beach to helpthe cleanup effort.

Overall, people were working veryhard to counter the disaster. There’s alot more oil out there, but the beachstill looked pretty good when we were

there.Woody Snell, Deatsville, Ala.

Thanks for the pho-tos,Woody! A lot has hap-pened since our last issue,and the forum atBoatingWorld.com hasbeen buzzing with talkabout the oil crisis (wedon’t think the word “spill”accurately describes the sit-uation) and what can bedone to clean the water.

From sportfishers to cruisers, virtuallyall boaters who would typically find

sanctuary in the Gulf ’s warm watershave been affected by the broken oilwell.

We want to hear from more readersabout your experience in the Gulf thissummer. If you have photos or storiesyou’d like to share, e-mail them to [email protected].

Send us your gripes, criticisms,ideas or whatever is on your mind.Please understand that we can’tanswer everyone personally.

BY MAILWrite to the Editor at Boating World,17782 Cowan, Suite A, Irvine, CA 92614.

FAX OR E-MAILFax us at (949) 660-6172; or e-mail us [email protected]. Letters musthave the writer’s full name, signature(unless e-mailed) and city of origin. Wereserve the right to edit for the availablespace.

How to reach us:


+BW Letters FallWinter10 8/26/10 11:09 AM Page 9

currents news and notablesby Kristal Seeden

Conceived alongside famed fashionhouses Versace, Prada and Dolce &Gabbana, the Sessa S26 is unques-tionably Italian. Milanese builderSessa Marine is known for producinghigh-caliber craft with chic designs,and the smallest member of itsCruiser line is no exception. Theseductive lines and strong perform-ance of the S26 are matched only byits pragmatic layout.

At 25 feet, 1 inch, the trailerableday cruiser is perfect for a family out-ing or a couple’s weekend retreat,

beginning with itsfunctional deck

arrangement. Starting atthe stern, the S26’s aft sun-

pad can be extended by foldingthe lounge backrest. The L-shaped

salon seating becomes a full C whenthe two-person helm seat is reversed,and a table top is cleverly stored onthe bottom of the engine hatch for acomplete dining environment. Anaisle extending from the swim plat-form to a windshield walk-throughleads past the starboard helm to thebow, where an optional sunbathingcushion can be placed. Alongside thecorridor is a mini galley to port, hous-ing a sink, prep surface and cabinet.

Belowdecks is where the S26 reallyshows its fierce efficiency with someseriously creative space maximization.A large forward double berth makesuse of the 8-foot, 5-inch beam for acomfortable stay on board.

Amidships, the cabin offers a mini-malist head compartment to star-board and a multipurpose cabinet to

port. The simplehead encom-passes an elec-tric-flush toiletand a naturaloak vanity with astainless sink,while the dex-terous cup-board, also innatural oak for acohesive look, acts as a wardrobe,secondary galley and housing for anoptional stereo system. In the powerdepartment, the S26 is offered withyour choice of a 5.0L or 5.7L Volvo V-8sterndrive, putting top speed between31 and 33 mph.

With its runway-ready looks andpractical nature, the Sessa S26 isalways in vogue. For more informa-tion, call Sessa’s American headquar-ters in Dania Beach, Fla., at (954) 925-1955 or visit sessamarine.com.


The SessaS26 packs

Italian looksand luxury in a

trailerable package.

Fashion Forward...and Aft

+BW Currents 9/1/10 1:55 PM Page 10

W hile FLIR has made its reputation by help-ing people find their way safely in the dark,lately that same technology has become one

of the best tools in the help to clean up the disastrousoil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Forward Looking Infrared(FLIR) records minute differences in the temperature signature of objectsto produce a vivid picture of what’s out there — even in total darkness.Since oil has a different temperature signature than water, crews can bat-tle the oil on the darkest of nights while safely avoiding hazardousobstructions. In daylight hours FLIR can help crews see the oil in blindinglighting situations. The same technology is available to boaters in FLIR’sFirst Mate, a handheld unit that costs $2,995. Information: flir.com.

BoatingWorld.com

B1G NUM3ERSAngling Economics

1.1 Billions of dollars anglers spend on bait each year

1,031,697 Jobs supported

by the sportfishing industry

17 Millions of anglers who fish from boats

300 Percentage of revenue that fishing produces vs.

oranges in Florida

8.6 million Dollarsspent by

fishermen and hunters per hour

currents news and notables

SALTY DOG OF THE MONTH

iToonsNew from Dave Scadden’s Premium Pontoon Craft,

the 2011 Challenger XXX inflatable pontoon is a hard-core angler’s dream. The versatile boat can be assembled

in a variety of ways to accommodate one person, two adultsor two adults and two kids, depending on the choice of Lazer

X frame. The exclusive Alcoa aluminum frames are outfitted withthe ultra-stable Lazer-Lok standing system, and a one-person frame

boasts room for 1,000 pounds of gear. Normally installed facing the pontoonends, the frames can be reversed and a motor can be added for Zodiac-styleoperation. The rough-and-tough ‘toon’s light weight and heavy-duty construc-tion make it capable of being carried to remote mountain lakes or used as aClass V whitewater rapids boat. The Challenger XXX is available for $3,200-$3,500 from North Fork Outdoors; (801) 392-5404 or northforkoutdoors.com.

DOG: CaseyOWNERS: Becky and Jay Cable,Seaford, Va.

Calling all Salty Dogs:Send your picture to Bobby foryour chance to win aSportsStuff tow toy. ContactBobby at [email protected] or Boating World,Salty Dog, 17782 Cowan, SuiteA, Irvine, CA 92614. Pleaseinclude a photo, along withyour name, your dog’s name,address and phone number.

WIN THIS!

FLIR The Latest Weapon in the Gulf Oil Spill Cleanup

Axis Powers

Stemming from frustrations with the motor on hisown boat, South African entrepreneur Mike BeachyHead set out to improve the efficiency of marine

propulsion. The result was a totally new concept: the Axis Drive.The most notable difference is its mounting method. Designed to

go through the transom and be mounted at a 45-degree angle instead ofthe usual 13, the stainless steel Axis frees upstern space. Its integral closed cooling systemprevents salt water from ever entering theengine. The Axis’ electrohydraulic cone clutchensures silky-smooth shifting, and unsightlyhoses and rams are kept behind the scenes byits integrated trim and tilt hydraulics.Caudwell Marine’s Axis Drive comes in bothgas and diesel models, ranging from 250 to400 hp. Information: caudwellmarine.com.




The deal was just too good topass up.” Much to the chagrinof many a classic boat enthu-

siast’s spouse, this line of reasoningis often the reason a rotting hull anda pile of greasy parts are sitting inthe driveway. That’s exactly howJoseph Sencey’s Black Widow cameto be. The 1973 Checkmate MX-15was a decaying heap when hebought it in the summer of 2009.The transom was rotted through,

the original Mercurystraight-6 motor hadseized and the seatswere destroyed; ifyou’d sat on them,you would have fallenthrough the boat’sdecomposing sole.“But it was only$200!”

At the time hebought the boat,the now-22-year-old was a boatyardmechanic inGibraltar, Mich.The Checkmate

had been sitting in the yard for amonth when the owner of a fiberglassshop next door waltzed in and said hewouldn’t take no for an answer: He’dteach Sencey how to restore it, Senceywould pay for parts and materials, andby the end of winter the Checkmatewould be a new boat.

Working as a volunteer, Senceylearned the restoration process onthe spot. He helped to build a newtransom and install a new light,rubrail, carpet and seats. But it waspainting that really got his atten-tion. He spent countless hourssanding Black Widow; even after hefinished the ornate paint job, therewas still more sanding. Sencey esti-mates he and the shop completed$3,000 worth of repairs, plus $8,000for his paint job — quite a deal con-sidering he spent a total of $900after his initial purchase.

It was his first restoration, butthe project developed into a newhobby — and a job; he was eventu-ally hired at the shop. Sencey is alsogoing to school for electrical engi-neering, but he admits he’s beenhappily caught in a web of passionfor classic boats.

For boat manufacturer deals and incentives, go toBoatingWorld.com

$

The Widow-Maker

Name: Black WidowEngine: 75 hp Johnson StingerLength: 14 feet, 11 inchesCruising speed: 40 mphMaterial: Fiberglass

■ Classic Boat 1973 Checkmate MX-15

A 1977 75 hpJohnson Stingerreplaced theoriginal Merc.

FLOATING FOOD

Skippered snack shacks are every-where, providing good eats towaterlogged foodies on lakes,

rivers, bays and harbors. Here are afew mouth-watering examples:� Hot dog boats sell wieners, fajitas and Philly cheesesteaks to lake boaters in Michigan, Missouri,Kentucky, Florida and Illinois. � Michigan’s SS Pizza is equippedwith an oven and a full kitchen, withdinghies delivering hot pies boatside. � A buoyant barista peddles coffeeand muffins in Australia’s SydneyHarbour. � Lucky boaters in Virginia are privyto an ice cream boat.� The sweet aromas of homemadecinnamon buns and fresh bread fillMontague Harbour off Galiano Island,B.C., all emanating from the BakeryBoat.� Iowa boaters on the MississippiRiver can get a tasty hamburger freshoff the grill aboard the Burger Boat.No mayo please.

CLUED IN

In the event of an onboard fire,positioning your boat down-wind may keep the flames

from spreading. If the fire is aft,head into the wind; if it’s in thebow, put the stern into the wind.

“m

iam

ism

.com


© 2010 ACE Group. Coverages underwritten by one or more of the ACE Group of Companies. Not all coverages available in all jurisdictions.

in seas tranquil and turbulent,

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It takes the right people, a strong balance sheet, superior claims handling and local market experience to address the risks of the marine industry.These are the strengths of ACE. We take on the responsibility of risks so that you can take on the responsibility of making things happen. We call this insuring progress. Visit us at www.acemarineinsurance.com to locate an agent or broker in your area.

Yachts Boats Sport Fishing Vessels



F R O M T H E P O O P D E C K

DEAR BOBBY: On arecent Colorado Riverexcursion, our black Lab

had the time of his life splashingaround, but a couple of days later hewas howling in pain and favoring hisrear. We noticed the base of his tailwas swollen, and his entire tail justhung limply. The vet said it was“swimmer’s tail.” Ever heard of it?Ryan and Chelsea Marshall,Bullhead City, Nev.

Swimmer’s tail, also knownas limber tail and cold

water tail, is a common afflictionfor sporting dogs and hounds,especially Labs, golden retrieversand beagles. It’s kind of similar totennis elbow in people. Althoughit’s not a serious condition, it cancause agonizing pain. Swimmer’stail shows up suddenly and can becharacterized by swelling at thetail base, and a flaccidly hangingtail (not tucked under) or a tail thatsticks out straight for a few inchesand then hangs down. The condi-tion is brought on by activities thatrequire more tail muscle use thanusual (i.e., swimming), or contactwith exceptionally cold or warmwater — even a bath. Vets usuallyprescribe an anti-inflammatoryand some quiet time; the injureddog will most likely feel betterwithin two to four days.

Have a question about your saltydog? Ask Bobby by [email protected] or writeto Boating World/Ask Bobby, 17782Cowan, Suite A, Irvine, CA 92614.

?

Ask Bobby:Advice for Your Pet on Board

Did You Know?

Join the RanksT he U.S. Coast Guard wants

YOU! To help maintain thesecurity of our waters, the CoastGuard created America’sWaterway Watch. Similar to land-based Neighborhood Watch, theprogram calls on boaters to keeptheir eyes peeled for strange orsuspicious behavior. The way the

Coast Guard sees it, if you spend a lot of time on the water, you know what’snormal and what’s not. To report unusual activity, call (877) 24-WATCH. Moreinformation: americaswaterwaywatch.com.

▲

?

The Great Lakescover a surface area of 95,000square miles and hold an esti-mated 6 quadrillion gallons ofwater. That’s about 90 percentof the U.S. freshwater supply.

Tightwad Tips• Trailer Tires When a trailer tire is needed in a pinch — in mid-vaca-tion, for example — call trailer mechanics in the area and ask if there’s aspare, lightly used tire laying around. Be sure to find one with a matchingbolt pattern. Making due with a used tire could not only save about $200, it’seco-friendly.

• Cleaning White vinegar is a cheap, effective cleaner and deodorizer.Soak the toilet bowl in the head with white vinegar overnight to removewaterline stains or pour a cup of baking soda, followed by a cup of hot dis-tilled white vinegar, down the sink drain and rinse after five minutes.



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engines displays

On DisplaySmart displays are lighting up the world of engine monitoring


Yamaha � Command Link Plus is Yamaha’s newestentry into the engine information worldand uses a 5-inch, high-resolution LCDcolor screen to monitor not only enginefunctions such as speed, rpm, temperatureand fuel burn, but also systems such aswater and holding tank levels. The displaycan be customized for easy reading byadjusting contrast and backgrounds. Theblack numbers on a white backgroundwith blue bar levels give you fantastic visi-bility during daylight, while the yellownumbers on a black background really pop in the dark and save your nightvision. It can handle up to three engines per screen, and because it’s fullyNMEA 2000 compatible, it’s plug ‘n’ play easy. Circle 64 on reader service card

BY ALAN JONESThey say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, and when it comes toyour engine and boat systems that’s the truth — you want all the infoyou can get. Modern displays give you the ability to monitor all areas of

interest, yet take up far less space than the B-52-worthy array of yesterday’sgauges. Multifunction gauges are nothing new, but first-generation LCDs werenotoriously difficult to read. Dark gray on light gray might look good on RegisPhilbin, but it’s not ideal when you’re trying to see if your engine is overheat-ing. Today, “smart” displays have adjustable contrast, brightness and color, sothey can be read during a new moon or at noon on the Equator.

Teleflex� The TeleflexMulti-Functionfixed LCD isdesigned towork with anyengine that usesthe NMEA 2000protocol and is agreat choice forthose who wantto preserve space on the dash foritems such as big-screen fishfinder/GPSdisplays. A wide range of formatsallows the driver to display informa-tion in digital, analog, bar graph orpictogram formats. The enhanced LCDmeans you don’t have to be directly infront of the screen to read it, and withadjustable contrast and brightness,challenging light conditions are noworries mate. Optional warning lightscan be added to make sure you don’tmiss signs of trouble. Circle 53 on reader service card

Raymarine� Raymarine’s ST70 has a sunlight-view3.5-inch TFT color LCD screen that can beprogrammed to display up to six items ata time, which means one-stop shoppingfor skippers looking for information. Thebright screen is highly visible in any con-dition and even from an acute sideangle. It’s fully compatible with otherNMEA 2000 products as well asRaymarine’s SeaTalkng system. A widevariety of alarms are available such asdepth, waypoint arrival, off-course andtemperature. The buttons are welllabeled and the menu system is veryintuitive, so you won’t have to wastetime reading a manual when you couldbe out on the water. Circle 42 on reader service card

Night View

Combo Screen

Tank Screen

+BW Engines2 9/1/10 1:58 PM Page 16

engines displays

Mercury� After years of resisting the NMEA 2000 standard andusing its proprietary system, Mercury joins the rest of theboating world with a device called Gateway that makes theVesselView display compatible with other electronics that fol-low this common protocol. Now that it is part of the NMEA2000 family, you can even display information from your GPS.Using a 5x7-inch, high-resolution LCD, VesselView can displayup to three engines’ parameters on one screen at the sametime. There are 18 different screen choices to choose from,and the amount of info that can be squeezed onto onescreen is amazing. You can even save settings on a USB flashdrive. The fuel burn screen is particularly useful, because italso displays the amount of fuel needed to reach your nextwaypoint; so if you run out, it’s definitely your fault. TheVesselView system with Gateway is for use on Mercuryengines released in 2007 or later. Circle 38 on reader service card

Volvo Penta� Volvo Penta’s 7-inch Display might have a generic name,but its wide range of functions puts it in a class of its own,with features such as the ability to interface with a videocamera that can keep tabs on your engine compartment oreven help you back into a slip. Information can be displayedin digital format or as an analog gauge if you like the old-school look. In addition to boat and engine information, aclever option is the Trip Computer software that gives youvaluable information such as current fuel economy, distanceattainable at your current throttle setting and averageeconomy for your entire cruise. For 2010 models usingVolvo’s IPS joystick docking system, the display shows thestatus of the Dynamic Positioning System, which can holdyour boat in one position like a virtual anchor. Circle 57 on reader service card

BoatingWorld.com

Suzuki� Suzuki’s SMIS 2-inch and 4-inchround displays allow owners toupgrade without having to cut holesin the console. The displays use ahigh-contrast dot matrix screen toshow graphic and numerical data andcan work in conjunction with otherNMEA 2000 compatible probes. Theycan be used on a wide range ofSuzuki engines all the way from theDF40 to the flagship DF300 four-strokes. Up to two engines’ informa-tion can be displayed on each gaugeand can be combined with other unitsfor use with three or more engines.Circle 50 on reader service card

Evinrude� Evinrude’s I-Command digital gauges come in 2-inch and 3.5-inch sizes andare fully programmable, so users can customize their readouts to include just theinformation they choose. Functions from engine speed, temperature, tank statusand sonar alarms are just a few of the options. Unique to Evinrude is the abilityto winterize an engine without the driver leaving the helm. By scrolling to the“bus devices” you press enter and select which engine you want to put to bedfor an extended layup. The gauge gives you prompts, walks you through theentire process and keeps you informed on its progress. A clever feature is theability to turn off those annoying key sounds that make your dog howl everytime you fire up the engine. Circle 28 on reader service card

+BW Engines2 9/1/10 1:58 PM Page 17

All of these experiences left lastingmemories, but none as vivid as theone in 1980 as we trailered that MarkTwain toward home. I was daydream-ing of the girl I’d met that week at thelake when we stopped for a breakaround Brainerd, Minn. That’s whenwe found a fracture in the metaltongue of the trailer.

My dad stopped at a repair shopand had the fracture reinforced withtwo welded metal plates. He was notone to ever make a purchase when theseller got a whiff of the scent of neces-sity. As a consequence, my dad passedseveral marine dealers without somuch as slowing down to check pricesfor new trailers. Our only stop was toreinforce the failing weld with ski ropetied from the winch post to the section

ahead of the metal break. But stop toconsider purchasing another trailer?No way. Such an approach simply did-n’t agree with my father’s inborn senseof frugality.

So we hoped for the best and con-tinued our route home. As fate wouldhave it, just 30 miles from home, dis-aster struck. The rear of the stationwagon suddenly shuddered, and mydad stammered in disbelief, “No, no,no!” as the tongue failed and toreapart. The boat pitched wildly side-to-side, sparks lighting up the night asthe tongue fragment scraped againstthe asphalt. Then the trailer buckedupward, and the bow of the boat boredown on the gate of the station wagonbut veered off at the last second. For amoment the boat began to pass our

station wagon but then tilt-ed lazily to the left and withall its remaining momen-tum, it flipped upside downand slammed to the darkfreeway surface, laying therelike a dead, white-belliedperch.

In the many years sincethat day, my career path ledme to work for ShoreLand’r’scustomer service depart-ment. In my experienceserving ShoreLand’r cus-tomers, I’ve seen my dad’sbehavior repeated. It seemsthe buyer becomes soenamored of the boat thatthe qualities of the trailer are wholly neglected. That

is, until the trailer becomes a source of trouble.

Even folks like my father, a man ofknowledge and experience in vehiclemaintenance, were unable to graspthe idea of having the proper trailer fortheir trailering habits. Were I able to goback and tell him how to avoid thecatastrophic loss of our boat, I wouldfocus on two concepts that I stressfrequently to my customers.

First, perform a fearless andsearching evaluation of your traileringhabits. Discuss with your dealer whatyou intend to carry in your boat. Aknowledgeable dealer will know thebasic weight of the boat, batteries anda full tank of gas, but it’s vital to makesure the dealer understands the otherthings you plan to stow in your boatwhile you trailer. We trailered two 15-gallon gas cans, all of our drinkingwater and a week’s worth of clothesand food more than 450 miles to ourresort location. Ask the dealer to goover the math with you and make surethe trailer you’re getting with your toyhas enough carrying capacity to takeon the load you’ll put it under.

Second, make sure the trailer andboat tow well. Take a test-drive. If itseems like the trailer is pushing, sway-ing or simply doesn’t tow well, review


trailering tips

Cutting cornerswhen buying a new

trailer can lead todisaster.

Dav

id J

. S

hule

r

Skip the Bargain BinBY DOUG CLOUGH, SHORELAND’R CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGERThis year, my brothers and I will return to the same northern Minnesota

lake resort that we’ve been going to since 1965. Many of our fondestmemories involved our family’s 16-foot fiberglass Mark Twain inboard

boat. As a young man, I launched and retrieved that boat for the first time onthat lake. I smoked my first cigar with my brother Jeff while listening to PinkFloyd and catching Northern Pike. I learned to slalom ski behind that boat’s 110 horsepower Chevy inboard engine.

+BW Trailer 9/1/10 3:27 PM Page 18

Off the Beep EndLaunch Alert | $59.95Quality Mark Inc.; (651) 462-2513;qualitymarkinc.com

Unless you’ve developed eyes on theback of your tow vehicle, estimating the per-fect depth while backing down the ramp can be a challenge. Once mountedat the predetermined waterline depth on a trailer, Launch Alert’s depth sen-sor transmits to an alarm, plugged into the tow vehicle’s cigarette lighter,that emits an audible “beep.” Launch Alert helps speed up the launchingprocess so you spend less time at the ramp and more time on the water.Circle 75 on reader service card, page 33

Park and RecreationParkit360° MotorizedTrailer Dolly |$822-$1,059SPH Welding and Fabrication Inc.;(613) 226-5517; parkit360.com

Maneuvering your trailerinto tight spots with yourtow vehicle can be cumber-some for even the mostexperienced driver. The com-pact Parkit360° is a powerful

dolly with a 12v motor that can easily position trailers weighing 2,500 to9,800 pounds, even over grass and gravel. The lightweight unit can be usedwith an onboard or trailer battery. Circle 78 on reader service card, page 33

Chock It UpMagna-Chock | $19.95T-H Marine; (256) 772-0164; thmarine.com

We’ve all seen him: that guy scour-ing the parking lot for large rocks orstray lumber to use as chocks for histrailer tires. Don’t be that guy. TheMagna-Chock magnetic wheel chockhas a powerful magnet that holds fastto your trailer, so you’ll never find your-self without a chock again. Made of UV-resistant, heavy-duty natural rubber,the Magna-Chock is designed to last. Circle 76 on reader service card, page 33

your vehicle’s towing package capaci-ty. Make sure that your vehicle’s tow-ing capabilities are adequate and thatthe dealer has adjusted the trailer axleso the tongue weight is within therange of 5 to 7 percent of the boat andtrailer’s total weight. If you’ve request-ed a certain trailer for your boat, theaxle will need to be set by the dealer;if you are taking the trailer that comeswith the boat from the factory, thisaxle adjustment will already be set.

Taking these factors into accountmay seem outdated, but the impor-tance of following these principlesremains high. Trailer selection isoften not readily available to today’sconsumer and instead comes bun-dled with the boat and sold as a pack-age. This situation requires even moredogged tenacity on the consumer’spart to make sure they’re getting thecorrect trailer for their needs. On topof trailer weight capacity and vehicletowing capacity, you must also takeinto account braking configurationand related state laws that dictate atwhat gross vehicle weight rating thetrailer must have brakes and on howmany axles.

Fortunately, today’s consumerscan still work with their dealer onwhat trailer comes with their boatpurchase. Even if the boat and trailerare sold as a package, the bundledtrailer can be swapped out for a trailerbetter suited for your needs. Buyingany recreational craft is a significantpurchase, so it’s essential that you notonly get what you like, but that yourpurchase has all the proper acces-sories — trailer included — to helpyour investment last a lifetime. What’smore, consumers are empowered bylaw to demand the correct, code-compliant and safest trailer for theirboat.

Taking these basic steps willensure that your lifetime memorieswill be more about having fun at thelake, rather than the spectacle of los-ing your craft — and everything in it— on a dark freeway.

trailering tips

Towing GearThree essential trailer gadgets

BoatingWorld.com

+BW Trailer 9/1/10 2:00 PM Page 19

diy transducer

BY LENNY RUDOWS ide-scanning is the hottest new feature in fishfinders, but if you wantto see fish that are 250 feet to either side of your boat, you’ll need tomount a special transducer. It’s not physically demanding, but you’ll

want to know a few specifics to make sure the job gets done right.

Step 1: Choose the RightLocation for the Transducer

I mounted a Lowrance LSS-1StructureScan on a 22-foot GlacierBay center console catamaran withan existing Lowrance HDS displayunit. The down-looking transducerwas already in place, but in order toget the best performance out of theStructureScan unit, I had to install aside-scan transducer as well.

The LSS-1 side-scan transducerneeds to be mounted within 1 foot ofthe existing down-looking transduc-er, which in my case was mounted onthe port side of the starboard hull.The LSS-1 is longer than other trans-ducers and may interfere with theengine’s lower unit if center-mountedon the transom. I mounted the LSS-1

far enough to starboard to avoid thisproblem, which put the two trans-ducers 7 inches apart.

In the case of a deep-V or semi-Vhull, the LSS-1 can be shifted to eitherside of the down-looking transduceras long as both transducers aremounted at the same depth, within 1foot of each other, and don’t interferewith the motor’s lower unit when it’stilted all the way down.

Step 2: Mount the Transducer Once you’ve selected the location

for your transducer, check the insideof the transom to ensure there are noobstructions (bilge pumps or switch-es, for example,) and drill two pilotholes about 2 inches above the hullbottom, so the face of the transducer

is even with the hull bottom. Use themounting template for the properscrew spacing. Then coat each holewith a liberal amount of adhesive/sealant rated for below-the-water-line use, such as 3M5200, and screwthe transducer mount onto the tran-som. Using the supplied nuts andbolts, secure the transducer to themount.

Step 3: Choose a Location for the Module

The module is the StructureScan’s“brain” or black box. It’s waterproofand can be mounted above orbelowdecks, but protected areas are preferable.

When you choose a mountinglocation for the module, make sureyou can get the transducer wire to themodule, and that an ethernet com-munications wire can be run from themodule to the display unit. I mount-ed the module in the head compart-


Peripheral VisionHow to Install a Side-Scan Transducer

Step 1

The side-imaging views of a Lowrance StructureScan.

+BW DIY 3 9/1/10 3:30 PM Page 20

diy transducer

The key to this DIY project is choosing the best locationfor the transducer andmodule. Remember to coatholes liberally with sealantdesigned for use below thewaterline before drillingscrews into the transom.

BoatingWorld.com

ment, just below and to port of thehelm, close to the opening of the foreand aft wire chase.

Step 4: Mount the ModuleThe LSS-1 module has mounting

holes pre-drilled in each corner, so noadditional bracket is necessary.Simply drill four pilot holes, coatthem with liberal amounts of adhe-sive/sealant and screw the moduleinto place.

Next, fish the transducer wirethrough the wiring chase to the mod-ule, and plug it in. Then run the eth-ernet communications wire to the

HDS unit, and plug it in as well.

Step 5: Power the Unit Now you’ll need to supply the

module with a 12v power source.Run the power line to a fuse orbreaker panel, and crimp a femalebayonet connector to the end of thepositive and negative leads. Seal theconnection with liquid electricaltape or heat-shrink tubing.

Now that all of the wiring is inplace, it needs to be secured. Allwires should be loomed, bundledand supported every 6 inches toprevent chafing and stress. Use

plastic tie-wraps to secure thetransducer, ethernet and powercables.

Now that the system and all wiresare in place, you can attach thepower lead connectors to the powersource and test to make sure theunit has side-scanning capabilities.Caution: Before launching the boatto test the system, be sure to waitthe full cure-time for the adhesive/sealant in the transducer mountingholes (as per the manufacturer’sinstructions). Follow these steps,and you’ll be ready to find fish out,down and all around. BW

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

+BW DIY 3 9/1/10 2:01 PM Page 21

Just the Facts, Ma’am » Offshore PWC racerswithstand countless hours of training to develop theirskills. When not in the water, many riders buildendurance and strength with mountain biking.» Pros sink about $15,000 into performance mods andstart preparing a year ahead.

watersports

Take It to the MatWaterMat | $747

Sit, run, jump, cart-wheel, slide or sunbatheon water atop theWaterMat. The 6- by 20-

foot mat is constructed of closed-cell polyethylene foam,making it buoyant enough to hold more than a dozenchildren at once without having to be inflated. Stow arolled-up WaterMat on board and unfurl it on the lake asa floating gymnastics mat, a dive platform or a sunpad.� H20 Pod, Inc.; (888) 462-8386; thewatermat.comCircle 82 on reader service card, page 33

Sound WavesMi-Sport VBTWaterproof Headset |$149

Whether it’sCreedence ClearwaterRevival or Justin Bieber whogets you going, the Mi-Sport VBTwill pump up the volume of yourwatersports activities. Kick out the jams while slalomingor shredding the wake, or take the Mi-Sport for a swimas deep as 3 feet. Load up to 1,000 songs onto its built-in 4G MP3 player, which can be controlled by voicecommand or with exterior buttons. The Mi-Sport VBTcomes with Bluetooth for taking phone calls or stream-ing music from a cell phone.� Mi-Sport; +44 (0)115 845 7046; mi-sportmp3.comCircle 81 on reader service card, page 33

Barf FlyBarf Ball |$720

Any fan of climbinginside a gianttire androlling down a hill will be

able to appreciate the charm of O’Brien’s Barf Ball. Theclear, spherical inflatable, constructed of 24-gauge PVC,features a center safety chamber for one rider. Threewelded PVC hand grips inside can be maneuvered toturn the Barf Ball into a spiraling, rolling on-water Tilt-A-Whirl. You might want to wait an hour or two after thatbig cheeseburger before trying to impress the ladies.� O’Brien; (800) 662-7436; obrien.com Circle 80 on reader service card, page 33


Hustle and FlowBY KRISTAL SEEDEN

T ry to imagine riding a motocross course, but in themiddle of the ocean and on a PWC. And it’s 60 mileslong. And there are 5-foot waves and rollers. And

you’re going 70-plus mph. And you have to navigatethrough fog and boat traffic. Got all that? Now, add in theagonizing pain inflicted on your body each time your 11-

foot, 250 hp steedslams against theunforgiving waterbeneath you — andthat’s just the stockdivision.

If you can picturethat, you might get avague idea of what

riders experienced during the July LB2CAT race, the pin-nacle of the Triple Crown of Offshore. Forty helmet-cladracers on souped-up PWCs screamed past the historicQueen Mary in Long Beach, Calif., speeding nearly 30miles to Catalina Island, and then back. The competitorstore through the water at wide-open throttle most of therace, but the supercharged vessels were no match for thechannel’s angry rough.

In a stunning turn of events, almost all the riders in thepro division, all running heavily modified PWCs with 400average horsepower, were sidelined because of enginemalfunctions. Kim Bushong, a 52-year-old member of theVet/Master class, took the trophy aboard a stock KawasakiUltra 250X. The victory is a testament to the nature of thesport: It’s the experience of the rider, not the machine,who wins the race. Learn more: pwcoffshore.com.

WAT E R S P O R TS G E A R

pwco

ffsho

re.c

om

pwco

ffsho

re.c

om

+BW Watersports 9/1/10 2:03 PM Page 22

WE KNOW THE DIFFERENCEBETWEEN PARKING AND DOCKING.

Your boat isn’t a car. Why insure it like one? For over 30 years, Markel has provided insurance that’stailored speci� cally for boats – not cars or homes.As specialists, we offer coverage options that most autoand homeowner insurance carriers don’t provide, such as:

• Replacement cost coverage• Diminishing deductibles• Watersport liability• Personal effects coverage• Emergency towing

Get the specialized insurance your boat deserves –at the affordable rates you deserve.

Call 1-800-236-2453 for a FREE quote or visit markelinsuresfun.com/car

09-375MKL_Jan2010 Boating World CarBoat Ad.indd 1 11/17/09 11:11:31 AM


Q/A ask the experts

LETTER OF THE MONTHM A I N T E N A N C E

SPOTTY VISION

Q | Many of us suffer fromwater spots on our boatglass that we just cannot

get off, most likely caused by saltwater. What is the solution to getspots off glass and prevent themin the future?Mike Canan, Seattle

This problem is easilyresolved. First, check on thematerial your windows are madeof. If it’s Isinglass, try AerospaceProducts’ 303 Protectant. Thisspray cleaner and treatment pro-vides a UV coating to helpIsinglass resist cracking and anontoxic, environmentally pro-tective surface to resist furtherdamage. Simply follow theaccompanying instructions.

Strataglass can be treated withIMAR’s Strataglass ProtectiveCleaner, a polymer-based com-pound that cleans the surface andrestores flexibility. To preventspots from coming back, rinseyour boat off after every trip andwash panels occasionally withwarm water, a mild soap and asoft sponge. SK

Submit your question to our experts and win a MothersPolish kit andaccessories valued at $50.

Send Your Question to:Boating World, Attn: Ask the Experts, 17782 Cowan, Suite A, Irvine, CA 92614fax: (949) 660-6172e-mail: editor @ boatingworld.comPlease include your full name, city and state ofresidence.

If your question is featured as Letter of the Month, you win! This month’s winner:

ASK OUR EXPERTSWIN!&

Keith BurtonBurton co-hosts“Truck TestDigest,” anationally syndi-cated radio pro-gram featuringtrucks, SUVs andcrossover vehi-cles. He alsowrites for manynational car andboat magazines.

Grid MichalWith 50 years ofexperience as amarine tech,Michal is alsoAmerican Suzukiand OMC/Bombardier(BRP) certified.

Lenny RudowRudow has wonfour BoatingWritersInternationalawards in theelectronics cate-gory and oneOutdoor WritersAssociation ofAmericaTechnical award.

Bruce W.SmithSmith has threedecades of expe-rience as a pro-fessional photog-rapher, editor,columnist, bookauthor and radiohost. He is alsoco-host/producerof “Truck TestDigest.”

Steve KnauthKnauth is a three-time BoatingWriters Int’laward winnerand contributor tomultiple publica-tions. He was amarina yard fore-man for 12 yearsbefore becominga full-time writer.

Capt. DavidG. BrownCaptain Brownhas been alicensed masterfor more than 20years. He haswritten five boat-ing books andalso built newboats andrestored antiqueboats.

ASK THE EXPERTSOur Panel of Experts answers your questions

MEET OUR PANEL OF EXPERTS:

M A R I N E E N G I N E S

HEAD SCRATCHER

Q | I have a 3 hp outboardthat overheated thisspring. I took it to the

dealer to have the water pumpreplaced, but afterward theengine ran lousy. There was notop end, and the idle is erratic.They cleaned the fuel system and carburetor, and replaced thespark plug. They say no watershows on the spark plug, so thehead gasket isn’t blown. Theengine has good compressionand does pump water now. Canyou help?Darrell Abbott, Waukesha, Wis.

Have your dealer either removethe cylinder head, or use a borescope to peer into the cylinder. It’sa rare occurrence, but I believe theengine ran so hot the blockexpanded, leaving excessive toler-ance for the sleeve to rotate,changing the intake and exhaustport timing. It would be a fairquestion to ask why the head gas-ket survived and the sleeve didn’t.All I can say is that I’ve seen anentire electrical system short andmelt, and the fuse remain intact.Some things make no sense. GM


+BW Ask Experts 9/1/10 2:04 PM Page 24

IT’S NO FUN WHEN YOUR NEW OUTBOARD IS IN FOR MAINTENANCE. STAY ON THE WATER WITH EVINRUDE E-TEC AND SYLVAN.

With 3 years of no dealer-scheduled maintenance, Evinrude® E-TEC® keeps you exactly where you want to be. On the water. And nothing enhances time on the water, or an Evinrude E-TEC, quite like a Sylvan‡ Mandalay. To learn more, visit evinrude.com.

© 2010 BRP US Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved.™ ® and the BRP logo are trademarks of Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. or its affi liates. Evinrude E-TEC requires no dealer-scheduled maintenance for 3 years or 300 hours (see 2010 Operator’s Manual for details). Always observe all applicable boating laws and drive responsibly and safely. ‡ All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

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Q/A ask the experts

T R A I L E R I N G

ALIGNMENT TROUBLE

Q | I bought a classic 24-foot cruiser last yearand it didn’t come with

a trailer, so I bought a trailerand built it to fit. I used theinside runners just as theywere and made the outsiderunners adjustable so when Igot the boat on the trailer Icould make it fit. I did all thisand thought I had done a goodjob, but I’m having a problem when I load the boat onthe trailer. It just doesn’t want to center itself, and Ican’t seem to get it to go up the same every time.Because of this I have to pull the boat out of the water,check to see where it is on the trailer, then back it intothe water again to adjust it. Can you help me so I canget this thing loaded the first time, every time? I’velooked all over the Internet for some help, but there’snothing about how to build and adjust the runners.Stoney Spears, Burleson, Texas

First, it sounds to me likeyou’re submerging yourtrailer too far. The first quar-ter or third of the trailershould be dry when you’reloading, and you shouldknow at a glance — withoutpulling it out of the water —whether the boat is centeredproperly or not. With thetrailer submerged too far,even if you drive the boat

into center perfectly, it can float out of center beforeyou get in your truck and start pulling it up the ramp.

It also sounds like you need to fiddle with theinside bunks a bit. If they’re in the original position,they probably aren’t spaced properly. Space them sothe inside edges of each bunk lay against a strake onthe boat’s hull. This will help push the boat into thecenter once it’s about a third of the way onto the trail-er. I’d also consider adding side guide-on bunks,which are quite helpful for centering the boat. LR



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Q/A ask the experts

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FOIL OR TABS?

Q | I have a 24-foot bowrider with a 350 outdrive. When I bought theboat it had a 1.62 gear ratio with a 4-blade prop with 21 degrees ofpitch. I’ve owned the boat for two years now and have gone through

four outdrives. The dealer’s fix was to change the outdrive to a 1.47 gear ratioand a 3-blade prop with 17 degrees of pitch.

Since making this change I have lost almost a full second off my holeshot,6 mph off my top end, and I burn through almost three times the amount offuel. My biggest complaint is the fuel, so I’ve been doing some research onhydrofoils and trim tabs to see if that will help. What happens if you use botha hydrofoil and trim tabs? Would you recommend one over the other? Thad Powell, Topeka, Kan.

The hydrofoil brings you onto plane quickly but continues to drive yourbow down as you increase speed. The trim aspect of the outdrive can’t over-come the foil. Trim tabs would be a better bet, as they can help the boat planemore quickly and can aid in side-to-side balance.

But let’s go back to the outdrive: In my 50-plus years of experience, I’ve neverknown anyone to replace a drive more than once. Why is the drive failing? Whatpart of the drive is failing? Is the drive too light for the boat it’s pushing? Is this anissue where the engine manufacturer should be talking to the boat manufactur-er about expectations promised by salespersons? What led to the different gearratio? Unfortunately, every boat is a compromise. Using a 24-foot cuddy to dothe same things as a 17-foot sportboat may be asking too much of the boat. Idon’t know the boat, or your usage, but it’s something to consider. GM



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Q/A ask the experts

A C C E S S O R I E S

SHOW YOUR COLORS

Q | I’d like to display theAmerican flag on my newboat. I see different boats

flying different kinds of flags on thewater. What’s the rule? What kind offlag can I fly?David Hanhart, Baltimore

That’s a good ques-tion! U.S. citizens canfly either of two flagson their boat. The

first is called an ensign, and that’s“Old Glory,” the 50-star flag that weall recognize. The more nautical flagis the so-called yacht ensign, whichshows a fouled anchor and 13 stars.

Flags are normally flown from astern-mounted flagstaff, a backstayor behind a tuna tower, and set at 8a.m. and taken down at sunset. SK

M A I N T E N A N C E

SOGGY SITUATION

Q | I use the space inside mycenter console for stow-ing gear — wet clothes,

lines and fenders, fishing gear,you name it. Problem is, it all gen-erally ends up sitting in a puddleof water, and the compartmentstays damp. I’ve thought of put-ting in some wooden grating —are there any alternatives?Dwight Whitaker, Bradenton, Fla.

Take a look at modular vinyldecking. Kendall Products makesDri-Dek, a heavy-duty vinyl grid-like decking that comes in 12-inch, interlocking panels that canbe cut and put together to fit just

about any size space. The no-maintenance panels keep gear about a half-inchor more off the ground, which lets water drain off and evaporate more easily.And, there are four colors to choose from. SK


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+BW Ask Experts 9/2/10 7:46 AM Page 28

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bonehead blunders

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Sir, Yes Sir!BONEHEAD BLUNDER: Playing drillsergeant with the technician WHO’S THE BONEHEAD: A colonel(USA-Ret)BONEHEAD RATING: 4

WHAT HAPPENED: Colonels are an interesting species. They’vegone far enough up the ranks tohave authority, but some just can’tseem to relinquish any of it.Therefore, the rainy day I was work-ing on a recently retired colonel’ssmall Boston Whaler sticks in mymind. His grandkids were on theway, so getting the Evinrude run-ning was a priority, today! (“I

fought in the rain, you can work inthe rain!”)

In the squished stern of this 13-foot Whaler sat all 225 pounds ofyours truly trying to wiggle the car-buretor off an electric-start 25 hpengine. Under the Bimini, ensuringI kept up the pace, sat the colonel.When I finally accepted the factthere was no way I could wiggle thecarb off without partially removingthe starter and throttle linkage, thecolonel moved in to reassure methat yes, I could remove the carbwithout removing anything else(I’ve devised a way to do that, but itinvolves modification the first timethe carb’s off, so it’s a quick job the

next time it’s removed). As he moved aft to join me

where there was no room, the boatlisted sharply to port. The Biminidisgorged a huge puddle of wateronto the colonel’s head and hisbrand-new $5,000 hearing aids,which promptly shorted with ascreech that could be heard a mileaway. He grabbed his head, lost his

Mistakes Nobody Should MakeOur resident mechanic talks about the disturbingly dim-witteddecisions boaters make about their boat engines BY GRID MICHAL

BONEHEAD RATING SYSTEM:

1 : Acceptably assinine2: Slightly slow3: Distinguished dunce4: Massively moronic5: Seek mental help


+BW Templates Full 9/1/10 3:38 PM Page 29

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bonehead blunders

balance and in the arc he createdon the way into the creek, lost hiswallet, keys, smokes and Zippo. Iam ashamed to admit I gavethought before I actually per-formed the rescue.

LESSON LEARNED: If you knowyou don’t know something andhire somebody to do it for you, fercryin’ out loud, let him do his jobwithout interference.

Woulda, Shoulda, CouldaBONEHEAD BLUNDER: Not takingthe mechanic’s adviceWHO’S THE BONEHEAD: A friend,almost 90 years oldBONEHEAD RATING: 1

WHAT HAPPENED: Normally I’dgive anyone who lets a boat sink a10 rating, but I figure when I’m 90,my heirs will have been puttingflowers on my grave for 20 years.This gentleman has five boats, apier that goes out 100 yards todeep water, a full-sized Kubotatractor, chain saws, a garden …you get the idea: He’s really a 30-year-old who lied on his birthcertificate.

We were all set for a majorsnowstorm. His 19-footAquasport self-bailer bobbedmerrily at the end of the pier,moored by enough lines to makeCharlotte’s Web look like a lameattempt at weaving. I gave him acall and told him I thought heought to bring it alongside thepier, stern to the shore, as close tothe shore as he could get it. I’d beglad to help. “The boat’s a self-bailer! Why the hell should I moveit?” Oh. He might not have had hiscoffee. So I let the subject drop,we chatted, hung up and wentback to battening down.

Twenty-three hours, 11 min-utes later, the phone rang: “Grid!The Aquasport sank!” I hate itwhen I’m right. So off I went tosurvey the situation. The boat was


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bonehead blunders

at a 45-degree angle, as under asyou can get. Water temperature was40, winds howling out of the north-west at 30, waves 2 to 3 feet, snowjust a-boiling. The Chesapeake washardly hospitable.

It wouldn’t do that we could goinside where it was warm to discusswhy the boat sank. We had to dis-cuss it at the end of the pier, short-ening my life by another five years.“Remember the 18 inches of snowfrom last night? As soon as thoseself-bailing scuppers got blocked,the boat ceased to be a self-bailer.You probably had another 1,500 to2,000 pounds of snow in there. Assoon as the transom went under, itwas a done deal.” Three days laterwe got a break in the weather,raised the boat, got the engine run-ning and hauled it out for repair.

LESSON LEARNED: The momentyou think you’re ahead of MotherNature, she’ll smack you upside thehead so hard your ears will ring fora week. If a mechanic tells you yourboat will sink, please believe him.He’s been there, done that.

Doh!BONEHEAD BLUNDER: Forgetting why the boat has gaugesWHO’S THE BONEHEAD: A harried grandfatherBONEHEAD RATING: 3

WHAT HAPPENED: As a grandfathermyself, I have a special understand-ing for grandfathers whose kids andgrandkids pressure them into hav-ing the boat up and running per-fectly when they arrive for “vaca-tion.” Memorial Day Sunday was no exception.

On our way home from churchwe got an anguished call from sucha granddad, saying his boat had quitand he had to be towed in; could wehelp? You could hear 10,000 scream-ing meemies behind him.

So, the Motor Nurse and I head-ed way up-country to find this lostsoul. After an hour or so we finally

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found their hideaway. We wentdown to the pier and his family boatwas there, all shined up. He told methey had gone fishing that morning(heathens!), then went to move theboat and it wouldn’t start.

I went to the helm and turned theignition key to On. The voltmeterjumped to 12. Good. Then I turned

the key to Start. No movement onthe gauge. Then I pulled the shiftlever about 1⁄ 8 inch farther back,engaged the neutral safety switchand the engine started right up. Helooked at me: “How much?” I lookedat the kids running berserk and said,“I won’t tell if you don’t.”

The Doctor and Nurse headed




bonehead blunders

home for hot coffee and artery-clog-gers, out the cost of the morning butfeeling really good about havinghelped someone who needed help.

LESSON LEARNED: Use your gaugesthat tell you what your engine’s doing— or not doing.

City SlickerBONEHEAD BLUNDER: Lettingparanoia get the best of youWHO’S THE BONEHEAD: A city clientBONEHEAD RATING: 5

WHAT HAPPENED: I received a callfrom a panicked customer who saidhis small cuddy had quit runningjust days before the family was todescend on his summer home. Iwent to the residence, performedsome basic checks and thenpumped 5 gallons of water from thetank. I guess they live differently in

the city, because the customer’s firstthought was that somebody hadfilled his tank with water.

No matter what I tried to tell himabout the previous owner perhapsbuilding up ethanol-induced waterover the years, or not having a waterseparator, or the fact that he lived ina neighborhood where retributionfor a missed cookout wasn’t a possi-bility, he just wouldn’t listen.

He reported the problem to thepolice and his insurance company,which meant — even though I’d dealtwith both for many years — I still hadto go through my premises as to thewater’s source. I finally got it cleared,ran the engine and all was well. Inthe meantime, the customer addedmore fuel and a locking gas cap.

The following weekend he had tobe towed in. I went back there (this isa 45-minute trip each way), removedthe carburetor and found little

orange balls rolling around in thebowl. What do you get when you mixethanol fuel with non-ethanol fuelwith MBTE? Little orange balls in thefuel when it sits. So as a courtesy, Icleaned the carburetor, reinstalled it,retested the boat and as I was return-ing to the boat lift, I noticed what I’dmissed earlier: a new motion-detec-tor with huge floodlights. Maybe themidnight prowler is now carryingcans of MBTE.

With the number of wildlifewhere he lives, I’ll guarantee youevery osprey, otter, heron and gullthat sets those lights glaring into hisneighbors’ homes is going to resultin a community letter.

LESSON LEARNED: Hopefully he’lllearn that he lives in a fine area andparanoia isn’t necessary, just a littleboat knowledge. Did I learn anything?Yes, but that’s best kept to myself. BW

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3 Craig Catamaran Corporation(877) 999-4228 66

4 FourWinns SL262 (800) 368-7946 38-40

5 Malibu Boats (209) 383-7469 CV2, 1

6 PlayCraft Boats (573) 765-3265 7

7 Premier 250 Intrigue(800) 815-6392 34-36

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31 Gorilla Glue (800) 966-3458 27

32 Mallory Marine Products(216) 688-8300 32

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34 MaryKate Aluminex Clean & Shine(800) 556-5074 58

35 Megaware Keelguard(800) 292-9835 68

36 Megaware Keelguard(800) 292-9835 66

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47 Star brite Sea Safe Boat Wash(800) 327-8583 58

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49 Survival Products, Inc.(954) 966-7329 70

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62 West System Inc. / Gougeon Brothers, Inc.(866) 937-8797 26

63 Xtreme Sport Spark Plug - Autolite(800) 890-2075 49

64 Yamaha Command Link Plus(800) 88-YAMAHA 16

65 Yamaha Motor Corp. - Generator Division(800) 88-YAMAHA 9

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75 Launch Alert - Quality Mark Inc.(651) 462-2513 19

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+BW Reader Service2 9/1/10 3:10 PM Page 33

tested Premier 250 Intrigue

BY ALAN JONESTo many, the phrase “perform-ance pontooning” might seemas much of an oxymoron as

jumbo shrimp, but to owners of thetriple-tube Premier 250 Intrigue, it’s afact. A very luxurious and stylish fact.

Unique FactorProbably the most interesting fea-

ture we’ve seen on a pontoon all year isthe 11-foot power Bimini top thatcomes standard on the Premier 250Intrigue. With the push of a key fobcontroller, it deploys in just 11 sec-onds, so going under a bridge or put-ting her to bed in the boathouse won’thave you wrestling with bulky pins orconnectors. Premier’s engineers testedthis top up to 50 mph, and if you areripping into a stout headwind at fullspeed you can use the additional sup-port legs that will keep it stable in any-

thing short of a hurricane. Boat designers are smart; they

know the person who buys the boatusually drives it, so the captain getsthe best seat in the house. But on the250 Intrigue, three people get the bestseat with two more Flexsteel 10-Starcaptain’s seats in the bow. The arm-rests are independently adjustable, sowhen you recline you can keep themlevel, and they have inner springs forenhanced posterior comfort.

There’s burl-wood trim at the helm,and the Calypso gauges add style andfunction with a low-current draw anda low-light setting for preservingnighttime vision. The only non-ergonomic feature is that the throttleis a little too far forward.

PerformanceOur test boat is rigged with

Premier’s cure for the average pon-

toon: the PTX Performance Package.This three-tube setup features 27-inch outer tubes and a massive 36-inch middle tube that has a 12-inchflat section on the bottom for incredi-ble lift. The outer tubes have liftingstrakes on the insides, which alsohelp the Intrigue get out of the holequickly.

If you didn’t look at the engine andjust went on performance alone, youwould think we were packing a mas-sive amount of horsepower on thetransom. Despite being rated for upto 300 hp, our 25-footer is powered bySuzuki’s DF200 four-stroke. Time toplane is an incredible 2.6 seconds,and we blazed to 30 mph in just 6.4seconds. Top speed is just shy of 40mph (39.6 ).The Intrigue rides notice-ably higher in the water than otherpontoons, and the Suzuki trims up farenough to lift the forward section air-

Triple PlayPremier 250 Intrigue


Dillo

n Do

nnel

ly

BR Premier250Intrigue 8/27/10 10:25 AM Page 34

borne for better fuel economy.

HandlingThe PTX package with the 36-inch

center tube (there’s also a 30-inchoption) does some amazing things forthe Intrigue’s handling. It turns in amost un-pontoon-like manner with apronounced inward lean. This allowedus to crank it hard over during our testand slice and dice like we were drivinga well-designed sportboat.

PTX hull designer Fred Coteyfound that when the outer pontoonshave lifting strakes on both sides, turn-ing is inhibited and the boat cornersflat. With the giant center tube andstrakes on the insides of the outertubes only, maneuverability is taken toa whole new level.

Because the PTX-equippedPremier rides so high and the bow canbe raised out of the water by trimming,its rough-water performance is out-standing. We’ve tested this tube setupin a nasty 2-foot chop, and it glidedover the surface. There’s so much liftthat even in heavy seas, you wouldhave to work hard to bury the bow.

Best UsesPremier lists the 250 Intrigue as

one of its Luxury models, and it’s nothard to see why. This is the quintes-sential boat for cruising around,checking out the scenery and spend-ing time with friends. The standardSony stereo has both an iPod dockand an MP3 input with six Kickerspeakers, but the optional subwooferreally gives it some depth.

The changing room/head com-partment is the easiest in the indus-try to lift up, requiring just one finger.Seating comfort is enhanced by softNano-Block vinyl, which is impreg-nated with a UV- and mildew/mold-resistant formula that allows Premierto offer a seven-year warranty.

For skiers, an optional ski tow barencircles the outboard and is highenough for wakeboarders. This yearthe tow bar’s been beefed up to beno-wiggle strong and is even remov-able. Ski storage is in the center tube

and if you can manage to fill it upwith skis and paraphernalia, you def-initely have some sort of shopping-related issue.

Preferred SetupWhen you order the Intrigue,

you’re already saying, “Load it withluxury.” The power Bimini comes stan-dard, as do the triple captain’s chairs,which will come in handy if you decideto fish it up with accessories such asrod holders.

The Intrigue family gives you achoice of four sizes from 24 to 31 feetlong and numerous pontoon choicesdepending on your lifestyle: from 27-inch twins to the triple-tube PTX setupwith the large 36-inch center tube,which is highly recommended. Thelarger models have more bow seatingand more storage, which is easilyaccessible thanks to Premier’s patent-ed E-Z hinge system that opens inwardand stays open for easy loading. Topreserve passenger space (the 250 israted for up to 20 passengers) there’s astandard low-profile cockpit table withone pedestal, but it tends to wobble abit.

Our test boat is dressed up in blackand features faux teak decks fore andaft that really pop. One killer optionthat will entertain the kids for hours isthe inflatable slide. If you’re bringingkids along, selecting the 9.5-gallonporcelain head is a good call, as is theoptional changing room vanity with amirror and a paper towel rack.

Premier has enough options forowners to create a one-off design tomatch their boating style, such as thecomplete canvas enclosure forovernighting or cool-weather cruising.One option that is a must if you are ona busy lake and want to avoid havingyour boat pound against the dock iscalled Sea Legs. This system hydrauli-cally lifts your boat several feet abovethe surface of the water on four inde-pendently articulating legs like a giantrobot transformer. It’s also perfectwhen docking at old fixed piers thatare too high for the young and old tomanage.

BoatingWorld.com

$ FINANCING:$528/month w/15% down and 7.75% interest

for 15 years

S P E C I F I C AT I O N S

Length 25 ft.Beam 8 ft., 6 in.Capacity 20 peopleDry Weight 3,700 lbs.Fuel Capacity 50 gals.


mph rpm dBAPeak 39.6 6300 91Cruise 23 4000 78Time to Plane 2.6 sec.Time to 30 mph 6.4 sec.

P O W E R

Test Suzuki DF200 four-stroke Max hp 300Cylinders V-6Displacement 3.6L Weight 580 lbs.WOT Range 5500-6100 rpmBase Price $65,963

VA L U E - A D D E D S TA N D A R D F E AT U R E S

Power Bimini top, Berber carpet, sink andelectric spigot, three Flexsteel 10-Star seats

M U S T- H AV E O P T I O N S

PTX Performance pontoons, livewell/cooler,Sea Legs lift, canvas enclosure

B U I L D E R

Premier Marine Inc.pontoons.com

Circle 7 on reader service card, page 33

P R E M I E R 2 5 0 I N T R I G U E

y


5

4332


What We Liked:• Beautiful styling and black color• Outstanding performance with PTX

package• Built-in Sea Legs hydraulic lift• Comfortable seating with lots of

storage

What We Would Change:The reason we bought the PremierIntrigue was that it had everything wewanted.

Why We Bought It:We had previously bought a smaller

Premier pontoon with a 115hp engine but wanted moreroom and better performance.We went back to RiverviewSports and Marine, where webought our first one and havealways received great service,and loved the Intrigue.Wehave a place on Lake Osakis,which is beautiful. At 11 mileslong, it’s a good-sized lake thatcan occasionally get rough, but with thePTX package our Premier handles it well.We mainly like to cruise and often invitefamily and friends to come along and

have a floating wine and cheese party.My friends are amazed at the handlingand performance of our Intrigue; itbanks and turns like a speedboat. BW

Owner FeedbackAndy and Jodi Fritz, St. Cloud, Minn.PURCHASED AT RIVERVIEW SPORTS AND MARINE, ELKS RIVER, MINN.

tested Premier 250 Intrigue

IN BRIEF :

FEATURES1 Twin Flexsteel 10-Star captain’s chairs in the

bow are a premium standard feature2 The helm comes standard with full instrumen-

tation and a Sony MP3, iPod-ready stereo 3 The 250 Intrigue’s pop-up changing room is

incredibly easy to deploy4 The newly designed tow bar that encircles the

200 hp Suzuki is tall and wiggle-free5 With a low-profile cockpit table, moving

about the cockpit is easy

1


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Wide ReceiverTallon Receiver System | $74.99–$119.99 for two receivers

Save space without sacrificing style using Tallon Marine’sinnovative and versatile Receiver System. Mount thereceivers — which come in black, white, stainless steel,sealed, RIB and powered varieties — virtually anywhere onboard. Once installed, each receiver acts as a sturdy base fora dynamic range of accessories, including champagne fluteholders, swim ladders, anchor lights, TV mounts, baitboards and rod holders. Receivers are rated to hold 1,320pounds and come in two- and six-packs. Accessories can beswapped out instantly to support fishing, diving and enter-taining activities.� Tallon Marine; (866) 616-4063; tallonmarine.comCircle 52 on reader service card, page 33

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USA

The ShiningSV44 | $512–$1,212

The underwater lighting trend began as a luxuryaftermarket feature for owners of mega-yachts andquickly gained popularity during the past decade.Industry pioneer Underwater Lights USA has released itsfirst offering to the smaller boat market: the SV44 trimtab and surface-mount LED lights. Deceptively power-ful, each 7.79-inch mount encases a six-LED array in anoval, thermally conductive plastic housing. An innova-tive convex-shaped lens creates greater light dispersionfor a dynamic glow from below. The trim tab kitincludes two mounts.� Underwater Lights USA; (954) 760-4447;seavision.com Circle 51 on reader service card, page 33

By Kristal Seeden

37 BoatingWorld Fall/Winter 2010 BoatingWorld.com

gear essentials

+BW Gear July.Aug 9/1/10 2:39 PM Page 37

tested Four Winns SL262

BY ALAN JONESSeeing the Four Winns SL262 atthis year’s Miami Boat Showwas a pleasant surprise. The

storied company from Michigan wasinvolved in the Genmar bankruptcy ata time when Four Winns was reallystarting to gain traction with some ofthe most innovative designs in boat-ing. Acquired by Platinum Equity, acompany with $3.5 billion in assets,Four Winns seems poised to make thenext few years something special forthose who believe that good newscomes in fours.

Unique FactorThe SL262’s exterior design is strik-

ing in its angular muscularity, and itcomes with accoutrements not usual-ly seen on this side of the Atlantic.When was the last time you saw adash that was made of hand-stitched

leather, or mahogany on the dash andsteering wheel? It’s not all form with-out function either, with a dancefloor-sized swim platform that sits lowto the water and is surfaced in grip-pable rubber matting. The flat-nosedbow with a boarding ladder also fea-tures a platform with the same non-slip material that makes bow boardinga non-YouTube blooper moment.

The black leather dash does asuperb job of eliminating windshieldreflections, but be sure to keep up onmaintenance, as dark colors are proneto cracking. There’s a lot of chrome onthe wood wheel, which can reflect thesun, but because it comes with stan-dard tilt, it’s not a problem.

The driver and co-pilot’sComfortRide Plus seats are extra wideand feature flip-up bolsters for above-windshield viewing. The driver’s seatis electronically adjustable, and the

companion seat can swivel and lockso its back is parallel with the gun-wale, expanding the cockpit’s massiveL-lounge, or it can do a 180 to do dou-ble duty as a ski observer seat.

Gauge visibility and accessoryswitching are first rate, but the option-al Garmin GPSmap 421 on our testboat sits pretty low and to the left ofthe driver’s line of sight. Fortunatelythe screen was easily readable from anangle, unlike most others.

PerformanceSitting snugly in the engine com-

partment is MerCruiser’s newestmaster blaster, the 430 hp 8.2L V-8,which features a catalytic converterfor greatly reduced emissions. Withthis engine comes the DTS digitalthrottle, which gives driverssuperfine control for dialing in theperfect speed. Throttle response was

Winn PowerFour Winns SL262


BR FourWinnsSL262 8/27/10 10:18 AM Page 38

excellent at every range but especial-ly out of the hole, where we got onplane in 4.8 seconds and reached 30mph in less than 10 seconds. Ourbest-feeling cruise speed was at 37mph; the similar-looking SmartCrafttach and speedometer were seem-ingly in sync, as we were running at3700 rpm. At cruise we emitted aquiet 84 decibels.

HandlingAlthough the SL262 is a beefy,

solid-feeling boat that weighs 5,590pounds, we were impressed by itssporty handling. Not only was our ridesmooth in the confused shippingchannel thanks to the 20-degreedeadrise hull, but we felt well protect-ed with the deep cockpit and lack ofside-to-side roll.

Four Winns uses the Stable-VeeSplit Chine hull, which starts as a sin-gle chine aft and splits into two chinesas it goes forward. The outer chinesdid an incredible job of directingspray downward and contributed tothe hull’s lift, giving us a high and dryride. For cool weather cruising, there’sa clear acrylic dam, similar to the tran-som gate, to block off the wind intothe cockpit. Four Winns even has aheater option. Yep, they’re made inMichigan all right.

Cornering was extremely flat andresponsive enough that drivers mightseek out strings of crab pots to prac-tice their slalom ability. Bowrise ontakeoffs was virtually a non-eventthanks to the after-pods in the hullthat create lift during launch but don’tdrag in the water when on plane.

Best UsesThe hull design and heft of this

boat are good news for wakeboarders,because with a little up-trim at 20mph, we plowed up a nice ramp forhurling riders airborne. There areeven several tower options to choosefrom and a huge in-floor ski locker.

Reboarding is easy with a deep-water swim ladder that is angled andhas wide steps. The standard transomshower is a nice touch for spritzing off

after a run or swim. If you choose a MerCruiser engine

with Digital Throttle and Shift, youcan add the Smart Tow cruise controlsystem that controls the rate of accel-eration and gives drivers precisespeed control. Volvo Penta fans get theslightly less-featured counterpartcalled Tow Mode.

One of the best seats in the houseis the aft lounger with a seat bottomthat extends to convert from a couchto a sun lounge. In the cockpit, anoptional side-mounted table can beordered in teak for a classy look.There’s even wood in the head com-partment, where you can gain extraheadroom by raising the port-sideconsole.

Preferred SetupFour Winns gives SL262 owners a

fully equipped boat before adding asingle option. Freebies that are usuallyoptions include a Sure-Load trailer forroad trips, snap-in carpeting and thereal wood wheel and dash accents.Four Winns blinged it up with a pol-ished stainless steel bow scuff plateand windshield header.

Trim tabs lead the must-haveoption list, along with the stereoupgrade that adds a subwoofer forextra thump. Although you can dressup the SL262 with items such as a realteak swim platform and bow boardingstep, sticking with the lower mainte-nance standard rubber mats is proba-bly the correct play. Upgrading to thenew Florentine tan upholstery alsogets you snap-in carpet that mimics ateak sole.

In most cases we recommendengines in the higher horsepowerrange, but this boat has an efficient-enough hull to not need 430 hp topush it. The standard engines areeither a 320 hp 5.7L Volvo Penta orMerCruiser 377. Both have catalyticconverters and should yield a topspeed around 50 mph for about$7,000 less than the new 8.2L. But ifyou opt for Quick & Quiet side-hullexhaust, the big, bad one does soundpretty sweet.

BoatingWorld.com


for 15 years


Length 26 ft., 6 in.Beam 8 ft., 6 in.Capacity 14 peopleDry Weight 5,590 lbs.Fuel Capacity 75 gals.


mph rpm dBAPeak 53.2 5000 92Cruise 37 3700 84 Time to Plane 4.8 sec.Time to 30 mph 9.8 sec.

P O W E R

Test MerCruiser 8.2L MAG H.O. Max hp 430 hpCylinders V-8Displacement 8.2L Weight 1,080 lbs.WOT Range 4600-5000 rpmBase Price w/430 hp MerCruiser 8.2L H.O.

$90,695


Transom shower, gelcoat color and stripe,six pull-up cleats, wood wheel and dashaccents


Side-mount cockpit table, trim tabs, fresh-water sink, pumpout head, docking lights

B U I L D E R

Four Winnsfourwinns.com


F O U R W I N N SS L 2 6 2


5

432


What we liked:• Abundant comfortable seating

upholstered in soft vinyl• Attractive design with classy touches

like real wood wheel and trim• Huge swim platform that seems to

muffle engine noise• Easy trailering during road trips

What we would change:The head compartment is not very deepeven with the expandable roof, and thetucked-away cockpit sink isn’t user-friendly.

Why we bought it:This is the fourth FourWinns we’ve owned,and it’s also our favorite.It performs better thanthe 26-foot Horizon andis a real attention-getter.Everywhere we go peo-ple are always checkingit out and telling us howmuch they like it.Webring our friends alongand cruise while Jennifer and her friendsgo tubing.We like to check out thewaterfront restaurants or pull up to a

beach and hop out. Our last long tripwas to Torch Lake in Northern Michigan,which is very scenic. BW

Owner FeedbackRex and Sheli Vanderlinde, plus Jennifer, age 14, Muskegon, Mich.PURCHASED AT HALL’S SPORT CENTER, MUSKEGON, MICH.

tested Four Winns SL262

IN BRIEF :

FEATURES1 Bow filler cushions turn the area in front of

the windshield into a giant playpen2 Captain’s throne adjusts electronically, looks

good and delivers great support3 One-of-a-kind helm features a real wood

wheel and dash4 Subwoofer option makes the SL262’s sound

system pop5 Stern walk-through is kid-friendly with a clear

acrylic transom door

1


O ne of the appeals of boatingis the freedom of the openwater, the escape from the

daily grind. It’s easy to “unplug” fromstress. Unfortunately, it’s also easy to“unplug” from important safety pre-cautions. Several common boatingscenarios are actually potentially fataldue to the high risk of carbon monox-ide poisoning.

Carbon monoxide is a deadly gasproduced by the burning of any car-bon-based fuel. It is invisible and hasno taste or smell. Carbon monoxidefrom the exhaust pipes of inboardengines, outboard engines and gener-ators can build up inside and outsideboats in areas near exhaust vents,such as the swim platform. Peopleshould never congregate or swim inthese areas when the motor or gener-ator is operating.

Blockage of exhaust outlets cancause carbon monoxide to accumu-late in the cabin and cockpit area of aboat, even when hatches, windows,portholes and doors are closed.Boaters should avoid anchoring inareas where outlets could be blocked.

Exhaust from other boats is anoth-er serious danger. A boat that isdocked, beached or anchored along-side another boat is vulnerable to car-bon monoxide intrusion from itsneighbors in the cabin and cockpit.

Backdrafting, otherwise known as“the station wagon effect,” oftenoccurs when a boat is operating at ahigh bow angle, traveling under 4knots, or has been improperly loaded.This also may cause carbon monox-ide to accumulate inside the cabin,cockpit and bridge even when protec-tive coverings are used and the boat isunder way.

Teak surfing — an activity where aperson holds onto the swim deckwhile the boat is under way — can befatal, as can any other watersport thatputs the skier less than 20 feet fromthe back of the boat.

Knowing how to spot and avoiddangerous situations can help savelives. Boaters should do their part toeducate others about common caus-es of carbon monoxide poisoning.Too many people have diedneedlessly.

Prevent Carbon Monoxide PoisoningAvoiding Common Mistakes Can Save LivesBY LOUIS NOVAK, U.S. COAST GUARD BOATING SAFETY DIVISION

� Carbon monoxide is a quick andsilent killer. It is colorless and odorless. � Circulating fresh air and stayingaway from exhaust are the best waysto avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.� Experts recommend installingmarine-rated carbon monoxide

detectors to alert boaters when theCO concentration on board is toohigh. � Life jackets save lives. Many whoare overcome by carbon monoxidefumes slip silently beneath the water.Fellow boaters often report that aperson was “there one second andgone the next.” Life jackets provide abetter chance of being saved even ifthe person is overcome by carbonmonoxide.

CHECK YOUR BOAT

Educate Yourself to Educate Others

Make sure all exhaust hose ends are double clamped and securelyin place. Look for exhaust leaking fromexhaust system components, indi-cated by rust and/or black streak-ing, water leaks, or corroded orcracked fittings. Inspect rubber exhaust hoses forburned or cracked sections. Confirm that water flows from theexhaust outlet when the enginesand generator are started. Listen for any change in exhaustsound that could indicate anexhaust component failure. Schedule a vessel safety check.

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coast guard CO Poisoning

BoatingWorld.com

USCG

USCG

+BW Coast Guard 9/1/10 2:42 PM Page 41

tested Tahoe 228

BY ALAN JONESBass Pro Shops can be a verydangerous place to visit. Youwalk in innocently enough,

looking to buy some fishing line or a lifejacket, then bam! You keep spottingthings that you just have to have. Myadvice? Stay away from the boat sec-tion, lest you happen upon the newTahoe 228 deckboat, because you’llwant it.

Unique FactorWaiting for me at the Matheson

Hammock Park boat ramp on the west-ern edge of Biscayne Bay was ChrisCastellon from the Miami Bass ProShops, who was launching our testboat. The designers at Tahoe definitelyhave this styling thing down and evendesigned an optional color-matching,dual-axle trailer with custom chromemag wheels. You’ll probably park this

eye-candy package in your driveway,even if it will fit in the garage.

As with the Tracker Marine pontoondivision — where tremendousupgrades have occurred in recent years— the plush seating is more comfort-able than ever and has overstuffedcockpit settees and layback bowriderseats with armrests. Score a few morestyle points for the seven artsy stainlesssteel pull-up cleats.

Bass Pro Shops prices its modelsdown to the bone and uses a “NoHaggle, No Hassle” program, whichcould be a disappointment for thoseadept at beating down the price of asombrero in Cancun. But the Tahoe228, with its “we really mean it” priceof $34,495 when paired with the 220hp 5.0 MerCruiser sterndrive pack-age, gives buyers the peace of mindthat they are not paying more thantheir neighbor.

PerformanceThere’s plenty of power packed in

the fully finished, but slightly tightengine compartment with the Tahoe-recommended 300 hp MerCruiserMAG 350 ($41,410), which is mated to aone-prop Bravo One outdrive. The eggcrate foam at the top of the enginehatch does a decent job of knockingdown motor noise — we idled out atjust 62 decibels.

Biscayne Bay can get shallow inspots, but with a 20-inch draft this was-n’t a problem for our test boat. We gotout of the hole in 3.7 seconds with littlebowrise and accelerated smoothly to 30mph in 8 seconds flat. I always try toestimate the top speed of a boat andusually come within 1 mph of the finalresult, but I missed the boat on this onewith a guess of 52 miles per hour. Ouractual top speed was 48.4 mph, but the

On DeckTahoe 228


BR Tahoe228 8/27/10 10:28 AM Page 42

reason for my over-optimism actuallyproved to be a plus.

HandlingWhat I had failed to factor in was

that our Tahoe sports a 20-degree dead-rise rather than the usual deckboat-flat,V-in-the-teens configuration. While itmight have shaved a couple of mph offour top end, when we got to openwater, the benefit of the PowerGlidehull was noticeable with a soft ride inthe chop. We found several happycruising speeds, but at 38 mph, wemotored along at 4000 rpm, whichseemed to please our MerCruiser as itran quietly at 89 decibels.

Driver seating position is “ergo-tas-tic” and our view through the curvedglass was good, although the whitedash showed up in the reflection.Gauge placement is excellent. Thewrap-around bucket seat with flip-upbolster gripped well when we whippedthe Tahoe around in aggressive turns.The 228 loves to carve, and we nimblychanged directions without sliding out.At the very end of the stops, we noticedthat the hull bit a little harder than earli-er in the turn, which might get yourattention the first time, but it remainedstable.

Best UsesWhat do you feel like doing today?

The good news is you don’t even haveto tell the 228; just go and have fundoing whatever strikes your fancy.

Deckboats frequently make fishingdifficult with barriers such as no stor-age to keep rods from being snappedby your balance-challenged brother-in-law. Not only does the 228 haveunder-gunwale storage for two behinda securable hatch, but two of the threein-deck storage compartments con-nect, giving you a place to hide allthose rods you bought on sale at BassPro from your spouse. With theoptional fishing package, whichincludes a trolling motor, livewell andfore and aft fishing chairs, you areready to go fish.

This year, Tahoe totally reconfiguredthe interior to a far sportier layout with

a second captain’s chair instead of awrap-around bench seat. But toaccommodate it they zapped the large,corner-opening door into the port-sideconsole, which made it easy to accessthe optional head. The new door thatopens toward the console walk-thoughis OK for kids, but an adult would haveto be seriously motivated to enter.

Another addition is the stern loungeseat for relaxing between ski sets orhanging at the raft-up. Something youdon’t often see is twin lockable com-partments for valuables in the form of ahorizontal glove box to port and an in-deck “safe” in the driver’s console.

Preferred SetupTahoe has avid skiers covered, with

the option to add your choice of wake-board towers from the standard modelall the way to the Sony deluxe packagethat includes Kicker speakers, tower-mounted “coffee cans” and a wake-board rack. For low-point towing there’sa standard ski ring, and the aforemen-tioned in-floor lockers will hold yourarray of boards if you scoot the fishingrods off to the side.

There’s an aft rope storage com-partment that can also serve as a cool-er, giving you three, counting the in-floor unit and the portable Igloo underthe port bench. This year, all compart-ments drain overboard rather than intothe bilge. Getting back aboard after arun is easier than on most boats thanksto the pair of grabrails bracketing thefold-down swim ladder on the star-board side. But because of the rails,you’ll find yourself making a point ofdocking on the port side to avoid pas-senger stumbles. Besides, that’s wherethe walk-through into the cockpit islocated.

Tahoe loaded the 228 with standardfeatures such as the color-coordinatedBimini top that has more stout connec-tors this year. About the only thingother than a trailer and the fishingpackage you need to add is a freshwa-ter system, snap-in carpeting and abetween-console dam curtain if youhave a hard time letting go of the boat-ing season when it gets cold.

BoatingWorld.com


for 15 years


Length 22 ft., 5 in.Beam 8 ft., 6 in.Capacity 12 peopleDry Weight 3,950 lbs.Fuel Capacity 48 gals.


mph rpm dBAPeak 48.4 5000 94Cruise 38 4000 89 Time to Plane 3.7 sec.Time to 30 mph 8.0 sec.

P O W E R

Test MerCruiser 350 MAG MPI Max hp 300 hpCylinders V-8Displacement 5.7L Weight 987 lbs.WOT Range 4600-5000 rpmBase Price w/ MerCruiser 350 MAG

MPI $41,410


Bimini top, Sirius-ready MP3 stereo,Lowrance depthfinder, 7 designer pull-upcleats


Trailer, freshwater system, wakeboardtower, fish package, snap-in carpeting

B U I L D E R

Tahoetahoe-boats.com


TA H O E 2 2 8

BR Tahoe228 8/27/10 10:29 AM Page 43

5

4

32


What We Liked:• Plush, abundant seating • Great turning ability• Large fuel capacity • Smooth ride in choppy water

What we would change:We don’t like the fact that you have tolift the bow boarding ladder to use theanchor.

Why we bought it:Our idea of fun is to take our two dogs,Lucie and Annie, out in our 228 alongwith our friends and cruise at sunset or

head to Crab Island, where lotsof boaters anchor and walkaround to socialize. Before webought it, we looked at centerconsole fishing boats, but theTahoe has better seating and ismore comfortable. We love tofish for trout, redfish andsheepshead, so we got ourTahoe with the fishing pack-age. Choctawhatchee Bay canget rough and sometimes wecruise into the Gulf of Mexico,but for the 228, it’s not a problem.BW

Owner FeedbackLee and Ellen Rodgers, Destin, Fla.PURCHASED AT BASS PRO SHOPS, DESTIN, FLA.

tested Tahoe 228

IN BRIEF :

FEATURES1 Gauge placement on the ergonomic helm is

excellent2 Port-side bench hides a portable Igloo cooler3 Under-gunwale storage can accommodate

two rods4 Sporty port-side console houses a lockable

glove box5 In-deck lockable storage in the driver’s console

keeps your valuables safe

1

BR Tahoe228 8/27/10 10:30 AM Page 44

BoatingWorld.com

Fortunately for the rest of us,autumn is one of the finest times of theyear for boating, with crisp, bright days,turning leaves, biting fish anduncrowded lakes. Before we go any fur-ther, though, let’s all take a moment tocollectively feel sorry for those ice-bound Northeastern and upper-Midwestern boaters ... OK, good.

The caveat is that some of the samethings that make autumn, and evenwinter in some areas, such a nice timeof year for boating also call for an extrameasure of preparation and care.

That crisp air — and the cold waterthat goes with it — makes falls over-board far more dangerous than they arein warmer weather. Perhaps less appar-ent is the fact that lighter boating trafficmeans assistance or rescue is typicallymuch slower to arrive than it is at theheight of boating season.

Any fall overboard in water lowerthan 60 degrees should be treated as alife-threatening emergency. Not only ishypothermia a danger, but bulky, cool-weather clothing can make swimming

difficult or impossible.No matter how strong a swimmer

you are in a bathing suit in 70-degreewater, don’t think for a minute that youcan swim well in heavy clothing in 50-degree water. Nobody can.

A common rule of thumb says thatan average, healthy adult has a 50/50chance of surviving a 50-yard swim in50-degree water. Think about that for aminute: You can probably throw a rock50 yards! In other words, actuallywearing your PFD becomes moreimportant than ever as the air andwater get cooler.

Keep in mind that staying warmwhile you’re in the boat is also impor-tant. A moving boat has the same chill-ing effect as wind. A calm, sunny, 55-degree fall afternoon effectively dropsinto the mid-40s when you’re cruisingat 35 mph in an open boat. So don’tskimp on the warm layers, water-proof/windproof shells, gloves andhats. And don’t wait until you start feel-ing chilly to put more clothes on; it’s fareasier to stay warm than to get warm.

If you or your crew do get chilly, optfor hot drinks. In an open boat with nosource of external heat, the best way toget warm again is to pile on warmclothes and then pour down warmth inthe form of hot coffee, chocolate, cideror whatever other beverage suits yourfancy. A hot thermos isn’t just pleasantto share on a fall afternoon; it can actu-ally be a safety factor.

With reduced boat traffic and possi-bly the reduced presence of lawenforcement and search-and-rescueoutfits, chances increase that you’llspend a few hours or even a night onyour boat in the event of mechanicalfailure. Pack for that, too. A nice reserveof very warm clothes — even blanketsand sleeping bags — stowed safely in adry locker or bag is easy to pack andcan come in very, very handy.

Ultimately, fall and winter can offersome of the best boating days of theyear — think hot cider and ginger snapsin quiet coves, wary deer materializingalong shorelines, waterfront lightswinking on in the early dusk, emptyreaches that two months ago werefrothing with traffic — and those dayscan be enjoyed in perfect safety. Theyrequire only a heightened level of cau-tion and a bit of extra preparation. BW

Jim

my

Fink

Jim

my

Fink

Some of the BestDays of the YearStay safe while enjoying cool-weather boating

Drink hot liquids and wear plenty of layers tostay warm during winter boating excursions.

seamanship boat handling

BY ZACK THOMASFor boaters in much of North America, autumn means winterizing and storingthe boat and hunkering down for four or five months of holidays, heavy coatsand hopefully a boat show or two. Come April or so, they’ll be back on the water.

+BW Templates Full2 9/1/10 2:44 PM Page 45

BY ALAN JONESBoat builders have been mak-ing bowriders for manydecades now. Occasionally

you’ll see a new wrinkle here orthere, but the basic template doesn’tseem to vary too much. That is,unless you’ve seen the Cobalt 296,which turns a new page in thebowrider story.

Unique FactorThe designers at Cobalt looked at

how other bowrider seating was laidout and basically tossed it out thewindow. It’s as if they moved theindoors outside and have created amotorized alfresco sitting parlor. Inthe stern are designer pillows,affixed by tracks, clad in all-weatherSunbrella material to yield a casuallook usually only seen in salons.

In one available layout, insteadof the usual U-lounge setup, thedriver and co-pilot have flippablebackrests that provide double-wideseats when the crew faces forward.With the backrests flipped forward,they become rearward recliners withroomy storage bins underneath. Ourtest boat has an optional wet barbehind the captain’s seat that elimi-nates the starboard recliner, but thesymmetry of twin convertible seatshas a look and function that’s hardto beat.

Forward, the look is unique witha wrap-around lounge that partiallycircles the bow section, but in frontof the captain is a feet-on-the-floor,forward-facing seat. The upholsteryis Bentley-esque with a hand-sewn,double-stitched two-tone look.

PerformanceThe 296 has several vastly differ-

ent engine schemes, all with onething in common: There’s not acanine choice in the lineup. Thismodel will most often ship with twoengines ranging from twin 300 hpVolvo Pentas or MerCruisers, all theway up to a pair of MerCruiser’snewest 430 hp 8.2L MAG H.O. V-8s,which come with catalytic convert-ers for vastly reduced emissions.That’s 860 total horsepower for themathematically challenged, whichwill push this 28-foot, 5-inchbowrider that weighs 8,740 poundsto a top speed in the mid-60s.

Our test boat only has one ofthese engines, which is anything butanemic. With just one engine, ourboat weighs 1,390 pounds less thanthe twin-engine version, which

tested Cobalt 296

Ultimate Weekend WarriorCobalt 296


BR Cobalt 296 8/30/10 10:05 AM Page 46

closed the performance gap ade-quately. Our time to plane was just4.1 seconds and, thanks to the greatmidrange powerband, we hit 30mph in 8.3 seconds. Cobalt has got-ten this rig up to 50 mph in its tests,but in less than ideal conditions in arough Miami shipping channel, wecould only squeeze out 48 miles perhour.

HandlingConditions during our sea trial

largely resembled those you’d findon a large lake, on your day off. Yep,it always happens: You stare out ofyour office window (people who canafford a big Cobalt don’t usuallywork in cubicles), and all week longit’s calmer than Gandhi on Valium.But on the morning you plan to goboating, the first sound you hearwhen you wake up is the wind howl-ing.

With 22 degrees of deadrise atthe stern and a progressive deadrisehull that’s an ultra-sharp, near-60degrees at the entry, we chose amidrange cruise speed of 35 mphand cleanly sliced and diced ourway through the steep 2-plus-foot-ers in style. We could drop down to15 mph or so by using the Lencotrim tabs and still stay on planewhen conditions worsened.

Occasionally we launched off alarger wave and slammed home, lis-tening for rattles that weren’t there.The great ride wasn’t too surprisingsince this Kevlar-reinforced hulldesign has been identified by J.D.Power and Associates as having thebest ride in a mid-sized runabout.Cobalt also won top honors from JDP&A for having the fewest numberof owner issues every year since it’sbeen giving out the award.

Adding to passenger peace ofmind is the very high gunwale, per-fect for parents of smaller kids whoalways want to ride up front.However, the gunwale is not flat, soit would be nice to see a patch ofnonskid for grip while standing on itto board from the side.

Best UsesDespite its more than 30-foot

length (with the extended, swim-mer-friendly stern platform), the296’s nimble handling makes this avery serviceable jumbo wakeboardboat. It has a standard ski pylon thatinserts into the upper stern deckinto a receiver that’s covered whennot in use. For tubers, there’s even astandard air compressor with hold-er.

This Cobalt’s primary mission isday cruising, and it excels with stan-dard features such as the six-speak-er MP3 stereo with an option for twomore speakers on the transom forthose hanging on the stern rumbleseat or taking a dip. In addition tothe cockpit recliner(s) there’s a pairof stern lounges for parents keepingan eye on swimmers. Families withyoung kids will love the roomy headcompartment complete with Coriancountertops, a stainless steel sinkand a standard pumpout Porta Potti.

Good luck prying the captain’shands off the leather-wrapped, realwood wheel that goes beautifullywith the rosewood trim option. Ourboat has an optional Garmin GPScolor display flush mounted frontand center, which complements theclean gauge and push-button acces-sory array.

Preferred SetupWhile a single huge engine clear-

ly gets the job done, having twinengines gives you the possibility ofadding a joystick docking option for$22,383, regardless of whether youchoose MerCruiser’s Axius or VolvoPenta’s system. Several must-haveoptions are the Bimini top, cockpittable with bow and cockpit receiversand trim tabs.

For taking the 296 to its properlyequipped, elevated station in life isthe Captain’s Call Plus exhaustoption. Aft seat and walk-throughfiller cushions, retractable dock-lines, a refrigerator and courtesylights are also available.

BoatingWorld.com

$ FINANCING:$1,110/month for 15 years based on 15%

down and 7.75% interest for 15 years


Length 28 ft., 5 in.Beam 9 ft., 5 in.Capacity Yacht certifiedDry Weight 7,350 lbs.Fuel Capacity 123 gals.


mph rpm dBAPeak 48 5000 93Cruise 28.5 3000 75 Time to Plane 4.1 sec.Time to 30 mph 8.3 sec.

P O W E R

Test Single 430 hp MerCruiser 8.2L MAG H.O.

Max hp 860 hpCylinders V-8Displacement 8.2L Weight 1,080 lbs.WOT Range 4600-5000 rpmBase Price (w/430 hp MerCruiser 8.2L MAG H.O. w/catalytic converter) $138,738(w/twin 300 hp Volvo Penta 5.7L) $147,079


Livorsi controls, compass, electric motor-box lift, polished stainless steel header andtrim, snap-in carpet, Porta Potti


Bimini top, trim tabs, transom shower, teakdeck trim, cockpit table, refrigerator

B U I L D E R

Cobalt Boatscobaltboats.com


C O B A LT 2 9 6

BR Cobalt 296 8/30/10 10:06 AM Page 47

3

2


What we liked:• The quality of the Cobalt brand• Deep, kid-friendly cockpit• Roomy head compartment• Convertible sunpad/rear seating• Fantastic handling and perform-ance

What we would change:Our home lake is pretty deep andwhen we drop the anchor with thewindlass we can’t tell how muchline has gone out. Maybe a linecounter would help.

Why we bought it:Grand Lake, where we do our

boating, is very large and has alarge number of huge cabin cruis-ers, so it can get pretty rough, butthe 296 handles it very well. Welove to go cruising and like to raftup with other boaters and justhang out. We take my brother andhis kids out tubing, skiing andwakeboarding and our Cobalt per-forms every task well. We wanted ahassle-free boating experience andour friends recommendedArrowhead, where the service hasbeen fantastic. Brandon, who soldus our boat, wanted to make surewe were happy with it after thesale and he and Thomas have deliv-

ered on that promise. We areCobalt customers for life, based onour experience with the 296. BW

Owner FeedbackDavid and Barbara Merrill, Tulsa, Okla.PURCHASED AT ARROWHEAD BOAT SALES, AFTON, OKLA. (COBALT’S NUMBER ONE DEALER IN SALES ANDCUSTOMER SATISFACTION LAST YEAR)

tested Cobalt 296

IN BRIEF :

FEATURES1 The seating arrangement

feels like a proper salon, with designer cushions and rear-facing loungers.

2 Head compartment is roomy and furnished with Corian countertops.

3 Head is easily accessible for adults of all sizes.

4 Helm features a leather-wrapped real wood wheel.

1

4

BR Cobalt 296 8/30/10 10:07 AM Page 48

Hold the PhoneMyGripLight | $29.95

Boats are notorious places forlosing small, important items, suchas cell phones and key rings.MyGripLight, a mountable organizerand mini LED light, keeps the essen-tials within reach. Constructed ofdurable ABS material to withstandmarine elements, MyGripLight’sclamps firmly grasp anything small— pencils, charts, knives, weddingrings (kidding!). Affixed to a flexiblearm, its detachable LED lightincludes both white and red lampsfor day and night use.� PenGrip LLC; (610) 838-2842;mygriplight.com Circle 40 on readerservice card, page 33

Sparks FlyXtreme Sport Spark Plug | $5.99–$6.99

Reduce the risk of cutting your trip short because of sparkplug fouling with Autolite’s Xtreme Sport Spark Plugs. Designedspecifically for two-stroke engines, the plugs incorporate a 0.6-millimeter fine wire design for a more focused ignition and a26-percent-quicker start. Xtreme Sport plugs also give off 21percent less hydrocarbon emissions. � Autolite; (800) 890-2075; autolite.com Circle 63 on reader service card, page 33

Step on ItBow-to-Beach Ladder |$379.95

The Bow-to-Beach Ladderallows boaters who like tostop on shore to step directlyonto the sand. Designed to bemounted on 21- to 45-footcruisers, the accordion-styleladder lowers easily and canbe detached and folded into acompact cube for storage.Once offered by another brand, it has been improved andrelaunched with heavier-gauge steel and aluminum, astronger retrieval strap and the option of comfort steps, aperfect addition if you have a furry first mate. � St. CroixMarine; (612) 865-8339; stcroixmarineproducts.com Circle 23 on reader service card, page 33

Splash PadSeaDek Swim Platform Traction Pads | Prices vary

Add a layer of both form and function to your swim plat-form with a custom SeaDek traction pad. At its base, each pad isconstructed with a 5mm-thick layer of EVA foam, followed by a 3mm-thicklayer of thermo-embossed, water-resistant foam, to create a shock-absorbent, nonskid surface. SeaDek’s durable traction pads are offered for avariety of popular boatmodels and feature animprint of your boatmanufacturer’s logo.The pads, which come inseveral colors, can alsobe custom ordered withjust about any design. � SeaDek; (321) 632-4466; seadek.com Circle 44 on reader servicecard, page 33

By Kristal Seeden

49 BoatingWorld Fall/Winter 2010

gear essentials

BoatingWorld.com

+BW Gear July.Aug 9/1/10 2:40 PM Page 49

Boaters traverse scenicwaterways of eastern U.S.

BY BOBBYE KENYON

The Great Loophas been described as the

ultimate boating excursion. This mega-mile adventure

affords boaters majestic views from waterways that pair the

past with the present. The journey varies from 5,000 to 7,500

miles depending on the course you plot and will take you to

vibrant cities and quaint towns along a splendid aquatic

trail that circumnavigates eastern North America.

Great Journey, Great Loop


Evan and Pookie Davis at Ellis Island Museum in New York Harbor.

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+Feature-Great Loop2 9/1/10 4:06 PM Page 50

Evan Davis getting some navigation help from Scruffy, the wire-hair fox terrier that made the journey with him aboard his 25-foot Ranger Tug.

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feature The Great Loop

The Great LoopAdventure

A n individual Great Loopjourney typically beginsand ends at your homeport.

Once you’ve “crossed your wake,”you’ve completed your trip. The itin-erary usually charts an early springcourse around Florida that headsnorth to New York City. The route fol-lows the Intracoastal Waterway(ICW) along the southeasternseaboard of the U.S., with an array ofoptions to discover, including pris-tine barrier islands that dot theGeorgia and Carolina coasts, incredi-ble river channels and estuaries.Traverse Chesapeake Bay, DelawareBay and resume on the ICW fromCape May to Manasquan, N.J. Fromthere, it’s an open 30-mile run acrossthe cobalt-hued Atlantic Ocean toNew York Harbor.

While the New York to Chicagosegment offers a menu of routes thatwind along Canada’s lock-filledcanals and the spectacular vastnessof the Great Lakes, timing this leg is akey ingredient in a well-plannedexcursion. Experienced mariners rec-ommend not venturing on the ErieCanal any earlier than mid-June andavoiding Lake Michigan bySeptember.

Loopers cruise north past spec-tacular New York Harbor, makingtheir way along the Hudson River,past Tarrytown and arriving at theeastern entrance of the Erie Canalwith a trio of directional choices asthey head toward Chicago. Heightrestrictions and lock considerationsplay an important role in this deci-sion-making process. A less popular,although direct, course is the ErieCanal to Lake Erie, then up throughLake Huron to the timeless beauty ofMackinac Island. Traveling along theeast side of Lake Michigan offers thebest passage to the Windy City.

From Chicago, this Great Looptakes a southerly course traveling

down the Illinois River to theMississippi, winding up on the Ohioand Tennessee rivers and eventuallythe Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway.The journey continues down toMobile, Ala. and merges with the ICWgoing east to Carrabelle, Fla. Via theICW, you can take a Fort Myers voy-age and cruise the OkeechobeeWaterway across to Stuart (onFlorida’s east coast), or you can makethe southernmost passage to theFlorida Keys around the tip of thestate and return north to Stuart.

If you don’t have the luxury oftime to enjoy the entire journey, youcan experience just a segment or sidetrip to one of the many stunning riveror lake destinations. Among thefavorite river outings are the St. JohnsRiver with its picturesque vistas ofFlorida’s not-so-tropical locales, andthe Cumberland River, which show-cases historical sites paired with aspectacular Nashville skyline againstthe backdrop of the region’s naturalbeauty. Favored lake passagesinclude Lake Superior, LakeMichigan’s Inland Waterway andSeneca Lake off the Erie Canal.

The LooperLifestyle

M any opt to cruise one areaduring the summermonths, then store their

boat and chart a new course the fol-lowing season, while some Loopersare liveaboards who make the entirejourney in one trip stretched out overmonths at a time. One thing all mem-bers of this cruising clique have incommon is that they relish the spiritof the journey, which is as muchabout camaraderie as it is aboutreaching the intended destination.

America’s Great Loop Cruisers’Association (AGLCA) was formed byRon and Eva Stob (authors of theguide “Honey, Let’s Get a Boat”), aftercruising the Great Loop in 1999. Theywanted to share their navigationaland cruising knowledge so others

could experience an enjoyable andsafe cruise. The AGLCA offers a wealthof information that pertains to a GreatLoop excursion and provides neces-sary facts for first-time, as well asrepeat Loopers. The organization(which boasts a membership of nearly5,000) organizes two rendezvous eachyear to welcome newcomers, renewold friendships and exchange storiesand well-learned lessons. The firstevent is held near Charleston, S.C. inthe spring, while the second is held atJoe Wheeler State Park in Rogersville,Ala. during the fall (this year sched-uled for Oct. 24-27).

Three years ago, the Stobs passedthe AGLCA helm to Steve and JaniceKromer, avid boaters in their ownright with a longtime involvement inthe U.S. Power Squadron inCharleston. Although the Kromers areonly partially “Looped,” they havelogged numerous miles traversing theEast Coast route aboard their 50-footMarine Trader No Sense3 and possessample knowledge about this intrigu-ing “blue interstate” that continues tolure boaters every year. Janice Kromerrecommends that Loopers consider arelaxed cruising format. “Have a gen-eral plan, but not an itinerary. Be flex-ible and open to all the experiencesalong the waterway.”

Preparing forthe Journey

T he advice from experiencedLoopers is to make a check-list prior to your trip, and

make sure the boat is serviced frombow to stern and all onboard elec-tronics are in working order. Ofcourse, timing your trip is an essen-tial element to plotting a memorablevoyage. “Most Loopers start the EastCoast in the spring, spend the sum-mer months along the Canadianwaterways and complete the GulfCoast crossing after Nov. 1,” JaniceKromer explained.

Above all else, do your research.“Start the research early, use the


BoatingWorld.com


Safety First

Evan and Pookie Davis com-pleted an exciting Great Loopvoyage aboard Pookie II, a 25-

foot Ranger Tug outfitted with a 110hp turbocharged Yanmar dieselengine. They departed Feb. 23, 2009from their homeport — a covered slipat Joe Wheeler State Park Marina inAlabama. After a 5,800-mile voyage,the couple crossed their wake at theentrance to the Tenn-Tom Waterwayon the Tennessee River on Sept. 29,2009. The highlights of the trip, whichtook the couple across Florida viaLake Okeechobee, were many. “Ourfavorite part was the Trent-SevernWaterway in Canada, but it’s reallyhard to choose a favorite,” Evan Davissaid. “Second choices would be thewest coast of Michigan, which hasnumerous delightful small harbors ofrefuge, or Georgian Bay, which is gor-geous.”

While their excursion was relative-ly problem-free mechanically speak-

ing, Mother Nature paid an unexpect-ed visit. “We had no problems otherthan a bilge pump repair in Cape May,but (we experienced) horrible wavesin the North Channel of Lake Huron atMeldrum Bay that were higher thanthe roof of the boat, which is sevenand a half feet above the waterline.”Davis stressed the importance of safe-ty and adequate communication toolsfor first-time Loopers. “Take a Safetyand Seamanship U.S. Coast Guardcourse before you leave home and getan air card — Verizon has better cov-erage — for your computer,” he rec-ommended. “The most dangerousthing to have on the Loop is a sched-ule,” he said, referring to the free-spir-ited Looper nature.

The Davis’ amazing seven-monthadventure was filled with incrediblememories that will last a lifetime.“The jewels of the trip are the newfriends you get to make and keep onthe entire trip,” Davis said.

Internet and visit websites detail-ing the Great Loop experience,”said Lyn Morgan, who successfullycompleted the Great Loop aboardhis 23-foot Premier pontoon boat.Keep proper charts, referencebooks and GPS within easy reach.“Read charts and above all, checkthe NOAA weather forecasts onlinebefore you leave port or anchorageevery day,” said Evan Davis, whotraveled the Loop with his wife,Pookie, aboard their 25-foot RangerTug. “In Canada, NOAA redirectsyou to Weather EnvironmentCanada. Let the weather controlyour schedule, not you.”

More tips from those in theknow: Remember the cell phonecharger and maybe even an extrabattery. Get an adequate numberof life jackets, and toss in someextras, just in case. Don’t forget topack plenty of essentials such assunscreen, insect repellent andraingear.

AGLCA members receive a gold burgee uponcompletion of the Loop. Evan and Pookie Davis ended their 5,800-mile journey at their home port of Joe Wheeler Marina. Inset: Entering Peterborough Lift Lock on Trent-Severn Waterway.

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feature Making the Great Loop

WHITE BLUFF, DEMOPOLIS, AL

Nicolai and Daniels cruised through historicand appropriately-named White Bluff alongthe Tombigbee River.

JAMIE WHITTEN LOCK AND DAM, MS

Jim Daniels inside Whitten Lock, the north-ernmost lock on the Tenn-Tom Waterway.Photo by Kitty Nicolai.

GREEN TURTLE BAY, GRAND RIVERS, KY

Kitty Nicolai launched her 23-footer fromGreen Turtle Bay with the help of fellowCoast Guard Auxiliarist Jim Daniels.

BLACK WARRIOR RIVER, AL

Black Warrior River is the primary tributaryof the Tombigbee River in central Ala. Photoby Kitty Nicolai.

+Feature-Great Loop2 9/3/10 9:09 AM Page 54

FALL ROUTES

SPRING ROUTES

SUMMER ROUTES

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SIP

PI

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TOM

BIG

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IVE

R

IL

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IS R

IVE

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LA

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MIC

HIG

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LAKE HU

RO

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LAKE SUPERIOR

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RENCE

RIVER

LAKE ONTARIO

LAKE ERIE

CHICAGO

FORTMYERS

STUART

CARRABELLE

MOBILE

NASHVILLE

BoatingWorld.com

CAPE MAY, NEW JERSEYEVAN AND POOKIE DAVIS

ANNAPOLIS, MARYLANDA favorite stop for AGLCA members

EIFFEL TOWERPARIS, TENNESSEEKITTY NICOLAI

GATEWAY ARCHST. LOUIS, MISSOURIEVAN AND POOKIE DAVIS

+Feature-Great Loop2 9/3/10 8:39 AM Page 55


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Lyn Morgan bought his Premier 235S-Series PTX for use on Lake Powell(above). He completed his Great Loopjourney in Tarpon Springs, FL (right).

To learn more about Premier’s PTXpackage, see page 34 for Alan Jones’test of the Premier 250 Intrigue.

Going About

I n May 2002, Bermuda residentGillian Outerbridge shippedher boat stateside to Liberty

Landing Marina, N.J. and launchedthe first of many travel plans.

During the next two years, shesingle-handedly (OK her JackRussell terrier, Tucker, came too)cruised the Rideau Waterway andTrent-Severn Waterway from springthrough fall aboard her Flicka 20-foot sailboat equipped with aYamaha 9.9 four-stroke outboard. “I completed the Rideau Waterwaythat first summer and parked Dartback at Liberty Landing for the win-ter,” Outerbridge explained. “Onmy return, I set off west on theTrent-Severn, reached GeorgianBay and Manitoulin Island. At thispoint, I was behind schedule todrive to the rendezvous atManitoulin. I decided not to carryon around the Loop that year, so Itrailered back to the west end of theErie Canal with the focus on reach-ing Greece. My lifelong dream wasto cruise to Greece in my own boat.This was a modified achievement ofthe dream: Greece, N.Y. not Greece,Greece.”

She chronicled her nearly 1,000-mile summer voyages in the pagesof her book, “Going About! AWaterway Adventure.” “I lovedevery minute, especially the cama-raderie amongst boaters,” she said.Her advice to would-be Loopers isborrowed from the words of Linand Larry Pardey: “Go small, gosimple, go now.” And Outerbridgetook the advice. “That’s what I didand don’t regret a minute. Take theboat you have, the boat you know,and just go!”

This year, LynMorgan com-pleted his inaugu-ral 5,300-mileGreat Loop cruise.Morgan embarked

aboard his Premier 235 S-Series PTXpontoon boat in May at KentuckyLake, Ky. The hull, powered by a 250hp Yamaha, sports a full glass wind-shield along with additional featuresincluding the rough-water package,PTX triple-‘toons for better handlingperformance and an adjustablechair mount.

“Not sure if anyone has done theLoop in a pontoon boat, but thisone is capable,” Morgan wrote in hisblog during the first leg of his jour-ney. “It’s a heavy-duty tri-pontoonboat.” Initially, Morgan intended touse the Premier on a lake. Then hegot the idea for a possible excursiondown the Mississippi. The ideafinally evolved into a Great Loopvoyage some eight months later. “Ihad originally ordered it for use onLake Powell (Utah),” he explained. “Igot interested in a trip going fromMinnesota down the Mississippiand back. Then, (when I thoughtabout) getting all the way down toMobile, it made me realize the pos-

sibilities of the Great Loop trip. Andthat’s when I decided that was whatI wanted to do.”

He completed the eight-week-and-a-day excursion July 17 with a listof incredible memories. “In the begin-ning, it’s seeing America from thewater,” Morgan said. “And crossingthe edge of the Gulf of Mexico withmy friend Fred Martin (Martin board-ed in Carrabelle, Fla. and disem-barked in Fort Myers, Fla.) to TarponSprings (Fla.) was great. It was a 200-mile day … the weather allowed us tocross. We were really going totally byGPS on that crossing.”

Morgan admitted to doing plen-ty of research and encouraged first-timers to do the same. “Don’t take itlightly,” he said. “There are bits andpieces of advice that you need to tai-lor to your conditions dependingupon the type of boat you areusing.” He described his Great Loopadventure as a “combination of adestination and a journey” limitedto a three-month travel window. “Itwas a destination in what to accom-plish with day-to-day goals, while itwas a journey to see the country-side. I took a different approachwith the type of boat I used … it wasmore of an out-there experience.”

NOT YOUR TYPICAL PONTOONER


Outerbridge and Tucker underway aboard Dart.


Relocation

A fter years of considering aGreat Loop voyage, KittyNicolai took a departure

from the routine journey, makingher dream trip come true via aunique twist from St. Louis toFlorida’s Gulf Coast. The U.S. CoastGuard auxiliarist was moving southand needed to get her boat toHudson, Fla. along the scenic GulfCoast region.

Her years of patrolling the watersfrom Lake Michigan to St. Louis withfellow Aux friend and boating afi-cionado Jim Daniels, promptedNicolai to make a realistic decision

that proved to be the best course ofaction: make the trip via water.Nicolai and Daniels trailered the 23-footer to Green Turtle Bay, Ky. andlaunched from there in June 2008.Although her boat (CG Auxiliary7045) is a vessel of the United Stateswhen under orders, this 1,200-milevoyage was not. She completed thecruise in just two weeks, despite afive-day delay for engine repair atParis Landing, Tenn. When underway, she accomplished her goal of100 miles per day.

While most cruisers have a des-ignated favorite stop on their voy-age, Nicolai admitted there isn’tone on her list. “People make theplace, and 99 percent of the folkswe met along the way weresuperb,” she said. She describedher trip as “unconventional fromthat of most Loopers in that it wason board a smaller boat at a fasterpace. And although the journeywas simply too short and too fast, it will remain one of the highlightsof our lives.”

BoatingWorld.com


After passing through JamieWhitten Lock, the Tenn-Tom Waterwayeventually leads to the White Bluffarea of Ala. Below: Kitty Nicolai spent5 days in Paris Landing, Tenn. whileher engine was repaired.

Know Before You Go

America’s Great Loop Cruisers’Association (AGLCA)500 Oakbrook LaneSummerville, SC 29485 (877) 478-5667, greatloop.org

”Quimby’s 2010Cruising Guide”The Waterways Journal, Inc.319 N. Fourth St., Suite 650 St. Louis, MO 63102 (314) 241-4310, quimbyscruisingguide.com

Books by Ron and Eva Stob“Honey, Let’s Get a Boat: A Cruising Adventure ofAmerica’s Great Loop”“Great Loop Side Trips: 20 Cruising Adventures onEastern North America’sWaterways”

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feature green cleaning

Spray Nine Green MarineMulti-Purpose Cleaner |$11.40• Spray Nine; (631) 777-7655; spray9.net

Dirt, oil, grime, food — you name thestain, and Green Marine can handle it.

The EPA’s Design for theEnvironment programgives its seal of approval

to this marine cleaner for itslow VOC content and pH-balanced formula. It’s alsobiodegradable, containsno ozone-depletingchemicals, is non-carcino-genic and nontoxic to skinand eyes. Circle 46

on reader service card, pg. 33

Star briteSea SafeBoat Wash| $14.99• Star brite;

1-800-327-8583;

starbrite.com

Star britedelivers a con-centrated, low-sudsing formula thatis friendly on your wallet and thewater. Biodegradable and phos-phate-free, Sea Safe Boat Wash isapproved for inland lakes as well as saltwater environments.Circle 47 on reader service card, pg. 33

Shurhold Brite Wash | $11.98• Shurhold; 1-800-962-6241; shurhold.com

Brite Wash is designedto be safe and effective onfiberglass, clear coat,metal, rubber andpainted surfaces, sogo ahead and stockup for your boat, car,RV and other toys.The environmentallysmart formula is con-centrated to conservewater when washingand save you money.Circle 45 on reader service card, pg. 33

MaryKateAluminex Clean & Shine |$11.99• CRC Industries

Marine; 1-800-556-5074;

crcindustries.com

MaryKate Aluminex Clean & Shinefrom CRC Industries does exactly what itsname implies: cleans and brightens alu-minum hulls and pontoons. The Safe AcidTechnology makes it suitable for eitherpainted or anodized aluminum. Aluminexis pH balanced, odor-free and free ofvolatile organic compounds (VOCs).Circle 34 on reader service card, pg. 33


BY KRISTINA ACKERMANN

oating and cleaning go together like peas and carrots:If you want to keep your baby looking like new, you’re going to have to use some elbow grease.Thankfully, cleaning products have come a long waysince the days of bleach in a bucket.

With the amount of time boaters spend on the waterenjoying the great outdoors, we’re also demanding

products that are safe for waterways, wildlife and ourfamilies. Cleaning gear companies have responded tothis demand with an array of products that arebiodegradable and free of toxins. We’ve gatheredsome of our favorite cleaning products in the environ-

mentally friendly field to help you keep your boat andyour water as clean as can be.

+Feature-GreenClean2 9/3/10 11:16 AM Page 58

Babe’s Boat Bright Spray Wax | $10.75 • Babe’s Boat Care Products; 1-888-422-2374; babesboats.com

Conserve water by using Babe’s Boat Bright Spray Wax — no prewashing required. The nonabrasive formu-la cleans and protects your boat’s surfaces, while adding UV protection against oxidation and fading. The envi-ronmentally safe formula is pH balanced and 100 percent biodegradable. Circle 20 on reader service card, pg. 33

Thetford Marine Multi-Purpose Stain Remover | $14.99• Thetford; 1-800-543-1219; thetford.com

Of all the products out there that claim to be safe forthe environment, Thetford’s Multi-Purpose Stain Remover

is actually recognized by the EPA’s Design for the Environ-ment program for its biodegradable formula free of inorganic

phosphates, hazardous solvents or harmful surfactants. And becauseit’s chlorine free, Multi-Purpose Stain Remover is safe for use on every surface of your boat,including carpet, vinyl, rubber and fiberglass. Circle 55 on reader service card, pg. 33

TRAC Ecological GreenClean Boat Soap | $15.87• TRAC Ecological Marine Products; (954) 987-2722; trac-online.com

TRAC has built a solid reputation in the field of environmentally friendly cleaning products.GreenClean Boat Soap is uniquely formulated tocompletely biodegrade in 28 days, not years like someother products. Because it is free of petroleum prod-ucts, phosphates, dyes, fragrances and butyl cellu-solve, not only is it nontoxic but it rinses completelyclean, leaving no residue behind. An eco-safe soap that leaves less work for you; what’s not to like? Circle 56 on reader service card, pg. 33

West Marine Pure OceansCitrus Bilge Cleaner | $9.99• West Marine; 1-800-262-8464;westmarine.com

Break down the noxious oil andgrease lining your bilge, and eliminateodors with a refreshing citrus scent. Allthe products in West Marine’s PureOceans line are biodegradable and freeof phosphates, petroleum distillates andother harmful components. Circle 60 on reader service card, pg. 33

Salt-Away | $11.99• Salt-Away; 1-888-725-8292;saltawayproducts.com

Salt-Away’s Corrosion Controlformula is a must-have for all salt-water mariners. The ingredientsare 100 percent nontoxic, nonhaz-ardous, biodegradable and safe touse on virtually all surfaces. Onceit’s applied, a dense foam clings tothe surface, dissolving salt crystalsthat are then lifted up into thefoam and easily rinsed away. Theformula has zero hydrocarbon sol-vents, so it will not remove anylubricating products. Salt-Awayalso leaves behind residual corro-sion inhibitors to prevent futuresalt damage. Circle 43 on reader service card, pg. 33

BoatLIFE Boat Cleaner | $14.69• BoatLIFE; 1-800-382-9706; boatlife.com

This phosphate-free, biodegradableformula is an environmentally safe wayto clean every area of your boat withoutremoving wax or dulling the finish. Circle 22 on reader service card, pg. 33

feature green cleaning

Mothers Marine Wash’n Wax | $13.99• Mothers Polish; (714) 891-3364; mothers.com

This concentrated formula combinestwo steps in one to save you time.Biodegradable and low-sudsing, Wash’nWax easily removes dirt and grime, andrinses away for a glossy finish. Circle 39 on reader service card, pg. 33

BoatingWorld.com

+Feature-GreenClean2 9/1/10 3:01 PM Page 59

Ellie, Shaun & Kari OttoLake Ozark, MO

Remy, Marcie & Bill PardyHolmes, NY

Bode, Mel BrownKalispell, MT

TheDog Days of SummerMore photos of your furry friends

Mija, Ed Nadler & Vicky AlsakerGrand Bahamas

Lucy, Jeff & Sandy WolkTalladega, AL

Every month here at Boating World, the editors and Ilook through countless photos to determine who willbe named Salty Dog of the Month. The winner gets afree Big Bertha tow toy from the nice people atSportsStuff, so naturally the contest is pretty popular.

Once the summer boating season rolls around, the photoentries start flooding in!

We can’t give a prize to every salty dog contestant (we’d proba-bly put SportsStuff out of business!), but we can share the photosof these lovable pooches with all of you. We even have a salty catwho wants in on the action!

I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I did. Next timeyou’re out on the water with your dog, be sure to snap a photoand send it in. You could be our next winner!

Until next year,Bobby

+Feature-Daoggs 9/3/10 8:44 AM Page 60

Calling All Salty Dogs:Send your picture to Bobby for your chance to win a SportsStuff tow toy. Contact Bobby [email protected] or Boating World, Salty Dog, 17782 Cowan, Suite A, Irvine, CA 92614.Please include a photo, along with your name,your dog’s name, your address and phone number.

WIN THIS!

Jersey, Chris JohnstonNewburyport, MA

Bruno, Derek Orf & April StoneRochester, NY

Bubba, Kate PhillipsLynn, MA

Beaker, Greg & Sabrina OstrowskiAnnapolis, MD

Brutus, Bryan & Keri BrockViera, FL

Faith, Tracy & Shane IdeHephzibah, GA

Ginger, Dominique FarrarWalnut Creek, CA

Lulla Belle, Carolyn & Frank SnyderJacksonville, FL



The Dog Days of Summer

Osa, Randy LeonStanwood, WA

Beaver, Joan GodlewskiCrown Point, IN

Biscuit, Darrell & Doreen ClarkSugar Springs, MI

Toby & Sable, Bruce BockwoldtChatsworth, CA

Gypsy, Christy JudahSupply, NC

Otis, Don & Annette AbbatielloPompano Beach, FL

Dawson, Julie & Michael ConlonShrewsbury, MA

Zazoo, Don & Annette AbbatielloPompano Beach, FL

Lucy, Richard IannelliFranklin, TN

Bailey, Tim & Becky JonesBeaufort, NC

Ellie, Ian AshtonRoyal Oak, MI

Buster, John BrooksManhattan Beach, CA

Smiley, Andrew CrispinHouston, TX

Oakley, Jaime & Pallie FortwanglerCoral Springs, FL

Rowdy Huckleberry, Alysse DayCollege Station, TX


BoatingWorld.com

Wendy, Jody McFarlandBeaverton, OR

Millie, Chuck & Shea LindseyForsyth, GA

Jackson & Maddie, Raymond & Crystal GlasscockSpringtown, TX

Tinker Bell, Melissa MatteviLancaster, SC

Jake, Michelle GayAlpharetta, GA

Buddy, Ron & Tina Marie DeGeorgeWheeling, IL

CoCo, Linda MarcellusFort Myers, FL

Ronin & Millie, Mike ParadiseCenterport, NY

Willie, Mark and Cori VanEpps, Spring Lake, MIKoda, Eric and Barb Schulz, Allendale, MI

Chloe, Jessie YorkStevensville, MD

Oreo, Krystle MorgadoKingston, NH

Cashmere, Alyssa PooleRaleigh, NC





Ollie Bear, Jon & Monica MohlerBristow, VA

Miley, Nadine GosankoElgin, IL

Lilly, Mary & Brad FreyDelanson, NY

Leto, Bruce ReidCampbell River, B.C., Canada

Ivan, Becky RalphBethlehem, PA

Fiona, Matt StallingsTalbott, TN

Buddy, Sherry FarrellHilton, NY

Nora, Aaron MelnychukEugene, OR

Mojo, Steve HogensonSpicer, MN

Chino, Justin & Natalie Diel Navarre, FL

Moose, Mark BohrnsenDenver, CO

Malia, Kim & Jake BursackReston, VA

Ruger, John FormosoFremont, CA

Quasar, Ray & Doreen WyllinsWest Berlin, NJ


BoatingWorld.com

Mallory Marine has thebest preventivemaintenance productsfor your outboard orinboard marine engine.If you are a do ityourself owner or relyon a serviceprofessional MalloryMarine has qualityproducts you cancount on, MalloryMarine has newexpanded coverage onmarine grade Syntheticand Synthetic Blendengine oils that farexceed OEM warrantyrequirements and offerfree extended warrantycoverage for up to 6 years when used exclusively inyour new engine.

Mallory Marine

Contact your local dealer or visit www.mallorymarine.com for more information.

Six10 Thickened Epoxy Adhesiveoffers the permanent, waterproof, gap-

filling and gluing performance ofWEST SYSTEM epoxy in aconvenient, point-and-shootpackage. The Six10 cartridge fitsin a standard caulking gun andmeters epoxy resin andhardener through a staticmixing wand. Just squeeze.Six10 lays a smooth, workablebead of pre-thickened, fullymixed WEST SYSTEM Epoxy.

This gap-filling structuralepoxy bonds tenaciously towood, metals, fiberglass andconcrete. The mixture will notrun or sag. Six10’s chamberedcartridge keeps resin and

hardener separate for a longshelf life.

Six10 retails for around $20 atyour friendly WEST SYSTEM dealer.

PO Box 665, Bay City, MI 48707

866-937-8797

www.westsystem.com

WEST SYSTEM SIX10®

THICKENED EPOXY ADHESIVES


Otis, Joe SandyGwynn, VA

Rex, Brian & Matina OliverToms River, NJ

Hunter & Marshall, Michaela Rekowski Pittsburgh, PA

Baxter, Dave & Amanda FallonVirginia Beach, VA

Zeus, Nate ChurchBurlington, VT

Okee, Hailey TobeLong Beach, NY





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CELEBRATING20 YEARS!

www.craigcat.com

SINCE 1990

Craig Catamaran Corp.ORLANDO, FL

1-877-999-4228

BUY TODAY! GET A FREETRAILER AND SAVE $750!!Make fun a priority again! Men and women of all ages love the simple ease of operation and the lightweight, unsinkable and exceptionally stable design that makes trailering, launching and handling a breeze.

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FREE INFO CIRCLE 54 ON THE READER SERVICE CARD ON PG. 33FREE INFO CIRCLE 35 ON THE READER SERVICE CARD ON PG. 33

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Donate Your Boat

boatangel.com800-227-2643

sponsored by boat angel outreach centers



EMERGENCYLIFE RAFT

Survival Products, Inc., servicing/sales ofaviation/marine life rafts, vests, slides since1974, manufactures newly designed emer-gency inflatable four to six man life raft forprivate aircraft/pleasure boats; WORLD’SLIGHTEST WEIGHT (only 12 pounds);WORLD’S SMALLEST PACKAGE (only 4 x 12x 14 inches); WORLD’S LEAST EXPENSIVE(only $1,370); optional customized survivalkits. (9 to 13 man, 18 lbs.; valise. 5 x 12 x 14inches: $1,785). Non TSO’d and TSO’d.NEW!! 10 man MAC/ORC raft/double tube.30 lbs.; valise, 5"x14"x19"; $3620. 6 man alsoavailable. BUY OR RENT.

5614 S.W. 25 Street, Hollywood, FL 33023 (954) 966-7329 • FAX: (954) 966-3584

www.survivalproductsinc.comemail: [email protected]


REPRINTSEPRINTSPLAQUESPOSTERS

Reprints can be used as:• Trade Show Handouts• Media Kits• Point-of-Purchase Displays• Direct Mail Campaigns

Customize Your Reprints!

Call today877- 652-5295

and allow ourreprint coordinator

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Create a powerful statement for your product,service or company thru

professionally designed Marketing Materials utilizing editorial content.

Contact Wright’s Reprints to discuss how we can customize these

materials to enhance your current Marketing campaign.

U.S.copyright laws protect against unauthorized use of published content.

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BoatingWorld.com

House BoatGuy Wiggs,Weatherford,TX

Junk LubbersJan Titus, Eastsound,WA

Hoard on BoardGlenn Bloom, Oklahoma City, OK

Garbage BargePeter Haight, Bradenton, FL

OverboardedDavid Michael,Albany, OR

Fully EquippedDon Monaco, Shirley, MA

Davey Jones’ StorageLockerSharon Bartley, Silver Spring, MD

Everything but theKitchen SinkDan Petherbridge, Essex Junction,VT

Tons of FunRoger Kirchhoff, Montague, NJ

Bulging at the BeamMary Jo Bagans, Grosse Ile, MI

Pile DriverAlexander Shaw III, Hagerstown, MD

All AhoardMelissa Harrison, Deltona, FL

Stacked DeckBill Gomola, Olmsted Falls, OH

Clutter CutterEleanor Springer, Midland, PA

Liveaboards WelcomeJim Buchanan, Christmas, FL

Moving SailWarren Steinmeyer, Lizella, GA

Want KnotMichael Cole, Lake Worth, FL

No VacanSeaGina Cocci, Port Saint Lucie, FL

Gross TonnageDennis Magner, Spokane,WA

A Work of ArkChris Hedetniemi, Dennis, MA

Gilligan’s PileJonathan Altman, New Bern, NC

S.O.MessTim Spates, North Port, FL

Day TripperWilliam Evans, Culpeper,VA

Ballast PalaceGreg Walsh, Essex Junction,VT

Dad’s ArkTed Walton, Johnstown, OH

Homeward BoundScott Flood, Oregonia, OH

Pack RaftRobert Franki, Penfield, NY

BoatloadDanielle Pavsek,Tempe,AZ

Roughing ItTray Richardson, Richmond, KY

MORE OF JUNE’S FUNNIEST ENTRIES:

What a bunch of show-offs. Come up with the winning name for this showboat and win a set of compact waterproof box speakers from West Marine.

Boating World Editorial and Advertising Offices, 17782 Cowan, Ste. A, Irvine, CA 92614; (949) 660-6150. Boating World (ISSN 1059-5155, USPS 575-890) is printed in the U.S.A. and published eight times a year in Jan.,Feb., Mar., Apr., May, Jun., Jul./Aug., and Fall/Winter at 17782 Cowan Ste. A, Irvine, CA 92614 by Duncan McIntosh Co. Inc. Periodicals Postage paid at Irvine, CA 92614 and at additional mailing offices. Editorial con-tributions are welcome. Please submit all contributions to the editor, accompanied by return postage. We assume no responsibility for loss or damage of unsolicited materials. Boating World retains reprint rights, viaprint and electronic media. Contributor retains all other rights for resale, publication, etc. POSTMASTER: Please send change of address to Boating World, P. O. Box 25859, Santa Ana, CA 92799-5859. CANADA POST:Publications Mail Agreement #40612608 Canada Returns to be sent to Bleuchip International, P. O. Box 25542, London, OH N6C 6B2. SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE: Please send all subscription correspondence to BoatingWorld to P.O. Box 25859, Santa Ana, CA 92799-5859. Please allow at least six weeks for the change of address to become effective. Include both your old and your new address-enclosing, if possible, an address labelfrom a recent issue. SUBSCRIPTION PRICE: U.S. and its possessions, $19.97 per year. Additional postage for Canada is $15.00 per year and other foreign countries $30.00 per year. Single copy price $4.95; back issues,$8.50 (in the U.S. only) includes postage and handling. Boating World is a registered trademark of Duncan McIntosh Co. Inc. Copyright © 2010, all rights reserved. PERMISSIONS: Material in this publication may notbe reproduced in any form without written permission.

June’s Winner: Trawler Trash

Michael Blasko from Houstonwas the first to submit the boatname for our seafaring hoarders. Hereceives an Inflatable SkedaddleKayak from West Marine.

How to Enter ThisMonth’s Contest:

The first person to turn in the best boat name willreceive a pair of compact waterproof box speakers fromWest Marine, valued at $99.99.

We’ll reprint the picture with the winning boat namein the February 2011 issue. Submissions are due by Nov.30. Send an e-mail to [email protected] with“Name the Boat” in the subject line or send snail mail toBoating World Magazine/Name the Boat, 17782 Cowan,Suite A, Irvine, CA 92614. Please include your full name,address and phone number, along with your entry.

Rick

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YOURS FREE!

Prize courtesy of

contest name the boat

+BW Templates6 April10 9/1/10 4:21 PM Page 71

��

Compare our patented Z-Plane hull with

other hulls and see that Stingray boats are

the best performing, most fuel efficient you can own.

Quality, user-friendly features, extended protection programs,

and competitive pricing make Stingray the best value in boating.

Visit your Stingray dealer and compare the real value of our boats.

in PERFORMANCE,EFFICIENCY, & VALUE

TO LOCATE A STINGRAY DEALER IN YOUR AREA, VISIT STINGRAYBOATS.COM/DEALERS FREE INFO CIRCLE 10 ON THE READER SERVICE CARD ON PG. 33

boating world 2010 fall-winter

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