Progressive Casualty Ins. Co. & affiliates. Annual premium for a basic liability policy not available all states. Prices vary based on how you buy.
There’s a reason they say, Curse like a sailor. That’s why we offer basic plans starting at $100 a year and options with On-Water Towing. 1.800.PROGRESSIVE | PROGRESSIVE.COM
LIFE ON THE COAST IS BETTER WHEN YOU STAY CENTERED.
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Make the most of the open water with Yamaha’s 190 FSH® Series. Our all-new 19-foot center console boats have been redesigned from the ground up for more fishing and family fun. A saltwater corrosion resistant driveline protects you from the harshest elements. And with an extra spacious layout and new storage pods to keep all of your gear, the 190 FSH Series will put you in the middle of everything you love about living on the coast. Starting at $29,799.
YA M A H A B OAT S . C O M | #RunTheWater ©2019 Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA. All rights reserved. Follow instructional materials and obey all laws. Ride responsibly, wearing protective apparel and USCG-approved personal flotation device. Always drive within your capabilities, allowing time and distance for maneuvering, and respect others around you. Never drink and ride. Shown with optional accessories.
190 FSH
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Contents
M a rch 2019 • Vol u m e 40 N o. 3
pg.
50
MAGAZINE
VOLUME XL NUMBER 3
DEPARTMENTS 4 Editor’s Letter TKTK 8 Currents Bits from the boating world 14 Trailering Tow vehicle tires 18 Watersports Build strength for spring 22 Fishing Night fishing tips 26 Engines Mercury Pro XS and Racing V8 28 Electronics Multifunction displays 30 Ask the Experts Our panel of experts answers your questions 34 Bonehead Blunders Mistakes no boater should make
features
36 Gear The latest accessories, gadgets and electronics
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Historic sites exist in every state, and boaters can see many of them from the water. Here are 15 to spur readers’ exploration. BY BOATING WORLD STAFF
Insurance is important — and not just for the boat.
History on Deck
Cover the Extras
BY HEATHER STEINBERGER
64 Contest: Name the Boat Win a Theory kneeboard and rope package from Connelly
boats tested
38 Four Winns HD 180 A big-boat feel has been shrunk down to garage size.
42 Princecraft Vectra 25 RL The Canadian builder delivers a lot of pontoon for a little money.
46 Sylvan S5 LS DC Sylvan’s S-Series is all about sporty luxury, with some new previously unseen twists.
• JUNE 2019 2 • 2 MARCH 2018 BOATINGWORLD.COM BOATINGWORLD.COM
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Fish & Cruise While the 236CC was designed for use as a coastal fishing boat, it's really a multi-purpose boat that can be used for lots of activities — pulling kids on a tube, cruising to dinner, or just a leisurely ride along the waterways.
With seating for up to twelve passengers, rod holders and storage throughout, and a changing compartment that can be upgraded with an optional porta potti, the 236CC is ready for a full day of fun on the water with family and friends! 236CC Deck Boat 23’ 8” | 101” beam | 3648 lbs (w/ popular engine) | 68 gal fuel capacity | 12 ppl, 3250 lbs VISIT STINGRAYBOATS.COM /236CC FOR MORE INFORMATION
Editor’s Letter
by Ala n Jones
THE BOATING WORLD TEAM RESPONDS:
“
An ice-cream maker wants to honor St. Patrick with a new green flavor. What would you name it?
PUBLISHER
Duncan McIntosh Jr.
Spoonful of Envy
S H UTDOWN DE BACLE One of the ironies of the government shutdown that began Dec. 22, 2018, and lasted 35 days in a dispute over how to secure and fund the 1,933-mile border between the U.S. and Mexico is that U.S. Coast Guard members had to work but didn’t get paid. Why is that irony? Because Coast Guard members are already doing for 12,383 miles of U.S. coastline what Congress is trying to figure out what to do for less than 2,000 miles of border.
ASSOC . EDITOR/PUBLISHER Jeff Fleming
Jolly Green Leprechaun
EXECUTIVE EDITOR Alan Jones
Guinness Spinach
MANAGING EDITOR Mike Werling
Snake Charmer Venomint Chip Swirl
ASSISTANT EDITOR Stephanie Shibata
Wasabi Cream Dream
ART DIRECTOR Julie Hogan
Shamrocks and Shenanigans PRODUCTION Mary Monge
Composed of 40,992 active-duty members, the Coast Guard is one of five U.S. Armed Forces — the Navy, Marine Corps, Army and Air Force are the others — but is the only one not under the Department of Defense. In 2003, the Coast Guard shifted from the Department of Transportation to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and in the process added to its already massive list of responsibilities. Its traditional missions include marine safety, search and rescue, fisheries law enforcement, aids to navigation, environmental protection and ice operations. Additional duties under the DHS umbrella include ports, waterways and coastal security, migrant interdiction, defense readiness and drug interdiction. Its area of operation includes a staggering 6 million square miles of coastal waters. Occasionally, the Coast Guard publishes a list of average daily activities, and its scope and numbers are awesome. In 2013, a partial list for one day included: conduct 109 search-and-rescue operations, assist 192 people in distress, save 10 lives, monitor 2,509 commercial ships entering ports, respond to 20 oil or chemical spills, teach safety classes to 550 boaters and fly 164
aircraft missions. That’s a hell of a daily to-do list. And during the shutdown, its members did it for 35 days without pay. Classified as essential workers, Coast Guard members are required to show up for work, where activities often include operating under hazardous conditions during rescues and interdicting people who sometimes shoot back. Should one of them be killed in the line of duty during a shutdown, survivor death benefits would not be paid until the shutdown ended. In addition, more than 50,000 retired Coast Guard veterans didn’t receive their pension checks. As I write this, another shutdown is looming. Another one could seriously erode the Coast Guard’s ability to function and affect its ability to recruit new people into a branch that has honorably served since 1790. Its mission is critical to all Americans (especially boaters), and the executive and legislative branches of our government need to act to ensure the brave men and women of the Coast Guard — like other members of the U.S. Armed Forces — are exempt from having their paychecks withheld during budgetary squabbles. BW
Jolly Mint Julep
CIRCUL ATION
Emily Wells-Horneff Yuck of the Irish Dustin Nguyen Lucky Broccoli Swirl ADVERTISING SALES & MARKETING
Call (949) 660-6150
REGIONAL SALES MANAGERS
Annabelle Zabala Lucky Leprechaun Felice Lineberry Cabbage Crunch
MARKETPL ACE SALES MGR. Jon Sorenson
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AD COORDINATORS
Jennifer Chen Green Beans n Irish Cream Lacee Garcia Clover Slime
TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR Dave Kelsen
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SUBSCRIPTIONS
Boating World – Subscriber Services P.O. Box 25859, Santa Ana, CA 92799 (888) 732-7323 circulation@boatingworld.com PUBLISHED BY DUNCAN MCINTOSH CO. INC .
Boatingworld.com 18475 Bandilier Circle, Fountain Valley, CA 92708 (949) 660-6150 • Fax (949) 660-6172
Duncan Mcintosh Co. is founded by Editor and Publisher Duncan McIntosh Jr. and Co-Publisher Teresa Ybarra McIntosh (1942-2011)
VOLUME 40 • NO.3 Boating World Editorial and Advertising Offices, 18475 Bandilier Circle, Fountain Valley, CA 92708; (949) 660-6150. Boating World (ISSN 1059-5155, USPS 16200) is printed in the U.S.A. and published nine times a year in Jan., Feb., Mar., Apr., May, Jun., Jul./Aug., Sept./Oct. and Nov./Dec. at 18475 Bandilier Circle, Fountain Valley, CA 92708 by Duncan McIntosh Co. Inc. Periodicals Postage paid at Santa Ana, CA 92799 and at additional mailing offices. Editorial contributions 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, via print 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, ON N6C 6B2. SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE: Please send all subscription correspondence to Boating World, 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 label from a recent issue. SUBSCRIPTION PRICE: U.S. and its possessions, $11.00 per year. Additional postage for Canada is $15.00 per year and other foreign countries $30.00 per year. Single copy price $5.00; 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 © 2019, all rights reserved. PERMISSIONS: MMaterial AG A Z I Nin E this publication may not be reproduced in any form without written permission. M AG A Z I N E
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Jump into Summer Fun Whether it’s a lady’s day out, family water sport fun, or casting a line towards the catch of the day, Sylvan has floorplans that are perfect for you. Led by class-leading technology, comfort and styling, we will leave you wondering why you don’t hop aboard sooner.
SYLVANMARINE.com
© 2019 Sylvan Marine. All rights reserved
Currents
by Steph a n ie S h ibata
L E A D
B O A T //
P U R S U I T
S
2 8 8
Catch and Relax
This 55-mph fishing machine is surprisingly adept at dayboating too, with seating all around its center console. THE PURSUIT S 288 is the newest and smallest member of the builder’s Sport line, but at 30 feet long it has the size and capability to take its show on the road, perhaps to the Bahamas or Mexico. Its deep-V hull has 24 degrees of deadrise and a steep entry for slicing through gnarly conditions. While it carries a price tag of $223,225, it is maxed out with standard features most companies charge extra for, including a windlass, trim tabs, a cockpit shower, a hardtop and a JL Audio sound system with a subwoofer.
Power is provided by a pair of factory painted Pearlescent White Yamaha F300 outboards that push the S 288 to 55 mph. For absolute control, buyers can spend $22,505 for Yamaha’s Helm Master joystick docking with Set Point virtual anchor, or they can limit the upcharge to $5,140 with a bow thruster. Serious fishing features include a 24-gallon livewell, 45-gallon insulated 8
fishboxes with overboard discharge and rod storage. Lots of rod storage: in-gunwale, under-gunwale and at the transom, with the option to add more on the hardtop. Offshore anglers will likely add Taco Grand Slam outriggers ($4,635). The helm has enough dash space for twin 12-inch displays. The Pursuit S 288 is also serious about its social game, featuring great seating
throughout — something center consoles aren’t noted for. Not only is there a flip-down transom seat but an identical one opposite it deploys from the leaning post. The two create an area for mingling. Another conversation pit up front features twin bench seats that have foldout bowrider backrests. And in front of the console is a doublewide jumpseat with folddown armrests. When the call of nature strikes, a door in the front of the center console swings open to reveal a roomy head compartment equipped with a standard vacuum-flush head with a nine-gallon holding tank. — Alan Jones Pursuit, pursuitboats.com
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Boston Whaler is one of the builder names that inspires jealousy and a fair amount of nostalgia.
Unlike many other center console boats, the Pursuit S 288 has seating both fore and aft of the console, in addition to a double helm seat. A door in the front of the console swings open to reveal a head compartment. Flush-mounted displays in the helm dash provide all the info the captain needs.
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CURRENTS
name the boat To participate in this month’s contest, turn to page 64
JANUARY CONTEST WINNER: Payback’s a Fish
Gregory Pena from Port Ludlow, Wash., was the first to submit the winning name, Payback’s a Fish. For punningly tipping the scales of maritime justice and impressing the online voters, Gregory receives a Theory kneeboard and a Proline EVA wake/ski/kneeboard rope combo from Connelly (connellyskis.com), valued at $330.
Rick Martin illustration
MORE OF JANUARY’S BEST ENTRIES:
Out-a-toon
Fin-ished
Carp-a-Diem
George Hill, Tonto Basin, AZ
Anita Burns, Kearney, MO
Phantom of the Aqua
Crappie Day
Kenneth Stevanus, Newburgh, MD
Keven & Sandy Butler, North Fork, ID
Adam Metzger, Battle Creek, MI
Ship Wrenched
Mary Jo Bagans, Grosse Ile, MI
Lisa Stovall, Mt. Sinai, NY
Saboatage David Holden, Cary, IL
Inopportoon
No Proplem Jeff Davidson, Santa Ana, CA
Fat Lady Springs
Stripped Bass David Wabakken, Oak Hills, CA
Harmoney Kenneth Slavik, Portland, OR
Shipouttaluck Curtis White, Virginia Beach, VA
Fathom of the Opera Albert Tesoro, Seminole, FL
Jerry Dawson, Hernando, FL
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D I D YO U K N OW ?
Miss Helen, a gray horn shark at the San Antonio Aquarium, was abducted last July. How did the culprits attempt to smuggle a shark out of an aquarium? In a baby stroller, of course. After authorities reviewed the surveillance footage, the sharknappers were found and confessed to their crime. In Flushing Bay, Queens, N.Y., World’s Fair Marina is perched on the northern edge of Flushing Meadows Corona Park. This particular boat basin was built for the 1939 New York World’s Fair.
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A N AT O M Y L E S S O N
Dayboating Gets Dressed Up NEREA YACHTS IS a fairly new boatbuilding company based on the east coast of Italy, on the Adriatic
Sea. Its first offering is a 24-foot dayboat with the designation NY24, and company founder Dario Messina is on a mission to create a floating piece of art. You can judge his level of success on that front. Check out the features of the luxury dayboat. See the whole story at NereaYacht.com. 1. A single 300 hp Volvo Penta D4 engine provides a 32-knot top speed. 2. Triple tiers at the transom deliver separate lounging areas and protection in rough seas. 3. A convertible dinette transforms the cockpit into a sunpad.
4. Two drawer refrigerators, a sink and a stove fit in a cockpit console. 5. The cabin includes a huge sofa that converts to a double berth, an enclosed head and a flat-screen TV. 6. Planked teak gives the foredeck a yachty look.
BOATINGWORLD.COM
2/4/19 7:41 AM
Never Been Christened
A LOT OF famous people never owned a boat, and many of those who own or owned one didn’t do a great job naming it, so we’re here to help. In observance of St. Patrick’s Day, we’re proposing boat names for famous Irish-Americans’ boats.
• Tim McGraw: Faith Hull • Bing Crosby: CroonerCraft • Ed Sullivan: It’s a Really Big Boat
• John McEnroe: Are You Kidding Me? • Danica Patrick: Slow Down • St. Patrick: N V
Enter Your Dog Now
WIN THIS Dog Vest
Stone Cold Spectacular
A PROFESSIONAL RUSSIAN wakeboarder did something last year that maybe a handful of people will ever do. Nikita Martyanov (say that three times quickly) went to Greenland, where even the summer is cold, and wakeboarded among the icebergs. In a town called Ilulissat, he and his crew found a workboat to tow a tender to Disko Bay, which was about a degree above freezing. There, Martyanov used the many icebergs like props in a cable park. Donning a special wetsuit, he jumped into the water, hooked on to a tender and skimmed atop the near-freezing — and frozen — water. Check out the video on the Red Bull YouTube channel.
S A LT Y D O G OF THE MONTH
Dog: Gypsy Owner: William Ashman, Deptford, N.J. For your chance to win a CWB Dog Vest (ridecwb.com), send a picture of your boat-loving dog to editor@boatingworld.com or Boating World, Salty Dog, 18475 Bandilier Circle, Fountain Valley, CA 92708. Please include a photo, along with your name and your dog’s name, your address and phone number
D I D YO U K N OW ?
The all-tackle world record for a spotted eagle ray is 273 pounds, 8 ounces, caught by Jimmy L. Anderson in the waters of Galveston Bay, Texas, in 2012.
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OVER 460 BOAT TEST VIDEOS...
468 Boat Tests and Over 3,684,000 Views Search ”Boating World’ on Youtube.com to access our video channel.
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... AND COUNTING!
We answer the questions that really matter to you - before you buy a boat. Ride along with Boating World’s executive editor Alan Jones as he tests hundreds of makes and models, from ski boats to pontoons. Our boat test video vault includes over 460 clips — each with in-depth walk-throughs highlighting features and options, and running footage showing how the boat accelerates and corners (including the type of wake). We put ourselves in your shoes and deliver practical and objective opinions on how each boat measures up. ®
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Trailering
Tow Veh icle Tires
Tire Talk Make sure your tow vehicle has tires that can handle the job of pulling your prized possession.
Each tow vehicle is unique in its tire needs, and where an owner plans to tow his boat factors into the tire decision too. While Light Truck tires are probably the minimum most owners will want, the truck pictured here is using Cooper AT3 LT tires rated for all terrain, which can handle dirt and mud.
BY CHRIS CASWELL
• TIE DOWNS? CHECKED! Trailer lights? Checked! Hitch and connector? Checked! Tow vehicle
tires? What? Who checks those? Well, you should! Having a problem with the tow vehicle’s tires, or even just having the wrong tires, can take all the fun out of a boating weekend (and be dangerous). Here’s what you need to know. DON’T SWAP
One popular aftermarket “improvement” for a tow vehicle is to switch out the stock tires and wheels for larger ones, but doing so can prove detrimental to fuel economy and can drain the vehicle’s power. Larger tires reduce the amount of torque from the engine that reaches the ground. This is fine for driving across a pool-table-flat landscape, where larger tires reduce the engine rpms for a given speed. Once you get up to highway speed,
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everything is fine, though a lower rpm count doesn’t necessarily equal lower fuel consumption. In the mountains, however, you’ll find that the oomph to pull the boat and trailer is reduced. The engine needs higher rpms to get the same power and that, in turn, means more fuel consumption. Larger tires carry a few caveats: • Larger (or smaller) tires will throw the speedometer out of whack. • Make sure there is sufficient clearance from the suspension parts and the tow vehicle body when the springs/shocks are fully depressed, as they are over a bump.
BOATINGWORLD.COM
2/1/19 1:20 PM
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BarlettaPontoonBoats.com
TRAILERING
• Make sure the wheels are properly rated to handle the new tires. • If the tow vehicle has dual rear tires, remember that dualies require a certain distance between them, called dual spacing, so be careful increasing the size of the tires. Wider tires might be damaged if the sidewalls bulge on turns or over bumps. There are also problems in going the other direction and putting smaller tires on a tow vehicle. In theory, smaller-diameter tires deliver more power where, as they
ply, all matching in size and tread pattern, and, just as important, all with similar tread depth). CHECK THE RATING
Understand that there are passenger car tires and light truck (LT) tires. Passenger tires don’t work on a truck, but LT tires do work on a passenger car being used to tow a boat. I had a pair of LT tires on the back axle of my old Chevy Caprice wagon with its powerful LT-1 V-8 engine (like Corvettes
24-bottle case of beer weighs between 34 and 42 pounds! The bottom line is that the maximum load rating of the tires absolutely must exceed the maximum weight of the vehicle, its cargo and the downward load from the trailer hitch.
Always have the same size and type of tire on the same axle. Everything you need to know is molded into the sidewall of the tire, and it should specify “LT” for light truck. LT tires have more rubber than similarly sized passenger tires, as well as a deeper tread.
DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION
TREAD RIGHTLY
PLANT WHERE PRODUCED
LT tires come in a range of tread patterns, from mild to aggressive. Keep in mind that the more aggressive the tire pattern, the louder the “hum” at highway speeds, so if you’re not planning to go off-roading and don’t need the tow vehicle to look like something from a monster truck jam, avoid such patterns. But tires with low rolling resistance — and, therefore, great gas mileage — don’t have much towing “bite” when it comes to pulling up the launch ramp. A straight-rib highway tire will provide the best economy and the quietest ride but may not get the rig up the ramp. Tires with “lugs” or traction patterns are going to have higher noise and lower economy but better yanking bite.
MANUFACTURER-SPECIFIC INFO MANUFACTURER-SPECIFIC INFO WEEK OF PRODUCTION YEAR OF PRODUCTION
While a passenger tire is shown here — an LT where the P is would indicate a more-appropriate Light Truck tire — the markings are the same as on other tires, and knowing them is beneficial to boat owners.
say, the rubber meets the road. Not a bad thing for yanking the boat up a steep ramp or climbing hills, but at highway speed the tires are traveling less distance with every turn, which means more engine revolutions and, yes, more fuel consumption. There’s another point to remember when switching tires: smaller tires put the hitch closer to the ground, which can be a problem if it’s already barely clearing bumps. DON’T MIX & MATCH
Always have the same size and type of tire on the same axle (i.e., all radials or bias
16
have), and I never met a launch ramp that challenged this rig. Knowing what load range you need is important, because it will determine the strength of the tire and its ability to hold sufficient tire pressure to carry the load. The boat and trailer should be well-balanced — the dealer can usually adjust the chocks to move the boat — so there isn’t too much weight on the hitch and, in turn, the rear tires. But we all know that any boating weekend means full fuel plus a bunch of passengers and all their gear. FYI: a
KNOW THE COST
Consumer Reports has simple advice for tire buyers: “It doesn’t pay to skimp!” Its studies show that the best conventional all-season tires will last as long as 97,000 miles, while the worst last just 55,000 miles. It makes sense that a $130 tire that lasts twice as long as an $87 tire is going to save money in the long run, barring outside factors such as how long you keep the tow car. BW
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Experience the thrill of surfing the waves behind Starcraft Marine’s full line of surfable deckboats. All Surf Series boats come complete with wave boosting ballast, Zero Off speed control and wave control tab system so you can switch sides in seconds. Rounding off every Starcraft Surf Series boat is the revolutionary Volvo Penta FWD Drive that allows you to use your trim to boost and shape your wave – something the inboards simply can’t do. You will love the space that the side console layout provides and when you add in options like RGB color changing lights and Murphy Touch Screen System you’ll have a boat that will impress your crew both inside and when they’re shredding the waves. Surf over to starcraftmarine.com to see what everyone is talking about.
Easier on the Wallet
Easy to Surf,
Watersports
Stay Fit
Build Strength for Spring Five key exercises can get your muscles watersports-ready. BY TARAH MIKACICH
• EVERY YEAR AS the winter months melt away, riders of all ages and skill levels come to me for coaching (freedomwakepark.com). Some of them claim to have worked out so hard during the winter that they don’t think they’ll be sore after their session. I always chuckle to myself — sometimes out loud — because they will be sore! Waterskiing, wakeboarding and even wakesurfing are sports like no other. They keep the human body under constant tension. I have never come back after an extended break without soreness. However, I’ve learned there are ways to keep key muscle groups strong, so that even if I’m sore at the beginning, I am not weak. The biggest areas of focus should be shoulders, core and legs. Almost everything we do behind the boat requires the use of our entire body, so some of the exercises I recommend are multifunctional. Others will focus on muscle groups that are key for injury prevention but tend to get neglected. Most require no machines or equipment. If you have access to a stationary bike, use it for a warm-up before undertaking these five exercises.
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1. Bear Crawls
Not familiar with bear crawls? They look exactly like they sound, and their benefits are multifaceted. You crawl around not only on your feet but also your hands. This exercise warms up the shoulders, hips, and knees and requires coordination and some core strength. The idea is to keep your back as flat (horizontal) as possible, which means your knees will stay bent most of the time. As you move forward, try to move one hand and the opposite foot at the same time: step forward with your left leg and move forward with your right arm. At the beginning, do this for about 15 yards. As you get more comfortable, slowly increase the distance to 50 yards. You can replicate this with a lateral (sideways) or even backward bear crawl.
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You own a boat because you love spending time on the water. Choose the outboard that allows you to make the most of it. Honda’s legendary reliability, durability, ease-of-maintenance, and powerful performance keep you going strong.
GET UP TO 700 OFF SELECT OUTBOARDS! $ JANUARY 3, 2019-JUNE 3, 2019, ONLY AT PARTICIPATING DEALERS
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*At participating dealers only. Qualifying retail customers may receive instant savings off the selling price of a Honda powered boat package or Honda Marine engine(s) sold for repower. This promotion is limited to new Honda Marine 40 HP through 250 HP outboard engines, 2014 and newer models, sold and delivered between January 3, 2019 and June 3, 2019 and registered by the Dealer in accordance with American Honda Motor Co., Inc.’s sales registration requirements. Only Honda Marine outboard engines sold for personal use qualify for this promotion. Fleet, commercial & government sales are ineligible. Engines sold under special pricing / promotions including (but not limited to) demo and tournament fisherman engines are also excluded. Honda Marine reserves the right to modify, amend, cancel or revoke, in whole or in part, this promotion at any time without prior notice. © 2019 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Always wear a personal flotation device while boating and read your owner’s manual. All Honda outboards meet EPA and CARB emission levels.
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W AT E R S P O R T S
2. Nordics
4. Linear and Lateral Bounds
3. Pulses
5. Farmer Carries
Watersports athletes tend to neglect their hamstrings, which are important to prevent knee injuries. Nordics require three accessories: something padded to kneel on, a friend or a strap to hold your ankles down, and something about 12 to 24 inches off the ground to lean toward. Start in a tall kneeling position. The movement is a forward descent that hinges from your knees. The idea is for your body to form a straight line from your knees to your shoulders the whole time, using only your hamstrings to control the movement forward/down and back up. Catch yourself with your hands at the bottom of the hinge. Most people tend to bend at the waist, but activate your glute muscles to combat that tendency.
Just to make sure you don’t feel uneven after that hamstring work, work the front of your legs too. Pulses will light up your quads, hip flexors and abs. Start in a seated position on the ground with your legs straight in front of you. Hinge forward slightly at the waist and place your hands on the ground somewhere around the outside of your knees. Then lift your straight legs up off the ground by tightening your quads and abs. These are the pulses. It helps if you point your toes. Try to do 20 pulses. Increase reps as you feel more comfortable.
The desired outcomes of linear and lateral bounds are balance, single-leg acceleration and deceleration, and ankle, knee, hip and core stabilization. Basically, these two are the same exercise but performed in different directions. For linear bounds, start balanced on one leg and then leap forward, landing on the opposite leg. Maintain your balance for a count of three and then repeat with a leap forward to the other leg. Do sets of eight for each leg. The lateral bounds, as you may have guessed, go side to side instead of forward. The key is stability and balance. Once you are comfortable with the exercise, change things up by focusing on either height or distance with the bounds.
When people first get back on the water after a long hiatus, their first complaint is usually about tired hands and weak arms. I typically say you don’t need a lot of arm strength to be towed behind a boat, but if your shoulders aren’t strong you rely on biceps and forearms. Farmer carries help not only with shoulder strength and stability but also with grip strength. To begin, pick up two dumbbells you are capable of carrying but that will quickly feel heavy. If you don’t have dumbbells, carry full gas cans or something similar. Stand tall and then walk forward, carrying the weights at your side. Focus on keeping your shoulders pulled back; don’t let them roll No matter how hard you work this winter to stay in 1 Alternate heat forward. Also, keep your abs tight, watersports shape, chances are high that you’ll be and cold with your hips rolled underneath sore after the first run of the season (and maybe the 2 Get a massage you, not arching back. The goal second and the third). So what can you do to combat 3 Hydrate is 50 yards. When you can walk that soreness? An internet search reveals dozens of 4 Stretch lightly suggestions — eat more mushrooms, eat more cherries, 5 Use a foam roller 50 yards with these weights, turn take an ice bath, take a hot bath, get a hot pepper rub — around and walk back. When you but here are five that are solidly backed by the experts: can do that, increase the weight up by five or 10 pounds. BW
Recovery
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Fishing
N ig ht Ang ling
Night Moves Five tactics and techniques will make a night fishing trip a rockin’ good time. BY LENNY RUDOW
• FISHING AFTER THE sun’s gone down has an extra element of adven-
ture to it and can be incredibly productive, even when other forms of fishing fail to fill the cooler. It takes some extra work and preparation — it can even lead to a rough wakeup the next day — but if a few unproductive fishing trips in a row have left you needing more excitement, maybe it’s time to plan some night moves. These five tactics and techniques will ensure the trip is worth the lost sleep.
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1 LET THERE BE LIGHT
Combine pre-existing artificial light with more artificial light. Lights attract fish at night. You’ve certainly noticed that artificially illuminated spots — bridges with street lights and piers with lights on the end — attract fish. Be prepared to create some light of your own with a submersible fishing light — I’ve found the green ones work best — which draws bait and then predators close to the boat. To make the most of an evening on the water, put these two elements together. Position your boat under a bridge that has bright lights shining down. Fish have become accustomed to visiting such lights in the darkness, so just drop your own light overboard to get ’em swarming.
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FISHING
Night fishing adds an extra element of adventure for the anglers involved, and of the five tips for success during such excursions, three of them have to do with artificial light — above the water, on the water and under it.
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7
PLACE BAIT PROPERLY
Put your offerings close to the “lightline,” the visible edge of the artificial light, where it disappears into the darkness. Predators often cruise around on the dark side of this line, where they remain in the shadows, as they look for baitfish and critters that are visible inside the lighted area, so putting lures or bait into this hunting zone is critical. Tip: Before you anchor the boat near an artificial lightline, drop your submersible fishing light over the side and see just how wide an arc of illumination it provides in the current conditions. Then fine-tune your position so the lightline created by your
light intersects with the lightline formed by the other artificial lights. The double lightline will be a primo spot to place baits.
3
STIMULATE THE SENSES
Fish with a live bait, or use a lure that creates vibrations. At night, many fish use senses other than eyesight to help them hunt. Fish have an inner ear they can hear with, and they have a lateral line full of neuromasts they use to detect movement and pressure changes in the water. They can “feel” a bunker struggling on a hook and hear the rattles of a lure with a rattle chamber.
4 LET THERE BE MORE LIGHT Add some extra illumination to the fishing line or bait. Such light can range from attaching a glow stick to a line set in the ocean for swordfish to using a soft plastic trailer that glows while fishing for crappie in a lake. (Glowing lures require light, so remember to bring an extra flashlight to “charge” them up between casts.) No matter the type of night fishing, any extra visibility can make the difference between success and boredom.
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5 GET CHUMMY Jumpstart the food chain by chumming, chunking or otherwise feeding the fish. But I’m not just talking about using free food to attract the predators. Sure, it’s a good idea, but try doing it to attract a swarm of baitfish, which will draw even more predators. In freshwater, try dry dog food, oatmeal, corn meal or bread crumbs to attract shiners. In saltwater, these same things pull in bull minnows and silversides. And in the ocean, tuna fishermen who toss fish chunks into the water to attract tuna can also get squid and tinker mackerel excited by hanging a bag of ground chum over the side or by chopping some of the chunks into smaller bits. If you’re ready to try out some new night moves, then put fresh batteries in your headlamp, make sure all your safety gear is in working order and brew an extra thermos of coffee to help you stay awake. And maybe call the boss and take tomorrow off. If you employ these tactics and get into a hot night-bite, you probably won’t want to go home until the wee hours of the morning. BW
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Unforgettable Adventures.
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Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states, in all GEICO companies, or in all situations. Boat and PWC coverages are underwritten by GEICO Marine Insurance Company. In the state of CA, program provided through Boat Association Insurance Services, license #0H87086. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, DC 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. Š 2019 GEICO
Engines
M ercu r y Pro XS a n d Racing V- 8
LAST YEAR I wrote about the new series of V-8
outboards Mercury unveiled at Lake X in central Florida, focusing on the FourStroke, Sea Pro and non-supercharged Verado iterations of this 4.6L outboard platform. While their performance was impressive, the Pro XS and Racing versions of the 250 and 300 are even hotter. We’ll likely see these engines on everything from pontoons to offshore fishing boats, but models such as bass boats, flats boats and bay boats will benefit the most, because of the lower water pickups on their available lower units. The new V-8 family replaces a number of engines, including all supercharged Verado outboards less than 350 hp. The big shock to bass-boat owners is the discontinuation of all two-stroke OptiMax models, and owners of high-performance boats will be equally stunned by the disappearance of the benchmark two-stroke 250XS and 300XS screamers. But a few nuggets of info might help both groups get over their pain. Bassers need not worry about excess weight because the 20-inch-shaft model Pro XS 250 four-stroke weighs the same 505 pounds as the 250 OptiMax it replaces — likely not a coincidence. And don’t worry about a drop in performance, because the V-8 has 40 percent more displacement than the two-stroke’s 3.0L block, which helps it produce up to 44 percent better low-end torque, for vastly improved holeshots. Mercury still makes the supercharged 2.6L inline six-cylinder Verado 350 and 400R models. Even better for Racing division fans, the 250R and 300R have a full three-year warranty, which is one more year than the two-strokes they replace. And all the new V-8s run on regular gas; there is absolutely no benefit for even the 300R to run high-test fuel. COMPARE & CONTRAST
The Hot Ones Mercury’s four-stroke outboard stable continues to grow, with new Pro XS and Racing V-8 models. BY ALAN JONES
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So what’s the difference between a Pro XS and a FourStroke? The first thing I noticed was the satisfyingly deep growl of the Pro XS, an on-purpose design element intended to further reinforce this engine’s attitude. The growl is the result of the Pro XS having only one muffler compared to the FourStroke’s and Verado’s two. Difference number two is the weight. The 20-inch-shaft version of the Pro XS 300 weighs 505 pounds, which is 22 pounds lighter than the 300 FourStroke and a whopping 95 pounds lighter than the Verado 300 with the Advanced Mid-Section (AMS). The reduced weight of the Pro XS and Racing models is largely due to lightweight cowls that are made of low-density sheet molding compound (SMC). The Pro XS 250/300 feature different engine mapping than the FourStrokes, allowing them to achieve 200 more rpm — up to 6200 — for more
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ENGINES
overall power and higher speed. The 300R is tuned to rev even higher, a peak of 6400 rpm, thanks to shorter intake runners and a custom intake cam. It will outrun even the Pro XS 300. To counter the heat produced by higher revolutions, the 300R has an integrated oil cooler. The 250R has the same power as the Pro XS 250 and they share an identical 6200 rpm redline. Digital Throttle and Shift (DTS) is an option with Pro XS models and the 300R, but the 250R only comes with mechanical controls. ALTERATIONS
Higher speeds create more violent outboard movement, so for added control the Pro XS models have harder engine mounts. Unlike the Conventional Mid-Section (CMS) on Pro XS and FourStroke models, the Racing models feature the Tri Ram Racing Mid-Section, which has a harder elastomer upper mount, two solid lower mounts and a forged bracket. The 300R also has an optional Heavy Duty (HD) Mid-Section that features all solid mounts, so it can handle more extreme conditions. One of the ways to achieve higher speeds is to reduce lower-unit drag, so Mercury Pro XS buyers can upgrade the standard 4.8-inch gearcase to a more robust 5.44inch gearcase Torque Master lower unit on models with a 20-inch shaft. The 250R and 300R come standard with Torque Master lower units but the 300R also includes two
Mercury’s new Pro XS and Racing V-8 models — 250 and 300 hp — are replacing several longtime favorites, including two-stroke OptiMax models, but bass, flats and bay boats are going to experience remarkable performance with the new models.
more choices: Sport Master and HD. Which lower unit to choose depends on the boat, how it gets used and its top speed. The major benefit to all of the upgraded lower units is the additional lower water pickups, which allow them to be mounted higher in the water or to be used with a jackplate. This reduces drag and decreases draft, so boats can operate in shallower water. PERFORMANCE
During tests at Lake X, a Yellowfin 24 Bay powered by a Mercury Pro XS 300 reached a top speed of 64.2 mph at 6200 rpm but still managed to get 5.1 mpg at 29.1 mph, according to its SmartCraft gauges. The fuel economy is owed to various features, including Advanced Range Optimization (ARO), which uses the onboard computer to sense when the boat is at a steady cruise and then automatically leans out the air/fuel mixture. I also tested the Mercury 300R on an ES Custom Boats Revolution 25, which is a big Texas-style bay boat with a low gunwale that’s often paired with a Mercury 400R but was really impressive with 100 fewer horsepower. It jumped on plane in 2.8 seconds with little bowrise, furiously accelerated to 30 mph in 5.4 seconds and reached a top speed of 63.3 mph at 6400 rpm. I just missed the wildest ride of the day: a Bullet SST 21 bass boat rigged with a 300R with a Sport Master lower unit. It reached a blistering 103 mph. By the time I screwed up my courage to ride it, they were pulling it out of the water. I tested the same boat later that fall with a Pro XS 250, and it still hit 84.4 mph. Fast enough for me. BW
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Electronics
M F Ds
AS TECHNOLOGY MARCHES forward, it trickles down, bringing fancy features to smaller boats. If your vessel doesn’t have an MFD and you’re contemplating a new one, here are four reasons to check out the newest displays.
catch more fish. Garmin’s GPSMAP 742xs and 942xs (7 and 9 inches, respectively) are almost as capable as the manufacturer’s flagship GPSMAP 8600 series. Models in Raymarine’s Axiom series have a high-performance GPS/GNSS system built-in and run the same LightHouse 3 operating system with a powerful quad-core processor and tons of memory. This allows the 7- and 9-inch units to do just about everything its 24-inch flagship can. The screen can split four ways to accommodate multiple functions simultaneously, which is a great way to de-clutter a dash, whether plotting a course or watching for fish.
SMALL BUT POWERFUL
BIG-BOAT FEATURES
The new units are small in footprint only. They all have built-in 10 Hz antennas and some have integrated sonar capability, so boat owners only need to buy a transducer to
A great example of big-boat features available across most manufacturers’ small MFDs is support of scanners, sensors,
4 Reasons to Get an MFD Now Multifunction displays for trailerable boats pack a punch. BY ZUZANA PROCHAZKA
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COMPATIBLE AND EASY TO INSTALL GARMIN GPSMAP 942
RAYMARINE AXIOM PRO 9
The beauty of the small systems is they’re mostly plug-and-play, at least for the basic functionality, because most features are already built in. There are no extra modules, black boxes or switches needed, and there’s little extra wiring required. Anyone integrating with external devices such as engines, a VHF radio or an AIS receiver may need to budget for a networking starter kit to establish a data backbone that can be expanded. Kits start around $100. With most units, all of the necessary cabling is already in the box. BEAUTIFUL BUT AFFORDABLE
SIMRAD GO7 XSE
peripherals and even apps. Digital switching is the fastest growing feature, because it allows for the removal of tactile buttons or switches on the dash, saving even more space. The new units also integrate with engine data. Simrad and Lowrance MFDs work with Suzuki, Mercury, Yamaha and Evinrude. The Axiom line supports wireless HDMI video output, which enables the units to connect to an external monitor, NMEA2000 engine data input, videoover-IP and even control a drone for aerial imaging. Also available is Raymarine’s new Augmented Reality, which enhances live marine camera views with identification tags on navigation aids, AIS contacts and waypoints. Users will know exactly which
buoy is coming up in the dark and where to find a channel in the fog. The core sonar technology for Axiom is RealVision 3D sonar that connects to an all-in-one transducer that supports high-definition CHIRP DownVision, CHIRP SideVision, high-frequency CHIRP (for finding fish) and RealVision 3D sonar with a full 3-D presentation, all with a $400 entry-level transducer. Garmin’s small CHIRP sonar with ClearVu, and LiveScope, UHD and SideVu can all be added to its small units, as can audio control with Fusion and other stereos via NMEA2000. Third-party apps from Netflix and Spotify are supported by many brands, so everyone can watch a movie on that glorious new screen.
TO THE WEB • FurunoUSA.com • Garmin.com • Navico.com (Simrad, Lowrance) • Raymarine.com
The new MFDs can pack so much information onto one screen partially due to their clarity. Garmin’s screens are bonded glass with circular polarization, so they are sunlight readable even to someone wearing polarized sunglasses. Meanwhile, all of the screens across Raymarine’s Axiom line are engineered for full tropical sunlight viewing. Resolution varies by size. Axiom 7 and 9 are 800 by 480 (WVGA). They all feature optically bonded screens for maximum light transmission and zero fogging or contamination. Most small models are also touchscreen-enabled, like a smartphone, so the learning curve is minimal. Simrad (sister company to Lowrance) has 5-, 7- and 9-inch units in its GO series that have touchscreens and excellent viewing angles. Prices range from $400 to $1,000. Expect to pay $999 to $1,299 for Garmin’s smaller displays. Transducers start at $99 and go up to several thousand dollars depending on the mounting style and transmit power. These are capable of 1 kw CHIRP, so users can choose from a wide variety of transducers. An Axiom 7 unit with RealVision 3D and its transducer will cost about $1,500. The Axiom 9 with RV3D and a transducer comes in at $1,900. For cruising (non-fishing) boats, Raymarine offers Axiom and Axiom Pro models with a basic CHIRP depthfinding sonar built in. It works to 900 feet and provides bottom contour and hardness readings. Transducers range from $60 to $250. BW
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Ask the Experts
Q
+A
ENGINES
When Equal Isn’t Q My boat is currently powered by twin 175 V-6 Evinrudes. Let’s say money is no object (ha) and I want to repower. Would a single 350 four-stroke be equivalent to the twins?
Steve Y., via BoatingWorld.com
SINGLE: 3 00 HP
Actually, the single 350 would offer more performance than the twin 175s, despite equivalent horsepower. You’re eliminating 300 pounds of engine by going to a single engine, plus simplifying the cables and harnesses and changing the weight distribution not only laterally but also bow-to-stern. My only caveat would be to reconsider twins if you run your boat way offshore a lot. Otherwise, even a single 300 would be fine — or if the boat is light enough, a 250 — but the dealer you’re working with would be the one to say definitively. Note also: Most manufacturers oversold their big engines, so you might not be able to get what you want as quickly as you want it. — GM
DUAL: 17 5 HP
MEET OUR EXPERTS
Frank Lanier
Capt. Lanier is an accredited marine surveyor with more than 30 years of experience in the marine industry and owner of Capt. FK Lanier & Associates, Marine Surveyors and Consultants.
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Grid Michal
With 50 years of experience as a marine tech, Michal is also American Suzuki and OMC/Bombardier (BRP) certified.
Zuzana Prochazka
Prochazka is a freelance writer and photographer. She holds a USCG 100-Ton Master license, is the editor of her boat and gear review website, TalkOfTheDock.com, and serves on the board of Boating Writers International.
BOATINGWORLD.COM
2/1/19 1:24 PM
L E A S S EVEN R E T IN T W With Special Offers For the 2019 Boat Show Season Your Suzuki Marine Dealer has exceptional deals in store for you when you purchase a new Suzuki outboard from 25 to 350 horsepower during the winter Boat Show Season. Get Suzuki’s 3-Year Limited Warranty plus 3 years of Extended Protection at no extra charge.There are Instant Savings on select models, and Low-Rate Financing is also available. See your participating Suzuki Marine dealer for all the details.
INST
SELEC ANT SA VING T SUZ S UKI O UTBO ON ARDS
REPOWER FINANCE
SIX YEARS OF PROTECTION
INSTANT SAVINGS
REPOWER FINANCE
Six Years of Protection at no extra charge on all new outboards 25 to 350 HP.
Instant Savings on select models when you buy at the boat show. See your dealer for details.
Rates as low as 5.99% on new Suzuki outboards on approved credit.* [60 Months]
3 Years Limited Warranty + 3 Years Extended Protection
Gimme Six Extended Protection promo is applicable to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 350 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 01/01/19 and 03/31/19 in accordance with the promotion by a Participating Authorized Suzuki Marine dealer in the continental US and Alaska to a purchasing customer who resides in the continental US or Alaska. Customer should expect to receive an acknowledgement letter and full copy of contract including terms, conditions and wallet card from Suzuki Extended Protection within 90 days of purchase. If an acknowledgement letter is not received in time period stated, contact Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. – Marine Marketing via email: marinepromo@suz.com. The Gimme Six Promotion is available for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Instant Savings apply to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 01/01/19 and 03/31/19. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Instant Savings must be applied against the agreed-upon selling price of the outboard motor and reflected in the bill of sale. (Suzuki will, in turn, credit Dealer’s parts account.) There are no model substitutions, benefit substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. Suzuki reserves the right to change or cancel these promotions at any time without notice or obligation. * Financing offers available through Synchrony Retail Finance. As low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 months on new and unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors. Subject to credit approval. Not all buyers will qualify. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness. $19.99/month per $1,000 financed for 60 months is based on 5.99% APR. Hypothetical figures used in calculation; your actual monthly payment may differ based on financing terms, credit tier qualification, accessories or other factors such as down payment and fees. Offer effective on new, unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors purchased from a participating authorized Suzuki dealer between 01/01/19 and 03/31/19. “Gimme Six”, the Suzuki “S” and model names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual. © 2019 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
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ENGINES
A Keeper?
Q I had a two-year-old Yamaha 150 V-6 when the four-strokes hit the market. The engine’s been fine, but every now and then I wonder how long it will last and I decide to trade it in — until I discover the price of new engines has escalated rather than stabilize. I use my boat 150 hours a year, plus or minus, always varying speeds. What would you do? Keep or trade?
can damage its internal organs. • Holding it horizontally by the lower jaw for a photo op can break its jaw. • A gut-hooked fish can die from both a difficult hook removal and from the hook being left in its gut. • Not reviving it after a long, hard fight can cause its demise. • A fish can be too exhausted for
well-intentioned revival efforts to work. • Bringing a bottomfish up too fast forces its swim bladder to expand and protrude from its mouth, and not venting the bladder or getting the fish back down to depth can be fatal. Read the rest of the column at boatingworld.com/fishing/ catch-release-the-right-way.
Riley I., via BoatingWorld.com
If you have had this mild-mannered Clark Kent of an engine for 21 years and roughly 3,100 hours, I know you broke it in right, have used the right lubricants and have had it serviced regularly. Now, I’m not saying go beg, borrow or steal to get a new engine if the old one is fine at this point. However, 3,100 hours is more than a thousand more than you might have expected at the outside, and you’ll probably be coming up on decision time shortly. Why not get a remanufactured powerhead when the current one starts to exhibit problems? If gas costs don’t bother you and you’re comfortable with the engine’s operation, an investment of perhaps $5,000 will carry you another 1,500 to 2,000 hours, or 10 to 13 years. — GM
THERE’S A LOT GOING ON INSIDE A 4-STROKE ENGINE Keep it protected with ECSTAR Suzuki Genuine Oil and Chemicals
FISHING
Release Better
Q I practice catch-and-release fishing but sometimes wonder if I’ve done enough to ensure the fish is going to be OK. How can I be fairly certain the fish I release are going to live? Aaron D., via BoatingWorld.com
Dean Travis Clarke’s Fishing column in our November/December issue contained information pertinent to this question. • Releasing a fish and watching it swim away may make you feel better, but that fish might die anyway. Why is that? You ask. Here are some reasons: • Dry hands remove some of the protective slime from the fish’s skin, making it susceptible to viruses or bacteria or parasites. • Bringing it aboard to remove the hook
Available in Gallons or Quarts at a Suzuki Marine Dealer Near You.
RUN LONG. RUN CLEAN. RUN STRONG.
ECSTAR. the Suzuki “S” and model names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. Always wear a USCG-approved life jacket when on the water and read your owner’s manual. © 2018 Suzuki Motor of Ameria, Inc.
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Bonehead Blunders
By G rid M ich a l
1 Acceptably assinine
BONEHEAD SCALE:
2 Slightly slow
3 Distinguished dunce
4 Massively moronic
5 Seek mental help
Omissions Are Expensive BONEHEAD BLUNDER: Providing an
abridged version of events THE BONEHEAD: A local retiree BONEHEAD RATING: 5 WHAT HAPPENED: “Mr. Smith” brought his center console to us for an engine tune-up for striper season. We last saw Mr. Smith five years previously, when he bought the 90 hp Honda. I started the engine in the yard. It ran lousy. Definitely carburetors. As customers rightly expect, he wanted an estimate, so I gave him that courtesy. When I removed the carbs and intake, I found the cooling passages packed with fine sand, which is almost an automatic water pump/
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thermostat replacement. I gave him the additional cost estimate. A bolt broke when I removed the thermostat housing, so I had to drill and tap it. The thermostat was stuck open, which supported my water pump theory. I attempted to lower the gearcase, but it stopped after only half an inch. A tune-up was suddenly much more. Mr. Smith said, “Fix the carbs, the pump is fine, button it back up.” I did and took it to the water for a test run. About five minutes into the run, the engine locked up. Because we had stressed the driveshaft bearings so hard, I felt that was the cause. After
a short cool-down, the engine easily restarted. I recounted the experience to Mr. Smith back at the shop. He eventually admitted that the boat had sunk a year earlier, but he said he’d gotten it running again with a friend’s help. It took a while (forever) to explain to him that the driveshaft was now seized in the crank, that we’d probably never be able to separate the two and that the engine seized because it was hot, and the warning horn — mounted in the control box that also had sunk — alerted no one to impending disaster because it was totally rusted! He quietly handed over his credit card.
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We finally were able to pry down the gearcase, re-groove the splines, replace the pump, replace the thermostat, replace the warning horn and test the engine again for the carburetor “tune-up.” LESSON LEARNED: To paraphrase the iconic sentiment from “Dragnet,” just give us the facts, ma’am, and allow us to take it from there. A diagnosis based on what you hope is the problem is a sure-fire wrong guess.
Unintended Consequences
BONEHEAD BLUNDER: Helping THE BONEHEAD: A bejeweled
paying customer BONEHEAD RATING: 5 WHAT HAPPENED: I really do enjoy teaching customers and
students. Really. I think the “aha!” moment is marvelous. It means they have comprehended what I’ve been trying to impart. But, when I’m working on a paying job, the customer needs to understand I need to put 100 percent of myself into the repair in order to do it right. Giving even 10 percent to him isn’t right, or fair, even though 90 percent is on the job. So it was that I found myself — with more than a little resignation — at Mr. Bling’s house, sitting in the engine well of his boat, leaning toward the rear of the engine. My magic act was to perform vapor separator removal without dropping anything overboard. I had removed the seventh bolt and the last of three lock nuts when I heard the chilling words:
“Here, let me help you.” Now, I don’t mind when MaryLou says “Let me help you” in the kitchen, or when one of the dogs wants to help eradicate the groundhogs under the shed in back, but at the moment Mr. B spoke, my blood chilled. I couldn’t stop it even as I watched it unfold. He reached around the rear of the engine. His gold neck chain dangled down and arced across the starter solenoid. His left hand, complete with dangling Rolex, completed the circuit on the valve cover. A brief “puff.” A scream. The smell of burned flesh. The good news was that the starter solenoid didn’t engage. The bad news was twofold: 1. I’m guessing the Rolex and chain now have enough
barnacles on them to qualify as National Geographic finds a century from now. 2. Mr. Bling held on mightily to the intake to which the vapor separator was attached, flinging it as he arced into the water like an Olympian. Ultimately I found the intake, but Mr. B paid handsomely for offering to “help.” LESSON LEARNED: Before you climb aboard, put both hands in your pockets and ask before you help! Make sure there is absolutely no metal on your body parts that will be anywhere near anything electrical. Matter of fact, unless the tech invites you aboard your own boat — yes, I’m aware of how silly that sounds — just sit on the pier and watch. It will be cheaper that way. BW
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Gear 1.
St u f f You Wa nt
VHF Radio
$499.99, raymarine.com
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Raymarine’s Ray53 VHF radio is a small but full-function marine radio with Class D Digital Selective Calling (DSC) and a built-in GPS/GNSS receiver with a connection point for an optional external antenna. Boat owners benefit from the enhanced calling and safety features of DSC immediately upon programming their boat’s MMSI number into the unit. The Ray53 can be surface- or trunnion-mounted — the kits are included with purchase — and its audio output connection has an optional passive remote speaker.
2.
Utility Pump
$36, beckson.com The Beckson Utility Pump 212A makes transferring water or petroleum products other than gasoline out of tanks, semi-enclosed places or any other tight space quick and easy. Useful for draining traps, drain pipes and other curved piping, the Utility Pump 212A can also be utilized for routine and emergency pumping jobs. Made completely of durable marine-grade plastic, the 212A will not rust or corrode, and it requires no priming to begin pumping.
3.
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Zipper Lubricant
$4.75, gearaid.com
Gear Aid’s Zipper Lubricant is designed to remove sand, dirt and salt deposits that can make a zipper stick. Zip Lubricant’s brush top removes debris from the zipper and delivers its cleaning formula right between the zipper teeth. What it leaves behind is a clear, protective and lubricating film. Used regularly, Zip Lubricant will keep zippers gliding smoothly.
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Microfiber Towel
$13.50/3-pack, baittowel.com Boating and fishing can be messy, so having towels at hand is important. Bait Towel consists of a super-absorbent microfiber that quickly removes blood, slime and bait juice. An easy-to-use carabineer clip makes it easy to keep a towel at the ready, so you don’t have to reach for one at an inconvenient time. The 16-inch square of anti-microbial 330 GSM microfiber fabric reduces odors, is very absorbent and lasts five times longer than cotton, according to the manufacturer.
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SUBMIT YOUR GEAR TO STEPHANIE@BOATINGWORLD.COM
5.
Waterproof Stereo Receiver
$599.95, prospecelectronics.com
The Infinity by Harman Kappa KAPPRV515 all-in-one matchless waterproof faceplate stereo receiver from Prospec Electronics has the ability, through a rotary encoder, to control an accessory LED color from the unit without a mobile app or an additional remote. Bass, mid and treble adjustments and four zones — front, rear, sub and secondary — ensure a soundstage that matches the musical genre. The faceplate incorporates a 3.5-inch color TFT screen. Bluetooth, USB and aux inputs are included. So is video input, which makes it easy to view a livewell or what’s behind the boat when backing up, with a separately attached camera.
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6. 6
Floating Emergency Flashlight
$14.99, ustbrands.com
Ultimate Survival Technologies’ See-Me Floating LED Flashlight is a dual-purpose buoyant personal safety light. Featuring a red LED on the rear that can run continuously for up to 100 hours for added safety, the See-Me’s main light shines up to 100 lumens and runs continuously for five hours.
7.
Every boater has lost a pair or two (or five) of sunglasses overboard. Rheos debuted an ultra-light pair of sunglasses that floats and is comfortable for long-term wear. Wyecreek is the newest unisex style from Rheos. Its round shape is contemporary and its polarized lenses are 100 percent UV400 protected with a hydrophobic finish, dual anti-scratch coating and shatterproof technology. One microfiber cloth is included with purchase, and each pair comes with a lifetime warranty.
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Floating Sunglasses
$50, rheosgear.com
8.
Wake Tower Speakers
$999.99, fusionentertainment.com Signature Series Wake Tower speakers from Fusion are acoustically optimized and engineered for quality audio at any volume level and are made for the harsh marine environment. Designed by musicians and engineered by marine experts, for a sound that feels at home on the water, the 8.8-inch speakers are acoustically optimized and precisely calculated for sound reproduction. Rated IP65, the speakers are sealed against water and dust ingress and are protected against UV rays and salt fog. Mounting options include a swivel or a fixed mount.
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Tested
First Drive
F O U R W I N N S H D 1 8 0 // B Y A L A N J O N E S
Compact Classic The Four Winns HD 180 takes a big-boat feel and shrinks it down to garage size. • FACE IT, SOME PEOPLE can be a little snobby. For instance, when someone cruises by in a sub-19-footer, they say, “Well, that’s probably all they could afford; maybe someday they’ll be able to get a real boat.” If the same people saw the Four Winns HD 180 idle by, it’s likelier they would say, “Nice 22-footer. I’ll bet that cost a pretty penny.”
UNIQUE FACTOR
The beauty of sterndrive runabouts — and the reason they’re not going to disappear anytime soon — is their uncluttered swim platform, the result of no outboard engine to bisect it with a splashwell. And this wide-open space on the Four Winns HD 180 really comes to life 38
with the addition of the optional low-profile extended rear deck ($1,053). It’s the best grand buyers will spend, because with the key off, this is where the group will gravitate toward. The deck sits low to the water, which makes it easier for people to reboard after a ski run or a swim. It’s also a great place for passengers to sit and submerge their legs, made even more comfortable with the optional padded mat ($633), which comes in either espresso brown or gray. The other reason for the migration rearward is a huge sun platform that has a pair of cupholders. When it’s time to head into the cockpit, the starboard side of the sunpad lifts up to reveal a walkthrough that will keep guests from treading on the plush, two-tone upholstery, which comes in four different color schemes. For more comfortable lounging on the pad, the walkthrough section can be propped up to form a backrest. Another reason the Four Winns HD 180 seems so big is its extra-wide 8-foot, 4-inch beam, which is only 2 inches narrower than a Sea Ray SLX 250. Its high gunwale height makes it even more XL.
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PERFORMANCE
Unlike the outboard version, which comes with as little as 90 hp (don’t do it!) and maxes out at 150, the sterndrive version starts at a robust 200 hp. Four Winns offers a choice of MerCruiser or Volvo Penta power, and both engines are from the new generation of sterndrives. Our test boat had the Volvo Penta 4.3L V-6. It costs $1,700 more than the MerCruiser but has a closed-cooling system and direct injection for great throttle response. The MerCruiser 200 hp 4.5L V-6 was designed from square one as a marine engine, not a modified car motor. As such, designers were able to place the throttle body, which is part of the air intake system,
It was a pleasure to drive at any speed. A notable attribute is its turning ability. facing aft. This component is a major source of noise on other engines where it faces the passengers, as they can hear the air whooshing into the combustion chamber during acceleration. The Volvo Penta provided snappy performance. On plane in 3.1 seconds, the Four Winns HD 180 reached 30 mph in 7.9 seconds and maxed out at 45.2 mph. Not fast enough? Unlike the pointy-bowed Horizon 180, whose max is 200 hp, the HD 180 can be equipped with up to 250 hp of Merc power. Volvo Penta’s biggest offering is 240 hp. MerCruiser’s big dog comes at a $3,727 premium over its 200, and the Volvo Penta tops that by $160. Both choices push this boat beyond 50 mph.
(Clockwise from top) Even the smallest Four Winns gets an upscale helm. Twin wraparound bucket seats cradle the crew. The rear sunpad has cupholders. The bow deck is padded for comfort. A walkthrough makes cockpit egress easy. A 200 hp MerCruiser pushes the HD 180 well.
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HANDLING FOUR WINNS HD 180 Length 18 ft., 6 in. Beam 8 ft., 4 in. Deadrise 19 degrees Capacity 9 people Dry Weight (hull) 3,000 lbs.
Fuel Capacity 34 gal. Max HP 250 PERFORMANCE Peak 45.2 mph/ 5800 rpm/94 dBA Cruise 33.0 mph/ 4500 rpm/85 dBA Time to Plane 3.1 sec. Time to 30 mph 7.9 sec. POWER
A removable bow boarding ladder and an in-deck ski storage locker are just two practical features in a layout that can accommodate nine people.
Test Volvo Penta 4.3L SX 200 hp
Cylinders V-6 Displacement 4.3L Weight w/outdrive 955 lbs.
WOT Range 5000-5800 rpm
Base Price w/test power $41,700
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Four Winns employs the Stable-Vee hull, which was introduced in 1993. Like its name implies, the hull provides its boats with a high degree of stability at rest or underway, doing so by keeping the hull’s width and deadrise constant as far forward as possible. Four Winns uses after-pods — planing surfaces that project behind the hull — to give the hull extra lift for quick planing and vastly reduced bowrise. The pods also allow the HD 180 to stay on plane at slower speeds, which helps make it a decent wakeboard boat using only the weight of up to nine passengers and the 899 pounds of the Volvo Penta engine as ballast. I trimmed it up just a little at 21 mph and it created a crisp, well-formed wake.
Value-Added Standard Features: Trailer, four-step boarding ladder, twin captain’s chairs w/bolsters, Kicker Bluetooth stereo, lockable port console glove box, in-floor ski storage
Must-Have Options: Bimini top, wakesports tower, snap-in woven vinyl flooring, extended swim platform, platform padded mat, premium JL Audio stereo, bow ladder, galvanized trailer
Builder: Four Winns, fourwinns.com Financing: $299/month w/15% down and 6% interest for 15 years
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OW N E R F E E D B AC K
P U R C H A S E D B Y J O H N A N D P A T R I C I A H AY N I E , M T. D O R A , F L A . PURCH A SED AT MOUN T DOR A BOAT ING C E N T E R & M A R I N A , M T. D O R A , F L A . W H AT W E L IK ED:
The transom bench seat bottom flips up to reveal padded storage.
It was a pleasure to drive at any speed, and one of its notable attributes is its phenomenal turning ability. I cranked it all the way to the stops and it hooked up nicely with less lean-in than most boats. Test day on Sarasota Bay was flat calm, so we couldn’t give the hull a rough-water test, but with 19 degrees of deadrise it should slice through the chop nicely. When trimmed out, it runs a little bow-high, which provides better freeboard in head seas. BEST USES
Watersports are high on the list of this boat’s capabilities. In addition to its wake-making prowess, its wake flattens out at higher speeds to accommodate free-range slalom skiing. It has a surprisingly roomy in-deck ski storage compartment with a hatch that’s held up by a hydraulic ram. It comes standard with a stainless steel ski tow, but buyers who are into watersports in a big way can get the Four Winns HD 180 with a wakeboard tower ($3,700) that includes a color-coordinated Sunbrella Bimini top. The HD 180 uses the SS seating configuration, which includes twin captain’s barrel buckets with flip-up bolsters and a stern bench seat. Up front is surprisingly roomy considering the cockpit feels so spacious. It’s a deckboat, so the beam is carried far forward and the gunwale height is still good
at the bow. I was surprised the bowrider seats could accommodate a fully reclined and stretched-out six-footer like myself. The forward deck is expansive, and buyers can add an extra-wide bow ladder that’s removable when not in use, for $447. Heading back to the cockpit is really easy thanks to a wide walkthrough that’s made possible by the wide beam and the compact consoles. PREFERRED SETUP
The MSRP for the Four Winns HD 180 with a Volvo Penta 200 is $41,700 (until the end of March 2019 there’s a $4,415 discount). The HD 180 comes well equipped with features such as a custom trailer, a choice of six hull side colors and an upscale Kicker four-speaker Bluetooth system, which can be bumped up to a premium JL audio system for $687. Eight stripe choices with a white hull comes standard, and a full hull color option is only $347. The best way to equip the Four Winns HD 180 is to take advantage of its bundled options. The LX Package ($1,720) comes with a Bimini top, reed mat flooring, stainless steel scuff plate pull-up cleats, a depthfinder and an hourmeter. The SLX Package ($1,633) includes padded platform padding, bow filler cushions, cockpit and bow-section canvas, and a walkthrough dam for coolweather cruising. BW
Compact size/Roomy bow seating/ Seaworthiness/Great handling/Excellent fit and finish/Great hole shot with Volvo Penta V-6 W H AT W E WOUL D CH A NGE:
We purchased the HD 180 with the Volvo Penta 200 hp model and its acceleration is excellent, but the 240 hp version could be run faster at a lower rpm. We also wish the inside of the hatches were finished. W H Y W E B O U G H T I T:
My wife and I have had 11 boats over the years, and I’m very picky. We’ve had saltwater offshore boats and pontoons but the Four Winns HD 180 is one of our favorites. Even though it’s compact, it can seat three couples comfortably and feels like a much bigger boat. We used to ski but mainly we just like to cruise in the numerous canals and lakes around Mt. Dora. On the Dead River — so named because of its lack of current — there’s a great raw bar at the Palm Garden Restaurant and also good snack food at the Hurricane Grill & Wings. Most of the time it’s calm, but when the wind blows it can get choppy. Despite being a small deckboat, the HD 180 handles those conditions well. This is the third boat I’ve bought from Mount Dora Boating Center and I wouldn’t go anywhere else. John gives a fair trade-in and Joe keeps my boats running smoothly; they’re real pros.
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Tested
First D rive
P R I N C E C R A F T V E C T R A 2 5 R L // B Y A L A N J O N E S
Princely Fun The Princecraft Vectra 25 RL is a lot of pontoon for a little money. • PONTOON ENVY IS an affliction that strikes many boaters who don’t have unlimited money
to spend on a boat. We’ve tested several pontoons recently that eclipsed the $100K mark, and they were awesome but, obviously, not for everyone. Fortunately, pontoons such as the Princecraft Vectra 25 RL include many of the features buyers crave but at a price they can afford, with a price tag starting at $22,283. UNIQUE FACTOR
First, a pontoon needs plenty of space for entertaining, and the Princecraft Vectra 25 RL — the longest in the Vectra series at 25 feet, 8 inches — has lots of room to roam. Entertaining is all about mingling with friends in a comfortable setting, and the Rear Lounge (RL), a feature that migrated down from Princecraft’s more expensive Quorum series of pontoons, is ideal for this mission. The first thing that grabbed my eye was an oversized rectangular dining table securely rooted by twin pedestals. With so much tabletop space, it’s ideal for dining, playing cards or as a place around which passengers can gather for a conversation. Flanking the table is a pair of bench seats whose backrests flip-flop and allow guests to face either direction. The forward bench is an option ($169) that replaces a second captain’s seat but really brings this whole package together. Flipped forward, the rearmost backrest transforms the large rear pad into a stern recliner lounge for two or more people and is the ultimate place from which to supervise kids in the water or watch the sunset. With the table stowed, the seatback lies flat for sunning. The other must-have envy-eliciting attribute for a pontoon is the ability to serve as a
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watersports platform. This is typically where the cost starts to climb. Adding a third tube and enough power to take advantage of it usually sends the price on a boat this size well past the $50K mark. But Princecraft found a tube “hack” that delivers the necessary performance at a lower price. Its Sport Configuration ($7,398) includes a center tube that’s about 75 percent the size of the outer tubes. Other manufacturers offer something similar but simply move the smaller center tube rearward. Princecraft designers kept it positioned forward and added a separate engine pod aft that forms a motor bracket behind the large rear deck for the outboard. The arrangement delivers plenty of lift and performance, and to the outside world, it looks like the boat has three full-size tubes. The Sport package also includes an aluminum underskin that improves hydrodynamics. Compare that to the Quorum’s full three-tube Performance Configuration, which is more than twice the price (but also includes in-tube storage and a larger fuel tank), and performance for the buck looks even better. PERFORMANCE
An unusual aspect of the Sport Configuration tube setup on the Princecraft Vectra 25 RL are the lifting strakes on both sides of all three tubes. Typically, lifting strakes are absent on the outside of the outer tubes, but the 25 RL’s tubes have shorter strakes on the outside and full-length ones on the inside. The uncommon combo creates extra lift, helping the pontoon ride higher in the water and compensating for potential lost buoyancy underway, which is important when carrying the maximum passenger load of 12. Powering our test boat was the Mercury 150 FourStoke, which scores a bull’s-eye in the performance/value quotient range. It comes at an upcharge of $5,399 over the 90 FourStroke, which is the standard outboard with the Sport tube package and is really the minimum power needed for watersports beyond tubing. This upgrade includes SeaStar hydraulic steering. Even
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The Princecraft Vectra 25 RL includes features buyers crave at a price they can afford.
(Clockwise from far left) A door on the driver’s console conceals ample storage. A new compact helm preserves cockpit space. A 160watt Jensen stereo is standard. The overstuffed captain’s chair is comfortable.
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OWN E R FE E D BACK
PURCHA SED BY KIRK AND DIANE CR AF T S, BENTON, OHIO P U R C H A S E D A T F R E E WAY S P O R T S C E N T E R , F E N T O N T O W N S H I P, M I C H . W H AT W E L IK ED:
Tri-toon performance and handling/ Abundant seating/Large cockpit tables/ Easy to traverse from end-to-end/ Mercury 150 FourStroke/Quality of build
PRINCECRAFT VECTRA 25 RL Length 25 ft., 8 in.
W H AT W E WOUL D CH A NGE:
Beam 8 ft., 5 in.
I would like more gauges, such as oil pressure and water pressure, and more cupholders. W H Y W E B O U G H T I T:
We’ve owned pontoons before but they’ve always had two tubes and not a lot of power, which discouraged us from taking them to the Great Lakes, where we like to go sometimes. This is the first pontoon we’ve had with three tubes, and it’s made an incredible difference. My wife and I do most of our boating on Houghton Lake, which is the largest inland lake in Michigan, and it can get choppy sometimes, but the Princecraft Vectra handles rough conditions well. We were in Saginaw Bay once when the wind picked up, and because the bay is so shallow the waves are very steep, but we didn’t have any problems. Our daughter, Sarah, and her friends like to wakeboard and ski, and we like to fish, and it’s easy thanks to the fishfinder we have installed. Freeway Sports Center was great during the sale; Joel didn’t try to oversell us and didn’t push us to buy. The service has been outstanding. So far our only problem was a small rip in the upholstery, and they made it look like new.
Tube Diameter 25 in. Capacity 12 people Dry Weight (hull)
The twin rectangular table design (top) is perfect for entertaining, and the rear lounge (above), whose seatback moves forward and aft, is a trickle-down feature from Princecraft’s higher-end pontoons.
2,009 lbs.
Fuel Capacity 29 gal. Max HP 175 PERFORMANCE
with these options, the total price is just $35,079. Bumping the power to a 175 Mercury costs $3,537 more than the 150, because the 175 is part of Mercury’s new V-6 outboard line, which debuted in 2018 and features a service hatch set into the top of the cowling that lets owners check and add oil without removing the entire cowling. A mandatory option with the V-6 is a battery switch that’s included in the price. With a 150 and the aggressive lifting strake setup, the Vectra 25 RL reached plane in 2.7 seconds and took 7.8 seconds to hit 30 mph. Its speed topped out at 37.7 mph, which is fast enough for any watersport except barefoot skiing. Princecraft rigs only Mercury engines, because it’s the Canadian outpost of Brunswick, which owns the Wisconsin-based engine builder.
Peak 37.7 mph/ 5800 rpm/93 dBA Cruise 26.4 mph/ 4500 rpm/83 dBA Time to Plane 2.7 sec. Time to 30 mph 7.8 sec. POWER Test Mercury 150 FourStroke
Cylinders Inline 4 Displacement 3.0L Weight w/outdrive 455 lbs.
WOT Range 5000-5800 rpm
HANDLING
One of the benefits of abbreviated lifting strakes on the far
Base Price w/test power $35,079
Value-Added Standard Features: Bimini top, 160-watt Jensen Bluetooth stereo, four-step boarding ladder, vinyl flooring, helm LED lighting, twin captain’s chairs, cockpit table
Must-Have Options: Dual-axle trailer, changing room, dinette seat, bow snack table, 7-inch fishfinder/GPS displays, power steering, LED lighting on logs, pumpout head
Builder: Princecraft, princecraft.com Financing: $252/month w/15% down and 6% interest for 15 years
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outside of the tubes is a slight inward lean during hard turns, which feels more natural and helps it hook up without blowing out during extreme maneuvering. I suspect this configuration contributes to the fact the Princecraft Vectra 25 RL is one of the easiest boats to properly trim. Trimming up at cruising speed, there was a specific moment I could feel it “fly” as drag was suddenly released and speed increased. Operators will know they’ve trimmed it up too far when speed drops off at the moment they feel the prop lose some of its bite. An unexpected option not normally found on “price boats” is the available Panther XPS power steering, which comes at the surprisingly low price of $882. It’s a great addition on boats that drag kids around on tubes all day. The helm is new for Princecraft and is more ergonomically correct than on last year’s Vectra models, but the cost is still low because the console is roto-cast like the seat frames.
BEST USES
Despite being one of the builder’s more affordable pontoons, the Princecraft Vectra 25 RL is a natural entertainer thanks to features such as a Jensen four-speaker Bluetooth stereo. Some audiophiles might turn their nose up at this brand, but it’s a robust 160-watt system that sounds really good. And to boost the boat’s get-together hosting potential, a slightly smaller rectangular bow snack table with four cupholders is part of the Mood Package ($439), which also includes a door on the side of the driver’s console for easy storage access. Although the Vectra line doesn’t offer as many options as the Quorum or Vogue series, buyers can boost summer comfort with a double Bimini top ($1,700). PREFERRED SETUP
Where Princecraft boats are built — Princeville, Quebec, which has a short boating season — may be a factor in the Vectra 25 RL coming with a full camper
enclosure option ($3,873). Having it allows owners to host outings in rain or sunshine and not miss a day of boating, even if the weather doesn’t cooperate, and increases the length of boating season significantly. An inflatable mattress can create a spacious cabin cruiser. Set into the rear lounge on our boat was a popup changing station ($402); buyers can add a pumpout head for $517. The optional ski tow ($752) is well braced but eats up a lot of room on the rear deck. An aftermarket TurboSwing XXL mounts directly to the outboard, is roughly the same price and frees up rear deck space. Seating up front is on two layback lounges; an inexpensive way to class them up is to upgrade to the Classic Plus interior ($261), which consists of textured gray upholstery and includes a captain’s chair upgrade. Standard flooring is easy-tomaintain vinyl, but our test boat had the optional nautical-looking Teak Supreme 2 flooring ($1,462). BW
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Tested
First Drive
S Y LVA N S 5 L S D C // B Y A L A N J O N E S
Triple Double Seater Sylvan’s S-Series is all about sporty luxury, with some new previously unseen twists. • S5 LS DC boasts an all new look, inside and out. It’s part of the midlevel S-Series, but because Sylvan is Smoker Craft’s top-of-the-line brand, it still has plenty of luxury on board.
FOR 2019, THE SYLVAN
UNIQUE FACTOR
The upholstery is all-new this year and features a tri-color palette, artful swirls, angled 46
panels and a softer feel for added comfort. The Sylvan S5 LS DC floorplan features two sets of symmetrical layback lounges and twin high-back captain’s chairs. What’s interesting about the lounges is their kick panels are fiberglass instead of the usual fabric over roto-molding, which provides added durability and a more finished look. The rear lounges are horizontal thrones, extra-wide with the perfect amount of recline. Something I’ve never seen before are fixed armrests that flip open to reveal personal storage areas for items such as cellphones, keys and wallets. And the seatbacks flip up to reveal another thing I’ve never seen, even on larger boats: twin trash cans. Having them makes a lot of sense, because so many people are into recycling these days; one can hold bottles and cans, and the other can hold trash. Alternatively, one can be kept clean and used for storing items that need to be accessed quickly, such as rolled-up towels. Under the rear lounges, storage is accessed via seat bottoms that flip up lengthwise from the back, like a gull wing,
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and hydraulic rams hold the bottoms open. A nice touch is the cockpit flooring continues into the floor of the storage areas. Under the starboard-side lounge is a standard flip-up changing station whose proximity to the walkthrough to the back deck is smart, so people looking to shed wet swimsuits don’t have to drip all the way through the cockpit. And the compartment has plenty of room to add a portable head. The all-new fencing features a series of small panels that, on our boat, showcased a progression of colors, of which Sylvan offers 10 to choose from. On our test boat the main panel color was Burgundy. The rearmost small panel was Caribou Brown, the one forward of that was Champagne, and the one forward of that was white, which continued as a stripe at the top all the way forward. The bow and stern gates are stainless steel cages, which help driver visibility, and both have the Sylvan logo on a stainless panel. A bit unusual is the fact that neither the
This tri-toon package really sets up the Sylvan S5 LS DC for great performance.
(Clockwise from top left) The classy helm has an unusual gauge module. Flip-down armrests flank the high-backed captain’s chair. Mercury’s DTS digital control makes shifting easy. Bow lounges are extra wide. A trash can (two, actually) is built in. Lounge armrests can hold valuables.
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OW N E R F E E D B AC K
P U R C H A S E D B Y T I M A N D T I F FA N Y W I L S O N , ADDISON, PA. PURCH A SED AT L INCOL N T ON M A RINE, LINCOLNTON, G A. W H AT W E L IK ED:
Outstanding styling/Three-tube PTX performance and handling/Quality of build/Quiet and powerful Yamaha F250/ Large rear deck/Great-sounding Kicker stereo
S Y LVA N S S L S D C
An interesting gauge module anchors the helm console and includes room for an optional Simrad NSS7 MFD.
Length 26 ft., 10 in.
W H AT W E WOUL D CH A NGE:
I wish we had gotten it with a full camper enclosure, so we could still go out when it’s rainy and cool. W H Y W E B O U G H T I T:
We’ve always had runabouts because we like sporty boats, but we realized that with Sylvan’s triple-tube PTX package and a 250 hp Yamaha outboard we could still have fantastic performance and a lot more room. We saw it at the Atlanta Boat Show and loved it. My wife especially liked its second comfortable captain’s chair. We receive lots of compliments on our S5, which has black tubes. Our two grown kids are into skiing and my brother’s kids are also skiers, so we do a lot of wakeboarding, skiing and tubing. Sometimes we fish for walleye and bass but also do a lot of entertaining and have had more than a dozen people on board. We have the only Sylvan on the lake, and its superior quality is noticeable when compared to other pontoons. Although we’re nearly 600 miles away from the dealership, Lincolnton Marine has been outstanding, before and after the sale. We had a problem with the stereo and they persuaded Kicker to send us an entirely new system to make sure it was right.
Beam 8 ft., 6 in. Tube Diameter 25 in. Capacity 14 people
starboard nor port side has a boarding gate, so all passengers board via the front or rear deck.
Dry Weight (hull) 2,542 lbs.
Fuel Capacity 30/60 gal.
Max HP 300 PERFORMANCE Peak 36.7 mph/ 5200 rpm/92 dBA Cruise 30.1 mph/ 4500 rpm/81 dBA Time to Plane 3.0 sec. Time to 30 mph 9.7 sec. POWER Test Mercury V-6 225 hp FourStroke
Cylinders Inline 4 Displacement 3.4L Weight w/outdrive 475 lbs.
WOT Range 5000-6000 rpm
Base Price w/test power $68,630
PERFORMANCE
Our test boat was equipped with the optional SPX Performance Package ($7,989), which comes with a PR25 center tube, aluminum underskin, a 60-gallon fuel tank for extra range, a removable ski pylon, Sea Star hydraulic steering, and lifting strakes on both sides of the center tube and on the inside of the outer 25-inch tubes. This tri-toon package really sets up the Sylvan S5 LS DC for great performance. At 26 feet, 10 inches long, it’s the largest of the S-Series Sylvans and can be powered with up to 300 hp with three tubes. Our boat was powered by Mercury’s new 225 hp V-6 FourStroke, which is the largest in this new generation of outboards with a big 3.4L of displacement. Their user-friendly features include a top cowl service door that reveals access to check and add oil without having to remove the cowling. In addition, a handle under the door flips up and releases all the latches, providing a handy place to grab to remove the upper cowl for engine service. The new Mercs are known for having plenty of low-end kick, and the 225 pushed the S5 onto plane in three seconds and to 30 mph in 9.7 seconds. Top speed was 36.7 mph. While that is fast enough for most activities, this big boat cries out for max power, so upgrade the Mercury power from 225 hp to a 300 hp V-8 model with Digital
Value-Added Standard Features: Bimini top, 4-speaker Bluetooth Kicker stereo, 24-oz. carpeting, Sea Weave rear deck, SeaStar hydraulic steering, cockpit table, mood lighting
Must-Have Options: Simrad NSS7 fishfinder/GPS display, power canopy, power steering, portable head, wake tower, camper enclosure, extra table, Babbito underdeck lighting, vinyl flooring
Builder: Smoker Craft Inc., sylvanmarine.com Financing: $492/month w/15% down and 6% interest for 15 years
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Throttle and Shift (DTS). It weighs only 57 more pounds and costs $7,675. A Yamaha F300 with digital controls is less expensive and is priced at $5,524 more than the V-6 225 Mercury. Both would be well worth it and would propel the Sylvan S5 LS DC well past 40 mph. HANDLING
The helm is a bit unusual. A gauge module is mounted atop the dash and places the instruments and an optional flush-mounted Simrad NSS7 ($1,417) high, making everything easy to read. Another plus is a master power switch that allows the operator to shut down everything that could potentially run down a battery with one flick of the rocker switch. The specially designed Performance strakes create lots of lift, which is not only helpful getting on plane but also helps the boat ride high in the water when cruising. And because the tubes aren’t plowing through the water, turning is easier. Despite all three tubes being the same 25-inch diameter, the pontoon had a pronounced inward lean during hard turns, which usually only happens when the center tube is larger or is mounted lower. During our test, I cranked the standard SeaStar hydraulically assisted wheel hard over into a ridiculously tight turn, and the prop remained hooked up even when I turned the wheel all the way to its stop.
The S5 LS DC is a prime platform for watersports.
BEST USES
The setup of our test boat left no doubt the S5 LS DC is a prime platform for watersports. It has a huge swim platform, thanks in part to the PR25 center tube, which places the outboard on an extended motor mount behind the unobstructed deck. Not only did the boat have a stainless steel deck-mounted ski tow ($671) for slalom skiing and tubing, it also had the optional wakeboard tower ($6,746), which comes with a generous Bimini top. To stow boards when the runs are over, an optional centerline in-tube storage compartment comes at a $937 upcharge. Most boating crowds listen to the stereo when they are skiing or on the hook, so two optional rear-firing speakers on the transom ($684), powered by the standard Kicker stereo system, are a no-brainer. Folks reclining on the rear lounges will have their listening experience enhanced by the forward-facing speakers’ high placement.
PREFERRED SETUP
(Clockwise from top) New upholstery design is eye-catching. Offthe-deck speaker placement up front sounds great. PTX tube package includes a ski tow. Roadster-style windshield is sporty and protective.
Sylvan offers plenty of options for customizing the S5 LS DC. Our test boat came with a full roadster-style windshield that protected us nicely on a nippy fall morning on Lake Tippecanoe in northern Indiana. Sylvan is one of the few pontoon builders still offering carpeting as a standard feature, but it offers several vinyl options, including woven faux teak that’s a budget-friendly $1,211. To really nauticalize the pontoon, a synthetic teak option costs $7,316. Our test boat’s pontoons were jazzed up with black painted tubes ($1,888) that matched the rails, windshield header and tower. Buyers who love entertaining and want to alleviate a standing-room-only situation on this boat that’s rated for 14 people, a gate seat sectional can be placed fore or aft. BW BOATINGWORLD.COM MARCH 2019
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HISTORY O USS Alabama is a decommissioned warship that saw action in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans during World War II. Now it’s a museum in Mobile Bay in Alabama and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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ON DECK ARTHUR FOSS
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CONNEAUT W. LIGHTHOUSE
KAUFFMAN HOUSE MUSEUM
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HERITAGE HILL HISTORIC DISTRICT
JAMES RIVER STEAM BREWERY
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ANGEL ISLAND IMMIGRATION STATION
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FORT ADAMS
RAINBOW BRIDGE NAT’L MONUMENT HOOVER DAM
MEMPHIS & ARK. MEM’L BRIDGE
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>> Historic sites exist in every state, and boaters can see many of them from the water. Here are 15 to spur readers’ own exploration. BY B OAT I N G WO R L D S TA F F
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02 Boating is fun, recreational, relaxing, exhilarating and communal. Yes, it is all those things and more. One of the other things boating can be is historically educational. So many sites of historical importance — local, regional or national — are on or very near the water. With that thought in mind, we sought to find sites that boaters can see and/or visit from the water. In addition, the sites had to be on the National Register of Historic Places. The list of such sites is extensive — lighthouses, forts, cemeteries, historical districts, bridges, churches, hotels, museums, ships, shipwrecks, natural formations — so we narrowed it down to 15 locations spread across the country. On rivers, lakes, bays and gulfs, these sites carry historical weight and deserve a float-by or a visit. More information for all of these sites is available on the National Park Service website (nps.gov). Where appropriate, we list further URLs.
>>
02
Fort Adams (1970)
Newport, R.I. First garrisoned in 1841 and in use as an active Army post until 1950, Fort Adams at the east entrance to Narragansett Bay is still an imposing presence, though boaters don’t have to worry about cannon fire. Guided tours of the fort’s interior are available, and a walkway skirts the exterior of the fort and Fort Adams State Park. A courtesy dock is available for pickup and dropoff, and nearby Sail Newport (sailnewport.org) has dock space. FortAdams.org
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James River Steam Brewery Cellars (2014)
Richmond, Va. Clearly visible from the James River, the James River Steam Brewery Cellars were built in 1866 and used until 1879, when better refrigeration methods were developed. Sparkling craft breweries that try to look old are the rage now,
Conneaut West Breakwater Lighthouse (1992)
but this original, built by a scion of the Yuengling family, is worth a look during a float-by. Rocketts Landing Marina is right there, too, in case the crew needs to offload for a meal or some shopping.
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Conneaut, Ohio The last in a long succession of lighthouses on the breakwater in Conneaut — about 36 miles from the harbor in Erie, Pa., and double that to downtown Cleveland — the current structure was commissioned in 1936 and automated in 1972. Its original light could be seen 17 miles out into Lake Erie, according to LighthouseFriends.com. More modern looking than traditional, Art Deco comes to mind, the steel square tower isn’t open to the public, so seeing it from the water is a solid option. Conneaut Boat Club has a marina with gas and guest docks (conneautboatclub. com), and Conneaut Port Authority has public launch ramps and visitor spaces for rent (conneautportauthority.com).
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Fort Jefferson (1970)
Dry Tortugas National Park, Fla. Situated on lonely Garden Key in Dry Tortugas National Park, about 70 miles west of Key West, Fort Jefferson took so long to build — 1846 to 1875 — that the Army officially abandoned it a year before construction ceased. And it still wasn’t finished. Dr. Samuel Mudd — he who set John Wilkes Booth’s broken leg — was a guest there, and the USS Maine departed from there for its ill-fated mission to Cuba. Guided and self-guided tours are available, and boaters can tie up at the dock, though permits are required. Two of our editors have been to the fort, and both say the trip is worth it.
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06
Shiloh National Military Park (1966)
Shiloh, Tenn. Commemorating the Civil War Battle of Shiloh, April 6-7, 1862, the Shiloh National Military Park itself covers almost 4,000 acres and includes a battlefield, a military cemetery and the Shiloh Indian Mounds Site, which is itself on the NRHP. Boaters floating by (no docks are available) on the Tennessee River can see the bluff on which the battle took place and Pittsburg Landing, a low spot of land the Union troops beached on and used as a staging ground from which to attack nearby Corinth.
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NRHP
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Memphis & Arkansas Memorial Bridge (2001)
USS Drum & USS Alabama (1986)
Mobile Bay, Alabama Curious boaters in Mobile Bay can float past two World War II stalwarts at the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park. And while many boaters may do it regularly, how many of them know the submarine Drum and the battleship Alabama are both on the NRHP? Drum sank 15 enemy ships and Alabama served in the Atlantic and Pacific during WWII. If curiosity gets the best of the crew, there’s a nearby launch ramp so everyone can visit the vessels. As a bonus, Fort Morgan at the mouth of Mobile Bay is another NRHP site. USSAlabama.com
USS Drum: Teemu008
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Memphis, Tenn. Finished in 1949, the nearly mile-long cantilever-style Memphis & Arkansas Memorial Bridge connects Arkansas and Tennessee and still carries traffic, as its lanes are part of Interstate 55. Boaters at play on the Mississippi River can check out the historical bridge before tying up at a downtown Memphis marina or pulling the boat out of the water at a launch ramp and visiting Beale Street (also on the National Register of Historic Places) or the National Civil Rights Museum or the gonzo Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid.
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Burlington, Iowa To the west of the North Boat Ramp next to the Highway 34 bridge over the Mississippi River is Burlington, Iowa’s Heritage Hill Historic District. It’s up the hill and visible from the river itself, so boaters can view a piece of southeast Iowa history from their vessel. More than 140 structures make up the district, including residences, churches — First United Methodist is a standout — government facilities and commercial buildings. With the North Boat Ramp within walking distance — and the South Boat Ramp not far away — boaters can enjoy a morning on the water, grab lunch in the historic district and be home for an evening barbecue.
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Lamar Boulevard Bridge (1994)
Austin, Texas Recognized for its architectural significance and its importance to Austin’s transportation history — it still carries vehicular traffic after 77 years — the open-spandrel deck arch Art Deco Lamar Boulevard Bridge stands sentinel near the downtown area of Texas’ capital city. No motorized boats are allowed on this stretch of the Colorado River — Lady Bird Lake, locally — so you’ll have to break out a kayak or a canoe (still a boat). A few hundred yards southeast is a statue of the late Stevie Ray Vaughn, visible from
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Chicago and North Western Railroad Bridge (1998)
Pierre, S.D. Spanning the Missouri River in Pierre, S.D., since 1907, the Chicago and North Western Railroad Bridge has two spans, the second of which is a swing span. As the first permanent bridge across the Missouri in central South Dakota and the only swing bridge still standing in the state, it holds a historical place in state lore, and boaters on the river below can marvel at it. Boating facilities exist at Pierre Marina Recreational Area about a mile downstream, and launch ramps are available on both sides of the river. As a bonus, more than 30 other NRHP sites are scattered around the city.
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Jeffrey Beall
Heritage Hill Historic District (1982)
the water. Dude’s in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, so he’s a landmark of his own.
Kauffman House Museum (1974)
Grand Lake, Colo.
Steps from the shore of Grand Lake and across Lake Avenue from Headwaters Marina, 127-year-old Kauffman House Museum is a log structure originally built as a hotel. Now a museum dedicated to the Grand Lakes area, Kauffman House features rotating exhibits and a portion of the original wall covered by newspapers from 1893 and 1894. It’s open daily during boating season. A U.S. Forest Service launch ramp is at the southern tip of adjacent Shadow Mountain Lake, and the grandeur of Rocky Mountain National Park is all around. GrandLakesHistory.org
Wally Gobetz
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Wally Gobetz
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Hoover Dam (1981)
Boulder City, Nev. Built by Herbert Hoover himself with his bare… Wait, we got some bad info there. Straddling the border between Nevada and Arizona, Hoover Dam was dedicated in 1935 after a construction and engineering project that was ahead of its time. Boaters can approach the dam from upstream (Lake Mead) and downstream, but there are proximity restrictions on both sides and power restrictions during certain days of the week and times of year on the downstream side. Homework is required.
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Angel Island Immigration Station (1971)
San Francisco Bay Put into operation in 1910 to handle immigrants from Asia, the Angel Island Immigration Station processed people from more than 80 countries during its 30 years of use. Today, visitors can take a guided tour of the station. Boat owners can easily spot the immigration station’s grounds from the bay, or they can snag a slip or a mooring in Ayala Cove and fan out across the island via bike, Segway or tram.
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Rainbow Bridge National Monument (2017)
Lake Powell, Utah The scenery surrounding Lake Powell is breathtaking, and at least one piece of it is so culturally relevant that it’s on the NRHP. Rainbow Bridge is in the Utah section of the lake, less than 10 miles north of the Arizona border. The largest natural rock bridge in the world spans 275 feet (according to the National Park Service), is up to 42 feet thick, was formed by water erosion and is significant to the Hopi, Kaibab Paiute, Navajo, San Juan Southern Paiute, Ute Mountain Ute and Zuni peoples. During very high water, the lake reaches the bridge, but usually the water is 1 or 2 miles below the bridge — a courtesy dock is set up — so you’ll have to hike. And permits are required for any access, so do some homework.
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Arthur Foss tugboat (1989)
Seattle Boaters in Seattle probably know that Arthur Foss is a living piece of Northwest boating heritage — built in 1889 it’s potentially the oldest wooden tugboat in the world — but how many know it’s also on the NRHP? It is, and it’s easy to
find at the southern tip of Lake Union, in Chandler’s Cove, at the Northwest Seaport docks. According to NW Seaport, she starred in the movie “Tugboat Annie” in 1933 and was the last vessel to get away from Wake Island before the Japanese attacked during World War II. Those are just two episodes in a colorful history that has spanned 22 presidents. NWSeaport.org BW
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INSURANCE IS IMPORTANT — AND NOT JUST FOR THE BOAT. B Heathe Steinberge 56
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CONSIDER FOR A MOMENT HOW MUCH STUFF YOU BRING ABOARD TO SUPPORT YOUR ON-WATER RECREATIONAL LIFESTYLE, FROM ELECTRONICS AND FISHING TACKLE TO WATERSPORTS GEAR AND STEREO SPEAKERS. IT’S A LOT, RIGHT? AND IT’S VALUABLE.
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How can you adequately protect all of your add-ons? While you might have a good grasp of boat insurance policies, how sure are you when it comes to all the extras? Here’s the good news: Protecting all the gear isn’t as difficult as you might think. Extras Covered? Maybe
Most boat policies incorporate a section for hull and equipment that likely will cover anything attached to the vessel, even if it’s removable. According to Becky Reinaker, BoatUS’s vice president of underwriting, engines and towers generally are considered to be part of the boat, as is any essential equipment for the safe operation and routine maintenance of that boat. That means coverage for electronics and dinghies is built right into the policy without requiring an additional endorsement. “Electronics are covered up to the insured value of the boat and also are subject to the same boat deductible,” Reinaker said. But like many insurers, BoatUS offers a separate endorsement for electronic equipment, which is a frequent target for thieves. Having this, and other, “sub” deductibles will take some of the sting out of making a claim, especially if the hull deductible is in the thousands of dollars. That’s why it’s critical to actually read the policy and discuss it with your agent or broker. “Understanding coverages by discussing policy language with your agent is important,” said Gary Clausen from Antioch, Calif.based Twin Rivers Marine Insurance Agency. “(And) take the time to listen to your agent’s translation of coverage. There’s more to a marine policy than the line items of the declarations page.” A quick tip: Keep the value of your engine, wakeboard tower, navigational electronics and dinghy (if applicable) in mind when you insure your boat. “When determining the worth of your boat, these values should be included in the overall agreed value that you’re trying to insure,” said Rick Stern, Progressive Insurance’s boat product manager.
Think Broader
If you have watersports equipment, fishing gear and other personal effects that don’t fall under your insurance policy’s existing umbrella, you’ll definitely want to look into broadening the policy’s coverage. Check with your carrier and discuss the possibility of scheduling certain items separately. “Boating is supposed to be fun and relaxing, an escape from the day-to-day,” Stern said. “However, things happen when you’re stepping on or off the boat, hitting waves while under power or 58
Endorsements have different levels of coverage, exclusions and cost. fighting fish along the bow. Dropping a phone, portable speaker, rod or cell over the side is not as uncommon as one might think.” Endorsements have different levels of coverage, exclusions and cost. Once an endorsement is added, you’ll have coverage up to a specific limit for any accidental loss, which includes theft and items falling overboard. At Progressive, add-ons are available with virtually all policies, including those for personal watercraft. That makes sense, given that many PWC owners have large threerider machines that are capable of towing two-person tubes; that’s a lot of people who can lose or damage things on the water. Stern said Progressive sees the broadest array of coverage these days on pontoon boats, which have become jacks-ofall-trades in the boating world. “You can fish on, cruise in,
dive from and ski behind a pontoon boat,” he said, “so pontoon customers tend to load up on the diverse coverages they need. Our most popular add-on coverage is our Sign & Glide on-water towing.” With this coverage, customers use an app to give their exact location to a dispatch center, which sends a tow boat and covers the cost of the tow directly. Customers don’t need to pay a single penny out of pocket. Towing is a highly popular endorsement at BoatUS too. It provides the same towing service offered through BoatUS membership, but it costs less and covers just the insured boat. Another favorite is the BoatUS Angler endorsement, which provides coverage for rods, reels, tackle containers, trolling motors and other fishing-specific items. It also provides up to a $500 reimbursement for tournament fees, a valuable add-on for anyone
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who suffers boat or trailer damage prior to a big event. Then there is the BoatUS Water Sports Package endorsement, which covers gear such as waterskis, wakeboards, kneeboards and inflatable tubes. It also incorporates the $500 reimbursement for tournament fees. Another tip: If you’re getting an angler endorsement, be sure to provide a detailed description of any outboards and trolling motors. And if you repower at some point, contact your agent as soon as possible to adjust the coverage.
Remember Personal Effects
Be sure to check the policy language to see if it incorporates a list of included personal effects. If important items are not included, it’s time to add a separate endorsement. Doing so is popular with boat owners who want to cover items such
as clothing, cameras and cellphones, according to Reinaker, who added that most insurers offer coverage for personal effects, though coverage will vary from insurer to insurer. At BoatUS, for example, scuba gear is part of the company’s Water Sports Package endorsement; at Progressive, it’s part of a separate Personal Effects package. “Personal Effects coverage is designed to cover things like portable stereos, scuba gear, cellphones, tablets and clothing,” Stern said. “Fishing Equipment takes care of your rods, reels and other fishing gear. At Progressive, these coverages pay nondepreciated replacement cost, so you don’t have to dip into your own pocket to purchase a replacement.” Again, because coverage does vary widely, be sure to investigate what is included in your policy and in the available add-on packages. And have a detailed discussion with your agent or broker regarding the types of items you wish to cover and their value. Providing such details and responding to a few additional questions can make a big difference in the event of a loss. Just to be on the safe side, double-check your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy, as it might cover nonboating items such as clothing, cameras, coolers and sporting equipment. The boat policy could be secondary to this primary coverage, but you need to make sure — and don’t assume that all the items you carry aboard will be covered under that other policy. “In some cases that might be true,” Reinaker said, “but we ask that (you) verify the items
covered and what deductible applies.”
Potential Pitfalls
When it comes to insurance, many boaters fall victim to not seeing the forest for the trees. In fact, the biggest pitfalls may seem obvious, but they continue to ensnare the unsuspecting. For one, make sure that the correct items are included under each preferred endorsement, and that you have selected the appropriate value for those items. “For instance, if you’re looking for coverage in case your fishing rods and reels are stolen, you want to make sure the coverage you are adding to the policy includes those items and at the value you require to replace them,” Reinaker said. “Keep your receipts, especially for higher-dollar items, to assist in determining the value of the items you’re insuring.” These receipts also will be helpful if — when? — you face the claims process. If you don’t keep receipts for everything you buy, however, consider taking photos of all the fishing tackle watersports equipment, scuba gear and all other items covered by your insurance policy. Second, take periodic inventory of your boating-related gear, and be sure you have enough coverage for it. “Many boaters accumulate things over time but don’t think about raising the limits on their add-on coverages,” Stern said. “A fisherman who purchased $1,000 worth of gear might now own $7,000 worth of gear. It’s time to increase coverage.” Next, remember your agent or broker is on your side. Ask questions, communicate regularly and carefully consider the
advice you receive regarding additional coverage. “Honestly, the cost is minimal to make sure these things are done right,” said Dave Kauffman, president of Anchor Marine in Mercer Island, Wash. “We’re not trying to double anyone’s premium. Another 5 to 10 percent is often the difference between doing it right and not having adequate coverage.” Finally, make sure you select the insurance policy that’s right for you. In fact, make sure you have insurance, period. “Having insurance is the most important advice we can give,” Stern said. “For those readers who don’t — and we estimate that more than 35 percent of all watercraft are uninsured — at least get basic liability insurance. Not only will that give you financial protection if you damage another’s property or injure a fellow boater, it also will provide you with coverage for wreckage removal and fuel spills. BW
TO THE WEB • Allstate.com/boat-insurance • AmericanMarineInsurance.com • AnchorMarineInsurance.com • BoatInsurance.net • BoatInsuranceOnly.com (Twin Rivers) • BoatUS.com/insurance • Chubb.com • CompassMarineServices.com • Geico.com/boat-insurance • MarkelBoatInsurance.com • NBoat.com (NBOA) • NMU.com (National Marine Underwriters) • Pantaenius.com • Progressive.com/boat • SeaInsure.com • Travelers.com/boat
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H A S YO U R DO G Enter Your Dog Now
WIN THIS Pet PFD*
Enter your pooch in our Salty Dog of the Month contest. Email your pet’s photo and name, your name, address and phone number to editor@boatingworld.com, or snail mail to: Boating World Salty Dog Contest 18475 Bandilier Circle, Fountain Valley CA 92708 Your pet could win a cool PFD from CWB.
*Shown is our current prize, a CWB Dog Vest valued at $24.95. Prizes are subject to change.
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SUPER COUPON
BEATS
WARN
*
WITH
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CAPACITY
12,000 LB.
YES
EFFICIENT SERIES WOUND MOTOR
YES
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DUST AND WATER RESISTANT WINCH
YES
4.4
LOADED LINE SPEED (FPM)
3.6
YES
AUTO LOAD BRAKE
YES
BADLAND ZXR 12000
NOW
9 $2999
SAVE $400
CABLE TENSIONER
NO
CABLE DIAMETER
3/8"
359
AMP DRAW @ 12,000 LBS
457
399 99
$
Customer Rating
ITEM 64045 64046/63770 shown
YES 3/8"
PRICE
$5
$
COMPARE TO
HUSKY
7
*79701537 * 79701537
Cannot be used with other discounts or prior purchases. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 6/22/19 while supplies last. Limit 1 FREE GIFT per customer per day.
LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 6/22/19* *WARN 96820 stated specs
3500 WATT SUPER QUIET INVERTER GENERATOR Customer Rating
Customer Rating
NOW
NOW
99 $699 TYPE ITEM SAE 69043/63282/42304 METRIC 69044/63171/42305
COMPARE TO
HONDA
$
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1,999
MODEL: EU3000iS1A
$999
COMPARE TO
DEWALT
$
6499 SAVE
MODEL: DW1369
84%
$
17
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*79706463 * 79706463
LIMIT 8 - Coupon valid through 6/22/19*
LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 6/22/19*
LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 6/22/19*
84 $6999
SAVE $ 100
COMPARE TO
ITEM 56148 63316 shown
$
WAYNE
16999
MODEL: PC4
3-IN-1 PORTABLE POWER PACK WITH JUMP STARTER NOW
• Lifts from 3-1/2" to 14-1/8" • Weighs 34 lbs. W
NO
SAVE 65 $
$59
COMPARE TO
K TOOL $ 68
125
MODEL: KTI63094
$
99
SAVE 38%
7999
9 $399 $
5799 $
COMPARE TO
SUPERSTART
ITEM 64545/64552/64832 68053/62160/62496/62516/60569 shown
159
9 $1 07
99
COMPARE TO
SNAP-ON
$
9 Side tray
sold separately. 79995 SAVE $ 691 ITEM 64818
MODEL: KRBC10TBPC
64096 shown
6499
MODEL: 55001
ITEM 38391/62376/64083/56349/62306 shown
MODEL 1800
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ULTRA-LIGHT, CRUSH PROOF WEATHER-RESISTANT LOCKABLE CASE • 8-1/8" L 5-5/8" W NOW
Customer Rating
$999
3-3/4" H
SAVE $ 99 71% 14 COMPARE TO
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$
3489
MODEL: 1150
Case contents and locks not included.
ITEM 64550 63518 shown
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hft_boatingworld_0319_M-REG162504.indd 1
70
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Item 42305 shown
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At Harbor Freight Tools, the “Compare to” price means that the specified comparison, which is an item with the same or similar function, was advertised for sale at or above the “Compare to” price by another national retailer in the U.S. within the past 90 days. Prices advertised by others may vary by location. No other meaning of “Compare to” should be implied. For more information, go to HarborFreight.com or see store associate.
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advertiser index PR O D U C T I N FO R M ATI O N A N D PH O N E N U M B E R S
BOATS Apex Marine (989) 681-4300 ............................................................................................CV4 Barletta Boat Company (574) 825-8900 ...........................................................................15 Crownline Boats (618) 937-6426 ....................................................................................... 6-7 SmokerCraft, Inc./Starcraft (866) 719-7873 .......................................................... 5, 17, 60 Splendor Boats (260) 352-2835 ..........................................................................................63 Stingray (843) 383-4507 ......................................................................................................... 3 Yamaha WaterCraft (800) 962-7926 .................................................................................... 1 ENGINES Honda Motor Corporation ......................................................................................................19 Suzuki Marine (800) 247-4704 .............................................................................................31 800-88-YAMAHA (800)889-2624 ...................................................................................CV3 GEAR & ACCESSORIES Aquatic AV (408) 559-1668 ..................................................................................................63 Cook Manufacturing Corp (800) 654-3697 ..................................................................... 60 ECSTAR ...................................................................................................................................... 33 Harbor Freight Tools (800) 423-2567 ................................................................................61 Overton’s (800) 334-6541 ..................................................................................................... 23 West System Inc. / Gougeon Brothers, Inc. (989) 684-7286 ...................................... 35 SERVICES 1-800-Progressive (800) 776-4737 .................................................................................CV2 Boat Angel (800) 227-2643 .................................................................................................62 GEICO Insurance (800) 865-4846 ...................................................................................... 25 National Marine Underwriters (800) 262-8467 ...............................................................62 Water Sports Foundation (407) 833-0383........................................................................21
62
MARCH 2019
•
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BOATINGWORLD.COM
2/4/19 8:23 AM
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+ BW Marketplace2.indd 63
MARCH 2019
63
•
2/4/19 8:23 AM
SPONSORED BY
Reader Contest
Rick Martin illustration
Name the Boat
See the winning entry and the best of the rest from the January contest on page 10.
When Jerry told his buddies he was going to try to hook up, they never imagined a scene so sad. Send us your name for our garage-bound boat. If it wins, we will give you a Theory kneeboard and Proline EVA rope combo, valued at $330, from Connelly, and your name will appear in the May 2019 issue of Boating World.
Win This!
YOURS FREE
64
MARCH 2019
•
+ BW NTB2.indd 64
The first person to submit the best boat name will receive a Theory kneeboard and a Proline EVA wake/ski/kneeboard rope combo, valued at $330, from Connelly (connellyskis.com).
How to enter: We’ll reprint the cartoon with the winning boat name in the May 2019 issue. Submissions are due by March 15. Email editor@boatingworld.com with “Name the Boat” in the subject line, or send snail mail to Boating World Magazine/Name the Boat, 18475 Bandilier Circle, Fountain Valley, CA 92708. Please
A plush kneepad and padded Velcro strap provide
include your full name, address and phone number, along with
a comfortable ride on the sleek Theory board, and
your entry. Duncan McIntosh Co. and Connelly employees and
a front handle hook makes it easy for newbies to
their families are prohibited from entering. Prizewinners are
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the editor are final.
BOATINGWORLD.COM
2/4/19 7:00 AM
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