Stop boldly.
Don’t get carried away—unless you want to. The new Skyhook® Advanced Features from Mercury Marine® can be easily downloaded to deliver even more precise vessel control. Not only can you maintain a steady position despite wind or current, you can tailor it to your needs no matter where life takes you. See your nearest Mercury dealer for more information on Skyhook® or visit mercurymarine.com.
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*Based on the warranty length of all-terrain tires from a leading consumer publication. Warranty terms and conditions apply. **Based on the warranty length of LT-denoted all-terrain tires from a leading consumer publication. Warranty terms and conditions apply.
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Contents
Septem ber/October 201 8 • Vol u m e 39 N o. 8
MAGAZINE
VOLUME VOLUME XXXIX XXXIX NUMBER NUMBER 78
pg.
44
4
Editor’s Letter
6
Currents
Get others involved with fishing Bits from the boating world
12 Trailering Prep for the season’s last road trip 14 Watersports Pick the best handle for the activity 16 Fishing 5 tips for trolling success 18 Engines 7 engine-killing no-nos 20 DIY Bottom painting done right 22 Ask the Experts Our panel of experts answers your questions 25 Bonehead Blunders Mistakes no boater should make
features
26 Gear The latest accessories, gadgets and electronics
44
You Can Go Back Again
Florida’s Nature Coast is a great place to create fishing memories … or relive some old ones. BY ALAN JONES
64 Contest: Name the Boat Win a 4-person inflatable lounge from Connelly
boats tested
28 Regal 25 RX A cockpit-forward design creates a yacht-like vibe on a midsized bowrider.
32 Sea Ray SLX 310 Sea Ray’s newest takes big-boat bowriding to a new place.
36 Starcraft SX 25 C DC The bar on innovation and luxury has been raised.
40 Alumacraft XB 200 The new aluminum bass boat flagship is tournament ready and less than half the price of its fiberglass counterparts.
• SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2 • 2 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 2018BOATINGWORLD.COM BOATINGWORLD.COM
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Editor’s Letter
by Ala n Jones
THE BOATING WORLD TEAM RESPONDS:
“
Using a common health ailment and a cartoon or comics character, what do you name the next chart-topping band?
PUBLISHER
Duncan McIntosh Jr.
Superman’s Sniffles VP AND GENERAL MAMAGER Jeff Fleming
Goofy’s Flatulence
EXECUTIVE EDITOR Alan Jones
Blondie Coli
MANAGING EDITOR Mike Werling
F A L L B O AT I N G I S B E T T E R MOST PEOPLE CONSIDER summer the season to go boating, but for me fall has always been prime time, and the advantages are many. If you like to travel, you’ll find the rates at most resorts plummet as soon as the kids go back to school. And if you have kids, this might be a great time to have a short getaway with your spousal unit. For the best deals, check out Airbnb or VRBO, where you can actually see the number of days the owners have open. If the calendar is wide open, you stand a good chance of negotiating a lower-than-advertised rate by contacting the owner directly. Same goes for smaller resorts. While prices might spike during prime leaf-peeping season in places such as on the Hudson River and in New England, great waterways such as the Tennessee River and the Upper Mississippi get far less traffic and can be just as beautiful and more affordable. An added bonus is that fuel prices in fall are generally far lower than during prime boating months due to the drop in demand and the switchover to winter blends, which are less costly to produce. Another big factor is the weather. I live in Florida and my goal during summer boat outings is to stay in the shade. I will even troll in a direction that keeps me underneath the T-top rather than a direction that might provide more fish. During autumn, it’s always great to start the day when the water temperature is higher than the ambient temperature and steam comes off the water in the morning. And there’s no better feeling than the sudden glow of warmth I feel coming off plane after a crisp dawn cruise to a favorite fishing spot. Springtime gets most of the press praise for great fishing, but fall is a close second, and there’s far less angling pressure. Cooler water temperatures result in better fishing in shallower water, since it’s more comfortable for fish after a summer of sulking down deep during the dog days. For boaters who own cruisers not equipped with a generator and air conditioning, fall is easily the best time to overnight on the boat. The bugs are fewer and the temperature is usually ideal for sleeping. We do our annual testing in fall when the new boats are picked fresh off the factory floor and often still have residual fiberglass dust and smell of just-cured resin … aah, new-boat smell. Our three main test lakes — Lake Wawasee in northern Indiana, Table Rock Lake near Branson, Mo., and Lake Lanier, north of Atlanta — are all popular lakes during summer, but when we test during the week, we have them nearly to ourselves. While it’s fun to occasionally join a raft-up or meet everyone at the sandbar, to me getting away from it all is one of the best things about boating, and for that, fall rules. BW
Thormone Deficiency
ASSISTANT EDITOR Stephanie Shibata
Ra’s al Gout
ART DIRECTOR Julie Hogan
Swee’Myo’pea
PRODUCTION Mary Monge
Cyclopolyps
CIRCUL ATION MGR. Rick Avila
Montezuma’s (Re)Avengers
CIRCUL ATION ASSISTANTS
Emily Wells Horneff Near Sighted Cyclops
Dustin Nguyen Howard the Insomniac Duck ADVERTISING SALES & MARKETING
Call (949) 660-6150
REGIONAL SALES MANAGERS
Annabelle Zabala Wonder Woman’s Tourettes Felice Lineberry Gumby’s Mad Cow
MARKETPL ACE SALES MGR. Jon Sorenson
Cartman Arrhythmia AD COORDINATORS
Jennifer Chen Pinky and the Brain Bleed Lacee Garcia Spongeboils
TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR Dave Kelsen
Popeye’s Pestilence
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 39 • NO. 8 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 © 2018, 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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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,
Currents
by Steph a n ie S h ibata
LEAD BOAT >> REGULATOR 25
Icing on the Cake Regulator uses its 30th birthday as an excuse to make its lineup, including the 25, better.
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The Regulator 25 is and has been a midsize fishing monster
Regulator Marine has been seeking to perfect the deep-V center console fishing boat for three decades.
REGULATOR MARINE started building boats in 1988, seeking to perfect the deep-V center console fishing boat. The ensuing 30 years have seen the builder continue to tweak, modify and enhance its original design, and now Regulator is celebrating three decades of the pursuit of perfection — and fish. The Regulator 25 is and has been a midsize fishing monster — illuminated and insulated fishboxes under both bow seats and in the deck of the bow, a livewell/fishbox at the transom, tackle options in the leaning post, insulated cooler under the console seat, seatback and T-top rocket launchers, outriggers, in-gunwale rod holders, fresh- and saltwater washdowns — and for its 30th anniversary Regulator added more options. Twin 200 hp Yamaha outboards are standard, but buyers can now opt for twin F250s and SeaStar Solutions’ Optimus electronic power steering and tilt helm. Those big powerplants don’t eat into the swim platform, either, because they’re mounted on brackets all the way aft, which extends the boat’s LOA to 30 feet, and a transom tuna door makes entry and exit easy, which is smart given all the room on the platform. Electronics enthusiasts will enjoy the option to have a Garmin 16 Fish Package factory installed (12 Fish Package is standard), including a GPSMap 7616 XSV 16-inch multitouch widescreen multifunction display, a Reactor steer-bywire autopilot, an Airmar B150 CHIRP transducer and more. To keep the non-fishing part of the family happy, dayboating amenities have been added too. A standup head compartment is in the console, and buyers can add a forward sun shade to cover bow seating — room for six or seven people with their feet on the deck or two people stretched out lounge-style — and/ or a watersports tow bar, for when it’s time to play. An integrated transom seat can accommodate two more passengers, and it folds flush when it’s time to fish. Regulator Marine, regulatormarine.com BOATINGWORLD.COM SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018
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CURRENTS
name the boat To participate in this month’s contest, turn to page 64
JUNE’S CONTEST WINNER: Family Heirdoom
Brad Waldenmyer from Doer, Ohio, was the first to submit the winning name, Family Heirdoom. For beating the L out of the competition, Brad receives an Orbit 2 Soft Top Towable from Connelly (connellyskis. com), valued at $239.99. MORE OF JUNE’S BEST ENTRIES:
Hand Me Down-er
Family Berthright
Degeneration
Larry Bagans, Grosse Ile, MI
Bernie Matsumoto, Half Moon Bay, CA
Warren Heller, Lindenhurst, NY
Hand Me Drown
Erin Hall, Concord, NH
Heir You Go Michael Baum, Blythewood, SC
Courtney Kline, Lake Worth, FL
Rick Martin illustration
Leg-ugh-sea Terese Laurance, Pasadena, CA
Sinking Feeling Brian Olson, Del Norte, CO
Heirship
Moldy but Goody Flotsam & Grandson
Judy Anderson, Puyallup, WA
Chuck Barnum, West Palm Beach, FL
Another Man’s Treasure
Scentimental
Derek Hartley, Jacksonville, NC
Nicola Heslip, Auburn, WA
Ski Antique Albert Tesoro, Seminole, FL
QUIZ
Board or Beast? Wakesports manufacturers are scary good at assigning fearsome and obscure names to some of their boards — almost as good as world cultures are at naming the monsters that populate their mythology. In honor of Halloween, we have a frighteningly fantastic quiz for you. We’re willing to bet you can’t distinguish the four board names from the world’s mythological monster monikers. Give it a try. Or are you scared? 1. Kongamato
4. Ningen
7. Valhalla
2. Woodro
5. Marek
8. Pontianak
3. Rakshasa
6. Ripslash
Answer Key: 1. Beast (Western Africa, “the breaker of boats”); 2. Board (ConnellySkis.com); 3. Beast (Hindu, shape-shifting demon maneater); 4. Beast (Japanese, humanoid fish); 5. Board (HyperliteStore.com); 6. Board (Airhead.com); 7. Board (Obrien. com); 8. Beast (Indonesian, female ghost)
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FA S T FAC T
Pe’rog
Louisiana designated the pirogue as the official state boat in 2012. It’s been a popular mode of transportation and integral in the Cajun culture from pre-statehood days until now. L A U G H A B L E L AW S
Possession of Weed
In New Hampshire, it is illegal to carry seaweed off the beach at night.
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S A LT Y D O G OF THE MONTH
Dog: Rainier Owner: Randy Bourgeois, Snoqualmie, Wash.
Enter Your Dog Now
WIN THIS Dog Vest
BIG NUMBERS
Round the World Record
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 Navy Pier on Chicago’s Lake Michigan shoreline is the longest pier in the U.S., at 3,300 feet, more than six-tenths of a mile. It currently encompasses more than 50 acres of parks, gardens, shops, restaurants, family attractions and exhibition facilities. The second-longest pier is the New St. Pete Pier in Florida, at 3,065 feet, which is still under construction.
Polish sailor Szymon Kuczynski, 37, set a new record for sailing the smallest sailboat singlehandedly and nonstop around the world in Atlantic Puffin. Here are some of the numbers behind this incredible voyage.
270
Days it took to complete the voyage
250
Length, in inches, of his vessel, a Maxus 22 (20 feet, 10 inches)
29,000+
Nautical miles Kuczynski traveled
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NEVER BEEN CHRISTENED
A lot of famous people never owned a boat, and many who own or owned one did a bad job naming it, so we’re here to help. If these famous folks purchased a boat and asked for our help naming it, here’s what we would have told them. • Pete Townsend: Hull Lotta Noise • Meryl Streep: Drama Queen • King Midas: I Gold You So
• Elon Musk: Guilty as Charged • Gen. Douglas MacArthur: I’ll Be Aft
Square meters of living space aboard
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80
Approximate number of sailors to circumnavigate solo and unaided
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REMEMBER to always observe all applicable boating laws. Never drink and drive. Dress properly with a USCG-approved personal floatation device and protective gear. Š 2018 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved. 1-800-889-2624
YMOB0912-H-K29XTO_Spr_18x10.875.indd 1
Available in new, Pearlescent White and Classic Yamaha Gray
Extreme An entirely new species of
predator is moving quietly offshore. The all-new, Yamaha 5.6L V8 XTO Offshore. It’s more than an outboard; it’s a fully integrated power system. And it’s created an entirely new class of extreme offshore power. The Yamaha XTO Offshore was designed from the ground up to be smarter, more powerful and more efficient than anything you’ve seen offshore. Its 5.6 liters of extreme thrust and power has inspired an entirely new class of 50-foot-plus boat. And it moves those rigs more reliably and efficiently, with a naturally aspirated big-block, industry-first direct-injection four stroke. It’s an entirely new take on offshore power—because it’s more than that. It’s a system. And it’s evolving the entire offshore boating experience. To learn more about the Yamaha 425 hp 5.6L V8 XTO Offshore, visit YamahaOutboards.com/XTO.
INDUSTRY-FIRST DIRECT-INJECTION FOUR STROKE
INDUSTRY-EXCLUSIVE INTEGRATED ELECTRIC STEERING SYSTEM
UP TO 90 AMPS OF ELECTRICAL POWER
RELIABLE OVERSIZED GEARCASE WITH HARDENED GEARS
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6/6/18 10:35 AM
Trailering
Road Trip Prep
Rollin’ The season’s winding down, but there’s time for one last trip. Make sure the trailer, tow vehicle and family are ready. BY CHRIS CASWELL
• WILLIE NELSON’S “ON THE ROAD Again” resonates with trailerboaters who spend their summer lake-hopping. And though the season is fast winding down, his lyrics “just can’t wait to get on the road again” are a strong call for a season-ending trip. You’re prepared. Your family’s prepared. Is your trailer? Here’s a look at what you might overlook.
BEFORE THE TRIP
Give yourself a sizeable head start, because you want everything to be perfect for this last outing. Start by ensuring that the spare tires on the tow car and the trailer are fully inflated. What? You don’t have a spare on the trailer? It’s inexpensive insurance, but be sure you get a lock for it. And don’t forget to take the key with you. Speaking of tires, get a lug wrench that fits your trailer tires — all lug nuts are not alike. You’ve been using the boat and trailer all season, so you’ve been checking the trailer regularly and washing it to get rid of salt water or brackish fresh water, right? If not, now is the time to check for rust, particularly at welds or on U-bolts. Check the tire sidewalls for cracks or spider webbing — if any are found, replace the tire — and have the bearings serviced. You’re adding a load to your tow car, so make sure the cooling system is full — when was it last flushed? — the belt tensions are right, and the hoses don’t have any softness or bulges. Test the lights and signals with the trailer hooked up, so you have time to cure any problems before the trip. Don’t simply hit the brakes, but test the turn signals and the emergency flashers too. DEPARTURE DAY (OR THE DAY BEFORE)
Now is the time to test the lights again and check the tire pressure on both tow car and trailer. Something I always forget (and regret later) is to wash the tow vehicle’s windows inside and out. Inside is particularly important on the windshield, where plastic fumes from a hot car cause a haze that turns oncoming headlights into halos of light. USEFUL STUFF
Carry spare parts and tools, because problems on the road can ruin a vacation. Start with a tire pressure gauge and a jack for the trailer, because a spare tire isn’t much good without it. Wheel chocks can secure the trailer both on the launch ramp and during overnight stops. On the electrical side, don’t leave home without spare light bulbs (car and trailer) and extra fuses, because trailer lighting puts an extra load on the car’s electrical system. A compact air compressor is useful for topping off a tire and for filling inflatable water toys. Equally valuable is a portable 12v power pack (less than $60) 12
that can not only jump start the car but also charge phones and tablets through its USB port. Be sure the power pack matches the cranking amps of the car’s battery. Even if you don’t know how to change trailer wheel bearings, carry a spare set so a mechanic can get the trailer back on the road quickly. And, if you have roadside problems, be sure you have flares and emergency triangles to alert oncoming traffic. Carry work gloves (to protect your hands) and disposable plastic gloves (to keep clean), and take several rolls of paper towels for general cleanup. Be sure to take a couple of flashlights, and make sure they aren’t just storage tubes for dead batteries. Carry extra batteries. A headlamp on a headband can free your hands and direct the light where it’s needed.
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Carry spare parts and tools, because problems on the road can ruin a vacation.
Before taking the boating road trip that will make you a hero in your family’s eyes, make sure the tow vehicle and trailer are ready for the long haul. Don’t endanger best-parent-ever status for lack of a tire gauge or a lug wrench.
Large garbage bags are useful for trash, yes, but they also serve as ground cover if you must kneel in the mud, and they can protect your boat or car’s interior if you must carry a flat tire for repair. And, last but far from least, don’t forget at least one roll of duct tape. This is a no-argument necessity for any trip. FAMILY & PERSONAL STUFF
I’m assuming you have children and/or teenagers on the trip, so don’t move an inch without a touchscreen tablet preloaded with games and e-books. Don’t forget that some movie/TV services allow you to download content, so you don’t have to rely
on the internet on the road. Perhaps even more important than the tablet, at least for the adults’ sanity, are headphones for all the youngsters. For younger children, take coloring books, Crayons and paper, which can keep kids amused for long stretches. A Frisbee can be the answer to working off restlessness. For long stretches in the car, pillows and blankets are essential. When it comes to food, don’t wire everyone on caffeinated soda and chocolate bars. Shift your snack thinking toward protein or granola bars and fruit juices with minimal sugar. Snack-sized packets of peanuts, crackers and salty chips can solve those
cravings too. There is rarely an outing without a little bloodshed, so make sure the compact firstaid kit is stocked with antiseptic ointment and a supply of bandages in several sizes. Don’t forget to include aspirin or similar pain relievers, a digital thermometer, and tweezers for splinters, and keep a bottle of hand sanitizer in the car for all-around use. And finally, because no boating adventure is complete without plenty of sunshine, take a high-SPF sunblock, zinc oxide and some aloe vera (preferably with lidocaine) to ease the pain and redness. Now, get out there and make some memories to last until next season. BW BOATINGWORLD.COM SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018
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Watersports
Choose a H a n d le
Get A Grip While many handles are interchangeable, having the correct one for the activity can encourage advancement. BY ZENON BILAS
IN THE SUMMER OF 1922, Ralph Samuelson became the first person to waterski, using makeshift equipment. Nearly a century later, waterskiing has evolved into multiple wakesports, including slalom, wakeboard, wakesurf, barefoot and others. Pros and amateurs continue to raise the bar and define what is possible behind the boat. And manufacturers are responding by designing equipment that fits the unique needs of each wakesport. Samuelson used a simple metal ring, only large enough for one hand, attached to a rope as a handle. Today, handle choices abound. While any handle will work for any of the wakesports, using a handle specific to one’s favorite sport will enhance her performance, enjoyment and safety. While we’ll look specifically at handles here, the handle section is 5 feet long and can easily be looped to a mainline, which has a loop at each end. Handle sections may be sold separately from the mainline, or together. Most handle and line packages allow participants to easily interchange handles.
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Handle Care To prolong the life of handles and line, keep them out of the sun when they’re not in use. UV rays weaken the line and the surface of the handle. Rinse them after use in salt water and let them dry in a shaded spot. When the handle is in the boat during an on-water session, make sure it’s stored somewhere passengers can’t trip on it or break its plastic parts.
Waterskiing
Waterskiers prefer a 12- or 13-inch-wide handle. A majority are 13 inches, since they give adults more room to hold the handle comfortably. A 12-inch handle works well for kids and smaller hands. Waterskiing handles are primarily 1-inch in diameter and are round. However, manufacturers make handles with a slightly bigger or smaller diameter too. Some handles may be elliptically shaped rather than round. As skiers progress, they should test various handles to see which works best. Though traditional handles are straight, manufacturers also make handles that have a slight curve to them. The handle curve
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allows skiers’ elbows to be positioned away from their hips; some skiers think this design gives them more strength to hold the handle. Also, the curved design works well for waterskiers who have wrist and elbow pain, because the position of their hands and arms on the curved handle takes some of the pressure off their elbows, and that makes starts on a slalom ski easier on their arms. Since slalom skiers can place a significant load on the handle when they cross the wake, handles for waterskiing feature a hard rubber surface that increases their longevity. The harder material also provides a firm surface to grip. Since the surface is firm, gloves improve skiers’ grip and comfort. Most proficient slalom skiers wear gloves. Some handles are designed to help people get up on a slalom ski. These handles feature a long V section from the handle to the end of the section. The longer V allows users to put the tip of a slalom ski through it, which helps to minimize the amount of ski wobble during the start. These “Easy Up Start” handles come in widths of 12, 13 or even 15 inches. The 15-inch handle is ideal for use with a wide-body slalom ski.
Airhead Performance radius handle (skiing)
Connelly T-bar handle (wakesurfing)
O’Brien Pro straight handle (skiing)
Hyperlite (wakesurfing)
Wakeboarding
Wakeboard riders prefer a 15-inch handle, which makes passing the handle from hand to hand during a spin trick easier. Also, wakeboard riders don’t like to wear gloves, because riding without gloves gives them a better feel for the handle during handle-passing spins. For that reason, manufacturers design handles for wakeboarding with a softer surface that features EVA foam. Pricier wakeboard handles will feature even softer materials and elaborate patterns in the handle that give riders an excellent grip without gloves. Since riders are in the air much of the time, handles for wakeboarding are designed to be lightweight. Such handles are often made with Spectra line, which offers strength, minimum stretch and very little weight. Some wakeboard handles feature a T-bar, which is placed a few feet away from the handle. This feature allows the rider to hold the T-bar with one hand while he holds the handle with the other hand behind his back. In the air, the rider releases the T-bar and the rider unwraps to do a spin trick.
Other Wakesports
The wider wakeboard handle is also ideal for wakeskating and kneeboarding, since these activities feature spin tricks. Barefooters also prefer
Liquid Force Harley oval handle (wakeboarding)
To the Web Airhead.com ConnellySkis.com FollowWake.com Hyperlite.com LiquidForce.com MasterlineUSA.com OBrien.com RonixWake.com
the wider 15-inch handle, and though the wakeboard handle works perfectly for barefooting, manufacturers make barefooting-specific handles. Trick skiers use a 12- or 13-inch slalom handle, with a strap just forward of the handle that allows the skier to put one foot in the strap, so he can do various tricks while being towed by a foot. Even wakesurfers need a handle and line, at least to start. Handles for wakesurfing are only about 9 or 10 inches wide. Like Samuelson’s makeshift handle, this short handle allows room for one hand. Some lines for wakesurfing don’t feature a handle. Instead, the end section the rider holds onto features a very thick braided section. These designs are purely for safety, to minimize the danger of a rider falling into the handle during a fall. While each handle is designed for a particular application, the fact that most handles easily detach from the mainline allows riders to switch handles quickly, to give wakesports enthusiasts the best handle for their sport, size and ability. BW
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Fishing
Trolling Tips
When the bait is wiggling in the most realistic manner, the boat is at the ideal trolling speed.
5 Tips for Trolling Success Follow this advice to make your fishing trips more productive. BY LENNY RUDOW
TROLLING IS A highly efficient fishing tactic that can lead to bent rods and a full
cooler. Unfortunately, it can also lead to a day of droning aimlessly around the bay and returning to the dock with an empty cooler and a fuel tank to match. We know which sort of outcome anglers are interested in — and these five trolling tips will help make it happen.
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1. TROLL CROSS-CURRENT, EVEN IF THE DOMINANT CURRENT IS MERELY A SURFACE CURRENT CREATED BY A BREEZE. To understand why,
first picture an airplane coming in for a landing or a boat maneuvering up to a fuel dock. Either way, the subject maintains maximum control by heading into the dominant forces of wind or current. Try to land with a tailwind or approach a dock with a trailing current. Course corrections have much less effect when a vessel’s forward motion is maximized — a recipe for disaster. Fish — whether it’s a rainbow trout in a stream or a rainbow runner in the ocean — operate on the same principle: they head into the current when unaccosted. So if a
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A full array of trolling lines helps catch fish, but so does how the captain drives and how the lures are presented. The right speed and action are important.
boat trolls with or against the current, its lures will usually pass parallel to most of the fish. Sure, some of them will likely still see the offering and strike, but cross-current trolling — trolling perpendicular to the fish — puts lures in front of them and boosts the chances of them spotting lures as they move through the water.
2. DON’T LET GPS DETERMINE TROLLING SPEED. GPS measures speed over ground, not speed through the water, and it can’t take factors such as current into account. A paddlewheel speedo or a pitot tube can read speed through the water, but remember that these can give inaccurate readings, especially late in the season when
growth may impair the wheel’s motion or clog the tube. Even more important, however, is the fact no speedometer can tell you how lures look moving through the water. Top sharpie trollers usually judge their speed not according to any set measurement but by how their lures or baits look as they troll. To get your speed set just right, try this. Set an initial speed and then lower one of the rigs into the water. Hold it so it swims right next to the boat. Watch its action as the captain slows the boat slightly and then increases speed just as slightly. When the bait is wiggling in the most realistic and enticing manner, the boat is at the ideal trolling speed.
3. DON’T SET LINES AND FORGET THEM.
Trolling lines need constant attention, because lures can pick up leaves, bits of weed or other flotsam. Plastic teasers sometimes double back on the hook. Spoons may twist the line until it tangles. Swimming plugs may go off course and hook another line. There are countless reasons a trolling line that was deployed properly can get messed up, so check the lines regularly, or you’ll never know there’s a problem. You may still
be trolling, but at that point you certainly aren’t fishing anymore. As a rule of thumb, in most situations check every line at least once an hour. If issues appear regularly, shorten that time frame as necessary.
4. ADD SOME ACTION.
Particularly on deadcalm days when the boat has little motion other than moving directly forward, trolled lures often look rather blasé. Trigger a boost in the bites by having the anglers jig the rods during the troll. The captain can help, too, by zigzagging instead of always going in a straight line.
5. CHANGE THE LURES, IF YOU’RE NOT CATCHING
FISH. And if you are catching fish, change the lures! Yes, this sounds strange, but hear me out. First, if the fish aren’t biting, giving them something else to look at certainly makes sense. If the fish are biting, pay close attention to the size, color and type of bait or lure that’s getting the most bites. If other lines in the spread are going untouched, generate more strikes by swapping them out for an offering that better matches what the fish are going after. BW
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Engines
D riving N o - N os
7
EngineKilling No-nos
How a boat is driven greatly determines how long its engine stays healthy. Don’t do these seven things. BY ALAN JONES
The way an owner drives his boat can have a drastic effect on how long the engine lasts. Owners who avoid these seven no-nos will have a much happier engine.
1. Dry starts
Most boaters are guilty of accidentally starting their engine with the prop high and dry, but I’ve seen boaters at the ramp give their engine a quick bump of the starter switch just to make sure their battery is strong enough. This is a huge no-no. According to David Meeler, Yamaha’s product design manager, “You only have about 15 seconds of cumulative dry running time before your impeller starts to fail due to excessive friction. That means if you run your outboard dry for three seconds five times, it will likely fail.” It can get even worse. If an impeller fails and pieces of the vanes break off,
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they can cause serious engine damage when they get lodged in the cooling jacket and block water flow.
2. Excessive warm-up
We’ve all seen that guy at the ramp who starts his engine and lets it idle for 15 minutes or more before he leaves the dock, much to the annoyance of everyone else. All he is accomplishing is prematurely aging his motor. Modern engines that use fuel injection only need a short warm-up time before they can be run at planing speed, though nobody should go from start to full throttle immediately. If you start the engine, release the dock lines — rookie move to do it the other way — and idle away from the ramp, that should be plenty of warm-up time.
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When a prop leaves the water and then reenters it at full speed, that can shorten an engine’s effective life. Just because offshore racing boat drivers can do it effectively doesn’t mean you can.
3. Slow shifting
Shifting timidly — trying to avoid that big clunk — does far more damage than shifting quickly. During slow shifts, that grinding sound is the motor’s clutch wearing out, which could lead to its eventual failure. Larger modern Yamahas have a Shift Dampening System that eliminates the loud clunk, but drivers should always make a positive move with the throttle lever to get it in gear quickly, even if that banging sound makes them cringe, because they really can’t do it too quickly. Some skippers wait five seconds or so before shifting from forward to neutral to reverse when docking, but it isn’t necessary. A second or so is all they need. Mercury claims its Verado outboards can be shifted from cruise to reverse without damaging them, but I’ve never had the guts to try it.
4. Slow planing
Easing a boat on plane slowly is far worse for an engine than jamming the throttle quickly. During acceleration an engine is under its greatest strain, so drivers should minimize that time. In addition to applying the throttle quickly, make sure the outdrive or outboard is trimmed all the way in and the trim tabs (if present) are engaged. Doing so will improve fuel economy.
5. Improper trim
Another way to prematurely age a motor is by not trimming it properly. With the trim set too far down, the bow of the boat plows and creates load on the engine — like a car driving up a steep hill. Reduce the strain on a motor by trimming it up until the hull breaks free, which should cause the boat to suddenly go faster. With the trim up too far, however, the boat will lose speed and cause the engine work harder than it needs to.
6. Suboptimal speeds
There is usually a speed I call the “happy speed,” where a motor is operating at peak efficiency, which will prolong its life and burn less fuel. Owners have a couple of ways to determine their boat’s best speed. I use the sound of the engine to assist me. In its sweet spot, an engine seems to quiet down and vibrate less. If the boat has a fuel flow monitor, set it to read in miles per gallon, which will measure when the engine has reached the happy trim/rpm balance. But don’t go by this alone, because slower speeds might show better fuel economy but will require the motor to be run longer, which will age it more. Find a moderate cruise that sounds like the engine is loafing along and adjust the trim until the mpg measurement is maxed. Does this mean an engine should never run at wide-open throttle (WOT)?
Absolutely not. Modern engines are designed to handle WOT. Also, during break-in going to WOT, as prescribed by the owner’s manual, is necessary to properly seat the pistons’ rings. It’s also good to do it once in a while to check the engine’s health. Owners should keep a log and note the max rpm and speed. If the numbers suddenly drop, something could be amiss.
7. Aggressive driving in rough water Although it looks cool, jumping a boat in large waves to the point where its prop breaks loose is a horrible idea. Virtually all modern motors have over-rev protection that prevents them from overcooking, but the effect on the prop and gears is detrimental because the load changes so rapidly. The flight part isn’t so bad, but when the prop bites into the water again it causes a severe jolt to the lower unit’s internal parts. Picture the torque on the drive shaft and gears as the engine tries to accelerate the prop while the water suddenly decelerates it. In addition, the jostling and slamming of the weight of the engine cause stress on the motor mounts, transom and bracket. So why can offshore racing boats do this and get away with it? They have highly skilled throttlemen who know exactly when to throttle off when going airborne and when to apply it during reentry. You’re not that guy. BW
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D.I.Y. B ot tom Paint ing Be sure to roll up over the edge of the tape when painting a boat’s bottom, to ensure complete coverage.
PREP & SAND
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How to Paint a Boat Bottom It’s a dirty job, but you have to do it. BY LE N NY RU DOW
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MANY OF US ENJOY WORKING on our boat, doing any number of different jobs. Bottom paint-
ing is not one of the enjoyable jobs. It’s the bane of do-it-yourselfers, one of the dirtiest, most uncomfortable, least-looked-forward-to tasks of the year. And yet, bottom paint we must.
CHOOSE A BOTTOM PAINT
Getting the right paint isn’t always as easy as it sounds, because there’s a wide range of antifouling paints on the market and some are better than others for specific a climate or region. We were prepping a boat for a summer in the brackish waters of Chesapeake Bay, which is home to a number of fouling organisms. But we also needed a paint that could withstand occasional trailering, and that could be applied well in advance of launching (some paints require the boat to be launched in a specific time frame after application). Petit (pettitpaint.com) Hydrocoat Ablative Antifouling Paint (1) was ideal for our needs. Before choosing a paint for yourself, however, do some homework and figure out which is best for your personal needs.
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Like with any paint job, preparation is key. If the boat’s bottom hasn’t been painted before, there’s typically an extra step required to prep the surface. In the case of Hydrocoat, we had to first treat the bottom with 92 Bio-Blue Hull Surface Prep, but the exact process can differ by paint product, so be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Assuming your boat isn’t being painted for the very first time, the critical task is to remove any loose or flaking old paint. If you paint right over the old stuff, the new paint won’t last long. The good news is that sanding (2) is an effective way to remove loose paint, and the entire surface will need to be sanded anyway prior to painting. The bad news is that the entire surface will need to be sanded prior to painting, which is not a fun job, but it can be made easier with an electric sander, especially on large boats. A couple of warnings: • Always wear a dust mask when sanding. • Lay out a drop-cloth to catch any loose flakes and bits of old bottom paint, and dispose of them properly. An older boat with layer upon layer of old paint will have to be stripped. This is a separate job in and of itself, which makes the entire process even more onerous, and may take several attempts. After the entire surface has been sanded and any loose paint removed, eliminate the layer of dust that now covers the bottom. Wet a rag with 120 Brushing Thinner and thoroughly wipe the bottom. Be sure to rotate or change the rag constantly as it becomes clogged with sanding dust. If you’re not 100 percent sure you removed all the dust, wipe the boat’s bottom a second time. TAPE THE WATERLINE
If the boat doesn’t have a previous paint line, you should launch it and leave it in the water for about a week, to establish a
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Like with any paint job, preparation is key.
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waterline. Use painter’s tape to strike a tape line along the upper edge of where you’d like the paint to stop. Raising it at least an inch above the waterline is usually a good idea, especially if your boat is kept in an area where dirty waterlines and staining can be a problem. Also, be sure to tape over anything you don’t want to be painted. Fishfinder transducers, for example, should not be covered in regular bottom paint, because it can negatively affect their performance. Outdrives and motor mounts may also need to be left unpainted, or be painted with specialized paint. Warning: Aluminum drive units and hulls can react with some bottom paint and set up an electrolytic reaction that can lead to severe damage. Before painting any aluminum, be sure the chosen paint is compatible. APPLY THE PAINT
Be sure the paint is thoroughly mixed.
ITEMS NEEDED
Dust mask
Sandpaper or sanding block (electric sander for large boats)
Tyvek suit or old, disposable clothing
Latex (or nitrile) gloves
Painter’s tape
Paint roller, brushes and tray
120 Brushing Thinner
92 Bio-Blue Hull Surface Prep (if unpainted)
Bottom paint
hand right before using it. With the tape in place and the paint thoroughly mixed, now’s the time to fill the tray, roll the roller through the paint until it’s saturated and begin rolling it onto the bottom. Move slowly, so the roller doesn’t throw paint in every direction. At the tape line, roll up over the edge of the tape to ensure complete coverage (3). After the bulk of the bottom has been covered, use a brush to touch up difficult-to-roll areas (4), such as around the drive unit or fishfinder transducer. FINAL TOUCHES
Remember that many paints, including the Petit Hydrocoat we used, contain cuprous oxide, which tends to settle. A lot of stirring can work, but it’s best to have the can of paint shaken on an agitator to ensure it gets thoroughly mixed. Then stir it again by
Before the paint dries, peel back and remove all of the tape (5). After the paint has dried and cured completely, shift the boat on the trailer to cover areas that were obscured by trailer bunks or rollers. Then it’s time to launch the boat and enjoy yourself — or at least move on to other DIY projects. BW
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Ask the Experts
Q
+A
CLEANING
The Poop Deck?
Q I have yellow stains on my hull and some grime on the deck. Is there an effective cleaner that won’t clean out my wallet? Nicholas N., via BoatingWorld.com
Chandleries are chock full of cleaners, and half of them have ended up in my lazarette. Some work, some don’t. For basic hull stains, I learned that you can’t beat toilet bowl cleaner, for either price or effectiveness. My boat was in the yard and workers whose boots were covered with bottom paint dust were on and off the deck. Blue footprints were all over the deck, and that’s when I learned about Lysol toilet bowl cleaner. Regular Lysol — not the kind with the added bleach — worked great. I just wiped it on,
waited a few minutes, wiped it off and then rinsed the deck. Other toilet bowl cleaners include The Works and SnoBol. However, be careful how long you leave the stuff on, because although all of them contain hydrocholoric acid, the concentrations vary: Lysol (9.5 percent), SnoBol (14.5 percent), The Works (20 percent). For the stronger ones, don’t leave it sitting or it will damage the gelcoat. Be sure to rinse it thoroughly with fresh water. For boats on trailers, you can either wipe it on or put it in a spray bottle and go to town. — ZP
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
8/1/18 9:38 AM
You could get a discount when you combine your auto and boat policies.
geico.com | 1-800-865-4846 | Local Office Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. Boat and PWC coverages are underwritten by GEICO Marine Insurance Company. Multi-Policy Discount available to auto insureds that have purchased a boat policy through the GEICO Marine Insurance Company. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. Š 2018 GEICO
ASK THE EXPERTS
ELECTRONICS
Touchscreen TLC
Q My chartplotter is a mess after a day on the water. What can I use to clean it so I don’t damage the touchscreen? Aron R., Jacksonville, Fla.
Salt, dirt, fish blood and sunscreen — yikes. A lot of stuff gets on marine electronics and the temptation is to wipe it off with a paper towel or your shirtsleeve. Stop and think about how much that plotter or sounder cost you and do it right. First, power the unit down, so you don’t accidentally change any settings — feet to meters or English to Greek. Don’t laugh, I’ve done it. Next, spritz some fresh water on the unit, but don’t douse it even if it is “waterproof.” The spritzing will remove any salt that could scratch the glass when you wipe it. Check to see if the manufacturer recommends a cleaner. iKlear is an LCD cleaner that will get rid of water spots. Shurholod’s Serious Shine detailing spray will buff out to a nice shine without leaving a residue. Never use ammonia (Windex), bleach, harsh soap or citrus cleaners; they can break down the screen’s coating and turn it yellow. You can use a 50-50 mix of distilled water and isopropyl alcohol or vinegar, but make sure the solution is no stronger. Clean and dry the unit with a microfiber cloth or mitt. Clean the
cloth from time to time too. Don’t press too hard. The screens are usually just glued on. While you’re at it, wax the radome and GPS antenna, because these plastic pieces need UV protection. When they’re not in use, keep the screens covered, and if you’re putting the boat away for winter, put a paper bag of rice or silica bead packets behind the helm to absorb moisture near the wiring harness. During long layups, turn on the electronics periodically, which will fight internal moisture. — ZP
LEARN. ENGAGE. CONNECT.
When you join America’s Boating Club, you learn boating skills, share in the fun, and connect to the boating community. Come boat with us!
Learn more at www.americasboatingclub.org America’s Boating Club® is a registered trademark of the United States Power Squadrons®
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Bonehead Blunders
By G rid M ich a l
1 Acceptably asinine
BONEHEAD SCALE:
2 Slightly slow
3 Distinguished dunce
4 Massively moronic
5 Seek mental help
Transmission Lost BONEHEAD BLUNDER: Overlooking easy but
important tasks THE BONEHEAD: John, a retiree with an 18-foot
of the battery and a clean ground anywhere on the engine block. (Sigh) Okay. Now, push the trim button either direction.” “OK.” Rmmmmm… “It’s working!” I knew. “Now, did any of the kids come over for Father’s Day?” They did. “Get one to hold the trim rocker either way after you disconnect the jumper.” Nothing. “Good. Now, while she’s holding the button, wiggle the negative cable starting at the battery.” Rmmmm! “Okay, let the button go! What did you find, John?” (Choking sound) “I found a bad battery connection where the wire goes into the end.” LESSON LEARNED: I think John now knows that if a battery has a positive post and a negative post, and the engine has termini for the cables, then the cables are a very important part of getting voltage information transmitted to the engine. Never overlook the easy — but important — things. Especially when you’re talking to me and I haven’t even had my first cup of coffee! BW
runabout powered by a 115 Yamaha two-stroke BONEHEAD RATING: 5++ WHAT HAPPENED: Earlier this spring I installed a water pump in John’s engine and tested it on the trailer. All was fine. John wanted me to go a-riding with him, so I agreed to, when the weather straightened out — which it must have done at 0520, because that’s the time the call recorded. He decided today was the day he wanted to go, with or without me, and the engine wouldn’t start and what did I do and what should he do to correct the problem? I called him back at 0600. He said the engine wouldn’t start but electricity made a sound like it was transmitting information. Then it quit transmitting. (I don’t make this stuff up, I swear!) I told him “You have a bad battery connection.” No way! He’d cleaned cables, terminals, and posts and snugged them down. The engine wouldn’t tilt. No gauges worked. I asked if he checked the main engine fuse. (I’m trying to pour a cup of coffee and hold my phone at the same time. Speakerphone makes sense at this point.) We go through the exercise of where the fuse is and end up with him getting frustrated and hauling the boat. We go to early church to help set up, and mid-sermon — sorry, Pastor Jim — I have another idea. After the service I call John. “Tell me how many volts your battery has.” The voltmeter shows 13.1v. “How many does it show at the engine?” Zero (he measured). “OK, we need to transmit 13.1v of information to the engine, right? Do you have a jumper cable?” He does. (I can feel him having an *Shown above is our current prize, a CWB Dog Vest valued at $24.95. Prizes are subject attitude-attack) “Good. Get it and attach it totothe negative post change.
HAS YOUR DOG GOT THE SALT? Enter your pooch in our Salty Dog of the Month contest. Email your pet’s photo, 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.
WIN THIS
®
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Gear 1.
St u f f You Wa nt
Filet Table
$158.77, tacomarine.com The Taco Marine Adjustable Poly Filet Table works for cutting bait, fileting fish, or serving food and beverages. The universal, adjustable mount is corrosion resistant and made to fit all standard-size rod holders. Pliers and filet knives are kept at hand, stored safely in handy slots. The quick-release ergonomic knob allows for easy angle adjustment and flat storage when it’s not being used. All fasteners are marine-grade stainless.
2.
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Gravity Drain Assembly
$22, beckson.com
Aerated baitwells offer anglers tremendous convenience but can allow foreign matter to slip down the drain tube, which can clog through-hull lines and result in irritating and costly repairs. The Beckson Marine D-2 Baitwell Gravity Drain Assembly eliminates this problem by screening out debris. Made from nonrusting, durable synthetic compounds for years of trouble-free service, the D-2 accepts standard half-inch drainage hose.
3.
Boat Drain Plug Light
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$297, tidalwake.com
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Underwater boat lighting can be an expensive add-on as an aftermarket option for a boat. The Plug N’ Play LED Drain Plug Light from Tidal Wake makes adding a light easy without drilling any holes. The light installs quickly by simply replacing the boat’s existing half-inch threaded drain plug with the ultra-bright LED light, then plugging it into any boat accessory outlet. No hull modifications are required. Made of stainless steel, the light can be used in both fresh- and saltwater applications. 4
4.
Life Jacket
$89.99, oldtowncanoe.com Safety is first when it comes to kayak fishing, so a versatile life jacket with a thin back is important for comfort with various kayak seats. Treble Angler from Old Town Canoe combines durable, lightweight construction with fully adjustable shoulder straps and side straps. It includes an envelope pocket, a Hypalon tab and D-ring attachment points, two slip pockets for fast access storage, two zippered pockets for secure tackle storage and a front zipper. U.S. Coast Guard-approved, the Treble Angler is a one-size-fits-most solution.
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SUBMIT YOUR GEAR TO STEPHANIE@BOATINGWORLD.COM
5.
Electronics Mount
$105, seasucker.com
The Naked Flex Mount from SeaSucker consists of a pair of powerful 4 1/2 -inch Vacuum Mounts connected to a sturdy 7-inch gooseneck arm. Built for the marine environment, the nonmarking rubber is UV-stabilized for five years, and only 316 stainless steel hardware is used, for maximum durability. Pumping the integrated button of the mount enables the flexible rubber to grab any clean, nonporous surface — even curved, textured and nonskid gelcoat.
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6.
Pontoon Polish
$24.25/pound, iosso.com Algae, grime and waterline scum can take their toll on aluminum boats and pontoons, leaving the metal dull and oxidized. Iosso Pontoon Polish cleans, protects and restores aluminum to a shiny finish. A match for canoes, pontoons and everything aluminum, the polish is an easy and environmentally friendly way to bring back the reflective shine and provide a long-lasting protective coating. The aggressive formula cuts through oxidation, without harsh acids and chemicals that can actually harm aluminum and pollute the water.
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7.
Removable Chocks
$39.95, versachock.com
Secure coolers, buckets, portable commodes, and cargo when and where they’re needed with VersaChock removable chocks. Install the low-profile base brackets (12 self-tapping screws are included), insert the removable chocks and install the item. When it’s time to clear out, remove the chocks for a hazard-free deck. The chocks’ injection-molded ASA plastic resin has UV inhibitors and can withstand up to 862 pounds of force vertically and 980 pounds of force horizontally.
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8.
Chart Plotter
$1,595, furuno.com Furuno introduced the multitouch GP1971F Chart Plotter onto which users can overlay rich vector and raster charts, relief vectors, bathymetric layers, satellite photos, tidal streams and marine plans, boosting situational awareness. With a generous 9-inch wide-aspect presentation (also comes in 7 inches), the all-glass, multitouch displays give users access to every feature via slide-out menus. Other features include ACCUFISH size assessment and the highly useful Bottom Discrimination function to help boaters find the most productive fishing grounds.
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Tested
First D rive
R E G A L 2 5 R X // B Y A L A N J O N E S
New Wave Bowrider Using a cockpit-forward design, Regal created a yacht-like vibe on its midsized 25 RX bowrider. •
$3,305 option. At the other end of the boat is a huge, uncluttered, extended swim platform that is covered in comfortable SeaDek. Buyers can make it a little more yachty by adding vinyl Flexiteek ($1,295). Like on tournament-style watersports boats, the platform sits really low to the water, for easy coming and going, but unlike most ski boats, the boarding steps reside under a hatch on the port side — the opposite side of the driver. The aft four-position UltraLounges create the impression the 25 RX is a much larger boat. Thanks to the narrow centerline walkthrough, they are wide enough for two people get cozy on, and they have twin backrests that flip up to form jumpseats, so people can sit with their feet on the swim platform. The UltraLounges and the extended swim platform are the reasons this is a more attractive package than Regal’s similarly sized outboard-powered 26 OBX, which has far less room for fun in back. PERFORMANCE
IN THE NOT-TOO-DISTANT PAST, BOWRIDERS were all about nonstop action, and their layout reflected that. Slalom skiing and cruising were high on the list, and not as much attention was paid to wakesports and relaxing with the key in the off position. But as the platform evolved, wakesports and entertaining became greater priorities, a call answered by Regal’s 25 RX.
UNIQUE FACTOR
Space allocation is a tricky thing. Any space given to one area is space taken away from another area. But robbing Peter to pay Paul usually creates a boat that feels shorted in at least one area. So when Regal designed its 25 RX to maximize space behind the windshield, its designers were careful to leave plenty of stretching-out space on the bow recliners, which have a flip-down armrest that helps passengers feel locked in, for those times the driver
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suddenly wishes to explore the boat’s handling envelope. The bow recliners feature a hot tub–style seat bottom whose thigh hump is big enough to allow one’s legs to lie comfortably without locking knees. The bow is sharply pointed, which channels a performance boat feel, but it’s not cramped. The cleats sit off to either side of the bow, so some owners might add another cleat at the bow, to encourage an even pull on the hook, but buyers can fix that issue by adding a windlass, which is a
Our test boat had the smallest available engine, the new-gen Volvo Penta 5.3L V8-300 hp sterndrive, which had a Duoprop lower unit to give it superior bite. Despite being a modest amount of power for a 26-foot, 3-inch boat that weighs a hefty 4,750 pounds, it was plenty to make it perform smartly. When I jammed the drive-by-wire throttle, the little V-8 pushed the RX 25 on plane in just 2.8 seconds. Acceleration stayed strong as the boat hit 30 mph in 6.4 seconds and quickly reached a 48.5 mph top speed at 5800 rpm. Ratcheting up the thrill factor is easy thanks to a wide variety of V-8 engines, including two from MerCruiser. Buyers can add 50 more horsepower for “free” with the 350 hp version of the 5.3L V-8, but they have to be willing to forgo the Electronic Vessel
(Clockwise from far right) A stitched vinyl dash and a spoked and padded wheel add class to the helm. Stern lounges create excellent atanchor stretching out space. Despite a pointed bow, forward seating doesn’t feel cramped.
The ride and handling are impressive thanks to Regal’s FasTrac hull design.
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(Clockwise from above) A boarding ladder and stern shower are conveniently placed. A Fusion stereo brings the noise. Convenience is enhanced by a bow table, and time on the water is increased by a chemical toilet. Storage abounds in seat bases around the boat.
REGAL 25 RX Length 26 ft., 3 in. Beam 8 ft., 6 in. Deadrise 21 degrees Capacity Yacht certified
Control (EVC), which isn’t recommended, so they should get it with EVC for $6,060 more. Volvo Penta also offers a 6.2L V-8 that cranks out either 380 or 430 hp, but going that direction will bump the bottom line by $15,190 and $26,800, respectively, over the 5.3L 300 hp with EVC system. The upgrade sweet spot seems to be at the 350 hp level, which costs $121 per horsepower over the 300 hp EVC model. The 380 and 430 upgrades cost $190 and $206 per horsepower more.
Dry Weight (hull) 4,750 lbs.
Fuel Capacity 74 gal. Max HP 430
PERFORMANCE Peak 48.5 mph/ 5800 rpm/94 dBA Cruise 30.7 mph/ 4000 rpm/87 dBA Time to Plane 2.8 sec. Time to 30 mph 6.4 sec.
POWER Test Volvo Penta V8-300-C/DPS
HANDLING
The ride and handling are impressive thanks to Regal’s FasTrac hull design. Hull vents introduce air under the hull for less resistance and create bubbles that “unstick” the hull from the water’s surface tension. The design improves performance and fuel economy and helps the boat’s turning ability, as I discovered during an impressively hard turn — the kind that will surprise passengers who aren’t warned ahead of time. The hull’s 21 degrees of deadrise and pointy snout yield a boat that’s a slicer in the chop, not a pounder.
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Cylinders V-8 Displacement 5.3L Weight w/outdrive 996 lbs.
WOT Max 5800 rpm Base Price w/test power $101,360
Value-Added Standard Features: Power Tower w/Bimini top, Extended swim platform w/SeaDek, chemical toilet w/pumpout, Fusion Bluetooth stereo w/6 JL Audio speakers and subwoofer, power steering
Must-Have Options: Trailer, Garmin 742 display, through-hull exhaust, mood lighting, walkthrough dam, bow and stern filler cushions, teak cockpit table, pressurized water system, underwater lighting
Builder: Regal Marine Industries, regalboats.com Financing: $727/month w/15% down and 6% interest for 15 years
OWN E R FE E D BACK
P U R C H A S E D B Y K E N A N D K E L LY C O O K , One advantage of a sterndrive over outboards is the sizeable swim platform the former affords.
P L U S H A L L I E , 1 4, A N D K A M E R O N , 2 0 , SPRINGFIELD, MO. PURCH A SED AT TA BL E ROCK BOAT S,
BEST USES
PREFERRED SETUP
The 25 RX’s cockpit is maximized for passenger space. Its twin upscale captain’s seats have side bolsters and a flip-up bolster on the bottom, to get occupants high above the windshield if they want more air or better visibility. Behind them are lounges that wrap around to a centerline walkthrough that can be closed in with a filler cushion with a backrest ($325), for more posterior parking space. There’s no entertainment center for food prep or display, so adding an extra-large real teak cockpit table is an attractive option for $895. One of Regal’s clever innovations is the Comfort Curve, which is a cutout in the seat-bottom frames that creates legroom for someone to sit in the corners comfortably. A lot of head compartments eat up a considerable amount of cockpit space, but this one, to port, is sized just right and has plenty of headroom for even tall “thinkers.” There’s a small Moon Crystal–topped vanity with a sink and a standard chemical toilet with a pumpout. To starboard is the helm station, which on our boat featured a flush-mounted RegalVue touchscreen display ($2,030) that allows the driver to control every aspect of the boat’s systems. The stitched vinyl dash wrap and six-spoke padded wheel added a classy look. Probably the coolest standard feature is the Power Tower. Its Bimini provides excellent protection from the elements, it tilts down easily and can be dropped while the captain and copilot are sitting in their seat.
Standard features are so prevalent that a buyer could check zero boxes on the options list and still be happy. The stereo is party ready with six premium JL Audio speakers, a subwoofer with an amp and a Fusion UD650 Bluetooth stereo head unit with a transom remote. The standard tower is a great place to hang JL Audio coffee-can speakers ($1,525) that can deliver even more kick. Really, the biggest option decision depends on the boat’s use. On the standard 25 RX, all watersports are in play, except one: surfing. Most times, owners who want to surf have to abandon the idea of a sterndrive boat and go with a directdrive model that will probably have a top speed of 39 mph, no matter how many horses it’s hitched to. But Volvo Penta’s Forward Drive — twin forward-facing props tucked under the hull — on the 25 RX Surf model means those owners can join the very slow wakesurf parade. The RX Surf is $18,500 more than the $101,360 the “standard” RX 25 costs, but that’s the price to surf. For all watersports, cruise control is a must and can be added to the RegalVue display for $1,110. All the other options are preferences rather than must-haves, such as the snap-in Seagrass vinyl flooring ($1,160) or snap-in carpeting ($510). For more bling, two metallic sparkle paint jobs are available for $1,740. Underwater lighting is always a fun option, and Regal’s blue light show costs $730. BW
K I M B E R L I N G C I T Y, M O . W H AT W E L IK ED
Fit and finish/Seating layout/Stern jumpseat/Fusion stereo system/Powerful Volvo Penta 350 hp sterndrive/Huge swim platform W H AT W E WOUL D CH A NGE
We wish the swim platform had a grab handle to make it easier to reboard after skiing or swimming. WHY WE BOUGHT IT
We bought a Regal 2500 in 2014 and really loved it, but when we saw the new 25 RX we knew it was time for an upgrade. We especially loved the seating layout of this model and use the stern jumpseat whenever we are anchored. We do our boating on Table Rock Lake, near Branson, and like to cruise around and hang out on one of the many coves here. The sterndrive version is far better for coving than the outboard model, because of the huge swim platform. The boat gives us plenty of room to invite guests. Our son, who plays wide receiver for Hendrix College, invited three of his teammates to join us on the lake, and even with eight family and friends on board, we were comfortable. Joe at Table Rock Boats gives us fantastic service. When we bought our boat, there was zero pressure and even after the sale he has been very attentive.
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S E A R AY S L X 3 1 0 // B Y A L A N J O N E S
King Cove Sea Ray’s SLX 310 takes big-boat bowriding to a new place. • NO PLACE ON EARTH HAS more huge manmade lakes created by damming rivers than the
U.S. Damming rivers creates new watery playgrounds for boaters, yes, but because dams are usually built in places with irregularly shaped hills, they also create countless coves, which are boaters’ favorite features, because they are the ideal place to hang out with family and friends. Their popularity even spawned a new word, “coving,” to describe the activity. In coves, boaters can swim and float around without worrying about boat traffic and crank the stereo without annoying nearby homeowners. But to fully enjoy coving, one needs the proper boat, and Sea Ray’s SLX 310 is a dayboat that could be rightly called King of the Coves. UNIQUE FACTOR
An owner who invites the whole gang to go boating doesn’t want to leave someone 32
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behind because of lack of space, but that won’t be a problem with the SLX 310. Its Yacht Certification means the only limit for the number of people aboard is equal to the number of life jackets on the boat and good judgment. But with seating for 17, that’s a party waiting to happen. Given the boat’s 10-foot, 2-inch beam, owners might have to jump through some towing regulation hoops, but its effect on interior space is profound. The cockpit features an L-lounge and a dual helm chair, but the most unusual seat is a doublewide seat to port that rotates to face the group behind it, or it can click into place facing forward. The bow section is huge and features wraparound seating with twin doublewide forward-facing backrests. Thanks to several clever innovations that Sea Ray bundles together in a system called quietRIDE technology, passengers won’t have to yell to chat. The most unusual
aspect of this system is its Vibration Dampening Material, which consists of paper-thin strips within the hull laminate that transform vibration into heat that is quickly dissipated. Combined with Sea Ray’s holistic approach that includes a tuned transom, strategically placed bulkheads and extra acoustical material, the result is readily noticeable. At 30.6 mph, the decibel reading was just 79, which means normal conversation underway is possible. Even at wide-open throttle, my decibel meter read only 89. PERFORMANCE
Our test boat featured twin new-gen MerCruiser 6.2L 350 hp sterndrives with twin-prop Bravo III outdrives, which is the max power for this boat. Buyers can get the SLX 310 with outboards, which seem to be in favor these days, but considering the mission of this boat, I like the sterndrive better, because it opens up the boat’s stern for swimmers and skiers. Sometimes, outboard engines of similar horsepower will outperform their sterndrive counterparts because they weigh less, but the SLX 310 already weighs a hefty 10,787 pounds, so the extra 406 pounds of total sterndrive weight (1,770 vs. 1,364 pounds) didn’t affect it much. Our test boat featured Active Trim ($769), which
Despite being 31 feet, 6 inches long, the SLX 310 makes a surprisingly good watersports boat. kept it running at the proper attitude at all times. Out of the hole, it planed in just 4.5 seconds and reached 30 mph in a surprisingly quick 6.9 seconds. Top speed was 52.6 mph with the engines spinning at 5400 rpm. Performance tests of an SLX 310 equipped with twin Mercury Verado 350 outboards revealed a top speed less than one mph faster and a significantly slower time to 30 mph, probably owing to the single-prop vs. dualprop running gear. The standard engines for this boat are MerCruiser’s 4.5L 250 hp sterndrives, which are also new
(Clockwise from top) Bimini top shades part of the seating. The starboard console has small-item storage. Flooring options let owners personalize things. A wellplaced handle gives the companion-seat occupant a handhold during hard turns. Raised cupholders keep spills to a minimum. The aft lounge is wide enough for three people.
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OWN E R FE E D BACK
PURCHA SED BY TOMM Y AND LINDSIE W I T M E R , P L U S AY L A , 1 0 , A N D AV E R I E , 5 , BIRMINGHAM AL A. PURCH A SED AT RUSSEL L M A RINE AT T HE RIDGE MARINA, ALEX ANDER, AL A. W H AT W E L IK ED
Joystick docking/Styling, inside and out/ Underwater and mood lighting/Hydraulic swim platform/Performance with twin MerCruiser 6.2L sterndrives
S E A R AY S L X 3 1 0 Length 31 ft., 6 in. Beam 10 ft., 2 in.
W H AT W E WOUL D CH A NGE
On an upscale boat like this, you should get a Yeti cooler, not an inexpensive Igloo. At the end of a hot day, our ice has usually melted. WHY WE BOUGHT IT
We owned a Sea Ray 230 and most recently a 280, which are both singleengine boats, so when we bought the twin-engine SLX 310, it was quite a big step up. But having the Axius joystick docking system takes the anxiety out of docking in a tight marina. Although we gave up quite a bit of storage space because of the second engine, we really love our new boat. We do our boating on Lake Martin, which is a huge lake with a lot of coves that provide plenty of places to drop the anchor and just hang out. One of the boat’s best features is the hydraulically submersible swim platform, which allows us to sit in the water. We love to kneeboard, slalom and wakeboard, and the kids tube till the cows come home. Chase and Jeff at Russell Marine are really customer oriented and know how to take care of us. When we’ve had a problem, they’ll give us a loaner to make sure we don’t miss any time on the water.
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Deadrise 21 degrees Capacity Yacht certified Dry Weight (hull) 10,787 lbs.
Fuel Capacity 130 gal. Max HP 700 PERFORMANCE Peak 52.6 mph/ 5400 rpm/89 dBA Cruise 30.6 mph/ 3500 rpm/79 dBA
Time to Plane 4.5 sec. Time to 30 mph 6.9 sec. POWER Test Twin MerCruiser 350 hp 6.2L w/Bravo III outdrives Cylinders V-8 Displacement 6.2L Weight w/outdrive 885 lbs.
WOT Range 5000-5400 rpm
Base Price w/test power $253,676
Multiple seats face aft (above) to facilitate spotting. Surf Gate control panel (opposite page) gives the driver fingertip access to ballast and tab positioning.
technology. Buyers who opt for the 250s instead of the 350 hp 6.2L engines will “save” $22,308, but giving up 200 hp is a lot, especially if they have lots of friends aboard. The top speed with a light load with the smaller engines, according to several boat tests I saw, was between 44 and 45 mph, but its time to 30 mph on one test was a pokey 12.1 seconds. HANDLING
The best box available to check on the options list will cost $18,460, but the extra money spent for Axius Joystick Piloting for Sterndrives is well worth it. Not only can it make an inexperienced skipper look like a seasoned seaman, but its newest iteration — introduced last year — has some enhancements to Skyhook, a virtual anchoring feature that’s useful for getting ready to dock or waiting for a bridge to open. Previously, when the driver hit the Skyhook button on the joystick panel, the boat would stay in its location and also point in a precise heading. If there was any kind of wind or current, the engines had to shift and maneuver a lot. Now, the driver can use a setting called BowHook, which maintains position but allows the boat to point in any direction, which saves a lot of shifting wear and tear. Another new feature called Heading Adjust allows the operator to alter the boat’s heading by one to 10 degrees by jogging the joystick. DriftHook, used mainly for fishing, keeps the boat’s heading steady but allows the wind or current to move its overall position.
Value-Added Standard Features: Dynamic Display w/12- and 7-in. touchscreens, Power Watersports Tower w/electric Bimini, VacuFlush head, wet bar, quietRIDE, transom shower and faucets w/24-gallon tank Must-Have Options: SeaCore outdrive protection and freshwater cooling, Axius Joystick, underwater lighting, electric grill, bow filler cushions, hardtop w/sunroof, water heater, cockpit cover
Builder: Sea Ray Boats, searay.com Financing: $1,820/month w/15% down and 6% interest for 15 years
BEST USES
At rest, guests can use the triple-wide rear lounge, although I wish its solo backrest were adjustable to allow for more recline from its fairly upright position. Twin flip-up backrests allow passengers to sit at the stern with their feet on the roomy, uncluttered swim platform. An interesting option usually only found on yachts is a hydraulically submersible swim platform ($5,942) that allows guests to sit in the water and reboard easily. The SLX 310 is loaded with standard entertainment features, including an oversized cockpit table and a wet bar to starboard, and a standard stereo that
comes with six Rockford Fosgate speakers and zone volume control. Despite being 31 feet, 6 inches long, the SLX 310 makes a surprisingly good watersports boat, especially with the $3,090 Dynamic Running Surface option. Think elongated trim tabs that conform to the hull shape when not engaged but when activated allow the operator to, effectively, change the shape of the hull. Engaging the system not only tightens up an already impressive wakeboard wake at 20 mph but also allows the boat to get on plane faster and maintain a slower on-plane speed. PREFERRED SETUP
With twin 6.2L 350 hp MerCruisers with Axius Propulsion, the SLX 310 lists for $270,117, which isn’t exactly chump change, but Sea Ray delivers a turnkey boat that can stand on its own without adding a single option. Included in its extensive list of standard features is a power-tilt Watersports Tower that has an electrically adjustable Bimini top. Also included is a
yacht-worthy head compartment with a VacuFlush head and a 20-gallon holding tank. At the helm is where buyers will see the extent of what Sea Ray considers “standard.” Operators have access to a Dynamic Display glass cockpit setup with both 12and 7-inch touchscreens that can control every aspect of the boat. For redundancy, many features can be controlled with rocker switches. Digital Throttle and Shift (DTS) and power steering are standard. A few options to consider are the choice of five hull colors for $2,020 and a choice of flooring materials in lieu of the standard snap-in carpeting. To expand the boat’s entertaining chops, a side-mounted bow table is a must ($555), as is the premium stereo that includes a subwoofer, an amp, upgraded speakers and a transom remote ($3,038). Manual lifting on one’s day off is just wrong, so adding a windlass ($3,328) is a good call, as is the polished stainless steel plow anchor ($951) that doubles as a hood ornament. BW
DISCOVER YOUR INNER EXPLORER
C ut wate r B o at s.co m MADE IN USA
Tested
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S TA R C R A F T S X 2 5 C D C // B Y A L A N J O N E S
Rising Star Starcraft’s top-of-the-line SX series just raised the bar on innovation and luxury. • IN THE LAST YEAR, A number of boat brands celebrated their 50th anniversary, which is an
amazing achievement considering the ups and downs of the economy during that time. So 115 years in business is definitely no accident, and that’s where Starcraft finds itself. Founder Harold Schrock started working for the Star Tank Co. in 1903. Soon after, it diversified from solely building water tanks to include the manufacture of boats and was renamed Star Tank and Boat. Schrock bought the company in 1926, focused it solely on boats and 36
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renamed it Starcraft. Schrock sold the company in 1966 and it changed hands five times before Brunswick sold it back to the Schrocks in 1995 — and it’s been a private, family-owned business ever since. Not being part of a huge conglomerate has its advantages, including being able to nimbly adjust with the times, a trait evidenced by Starcraft’s latest and most sophisticated expression of luxury: the SX 25 C DC. UNIQUE FACTOR
The SX 25 C DC features an all-new look that includes black painted tubes and a high-end automotive paint job on the
fencing that creates a mirror-like finish. Black mounts for the stainless steel rub rails continue the theme. Two-tone fencing and a near-vertical stainless mirror accent further the unique look. Three segmented, horizontal chrome accents at the bow look like a car grill. While rear recliners for at-rest use are a current pontoon trend, they consume a lot of real estate, so Starcraft designers created a rear lounge that sits at an oblique angle and conserves space. Its fiberglass frame becomes part of the sidewall look, which is also a popular trend, and the entire seat bottom lifts up — reminiscent of a yacht-like stern trunk — to reveal a popup changing room that can be customized with a portable head. Placing it adjacent to the roomy swim platform is a good call, because skiers and swimmers can change out of wet suits without dripping their way through the cockpit. A cool feature I’ve never seen before is a slide-out polished stainless steel transom gate that does its job and looks good doing it.
PERFORMANCE
Starcraft ensures the 26-foot, 10-inch SX 25 C DC can support up to 14 passengers by making triple tubes mandatory. It’s
higher top speed. Our test boat was equipped with its max power, Yamaha’s 4.2L V-6 F300. Starcraft will rig the SX 25 with a buyer’s engine
The SX 25 C DC is loaded with features that are usually options. optimized for performance with the HMX PR25 Performance Package, which includes three 25-inch-diameter tubes; the center one has two high-efficiency lifting strakes and the outer ones have a strake on the inside. The strakes deliver plenty of lift, great performance out of the hole and a
(Clockwise from top right) Bow lounges deliver the best view. A bow gate delivers boarding flexibility. Underwater and onboard LED lighting provide nighttime ambiance. Even the speakers are lighted. Strakes on all three tubes deliver lift and improved speed.
choice, and given the performance numbers we gleaned, 300 — like in bowling — seems to be the perfect number for this boat. With zero bowrise, it was difficult to tell exactly when it reached plane, but at 2.3 seconds, I detected a faint bow drop. Its time to 30 mph was 5.7 seconds. After I trimmed the Yamaha out, the front half of the tubes levitated above the water, which netted the SX 25 C DC a top speed of 44.4 mph. HANDLING
The driver sits at a raised helm station and is partially protected by a smokedglass wraparound windshield whose sporty BOATINGWORLD.COM SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018
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S TA R C R A F T SX 25 C DC Length 26 ft., 10 in. Beam 8 ft., 6 in. Tube Diameter 25 in. Capacity 14 people Dry Weight (hull) 3,940 lbs.
Fuel Capacity 60 gal. Max HP 300 PERFORMANCE Peak 44.4 mph/ 5800 rpm/92 dBA Cruise 33.2 mph/ 4500 rpm/86 dBA Time to Plane 2.3 sec. Time to 30 mph 5.7 sec. POWER Test Yamaha F300 four-stroke
Cylinders V-6
Social zones abound on the SX 25 C DC, from bow to stern. And a ski tow that mounts to the swim platform and is taller than the outboard (top) encourages watersports.
Displacement 4.2L
new design is unique to the SX Series, and he grips an eight-spoke wheel connected to power steering as a standard feature. The intricately molded dash has everything, including a pair of Yamaha Command Link multigauges and quad analog engine gauges that are largely redundant. All the accessory rocker switches sit high and to the left — out of the way to prevent accidental engagement — and set inside a faux wood-trim pod is a standard Simrad NSS7 GPS chartplotter with an advanced Total Scan transducer that delivers a great view what’s below. Shifting is easy with the drive-by-wire throttle, and the clunk of gear engagement is all but eliminated by Yamaha’s Shift Dampening System (SDS), which uses a splined rubber hub to absorb the forces and minimize that metal-on-metal sound. The SX 25 C DC responds well to trim and turns well, even with the trim up. Because there are no lifting strakes on the outside
Weight w/outdrive 562 lbs.
WOT Range 50006000 rpm
Base Price w/test power $101,425
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Value-Added Standard Features: Kicker 6-speaker Bluetooth stereo w/subwoofer, extensive LED lighting above and below deck, centerline ski storage, Simrad NSS7 display, power steering, 10-foot Bimini
Must-Have Options: Dual-axle trailer, vinyl flooring, sport arch, portable commode, power canopy, Biggie camera system Builder: Smoker Craft Inc., starcraftmarine.com Financing: $728/month w/15% down and 6% interest for 15 years
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BOATINGWORLD.COM
of the outer tubes, the boat banks inward slightly during hard turns and carves a ridiculously tight arc, which is great for quick skier retrieval. To create a solid feel underfoot and eliminate rattling, Starcraft uses “heavy hat” understructure to solidly connect the deck to the pontoons. BEST USES
The SX 25 C DC is optimized for entertaining. The galley is behind the driver’s seat, and its two large working surfaces — both done in a beautiful faux marble finish — facilitate food and beverage prep and display. Its wine rack — wine rack!? — encourages on-water tastings, and a stainless steel sink is there for cleanups. Woodgrain cabinetry looks like it belongs in a household kitchen, and a large, irregularly shaped, upscale cockpit table combines faux granite and woodgrain and fits the space perfectly. Post-sunset cruises are encouraged by extensive RGB LED mood lighting
throughout the boat, even in unusual places such as at the base of the twin helm chairs, in lighted cupholders and speakers, and under seats. For added effect, the mood lighting changes colors. The standard package includes Babbito exterior lighting, underdeck lighting and underwater lighting. SX Series pontoons come standard with a premium Kicker KMC20 six-speaker Bluetooth stereo system that employs a subwoofer to produce more depth of sound. And for more shade, an upgraded 10-foot Bimini top is included. The boat is watersports-ready. Its newly designed swim platform–mounted ski tow gets the tow rope above the outboard, and its oversized boarding ladder with swimming pool–style grabrails makes reboarding a breeze. The standard in-tube ski storage compartment is big enough to stow large deflated towable tubes. PREFERRED SETUP
Starcraft has six SX models from which
to choose. Some, like our test boat, are 26 feet, 10 inches long, while the others, the SX 23 versions, are 2 feet shorter. The SX 23s have the same layout from the helm aft but have shorter bow recliners. Other layout choices include three models that have twin rear lounges (R models) instead of the angled L-lounge on the C models. While our test boat had dual consoles, single console models give buyers a portside rear recliner and a port boarding gate the DC models lack. All the furniture is covered in Soft Touch vinyl, which is supple but durable. Being an ultra-premium model means the SX 25 C DC is loaded with features that are usually options, which is reflected in its MSRP of $101,425. The options list is pretty short but includes a few items of interest, including a vinyl alternative to the standard carpeting. Sea Weave is offered at $1,035 while an all-Marine Mat deck will cost $2,245. If wakeboarding is high on one’s list of activities, a sport arch is available for $14,930. BW
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A L U M A C R A F T X B 2 0 0 // B Y A L A N J O N E S
Bassin’ on a Budget Alumacraft’s new aluminum bass boat flagship is tournament ready and less than half the price of its fiberglass counterparts. • MANY BASS ANGLERS DREAM OF fishing for a living, being that guy on TV holding a barndoor-sized check with lots of zeros on it, waving to the cheering crowd while confetti falls. The other part of the dream is to own a tournament-style boat that costs nearly six figures. Then, poof, they wake up on Monday morning, grab a coffee and a doughnut, and head to work for another shift.
The closest most bassers can come to realizing the dream is to fish in weekend club events that deliver the thrill of competition and might just help them pay for their fishing habit. But they still need a boat that has the room and fishability of the pricey bass wagons, at a lower price. UNIQUE FACTOR
Enter the Alumacraft XB 200, an all-welded aluminum boat that’s 20 feet long and 8 feet, 2 inches wide and whose bow provides that fishing-on-the-deck-of-an-aircraft-carrier feeling the big-boy boats all have. Because nearly all the beam is carried all the way to the bow, four anglers can fish there in comfort. The XB 200 channels the same vibe as pricier boats and is loaded with many of the same features, including a recessed footwell for the trolling motor, which on our test boat was the optional Minn Kota 80 Fortrex ($1,525). A less expensive option is the Riptide PowerDrive 70 ($1,092), which features iPilot, a GPS-based system that allows the captain to plot a course via its autopilot feature or use Spot-Lock as a virtual anchor. Little touches such as a cupholder and tool caddy in front of the foot pedal make the boat more angler friendly. While it would be nice if there were a panel on which to flush-mount a fishfinder display up front, there’s plenty of room to add a ram-mounted screen. Alumacraft has been building boats since 1946 when the Flour City Ornamental Iron 40
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Co., founded in 1893, switched from producing aluminum airplane parts during World War II to building fishing boats with the surplus aluminum it had on hand. Probably better known for its walleye-style boats, Alumacraft worked some of its northern DNA into the new-for-2018 XB 200, including standard features such as the AlumaTrac system, which makes it simple to add accessories such as rod holders and tool pouches anywhere on the inside of the gunwale. PERFORMANCE
Alumacraft will power the XB 200 with any brand of outboard, delivering the ultimate in buyer flexibility. And while it’s rated for up to 200 hp, our test boat showed outstanding performance with Mercury’s 150 FourStroke ($15,883). Its flattish, lightweight hull tips the scales at just 1,175 pounds, so 150 hp is plenty of ponies for the job. On plane in 2.7 seconds, it zipped to 30 mph in 5.8 seconds and reached a top speed of 51.3 mph. While this is plenty fast, bassers who want to turn their cap backward and channel their inner speed demon can option up to a Yamaha V MAX SHO 200 ($19,110), which pushed the boat to 61 mph in company testing,
according to Alumacraft rep Brian Caughron. Boaters on a tighter budget can pair the $15,344 XB 200 (hull only) to as little as 115 hp, and while Honda is usually one of the most expensive outboard brands, its BF115 is the least expensive, at $11,748, bringing the total package price to $27,793, including rigging and other fees. HANDLING
Most bass boats running at top speed have very little of their hull touching the water, thanks to a transom planing pad the size of a large pizza that reduces wetted surface. While that helps a boat’s top speed, it can feel rather precarious if sea conditions are anything other than the proverbial golden liquid on a plate. For an unskilled driver, the sudden bump of a beam wave can quickly precipitate a dangerous condition known as chine walking, when a boat starts violently oscillating from side to side and loss of control becomes a distinct possibility. That’s not an issue with the XB 200, because much of its hull stays in the water when it’s underway, and it has a wide beam, which also provides remarkable stability when fishing, even if most of the people are on one side of the boat. Of course, when conditions get rough, passengers are going to feel it much more than on Alumacraft’s deep-V models, which have a remarkably smooth ride in the chop. During cornering, flatter hulls sometimes have a difficult time hooking up, but the XB 200 turns really well, with just a little lean-in. Its tracking is enhanced by longitudinal ribs on the bottom of the hull that give the hull more rigidity, resistance to punishment and grip during turns. BEST USES
Alumacraft makes no bones about it, the XB 200 is a purpose-built boat geared toward bass fishing, but it can handle multispecies action and even fishing in coastal saltwater environs. It’s all business, though the designers could have “familied” it up a little with common items such as bowrider backrests, a stereo
(Clockwise from top right) Adjoining bow storage can hold tons of rods and gear. Triple helm seats face a dash capable of housing a 12-inch MFD. The casting decks at the stern and the bow can accommodate multiple anglers, and both hide abundant storage.
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OWN E R FE E D BACK
P U R C H A S E D B Y J O H N D O W, O M A H A , N E B . P U R C H A S E D A T 1 5 4 M A R I N E , P E R R Y, M O . W H AT I L IK ED
Huge fore and aft decks/Pro-style rod locker/ Large livewell/Ride and handling/Quiet and fuel-efficient Mercury 150 FourStroke
The XB 200’s hull weighs just 1,175 pounds, so a 150 hp outboard, such as the Mercury 150 FourStroke, is plenty of power.
W H AT I WOUL D CH A NGE
I wish the built-in cooler were insulated better. By the end of the day, most of my ice has melted.
ALUMCRAFT XB 200 Length 20 ft. Beam 8 ft. 2 in. Deadrise
WHY I BOUGHT IT
I fish in 25 to 30 events a year, mainly in the National Bass Angler Association (NBAA) in Division 54, which are local tournaments in Nebraska. So far this year my fishing partner and I are in third place. My fiancée also fishes and we are competing in the Cornhusker State Games tournament this weekend. I’m a working guy, so it’s really important to keep costs low. Right now, there are only two aluminum boats in my division, and everyone else uses fiberglass boats that can cost more than $70,000. My Alumacraft XB200 with a Mercury 150 FourStroke is less than half that amount, and I can tow it easily with my Dodge Journey, which is a compact SUV. But it still fishes like the big-buck rigs. The front deck is roomy; I’ve had three big guys like me fishing up there with no problem. Some of the tournaments I fish on the smaller lakes are no-wake tournaments, but even on the big lakes I am not at a disadvantage since my boat can do about 60 mph. The folks at 154 Marine take really good care of me. They know how important fishing is to me and have never let me down. I’ve never missed a tournament because my boat was broken.
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N/A
Capacity 6 people Dry Weight (hull) 1,175 lbs.
Fuel Capacity 30 gal. Max HP 200
PERFORMANCE Peak 51.3 mph/5700 rpm/ 94 dBA
Cruise 39.0 mph/ 4500 rpm/88 dBA
Time to Plane 2.7 sec. Time to 30 mph 5.8 sec.
POWER Test Mercury FourStroke Cylinders Inline 4 Displacement 3.0L Weight w/outdrive 455 lbs. WOT Range 5000-5800 rpm
Base Price w/test power $31,940
and ski tow options; there are three cupholders. Even waterskiing is discouraged by the lack of a boarding ladder, something every boat should have for safety. The XB 200 has an amazing amount of storage, especially for rods in a centerline locker that has rod tubes for protection. In addition, the adjoining compartments on the front deck are long enough to handle rods and all the tackle an angler cares to bring along. Our test boat held 17 rods and had plenty of room for more. In addition to these three compartments, there are six more including the storage underneath the triple helm seats. One of the boat’s signature features is a massive 38-gallon divided livewell. PREFERRED SETUP
Serious anglers who fish in tournaments will likely spend their money maxing out the horsepower. The least expensive way to get there is with the Suzuki DF200, for $18,571. The lightest is Yamaha’s conventional F200 ($19,110), which weighs 487 pounds and is an inline four cylinder, like the Suzuki (the Honda and V MAX SHO are both V-6). Another must for tournament anglers are large-screen electronics, and the biggest available is the 12-inch Humminbird Helix 12 ($3,067), which will need to be bracket- or ram-mounted. Our test boat had a Helix 7 ($982) that fit between the twin multigauges at the compact fiberglass helm. A single console is standard but buyers can get a portside one for $939. Alumacraft offers a variety of single- and dual-axle Diamond City trailers that cost from $2,378 to $5,102. Carpeting is standard but can be swapped out for a sprayed-in vinyl liner, for $724. BW
Value-Added Standard Features: AlumaTrac mounting system for accessories, fold-down cleats, courtesy lighting, 38-gallon livewell, metallic paint, carpeting, pedestal fishing seats, hydraulic steering
Must-Have Options: Dual- or single-axle trailer, two-tone color, pro casting seat, spray-in deck liner, 19 accessories for AlumaTrac system, 25 choices of Garmin or Humminbird electronics
Builder: Alumacraft, alumacraft.com Financing: $229/month w/15% down and 6% interest for 15 years
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
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Florida’s Nature Coast is a great place to create fishing memories … or relive some old ones.
Sam Root/Mustad Fishing
BY ALAN JONES
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W
HEN AN ANGLER touts a fishing hole as a “magic spot,” as I have just done, it better produce results, lest said angler looks like a hyperbloviator. But the odds are stacked against its success given the paucity of quality fish we have caught so far in similar spots. One minor detail I’ve omitted is the last time I really fished this honey hole was about 35 years ago, save for a half-hour session 10 years ago just as daylight was fading. We did hook two redfish on our first cast back then, so I’m sayin’ there’s a chance.
Doug Olander, the editor of Sport Fishing and a fellow writer who has fished pretty much every great spot on the planet, doesn’t say anything regarding my claim, but his arched eyebrow suggests skepticism. So it is particularly satisfying when his first cast produces a fat keeper-sized spotted seatrout, which we release. But that is just the start of the fun on this section of the Homosassa River, where in just a few minutes we catch something I have failed to hook in my more than 100 times fishing here. The fact one of us ends up in the water during the battle only makes it more memorable.
THE HEADQUARTERS FOR our fishin’ mission over the course of three days is
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Plantation on Crystal River, known locally as The Plantation. The action takes place in and on Crystal River, which is the name of both the town and the body of water, during an event called Cast and Blast. The Cast part is obvious, since about 25 angler journalists have congregated; the Blast part of the agenda is a feral hog hunt at Ross Hammock Ranch. I skip that, preferring to acquire my pork in the time-honored tradition known as shopping at Publix, but Paul Michele of Navionics, one of the event’s hosts, manages to bring down a massive 600-pounder dubbed Hogzilla. True to its proper name, the 232-acre Plantation on Crystal River, built in 1962, resembles an Antebellum mansion surrounded by palm trees and live oaks that have beards of Spanish moss. Fact of
the day: Spanish moss is not really a moss but rather a non-parasitic bromeliad that’s a close relative of the pineapple. Florida’s perimeter is divided into 10 descriptively named coasts. For example, the First Coast, which surrounds Jacksonville (where I live), is so named because it was the first to be “settled” back in the 1500s (though the natives had been there for thousands of years). The haughtiest name is the Culture Coast, from Sarasota to Port Charlotte, which is largely populated by citizens who wear black socks and sandals but also features many museums and theaters, so its moniker has some basis in fact. The region we are fishing is called the Nature Coast, and it’s no hyperbolic title. Cruising just off this section of Florida’s northwest coastline, I’m always shocked by what I don’t see: signs of human habitation (if I ignore the twin towers of the Crystal River Nuclear Plant). Every other stretch of the Sunshine State’s coast is blighted by condos, hotels and waterfront houses, but on this eight-county stretch, greenery dominates, perhaps due to the dearth of natural beaches here. Going north for more than 100 miles along the coast are dots on the map labeled Homosassa, Crystal River, Yankeetown, Cedar Key, Suwannee, Shired Island, Horseshoe Beach and Steinhatchee, which, combined, have a population of 8,448. But best of all, this unspoiled coast is home to some outstanding fishing.
IN THE PRE-DAWN gloom, we gather at the
docks and start rigging for action. Our gear includes a wide range of new products from Okuma, Savage Gear, Mustad, Yo-Zuri and Cuda. What’s interesting is most of the guides running the boats aren’t local and are relying on some quickly gathered intel and an innate knowledge of the kinds of places fish like to congregate. Having lived in Ocala, which is 40 miles inland, back in the 1970s and ’80s, I fished here often because it was the nearest saltwater port, but I have only been back one time since I moved away. Though we are armed with several boxes of new fishing lures, it’s difficult to know which one to string on, so we hedge and spray some buckshot with
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Before shoving off at dawn, the Cast and Blast anglers get busy rigging their gear.
different styles of fish enticements until we determine what’s the hot lure du jour. One thing we have going for us is this is a great area for tourist anglers. Many species populate the rivers, coastline and offshore habitats in great numbers and face less fishing pressure than in most other places in Florida. Probably the best bet for someone with modest fishing skills who’s new to the area is to cruise the coastline while avoiding the numerous shoals that feed on the lower units and props of the unwary. Here, anglers will find some of
The area is considered a world-class destination for giant tarpon during a narrow window in May and June when they gather here in what’s believed to be a pre-spawn ritual. the largest, most lush turtle-grass beds in all of Florida, in three to 10 feet of usually vodka-clear water, which spotted seatrout love to inhabit. One tried-and-true technique to catch seatrout is to drift and toss slow-sinking or topwater lures, or lob shrimp suspended under popping corks, until one bites. Then drop a float with a
WHEN YOU GO Plantation on Crystal River is a great location to use as a headquarters for a fishing vacation. It features a boat ramp, plenty of dockage right behind the hotel, fish-cleaning stations and a bait shop right on the premises. You can rent boats, kayaks and standup paddleboards, or arrange fishing charters and sightseeing tours. It’s a full-facility resort with a golf course, tennis courts and a swimming pool. plantationoncrystalriver.com
weighted line to mark the spot and make several target-rich passes. The shrimp/cork technique is especially kid friendly and is more relaxing for all humans involved.
THE AREA BETWEEN the mouth of the
Chassahowitzka River and Steinhatchee is famous for the recreational harvest of bay scallops: a bivalvian version of an Easter egg hunt. The 2018 open season runs to Sept. 24 in the Crystal River area and to Sept. 10 from the Suwannee River to the Fenholloway River. Harvesting scallops is ideal for kids and adults of even modest snorkeling ability, because these tasty critters with brilliant blue eyes frequent grassy water between three and six feet deep. How do you find them? Easy, just look for any BOATINGWORLD.COM SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018
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water that contained few obstructions that could cut light tippets. • CudaBrand.com • OkumaFishing.com And they were right; in • MauiJim.com • Raymarine.com 2001 James Holland, a • Mustad-Fishing.com • Savage-Gear.com 24-year-old law student • Navionics.com • Yo-Zuri.com from Washington, caught a fish that weighed 202.5 pounds. We narrowly miss the tarpon run gathering of 20 or more boats and join the but still find plenty of action. crowd. This area is also considered a world-class destination for giant tarpon during a narrow window in May and June when SHOVING OFF THE dock with Capt. Jimmy they gather in what’s believed to be a Nelson and Luiza Barros, who have turned pre-spawn ritual. For decades, many their passion for fishing into a social media of the world’s greatest fly anglers came empire, we slowly cruise downriver in the here seeking to be the first to catch a manatee zones, which aren’t just an idle 200-plus-pound “silver king” on fly tackle, threat (pardon the pun) since many of the which they considered doable thanks sea cows make their home here. During to the fish being offshore in shallow the winter, approximately 400 manatees TO THE WEB
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Sam Root/Mustad Fishing
Many fish species populate the rivers, coastline and offshore habitats in great numbers and face less pressure than in most places in Florida. congregate in the 72-degree waters of Three Sisters Springs and Homosassa Springs, where they’re forced to tolerate curious be-snorkeled tourists. After slipping the bonds of the idle zone, Nelson puts his Pro-Line 23 Sport powered by a Suzuki 175 on plane and in 30 minutes we reach the Gulf of Mexico, which is doing its impression of Walden Pond. We are targeting cobia, which abound here from April until June and can either be the easiest fish to catch or maddeningly closelipped. I’ve had curious fish circle my boat for a pulse-pounding hour while I threw the tackle box at them, including live bait for no apparent reason. Who says fish don’t have a sense of humor? Aided by my Maui Jim polarized sunglasses, I spot a large cobia, but it’s spooked and gives our baits only a cursory
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Sam Root/Mustad Fishing
glance before it departs. Soon we see a pair of smaller specimens and get a double hookup that leads to a drag-screeching, line-crossing battle. Cobia are fine eating, but both are less than an inch short of the 33-inch minimum — another example of fish humor? — so we shoot some photos and release them unharmed. While Nelson is a local, licensed captain and host of the TV fishing show “Livin’ the Dream,” Barros — a native Brazilian who was featured in Boating World’s November 2017 Fishing column and is the host of FishingWithLuiza.com, a website that features many glam bikini photos of her holding a wide array of fish — is also a knowledgeable angler and suggests we head inland to a spot near the nuke plant. The reactor was built in 1976 and operated safely for 33 years until it was shut down in 2009 for routine maintenance and refueling. It was scheduled to reopen in 2011, but flaws discovered in the concrete containment building wall made the closure permanent. We troll Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow diving plugs that have a nice wiggle along the shoreline of the discharge channel. Randy Vance, editor-at-large with Boating, catches a chunky trout and I score a redfish that’s right in the middle of the 18- to 27-inch slot for keepers. Unlike on “The
The author catches a keeper redfish (above) in the shadow of a decommissioned nuclear plant. Ray Gardner goes overboard (below) to help land Steve Ferrell’s fine snook (right).
Continued on page 58
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2018 YAMAHA // SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Yamaha Power For Every Boat
NO, IT’S NOT JUST YOUR imagination; outboard-powered boats are getting bigger every year. Grady-White introduced the Canyon 456 recently, a new 24,500-pound 45-footer with a massive 14-foot beam. And it’s no accident that Yamaha has the perfect motor with which to power it. Over the years, Grady-White and other select boatbuilding partners have worked closely with Yamaha during its engine development phase to make sure they would have the right outboard available for their new-generation boats at the right time. The result of such Yamaha/builder collaboration is the XTO Offshore 425. Instead of creating horsepower through supercharging, it has a 5.6L V-8 block, which is the largest normally aspirated outboard in the industry. Its primary mission is to deliver a massive amount of torque, which is something big boats need to push them on plane and help them handle challenging offshore conditions with ease. It’s available in three shaft designs: 35-, 30- and 25-inch models. Everything about this new outboard is built for performance, reliability and durability.
With outboard models from 2.5 hp all the way to 425 hp, Yamaha has the perfect motor for your boat … no matter its size.
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It’s the first four-stroke outboard to feature direct injection. The XTO uses five fuel pumps and a whopping 2900 psi of fuel-injection pressure to spray fuel directly into the combustion chamber for the ultimate in atomization, which leads to maximum fuel burn and efficiency. The V-8 XTO has an industry-leading 12.2:1 compression ratio, which yields more power for every cycle, yet it still operates on easy-to-find 89 octane fuel. To create spark, it uses exotic iridium spark plugs. Iridium — the second-densest element — is very rare and is the most resistant to corrosion, even at temperatures up to 2,000 degrees Celsius. Modern boat electronics need lots of power, so the XTO features an alternator that produces a maximum of 90 amps, with 72 amps available for use at only 1500 rpm.
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2018 YAMAHA // SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
XTO Offshore V-8
To handle the tremendous torque of this new motor, the gears are larger, harder and more robust, for added durability. The lower unit features a hydrodynamically efficient design that minimizes drag. For ease of service, the gear oil can be changed while the boat is in the water. Owners who keep their boat at a dock will appreciate that the XTO Offshore’s lower unit can be tilted all the way out of the water on most boats. Thanks to its unique cowl design, it has greater clearance, so boats that are being repowered can take advantage of an extreme 73 degrees of positive tilt. The cowl itself is a lightweight seven-piece design that allows users to remove the top panel to check and add engine oil. POWER AND TORQUE are only part of this new engine, however. The ability to precisely control a boat is incredibly 52
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important, whether maneuvering in a tight marina or backing down on a huge fish, and the XTO Offshore can handle such chores like no other outboard. The design of this motor started with the prop. To move more water it had to be the biggest in the industry, and Yamaha engineers succeeded in building a motor that can swing a 17 1/8 -inch prop. And the XTO 425 uses that big prop to maximum effect in reverse, where it takes advantage of exhaust ports above the anti-ventilation plate. Those ports are put to use when the prop is running below 2500 rpm, to give the props clean water to bite into, unlike other outboards that have the exhaust exit the prop’s hub. This provides up to 300 percent more backing thrust than the manufacturer’s own F350, so during a back-down on fish, an angler can regain line quickly. And when backing into a slip, the driver has total control. THE XF425 IS A FIRST-ever integrated electric power steering system that uses no hydraulics. Instead of having a complicated network of pumps, lines and hydraulic fluid reservoirs, all that’s required are electrical wires from the helm to the steering system, which is part of the outboard. So not only is rigging a boat simpler and far cleaner, but there’s less that can go wrong. And hydraulic pumps can draw up to 35 amps each, and they run all the time, whereas Yamaha’s electrical steering only uses power during turns, which saves electricity for other things, such as stereos, livewell pumps and electronics. And maybe best of all, you won’t hear that loud whooshing sound that conventional power steering systems produce. Fully compatible with Yamaha’s third-generation, award-winning Helm Master fully integrated boat control system, the XF425 has new features for 2018 that include improvements to all modes of Set Point, a program that allows the driver to make small corrections to the boat’s position and heading, for the ultimate in control. To change a boat’s heading in Stay Point or Drift Point, the driver simply twists the joystick in the desired direction once and the boat makes a five-degree turn. To change position in Stay
BOATINGWORLD.COM
8/1/18 9:58 AM
2018 YAMAHA // SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
F25C w/Multi-function Tiller Handle
fishing and recreation. That huge number of boats needs reliable power, so for 2018 Yamaha introduced the F25C, a compact powerhouse that makes owning and caring for one far easier than past models. In many ways, smaller engines represent a bigger challenge to engine builders than larger engines, because there is much less space in which to fit nearly the same features. They are also more commonly used at close to wide-open throttle nearly all the time. One of the frustrations owners of older
The new F25C features a smaller profile than the previous model. carbureted models faced was that unless the engines were in tiptop shape, starting them could be difficult. As a result, one of the first things Yamaha set out to accomplish with the F25 was one-pull starting, even in cool weather. So instead of using a carburetor, the new F25 employs electronic fuel injection (EFI). Usually, this Point and Fish Point, a bump of the joystick in any direction moves the boat 10 feet. In Fish Point, it performs a maneuver without revving the engines, so it won’t scare the fish. It all adds up to deliver perfect control to position a boat perfectly over an area anglers wish to fish. Staying ahead of the boat evolution curve is one of the most difficult tasks an outboard builder has, but with the cooperation of its boat-builder partners, Yamaha designed this platform not just for new boats of today but new boats 20 years from now. OF THE NEARLY 16 MILLION registered boats in the United States, 95 percent are 26 feet or smaller. Of those boats, more than 40 percent of mechanically propelled boats are 16 feet long or less. One of the reasons small boats are so prominent is there are so many small lakes in the lower 48 states that don’t require a big boat for 54
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BOATINGWORLD.COM
8/1/18 9:59 AM
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was found only on models that had electric start, because they needed a battery to fire the injectors. But the new model has a pull-start mechanism that generates the electricity needed to start it. As a result, a battery isn’t needed unless you opt for the electric start option. You might think this would add to the effort required to start it, but thanks to an auto-decompression device, it’s actually easier. The new F25C features a smaller profile than the previous model (F25B), largely because of the huge reduction in its weight. The F25B tipped the scales at 168 pounds, which is about average for 25 hp models, but Yamaha engineers were able to achieve a stunning 25 percent reduction in weight, which means the 15-inch-shaft version of the F25C weighs only 126 pounds, making it the lightest 25 hp outboard in the industry. This exceptional power-to-weight ratio makes it an excellent choice to power aluminum fishing boats such as Starcraft’s 16 Patriot. Fuel economy is always an important factor, and owners of an engine this small don’t want to have to baby it to get great mileage. During a performance test conducted by Yamaha professionals on a Starcraft 16 Patriot, the F25C got an amazing 11 mph when being flogged at 5500 rpm, just 500 rpm from its maximum — better mileage, even, than when they ran it at 4500 rpm (10.27 mpg). At wide-open throttle, the F25C only burned 2.3 gallons per hour. Many small boats use tiller steering, and Yamaha’s Multi-Function Tiller Handle will make it a pleasure for owners to drive the F25. The handle is extra-long, for added comfort, and the driver doesn’t have to reach back to the engine itself to put it in gear, because the shifter’s right on the handle. And thanks to its superior rubber engine mounts, engine vibrations aren’t transmitted to the boat, which on aluminum models can be unpleasant. Anglers are going to love the Variable Trolling RPM function, which allows the driver to precisely control the F25’s engine speed in 50 rpm increments, from 750 to 1050, for the perfect presentation of baits and lures. This means you can run it 150 rpm below its standard idle speed of 900 rpm. On the tiller handle models, it’s 56
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The V MAX SHO 90 is built to overachieve.
V MAX SHO VF90
located just behind the shifter. On boats with steering wheels, it can be controlled with a VTS switch on the dash. MIDRANGE OUTBOARDS may not get as much press as their bigger cousins, but they represent the backbone of the industry and power far more boats than the ones you see heading offshore. And this year, Yamaha gave the boatbuilding industry the newest and smallest member of the V MAX SHO family, which is going to make owners of 17- to 20-footers take notice. Like its bigger siblings, which range from 115 to 250 hp, the V MAX SHO 90 is built to overachieve and is the fastest and lightest in its class — and a 3 Star rating from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) means it does it all with environmentally friendly low emissions. It features a 35-amp alternator that makes 28 amps at 1000 rpm. The VF90 weighs just 363 pounds, so it’s a good choice for repowering older boats that were designed for past-generation two-strokes. Like the VF115, it features a 1.8L I-4 engine block that’s compact in size but big on power. It uses a single overhead cam design with four valves per cylinder and electronic fuel injection (EFI) to achieve best-in-class fuel economy. It differs from the standard Yamaha F90 in several ways. First, it has a 2.33:1 gear ratio that allows it to swing up to a 14-inch-diameter prop and move more water, which will produce more top speed. The VF90 is available with a 20- and 25-inch shaft, so it fits on a wide range of boats, including multispecies and other inshore boats such as flats boats and compact bay boats. The larger diameter props will also be very useful in pushing compact luxury boats such as Quest’s 20-foot, 4-inch 820 Lanai Sport Cruise that’s rated to handle up to 90 hp. This will give owners the power to maximize performance and take the kids for thrilling tube rides or other watersports with a top speed in the high 20s. Like many other Yamaha outboards, the VF90 can be paired with a Shift Dampener System (SDS) prop, which uses a specially designed rubber hub to ease the prop into motion without creating a pronounced metallic clunk — stealthier for fishing.
BOATINGWORLD.COM
8/6/18 6:55 AM
Keep the whole crew happy. Oh they’ll be smiling all right. After all, what’s not to love about a SunChaser? It’s the perfect pontoon for fishing, cruising, or just dropping anchor and practicing cannonballs. We know you never want to get off the pontoon, and with a full fiberglass console, rounded bow, recessed cup holders, and a changing room on board you might not have to. So c’mon dad. See your dealer for a test spin. Now look who’s smiling.
To see all of our fine Smoker Craft Inc. products, visit thebestboatbrands.com
(Above) Capt. Jimmy Nelson, Luiza Barros and Chris Bishop went offshore for this trio of gag grouper. (Right) Capt. Marko plies the west coast of Florida where he catches and releases goliath grouper, like this beast. Continued from page 49
Simpsons,” these fish don’t have three eyes, but I magnanimously give mine to Vance, just because I’m that kind of guy.
WHEN WE LAST encountered our intrepid anglers on the Homosassa River, in the first paragraph — aboard a Canyon Bay 2470 powered by a Suzuki 250 SS and driven by Capt. Stephen Ferrell — Olander had just validated my “magic spot” with a nice trout, much to my relief. Now, Ferrell is firing a Savage Gear TPE Soft Mud Minnow that has been the hot lure today, since it is weedless and we have been working areas with lots of vegetation to catch snapper and almost an XL redfish. After maybe five casts, a huge boil erupts and his line streaks through the water at an oblique angle before a double-digit-pound snook leaps clear of the water. Snook? Out of the more than 1,000 fish I have pulled from this hole, 80 percent have been redfish and exactly zero have been “linesiders.” Snook are smart. They know just where to go to cause an angler maximum angst. This rampaging fish manages to get the line hopelessly tangled in a huge
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mat of weeds, which causes me to mimic Macaulay Culkin’s iconic pose in “Home Alone.” Nooooo! Without prompting, Yo-Zuri’s Ray Gardner kicks off his shoes, hands over his cellphone and plunges into the water. Slowly slogging through the mud and weeds, he works his way to the fish and painstakingly clears the fouled line. By now we’ve maneuvered the boat next to him and hand him the net, which he dips to snare the prized catch. During our paparazzi-like photo shoot, I learn Olander talks to his selfie-stick-mounted GoPro camera, instructing it to shoot while I click away with my dumb ol’ Nikon. To my surprise, we’re not done yet and Ferrell sticks another snook, nearly as big as the first.
THE FINAL DAY we’re going big or going home with Capt. James Marko, who specializes in catching goliath grouper, formerly known as jewfish. These brutes can reach 1,000 pounds and are one of the most aggressive species that swims. I would rather dive with sharks than goliaths, who will get in your face while no doubt
pondering if you’re slurpable. Marko’s usual fishing locale is around Boca Grande, but he’s heard of some deep holes in the Gulf that supposedly hold these highly protected fish, so he puts his Suzuki-powered Epic on plane and we’re off. We locate the drop-offs with help from Marko’s 12-inch Raymarine Axiom Pro display, which is running Navionics charts, but a few passes over this small, deep area surrounded by shallow water reveal no one is home. We’d see them if they were around, because they’re the size of refrigerators. Tarpon are the next biggest fish we’ve seen in the area, and they frequent waters not too far from our home base, so we head inland. We get one jump from an estimated 70-pounder, though we only manage to bring aboard seatrout and an enormous gafftopsail catfish, but now it’s perilously close to our cocktail hour, so we head in. We later discover the boats that went 50 miles offshore scored big on gag grouper, red snapper, kingfish and tripletail. Inshore has been a blast, too, and just knowing my old fishing hole is still magic after more than 35 years makes me want to come back again. BW
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HONDA
$
549
999
MODEL: EU2000i
NOW
79 $59 99
$
COMPARE TO
K TOOL
99
MODEL: KTI63094
BLUE HAWK
MODEL: BG8X10-Y
4
$ 99
ITEM 69115/69121/69129/69137/69249/877 shown
*98429553 * 98429553
• Weighs 14.3 lbs. SUPERWINCH • 11-1/8" L x 4-1/2" H $ 99 Voted Best COMPARE TO
Winches
MODEL: 1125220
3 GALLON, 100 PSI OIL-FREE AIR COMPRESSORS
A
69 $49
SAVE $ 38%
99
SUPERSTART
HUSKY $ 97
84
MODEL: H2DTWA
SAVE 88%
$
19
99
E YOUR CHOIC
$9
99
$
5488 SAVE 87%
MODEL: 33079
COMPARE TO
RYOBI
Versatile - 24 configurations Safe + Strong + Secure Super Strong - Holds 300 lbs. Weighs 34 lbs.
SAVE $189 NOW 99 COMPARE TO LITTLE GIANT $ 99
298
MODEL: XE M17
$1 09
$
13999
ITEM 62514/62656/63418/63419/67646/63417 shown
*98431572 * 98431572
*98431789 * 98431789
LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 12/23/18*
LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 12/23/18*
$
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
6" VARIABLE SPEED DUAL ACTION POLISHER
Customer Rating
3 WATT LED RECHARGEABLE CORDLESS SPOTLIGHT NOW
Customer Rating
249
PORTER-CABLE $ Blade sold separately.
ITEM 69684/61970/61969 shown
$
119
MODEL: 7424XP
6999 $49
SAVE $1399 66%
Includes AC/DC adapter and 12 volt DC cigarette lighter plug.
NOW
COMPARE TO
MODEL: TSS120L
$999
Customer Rating
SAVE $ 69
99 SAVE $ 119
179
• • • •
99
COMPARE TO
PEAK
*98432924 * 98432924
*98433554 * 98433554
LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 12/23/18*
LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 12/23/18*
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 12/23/18*
LIMIT 8 - Coupon valid through 12/23/18*
• Height range: 12-1/2" to 24"
SAVE 60%
Customer Rating
99
$
2599
$1 7
ITEM 69780/41005 shown
COMPARE TO
HDX
$
6639 SAVE 54%
MODEL: H137HOS
$
3869 NO9W99
ITEM 63248/64080/64263/68998/63091 shown
$2
Customer Rating
NOW
NOW
COMPARE TO
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
130 PIECE 100 WATT SOLAR PANEL KIT TOOL KIT WITH CASE
COMPARE TO
SUNFORCE
$
35719 SAVE $ 207
MODEL: 50180
Customer Rating
1500 WATT DUAL TEMPERATURE HEAT GUN (572°/1112°)
9
9 $1 49 $1499 NOW99 $ $8 19999
ITEM 64335/63585 shown ITEM 62340/62546/63104/96289 shown
SAVE 67% COMPARE TO
BLACK & DECKER $ 06
28
MODEL: HG1300
*98433861 * 98433861
*98434149 * 98434149
*98434216 * 98434216
*98434329 * 98434329
LIMIT 7 - Coupon valid through 12/23/18*
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 12/23/18*
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 12/23/18*
LIMIT 8 - Coupon valid through 12/23/18*
*Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 12/23/18.
hft_boatingworld_0918_M-REG157421.indd 1
2999
ITEM 61960/61777 shown
ITEM 62403/62862/69924 shown
*98432823 * 98432823 SUPER COUPON
$
MODEL: PKC0TV-R
*98432629 * 98432629
Customer Rating
45
COMPARE TO
ATE TOOLS
1199
ITEM 90984/63056 63057/63150/63094 60405/61524 shown
17 FT. TYPE IA MULTI-TASK LADDER
LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 12/23/18*
1000 LB. CAPACITY SWING-BACK TRAILER JACK
MODEL: 74410
MODEL: 55001
$
SUPER COUPON
$ Item 239 shown
$699
Customer Rating
*98431081 * 98431081
SUPER COUPON
REESE $ 99
6499
ITEM 62376/64083/62306 shown
CLICK-TYPE 12" DOUBLE-BEVEL TORQUE WRENCHES SLIDING COMPOUND MITER SAW • Laser guide NOW • Reversible
COMPARE TO
NOW
57 $
COMPARE TO
99 $129
ITEM 61277/63881/2696 61276/63880/807 62431/63882/239
• 400 lb. working load
99
20599
MODEL: 23522
SUPER COUPON
Customer Rating
9 $399
SUPER COUPON
DRIVE 1/4" 3/8" 1/2"
SUPER COUPON
3-IN-1 PORTABLE 4 PIECE, 1" x 15 FT. POWER PACK WITH RATCHETING TIE DOWNS JUMP STARTER NOW
LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 12/23/18*
Customer Rating
$
COMPARE TO
SHELTER LOGIC
ITEM 63054/62858 shown
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 12/23/18*
YOUR CHOICE
*98430676 * 98430676
9
MODEL: VEN4145
SUPER COUPON
Customer Rating
5499
SAVE $106
ITEM 64417, 64418, 61363, 68497, 61360, 61359, 68498, 68496 shown
*98430225 * 98430225
B. PANCAKE
$
VENOM $ 99
11999
LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 12/23/18*
ITEM 60637/61615 95275 shown
98
COMPARE TO
99
$
$5
*98430162 * 98430162
A. HOT DOG
$39
SAVE $ 99 NOW 99 40% 7
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 12/23/18*
ITEM 69269/97080 shown
• Air delivery: 0.6 CFM @ 90 PSI, 1 CFM @ 40 PSI $ 62 COMPARE TO SAVE PORTER-CABLE MODEL: PCFP02003 59%
$9999
*98429589 * 98429589
Customer Rating
B
10 FT. x 20 FT. PORTABLE CAR CANOPY NOW
Customer Rating
• 5 mil thickness Customer Rating
NOW
99
SUPER COUPON
POWDER-FREE NITRILE GLOVES PACK OF 100
ITEM 61297/63476/61840/61258 shown
LIMIT 8 - Coupon valid through 12/23/18*
SUPER COUPON
$
SUPER COUPON
SUPER COUPON
SAVE $ 140
189
*98428985 * 98428985
Limit 1 coupon per customer per day. Save 20% on any 1 item purchased. *Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or any of the following items or brands: Inside Track Club membership, Extended Service Plan, gift card, open box item, 3 day Parking Lot Sale item, compressors, floor jacks, safes, saw mills, storage cabinets, chests or carts, trailers, trencher/backhoe, welders, Admiral, Ames, Bauer, Cobra, CoverPro, Daytona, Earthquake, Fischer, Hercules, Icon, Jupiter, Lynxx, Poulan, Predator, Tailgator, Viking, Vulcan, Zurich. Not valid on prior purchases. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 12/23/18.
Cannot be used with other discounts or prior purchases. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 12/23/18 while supplies last. Limit 1 FREE GIFT per customer per day.
Customer Rating
$2
ANY SINGLE ITEM*
*98429283 * 98429283
ITEM 68053/62160/62496/62516/60569 shown
7 FT. 4" x 9 FT. 6" 2500 LB. ELECTRIC WINCH WITH ALL PURPOSE/WEATHER WIRELESS REMOTE CONTROL RESISTANT TARP Customer Rating
SAVE 70%
• Magnetic Tips • Ergonomic Handles
MODEL: 20210003
Battle Tested
9
6 PIECE SCREWDRIVER SET
ITEM 47770/62583/62728/62570 shown
LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 12/23/18*
$ 98
PURCHASE
7
12568 SAVE $65
LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 12/23/18*
COMPARE TO
ANY
HUSKY $ 97
*98429357 * 98429357
99
WITH
COMPARE TO
*98429289 * 98429289
NOW
20% OFF
FREE
900 Stores Nationwide • HarborFreight.com
2000 WATT SUPER QUIET RAPID PUMP® 1.5 TON Customer Rating INVERTER GENERATOR LIGHTWEIGHT ALUMINUM • 4.7 hours run-time FLOOR JACK Customer Rating ng • 3-1/2 pumps lifts most vehicles NOW • Lifts from 3-1/2" to 14-1/8"
SUPER COUPON
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.
7/25/18 11:19 AM
NEW!
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Connect smartphones and MP3 players to the subwoofer via Bluetooth or RCA inputs
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Connect up to four speakers (sold separately)
Tuned port for outstanding subwoofer performance
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info@aquaticav.com | 1-877-579-2782
marketplace
C A LL 949/660 - 6150
Splendo
ww
Got An Old Boat?
DONATE IT TODAY!
THE VOICE OF PACIFIC COAST BOATING SINCE 1908 seamagazine.com
62
•
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018 BOATINGWORLD.COM
Call Us At 800-227-2643 www.boatangel.com
Splendor 1-2h4c.qxp_Layout 1 5/3/18 3:35 PM Page 1
Splendor: 239 SunStar
Splendor Boats 239 SunStar, the outboard configuration of their ever popular 240 SunStar is sleek and stylish and just as capable as its sterndrive counterpart. Offering a large deck space with a capacity for up to 12 adults, an oversized head compartment complete with a standard portable toilet and custom installed options of your choice, the 239 SunStar offers all of the essentials needed for a day of fun on the water, but that’s just the start. So, what makes this boat different from the rest? How about the full planning catamaran hull that offers a very stable, smooth ride and only drafts 12" of water. Pair those features with the 239 SunStar’s standard 225 horsepower Suzuki outboard and you have a combination of class and power that no one can compete with.
www.splendorboats.com│260.352.2835│Silver Lake, Indiana
marketplace
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, 55 Cutwater Boats (800) 349-7198...................................................................35 Grady White Boats (252)752-2111................................................................. 51 SmokerCraft, Inc./Starcraft (866) 719-7873..................................... 5, 53, 57 Splendor Boats (260) 352-2835.. ................................................................. 63 Stingray (843) 383-4507.............................................................................. 43 ENGINES Mercury Marine (920) 929-5916.. ...............................................................CV2 SternDrive Engineering (813) 925-7127.. ....................................................... 6 Suzuki Marine (800) 247-4704.................................................................. CV3 Yamaha Outboards (800) 889-2624........................................................ 10-11 GEAR & ACCESSORIES
C A LL 949/660 - 6150
Aquatic AV (408) 559-1668........................................................................... 61 Cooper Tires 1(800) 854-6288.. ...................................................................... 1 Harbor Freight Tools (800) 423-2567......................................................... 59 McGard Inc. (800) 669-6887.. ...................................................................... 63 NuShield, Inc (215) 500-6426...................................................................... 62 West System Inc. / Gougeon Brothers, Inc. (989) 684-7286.. .................. 39 SERVICES Boat Angel (800) 227-2643......................................................................... 62 GEICO Insurance (800) 865-4846................................................................23 1-800-PROGRESSIVE (800)776-4737.............................................................3 United States Power Squadrons (888) 367-8777....................................... 24
BOATINGWORLD.COM SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018
•
63
Reader Contest
Rick Martin illustration
Name the Boat
See the winning entry and the best of the rest from the June contest on page 8.
These hounds are riding out the summer doldrums by doggedly pursuing the perfect canine recline. Looks relaxing. Send us your name for our boat. If it wins, we will give you a Dock King Lounge & Float, valued at $199.99, from Connelly, and your name will appear in the January 2019 issue of Boating World.
Win This!
YOURS FREE
The first person to turn in the best boat name will receive a Dock King Lounge & Float from Connelly (connellyskis. com), valued at $199.99.
•
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018
BOATINGWORLD.COM
We’ll reprint the cartoon with the winning boat
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
Dock King is a four-person lounge with a center
include your full name, address and phone number, along with your
cutout for feet or a Dock King Bartender (not
entry. Duncan McIntosh Co. and Connelly employees and their
included). Four molded cupholders ensure drinks
families are prohibited from entering. Prizewinners are responsible
stay upright and connection grommets allow the
for any applicable taxes. Decisions of the judges and the editor
lounge to be tied to other lounges during raft-ups.
are final.
A one-person float is also included.
64
How to enter:
name in the January 2019 issue. Submissions are due by October 10.
REPOWER FINANCE Six Years of Protection at no extra charge on all new outboards 25 to 350 HP.
Instant Savings of up to $800 on select models. See your dealer for details.
Rates as low as 5.99% on new Suzuki outboards on approved credit.*
For a limited time, get Suzuki Extended Protection, Instant Savings and attractive financing on select Suzuki outboards from 25 to 350 horspower. See your participating Suzuki Marine dealer for details or visit www.suzukimarine.com.
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 07/01/18 and 09/30/18 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 07/01/18 and 09/30/18. 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 07/01/18 and 09/30/18. “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. © 2018 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
SZ_Q3_SummerPromo_PCS_073118x.indd 1
8/2/18 6:42 AM