Good times are built on time well spent.
THE ALL-NEW
V-6 FourStroke It took 12 engineers 844,419 hours to craft an engine that’s faster, lighter, and ready to help you finally fill that photo album. Learn more at mercurymarine.com/Fourstroke-V6 175hp / 200hp / 225hp
FAMILY LEGENDS
and fish tales
BUILT FOR THAT
210 FSH ® SERIES
Go where no other boat has gone before. With powerful twin TR-1® Yamaha Marine Engines, ample storage and comfortable bow seating, the all-new 210 FSH provides the shallow-water capability to get to those hard-to-reach fishing spots and the versatility to enjoy watersports with your family.
210 FSH®
210 FSH® Deluxe
210 FSH® Sport
YA M A H A B OAT S . C O M
©2018 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved. Follow instructional materials and obey all laws. Drive responsibly, wearing protective apparel. Always drive within your capabilities, allowing time and distance for maneuvers, and respect others around you. Don’t drink and drive. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT YAMAHABOATS.COM OR CALL 1.800.88.YAMAHA.
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Contents
April 201 8 • Vol u m e 39 N o. 4
MAGAZINE
VOLUME XXXIX NUMBER 4
DEPARTMENTS 4
Editor’s Letter
6
Currents
Visiting a legendary secret test location Bits from the boating world
12 Trailering Basics of trailer balls 18 Watersports Take kneeboarding up a notch 22 Fishing Know 3 essential knots 24 Engines Avoid spring engine issues 28 DIY Manifold and riser replacement pg. 54
30 Bonehead Blunders Mistakes no boater should make 32 Gear The latest accessories, gadgets and electronics
features
54
34 Ask the Experts Our panel of experts answers your questions
Navigational Nirvana
Chart makers are using the power of large numbers and Wi-Fi to create the most accurate charts ever — basically in real time.
64 Contest: Name the Boat Win a 2-person towable tube from Connelly
BY LENNY RUDOW
boats tested
38 Formula 330 CBR The big outboard-powered bowrider holds a hidden surprise.
42 G3 Angler V19F Who’s ready to fish for whatever, whenever? This boat.
46 Regency 254 LE3 Get the royal treatment without paying a king’s ransom.
50 Rinker Q5 BR Sterndrive-powered bowriders are still alive and well, with an assist from Rinker.
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350 CBR
330 CBR
310 BR
I M A G I N E C H O O S I N G A L L of boating’s smartest ideas for versatility in one ultimate outboard platform. It’s now available in the popular Formula 310, 330, 350, and 430! Formula outboards are sure to please, perfectly integrating day boating and engine maintenance ease for those who want the absolute best boat powered with outboards. This smartly balanced combination with expanded cockpit space utilization is the perfect match for all your boating ventures, taking you farther than ever before. The unique Formula design extends the fun into each entertainment zone without giving up the ever important flush cockpit. And whether it’s a Sun Sport, Bowrider or Crossover, each Formula is the only outboard in its class to give you a spacious, aft-facing sun lounge and extended swim platform that brings you closer to your on-water adventures.
CHOOSE THE BEST – THE FORMULA OUTBOARD LINEUP!
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W W W.
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430 SSC
Editor’s Letter
by Ala n Jones
THE BOATING WORLD TEAM RESPONDS:
“
What do future scientists name our species based on finding your cryogenically frozen body 1 million years from now?
PUBLISHER
Duncan McIntosh Jr.
He publishalotis ASSOC . EDITOR/PUBLISHER Jeff Fleming
Felinus sapiens
EXECUTIVE EDITOR Alan Jones
Homowner Underwatercus
MANAGING EDITOR Mike Werling
X MARKS THE SPOT LED BY A police motorcycle escort, complete with flashing lights, I finally got a chance to
visit Lake X, Mercury’s legendary test site whose history begins in 1957, when Mercury Marine founder Elmer Carl Kiekhaefer discovered 14,000-acre Lake Conlin while flying the company plane over central Florida, near Orlando. After acquiring it, he personally bulldozed a path to the lake and fiercely guarded its privacy, to the point he once refused a Boy Scout troop’s request to camp there for fear one of them could be a spy. He did hold one semi-private event later that year. To counter the common adage that his Kiekhaefer Mercury engines were fast but not reliable, he devised a test to be held on Lake X. Two 16-foot Raveau boats, powered by 60 hp Mark 75 engines and driven by Kiekhaefer’s platoon of test drivers, would simulate not one but two 25,003-mile trips around the world — each boat to make 9,052 laps around the lake. Sanctioned by the United States Auto Club (USAC), which also presided over events such as the Indy 500, the endurance test began Sept. 11, 1957, with engines selected at random from the assembly line. The boats — equipped with auto headlights to run at night — stopped a couple of times to replace points and spark plugs but otherwise ran nonstop and in all conditions, fueling and changing drivers on the fly every four hours. There were a few moments of excitement, one chronicled by a driver’s log: “Sighted 8-foot alligator dead ahead. No time to take evasive action. Felt solid bump. No damage to boat or motor. Damage to alligator unknown.” At the end of the first 25,003 miles, which took 34 days, 11 hours and 47 minutes, USAC officials snipped the seals that were put in place to prevent tampering with the motors and then disassembled, inspected and found them to conform to standard specs. It was noted there was surprisingly little wear. The outboards were then reassembled and sent back to Lake X for the second run “around the world,” without replacing any parts. Years later it was discovered the mechanics had, in fact, found a way around the seals and changed some parts while Kiekhaefer took the USAC officials to lunch. The “Old Man,” who was a hardnosed taskmaster, likely knew nothing about the repairs. The old test site is now a preserve known as the Kirchman Foundation at Lake X, but I was pleasantly surprised to see the large mid-century modern boathouse and timing tower still intact. Although the previous test was in 2004, when Mercury secretly flogged its supercharged Verado line, it worked out a deal to allow the press to test its incredible new line of six-cylinder FourStroke outboards, which you can read about next month. BW
Neandergiganto ginger
ASSISTANT EDITOR Stephanie Shibata
Hipster ipsum
ART DIRECTOR Julie Hogan
Slouchapithicus computatrum-habilis PRODUCTION Mary Monge
Staturus diminutivis
CIRCUL ATION MGR. Rick Avila
Boatus worldis employus
CIRCUL ATION ASSISTANTS
Emily Wells Horneff Remigium hominem
Dustin Nguyen Nonconformus forgottenis ADVERTISING SALES & MARKETING
Call (949) 660-6150
REGIONAL SALES MANAGERS
Annabelle Zabala Boneheadus dumbis
Felice Lineberry Needus moris coffeeus MARKETPL ACE SALES MGR. Jon Sorenson
Idahotis grumpapotamus AD COORDINATORS
Jennifer Chen Eatis donutis
Lacee Garcia Cheesus addictis TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR Dave Kelsen
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DIGITAL DIRECTOR Bryan Sheehy
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SUBSCRIPTIONS
Boating World – Subscriber Services P.O. Box 25859, Santa Ana, CA 92799 (888) 732-7323 circulation@boatingworld.com PUBLISHED BY DUNCAN MCINTOSH CO. INC .
Boatingworld.com 18475 Bandilier Circle, Fountain Valley, CA 92708 (949) 660-6150 • Fax (949) 660-6172 Duncan Mcintosh Co. is founded by Editor and Publisher Duncan McIntosh Jr. and Co-Publisher Teresa Ybarra McIntosh (1942-2011)
VOLUME 39 • NO. 4 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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LEARN MORE AT STARCRAFTMARINE.COM
the all-new
Currents
by Steph a n ie S h ibata
L E A D B O AT | I G U A N A C O M M U T E R
The Amphibian An Iguana Commuter can go from water to land seamlessly — and look really cool doing it. IGUANA YACHTS TEND to stand out.
Especially when they’re standing up. Wait, what? If you’ve not seen one, the first thing to know about them is they’re amphibious. They can roll across the ground on tanklike treads, which deploy in less than 10 seconds, so boat owners with a lakefront property can drive the boat to a covered spot off the water, at about 5 mph. At boat shows, Iguana models are typically on the docks, positioned up on their treads. The newest Iguana is called the Commuter, and it’s a 31-foot dayboat with some performance chops, reaching up to 42 knots with 400 hp, either twin 200 hp outboards or a single 400 (350 hp is standard). The
It’s a 31-foot dayboat with performance chops.
Sport model is the more socially versatile of the two choices — Limo is the other — thanks to a C-shaped aft settee that can seat six people. Its forward section’s backrest is adjustable, able to move forward and aft and allow passengers to face forward with the captain and copilot or face aft and be part of a conversation pit. A refrigerator is hidden beneath it. The twin captain’s chairs are shock-mitigating models, one of which fronts a helm that includes two 10-inch multifunction displays and engine controls. The hardtop is adjustable. It rests atop the three-sided windshield to keep the helm dry and protected from the wind, but it raises up to allow the breeze to blow through on temperate days. A hardtop extender is optional. Adding even more versatility is a cabin with a head. The V-berth can serve as a bed or be rearranged slightly to seat a small group of people. An optional ski pole brings watersports into the picture, and when it comes time to make a landing, an underwater camera shows the driver what’s happening. The Commuter starts north of $700K, so it’s not for everyone, though everyone will stare at it. Iguana Yachts, iguana-yachts.com
An aft settee and twin captain’s chairs give the Iguana its dayboat capabilities, while a cabin, which comes in various color schemes, including Etna (bottom middle) and Emeraude (bottom left), makes it an overnighter.
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CURRENTS
name the boat To participate in this month’s contest, turn to page 64
FEBRUARY CONTEST WINNER: Shock and Thaw
David Stoddard from Seneca, S.C., was the first to submit the winning name, Shock and Thaw. For paddling the competition, David receives a Boating Starter Kit — four life vests, two dock ties and a safety flag — valued at $240, from Connelly.
Rick Martin illustration
MORE OF FEBRUARY’S BEST ENTRIES:
Code Blue
Shiver Me Swimmers
Joules
Wallace Zeins, Glen Head, NY
Nicola Heslip, Auburn, WA
Brandon Dooley, University Place, WA
The Cold Rush Nick Franki, Rochester, NY
Michael McIntire, San Marcos, CA
Mom-and-PopSicle Stand
Ice CU Afloat
SS Sparky
Jenifer Neale, Tampa, FL
Martin Rosen, Atlantic Beach, NY
Bruce James, Woodinville, WA
Cool-Aid
Amboatlance
Sea-lectro Shock Therapy
Goose Bump Brigade
Fiburrrlator
Erik Schumy, Mercer Island, WA
Susan Duink, Sarasota, FL
Phil Ronca, Trappe, PA
Paddle Boat
Nikki Tweet, Long Beach, CA
The Ticker Kicker
Kathi Pugh, Shoreline, WA
Steve Trenish, via BoatingWorld.com
FA S T FAC T S
90%
Percentage of Americans that live within an hour of navigable water Source: TakeMeFishing.org
F A S T F A C T ( L I T E R A L LY ! )
Iceboats typically sail at anywhere from two to 10 times the speed of the wind, depending on sail area, weight, runner length and other factors. Decades old anecdotal but unconfirmed reports say one iceboat reached 137 knots on Lake Geneva in Wisconsin.
6%
Increase in the unit sales of new powerboats in 2017 — about 260,000 powerboats Source: NMMA estimate
BIG NUMBERS
FORT LOUDOUN RESERVOIR
8
652
1940
162
379
14,600
4,190
Distance, in miles, from Fort Loudoun Lake Reservoir at Knoxville, Tenn., to Paducah, Ky.; between is a continuous navigable channel with nine reservoirs
Year construction of the Fort Loudoun Dam, which was completed in 1943, began
Net megawatts of electricity generated daily by the dam
Miles of shoreline around the reservoir
Number of acres of water surface
Number of feet the dam stretches across the Tennessee River
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JUST GO. N E W L A R G E 12- I N C H D I S P L AY
GO SERIES CHARTPLOT TER / FISHFINDER
Bigger, easier, and safer — the new Simrad Go Series allows you to maximize your time on the water. A super-bright touchscreen makes navigation easy, and with the widest choice of maps, radar compatibility, and optional transducer bundles, upgrading to Simrad has never been easier or more affordable.
AVAILABLE IN 5, 7, 9, AND 12-INCH DISPLAYS. Radar available on GO7, 9 and 12
SIMRAD-YACHTING.COM/GO
CURRENTS
Enter Your Dog Now
WIN THIS Dog Vest
S A LT Y D O G O F T H E M O N T H
Dog: Duff Owner: Pete Frazier, Marquette, Mich.
Treasures of the Sea
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
Century Celebration
DiscoverSea Shipwreck Museum (discoversea.com) in Fenwick Island, Del., is a unique establishment where visitors who are curious about sunken treasures can explore the mysteries of the deep without getting a scuba certification. Guests enter through a seashell shop and go upstairs to discover a trove of 10,000 artifacts that mostly come from the lifelong collection of the director of the museum, Dale Clifton. Some highlights of this ever-changing collection include a fake merman, a taxidermy shark, gold bars and a bone from a whale penis.
1. 2. 3. 4.
Chevrolet Centennial Blue custom paint Custom Chevy-badged trailer Chevy Trucks Centennial steering wheel Port and starboard 8-foot Black Blade Power Poles 5. Max 250 hp outboard 6. Lowrance Carbon HDS 12 in bow and helm console
To commemorate its 100th birthday, Chevrolet plans to spend 2018 celebrating in various ways, the most eye-catching of which is a customized Phoenix 21 fishing boat. The 21-foot, 6-inch Chevy 21PHX, packed with Chevy Centennial features, will be available on demand through 2018. Check out some of its features, and visit PhoenixBassBoats.com/chevy21phx to see everything else.
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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
Trailering
Trailer B a lls
The Perfect Hookup Know these 10 things about the trailer ball you depend on to keep your rig safe.
H O O KU P G LOSSA RY 3 TRAILER BALL
BALL DIAMETER
2
RISE
4
12
BALL SHANK
BY CHRIS CASWELL
• A TRAILER BALL SEEMS LIKE such a simple and straightforward piece of equipment, but surprisingly this is where people often go wrong. For starters, you need to know the weight capacity of the trailer receiver (1) mounted on your car. You’ll find the trailer ball rating stamped on the ball. Let’s say you have a 10,000-pound receiver and mount a trailer ball with a 5,000-pound rating. The vehicle’s maximum towing capacity decreases to 5,000 pounds. Ideally, the trailer ball should be rated higher than the gross trailer weight, to avoid overloading issues, but a 3,500-pound ball on a 2,000-pound hitch doesn’t increase the capacity to 3,500 pounds. The maximum towing capacity for the entire rig is always equal to the lowest-rated item in the system. The dimensions of the ball (2) are just as critical, starting with the diameter of the ball — the distance across the center of the ball — and the diameter and
1 TRAILER RECEIVER
The towing rig’s capacity is the equal to the item with the lowest capacity, either the vehicle’s trailer receiver or the towing ball.
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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
TRAILERING
vehicle, which is called “rise.” Some trailers may require more rise for clearance than others, so check this dimension before fitting the trailer ball (3). The trailer coupling should ride far enough above the
length of the shank — the threaded part. The most common size of trailer balls is two inches in diameter, but balls are as small as 1¼ inch (2,000 pounds) and as large as industrial sizes of three inches.
applies to the shank length. Receivers vary in thickness, and the trailer ball shank should protrude below the receiver the equivalent of the trailer nut (and washer) width, plus at least three or four full
Towing capacity is equal to the lowest-rated item. Every trailer has the correct ball size and weight capacity either stamped on the trailer or on an attached plate; heed those numbers. A ball that’s too large won’t fit into the trailer coupling, while a ball that’s too small can pop free and cause a boatload of problems. Every trailer ball has a “base” that lifts the ball away from the receiver on the
receiver that it won’t hit the pavement when the vehicle is going over driveways or down ramps. The diameter of the trailer ball’s shank should closely fit the hole in the receiver (4). A shank that fits loosely will work itself loose. A shank that’s one-sixteenth of an inch smaller than the receiver hole is about right — any more is dangerous. The same
threads, for security. Trailer hitch balls come in a variety of materials (5), which are suitable for various uses and, of course, pocketbooks. The stainless steel trailer ball is right at the top of the price spectrum, but it is rustproof and stands up well to saltwater exposure. Next in popularity is the chrome-plated
TurboSwing is the Ultimate Solution for Watersports Towing with an Outboard Powered Boat
TUBE RATED
• Pull tubes, wakeboarders, waterskiers— virtually all water toys. • Corrosion resistant 316 stainless steel tow bar elevates the tow rope clear of the wake and prop wash • Install it yourself in less than one hour or contact a local TurboSwing dealer • Improves vessel stability, fuel economy and towing power • TurboSwing tow bar can be quickly removed
TURBOSWING.COM/BOATINGWORLD • 855-22-TURBO (855-228-8726) Turboswing Boating World April Art 2018.indd 1 14
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THE BEST OF ALL WORLDS
FUNDECK 236 OB
SUNDECK
SUNDECK SPORT
CENTER CONSOLE
FUNDECK
The FunDeck creates a wake made for fun. The clean, wide hull design generates a unique wave that’s great for all water sports, from tubing to wakeboarding. The FunDeck offers a better sporting experience than triple-tube pontoons that force water through two chambers, creating an unusable wake. Have it all with a Hurricane FunDeck.
THE #1 SELLING DECK BOAT IN THE WORLD
Find your local dealer: www.HurricaneBoats.com
TRAILERING
steel ball. It’s economical, but the chrome will wear off with use and allow rust to form on the ball, which doesn’t reduce the strength of the ball — just put some lubricant on it before use so it doesn’t squeak — but it isn’t pretty. Zinc-coated steel balls are less expensive than stainless and hold up well to salt water, but in time, the zinc also wears off and allows rust. Nickel-plated trailer balls are corrosion resistant but, again, the coating won’t last forever. If you’re concerned about ecology, the nickel-plating method is less harmful to the environment than chrome. For heavy-duty use, a heat-treated or forged-steel trailer ball provides the highest level of strength, and they are often machined for a precise fit on trailer couplers. INSTALLING THE BALL
Fit the shank through the receiver (6),
and don’t forget to fit the lock washer and spin the nut up tight. Some trailer balls have flat spots on the base that allow installers to use a wrench to hold the ball. If not, use a pipe wrench or slip-joint pliers to grip the ball and then use another wrench to tighten the nut on the bottom. Don’t slack when it comes to tightening the trailer ball (7), unless you want to see your trailer pass you on the road. If you or a friend has a torque wrench, tighten the nut to the proper foot pounds. A ¾-inch shank requires 160 foot-pounds; a 1-inch shank needs 250 foot-pounds; a 1¼-inch shank needs 450 foot-pounds; and a 2-inch shank requires 4,550 foot-pounds. Odd sizes do exist (8), and some trailer balls may require a reducer bushing or a sleeve so the shank fits snugly through the hole in the receiver. If these parts are included with your trailer ball, don’t forget to install them properly. Some hitches, such as those from U-Haul,
have longer shanks that extend below the tightened nut. A hole through the shank accepts a cotter pin to prevent the nut from spinning completely off. EXTRAS
Hitch ball grease is available at boat dealers and auto parts stores. Available as a goop the consistency of Vaseline and smeared onto the trailer ball (9), it will allow the coupler to rotate freely and protect the ball from scratching. A trailer ball cover (10) is a plastic snap-on cover that does several things. Least importantly, it cleans up the look of the vehicle when the trailer isn’t attached. More importantly, it keeps grease from washing away when a trailer isn’t hooked up, and it will protect the vehicle’s interior when the receiver is off. And, with the trailer unhooked, the cover keeps knee-high grease stains off anyone’s pants who is unfortunate enough to bump the trailer ball. BW
DISCOVER YOUR INNER EXPLORER
C ut wate r B o at s.co m MADE IN USA 16
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BIG STEREO SOUND
50+ HOURS 30 min.
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FLOATABLE
CONTINUOUS PLAY 360º SOUND ULTRA LOUD LITHIUM-ION BATTERY EZ HOLD HANDLE FITS MOST CUP HOLDERS BLUETOOTH 360º LED LIGHT
FLOATABLE
LINK 2 SPEAKERS
360° LIGHT SOUND
WATERPROOF
1M
V I D E O S
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W O R L D
O F
W A T E R S P O R T S
Watersports
K neeboa rd ing
Flip Tips
Before you start hurling yourself aimlessly upside down through the air, know how to do two things. First, be able to clear the wake and land smoothly on the other wake 99.9 percent of the time. Second, when you jump the wake, be able to keep the rope tight all the way through the landing. This comes from a controlled cut and is the key to an effortless rotation. With a tight rope, the center of rotation of the flip/roll comes from the handle and carries your momentum. If you can do these two things, you may be ready to try the back roll.
Take your kneeboarding up a notch with an easy-to-learn back roll. BY TOM KOHL
•
1|
THE CUT
2|
THE FLIP
STE P
Body position is important. Keep your back straight, shoulders square and elbows at your hips. Make a solid, smooth cut at the wake, just like you would make for a regular wake-to-wake jump. Hold the cut until just before you hit the wake and then back off to a 25 percent cut. Hold your position. Remember: back straight, elbows at your hips.
STE P
KNEEBOARDING IS A GREAT ENTRY-LEVEL sport. It’s easy to get into and the basics are easy to learn, but if you really want to turn some heads and impress the wakeboarders, the back roll is a great first invert to learn. Often referred to as the barrel roll, the back roll is easy to learn, though it took me a while years ago (Note: Kohl is a professional rider sponsored by O’Brien and Sanger Boats), and can open up the next level of wake tricks for any kneeboarder. This roll teaches novice riders the fundamentals of invert tricks that are important to advancing any kneeboarder’s trick arsenal.
The first thing to think about when preparing to throw the back roll is wait! The hardest part about learning this flip is knowing when to throw it. Timing is important, because if you throw too early you will come up short. I have to repeat in my head, “Wait, wait, wait,” as I come up to the wake. If I don’t, I will throw it early every time. At the top of the wake, throw your shoulders to the side, in the direction you want to roll. Keep
FLIPPING OUT
STEP 1: Cut
18
STEP 2: Throwing the Flip
STEP 3: Rotation
STEP 3a: Backroll
STEP 4: Landing
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MAKES ALL OTHER PONTOON BOATS FEEL EXTREMELY INADEQUATE. With all the horsepower — and the power to impress — Manitou provides an incredible combination of high performance and high style. With over 30 years of craftsmanship, our pontoon boats let you part the water, turn on a dime and carve a wake like no other. Beyond acceleration and handling, our patented V-Toon® and twin tube hulls are constructed to be the strongest in the industry. And our impeccable custom styling ensures that heads will turn when you pass others by. All of which is why at Manitou, we believe that when you choose one of our pontoon boats, you’ve landed the highestperforming, best-quality boat in the industry. Period. For more information, visit www.manitoupontoonboats.com.
PA S S I O N . P R E C I S I O N . P E R F O R M A N C E .
W AT E R S P O R T S
your head and neck aligned with your back during this motion, which will keep the roll straight. The back roll is not achieved by throwing your head back or to the side. It is more about throwing your shoulders.
3| ST E P
THE ROTATION
Once you have thrown the flip, there is not much more to do. Gently turn your head and look toward the landing wake. Keep your elbows in to your hips and hold on. Turning your head really fast will spin your rotation and cause you to land sideways or backward. A slow look over your shoulder should suffice.
4| ST E P
THE LANDING
As you are looking over your shoulder, start spotting your landing. Once you spot the landing point, keep your back straight and elbows in, hold on and brace for the landing. If all goes well you should land smoothly on the other side.
WHAT THE FLIP AM I DOING WRONG? Try to avoid four common mistakes other riders make. 1. Flipping Too Early If you come up short and land on top of, or even in the middle of, the wake, you are likely throwing the roll too early. Remind yourself to wait or tell yourself not to throw the roll until you are in the air. That will help get your timing right. 2. Over-rotating Many times this will come with throwing the trick too early. The larger the wake, the less work you have to do to initiate this trick. If you are over-rotating, throw the trick a little softer next time. A little less shoulder throw is all you will need.
3. Under-rotating Not getting all the way around or losing momentum and landing upside down can stem from two things. First, not keeping your back straight. All of your momentum is carried in the shoulders, and keeping your back straight helps throw your weight into the rolling motion. Second, letting off your cut too early or by too much. You need to back off the cut and flatten out, but not completely. Keep resisting the boat’s pull. 4. Cutting too Hard Making too hard of a cut may lead to a landing out in the flats, which could result in a big bounce, a hard crash and a face plant. Remember, elbows at hips, back straight and hold on. This will help keep your center of gravity back so you can ride away from those tough landings. Dial your cut back just a little. BW
Join in the Fun!
United States Power Squadrons is America’s Boating Club Learn boating skills. Engage with boating friends. Connect with the boating community.
Learn more at www.americasboatingclub.org
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Fishing
E ssent ia l K not s
Three Essential Fishing Knots Every angler has a few favorite knots, but these three are fishing must-haves. BY LENNY RUDOW
• AN OLD FISHING ADAGE POSITS that all that stands between an angler and a fish is the line,
but whether or not that line remains attached to a fish is sure to depend on a knot or two. Whether it connects the lure to the leader, the leader to the mainline or the mainline to a piece of terminal tackle, a substandard knot or the wrong knot for the job will result in lost gear, empty coolers and frustrating fish stories. Which knot is best for which job? Opinions differ, but the three must-know knots I cover here are versatile, reliable and relatively easy to learn. Get ready, get set, tie!
1
3
DOUBLE THE LINE
2
OVE RHAN D KNOT
Palomar Knot
•
PA S S T H E LO O P
• •
4
22
PULL UNTIL TIGHT
•
An incredibly fast and easy knot, the Palomar knot retains good strength and, perhaps most importantly, does not slip when tied in braided line. Modern braid lines can slip with many traditional knots — using the old fisherman’s knot, for example, is hopeless — so the Palomar should always be used when attaching a piece of terminal tackle to braided line. STEP 1: Double the line and pass it through the eye or attachment point of the swivel, hook or lure. Be sure to pull through plenty of extra line, as it can be difficult to work with when doubled up. STEP 2: Tie a large overhand knot in the doubled line, leaving the hardware you’re attaching dangling in the middle. STEP 3: Take the tag-end of the doubled line, which now forms a loop, and pass that loop over the hardware. This can be cumbersome, especially in the case of large lures with treble hooks, or long, slender plastic tails. If you have trouble at this stage, try starting over with additional extra line, so you have a larger loop to pass the hardware through. STEP 4: Pull on the tag-end until the knot tightens, then pull on the main line and the hardware to cinch it tight.
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Loop Knot The loop knot is a popular knot utilized to attach a lure directly to a monofilament leader. A loop knot, as opposed to a knot that cinches down tight against the lure’s connection point, gives the lure more freedom of motion, and that, many people believe, gives the lure enhanced action. There’s more than one loop knot out there, but I like the one detailed here, sometimes called the Kreh loop — it was popularized by fishing legend Lefty Kreh — because it’s stronger than most of the others and the tag-end points aft, so it’s not prone to snagging weeds, like some other loop knots.
• • •
STEP 1: Tie a simple overhand knot in the leader several inches above the tag-end of the line, but rather than cinching it tight leave it open and loose. Then pass the tag end of the line through the eye of the lure, turn it back and pass it through the open overhand knot. STEP 2: Bend the tag-end of the line over the main line five times (add an extra twist or two with light lines less than eight-pound test, and subtract a twist for leaders more than 30-pound test), then pass it back through the open overhand knot once more. STEP 3: Lubricate the knot by licking it or otherwise wetting the line, and pull on the main line and the lure to cinch it down. Finally, clip off any excess tag-end.
Double Uni Knot Line-to-leader connections are some of the most difficult to make, and while the double uni (also called the uni-to-uni) isn’t exactly easy as pie to get the hang of, it can be learned with just an hour or two of practice. Relatively speaking, that’s getting off easy. The downside to this knot is that it is fairly thick, and if the tag-ends aren’t trimmed down to the quick, it may pass roughly through the guides of a fishing rod and cut casting distance a bit. That said, it’s incredibly strong and reliable, and countless anglers depend on the double uni to make their line-to-leader junction.
1
FORM LOOPS
2
WRAP THE ENDS
3
TIGHTEN UP
4
PULL TIGHT
• •
STEP 1: Lay the two lines side by side with the ends overlapping by a foot or so, and then form a loop with each tag-end. STEP 2: Wrap the tag ends of each, one at a time, around both lines while going through the loops you just made. Use five to seven wraps (more for lighter line, fewer for heavier line). Terminate the wraps by pulling the tag-ends out through the loops, away from each other.
1
2
3
OVE RHAN D
BEND
CINCH IT
LOOP
5 TIMES
DOWN
• •
STEP 3: Lubricate the line; then, tugging on the tag-ends, carefully tighten up each knot, one at a time. STEP 4: Grasp the lines on either side of the knots and pull until the two knots bump up against each other in the middle. Then cinch everything down tight and clip off the tag-ends. BW
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Engines
Com m ission ing M ista kes
Avoid Spring Engine Issues What boat owners do to their engine in the late fall has tremendous impact on what their engine does to them in the spring. BY GRID MICHAL
• EVERY SPRING FOR THE LAST umpteen I’ve been as excited as a little girl getting a new Easter dress: this is the year the summer folk fund my 401(k)! Apparently they haven’t gotten the word yet, as every year I learn another synonym for empty: nada, zilch, zero. If I were smart I’d take the money I earn writing about them and invest it in my 401(k), which should tell you my cornbread ain’t baked in the middle just yet. The steering system, the fuel system and the batteries are three areas of potential trouble when spring rolls around, usually because of something that was done — or, more likely, not done — last winter. See if any of these conversations sounds familiar, and then read how to avoid having them next year.
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MISTAKE #1
What the owner says: My son-in-law is here to celebrate his master’s degree in engineering, and we thought we’d check over the boat before taking it for a spring cruise. Right off the bat the steering felt funny.
What the tech hears: The steering has been getting stiffer the last few years and would hardly turn this spring. We sprayed lubrication on that shiny arm and gave the steering wheel a good yank. There was a funny sound, and now the wheel turns but the engine doesn’t.
What the tech says: Funny sounds are best reserved for the comedy channel. What’s happened is over the years rust has built up in the steering/tilt tube and clamped down on that shiny piece, also known as a ram. When you cranked
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ENGINES
STEERING RAM
T I LT TUBE STEERING WHEEL
MISTAKE #3 STEERING CABLE
The Steering System
Steering trouble doesn’t always begin with the steering wheel. Problems could begin with the tilt tube at the back of the boat.
the steering wheel with strength, the gears in the helm (under the dash) couldn’t accomplish what you wanted and broke the teeth — the funny sound you heard.
What the tech makes certain the owner understands: This repair will be either really expensive or half-expensive, depending on examination. If the helm is removed and the cable, once extracted, shows no damage to its spirals, then the cable is probably OK, depending on what the tech sees at the transom. At that point, the ram has to be tapped back out of the tilt tube, the tube ground clean and the ram reinstalled. The helm will have to be replaced. Where that yank on the wheel gets expensive is if there is no access to the cable end at the engine to tap it free and the boat has to be “on the hard” to remove the engine for the repair. Add the probability of replacing the entire cable without knowing how the hull was built and steering cable run from console to engine, and that “yank” just became really expensive. Hopefully there won’t be a “next time,” and you’ll ensure that rust doesn’t have the opportunity to infest the steering/ tilt tube, but reassembly will include notes to help the next tech. To paraphrase, “Money saved is money burned.” 26
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of the “understood, unstated” parts. Now the fuel tank needs to be pumped to remove the trashy gas and the winter’s rain, the water-separator canisters need to be changed at least twice, the engine fuel filters need to be changed, and the complete engine fuel system needs to be disassembled and cleaned. “Money saved is money burned.”
MISTAKE #2
What the owner says: We started the engine as usual, let it warm up, put it in gear and it quit. I followed the winterization process to the letter last fall and didn’t expect this to happen.
What the tech hears: I went online and found 27 YouTube videos that explained in excruciating detail how to winterize an engine. Before my eyes glazed over from too much information, I was able to completely fill the fuel tank with stabilized fuel, which included the remnants of the rusty cans I used for the yard tractors, ran it until warm, fogged through the intake, and finally squirted oil into the cylinders through the spark plug holes.
What the tech makes sure the owner understands: None of the YouTube videos said to reinstall the gas fill cap, so he didn’t. He should have. None of the YouTube videos insisted the owner use fresh, treated fuel in lieu of rusty year-old fuel/water/whatever mix in the available cans, so he didn’t. He should have. In this case the winterizing procedure was followed, with the exception
What the owner says: I replaced both batteries this weekend and the engine will tilt slowly, but the starter won’t crank the engine over. All the dash items work, though.
What the tech hears: I removed the cables without counting how many went where, and I reinstalled the same corroded cable ends. Well, all but one, but could that really create this problem?
What the tech makes certain the owner understands: When the owner changes the batteries, if he has five small wires and two large cables going to a post, each of those ends must be shiny-clean before installing them on the new battery, and the same number of cable ends need to be placed back on where they came off the old battery. Simply tie-wrap the bundle before removal and it’ll be ready to reinstall, all clean and with the proper count. The confines of a bilge or battery area force some things to be done by feel. Not counting cables generated this problem when the main ground cable from the engine dropped behind the battery boxes. There was enough ground available through the accessories to induce a feeling of euphoria, but not enough to get out on the water until the owner found the errant cable, installed it and returned the unused, new starter he’d purchased. “Money saved is money burned.” It’s a shame it’s so expensive to learn DIY lessons. But if it weren’t expensive, would you remember? BW
BOATINGWORLD.COM
3/2/18 12:56 PM
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D.I.Y. M a n ifold & R iser Replacem ent The water passages on this 3-year-old riser (1) were getting clogged. Label which side a part comes from — in this case, a corroded manifold (2) — in case you can reuse it. Old bolts with the heads cut off are used as guides to hold the gasket and manifold in place (3) while installing the other bolts. Slide the new gasket onto the guide bolts (4). Seat the manifold and install the bolts (5). Preassemble the hose, exhaust elbow, bellows and clamps (left) before installing each riser, and with the clamps still loose, put the riser in place to see if it will seat properly (6). Use a torque wrench, set to manufacturer’s specs, to properly tighten the bolts (7).
Maintain the Exhaust System Clogged risers and exhaust manifolds can put your engine at risk, so replace them. BY G LE NN DI R ADO
• NEGLECTING THE EXHAUST SYSTEM ON a gasoline inboard-powered boat can be a costly
mistake. It can lead to overheating, engine failure and, worst case, sinking. Therefore, it’s important to pay close attention to the cooling system’s exhaust manifolds and risers, which are more prone to failure than other components of the motor. I had repowered my 1996 Davis Boats Cortez 22 with a Volvo Penta 5.7 V-8 300, and after almost three years — about 415 hours — I noticed some weeping rust and salt deposits at the manifold/riser gasket connection. I also noticed a five-degree increase in engine operating temperature at cruise rpm, which signaled something was amiss, so I removed the risers to see what was going on. Even though they were only a few years old, they had a substantial amount of blockage in the water jackets. I was surprised. The manifolds were clear as far as the water jackets were concerned, but the gasket surface was deteriorated beyond the allowable amount for resurfacing. It was time to replace those parts. After getting a quote of more than $3,000 from my dealership for the job, I decided to tackle it myself, which ended up saving me more than $1,000. Tearing down a boat’s exhaust system is a fairly easy process. I don’t advise doing it when the boat is in the water; it needs to be hauled. First, locate the drain plug at the bottom of each manifold and drain the system. To keep rusty water out of the bilge, use a container to catch the water. Next, loosen the hose clamps at the bottom of the rubber bellows where
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they attach to the exhaust pipe that comes off the transom shield. Remove the four bolts on the top of the risers, disconnect any small water lines and sending unit wires, and lift the assembly off. The bolts came off pretty easily on my boat, but if they don’t cooperate, spray them with a penetrating oil such as Liquid Wrench. It would be unwise to snap the bolts off by using too much force. Removing the manifolds is even easier. My application had one water line that needed to be removed and six bolts that affixed each manifold to the cylinder head. The manifolds are heavy, so enlist help if you need it. The most tedious part of this replacement is the cleanup of the cylinder head gasket surface. Stuff some shop towels in the ports to keep debris out, and use a stiff putty knife to scrape off the old gasket, but be careful not to gouge the surface. Brushing on some kerosene will help soften stubborn residue. To get the surface clean and smooth, use a “no hole” 1-2-3 machinist block with 120-grit pressure-sensitive adhesive-backed sandpaper trimmed to the edges of the block with a razor blade. Sand evenly, not dwelling in any one spot too long. Sold in pairs, 1-2-3 blocks can be purchased on Amazon for less than $20 and come in handy for many other projects. I ran the appropriately sized tap through
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ITEMS NEEDED
1
Manifolds and risers, bolts and gaskets, $2,000 Socket wrench Torque wrench
Screwdriver
Paint scraper
Liquid Wrench
Hoses (if necessary)
2
3
5
the bolt holes to clean out any debris and threaded in the new bolts to check that they were running free. Then I began the new manifold installation. Here’s a trick I used: I took two of the old manifold bolts, cut the heads off and threaded two of them in the outside bolt holes. Doing so gave me a guide to easily slide the new gasket and manifold into place without a struggle. Once you’re this far, install the other four bolts, remove the cut ones and install the last two. Torque the bolts down according to your engine manufacturer’s torque sequence and values. Reconnect the water line, and the manifold
4
6
installation is complete. The riser needs to be installed as a complete assembly, with the riser casting, the short section of exhaust hose, the elbow and the bellows all put together. If any rubber part looks worn or damaged, replace it. Leave the hose clamps loose, so you can manipulate the position of the riser assembly and install it on the exhaust pipe for a trial fit, making sure the riser sits flat on the manifold gasket surface. Remove the assembly and once again take two of the old bolts and cut them just long enough to extend one-half inch above the riser flange when they are threaded into the manifold. Lay the riser
7
gasket over the bolts. This will hold the gasket in position as you seat the riser. Install the riser assembly and install the new bolts, again using the manufacturer’s torque sequence and values. Tighten all the hose clamps and reconnect any water lines and sending wires. Make sure to first test your work on land, not while the boat’s in the water. Hook up a hose, start the engine, check for leaks and make sure a good flow is coming out of the exhaust, which is usually out of the prop hub. Make sure to re-torque all the bolts after each of the next few trips, because the gaskets will compress a bit. BW
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Bonehead Blunders
BONEHEAD SCALE:
By G rid M ich a l
1 Acceptably assinine
2 3 Slightly slow Distinguished dunce
Epiphany, 3 a.m. BONEHEAD BLUNDER: Forgetting the basics THE BONEHEAD: Me, no getting around it BONEHEAD RATING: 5+5 WHAT HAPPENED: When I started working on outboard engines in 1958, they were in perfect tune when they’d burn three quarts of fuel per gallon in the tank, and dump one quart on the water. A “Cruise-a-Day” tank brought “day” down to a few minutes. For a decade I pulled flywheels, changed points and condensers and coils. In ’68 there was a sudden shift to a version of electronic ignition, combining points and condensers and an amplifier — kind of an electronic supercharger. Because the things folks learn in tech schools don’t generally occur 10 minutes after they get a certificate, most of them wallow
4 Massively moronic
5 Seek mental help
along in the trappings of their previous life until something happens to an engine to bring them to the next level of expertise … that they studied five years ago! So I’ve always been a proponent of repetitive school attendance, and accepting the increased involvement of electronic ignitions and computers while building on the basics of points and condensers. Three weeks ago a young man and his dad pulled up in front of the house with a classic 18-foot Barbour and matching 1961 Evinrude 75 hp Electramatic (electric shift, 50-year-older technology than the “new” BRP G2s). He’d just lovingly restored the Barbour (no, his last name wasn’t Seville) and somebody had told him I was the only one around old enough to know what he was doing on these engines. Left-handed compliment or ego-boost? Whichever, the only logical response was, “Hell yes, I can get ’er going like new!” Enter the Engine From Hell, v4.0 for 2017. With enough money, virtually anything can be repaired, but this engine tested the limits: all broken mounting bushings, broken steering, rotten engine harnesses, broken thermostat housing, different colored wires now faded into one color. I blended in a Yamaha harness, then discovered I haven’t the faintest idea what I did with the wiring diagram book I’ve had since ’58. My 72-year-old eyes were attempting to decipher a bunch of tiny black lines from a generic schematic. I finally found a schematic with colors online and wired the harness properly. The engine fired off immediately, ran in the test tank for not quite a minute and quit. No spark. It was time for an attitude change — its, not mine. It defied me. We were dealing with prehistoric electronics here, so how broken could it be? I took the complete junction box apart and did a beautiful job rewiring it. The external resistor coil was hot, so I got an internal resistor coil. Still no spark. This is not rocket science, guys! Two days looking for spark. As I lay in bed with a basic engine wiring system in my head, I thought, how does it work? The points open and close, grounding to the coil in between openings. OMG. At 0300 I went out to the boat by flashlight and removed the distributor cap. I turned the flywheel by hand. The points remained closed. I set the flashlight down, reset the points to the cam and spun it over by the ignition switch. I could have fried chicken on the spark. Obviously a gremlin came in the middle of the night and loosened the screws holding down the points, allowing them to stay closed and ground out the coil. When daylight came, I ran the engine about 10 minutes, no problems. Again, accept that we are moving into electronic fields (good one, huh?) where we never expected to be but are still working with archaic ignition systems. In order to know why we have the former, we have to know how to deal with the latter. LESSON LEARNED: I typed up everything I did to that engine and put it in a binder, which I promptly misplaced. Have I learned my lesson? Which one? How points and condensers work, or how to not put papers down on the kitchen table? BW
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Gear 1.
St u f f You Wa nt
VHF Radio
$159.99, westmarine.com A reliable VHF radio is a necessity. The VHF595 Fixed-Mount Submersible VHF radio from West Marine comes with a variety of features, including a microphone with channel buttons and a submersible design that withstands wind-driven spray and splashes. The large, backlit, full dot-matrix LCD display provides easy viewing for all the important information, and to receive calls.
2.
1
Sand-free Mat
$59.99, cgear-sandfree.com The most problematic part of dropping anchor for a day at the beach is tracking sand onto the boat at the end of the day. CGear’s Quicksand Mat uses an innovative ground sheet whose dual-layer weave is durable and porous. Fine sand falls off passengers’ feet, slips through the top layer and can’t come back up. Measuring about six-and-a-half-feet square, the mat has a dual-layer weave that is resilient and was developed with a UV stabilizer to prevent fading.
3.
Polarized Sunglasses
3
3
$249, costadelmar.com
Costa introduced a stylish new model to its arsenal of performance eyewear. Reefton is a contemporary frame with a myriad of color combo choices. These lightweight frames are designed to be comfortable to wear for long periods of time, such as during a daylong fishing outing. Polarized glass lenses protect anglers’ eyes and make it easier to see through the water surface glare.
4.
2
4
Fabric Shield
$20.95 for 32 ounces, iosso.com Modern outdoor fabrics still need to be protected from dirt, grime, oil, mildew, bird droppings and other environmental contaminants. Iosso Water Repellent forms an invisible shield that safeguards WeatherMAX, Sunbrella and other solution-dyed acrylics, keeping them looking their best. It’s also effective on leather, vinyl, canvas, and laminated or coated materials. The unique formula mimics the fabric’s original finish, in both look and feel.
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SUBMIT YOUR GEAR TO STEPHANIE@BOATINGWORLD.COM
5.
On a boat, space and time are precious commodities. Professional-grade SMC (Serious Multipurpose Cleaner) from Shurhold Industries can handle a long list of cleaning chores. It’s a powerful degreaser and stain remover that contains no bleach, so it’s safe on a wide range of surfaces. Since it leaves no residue, SMC can serve as a pre-wax cleaner. To use, simply spray on and wipe off, and for tougher stains, let the solution stand three minutes before wiping.
6
5
Multipurpose Cleaner
$29.98, shurhold.com
6.
Fire Extinguisher
$39.99, kidde.com
In an unexpected fire emergency, it’s even more critical to have the right fire protection at hand when boating. The Mariner 110 Fire Extinguisher is suitable for use on Class A (trash, wood and paper), Class B (liquids and gases) and Class C (energized electrical equipment) fires. Fitted with a pressure gauge that provides at-aglance status, the Mariner 110 is manufactured from lightweight aluminum. When fitted to the supplied mounting bracket, it is Coast Guard approved.
7.
Datrex’s DX0100M Lifering Ropebag includes 100 feet of 3/8-inch yellow floating polypropylene rope with a break strength of at least 1,124 pounds (5 KiloNewtons). The high-visibility bag holds the coiled rope in a constant state of readiness and its handle serves as a hanger and as a convenient grab point during use. As a bonus, the bag and rope are both reusable.
7
8. 8
Rope Bag
$45, datrex.com
Dock Box
$799, dockbox.com For serious and secure dock storage space, Better Way Products’ Model 625 Xlarge Dock Box offers 13 cubic feet of interior space, enough to hold rod cases and even long, extendable boat hooks. The dock box is manufactured in the U.S. from high-quality fiberglass and a UV-resistant gelcoat exterior. Sandwich core construction gives the bench-like lid strength, and corrosionresistant steel is used in the lockable latches, piano hinges and cable stays, which are secured with oversized, rustproof rivets. It’s available in white, gray or tan.
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Ask the Experts
Q
+A
THROUGH-HULLS
Lighting Illumination
Q I’m thinking about installing a couple of through-hull style underwater lights on my transom. What are the biggest risks in doing this? Darren M., via BoatingWorld.com
The biggest risk from a hole-drilling perspective would be the possibility of water intrusion into your transom. You didn’t state the make or model of boat you have, but chances are good the transom is cored. Cored construction simply means there’s an inner and outer skin of fiberglass sandwiching another material (e.g., end-grain balsa, marine-grade
plywood, or maybe one of the more hightech foam variations). Due to compression loads and strength requirements, your transom is likely cored with plywood. The golden rule concerning cored construction is to maintain waterproof integrity in order to prevent moisture from entering the core and causing trouble, particularly with plywood. Wet wood coring can rot, allowing the transom to separate, drastically reducing structural integrity. You’ll want to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing your new lights, but in general, whenever you drill through a cored panel be sure to properly seal the exposed edge of the coring to prevent water entry. One way to do this is by coating the exposed coring with epoxy. You’ll also want to bed (caulk) the lights with a good quality marine-grade caulk, again as directed by the installation instructions. Finally, if you like underwater lighting but not the idea of drilling holes in your boat, there are a few other options. The Hurley Drain Plug Light is designed to screw into your garboard drain, eliminating the need for an additional hole. The manufacturer’s Sea-Vue lights can be mounted on trim tab units and requires only a one-quarter-inch hole through the transom above the waterline for the power cable. — FL
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
3/2/18 12:52 PM
Fish & Cruise The 206CC is part of the STINGRAY deck boat line, but the versatility of this center console model has many labeling it as the ultimate fish and cruise package.
With seating for up to nine passengers, storage throughout, and a changing compartment that can be upgraded with an optional porta potti, the 206CC is ready for a full day of fun with family and friends! 206CC Deck Boat 20’ 1” | 100” beam | 2700 lbs (w/ popular engine) | 46 gal fuel capacity | 9 ppl, 2400 lbs
ASK THE EXPERTS
B O AT B U Y I N G
Aluminum vs. Fiberglass Q I’m planning on buying a boat for
fishing but I’m not sure whether to go for aluminum or fiberglass and what features to look for. Is one better for a kind of species and location, and how do I get my kids involved? Ken K., via BoatingWorld.com
It used to be that if you wanted a lightweight, affordable freshwater fish boat, you went with aluminum, while fiberglass offered a better finish and performance for fast coastal trips. But the differences are growing fuzzy as both types evolve. The Minneapolis Boat Show, arguably the bellwether of all things related to fishing and pontoon boats, this year highlighted hybrid boats that can do it all. Manufacturers are touting stability and riding surface, multispecies fishing capability, flashy colors and high-end finishes,
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more deck space, versatile seating options, enhanced electronics and lockable stowage for rods of various sizes. Anglers will be happy to know that regardless of hull material, most boats are growing wider and more stable. Chined hulls and pad running surfaces are improving handling and providing better rough-water rides. Take, for example, the aluminum Crestliner 1750 Bass Hawk, which has a variable-degree deadrise that provides a steadier ride in bigger water. It has a 28-gallon livewell, spacious raised bow and stern casting decks, and an illuminated, lockable center bow rod storage space that holds 15 rods up to eight feet. Aluminum boats are also going higher tech. Lund’s Impact XS takes it up a notch with a VesselView glass dash that replaces gauges and provides a sleeker techie aesthetic. Meanwhile, on the fiberglass front, Skeeter’s WX2060, with its React Keel, provides excellent slow-speed control and
handling. The keel design resists cross winds and currents, keeps the boat on its line, and creates harmony between a big-water ride in rough conditions and precise handling at fishing speeds. On another front, Yamaha has the family thing down pat. Its fiberglass 210 FSH center console bills itself as a family sports hybrid jetboat. The dual engines and driveline are housed in the hull underneath the captain’s leaning post, so it’s a 360-degree fishing machine with fewer snag points but also provides a ladder at the transom for easy boarding after swimming or tubing. If you want your kids to join in, give them more to do while out on the water, and if you can fish for a while and then go tubing, then you have a better chance at prying them away from their phones. All these boats now have innovative popup, pedestal and hideaway seating, and built-in coolers to keep beverages — and the catch — cold. Today’s aluminum and fiberglass center consoles do double and
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triple duty. The tradeoffs are cost and weight, but once you know your upper limits for those two, the sky’s the limit. — ZP STORAGE
Too Humid?
Q I was talking to someone about storing boats and he recommended that I store my boat with a dehumidifier in it anytime it is not being used. My boat is kept at the marina. Is this a good idea? If so, what would you recommend? I have a 2016 Yahama AR192. Daniel Jones, via BoatingWorld.com
As the Yamaha AR192 is an open boat with no cabin and minimal storage lockers, the only possible reason I can assume you would even remotely need a dehumidifier would be if the boat is stored with a full cover. Even then, concerns such as mold and excessive moisture should not be an issue as long as the cover provides adequate ventilation and there are no leaks or water
in the bilges. Moisture and stagnant air are primary causes of mold growth. If mold and moisture are still a concern, I’d recommend adding one or two chemical dehumidifiers, which use calcium chloride to absorb the moisture and then direct it to a holding bag or tub. They’re safe, inexpensive and easy to use. — FL I/OS
Discordant Drive
Q I pulled my MerCruiser-powered Mariah outside so I could check it over. The first thing I noted was the Alpha One drive was stuck in the up position and wasn’t moving either direction, though I could hear the tilt motor trying. What can I do? Kerry P., via BoatingWorld.com
Have somebody like me, 6 feet, 4 inches tall, 295 pounds, place most of his weight on the drive unit, then you press Down. The drive should — if you remembered to
remove the chocks — go down. Get Ben off the drive unit. Press Up. The drive should go up. Its next trip up should go more normally. That, however, doesn’t alleviate the problem’s origin, which are those pesky ram caps. The primary problem is that the ram cap begins weeping a tiny bit of water by the orifice and pretty soon it corrodes, or etches, the ram. Then it locks itself where you left it. You can do this the messy way, or the really messy way, but the cylinders need to be removed. First the drive unit needs to be raised and stabilized on a large block, surrounded by oil-soaking pads. Messy: disconnect the hydraulic lines, the caps and the threaded cross pin that holds the ram end. Try to remove the entire chrome shaft (that’s the easy way). Since the ram is relatively inexpensive and the old one had damaged the chrome shaft anyway, reverse the process and install the new. Really messy: as above, but individual part disassembly. — GM
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F O R M U L A 3 3 0 C B R // B Y A L A N J O N E S
Crossing Over Formula’s new 330 CBR is an outboard-powered bowrider that holds a hidden surprise. • BUYERS LOOKING FOR LARGER BOATS can be deeply conflicted. For most of them, a dayboat
is the most practical choice, but the desire to have a boat they can spend weekends on is really strong. Which dream do they have to give up? Formula’s new outboard-powered 330 CBR can accommodate both … in comfort and style. UNIQUE FACTOR
Formula introduced its 330 Crossover Bowrider (CBR) a couple of years ago, and I was impressed by its versatility. It featured a pair of 380 hp MerCruiser sterndrives that gave it sporty performance. Unfortunately for boaters who are partial to outboards, they weren’t an option then. But for model year 2018, Formula is offering the 330 CBR with either twin sterndrives or triple outboards. Our test boat featured the latter: three Mercury Verado 300s. The outboard power trend is red hot these days, fueled by many coastal boaters who prefer them for a variety of reasons, including being able to trim them out of the water when they aren’t in use, to keep growth from accumulating, and the ability to quickly change one out if there’s an issue or an owner just wants to upgrade or update. The trend toward outboards is borne out by U.S. sales numbers. In 2012, 127,981 outboard-powered boats were sold. In 2016, that number had grown to 165,435. Many companies that converted their sterndrive boats to outboard power didn’t change anything except the power choice. But being performance oriented, Formula’s
designers, headed by John Adams, knew that wouldn’t fly. Usually, the biggest casualty is the swim platform, where outboards
The best attribute of the 330 CBR is its versatility. tend to intrude where sterndrives don’t. Formula’s platform remains the same size, however, thanks to the Armstrong brackets used to mount the engines. The hull bottom was also tweaked to deliver the
best performance possible, which showed up in our test numbers. PERFORMANCE
The Formula 330 CBR stretches to 34 feet, 7 inches, including the extended swim platform, and weighs around 12,500 pounds, which is a substantial load. It has 21 degrees of deadrise at the stern, so it’s plowing a pretty deep furrow when it’s on plane. But like dogs that don’t seem to understand their relative size when confronting another, the 330 CBR apparently thinks it’s a smaller boat, based on its performance numbers and handling characteristics. The weight differential between two 8.2L MerCruisers (2,244 pounds) and three Mercury Verado outboards (2,004 pounds) wasn’t huge, and it showed out of the hole. The outboard version got on plane in five seconds flat, with the sterndrive model just behind at 5.1 seconds and showing a bit more bowrise. And the top speeds were surprisingly close, despite the sterndrive version’s 760 hp vs. the outboard version’s 900 hp. The outboard was 2 mph faster, at 54 mph. Perhaps the drag of three lower units, compared to two, kept it close. But the largest differential
Triple Mercury Verado 300 hp outboards show their value over twin sterndrives in the mid-range, beating their I/O brethren by about two and a half seconds from zero to 30 mph, despite being nearly even to plane.
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OWN E R FE E D BACK
was the 0-30 mph test: 6.8 seconds for the OB vs. 9.2 for the I/O. Credit the Verado’s supercharger, which delivers a sustained kick in the rear end during acceleration and translates to the 330 CBR’s amazing midrange sprightliness. Another assist goes to the Active Trim system on the outboard version, which automatically trims out the outboards for optimum performance. HANDLING
P U R C H A S E D B Y T E R R Y A N D D AW N S W O P E , KINGSVILLE, MO. PURCH A SED AT FORMUL A BOAT S OF MISSOURI, OSAGE BE ACH, MO. W H AT W E L IK ED
Beautiful styling/Incredible attention to detail/Roomy bow section/Large cabin/ Hull stability and performance W H AT W E WOUL D CH A NGE
In retrospect, we wish we had gotten the generator and air conditioning. WHY WE BOUGHT IT
My wife and I have been into racing motorcycles and cars, but this is our first boat. We bought a condo on Lake of the Ozarks, so we needed a boat. We researched for about a year and narrowed it down to three brands, but in the end it was the quality of Formula that really stood out. We have two grown kids, eight grandkids and three great-grandkids, so we wanted a boat that was comfortable and roomy enough for everyone. The 330 CBR is a beautiful boat that always draws attention, and its fit and finish are fantastic. We use it as a dayboat, but having the cabin for the little ones when they get tired is a real bonus. Lake of the Ozarks is an amazing place and in addition to attending events such as The Shootout, we love to “cove out,” as they call it here, and drop anchor in one of the many coves and swim with the kids while listening to the stereo. We even visited the factory and were greeted by the company president. They sent us daily photos of our custom boat as it progressed down the line.
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Some boaters moving up from a sub-30-footer might be intimidated by the 330 CBR’s size, which includes a wide-track 10-foot, 3-inch beam, especially maneuvering around other boats at the marina. But the addition of Mercury’s Joystick Piloting for Outboards, which comes standard, means the average 10-year-old video gamer could dock it — could, not should. The joystick takes the confusion out of controlling three outboards and allows drivers to FORMULA 330 CBR walk it directly sideways into a congested dock with precision. Length 34 ft., 7 in. One issue we noted with the sterndrive version of the 330 Beam 10 ft., 3 in. CBR was its propensity to porpoise while it spooled up, requiring Deadrise 21 degrees the driver to back off the throttle slightly and trim down before Capacity Yacht certified continuing the climb to top speed. That wasn’t an issue with the Dry Weight (hull) outboard version, perhaps attributable to its Active Trim system, 12,500 lbs. which, when engaged, keeps the boat at the proper running Fuel Capacity 151 gal. attitude. It even trimmed down quickly and efficiently when I Max HP 900 cranked it into a hard turn. PERFORMANCE
Peak 54.0 mph/ 6400 rpm/94 dBA
BEST USES
The best attribute of the 330 CBR is its versatility. The giant bowrider has plenty of lounging and sitting space, and because 4500 rpm/85 dBA it’s yacht certified, the number of guests is limited only by the Time to Plane 5.0 sec. number of life jackets aboard — and good judgment. Passengers Time to 30 mph 6.8 sec. in the bowriding section can hold their own party thanks to an POWER abundance of seating that’s made more flexible by removable seat Test Triple Mercury bottoms for feet-on-the-deck occupants and filler cushions for Verado 300 hp four-strokes those wanting to stretch out. A huge bi-fold table makes a great place for formal dining or snacks. Cylinders Inline 6 Lots of larger boats have two-level cockpits, which can cause Displacement 2.6L passengers to stumble, but the 330 CBR’s deck is all on one plane. Weight w/outdrive 668 lbs. For seating, the doublewide helm has twin reversible backrests that adjoin a small L-seating group that provides another dining WOT Range 5800-6400 rpm venue with the addition of a removable table shaped like a slice Base Price w/test power of pie. The cockpit table can be repositioned to port to service the $348,900 larger L-seating group. Just in front of this group is a compact entertainment center for food and drink prep that can be optioned with a pullout drawer refrigerator ($2,395). On the hook, a giant stern sunpad with a reversible backrest accommodates loungers. Most bowriders have dual consoles with a centerline walkthrough, but this boat has one large console — access to the bow is to port — that contains a surprising feature: a cabin for two with an adjoining standup head compartment that includes a shower and a VacuFlush Cruise 37.7 mph/
Value-Added Standard Features: Mercury Joystick for Outboards, Raymarine eS78 chartplotter, extended swim platform, 22 stainless steel cupholders, two-speaker Clarion Bluetooth stereo
Must-Have Options: Hardtop w/retractable fabric sunroof, windlass w/chain rode and stainless steel anchor, 5 kw generator, air conditioning, Sure Shade retractable awning, radar arch, upgraded stereo
Builder: Thunderbird Products, formulaboats.com Financing: $2,503/month w/15% down and 6% interest for 15 years
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(Clockwise from top) The 330’s helm puts everything within easy reach. The weekendworthy cabin can be air conditioned. The wide helm seat has two independently articulating backrests. The huge bow section can host a party of its own.
commode. This is no cubby hole for kid timeouts; rather, it’s a weekend-worthy refuge that can be air conditioned ($6,300) out on the water with the addition of a 5 kw low-CO emissions Westerbeke generator ($18,130). There’s even a galley with a Corian countertop and a microwave oven. To prepare more elaborate meals, a transom-mounted infrared gas grill is a $1,600 option. PREFERRED SETUP
No one is likely to see two identical 330 CBR boats on the water. Credit for that goes to the recently developed Formula Flex program, which gives buyers the ability to mix and match among the standard 30 color possibilities in the Formula Axalta Paint Library. If that isn’t enough, the MyWay option program gives buyers access to a staggering 1,341 colors in the Pantone Matching System and thousands of available colors from automakers worldwide. Not counting the eight choices of Ultraleather upholstery, eight choices of drapes and pillows, and four choices of flooring — all standard — there is a wide range of options for customization. Our test boat had the hardtop option ($31,690), which really changed the feel of the boat thanks to a retractable fabric sunroof and four lighted speakers. It also had the SureShade option ($10,625), which protects cockpit dwellers from the sun with the push of a button. If weekending is on the agenda, the cabin can be equipped with a TV, a Blu-ray disc player, Wi-Fi, an antenna and cable connection, for $3,355. The stylish helm — it has a handstitched dash — comes equipped with a Raymarine eS78 widescreen chartplotter that can be upgraded to an Axiom Pro 9 S chartplotter with sonar, for $2,195. One no-brainer option is the JL Audio stereo system with a subwoofer and lighted speakers, for $1,570. BW BOATINGWORLD.COM APRIL 2018
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G 3 A N G L E R V 1 9 F // B Y A L A N J O N E S
Multitasker Basser Who’s ready to fish for whatever, whenever? The G3 Angler V19F is. • MOST ANGLERS I know aren’t snobs. To paraphrase Will Rogers, they never met a fish they didn’t like. Anyone whose goal is action — any action — needs a boat that can handle a variety of situations and places, ranging from ponds to the Great Lakes. G3’s new Angler V19F makes it easy to go for catfish one day, bass the next and then head out for walleye over the weekend.
UNIQUE FACTOR
One trait that gives a boat the aptitude to chase many different kinds of fish is its ability to store a wide variety of fishing tackle and rods. To this end, the Angler V19F is loaded with storage, despite being less than 20 feet long. All nine of its compartments are lockable, so owners who take their show on the road won’t have to bring everything in for the night. Anglers might have a difficult time waking up for work, but on fishing days they want to be on the water as the sun’s coming up, so having their gear locked and loaded means they can grab their thermos of coffee and get rolling. Set into the front deck are four storage compartments; a giant tournament-style centerline rod locker can hold rods up to 8 feet long and protect their rod tips with tubes. Even with a full complement of rods there is still plenty of room for tackle boxes, making the compartment a one-stop “shopping” center for gear. For most fish species nothing beats live bait, and the Angler V19F has plenty of holding capacity. Up front, set into the deck on the port side, is a 15-gallon baitwell that’s within easy leaning range of an angler sitting on a pedestal seat. But in the stern is a veritable Jacuzzi in the form of 42
a 35-gallon well that will corral the day’s catch. A bait bucket to port of the livewell will hold live ammunition. PERFORMANCE
One of the best characteristics of an aluminum boat is its mad power-to-weight ratio. The Angler V19F’s hull weighs just 1,780 pounds, so when it’s equipped with an engine such as Yamaha’s V MAX SHO 175, it features about 1 hp for every 10 pounds of dry hull weight. And the four-cylinder Yamaha is no ordinary outboard. Developed to surpass the performance
The V MAX SHO 175/V19F combination is a potent one. of two-strokes in the bass-boat market, the V MAX SHO line is optimized for quick acceleration and more torque by changes to the intake, exhaust and engine mapping. The original models were only available with 20-inch shafts that bass boats use, but their popularity on all platforms has led to the addition of 25-inch-shaft versions on select models, which is happy news for owners of the V19F, which requires a
25-inch shaft. The 175 features an inline 2.8L block and weighs 489 pounds. The V19F is rated to 200 hp, but the 4.2L V-6 200 hp V MAX SHO, which only weighs 505 pounds, isn’t an option, because it’s only available with a 20-inch shaft. What about other outboard brands? Forget it: G3 is a Yamaha-owned company. The V MAX SHO 175/V19F combination is a potent one. During our test on Table Rock Lake, near Branson, Mo., the G3 reached plane in 2.4 seconds with moderate, but very brief, bowrise. Its time to 30 mph was an impressive five seconds flat. The rapid acceleration continued all the way to a top end of 48.5 mph (Yamaha got 50 mph during its test). Another performance factoid from Yamaha’s Performance Bulletin was this rig’s fuel economy at its max econo-cruise speed of 22.7 mph. While the motor loafed along at 3000 rpm, it burned only 3.3 gph, which netted it nearly 7 mpg. And with a generous 40-gallon fuel tank, range isn’t going to be an issue. HANDLING
One of the big advantages of owning a V-hulled aluminum boat such as the G3 V19F is its greater freeboard, compared to a bass boat, which makes it more seaworthy. Conditions on our test lake were fairly benign for such a large lake, and the boat handled the chop in a very civilized manner, courtesy of its 13 degrees of deadrise. Its other ace in the hole for anglers who want to get an early start on the day or season is the tall windshield, which actually provides protection to its passengers. Our test boat had a standard SeaStar hydraulic steering system that made it really easy to drive, by minimizing the pull of prop torque. It also made cranking it into a hard turn a piece of cake. During our test (the video of which can be seen on Boating World’s YouTube channel), I
(Clockwise from top right) Down, the Flip Deck creates a large rear casting platform. Flipped up, the Flip Deck becomes roomy jump seats. A tall windshield protects anglers from the elements. There’s plenty of room on the dash for gimbal-mounted electronics. The 35-gallon livewell can hold a school of fish.
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The V19F’s specialty is its lack of specialization. happened to glance at the wide-eyed expression of our cameraman, Steve, which confirmed we were pulling some serious g’s as the turn’s circumference tightened. BEST USES
PURCHA SED BY DOUG AND SHERY L S T R E M P L E W S K I , C R O W N P O I N T, I N D . P U R C H A S E D A T T E R P S T R A’ S B L U E WA T E R M A R I N E , G A R Y, I N D . W H AT W E L IK ED
Deep-V hull/Versatility of seat positions/ Tall, strong windshield/Huge amount of storage/Yamaha outboard W H AT W E WOUL D CH A NGE
We are looking to add a kicker and perhaps a Bimini top, for when it gets hot. WHY WE BOUGHT IT
My wife and I like to fish the Great Lakes but we also have three daughters and two grandkids with one more on the way, so we were looking for something with enough capacity to take them out with us. We mostly fish for perch and salmon in Lake Michigan and really like the Angler V19’s ability to handle many different types of fishing. We love the huge amount of lockable storage, which is needed for all the gear we need to bring to fish large bodies of water safely. We also go to Lake Erie, which can get pretty rough, for walleye. When we take the kids and grandkids out, we usually head for Pine Lake in LaPorte, Ind., a beautiful lake that’s usually a lot calmer. We take the kids tubing and will probably do some skiing as they get older. Terpstra’s is really well known for their great service. We had a mysterious battery drain and one of the experienced technicians there had the idea to add a master power switch, so I can hit one toggle switch and cut off anything that might drain the battery.
The V19F’s specialty is its lack of specialization, which makes it a great all-around fishing boat, whether it’s being trailered to Canada to fish for northern or to Florida for a winter escape. Although it’s only 19 feet, 2 inches long, its 8-foot beam is carried far forward and makes it roomy enough to accommodate up to eight passengers. The cockpit has four receivers for pedestal seats. Usually, on boats of this kind, they’re kind of cheap looking or they feature some G3 ANGLER V19F weird “headrest” that jabs passengers in the middle of the back. Length 19 ft., 2 in. These were really comfortable — among the most comfortable Beam 8 ft. I’ve ever flopped down on — and wouldn’t be out of place in a Deadrise 13 degrees two-seater sports car. Capacity 8 people Our test boat featured an innovative dealer-installed option Dry Weight (hull) that should be selected by anyone buying this boat. Called a Flip 1,780 lbs. Deck, it’s a two-position module that flips down to create an even Fuel Capacity 40 gal. larger rear casting deck and reveals the livewell, bait bucket and Max HP 200 starboard storage compartment. But when the module is flipped PERFORMANCE up, it transforms into a bench that includes twin flip-up jump seats Peak 48.5 mph/ and space between for an extra rider and twin cupholders. It also 6000 rpm/93 dBA increases cockpit space. Cruise 33.7 mph/ 4500 rpm/84 dBA
Time to Plane 2.4 sec.
PREFERRED SETUP
G3 offers the V19F at the attractive price of $43,495 when powered by a Yamaha V MAX SHO 175, which feels like exactly POWER the right engine for the job. Buyers could save some money by Test Yamaha V MAX SHO going with the F115 but should do so only if they aren’t into sporty 175 four-stroke performance and are OK with a top speed in the 30s. The standard Cylinders Inline 4 package includes a Bear powder-coated four-inch steel tube Trail Displacement 2.8L Guard trailer. G3 made it really easy to add aftermarket items such Weight w/outdrive as downriggers and extra rod holders by including a track system 489 lbs. that’s compatible with many companies’ offerings. The rear deck WOT Range is wide enough to allow twin side-by-side pedestal fishing seats, 5500-6000 rpm which can be optioned up to pro-style bike seats. Base Price w/test power $43,495 For electronics, G3 offers Lowrance screens ranging from the Hook 3 (console only) to the HDS 9 Carbon series for both the bow and helm. For trolling motors, there are three Minn Kota offerings, all the way to the Terrova 80 i-Pilot, which has advanced features such as autopilot and virtual anchoring. G3 leaves option pricing up to each dealer. If the fish aren’t biting, waterskiing is a possibility thanks to the TurboSwing option — a stainless steel hoop that encircles the outboard to keep the tow rope from chafing the cowling. BW Time to 30 mph 5.0 sec.
Value-Added Standard Features: Single-axle custom trailer, hydraulic steering, urethane metallic paint, full windshield, gunwale track system receiver, carpeted deck, two-bank battery charger Must-Have Options: Bimini top, trolling motor, TurboSwing ski tow, boat cover, Flip Deck stern seats, Power-Pole, full enclosure, pedestal bike seats, Lowrance electronics, galvanized trailer, vinyl deck
Builder: G3 boats/Yamaha, g3boats.com Financing: $312/month w/15% down and 6% interest for 15 years
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Build your 2018 boat online now!
PLEASURE + ADVENTURE
About Brunswick Headquartered in Mettawa, Ill., Brunswick Corporation’s leading consumer brands include Mercury and Mariner outboard engines; Mercury MerCruiser sterndrives and inboard engines; MotorGuide trolling motors; Attwood, Garelick and Whale marine parts and accessories; Land 'N' Sea, Kellogg Marine, Lankhorst Taselaar, Payne’s Marine and BLA parts and accessories distributors; Bayliner, Boston Whaler, Brunswick Commercial and Government Products, Crestliner, Cypress Cay, Harris, Lowe, Lund, Meridian, Princecraft, Quicksilver, Rayglass, Sea Ray, Thunder Jet and Uttern; Life Fitness, Hammer Strength, Cybex, Indoor Cycling Group and SCIFIT fitness equipment; and Brunswick billiards tables, accessories and game room furniture. For more information, visit http://www.brunswick.com.
PRINCECRAFT’S Experience
About Princecraft Boats Inc. Since 1954, Princecraft Boats Inc., headquartered in Princeville, Quebec, Canada, creates unparalleled experiences on the water for fishing and boating enthusiasts with "professionally rigged and ready" packages of aluminum fishing boats, pontoon boats and deck boats. Its commitment is borne out of a deeply rooted heritage of unmatched craftsmanship, incomparable performance and the promise of years of trouble-free boating. More fishermen, families and dealers than ever join the Princecraft family, and create some of the best moments of their lives. Princecraft Boats Inc.
C
2018 | A Brunswick Company
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R E G E N C Y 2 5 4 L E 3 // B Y A L A N J O N E S
Anything but Standard Regency’s flagship pontoon provides the royal treatment but doesn’t cost a king’s ransom. •
Most Bimini tops are a pain to deploy, but this model raises at the touch of a button at the helm. The two anchor points per side for the frame are very close together, so the top does wiggle more than most others while the boat is underway, but it’s a fair tradeoff. Another unexpected standard is a rearview camera with a dash display. The driver can face forward and keep track of what’s happening in back. One of the defining features of the 254 LE3 is a pair of rear-facing recliners that are extra wide and super comfortable — nothing weird on the backrest impeded my reclining pleasure. I’ve never seen one with a speaker embedded within the integrated armrests, so lounging passengers can get their groove on too. The recliners are surrounded by stainless steel fencing, so they are legal to occupy underway, and aluminum fencing won’t block the view. PERFORMANCE
While a Mercury Verado 250 hp FourStroke is a good start for a standard engine, our test boat on Missouri’s Table Rock Lake, near Branson, was packed to the max with a Mercury Verado 350 hp
Another unexpected standard is a rearview camera with a dash display. IT’S BEEN AMAZING TO WITNESS the evolution of Sun Tracker pontoons over the years. Current models bear little resemblance to the Spartan models that defined the builder’s first offerings back in the early 1980s, though buyers can still get a basic Party Barge or Fishin’ Barge. The luxury factor has definitely been increased. Despite that, the top dog of upscale pontoons for this Bass Pro Shops brand isn’t a Sun Tracker anymore. It’s a Regency. And the biggest and most luxurious of that line is the 254 LE3 Sport.
UNIQUE FACTOR
To show how loaded the 254 LE3 Sport is, the standard features list includes 66 items, while the options list contains exactly five extras, not counting engine choices, and one of those is a trailer. Bass Pro Shops pioneered the nationally 46
advertised “No Haggle No Hassle” pricing program, and this pontoon, which comes standard with powder-coated triple tubes and a supercharged Mercury Verado 250 hp outboard, is listed at $66,995. The no-hassle philosophy applies to features such as the power Bimini top.
outboard. Considering the upcharge is $5,060, it’s a relatively inexpensive way to get an extra 100 hp. As good of a deal as that is, the incremental bump to 300 hp costs only $2,000, which is probably the power sweet spot for this 27-foot, 5-inch pontoon.
The 254 LE3 Sport’s bow can host a dinner party or just two sunbathers. The driver’s chair is comfortable and functional, and it sits on a slightly elevated perch, for a better view.
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(Clockwise from top) There’s plenty of storage under the bow lounge seats. A Lowrance HDS 7 chartplotter comes standard. A popup changing room resides within the portside couch. A custom wheel gives the 254’s helm a sporty feel.
The 254 is equipped with 26-inch tubes — larger than the industry standard of 25 inches — and strakes on both sides of the center tube and on the inside of the outer tubes deliver plenty of lift. Those strakes and tubes, combined with the Verado’s supercharger, resulted in a time to plane of just 2.4 seconds and a time to 30 mph of 6.4 seconds — pretty impressive for a
The Regency majors in luxury entertainment and cruising, and holds a minor in watersports. pontoon with a rigged weight of 6,560 pounds. After I trimmed the engine up as much as it would bear without blowing out, the boat reached a top speed of 48.3 mph. HANDLING
With its extra-large tubes, the 254 LE3 Sport is well-suited for larger lakes like Table Rock, a 67-square-mile lake that straddles Missouri and Arkansas. To stay unlost, the driver has a standard Lowrance HDS 7 GPS chartplotter that doubles as a fishfinder. Even owners who don’t fish will appreciate knowing what’s beneath before they drop anchor. I know, because I once lost two houseboat anchors when I dropped them into a grove of trees that was flooded when an artificial reservoir was formed. The driver sits high on a raised platform for better visibility and is aided in his operation by Mercury’s Digital Throttle and Shift (DTS), which makes maneuvers such as docking much easier. Because there are no lifting strakes on the outside of the outer logs, the 254 leaned 48
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inward like a sportboat when we cranked it into a hard turn. Like the Energizer Bunny, it kept going and going, carving an impressive turn, until the sport wheel reached its stop. The wheel was easy to turn thanks to the Verado’s integrated power steering system, which is a standard feature on six-cylinder models. It’s quiet too, because the dampening hose eliminates the whirring pump sound that’s really evident at slow speeds on most other models. BEST USES
The Regency majors in luxury entertainment and cruising and holds a minor in watersports. Tracker used to make Party Hut pontoons that were up to 32 feet long, but the 254 LE3 Sport is now the longest in the corporate pontoon fleet and can handle groups up to a dozen people. Regency uses plush Soft Touch upholstery over multidensity foam to provide passenger comfort. The furniture puffs over the top of the powder-coated black metallic rails like a rising soufflé, and the seat bottoms are scalloped to make them more interesting to REGENCY 254 LE3 the eye. Length 27 ft., 5 in. The fencing had the new Black Metallic Diamond Coat finish, Beam 8 ft., 6 in. to add some flash, and our boat featured the Cognac upholstery Tube Diameter 26 in. choice, which does get warmer to the touch when the sun is Capacity 12 people blazing, compared to the other choice, Platinum (dove gray). Vinyl Dry Weight (hull) flooring can get really hot in direct sunlight, so our boat (and all 4,060 lbs. Regency models) had Cool Touch flooring, which eliminates that Fuel Capacity 52 gal. walking-on-hot-sand feeling on shoeless feet. Max HP 350 The 31-inch portside boarding gate is wide enough to accommoPERFORMANCE date a wheelchair and there’s enough space to park a wheelchair Peak 48.3 mph/ in front of the companion captain’s chair, in case anyone in the 6400 rpm/94 dBA family or circle of friends requires one. For more seating up front, Cruise 30.3 mph/ two really long chaise lounges have curved ends toward the bow, 4500 rpm/84 dBA so people can recline racing aft. For skiing, there’s a removable ski Time to Plane 2.4 sec. pylon that screws into the rear deck, which itself isn’t huge but, Time to 30 mph 6.4 sec. thanks to the motor bracket, it’s all usable space. An 88-inch-long POWER in-deck compartment can hold skis and the unique cockpit table, Test Mercury Verado which has a faux teak surface that looks cool and keeps items 350 hp FourStroke from sliding around. Lighted cupholders and mood lighting add to Cylinders Inline 6 the nighttime ambiance. A Kenwood Bluetooth stereo system can Displacement 2.6L handle the tunes. Weight w/outdrive 668 lbs.
PREFERRED SETUP
This will be a shorter-than-normal paragraph due to the loaded nature of the 254 LE3 and its paucity of options. To boost Base Price w/test power its mealtime appeal, Regency offers a rail-mounted gas grill for $72,055 $315. To turn the 254 LE3 into an all-weather boat or transform it into a floating motorhome, a $4,715 full enclosure is available in a choice of three colors. For road trips, a dual-axle trailer can transport this Regency ($4,295). To increase the shade factor, a forward Bimini costs $1,800. For a custom look, Mercury Marine offers the Verado in Warm Fusion White ($1,600). Although any boat can be fished from, if fishing is high on a buyer’s agenda, perhaps a Fishin’ Barge from the Sun Tracker line would be more appropriate. BW WOT Range
5800-6400 rpm
Value-Added Standard Features: Rearview camera, Lowrance HDS 7 chartplotter, popup changing room, elevated helm, two-bank battery charger, in-floor storage, LED mood lighting
Must-Have Options: Dual-axle trailer, full enclosure, gas grill, extended Bimini top, premium color upgrade, windbreak cover
Builder: Tracker Marine, regencyboats.com Financing: $517/month w/15% down and 6% interest for 15 years
PURCHA SED BY HANK AND DEBBIE HEITKER, COLD S P R I N G S , K Y. PURCH A SED AT ST OK L E Y ’S M A RINE, N I C H O L A S V I L L E , K Y. W H AT W E L IK ED
Triple-tube performance/Extra-wide, comfortable seats/Sea Grass flooring/ Powerful Mercury 300 Verado/Large passenger capacity W H AT W E WOUL D CH A NGE
I wish the front and rear decks and the fuel tank were bigger. WHY WE BOUGHT IT
We bought a runabout 12 years ago from Stokley’s Marine, but with three kids and nine grandkids, we needed more room. We loved the spaciousness of the Regency and its comfortable seating. We’ve had up to 13 people on it at one time, and everyone had a seat. We do most of our boating on Lake Cumberland and go out every weekend we can. We love to pack a lunch or grill out, and once we get out on the water, we stay all day. It’s a huge lake — 1,255 miles of shoreline with countless coves — so it’s a great place to explore. We like to cruise around and find a place for the kids to swim. They also love to tube and ski, and even with lots of people on board, pulling up a skier is no problem for the Mercury 300 Verado. Even though the Regency 254 is a pretty large pontoon, my wife and I have no problem putting it on a trailer. We have a great relationship with the folks at Stokley’s Marine. They are really great people who take excellent care of us.
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Tested
First D rive
R I N K E R Q 5 B R // B Y A L A N J O N E S
Looks. Performance. Value. Sterndrive-powered bowriders are still alive and well, with an assist from Rinker. •
rear gate for the portside walkthrough, so buyers with youngsters should opt for the transom gate ($214) to attain total lockdown. Even the bow section has lots of freeboard, which will reassure fretful parents, since the bow usually becomes the kid zone when underway. The bow lounges feature hot tub–style contoured seats, for an ergonomically correct recline. The curved seat bottoms aren’t overly humped, so they didn’t make me feel like I was sitting on a camel’s back when my feet were on the bamboo vinyl deck, which is standard. It’s rated for 11 passengers, and there’s room for all, on the portside lounge, the stern bench, the dual crew flip-up bolster buckets and the bow seating. PERFORMANCE
We had an unusual testing opportunity on Lake Wawasee during one of our three yearly roundups. There, we got to conduct a side-by-side comparison of a Q5 BR with a new-generation MerCruiser 6.2L 300 hp
It’s rated for 11 passengers, and there’s room for all of them.
FOR 75 YEARS, RINKER HAS been building boats that hit boating’s “great” trifecta: great looks, great performance and great value. This year, the designers managed to appeal to the greatest number of boaters by releasing the Q5 in an outboard and an I/O version. And while outboards seem to be taking over the boating world, the Q5 BR is the poster girl for why sterndrives still rock.
V-8 sterndrive vs. a Q5 OB with a Yamaha F250. I’ve tested a lot of boats in my more than 20 years with Boating World and am pretty good at guessing the outcome of our test results, but on this one I swung and missed. Badly. Usually, when the horsepower is in the same ballpark, the outboard will walk away from the sterndrive out of the hole, due to the disparity in weight — 562 pounds vs. 933 pounds in this case, a difference of 371 pounds. The Merc-powered Q5 got on plane in three seconds flat, with surprisingly little bowrise. The Yamaha
UNIQUE FACTOR
The most noticeable feature of the Q5 BR is the amount of gunwale height in the cockpit, which is not something deckboats are normally known for. Amidships, the gunwale is about three feet high, which scores high kid-containment points, but there’s no standard 50
Marine mat covers the low-to-the-water swim step. The boat’s open design offers plenty of room for its 11-passenger capacity.
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was fast but 0.2 seconds slower. The X-factor might have been the MerCruiser’s Bravo 3 outdrive and its twin counter-rotating props. By 30 mph, the outboard began to assert itself and scored a time that was quicker by 0.6 seconds (7.2 vs. 7.8). On the top end, I fully expected the extra 50 hp to push the sterndrive-powered Q5 to a faster speed, or at least a wash. Wrong again. The MerCruiser pushed the boat to an outstanding 51.1 mph, but the OB-equipped Q5 reached 53.3 mph. The numbers caught Rinker’s people by surprise, as they fully intended to offer both models with up to 350 hp but decided, post-design, to cap the max at 300, despite what the already-printed brochures say. HANDLING
The running surface of the Q5 BR hull is based on the Captiva 232, Rinker’s bestselling boat of all time. And after testing it, I see why Rinker went this route. Despite being more than 25 feet long and weighing 4,300 pounds, it’s quicker and more nimble than I expected. The hull features a deadrise of 20 degrees, which on test day gave it good slicing ability over the choppier parts of the lake. On plane, we could trim it out far enough to get most of the hull out of the water, which accounted for its speed but also had the effect of lifting the bow and the crew seats above the water. Passengers will enjoy a floating-on-air feeling. To keep the boat running at the perfect attitude, MerCruiser’s Active Trim is worth the $614 upcharge. A press of the engagement button will allow first-timers to look like a pro. Standard power-assist steering makes the boat easy to drive when tracking straight or when turning. Cranked into a hard turn, it leaned inward a fair amount and hooked up really well. At idle, it displayed a little less stern wander than most other sterndrive boats, probably thanks to the twin-prop setup, which also makes it easier to back into a slip. BEST USES
Our test boat was rigged for watersports. It had the optional powder-coated fold-down aluminum tower ($6,000), which includes an integrated Sunbrella Bimini top and a ski tow above the top, to keep the tow line out of the cockpit. Many buyers prefer outboards these days, but for sports such as wakeboarding or wakeskating, the sterndrive version of the Q5 is the better choice. That nearly half a ton of V-8 power adds some ballast beef to the wake at around 20 mph — at which point the Merc purred at 2700 rpm — and although not huge, the wake is well-formed and has plenty of ramp for catching air. The wake flattens out at 30 mph but is perhaps slightly lumpier than the outboard version, so the nod goes to the latter if slalom is one’s primary watersport. One big plus for the Q5 is the low swim platform, which on
(Clockwise from top) A large helm console has plenty of room for electronics. A portable toilet is standard. An armrest next to the throttle makes it easy to relax and drive. The bow section is deep. Rinker utilizes all available cockpit space for seating. The stern L-lounge can handle a crowd in comfort.
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OWN E R FE E D BACK
RINKER Q5 BR Length 25 ft., 2 in. Beam 8 ft., 6 in. Deadrise 20 degrees Capacity 11 people Dry Weight (hull) 4,300 lbs.
Fuel Capacity 73 gal. Max HP 300 PERFORMANCE Peak 51.1 mph/ 5400 rpm/94 dBA Cruise 31.9 mph/ 3000 rpm/83 dBA
Time to Plane 3.0 sec. Time to 30 mph 7.8 sec. POWER Test MerCruiser 6.2L 300 hp
Cylinders V-8 Displacement 6.2L Weight w/outdrive 993 lbs.
WOT Range 5000-5400 rpm
Base Price w/test power $76,120
our boat was covered in Marine Mat ($457) for better grip and comfort. Buyers can continue this floor treatment throughout the entire boat, for $1,236, and choose from four color options. There’s a rear bench for hanging out, but I wish it were just a tad higher. Midday pit stops for gas are a thing of the past, thanks to the boat’s 73-gallon fuel tank. Human pit stops are also handled, thanks to the tall consoles. The portside one hides a large head compartment that comes standard with a portable toilet; it can be upgraded to a pumpout version for $414. PREFERRED SETUP
At the helm, the driver is assisted by a seven-inch Simrad multifunction chartplotter and holds a five-position tilt wheel, both of which are standard. If watersports dominate the agenda, a must-have option is the GPS-based Zero Off cruise control ($2,107), which keeps the rider in the sweet spot. Our boat had the optional drive-by-wire MerCruiser Digital Throttle and Shift (DTS), which offered one-finger throttle control. On our boat, we didn’t just have an anchor; we had a hood ornament in the form of a polished stainless steel Lewmar plow anchor ($443) that the driver can deploy by only lifting a finger to press a button on the optional windlass ($1,857), which comes with 90 feet of chain. Trim tabs with indicator lights are a should-have option ($1,457). For entertainment, a standard cockpit table and a carry-on cooler handle snacks and beverages. To supplement the standard stern sunpad’s real estate, buyers can add filler cushions in the bow, for $571. Our test boat’s sunpad was accented in black vinyl, which is usually a faux pas, but the material stayed surprisingly cool thanks to its textured surface, which diffuses light. A standard Kicker KMH10 Bluetooth stereo really comes to life when the Kicker amp and subwoofer are added for $1,543. The Q5 BR comes with a choice of eight hull-side colors and stripe options, with only the hull bottom color costing $907 extra for any of the seven colors except white. Rinker even offers a choice of a black or white rubrail. Black is better, as anyone who has rubbed against something knows. BW
Value-Added Standard Features: Simrad 7-inch multifunction chartplotter, power-assist steering, ski tow eye, portable toilet, carry-on cooler, tilt wheel, Kicker Bluetooth stereo, Bimini top
Must-Have Options: Dual-axle trailer, Zero Off GPS speed control, trim tabs, windlass, wakeboard tower, transom walkthrough gate, Marine Mat flooring, pumpout head, bow doors, SeaCore closed cooling
Builder: Rinker Boat Co., rinkerboats.com Financing: $546/month w/15% down and 6% interest for 15 years
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PURCHA SED BY JOE AND TRISHA C ALDWELL, PL US IS A AC, 8, A ND E A ST ON, 5, BRIST OL , IND. P U R C H A S E D A T R I N K E R WA T E R S P O R T S , SY R ACUSE, IND. W H AT W E L IK ED
Layout and size/Comfortable seating/ Power steering/Head compartment/Dry and stable ride W H AT W E WOUL D CH A NGE
We like to fish, and although it’s not a fishing boat, we might add features like rod holders and downriggers. WHY WE BOUGHT IT
My wife and I have never owned a boat before but we thought it would be a good way to spend quality time with the kids and make some memories. We knew Rinker was a local company, and in addition to supporting an Indiana company, we figured it would be easier to get work done if it needed anything. We wanted a boat that could carry two families and really like the Q5’s size and the fact that it has a head compartment. We do most of our boating on Shavehead Lake in nearby Michigan but also go to Mullett Lake and Burt Lake in northern Michigan. Our favorite thing to do is cruise and then throw out the anchor and swim. The kids also love tubing and I’m sure they’ll be into watersports before long. The service at Rinker is fantastic. I had an issue and actually talked to Kim Slocum, the president, and he helped coordinate a technician to fix the problem. When it came time to winterize my boat, Rinker Watersports took care of it very promptly.
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Chart makers are using the power of large numbers and Wi-Fi to create the most accurate charts ever — basically in real time. BY LENNY RUDOW
Dragonfly 5Pro from Raymarine is a compact sonar display and chartplotter that can use the company’s Wi-Fish app to share chart information.
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Charts have been notoriously inaccurate ever since the days Columbus drew one that showed East Asia a mere 3,000 miles from Spain. And while modern recreational boaters don’t have to worry about such tragically misdrawn lines, there’s nothing convenient about discovering a foot-deep shoal with a two-foot-draft boat, where the charts insist there is three feet of depth.
Anyone who’s ever gazed upon a NOAA chart and then gone out on the water knows the cartographic database is riddled with errors. Truth be told, it’s a lot better than it might be, considering that the United States has about 3 million square miles of navigable waters yet fewer than two dozen boats dedicated to bathymetric surveys. But even areas mapped recently have issues. A sonar wave might ping off of a whale, at the exact moment the operator is getting a cup of coffee. If he doesn’t catch the anomaly, our next round of charts might show a 100-foot pinnacle where there’s a 1,000-foot trough. Or a day after a survey vessel passes through an inlet, a Nor’easter might blast by and shift a sand bar by a quarter of a mile. Whatever the reason for an anomaly, the
bottom line is that all charts are based on a data pool that began with readings taken via lead-lines. Current readings can change and the sheer vastness of the data we’re dealing with is so huge that thorough and constant updating is virtually impossible. Virtually. POWER TO THE PEOPLE Up until recent years, this bathymetric breakdown was simply an issue boaters learned to live with and expect. Boaters knew not to trust charts to be 100 percent accurate, 100 percent of the time. Then a few savvy, forward-looking electronics companies found ways to harness the pings and positions of boat owners’ depthfinders and GPS units. Suddenly it was possible to record this data on a chip or a card. Back
on land, owners could upload the data to the cloud and then download a new, far more accurate chart of the area they had just self-surveyed. That didn’t necessarily mean perfection, but it did result in digital cartography that was far more current and accurate than the norm. A boater had the ability to re-chart any given body of water, but there were weaknesses with the system. Thoroughly covering an area larger than a pond took a long time, transferring the data card back and forth was inefficient, and re-charting an area required an owner to take his boat there. Fortunately, however, the ability to create new, improved and highly accurate charts with one’s own boat served as a stepping-stone for all boat owners to enjoy the benefits of the data collected en masse by the entire boating community. The big jump came when Navionics began to utilize what’s commonly termed UGC, or “user-generated content,” with its boating app ($10 for the basic version). In short, Navionics figured out how to collect and record the countless readings taken by GPS and depthfinder units across the nation. The information was used to create a new data layer on digital charts, one that
MODERN CHART-MAKING
75.1 N 287 10.0
MOW THE LAWN
MULTIFUNCTION
Boat owners begin by surveying their
Using Wi-Fi, the owner transfers the
favorite body of water and recording it.
information from his MFD to his cellphone or tablet.
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WORK THE CROWD At home, he uploads the data to the cloud, where it can be mingled with other users’ info and used to send him an updated chart, which he can then load to his MFD.
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was continually updated and vetted by countless boaters across the nation. The net result? Navionics grew quickly — more than 200,000 chart updates in the very first year — quickly surpassed a million users and soon after became the world’s most popular boating app. It remains so. “Community edits are now over 650,000,” said Paul Michele, national sales manager for Navionics, “and last year Navionics logged over 14 million miles of sonar data.” FAST ACTION HERO Today, the cartographic revolution continues at a blinding clip, which is being accelerated by the inclusion of Wi-Fi on boats, a feature that’s more commonly included in multifunction display units. Data gathered by the fishfinder and GPS can be bumped to the wider world via a cellular hotspot that’s used to facilitate the Wi-Fi link, or when a boat returns to port and regains its Wi-Fi connection at the marina. In the case of Navionics, Plotter Sync wirelessly connects cellphones running the Navionics app to a wide range of MFDs (including many newer units made by Raymarine, Lowrance and Simrad). The connection enables users to contribute to the UGC database and create their own new charts, in real time. Bathymetric contours to one foot can be displayed instantly, right on a chartplotter screen.
MODERN CHART TOOLS
ActiveCaptain from Garmin is fully interactive from MFD to phone.
THERE’S NO QUESTION THAT THE BREADTH OF COMMUNITY-LAYER COVERAGE AND UGC DATA WILL INCREASE RAPIDLY.
Garmin’s ActiveCaptain (a free app with in-app purchases) is similar in nature, using Wi-Fi and an app to connect a cellphone to the boat, so it can transfer information. Much of the info that gets transferred goes into the ActiveCaptain Community, which is another aggregation of UGC. Along with charting updates, that means boat owners can tap into information such as user feedback on marinas, fuel prices or the quality of a dockside restaurant. Mobile QuickDraw software allows ActiveCaptain users the same type of ability to gather and share bathymetric data too, but Garmin recently took things yet another step by adding QuickDraw software to a number of new units, as well as making it available for download to compatible MFDs (equipped with any Garmin Panoptix transducer, HD-ID sonar, CHIRP-enabled Garmin ClearVü transducer, or NMEA2000-compatible depth transducers). With QuickDraw on board the unit, contour lines are instantly redrawn onscreen (again to one-foot increments) as a boat moves over the bottom. The data can be captured on an SD card (up to about 9,000 acres fit on a 2GB card) and can be shared — or not — with the QuickDraw Community, as the user chooses. C-Map, recently purchased by Navico (parent company to Lowrance, Simrad and B&G), is another platform for self-charting. Bathymetric buffs — if there are any out there — may remember
The Navionics app has
Dragonfly 5Pro is a compact charting
more than 1 million users.
solution from Raymarine.
GO5 XSE from Simrad has built-in Wi-Fi, for easy sharing.
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IT TAKES A COMMUNITY
C-Map Genesis’s Social Map functionality allows users to share data in nearly real time, providing highly accurate charts of lakes across the country.
that just six or seven years ago Navico pioneered self-charting with what it called Insight Genesis. To take advantage of Insight Genesis, MFD owners had to insert a data card into their unit, find the right chain of button presses to tell their machine to log GPS and depth data, and then do the physical survey of the body of water they were interested in. After transiting back and forth through the zone, users had to pull the card, take it home and put it into their computer. Then they could upload the data to the Insight Genesis website. Next came a wait as the site processed the data and used it to create a new bathymetric chart of the area. Finally, users had to download the new chart info back onto the data card, transfer it back to their boat and then plug it into an MFD once again to upload the new and improved chart. Phew! Although the process was arduous (compared to today), it was also effective — and early-adopters were some of the first boaters to take advantage of self-generated bathymetrics. Fortunately, tech made the process much easier, thanks again in no small part to the advent of Wi-Fi, eliminating the need to carry cards back and forth to and from the unit. And Navico has taken advantage of this by using C-Map to host its latest Genesis incarnation, simply called C-Map Genesis. C-Map Genesis not only offers self-charting solutions but also adds in the UGC angle via its Social Map, which can be viewed online as well as onscreen (visit genesismaps.com and click on the Social Map tab), which provides a heck of a lot of
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WE’RE HEADED FOR A CONTINUED BLAST OF BATHYMETRIC DATA. insight into the type of bathymetry that can be seen on it. The map also provides an inkling of the broadness of some of the coverage, on a worldwide — much less national — basis. Note that anyone who’s self-charting can keep the data to herself
Raymarine’s Wi-Fish turns any boat into a Wi-Fi hotspot.
merely by marking it as private. Another unusual feature this service offers is the ability to add submerged vegetation and bottom hardness layers, for users who pay for the “Genesis Edge” service (social and basic bathymetrics are free). FUTURE PERFECT Where is digital chartography headed
from here? There’s no question that the breadth of community-layer coverage and UGC data will increase, probably quite dramatically and quite rapidly. Five years ago Wi-Fi was virtually unheard of on boats. Yet today it is found on fishfinder/chartplotter units that cost as little as $300, and virtually every mid- to upper-range unit now has it built in. And boat owners can add Wi-Fi to their boat for as little as $200 with units such as Raymarine’s Wi-Fish or Lowrance and Simrad’s GoFree WiFi-1 module. Meanwhile, virtually every boat owner already has a cellphone, the only other piece of hardware necessary to collect all the data one’s machine constantly gathers and send it into the cloud. Manufacturers are, for the most part, giving the applicable software away for free. Put all of these factors together, and it’s pretty clear we’re headed for a continued blast of bathymetric data. If Columbus tried to draw his misshapen map in this day and age, it would probably be corrected in real time. And for anyone who found that foot-deep shoal with a two-foot-draft boat, it would be the last time those digital charts insisted he was in three feet of water. BW
TO THE WEB > Garmin.com > GenesisMaps.com (C-Map) > Lowrance.com > Navionics.com > Raymarine.com > Simrad-Yachting.com
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130 PIECE TOOL KIT WITH CASE
12" SLIDING COMPOUND DOUBLE-BEVEL MITER SAW
Customer Rating
SAE AND METRIC
• Laser guide
NOW
HDX
6639
MODEL: H137HOS
$
NOW
$299 9
3869 ITEM 63248/64080 68998/64263
SAVE 54%
63091 shown
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 7/22/18*
COMPARE TO
KOBALT
$
299 SAVE $169
MODEL: SM3055LW
3 WATT LED RECHARGEABLE CORDLESS SPOTLIGHT Customer Rating NOW
$1 1 $
9 $1299 Blade sold separately.
$
ITEM 61969/61970/69684 shown
COMPARE TO $
ITEM 61960 61777 shown PEAK
Includes AC/DC adapter and 12 volt DC cigarette lighter plug.
LIMIT 7 - Coupon valid through 7/22/18*
21499
19499
SAVE 50%
$
37
COMPARE TO $
ITEM 60390/5107 shown
ITEM 69474/92623 62861/60626 shown
SUPER COUPON
SAVE 67% COMPARE TO
$
BLACK & DECKER
$
28
06
MODEL: HG1300
1499
ITEM 62340/62546 63104/96289 shown
$299 9
$
39
99
COMPARE TO
PELICAN
$
• 16-15/16" L 12-7/8" W 6-11/16" H
9995
MODEL:1450
SAVE $69
Case contents and locks not included.
ITEM 63927
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 7/22/18*
SUPER COUPON Customer Rating 16" x 30" TWO SHELF 3/8" x 50 FT. INDUSTRIAL GRADE 17 FT. TYPE IA STEEL SERVICE CART Customer Rating RUBBER AIR HOSE MULTI-TASK LADDER
$299 9
2999
7717
MODEL: GSP1711
SUPER COUPON
NOW
MODEL: PKC0TV-R
GENESIS
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 7/22/18*
• 220 lb. capacity
99
COMPARE TO $
LIMIT 7 - Coupon valid through 7/22/18*
ARCAN
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 7/22/18*
*Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 7/22/18.
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$
ITEM 62915/60600 shown
$899
SUPER COUPON Customer Rating
99
14
SAVE $129
SAVE 61%
Model 3800 SUPER COUPON 1500 WATT DUAL ULTRA-LIGHT, CRUSH PROOF Customer Rating TEMPERATURE HEAT GUN WEATHER-RESISTANT (572°/1112°) LOCKABLE CASE Customer Rating NOW NOW
LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 7/22/18*
SUPER COUPON
SAVE 60%
299
MODEL: 262800
$299 9 $3999
99
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 7/22/18*
SUPER COUPON
Customer Rating
COMPARE TO $
GRACO
LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 7/22/18*
SUPER COUPON
LIFETIME WARRANTY
$1 69
$5 99
$ 99
NOW
NOW
99
59
99
MODEL: ASC8003
• Versatile - 24 configurations • Safe + Secure + Stable • Super strong - holds 300 lbs. • Weighs 34 lbs.
NOW
$1 99 9 $
2499
$
ITEM 61939 62884/62890 shown
SAVE 36%
13999
COMPARE TO
COMPARE TO
GOODYEAR
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 7/22/18*
$
31
34
MODEL: 12865
$
298
99
NOW
9 $1 0 99
LITTLE GIANT MODEL: XE M17
ITEM 63418/63419/62656 SAVE $ 67646/62514/63417 shown 189 LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 7/22/18*
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.
2/21/18 3:47 PM
C A LL 949/660 - 6150
marketplace
Insurance for Powerboats & Sailboats • Competitively priced products • 24-hour claims reporting • Exceptional service • Dedicated expertise
Contact Us for a Free Quote
StarGazer Wake Edition
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IT’S EASY! Any customer with an existing PerfectPass System can easily upgrade to Star Gazer-Wake Edition. In most cases it is a simple 5 minute “Plug & Play” installation. For more details, contact one of our customer service specialists.
60 60• • APRIL APRIL2018 2018 BOATINGWORLD.COM BOATINGWORLD.COM
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3/5/18 6:23 AM
Splendor 1-2h4c.qxp_Layout 1 10/27/17 10:58 AM Page 1
Splendor: 239 SunStar
marketplace
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
EMERGENCY LIFE RAFT BUY or RENT for Service/Sales/Rentals of Aviation and Marine life rafts and vests since 1974.
PR O D U C T I N FO R M ATI O PR NO AD NU DCPH T IO NN FO ER NM U ATI M BO ER NSA N D PH O N E N U M B E R S
BOATS
GEAR & ACCESSORIES
Apex Marine (989) 681-4300.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CV4
Harbor Freight Tools (800) 423-2567. . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Cutwater Boats (253) 839-5213.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
McGard Inc. (800) 669-6887. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Formula Boats (260) 724-9111. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Survival Products (954) 966-7329.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Godfrey Marine (574) 522-8381.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Turbo Swing (855) 228-8726.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Hurricane Boats (574) 522-8381.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Manitou Pontoon Boats (517) 322-3822.. . . . . . . . . . 19
West System Inc. / Gougeon Brothers, Inc. (989) 684-7286. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Princecraft Boats, Inc. (819) 364-5581. . . . . . . . . . . . 45
SERVICES
SmokerCraft, Inc./Starcraft (866) 719-7873.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5, 13, 59
The World’s Smallest Package
Splendor Boats (260) 352-2835. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Lightest Weight • Least Expensive
Stingray (843) 383-4507.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
4-6 Man 4” x 12” x14” 12 lbs $1510
Yamaha Watercraft (800) 888-2624.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
9-13 Man 5” x 12” x 14” 18 lbs $1960
NEW!! FAA TSO Approved Life Rafts Available
SURVIVAL PRODUCTS, INC.
5614 S.W. 25th St., Hollywood, FL 33023 (954) 966-7329 • FAX (954) 966-3584 www.survivalproductsinc.com
Boat Angel (800) 227-2643.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Five Star Houseboat Vacations (417) 988-1387.. . . 36 GEICO Insurance (800) 865-4846.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 National Marine Underwriters (800) 262-8467.. . . 62 NuShield, Inc (215) 500-6426.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
ELECTRONICS
1-800-PROGRESSIVE (800) 776-4737.. . . . . . . . . . . 21
Simrad.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
United States Power Squadrons (888) 367-8777.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
ENGINES Mercury Marine (920) 929-5916. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CV2
C A LL 949/660 - 6150
Survival Products, Inc.
advertiser advertiser index index
WATERSPORTS EQUIPMENT
SternDrive Engineering (813) 925-7127. . . . . . . . . . . 60
Overton’s (800) 334-6541.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
800-88-YAMAHA (800)889-2624.. . . . . . . . . . . . . CV3
Perfect Pass Control Systems (902) 468-2150.. . . 62 Rave Sports (651) 255-4810. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 WOW World of Watersports (844) 969-9063.. . . 17
Made in U.S.A
BOATINGWORLD.COM APRIL 2018
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63
•
3/2/18 12:49 PM
Reader Contest
Rick Martin illustration
Name the Boat
See the winning entry and the best of the rest from the February contest on page 8.
As practical jokes go, this one might violate the Geneva Convention. It’s certainly not going to go over with a splash. Send us your name for our boat. If it wins, we will give you an Orbit 2 Soft Top Towable, valued at $239.99, from our sponsor, Connelly, and your name will appear in the June 2018 issue of Boating World.
Win This!
YOURS FREE
64
APRIL 2018
•
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The first person to turn in the best boat name will receive an Orbit 2 Soft Top Towable from Connelly (connellyskis.com), valued at $239.99. This 60-inch two-person towable features a Soft Top — neoprene laminated to supple rubber foam — that won’t abrade exposed skin, for all-day riding comfort. Its concave top keeps the center of gravity low, providing stability, and a boarding handle makes climbing back aboard easier.
How to enter: We’ll reprint the cartoon with the winning boat name in the June 2018 issue. Submissions are due by April 15. Email editor@boatingworld.com with “Name the Boat” in the subject line, or send snail mail to Boating World Magazine/Name the Boat, 18475 Bandilier Circle, Fountain Valley, CA 92708. Please include your full name, address and phone number, along with your entry. Duncan McIntosh Co. and Connelly employees and their families are prohibited from entering. Prizewinners are responsible for any applicable taxes. Decisions of the judges and the editor are final.
BOATINGWORLD.COM
3/2/18 1:06 PM
ONE POWERFUL DESIGN. TWO RELIABLE NEW OUTBOARDS.
FOUR STROKES THE COMPLETELY REDESIGNED F90 AND F75 MIDRANGE FOUR STROKES. Yamaha’s all-new 90-hp and 75-hp four strokes feature SOHC designs with four valves per cylinder. This increases volumetric efficiency, and at the same time, saves weight. In fact, they’re each 13 pounds lighter and have increased to 1.8L displacement. Their lighter, more powerful design creates an outstanding new F75, and makes the F90 a top performer in torque and acceleration. That’s one rock-star design and two thrilling new outboards.
Learn more about the all-new Yamaha F90 and F75 four strokes at YamahaOutboards.com/F90-75.
REMEMBER to always observe all applicable boating laws. Never drink and drive. Dress properly with a USCG-approved personal floatation device and protective gear. © 2018 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved. 1-800-88-YAMAHA
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