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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
J u ne 201 8 8 • • Vol u m e 39 N o. 6
MAGAZINE
VOLUME XXXIX NUMBER 6
TUBE TEST 2018 Our annual roundup of inflatable tow toys challenged six teens and a ’tween to put 17 tubes through the paces. p. 52 BY ALAN JONES
4
Editor’s Letter
6
Currents
Keep wakesports available everywhere Bits from the boating world
12 Trailering Wakeboats need extra towing care 16 Watersports Tow tubes quickly and safely 20 Fishing How to choose the right hook 24 Engines Yamaha F90B 26 DIY Install a bracket-mounted fishfinder 28 Ask the Experts Our panel of experts answers your questions 32 Bonehead Blunders Mistakes no boater should make 34 Gear The latest accessories, gadgets and electronics 72 Contest: Name the Boat Win a 2-person towable tube from Connelly
boats tested
36 Axis Wake Research T22 The newly redesigned Axis T22 makes wakesports more affordable.
40 MasterCraft XT22 MasterCraft celebrates its 50th anniversary with the XT22, a midsized crossover.
44 Scarab 255 Open ID Scarab’s flagship jet boat can’t decide whether it’s a 25-footer or a 27-footer.
48 Hurricane SunDeck
Sport 192 RL
The builder’s newest deckboat has been redesigned from the ground up.
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Editor’s Letter
by Ala n Jones
THE BOATING WORLD TEAM RESPONDS:
“
Complete the Father’s Day card: Baseballs are white, beer is ________ , socks and sandals clash, and dad is ________ .
PUBLISHER
Duncan McIntosh Jr.
Guzzled; puzzled ASSOC . EDITOR/PUBLISHER Jeff Fleming
Awed; odd
EXECUTIVE EDITOR Alan Jones
Golden; 95 years olden
WA K E WA K E U P C A L L When I grew up in Madison, Wis., as soon as Lake Monona melted, it was waterski season. Sometimes, winter seemed to never release its icy grip, but we always knew we were going to be skiing soon. But what if that right were taken away? As far-fetched as it sounds, it can happen. At the Watersports Industry Association (WSIA) Summit in the Snow convention in Steamboat Springs in February, the most popular seminar was a two-parter about how to protect the right to ski on your favorite body of water. As much as we love wakesurfing and wakeboarding, some folks want to shut it down. And often the antagonist isn’t just a “you kids get off my lawn” curmudgeon. Many times, the push to ban wakesports boats on select bodies of water is due to bad behavior on the part of a few boaters who don’t respect the rights of others. WSIA has done a great job of responding to calls to shut down wakesports, often by showing people with the power to do it that wakesports provide a tremendous economic boost to the local economy and by using solid science to counter claims that wakes cause significant beach erosion. But on many bodies of water — especially on smaller private lakes — the complainers could gain the upper hand because of problems that are easily correctable. So WSIA is launching Wake Responsibly, a boater education program that will use local dealers to get the word out about how to prevent a potential loss of waterski access, as has been proposed in places such as the Willamette River in Oregon and on Lake Beulah in Wisconsin. According to WSIA’s Larry Meddock, complaints can be greatly reduced if boaters would do just three things. • Stay at least 150 feet away from shore. WSIA has sponsored wave research that has shown surf wakes, even the big ones, largely dissipate by the time they travel 150 feet. Staying in the center of a body of water reduces the detrimental effect to docks and shorelines; plus, being in deeper water also produces the best waves. Remember, boat operators are responsible for any damage their wake might cause. • Keep music at reasonable levels. The sound system on most wakesurf boats is capable of creating a huge wall of sound that travels far over water. Add music that includes profanity, and it’s not difficult to see why people would complain. Be aware of your surroundings and use the volume knob judiciously. • Minimize repetitive passes. One homeowner on the Conway Chain of Lakes in Orlando ran out of disk space after recording a boat making 93 passes in front of his waterfront home. Enough said. BW
MANAGING EDITOR Mike Werling
The nectar of life; afraid of his wife
ASSISTANT EDITOR Stephanie Shibata
Free-flowing; easygoing
ART DIRECTOR Julie Hogan
Foamed over; combed over PRODUCTION Mary Monge
Chilling; spilling
CIRCUL ATION MGR. Rick Avila
Sweet as honey; unintentionally funny
CIRCUL ATION ASSISTANTS
Emily Wells Horneff Great in an ice-cold mug; gives the best bear hugs Dustin Nguyen Canned; bland ADVERTISING SALES & MARKETING
Call (949) 660-6150
REGIONAL SALES MANAGERS
Annabelle Zabala Hoppy; happy Felice Lineberry Tasty; pasty
MARKETPL ACE SALES MGR. Jon Sorenson
Brown; a clown
AD COORDINATORS
Jennifer Chen Yellow; mellow Lacee Garcia Tru; Gru
TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR Dave Kelsen
Low proof; a goof
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. 6 Boating World Editorial and Advertising Offices, 18475 Bandilier Circle, Fountain Valley, CA 92708; (949) 660-6150. Boating World (ISSN 1059-5155, USPS 16200) is printed in the U.S.A. and published nine times a year in Jan., Feb., Mar., Apr., May, Jun., Jul./Aug., Sept./Oct. and Nov./Dec. at 18475 Bandilier Circle, Fountain Valley, CA 92708 by Duncan McIntosh Co. Inc. Periodicals Postage paid at Santa Ana, CA 92799 and at additional mailing offices. Editorial contributions are welcome. Please submit all contributions to the editor, accompanied by return postage. We assume no responsibility for loss or damage of unsolicited materials. Boating World retains reprint rights, via print and electronic media. Contributor retains all other rights for resale, publication, etc. POSTMASTER: Please send change of address to Boating World, P. O. Box 25859, Santa Ana, CA 92799-5859. CANADA POST: Publications Mail Agreement #40612608 Canada Returns to be sent to Bleuchip International, P.O. Box 25542, London, ON N6C 6B2. SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE: Please send all subscription correspondence to Boating World, P.O. Box 25859, Santa Ana, CA 92799-5859. Please allow at least six weeks for the change of address to become effective. Include both your old and your new address enclosing, if possible, an address label from a recent issue. SUBSCRIPTION PRICE: U.S. and its possessions, $11.00 per year. Additional postage for Canada is $15.00 per year and other foreign countries $30.00 per year. Single copy price $5.00; back issues, $8.50 (in the U.S. only) includes postage and handling. Boating World is a registered trademark of Duncan McIntosh Co. Inc. Copyright © 2018, all rights reserved. PERMISSIONS: MMaterial AG A Z I Nin E this publication may not be reproduced in any form without written permission. M AG A Z I N E
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Experience the thrill of surfing the waves behind Starcraft Marine’s full line of surfable deckboats. All Surf Series boats come complete with wave boosting ballast, Zero Off speed control and wave control tab system so you can switch sides in seconds. Rounding off every Starcraft Surf Series boat is the revolutionary Volvo Penta FWD Drive that allows you to use your trim to boost and shape your wave – something the inboards simply can’t do. You will love the space that the side console layout provides and when you add in options like RGB color changing lights and Murphy Touch Screen System you’ll have a boat that will impress your crew both inside and when they’re shredding the waves. Surf over to starcraftmarine.com to see what everyone is talking about.
Easier on the Wallet
Easy to Surf,
Currents
by Steph a n ie S h ibata
L E A D B O A T | C O B A LT 2 3 S C
Bucking Tradition
After 50 years of sterndrives, Cobalt adds outboard power, and the 23SC is the result. 6
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F
ifty years ago, in 1968, a new company in Kansas named Cobalt started building sterndrive-powered boats, and that’s all they built … until last year. For its semi-centennial, Cobalt Boats is celebrating with the unveiling of the 23SC.
Even though it’s an outboard model, the 23SC’s swim platform is large. Bigger boat amenities include a head compartment and a glass helm.
Outboard-powered boats are red hot right now, especially in coastal areas, because of their ability to navigate shallower water and trim the engine totally out of the water when at rest, so Cobalt is getting on board. Despite the foray into the outboard game, Cobalt designers successfully integrated their classic sense of style and unabashed level of luxury into the 23SC. Despite being an outboard model, the 23SC has an especially large swim platform that extends to either side of the outboard. One must-have option is the integrated Flip-Down Swim Step ($890), which allows two- or four-legged passengers to board easily or just relax while sitting in the water. The versatile seating arrangement uses a reversible stern seatback to allow
riders to lounge facing rearward on the sunpad or facing forward when running. The portside lounge also uses a flip-flop backrest. Its deckboat layout carries the beam far forward and creates a huge amount of passenger space up front, where optional filler cushions ($615) create a bow playpen. A large port console head compartment comes with a portable toilet. The helm features a glass cockpit look. Standard dual Garmin 7607 displays are set into a dash that’s double-stitched to continue the elegant theme carried through the boat. Buyers can equip the 23SC with a choice of Mercury or Yamaha power in 225, 250 and 300 hp models. With a Mercury Verado 225, MSRP is $86,425. — Alan Jones Cobalt Boats, cobaltboats.com
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CURRENTS
name the boat To participate in this month’s contest, turn to page 72
APRIL CONTEST WINNER: All Aboard
Neal Weber from Fenton, Mo., was the first to submit the winning name, All Aboard. For very cleverly pointing out the obvious, Neal receives an Orbit 2 Soft Top Towable from Connelly (connellyskis. com), valued at $239.99.
Rick Martin illustration
MORE OF APRIL’S BEST ENTRIES:
Donzi Scheme
Sinking Feeling
Dreamboat
Scott Duink, Sarasota, FL
Jim Tucci, Seminole, FL
Jim Gunter, Lake Ozark, MO
Paper Tige-r
Mean Mirage
Prank Away
Ralph Rufrano, Amity Harbor, NY
Kim Hubacek, via BoatingWorld.com
Scott Edmondson, Rock Island, IL
Placard Placebo
Koda-foam
Nautical Illusion
Nancy Colletti, Mastic, NY
Matthew Petersen, Fishers, IN
Bob Scheidhauer, Parkville, MO
Picture Perfect
One Dimensional
Faux-tow Boat
Gary Lockwitz, Mesa, AZ
Lou Tauber, Portland, OR
Chris Rateno, Mentor, OH
Bill(’s) Board
I Scream Float
James Cantwil, Flushing, MI
Al Tesoro, Seminole, FL
QUIZ
Dad in the Water
IN HONOR OF Father’s Day, June 17 this year, we have a daddy-
driven quiz for everyone. What you see are some words. Some of them mean “father” in a non-English language, and some of them are fishing lures. See if you can tell the difference between a mama’s mate and an angler’s bait. 1 Wabler 2 Vader 3 Patro
4 Gomoku 5 Athair 6 Babbo
7 Tubby 8 Protevis 9 Mzazi D I D YO U K N OW ?
ANSWER KEY: 1. Bait (Williams spoon); 2. Father (Afrikaans); 3. Father (Esperanto); 4. Bait (Williamson jig); 5. Father (Irish); 6. Father (Italian); 7. Bait (VMC jig); 8. Father (Lithuanian); BIG NUMBERS
Alabama
53 Miles of Gulf of Mexico coastline Alabama has 77,000 Miles of river and stream channels 347 Number of different types of species of birds on Dauphin Island 112 Boat launch ramps in the state* 11 Historic covered bridges 240 Species of commercially harvested fresh- and saltwater fish and shellfish 8
*According to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
A group of barracuda is called a “battery.” Evel Knievel once owned, by his own count, 16 boats, including three yachts.
FA S T FAC T S
Magnolia Springs, Ala., is the only town in America that has an all-water mail route for delivery. 1,680 Number of miles the U.S. portion of the Gulf of Mexico coastline spans, according to the EPA. That’s a lot of coastal boating grounds.
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ETIMES SOM IT’S NICE TO KNOW
e r e h w y l t c exa ren t you a
THE ALL-NEW, ALL-ADVENTURE 2018 SEA-DOO MODELS Riding has been redefined. With the most stable platform in the industry, a new cargo system to attach a jerry can or cooler, modular seating with a huge swim platform and a waterproof Bluetooth‡ Audio System, the personal watercraft is now your personal adventure-craft. Visit Sea-Doo.com and ESCAPE THE EVERYDAY. ©2018 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ®, ™ and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its affiliates. In the U.S.A., products are distributed by BRP US Inc. Always ride safely and responsibly. ‡ Bluetooth is a registered trademark owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by BRP is under license.
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CURRENTS
S A LT Y D O G O F T H E M O N T H
Dog: Sadie Owners: Chris Carmody & Mindy Randall, Vancouver, Wash. 1990 WaveRunner III 650
MAKING WAVE(RUNNER)S The folks at Yamaha celebrated a milestone earlier this year. In March, the 1 millionth WaveRunner rolled off the assembly line, about eight months shy of 30 years after the very fi rst WaveRunner came into being, in November 1988. Yamaha calculated it to be 10,713 days. That comes out to about 93 PWCs per day, every day for more than 29 years.
• At an average length of 11 feet, if all 1 million WaveRunners were lined up nose to tail, they would stretch about 2,083 miles. That’s roughly from the mouth of Galveston Bay in Texas to the British Virgin Islands, or from Miami Beach to Bermuda…and back.
R E A D E R S AY S W H AT ?
More to the Picture
Enter Your Dog Now
WIN THIS Dog Vest
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
Mystic Seaport The largest maritime museum in the world is in Stonington, Conn. Mystic Seaport—The Museum of America and the Sea was founded in 1929 to gather and preserve the rapidly disappearing artifacts of America’s seafaring past. Sprawled out over 19 acres, this interactive museum includes a working shipyard, a coastal village, formal exhibit halls, and state of the art artifact storage facilities. There are 500 historic watercrafts on site, including the 1841 whaleship Charles W. Morgan, the oldest commercial ship in America (pictured). For more information, visit mysticseaport.org.
• Using the available seating on every WaveRunner ever built, roughly everyone in the city of Houston could participate in a gigantic raft-up.
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Shutterstock.com
• With three WaveRunners per 40-foot shipping container, it would take OOCL Hong Kong, the largest container ship in the world, 31 trips to move them all (with a few hundred leftovers).
Lenny Rudow (“Navigational Nirvana,” April 2018, p. 54) neglected to mention the members of the United States Power Squadron and their work in Cooperative Charting to keep ATON’s information current, as well as water depth measurements. The Cooperative Charting Program began in 1963 with a Memorandum Of Agreement between USPS and what is now the National Ocean Service (NOS), National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Department of Commerce. The Cooperative Charting Program of the United States Power Squadrons is conducted in close coordination with the Marine Chart Division, NOS, NOAA and the U.S. Department of Commerce. C Henry Depew, via BoatingWorld.com
You had an excellent article in the April 2018 issue, “The Perfect Hookup” (p. 12), but I have to question the part that says a 2-inch shank requires “4,550 foot-pounds of torque.” Surely the author meant “550 foot-pounds”? Greg Martin, via BoatingWorld.com Good eye, Greg. You are correct.
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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
Wa kes por t s B oat s
Safely Trailer a Wake Boat Wakesports boats require some extra care before and during retrieval. BY CHRIS CASWELL
• LIFE USED TO BE A lot simpler, especially for owners who trailer their boats. Now, especially for people who own one of the new wave of boats for wakesurfing, wakeboarding and even waterskiing, simple might not be the word that comes to mind.
Up until these new boats arrived, getting a boat on a trailer was a simple affair: back the trailer into the water just the right amount, get the boat up to a certain speed and aim it right up the center of the trailer. At just the right distance from the trailer, the driver hit the “up” switch for the sterndrive or outboard and the boat slid up the rollers and came to a stop against the bow post on the trailer. Today, however, most watersports boats have flaps or wings or foils that make the huge and sculpted wakes that boarders and surfers demand. Called Surf Gates (Chaparral), Power Wedges (Malibu), Surf Tabs (MasterCraft) and more, some of them look like trim
12
tabs that have been installed incorrectly, with the tab unhinging at an angle rather than with the water flow. Others are tabs installed on the side of the boat that can carve a wake of Banzai Pipeline proportions. Nearly all of the boats have ballast systems that can suck outside water into flexible or built-in rigid tanks using high-speed two-way pumps. They allow an operator to build a wake on one side of the boat and then quickly transfer it when the surfer changes sides. And finally, Volvo-Penta has made huge inroads in the ski boat market with its Forward Drive, which reverses sterndrive thinking by putting the twin props on the front. This is a real safety factor for anyone in the water around the stern of a boat, because the props are tucked well under the boat, away from arms and feet. But it makes the props far more susceptible to damage from hitting something … like a trailer. Here’s how wakesports boats have changed trailering.
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INVENT NEW
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W O R L D
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W A T E R S P O R T S
THE LEADER IN INNOVATIVE TOWABLES
NEW SECURE SLOT SEATING FOR EZ BOARDING AND RIDING
AVAI LAB LE AT YO U R LO C AL WOW D EALE R S AN D O N LI N E WOWWATE R S P O RTS .C O M
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SECURE SLOT SEATING
STANDING COCKPIT EZ TOW HOVER BOTTOM
www.facebook.com/towables
RIDE STANDING • SITTING • KNEELING
TRAILERING
Buyers will probably get the trailer at the same time they acquire a boat with Forward Drive, and it’s likely to have either higher bunks or a dropped frame. The first way raises the trailering height of a boat and the depth to which the driver must submerge the trailer, while the latter may reduce a trailer’s road clearance. Remember one more thing: Because of its prop-forward design, Forward Drive doesn’t retract as high as a typical sterndrive or outboard, so during a beaching or retrieval to a trailer, the drive must be fully up. BALLAST SYSTEMS
M O D E R N F E AT U R E S , E X T R A C A R E
Specialized trailers, such as Malibu’s (top), can accommodate features such as the Power Wedge (left), Volvo-Penta’s Forward Drive and Surf Gates. Owners should use their boat’s system (right) to empty all ballast before leaving the ramp.
First, operators have to pay attention. They must remember to retract or raise all of the boat’s wake devices. The bottom tabs must be withdrawn to the fully up position, and any side deflectors must be flush with the hull. Engaged or extended, they’re all susceptible to serious damage from the trailer rollers, the bunks (bottom tabs) or the upright posts of the trailer (side tabs). While most of these systems have sophisticated electronic systems to “dial in” the wave height and shape (and even remember favorite positions), they still need to be retracted before heading for the trailer. Be wary of driver error. Scott Wood of Wake WorX, which provides wake control systems to many leading manufacturers, suggests operators take a moment before retrieving their wake
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boat to cycle whatever system they have and then visually make sure it’s in the safe position. Volvo-Penta Forward Drive uses forward-facing props that provide a real margin of safety, both in keeping the props under the hull and using a forward underwater exhaust to keep carbon monoxide fumes from gathering around the swim platform. But as one executive, who begged anonymity out of embarrassment, for a major boat builder noted sadly, “Yeah, we dinged a bunch of props until we started using trailers with higher bunks.” With boat lifts at a dock, owners need to have a forward bow stop to keep the props from getting into the lift.
With fresh water weighing in at 8.36 pounds per gallon (sea water is about 8.6 pounds), it doesn’t take much to literally add a ton of weight, and many smaller wake boats can carry up to 2,800 pounds. One 25-footer adds a whopping 5,500 pounds of wave-making water into its tanks. The point is that operators should empty all the water out of the ballast tanks before they roll up on the trailer. Adding a ton or two of weight to a boat probably won’t squash a trailer, but it’s certain to challenge the tow vehicle, especially going uphill. There’s another point from an ecological standpoint. Always empty all the water from ballast tanks into the waterway from which it was gathered. Carrying it to another lake or river can spread invasive species such as quagga and zebra mussels. In addition to emptying the ballast tanks, owners can sterilize them by pouring a mix of water and bleach into the tank, either via a filler plate or through the overflow vent. Being careful can save money, too, since many waterways have inspection stations at launch ramps that will cite owners and require an expensive decontamination if they have any water in their boat from other areas. Anyone who isn’t a Forgetful Fred shouldn’t have any problems towing the new watersports boats. Just think twice before heading back to the launch ramp, retract everything and be sure to dump any ballast at the ramp. BW
BOATINGWORLD.COM
5/4/18 8:30 AM
JUST GO. N E W L A R G E 12- I N C H D I S P L AY
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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
Watersports
Tow Tu bes Safely
KNOW THE SIGNALS 1
To start: driver makes sure path is clear, observer watches rider and line, and rider calls “Hit it.”
2
Speed: Thumb up to go faster, thumb down to go slower.
3
Stop: Rider swipes hand across neck/ shoulders.
4
Back to dock: Pat head with hand.
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Totally Tubular Here’s how to tow tubes for speed, action and safety. BY ZENON BILAS
• RIDING A TUBE behind a boat is a blast. And unlike the rubber tire innertubes those of us
of a certain age remember riding — taking care to avoid the sometimes substantial stem — tube designs today offer comfort, safety and multiple rider options. Ideal for kids and novices, since hardly any technical skill is used and not a lot of horsepower is required, tubing works behind almost any boat, even pontoons and personal watercraft. As with any towed sport, the driver is critical. A driver who is sensitive to the pull enhances the tubing experience, as he does with skiing and boarding. More importantly, the driver is the key to a safe ride. The tube rider has minimal ability to steer the tube or control its speed. Since the rider essentially follows the boat, the driver is responsible for delivering a fun and safe experience.
The boat driver is largely responsible for tube riders’ safety and enjoyment, from starting with a taut line to ensuring he doesn’t drive into traffic.
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W AT E R S P O R T S
Driving
Safety & Equipment
Stay alert, communicate and develop a sensitivity to the steering wheel and throttle. Riding a tube is all about fun, but the driver has a serious job to do. A good driver develops a feel for the steering and throttle and for conditions on the water. Before accelerating, the driver should put the throttle in gear at the slowest idle and let the line go taut. A tube has ample surface area, so acceleration and top speed should be modest: 15 mph for children and 20 mph for adults. Turn the engine off when the rider is entering the water or climbing back into the boat. A driver should encourage feedback from the rider. Make sure the rider, driver and observer understand basic hand signals. Older adults and young children might want a conservatively paced straight ride. Teens and younger
THE TUBE
Use the right equipment for fun and safety.
adults might want a more exciting ride, maybe some S-turns and full circles. During an S-turn, the tube will cross the boat’s wake for a more exciting ride, so make sure the boat doesn’t swing too far out if there is other traffic. When putting the tube through a full turn, make sure there is unobstructed open water and limited or no other boat traffic. Going in a circle puts the tube into a whip,
which is fun, but remember the tube rider will be going faster than the boat, so the driver should throttle down in a turn. The driver should focus on keeping the line to the tube taut. It is common to get slack in the line when making aggressive S-turns, and that springy feel is not appealing to riders. Avoid turning too aggressively, and slow down or speed up smoothly on the throttle.
There are multiple types and sizes of tubes, but they fall into three general categories.
SIT IN
SIT ON
LIE ON
Sit-in versions are great for kids and offer a very safe ride.
Sit-on tubes have a backrest and offer a leisurely ride.
The lie-on or deck-style tubes offer the potential for the most exciting ride.
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A mirror shouldn’t replace an observer, but the driver can use it to check on the rider and other boats in the area.
MAKE SURE THE TUBES ARE FULLY INFLATED, WHICH ENSURES THE BEST TOW AND PRESERVES THE LONGEVITY OF THE TUBE.
As with any wakesport, make sure there is a mirror on the boat. Mirrors are not just for specialty inboard ski boats. Many boats do not come with mirrors, but aftermarket mirrors are available for every type of boat, including models for center console fishing boats, pontoons and PWCs. The mirror should not replace the observer, who sits next to the driver, faces aft and focuses on the rider. But the mirror allows the driver to frequently check on the rider and for any traffic behind the boat. When boats or PWCs are following too closely, the driver can adjust course to keep the rider safe, since the rider can fall off at any time. The best mirror is one with a wide angle panoramic view, since the tube will whip far outside the boat wake during a turn. Every wakesport features a specialized tow line. Unlike a line for waterskiing or wakeboarding, a tube line is only 60 feet long, which keeps the line more taut when the boat starts or slows down, giving the rider a smoother, more consistent pull. It also keeps the rider from accelerating too quickly or whipping too far out when the boat swerves or turns. Lines are made to accommodate different tube sizes: 3/8-inch diameter for up to two riders, 5/8-inch diameter for up to four riders, and 3/4-inch diameter for up to six riders. Match the line to the size of the tube, to reduce the chance of the line breaking. At the end of a tubing session in salt water, someone should rinse off any salt. UV rays will weaken the tube and line over time, so keep them out of the sun. BW
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Fishing
Choosing H ook s
TYPES OF HOOKS
BILLFISH Circle-type with a wide opening, big sizes
CIRCLE Best for catchand-release use, easy to remove
Get Properly Hooked
TREBLE
NO MATTER WHAT you fish for, the fish hook is the most
important piece of tackle. After all, the fish neither knows nor cares what kind of fancy rod and reel you use; consider that a majority of fisherman around the globe use fishing line wrapped around an empty soda bottle. Certainly that line and leader bear some importance, but the hook is the only point of contact between fish and angler. Read on and learn how to take some of the confusion out of selecting the right hook for any application. First, decide the size of fish you’re after. Larger fish need larger hooks, smaller fish need smaller hooks. Some fish are more suspicious, so a smaller hook is needed to Know what factors go into choosing avoid spooking them. What bait you’ll be using and how the right hook for the situation. that bait will be rigged also weigh heavily on the choice of hook. Different baits require differing hook designs: longer B Y D E A N T R AV I S C L A R K E shanks, angled eyes, offset or straight, etc. • Additionally, you will probably be overwhelmed by the number and variety of hook applications and sizes. Jig hooks, treble hooks, spinnerbait hooks, circle hooks, weedless Sproat hooks, trailers, live-bait hooks, hooks for worms, swimbaits, salmon eggs, drop shot and myriad others can make selection intimidating. Don’t be afraid to ask for help at the tackle shop. The main companies that make hooks for both commercial and recreational use include Mustad, Gamakatsu, Owner, VMC, Eagle Claw and Tru-Turn.
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Very effective but prone to hooking clothes and skin
FLIPPIN’ For use with heavy lines in thick cover
BAITHOLDER Extra barbs hold bait during casting
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FISHING
Hooks come with either long or short shanks. I prefer short shanks unless I am fishing for sharp-toothed species and don’t want to use a wire leader, which the fish often see and shy away from. Determining hook sizes has always seemed somewhat confusing. The scale starts in the middle of the size range with a number 1 hook. Go left (smaller) on the scale and the numbers get bigger — 2, 3, 4, etc. — as the hooks get smaller. Go right on the scale (from the middle), and the first hook is a 1/0 (called a one-aught) and the numbers increase as the hooks get larger. Be aware that these sizes are not standardized among the manufacturers, so a 3/0 hook from Mustad may be quite different than a 3/0 from Gamakatsu. Carry a hook sharpener. Though manufacturers sharpen their hooks either mechanically or chemically, they sometimes need a touchup right out of the package or, more commonly, after they’ve been used (e.g., hit a rock or from catching too many fish). By the way, chemically sharpened hooks may be sharper at the outset, but you can’t really sharpen them.
Matching hook size and point to the targeted fish could be the difference between landing a big one and losing it.
Lures have their own wide array of hook requirements. For example, if you fish topwater plugs, they probably come with treble hooks (three hook points at right angles to each other on one shaft). I don’t like them. My fingers and clothes always get stuck by them and they inevitably get tangled together, and untangling them is like undoing a bird’s nest made out of needles on a fishing reel. I make a habit of replacing all treble hooks with singles as soon as I bring a new plug home. Of course, their propensity to hook into everything is what makes trebles effective. They do increase the odds of a successful hookup. Trolling lures inevitably use one or two inline (as opposed to offset) single hooks. Offset hooks — where the point doesn’t line up with the eye and shank — tend to cause trolled baits and lures to spin, which is undesirable. Some states outlaw offset hooks, so be sure to check. You can also find offset-eye hooks that require a Snell knot. These are good for bottom fishing. You need to match the type of point to the fish you plan to catch. Hooks come with needle points and cutting points. Needles look how they sound, with a smooth surface that ends in a sharp point. Cutting-point 22
Bend the barb of the hook down flat against the main body. hooks have facets with razor sharp edges. Use these for hard or bony-mouthed fish. However, you might lose soft-mouthed fish when a cutting point slices through. Live baits and light lures need a light hook, so you should consider wire. Heavier gauge hooks work better for larger fish and for when you fish around structure, such as pilings, reefs, rocks and bridge abutments.
Some experts think anglers should use durable hooks that won’t corrode. I prefer the opposite. I want hooks that corrode quickly, because I practice catch and release much of the time. A hook that for whatever reason gets left in a fish’s mouth should corrode and disappear quickly rather than lasting for the creature’s lifetime. Speaking of catch and release, circle hooks work much better for this purpose. Circle hooks are the oldest hook design, stemming from prehistoric humans. When a fish swallows the hook, the design allows it to pull back out without harming the fish, then catch in the corner of the fish’s mouth where it will do the least damage. One other kindness you can perform to help conserve our resource is to bend the barb of the hook down flat against the main body. Doing so allows the hook to be removed more easily. As long as you maintain constant pressure on the line while fighting the fish, you won’t suffer a spit hook. BW
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Fish & Cruise While the 236CC was designed for use as a coastal fishing boat, it's really a multi-purpose boat that can be used for lots of activities — pulling kids on a tube, cruising to dinner, or just a leisurely ride along the waterways.
With seating for up to twelve passengers, rod holders and storage throughout, and a changing compartment that can be upgraded with an optional porta potti, the 236CC is ready for a full day of fun on the water with family and friends! 236CC Deck Boat 23’ 8” | 101” beam | 3648 lbs (w/ popular engine) | 68 gal fuel capacity | 12 ppl, 3250 lbs VISIT STINGRAYBOATS.COM /236CC FOR MORE INFORMATION
Engines
Ya m a h a F90 B
Power for the Masses Yamaha’s new F90B is a good fit for boaters who own smaller boats. BY ALAN JONES
• MOST BOATS IN the U.S. are less than 20 feet
YA M A H A F 9 0 B S P E C I F I CATI O N S Type Inline four-cylinder SOHC four-stroke
Displacement 1.8L Full-throttle Range 5000-6000 rpm
Weight 353 lbs. (20-in. shaft), 362 lbs. (25-in. shaft)
Gear Ratio 2.15:1 Price $10,405 PERFORMANCE Tested with Xpress H18B
Time to Plane 3.5 sec. 0-25 mph 6.2 sec. Top Speed 42.0 mph Decibels @ Idle 57 Cruise 34.4 mph/ 4500 rpm/84 dBA Peak 42.0 mph/ 5600 rpm/91 dBA
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long, so while the higher horsepower engines get most of the press, midrange outboards are, arguably, of greater importance to the majority of boaters. The new Yamaha F90B — lighter, smaller and more powerful than its predecessor — is set to make an impact squarely in that midrange space. DIFFERENCES
Displacement is one of the biggest differences between the F90B and the previous model, the F90A. It has been pumped up to 1832cc, from 1595cc, which allows it to make power more easily and gives it more low-end oomph, for better holeshots and midrange acceleration. Compared to Yamaha’s F70, which has a 1L block, the new 1.8L F90 has nearly twice the displacement, and it matches the displacement of the F115. Visually, the old and new F90s are noticeably different. The F90A featured a dual overhead cam (DOHC) design; the F90B has a single overhead cam (SOHC) but still features four valves per cylinder. That arrangement gives it a slimmer profile than the F90A and the F115, which also has a DOHC design. The switch to a SOHC design is largely the reason for the 13-pound reduction in weight, resulting in a total weight of 353 pounds for the 20-inch shaft model. The 25-inch version weighs 362 pounds. The F90B has a slightly
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Buyers can use their original analog gauges for a repower, but the F90 is compatible with Yamaha’s advanced Command Link multifunction speedo meter and tachometer gauges, which would allow owners to add the option of another Yamaha-only feature: Y-COP. This is an antitheft device that uses a key fob to disable the operation of an outboard, which is important because Yamaha’s popularity means its engines are the most-stolen brand. If a thief takes it and finds out it won’t start and takes it to a Yamaha dealer to diagnose the problem, that would be a huge mistake, because its technicians are trained to call the police if they are presented a Y-COP-disabled engine. CHARGE A majority of sub-20-foot boats, such as this EdgeWater 170 CC, need midrange power, which is where the Yamaha F90B fits in.
higher compression ratio — 10:1 compared to 9.7:1 for the F90A — but it still runs on 87 octane regular fuel. Its 2.15:1 gear ratio puts it in the middle of the pack compared to other outboard manufacturers. PERFORMANCE
The F90B uses a big-block design and a tuned long-track induction system that leads to a multiport electronic fuel-injection system with four separate injectors to make sure it delivers snappy acceleration. We tested it on Lake Geneva in Wisconsin aboard an Xpress H18B, an 18-foot aluminum center console bay boat that weighs 1,187 pounds dry. Given the H18B’s maximum horsepower rating of 115, a 90 is probably the smallest engine it should use, but it proved to be a good match. One of Yamaha’s best innovations is the Shift Dampener System (SDS), which uses a specially designed rubber hub to smooth the prop into motion without the attendant clunk we’re used to hearing. With two well-fed Americans on board, the Xpress got on plane in 3.5 seconds, hit 25 mph in 6.4 seconds and reached a top speed of 42 mph at 6000 rpm, and it accomplished its performance relatively quietly. At idle, the only sound I heard was the water from the telltale stream hitting the water. Measuring 57 dBA at idle, and 91 dBA at WOT, it’s really quiet throughout its range of operation. According to a Yamaha Performance Bulletin on this boat and motor rig, the best fuel economy was at 23.9 mph with the engine running at 3500 rpm. At this speed, the F90 was consuming 3.2 gph, which netted it nearly 7.5 mpg. At 1000 rpm, it was drinking only 0.5 gph, which is good news for trollers, and even at WOT it was burning just 9.6 gph. FEATURES
The F90B features many of Yamaha’s exclusive features, including Variable Trolling RPM (VTS), which allows drivers to bump their engine speed in 50 rpm increments, from 550 rpm to 1000 rpm, so they can dial in the perfect presentation for lures and live bait when they are trolling. Most F90B outboards will see service with a helm steering system, but buyers can choose a Multi-Function Tiller Handle, which includes a shift lever, power trim and tilt, and control of VTS on the handle.
Even smaller boats these days can be equipped with a wide array of electronics, such as 12-inch fishfinder displays, Power Poles, stereos and livewells, so keeping the batteries charged is a challenge with smaller motors. So Yamaha created a threephase alternator that produces 35 amps of charging power, which is 40 percent more than the F90A. Amazingly, it produces 28 amps at 1000 rpm, so even trolling produces charging. Yamaha is also making a 75 hp version of this platform, but I’m not sure how it will sell, because of its groundbreaking F70, which weighs 100 pounds less (253 vs. 353). The F70 has less torque, by virtue of its smaller 1L displacement, and its alternator only produces 17 amps at WOT, but it’s difficult to overlook the weight difference, which is a big deal on smaller boats. The Yamaha F90 is a good choice for boat owners who run in saltwater, thanks to its comprehensive corrosion defense system. It starts with an engine block whose paint job is electro-deposited for superior adhesion. Then, the exterior undergoes a five-part paint process called Phaze Five. Then there’s a redesigned cowl ing, which offers even greater protection from water intrusion. And maintenance is simple thanks to an easy-access flush-out port that doesn’t require the engine to be running, which the neighbors are going to love. BW
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D.I.Y. I n sta ll a Tra n sd ucer/Fis hfin der A bracket-mounted fishfinder is a simple way to bring the latest tech aboard a boat without room for it at the dash.
RUN THE POWER LEAD
Find More Fish Here’s how to install a bracket-mounted fishfinder and a transom-mounted transducer. BY LE N NY RU DOW
• ANYONE WHO ENJOYS FISHING CERTAINLY could benefit from the latest and greatest in fishfinder technology, but many small, trailerable boats don’t have room at the dash for full-sized flush-mounted electronics. And boats that use tiller-steering may not have a dash in the first place. Either way, the solution is a bracket-mounted fishfinder.
MOUNT THE BRACKET AND FISHFINDER
Using the bracket foot as a template, mark the spots for the pilot holes (1). We mounted a RAM Mounts D-111C-KNOB9H ball-joint bracket. Its large mounting plate includes a series of pre-drilled holes that will fit a number of different electronics units, including the Raymarine Axiom we’re mounting on this boat. Since our flush fiberglass mounting surface is backed with half-inch plywood, we’ll surface-mount the bracket using stainless steel screws. If you have access to the back of the mounting surface, through-bolts with nylock locking nuts are a better choice, because they are less likely to vibrate loose over time. After marking and drilling, give each hole a dose of 3M 5200 Adhesive/Sealant. Hold the bracket in place. Before running in the screws, give each one a dip in more 3M 5200 (2), just to be sure the holes are well sealed and water intrusion isn’t a problem in the future. Now you can use through-bolts to affix the fishfinder’s binnacle mount to the bracket mount (3). Then place the fishfinder on the mount.
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The fishfinder, once in place, needs juice. Depending on what sort of boat you have and where you’re mounting the unit, this job can vary quite a bit, but the bottom line is you need to use a wire-fish to pull the power wire through a channel, or under the deck or gunwale, and to the battery compartment. Always start at the unit and fish the end of the cord that connects to the battery, not the other way around, because the plug end is bulkier and will be more difficult to maneuver through rigging tubes and other tight areas. After you’ve run the wire, use a crimper (4) to crimp ring terminals onto the positive and negative leads. If the wire’s longer than needed for the application, coil up the extra and secure it with a tie-wrap or two. MOUNT THE TRANSDUCER
Fishfinders don’t work without transducers, and where you place the transducer will have a big effect on performance. Locate an area at the base of the transom as far as possible from strakes, steps, through-hull fittings or other anomalies that interrupt the water flow and create turbulence (which interferes with performance) as the boat moves forward through the water. Also, locate the transducer so its bottom is positioned between 1/8 and 1/16 of an inch beneath the hull bottom. In the case of a 3-D or side-scanning transducer, such as the Raymarine Axiom 9, the transducer will need to be submerged from the center seam down, to maintain full functionality. Once the transducer’s location is chosen, mark it and then tape on the manufacturer-provided mounting template. Note: Before you reach for the power drill, hold the transducer and bracket up against the template (5) to double-check the position. An error at this stage could lead to drilling
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1
3
2
4
5
7
8
6
additional holes in the transom. When you’re confident the positioning is good, drill the holes. Be sure to goop both the holes and the screws liberally with 3M 5200, prior to driving the screws in (6) and affixing the transducer in place (7). Some transducer mounts, including Axiom’s, should initially be mounted with only two out of three screws. This will allow you to sea trial the boat and adjust the transducer up or down a bit as necessary, before driving in the third and final screw.
RUN THE TRANSDUCER CABLE
Secure the cable to the transom with a cable clamp or two — usually included with the fishfinder — to make sure it stays in place when the boat is underway (8). As was true with the power lead, exactly where you run the transducer cable will vary from boat to boat. In any scenario, you will have to fish the thick plug-end through to the unit, because cutting and re-splicing a transducer cable causes additional resistance in the wires and can ruin the fishfinder’s performance.
ITEMS NEEDED
Fishfinder, transducer and bracket mount
Power drill and bits
Stainless steel fittings
Screwdriver
Crescent wrench
3M 5200 Adhesive/ Sealant
Cable clamps and/or tie-wraps
Wire fish
Crimpers and crimp-on ring terminals
Once you have fished the cable through to the fishfinder, coil any excess cable and secure it with tie-wraps. Then find any areas where the power and/or transducer lines are exposed for more than a foot or two, and where possible, use cable clamps or tie-wraps to secure them in place. Finally, hook up the power lead and connect the wires to the fishfinder. Now step back, take a deep breath and admire your handiwork. But don’t go fishing just yet. That 3M 5200 needs a full week of drying time to fully cure. BW
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Ask the Experts
Q
+A
B AT T E R I E S
Options for Start Trouble
Q I have a 23-foot center console with twin V-6 BRP two-strokes. The port engine starts perfectly and the gauges show all is well, but the starboard engine will not engage the starter when the key is turned to Start. The cowl design provides no access to the solenoid to jumpstart it. This is the first problem I’ve had with the engine and don’t know what to look for. Grayson P., via BoatingWorld.com
Trust your voltmeter. When you turn the ignition on, does the voltmeter show a
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
5/4/18 8:14 AM
You could get a discount when you combine your auto and boat policies.
geico.com | 1-800-865-4846 | Local Office Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. Boat and PWC coverages are underwritten by GEICO Marine Insurance Company. Multi-Policy Discount available to auto insureds that have purchased a boat policy through the GEICO Marine Insurance Company. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. Š 2018 GEICO
ASK THE EXPERTS
voltage reading around 12v? Your source (battery) is probably OK. Turn the key to Start. Does the voltmeter drop dramatically? Perhaps the battery cables are loose or dirty. Maybe the starter is defective. A lot depends on what preceded this problem. What if the voltmeter doesn’t move off 12v? Push the key in to activate the primer. If the gauges moves slightly, try holding the ignition key in the Start position while gently moving the remote control lever back and forth an inch each way. It could be as simple as the neutral safety switch being out of position. Most of these problems are easy to cure; you just have to be patient. — GM OUTBOARDS
Lack of Fuel Delivery
Q After a long, cold winter, I launched my Sea Boss with a 150 hp Suzuki four-stroke, let it idle to warm up, idled through the no-wake area and hit
the throttle — at which point I hit the console when the engine quit. I could restart it easily, but it wouldn’t take throttle. I read as much as I could on line. Many forum writers suggested the fuel pump or the VST (whatever that is) might be the problem. So I went to YouTube and decided I might not be the best person to work on this. Can you guide me? Scott R., via BoatingWorld.com
If you want to save yourself some money, “divide and conquer.” Disconnect the in-boat fuel tank from the engine and hook up a remote tank to the engine. Take it for a spin. If you can duplicate the problem, you’ve saved yourself paying a dealer to do the same diagnostic. If the problem goes away using the remote tank, you’ve identified the problem as the fuel trail from the boat’s tank to the engine, and perhaps you can resolve that yourself. That’s the investigative pattern I’d follow, anyway. — GM
MAINTENANCE
Be Prepared
We’re now into June, but there might be a few of you out there who still haven’t hit the water in your boat, or maybe you have been on the water but it didn’t go so well due to lack of planning. The folks at BoatUS have a helpful commissioning checklist. We’ve shared part of the list here, but any boat owner who would like a little more help with the early season prep work should check out the full list: tinyurl.com/ yaccwn64. Here are 15 things to do before you launch (or before you launch again). 1.
Hose clamps should be inspected and replaced as necessary. Double clamp below-waterline connections, including all hose and fuel lines with marine-rated stainless hose clamps, and keep seacocks closed when you are away. 2. Inspect cooling hoses for stiffness,
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7. Make sure your engine intake sea
rot, leaks and cracking. Make sure they fit snugly. 3. Replace deteriorated sacrificial anodes. 4. Inspect prop(s) for dings, pitting and distortion. Make sure cotter pins are secure. Grip the prop and try moving
the shaft. If it’s loose, the cutless bearing (on inboard drive systems) may need to be replaced. 5. Check the rudderstock to ensure it hasn’t been bent. 6. Inspect the hull for blisters, distortions and stress cracks.
strainer is not cracked or bent from ice, is free of corrosion, and is clean and properly secured. 8. With inboards, check the engine shaft and rudder stuffing boxes for looseness. A stuffing box should only leak when the prop shaft is turning and needs to be inspected routinely. 9. Inspect and lubricate seacocks. 10. Use a garden hose to check for deck leaks at ports and hatches. Renew caulk or gaskets as necessary. 11. Inspect the bilge pump and float switch to make sure they’re working properly. 12. Check stove and remote tanks for loose fittings and leaking hoses. 13. Inspect dock and anchor lines for chafing. 14. If equipped, ensure that the stern drain plug is installed 15. After the boat is launched, be sure to check all through-hulls for leaks. BW
MAKING SUMMER FUN SINCE 1965
A LEADER IN LEGACY #connellycollective
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Bonehead Blunders
By G rid M ich a l
1 Acceptably assinine
BONEHEAD SCALE:
2 Slightly slow
Take it Down a Notch BONEHEAD BLUNDER: Accepting bad
advice THE BONEHEADS: A couple of young city
guys, sharp as tacks, with a Lazarus boat BONEHEAD RATING: 5+ WHAT HAPPENED: As a friend said last week, “Growin’ old ain’t bad, it’s the side effects that getcha.” The second Saturday in March proved him right. These guys were
3 Distinguished dunce
4 Massively moronic
5 Seek mental help
weekenders in our bucolic neck of the woods. They had purchased a nice (now) old Robalo hull, done a lot of console work, installed a T-top, and bought a BRP 250 hp ETEC and installed it, after having another party replace the transom and Imron the hull. They found the engine was a 25-inch shaft but they needed a 30-inch shaft. They related to me they returned it and had 5 inches added. The complaint was the exhaust just roared to the point they couldn’t converse, once the boat was coming on plane. Now, I know there’s no “splicing” of the exhaust housing, so that cast suspicion on the exhaust story, but I removed the side covers and checked the muffler, which was fine. Then, I didn’t want to, but there was nothing to learn without going for a freezing boat ride. With no lower cowls or hood, the engine was loud but making no untoward wallet-busting sounds. The owner started to bring the boat on plane. The prop absolutely blew out trying to get that boat on top. Noticing he had the engine partially tilted up, I told him to tuck it in and try again, which he did. The guys again identified the prop ventilation as exhaust noise. We turned around, returned to the marina, loaded the boat on the trailer and hauled it out. As I was looking for possible ways to generate exhaust noise, I hadn’t considered that the owners had somehow settled on someone’s advice that the anti-ventilation plate should be 2 inches above the bottom of the boat! Lowering the engine one fat bolt hole and replacing all the covers made the engine as quiet as the early ETECs could get. And speaking of “get,” I got home, had a hot chocolate and got under a blanket for a while. LESSON LEARNED: For me, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to ask the right questions, or right number of questions, that will get me the proper replies I need to make an accurate diagnosis. At 34 degrees in a windy, open field, I don’t know if my mind will arrive at an accurate diagnosis anyway! For them, they need to get what are considered the top 10 answers to their question, then narrow the list to the one answer that neither a friend nor Google gave them. Or, measure twice, cut once. BW
*Shown above is our current prize, a CWB Dog Vest valued at $24.95. P to change.
HAS YOUR DOG GOT THE SALT? Enter your pooch in our Salty Dog of the Month contest. Email your pet’s photo, name, your name, address and phone number to editor@ boatingworld.com, or snail mail to Boating World Salty Dog Contest, 18475 Bandilier Circle, Fountain Valley, CA 92708. Your pet could win a cool PFD from CWB.
WIN THIS
®
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Gear 1.
St u f f You Wa nt
Fillet Knife Set
$64.95, outdooredge.com The Reel-Flex Pak fillet knife set includes 6-, 7 1/2 - and 9 1/2 -inch professional-grade fillet knives made from German 4116 stainless steel in a hard-sided carrying case. The ReelFlex Pak includes an Edge-X sharpener whose coarse carbide bits reshape and fine ceramic rods finish the edges. The Edge-X features a pivoting X-base design that provides anglers with a stable sharpening platform on a boat or at the docks.
2.
Trolling Motor
1
$2,299, torqeedo.com The Ultralight 403 C is a new, longer-running model of Torqeedo’s smallest electric outboard with an integrated lithium battery. The Ultralight 403 C has a 915 Wh battery, which is 2.85 times more battery capacity compared to the standard Ultralight 403, while adding just 1.7 kg to the overall weight. The motor is designed to fit on kayaks, canoes and small boats. With a range of up to 120 km at low speed, the motor is completely waterproof (IP67) and can be charged using an optional solar panel.
3.
Fiberglass Stain Remover
$10.99/pint, davisnet.com
FSR from Davis Instruments is a non-abrasive gel that can be used on any fiberglass, including glossy surfaces. It removes gelcoat discoloration and is safe to use on paint. Oily exhaust, waterline scum, and rust stains on the hull or on stainless steel fittings can be cleaned using a brush, cloth, or sponge. Users apply it, wait a few minutes, and wipe it off and rinse. FSR can be used in the head and galley, and to clean road tar off a trailered boat.
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Fish Ruler
$33.99, yakgear.com The Fish Stik Folding Fish Ruler from Yak Gear is a compact, durable and accurate measuring board that delivers quick and efficient fish measurements. The 36-inch ruler features raised, quarter-inch increments and folds down to 12 total inches, making it easy to stow underneath a kayak seat, boat compartment or gunwale. Constructed of a proprietary blend of PVC and plastic, the Fish Stik’s fortified locking tabs create a straight and rigid platform that can be used on an angler’s lap.
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SUBMIT YOUR GEAR TO STEPHANIE@BOATINGWORLD.COM
5.
Surf Brim Hat
$39, westmarine.com Sun protection is important on a boat, so keeping a hat on one’s head is important. The Surf Brim hat from Patagonia and available at West Marine has a neoprene chin strap, so the hat stays put even in the water. The Surf Brim Hat is made of soft, fast-drying, 100 percent recycled nylon and has a sun-blocking foam brim that holds it shape. The soft, neoprene chin strap will secure the hat through wind and water, but it can be tucked away. The hat comes in S/M and L/XL.
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Outdoor USB Cable
$29.99, scanstrut.com
For charging electronics while underway, the Outdoor Ready USB Cable Range works and was designed by outdoor technologies experts. The ROKK cables are available in Apple Lightning or Micro USB, and all models feature a high-spec core that ensures fast charging or syncing, whatever the application. The cable is compatible with all cases from leading manufacturers and is officially approved by Apple for use with iPhones and iPads.
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The SlideMoor Piling Proxy system is a free-standing piling replacement whose bracket bolts directly to the horizontal deck surface of most stationary docks and whose support beam serves as a piling. It is designed for use in calm waters with boats up to 40 feet LOA in conjunction with a second SlideMoor attached to a piling. Heavy-duty aluminum brackets are secured with stainless steel machine bolts, lock nuts and washers to provide a quick, stout and corrosion-resistant fixture. Only one Piling Proxy per vessel should be used.
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Piling Proxy
$1,858+, slidemoor.com
BF100 Bluetooth Speaker
$199.95, kicker.com
Kicker’s new BF100 Bluetooth speaker offers durable, long-lasting performance that’s ready for every environment. The amphibious speaker weighs 1.8 pounds and features a 12-hour battery life. With an IP67 rating, the BF100 can withstand sand, dust and dirt, and can be submerged for up to 30 minutes. With 360 degrees of sound, BF100 is compatible with any audio player, smartphone or tablet that is Bluetooth enabled. There is an AUX input as well as a USB plug capable of charging mobile devices on the go.
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A X I S W A K E R E S E A R C H T 2 2 // B Y A L A N J O N E S
Waver Saver The newly redesigned Axis T22 makes wakesports more affordable. • WHEN MALIBU CREATED ITS AXIS Wake Research line of boats in 2009, the goal was to
provide a boat with some Malibu DNA but at a lower price. And that hasn’t changed. The two lines are built at the same facility in Loudon, Tenn., to the same exacting standards, as evidenced by the 2018 T22, an all-new design from the hull up. To get an idea of how much less money we’re talking, the most similar Malibu to the T22 is the 22 VLX, which has a starting MSRP of $101,235. The T22’s starting price is $64,575, but buyers need to add some of Malibu’s greatest technological hits, such as the Power Wedge II, Surf Band and Surf Gate II, to take the boat to its full potential. It features the new Wake Plus hull, which sits lower in the water and can build impressive waves and wakes. 36
UNIQUE FACTOR
The T22 was the first Axis model with the more traditional pointy bow, and this year it’s been improved in many ways. The dash exhibits one of the biggest differences between Axis and Malibu, the former lacking the MaliView touchscreen. Instead, the Axis dash has a simpler design that uses switches to control all the boat’s functions. This year, the T22’s dash got a makeover that replaced toggle switches for the accessories with soft buttons that light up when activated. Not only are the sealed switches fire hose–proof, they are also more resistant to accidental activation and look more modern. The switches are set into pods. The one on the left controls ballast and items such as the blower, bilge pumps and the anchor. The right pod handles all the other
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accessory chores, including lighting and options such as the three-outlet heater ($569) our boat was equipped with. White three-in-one gauges are large and sit high on the dash, making them easy to read. This 22-footer is rated to carry a whopping 15 passengers, and the seating arrangement has been improved this year. The Sliding Skybox seat is an elegantly simple way to boost rear-facing spectator seating. It’s a stern bench that slides forward and has a pair of backrests that can be quickly put into place and serve as dedicated storage when not in use. Halfway up the portside lounger is a flip-up backrest option called the ChillAX seat ($396), which can be another rear-facing spotter seat. This year its hinge mechanism has been improved, and it’s easier to deploy. The entire cockpit is ringed with bench seating. The pointy bow doesn’t have as much room as the pickle-forked Axis A-series, but it still has enough room for a six-foot-tall passenger to recline on the bowrider seats. PERFORMANCE
In previous years, the base engine for many of the models was barely up to the job. For instance, in 2014, I tested the A24, a 24-footer with a 5.7L 330 hp engine. But this year, even the A20, the smallest boat
The T22 is designed primarily for wakesurfing and wakeboarding. in the fleet, got an upgraded standard engine: PCM’s GM-based new-gen Monsoon 410L 6.0L V8 H5DI that puts out 355 hp and 410 foot-pounds of torque. That was the motor that powered our test boat, pushing the T22 to plane in 2.3 seconds and using its strong low-end grunt to reach 30 mph in 4.6 seconds. Top speed was 39.3 mph, at which point the PCM was spinning at 5400 rpm. At a typical surfing velocity of 11 mph, the motor was humming along at 2500 rpm, and at a typical wakeboarding speed of 22 mph, it was right in this engine’s midrange sweet spot of 3200 rpm. A concern for people who surf is carbon monoxide, and it’s one of the reasons most modern ski-boat
(Clockwise from top) Surf Gate creates a huge wake. Swim platform is at water level for easy boarding. The lack of bigscreen displays keeps the cost down. Optional Wet Sounds stereo is a killer system. Optional swivel board racks are a must-have. Bow seating is all about lounging.
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OWN E R FE E D BACK
PURCHA SED BY JOHN AND BRIANNA A N D E R S O N , P L U S I S A B E L L A , 1 2, A N D T Y L ER, 10, SCO T T SDA L E, A RIZ. PURCH A SED AT BOUL DER BOAT S, H E N D E R S O N , N E V. W H AT W E L IK ED
Sliding rear-facing seat/Power Wedge II/ Wakeboarding and surfing waves/Firm but comfortable seats/Quality of build/ Ride in the chop W H AT W E WOUL D CH A NGE
A little more freeboard would be nice, which we notice when it’s tankered up with ballast.
A X I S WA K E RESEARCH T22 Length 22 ft. Beam 8 ft., 6 in. Deadrise N/A Capacity 15 people Dry Weight (hull) 4,450 lbs.
Fuel Capacity 48 gal.
WHY WE BOUGHT IT
My wife and I owned a Sea Ray 210 after college, but when we had kids our priorities changed. But when the kids got older, we wanted them to experience the boating lifestyle, and we were craving getting back on the water. We love watersports, so we wanted a dedicated ski boat. We bought our first T22 a few years ago and really liked it. But when we saw the improvements that had been made, such as the availability of the Power Wedge II, we got a new one. The T22 really blurs the line between the pricier Malibu and Axis models. My son, Tyler, really took to wakeboarding, and my daughter, Isabella, is into wakesurfing, so we get out as much as we can. I go skiing with the guys from Boulder Boats, so they are more like family and friends and always take great care of us. Often they’ll see something on my boat and just fix it. They’ve even offered me a new loaner when my boat is in for service.
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Multiple seats face aft (above) to facilitate spotting. Surf Gate control panel (opposite page) gives the driver fingertip access to ballast and tab positioning.
Max HP 550
PERFORMANCE Peak 39.3 mph/ 5400 rpm/96 dBA
Cruise 24.6 mph/ 3500 rpm/87 dBA Time to Plane 2.3 sec. Time to 30 mph 4.6 sec.
POWER Test PCM Monsoon 410L Direct Injection
Cylinders V-8 Displacement 6.0L Weight w/outdrive N/A WOT Max 5500 rpm Base Price w/test power $64,575
engines have catalytic converters. The only PCM engine without one is the supercharged Monsoon 555, which is not available in California. But to provide even more separation between surfer and engine gases, buyers can order the optional Surf Pipe, which is an exhaust pipe ($667) that’s inelegantly routed over the Power Wedge II and into the water. HANDLING
One issue surf boats experience is asymmetrical ballast weighting that causes the boat to list, sometimes alarmingly so. In 2013, Malibu developed Surf Gate, which uses vertical tabs on the outside of the hull to disrupt the water flow and help create a wave. The beauty of this system is that the driver can fill the tanks evenly, which allows him to add more overall weight. And best of all, there’s no awkward listing, which makes driving safer and easier. The option costs $3,333 but includes Surf Band, which the surfer wears on her wrist and uses to change wake sides quickly, with no need for driver input. It also gives the surfer control over boat speed and stereo volume control. The T22 features a Gorilla Fin that delivers precise tracking and helps during hard turns. For even more traction, buyers can add a second one for $347. The steering on our boat was enhanced by hydraulic steering ($1,111), which, combined with the tracking fins, allowed us to spin the wheel quickly and execute a rapid 180. That
Value-Added Standard Features: Dual-axle trailer, AW15 watersports tower, Sliding Skybox seating, curved glass walkthrough windshield, 900 lbs. ballast
Must-Have Options: Surf Gate II, Power Wedge II, Wet Sounds stereo upgrade, Zero-Off cruise control, heater, ski pylon, underdeck lighting, board racks
Builder: Malibu Boats, axiswake.com Financing: $463/month w/15% down and 6% interest for 15 years
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will help get back to vulnerable downed skiers more quickly. BEST USES
The T22 is designed primarily for wakesurfing and wakeboarding and comes standard with the fold-down AW15 tower, which is now available in black, charcoal and white powder coat. I can’t imagine buying an Axis boat without the Power Wedge II, which is the second-gen version
that quickly lowers and raises a centerline-mounted hydrofoil that simulates up to 1,500 pounds of ballast and can help change the shape and size of a wave. It helped our test boat get on plane more quickly. The surfing wake has lots of push, and its shape and size can be changed by moving the Power Wedge II to one of its seven settings. Even with just the standard 900 pounds of ballast, the 4,300-pound T22 produces a great intermediate launching wake with a tight lip. Access to the water is via a teardrop swim platform that allows the rider to slide in easily. Axis calls the stern area a Transom Activity Center and it includes two cutouts with matting for cushions that people can sit on while booting up or just socializing. Weight distribution is better thanks to the relocation of the batteries from the portside console to the bow section. The move freed up storage room in the console for large items such as towables or extra skis.
PREFERRED SETUP
The Axis options list can’t rival that of sister company Malibu, though if buyers check a lot of boxes its price can approach Malibu-like numbers. One way to save a little money is to eschew the Power Wedge II in favor of the Auto-Set Wedge ($1,271). The latter has to be dropped down manually but then automatically sets to the proper angle based on speed to boost the wave, and it adds up to 1,000 pounds of simulated ballast. Two more must-haves are the Zero Off GPS-based cruise control system and DECKadence flooring, which uses soft PVC strands to create a soft surface for bare feet and allows water to flow through so the surface stays dry. To bring the bling to the exterior appearance, buyers can choose from a wide variety of solid gelcoat and metal-flake designs that range from $1,389 to $2,662. For entertainment, the optional Wet Sounds system includes a subwoofer and tower speakers, for $5,056. 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 America’s Boating Club® is a registered trademark of the United States Power Squadrons®
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UNIQUE FACTOR
M A S T E R C R A F T X T 2 2 // B Y A L A N J O N E S
Golden Newbie MasterCraft celebrates its 50th anniversary with the XT22, a midsized crossover that fills the gap between its XT21 and XT23. • FIFTY YEARS AGO, MASTERCRAFT BUILT its first boat in a two-stall horse barn in Maryville,
Tenn., not far from where its state-of-the-art factory is now located, on the banks of Tellico Lake. Rob Shirley, the founder, was dissatisfied with the large wakes other ski boats were throwing, so he set out to build a boat with the flattest wake possible. Funny what half a century will do, because now the race is on to create not just the biggest but also the most perfectly shaped wake. MasterCraft’s new XT22 takes the concept further. As a midsized crossover-style boat, it will have people crying Cowabunga! — well, 50 years ago that’s they would have said — when the surf is up. But that’s not all. Owners can dial in their ideal wakeboard wake and even conjure up a flattish slalom wake when someone wants to go old school. 40
The XT line includes five boats from 20 to 25 feet, but the XT22 stands out as the beast of the bunch. One would think the capacity difference for five boats in this narrow range would be incremental, but that’s not the case. In simple terms, more weight means a larger wake, and for its length the XT22 is the clear heavyweight winner. A comparison of the XT22 to the flagship XT25 finds the two surprisingly close when it comes to capacity. The XT25 is nearly 3 feet longer but its hull weight is only 300 pounds more and its ballast is only 100 pounds more (2,800 vs. 2,700 pounds). Carrying capacity is only 100 pounds more with two more allowable passengers (18 vs. 16). The XT line is sort of MasterCraft’s Buick, with the Star Series and X-Series being the Cadillacs and the NXT occupying the role of Chevy. With a starting price of $103,170, the XT22 is not quite $20,000 less than the X23, which is its closest counterpart, but it’s quite a bit more than the
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NXT22, which isn’t as capable or luxurious but is priced starting at $69,400. PERFORMANCE
The standard engine for the XT22 is the Ilmor 5000 MPI, which is a 5.7L block that produces 320 hp and 365 foot-pounds of torque, which should be good enough if owners don’t load their boat to capacity. Our test boat featured the 5500 GDI, which uses a smallish 5.3L of displacement to produce 365 hp and 400 foot-pounds of torque, the latter number being the more meaningful of the two performance numbers for modern watersports. I was on the panel of BWI judges that awarded this engine an NMMA Innovation Award. We were impressed by it for several reasons. It includes a host of owner-friendly features, such as a water pump that can be changed out in about one minute and a Murphy screen at the dash that the driver can use to reset faulty circuits, instead of going to a fuse box, which is always located in a hard-to-reach spot. It uses
a marinized version of GM’s ecologically friendly Gen V engine to do something never accomplished before: achieve the California Air Resources Board (CARB)
435 hp and 479 foot-pounds, but it comes at a cost of $13,600 over the standard engine’s price. Despite the fact the XT22 is a
Every space inside the boat is given over to seating. Five-Star rating, which signifies it is a Level 5 Extremely Clean engine. Ilmor will even plant three trees when one of these engines is purchased. It comes at an upcharge of $6,530 but is well worth it. The next bump up is the 6000 GDI engine, which makes
load-bearing beast, the little engine that could was up to the task, putting the XT22 on plane in 3.6 seconds and pushing it to 25 mph in 7.2 seconds, while emitting a satisfying growl. Top speed was 40.4 mph at 5300 rpm. HANDLING
The Convertible Rear Seat splits time between facing aft (top right) and facing forward (middle right). Tower speakers (bottom right) crank out the tunes. The Command Center consists of a screen in front of the driver (bottom center) and one offset right (bottom left). The sunpads convert to rear-facing seats.
Boat buyers moving from outboard or sterndrive power to a tournament-class inboard usually undergo a painful docking learning curve, because backing up straight or pulling up to a dock on the boat’s port side is difficult at best. That’s no longer true, at least on a boat equipped with the Dockstar System ($3,160), such as the BOATINGWORLD.COM JUNE 2018
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XT22. A rudder only works at slow speeds when prop thrust is passed over it, but when a ski boat is in reverse, the thrust is pointing 180 degrees away from the rudder. But taking a cue from flanking rudders used by tugboats, MasterCraft placed twin rudders in front of the prop that use a boat’s reverse thrust to provide steerage, earning the builder another NMMA Innovation Award. When the boat’s on plane, these rudders provide additional control during turns. Combine them with the tracking fins, and their influence allows the boat to carve tremendously hard turns with zero slippage. Surprisingly, only 24 percent of buyers have chosen this groundbreaking feature, according to MasterCraft’s online boat design feature, which shows how often each option is selected. BEST USES
MASTERCRAFT XT22 Length 22 ft., 4 in. Beam 8 ft., 6 in. Deadrise N/A Capacity 16 people Dry Weight (hull) 4,900 lbs.
Fuel Capacity 65 gal. Max HP 435
PERFORMANCE Peak 40.4 mph/ 5300 rpm/95 dBA
Cruise 20.4 mph/ 3000 rpm/87 dBA Time to Plane 3.6 sec. Time to 25 mph 7.2 sec. POWER Test Ilmor 5500 GDI
Board racks (top) are a must for serious watersports. Booting up is easy on the deep swim platform (bottom).
Cylinders V-8
The XT22 is considered a crossover and can facilitate all three major watersports. Its surf wake has plenty of push for surfers of all sizes when it’s equipped with MasterCraft’s optional Gen 2 Surf system ($6,820), which includes surf tabs that are specially designed for each hull, not one-size-fits-all models. This, along with 2,700 pounds of ballast spread among three hard tanks and two soft bags, provides the ability to adjust the wave’s length and ramp. A useful innovation for surfers who don’t cross over from side to side can be found on the optional ZFT 4 Tower ($4,360). Called Surf Knobs, they are tow points mounted on each side of the tower, so surfers don’t have to start in the middle and surf over the wave to get to the pocket. While its wakeboard wake is well formed and large, it’s not the monster wake thrown by the XStar, which is MasterCraft’s gold standard for surfing wakes. But then again, the XT22 doesn’t cost $155,340. Despite the XT22’s stout hull, it can create a flat enough slalom wake for open-water slashing thanks to the Attitude Adjustment
Displacement 5.3L Weight w/outdrive N/A WOT Range 5000-5500 rpm
Base Price w/test power $109,700
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Value-Added Standard Features: Choice of 21 hull colors, boat cover, rearview mirror, ZFT2 tower, choice of teak or fiberglass swim platform, Zero Off cruise control
Must-Have Options: Bow filler cushions, Gen 2 Surf System, centerline walkthrough, sunpad flip seating, hydraulic helm seat lift, removable ski tow, dual battery, Klipsch stereo options, upgraded tower, racks
Builder: MasterCraft, mastercraft.com Financing: $787/month w/15% down and 6% interest for 15 years
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OWN E R FE E D BACK
PURCHA SED BY KRIS AND ELLEN L ANDRITH, ARLINGTON, TEX AS P U R C H A S E D A T T E X A S M A S T E R C R A F T, F T. WORTH, TEX AS W H AT W E L IK ED
Amazing stereo/Comfortable seating/ Great ride in choppy conditions/Easy-tolower tower/Perfect Pass GPS With some speed and a bump of the Attitude Adjustment Plate, the XT22 can flatten its wake to facilitate slalom skiing.
Plate, which comes with the Gen 2 system. A bump of the plate brings the bow down a bit, and the driver can use it to get on plane more quickly, which will be helpful when the boat’s tanks are loaded for wakeboarding. PREFERRED SETUP
The XT22 starts at $103,170, but there’s no way buyers are getting off that “easy.” With the absolute must-have options — Ilmor 5500 GDI engine, Gen 2 Surf system and Dockstar system — the tally rises to $124,620. And that’s not all. Klipsch, one of the great names in high-end stereo equipment since 1946, is available on boats for the first time, and MasterCraft has cornered the ski-boat market for this Indianapolis manufacturer. Our test boat was equipped with the Premium Audio and Dual Screen Dash option ($10,080) — a package that includes four 8.5-inch speakers, two 7-inchers at the helm, twin 11-inch subwoofers, an eight-channel amp and a one-channel monoblock amp — quad billet Klipsch coffee-can speakers, an array of GoPro camera mounts and a rear-facing tower cam. At the helm as standards are twin displays, a 12-inch screen directly in
front of the driver and an 11.1-inch touchscreen just below and to the right. Between both screens, the driver can control everything on the boat. Every space inside the boat is given over to seating, and a must-have option
The XT22 is considered a crossover and can facilitate all three major watersports. is the Convertible Rear Seat ($1,460), which transforms from a stern bench to a rear-facing front-row seat for spotters. At the transom is an option for Sunpad Flip Seating ($1,540), which 58 percent of buyers chose. Another oft-chosen option is the $1,090 heater. At the helm, buyers can get a hydraulic adjustable seat pedestal for $360, to accommodate drivers of all heights. BW
W H AT W E WOUL D CH A NGE
We wish the transom had enough room for a boat name. WHY WE BOUGHT IT
We have three kids, and while the eldest, Karrah, loves to go out in the boat, the twins, Emily and Jake, who are now 23, are avid skiers who started when they were three. We bought a MasterCraft MariStar in 2004 and it served us well for a long time, but we wanted a boat we could surf behind, and the XT22 is perfect. Its seating is really comfortable, and it’s a much heavier boat than the MariStar, so it handles the chop on Lake Whitney much better, which makes it a great boat for cruising when we aren’t doing watersports. It’s so easy to set up with the push-button ballast system and has a great wake for wakeboarding and wakesurfing. We love to take our four grandkids tubing. Lake Whitney is a flood-control impoundment, so we can’t visit restaurants on the lake, but Milano’s Pizza will deliver to your boat. Texas MasterCraft is awesome. They’ve done all our service since 2004, and their customer service is wonderful. Once, we ran out of gas on a holiday weekend and they came out and got us going. They’re like family to us.
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S C A R A B 2 5 5 O P E N I D // B Y A L A N J O N E S
Open For Business Scarab’s new flagship is a jet boat that can’t decide whether it’s a 25-footer or a 27-footer • MOST BOATERS ENJOY a wide range of activities — with and without the engine on — and many are demanding a boat that is as flexible as their whims. Scarab’s new 255 Open ID is the poster boy for versatility.
UNIQUE FACTOR
Americans love their vehicles, so it’s no surprise they found a way to incorporate them into a social activity when the engine is off. Previously, tailgating was a land-based activity, but last year Scarab unveiled the 195 Open, which proved tailgating could be a watersport too. This year, the flagship of Scarab’s lineup, the 255 Open ID, received an addition and became the latest boat to offer its innovative tailgate feature. Just flip the twin bolt-style latches, let go, and the entire transom drops down and opens up the rear of the boat. When we tested the 195 Open last year, the only design issue with the tailgate was users had to raise it to access the boarding ladder on the smallish, integrated swim platform. This year there is a boarding ladder option ($563) that can be affixed to the tailgate’s grab handle, for use when it’s open. The tailgate is padded with Marine Mat, for comfort and better traction, and it’s on the sides, where it serves as bolsters, and snap-in sections of it on the deck make it a barefooter’s paradise. But Scarab takes this rubbery padding someplace we have never seen anyone use it: outside the boat. The Impact Graphic option ($513) includes a stylish Marine Mat accent panel on the hull side that features hexagonal sections and the embossed Scarab name. It looks cool and acts as a permanently deployed fender that protects the boat from dock rash. The stern sunpad transforms into a social zone thanks to cleverly designed removable seatbacks that can be flipped fore and aft or removed entirely to allow sunbathers to fully stretch out. Facing forward, they become the seatbacks for the cockpit’s stern bench seat, but there are four of them, so passengers can configure them individually. The full-width 44
sunpad has two cushions on the port side that can flip over and create a walkthrough that keeps guests off the upholstery. PERFORMANCE
Scarab boats use Rotax jet-propulsed engines from Bombardier Recreational Products. The propless propulsion scheme is ideal for activities such as watersports and adds an additional safety factor to boating. Scarab offers three versions of the three-cylinder 4-TEC platform, which all have a 1.5L displacement. The 150 ECT is a normally aspirated engine; the other two feature superchargers with intercoolers. The difference between the 200 ECT and 250 ECT versions is that the more powerful model has an external intercooler, which makes it more efficient but also requires high-test gas to achieve peak performance. All three engine options feature closed cooling systems, so they are more saltwater friendly than engines that use raw water for cooling. We tested the 255 Open ID with its max power, twin 250 ECT engines, and were wowed by its performance. The superchargers bring the power on fast but not too abruptly for towing skiers. Even though the 255 features a hull with 20 degrees of deadrise, it experienced lessthan-expected bowrise, probably owing to the engines’ light weight (Rotax doesn’t publish the exact weight). It reached plane in 2.4 seconds and hit 30 mph in just four seconds. Top speed was 54.3 mph. With twin 150s, top speed would likely be in the low to mid-40s. HANDLING
Scarab designers were probably smart to allow the driver to control both engines with only one drive-by-wire power-andshift lever. Owners crossing over from an outboard- or sterndrive-powered boat can find jet handling a little tricky at first, and having two power levers greatly complicates things. For better low-speed handling Scarab uses Lateral Thrust Control, which directs some of the thrust out of the sides of the bucket. Unlike “regular” boats, operators can jam it in reverse if they have
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The 255 Open ID’s center console design is well suited to fishing
(Clockwise from top right) The helm seat is flanked by leaning post companion seats. Versatile bench can face forward or aft. A head compartment is housed in the console. There’s a place for small handheld electronics at the helm. Scarab’s Touch Screen Command Center delivers total control.
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OWN E R FE E D BACK
PURCHA SED BY TROY AND DEBBIE S T E P H A N , M C K I N N E Y, T E X A S PURCH A SED AT M A RINEM A X, DA L L A S W H AT W E L IK ED
Sporty styling/Versatility/Great performance with 500 hp/Center console design/Drop-down tailgate/Roomy bow
SCARAB 255 OPEN ID
W H AT W E WOUL D CH A NGE
Length 25 ft.
We were surprised it didn’t have a full canvas cover option, so we had one custom-made.
Beam 8 ft., 4 in. Deadrise 20 degrees Capacity 13 people Dry Weight (hull)
WHY WE BOUGHT IT
My wife and I have been boating before on other people’s boats, but we really wanted one of our own. I started looking at aluminum fishing boats, but they were too small. Plus, while I like to fish, I didn’t want a boat that was just a fishing boat. When we saw the Scarab it really fit the bill. A boating friend of ours told us we would probably spend a lot of our time anchored around the many islands and coves on Lake Texoma, and the Scarab is designed with this in mind. We got the optional stereo and added coffee-can speakers to the tower. We spend most of the time just cruising but like the fact we can take the cushions off and transform it into a fishing boat. We haven’t done watersports yet, but we might get into wakeboarding and surfing this summer. Bob at MarineMax didn’t put any pressure on us. I am an engineer, so I had a lot of technical questions for him, and he patiently answered them all. I was really picky when the boat was delivered, and MarineMax took care of all the issues we had quickly.
3,800 lbs.
Fuel Capacity 41 gal.
Bow seating (top) conceals storage, fishing amenities and a cooler.
Max HP 500 PERFORMANCE Peak 54.3 mph/
to stop quickly (warn everyone first). As mentioned, the hull has 20 degrees of deadrise, which we found helpful in choppy conditions on test day in Cadillac, Mich., in blustery conditions. The 255’s substantial 25-foot hull weighs 3,800 pounds, which helps it get a more Cadillac-like ride, if you’ll pardon the expression. With twin 250s, the speed doesn’t bleed off in moderately hard turns. And while it does lean in and carve a really hard turn, it can’t pull off the super-sick turns a smaller jet boat can. BEST USES
The 255 Open ID is up for pretty much anything. The standard tower with a Bimini top features a high tow point that’s favored by wakeboarders, and buyers can trick it out with some extras. Scarab’s Surf Stream Wake Enhancement System ($1,300) uses
8000 rpm/98 dBA
Cruise 26.2 mph/ 5500 rpm/91 dBA Time to Plane 2.4 sec. Time to 30 mph 4.0 sec. POWER Test Twin BRP Rotax 250 4-TEC intercooled, supercharged
Cylinders Inline 3 Displacement 1.5L Weight w/outdrive N/A WOT rpm 8000 rpm Base Price w/test power $71,250
Value-Added Standard Features: Dual-axle trailer w/swing-away tongue and chrome wheels, popup cleats, choice of 5 gelcoat colors, T-top w/ski tow, bow ladder, cruise control, stereo
Must-Have Options: Galvanized trailer w/GatorHyde coating, Digital Speed Control, pumpout portable commode, cockpit table, snap-in cockpit Marine Mat, touchscreen display
Builder: Beneteau Group, scarabjetboats.com Financing: $511/month w/15% down and 6% interest for 15 years
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a pair of scoops to strategically direct water into the wake, which cleans up the face and enhances the size. Unlike the 255 ID (no Open), the 1,150-pound Wake Blast Ballast system is not available on the 255 Open ID but even without ballast, it plowed up a well-formed wakeboard wake. A must-have option is the Digital Speed Control Package ($880), which includes three excellent modes: Skiing Mode controls the rate of acceleration and terminal speed, Eco Mode stretches fuel economy, and Docking Mode delivers low-speed handling. The 255 Open ID’s center console design is well suited to fishing, and the low-profile Rotax engines and the Tailgate provide a huge amount of open space for fishing, with the cushions removed and stowed. Likewise, with the optional bow cushions stowed there’s plenty of room for casting. An optional Fishing Package ($2,000) includes twin pedestal fishing chairs, a livewell, rod holders in the T-top, gunwale
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storage and a stainless steel wheel at the helm. The console itself is large, and our boat was equipped with the Touch Screen Command Center ($3,667), which allows the driver to control everything on the boat. There’s plenty of room for a large fishfinder display ($1,567), and the console lifts up in front to reveal a huge area for use as a head compartment or for storing all those cushions I mentioned. A pumpout head is a $313 option. The driver has a dropdown seat bottom, for driving while standing, and is flanked by two leaning post seats. All three are protected by the tall real-glass windshield. PREFERRED SETUP
Scarab gets buyers off to a good start with a standard twin-axle trailer and a Bluetooth stereo. Bump up the entertainment quotient with a side-mounted cockpit table ($413) and a cockpit cooler ($233). The Premium Sound system ($2,100) is a must-have and includes a Sony stereo
head, Kicker speakers in the cockpit and transom, and a Kicker subwoofer with a dedicated amp. A lighting package includes dock lights and underwater lighting, for $433. The 255 Open ID comes standard with a choice of five bold gelcoat colors, but two-tone Impulse gelcoat ($833) and graphics are options. A visit to the Rotax website helped me find the power sweet spot. Going from the badged twin 150 to 200 to 250 4-TEC engines costs an even $5,000 per jump, but we’re going to rule out the 150 as not being enough power. Rotax lists it as having 142 hp. A check of the 200 reveals it’s actually putting out 204 hp, and the 250 is listed as cranking out 240 hp. So the best bang-for-the-buck engines are the twin 200s. They deliver 124 more horsepower than the 150s and only 72 less than the 250s. And Scarab tests found a top speed of 51 mph, so buyers won’t be giving up too much thrill factor with the “momma bear” 4-TECs. BW
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Tested
First D rive
H U R R I C A N E S U N D E C K S P O R T 1 9 2 R L // B Y A L A N J O N E S
Pumped Up for Action Hurricane’s newest compact deckboat has been redesigned from the ground up. •
one of 10 optional Sport Package possibilities that cost an extra $1,234 but really add some pop. Gray upholstery is an option. The package includes a gray fiberglass driver’s console, a sport helm chair, a black stainless steel rubrail, a windshield, stainless cupholders, pull-up cleats and a stainless Bimini frame. To keep people off the beautiful upholstery, the starboard-most of the upholstered stern bench seat bottoms can be flipped and moved into place to reveal a nonskid gelcoat walkway. PERFORMANCE
Usually when we test a new model, manufacturers give us a boat with the max power or close to it, to wow us with its sporty performance, but a good test of
Thanks to its cathedral-style hull it has lots of lift.
THE FIRST THING I notice about Hurricane’s new SS 192 RL is that it looks like an SS 188
OB that’s been doing some weightlifting in the off-season. It’s now built like the linebacker of compact deckboats. Some boats of this type have a low profile that doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence when the wind is whipping, but that isn’t the case with the 192 thanks to its thigh-high interior freeboard. Counterintuitively, while the new 192 RL sits high in the water, thanks to its higher gunwale height, designers actually lowered its center of gravity, which improved its handling characteristics, including making it more seaworthy. UNIQUE FACTOR
The second thing I notice about the SS 192 RL is the new styling. Our test boat had the full gray hull with Orange Twist graphics that looked contemporary and stylish. The number of available color combinations is staggering. Buyers have eight color choices each for a full hull, top, 48
bottom, top and middle, top and bottom, and middle and bottom; plus, the deck tape and graphics. These color options range from $113 for the top and middle color to $767 for the top and bottom package. And that’s just the exterior. Inside, our boat had the white upholstery with Orange Twist accents, which is but
any hull design (and builder’s judgment) is how well it works with its least powerful engine option. Hurricane will rig its boats with any outboard brand (subject to dealer availability), so buyers have a wide range of options — I counted 54. Our boat had the Yamaha V MAX SHO VF115, which is an inline four-cylinder motor with some attitude. Although it costs $980 more than the F115, it has more displacement (1.8L vs. 1.7L) and revs to 6300 rpm, which is 300 more. Counting the $954 cost to rig it for Yamaha’s mechanical shift and throttle ($3,240 for digital), this lowest horsepower option kept the starting price at $33,608. Considering this near-19-footer with a wet weight of 3,535 pounds is rated for up to 200 hp, 115 isn’t a lot, but it pushed the boat surprisingly well. The VF115 is known for having a great holeshot, and it showed well on the SS 192 RL, whose time to plane was 3.4 seconds. Ramping up to 30 mph took 9.5 seconds, and it reached a top speed of 39.1 mph.
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Our passenger load was two well-fed adults, but owners who often host groups aboard — its max is 10 people — or pull XXL skiers might want to bump up the Clydesdales. A good price/performance compromise is the Yamaha F150, which is $2,240 more. Going to the F200 will cost $5,054 more than the F150. Performance-wise, Yamaha tests with a Hurricane CC19, which has a similar hull, show the F150 is 6.8 mph faster than one with the F115, and the F200 is 11 mph faster than the F115. HANDLING
One time at a press event in Biloxi, Miss., we took a fleet of different types of boats on a group ride to Ship Island, which is a few miles offshore. The wind was up and we were going to run straight into steep 4-footers. I drew a sub-20-foot deckboat (not a Hurricane) to drive. It had the typical low-slung open bow, so I took a peek out of the inlet and promptly turned around and headed back to the harbor, which was announced over the radio channel we were all monitoring. Despite knowing I was in for some ribbing, I didn’t feel it was safe to proceed. I certainly don’t advocate taking the SS 192 RL out in conditions like that, but sometimes boaters get caught in conditions not of their own (Clockwise from bottom right) Even the standard sound system is nice. The sporty wheel works best connected to hydraulic steering. The helm seat has been lowered so the console provides more protection.
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OWN E R FE E D BACK
PURCHA SED BY CODY BUSH, DE AT SV IL L E, A L A.
choosing, and for a deckboat, this one inspires confidence. Thanks to its cathedral-style hull, which has 13 degrees of deadrise, it has lots of lift. On plane, the bow rises slightly and stays there, giving the driver a nice margin for error if it gets lumpy. Conditions on test day on Lake Wawasee in northern Indiana were benign, but having driven similar Hurricanes before, I know the flattish hull provides excellent side-to-side stability; the tradeoff is a rougher ride in the chop.
PURCH A SED AT RUSSEL L M A RINE, K O WA L I G A , A L A .
BEST USES
With an 8-foot, 5-inch beam that’s
carried far forward, the SunDeck Sport 192 RL is ready for the whole gang to come along for some fun in the sun. The RL designation refers to its rear lounger cockpit layout. The 192 OB is rated for 10 passengers, same as the 192 RL, but the OB model has a matching captain’s chair to port, which delivers less rump-resting space than the RL’s unbroken U-lounge seating configuration, which comes with a rear lounger to port. For comfort, the rear lounger’s seat bottom is wider where a passenger’s rear end rests and gets narrower aft where his legs reside. Up front, the wide bow is encircled by seating
W H AT I L IK ED
Wide bow of its deckboat design/Quiet Yamaha outboard/Great stereo/Deep hull that handles choppy water/Versatility and comfort W H AT I WOUL D CH A NGE
I would love to have a ski tow tower. I also wish the toggle switches had metal dash mounts. The plastic ones are brittle and prone to breaking. W H Y I B O U G H T I T:
I’ve never owned a boat in my life, but when I bought a lake house on Jordan Lake, I knew I needed to get one. I wanted something that wasn’t too big but was versatile enough to go skiing, cruising and occasionally fishing for catfish, bass and bream. Our lake is pretty big, so the boat had to be able to handle rough water. The Hurricane 192 RL is the perfect boat for me and was within my budget. The seats are really comfortable and the performance with the Yamaha outboard is outstanding. Jordan Lake is beautiful and has some cool places where other boaters like to hang out, like a beach near a waterfall that has a rope swing. I also love cruising around with my friends and doing watersports — wakeboarding, kneeboarding and tubing. Chris at Russell Marine was great. He stayed in constant contact with me during the buying process and answered all my questions. They are really quick to provide service whenever I have an issue.
HURRICANE SUNDECK SPORT 192 RL Length 18 ft., 10 in. Beam 8 ft., 5 in. Deadrise 13 degrees Capacity 10 people Dry Weight (hull) 2,400 lbs.
Fuel Capacity 36 gal. Max HP 200 PERFORMANCE Peak 39.1 mph/ 6200 rpm/93 dBA Cruise 26.3 mph/ 4500 rpm/84 dBA Time to Plane 3.4 sec. Time to 30 mph 9.5 sec. POWER Test Yamaha VF115 four-stroke
Cylinders Inline 4 Displacement 1.8L Weight w/outdrive 386 lbs.
WOT Range 5300-6300 rpm
Base Price w/test power $33,608
Value-Added Standard Features: Stainless steel bow and stern boarding ladders, MA100 Bluetooth stereo, anchor locker, hourmeter, quick-release windscreen, aluminum Bimini top, mechanical steering
Must-Have Options: Trailer, Fishing Package, GPS chartplotter, hull colors and accents, stainless steel Bimini top, ski tow options, changing curtain, bow and stern tables, GPS speedometer, underwater lights
Builder: Godfrey Marine, hurricaneboats.com Financing: $241/month w/15% down and 6% interest for 15 years
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that includes twin recliners. At the bow is a removable section, so people boarding up front on the roomy foredeck don’t step on the upholstery. A bow boarding ladder will facilitate beach landings. For owners who love to wet a hook, Hurricane offers a fishing package ($460) that includes a pedestal fishing seat for the bow, a livewell, rod storage clips and a trolling motor pre-rig. Garmin, Simrad and Lowrance fishfinders are offered and range in price from $254 to $1,060. Hurricane takes an a la carte approach with the SS 192 RL and leaves it up the buyer to purchase specialized features for activities such as skiing. It offers four choices for ski tows, starting with a fi xed tow bar for $294. A telescoping unit costs $707 and a TurboSwing XXL — a
For owners who love to wet a hook, Hurricane offers a fishing package. stainless steel rail the goes around the outboard — costs $1,014. If watersports such as wakeboarding are in the cards, buyers can go with a tower, for $2,507. PREFERRED SETUP
Everyone entertains on a boat, and buyers can maximize the fun with a few well-chosen options. White tables for the bow and stern cost $347 apiece, and
Raised gunwales and seatbacks will keep kids contained (top), while long sofas with angled backrests will keep lounging adults comfortable (bottom).
upgraded woodgrain ones cost $380 each. Although a Marine Audio 100 Bluetooth stereo comes standard, a little boost to an MA300 unit with LED-lit speakers costs $280, while the max upgrade is a Light It Up II system ($954) that includes a Polk Audio amp and black speakers that put on a light show. A Polk subwoofer with an amp costs $1,127. At the newly designed helm, the seat height has been dropped so the console provides a little more protection. A pair of standard gauges are to each side of the wheel and there’s room in the middle for electronics. Digital gauges would be a good upgrade, and Yamaha’s are $987. Even with the VF115, buyers will kick themselves later if they get cable steering instead of Sea Star’s hydraulic system ($1,134). Hurricane mandates it for 150 hp and larger motors, but it’s a must-have with any engine if watersports are going to be engaged in frequently. BW
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
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Our annual roundup of inflatable tow toys challenged six teens and a ’tween to put 17 tubes through the paces. BY ALAN JONES
Like the gathering of the swallows at San Juan Capistrano in California, if it’s March, the latest and greatest towable tubes come together at Sandy Hook Beach on Lake Weir in Ocklawaha in central Florida. They are there to be put through their paces to determine which of them deliver the goods on a wide range of factors.
BO AT ING W OR L D’S
T UBE T ES T 201 8
Our seven testers this year ranged in age from 9 to 18 and were troopers, braving the cold water and morning air temperature in the 50s, which later climbed into the low 70s. This year, the girls outnumbered the guys by five to two and, as usual, they were a great bunch of polite high-achievers. Best of all, for the ninth year in a row, we had zero injuries, thanks to the safe driving of Nate Stockman of Transition Watersports (transitionwatersports. com), who, along with Abby Stockman, hosted the event. He drove a 2018 Malibu Wakesetter 23 LSV, which proved to be a sweet ride. We tested 17 towables, which was a record for us and, as a group, they had the highest scoring average ever. We asked all of our testers to name their three favorite tubes, and in all, 12 tubes were named as one of at least one tester’s favorites. This gave us a whopping nine “Kid Favorite” tubes, which means they were the favorite tube by at least half of those who rode on them. We created a new category called “Kid Super Favorite” for the three Kid Favorites that were a favorite of all who rode it. We also added a new category called “Visibility” that factors how visible the tube is to other boaters. As anyone can see by the faces of our testers, there’s a lot of fun to be had with these great towables, which are probably the best boat accessory an owner can buy.
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ERGONOMICS The Neoprene cover is softer than the usual 840-Denier vinyl covering and helps reduce chafing. POSITIONS Lying, kneeling LOUNGEWORTHINESS (3/5) Smaller kids can paddle around but larger loungers will hang over the side. VISIBILITY (4/5) High-vis yellow over black. MSRP $200 2018
4/5
FUN SCALE
AIRHEAD COMFORT SHELL 65
KID
super favorite
SETUP (5/5) 1 Speed Safety valve
UNIQUE Round deck-type tube with a 65" diameter is completely covered in Neoprene.
RIDERS 2/340 lbs.
FUN SCALE
4.5/5 4.5/5
WOW BIG DUCKY * * *K ID SUPER FAVOR I TE * * *
MSRP $380 SETUP (4/5) 4 Speed valves RIDERS 3/510 lbs.
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UNIQUE Like the name implies, it’s a giant duck. The center rider sits or stands, straddling the duck, while the other two lie or kneel on the duck’s wings.
COMMENTS “Really comfortable surface.” “Kind of small for larger riders.” “Surprisingly stable for its size.” “Fast.”
ERGONOMICS The center rider sits — taller riders can stand — very secure and tall on a wide “saddle.” The “wingmen” lie or kneel and have good handholds and side bolsters to help stay on. POSITIONS Lying, kneeling, sitting, standing
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TUBE TEST PILOTS
3/5
Annemarie Emerson
FUN SCALE
HYDROSLIDE DAYTONA 2 MSRP $120 SETUP (5/5) 1 Boston valve RIDERS 2/340 lbs. UNIQUE Round deck tube with a 60” diameter. Sits higher than most compact tubes. ERGONOMICS Riders lie close together and have to overlay inside arms for a better grip.
LOUNGEWORTHINESS (3/5) Great for kids but too small for larger loungers. VISIBILITY (3/5) Mostly black profile with bright green above and yellow on the bottom.
VISIBILITY (5/5) Very tall and very yellow; highly visible to other boats.
KEY TO R ATINGS
Lael Littell
AGE: 16 GPA: 4.87 FAVORITE SPORT:
AGE: 18 GPA: 3.9 FAVORITE SPORT:
Basketball
Swimming
Volleyball
DREAM JOB: CEO of
DREAM JOB: Wildlife
biologist
DREAM JOB: House
architect
FAVORITE TUBES:
FAVORITE TUBES:
FAVORITE TUBES:
O’Brien Challenger 3, Rave Sports Mega Mambo, WOW Big Ducky
O’Brien Orbit 3, WOW Big Ducky, Connelly Eldorado
Redmond Farrell
Bekah Meadows
Cali Markham
1 = nearly invisible; 5 = Mardi Gras float
AGE: 16 GPA: 4.67 FAVORITE SPORT:
AGE: 17 GPA: 3.7 FAVORITE SPORT:
(ED. NOTE: The Fun
Wakeboarding DREAM JOB: Dentist
Volleyball
DREAM JOB: Makeup
DREAM JOB:
artist
FAVORITE TUBES:
Supermodel
FAVORITE TUBES:
Sportsstuff Rock N’ Tow, Rave Sports Mega Mambo, Rave Sports Warrior 3
FAVORITE TUBES:
O’Brien Challenger 3, HO Sports Formula 3, Full Throttle Double Whammy
SET UP:
1-5 1 = you’ll be swearing; 5 = easy FUN SCALE:
Sportsstuff Rock N’ Tow, O’Brien Apex 2, Rave Sports Mega Mambo
1-5 1 = stay on the couch; 5 = yowza LOUNGEWORTHINESS:
COMMENTS “This tube will challenge you.” “With two riders, it’s hard to stay aboard during hard whips.” “This would make a better tube for just one rider.”
POSITIONS Lying, kneeling
LOUNGEWORTHINESS (3.5/5) Lounge on the outer wings or sit in the center.
AGE: 13 GPA: 4.0 FAVORITE SPORT:
Garrison Reed
COMMENTS “In the middle, it’s like riding a horse.” “Make sure you call dibs on the center seat.” “Very stable and comfortable.” “A really fun ride.”
1-5 1 = stay in the boat; 5 = bring extra sunblock VISIBILITY:
1-5
Scale rating is a bit subjective, based on testers’ age and familiarity with tubing, as evidenced by one tube’s 3.5 rating one year when it got a 5 the previous year.)
O’Brien Orbit 3, Connelly Eldorado, WOW Big Ducky
AGE: 9 GPA: AFAVORITE SPORT:
Cheerleading
5/5
4.5/5
4/5
Hannah Harper AGE: 14 GPA: 3.5 FAVORITE SPORT:
Volleyball
3.5/5
DREAM JOB:
Veterinarian FAVORITE TUBES: Full
3/5
Throttle Smoothie, Sportsstuff Rock N’ Tow, WOW UTO Apollo
Sandy Hook Beach on Lake Weir in central Florida again served as the staging ground for the latest and greatest inflatable tubes.
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4/5 FUN SCALE
RAVE SPORTS WARRIOR 3 MSRP $300 SETUP (4/5) 1 Boston valve, 3 small beachball valves RIDERS 3/510 lbs. UNIQUE Three riders sit in suspended hammockstyle bucket seats. The center rider sits slightly farther forward.
COMMENTS “Very comfortable seats give great support.” “Because you feel locked into the seat, you feel really safe even when whipped hard.” “The low center of gravity makes it very stable in corners.” “Really fast.”
great
Value
Kid favorite
ERGONOMICS The suspended seats are very comfortable for a wide range of passenger sizes and offer good, stable support.
4.5/5
FUN SCALE
POSITION Sitting LOUNGEWORTHINESS (4/5) Comfortable sitting position with legs stretched out. VISIBILITY (3/5) Mostly white with black letters with some bright red visible.
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RAVE SPORTS MEGA MAMBO ***KID FAVOR I TE * * * * * * GRE AT VALUE* * *
MSRP $300 SETUP (5/5) 1 Boston valve RIDERS 4/680 lbs.
UNIQUE Wing-shaped tube is 98” wide and is raised toward the sides to make it easier for riders to stay aboard. Contoured bottom reduces drag.
ERGONOMICS Small Neoprene chafing guard in the center doesn’t protect all riders; 72” length gives most riders plenty of legroom. POSITIONS Lying, kneeling LOUNGEWORTHINESS (4/5) Its width gives loungers plenty of stretching out space.
VISIBILITY (5/5) Bright red color makes it stand out. COMMENTS “High-energy tube.” “Really fast for its size.” “Very stable when it gets rough.” “When you go over the wake, it tips but it’s easy to stay aboard.”
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FUN SCALE
3.5/5
HYDROSLIDE TORQUE 3 MSRP $150 SETUP (5/5) 1 Lightning valve RIDERS 3/540 lbs. UNIQUE Tall doughnut-shaped tube has riders sit on the sides with their feet in the middle. ERGONOMICS Although it’s rated for three riders, they’d better be small to fit on this tube. POSITION Sitting LOUNGEWORTHINESS (3/5) You can sit on the sides and it’s tall enough to keep your knees level with your hips.
4.5/5 4.5/5
FUN SCALE
CONNELLY ORBIT 3 SOFT TOP
VISIBILITY (4/5) Yellow with pastel blue colors aren’t especially vivid but its height makes it more noticeable.
* * *K ID FAVOR I TE * * * * * * GRE AT VALUE * * *
MSRP $320 SETUP (5/5) 1 Boston valve RIDERS 3/510 lbs.
great
Value UNIQUE Roundish 70” diameter tube is convex with raised edges to help keep riders aboard. Part of Connelly’s Soft Top series, which features a Neoprene upper surface.
Kid favorite
ERGONOMICS The full Neoprene top is more comfortable than the usual Denier vinyl surface. POSITIONS Lying, kneeling
LOUNGEWORTHINESS (4/5) Soft surface and curled edges make it a good sunning tube for two.
VISIBILITY (3/5) Bright blue profile is more visible on darker lakes but in clear water on sunny days might be harder to see.
COMMENTS “Surprisingly stable for being so tall.” “There was just enough room for two of us; three would be a crowd.”
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2018
Kid favorite
FUN SCALE
MSRP $350
4/5
FULL THROTTLE DOUBLE WHAMMY * * *K ID FAVOR I TE * * *
SETUP (4/5) 1 Boston valve, 1 medium one-way valve RIDERS 2/340 lbs.
Kid favorite
reat Gvalue
5/5 FUN SCALE
FULL THROTTLE SMOOTHIE * * *K ID FAVOR I TE * * *
MSRP $350
POSITIONS Sitting, kneeling
SETUP (4/5) 1 Boston valve, 1 ECO valve
LOUNGEWORTHINESS (5/5) Comfortable surface and backrest make it a good floating lounger.
RIDERS 2/340 lbs. UNIQUE This sit-atop tube has a flocked Ultra Plush upper surface, unlike any other tube we’ve tested. It’s the first tube we tested with a pea green deck. ERGONOMICS Its Ultra Plush surface reduces chafing and feels good on bare skin. A low, curved backrest gives good support.
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VISIBILITY (4/5) Yellow and orange sides are very visible. COMMENTS “It skips along the surface and catches air easily.” “Stable, extra-comfortable ride.” “I liked the divider that keeps you from bumping into the other rider.”
4/5
FUN SCALE
HYDROSLIDE GO KART 2
POSITIONS Sitting, kneeling
* * *K ID FAVOR I TE * * * * * * GRE AT VALUE * * *
MSRP $240 SETUP (3/5) 1 large Lightning valve, 1 medium valve, 2 beachball valves RIDERS 2/340 lbs.
UNIQUE A couch-like tube with straight sides and rounded front can be ridden conventionally or turned around and ridden chariot-style, as our test riders did.
ERGONOMICS Low backrest offers decent support and divider armrests on either side of the riders keep them secure during maneuvering. Large neoprene patches cushion the seats and knees of riders.
LOUNGEWORTHINESS (5/5) Low backrest is comfortable and cooler than those with high backs. VISIBILITY (4/5) Bright orange and blue sides on this lower tube offer good visibility.
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UNIQUE Couch-like tube can be ridden facing forward or turned 180 degrees to be ridden chariot-style. ERGONOMICS High back provides great support for riders and there’s plenty of legroom for taller riders. The high sides keep riders from falling
out during aggressive maneuvers. POSITIONS Sitting, kneeling, standing (chariot-style) LOUNGEWORTHINESS (5/5) Comfortable lounging tube for sitting and floating.
FUN SCALE
4.5/5
O’BRIEN CHALLENGER 3 * * *K ID FAVOR I TE * * *
VISIBILITY (5/5) Bright red and blue sides plus a tall profile make it very visible.
Kid favorite
COMMENTS “Incredibly stable with great back support.” “Very secure feeling thanks to the walled-in sides.” “Tended to collect water where you sit.”
MSRP $420 SETUP (4/5) 2 Lightning valves, 1 ECO valve
RIDERS 3/510 lbs.
UNIQUE Sit-inside couch-style tube has an inflatable floor. It has an extremely wide 105” beam.
ERGONOMICS Tall backrest and inflatable seat with armrests make it very comfortable. POSITIONS Sitting, kneeling
Kid favorite
LOUNGEWORTHINESS (4/5) Its couch-like aspect with a tall backrest makes it comfortable but its sit-in design makes taller loungers sit with their legs elevated outside of the cockpit or with legs bent. VISIBILITY (4/5) Hi-vis yellow and bright blue sides make it easy to see. COMMENTS “The inflatable seat makes it very bouncy when going over waves … but in a good way.” Exhilarating, fast ride.” “Sit-in design makes you feel very secure.”
BOATINGWORLD.COM
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2018
KID
super favorite
reat Gvalue
ERGONOMICS Riders stay high above the water, so spray issues aren’t prominent. Because it’s lower in the back, getting back on is easier.
FUN SCALE
Kid favorite
5/5
FUN SCALE
MSRP $360
4/5
WOW UTO APOLLO ***KID FAVOR I TE * * *
SETUP (4/5) 3 medium Speed valves RIDERS 2 UNIQUE Smallest of the Unidentified Towable Object (UTO) series, this tube looks like a flying saucer. It features a Hover Bottom (concave) for less drag and faster performance.
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POSITIONS Lying face down, lying face up, sitting, kneeling, crouching, standing
ERGONOMICS The cockpit features Secure Slots, which are lower sides that make it easier to enter the cockpit or sit on. The cockpit is a bit cramped for two large riders. POSITIONS Sitting, straddling, standing LOUNGEWORTHINESS (3/5) For adults, its unusual shape doesn’t lend itself to lounging, though small kids will probably love hanging out on it.
VISIBILITY (5/5) Bright colors, tall stature and the ability of riders to stand make this tube very visible. COMMENTS “Superfast during whips.” “The speed varies, which keeps it interesting.” “Standing is by far the most fun position.” “The sloped outer deck doesn’t help your traction.
O’BRIEN APEX 2 ***KID SUPER FAVOR I TE * * * * * * GRE AT VALUE* * *
MSRP $350 SETUP (3/5) 1 Lightning valve, 3 ECO valves RIDERS 2/340 lbs. UNIQUE Rectangular tube is much thicker at the front with raised handholds.
LOUNGEWORTHINESS (3.5/5) Its unusual shape does make it awkward to sit on but it’s a good tanning platform. VISIBILITY (4/5) Bright green and blue color plus its height make it easy to spot. COMMENTS “The most versatile tube I’ve ever seen. We were able to get into six positions.” “It’s so stable, we could stand on it without hanging on.” “A really fun ride that’s quick and comfortable.”
BOATINGWORLD.COM
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FUN SCALE
3.5/5
HO SPORTS FORMULA 3
MSRP $400
RIDERS 3
SETUP (4/5) 1 Boston valve, 3 ECO valves
UNIQUE This tube was reengineered for 2018 to
give it a larger, more open cockpit with a single inflatable floor. This sit-inside model is round in the front and square in the back with a concave bottom for less drag. ERGONOMICS Backrest provides good support. Taller riders had to bend their legs to fit inside. Softshell cover over nylon is softer to the touch. A divider separates riders. POSITIONS Sitting, kneeling
LOUNGEWORTHINESS (4/5) Good couch-like lounger for smaller people who can stretch out in the the cockpit. VISIBILITY (3/5) Black and grey sides make it more difficult to see. COMMENTS “The inflatable floor makes it really bouncy, which is fun.” “Really fast and stable tube.” “I felt a bit cramped.” “The dividers make you feel like you are locked in.”
KID
super favorite
5/5 FUN SCALE
SPORTSSTUFF ROCK N’ TOW * * *K ID SUPER FAVOR I TE * * *
MSRP $460 SETUP (4/5) 1 Speed Safety valve, 4 small two-way valves RIDERS 3/510 lbs.
UNIQUE Tall couch-like tube has a curved bottom that rocks back and forth.
ERGONOMICS Tall backrest, plenty of stretching out spaces and a curved seat bottom make this tube extremely comfortable. Dividers keep riders from bumping. POSITION Sitting LOUNGEWORTHINESS (5/5) Sit like you’re on a Barcalounger in front of the TV.
VISIBILITY (5/5) Orange and blue sides, a checkerboard front and its height make this tube very visible.
COMMENTS “I give this tube a 10 out of 5!” “When the boat takes off, the tube tips way back,
and it’s scary at first until you realize how stable it is.” “Extreme fun for all ages.” “Super comfortable.”
BOATINGWORLD.COM JUNE 2018
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3.5/5
FUN SCALE
HO SPORTS WATERMELON MSRP $100 SETUP 5/5 1 medium Boston valve
RIDERS 1/170 lbs. UNIQUE It’s a watermelon! What stands out is its height, which keeps the rider high above the water. It would be a great choice for youngsters but has enough flotation for older riders. ERGONOMICS Its doughnut shape allows the rider to nestle down a bit to get a secure seat. There are two sets of handles that accommodate riders of different sizes. POSITIONS Sitting, crouching, planking
FUN SCALE 4/5
LOUNGEWORTHINESS 4/5 It’s actually very comfortable to sit on.
CONNELLY ELDORADO
VISIBILITY 3/5 Green and red colors are bright and it sits pretty high, but it’s pretty small.
MSRP $300 SETUP (5/5) 1 Boston valve RIDERS 5/850 lbs. UNIQUE Huge deck towable that measures 90” x 110” and has room for five riders.
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ERGONOMICS Wide beam gives riders enough space. Riders get the best grip by crisscrossing arms. The outer riders’ outermost handgrip sits farther back, which provides less leverage.
POSITIONS Lying, kneeling LOUNGEWORTHINESS (5/5) A great platform for sunning or sitting on with room for three or four loungers.
VISIBILITY (4/5) Bright orange makes visibility good but the black bottom half doesn’t help much.
COMMENTS “This thing is huge!” “I liked how the front is raised so your face is higher above the water.” “You’ll want to put your strongest riders on the outside, because during whips it’s hard to hang on.”
COMMENTS “It’s a very tall tube for its size and I thought it would be top-heavy, but it was surprisingly stable even when going over the large wake.” “Small kids will love it.”
BOATINGWORLD.COM
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OUR WORLD IS WATER... enjoy it with us!
WATERTOYS
special section
The World’s Best Selling
Wakeboard Tower
• Sleek style and superior strength with industry leading 2.5” aluminum tubing in your choice of black, white or polished and anodized finish • Fits virtually any trailerable boat • Folds without tools for storage or low clearance • Five-year warranty • If you don’t LOVE your Monster Tower, we want it back!
MONSTERTOWER.COM/BOATINGWORLD • 877.778.6937
Monster Tower Boating World Art 2018.indd 2
4/20/2018 2:50:16 PM
MAKING SUMMER FUN SINCE 1965
OUR TUBES ARE MORE FUN #connellycollective
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BOATINGWORLD.COM
Visit us at connellyskis.com /connellyskis Insta
5/4/18 9:39 AM
WOW BIG DUCKY
om kis
• Bluetooth Wireless Speaker IP67 Waterproof tested to a depth of one meter for up to 30 minutes • 50+ hours of battery life • It floats and you can actually listen to it while it floats. • Includes speaker float for rough waters or busy pools • Includes floating phone holder • Incredibly HI-Volume omnidirectional sound with Giant Bass • 360º Degree LED light for nighttime use comes with dim, medium, bright settings • Take it anywhere super portable EZ carry handle and bottom stem design that fits into cup holders
www.wowwatersports.com
BOATINGWORLD.COM JUNE 2018
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WATERTOYS
www.wowwatersports.com
special section
This custom, deluxe deck tube features a WOW Big Ducky design theme, secure saddle seat as well as a large, wing-shaped deck area for 1, 2, or 3 riders to sit, stand, kneel, or lay down. Each side of the winged-shaped deck area has custom winged-shaped EVA foam body pads and a side bumper system built on the edges to keep the riders from falling off when the ride gets extreme. Bring back memories from your childhood or create some new ones for your kids with Big Ducky from WOW.
WOW-SOUND SPEAKER
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C A LL 949/660 - 6150
marketplace
H A S YOUR DOG
Enter Your Dog Now
WIN THIS Enter your pooch in our Salty Dog of the Month contest. Email your pet’s photo and name, your name, address and phone number to editor@boatingworld.com, or snail mail to: Boating World Salty Dog Contest 18475 Bandilier Circle, Fountain Valley CA 92708 Your pet could win a cool PFD from CWB. *Shown is our current prize, a CWB Dog Vest valued at $24.95. Prizes are subject to change.
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BOATINGWORLD.COM
5/4/18 8:18 AM
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marketplace
PerfectPass Boating World 2016 1/2 Page Ad Hanlon Marketing Design Inc. Tel: 902 422-6453 Email hanlon@eastlink.ca
C A LL 949/660 - 6150
BOATINGWORLD.COM
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4/25/18 11:40 AM
Splendor 1-2h4c.qxp_Layout 1 5/3/18 3:35 PM Page 1
Splendor: 239 SunStar
Splendor Boats 239 SunStar, the outboard configuration of their ever popular 240 SunStar is sleek and stylish and just as capable as its sterndrive counterpart. Offering a large deck space with a capacity for up to 12 adults, an oversized head compartment complete with a standard portable toilet and custom installed options of your choice, the 239 SunStar offers all of the essentials needed for a day of fun on the water, but that’s just the start. So, what makes this boat different from the rest? How about the full planning catamaran hull that offers a very stable, smooth ride and only drafts 12" of water. Pair those features with the 239 SunStar’s standard 225 horsepower Suzuki outboard and you have a combination of class and power that no one can compete with.
www.splendorboats.com│260.352.2835│Silver Lake, Indiana
Survival Products, Inc.
for Service/Sales/Rentals of Aviation and Marine life rafts and vests since 1974.
advertiser index PR O D U C T I N FO R M ATI O N A N D PH O N E N U M B E R S
BOATS
PERSONAL WATERCRAFT
Apex Marine (989) 681-4300............................ CV4
Sea Doo/BRP (800) 882-2900...............................9
SmokerCraft, Inc./Starcraft (866) 719-7873........................................... 5, 11, 66
SERVICES
Splendor Boats (260) 352-2835............................71 Stingray (843) 383-4507........................................23 Yamaha Watercraft (800) 888-2624..................... 1
The World’s Smallest Package Lightest Weight • Least Expensive 9-13 Man 5” x 12” x 14” 18 lbs $1960
NEW!! FAA TSO Approved Life Rafts Available
5614 S.W. 25th St., Hollywood, FL 33023 (954) 966-7329 • FAX (954) 966-3584 www.survivalproductsinc.com
Boat U.S. (800) 283-2883.......................................17 GEICO Insurance (800) 865-4846.......................29
ELECTRONICS
National Marine Underwriters (800) 262-8467...................................................68
Simrad..........................................................................15
1-800-PROGRESSIVE (800)776-4737................... 3
ENGINES
United States Power Squadrons (888) 367-8777.....................................................39
Mercury Marine (920) 929-5916........................CV2 SternDrive Engineering (813) 925-7127............. 70
WATERSPORTS EQUIPMENT
Suzuki Marine (800) 247-4704 ...........................73
Connelly Skis Inc/CWB (425) 775-5416........................................ 30-31, 64
GEAR & ACCESSORIES
Monster Tower (877) 778-6937........................... 64
Harbor Freight Tools (800) 423-2567............... 69 McGard Inc. (800) 669-6887.................................67
O’Brien (Motion Water Sports) (425) 831-1050.....................................................63
NuShield, Inc. (215) 500-6426...............................68
Overton’s (800) 334-6541.......................................21
Survival Products (954) 966-7329.......................71
Perfect Pass Control Systems (902) 468-2150....................................................67
Swim Platforms (602) 431-8225...........................67
SURVIVAL PRODUCTS, INC.
Boat Angel (800) 227-2643..................................68
West System Inc. / Gougeon Brothers, Inc. (989) 684-7286....................................................47
C A LL 949/660 - 6150
4-6 Man 4” x 12” x14” 12 lbs $1510
marketplace
EMERGENCY LIFE RAFT BUY or RENT
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Made in U.S.A
BOATINGWORLD.COM JUNE 2018
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Reader Contest
Rick Martin illustration
Name the Boat
See the winning entry and the best of the rest from the April contest on page 8.
How’s that old saying go? You can’t pick your family, but you can sure as heck leave them at the dock. Well, maybe not in this family heirloom. 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 Connelly, and your name will appear in the September/October 2018 issue of Boating World.
Win This!
YOURS FREE
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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 September/October 2018 issue. Submissions are due by June 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
5/4/18 8:01 AM
For a limited time, get Suzuki Extended Protection, Instant Savings and attractive financing on select Suzuki outboards from 25 to 350 horspower. See your participapting Suzuki Marine dealer for details or visit www.suzukimarine.com.
REPOWER FINANCE Six Years of Protection at no extra charge on all new outboards 25 to 350 HP.
Instant Savings of up to $800 on select models. See your dealer for details.
Rates as low as 5.99% on new Suzuki outboard on approved credit.*
Gimme Six Extended Protection promo is applicable to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 350 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 04/01/18 and 06/30/18 in accordance with the promotion by a Participating Authorized Suzuki Marine dealer in the continental US and Alaska to a purchasing customer who resides in the continental US or Alaska. Customer should expect to receive an acknowledgement letter and full copy of contract including terms, conditions and wallet card from Suzuki Extended Protection within 90 days of purchase. If an acknowledgement letter is not received in time period stated, contact Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. – Marine Marketing via email: marinepromo@suz.com. The Gimme Six Promotion is available for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Instant Savings apply to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 04/01/18 and 06/30/18. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Customer and participating Dealer must fill out the appropriate form at time of sale. Instant Savings will be applied against the original dealer invoice (Suzuki will credit Dealer parts account). There are no model substitutions, benefit substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. Suzuki reserves the right to change or cancel these promotions at any time without notice or obligation. * Financing offers available through Synchrony Retail Finance. As low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 months on new and unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors. Subject to credit approval. Not all buyers will qualify. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness. $19.99/month per $1,000 financed for 60 months is based on 5.99% APR. Hypothetical figures used in calculation; your actual monthly payment may differ based on financing terms, credit tier qualification, accessories or other factors such as down payment and fees. Offer effective on new, unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors purchased from a participating authorized Suzuki dealer between 04/01/18 and 06/30/18. “Gimme Six”, the Suzuki “S” and model names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual. © 2018 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.
SZ_2QPromo_1PGAd_APV.indd 1
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