March 2018 – Boating World by Duncan McIntosh Company

FAMILY LEGENDS

and fish tales

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Contents

M a rch 201 8 • Vol u m e 39 N o. 3

MAGAZINE

VOLUME XXXIX NUMBER 3

DEPARTMENTS 4

Editor’s Letter

Currents

Examining why people buy a boat Bits from the boating world

14 Trailering Employ a transom saver 18 Watersports Add grabs to your trick repertoire 22 Fishing A primer for sometimes anglers 24 Engines Jet outboards 26 DIY Replace a hatch

pg. 50

28 Ask the Experts Our panel of experts answers your questions

features

30 Bonehead Blunders Mistakes no boater should make

32 Gear The latest accessories, gadgets and electronics

Even anglers who will never fish competitively can benefit from tips the pros swear by.

Having insurance is smart. Knowing how to minimize premiums is even smarter.

64 Contest: Name the Boat Win a $240 Boating Starter Kit from Connelly

10 Tournament Tactics that Work BY LENNY RUDOW

15 Ways to Lower Insurance Premiums BY ZUZANA PROCHAZKA

boats tested

34 Four Winns HD

200 RS Surf

The endless wave is attainable for a whole lot less.

38 Princecraft Quorum

25 RL

The popular rear lounger configuration is taken to a place it’s never been before.

42 NauticStar 265 XTS Can’t decide whether to get a bay boat or an offshore boat? Get both.

46 Qwest Avanti 823

Lanai DS Bar

It’s a party pontoon that’s ready for all kinds of floating boating missions.

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Sur f Ser ies F R O M

F O U R

W I N N S

Jan 1 – Mar 31, 2018

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Editor’s Letter

by Ala n Jones

THE BOATING WORLD TEAM RESPONDS:

“

As a psychic, what do you call the app you create to read people’s future?

PUBLISHER

Duncan McIntosh Jr.

What’s In Storacle ASSOC . EDITOR/PUBLISHER Jeff Fleming

Lion Cheetah

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Alan Jones

ComingDetractions

MANAGING EDITOR Mike Werling

BUY THE NUMBERS SOME OF OUR readers might wonder how we put together the Owner Feedback section of our boat reviews. The short answer is I call one owner of each model and ask a variety of questions. But often, it takes dozens of calls to find an owner. In all since 2009, I’ve chatted with 288 owners (I counted). What leads someone to buy a boat? Boating can be expensive, but it soon became clear it isn’t a garden variety hobby. It’s a life-changing event for many buyers. Before writing this, I reread every interview and kept track of the primary reason each owner bought a particular boat. • 32 owners admitted this was the first boat they’d bought. Variations on two quotes came up most often: “My family boated when I was growing up, and I wanted my kids to experience the same thing I did.” “After seeing the fun boaters were having out on the water, I wanted to join in.” Moving to waterfront property led 17 owners to get into boating. • 102 people said the reason for buying a boat was to spend more time with family. Many were retirees who had the money and used the boat as an enticement. “We noticed since we bought such a cool boat we get to see our kids and grandkids a lot more often.” • 85 said they were upgrading to a larger boat, with 15 of them citing safety and security as an issue. “With 12 grandkids, we wanted a safe, comfortable boat.” But more often they wanted more room for entertaining guests or a boat that allowed them to take longer trips. • 28 previously had larger boats, and downsizing was a way to stay in boating as they grew older or their circumstance changed. • 27 bought new, surf-capable boats. I noted that among 34 owners who had stayed loyal to the same brand for many years, 14 of them owned tournament-grade watersports boats. • 37 were first-time pontoon owners who had previously been owners of more traditional boats. For many of them, the enhanced speed of modern pontoons was the tipping point. “My wife and I always owned go-fast boats, but when we found out we didn’t have to give up great performance, we were sold.”

Editor’s Note: In Grid Michal’s January Engines column, he recommended using OEM lubricants. And while it’s true you can’t go wrong with this advice, there are companies on the aftermarket that make premium lubricants that are even recommended by boat builders themselves. What he should have said is, “Your engine is important, make sure you choose high-quality products when it comes to its lubrication.” BW

The Great Karnapp

ASSISTANT EDITOR Stephanie Shibata

Neo Miss Cleo-Tarot on the Go

ART DIRECTOR Julie Hogan

PréSäge

PRODUCTION Mary Monge

The Artistic Mystic

CIRCUL ATION MGR. Rick Avila

Instathoughts

CIRCUL ATION ASSISTANTS

Emily Wells Horneff FutureQuest: Get Lightning Fast Results Dustin Nguyen Lightning-Fast Clairvoyant ADVERTISING SALES & MARKETING

Call (949) 660-6150

REGIONAL SALES MANAGERS

Annabelle Zabala Crystal Belle

Felice Lineberry Magic 8 and 1/4 Ball MARKETPL ACE SALES MGR. Jon Sorenson

Called It

AD COORDINATORS

Jennifer Chen JenSeesForFees

Lacee Garcia Future Ball Tells All TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR Dave Kelsen

Tomorrowland Today

DIGITAL DIRECTOR Bryan Sheehy

Clear As Mud

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. 3 Boating World Editorial and Advertising Offices, 18475 Bandilier Circle, Fountain Valley, CA 92708; (949) 660-6150. Boating World (ISSN 1059-5155, USPS 16200) is printed in the U.S.A. and published nine times a year in Jan., Feb., Mar., Apr., May, Jun., Jul./Aug., Sept./Oct. and Nov./Dec. at 18475 Bandilier Circle, Fountain Valley, CA 92708 by Duncan McIntosh Co. Inc. Periodicals Postage paid at Santa Ana, CA 92799 and at additional mailing offices. Editorial contributions are welcome. Please submit all contributions to the editor, accompanied by M AG A Z I N E 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.

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sylvanmarine.com | 866-766-9698

Featuring:

Currents

by Steph a n ie S h ibata

L E A D B O AT // H I N C K L E Y D A S H E R

In Hushed Tones… The all-electric Dasher looks like a Hinckley, but it doesn’t sound like one — because it doesn’t make any noise. HINCKLEY HAS OFTEN been an early adopter of new technology, using fiberglass

before most builders thought it prudent, or a pioneer of its own tech, such as waterjet propulsion and joystick operation. So it’s not a surprise that Hinckley has developed an all-electric yacht — though at 28 feet, 6 inches long and 8 feet, 7 inches across the beam, it’s a trailerable yacht. Introduced last fall and set to be available to consumers this year, Dasher is the builder’s latest technological early entry. Powered by twin 80 hp electric motors that are driven by BMW I3 lithium-ion batteries, the boat is quiet and pollution-free. Dual plugs allow Dasher to be connected to two 50-amp charging cables, so it can reach a full charge in less than four hours. And even though it’s the smallest boat in the Hinckley stable, it retains the look of its larger predecessors, and its carbon-epoxy composite hull means it’s light and strong. Intended as a dayboat, Dasher’s transom is open. An aft console is the base for an aft-facing bench seat and a forward-facing bench that acts as the helm seat. Forward of the helm console is another bench seat, and a U-shaped settee occupies the bow. That’s plenty of seating for about a dozen folks on a harbor cruise. A silent harbor cruise, though we can’t control one’s company. Dasher’s approximate range at a 10 mph cruising speed is 40 miles. That range is cut to 20 to 25 miles at a faster cruise of 18 to 27 mph. Like all Hinckley models, Dasher is a jetboat, so its draft is a mere 23 inches. Priced just north of $500K, Dasher isn’t going to fit into every boating budget, but even though it’s small, it’s still a Hinckley. Hinckley Yachts, hinckleyyachts.com

While the all-electric Dasher is a new concept for Hinckley, its jet propulsion and joystick control are old standards, as is its dayboat mission, with seating everywhere.

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CURRENTS

name the boat To participate in this month’s contest, turn to page 64

JANUARY CONTEST WINNER: Bite Club

Marc Bishop from Clarksville, Tenn., was the first to submit the winning name, Bite Club. For daring speak the club name that doesn’t exist, Marc receives a Boating Starter Kit — four life vests, two dock ties and a safety flag — valued at $240, from Connelly (connellyskis.com). MORE OF JANUARY’S BEST ENTRIES:

Once Bitten…

Grouper Session

Bait Watchers

Donnie Holmes, Burgaw, NC

Nikki Tweet, Long Beach, CA

Scott Duink, Sarasota, FL

Tackle Your Addiction

Beat the Bite Express

Nicola Heslip, Auburn, WA

Gordon McCreadie, Klamath Falls, OR

Mary Heran, Fremont, CA

Anna McCreadie, Klamath Falls, OR

Don’t Wormy, Be Happy

Angler Management John McDowall, Plymouth, CA

Sore Lip Launch

Rick Martin illustration

Al Tesoro, Seminole, FL

Support Groupers Bert Browning, Midlothian, VA

QUIZ

Debait School Larry Bagans, Grosse Ile, MI

Not So A-Lure-ing

Our Lips Are Sealed Kick the Ha-bite

Jeff Prewitt, Evanston, WY

12 Wave Program John Siegel, Manchester, MO

James Cantwil, Flushing, MI

DID YOU KNOW?

Where’s the Water?

THERE ARE 27 landlocked states in the U.S., if the seven states that touch the Great Lakes are considered landlocked in the sense they don’t touch an ocean, gulf or bay. (Eight border the lakes, but New York also touches the Atlantic Ocean.) Can you find the watery phony?

• Colorado • Utah • Wyoming • Nebraska • Indiana

The Navy bean got its name because the U.S. Navy has served the beans as a staple since the mid-1800s. Unlike most canned vegetables and legumes, which lose much of their nutritional value during the canning process, Navy beans maintain their nutritive value when canned.

• New Hampshire

Answer: New Hampshire isn’t landlocked. An 18-mile stretch of it touches the Atlantic Ocean.

In Texas, the Galveston Sea Wall was built after the Galveston Hurricane of 1900, to shield the area from future hurricanes. The wall now stretches more than 10 miles and has saved the city of Galveston millions of dollars.

WH E RE IN TH E WORLD?

Can you figure out where this picture was taken? Find out on page 12. We’ll give you a hint: • American Sand Sculpting Championship • Gulf side Answer on page 12.

The Knoxville, Tenn., area has more restaurants per capita than any city in the U.S., many accessible by boat.

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Destination Honda

For destinations found on a map, or ones that are simply a state of mind, trust a reliable Honda outboard to get you there. And back. Find out more at marine.honda.com.

ÂŠ 2018 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Always wear a personal flotation device while boating and read your ownerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s manual. All Honda outboards meet EPA and CARB emission levels.

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CURRENTS

Enter Your Dog Now

WIN THIS

S A LT Y D O G O F T H E M O N T H

Dog: Lila Owners: Barbara & Alvin Boudreau, Gloucester, Mass.

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

 Great Balls

Hidden Feature, Open Tribute

THE FDR MEMORIAL in Washington, D.C., is a well-known attraction, but a lesser known monument to the 32nd president sits waterside in nearby Maryland — Cambridge, to be exact. Roosevelt’s presidential yacht, USS Potomac, included a false smokestack that actually housed an elevator the wheelchair-bound POTUS used to move between decks. A replica of that stack now sits in tribute in Long Wharf Park, whose wharf was redeveloped under the Works Progress Administration and served as a homeport to Potomac.

of Ice

Many years on Lake Michigan during the winter months, ice balls form by the thousands and pile up on the shore, to the fascination of locals and internet observers. They form when ice breaks off from larger ice formations and is shaped by the wind and water. In early January, according to local TV and newspaper sites, the phenomenon was back during a period of brutal cold that affected much of the country.

Old Salting

EVERY YEAR IN April at the Navy Memorial

in Washington, D.C., white-gloved honor guards dump water into the dry fountain in a tradition called “salting.” The tradition, according to Atlas Obscura, began when ancient fishing fleets made offerings at the water’s edge in exchange for safe passage and protection from mythical beasts. After the fountain, which is left dormant during the winter months to prevent plumbing ruptures, is blessed it is re-watered.

WH E RE IN TH E WORLD?

Folks on the west coast — of Florida, that is — might recognize that inlet and marina in the picture on page 10 as being in Fort Myers Beach, Fla.

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You could get a discount when you combine your auto and boat policies.

geico.com | 1-800-865-4846 | Local Office Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. Boat and PWC coverages are underwritten by GEICO Marine Insurance Company. Multi-Policy Discount available to auto insureds that have purchased a boat policy through the GEICO Marine Insurance Company. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. ÂŠ 2018 GEICO

Trailering

Tra n som Savers

Transom Savers to the Rescue Whether it’s a DIY project or an aftermarket product, a transom saver can head off a potential problem. BY CHRIS CASWELL

• IT SEEMED AN INNOCENT QUESTION. I was having a brew at a beachfront Tiki Hut near my

favorite launch ramp, along with a half dozen skippers also using the ramp. All I said was, “What do you guys think about supporting the drive while trailering?” And the opinions erupted. You’d think I’d asked if there was really a Santa Claus or a tooth fairy. First, what are we talking about here? They’re called transom savers but they might easily be called drive savers, too. They might be as simple as a bar that extends from the outdrive or outboard back

to the trailer, and it’s designed to reduce the road shocks transmitted to the boat transom. A second reason for a drive saver is in case the locking mechanism, be it hydraulic

or a simple locking pin, fails. Anyone who’s seen a lower unit be dragged down a concrete road for a few hundred yards, until the driver realizes what happened and stops safely, knows why they sell replacement lower units. The road can quickly grind right through the aluminum outer casing and start wrecking the gears inside, not to mention shred an expensive prop. To get a definitive answer, I started with boat manufacturers, which were divided in their advice. Some said their transoms were designed to handle heavy loads, both on the trailer and at sea, so no problem. Others, such as Tracker Boats, include an outboard support bar on their trailers as standard equipment. The simplest solution is to leave the drive down, assuming there is sufficient road clearance under the drive skeg. But what is sufficient? Some guys suggest eight to 10 inches, but I know that going up a driveway with my trailer, I’d drag the skeg. Going over a big speed bump might tag the drive, too. The guys at the Tiki Hut who said they leave their drives down also noted they have tallish trailers that give them 16 to 20 inches of clearance. Before looking at some of the aftermarket transom supports, take a look at your outboard first. Many outboards include a swing-down tilt-lock bracket that will lock into a matching notch in the lower unit, thus holding it in the kicked-up position without relying on the hydraulic trim system. Outboard manufacturers say these “locking brackets” are only intended for use during service, when a mechanic needs to lock the drive in place before working on trim cylinders, or for storage. And while these are a good first defense, most of the outboard mechanics I know jam something like a two-by-four under the hinge before they put their little fingers into a potential Transom savers such as T-H Marine’s Motor Stik (top row) and Attwood’s Lock N’ Stow (bottom row) can save a boat’s transom from wear and tear. DIY options include a two-byfour wedged into the hinge mechanism.

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TRAILERING

guillotine. Newer Evinrudes and Johnsons have spring-loaded tilt-locks but, again, the manufacturer says don’t use them while trailering. A couple of guys at the Tiki Hut said they use the “locking brackets” regularly, but they always trim the engine down after putting the bracket in place, until they hear the trim system struggle against the bracket. They think that helps secure the bracket from bouncing loose. Other guys at the Tiki Hut rely on the Home Depot Special Drive Support system: a two-by-four board 16 to 20 inches long that they wedge up into the hinge mechanism and then trim down against it to hold it in place. This has a positive locking effect, and it’s definitely low cost. It isn’t the best looking method, but if you lose or forget it, no big deal. If you don’t want to leave your drive

upright or use a two-by-four, you need to get an aftermarket transom saver. Find them at boat dealerships and marine hardware stores in a variety of shapes and sizes. Prices range from 10 bucks up to nearly $100, so choose wisely. First, you’ll want the transom saver to be rust resistant, since it will be in and around water a lot. Obviously, it should be sturdy enough to support the weight of the engine and the drive, and it should be easy to attach. It should be secure, through rubber straps or pins, so it won’t come loose from the trailer or the drive. And finally, it should have some padding, to save the finish on the drive. The most basic version is a bar that extends from the trailer to the drive, and West Marine offers several versions, as do companies with models such as the Attwood Swivl-EZE Lock N’ Stow, Yamaha Outboard Trailering Support,

and Walmart Extreme Max. A different version uses aluminum or rubber/plastic tubes that fit over the trim rams when they are in the up position. Just slip the tubes in place and trim the engine down for full support. Obviously, these only work on engines without hydraulic trim, and include the M-Y Wedge and the T-H Marine Motor Stik. The Lock-n-Haul system uses a pair of aluminum rods that wedge between the lower unit and the transom but, like the other transom savers, the load on the transom isn’t really reduced: these protect against dropping your drive onto the road. Some folks at the Tiki argued that raising the outboard better positions its weight over the transom, while others felt that leaving the outboard upright did much the same, and so the decision comes down to you. BW

DISCOVER YOUR INNER EXPLORER

C ut wate r B o at s.co m MADE IN USA 16

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Leading the way with technology, comfort and CHOICE. Every Starcraft pontoon boat is built on three pillars of a better experience: advanced technology, luxurious comfort, and more choices to help you customize your pontoon and make it your own. From the Murphy touchscreen control system, to plush overstuffed loungers, to great floorplans and features packages, you’re sure to find something you love. And with tube options like stylish black painted tubes and our award winning HMX performance strakes that allow you to dig and pivot on the water, tow sports become a thing of ease. It’s all dedicated to giving you great days on the water, and it’s all from Starcraft. Learn more at starcraftmarine.com.

Watersports

J u m ps a n d G ra bs

We want to get your jumps and grabs dialed, and to that end I have several tips. These are two of the most foundational elements in wakeboarding and need to be mastered before more technical tricks become a possibility. Plus, it’s fun to learn a consistent, effortless wake jump and then add your own personal style to it. There are countless grab variations, and they all require different body control, but we’ll walk through a few of the most common ones.

Grab Some Style Following these tips can add originality and control to your riding. BY JOSH PALMA

• HAVE YOU FINALLY CONQUERED THE elusive wake-to-wake jump but aren’t sure what’s next? While your buddy might suggest hucking yourself into a backroll or a 360, I can assure you that neither of those represents the next logical step in your progression. Trust me now and your body will thank you later. I conduct wake clinics all over the world, and often my goal is to demonstrate this: Wakeboarding does not need to be intimidating or painful. It’s all about learning tricks in the correct order and having your boat set up in a way that increases the likelihood for success.

First, however, we need to conduct a brief review of the proper mechanics for a textbook heelside jump. Nearly all novice wakeboarders focus exclusively on heelside jumps, which simply means they are approaching the wake on their heel edge (facing the boat) rather than their toe edge (back more toward the boat). Heelside is a more natural position and therefore offers a better place to start when learning grabs and jumps. Don’t become a “heelside hero,” though; be sure to work on one-wake toeside jumps (landing in the middle of the wake) while you practice heelside jumps. In terms of wake-jumping mechanics, remember two things. One, be sure to use a progressive edge, meaning that after you’ve set up for a jump by cutting outside the wake, you want to roll back toward the takeoff ramp in a gradual and progressive manner. Make a nice slow turn at the wake, and once your angle is set and the nose of the board is heading toward the takeoff point, just hold and maintain that edge. Two, and this is directly related to

Front Hand (left)

Slob

Slob L R

Nose Grab

Rig

Method

Nose Grab

Left

Tail Grab

R L

Melan

Lein

Stalefish

Indy

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Left

elt

Seatbelt

Back Hand (right)

Mute

Crail

Indy L

Use this graphic to gain a better understanding of grab terminology. Front Hand (left)

Mute

Crail

GRAB HAND POSITIONS

Back Hand (right)

R L

Lein

Tail Grab

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W AT E R S P O R T S

the first, less is more when trying to master the perfect wake jump. Don’t try to cut too hard, don’t try to jump off the wake and don’t pull on the handle. The less you move, the better! Once you’ve cleaned up and perfected wake jumps, you’re ready to add uniqueness to your riding with some grabs. The first question people typically ask me when learning their first grab is this: “Where is the easiest place to grab the board?” That brings us to the third takeaway. Only grab your board on the nose, the tail or on the side-rail between your feet. Yes, grabbing in these areas is slightly more challenging, but if you’re going to grab, it might as well be legit! My recommendation for your first grab would be either a tail grab (see photo on page 18) or an indy grab, which is when you use your back hand to grab the toeside rail — between your feet, of course. To complete a tail grab, simply use your back hand to grab the tail of the board. Start with back-hand

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grabs, and then work up to front-hand grabs, which require a bit more control. Now you have a textbook wake jump and you know where to grab, but you’re “slapping” at the grab rather than locking onto it. No worries. Once you’re slapping, you’re only a few adjustments away from throwing down your first legit grab. The key to having more time to hold onto the grab is a bit counterintuitive. Be patient and remember that the perfect grab starts with the perfect wake jump. The more you rush off the wake and drop a hand early to get the grab, the less time you’ll actually have to complete it

correctly. Hold your edge, take off with two hands, get your good upward lift, and then go for the grab by bringing the board up toward your hand. Keep your chest up just like you would on a normal wake jump and don’t break at the waist. Last, once you are consistently getting solid grabs, you’re prepped for the final progression. Poke or tweak the grab to add some additional style and originality. This is where you’ll start to get addicted. There’s something so rewarding and fun about putting your own stamp and identity on a move; plus, you’ll be set to progress to 180s, 360s or even your first invert. BW

Josh Palma is a world-class wakeboarder who is sponsored by MasterCraft, Connelly and Buywake.com. The Orlando native, 33, competed professionally for more a decade and is now transitioning into a product development and validation role with the aforementioned brands. The watersports industry remains Palma’s main focus, but he has also been enjoying new opportunities involving stunt work in feature films.

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3. Rates as low as 5.99% on new Suzuki outboards (OAC).*

REPOWER FINANCE

Gimme Six Extended Protection promo is applicable to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 350 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 01/01/18 and 03/31/18 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 01/01/18 and 03/31/18. 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 01/01/18 and 03/31/18. “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.

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Fishing

Do I t B et ter

How to Fish (for 1 | Folks who don’t do it Often) This easy primer will help you find and handle a fish. BY DEAN TRAVIS CLARKE

• FISHING QUALIFIES AS A VERY healthy sport psychologically. In this hurry-up life of high

stress, fishing is a comparatively Zen pastime. It forces participants to slow down and take the measure of and connect with nature. The type of boat one fishes from really isn’t important to this discussion. As my fellow fishing enthusiast Alan Jones writes in his review of the Princecraft Quorum 25 RL on page 38, “I’ve never been on a boat that absolutely couldn’t be fished.” With that in mind, the following tips are universal.

THE PROCESS

The concept of trolling is to tow a fish lookalike object in such a fashion as to make the predator think it’s a meal trying to escape. After all, that’s what prey does when confronted by a predator. Fishing is creating a phony happenstance of nature. Set the boat’s throttle(s) or sails to produce a speed that makes baits or lures throw up a modest amount of spray and leave a trail of bubbles. The speed varies depending on the type of lure. Baits are natural and organic, either a dead or live fish that predators normally eat in the course of their day. A lure, on the other hand, is a manmade approximation of one of these natural baits. And there are as many different types of lures as there are anglers. Artificial baits are much easier to fish than natural baits, because they require less skill and knowledge. They basically snag a curious fish. Then you just have to patiently winch it to the boat.

WHERE TO LOOK

There isn’t a pelagic fish — freeswimming fish that live and feed in the open sea — that can’t be caught at trolling speeds between five and 15 knots. Anglers catch them on the surface, as a general rule, though with specialized equipment some people are lucky enough to catch them as deep as 200 feet. The most popular and edible of these pelagics include the various members of the tuna family, some sharks, mahi-mahi, some mackerels, marlins, swordfish and wahoo. Obviously all the best fishing tackle in the world won’t help if it isn’t unleashed in the vicinity of fish.

CHARTS

Scan the depth contours along your course and mark any spots significantly shallower than

Practically any boat can be used for fishing, but anglers have to know where to look for fish (around weeds and structure) and what to do with one once it is hooked.

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will bring this fact home. Stop alongside a weedline and scoop up a handful of weed. Quickly dump it on the boat’s deck and start looking through it. This weed constitutes the ocean’s nursery — dozens of species of crab, fish and shrimp. That’s what bigger fish eat. When fishing, never pass up a floating palette, tires, boards, abandoned rafts or anything else floating on the surface. Fish are often lurking beneath floating debris just waiting to bite.

You’ve hooked a fish. Now what? First, determine if this fish is something you want to eat or not. If it isn’t, let it go, preferably unharmed. Until you get comfortable handling fish, it’s probably a better idea to cut the leader as close to the hook as you can and let it go with the hook in its mouth. I know, it sounds cruel, but enzymes in the fish’s mouth and saltwater combine to corrode the hook away remarkably quickly. Do learn how to safely remove a hook from a fish’s mouth, though. If you plan to keep the fish, then gaff or net it, lift it quickly aboard and put it into a large box — cooler, in-deck fishbox, insulated blanket — with ice. If it’s a tuna, bleed it for best results. Cut it down to the spine just up from the tail and deeply pierce it behind each pectoral fin. This eliminates much of the bitter dark meat along the spine. Have a hose or bucket handy to wash the blood overboard, or your boat will quickly look like a coliseum in the movie “Gladiator.” Find a book or YouTube video about cleaning fish. There are too many species and methods to get into here. BW

the surrounding area (e.g., submarine mountain peaks, plateaus). Fish like structure and food sources. Odds are good that fish are congregating around these spots. It’s not a hard-and-fast rule, but you’re less likely to catch fish in deep water that has no bottom or surface structure.

STRUCTURE

Think of yourself crossing a vast deserted wasteland. If you see something in the middle that breaks up the monotony, you’re likely to focus on it. The same goes for fish. Add to that the fact that deep-ocean currents often produce upwellings when they confront such subsea structures and that these upwellings push the food chain upward and that the bigger fish follow it toward the surface — and that’s where you trick them into taking a lure.

GAME ON

WEED, FLOTSAM AND JETSAM

Of course, the ocean itself qualifies as a large deserted wasteland, so anything floating on the surface attracts fish. Never, ever ignore stuff that is floating out there. Next time you come across a weedline, run along one side of it and look into the water. You’ll be amazed at the fish playing and feeding there. In fact, here’s an experiment that

MORE TIPS While this column has delivered several tips that will get you started on your next obsession, it didn’t cover equipment or tackle, which could both be their own column. In fact, they have been. Check them out: >> boatingworld.com/fishing/choose-right-light-tackle-rod/ >> boatingworld.com/fishing/fishing-tackle/ >> boatingworld.com/fishing/11-mistakes-cost-anglers-fish/ BOATINGWORLD.COM MARCH 2018

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Engines

J et O u t boa rd s

Drop The Prop Want a jet outboard instead of a propped one? There are a couple of easy ways to do it. BY ALAN JONES

• MANY AREAS OF THE COUNTRY have waterways that are too shallow for conventional

outboards. In other places, rocks, stumps and sandbars just beneath the surface conspire to “help” boat owners send their local mechanic’s kid to college. There are two options for remedying such situations: Buy a jet outboard or convert an existing motor. Most people don’t know this, but many outboards can be converted to jet propulsion for between $1,700 and $2,700, depending on their size. This conversion, along with the proper boat, can allow a boat to run in just a couple of inches of water — and potentially scoot over short

sections of land (not recommended), if such an action is required. Boaters who ply skinny or debris-strewn bodies of water on a regular basis are probably better served buying a jet outboard from Yamaha, Honda, Mercury or Evinrude. Suzuki doesn’t have one (though

there is a way to convert one). Most are considerably less expensive, for the engines themselves, since they don’t have expensive stainless steel shafts, gears and props, but there’s a price to pay: usable power. Take, for example, the Yamaha F150. It uses a 2.7L in-line four-cylinder four-stroke to make 150 hp — with a prop. Equipped with a jet drive, however, Yamaha puts something else on it: a cowling with the number 105, because that’s how much power it generates due to a jet’s relative inefficiency. It goes down the line: F115 (80 hp), F90 (65 hp), F60 (40 hp) and F40 (30 hp). The other major engine brands experience a similar reduction in thrust, and the selection is limited. Evinrude offers just three models based on its E-TEC direct-injected two-strokes: 105 hp, 60 hp and 40 hp, which are the same jet outboard options Honda offers. Mercury has five but in the narrowest range of horsepower, with models producing 80, 65, 40, 35 and 25 hp. KING OF JETS

Yamaha and BRP (Evinrude) both have a company division that makes jets for personal watercraft, but it’s interesting that they, along with Mercury, Honda and Tohatsu, source their jet drives from Outboard Jets, which has been making them since 1960 and is the king of jet outboard components. They have conversion kits for Suzuki too, but Suzuki doesn’t market them directly to the public like the others. To exactly match the factory motor’s color, Outboard Jets gets paint chip samples from the manufacturer. A GOOD JETBOAT

Aluminum is the hands-down winner for a jetboat’s material because of its light weight and durability. Aluminum boats, on average, weigh 25 percent less than fiberglass models, and owners who go

Four of the five major outboard manufacturers offer jet outboard options (opposite). Power tops out at 105 hp for all but Mercury, whose most powerful jet outboard is 80 hp.

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intake, although removing the rear three feet can solve this issue. Most “normal” boats are stern heavy, so weight needs to be pushed farther forward, which is why jetboat helms are often near the front, although tiller steering can still be used if other measures are taken. Placing heavy items such as fuel tanks and batteries toward the bow helps improve weight distribution. The main difference between prop and jet rigging is jet outboards need to be mounted about six inches higher, so owners who want to shift back and forth from prop to jet need a jackplate. The front of the jet’s intake grill needs to be slightly higher than the hull bottom, so its leading edge can’t snag anything, which could damage it. The back of the intake grill sits lower than the hull, so it can scoop water for the impeller, which looks like a big screw and is usually made of durable stainless steel. WHERE?

skinny tend to occasionally slide over rocks — bad for fiberglass. Aluminum thickness matters greatly because of its weight. For smaller boats powered by 40 hp and less, a quarter-inch thickness is good. For larger boats powered by up to 200 hp, 3/16-inch aluminum is more appropriate. So what type of hull makes a good jetboat? The whole point of owning a jetboat is to ride on top of the water, not in it, so the best hull bottom shape tends to be flatter, to provide more lift. But totally flat bottoms tend to be less efficient, since air bubbles on these hulls go straight back,

which reduces a jet pump’s efficiency. They also tend to skid in turns, which makes them unsuited for tight, twisty rivers. V-hulled boats shunt bubbles to the side, which helps feed the pump mostly un-aerated water for better thrust, but too much deadrise makes them settle into the water deeper, which causes more drag. Boats that have six to 10 degrees of deadrise provide the best of both worlds. It’s better if the deadrise remains constant rather than being sharper at the bow, to avoid spinning out. Pronounced keels can be problematic, since they can introduce air into the jet

Jet drives aren’t compatible with every type of waterway. Mud, for instance, is a jet killer, so a better solution for going skinny over it is an air-cooled motor such as a propped Mud Buddy. Jets work best on hard bottoms such as rocky riverbeds. They work OK over sand, but it, like small rocks, tends to abrade parts such as the impeller and the wear ring that surrounds the impeller. If the impeller doesn’t fit tightly within the wear ring, power is lost, like with a worn ring on a piston in a combustion engine. The impeller can also get dinged up, which costs power, but carefully filing rough spots can bring it back to life. The wear ring is a sacrificial part that costs about $50 to replace when it gets grooved. Owners who have an outboard that they want to convert to jet should go to outboardjets.com and see if it’s compatible. The site provides information about how to install them. Surprisingly, it only takes about an hour to change from prop to jet, for anyone who knows which end of a screwdriver to hold. Some outboard owners claim that after a few tries, they can do it in less than half an hour. BW BOATINGWORLD.COM

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D.I.Y. H atch Replacem ent

Hatch Replacement 101 Upgrading a hatch will improve a boat’s looks and kill that annoying leak. B Y T O M PAW L A K

• REASONS TO REPLACE A HATCH are manifold. The most common reason is a leak, which is

typically caused by faulty seals. Even if a hatch is made out of high-impact polypropylene, though, the fact it’s on a boat means it’s been exposed to extreme conditions, which can compromise its integrity. Plus, people tend to walk on them or try to jam things through them that are too large. We replaced this particular hatch for three reasons: • Better aesthetics • Provide more light • Create a larger opening, so larger items could fit through it

We chose the Bomar 900 Series polycarbonate hatch sold at West Marine for $399. The original hatch was the ubiquitous white polypropylene hatch with twin dogs. For that install, we started by finding a flat spot with no critical component underneath it and taped down the supplied template. Then we used a circular two-inch hole drill bit in all four corners to give the jigsaw easy access to cut the hole. Starting with round holes in the corners helps prevent any cracks from spreading. The boat’s owner and my friend, Meade Gougeon, who died a few months ago, wasn’t

sure he would keep the original genericlooking hatch. To make sure he could remove it easily, he didn’t use the usual heavy marine sealant. He decided to install the hatch using WEST SYSTEM epoxy thickened to a mayonnaise-like viscosity with 410 Microlight Filler. (All the West System epoxy products referenced in this article are included in the 105-K Fiberglass Boat Repair Kit that retails for $33.35.) He reasoned that the lower-density epoxy/410 combination would be flexible enough to stay attached to the epoxy-coated plywood deck and to the plastic trim ring that defines the perimeter of the hatch. The trim ring’s bottom edge had grooves to help bedding compounds adhere and assist in sealing out water. He did have some concern about the differing coefficients of thermal expansion for the plastic trim ring and the plywood deck. Common flexible sealants handle this nicely, because “they go along for the ride.” He wasn’t sure if the epoxy/410 would be able to handle these forces, but the hatch would also be installed with a number of screws that would address these loads nicely. Over the course of two years, the hatch performed successfully, never exhibiting leaks or other issues. Plus, it looked a lot neater. To remove the old hatch, we unscrewed all of the mounting screws and were pleased to find that if we lifted up on just one of the corners of the hatch, the whole thing came away with little effort (1). Most of the time it takes a bit of effort to unseat an old hatch, sometimes requiring DIYers to tap a series of small wooden wedges around the edges to break it loose. All the epoxy originally used to install the hatch was left on the deck, creating an exact molded profile of the bottom edge. Obviously, the bond between the plastic flange and the epoxy was not very strong, but it was adequate to prevent any leaks over its two years of service. To prepare the area for the new hatch,

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we got rid of what was left from the last install. The epoxy/410 Microlight mixture was easily removed with a low-angle block plane (2). Epoxy thickened with Microlight carves and sands like low-density wood. Because it worked so well the first time, we decided to use this compound again to install the new hatch. Because the new hatch was larger than the old one, we had to widen the hole with a jigsaw. Like the original installation, we taped the area to protect the gelcoat (3), taped down the template, made our cuts and put the trim ring down, so we could use it as a template for drilling the holes for the mounting screws. To prepare the surface, we lightly sanded the area, so the epoxy/Microlight mixture would adhere better. After thoroughly cleaning the area with alcohol, we coated the freshly cut edges of the gelcoat, fiberglass laminate and core with unthickened epoxy/hardener to seal it. With the trim ring still in place, we taped the

ITEMS NEEDED

Bomar 900 Series polycarbonate hatch

West System epoxy

410 Microlight Filler

105-K Fiberglass Boat Repair Kit

Jigsaw

Sandpaper

Alcohol

Clear packing tape

West System reusable Mixing Stick

area outside of the ring with clear packing tape (coating it with cooking spray would work too), to make it easier to remove any excess epoxy. We thickened the epoxy with West System 410 Microlight, until it attained a consistency like mayonnaise. Then, using a small brush, we applied a 4- to 5-mil coating around the perimeter of the opening (4). Now it was time to position the hatch into place and squeeze out any excess epoxy. After applying a small amount of marine silicone sealant, we screwed in all the screws (5). Be careful not to overtighten the screws, though, or the plastic or gelcoat underneath can crack. Using a West System Reusable Mixing Stick that has a chisel point that won’t damage brittle gelcoat (6), we cleaned off the excess epoxy (7). Remember to pull the clear packing tape while the epoxy is still curing, and wipe the surrounding area with alcohol and cheesecloth. BW

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Ask the Experts

Thermostat s

ENGINES

Overly Concerned?

Q Some time ago Grid Michal mentioned that in the good ol’ days when an engine stopped pumping water, the first the operator knew was when it got really quiet and he noted the engine wasn’t running. Now there are all types of visible discharge areas that are making me paranoid. Should I be looking behind the boat instead of driving it? How about analog temperature gauges? I could put one on each cylinder head at the top and run the wiring to the console and install two temperature gauges in my line of sight. Alex L., via BoatingWorld.com

My hope is that if I take you through the tough stuff, you’ll accept the easy answer.

First, the discharge tube is often misconstrued as information that the engine is cooling, but it’s not. All it indicates is that the water pump is functioning, not that water (in most instances) is coursing through the engines. If the tube gets a piece of sand, scale, salt or grease in it, and it just drips, then you can use a piece of weed-eater line to clear it. If what comes out of the tube is steam (not thermostatic-like discharge on a cold day), that indicates the pump has stopped pumping, but you should have heard the alarm sound way before then. A water-pressure gauge is a reasonable alternative, but those tiny tubes get blocked with silt and detritus faster than you can believe, and the gauge consequently reads zero. It’s rare that there’s a number you can use — such as 2# at idle, 18# at full throttle — because there are so many applications. Besides, it’s one more thing to look at. You mentioned temperature gauges. Here’s something even easier. Does the control box horn blare for various reasons, such as low oil, no oil, check engine, etc.? If your alarm does a test-blare when you turn on the ignition, you can feel relatively comfortable that you’ll be alerted to impending problems before they become impending disasters. If need be, place an analog temperature gauge on the dash,

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.

MARCH 2018

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Grid Michal

With 50 years of experience as a marine tech, Michal is also American Suzuki and OMC/Bombardier (BRP) certified.

Zuzana Prochazka

Prochazka is a freelance writer and photographer. She holds a USCG 100-Ton Master license, is the editor of her boat and gear review website, TalkOfTheDock.com, and serves on the board of Boating Writers International.

BOATINGWORLD.COM

2/2/18 1:42 PM

route it back and attach it to whatever part of the cooling system gets hot first and fastest. Trust your alarm system and multifunction gauges. You’ll be fine. — GM

FA S T FAC T

254,200

FUEL ISSUES

In 2016, retail sales of outboard engines reached 254,200 units, which represented a 7 percent increase over the previous year and hit a post-recession high. Source: NMMA

Four-Stroke Surprise

Q Three years ago I finally traded our older two-stroke V-4 115 hp engine for a four-stroke. The two-stroke power was fine, but I understood that my three or four hours of use per season allowed a main jet to block and led to its demise with a melted piston. Because the new four-stroke seemed to have lost power, I took it back to the dealer, where he discovered a gummed-up injector — not under warrantee. I thought I’d passed by all these fuel problems with a fuel-injected engine! Will I ruin this engine, too? R. Sheehan, via BoatingWorld.com

The primary way fuel degrades is by not moving for extended periods of time, but I think you know that. Another way is exposure to air. Carburetion has both those angles covered. At least with fuel injection you avoid the exposure via a sealed system of vapor separator tank and pressurized injectors. If you don’t use your boat, though, the fuel — if it’s the same as when you filled the gas tank — will turn to gum and block the fuel flow, whether from the VST or the injector. The intelligent cure is to use a stabilizer in the fuel. I’ve had excellent success with Seafoam, but I know people who have had equally good results with StaBil or ValvTect, depending on the fuel additives that come through the supply line from the distributor a thousand miles away. A caveat: ValvTect fuels are sold on the waterways. They contain many chemicals that aid your engine’s operation. However, I discovered the hard way (my wallet) that using Seafoam in ValvTect created miniature basketballs of orange that immediately shut the engine down. If you’re using ValvTect, I believe it has enough cleaning agents in it and shouldn’t need more. That brings you to telling the world you’re taking the weekend off to go boating — and saving your engine! — GM

THERE’S A LOT GOING ON INSIDE A 4-STROKE ENGINE Keep it protected with ECSTAR Suzuki Genuine Oil and Chemicals

Available in Gallons or Quarts at a Suzuki Marine Dealer Near You.

RUN LONG. RUN CLEAN. RUN STRONG.

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Bonehead Blunders

BONEHEAD SCALE:

By G rid M ich a l

1 Acceptably assinine

2 3 Slightly slow Distinguished dunce

Chromosomal Connection BONEHEAD BLUNDER: Letting things

snowball THE BONEHEAD: My brother, John BONEHEAD RATING: 5++ WHAT HAPPENED: Did I ever mention I have a brother named John? I’m four years older than he, but we share the same proclivity for charging ahead with whatever project we are working on, regardless of stumbling blocks and walls. You can just imagine the two of us with one project. Some time ago a customer gave me a 1978 Evinrude 25 hp electric start. He was moving, the boat was garbage and he thought I might be able to make some money. Well, after a prop, clutch dog (shifter), water pump, head resurfacing, thermostat, carb rebuild, and powerpack,

I found I was too old and worn out to lift the damned thing. I performed all the jobs with the engine in sections, so it wasn’t difficult until it was assembled. I didn’t have to see the doctor after trying to lift it, but it was close. Brother John came to visit and did some work on the house for us. We paid him with a “thank you” and a 25 hp Evinrude that both of us could lift into his truck. That was a month or so ago. Tonight, I received an email update from John. A bonehead par excellence! Today was to be the day I got the 25 running. I went to Walmart and got a flush muff and an engine fuel hose connector, thinking I’d rig some sort of fuel supply. (Man, a three-gallon tank and a hose are

H A S YO U R D OG Enter Your Dog Now

WIN THIS Pet PFD*

Enter your pooch in our Salty Dog of the Month contest. Email your pet’s photo and name, your name, address and phone number to editor@boatingworld.com, or snail mail to: Boating World Salty Dog Contest 18475 Bandilier Circle, Fountain Valley CA 92708 Your pet could win a cool PFD from CWB.

*Shown is our current prize, a CWB Dog Vest valued at $24.95. Prizes are subject to change.

4 Massively moronic

5 Seek mental help

about $75!) I ordered a push-to-choke ignition switch from eBay. I built a stand to mount it on. I got the switch switched over. (I’m not sure it’s necessary to mention that the first switch I ordered wasn’t push-to-choke). I hooked the hose to the faucet, having first decided it was easier to find enough hose than to haul the engine closer to the water. I connected the flush thingie, which won’t work on this engine. I kicked the engine stand. I tried a five-gallon bucket for a test tank, but it wasn’t deep enough. I decided to take off the intake cover plate to see if there might be some way of getting water connected. Both screws broke off. I kicked the truck. I got out the drill motor and bits. I took off my glasses to see what I was doing and put them in my shirt pocket. Drilled out one screw, and it went perfectly — bit was centered, went from 5/64 to 1/8, etc., up to 7/32, got the 1/4-20 tap, cleaned the threads. Yay! Started the second screw. Bit wasn’t centered. Tried drilling another hole and the 5/64 bit broke. Cussed and kicked. The dogs ran down the hill barking at something on the road, so I chased after them using all my anger at the screw to cow the dogs, and it worked. Back to the screw. Used a 1/8 bit, since I didn’t have any more 5/64, and broke it off. Went [bonkers]. Took a tapered screw remover and used the tip to hammer away at the piece of screw hung in the threads, then drilled the thing out with some size bit or another. Now it looks like an explosion in an aluminum foundry inside this hole. Realized at this point that my glasses are no longer in my pocket, cussed the dogs again for making me loose them chasing after their sorry [butts], and went looking on the driveway for my glasses. No luck. Went back to the engine and saw my glasses spread around where I had my [bonkers] tantrum. I covered the engine, gathered up the lenses and frame, put away my tools and came inside. LESSON LEARNED: None at all, any more than I would have. We’re brothers to the core. BW

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Fish & Cruise The 206CC is part of the STINGRAY deck boat line, but the versatility of this center console model has many labeling it as the ultimate fish and cruise package.

With seating for up to nine passengers, storage throughout, and a changing compartment that can be upgraded with an optional porta potti, the 206CC is ready for a full day of fun with family and friends! 206CC Deck Boat 20’ 1” | 100” beam | 2700 lbs (w/ popular engine) | 46 gal fuel capacity | 9 ppl, 2400 lbs

Gear

St u f f You Wa nt

1. Winch

Handle Holders

$28.50, beckson.com Having easy accessibility to a winch handle on a boat can make life a lot easier. With the Beckson Soft-Mate Winch Handle Holders, which come in flat, medium and large sizes, handles can be stored within convenient reach. The holders also work with files, fillet knives, ratchets and more. Made from a soft, flexible PVC compound, Soft-Mate holders are easy to install anywhere and come with mounting screws or optional suction cups.

2. A

Better Bucket

$39.99, yeti.com The durable LoadOut Bucket from Yeti serves all of a boater’s bucket needs, with a no-slip base and an indestructible build. The LoadOut Bucket is available in four colors: white, seafoam, desert tan and charcoal. It has a standard five-gallon capacity and is virtually indestructible. A great multitool to keep on the boat, the LoadOut bucket comes with a comfortable handle and anchor-point tie-down slots for easy transportation.

3. Sextant

$239.99, davisnet.com Professional mariners and recreational passagemakers would do well to know how to navigate without modern conveniences. As a navigation backup, a sextant from Davis Instruments is something that can’t be short-circuited. Combined with a wristwatch, a copy of “The Nautical Almanac” and a nautical chart, anyone can find the way home using only the sun and stars. The Mark 15 Sextant has a half-silvered mirror, an adjustable index mirror, seven large sunshades and a 3mm by 27mm scope.

4. Metal

Polish

$9/3 ounces, iosso.com Iosso Products’ Metal Polish removes oxidation, tarnish, surface rust and water spots with a quick buff. Rub it on with a moist cloth and buff it off by hand or with a machine. Its protective coating and deep shine last for months. It’s safe to use on the boat and on many objects off the boat. It’s available in original and bio-based versions.

• MARCH • MARCH 32 32 2018 2018BOATINGWORLD.COM BOATINGWORLD.COM

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SUBMIT YOUR GEAR TO STEPHANIE@BOATINGWORLD.COM

5. Lock

at the Dock

TK, tuffbox.com The new DockBoxx provides dockside storage that is lockable, animal proof and large enough to house paddles, oars, fishing poles and tackle, floatation devices, water toys and more. Designed to be used by the water, this storage solution includes drain holes and louvered panels for proper drainage and breathability, so the contents don’t get musty. Constructed of galvanized steel for rust resistance, this model features lift-assist gas shock cylinders for safe and easy “no-pinch” lid control. You can also attach cushions to the top of the lid to create a convenient seat.

6. Versatile

Knife

$44.99, nrs.com The NRS Pilot Knife has a sheath that provides convenient access and release of the knife when it’s needed most. As a safety feature, the blade is only sharpened on one edge and has a blunt tip, which prevents injury in tight situations. A sharp cutting edge has both smooth and serrated sections. In addition, there is a rope-cutting hook, a glass-breaking tip and a bottle opener.

7. Board

Rack

$1,499+, roswellmarine.com Whether it’s a wakeboard or wakesurf board, the new Roswell Triton Strapless Board Rack can hold it, even if it’s custom built. Available in a brushed anodized finish or with custom paint options, the rack can be matched to a boat’s style. The vertical board orientation and the fact it extends past the gunwales allows wet boards to drip outside the boat and makes it easier to insert and remove boards. The board groove is made of hard duro thermoplastic polyurethane, and the arm adjusts so the slots can fit different board widths.

8. UV

Protectant & Moisturizer

$49, boatbling.net Condition Sauce by Boat Bling is a UV protectant and moisturizer for vinyl, leather and rubber surfaces, to keep them looking “just detailed.” To use, simply spray on and wipe off the product once a month. The conditioner is biodegradable, with a soft water–based formula for cleaning boats the environmentally friendly way. It will even rejuvenate slightly damaged vinyl and leather.

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F O U R W I N N S H D 2 0 0 R S S U R F // B Y A L A N J O N E S

Makin’ Waves Four Winns can help you surf the endless wave in style for a whole lot less. • THE NEWEST AND SMALLEST MEMBER of the Four Winns HD Surf series, the HD 200 RS Surf, packs a lot of attitude, luxury and function. Featuring Volvo Penta’s game-changing Forward Drive system, this package gets owners into surfing for a reasonable starting price of $52,668, including a trailer.

UNIQUE FACTOR

Four Winns’ boats are known for their high-end fit and finish and strong sense of style. It’s true throughout the line, from the builder’s Vista 375 cruiser all the way down to its smaller models, including the HD 200. Our test boat featured the RS package, which includes aggressive hull-side graphics and special quad-tone upholstery that’s color coordinated and has a carbon fiber–like texture. Although the seats have black accents, the special fabric-like Aquaflex vinyl diffuses direct sunlight, so it remains cool. The sporty windshield is low

and darkly tinted like a pair of wraparound Bolle sunglasses. Our test boat was equipped with the extended swim platform option ($1,393), which is a must-have. Not only does it greatly expand the room in back, it sits really low to the water (for easy reboarding) and creates an even greater buffer between surfer and propellers (for an added measure of safety). Like the integrated swim platform, it’s covered in Marine Mat, which enhances comfort and provides superior traction. The stern section is given over to a sunning platform that makes use

of this boat’s 8-foot, 3-inch beam. As an added bonus, the starboard-side walkthough has a flip-up section that props up to form a recliner backrest. PERFORMANCE

We had a unique opportunity to test two vastly different boats that had the same HD 200 moniker. The first was the outboard version, the HD 200 O/B Sport, which was powered by Yamaha F115 four-stroke outboard. (See our January issue, page 46, for the numbers on that model.) The second was an HD 200 RS Surf with a Volvo Penta V6-280 sterndrive that, like its IPS brethren, features twin counter-rotating props that

The HD 200 Surf is built for wakesurfing. face forward, so they’re tucked under the hull and out of the way, which makes wakesurfing possible. When I jammed the drive-by-wire throttle on the RS Surf model, it got on plane in 2.8 seconds and reached 30 mph in 6.8 seconds. Top speed was 48 mph. This nearly 50 mph top speed is significant, because most boats that are surf-ready are direct-drive inboards, which don’t have the ability to trim the outdrive and reduce the hull’s wetted surface. The inboard also has the prop shaft positioned at a downward angle, which vectors away some of its power. The result is the Four Winns HD 200 Surf will enjoy about a 10 mph top speed advantage over conventional ski boats, using far less horsepower to plow up a surfable wake. At around 22 mph, the HD Surf does a good job of creating a clean wakeboard

The starboard quarter of the sunpad (left) folds inward to reveal a walkway. The captain has a comfortable chair from which to control the sleek helm (right).

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OWN E R FE E D BACK

FOUR WINNS HD

wake. And at more than 30 mph the wake flattens out enough for recreational slaloming.

200 RS SURF Length 20 ft., 1 in.

HANDLING

Because the twin props face forward, they are 26 inches farther from the stern than the standard Volvo Penta Duoprop, which Deadrise 19 degrees changes the boat’s handling characteristics greatly. The biggest Capacity 10 people difference is the Forward Drive’s effect on its turning ability. Dry Weight (hull) Since the pivot point is moved forward, the boat turns with more 3,760 lbs. alacrity than when it’s equipped with a standard sterndrive or Fuel Capacity 40 gal. outboard. It’s bound to surprise Max HP 280 a new-to-the-boat driver, and PERFORMANCE his passengers, so a warning Peak 48.0 mph/ before spinning the wheel would 5800 rpm/92 dBA be prudent. Once a driver gets Cruise 32.1 mph/ the hang of it, whipping the HD 3500 rpm/83 dBA 200 RS Surf into a turn to pick Time to Plane 2.8 sec. up surfers or skiers will reduce Time to 30 mph 6.8 sec. downtime. POWER Most boaters who move to Test Volvo Penta tournament-style wakeboard V-6 280 hp and wakesurf boats from Cylinders V-6 boats powered by outboards or Displacement 4.3L sterndrives usually have some difficulty docking them, because Weight w/outdrive 889 lbs. the direct-drive system uses a rudder for steering. In reverse, the WOT 5800 rpm prop’s thrust moves away from the rudder, virtually nullifying Base Price w/test power its usefulness. Combine that with prop torque, and it’s difficult $52,668 to back up in a straight line or pull up to a dock on the starboard side, if the boat has a right-handed prop. But the HD 200, with its Forward Drive system, has counter-rotating props that eliminate prop torque, so there is nothing to pull it to one side. And because the thrust changes directions when the driver turns the wheel, maneuvering is easy. Beam 8 ft., 3 in.

P U R C H A S E D B Y D AV E A N D C O L E E N L E N H A R T, P L U S K Y L E E , 2 0 , M A L L O R Y, 2 4, A N D S Y D N E Y, 25 , B E L L A I R E , M I C H . P U R C H A S E D A T A C T I O N WA T E R S P O R T S , T R AV E R S E C I T Y, M I C H . W H AT W E L IK ED

Wide bow section/Attractive styling/ Wakesports tower with built-in Bimini top/Stern walkthrough/Bow ladder W H AT W E WOUL D CH A NGE

I wish it had a cleat in the middle of the bow, rather than on the sides, for a more even pull at anchor. WHY WE BOUGHT IT

Although I grew up in a family that had boats, this is the first boat my wife and I have owned together. My brother-inlaw has a ski boat and we love watersports, so we wanted something that could do it all. My friends were advising me to get a pontoon boat, but we really wanted something more traditional. My wife and I loved the styling of the Four Winns, and we live in Michigan, so we liked the fact it is built in Cadillac, not far from our home. Not only did we want to support a local company, but we figured if there was an issue, it would be easier to remedy. We do most of our boating on Torch Lake, but because the boat’s on a trailer, we plan on towing it to Traverse City this summer for the National Cherry Festival. The sales team at Action Sports of Traverse City made the buying experience really stress free. We weren’t really sure what we wanted, so they asked a lot of questions to match us up with the perfect boat, without trying to just push us to a boat they wanted to move.

The StableVee hull smoothed out the ride over the whitecaps nicely for a 20-footer.

BEST USES

As the name implies, the HD 200 Surf is built for wakesurfing. Surprisingly, unlike most other boats designed for this sport, it carries no additional ballast — other than the 10 people it’s rated to carry. Plowing up a surfable wave begins with Four Winns’ robust build, which puts the 20-foot, 1-inch boat’s weight at 3,760 pounds, 426 pounds more than the longer, wider Sea-Ray 210 SPX. Then, its Wake Worx Super Surfer tabs help build and shape its surfing wave. Although conditions were rough on Lake Cadillac in western Michigan where we tested it, we were able to carve a well-formed wake with a decent amount of push with only two people on board. Was it as big a wave as one plowed up by a MasterCraft X20? No, but it doesn’t have the MasterCraft’s 2,000 pounds of ballast — or its six-figure price tag. But its wave is plenty big enough to push surfers all day long. The added bonus to not having ballast is it frees up space for extra storage under all the seats. With 19 degrees of deadrise,

Value-Added Standard Features: Custom Forward Drive-compatible trailer, Wake Worx surf tabs, Zero Off cruise control, ski tow, Bluetooth stereo, stainless steel bow scuff plate

Must-Have Options: Watersports tower, filler cushions, Premium Bluetooth stereo w/subwoofer, windlass, extended swim platform, bow boarding ladder, cockpit table

Builder: Four Winns, fourwinns.com Financing: $378/month w/15% down and 6% interest for 15 years

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(Clockwise from top) High-backed captain’s chairs cradle the crew in comfort. The stern L-lounge has armrests with built-in cupholders. There’s plenty of room up front thanks to a deckboat design. The sunpad flips up to reveal a roomy engine compartment.

the Stable-Vee hull smoothed out the ride over the whitecaps nicely for a 20-footer. To keep the HD 200 Surf dialed into the perfect speed, it uses the GPS-based Zero Off system, which is a standard feature and is also the industry standard for watersports cruise control. To add to its watersportiness, the powder-coated watersports tower ($3,633), which includes a color-coordinated Bimini top, is a must. PREFERRED SETUP

Four Winns offers three engine choices, all Volvo Penta because of the Forward Drive system needed to surf: the V6-200, V6-240 and V6-280. The biggest jump in price is from 200 hp to 240 hp, with an upcharge of $3,781, but I’m not sure 200 or even 240 hp would do this boat justice, especially when surfing is in the picture. Surprisingly the smallest price jump is from the 240 to the engine we tested it with, the V6-280, which is only $1,919 more than the 240 and is a no-brainer. The HD 200 Surf is so well equipped that only a couple of options are needed to load it up. Because the props on this boat face forward, getting off the boat in shallow water will probably cause a bit of concern, so adding the bow boarding ladder ($433) is probably a wise move. Even though the HD 200 is just barely longer than 20 feet, there’s a surprising amount of legroom in the bow thanks to its deckboat design, and adding filler cushions ($360) maximizes stretching out space. It might have been because we were taking a morning run in Michigan during October, but the optional dam that blocks off the walkthrough to the bow is worth every penny of its $493 cost. On the topic of cool morning runs, a more merciful choice given to prospective owners is a taller, aluminum-framed windshield that is offered at no extra cost. A surprising option that shows the luxury factor of Four Winns is the windlass option ($2,100). BW

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P R I N C E C R A F T Q U O R U M 2 5 R L // B Y A L A N J O N E S

Transformer The popular rear lounger configuration is taken to a place it’s never been before. • THE QUORUM LINEUP WAS UNVEILED in 2014 and sits just below the top-end Vogue line in the hierarchy of Princecraft’s fleet. Its mission is to give owners a luxurious ride, with a splash of Canadian DNA at an affordable price — in loonies or greenbacks. But the Quorum 25 RL has an innovative feature buyers can’t even get on the more expensive Vogue series models.

UNIQUE FACTOR

Rear loungers have been a hot trend in pontooning for a few years, and Princecraft found a way to take the trend further, making it possible to create six different seating configurations out of its unique RL design, to give passengers exactly the position they want. The keys to this innovative design are two moveable seatbacks that lock into three different positions and twin benches that take full advantage of this ability. The rear seatback can be flipped forward to provide a great rear-facing seat at the stern when the key is off and the

kids are swimming. Flip it rearward, using the integrated stainless steel grabrail, and passengers can face forward with their feet on the deck. Then flip up the lid on the portside armrest that resides between twin cupholders, extract the large rectangular snack table and twin pedestals, install them between the two bench seats and voila: a sturdy dining, gaming or socializing area. The forward seatback and bench can perform the same maneuver, and both seatbacks can be flipped down in the middle — one at a time — to form a queen-size recliner that faces either forward or backward.

The Princecraft Quorum 25 RL is well suited for entertaining groups up to 13 people.

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OWN E R FE E D BACK

PURCH A SED BY CH A RL IE A ND K AT H Y K R AUS, MEHLV IL L E, MO. PURCH A SED AT MIDW EST BOAT ING CEN T ER, OSAGE BE ACH, MO. W H AT W E L IK ED

Triple-tube performance/Tall ski tow/ Raised helm/Passenger space/Power steering/Quiet and powerful Mercury Verado 300 W H AT W E WOUL D CH A NGE

I wish the controls for the great stereo were at the helm. WHY WE BOUGHT IT

I’ve owned many kinds of boats since I was 16, but this is my first pontoon boat. We have two grown kids and two grandkids, so we wanted a boat that could accommodate the whole family, and friends. We live on Lake of the Ozarks, which has a reputation for being a really rough lake, and wanted something that could handle the conditions when it gets choppy. The Princecraft 25 Quorum is very stable and handles well in the chop. We love cruising and taking the family to places like Family Cove in Indian Creek, where we can hang out with other boaters in a more G-rated setting than other hangouts on the lake. We take the grandkids tubing and hope to take them skiing this summer. Although it’s not a fishing boat, I can still fish from it. Steve at Midwest Boating Center took great care of me and made the buying process really simple; he even took care of the registration and found a company to put in a lift on my dock.

The rear lounge (above) transforms into six different configurations. (Opposite, clockwise from top right) Extra-wide stainless steel boarding ladder matches the ski tow. Speakers include LED lighting. Optional portable toilet alleviates emergencies. Compact helm yields extra room for passengers. For wash-ups, there’s a sink with a spigot. Counting the moveable cupholders, there are 21.

PERFORMANCE

Buyers can dial up any level of performance they want with the Quorum 25 RL. Owners who live on a smaller lake or just prefer the right lane can go mild with the Regular package, which combines twin tubes with a 60 hp FourStroke Mercury and starts at a budgetfriendly $31,136. Because Princecraft is a Brunswick Corp. property, engine options are confined to the company Carl Kiekhaefer founded in Wisconsin 75 years ago: Mercury. The next bump comes with the Speed configuration, which includes partial lifting strakes, an aluminum underskin and a 115 FourStroke, for an additional $5,062. Buyers can get this setup with up to a 175 hp engine, but the added performance probably isn’t worth the extra $10,000 or more it takes to upgrade from the 115. A better choice for enhanced performance is the Sport package. It includes a bow-centric center half-pontoon that gives extra lift and costs $1,650 more than the twin-tube Speed setup, which also starts with a 115 FourStroke. Buyers can take this all the way to a 200 Verado if they choose, but the recommended setup, if watersports are in the picture, is the Performance configuration. It comes with a full center pontoon, a 49-gallon fuel tank, full lifting strakes on all pontoons, an aluminum underskin, an in-tube storage compartment and a 150 FourStroke, for $6,157 more than the Sport configuration. The latter was our test boat’s setup, and it worked well, considering this is a 25-foot, 8-inch pontoon with an 8-foot, 6-inch beam that can accept up to 300 hp. With six lifting strakes, it got out of the hole quickly, requiring just 3.2 seconds to get on plane. It reached 25 mph in 8.7 seconds and a top speed of 32.4 mph. It’s possible we could have reached a higher top speed with a different prop, since the Mercury 150 only reached 5000 rpm, the very low end of its acceptable range. HANDLING

At the helm, the driver holds a tilt sport wheel and sits in a high-backed captain’s chair that matches the one to port. The helm itself is compact but features a sink with a spigot for quick cleanups, something that is found on almost all Princecraft pontoons, in response to dealer and customer input. Our dash also had Mercury’s SmartCraft gauges

Value-Added Standard Features: Bimini top w/quick-release latches, on-deck ski storage (w/3 tubes), RL seating group w/twin reversible seatbacks, 160-watt Jensen Bluetooth stereo

Must-Have Options: Vinyl flooring, ski tow, lighting options, changing room w/head, 200-watt Clarion Bluetooth stereo, SmartCraft gauges, depthfinder w/water temp gauge

Builder: Princecraft/Brunswick, princecraft.com Financing: $316/month w/15% down and 6% interest for 15 years

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($909) that deliver info about all critical engine parameters. With the Performance configuration, all three pontoons have twin strakes, delivering lots of lift and a high ride in the water. With just a little up-trim, the front end pops out of the water, giving bowriders that floating-ona-cloud ride and providing better fuel economy. It corners very flat. I was able to turn the wheel, assisted by the SeaStar hydraulic steering, all the way to its stops without ventilation. BEST USES

The Princecraft Quorum 25 RL is well suited for entertaining groups up to 13 people, thanks to its two extra-large rectangular snack tables, the second of which can be placed in the bow to service the twin settees. This pontoon has the most cupholders I’ve ever seen. I had to count several times to make sure I didn’t miss any. The final tally: 21 cupholders scattered everywhere. Our test boat featured the Elegance Edition ($1,812), which includes an upgraded exterior with two-tone paint and special graphics, monochrome upholstery, a Black Pearl bow table, a stainless steel boarding ladder that matches the sturdy stern ski tow, and lighting under the counter, in

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PRINCECRAFT QUORUM 25 RL Length 25 ft., 8 in. Beam 8 ft., 6 in. Tube Diameter 25 in. Capacity 13 people Dry Weight (hull) 2,150 lbs.

Fuel Capacity 49 gal. Max HP 175 (2 tubes), 300 (3 tubes)

PERFORMANCE Peak 32.4 mph/ 5000 rpm/92 dBA Cruise 23.7 mph/ 4000 rpm/83 dBA Time to Plane 3.2 sec. Time to 25 mph 8.7 sec.

POWER Test Mercury 150 FourStroke

Cylinders In-line 4 Displacement 3.0L Weight w/outdrive 455 lbs.

WOT Range 50005800 rpm

Base Price w/test power $43,999

the cupholders in the console, on the logs and in the speakers, for nighttime ambiance. Sporty black rails are new to the Quorum family. PREFERRED SETUP

With the full triple tube Performance configuration and Mercury 150 FourStroke, the MSRP is $43,999. Owners who expect to carry lots of people and are into watersports will probably want to bump up the performance. The first jump is the steepest, because it moves from a normally aspirated engine to the Mercury Verado, which has a supercharger and DTS Digital Throttle and Shift. Even going with just 25 more horsepower costs an extra $6,150. Anyone upgrading the power might as well go to at least 250, which will add $13,984, but that cost includes power steering and will push the top speed well into the 40s. Going full-bore to the Mercury Verado 300 is a $16,078 upcharge — get it in Arctic White for $18,219. The Quorum comes standard with a Jensen 160-watt Bluetooth stereo, which puts out decent sound, but the 200-watt Clarion upgrade, at $274, is well worth it. For skiing, the stout stainless steel ski tow ($834) is a must; plus, it acts as a barrier to keep people from accidentally walking into the engine well. For ski storage, an in-floor locker comes with the Performance tube setup. Given the builder’s Canadian base of operations, Princecraft makes sure owners can extend their season to the max with a full camper option ($3,711) that comes in black or taupe and features clear panels all around, to retain the view. There are no dedicated fishing options on the Quorum or Vogue series, but I’ve never been on a boat that absolutely couldn’t be fished, and if angling is a must, the Sportfisher LX 25-4S has fishing seats in all quadrants and a rigging station that can convert to a snack table. BW

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N A U T I C S TA R 2 6 5 X T S // B Y A L A N J O N E S

Bay Beast Can’t decide whether to get a bay boat or an offshore boat? Get both. • IN MOST COASTAL REGIONS, THE hot fishing spot changes daily. To stay on the bite, anglers need to go with the flow. One day the action might be inshore, the next day offshore. Few boats can do both without serious compromise in at least one of the two arenas. But NauticStar’s new flagship bay boat is a definition-buster that is both an “innie” and an “outie.”

UNIQUE FACTOR

My first impression of the 265 XTS? It’s a bay boat on steroids. At 26 feet, 2 inches long and 9 feet across the beam, it’s a beast, but it can do many things smaller, more traditional bay boats can do, such as float in 14 inches of water and get out of the hole in skinny water with ease. But its extra acreage means owners can take all

T-top features powder-coated supports whose stout D-tubes are integrated into the console rather than round ones that are rooted in the walkway. The 265’s extra six inches of beam might legally require owners to jump through a couple of extra towing regulation hoops, but the benefit is the ease with which people can walk past the console without having to turn sideways. So if a fish takes an angler for a few laps around the boat, he won’t be impeded. One of the problems a tall windshield can have during offshore outings occurs when the seas kick up: spray splatters on it, right in the line of sight, so spotting birds or reading the bottom while running can be difficult. NauticStar solved that on its Lexan windshield with a flip-down top section. It secures to the lower section with strong magnets, improving visibility and delivering fresh air. An owner can remove the entire windshield without tools.

The XTS in the boat model’s name stands for Xtreme Tournament Series, and it is well designed for serious anglers.

PERFORMANCE

their buddies fishing without being elbow to elbow. The foredeck and the aft casting deck have very low gunwales that won’t impede the kind of creative casting anglers employ to fire a lure low under branches along a shoreline. Low gunwales make landing a fish without a net or gaff simpler too, which is easier on to-be-released fish. A couple of features that set the 265 XTS apart from other boats are its standard T-top and center console. The

NauticStar offers two engine options: a Yamaha V-6 F300 or a V-8 F350. It does, however, offer a boat-only option ($75,808), for buyers who must have a different engine brand. We tested the 265 XTS with the big daddy option, which costs $7,167 more than the F300 but comes with a five-year warranty instead three years, like on all other Yamaha models. The price for a well-loaded boat with the F350 is $118,852. There is a 201-pound weight penalty for having two more cylinders and 50 more horses, which adds up to 763 pounds

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(Clockwise from top left) The boarding ladder is recessed. A 42-gallon stern livewell can hold a school of bait. Front casting deck has loads of storage and an intermediate step-up. Triple flip-up jumpseats are extra-wide for comfort. Standard T-top comes with a lockable electronics box. A spinner knob accents the stainless wheel.

altogether. But despite being pretty heavy, the 265 handled the weight beautifully, especially out of the hole. I wondered if having the equivalent of two extra-large sumo wrestlers sitting on the transom would translate to excessive stern squatting, which usually translates to bowrise when launching, but we found little evidence of either, thanks in part to the aft planing pods, which generate lots of lift. When I jammed the drive-by-wire throttle, the boat took off very levelly as it reached plane in just 2.9 seconds. Its time to 30 mph was 7.6 seconds, and it reached a top speed of 57 mph once we got the engine height adjusted correctly on the standard Atlas six-inch hydraulic jackplate, which helps it scoot across shallow areas. According to Yamaha performance tests, which we’ve found to be very accurate, the F300 is no slouch and delivers better fuel economy. A comparison of mileage at a severe econo-cruise rpm of 3000 netted the F350 a speed of 23.1 mph while getting 2.6 mpg. The F300 at 3000 rpm went 22.3 mph but got 3.42 mpg. At higher speeds, the mileage was closer. For 44

instance, at 4500 rpm the F350 reached 42.1 mph (41.8 mph on test day) and got 2.39 mpg, while the F300 hit 40.8 mph and got 2.6 mpg. The top speed difference, according to Yamaha, was 52.6 mph vs. 57.5 mph, 300 vs. 350. With an F350, I would like to see more than a 74-gallon fuel tank, for more range.

anglers might constantly be banging their knees against the low gunwales. For going slow, it comes rigged to accept a trolling motor and includes receptacles for fore and aft pedestal fishing chairs ($415 apiece). For a better pull at anchor, it really needs a bow cleat, which can be added easily. BEST USES

HANDLING

The 265 XTS features a modified V-hull that greets oncoming waves with a sharp 40-degree entry that tapers to a moderate 16 degrees at the stern, giving it the ability to be smooth in the chop and get on plane quickly with help from its “air-assisted” chine. Its vented hull design introduces air under the hull for better performance and reduces surface tension. The design helps it turn really well, with a moderate amount of lean-in during hard cornering, so snaking through a twisting river is child’s play. Its moderate V-hull and extra-wide 9-foot beam translate into good side-toside stability at trolling speeds or when the key is off. That’s a good thing for offshore excursions, because if it were a heavy roller,

The XTS in the boat model’s name stands for Xtreme Tournament Series, and it is well designed for serious anglers. Three recirculating livewells with a total capacity of 76 gallons — 42 gallons in the rear deck, 13 gallons under the bow jumpseat, 21 gallons behind the leaning post — ensure anglers will always have a live one handy, and they all reside on the centerline, to prevent listing. The five-gallon bucket under the portside stern jumpseat can hold a cast net. A 43-gallon insulated fishbox with a pumpout is up front, and to make it easier on anglers’ legs, there is an intermediate step-up to the bow casting platform. Rod storage is everywhere on this boat — up to 28 rods — starting with eight rocket launcher holders on the T-top and

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OWN E R FE E D BACK

PURCHA SED BY EARL AND D O D I E G R E G O R Y, RUSKIN, FL A. PURCHA SED AT T HUNDER M A R I N E , S T. PE TERSBURG, FLA. W H AT W E L IK ED

N A U T I C S TA R 265 XTS Length 26 ft., 2 in. Beam 9 ft. Deadrise 16 degrees Capacity 10 people Dry Weight (hull) 4,200 lbs.

Fuel Capacity 74 gal. Max HP 350

PERFORMANCE Peak 57.0 mph/ 6000 rpm/94 dBA Cruise 41.8 mph/ 4500 rpm/85 dBA Time to Plane 2.9 sec. Time to 30 mph 7.6 sec.

POWER Test Yamaha F350 four-stroke

Cylinders V-8 Displacement 5.3L Weight w/outdrive 763 lbs.

WOT Range 5000-6000 rpm

Base Price w/test power $118,852

leaning post. Then there’s under-gunwale storage on both sides of the boat, twin lockable rod lockers in the bow and four rod holders set into the gunwale. Twin compartments under the center and starboard-side stern jumpseats hold Plano-style boxes, and there’s more dedicated tackle storage under the leaning post.

Quiet Yamaha F300/Three large livewells/Comfortable helm seat/Spacious cockpit/Huge amount of storage/ Offshore capability W H AT W E WOUL D CH A NGE

I installed a 36v trolling motor and plan to add more in-gunwale rod holders.

PREFERRED SETUP

The 265 XTS comes loaded with premium standard features such as a Yeti cooler and a Liebroc leaning post that has sculpted bolsters to lock standing passengers into place. The bolster can also be flipped down to provide a comfortable seat with a backrest. The center console has deep wells at the top for holding items such as phones, sunblock and often-used tackle. The dash has room for twin 12-inch displays; NauticStar offers dual Simrad NSS12 displays for $12,450. The storage space within the console is surprisingly large, because it drops down to the hull and can even accommodate an aftermarket head. Curiously, the stainless steel prop is an option on the boat, for $679, and buyers will definitely want the acrylic swim platform with a boarding ladder, for $808. For entertainment, an Infinity Bluetooth stereo with four JBL speakers is standard. I would have liked to see a cushion package option for the bow section, for cruising-with-friends mode, but owners can certainly buy some outdoor furniture cushions that will work nicely. Add courtesy lighting for $258 and underwater lighting for $808, for a little extra pop that might help draw fish at night. NauticStar offers seven half-hull color choices at no cost, and full colors and reverse colors are $715. Buyers can even have the underside of the T-top painted in any of the seven colors for an additional $558, such as on our test boat. BW

Value-Added Standard Features: T-Top w/electronics box, compass, leaning post w/backrest, 3 livewells, dedicated rod and tackle storage, Atlas hydraulic jackplate

Must-Have Options: Stainless steel prop, trolling motor, swim platform, trailer, underwater lighting, fore and aft fishing seats, electronics, pumpout livewell

Builder: NauticStar, nauticstarboats.com Financing: $853/month w/15% down and 6% interest for 15 years

WHY WE BOUGHT IT

My wife and I bought a NauticStar 22 Sport a few years ago and loved it. When we went to the Tampa Boat Show, my wife saw the 265 XTS, got on and literally wouldn’t get off it. I thought it was out of our price range, but Seth at Thunder Marine worked up a deal we could afford, and we got it. We spend so much time on this boat that we even sold our house to be closer to the water, so we could just jump on it and go fishing. We are into live-bait fishing, and the boat’s three large livewells are perfect. I love bay boats, because when I handle bait I want to be able to dip my hands in the water for a quick rinse. My 82-year-old fatherin-law caught a nice kingfish and was very comfortable fighting it thanks to the boat’s roominess and stability. When we are on this boat, we are either looking for bait or for fish, and because of its size, we can take it 20 miles offshore, which is my real passion. It handles the chop really well, and it’s fast and really economical to run even though it has a big Yamaha F300. This is my second new boat from Thunder Marine and they always bend over backward to take care of us.

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Tested

First D rive

Q W E S T A V A N T I 8 2 3 L A N A I D S B A R // B Y A L A N J O N E S

Loaded for Bar It’s a party pontoon that’s ready for all kinds of floating boating missions. QWEST HAS BEEN THE INDUSTRY leader in pioneering the compact luxury pontoon sector,

but it has slowly expanded its footprint to include boats such as the 24-foot, 8-inch Avanti 823 Lanai DS Bar. The Avanti line is its newest, and those models come fully loaded even if buyers check nary a box on the options list.

• UNIQUE FACTOR

Sometimes a boat’s changes are readily apparent, but other times people have to look closer to see them. In Qwest’s case, for model year 2018, one of its goals was to ensure it was building the strongest chassis in the industry. To accomplish said goal, the builder enlisted the help of a major university and some sophisticated

variant of a Gothic Arch, which was first used in 1739 and comes to a point at its apex, proved to be an incredibly strong yet light design. They christened it the Power Arch, which is under trademark. Welding is one of the most critical elements in the construction of pontoons, and Qwest felt like it already had the best welding team in the industry, but it wanted to make them even better. Its solution? Have all of its welders complete year-long classes conducted by the American Welding Society — a nonprofit organization founded in 1919 — and gain certification. The results are readily apparent. Having learned of this initiative, I inspected each visible weld on a trailered Avanti 823 Lanai DS Bar and did not find one that was the least bit sloppy, despite most being done by hand. In fact, only the seam weld on top of the log is done robotically. The resultant welds are then X-rayed before passing quality control checks. PERFORMANCE

computer software to perform what’s known as a finite element analysis (FEA), which is an in-depth study of how each component reacts to real-world forces such as vibration, fluid flow, torque and heat, to show whether a component will work as it was designed to — not break or wear out. Despite the thoroughly modern testing, Qwest and the research team found that sometimes the best solution to creating an even stronger under-deck design is to look to the past. They discovered that using a 46

Powering our test boat was a rare white-cowled Honda BF150. Its in-line four-cylinder 2.4L block has been proven over many millions of miles of service in Honda’s Accord and CRV automobile models. It features an innovation called Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic

Timing (VTEC), which was originally developed for Honda’s NSX supercar. VTEC uses a two-cam profile to vary the lift and duration of the intake valves, so it delivers the best performance at both low and high rpm. Qwest’s Gen II TT (Triple Tube) option ($5,064) includes lifting strakes on both sides of each log that generate lots of lift. They helped the 823 Lanai DS Bar get on plane in three seconds with zero bowrise. Acceleration to 30 mph took 8.4 seconds and top speed was 37 mph, which is fast enough for all watersports. For better fuel economy, the Honda employs a feature called Lean Burn, which adjusts the air/ fuel mixture to match demand. In Honda fuel-burn tests on similar Qwest pontoons, the BF150 burned less than eight gph at 5000 rpm. The 23-gallon fuel tank is a little small for extended cruising, especially on boats rigged with the maximum 175 hp. Qwest will rig its pontoons with the engine brand of the buyer’s choice. HANDLING

While the industry standard diameter for logs is 25 inches, Qwest uses 24-inchers, yet its boats actually float higher than most pontoons thanks to a reduction in weight in many areas. The furniture is built in-house and is constructed using Dura-Lite seat bases that include an Ultra Flow seat ventilation system that keeps weird things from growing in what is normally a moist, dark environment. The Gen II TT setup, with six lifting strakes, keeps the boat high in the water and easily supports the maximum 12 passengers it’s rated for. To reduce spray and prevent submarining when crossing large boat wakes, Qwest uses oversized nosecone caps at the bow. Its six-strake setup also gives the tubes a wider footprint, which keeps the boat more stable and less prone to rocking in beam sea conditions.

(Clockwise from top right) The Avanti’s unique dash creates plenty of space for electronics. A transom bench is a great place to fish or hang out. Captain’s recliner chairs have self-leveling armrests. Comfort Touch upholstery has a linen-like texture. A curved swim ladder makes it easy to reboard. The underdeck hardware is strong and light.

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OWN E R FE E D BACK

BEST USES

PURCHA SED BY MARY THOMSON, CLE VEL AND, S.C. PURCH A SED AT N&C M A RINE, M A RT IN, G A. W H AT I L IK ED

Big, comfortable couches/Three captain’s chairs/Extra-large Bimini top/ Refrigerated cupholder/Great stereo/ Abundant storage W H AT I WOUL D CH A NGE

I would like a lockable drawer large enough to stow several purses. WHY I BOUGHT IT

I moved from Philadelphia to South Carolina, near Lake Keowee, and though I’d never been on a boat in my life, I saw how much fun the boaters were having on this beautiful 26-mile-long lake, and I wanted to join them. I went to a nearby boat show and really liked the layout of the Qwest 823 DS Bar but didn’t like the color, so Jesse from N&C Marine invited me to their showroom to see what they had in stock. He was easygoing and took the time to answer all my questions in layman’s terms, without making me feel stupid. His no-pressure style made me feel very comfortable, and I feel like I got the perfect boat for my needs. I come from a big family — eight brothers, two sisters and 23 nieces and nephews — so it seems like I always have company. We love going out to cruise and socialize and sometimes go to the waterfall or the jumping rock where lots of boaters hang out. I bought a big tube and tow the kids around, and my brother-in-law, who does most of the driving, likes to fish. I work for The Cliffs, which is a luxury development, and even use my boat to show prospective buyers waterfront property.

With the Gen II Triple Tube setup and enough power to push it, the 823 DS Bar can definitely handle watersports. The TT option includes a stout double-tube ski tow bar that rises high and prevents towlines from chafing the outboard. The rear deck is extra-large and has room to tuck a tube between the ski tow and the stern fencing. Although there’s no center-tube storage option, there’s ample room under the seats. A swim platform bench seat creates a spot to hang out or get ready for a run. The Avanti 823 DS Bar excels as an entertainer. The first priority is passenger comfort, and it features high-backed lounge furniture covered in Comfort Touch, which is a 33-ounce expandable, breathable material whose linen-like feel won’t have guests sticking to it on blazing hot days. Sixteen cupholders throughout the boat give up to 12 passengers plenty of beverage parking options. New Q W E S T AVA N T I for 2018 is a pastel Aruba color pattern that, true to its name, 823 LANAI DS BAR delivers a Caribbean feel. Also new is a redesigned bar that has a Length 24 ft., 8 in. pullout cutting board, a built-in bottle opener, drawers for storage Beam 8 ft. and a knife organizer to prevent rattling. A carry-on cooler keeps Tube Diameter 24 in. beverages cold and comes with a padded Qwest mat on top. The layout includes twin recliners up front and an L-lounge Capacity 12 people in the stern. Dual high-backed captain’s chairs with self-leveling Dry Weight (hull) 2,650 lbs. armrests sit amidships and another matching one is opposite the bar, behind the captain. Qwest has plenty of dedicated fishing Fuel Capacity 23 gal. models, such as the Avanti 823 RLS Fishtail, which has twin Max HP 175 (Tri Toon) fishing chairs and a rigging station in the stern, but there’s no PERFORMANCE reason an angler couldn’t wet a hook from the stern bench or one Peak 37.0 mph/ of the captain’s chairs on this boat. 6000 rpm/92 dBA Cruise 20.5 mph/ 4000 rpm/83 dBA

PREFERRED SETUP

With the Avanti line, most of the desirable options are standard features. Even unusual items such as a power Bimini top and a Time to 30 mph 8.4 sec. refrigerated captain’s cupholder are included. The sound system is POWER an upscale six-speaker Infinity Bluetooth stereo, complete with a Test Honda BF150 subwoofer that includes a class D amp. One of the problems with four-stroke running the stereo at the sandbar can arise at the end of the day, Cylinders In-line 4 when the captain turns the key and hears the dreaded clicking Displacement 2.4L sound. Qwest solves that with a standard two-battery system that Weight w/outdrive includes a voltage sensing relay (VSR) that isolates the cranking 478 lbs. battery to prevent it from getting run down. At the fiberglass WOT Range helm, the driver grips an Italian sport wheel and uses a standard 5000-6000 rpm Humminbird Helix 5 GPS for navigation that includes state-ofBase Price w/test power $46,590 the-art CHIRP dual-beam sonar for finding fish or just seeing what’s below before dropping anchor. To keep kids entertained, a LilliPad diving board is an option ($1,800). It installs on the swim platform and is cleverly designed to transmit very little force to the boat. It’s easily removable, sans tools, by unscrewing three eyebolts. For nighttime excursions, a lighting package ($579) includes LED lighting beneath the outer deck and two underwater lights. Interior lights and dock lights are standard. For more shade, there is a rear Bimini extension ($434) and a forward Bimini for $582. BW Time to Plane 3.0 sec.

Value-Added Standard Features: Bimini top, refrigerated cupholder, ski tow, interior mood lighting, Humminbird Helix 5, 6-speaker Infinity Bluetooth stereo w/subwoofer, cooler, RAM cellphone holder

Must-Have Options: Playpen mooring cover, trailer, LilliPad diving board, exterior and underwater lights, triple tubes, front and rear Bimini top extensions

Builder: Apex Marine, qwestpontoons.com Financing: $334/month w/15% down and 6% interest for 15 years

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10 TOURNAMENT TACTICS

10 TOURNAMENT TAC TIC S TH AT WORK Even anglers who will never fish competitively can benefit from tips the pros swear by. BY LENNY RUDOW

Whether one is entering a bass tournament at a regional lake or a billfish tournament on the open ocean — or simply hitting the local lake for a day of fishing with the kids — fishing like a pro means thinking like a pro. Anglers need to hit the water with a solid game plan, and the next time they enter a tournament, they should keep these top tactics in mind. Heck, even anglers who never plan to enter a tournament can benefit from most of the advice that follows, possibly surpassing that know-it-all friend who turns every fishing outing into a competition even if no one else is thinking that way.

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ICS

˜ 10 ˜

TOURNAMENT TACTICS THAT WORK

CHILL OUT 2

Though it might sound counterintuitive, worry less about winning and more about having a fun day of fishing. Stress makes people, including anglers, do things they wouldn’t normally do. Capt. Rob Skillman of Moore Bills, who won the 2017 Mako Mania and placed in several other tournaments last season, considers this one of the most important things to keep in mind when tournament fishing. “Stress gives you bad juju,” he said. “It makes you sick to your stomach and it causes you to make bad decisions.” I agree. I lost the biggest fish of the day on the very first cast during the CCA Rod & Reef tournament but managed to shrug it off and maintain a positive attitude. Being stressed out and discouraged after that certainly wouldn’t have helped. And after a full and fun day of fishing, I still earned second place.

FILL THE STRINGER

In some tournaments competitors are judged by the biggest single fish they catch, and in others it’s stringer weight that counts. In others, both are important. Unless it’s a one-fish-takes-all competition, the vast majority of professionals use lures and tackle that target numbers over sheer size until the stringer is full. At that point, they begin upsizing the offerings and culling the catch. We should note that a few pros, noted Bassmaster competitor Denny Brauer among them, take the opposite approach. He pointed out that choosing to fish solely for big fish is unusual and has “cost some tournament wins,” but it works sometimes. See Tip 10 to understand why. The exception to playing it either of these two ways comes in a no-cull tournament, with a limited stringer. In that case it comes down to one’s best judgement when deciding which fish to keep and which to release.

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TAKE A SCIENTIFIC APPROACH According to bass pro Kevin VanDam — a guy with such a good tournament-winning record that it’s beyond difficult to argue with him — taking a scientific approach to fishing on any given day is usually a winning strategy. “Matching the hatch, choosing natural colors, following seasonal patterns. Take all of these variables into account, and create a game plan,” he said. “Fishing isn’t an exact science, but it is a science.” He considers an educated guess better than “just a guess,” and he studies everything from water conditions to weather patterns prior to a tournament.

4. Prepare by Pre-Fishing Everyone knows pre-fishing is advantageous, but not everyone does it. Or, more commonly, not everyone’s schedule allows for it. For everyone who doesn’t want to enter a tournament at a huge disadvantage, pre-fishing is a must. It provides insight into hotspots to try, what the fish are feeding on, current conditions and how they might be changing, and a slew of other important factors. If one’s fishing time is limited to weekends, he should still try to fish the area, even if it’s the Saturday or Sunday a full week before the tournament. Not ideal, obviously — pre-fishing the entire week would be more like it — but it’s better than nothing.

5. Stick to the Plan When things aren’t going perfectly — or maybe they are going better than expected — some anglers may be tempted to abandon their game plan. While some level of flexibility is a good thing, anglers shouldn’t be too quick to abandon their original strategy. After all, it was carefully thought out, and out on the water it’s all too easy to make snap decisions that go off the rails. That’s especially true for anyone not adhering to Tip One. During one tournament, an angler I spoke to (who asked not to be named in this particular case) quickly left an area he had pre-fished with success, and had planned to hit hard, because the bite was slow. He returned to the dock that afternoon to learn that the bite had been slow everywhere — and the tournament-winning fish was caught in the very place he had been fishing, a few hours after he abandoned it.

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ICS

˜ 10 ˜

TOURNAMENT TACTICS THAT WORK

STAY & PRAY vs. RUN & GUN

I’m combining these two opposing tournament tactics 6 into one, because truth be told, most serious tournament anglers realize that either one can lead to a win on any given day. Staying in a single spot that one knows holds big fish and working it hard can be effective, as can running from spot to spot and giving numerous different places a quick shot. So, how to decide which to apply? That’s the difficult part, and it’s a call we can’t make here. Which one is correct will vary with conditions, the type of tournament, the rules that apply and many other factors. The important thing is to make a conscious decision with all the available data. If, for example, a fast-rising barometer is likely to make the bite difficult, working hard at a single location that obviously holds fish will allow an angler to try multiple presentations until he figures out what works. If conditions are ideal for an active fishery, on the other hand, sitting in the same spot all day and not catching fish is probably not the best move.

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best and most current charts are imperfect. Changing water levels in a lake from one month to another, for example, will throw their depth readings out of kilter. But anyone who has self-charted the same area recently will have fish-finding data that no one else has access to.

CRAZY BUT EFFECTIVE If there’s one thing all anglers can agree on, it’s the unpredictability of fish. And sometimes, that means that trying something completely unique and perhaps even a little bit crazy can work better than doing the same-old, same-old. When all the usual methods aren’t working, off-the-wall antics can turn into unexpected prize-taking tactics. “Nine out of 10 times traditional theory works,” said four-time Bassmaster Classic winner Kevin VanDam. “And as a general rule I don’t think you should try to reinvent the wheel every time you go fishing. But there’s always that 10th time. Something like a crazy-bright chartreuse buzz-bait that looks like nothing alive, sometimes it will get the fish to attack. If you know the fish are there but the usual choices aren’t working, try something else, something very different. I’ve seen a lot of things work when I didn’t expect them to. And even if that something different doesn’t produce, it’s one more thing you can scratch off the list.”

CONSULT THE CHECKLIST Create a pre-tournament checklist and check it twice. It should cover all the necessary gear, from rods, reels and line to the boat to the outboard motor. Many tournaments have been lost and recreational weekends ruined due to equipment failure, and most of the time equipment failure is preventable with regular maintenance. Prior to a big tournament, or even a recreational day out, an angler should re-spool with fresh line, make sure the engine’s oil is fresh and topped-off, and inspect every hook in the tackle box for sharpness.

8. Do Homework A number of tournament anglers, ranging from ice-fishing tourney champ Tony Boshold to MLF pro Scott Suggs, consider a careful look at local cartography a key element of preparation. Today’s fishing maps offer incredibly detailed views of the underwater topography, often providing contour detail down to one-foot increments. Such detail allows an angler to check out every cove, point and channel in a lake, river or bay before she even arrives on the scene — if, that is, she takes the time to do her homework. Bonus Tip: Most modern fishfinder/chartplotters have some version of a self-charting feature, allowing users to create their own contour charts of any given body of water. Utilizing these will give users a leg up on the competition, because even the

ROLL THE DICE

9. Crash Early, Crash Hard This is another of Capt. Skillman’s favorites, because he said that a good night’s sleep gives him a big advantage over all the guys who stay out late and celebrate. “It sounds so simple,” he said. “Heck, it’s as simple as it gets, but it gives you a very real advantage. You can think more clearly, react faster and keep a better attitude after a good night’s sleep. Meanwhile, the competitors who stayed out late and enjoyed the nightlife a little too much will be dragging ass.”

Sometimes, going for broke is the only solution. Fishing at the “safe” spot may produce a number of average-sized fish, and short runs do allow for more fishing time, but it’s often the angler who makes an extraordinarily long and risky run who catches the winning fish. One example: In this year’s MSSA fall striped bass tournament, 99 percent of the anglers fished in the southern reaches of the Chesapeake Bay, where the current reports were best. But Tim Roberts took the opposite approach and ran far to the north. The result was just a single fish — but at 46¼ inches, that fish was more than double the weight of the second-place striper and enriched Roberts to the tune of more than $40,000. Yes, rolling the dice will produce a complete bust sometimes. Sure, playing it safe will probably lead to a middle-of-the-pack finish, but making a bold move can also lead to big-time victory. BW

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Insurance is a gamble, of sorts. Insurers are betting nothing will happen (and they just collect premiums), and policyholders are betting something will happen (and there will be remuneration). The higher the value of the asset — or the risk of exposure — the more we’re ready to take that gamble. So why are 40 to 50 percent of boaters uninsured? Scott Croft, vice president of public affairs at BoatUS, points out that few of us would drive a vehicle or own a home without insurance, but for some reason, when it comes to boating, that all changes. “People on the water are woefully under-protected,” he said. Certainly, premium costs are a factor in why so many boat owners are uninsured, so here are several ways to lower insurance premiums and erase that as a factor.

them for more than one asset — car, house, boat, PWC, etc. Some companies will also give a discount to homeowners (house or condo) even if that policy isn’t carried with them. 3 | PAY I N F U L L

Some insurers will provide a discount to insureds who pay the year’s worth of premiums upfront instead of in quarterly or monthly installments. Consumers whose cash-flow status will allow it should pay the whole bill. Anyone who sells the boat midyear will receive a reimbursement. 4 | O R I G I N A L O W N E R

If an owner is the only person to ever have owned the boat, she’ll likely receive a break too. It should be clear to the insurer that it is a new boat, but just in case, ask about the “original owner discount.” 5 | H AV E A G O O D R E C O R D

A clean driving record (both car and boat) with no moving violations in the past three years will likely result in a discount. Continuing to be a safe boater could result in additional discounts at renewal. 6 | C R E D I T S C O R E

Having insurance is smart. Knowing how to minimize premiums is even smarter. ANA PROCHAZ ZUZ KA BY

1 | I N C R E A S E T H E D E D U C T I B L E

Like with all insurance, the deductible and premiums have an inverse relationship. If one’s goal is to minimize the upfront monthly cash outflow, he should raise the deductible and cross his fingers that all will be well and he’ll never have to face

the deductible. In this way, policyholders are effectively sharing the risk with the insurance company. 2 | M U LT I P L E P O L I C I E S

Most insurance carriers provide discounts to policyholders who keep policies with

In some instances, a good credit score will help build one’s credibility as a responsible citizen. Boat owners with stellar credit should try to impress the agent and see if there’s a reward in the form of lower premiums. 7 | TA K E A C O U R S E

Completing a boating safety course can enhance one’s status as a safe boater. It’s possible to save up to 10 percent on premiums by completing a state-approved program. Check the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) for resources. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Power Squadron offer onsite classes, and BoatUS has free online courses.

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TO LOWER INSURANCE PREMIUMS

8 | J O I N T H E C L U B

In some cases, membership in a program such as the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Power Squadron will also qualify boat owners for a 10 percent discount. 9 | B O AT I N G A R E A

No boat owner should overpay for a larger coverage area if he never really leaves one lake. The time of year and the navigational territory will define the risk an owner is asking the insurance company to take. For example, a boat owner in Florida coastal waters in August will pay a higher premium due to a potential threat of hurricanes. Owners should assess their boating needs realistically and whittle down the area they need. 10 | B O AT I N G S T Y L E

How many boat owners were once avid anglers with lots of gear? How many had kids who owned every kind of wakeboard but now they’re grown and gone? Insurance premiums can decrease if gear is reduced and boating needs simplified. Policyholders need only pay for what they need and what they actually do. 1 1 | TA K I N G A B R E A K ?

“Port Risk” insurance is lower for boats that are not in use, so anyone who won’t be boating for a while and will have the boat stored ashore may qualify for reduced insurance costs. 1 2 | T R I C K I T O U T

Some insurance companies will take note of additional equipment aboard and offer discounts accordingly. For example, an automatic fire-suppression system (rarely found on small boats) can qualify. Some vessel-monitoring products that allow the boat to communicate with its owner via Wi-Fi in case of intrusion, engine start or high-water alarm qualify the boat for a discount. A geo-fencing system that is a GPS-based security/recovery plan will also help, and many are affordable and simple to install. 1 3 | S H O P A R O U N D

Insurance is complicated. So shoppers should first educate themselves and then shop around to find hidden discounts. For example, Progressive Insurance offers a “disappearing deductible” as a retention benefit. If a policyholder sticks with the same policy/company over five years, her deductible will decrease 20 percent until she has no deductible

Premiums Aren’t the Whole Story Progressive’s Rick Stern emphasizes that premium costs are only a part of the story. “You have to think beyond premiums and to the value of your insurance in case of a claim,” he said. With more than 1 million insured watercraft, Progressive has some experience with this. “Approximately 95 percent of motorized vehicles are under 26 feet long, so they’re by far the biggest segment of what we insure,” Stern said. “And there are many value-added features that will enhance your protection.” For example, Progressive offers a propulsion endorsement that covers damage to lower units on outboards and sterndrives in case of metal fatigue. This is not coverage for normal wear and tear or collision/grounding-induced damage, but for $40 per year, owners have additional coverage on the parts that make their boat run well. Roadside assistance is another product that both TowBoatUS and Progressive offer, and about 30 percent of policyholders opt for that supplementary coverage. If your car or truck breaks down while towing your boat, the tow vehicle as well as the boat and trailer will be towed to the nearest repair facility. Got a flat? No problem, you’ll get it fixed. Ran into your neighbor’s fence while backing out? Well, that gets a bit murky. “Trailer coverage is complex and may change depending on how the damage occurred, whether or not your boat was on the trailer at the time, and so on,” BoatUS’s Scott Croft said. “Get complete details so you know what’s covered.” Opt for supplementary on-water towing service such as TowBoatUS, because most insurance policies top out at $500 for on-water towing, and a long tow can take several hours at roughly $250 per hour. Services such as TowBoatUS have a fixed annual fee and a specified geography where coverage is provided. Progressive also has a proprietary product called “Sign and Glide,” a program that will pay for on-water towing to the nearest point of repair. It also covers jumpstarts, fuel and fluid delivery, prop wraps, and soft un-groundings. This assistance is available for an additional $30 per year ($50 in Florida). “Think about the liability, the additional gear you have aboard, and what your boating season is worth to you,” Stern said, “and then insure accordingly.”

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INSURANCE PREMIUMS CAN DECREASE IF GEAR I S R E D U C E D A N D B O AT I N G N E E D S S I M P L I F I E D . at all. Another feature is “small claim forgiveness,” where the company may pick up the tab on small items such as gelcoat and cushion damage if the owner isn’t at fault and her record is clean. 14 | R E V I E W H U L L VA L U E

Boats are depreciating assets that lose value over time. Paying premiums on the same “agreed hull value” policy an owner requested five years ago may no longer be serving his best interests. He should check to see what his boat is worth now and insure for less, if needed. An owner who financed his boat should be sure to cover any outstanding boat loans as a minimum. 1 5 | O P T F O R L I A B I L I T Y O N LY

Boats that are not financed and not terribly valuable still need to be insured, but the premiums can be much less with

“liability only” coverage. Just as with an older car, owners need to protect themselves against third-party damages in case of an accident (or sinking). But it’s not just the value of the physical assets that’s important. The medical coverage and environmental cleanup protection one needs if a boat sinks — the costs to raise and remove it and clean up the oil slick it leaves behind — won’t be insignificant. A policy should cover salvage and include liability limits that will keep insurance costs affordable. Depending on the boat and other circumstances, liability coverage may cost as little as $100 per year. As Progressive’s boat product manager, Rick Stern, said, “Boating is not about how we get away but how we reconnect.” So, with that at stake, how much are you willing to bet to make sure your time on the water is all it can be? BW

TO THE WEB

Allstate.com/boat-insurance AmericanMarineInsurance.com AnchorMarineInsurance.com BoatInsurance.net BoatUS.com/insurance CGAux.org Chubb.com CompassMarineServices.com Geico.com/boat-insurance MarkelBoatInsurance.com NASBLA.org NBoat.com (NBOA) NMU.com (National Marine Underwriters) Pantaenius.com Progressive.com/boat SeaInsure.com Travelers.com/boat USPS.org (U.S. Power Squadrons)

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 bobby@boatingworld.com, or snail mail to Boating World Salty Dog Contest, 17782 Cowan, Suite C, Irvine, CA 92614. Your pet could win a cool PFD from CWB.

*Shown above is our current prize, a CWB Dog Vest valued at $24.95. Prizes are subject to change.

BOATINGWORLD.COM MARCH 2018

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2/2/18 1:52 PM

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hft_boatingworld_0318_M-REG131091.indd 1

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At Harbor Freight Tools, the “Compare to” price means that the specified comparison, which is an item with the same or similar function, was advertised for sale at or above the “Compare to” price by another national retailer in the U.S. within the past 90 days. Prices advertised by others may vary by location. No other meaning of “Compare to” should be implied. For more information, go to HarborFreight.com or see store associate.

1/24/18 12:12 PM

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www.bolsterbuddy.com 62

MARCH 2018 BOATINGWORLD.COM

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2/5/18 6:29 AM

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advertiser index

ELECTRONICS Simrad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 ENGINES Honda Marine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 SternDrive Engineering (813) 925-7127 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 GEAR & ACCESSORIES Bolster Buddy (507) 213-6004 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Harbor Freight Tools (800) 423-2567 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61 Survival Products (954) 966-7329. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 West System Inc. / Gougeon Brothers, Inc. (989) 684-7286 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 SERVICES Boat Angel (800) 227-2643 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 GEICO Insurance (800) 865-4846 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 1-800-PROGRESSIVE (800)776-4737 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CV2

BOATINGWORLD.COM MARCH 2018

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2/2/18 2:08 PM

Reader Contest

Rick Martin illustration

Name the Boat

See the winning entry and the best of the rest from the January contest on page 10.

When Charlie said he developed side-scanning “snorklar,” Steve wasn’t sure what to expect, but it certainly wasn’t this. Send us your name for our boat. If it wins, we will give you a Boating Starter Kit — four life vests, two dock ties and a safety flag — valued at $240, from our sponsor, Connelly, and your name will appear in the May 2018 issue of Boating World.

Win This!

YOURS FREE

MARCH 2018

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The first person to turn in the best boat name will receive a Boating Starter Kit from Connelly, valued at $240 (connellyskis.com). The Boating Starter Kit includes an Adjustable Neo Vest 4-Pack with two S/M and two L/XL vests, two six-foot Deluxe Nylon Web Dock Ties and a Safety Flag.

How to enter: We’ll reprint the cartoon with the winning boat name in the May 2018 issue. Submissions are due by March 12. 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

2/5/18 6:42 AM

ONE POWERFUL DESIGN. TWO RELIABLE NEW OUTBOARDS.

FOUR STROKES THE COMPLETELY REDESIGNED F90 AND F75 MIDRANGE FOUR STROKES. Yamaha’s all-new 90-hp and 75-hp four strokes feature SOHC designs with four valves per cylinder. This increases volumetric efficiency, and at the same time, saves weight. In fact, they’re each 13 pounds lighter and have increased to 1.8L displacement. Their lighter, more powerful design creates an outstanding new F75, and makes the F90 a top performer in torque and acceleration. That’s one rock-star design and two thrilling new outboards.

Learn more about the all-new Yamaha F90 and F75 four strokes at YamahaOutboards.com/F90-75.

REMEMBER to always observe all applicable boating laws. Never drink and drive. Dress properly with a USCG-approved personal floatation device and protective gear. © 2018 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved. 1-800-88-YAMAHA

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