May 2016 – Boating World Magazine

BOATING WORLD • MAY 2016 VOLUME 37 NUMBER 5

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contents

M AY 2016

MAGAZINE

VOLUME XXXVII NUMBER 5

departments Editor’s Letter Takeaways from an industry conference p. 4

Currents Bits from the boating world p. 6

Trailering Towing more than one trailer p. 12

Fishing How to get kids interested p. 16 Watersports Dial in proper rope length p. 20

Engines Mercury 115 Pro XS FourStroke p. 22

pg.

features

Gang Up and Go … On a PWC! We have tips from an old pro to help you organize a group outing right. p. 44

Boat Lift Lowdown Finding the

44 pg.

40

right boat lift for one’s needs is a matter of knowing the boat, the dock, the water and more. p. 52 BY BOBBYE MILLER KENYON

boats tested

Sea-Doo RXT-X 300 A new 300 hp engine ratchets up the attitude. p. 36

Yamaha VX Limited Affordable goes luxury on this ski that has loads of extra features. p. 38

Crownline 270SS A premium bowrider punches your first-class ticket to fun. p. 40

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DIY Change a water-pump impeller p. 24 Ask the Experts Our panel of experts answers your questions p. 26

Gear The latest accessories, gadgets and electronics p. 32 Bonehead Blunders Mistakes no boater should make p. 34

Contest: Name the Boat Win a $350 boat care package from Bel-Ray p. 64

pg.

pg.

36

32

Happy Hours

C H E R I S H E D T I M E W I T H FA M I LY A N D F R I E N D S .

Apex Marine, Inc. 300 Woodside Drive • Saint Louis, Michigan 48880 Phone: 989-681-4300 • Fax: 989-681-4333

QWEST • GILLGETTER • ANGLER QWEST • PADDLE QWEST Proudly Made in the USA American Workers - American Components

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editor’s letter

BY A L A N J O N E S

WSIA Takeaways E

THE BOATING WORLD TEAM RESPONDS: You’re invited to give the commencement speech at your old high school. What’s the student reaction on Twitter?

VERY YEAR, THE WATER SPORTS Industry

Association hosts a conference where the heavy hitters of the industry suspend their competition to wrestle market share from each other and instead work together to help grow the sport. In addition, there are breakout groups where we learn how to communicate our love of watersports better and create and tweak programs that help introduce people to the water. This year we learned even more.

One of the sessions was a CPR demonstration led by emergency room doctor Justin Sempsrott, M.D. One of the takeaways was that there has been a lot of misinformation on the subject of CPR for drowning victims, especially if your training came a long time ago. Boat owners, in particular, should be well versed in the latest techniques, since they are often far away from professional help. And when it comes to resuscitating drowning victims, one thing they don’t have is time.

Dr. Sempsrott was a lifeguard back in the 1990s in Jacksonville, Fla., and he, along with ER doctor Andrew Schmidt, M.D., founded Lifeguards Without Borders, a nonprofit group that has been to eight countries to teach more than 10,000 people the most effective way to save people who are drowning.

Rescuers get preoccupied with getting the water out of a drowning victim’s lungs, but only a tiny amount of water is usually inhaled. Most of the water is in the stomach, which is a problem far down the list.

Many rescuers focus mainly, or exclusively, on doing chest compressions, which can lead CPR givers to neglect the most important aspect: lack of oxygen. Sempsrott likened performing only compressions on a drowning victim to trying to start a

car with no gas in the tank, because the victim has so little oxygen left in his blood.

He added that drowning is not a lung problem, but rather a brain problem with lung complications. The human body can be deprived of O2, which is called hypoxia, for only about five minutes before brain damage occurs. After about 10 minutes without O2, a person usually dies, unless the water is very cold.

Dr. Sempsrott views drowning not as an event but a progressive process with only three outcomes: life, death or brain damage. If you can slow or reverse the progression, even a bit, the person has a far better chance of surviving. Always clear the airway of any solid material first, but don’t worry about foam, which is continually produced during these situations. Start by giving the person two breaths, then do 30 compressions and repeat until: • The person starts breathing on his own • EMT personnel take over As long as victims start receiving air within five minutes, they’ve got a decent chance of a full recovery. Dr. Sempsrott teaches the most important way to keep people from drowning is not great CPR technique but rather prevention. To see a video of one of his presentations, go to LifeguardsWithoutBorders.org. BW

PUBLISHER Duncan McIntosh Jr. He’s the guy who invented Steve Jobs ASSOC. EDITOR/PUBLISHER Jeff Fleming He’s a butt head oxymoron EXECUTIVE EDITOR Alan Jones Our analog-dude speaker was so 1900s MANAGING EDITOR Mike Werling What, Kim Jong-Un was busy?

ASSISTANT EDITOR Stephanie Shibata Did you just quote Ja Rule in your speech? #MURDAINC ART DIRECTOR Julie Hogan I bet she still uses AOL…heh heh PRODUCTION Mary Monge

Amelia Salazar Who’s she wearing?

FULFILLMENT OPERATIONS MGR. Rick Avila This guy still thinks Kobe gots game CIRCULATION DIRECTOR

ADVERTISING SALES & MARKETING

Call (949) 660-6150 Janette Hood Got Red Bull? You better.

DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING

REGIONAL SALES MANAGERS

Annabelle Zabala She better be somebody cool in disguise Felice Lineberry I’ve never been so inspired... to go to sleep!

MARKETPLACE SALES MGR. Jon Sorenson I finally met the founder of the computer club!

AD COORDINATOR Jennifer Chen She don’t even @Snapchat. #nosnaps #noglory TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR Dave Kelsen I Googled him. Nothing.

DIGITAL DIRECTOR Bryan Sheehy His only friend was the lunch lady 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)

Boating World Editorial and Advertising Offices, 18475 Bandilier Circle, Fountain Valley, CA 92708; (949) 660-6150. Boating World (ISSN 1059-5155, USPS 16200) is printed in the U.S.A. and published nine times a year in Jan., Feb., Mar., Apr., May, Jun., Jul./Aug., Sept./Oct. and Nov./Dec. at 18475 Bandilier Circle, Fountain Valley, CA 92708 by Duncan McIntosh Co. Inc. Periodicals Postage paid at Santa Ana, CA 92799 and at additional mailing offices. Editorial contributions are welcome. Please submit all contributions to the editor, accompanied by return postage. We M AG A Z I N E 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 © 2016, all rights reserved. PERMISSIONS: Material in this publication may notMbe in any form without written permission.

AGreproduced AZINE

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currents

BY STEPH A N I E S H I BATA

LEAD BOAT // JEANNEAU MERRY FISHER 795

Le Bateau de Plaisance

Jeanneau’s latest fishing-ready coastal dayboat will spread a happy vibe.

JEANNEAU JUST KEEPS growing its Merry Fisher line of outboard-powered boats. The latest addition to the five-boat (seven-model) line is

the Merry Fisher 795, the second-biggest of the family behind the 855. Measuring in at 24 feet, 4 inches long and weighing 4,740 pounds, the 795 is a versatile, coastal-capable boat, thanks to its deep-V hull and Jeanneau’s experience building larger powerboats and sailboats.

Its 9-foot, 2-inch beam might require a trailering permit, but those are generally easy to get. The name might imply one activity, which the boat is perfectly capable of, but it’s really set up as a family dayboat or coastal cruiser.

The L-shaped lounge in the cockpit converts to a substantial sunlounge without blocking access to the cabin door. Combine it with a sunpad on the bow, and four people can repose in sun-drenched glory. The swim platform is split into platformettes, and the starboard one includes a swim ladder, so getting back aboard is simplified.

Walk through the bulkhead door into a main cabin filled with natural light coming through windows that encircle the space and provide good all-around views. A dinette to port seats four around a high-low table that lowers to help create a berth (with a large cushion). The galley is to starboard, just aft of the helm station, which includes a Lowrance HDS7 multifunction display, Yamaha engine gauges, a Fusion stereo and all the switches the captain needs. A double berth runs diagonally in the bow and shares the belowdecks space with a separate head that holds a pump toilet and a sink.

On the transom is a Yamaha F150 FourStroke, for quiet, consistent, reliable power.

Jeanneau, jeanneau.com

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

SALT Y DOG

This month’s winner: HOOVER OWNERS:

John and Trisha Marnix HOMETOWN:

Enter Your Dog Now

WIN THIS 

Crown City, Ohio

Send your picture to Bobby for your chance to win a CWB Dog Vest.

Contact Bobby at bobby@boating world.com or Boating World, Salty Dog, 17782 Cowan, Suite C, Irvine, CA 92614.

Please include a photo, along with your name, your dog's name, address and phone number.

CetaBook FACEBOOK USERS MAY have noticed a prompt on their feed predicting photos in which they should be tagged. It was this technology that inspired Christin Khan, a biologist at NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center, to try and develop a “Facebook for whales” using algorithms to identify individual right whales, according to The Atlantic. Working with computer programmers in a nationwide contest with $10,000 up for grabs, Khan hoped to save countless hours of identifying whales in catalogs by creating software that recognizes animals based on the white markings called callosities on their heads. After five months, DeepSens.io, a company from Poland, won the competition with a software that could recognize 87 percent of photographed whales.

BOATINGWORLD.COM

MAY 2016

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7

currents

name the boat

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

contest winner



Gordon Arnold from East Wakefield, N.H., was the first to submit the winning name, SNEEZE THE DAY, for our ailing angler’s boat. For nosing his way to the top, Gordon receives a $50 West Marine gift card from Boating World.

MORE OF MARCH’S BEST ENTRIES:

Sick Bay

Bass Kicker

Going Viral

Todd Peterson, Pleasant Hill, CA

Daniel Clark, Bedford, VA

Wally Siller, via email

SS Sniffle

License to Ill

Blew by You

Donald Hogaboom, Highland, MI

Paul Wardell, Jamul, CA

Dick Baumann, Sterling, IL

Snot My Day

The Cold Ranger

Froze my Bass

John Lewellen, Rocky Mount, MO

Patrick Riggio, East Moriches, NY

The Germinator

Fishin’ for Influenza

Vicki Keniston, Winterport, ME

Immune Defishinsea Steve Trenish, Pleasantville, OH Rick Martin illustration

Queen Typhoid Mary Bernie Matsumoto, Half Moon Bay, CA

>

Larry Bagan, Grosse Ile, MI

Spring Fever Dave Pierson, Duluth, MN

Fishsick Dan Burns, Marion, IA

Nikki Tweet, Long Beach, CA

Shivver Craft Karl Helmer, Watertown, NY

Lousy Catch Judy Anderson, Puyallup, WA

M A R C H ’ S W I N N E R : S N E E Z E T H E D AY

Safety Is Cool MAY BRINGS THE onset of boating season

Sailing for Justice

SAILFUTURE IS A nonprofit that uses the sport of sailing as a way to

demonstrate alternate ways to reform juvenile offenders without the prison system. SailFuture’s principals approach intervention by utilizing the isolation and calming effects of being out at sea to help juvenile offenders help themselves through mentorship and accountability. The success of the program is rooted in an experience-driven theory of change that holds youth accountable while simultaneously providing real pathways for personal growth.

The program (sailfuture.org) raises funds through chartered expeditions that cruise different areas, such as St. Thomas, the Greek Isles and the Caribbean.

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to most parts of the country, and with the anticipation of opening day comes the responsibility of on-the-water safety. To that end, the North American Safe Boating Campaign (safeboatingcampaign.com) and Wear It! (readysetwearit.com) make a big push every year to remind boaters to wear their life jacket. May 20 is Wear Your Life Jacket to Work Day, and May 21-27 is National Safe Boating Week, just in time for Memorial Day and the rush to the ramps. If you get your office to wear life jackets on May 20, share pictures with us on our Facebook page. Even if you don’t, make sure you encourage everyone to boat safely, especially the people on your boat.

currents Resuscitating America’s Flagship

IF ALL GOES well with a technical feasibility study that’s expected to be complete by the end of the year, SS United States just might sail the seas again. All but given up for recycling last fall by the SS United States Conservancy — the $60,000-a-month upkeep was too much — America’s Flagship received a reprieve when Crystal Cruises stepped in with a purchase option agreement. The cruise company wants to bring the ship into compliance for modern cruising and return her to oceangoing service. According to Crystal Cruises, “SS United States will have to be extensively re-built to meet over 60 years of new maritime rules and shipbuilding practices,” but the company is determined to make it work. If it does work, the ship will go back into service more than 47 years — probably more like 50 — after her final passage in 1969.

Not-so-Secret Fishing Holes

BIG NUMBERS

Rock You Like a Hurricane

IT’S WARMING UP from coast

to coast, and soon fathers, mothers, sons and daughters are going to start dipping a line in the water from the friendly confines of a boat. Sure, you probably have a favorite spot or two, but if you’re looking for something new, the folks over at Take Me Fishing (takemefishing.org) have a list of the best 100 family-friendly fishing and boating spots. The 2015 list will soon be replaced by the 2016 list, but these top 10 locations from last year will surely be good in 2016, too:

Here are some facts about hurricanes

74

Minimum speed, in mph, for a tropical storm to be considered a hurricane

2

2 Bahia Honda State Park, Big Pine Key, Fla. 3 Blue Springs State Park, Orange City, Fla.

Amount of rain water, in million trillion gallons, the winds of a hurricane can release

4 Kissimmee State Park, Lake Wales, Fla. 5 Keystone State Park, Derry, Pa.

2005

6 Clear Lake State Park, Kelseyville, Calif.

Year with the most hurricanes to form in a single season, at 15

7 Skyway Fishing Pier State Park, St. Petersburg, Fla.

25

8 Galveston Island State Park, Galveston, Texas

Percentage of Atlanticformed hurricanes that strike the U.S. as a hurricane

10

1 Everglades National Park, Fla.

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MAY 2016 BOATINGWORLD.COM

9 Presque Isle State Park, Erie, Pa.

10 Lackawanna State Park, North Abington, Pa.

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TOW I N G W ITH A N RV

RV Boat Trailering Is Tricky Know the regulations before you get rolling, and remember to practice, practice, practice.

BY DOUG THOMPSON

T

OWING A BOAT BEHIND AN RV is a natural fit. After all, it’s common to see cars being

towed behind big RVs. But when you tow a car and a boat behind an RV, well, that can be a complicated rig. For clarification, a Class A motorhome towing a boat trailer would be known as a double-tow, while a truck with a fifth-wheel towing a travel trailer that is towing a boat trailer is known as a triple-tow.

It’s a given that a double-tow is simpler to operate than a triple-tow. According to Brett Becker, the publisher of the Online Towing Guide, a triple-tow configuration is serious undertaking.

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Jim McCreary photo

trailering

Whether you’re using a Ford F-350 to tow a truck camper and a Boston Whaler or you have an RV pulling a wakeboat, know the rules of the road and how the rig handles in all situations.

“Two trailers and a tow vehicle is a lot of mass and energy,” Becker said. “Take it seriously and do it properly, or don’t do it at all.

If somebody wants to take on triple-towing, I suggest over-engineering everything and siding with caution at every step.”

The Online Towing Guide website offers links to many state resources and is a good place to find towing tips. The rules and regulations for double- and triple-towing vary by state and are constantly changing. It’s important to check each state’s Department of Motor

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trailering Vehicles website for the latest regulations, because some states don’t even allow pulling two trailers in a triple-tow configuration. Also, be aware that all states have laws about combined length.

Most states mandate 60- to 65-foot limits for combined length, but some states (New Jersey and Oregon) are as short as 50 feet, and some are as long as 75 feet (North Dakota and Washington).

DO LOOK BACK

Find a way to see your boat under tow, either directly via a wireless web cam or virtually via wireless tire-pressure sensors, or both. If you can’t see the rig you’re towing, you must put pressure and temperature sensors on the trailer tires, or you won’t know that your trailer is dragging down the road on a blazing rim instead of an inflated tire.

In addition, make sure there’s enough clearance between your boat and your RV when you make a tight turn, because in

tight turns, the corners of the boat may rub against the corners of your RV, which is bad all around.

GOOD STOPPING SENSE

As challenging as driving may be,

in front you, odds are good your trailers aren’t going to stay in a straight line. The only thing that straightens them out again is accelerating, and you can’t do that.

Also, ensure that your RV has enough towing capacity to pull your boat, and that

Always perform a complete walk-around inspection before you pull onto the road. stopping could be even more daunting.

Your trailer and boat trailer should both be equipped with brakes, but you still need to leave a lot of room for braking, and a lot more distance when you’re pulling more than one trailer. Panic stopping with two trailers in tow just doesn’t work well. If you follow too closely and have to jump on the brakes to keep from hitting something

your hitch can take the load, especially if you need to use a hitch extender. Also be sure to grease the trailer bearings thoroughly, even excessively. You won’t know they’re overheating, because you can’t see them, so grease them preventatively.

MAKING CHANGES

Always be sure to monitor tire pressure

and temperature. High temperatures or falling pressures are sure signs of trouble.

Find a safe place to pull over, pronto.

Assume you’re going to need to do a roadside tire change, and prepare accordingly.

Be sure you have one or more spares, and that they are fully inflated. Be sure you have emergency hazard triangles. Be sure you have all the changing hardware — and know how to use it. When changing, keep everybody back from the road and the rig.

Post one spotter whose job is to holler at you to get out if it looks like an oncoming car or truck is going to smash you.

AT THE RAMP

It’s a given you can’t see behind as well in an RV, and you don’t want to go into the water. “Your best bet is to find a good local freshwater launch ramp and practice as many times as it takes to figure out a routine that works for you and your rig,” said Jim McCreary, of Melbourne, Fla. McCreary is an experienced RVer who

uses a 2004 Ford F-350 Turbodiesel Crew Cab short-bed pickup truck that carries a 2013 Lance 845S truck camper. He tows a 2008 Boston Whaler Montauk 150. “When you are going backward, go slowly, and have somebody outside to watch and shout in case of trouble. Keep your windows down and your sound system off so you can hear. Then, write it down, turn it into a checklist and use the checklist!”

In a triple-tow configuration, trying to back up a long distance just doesn’t work.

Getting everything to turn the way you want will be next to impossible, so plan your maneuvers so you have enough room that you won’t need to back up very far.

PROTECT YOUR BOAT

“If you’re going a long way, or over unpaved or sloppy roads, use a trailerable boat cover, and make sure it’s strapped down very tightly so it doesn’t flap and come loose as you drive,” said McCreary, who has been RVing with a boat in tow

for more than 20 years. “Otherwise, your boat will arrive full of gunk.”

Always perform a complete walkaround inspection before you pull onto the road. Stop at the first rest area and do a walk-around to find and fi x problems, especially with tires, hitches and boat covers. Every time you stop, do a complete walk-around inspection and fi x anything that’s even slightly loose.

BE SURE YOU ARE INSURED

As litigious as we are, it makes sense to insure yourself for liabilities in the event of a collision or a mechanical mishap. If, for whatever reason, your boat comes uncoupled and takes out five other cars, you want to have the coverage you need. BW

To the Web OnlineTowingGuide.com/towing_laws.html

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fishing

TA KE KI DS FIS H I N G

Get Your Kids Excited about Fishing Five tips are sure to help create a new generation of anglers.

BY ANDY WHITCOMB

M

Y WIFE AND I ARE raising two anglers. More than merely a hobby, this simple pleasure will be there for them if they want to seek a thrill or escape anxiety. Watching the excitement my kids first derived from fishing helped me remember the magic of fishing and rekindled my passion for the sport. Here’s how you can excite kids about the “perpetual series of occa­sions for hope.”

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1/ START YOUNG

Seize every opportunity to visit the water.

Give them a stroller ride as you visit an aquarium or tour a fish hatchery. Strap a toddler into a backpack carrier and blow his mind as you reel in a fish from a pond.

Let them play with the minnows in the bait bucket. And as soon as they know the difference between a twizzler and a rubber worm, buy them a tackle box and let them start their own collection of soft plastic creatures.

2/ UTILIZE YOUR YARD

Even when they aren’t around water, put a fishing rod in their hands and let them play casting games. Just casting a horizontal yo-yo of sorts is fun, and their increasing accuracy will help reduce frustration when they’re actually fishing.

Tie on a casting plug and use a hula hoop,

Getting kids started young is one way to create lifelong anglers.

a bucket or some other round implement as a target. As they get better in the backyard, they’ll be itching to test their new skills on the water.

3/ CATCH FISH…

It sounds obvious, but success is contagious, and one of the best ways to push the activity of fishing closer to catching is to use live bait. There may be some issues here, as the idea of impaling live bait on a hook may not go over so well. You can try to rationalize with older kids — It’s all part of the food chain and fish would be eating anyway — but don’t push it. Other bait can work too.

My five-year-old son was still occasionally releasing our bucket of minnows in our pond but took a great leap toward understanding live bait and the food chain one afternoon while reeling in one of his many small bluegills. Just as he began to lift the bluegill from the water with his rod, the water erupted and a huge bass ripped it from the hook and soaked two very startled fishermen. There was no time to feel sympathy for the bluegill — just pure astonishment about our close proximity to a very effective underwater predator. I cringed and waited for my son’s reaction to a miniature version of the seal/great white shark video sequence I had managed to shade him from with a deft click of the remote control.

Fortunately, I didn’t have to wait long: “Let’s do it again!”

Consider releasing fish, too. After a quick photo, there is great satisfaction to be gained from watching it swim away, to be caught again — larger. Plus, we need that fish or, better yet, others that broke our line, which surely were enormous, to still be there, lurking. Such fish need to be swirling and jumping in kids’ dreams, keeping them up at night with excitement.

Parents can do significant damage to the cause by stringing up gasping fish and letting them flop around on the bank. Not to say you shouldn’t harvest fish. Just be aware of your child and cross that bridge at the right time, in the right, fish-respecting way.

4/ …OR NOT

Keep in mind the goal is just to have fun, quality time. One common mistake parents make is failing to heed an old saying: “Always leave the audience wanting more.”

Famous angler Hank Parker has four boys and 11 grandchildren. “I learned the hard way,” he said. “Leave your rod at home. Let it be fun. Fish five minutes. Quit.

Skip rocks.”

Pennsylvania angler Joe Stefanacci loves to take his daughters fishing on the Allegheny River. But if they just want to swim in the river, he knows fishing can wait.

And professional bass tournament angler Laura Starkey Heflin fondly recalls when her son, Jesse, was in grade school and wanted to go on fishing trips. However, once he caught a single fish, he would put his pole down and become more interested in opening his tackle “store” on the boat, encouraging his parents to “buy” new bait from his tackle box. Laura and her son now fish together in tournaments.

5/ AWAKEN ALL THE SENSES

Fishing is a sensory smorgasbord.

Take advantage of this to create a lasting impression of the experience. Help them see fish in the water better by giving them their own polarized glasses. Set them up with a topwater lure and let them watch the nerve-rattling blast from the depths that is sure to follow. And point out the brilliant oranges and blues from common but almost tropical-looking pumpkinseed.

And while you are at it, take a quick sniff of a fish. Along with bug spray, sunscreen and rubber worms, the weirdly sweet fish smell complements the powerfully memorable fishing trip bouquet.

Let them feel the fish, not only through the fishing rod once one is hooked, but have them touch the line as it is nibbling bait.

The mysterious vibration traveling up a thin strand of monofilament is communication from another world. When a fish is landed, show kids how to safely hold it, and maybe let them in on the strange pleasure from obtaining a little “bass thumb.”

Listen for fish jumping, frogs croaking and that glorious sound of the reel’s drag being put to work.

And let them savor that honeybun on the way or bag of Cheetos heading back. BW BOATINGWORLD.COM MAY 2016

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watersports

RO PE LEN GTH

Dial in Rope Length Are you hindering your progress with a rope that’s too long or too short? Find out.

BY TRAVIS MOYE (THEBOARDINGSCHOOL.COM)

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W

HEN PEOPLE COME TO RIDE with us at The Boarding School, the first thing we ask them is what speed and rope length they normally ride at home. The numbers can vary a lot depending on one’s skill level and boat of choice. So to help riders zero in on their rope length for wakeboarding and wakeskating, we put together this primer. Keep in mind, these are just starting points, which can vary a bit depending on the boat, the wake size and the distance between the wakes.

As a general rule, most of the wakeboard ropes sold today are somewhere between 75 and 85 feet in maximum length, including the handle section, which is five feet in most cases. Most ropes will have takeoff sections of two and a half, five or 10 feet, and have the lengths marked on them. The majority of riders — the exception being advanced riders — would never ride with a rope more than 75 feet long. All that being written, let’s figure out where most boarders should be.

I’m basing all of these lengths on wakeboarding. As a general rule, take five feet off for wakeskating.

best. You may have to play with it a bit to get it just where you like it best. Be willing to give yourself a set or two to get used to a new line length. And start out by dialing in your cuts on your simple wake jumps first, so you can gauge things for the more difficult tricks.

ADVANCED

tk caption

BEGINNER

We always have beginners on a longer rope, 70 to 75 feet, and at a speed between 17 and 21 mph, which is generally the opposite of what most people would think.

The wake gets wider as the rope gets longer, which leads a lot of people to think they should have the rope very short, so they have a better chance of clearing both wakes when they try to jump from one to the other. There are several problems with such thinking. In the beginning phases, most riders will have quite a few bad habits, and even though they may be able to clear the wake at a shorter line length, they don’t have any time for recovery after they land. Or, even worse, they could be casing (landing directly on top of) the second wake, which is very hard to recover from and often results in some really hard falls.

While learning, it is best to have the rope a bit longer, so riders can figure out their approach, takeoff, and landing and not have to worry about hitting the dreaded second wake. They can do their jump and land between the wakes — a much safer scenario. Once they can comfortably do that every time and land almost all the way to the second wake in control, they should be able to shorten the rope by five to 10 feet and jump wake to wake.

The longer-rope-slower-speed scenario is a very useful technique for learning

I would call an advanced rider someone who is doing several 360s and 540s, all of the basic inverts, a Raley or some glides, and is starting on mobes (flips with full rotations). Most advanced riders are going to use a rope between 70 and 75 feet and will occasionally go a little longer. Usually, more advanced riders have more weight in the boat and increase the speed, with most of them between 22 and 24 mph.

Remember one thing: Don’t get confined by five-foot sections. If your rope doesn’t come with two-and-a-half-foot sections, fold a

most things wakeboarding or wakeskating.

We use it for wake jumps, 180s, 360s and even inverts. There is no need to just “go for it” and take a hard fall if you don’t have to. The hard falls are the biggest deterrent for people first learning to ride, so keeping those to a minimum increases one’s progression, in most cases.

INTERMEDIATE

I would classify an intermediate rider as someone who is able to jump the wakes heelside, toeside and switch heelside, do grabs on all of those jumps, and comfortably do all of the frontside 180s. Most intermediate riders are just starting to do some 360s and basic inverts. Most riders in this range use a 60- to 70-foot rope and move at a speed of 20 to 22 mph (maybe even 23). Again, it will vary a bit from boat to boat and by personal preference. As I indicated previously, the wakes get wider the longer the rope is, so progression can slow if the rope is too long and the rider is having a hard time clearing both wakes. On the flip side, the rope shouldn’t be too short. The shorter the rope, the less time a rider has in the air, and moves can get choppy looking. I realize it sounds like there is some contradiction here, but I would say most riders at this level are going to have some preference of where they would like to be, instead of just blindly throwing the rope on the tower and hoping for the

Whether you’re pulling sick tricks or just learning to ride, dialing in the proper rope length is vital to success.

five-foot section in half to fine-tune the rope length to your liking. I know it doesn’t seem like much, but a couple of feet can make a huge difference. And, to reiterate, give yourself a little time to get used to a change in length.

As you can see, the rope can change quite a bit from rider to rider. Make sure you are being cognizant of it for each rider, instead of just adopting a one-length-works-for-all philosophy. You will see both your comfort level and progression increase because of it. BW BOATINGWORLD.COM MAY 2016

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engines

M ERCU RY 115 PRO XS FO U RSTRO KE

Black Magic Mercury made its already hot and fast 115 four-stroke hotter and faster.

BY ALAN JONES

W

HEN MERCURY MARINE CAME OUT with a new version of its 115 FourStroke on

its 75th anniversary, in 2014, I got to check it out in Wisconsin. At this year’s Miami Boat Show in February, Mercury one-upped itself, unveiling the 115 Pro XS FourStroke, a high-output version of that already hot outboard. I got a chance to test it at the show on a Mako Pro Skiff 19 CC, which sports Mako’s Advanced Inverted V (AIV) hull, which is a modified catamaran design. And it’s a good thing it wasn’t the usual flat-bottomed skiff, because the wind was starching out the flags at the docks on Virginia Key, but Mercury had something up its sleeve to help cope with choppy conditions on Biscayne Bay.

WEIGHING IN Mercury based the 115 Pro XS on the same 2.1L, four-cylinder platform the 115 FourStroke uses. Only Honda has more displacement in its class, with the 2.4L BF115, but that’s a detuned BF150 that weighs 122 pounds more than the Mercury, which is the lightest in its class at 363 pounds with the Command Thrust gearcase ours had. (The regular 22

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gearcase model weighs 359 pounds.) The engine itself is a blend of new technology and a simple single overhead cam (SOHC) design that has two valves per cylinder.

Suzuki, Yamaha and Honda all employ dual overhead cam (DOHC) engines with four valves per cylinder on their fourstroke 115 outboards. The cam design is one of the reasons the Merc is 18 pounds lighter than anything else in its class — and 16 pounds lighter than the two-stroke it replaces.

Firing up the 115 Pro XS and shoving off from the dock, we idled away with the Merc at a preternaturally quiet 58 decibels.

Vibration was nearly nil, thanks to the Focused Mount System, which positions upper motor mounts at 45-degree angles to the engine centerline. The rubber mounts are located away from the heat-producing powerhead, which can shorten the life of rubber. Once we got under the Rickenbacker Causeway Bridge and out of the no-wake zone, we could finally romp, but first we pushed a magic button.

HANDS OFF THE TRIM SWITCH On the dash of our Mako test boat was a compact panel labeled Active Trim, a

The Mercury 115 Pro XS comes in two shaft configurations and is lighter than its competition.

Mercury system also introduced at the show. Unlike Volvo Penta’s Boat Trim System (BTS), which bases its trim level on engine rpm, Mercury’s patented system is speed-based and even has a built-in GPS receiver for accuracy. Mercury performed many tests on boats of all kinds and analyzed which trim positions helped them achieve their best performance at varying speeds and then created five general profiles that a boat builder or dealer can assign to the system for a particular boat.

Even for expert boaters, it’s well worth the $500 cost.

Active Trim engaged with the press of one button and worked remarkably well when we hit the throttle for our time-toplane test. The 115 Pro XS was properly trimmed down and allowed the Mako Pro Skiff 19 to reach plane in just 2.9 seconds. Zero to 30 mph times are always a bit tricky, because you’re not sure how to trim during the event to “unstick” the hull from the water. Usually it’s trial and error, requiring multiple attempts, but with Active Trim, I jammed it and felt the power of the 115 Pro XS accelerate hard.

After the boat planed, the engine trimmed itself out, and we reached 30 mph in just

8.2 seconds. Where the newfound power is really noticeable is during acceleration from cruise speed. Midrange throttle response is phenomenal, and the Active Trim keeps up no matter how the captain jockeys the throttle. The only time we adjusted the trim manually — using the up and down buttons — was to squeak out the last mph in our top-speed run, which hit 45.8 mph. The system disengages at 50 mph, to allow the driver to take over on other, faster boats.

CHARGE IT One new feature is Idle-Charge, which boosts battery charging at idle speeds by up to 48 percent when it senses the batteries could use some extra juice. It will be especially appreciated by fishermen, who are

packing big-screen fishfinders and trolling motors.

We tested the 115 Pro XS with the Command Thrust gearcase, which has a lower 2.38:1 gear ratio than the standard 2.07 lower unit. The lower ratio allowed it to swing a bigger 13.8-inch diameter Enertia prop on our test. And because the Pro XS is a higher-revving engine than the 115 FourStroke (300 rpm more), owners can run reduced pitch on the props for better performance, such as the 20-inch pitch prop we used.

It comes in a 20- and 25-inch shaft version, and it comes in a counter-rotating model, which would be perfect for powering smaller, dual-engine catamarans.

Because of its two available shaft lengths and the choice of lower units, the 115 Pro XS is a great match on a wide range of boats, including flats and bay boats, pontoons, and sub-20-foot runabouts. BW

SPECS Type In-line, 8-valve SOHC four-cylinder SOHC four-stroke Displacement 2.1L Full throttle range 5300-6300 rpm (6000-6300 for best performance) Weight 359 lbs. 20 in. shaft (standard gearcase); 363 lbs. (CT gearcase) Gear ratio 2.07:1 or 2.38:1 Price $10,830 PERFORMANCE: Tested with Mako Pro Skiff 19 CC Time to plane 2.9 sec. 0-30 mph 8.2 sec. Top speed 45.8 mph Decibels @ idle 58 Cruise 27.6 mph/4000 rpm/82 dBA Peak 45.8 mph/6300 rpm/91 dBA

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diy

CH A N G E A WATER PU M P I M PELLER

Improve Your Impeller IQ Save a couple of hundred bucks by changing the water pump impeller yourself.

BY MARK CORKE

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C

HANGING YOUR WATER PUMP’S IMPELLER is

a job that could easily cost $200 to $250 at a dealership, depending on difficulty. It’s a pretty straightforward job you can do, if you have a little mechanical acumen, and the impeller should be changed every year before the season starts. The engine we serviced was a 1996 115 hp Mercury hung on the back of an aluminum Starcraft. Even if your outboard or I/O is different, most of the steps are the same. In addition to the impeller, all the parts that are required for a routine service — gaskets, O-rings and seals — are usually included in the kit, which cost $22 at West Marine. The job takes about two hours.

To begin, drain the gear oil from the lower unit, then loosen and remove the four nuts that hold the lower unit in place (1). A socket wrench didn’t fit, so we used a box-end wrench (the closed side of a crescent wrench) to get a good grip on the nuts, which on our motor were pretty stiff. We were able to get the lower unit to separate from the upper unit with a few taps from a soft mallet. Don’t hit the cavitation plates at the sides or they are sure to break; instead, tap on the aft end of the gearbox unit. You might have to use Liquid Wrench if the lower unit is on really tight.

Once a crack appears, insert a broad screwdriver and carefully pry it apart (2), taking special care not to damage the castings of the mating surfaces.

Lift the unit clear and place it on the edge of a bench. Prop or clamp it upright, to make it easier on your back.

With the lower unit off, slide off the seal that sits atop the pump housing by unscrewing the bolts that hold the pump housing in place (3). We needed an impact wrench, since this particular pump had not been serviced for some time, but a box-end wrench will work in most cases. Don’t use the crescent (open) end of the wrench, because if you round the bolt heads, you will have a bad day for sure.

Separate the housing and slide it up the shaft. In our case, the bottom plate was stuck and we had to gently pry it off. Before reinstalling the pump, use a razor blade and an emery board to clean up all

2

3

4

5

6

7

the mating surfaces (4), to ensure no leaks develop. Wipe everything down with some clean rags when you are finished, and wipe out the interior of the pump housing while checking to make sure there are no score marks or gouges. If there is any doubt as to the condition of the housing, it should be replaced (an extra $38 at West Marine).

For the reassembly, smear a little gasket cement (e.g., Permatex Form a Gasket) on the lower unit (5) where the larger of the two gaskets will be installed (6). If the holes don’t line up, flip the gasket upside down. The smaller of the two gaskets goes on next (7); it has a neoprene seal built in (8), so don’t use any more Permatex.

Next, install the new key, which sits in the flat on the shaft, and then slide down the new impeller (9). Make sure the key-way in the hub lines up with the key previously fitted. A little dishwashing liquid makes it easier to get the pump cover on and provides some lubrication for the second or two it takes for the water to get into the pump and lubricate the vanes. Do not use oil or silicone, which can attack the composition of the impeller and lead to premature failure.

Slide the housing down and ease it over the vanes as you twist the shaft in a clockwise direction with the other hand.

Doing so bends the blades and allows the body of the pump to sit fully down onto the

9

8

10

base plate gasket.

Reinstall the bolts and tighten them until they are very snug (10). Slide the new seal down over the shaft until it barely rests against the pump housing. A setting tool is included in the kit. Now is the time to push it down on top of the seal, where it does double duty by spreading the seal out and ensuring it is not compressed too much. When the seal is set, remove the compression tool (11).

Smear a little engine spline coupling grease onto the top of the drive shaft. Then apply a little more grease on the gear shift coupler, which should still be on the gear shift shaft inside the leg.

11

Refill the gearbox with the correct oil.

Note: Contrary to what you might expect, the oil is forced in from the bottom until it comes out of the upper level hole, which is when both screw plugs can be replaced with a new washer under each. When reinstalling the lower unit onto the leg, it helps to have a second person rotate the engine by hand a little to get the splines to mesh. Then replace the nuts and washers that hold the two parts together.

Tighten them firmly, but don’t get carried away.

When everything is reassembled, put earmuffs on and test the outboard to make sure the water pump is working correctly. BW BOATINGWORLD.COM MAY 2016

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ask the experts

Q

+A

MAINTENANCE

Soundproofing 101

Q I have a 2008 Yamaha 212X. I would like to add some sound-reduction material around the engine and anywhere else that will help reduce the high-pitched engine noise. I have read about a couple of different manufacturers and thickness of material. Is there one that works better than others? I have read so much I am now confused about what to use.

Jeff Cox, via BoatingWorld.com

Installation of a good quality foam soundproofing barrier can reduce engine noise by 10 to 35 decibels (about 65 percent). Soundproofing material is available in a wide variety of forms, from sprays and paints to foil-backed foam panels.

Foam panels are a popular choice and one I’ve found to be very effective against airborne noise pollution.

Self-adhesive panels are easy to install — just peel and stick — but you have to plan and position them exactly where you want them on the first try, as you typically

 OUR PANEL OF EXPERTS:

Frank Lanier Capt. Lanier is an accredited marine surveyor with more than 30 years of experience in the marine industry and owner of Capt. FK Lanier & Associates, Marine Surveyors and Consultants.

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

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.

EVERY BOAT NEEDS A PROTECTOR.

1.800.PROGRESSIVE / PROGRESSIVE.COM Progressive Casualty Ins. Co. & affiliates.

ask the experts can’t reposition them once they’re in place without damaging the foam. Non-adhesive backed panels require spray- or brush-on contact adhesives. Most allow a bit of last-minute repositioning, making them easier to work with in tight spaces.

Regardless of the adhesives used, panels also require the use of mechanical fasteners, such as screws and fender washers, particularly for horizontal installations.

Tip: To prevent gripping and tearing of the foam, wax the screws by running them into a candle prior to use.

Soundproofing panels can be cut to shape with a box cutter or a razor knife; however, a serrated knife blade will provide a cleaner cut of the foam material itself.

Thin sheets of soundproofing material can also be cut with a pair of quality scissors.

To ensure the best fit (and avoid cutting screw-ups), I recommend making cardboard templates to check fit and for use as a cutting guide. Be sure to dry-fit everything prior to applying adhesives or peeling

WHAT’S IN YOUR TOOLBOX? MAINTENANCE • TROUBLESHOOTING • REPAIR

WWW.CLYMER.COM 800-242-4637

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self-adhesive panels.

When planning your installation, remember that sound flows like water, meaning you’ll want to use special joining tape (provided by the manufacturer) to prevent “leaks” at panel joints, etc.

Cables and hoses penetrating the material should be sealed using tight-fitting rubber grommets, while any access hatches should close snugly with a good, tight seal. That being said, don’t forget to provide adequate ventilation for the engine. Required vents and air holes can be quieted using air baffles. — FL

Grid Gets it Right I have had the pleasure of reading Mr. Michal’s columns for a number of years and followed his advice where possible. I would like to add my comments to Mr. Toomey’s from Seattle in the February 2016 issue concerning care of thermostats. We have a 2003 Four Winns 19-footer powered by Volvo Penta, and toward the end of the

boating season here in southeast Iowa, I noticed the temperature gauge was not moving as it normally would. Upon hauling the boat out, I immediately got to work on it and discovered there was a piece of scale-type debris about the size of a dime jammed in between the coils. I replaced the thermostat and flushed the unit out; the gauge and thus the engine are now back to normal operation.

Dave Capper, Washington, Iowa

MARINE ENGINES

Trouble with the Tilt

Q I have a 2001 Yamaha F115 that the tilt won’t hold the engine up. It will tilt down overnight, but I see no problems with the trim, which works fine at speed. Why is this?

Clete M., via BoatingWorld.com

The T&T system operates under two pressure movements of an internal shuttle.

The trim provides about 3000 psi to be

able to move the bow up and down as you shoot down the waterway. The tilt, which needs only a third or less to operate, won’t work once you’re on plane. Because it has less pressure holding it up, the tilt is more responsive to problems, such as leaky seals or sticky shuttles. Knowing your engine is now 15 years old, the first thing I’d do is look for any oil leaks around the tilt or trim rams. If the chrome is etched, there’s no way the seals will work effectively, and they will always leak. Secondly, check the manual tilt release screw. Loosen it, then tighten it. Do this with the engine down, so you don’t get caught between a falling engine and the transom. If the problem persists, use the tilt lock lever at the top of the transom mounting brackets to keep the engine tilted up when not used. It’s too old a unit to spend the money on pressure and internal diagnoses. If you have a good tech, he’ll be able to advise you on the least expensive cure predicated on your use — and level of aggravation. — GM

BOATINGWORLD.COM MAY 2016

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ask the experts ACCESSORIES

Help with the Head Replacing an electric marine toilet is not difficult when the project is planned and accurately measured. The folks at Thetford Marine (thetfordmarine.com) offer tips for the do-it-yourself boat owner.

It’s a dirty, unavoidable step, but the results are well worth it: Remove the old fixture, valves and hoses. Because they’ve been in contact with raw sewage, it’s best to protect oneself by wearing gloves, safety eyewear and a dust mask. After removing the old equipment, check the flooring.

While rare, there could be deterioration, and if so, it’s best to rebuild the foundation.

The new toilet should be installed on a water-resistant base that is at least three-quarters-of-an-inch thick, including the backing. The floor should be level and strong enough to securely anchor the unit.

A sheet of marine-grade, high-density polyethylene, such as StarBoard, is ideal for covering holes and rust marks.

Fit really matters on a boat. Make sure the replacement toilet will fit in the location it needs to go, including space to sit and adequate room for maintenance.

Check that the seat and lid have clearance to stay upright, and that doors and cabinets won’t be blocked. If the head is extremely small, the door swing can be reversed or a bi-fold added.

Modern toilets (e.g., Tecma Nano and Compass Short) offer surprising comfort in a small, adaptable size. With older marine sanitation devices, owners needed to find space to externally accommodate a vacuum pump or macerator. Modern self-contained toilets make installation easy.

Use the supplied template to drill the mounting holes. Make a pilot hole first and come back with a larger-sized bit, to ensure the gelcoat doesn’t crack. Apply a layer of tape to help protect the finish. Seal the original holes.

This is a good time to inspect and replace any questionable hosing, valves, fittings

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1 902 468-2150 30

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MAY 2016 BOATINGWORLD.COM

IT’S EASY! Any customer with an existing PerfectPass System can easily upgrade to Star Gazer-Wake Edition. In most cases it is a simple 5 minute “Plug & Play” installation. For more details, contact one of our customer service specialists.

or clamps. Unpleasant odors can often be attributed to a cracked discharge tube, a leaking part or a permeated hose from salt-water flushing.

Bolt the toilet to the floor using stainless steel hardware. After all attachments are made, a quality silicone around the base will provide a finished look.

Once the water hookup and discharge hoses are connected, the electrical connection to the macerator is made. If an external unit was used previously, it can be bypassed and new wires pulled.

If replacing a manual toilet, a new separate power connection needs to be made to a battery source or proper-sized circuit breaker. It’s not advised to use wiring that feeds the lighting.

Replacing the control panel is a matter of either swapping out the flush button or installing it new. This is then connected to the toilet wiring, typically behind a bulkhead. Use heat-shrink connectors to prevent corrosion. BW

gear

STU FF YO U WA NT

When Two Become One indmar.com, $105 Indmar has integrated two products into one unit, the Indmar Strainer Pro Flush Kit, which incorporates an easy garden hose connection to simplify engine flushing. Boat owners can protect their engine from debris and invasive species through easy flushing and maintenance. The space-saving Strainer Pro is designed to optimize flow dynamics, with the added benefit of fewer potential leak points. You can quickly and easily install the technology on almost any inboard marine engine. The in-line strainer allows for easier basket removal and the clear housing design provides higher visibility.

Toss and Turn

A Shot in the Dark flir.com, $599 FLIR introduced the Ocean Scout TK thermal camera, an affordable thermal vision monocular that is accessible to more boaters. It is the smallest and most affordable model in the FLIR Ocean Scout series, cameras that work by using heat rather than visible light to conjure high-contrast images. The new monocular will make it possible for boaters to see in total darkness by the differences in temperature and heat emitted by boats, buoys and even people overboard. Ocean Scout TK is waterproof and can store up to 1,000 JPEG images and four hours of video.

A Neat Cleat

Being Green and Clean

shop.acconmarine.com, $96.42

centekindustries.com, $169.49+

Space is limited on the gunwale of a boat, often limiting the number of rod holders and cleats. Have it all with the innovative Cleat/ Rod Holder Combo from Accon Marine. This multitasking hardware incorporates a secure, flush-mount rod holder and six-inch pull-up cleat in a single compact unit. It accepts all standard fishing rods and is made of marine-grade 316 stainless steel. Models are available in 0-, 15- or 30-degree rod retention angles.

Before bilge water goes overboard, Centek Industries’ BilgeKleen Filter System automatically removes oil, gas, diesel fuel and other hydrocarbon pollutants from the water. A filtering medium within the system easily binds to hydrocarbons while allowing water to pass through freely. A variety of system sizes is available to fit almost any bilge space, including runabouts, mega-yachts and commercial vessels.

anchordockingdirect.com, $160

The Anchor Turner Kit from Anchor & Docking Inc. does what its name implies: turns the anchor so that it sits in the bow roller correctly without the need for human intervention. What looks to be a piece of bent metal with some links on it is actually an accessory that attaches directly to your anchor so that it’s always facing the right-side-up when you are using an anchorlift system to return your anchor to the bow roller. Model 965008 is good for anchors up to 22 pounds.

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BOATINGWORLD.COM

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gear

STU FF YO U WA NT

Eyes in the Back hyndsightvision.com, $499 Journey by Hyndsight Vision Systems is designed for use on any vehicle, trailer, boat or other application where clear visualization can help prevent collisions and provide safety monitoring. You can pair up to four cameras to one monitor for 360-degree views and versatility. The monitor is sunlight-readable, and the standard camera has a 45-degree lens. A wide-angle lens is also available. The system is useful for launching a boat, backing into a boat slip or hitching to a trailer.

Glow with the Flow Rig the Chase tacomarine.com, $1,856 The first ever Carbon Fiber Center Rigger Pole from Taco is for serious anglers who want to get the most out of the latest high-performance fishing boats. The carbon-fiber rigger is stronger and lighter than any other outrigger pole on the market.

A patent pending swivel roller mechanism allows live baits or artificial lures to have a more natural swimming action. The telescopic version nests to less than eight feet for bridge clearance. The poles are sold in pairs and are available for boats up to 50 feet.

spinlock.co.uk/lume-on, $19.99 Why not increase the chances of survival with a simple new device that’s designed to make a man overboard more visible to rescuers. The LumeOn Lifejacket Illumination uses the inflated life jacket bladder as a light diffuser to increase visibility in the dark. Just adhere the pair of lights directly to the underside of the inflatable chamber of a life vest, and in an emergency the lights will automatically strobe when they hit the water. A set of two light stickers comes in the package.

Sound Waves mbquart.com, $129.99 Good tunes are critical for any discerning boating audiophile. MB Quart’s NK1 series speakers are water resistant and provide clear and full sound on the water. For boats that can’t accommodate a subwoofer, MB Quart’s 8” NK1-120 Nautic 2-way coaxial speakers are worth a look. They provide deep bass sound and pack a full 130 watts of peak power and 60 watts of RMS. Available with RGB LED lighting systems, the speakers come in a rainbow of colors that can be controlled, along with the sound, by an optional wireless N1-RC remote.

SUBMIT YOUR GEAR TO STEPHANIE@BOATINGWORLD.COM

BOATINGWORLD.COM MAY 2016

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bonehead blunders

BY G R I D M I CH A L

The Best Things in Life Aren’t Free

BONEHEAD RATING SYSTEM Acceptably assinine Slightly slow Distinguished dunce Massively moronic

BONEHEAD BLUNDER: Overestimating charity

Seek mental help

THE BONEHEAD: A Great Lakes transplant BONEHEAD RATING: 5 WHAT HAPPENED: This has been the longest off-season I’ve ever experienced, prompting me to check and recheck my phone’s battery to make sure it was still good. I had time to work some forums, do some extemporaneous writing. We visited the kids in Ohio and friends in Florida. I even took The Nurse to Richmond for some shopping.

Funds were running low when suddenly the phone chimed.

Yay! It was from an area code I didn’t recognize. Probably another

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damned robo-call … but it had been so long since I’d taken a call, I answered anyway. “Buddy” from somewhere in Michigan had just moved here. He was the proud recipient of a 15 hp Sears Gamefisher, given to him by a friend, and he was interested in making sure it was OK before he put it on his Jon boat. The Sears engines are ones I don’t normally service, for a whole litany of reasons, but I was bored. And hungry. I had been expecting Buddy to bring me one of those little ones like the old 9.5 Johnsons that looked as though they were falling off the transom, but what he brought was something from the 1970s, I think, about the size and shape of a ’62 Ford Galaxie. I explained to Buddy that if it didn’t have spark, I was going to give it back because I couldn’t get parts.

He assured me that it ran, because his pal had changed the water pump in it and made sure it worked. But the engine was “kind of stuck.”

As Buddy left, I noticed his belly preceded him by at least two feet, making me believe I’d be doing Buddy and his potential widow a favor by keeping him and his Gamefisher out of the Jon boat. I put the engine on the service bracket and pulled the plugs. I tried pulling the starter. The engine wasn’t stuck. Somebody had let the starter rope rewind too quickly and it had wrapped itself up in the spring. Whoever had installed the lower unit after replacing the pump had misaligned the shifter, so neutral was where reverse should have been, and everything else was forward.

The phone rang. Buddy: “I don’t want to put no more than $50 in it.”

Grid: “Hang on, Buddy.” (I checked for spark — none.) “OK, Buddy, you’re at that point: No spark, no run, no shift.”

Buddy: “I know it musta ran — he wouldn’t have given it to me otherwise!”

LESSONS LEARNED: Buddy’s: Nobody just gives you an outboard that is still good. I have been saying this for more than 50 years, but apparently the word is slow to get around. Grid’s: Some days it’s less expensive — physically, emotionally, financially — to let the answering machine screen your calls while you snuggle down with a good book and a cup of coffee. FYI, no, I didn’t charge him.

I was just glad to see it, and Buddy, leave. I need to lose weight, too.

Scratch this month’s Costco trip. BW

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tested

S E A- D O O R X T-X 300

Perfect Game

In bowling, 300 represents a perfect score and for Sea-Doo, it means the same thing when talking about its new RXT-X 300

BY ALAN JONES

S

EA-DOO’S BIG NEWS FOR 2016 is the unveiling of a new 300 hp 1630 ACE engine,

which ratchets up the attitude on three new models. Not only is it more powerful, but it’s lighter for a better power-to-weight ratio. The Lava Red/Monolith Black color scheme on the RXT-X we tested (White and Day Glow Yellow is pictured) seemed appropriate, given its hotness.

UNIQUE FACTOR

Setting aside the new 300 hp engine for a moment, what makes Sea-Doos unique from other PWCs on the market?

One standout feature is the Ergolock System, which makes riders feel as one with their machine. The seat is narrower up front, which allows riders to squeeze their knees closer together and lock into position for hard turns. Angled footrests work in tandem with the seat to wedge riders in. The last pillar of the system is the fully Adjustable Ergonomic Steering (A.E.S.) handlebars with eight points of adjustment, because one size does not fit all. This year, the handgrips feature a wide flange, to give the meat of one’s palms a place to rest. It adds up to a machine owners can ride hard for hours and not pay the price for the next day.

PERFORMANCE

Having ridden the previous 260 hp Sea-Doo, I thought there was no way — short of strapping on a pair of Acme rockets — Sea-Doo’s designers could boost the thrill of acceleration, but that’s

exactly what they did. I tested the new RXT-X on the Cumberland River in and around Nashville for a couple of days, and that first pull on the billet aluminum trigger throttle let me know I only thought I had experienced the ultimate rush of acceleration. Sea-Doo says its acceleration is capable of exerting one G-force, but what’s amazing is how smooth the power comes on. It’s easily manageable, even for intermediate-level riders. The performance numbers were impressive. Using the highly unscientific one-thousand-one timing method — hey, you try holding a stopwatch while driving this beast — I got to “one-thousand-one…one,” or just slightly more than one second, to 30 mph.

Top speed was in excess of 71 mph, since it was brought from Canada for our press event and wasn’t subject to the U.S. Coast Guard agreement that will limit Sea-Doos sold in the U.S. to a max of 68 mph.

Sea-Doo didn’t just re-map the onboard computer of the Rotax 4-TEC 1503 engine, which was Rotax’s second generation 4-TEC performance four-stroke tweak of the original 1494 cc version, introduced in

SPECS LOA 139.2 in. Beam 48.2 in. Capacity 3 passengers Dry Weight 914 lbs. Fuel Capacity 15.9 gal. Horsepower 300 Price $15,399 Notable standard features: Tilt steering, wide-angle rearview mirrors, iBR braking system, Off Throttle-Assisted Steering (OTAS), ski tow eye, Variable Trim System (VTS), Ergolock System Additional options: Boarding ladder, ski pylon, board racks, retractable mooring lines, snap-in fenders, Move trailer, depthfinder, sandbag anchor Builder: Bombardier Recreational Products, sea-doo.com Financing: $253 month at 6% interest for 5 years with 15% down

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2001. Sea-Doo’s new 1630 ACE (Advanced Combustion Efficiency) has a 9 percent larger displacement, thanks to its longer stroke, a positive effect of which is to increase midrange torque. In fact, its burst of acceleration from a pedestrian 35 mph to top speed was one of its more memorable traits. The supercharger was totally redesigned to provide 30 percent more boost for better “right-now” power. A new, larger intercooler has twice the cooling capacity, which is vital since cooler air is more dense and allows more of it (and fuel) to enter the combustion chamber.

HANDLING

Sea-Doo offers two high-performance hulls. The first is the T3, found on skis such as the RXP-X, which is relatively short at 130.6 inches and is optimized for running buoy courses and general turning mayhem.

The S3 hull on the RXT-X is designed for a different purpose. It’s longer at 139.2 inches and has a stepped, deeper-V design that’s made to slash through choppy water with ease. Its 913-pound dry weight adds to its stability, and it can handle three riders (up to a total of 600 pounds). The high-performance electric Variable Trim System (VTS) allowed me to trim down for a fast launch and then trim up to reduce wetted surface for really stable, high-speed running, or to correct for changing conditions.

The X-Package includes three-position, adjustable sponsons that allow the rider to dial in the ride of choice: higher for better freestyle riding or lower for more aggressive turning. There’s also a new winglet than enhances lean angle. Despite weighing nearly half a ton, this three-seater was surprisingly nimble. It can’t lean over as far as the RXP-X, but it’s capable of carving hard, accurate turns while throwing up a spectator-wowing wall of water.

HIGH-TECH CORNUCOPIA

Everything about the RXT-X is state of the art, starting with the Intelligent Brake & Reverse (iBR) system, which gives the RXT-X (and all other Sea-Doo models) the ability to stop. Now in its second generation, iBR has received some improvements.

When you are cruising and want to stop quickly, pull the left handlebar lever to drop the bucket like a sea anchor; then, as it begins to slow, reverse thrust is added, allowing it to stop up to 160 feet faster when stopping from full throttle. I noticed the actuator was faster to deploy the bucket and that the front end didn’t dive nearly as much as the previous versions.

To save space, the center gauge overlaps the outer two, and at a glance riders can see

everything they need to know about engine performance. Since it’s all digital, info such as distance to empty fuel is displayed, and on the X-machines like the one I tested, supercharger boost is displayed, so riders can see the load the ACE engine is under.

There are three performance modes. Sport Mode should be indicated by little flames on the gauge, since it’s the hair-on-fire performance profile. Touring Mode brings the power on more slowly and is ideal for carrying passengers or towing skiers. ECO Mode helps wring every last mph out of it when cruising. A new, larger dry bin up front increases total storage to 42.8 gallons, and given its 14.9-gallon fuel tank, cruising is in the picture. The only decision you have is how fast you want to get there. BW

The Adjustable Ergonomic Steering handlebars have eight points of adjustment and wide handgrips. The Ergolock System’s seat narrows at the front, to allow riders to squeeze their legs a little tighter.

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tested

YA M A H A V X LI M ITED

Bundle of Joy Yamaha transforms an affordable platform into a luxury ski with loads of extra features, at a reasonable cost.

BY ALAN JONES

I

N THE LAST FEW YEARS, the big three PWC builders have been in a battle royale to come up with faster machines with more features. The net effect has been more thrills, for sure, but the price tag has also grown. For 2016, Yamaha’s mission was to transplant more excitement and value to its more affordable models, and the VX Limited is the poster boy for that effort.

the tube and, yes, a 12v plug. The package also comes with a custom cover that has a solar panel for trickle-charging the battery.

And despite being one of Yamaha’s more affordable rides, it’s a looker thanks to a Torch Red metallic finish over a lightweight NanoXcel deck. This material is made from nano clay with glass micro-bubbles for filler that makes it incredibly strong and light and also makes its surface very shiny, so the metallic color really pops. The hull is made from the same material and is black all the way through.

UNIQUE FACTOR

Yamaha’s major breakthrough this year is the new TR-1 engine, which replaces the MR-1 model that first appeared in production WaveRunners in 2002 and was Yamaha’s first four-stroke powerplant. That motor was based on the R-1 motorcycle engine and had four cylinders with five valves each. The new TR-1 High Output has virtually the same 1L displacement but has three-cylinders with four valves apiece and weighs just 160 pounds — a 20 percent reduction. It’s also 40 percent smaller and 13 percent more powerful. The judges at this year’s NMMA Innovation Awards at the Miami Boat Show were so impressed they gave Yamaha the PWC Award for this new motor. One of the major benefits of the engine’s smaller footprint is it leaves plenty of room for maintenance. Routine service items such as the air and oil filters are within easy reach.

The VX Limited is different than most other PWCs in that it’s not just a sporty WaveRunner; it’s also a turnkey, fun-inthe-sun bundle of goodies that includes a Yamaha towable tube, tow line, a tow hook, a tube holder, a 12v compressor to inflate

PERFORMANCE

Being lighter and more powerful, the TR-1 HO engine helps the VX Limited achieve an outstanding power-to-weight ratio. Its overall weight is just 668 pounds, which is 370 pounds lighter than another brand’s three-seater. But the main plus of the new engine is its snappy throttle response, something that’s usually lacking on affordable skis. It’s time to 30 mph was just 2.3 seconds, and the TR-1’s flat power band gave it some serious giddy-up in the mid-range, which is where smaller engines usually fall short. Even though this motor

LOA 131.9 in. Beam 48 in. Capacity 3 passengers Dry Weight 668 lbs. Fuel Capacity 18.5 gal.

Horsepower 125 (estimated) Price $10,899 Notable standard features: Cruise control w/No Wake Mode, rearview mirrors, boarding ladder, towable tube w/tow rope and storage bag, cover w/solar panel, RiDE dual throttle control Notable options: Grapnel anchor kit, Panasonic Action Cam, beach stake anchor, smartphone holder

Financing: $179 month at 6% interest for 5 years with 15% down

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HANDLING

One of the VX Limited’s strong suits is its turning ability. It features a relatively short “wheelbase” for a three-seater, at 131.9 inches, which helped me throw it around smartly. Factor in the NanoXcel hull’s lack of tonnage, its hull design (which features full-length lifting strakes for a high-in-the-water ride) and a curved-edge design that just begs to be laid over, and it is a sporty, stable ride. It’s rated to carry three, but given its light weight and shorter length, I am surmising that one of them should probably be a non-adult, to avoid tippiness at slower speeds.

One of the highlights of the VX Series — including the VX, the VX Deluxe and the VX Cruiser — is the standard RiDE system, which allows riders to shift from forward to reverse without taking their hands off the handlebars. This drive-bywire system always starts in neutral and has a second finger throttle on the left side that activates reverse. It provides total control around docks and acts as an excellent braking system. The front end doesn’t dive down appreciably, either, and riders can steer while braking, giving them a second way to avoid obstructions.

WHERE THERE ARE BELLS…

SPECS

Builder: Yamaha Motor Corp., yamahawaverunners.com

is nearly half the displacement of bigger Yamahas (1L vs. 1.8L), its top speed of 53 mph is only 15 mph slower, thanks to the larger PWCs being limited to around 68 mph, per a U.S. Coast Guard agreement.

Yamaha loaded this model with so many high-tech gadgetry items it moved from the “Versatility” (Yamaha-speak for affordable) category on its website to the Luxury category. One of the most boring things to do on a PWC is idle endlessly in a no-wake zone. Maintaining a no-wake speed is tedious and hard to do, so Yamaha included

No Wake Mode, which allows riders to take their hands off the bars and wave at the local constabulary without breaking stride.

Another boon for long-range truckin’ is Cruise Assist, which has an up and down button for fine tuning. Good for cruising, it’s ideal for towing skiers or tubers. The 18.5-gallon fuel tank will last all day.

Other upscale touches are the pull-up cleats that have the Yamaha logo on them.

But perhaps its most plush feature is the Cruiser Seat, which has three distinct seating positions — the rear two elevated to the mezzanine for better backseat viewing. The driver and rearmost rider have pronounced back bolsters to keep them securely in place during acceleration. The large rear deck is covered with Hydro-Turf ribbed padding that provides greater comfort and traction.

And for reboarding there’s a standard

flip-down boarding ladder. Three storage areas have a total capacity of 24.6 gallons.

Not many PWC companies can claim to have a luxury three-seater priced at $10,899 (none, actually), but Yamaha has carved out a new niche with a WaveRunner that’s both upscale and easy to buy and own. BW

The VX Limited, which can handle towing duty, has an easy-to-view command center for the driver. The TR-1 High Output engine is 40 percent smaller than before but 13 percent more powerful.

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tested

CROW N LI N E 270SS

King Me Crownline’s new 270SS is a premium bowrider that punches your first-class ticket to fun.

BY ALAN JONES

T

HE UNITED STATES HAS ABOUT 300 lakes larger than 10,000 acres. That works out

to an average of six per state, and all of them offer outstanding recreational boating.

To take full advantage of them, however, you need a boat that can handle potentially dicey conditions. You also want a boat with enough space to invite friends and family aboard.

A lot of boats meet the minimum requirements, but the Crownline 270SS has something that many others lack: style and sportiness. Are they the SS in the model name? No, but they could be.

UNIQUE FACTOR

While outboard engines seem to be all the rage these days, there are certain things only sterndrive boats can do, most especially deliver a wide expanse of an uninterrupted swim platform, which is where people tend to gravitate. Our test boat’s back porch had the optional teakstyle padding ($540), which replaces the standard Moonrock padding. Crownline adds some wow factor with an Aft Electric Sun Lounge Seat that changes from a rearward recliner for two to a sunlounger, with the push of a rocker switch. The raked windshield, with a stainless steel header, looks like a pair of green-tinted sunglasses, and I was grateful for its coverage, considering the temperature plummeted to 25 degrees on test day on Lake Lanier, north of Atlanta. Note to Crownline designers: A dam to block the walkthrough to the bow would be useful on cold days.

Also upping the style quotient is the optional aluminum Moonstone sport arch ($9,270). It has a built-in sunshade and, like the rear lounger, can fold down electronically. The sunshade is designed so that the tow rope goes underneath it and ski spotters can catch some shade during the ski show. It’s a fair bet the best seats in the house are the ergonomically correct hot tub-style bowrider seats, in which one’s rear end is lower than one’s legs. Some Crownline detractors will point out that the butt-accommodating dip isn’t so useful when there’s a group of people sitting up 40

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front, but I think the benefit outweighs this mild annoyance.

PERFORMANCE

Our 27-foot, 3-inch test boat was modestly powered by MerCruiser’s new-gen 6.2L V-8 350 hp engine that is one of the first sterndrives designed from the get-go to be a marine engine, not a converted automobile engine. Designers were able to correct problems that stem from the fact car engines are designed to be in front of passengers while marine engines go behind them. Now, instead of the throttle body (air intake system) pointing at the passengers, who can hear the air whooshing in to mix with fuel, it’s pointed aft. All service points were moved up and forward for easy maintenance. Its performance parameters were maximized for marine use. Paired with the Crownline F.A.S.T. Tab hull — full-length keel pad

With more hull contacting the water, it rides like a larger boat. and vented chines that introduce air under the hull to reduce resistance — it’s a potent powerplant. Time to plane was 3.4 seconds, and time to 30 mph was 7.4 seconds. Top speed was just a full-sized marine journalist away from 50 mph (49.5).

(Clockwise from top right) Hot tub-style bowrider seats are this boat’s most popular.

Bowrider seat bottoms flip up to access storage.

Aft Electric Sun Lounge Seat changes with the press of a button. Gooseneck cockpit table pedestal prevents toe-stubbing. A large head compartment is ready for guest necessities.

The helm features standard Raymarine A65 electronics

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owner feedback  HANDLING

Purchased by John and Sherry Calvo, plus Sebastian, 10, and Sophia, 8, Smyrna, Ga. Purchased at WaterSports Center, Buford, Ga. >

W H AT W E L I K E D

Styling/Superb workmanship/Open layout/ Performance and handling/Hot tub bowrider seats/Convertible stern lounge >

W H AT W E W O U L D C H A N G E

The pull-up cleats seem a little loose; it’s a minor thing, but I wish they locked more firmly when up. >

WHY WE BOUGHT IT

Sherry and I grew up boating and stayed in the sport by renting boats. When we figured we had rented 20 boats and the kids were getting older and really liked boating, we decided to buy. We started off looking at Regals and liked them pretty well, but when we drove the Crownline we knew that was the right boat for us. We like to go tubing, kneeboarding and skiing, as well as just dropping the anchor in a cove and going swimming. We keep our boat on Lake Lanier, and it’s a huge lake, so we like having a larger boat for safety when it gets rough. There are also some really nice boutique lakes in this part of Georgia, such as Lake Burton, that are also fun. My wife and I like to fish, and even though the Crownline isn’t a fishing boat, we can fish off the stern easily. WaterSports Central has made the boat-buying experience a pleasure. The customer service after the sale has been excellent.

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Another benefit of Crownline’s F.A.S.T. Tab hull design is readily apparent while idling toward open water: no stern wander, which affects many sterndrive-powered boats.

Although test-day conditions were Yukon-like, it was flat calm, so we couldn’t show off Crownline’s excellent rough-water ride that starts with the hull’s 39-degree entry. A full-length keel pad makes it run more level than most other planing hulls, and the bow-down orientation helps the sharp bow slice through waves. Its deep-V 21 degrees of deadrise at the stern continues the cleaving action. With more hull contacting the water, it rides like a larger boat. The vented chine design helps the 270SS turn really well; I turned it to its locks and it didn’t blow out.

BEST USES

Being solidly built and having a deep-V design allows the 270SS to plow up a tight, medium-size jumping wake for boarders at about 20 mph. At slalom speeds, the wake is still fairly lumpy but certainly manageable.

For entertaining, it has a large cockpit table that stores out of the way in a drawer in the ski locker when not in use. Twin Igloo coolers for the bow and cockpit have dedicated storage under the seats. The standard 270SS maximizes passenger room, so behind the captain is an abbreviated sofa to add to the seating provided by the cockpit’s L-lounge. You can add an entertainment center, complete with running water and a refrigerator. A companion bucket resides

to port, and just in front is a large head compartment that has a vanity and a sink.

It comes with a Porta Potti, which can be optioned up to an electric flush model with a pumpout ($1,440). And because its beam is 8 feet, 6 inches, there are no towing restrictions, which isn’t always the case with a boat of this size.

PREFERRED SETUP

A standard 270SS is a fully loaded boat with surprising extras, such as the Raymarine A65 touchscreen GPS, which also displays engine information. Also included is a combo depthfinder/air- and water-temperature gauge, and our boat’s helm had a real wood Executive steering wheel ($350) that elevated its elegance factor. A must-have is MerCruiser’s Digital Shift and Throttle (DTS); it costs $4,290 but delivers a drive-by-wire control system. Also gratis is a six-speaker Jensen Bluetooth stereo system, but most buyers will probably pump up the jam with one of Crownline’s six stereo options, culminating with a Polk Audio stereo and Wet Sounds speakers for the deck and tower, plus a subwoofer and transom remote ($5,540).

Engine options range from 300 hp (don’t do it!) to 380 and 430 hp, but anything more than the 350 hp our boat had will require a jump to an 8.2L block that is not part of MerCruiser’s new-gen of in-house sterndrives. Trim tabs are always a good add-on ($1,070), and if skiing is on the agenda, the Perfect Pass Wakeboard Pro cruise control is well worth the extra $2,140. BW

SPECS Length 27 ft., 3 in. Beam 8 ft., 6 in. Deadrise 21 degrees Capacity Yacht Certified Dry Weight (hull) 5,850 lbs. Fuel Capacity 55 gal. Max HP 430 PERFORMANCE: Peak 49.5 mph/5400 rpm/92 dBA Cruise 34.2 mph/4000 rpm/81 dBA Time to Plane 3.4 sec. Time to 30 mph 7.4 sec.

POWER: Test MerCruiser 6.2L 350 hp Cylinders V-8 Displacement 6.2L Weight w/outdrive 862 lbs. WOT Range 50005400 rpm Base Price w/test power $90,410 Value-Added Standard Features: Electric sun lounger seat, Raymarine A65 GPS display, depthfinder, in-deck ski storage, dual battery switch, transom shower, portable head and sink, 6-speaker Bluetooth Jensen stereo Must-Have Options: Snap-in carpeting or padded mat flooring, side-mounted table, pumpout electric head, wood wheel, filler bow cushions, bowrider armrests, Corsa Quick & Quiet exhaust, trim tabs Builder: Crownline Boats, crownlineboats.com Financing: $649/month w/15% down and 6% interest for 15 years

Sea-Doo always provides the thrills and excitement that turn carefree summer days into unforgettable experiences. And Sea-Doo delivers those great days on the water by leading in cutting-edge design and innovation, with choices from the most affordable watercraft in the industry, to the ultimate in comfort, luxury and performance. ®

MAKE YOUR DAY GREAT, WITH SEA-DOO. Starting at

5,199

$

Once again this year, Sea-Doo moves the industry forward with the NEW 300-hp Rotax 1630 ACE engine and advanced rider ergonomics with our exclusive Sea-Doo Ergolock. ®

™

™

Visit your Sea-Doo dealer today, or find one at sea-doo.com

sea-doo.com

©2015 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ™, ®, and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP. BRP reserves the right to discontinue or modify product models, features or price at anytime. Performance number achieved under optimal testing conditions. Not all riding conditions are appropriate for inexperienced or beginner riders. Always ride safely and responsibly.

SeaDoo Line-up_9x10.875 BWapr.indd 1

3/23/16 9:21 AM

tested

CY PR E SS C AY S E A B R EE ZE 2 30

Feel The Breeze Cypress Cay’s Seabreeze 230 takes the oxymoron out of the phrase “affordable luxury.”

BY ALAN JONES

T

HESE DAYS IT’S NOT TOO hard to find a luxury pontoon. The high end has been red hot as manufacturers battle to outdo each other when it comes to creature comforts and performance. But this battle of the brands has a price, and it doesn’t take much for the bottom line to approach or exceed six figures. Cypress Cay has several top-of-theline models — witness the Cayman SLE 250, which can be optioned north of $100K — but its Seabreeze line of affordable pontoons can achieve a surprising level of luxury with a few carefully chosen options. The Seabreeze 230 we tested is the poster boy for this alternate path.

UNIQUE FACTOR

While the Seabreeze 230 has been around for a few years, for 2016 it underwent a transformation that added some pizzazz without blowing up its price. The outward look is different thanks to a new Sport Graphics package ($240) that gives it a squirt of Lime Green over Black Sand fencing and pewter rails, which our test boat had. There are five fence color choices and five Sport Graphics picks that can be substituted for the five wider accent colors, which run $530.

Inside, you have some new upholstery choices, including the standard Alabaster or Alabaster Pillow Top ($580), which has an upscale three-tone color scheme. A new helm design includes an optional six-spoke Sport wheel ($80) that’s one of the nicest I’ve seen this year. I just wish the helm’s dash had a little more real estate for adding big-screen electronics without having to resort to a gimbal mount.

PERFORMANCE

I’ve been chanting one mantra for the past few years (at least for owners who want decent performance out of their pontoon): Get three tubes, or twin boathull-shaped tubes, and at least 150 hp.

The Seabreeze 230 proves the point. It’s powered by Mercury’s new 150 FourStroke, which is the lightest outboard in its class thanks to a simpler single overhead cam design that only requires two valves per cylinder (instead of the usual four found on 38

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dual overhead cam designs). It also comes in at $4,000 less than the Honda BF150 option Cypress Cay offers.

A two-tube Seabreeze 230 comes with as little as 9.9 hp (don’t do it!), but three tubes with the Performance Package Plus option is the way to go. It includes triple 25-inch tubes, an aluminum underskin, lifting strakes and hydraulic steering, for $3,270. The tube setup, combined with the Merc 150 EFI FourStroke, gives it plenty of performance for watersports and fast-forward cruising. The slightly helm-forward configuration of the CWEC floorplan (Center Walkthrough, Entertainment Center) pushes the weight forward a bit, to help give it a quick time to plane of 2.7 seconds. Zero-to-30 mph time was 8.5 seconds, and the Mercury pulled strong throughout the power band. Top speed was a respectable 38 mph. This tube setup can accommodate up to 200 hp, which would put its top speed into the low 40s. Doing so would require the jump to a supercharged Mercury Verado that would bump the price by $5,780 but would also deliver drive-by-wire DTS steering. The Honda BF200 increases the tariff by $9,790, so the Mercury 150 FourStroke looks to be the pricing/performance sweet spot here.

HANDLING

The 230 sits in the Momma Bear chair of the three Seabreeze models — the 210 and 250 are the others. This 23-footer is large enough for 13 lucky passengers but small

(Clockwise from far right) Helm chair has two armrests for comfort. The Entertainment Center has an insert for a gas grill. The walkthrough is home to the centerline locker’s hatch. Roomy cockpit layout has plenty of room to roam.

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owner feedback  enough to be really easy to handle. The outer tubes don’t have lifting strakes, so in a hard turn it leans in just a bit and bites very well in the water for quick pickups of downed skiers. With just a little trim, the nosecones come out of the water for less drag. The ability to easily trim up is especially important for the floorplan with the large entertainment center to starboard behind the skipper, because that leaves most of the seating forward — especially if you get the filler cushion for the bow gate that turns the bow section into a giant U-lounge.

Purchased by Tony and Kitty Nowak, Fairport, N.Y. Purchased at Frontenac Harbor, Union Springs, N.Y. > >W H A T

WE LIKED

Quiet and powerful Mercury 150 FourStroke/ Easy handling/Easy-to-clean vinyl teak floor/ Abundance of comfortable seating/Its stability > >W H A T

WE WOULD CHANGE

We can’t think of anything we would change. > >W H Y

WE BOUGHT IT

We’ve always had smaller boats, such as a Glastron runabout and, most recently, an Alumacraft fishing boat, but we wanted more room. We have six grandkids who are getting old enough to go boating, and we have lots of friends we would like to take out. I wasn’t really thinking about getting a pontoon, but when I saw the 230 Seabreeze, I was hooked.

We keep our boat at Frontenac Harbor, where we bought it, on Cayuga Lake, which is one of the Finger Lakes. It’s 40 miles long, so we wanted something fast enough to be able to explore and go to places we like, such as the Deer Head Inn and Wolfies. We also like to fish for largemouth bass and it’s really easy to do on a pontoon. We’ve had as many as 12 people on board, and there was plenty of room for everyone. We mostly cruise around or stop for a swim, and I imagine the kids will want to do some watersports as they get older. Frontenac Harbor has been great. When I first got my boat, I left the battery switch on and it was dead when we went to take it out.

They just swapped it for a new battery at no charge, and off we went.

BEST USES

The aforementioned Entertainment Center ($3,670) comes with two large working surfaces and a sink with a pump spigot. There’s also an insert for an onboard grill ($230).

Watersports are definitely a possibility with the optional stainless steel tow bar ($490). The rear deck isn’t huge, but because the engine is mounted on a bracket, the space that is there is all usable.

Upgrade to a stainless steel four-step boarding ladder and add an in-floor ski locker.

Our test boat included a double Bimini top ($1,290), which is the equivalent of having air conditioning on blazing days. You can turn it into a camper or an all-weather cruiser with a full enclosure ($4,000) that includes the double Bimini.

The triple-tube option bumps the fuel capacity by an extra 10 gallons, for a total of 40 gallons, giving the 230 decent range for cruising.

PREFERRED SETUP

Cypress Cay takes an á la carte approach when it comes to options — more than 100 — and that’s smart because buyers can ratchet up the luxury factor according to their needs and budget. The base price is attractive at $30,750 (including a Mercury 150 FourStroke), but even nicely loaded its price stays around $40K. For instance, our test boat had the double Bimini, triple-tube Performance Package Plus and Entertainment Center, optional tilt wheel, speedometer, depthfinder, stainless steel boarding ladder, Sport Graphics package and Gray Woven Teak vinyl flooring ($1,570) for an as-tested total of $41,637.

The standard stereo system is a two-speaker Jensen Bluetooth unit, which is really only a starting point. Jensen used to be synonymous with less-than-desirable stereos, but over the past few years I’ve noticed a marked improvement in quality.

At this year’s Water Sports Industry Association Summit, I found out why when I chatted with a company representative.

Since 2012, Jensen and Polk Audio — one of the leading marine stereo companies — have been under the same ASA Electronics roof, and its engineers have shared technology, raising Jensen’s audio bar in the process. That’s why Cypress Cay’s intermediate stereo upgrade includes a mixture of the two brands ($450). But Polk Audio is still the Cadillac to Jensen’s Chevrolet, and the premium system for this model is an all-Polk head and speaker combo that’s still a reasonable $720. The only sonic bummer is there is no subwoofer option. BW

SPECS Length 23 ft. Beam 8 ft., 6 in. Tube Diameter 25 in. Capacity 13 people Dry Weight (hull) 3,100 lbs. Fuel Capacity 40 gal. Max HP 150 (2 tubes), 200 (Tri Toon) PERFORMANCE: Peak 38.0 mph/5900 rpm/93 dBA Cruise 23.2 mph/4000 rpm/82 dBA Time to Plane 2.7 sec. Time to 30 mph 8.5 sec.

POWER: Test Mercury 150 EFI FourStroke Cylinders In-line 4 Displacement 3.0L Weight w/outdrive 455 lbs. WOT Range 5000-5800 rpm Base Price w/test power $30,757 (two-tube) Value-Added Standard Features: Cockpit table, mooring cover, Jensen two-speaker stereo, 12v plug, removable windscreen, 10-foot Bimini top, four-step boarding ladder, stainless steel cleats, Mica carpeting Must-Have Options: Changing room w/Porta Potti, woven vinyl flooring, speedometer, tilt steering, pillow-top furniture, double Bimini top, upgraded stereo, ski tow bar, in-floor storage, courtesy lighting Builder: Cypress Cay Pontoons, cypresscaypontoons.com Financing: $221/month w/15% down and 6% interest for 15 years

GANG UP AND GO…

ON A PWC!

Look Marketing president Tim McKercher has led dozens of group PWC excursions.

For a group PWC excursion, a place such as Bimini works because it has recreational opportunities such as diving and facilities for tying up and dining (right).

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Group PWC excursions are great, but planning one is tedious. We have tips from an old pro to help you organize one right.

I

INTERVIEW BY ALAN JONE S

CAN SEE THE ADRENALINE-SPIKED EXCITEMENT mixed with a little fear on the faces of the PWC riders as they get their first look at the angry Atlantic Ocean coming out of Haulover Inlet in North Miami. Steep five-footers in their face will do that, especially when they know they are looking at such waves for the next 50 miles on their way to Bimini. As we pick up a little speed, personal watercraft all around me are popping into the air like they are strapped to pogo sticks. After 45 minutes of slogging through the washing machine-like conditions, burning thighs signal it is time for a water-guzzling break. Most riders don’t look back, which is wise, because the Miami skyline is still in view. Three hours later, a weary dozen riders sight Bimini and the relief lights up every face.

For some, this would be torture, but for the adventurous, it created a memory they wouldn’t need photos to remember.

There’s something about the shared experience of a group of like-minded people that tends to create memorable adventures, and traveling en masse with other PWC riders is a thrill one must experience to fully understand. Leading the way on that Bimini adventure was Tim McKercher, president of Look Marketing, the agency that handles PR, social media, video production and event marketing duties for Sea-Doo. He has arranged countless group trips, and I’ve had the pleasure of going on eight of his adventures, to places such as Washington, D.C.; Nashville; Lake Shasta, Calif.; Bimini; Montreal; and the Florida Panhandle, all of which have been well-organized and lots of fun. Although McKercher makes it look easy, many details have to be nailed in order to pull it off. We mined his brain to get his advice on how to organize a group PWC trip — and how to handle some of the problems that invariably arise.

Alan: When and where was the first time you went cruising with a group?

Tim: I’ve been involved with the event and PR side of Sea-Doo marketing since 1990, so I can only guess as to the number of group rides I have organized or have been a part of. The first organized group ride was the 1990 Press Intro in Stuart, Fla., based out of the Club Med at Sandpiper.

What was different about going with a group?

What was quickly apparent was personal watercraft were anything but personal, and for many, it’s more enjoyable when you do it with other riders. It’s a great bonding experience.

What do you look for in a location?

Ultimately it comes down to the on-water experience, but there are a lot of practical considerations that have to be taken into account, such as the availability of good launch locations, average and potential conditions on the body of water you are visiting, on-water dining opportunities, places to stay that have adequate dockage, and fuel availability. One big factor is parking, since everyone will have a trailer. It’s also a good idea to know how much your fellow riders can afford; hotels and dining can add up quickly if you are going first class. You can still have a great experience without breaking the bank, and often, rustic places have more charm.

How important is doing the legwork and making advance arrangements?

The importance of advance preparations grows proportionally with the size group you are talking about and the complexity of the event. When we go to restaurants, it’s really fun to sit as a group, which helps you bond and meet everyone, so advance planning with the restaurant is definitely in order to reserve dock space and arrange seating. Having firsthand knowledge of BOATINGWORLD.COM MAY 2016

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GANG UP AND GO…

ON A PWC! your destination is also important; guidebooks help — Google Earth even more so — but local knowledge is king when doing a group trip. It’s always fun to have a few places to stop along the way to your destination, to break up the riding and to relax. Some people get too focused on getting from point A to B and forget the real point is to have fun. In addition to restaurants or local areas of interest, beaches, islands and sandbars make good stopovers. It’s really fun to learn about the history of the places where you go, so doing a little homework can make the trip even more special. When going to places like the Bahamas, you have to know how to clear customs and learn what fees and regulations exist. Some parks, such as the Everglades, don’t allow PWCs, so you have to do your homework.

Should you have a support boat go along with you?

We won’t do an open-water ride without a support boat, for several reasons. First, it carries the luggage, but more importantly it’s good insurance if someone is injured. It’s a good idea to have riders on the boat who can ride a PWC in case someone gets tired or sick, which can happen on more challenging rides. In addition, a boat’s electronics are far superior for navigation and communication. The other plus is that if you are doing a ride of 60-plus miles, a support boat can carry extra fuel, food and refreshments.

A group outing on the Colorado River, which includes Lake Havasu (opposite page), gives participants a chance to enjoy stark desert scenery — and maybe some gambling, since Las Vegas and Laughlin, Nev., are on or near the river — they can’t get everywhere.

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Having firsthand knowledge of your destination is also important; guidebooks help — but local knowledge is king when doing a group trip.

In larger groups, should you have a mechanic along?

What activities are important to do when readying for a trip?

Having a mechanic along is a plus in any situation. A MacGyver-type participant is golden in places such as the Bahamas or Alaska or the lower Mississippi River, where resources are nonexistent.

A lot depends on how challenging of a ride you are planning. A trip like the Bimini Road Rally, which takes us from Miami to the Bahamas across the very unpredictable Gulf Stream, takes a lot of preparation.

Same goes for others we’ve done, such as crossing the Bering Strait or heading down the Mississippi River. On these, both the machinery and people need to be in really good shape. The run to Bimini can be relatively easy if you live there and get to pick and choose your days to cross, but when you plan the event six months out and people

What spare parts or tools should you have along?

The must-haves include VHF, zip ties, Gorilla tape, an underwater patch kit, spark plugs, basic safety gear and a model-specific tool kit. If you can bring more, do it, which is another reason to have a support boat.

schedule their vacations around those dates and travel up to 1,500 miles, you have to be prepared for less-than-perfect conditions.

We almost try to scare people out of doing it and let them know what the worst-case scenario can be. You can do everything possible to have things in place to avoid potential issues, but ultimately the rider has to ride.

The 50 miles to Bimini in five- to six-foot headwind seas can be the longest 50 miles of your life. It’s key to prepare by riding 10, 20, 40 miles at a time in a chop to learn to read cross-chop. Also, prepare physically by doing squats or running, to get your legs BOATINGWORLD.COM BOATINGWORLD.COM APRIL MAY 2016

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GANG UP AND GO…

ON A PWC! ready, and work on your grip to hold on for that long. The other element is the mental part, to get your mind ready to be in the middle of the ocean with no land in sight.

If an unexpected storm confronts us, again, we don’t have a choice but to deal with it, so freaking out doesn’t help anything and actually puts the entire group in jeopardy.

The other half of this is the watercraft.

For long rides like Bimini, we do not allow modified units of any kind, to ensure a safe and reliable trip. We also mandate all units be serviced by a authorized dealer prior to the ride and that owners leave their watercraft in the water for a few days straight to make sure there are no leaks, because the units will stay in the water for three or more days straight and resources are scarce in some of these destinations.

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced?

The 50 miles to Bimini in five- to six-foot headwind seas can be the longest 50 miles of your life.

Whether on an inland trip such as Orlando (above) or an open-water excursion such as Bimini, it’s important that all of the PWCs are serviced and ready for days on the water.

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We have faced every situation you can imagine after more than 25 years of rides.

One time we did a group trip from Long Beach to Catalina when a brand new fuel-injected model’s fuel line popped off the fuel pump. A tech literally was sitting in the front storage compartment working on

GANG UP AND GO…

ON A PWC!

crimping fuel lines back on the tank with a screwdriver. Once, we had a rider see lightning on the way to Bimini — 25 miles either way — and simply freeze up and start crying like a baby (he drove a Hummer too…). On the way to Russia, we took a break and rode the units up on an iceberg; when the journalist pushed the unit back in the water, the nozzle got caught on the ice and bent the steering cable. And there were definitely no spare steering cables in the waters off Nome, Alaska. We had to disconnect the steering cable, and I had to ride the unit for 12 miles to the Diomede Islands, leaning to steer. There, we were able to rope it to our support boat, which again points out the need to have one.

What’s the largest group you should have?

Imagine as large of a group as you think you can control, then reduce that number by 20 percent. If you are inexperienced, start off with a group of 10 or less; then, as you gain experience you can add more riders, more stops and more days. It’s also 50

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Days on the water, such as a trip around Orlando, are made better by nights of collective food and drinks, to build camaraderie.

helpful to have one person who is the clear group leader, so you don’t have to vote on every decision.

How do you handle someone who is driving recklessly or breaks the rules/laws?

Usually, you can resolve the issue by taking the person aside, talking to him respectfully, explaining your concerns and letting him know he is endangering others

and could potentially cause the trip to end prematurely. If this doesn’t work, ask him to leave. In a worst-case scenario, have him removed. For the most part, group riders are usually older and more chill anyway.

Racer groups are younger and have more testosterone, which can be an issue. For safety, we insist that riders refrain from drinking alcohol while we are riding. At night there’s plenty of time for socializing, and that’s the proper time to imbibe.

When going to places such as the Bahamas, should you have a plan B? With a trip such as going to the Bahamas, Catalina or somewhere separated by water, we always warn participants to allow a cushion of a day or two on the back end, in case we have to delay a crossing. One year we had to cancel the Bimini Road Rally altogether due to a tropical storm hovering over the area for a week. If the seas are just too rough, you can always head to the Keys while staying in protected waters. BW

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BOAT LIFT LOWDOWN

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Finding the right boat lift for one’s needs is a matter of knowing the boat, the dock, the water and more.

By Bobbye Miller Kenyon

YOU’VE GOT THE BOAT OF YOUR dreams plus the bonus of a year-

round slip, so maximizing time on the water is definitely in the playbook.

However, before you dock the boat at your waterside locale, there’s one project you might need to tackle: selectingthe right boat lift.

Boat lifts can easily be attached to whatever dock you might have, whether it’s concrete or wood pilings, docks without pilings and even concrete seawalls. And while boat lifts work on the principle of lifts and hoists, new technologies designed to enhance those principles are consistently introduced to the market. Therefore, it’s imperative that prospective buyers check out all their options, making sure they find exactly what works for them.

But how can a new boat owner narrow his choices down? Well, advice from the experts is one way — and we have it. To get you ahead of the learning curve before you begin the shopping process, six industry market leaders offer several factors to be considered, and they provide valuable tips to help create a dialed-in list for getting it right — a boat lift that fits your needs.

KNOW YOUR BOAT

Sam Basta, CEO and founder of Basta Boatlifts, emphasized the need to know how much your boat weighs fully loaded. “Fully loaded includes the weight of the boat, the tower (if you have one), fuel (approximately six pounds per gallon of gas), water storage (eight pounds per gallon) and the weight of all your gear,” he said.

“Depending on what toys you carry, this can really add up. Make sure you have given yourself plenty of capacity for all the gear you bring. Downrigger? Anchor? Scuba gear? It all adds up, so make sure you are using the fully loaded weight of your boat when selecting the boat lift capacity.”

In addition to weight, the style of boat will determine the type of lift and bunk supports you will need.

“The shape of the hull also plays a part in determining the minimum water depth and the lifting height,” said Peter Kowalczyk, the marketing manager at Reimann & Georger Corp. (RGC). “Your bunks will be determined if you have a ski boat and an inboard or outboard motor. Pontoon boats require different style of supports for the boat. Also, the draft of the boat will be needed to help determine the style of lift and lifting height you will need for your boat. In other words, how deep the water needs to be (in order) to float the boat.”

KNOW YOUR DOCK

Scott Mauldin, the regional sales directorfor HydroHoist Boat Lifts, said there are several things that owners need to determine about their dock and slip that will help them to choose the best boat lift design. His checklist includes some important questions:

• Is your dock fixed or floating?

• Does your dock have a roof structure? If

so, is it high enough to allow for your boat to be lifted out of the water?

• If you have a fixed dock, is the roof structure strong enough to support a suspended boat lift, including the live weight of your boat?

• Is your dock structure sturdy enough to support the installation of a boat lift?

• What is the water depth in your slip? Is it deep enough for the boat lift structure to submerge adequately to launch your boat?

The necessary depth will vary depending on whether you wish to pull the boat into its slip or back it in.

• Is anything present in your slip that might affect the operation of a boat lift (e.g., winch stands, cables, underwater brace)?

• What is the length and width of your boat slip? Compared to your boat, is the slip long and wide enough to accommodate the installation of a boat lift? This can vary depending on the length and beam of your boat.

• Is electricity — needed to power the boat lift — available on your dock?

“The dock space and configuration determine the type and style of boat lift that’s needed,” said Ken Felty, Golden Boat Lifts’ vice president. “We offer a wide range of lifts for a diverse array of applications.

Additionally, installers are able to modify the dock site in order to better accommodate a lift and make it easier to use.”

KNOW THE WATER

Kowalczyk explained that water depth, conditions and fluctuation should be factored into any boat lift decision-making process. “The water depth will determine if you need legs or floats for your docks,”

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BOAT LIFT LOWDOWN

3 MAIN TYPES OF LIFTS

FLOATING

SUSPENDED

BOTTOM STANDING

ESSENTIAL EXTRAS

I

t’s easy to ignore accessories that can really enhance a really convenient aspect of the boating lifestyle. Sunstream’s Ken Hey thinks the following features are really important: XX Locking in the Up position. It’s best to have a lift that has a safety lock of some type in the Up position, to ensure your boat cannot drop. Freestanding lifts and hydraulic floating lifts often go over-center to achieve this.

XX Speed. Boat lifts range in speed from as slow as several minutes to as fast as 20 seconds.

XX Remote control. As with a garage door, it is now a necessity to control the lift from the driver’s seat instead of from the dock. It allows the driver to more easily position the boat while driving it and have the lift lock it in place. Make sure the transmitters and receiver are

WEIGHT LIFT When considering a lift for your boat, you can’t simply look at the weight of the boat and select a lift based on that. Think of all the stuff in and on your boat that add to its weight. There will be gas, water, watersports equipment, possibly an anchor and whatever else you and your family see fit to bring along. All of that matters, so be sure to anticipate a heaviest-case scenario when selecting a lift.

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water resistant. Some offer security features on the remote, so the lift can only be used with a transmitter.

XX Power options. If AC power isn’t handy, many boat lifts offer solar charging. DC boat lifts have the advantage of backup power of a battery and safe low voltage.

XX Distance of the boat to the dock. Lifts designed to minimize the gap between the boat and the dock make boarding easier and safer.

he said. “Docks can be pile mounted in applications where the bottom is soft or, a lot of times, in coastal applications.

Pile-mounted docks are also popular in saltwater applications.”

He emphasized that rough water might require a lift that has higher lifting heights, to get the boat out of the water farther. In areas where piles are used, due to deep water or salt water, pile-mounted lifts could be used.

“Vertical lifts are popular in low-water applications,” Kowalczyk said,“because they can go lower than cantilever-style lifts. Rail systems are also popular in low-water applications, because you can use extra track sections to extend the rail out to where the boat can be used (with the rail).”

Water fluctuation also determines the necessary lifting height of the lift, Kowalczyk added. In areas where the water fluctuates, owners may need a floating dock or a dock with screw-style legs — a style

that can be adjusted from the top of the dock without getting into the water.

KINDS OF LIFTS

Mauldin categorized boat lifts in three main designs:  Floating  Bottom standing  Suspended “The type of dock construction you have determines the best boat lift design fit for your application,” Mauldin said. “It is possible that some docks may be suitable for more than one boat lift design; however, in most instances, there will be an optimum solution.”

Mauldin’s recommendation for the floating designs goes like this: “Typically, floating boat lifts are the best choice for floating docks and fixed docks that are in deep water. Floating docks will rise and fall on par with any change in the water level.

The advantage to the boater is the dock has

features

- All day comfort and lumbar support - UV resistant to sun and elements - All aluminum construction - Breathable mesh design - 3 year warranty Material Capacity Seat Size

Aluminum 400 lbs.

W 20” D 13 -17”

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BOAT LIFT LOWDOWN

ADDITIONAL ISSUES TO COMPARE

To the Web GoBasta.com

Golden Boat Lifts’ Ken Felty pointed to some specifics that are important to consider when buying a boat lift:

GoldenLifts.com

The drive system. “It’s very important because it is what holds the boat up! There are many kinds that are used in the industry, but we have our exclusive Sea-Drive. It’s warranted to 10 years and, unlike a repurposed electric motor, it was manufactured specifically for use on a boat lift.”

SunstreamCorp.com

XX

XX Proven materials and manufacturing methods. “Go with 6061-T6 Aluminum for longer life without rust issues, while cables and hardware composed of 300 series stainless steel” are a must. Welded lifts have greater structural integrity and longer life.

Bolted lifts can come loose and tend to make a lot of noise.”

Contractors with product expertise. “We work through a network of dealers who are all factory trained to install our lifts. Our installers know our product. They have the experience and skill required to do the job right.”

XX

a constant freeboard that allows for easy access to board the boat. Floating boat lifts also fluctuate with the dock and prevent the dead weight of the boat from being placed on the floating structure.”

As for the bottom-standing and suspended hoists, according to Mauldin, bottom-standing boat lifts are normally the best choice for fixed docks that are in shallow water, while suspended hoists will most often be found on fixed docks with moderately deep water.

An alternative application from Dan Hewitt, a sales representative with Hewitt Machine & Manufacturing Inc., is geared for pontoon boat owners. “Another option is one of our three models of Hewitt Pontoon Legs. You can match the size, style and operating conditions of your pontoon boat.

These models help preserve the appearance and value of your pontoon, eliminate the need to tie off your boat and free up space at your dock.”

Since Basta’s boat lifts are offered in both aluminum (from 2,000- to 6,000-pound capacity) and galvanized steel (7,000- to 50,000-pound capacity), Sam Basta advises “installing the lightweight aluminum boat lifts for vessels that are removed and stored seasonally, while galvanized steel boat lifts are installed for heavier Class A boats or in locations with heavy wind and wave action or steep slopes.”

Ken Hey, CEO of Sunstream Corp.,

elaborated. “Boat lifts of today have a wide range of accessories, including automatic boat covers, bow stops, motor stops, guides, canopies, catwalks, underwater lights and

Hewitt-Roll-a-Dock.com BoatLift.com (HydroHoist) RGCProducts.com

hands-free remotes. When configuring your lift, remember that you should outfit your lift to use and protect your boat, not to just store it.”

And on a final note, Mauldin weighed in with some not-to-be-overlooked criteria.

“Other things that you have to consider when choosing a boat lift are permitting requirements, HOA restrictions and any regulations that your marina may have in regard to attaching equipment to the dock structure.” BW

BOATINGWORLD.COM MAY 2016

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BOATS , EQ U I PM ENT, S ERV I CE S C A LL 949/660 - 6150

BOAT LIFTS , DOCKS & ACCESSORIES

800.544.2067

BOAT DAMAGE CONTROL BAG

EMERGENCY LIFE RAFT BUY or RENT Survival Products, Inc.

for Service/Sales/Rentals of Aviation and Marine life rafts and vests since 1974.

The Neptune Tactical Boat Damage Control Bag is the most complete off-the-shelf flooding damage control kit for commercial and recreational vessels. This bag contains plugs, wedges, fasteners, tools, repair kits, fire extinguisher, quick-dry cement, emergency sounding device, handheld dewatering pump, chem-lights and much more. The Neptune Tactical Boat Damage Control Bag is recommended for any vessel for professional and recreational use. This bag has been designed to be carried onboard and readily available should the vessel experience emergencies. The Bag includes a training program that will provide instruction on the use and application of each item of the bag.

Strategos Consulting LLC Neptune Tactical Tel. 619-241-1212 www.neptunetactical.com email: dwylie@jawaa.org

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BOATINGWORLD.COM

The World’s Smallest Package Lightest Weight • Least Expensive 4-6 Man 4” x 12” x14” 12 lbs $1510

9-13 Man 5” x 12” x 14” 18 lbs $1960

NEW!! FAA TSO Approved Life Rafts Available

SURVIVAL PRODUCTS, INC.

5614 S.W. 25th St., Hollywood, FL 33023 (954) 966-7329 • FAX (954) 966-3584 www.survivalproductsinc.com Made in U.S.A

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.

advertiser index PR O D U C T I N FO R M ATI O N A N D PH O N E N U M B E R S

BOATS

McGard, Inc (800) 669-6887................................... 60

Apex Marine (989) 681-4300...................................... 3

Neptune Tactical (619) 241-1212...............................62

Crownline Boats (618) 937-6426........................ 18-19

NuShield, Inc (215) 500-6426...................................58

SmokerCraft, Inc/Starcraft (866) 719-7873.........................................5, 11, 60

Survival Products (954) 966-7329.........................62

SIMRAD (800) 628-4487............................................13

Splendor Boats (260) 352-2835..............................58

The Durabak Company (303) 690-7190...............63

Stingray (843) 383-4507.............................................31

Weego/Paris Corporation (609) 265-9200........57

DOCKS & MOORINGS

Weems & Plath 1(800) 638-0428............................28

Hewitt Lifts & Roll-a-Dock (800) 544-2067........62

PERSONAL WATERCRAFT

Merco Marine (800) 396-3726.................................58

Sea Doo/BRP (800) 882-2900................................43

Reimann & Georger Corporation (800) 742-8665.................................................29

Yamaha Waverunners (800) 888-2624................... 1

ENGINES SternDrive Engineering (813) 925-7127.................59 Suzuki Marine (800) 247-4704.................................51 Yamaha Outboards (800) 888-2624..................CV3

GEAR & ACCESSORIES Aquatic AV (408) 559-1668.......................................61 Bel-Ray Company, Inc. (732) 938-2421.................35 BoatLIFE/Life Industries (800) 382-9706............34 Clymer Manuals (800) 242-4637............................28 Cook Manufacturing Corp (800) 654-3697.........62 Marine Dynamics (913) 451-1090.............................63 Millennium Marine (601) 932-5832..........................55

SERVICES 1-800-Progressive (800) 776-4737........................27 Allstate Insurance Co. (847) 402-5000............ CV4 Boat Angel (800) 227-2643......................................58 BoatingWorld iPad App (888) 732-7323..............56 GEICO Insurance (800) 865-4846.......................CV2 National Marine Underwriters (800) 262-8467.60 Water Sports Foundation (407) 833-0383..........49

WATERSPORTS EQUIPMENT Connelly Skis Inc/CWB (425) 775-5416........... 14-15 Perfect Pass Control Systems (902) 468-2150...30 WOW World of Watersports (402) 516-8034...... 9

BOATINGWORLD.COM MAY 2016

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R E A D ER CO NTE ST

Rick Martin illustration

name the boat

Who else is having visions of Wile E. Coyote right about now? We doubt the wife is going to take the ride. Do you have a name for our airborne boat? Send it to us. If it wins, we will give you a Customized Boat Care Package from Bel-Ray, valued at more than $350, and your name will appear in the July 2016 issue of Boating World.

YOURS FREE

WIN THIS 64

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MAY 2016

BOATINGWORLD.COM



> SEE THE WINNING ENTRY AND THE BEST OF THE REST FROM MARCH’S CONTEST ON PAGE 8.

The first person to turn in the best boat name will receive a Customized Boat Care Package from Bel-Ray, valued at more than $350.

A Boat Care Package from Bel-Ray can include All-in-One Fuel Treatment, High Performance Gear Oil, Rust Preventative Coating, Multipurpose Lubricant, Semi-Synthetic Engine Oil, Contact Cleaner, Extreme Pressure Waterproof Grease and more.

HOW TO ENTER:

We’ll reprint the cartoon with the winning boat name in the July 2016 issue. Submissions are due by May 15.

Email editor@boatingworld.com with “Name the Boat” in the subject line, or send snail mail to Boating World Magazine/Name the Boat, 18475 Bandilier Circle, Fountain Valley, CA, 92708. Please include your full name, address and phone number, along with your entry.

Duncan McIntosh Co. and Bel-Ray employees and their families are prohibited from entering.

Prizewinners are responsible for any applicable taxes. Decisions of the judges and the editor are final.

RELIABILITY IS A FAMILY TRADITION. MEET THE NEXT GENERATION. INTRODUCING THE NEWEST MEMBERS OF THE IN-LINE FOUR FAMILY. At Yamaha, we share your passion for time on the water and know when power gets lighter, faster, stronger and smarter, boating gets even better. Class-leading performance and record-setting reliability, that’s what made the original Yamaha F150 the best-selling 150 four stroke of all time. Now it has inspired a full line of Next-Generation I-4 performers.

Meet the all new advanced-technology In-Line Fours–the F200, F175, F150 and F115. This powerful family offers up 16-valve, DOHC in-line designs and electronic fuel injection. Yamaha’s next-generation design even gives the F200 and F115 class-leading DOHC power-to-weight ratios, for incredible acceleration, midrange punch and outstanding fuel economy.

And know, each of these new models shares the same Yamaha DNA that built our time-tested reputation for reliability and satisfaction with boaters just like you.

Discover the next generation of In-Line Four performance at YamahaOutboards.com/InLineFour.

Read Charleston Water Taxi’s incredible story of I-4 reliability at YamahaOutboards.com/8700hrs REMEMBER to always observe all applicable boating laws. Never drink and drive. Dress properly with a USCG-approved personal floatation device and protective gear. Any reference to trademarks belonging to other companies and/or their products is for identification purposes only and is not intended to be an endorsement. © 2016 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved. 1-800-88-YAMAHA

Follow Yamaha Outboards on Facebook®, Twitter ® and Instagram®

YMOB0501-AA-i4F_Sgl_9x10.875.indd 1

3/29/16 9:00 AM

Does home insurance cover your boat when you’re not at home?

You might not be sure, so let an Allstate Agent help.

Allstate Agents can help you understand where your home insurance ends and your boat insurance begins. You can trust them to help you tailor your Allstate protection to make sure you avoid coverage gaps. Call today to see what the personal service of an Allstate Agent can do for you.

Local Agent Allstate.com 866-414-BOAT

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Savings vary. Based on coverage selected. Subject to terms, conditions, availability and qualifications. Allstate Indemnity Co., Allstate Property and Casualty Insurance Co. and their affiliates: Northbrook, IL. Š 2016 Allstate Insurance Co.