May 2018 - Boating World Magazine

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Contents

M ay 201 8 • Vol u m e 39 N o. 5

MAGAZINE

VOLUME XXXIX NUMBER 5

4

Editor’s Letter

8

Currents

Musings from Miami Bits from the boating world

14 Trailering Avoid 6 ramp mistakes 18 Watersports Basics for wakesports 22 Fishing Catch more in unknown waters 26 Engines Mercury V-6 FourStrokes 28 Bonehead Blunders Mistakes no boater should make 29 Ask the Experts Our panel of experts answers your questions

pg. 54

32 Gear The latest accessories, gadgets and electronics

features

34 DIY How to install outriggers

48

54

A man buys a boat that’s not exactly right for how he will use it and magically transforms it. OK, it took a lot of hard work, but the end result is enchanting.

If your riding has you ready to take it up a notch, use this advice from a PWC pro to throttle up safely.

Hands-On Transformation

BY SCOTT DAVIS

Punch. It.

64 Contest: Name the Boat Win a 2-person towable tube from Connelly

INTERVIEW WITH SCOTT WATKINS pg. 26

boats tested

36 Crownline E25 Loaded with standard features, the stylish Crownline E25 keeps the bottom line low.

40 Sea-Doo GTX Limited Meet the new standard bearer for luxurious performance.

44 Sylvan M5 LZ DC Sylvan resets the bar for pontoon luxury with its all-new M-Series.

• APRIL 2 • 2 MAY 20182018 BOATINGWORLD.COM BOATINGWORLD.COM

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Fish & Cruise While the 236CC was designed for use as a coastal fishing boat, it's really a multi-purpose boat that can be used for lots of activities — pulling kids on a tube, cruising to dinner, or just a leisurely ride along the waterways.

With seating for up to twelve passengers, rod holders and storage throughout, and a changing compartment that can be upgraded with an optional porta potti, the 236CC is ready for a full day of fun on the water with family and friends!

236CC Deck Boat 23’ 8” | 101” beam | 3648 lbs (w/ popular engine) | 68 gal fuel capacity | 12 ppl, 3250 lbs VISIT STINGRAYBOATS.COM /236CC FOR MORE INFORMATION

Editor’s Letter

by Ala n Jones

THE BOATING WORLD TEAM RESPONDS:

“

What advertising slogan or song title do you hope sums up your summer four months from now?

PUBLISHER

Duncan McIntosh Jr.

Wipeout (Surfaris) ASSOC . EDITOR/PUBLISHER Jeff Fleming

I might be crazy, but at least I’m not insane

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Alan Jones

Here I Go Again (Whitesnake)

MANAGING EDITOR Mike Werling

One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer (Thorogood)

ASSISTANT EDITOR Stephanie Shibata

Summertime in the LBC (The Dove Shack)

ART DIRECTOR Julie Hogan

Burnin' Alive (AC/DC)

TH E BIG SHOW HANDS DOWN, MY favorite week of the year is Miami Boat Show week. It’s one-stop shopping

for seeing what’s new. Consumers and writers alike can compare boats and products side by side. And unlike at the Ft. Lauderdale show, we can test boats. This year was especially eventful for me, as I was installed as president of Boating Writers International (BWI), an organization I’ve been a member of for 20 years and boasts a membership of 300 of boating’s top writers.

The NMMA Innovation Awards were competitive again this year, and two of the winners just happen to be featured in two articles in this issue. Mercury’s new V-6 FourStroke (page 26) and Sea-Doo’s GTX Limited (page 40) took two of the most important awards and are really impressive winners. While some people think this is just a promotional showcase and popularity contest, in reality, the winners must demonstrate true innovation, not just incremental progress. It’s difficult to win and the judges can be tough, as evidenced by this year’s Electronics category. Despite having more entries than any other category, no Electronics award was given, because the judges felt no one met the innovation standard.

Another winner was Tiara’s Sport 38. Its stern U-shaped seating group can spin 180 degrees, electronically, to face rearward. Expect a variation of this clever feature to migrate down to trailerable boats.

One of the most interesting boats I saw was Glastron’s GTD 225 Surf & Fish. It uses Volvo-Penta’s Forward Drive system — a sterndrive that has the props facing forward and tucked under the hull — to make wakesurfing possible. It also has a host of fishing features, which makes it the first hybrid boat for these two activities I’ve ever seen.

One of my least favorite parts of the boating experience is when it comes time at the end of the day to snap the cover on the boat. On the dock, I saw a new solution, by Sunstream: an automatic cover that deployed in about 20 seconds. Sunstream also featured a Floatlift that raises a boat in about 15 seconds. That’s my idea of putting one’s baby to bed for the night.

This was the third year at the new venue on Virginia Key, and many of the issues, such as not having enough food vendors or buses to schlep patrons off the island, were largely solved.

Nearly 100,000 people checked out 1,400 boats and the wares of 1,100 vendors. The show’s a great barometer of the coming year, which bodes well for the 2018 boating season. BW

PRODUCTION Mary Monge

Calgon, Take Me Away!

CIRCUL ATION MGR. Rick Avila

This Is Why I’m Hot (Mims)

CIRCUL ATION ASSISTANTS

Emily Wells Horneff Every Kiss Begins with Kay Dustin Nguyen Just Do It

ADVERTISING SALES & MARKETING

Call (949) 660-6150

REGIONAL SALES MANAGERS

Annabelle Zabala Hot Fun in the Summertime (Sly & the Family Stone) Felice Lineberry Here Comes the Sun (The Beatles) MARKETPL ACE SALES MGR. Jon Sorenson It’s Too Hot (Kool & the Gang) AD COORDINATORS

Jennifer Chen Hungry? Why wait?

Lacee Garcia Every Day I’m Hustlin’ (Rick Ross) TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR Dave Kelsen

I Came, I Saw, I Fell (Ray Miller and his Orchestra)

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Boating World – Subscriber Services P.O. Box 25859, Santa Ana, CA 92799 (888) 732-7323 circulation@boatingworld.com PUBLISHED BY DUNCAN MCINTOSH CO. INC .

Boatingworld.com 18475 Bandilier Circle, Fountain Valley, CA 92708 (949) 660-6150 • Fax (949) 660-6172 Duncan Mcintosh Co. is founded by Editor and Publisher Duncan McIntosh Jr. and Co-Publisher Teresa Ybarra McIntosh (1942-2011)

VOLUME 39 • NO. 5 Boating World Editorial and Advertising Offices, 18475 Bandilier Circle, Fountain Valley, CA 92708; (949) 660-6150. Boating World (ISSN 1059-5155, USPS 16200) is printed in the U.S.A. and published nine times a year in Jan., Feb., Mar., Apr., May, Jun., Jul./Aug., Sept./Oct. and Nov./Dec. at 18475 Bandilier Circle, Fountain Valley, CA 92708 by Duncan McIntosh Co. Inc. Periodicals Postage paid at Santa Ana, CA 92799 and at additional mailing offices. Editorial contributions are welcome. Please submit all contributions to the editor, accompanied by M AG A Z I N E return postage. We assume no responsibility for loss or damage of unsolicited materials. Boating World retains reprint rights, via print and electronic media. Contributor retains all other rights for resale, publication, etc. POSTMASTER: Please send change of address to Boating World, P. O. Box 25859, Santa Ana, CA 92799-5859. CANADA POST: Publications Mail Agreement #40612608 Canada Returns to be sent to Bleuchip International, P.O. Box 25542, London, ON N6C 6B2. SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE: Please send all subscription correspondence to Boating World, P.O. Box 25859, Santa Ana, CA 92799-5859. Please allow at least six weeks for the change of address to become effective. Include both your old and your new address enclosing, if possible, an address label from a recent issue. SUBSCRIPTION PRICE: U.S. and its possessions, $11.00 per year. Additional postage for Canada is $15.00 per year and other foreign countries $30.00 per year. Single copy price $5.00; back issues, $8.50 (in the U.S. only) includes postage and handling. Boating World is a registered trademark of Duncan McIntosh Co. Inc. Copyright © 2018, all rights reserved. PERMISSIONS: MMaterial AG A Z I Nin E this publication may not be reproduced in any form without written permission.

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sylvanmarine.com | 866-766-9698

Featuring:

Currents

8

by Steph a n ie S h ibata

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Wings of Wonder L E A D

OK, NOW THAT you’ve made it over here and

stopped staring at the Foiler — that’s this boat model’s name — we can begin. I don’t blame you for staring. The boat is going to draw stares. I mean, it hovers above the water at speeds above 18 knots. On foils.

And nobody needs a license to kill to own and drive one.

The 32-foot dayboat — with an open transom, a cockpit bench whose backrest serves passengers facing fore and aft, and twin recliner-type seats forward — features a hull built out of carbon fiber, foils that protrude about six and a half feet to each side when deployed, twin 320 hp BMW diesel engines, two electric generators and two electric torpedoes that drive the props.

Think of the torpedoes like outboard lower units that happen to be attached to shafts that protrude six feet below the boat when they’re engaged, so they stay in the water when the foils are deployed.

Starting at 12 knots, if the Fly Mode button is engaged, the foils begin their

B O A T

//

F O I L E R

A new boat from a Middle Eastern builder will essentially fly.

work, taking the boat to full “flight” by 18 knots. A hydraulic ram does the job of extending the foils and lowering the torpedoes, and when all is in place, the boat skims over the water at 40 knots, in seas up to about five feet. With the foils deployed, Foiler’s 11-foot beam goes to 24 feet.

Below 10 knots, the boat can operate on electric power for 10 minutes, using the generators to drive the torpedoes. Under power, the foils make Foiler pretty efficient, giving it a range of 130 nautical miles at 30 knots. That’s on an 80-gallon fuel tank. At 20 knots, range is 260 miles.

Built by UAE-based Enata Marine, Foiler is the boat spies want but anyone can have, though its $1.24 million price tag will cull the buying herd. But look at it.

Enata Marine, foiler.com

Ergonomic seating will cushion passengers while the boat’s at rest and cradle them when it’s zipping along at 40 knots.

Foiler is the boat spies want but anyone can have.

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CURRENTS

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

MARCH CONTEST WINNER: Fish Whisperer

Ken Lagergren from Richland, Wash., was the first to submit the winning name, Fish Whisperer. For pointing the way, Ken receives a Boating Starter Kit — four life vests, two dock ties and a safety flag — valued at $240, from Connelly.

Rick Martin illustration

MORE OF MARCH’S BEST ENTRIES:

Below Tech

Point-n-Fish

Reel Broke

Bernard Colletti, Mastic, NY

Ron Watson, New Buffalo, MI

Eric Alleshouse, Saugus, CA

Underwater Plotter

Econo Scan

Down Rigger

John McDowall, Plymouth, CA

Jeff Prewitt, Evanston, WY

Albie Tesoro, Seminole, FL

Head Down Display

Humminerd

Lawrence Donvu

Scott Duink, Sarasota, FL

Mike Barry, Sparks, NV

Fish Eyes

Sonar Steve

Steve Treinish, via BoatingWorld.com

Terence Friesen, Richmond, B.C.

Jared Goodrich, Des Moines, IA

Whateverittakes Bob Fredericks, Sebastian, FL

Historic Hotels of America THE U.S. SECRETARY of the Interior has designated 20

locations for the prestigious National Trust for Historic Preservation Historic Hotels of America. Here are the three you can get pretty close to via boat.

1

WATER’S EDGE RESORT AND SPA WESTBROOK, CONN. Original owner Bill Hahn’s favorite birthday bash, in July 1962, featured entertainment by Barbra Streisand.

2

FAIRMONT MIRAMAR HOTEL & BUNGALOWS SANTA MONICA, CALIF. The magnificent Moreton Bay fig tree located on the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows grounds is more than 140 years old.

3

FAIRMONT OLYMPIC, SEATTLE, WASH. In 1924, The Seattle Times held a contest offering $50 for the best name. Of the 3,906 entries submitted, 11 included the same name, The Olympic, which was selected.

3

1

2

3

BIG NUMBERS

Who Owns Boats?

$100,000 Maximum household income of 74 percent of boaters in the U.S.

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25

50

Percentage of boaters with children living at home

Percentage of boaters who are ethnic minorities

Age — or younger — of 77 percent of boaters Source: NMMA

2 Married or cohabitating couples make up 66 percent of boaters

BOATINGWORLD.COM

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

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

CURRENTS

Where?

Boating is an integral part of East Coast living, but there are a few hidden gems you may not have heard of, just around the corner.

2

Enter Your Dog Now

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

WIN THIS Dog Vest

Dog: Bobbie Owner: Peggy Fillion, Sandy Hook, Conn.

For your chance to win a CWB Dog Vest (ridecwb.com), send a picture of your boat-loving dog to editor@boating world.com or Boating World, Salty Dog, 18475 Bandilier Circle, Fountain Valley, CA 92708. Please include a photo, along with your name and your dog’s name, your address and phone number

1 1. OGUNQUIT, MAINE. The name of the town literally means “beautiful place by the sea.”

3 2. WORLD’S END, HINGHAM, MASS. A protected shallow cove with plenty of real estate to spread out and relax, World’s End has places to grab a drink and a general store.

3. MORRIS ISLAND, S.C. A quiet and secluded area with two beaches that are only accessible by boat, this island was a strategic location during the Civil War.

A N AT O M Y L E S S O N

Downsized Stability Seakeeper has equipped 6,000 boats with its gyro stabilizers since 2008, but now trailerable boats can get in on the stabilization action. Seakeeper introduced its $22,700 SK2 recently, aimed at boats from 27 to 32 feet, and we have the pertinent facts.

For vessels 27 - 32 feet 25 percent lighter and 22 percent smaller than the SK3 Runs on 12v DC power Spins at 9,000 rpm Spools up in 24 minutes to stabilization and 35 minutes to full rpm Hits 68 dBC at 1 meter

1

Eliminates up to 95 percent of roll

2 Vacuum encapsulation seals the flywheel, bearings and motor for life

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INVENT NEW

W O R L D

O F

W A T E R S P O R T S

BIG DUCKY

EVERYONE WANTS TO RIDE ONE! 1 -Y E A R

W A R R A N T Y

A V A I L A B L E AT Y O U R L O C A L W O W D E A L E R S A N D O N L I N E W O W W AT E R S P O R T S . C O M

THE MOST FAMOUS DUCKY ON THE WATER HEAVY-DUTY NYLON COVER SECURE SADDLE SEATING

SECURE SADDLE S E AT I N G

SIDE BUMPERS

DECK TUBE WITH SIDE BUMPERS

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wowwatersports.com

RIDE LAYING • SITTING • KNEELING

Trailering

L a u nch Ra m p I ss ues

Learn to Love the Launch Avoid 6 of the biggest mistakes boaters make at the ramp.

BY GREGG MANSFIELD

• LAUNCH RAMPS ARE LIKE FAST-FOOD drive-throughs: they’re made to get in and get out.

When boaters aren’t prepared, the natural flow breaks down, and that’s when tempers flare.

If you find yourself making rookie launch ramp mistakes — especially with the season about to arrive — we have advice to help you fix the problem and bring peace to the ramp.

1.

14

HOW’S THE WEATHER?

P R O B L E M : Not following the weather forecast.

S O L U T I O N : Brad Schoenwald is still surprised boaters don’t check the marine

forecast and tides, especially given the availability of marine forecast apps for

smartphones, such as Buoyweather or Marine Weather by Accuweather.

Schoenwald, who spent 20 years in the U.S. Coast Guard and is an instructor with Tres Martin Driving School, said boaters should scout launch ramps they’re not familiar with.

“When I went to the ramp at Flathead Lake in Montana, I had never been there before, so the night before we walked down to the boat ramp and checked it out,” said Schoenwald, who lives in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. “I went to check on depth and check on lengths, and looked at forecasts, so when I got there the next morning I wasn’t the oddball out.”

2. Not Prepared to Go P R O B L E M : Loading the boat while it’s on the trailer in the water.

S O L U T I O N : There are good reasons for staging areas at launch ramps, foremost among them keeping an orderly flow and reducing mistakes. At the staging

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JUST GO. N E W L A R G E 12- I N C H D I S P L AY

GO SERIES CHARTPLOT TER / FISHFINDER

Bigger, easier, and safer — the new Simrad Go Series allows you to maximize your time on the water. A super-bright touchscreen makes navigation easy, and with the widest choice of maps, radar compatibility, and optional transducer bundles, upgrading to Simrad has never been easier or more affordable.

AVAILABLE IN 5, 7, 9, AND 12-INCH DISPLAYS. Radar available on GO7, 9 and 12

SIMRAD-YACHTING.COM/GO

TRAILERING

area is where to load coolers and equipment, check the drain plug, turn on batteries, tie a line to the center cleat and remove all the tiedowns except the bow strap.

The staging area is the place to review your checklist. It’s best to keep young children in the tow vehicle or with adult supervision on the courtesy dock.

“The worst thing you can do is have the boat unprepared to launch,” said Capt. Kevin Hennessey, an instructor with U.S. Powerboating and owner of Cape Fear Sailing Academy in Southport, N.C. “It should take you no more than, honestly, 45 to 90 seconds to launch a boat if you’ve got everything ready to go.”

3. Launch Ramp Hog P R O B L E M : Boaters who take two or more “lanes.”

S O L U T I O N : It’s not only rude to hog the ramp, but nothing gets boaters hotter than having to wait because someone couldn’t back up the trailer properly. To avoid being that person, adhere to the old adage that practice makes perfect.

Hennessey recommends taking the tow vehicle and trailer to a large parking lot and practicing figureeights. Practice driving forward and backing up to see how the trailer reacts to steering input. Set up cones to simulate a narrow launch ramp, and then once you’re comfortable, visit the ramp, preferably midweek, to practice.

Some beginners may want to add a backup camera or buy a tow vehicle that offers backup assist.

“I tell people nothing can’t be fixed if you’re going slow,” said Hubbard Putney, a salesman at Atlantic Marine in Wilmington, N.C. “Take your time, be prepared. If the angle is not right, stop and pull up a little and readjust.”

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4.

ANYONE HAVE AAA?

P R O B L E M : Equipment problems on the launch ramp.

S O L U T I O N : Maintenance isn’t just for the boat but also for the vehicle towing it. The gross weight should not exceed the vehicle’s tow capacity and its brakes need to be serviced regularly.

Ted Bremer, the dockmaster at The Dana on Mission Bay in San Diego, watched an outmatched RV go into the bay.

“He was taking his boat over to the courtesy docks located at the launch ramp and his parking brake must have failed,” Bremer said. “The bay swallowed the whole rig.”

But Schoenwald said incidents like that are human failures rather than equipment failures. “[The emergency brake] might have been worn out and you didn’t replace it or fix it as needed, but it didn’t fail,” Schoenwald said. “The idea the truck will slide all the way down the boat ramp is just not going to happen. It just isn’t.”

5. Do Nothing

6. Abusing the Courtesy Docks

P R O B L E M : Watching people struggle to launch

P R O B L E M : Boaters who overstay their welcome on the courtesy docks.

or retrieve boats.

S O L U T I O N : It may be fun to watch and laugh as a couple struggles to get their boat on the trailer, but why not offer to assist them?

“People are too proud to ask for help,” Hennessey said. “I will go down there and say, ‘Look, I teach this for a living, so let me help you.’

I want to expedite them getting out, so I can get my boat in and alleviate some stress for them.”

Bremer has seen some ugly incidents when boaters don’t ask for help.

“I’m sure some marriages have gotten on the rocks from the yelling I’ve heard between wife and husband,” Bremer said.

S O L U T I O N : Courtesy docks should be used only for a few minutes to pick up and drop off passengers. To keep the dock from turning into a loading zone, the boat should be fully loaded before backing it into the water.

The same applies for boaters returning to the launch ramp. After dropping off passengers, go out and idle in the water until the trailer is ready.

It’s best to keep the boat running, on the off chance the boat won’t restart. On busy holiday weekends, some law enforcement agencies will write tickets, to reinforce that courtesy only goes so far. BW

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Experience the thrill of surfing the waves behind Starcraft Marine’s full line of surfable deckboats. All Surf Series boats come complete with wave boosting ballast, Zero Off speed control and wave control tab system so you can switch sides in seconds. Rounding off every Starcraft Surf Series boat is the revolutionary Volvo Penta FWD Drive that allows you to use your trim to boost and shape your wave – something the inboards simply can’t do. You will love the space that the side console layout provides and when you add in options like RGB color changing lights and Murphy Touch Screen System you’ll have a boat that will impress your crew both inside and when they’re shredding the waves. Surf over to starcraftmarine.com to see what everyone is talking about.

Easier on the Wallet

Easy to Surf,

Watersports

The B a sics

Wakesports Basics You don’t have to be a pro to have fun behind a boat.

Know a few basics and put them into practice.

BY ZENON BILAS

•

THERE ARE PLENTY OF WAYS to have fun and get a great workout behind a boat. Each wakesport offers a different experience, but wakeboarding, wakesurfing and waterskiing (two skis or slalom) all share certain technique basics, both for getting up and body position once a rider is on top of the water. Participants who understand these basics will progress quickly.

BEFORE THE WATER

Know that these wakesports are all lowerbody sports. That means participants are working their lower body — hips, legs, knees and ankles — while their upper body stays quiet and balanced over the center of their feet. Of course, wakesports do require a boat to provide the pull, so one’s hands and arms will take the pull via the line’s handle. Even wakesurfing requires a line and handle to get started.

STARTING POSITION

To make successful, consistent starts on skis, a wakeboard or a wakesurf board, follow these basics. When starting, hold the handle

palms down as the boat idles forward and make the line taut. Bend your knees and use the strength in your legs to bring the ski or board in front and close to your chest. Keep your back straight. Your natural reaction will be to pull against the handle, but then you are not using your lower body. Often, riders who pull against the handle during the start will fall backward or to the side. So relax your hands and simply hold the handle instead of squeezing it. Gloves will improve your grip and allow you to relax your hands even more.

It is important to maintain ankle flex. If you lock your ankles and push on your toes, the ski or board is pushed away and you will fall forward. So, as the boat accelerates,

To start (1), bend your knees, bring the ski or board in front and keep your back straight. With the line taut (2), keep your knees bent, elbows straight and let the pressure build under the board. Once up (3), keep your knees flexed, back straight and hands loose.

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W AT E R S P O R T S

keep your knees and ankles bent and flexed, which should keep the board close to your chest. This compact position provides maximum control and minimizes wobbling during the start.

It’s helpful to have someone with experience get in the water next to you, to help you relax and ensure correct positioning. Or if deeper water starts are challenging, practice the starting position near the beach in shallow water. Just put the skis or board on, get into position and let someone pull you along manually while you hold the handle.

You can do the same exercise behind the boat. With your arms and shoulders relaxed and legs engaged, let the boat pull you along at idle, without accelerating.

Being able to follow the boat when it is in idle is the sign you understand how to relax the upper body while working the lower body. And that you are ready to get up.

under the board or ski(s) to make it go on plane. As this occurs, simply rise up as if you are getting out of a chair, using leg strength exclusively and keeping shoulders, arms and hands relaxed.

HOW FAST? Here are some generally accepted speed recommendations:

WA K EBOA RD: 15-20 mph

W A K E S U R F: 10 mph

T WO SKIS Adult: 25 mph

Children and teens: 15-23 mph

BEGINNER SL ALOM

GETTING UP

As the boat continues to accelerate to your desired speed (see How Fast?), be patient. A common mistake is to try to stand up too quickly. Instead, keep your knees and ankles tucked in while your shoulders, arms and hands stay relaxed. The pressure of the water will build

Adult: 25-28 mph

Children and teens: 20-25 mph

UP

Once up, use your lower body to direct the board, ski or skis by applying pressure through your feet.

Smile. Breathing normally and remaining relaxed will eliminate tension throughout your body, allowing you to focus on the flex in your knees and ankles. That flex allows your legs to act as shock absorbers over any bumps in the water. Think of a plié in ballet. Having weight distributed over your feet provides greater balance and control. As a warm-up, spend a little time on land before each set working on ankle flex.

Continue to keep your back upright and arms and shoulders relaxed. Imagine a straight vertical line running from your shoulders through your hips and ankles. You should have a slight bend in your elbows, so the pull of the boat is initiated at waist level. With some practice, you will understand the role each part of your body plays and get the feel of directing the ski or board. BW

Join in the Fun!

United States Power Squadrons is America’s Boating Club Learn boating skills.

Engage with boating friends.

Connect with the boating community.

Learn more at www.americasboatingclub.org America’s Boating Club® is a registered trademark of the United States Power Squadrons®

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For a limited time, get Suzuki Extended Protection, Instant Savings and attractive financing on select Suzuki outboards from 25 to 350 horspower. See your participapting Suzuki Marine dealer for details or visit www.suzukimarine.com.

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Rates as low as 5.99% on new Suzuki outboard on approved credit.*

Gimme Six Extended Protection promo is applicable to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 350 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 04/01/18 and 06/30/18 in accordance with the promotion by a Participating Authorized Suzuki Marine dealer in the continental US and Alaska to a purchasing customer who resides in the continental US or Alaska. Customer should expect to receive an acknowledgement letter and full copy of contract including terms, conditions and wallet card from Suzuki Extended Protection within 90 days of purchase. If an acknowledgement letter is not received in time period stated, contact Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. – Marine Marketing via email: marinepromo@suz.com. The Gimme Six Promotion is available for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Instant Savings apply to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 04/01/18 and 06/30/18. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Customer and participating Dealer must fill out the appropriate form at time of sale. Instant Savings will be applied against the original dealer invoice (Suzuki will credit Dealer parts account). There are no model substitutions, benefit substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. Suzuki reserves the right to change or cancel these promotions at any time without notice or obligation. * Financing offers available through Synchrony Retail Finance. As low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 months on new and unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors. Subject to credit approval. Not all buyers will qualify. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness. $19.99/month per $1,000 financed for 60 months is based on 5.99% APR. Hypothetical figures used in calculation; your actual monthly payment may differ based on financing terms, credit tier qualification, accessories or other factors such as down payment and fees. Offer effective on new, unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors purchased from a participating authorized Suzuki dealer between 04/01/18 and 06/30/18. “Gimme Six”, the Suzuki “S” and model names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual. © 2018 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.

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Fishing

U n known Waters

WHERE TO GO

Actually, this may be the easiest part of all.

Anglers get bombarded regularly with ideas via magazines, TV shows, tournament venues and, most of all, word of mouth. Whatever sounds the most interesting should probably be your next trip. Then start researching.

Much of this decision-making process involves simple common sense. If you live in Vancouver and plan to travel in February,

If you live in Vancouver and plan to travel in February, you probably would do well to travel south.

The Away Game When it’s time to fish new waters, alien anglers need to know where, when and how.

BY DEAN TRAVIS CLARKE

• ALIEN MEANS “NOT FROM HERE.” In fishing terms, an alien angler is someone who has trav-

eled from his local waters — where he knows where, when and how to fish — to somewhere he’s never been. While this can be a great adventure, it can also be extremely unproductive.

How does one prepare? We interviewed elite anglers who frequently travel far afield to fish and got their ideas on how to stack the odds in an “alien’s” favor. They include Rick Murphy, longtime Florida Keys guide and host of the “Chevy Florida Fishing Report” TV show, and Bill Platt from Texas, a Yamaha elite saltwater fishing team captain, on the saltwater side; and Randall Tharp, a B.A.S.S. elite tournament angler who just returned from a fishing trip in China (no, he’d never fished there before), and Alabama native Brandon Palaniuk, B.A.S.S. 2017 Angler of the Year, on the freshwater side.

Certainly chartering a boat, a captain and a crew or hiring a local professional guide represents the easiest way to go. But anyone who plans to take his own boat or go it alone will find this column helpful.

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you probably would do well to travel south.

In fact, no matter where on this planet you care to fish, you must always consider several things, perhaps foremost among them is timing: Each place has a “best time of year,” and that’s when you should visit. A little online research can make those times apparent.

ONCE THERE

Let me go out on a limb here and assume you are planning to take your own boat to fish far afield. For you, common sense might dictate that once you arrive, you gain local knowledge by checking with people at the ramp, tackle shops and online forums. Rick Murphy even goes so far as to suggest you play dumb when you ask questions.

“People seem to take pity on the ignorant and are much more forthcoming [with information],” Murphy said.

Tharp disagreed. “My first trip to any new spot is always my most exciting and favorite, because it’s such an adventure.” Tharp has won numerous tournaments fishing lakes for the first time and never asks for local knowledge.

“I look at the lake and fish on instinct

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FISHING

venue is published on the schedule, the rules specifically bar participants from seeking info from any local sources. They can’t speak to anyone!

Palaniuk pointed out that freshwater anglers have one other resource that saltwater colleagues lack: BassMaster has rated the top 100 fishing lakes in America, and complete information about each can be found online at BassMaster.com/top-100.

Both of our elite freshwater anglers agreed it’s easier to find more detailed info online rather than hoping to run into the “right” person at the ramp or shop. They each said they do better by figuring an area out on their own.

ON THE WATER

While conditions, vegetation and other factors might be different in “alien” waters, fish species are bound to act similar everywhere.

rather than past memories,” he said. “I make it a point not to talk to anybody. Info you get from local sources is what everybody already knows. No secrets. Spots you get this way are likely to be heavily fished or even fished out.”

Platt travels the world fishing salt water.

His M.O. is this: “Get on forums and ask other anglers. Ask at the bait shop

— especially the kids dipping bait! They talk to every charter boat captain and always like to be considered knowledgeable.” And he agreed with Murphy. “Act dumb! Nobody likes a know-it-all.”

Palaniuk concurred with Tharp. “Most tournament anglers prefer to go the opposite way from the masses.” Of course, on the pro bass-fishing circuit, once a tournament

Accepted wisdom claims that a hungry fish will strike anything even remotely resembling its natural food. So what you already have in your tackle box will likely work just about anywhere, whether in a lake or offshore. Rely on your already gathered knowledge regarding water clarity, bait, grass and/or weedlines, birds, moon phases, tides and currents, bottom structure, weather conditions and the behavioral characteristics of your target species A bass in an Alabama lake will likely live much the same way as one in Minnesota, just as a tuna off the Baja Peninsula will respond to the same tactics and lures as one at the East Coast canyons.

Just as you do at home, make notes regarding all the important factors listed above for future reference. Then, if you have any additional questions, as Murphy says, “Ask nicely. Somebody will be happy to help you.” BW

No-No Here is a warning in the strongest terms: If you do charter a boat or a guide, do not stick an SD card into his chartplotter and download his waypoints. Don’t even think about snapping a picture of the chartplotter screen with your smartphone. Bad idea. You may end up swimming back to the dock.

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Make the most out of your waterfront investment.

ez-dock.com or call 1-800-654-8168 Š 2018 EZ Dock, Inc. All rights reserved.

Engines

M ercu r y V- 6 Fou rSt roke

Beauty and a Beast Mercury’s new line of FourStrokes is cosmetically pleasing — and powerful.

BY ALAN JONES

• LED BY POLICE ESCORT, A busload of curious marine journalists

entered the gates of a mysterious place most of us knew only by reputation: Lake X. Earlier, speculation ran amok. A couple of years ago, Mercury unveiled its racing division’s 400R, so some of us thought we might see the number 500 on an outboard cowling. But at a presentation the night before, we got a glimpse of Mercury’s future, and it’s decidedly angular. Cosmetically the new V-6 FourStrokes couldn’t be more different than Mercury’s other more rounded outboards, and what’s inside is also a total departure from the past.

The new V-6 FourStrokes come in 175, 200 and 225 hp ratings and set several new benchmarks in their class, starting with their light weight. The 20-inch shaft version — available on all three — tips the scales at 475 pounds, which is 10 pounds lighter than the nearest 200 hp model and a significant 60 pounds lighter than the next lightest 225.

Mercury’s heavier and supercharged inline four-cylinder Verado 175 and 200 hp models will be phased out soon, as will its direct-injected two-stroke OptiMax engines in these horsepower ratings.

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With a new look, more displacement, a lighter weight and a more powerful alternator, the V-6 FourStrokes from Mercury will be at home on a wide variety of boats.

SPECIFIC AT IONS

This line isn’t just a beefed-up 150 FourStroke design; rather, these are blank-slate outboards that have many significant differences that add up to outstanding performance and better fuel economy. The new design starts with a class-leading 3.4L of displacement, to help the engines make “easy power,” and employs a dual-overhead, quad-cam, four-valve-per-cylinder design that’s often seen on high-performance car motors. It also fixed one problem that’s a known power thief: heat. Exhaust gases are really hot, and if they exit the engine in close proximity to its oil supply and air intake, the gases can heat them. So instead of routing the exhaust tube through the middle of the outboard block, as is the norm, Mercury gave it a separate tube that’s outside the block.

During tests on a variety of boats, I was impressed by the new-gen fours’ snappy acceleration. I suspected a hidden supercharger, but they are 100 percent normally aspirated. We tested the 200 hp flavor on Starcraft’s MDX 211 OB CC, its new center console fishing deckboat. Our boat was equipped with mechanical shift and throttle, but most owners will probably select Mercury’s Digital Throttle and Shift (DTS), for its incredibly smooth and easy shifting. I hammered the throttle and the 211 shot on plane in 2.8 seconds. The midrange acceleration was particularly impressive, as it reached 30 mph in 6.1 seconds. Top speed at 5800 rpm was 50.5 mph (Mercury got 50.8 mph).

The only difference between the three models is computer engine mapping. The 175 and 200 models reach a peak rpm of 5800 and the 225 can hit 6000 rpm. Prices begin at $16,225 (175 hp), $17,175 (200 hp) and $18,620 (225 hp). All come in 20- and 25-inch shaft lengths, and the 225 hp includes a 30-inch model, for use on larger boats.

Anyone who has seen the dreaded low-oil warning light while offshore in six-foot seas and had to remove the engine cowling to check

Type V-6 dual-overhead quad-cam four-stroke

Displacement 3.4L Full Throttle Range 5000-5800 rpm (175 and 200), 5200-6000 rpm (225)

Weight 475 lbs. (20-in. shaft)

Gear Ratio 1.85:1 Price Starting at $16,225-$18,620

PERFORMANCE Tested with Starcraft MDX 211 OB CC Time to Plane 2.8 sec.

0-30 mph 6.1 sec.

Top Speed 50.5 mph Decibels @ idle 60 Cruise 34.2 mph/ 4000 rpm/82 dBA Peak 50.5 mph/ 5800 rpm/92 dBA Mercury, mercurymarine.com

and add oil will appreciate one of the V-6 FourStoke’s best innovations: a service door on top of the cowling. Pressing down on the door pops it open and reveals the dipstick and oil fill, which are sealed off from the rest of the engine. The clean cowling includes no latches; the latch release is inside the service door and serves as a handle. Checking the oil is easy. The only beef I had was that the dipstick is a spring that was a little floppy, making it hard to feed back in.

Mercury makes it really easy to drive boats with these outboards. Adaptive Speed Control keeps the rpm steady, even during a hard turn, which will be very useful for towing skiers. Another assist comes from Active Trim, which automatically keeps the boat in perfect trim from holeshot to WOT. It also saves money with Advanced Range Optimization (ARO), which takes leanburn technology to the next level, using a wider range O2 sensor to detect when the boat is under heavy load and needs a stronger fuel/air mixture for more power, but it leans out the mixture when it’s at minimal load. With this, Mercury claims it produces from 5 to 15 percent better fuel economy at its optimal cruise speed. Added to its claim to have 20 percent better torque, it’s pretty groundbreaking stuff.

Today’s boats have a higher demand for electricity than ever before, and the V-6 FourStrokes meet that challenge with an alternator that pumps out 85 amps at WOT, compared to the 50 amps most outboards in this class crank out. It also has an idle charge battery management system that can detect if the boat’s accessories are using more power than the 20 amps it produces at 650 rpm. When the computer senses a deficit, idle rpm is increased to match demand.

For ease of customization, Mercury offers its new line of outboards in black and three shades of white (200 and 225 hp only) to match the different versions of white gelcoat boat builders produce. Then, just for fun there’s a center accent panel that an owner can get in four different colors, or it can be primed and ready to be painted whatever color an owner chooses. BW

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Bonehead Blunders

By G rid M ich a l

1 Acceptably assinine

BONEHEAD SCALE:

2 Slightly slow

Oh, the Cold BONEHEAD BLUNDER: Ignoring advice THE BONEHEAD: A regular customer who is

a nice guy BONEHEAD RATING: Double the 5 WHAT HAPPENED: This particular customer lives out of town, but we communicate frequently, like every other day. As I tell all my customers, take special precautions in freezing weather, since scuppers freeze solid and incoming rain water will pool until the boat sinks, because the water has no place to go.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, blah, blah, blah…

3 Distinguished dunce

4 Massively moronic

5 Seek mental help

Three weeks ago his neighbor called me to tell me the customer’s boat (a 26-foot center console) was sitting funny.

When somebody tells you at 9 p.m. during a howling snowstorm about a neighbor’s boat, generally it is not funny. The port stern was underwater, which was a good thing; I’d just rebuilt the starboard engine, and it was only the port fuel tank that probably got water in it. Fortunately BoatUS came and raised the boat, as the Nurse and I were both suffering with killer flu. Unfortunately, he elected to take it way down the bay where a friend of his “pickled it,” and now my customer wants to know if the engine’s OK. How would I know? I’m here, the boat isn’t.

LESSON LEARNED: I hope next time, if nothing more, he’ll moor the boat stern on the shore. I can almost promise he’ll never be able to remember to pay somebody to care for his boat while he’s gone!

Belly Up BONEHEAD BLUNDER: Ignoring advice THE BONEHEAD: Another regular, long-term customer BONEHEAD RATING: 5 (x2) WHAT HAPPENED: This older gentleman has a well-known brand of fishing center console that has scuppers on the inner deck that discharge overboard. Nice, but when there’s a lack of communication between beginning and end, it ain’t all good.

He found me where I was working on a boat not far from his home. His boat was almost under at the stern. I loaned him my portable 1,500 gph pump and jump-box. I called him before I left the job I was on. He was just finishing a sandwich while considering how to get the massive pump into the tiny access port. I went there, flipped the pump sideways and pumped the hull mostly dry, but as I was pumping I saw water rushing aft along the sides. I told him it was probably water that had flowed forward, but it could also be from a broken scupper hose, and since he was hauling the boat the next day, why not pull the stern onto the beach, just to be safe. I ordered a rectangular hatch that would give us better access to replacing the broken pump and finding a leak.

The next morning, an anguished call: the boat was upside down.

On shore? No, he’d taken it to a friend’s boathouse — a friend who would help him in the morning — and tied it with one line at the bow and the stern. The boat was turtled when he got there, lines still keeping it from going under the pier or walkway. Again I suggested the possibility — now probability — of the broken scupper hose, and told him he’d better get his insurance agent involved now.

LESSON LEARNED: This gentleman will get 347 opinions and do things his way, so I’m assuming any lesson he learned is one he absorbed in error. Since I have essentially the same hull, my boat is scheduled to have the hoses replaced. I listen to me. BW

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Ask the Experts

Q

+A

MAINTENANCE

Saving the Vinyl

Q A used boat on my shortlist is in good shape except for its vinyl enclosure. It’s pretty hazy. Is there a good way to salvage it, or should I just plan on getting new vinyl?

Emilie R., via BoatingWorld.com

If the vinyl is in otherwise good shape, you may be able to revitalize it rather than employing the nuclear option: replacement. The first step, no matter what type of vinyl you have (coated, uncoated, etc.), is to use fresh water to hose down the vinyl and remove as much grime and contaminants as possible. Use a fine spray of water to loosen salt or dirt — lightly rub

stubborn patches with your hands — then douse with water again.

Next, wash each panel with mild soap and water (a 10-to-1 solution of vinegar and water works well too).

Use a clean, soft terry cloth or lamb’s wool cleaning mitt. Never use harsh cleaners or detergents, and be sure to rinse each panel thoroughly before the soapy water has a chance to dry. Dried soap film not only affects visibility but can also cause the vinyl to dry out and yellow over time. After cleaning, gently wipe the

MEET OUR EXPERTS

Frank Lanier

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

Grid Michal

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

Zuzana Prochazka

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

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ASK THE EXPERTS

vinyl with a clean, slightly damp chamois.

As to the actual restoration process, I’ve used Meguiar’s Mirror Glaze Clear Plastic Cleaner No. 17 and Mirror Glaze Clear Plastic Polish No. 10, both with excellent results. Its PlastX product is an excellent finish product, to use after any cleaning job. You can find vinyl cleaning tips and tricks at meguiars.com/en/marine.

Applying a plastic conditioner/protectant (e.g., 303 Aerospace Protectant, Plexus, Collinite 845 Insulator wax, Meguiar’s Plastic Cleaner and Polish) is also a great idea that will add years to the life of vinyl.

Monthly treatment with such products not only increases your vinyl’s water-shedding abilities (for better visibility) but also adds protection against UV rays. They also provide a slick coating that helps prevent grit and grime from gaining a foothold.

Before using any product however, be sure to review manufacturer’s recommendations to ensure compatibility with your vinyl.

Finally, here’s a list of don’ts to keep in

mind while caring for and cleaning vinyl enclosures: 1. Don’t use abrasives or high-alkaline cleaners.

2. Don’t use solvents or petroleum-based products (e.g., acetone, benzene, lacquer thinners), because they can speed up deterioration of the vinyl.

3. Don’t use any type of “regular” glass cleaners. Most are too harsh and will leach out the plasticizers, again speeding up the aging process.

4. Don’t apply cleaners in direct sunlight or let them remain on the vinyl for too long.

Rinse them off immediately, before they have a chance to dry.

5. Don’t let your curtains come in contact with tanning oil or sunscreen lotions, both of which can cause permanent clouding.

6. Don’t use window treatments such as RainX, because they can also cause damage. In fact, newer bottles specifically state “for glass only.” — FL

L AU NC H R A M P

Be a Launch Pro

Q I don’t want to be one of the people you write about at the launch ramp!

What should I do to preserve my anonymity when I’m putting the boat in for the first time this year?

Earl W., via BoatingWorld.com

Probably 95 percent of the folks reading this will say remember the drain plug!

That’s a good start to a fun day, but there’s more. (Double your order and we’ll send you two answers for just shipping and handling charges!) Here’s what I see missing the most at launch ramps.

Common courtesy: If someone else is being rude and demanding about being next, stand back and let him. If he’s inebriated, report him. Part of being courteous involves, before getting to the ramp, stop in a staging area and: • remove any tarps, transom tie-downs, or gearcase support rods;

MAKING SUMMER FUN SINCE 1965

A LEGACY AND A LEADER IN WATERSPORTS #connellycollective

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install the drain plug; put the key in the ignition; • ensure you and your passengers have the proper safety equipment and the boat is ready for a Coast Guard inspection.

Patience: Generally only those of us who are continually launching and retrieving boats on trailers can back one to, and down, the ramp while sipping a soda and texting the significant other. Trust me, the labor required to come to that point isn’t worth it, so be patient as you watch others launch their boat and learn from their mistakes.

Final preparedness: No, that’s not a will and funeral arrangements. When you put the tow vehicle and trailer away while you are having fun on the water, put it so you can back right down the ramp and retrieve the boat. If you want to feel pressure, moor your boat with family in it, run up the hill, locate your rig and spend 20 minutes “backing and filling” just to get out of the lot to get to the ramp.

• •

Clear the area: Only after retrieving the boat and discharging passengers should you start neatening up the boat, installing tie-downs, etc., so other folks can use the launch ramp.

I’ve found it inspiring to watch — the following weekend — those who watched the guy with courtesy the previous weekend. It’s neat when setting an example pays off so quickly! — GM B AT T E R I E S

Charging Strategy Pitfalls Q A friend of mine charges his boat’s

battery by advancing the throttle in neutral to between 3000 and 3500 rpm and leaving to do “more important stuff.” He seems to be knowledgeable, but something doesn’t seem right. What would you suggest?

Norm C., via BoatingWorld.com

I suggest you move to a different boating area and find a better class of friend. Think

of the implications.

If the boat is moored snugly and the tide goes down before he returns and the pump runs dry, overheating the engine, what was more important stuff?

• If the battery, before charging, showed less than one-quarter capacity, and was a 100CCA battery, the engine with a 35A charging system would have to run two hours to return the battery to its original state, assuming the higher charging rate had kicked in by 3500 rpm.

• When an engine is operating at a no-load frequency, the pistons aren’t getting the lubrication they require because the throttle advancement will generally just be timing advance, rather than synchronized throttle and fuel, as you’d find in normal operation. And when an aluminum piston runs lean, listen to the sound a piston that has transferred a whole bunch of itself to the steel cylinder sleeve makes. It sounds just like money transferring from the owner to the tech. — GM •

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Gear 1.

St u f f You Wa nt

VHF Radio

$265, icomamerica.com Icom’s new fix-mount marine VHF radio, the M330, is built for small spaces yet has the features and functionality of a full-sized radio. The M330 comes with 25 watts of power, a full-dot matrix display, an IPX7 waterproof rating, a new speaker design and an AquaQuake self-draining feature. The Class D DSC marine radio has a modern look and is available in two colors, black and white. An optional GNSS/GPS version is available, which includes a GPS receiver and an easy-to-install external GPS puck antenna.

2.

1

Bow Light

$169.34, acconmarine.com

2

The 204 Pop-Up Combination Bow Light from Accon marine retracts flush into the deck when not in use, preserving a boat’s clean look while protecting the lamp itself from harm. This light combines port and starboard lamps for bow mounting, and is available in standard screw-mount and stud-mount styles. Its 316 marinegrade stainless steel construction ensures reliability and long service life, with a U.S. Coast Guard-approved visibility of one nautical mile.

3.

Mold & Mildew Cleaner

3

$14.99+, goldeneagle.com

The new 303 Mold and Mildew Cleaner+Blocker is a cleaner for use getting rid of mold and mildew on any water-safe surface, including vinyl and fabrics. It prevents future mold and mildew stains from occurring too. To use, simply spray it on, scrub it and wipe it off.

It’s safe for use on vinyl, fabrics and painted surfaces.

The bleach-free, dye-free formula has a fresh scent and contains no harmful vapors. Its formula is biodegradable and safe for marine life.

4.

Cabin Fan

$129.99, caframolifestylesolutions.com The Model 817 Kona 12v fan is designed to hold up in the most demanding marine conditions. Featuring a watertight motor and constructed of extruded aluminum, UV-stabilized plastic and stainless fasteners, the Kona can survive environments such as a wheelhouse dash or an exposed bridge or cockpit where splash and spray can get to it. The three-speed motor draws only 0.21 amps on low. A standard lighter-plug adapter makes the fan portable, and a suction cup or bracket mount allows for a more permanent installation.

4

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SUBMIT YOUR GEAR TO STEPHANIE@BOATINGWORLD.COM

5.

Waterproof Emergency Case

$280, lifecellmarine.com

When emergencies happen in a boat, often you have seconds to abandon ship. And instead of trying to haphazardly gather all the safety gear, Life Cell makes sure you’ll have everything you need in one place, ready to grab and go. The Trailer Boat is the smallest model Life Cell makes and is a waterproof case that holds safety items such as flares, signaling devices, first aid supplies, and cellphones and comes with an external mount for an EPIRB.

6.

Topcoat

$99/quart, quantumpaint.com Quantum99 Polyurethane Topcoat is a hybrid twocomponent polyurethane topcoat that provides an aerospace-quality finish. The topcoat can be polished after application to remove dust, bugs and imperfections, and can be repaired by wet sanding and buffing. It’s available in marine and custom colors. Quantum says its topcoat lasts three times longer than comparable paints and goes twice as far.

5

7.

6

The portable Rod Holder Fender Cleat uses a No-Knot Quick Cleat mounted on a stainless steel shaft for easy adjustment of fender height. Simply drop it into a rod holder — no drilling required. Then rotate the Quick Cleat, insert the fender rope and lock it in. Anti-slip material keeps the Fender Cleat from abrading the top surface of the rod holder. The 15- and 30-degree models include a built-in swivel to accommodate any outward rod angles. Rod holder depth should be at least 8 inches above the bottom cross-pin.

7

8.

8

Fender Cleat

$99, quick-cleat.com

Drain Plug

$4.40, beckson.com The Beckson Marine Screw-Type 1-inch drain plug is easy to install and features dual retaining legs to keep the part where it belongs — on the boat. Manufactured in the U.S. of a high-quality polymer that won’t rust or cause galvanic corrosion, the plug features a self-cleaning thread, designed for years of reliable use. An O-ring provides a positive seal against leakage.

CORRECTION In the February Gear section, on page 32, we ran the incorrect price for the Iosso Fiberglass Reconditioner. The listed price was for the five-pound container, but we ran a photo of the one-pound container. The correct price for a one-pound container is $23.

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D.I.Y. I n sta ll O u t riggers Outriggers expand a boat’s fishing capabilities, and they’re easy enough for one person to install.

my local hardware store for 1½-inch-long 5/16-inch stainless steel bolts, washers and stop nuts provided me with everything I needed for the installation.

How to Install Outriggers Outriggers help turn a small fishing boat into a true sportfisher.

BY KEVIN HARRIS

• MY 25-FOOT 2004 PRO-LINE WALKAROUND is a great boat for offshore fishing. It is equipped with a factory hardtop and has several rod holders on the hardtop and in the gunwales. When I’m trolling I can usually deploy four or five rods, utilizing rod holders on the gunwales and transom. But often, wind and current make trolling on my boat a challenge, because the lines are close together and will tangle when I turn the boat. I have fished on boats with outriggers and seen firsthand the benefit of the larger spread and the ability to fish more lines in the water. I wanted them.

I lucked out and found a pair of Tigress TigerFish II top-mount outrigger holders and 15-foot telescoping outrigger poles at a great price and decided that was the incentive I needed to finally add outriggers to my boat. Their addition will allow me to fish at least seven rods, and they greatly reduce the chance of lines getting tangled during turns.

When I ordered the outrigger mounts, I ordered a pair of 5-inch-by-6-inch aluminum backing plates, so I would have a solid mounting surface. The outrigger poles are light, but they continually bounce up and down, so spending a little extra on backing plates is a worthwhile investment, instead of hoping some flat washers will do the trick. I also needed to buy bolts for the mounts; hardtops vary in thickness from manufacturer to manufacturer, so bolts were not included with the outrigger mounts or mounting plates. A trip to

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The first thing I did was decide where I wanted to put the outrigger mounts. The job requires drilling large holes in the top, so I had to ensure the location I wanted to install them had enough clearance and would allow the handle to turn. You absolutely do not want to drill holes in the top that might be in the wrong place. I have a solar panel on my hardtop that keeps my batteries charged, so I had to consider its location, and I couldn’t mount the outriggers too far forward because the hardtop has an overhead console (1) that is offset to the starboard side.

Once I decided where I wanted the outrigger mounts and ensured I had clearance, I marked the location of where I would drill the holes. I marked the same location on the port and starboard side of the top and double-checked both locations.

I began drilling with the hole saw from the underside of the top (2) until the pilot bit got through the top. I then drilled from the top down, to keep the fiberglass from splintering. Make sure you wear your eye protection and a dust mask when drilling holes in fiberglass.

After the holes were drilled, I placed the mounts in the holes. The mount should be close to level; if it’s not, you may need a wedge to level the mount so it deploys easier and puts less stress on the top.

Wedges are available for an additional cost.

The next step was drilling the mounting bolt holes (3). Prior to tightening everything, I placed a small amount of silicone around each bolt hole and around the larger mount hole (4), to keep water from dripping through the holes.

The mounts should be installed so the

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1

3

2

Outrigger mounts $675 (on clearance, normally $1,399)

Telescoping outrigger poles $275 (on clearance, normally $599)

Outrigger rigging kit $140

Stainless steel bolts $9

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TOOLS NEEDED

6

5

T-handle is facing outboard (5), which makes it simpler to adjust the height of the outrigger poles. The Tigress mount I used has eye straps attached to the mount, so additional drilling into the top wasn’t necessary. I moved the eye straps to the gunwale, so I could run my lines from the deck of the boat instead of standing to the side of the top when rigging my lines.

At this point, I inserted the outrigger poles into the mount (6). Make sure the snap button clicks into place and then extend the outrigger poles.

ITEMS NEEDED

I purchased a pre-rigged outrigger set from Blackfin Manufacturing. It came assembled, so all I needed to do was decide if I wanted to run one or two lines off the outrigger poles. I went with the four-line kit, which gives me two lines off each outrigger pole.

Pulling down on the handle of the outrigger mount releases a spring that allows me to move the outriggers to their fishing position. The T-handle adjusts the height and shouldn’t need to be adjusted once it’s set. BW

Drill

3-inch hole saw

5/16-inch drill bit

Tape measure

Marking pen

Safety glasses

Dust mask

Wrenches (to tighten mount bolts)

Silicone

MAINTENANCE The outrigger mounts and telescoping poles are made out of aluminum and stainless steel. Rinsing them with fresh water after each use will ensure they look good and work well for a long time.

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C R O W N L I N E E 2 5 // B Y A L A N J O N E S

Crowning Achievement Loaded with standard features, the stylish Crownline E25 keeps the bottom line low.

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seatbacks are all the rage these days, but many of them have just a couple of positions, which might not be the current occupant’s perfect angle for reclining.

Crownline designers solved that problem with an electric backrest that allows passengers to dial in the position that’s right for them, in addition to looking pretty cool. The transom is maximized with standard features such as a padded swim platform with a hidden four-step boarding ladder, a rope locker and a transom shower.

And because it’s a sterndrive-powered boat, there’s no outboard engine well to bisect the oversized platform, so it’s all usable space.

Sometimes, a good stereo is one of the first casualties on a “price boat,” but our boat’s standard Kicker KMC10 head unit paired with eight Wet Sounds speakers — two of them on the transom to entertain people in the water — put that notion to rest.

PERFORMANCE

We tested the E25 on Lake Lanier, north of Atlanta, with the standard sterndrive package that includes a new-generation MerCruiser 6.2L V-8 that puts out 300 hp. For better performance with zero prop

THE NEW FLAGSHIP OF CROWNLINE’S deckboat line is designed as a no-compromise way to have fun on the water. With plenty of seating for its 13-passenger rating, everyone gets a throne on the E25. And while Crownline is a premium brand that is usually priced accordingly, it has created a fully loaded version that’s not underpowered, for $71,995, including a dual-axle trailer.

UNIQUE FACTOR

Back in 2002, Crownline pioneered a concept called the Social Swim transom, which allowed guests on its boats to relax in back when the key was off. With the E25, designers have taken that design element to a new dimension. Transom lounges with flippable

(Clockwise from bottom right) The lounger backrest is electronically actuated. A head compartment features a granite countertop. Long items fit in a gullwing console storage hatch.

Side-mounted table conserves legroom. New hot-tub seats are comfortable. MerCruiser’s new-gen 6.2L motor delivers outstanding performance.

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Crownline’s patented hull makes the problem of stern wander a non-issue. torque, the package includes the twin-prop Bravo III outdrive.

Crownline’s F.A.S.T. Hull (Fin Assisted Safe Turn) has been tweaked on the E25, giving it better performance and handling. Among its main design elements are vented chines, which introduce air under the hull to reduce performance-robbing friction and allow it to perform well without needing a huge amount of power. It also has a full-length

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In-floor storage compartment (above) has a drawer for table storage. Bow boarding ladder (left) makes beach landings simple. Black Dash and Raymarine MFD (below) are options.

CROWN LI N E E 25 Length 25 ft., 3 in.

Beam 8 ft., 6 in.

Deadrise 19 degrees Capacity 13 people Dry Weight (hull) 5,701 lbs.

Fuel Capacity 55 gal.

Max HP 380

PERFORMANCE Peak 47.8 mph/ 5400 rpm/93 dBA Cruise 30 mph/ 3500 rpm/84 dBA Time to Plane 3.4 sec.

Time to 30 mph 6.8 sec.

POWER Test MerCruiser 6.2L 300 hp w/Bravo III outdrive

Cylinders V-8 Displacement 6.2L Weight w/outdrive 993 lbs.

WOT Range 5000-5400 rpm

Base Price w/test power $71,995

keel pad that generates extra lift. These innovations helped it get out of the hole in 3.4 seconds and with minimal bowrise. Time to 30 mph was 6.8 seconds, and the E25 reached a top speed of 47.8 mph, which is good for a boat that stretches 25 feet, 3 inches long and has a dry weight of 5,701 pounds.

Buyers can get the E25 with up to 380 hp, which we estimate will put its top speed in the low to mid-50s, but upgrading to this big-block 8.2L “MerBruiser” will increase the MSRP to $101,971, if the DTS option is included, which provides an idea how much the builder is discounting “The Package.” So while we normally say more power is better, this is one case where the minimum wins.

HANDLING

One of the most overlooked aspects of boat handling is how a sterndrive boat performs at idle, where there tends to be a

Value-Added Standard Features: Dual-axle custom trailer, electric seatback, in-floor ski storage compartment, Kicker Stereo w/8 Wet Sounds speakers, portable toilet, Bimini top, LED mood lighting

Must-Have Options: Watersports tower, Perfect Pass GPS cruise control, Executive Dash, solid hull color, pumpout toilet, brakes for both trailer axles, bow shower, bow filler cushion, underwater lighting

Builder: Crownline Boats, crownline.com Financing: $516/month w/15% down and 6% interest for 15 years

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maddening-to-newbies phenomenon known as stern wander. It causes mostly mid-sized boats to stagger from side-toside down a canal like Otis heading for his cell on “The Andy Griffith Show.” My old 24-foot 1968 Stamas, powered by a Chevy 350 with an OMC outdrive, had this problem in spades. I was the only one who could drive it without attracting the attention of the marine patrol, but that was thanks to many hours of practice.

Crownline’s patented hull makes the problem of stern wander a non-issue.

Its twin vortex generators create watery tornadoes in the rear corners of the boat; those eddies collect water from the sides and spin it rearward and away from the outdrive. It actually works.

Because the F.A.S.T. vented chines introduce air under the hull, they also unstick the hull from the water’s surface tension, which is a drag, and free up the hull to turn more freely, making the E25 feel more nimble in turns than its length would suggest. The hull also features a sharp 39-degree entry for excellent sliceability through the chop. It tapers off to a more moderate 19 degrees at the stern.

An additional comfort-enhancing feature is the built-in suspension system in the crew buckets, which further cushions the effects of choppy water.

BEST USES

The E25 excels as a cruiser/entertainer/ watersports boat. There’s plenty of seating for everyone in the cockpit on J-wrap seating. No, it’s not a hip-hop artist; rather,

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it is Crownline-speak for its portside lounge that curves into a stern bench. The builder calls the starboard lounge behind the driver the loveseat, maybe because owners will love the 84-quart insulated cooler beneath it. Lots of people aboard mean lots of gear, and the E25’s designers took the hassle out of stowing items, installing hands-free hinges that make it easy to open the gull-wing seat bottoms and keep them open. Another clever feature is located in the huge centerline locker, which is perfect for storing bulky items such as skis and extra life jackets. Inside the compartment is a drawer that slides out to reveal a large, standard, side-mount cockpit table — normally an item that’s difficult to store when it’s not in use.

Up front are Crownline’s signature hot-tub seats, but this year the center hump that provides support under one’s knees is less prominent and more comfortable, so sitting upright with one’s feet on the deck is also more comfortable. Because it’s a

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The E25 excels as a cruiser/ entertainer/ watersports boat. deckboat, there’s plenty of room for six up front. For beach landings, there’s a fourstep bow boarding ladder and a wide, flat area with nonskid padding.

PREFERRED SETUP

There were only a few options on our test boat, starting with the powder-coated watersports tower ($5,325). Sometimes towers are difficult to drop down, but this one has a feature called the Fold Down Stop, which is a cable-assisted system that allows one person to pull down the tower with two fingers. And it locks in place in

the down position. To raise it up, just push the tower down again, which unlocks it and raises it back up. At the helm, our test boat had the Black Dash and Black Executive Wheel, modestly priced at $375, and upscale touches such as double stitching.

The black dash also keeps reflections off the windshield.

Owners serious about watersports need the Perfect Pass GPS-based cruise control system ($2,135). Trim tabs with indicator lights ($1,415) are another must-have option, for balancing the load. The head compartment is human-sized and comes with a portable toilet, a real granite countertop and a shower. Adding the pumpout toilet option is a solid way to spend $525.

The standard flooring is Highlander snap-in carpeting, but the preferred option is probably Moonrock vinyl flooring ($1,875). Crownline knows owners will be taking their floating kingdom on the road, so a color-coordinated dual-axle trailer with brakes comes standard. BW

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a second set of chines farther back adds an inch of width for better stability both at rest and in heavy sea conditions.

This hull replaces the S3 hull, which was a breakthrough hull for Sea-Doo in 2008 and set the standard for stability and ride through the chop. Since Sea-Doo discontinued its Intelligent Suspension system in 2017 — likely because of the cost, weight and maintenance hassle — the ST3 hull is a welcome development.

Although whitecaps are licking the surface, I am immediately impressed by the smoothness of the ride. The GTX Limited 300 weighs 847 pounds, which gives it a substantial feel as it slices through and over the chop, but even this most luxurious model weighs only 19 pounds more than its RXT-X 300 Performance stable-mate, which shares the same 135.9 inches of length and 49.4 inches of S E A - D O O G T X L I M I T E D // B Y A L A N J O N E S

Standard Bearer The GTX Limited is Sea-Doo’s new luxury performance flagship.

• AS I PEER DOWN AT the Colorado River from my 13th-floor (marked 14 for the benefit of triskaidekaphobics) room at Harrah’s Laughlin Casino in Nevada, my eyes catch the movement of violently agitated palm trees and Sea-Doo banners as they flap furiously in the breeze on the beach of the churning river. Apparently, we have angered the gods of press events, but at least our run to scenic Topock Canyon near Lake Havasu promises to be a good but stern test of Sea-Doo’s latest technological breakthroughs.

ST3 HULL

In all, nearly 20 riders are in our gaggle, with skill levels that range from rookie to racer. I’m somewhere in between. We have virtually every model in the lineup at our disposal. Owing to old age and treachery, I am first to arrive at the test fleet of Sea-Doos. I want to snag one of the new GTX Limited luxury models, which come in 230 hp and 300 hp variations and feature the newly-developed ST3 hull, which is a hybrid of its S3 and T3 hulls.

This new hull is also shared by the two 40

RXT models in the Performance lineup and the Wake Pro 230.

Like the T3 hull, which is still used on the RXP racing models, the ST3 hull features a wave-penetrating 22 degrees of hull entry to about amidships. But unlike the T3 racing hull, whose soft, rounded chines promote ultra-aggressive turning around buoys but make it more difficult to ride with two people or take large waves at an angle, the ST3 hull has hard chines that promote side-to-side stability. New strakes enhance straight-line tracking, and

The ST3 hull has hard chines that promote side-toside stability. width. It’s also longer and wider than the GTI Limited 155. Don’t get the idea this is a straight-line-only cruiser; it turns remarkably well and is really nimble for its size. Carving really hard turns and sending a wall of spray in the air is easy; no matter how strong the rider is, he will bump against his limitations to hold on long before he approaches the GTX’s envelope of adhesion. To further enhance its handling, Sea-Doo lowered the height of the driver

(Clockwise from far right) The stereo is Bluetooth-integrated. The glove box is waterproof and secure. Twin speakers give incredible depth and point toward the riders.

The 27-gallon storage compartment is easily accessible. Removing the rear section of the saddle creates a rear deck.

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(Clockwise from top right) Control of the stereo is at riders’ fingertips. The Equestrian Saddle gives three riders their own space. A deadrise of 22 degrees provides a smooth ride. A built-in fender at the bow prevents damage. The wider ST3 hull delivers side-to-side stability.

and riders, dropping its center of gravity.

One of the quirks of this journey is we are constantly crossing state lines, since the Colorado River forms the boundary of three states. As we start, we have Arizona to port and Nevada to starboard, which is later replaced by California near Mojave City, smack in the middle of the desert of the same name. Getting more comfortable with the new hull, I drop back in the pack after the idle zone in Needles, Calif., home of Snoopy’s beagle brother, Spike, for fans of “Charlie Brown.” In the chaos of multiple boat wakes, most PWCs tend to veer annoySEA-DOO GTX ingly, but I find if I just relax and let the ST3 hull do its thing, I LIMITED can ride with far less work. Combine the hull’s tracking with the LOA 11 ft., 4 in.

Ergo-Lock seating, which allows riders to use their stronger lower Beam 4 ft., 1 in. body muscles to lock them in place, and this is a machine people Capacity can ride for hours without fatigue.

3 passengers/600 lbs.

Dry Weight 824/847 lbs.

Fuel 15.9 gal.

POWER STRUCTURE

Our lunch stop is at a legendary watering hole called Topock 66, and I use the dual-throttle Intelligent Brake and Reverse (iBR) Price $15,899/$16,899 to dock like a pro. It’s also effective as a braking system. Here, I switched from the GTX Limited 300 hp model to the 230 hp version, to compare the two. At startup, both default to Touring Mode, which delivers a smoother acceleration profile, but I hit a button on the handlebar twice and hear a chirp that lets me know the rig is in Sport Mode.

Expecting a huge letdown after the 300, I am surprised by the 230’s snappy performance. Even giving up 70 hp, it accelerates to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds, which is faster than a Tesla S 70D. The 230 uses the Rotax 1500 HO Ace engine, while the 300 employs the 1630 Ace engine, which has more displacement and a beefier supercharger and larger Horsepower 230/300

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A raised ski pylon can be locked into place for a higher tow point. intercooler. Its acceleration is off-thecharts fast: 3.6 seconds to 60 mph, which is faster than a $130K Mercedes-Benz AMG GT. But with a price difference of only $1,000 between the 230 hp version ($15,899) and the 300 hp model ($16,899), going big is an easy call.

STORAGE GALORE

One of the more amazing features of the GTX Limited is a new storage scheme that provides 27-gallons of total capacity in one compartment. In the past, accessing the main storage compartment on the water required the rider to stand up and lean over the handlebars, which can be awkward in rough conditions. Sea-Doo now offers a direct-access compartment

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Expecting a huge letdown after the 300, I am surprised by the 230’s snappy performance.

that riders can use while sitting, by raising the entire handlebar assembly. The watertight compartment is deep enough to accommodate my fully loaded backpack and also has a storage net organizer, where I stow my camera. In front of the rider is a watertight glove compartment.

It includes a USB plug for charging and is designed to hold cellphones, which comes in handy for the next new feature: a Bluetooth sound system.

INTEGRATED STEREO

Most PWC stereos have a decidedly add-on feel to them and the sound quality is, at best, mid-fidelity. Sea-Doo created an integrated premium 100-watt system that rocks. Some purists might say playing a stereo while driving a PWC is an affront, and I wondered about its usefulness given the ambient sounds of the wind, waves and powerplant. When I tee up my go-to stereo-testing song — Greg Howe’s “Found Unwound,” which features a driving bass line and awesome lead guitar — I am blown away by its depth of sound: deep, tight lows

and crisp highs enhanced by tweeters. And the speakers are nicely integrated into the hull and positioned in such a fashion as to direct the sound toward the driver and not the surrounding landscape.

THE BACK PORCH

One of the features our group comes to love during two days of riding is the GTX Limited’s Equestrian Saddle. It gives three riders a well-defined seat of their own and has back bolsters that keep everyone well planted even when the driver gooses the throttle. It looks like it’s one piece, but it’s actually a split seat that Sea-Doo designers use as a clever way to leverage deck space.

To relax with the key off, riders can remove the section behind the driver’s saddle and

create a large flat spot that can be used to lounge on the padded faux-teak deck.

Also in back is an innovative way to carry additional items. Called LinQ, it’s a lockdown system that allows riders to clamp items into place, such as a 17-quart super cooler ($280), a four-gallon fuel tank ($180) and a storage bag ($180) that can be piggybacked to the gas tank. A raised ski pylon ($300) can be locked into place for a higher tow point that also gives the observer a handle to hang on to. The detachable rear seat can be loosely placed at the stern and the cooler can be placed in the middle to serve as an ersatz picnic table. It would be cool if the rear seat could be anchored to eliminate its wobble, though. BW

Notable standard features: Tilt steering, boarding ladder, closed-loop cooling, Slow Mode cruise control, 100-watt Bluetooth stereo, dry bag, safety kit, boat cover, iBR dual-throttle Must-have options: LinQ cooler, saddlebag and fuel tank, telescoping ski tow, flat handgrips, Cyclops 360 camera, Move trailer options, anchor Builder: Bombardier Recreational Products, sea-doo.com Financing: $230/month with 15% down and 6% interest for 5 years

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S Y LV A N M 5 L Z D C // B Y A L A N J O N E S

M-Pressive Debut For 2018, Sylvan resets the bar for pontoon luxury with its all-new M-Series.

• IT TAKES GUTS FOR A company to scrap its top-end pontoon line and replace it with some-

thing entirely new, but that’s exactly what the designers at Sylvan did. And the M5 LZ DC is strong evidence they’re onto something big.

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UNIQUE FACTOR

It didn’t take long for Mike Farmer, Sylvan’s newest design engineer, to make his mark. He led the team that created the all-new M-Series, which takes the mantle as Sylvan’s highest luxury line from the Mandalay series, which is no more. Its flagship is the M5 LZ DC, a “blank screen” model for 2018 that is unlike anything we’ve seen. It features a new vibe Sylvan calls a “Yacht-Toon” and takes the high end of Sylvan to a new place.

The Arctic Trim package, which our test boat had, uses white pearl metallic paint on the sculpted fiberglass panels at the corners and a slanted, contrasting

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(Clockwise from top right) Standard lighting creates nighttime ambiance. A Simrad 7-inch display is standard. The upholstery features diamond-pattern stitching. The wheel is from Gussi.

The wraparound dash is futuristic.

dark center aluminum panel. A painted top rail keeps the fiberglass look flowing throughout the boat’s length. At the bow, the fiberglass gate, backed on the inside with vinyl, has exterior horizontal metal accents that resemble the grill of a luxury car. Even the tubes are painted, to help tie the new look into a cohesive package.

The four-inch raised helm features a wraparound dash design that wouldn’t look out of place on a starship. A newly designed low-profile windshield at each of the dual consoles scores high in originality with a heavy black frame and unusual wraparound shape. Positioned front and center at the dash is the standard Simrad NSS 7 display with a Total Scan transducer for navigation and a better look at what’s below. It can interface with the engine and simulate up to eight gauges on its screen. It’s flanked by a pair of Yamaha multifunction gauges that keep the driver informed of all engine parameters and state of trim. Flush-mounted push buttons for boat accessories keep the look clean and modern.

Most pontoons designed for

entertain­i ng have a snack- and beverage-creation zone that often eats up valuable interior real estate, but Sylvan’s new Lounge Arm Galley solves that problem with a f lip-up galley located on

The wraparound dash wouldn’t look out of place on a starship. the back of the portside rear recliner.

Deploying it involves pulling the lounge’s facing panel out and pulling up on the stainless steel grab handle to f lip it into place. In just two seconds, a faux-granite countertop is revealed. It includes cupholders, a bottle opener and a stainless steel sink with a spigot.

PERFORMANCE

Propelling our test boat was Yamaha’s F300, this pontoon’s maximum power.

Sylvan makes sure everyone experiences

high performance by making its tripletube SPX PR25 setup standard. Lifting strakes on both sides of the center tube and on the inside of the outer tubes generate plenty of lift. The center tube is positioned farther back to create a motor mount for the Yamaha 4.2L F300.

When I jammed the throttle on this beefy 4,100-pound, near-27-footer, the M5 rose on plane in three seconds with virtually no bowrise.

The Yamaha is the lightest 300 in the industry, at 562 pounds, thanks to innovations such as plasma-fused sleeveless cylinder walls that are 60 percent harder than steel. It features a variable camshaft timing system that not only aids it out of the hole but also in the mid-range, as evidenced by the M5’s time to 30 mph: 7.7 seconds. This pontoon likes a lot of trim, and we were able to get more than half of the tubes’ length out of the water, which helped it achieve a top speed of 42.2 mph at 6000 rpm. A 60-gallon fuel tank provides the range to roam far. Sylvan can also power the M5 with an Evinrude or Mercury engine.

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HANDLING

While the Yamaha F300 is available with mechanical shift and throttle, Sylvan includes drive-by-wire throttle controls, plus the power steering system, as a standard feature. Maneuvering the Sylvan around the narrow channel at the

One of the boat’s primary missions is entertainment.

Patona Bay Marina and Resort on Lake Tippecanoe in northern Indiana, I noticed a distinct lack of clunking from the gears during shifting, a noise that is often amplified by pontoon boats’ aluminum architecture. The quietude is owed to Yamaha’s Shift Dampener System (SDS), which uses a uniquely designed rubber hub to cushion gear engagement.

Pontoons can be tricky to dock because of portside fencing that obscures the dock from a driver’s field of vision. So Sylvan offers an optional camera ($1,152) for help with docking, whose feed is displayed on the Simrad screen.

The absence of lifting strakes on the outside of the outer tubes allows the M5 to lean inward during hard turns. And as I cranked the eight-spoke Rondinella wheel by Gussi, the radius of our turn kept shrinking until the wheel reached its stop, and the prop never lost its grip.

S Y LV A N M 5 L Z D C Length 26 ft., 10 in.

Beam 8 ft., 6 in.

Tube Diameter 25 in.

Capacity 14 people Dry Weight (hull) 4,100 lbs.

Fuel Capacity 60 gal.

Max HP 300

PERFORMANCE Peak 42.2 mph/ 6000 rpm/93 dBA Cruise 31.9 mph/ 4500 rpm/83 dBA Time to Plane 3.0 sec.

Time to 30 mph 7.7 sec.

POWER

BEST USES

One of the primary missions for the M5 LZ DC, as evidenced by its impressive standard Kicker KMC-20 Bluetooth stereo system, is entertainment. Our boat was musically maxed thanks to the WetSounds upgrade ($1,104), which includes eight interior speakers, a subwoofer and two speakers that face aft.

Buyers can add twin coffee-can speakers to the watersports tower. A unique cockpit table that matches the styling of the boat features cupholders and a nonskid top that prevents plates from sliding.

The addition of the Sport Arch ($14,930) takes the pontoon’s watersports 46

Test Yamaha F300 four-stroke

Cylinders V-6 Displacement 4.2L Weight w/outdrive 562 lbs.

WOT Range 5500-6000 rpm

Base Price w/test power $133,199

Value-Added Standard Features: Simrad NSS 7, Kicker KMC-20 Bluetooth stereo w/subwoofer, Bimini top, power steering, complete lighting system including underwater lights, ski tow, in-deck storage

Must-Have Options: Wet Sounds stereo upgrade, Sport Arch, camper enclosure, vinyl floor options, shorepower hookup, portable commode, power canopy, grill, camera system

Builder: Smokercraft Inc., sylvanmarine.com Financing: $955/month w/15% down and 6% interest for 15 years

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chops to the next level by providing the high tow point wakeboarders favor. The forward-slanting tower is made of aluminum and is powder-coated white (which matched the Arctic color scheme of our test boat). It features a large Bimini top for shade. A Bimini top is standard on boats without an arch. On the roomy back deck is a standard forward-swept stainless steel ski-tow cage that’s well-braced and would be favored by slalom skiers and tubers.

A centerline ski locker can hold all the watersports toys.

The M5 LZ DC is a lounger’s paradise.

Layback lounges in all four corners feature indestructible Rotomolded frames, and the two-tone upholstery is soft but tough and is protected against damaging UV rays. When the key is off, another chaise lounge on the extended rear deck is fair game. The front deck is oversized and features Marine Mat nonskid, adding yet another place for guests, up to 14 of them, to board safely.

PREFERRED SETUP

The standard M5 LZ DC is a wellequipped premium pontoon that needs zero options and starts at $133,199 when it’s powered by the Yamaha F300. The standard package is loaded with features that are usually options, including an impressive lighting system that includes

Babbito under-deck lighting, underwater lights, changeable-color LED lighting, concealed mood lighting and lit cupholders.

It comes standard with 28-ounce carpeting, but our boat had snap-in Marine Mat ($2,235), which provides excellent grip and makes cleanups hose-and-go easy. A less expensive option is snap-in woven Sea Weave vinyl flooring, for $1,035.

The M5 can be customized with a power canopy or a double Bimini, for the ultimate in shade, and a complete or half-camper enclosure is available. Buyers can add a portable commode for $221. Sylvan’s exclusive Heavy Hat understructure provides stout construction that, combined with three-quarter-inch marine plywood, creates an earth-like deck. Sylvan’s Lifetime +6 Warranty includes a lifetime warranty on structural parts and six years on components such as carpeting, electronics and upholstery, including parts and labor. It’s transferable to the second owner, which keeps its resale value high. BW

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After

S A MAN BUY NOT ’S T A A BOAT TH R HOW O F T IG H E X A C T LY R A G IC A LLY E IT A N D M H E W IL L U S M S IT. T RANSFOR K A LO T O F O K , IT T O O K , BU T THE HARD WOR IS E N D R E S U LT .

G IN T N A EN CH

Before

After

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As part of his project, Davis cleaned up the transom, moving the kicker motor from permanent residence to a storage bin, and completely replaced the old bow seating, which was original.

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Before

After

The old helm seats were replaced and storage was built into the bases. A sportier wheel was added to the helm, which Davis lowered 2 inches, and a drawer for storage was added to the passenger-side console.

The boat is a 1984 Crestliner Nordic. Crestliners are solid, welded-hull boats, and this one was a one-owner find. Its 2006 90 hp Evinrude had less than 300 hours on it.

The boat was in good shape for its age and was a mix of “this guy thinks like me” and “I wouldn’t have done that.” The seller was an avid fisherman, so the boat was equipped to suit his needs. It had a 7.5 hp Evinrude kicker that was permanently mounted, married to the main engine steering and had its own forward (sort of) controls.

He’d redone the floor in a vinyl flooring that boat manufacturers use, and had done a great job. The back-to-back lounger seats had given up the ghost, and he replaced them with a couple of bass-boat seats on the former bases. The bow seat supports had been disassembled (huh?) and the spaces beneath them used for storage only. The upholstery was original and needed to be replaced. His wife had made a new cockpit cover, complete with zip-in side windows, and a mooring cover. The trailer was an oversized Cox roller unit. The rig was something I could turn into what I wanted, and the price was fair, so we did the deal.

I use the boat for daytrip cruising, mostly on lakes and occasionally on salt water,

typically with a coed crowd, so comfort is important. I wanted ample seating behind the windshield and plenty of open floorspace for all the stuff we bring with us. I’ve found that the best layout for that is captain and passenger console seats and a bench seat in front of the splashwell. The bench seat provides great storage, of which a boat can never have too much. While the re-flooring job the seller had done was great, and perfect for fishing, I and my guests prefer carpet. The lounger seat bases provided some good storage, but they took up floor space that was more useful to me uncluttered.

Job one was to strip the thing out, which is a good way to learn every inch of the boat. Portions of the gunwales needed to be repainted, which is never easier than when the boat is stripped out. I carpeted the floor with marine carpet. I made a pattern out of newspaper, transferred the pattern onto the carpet, cut it out and glued it down. The other option is to install the carpet and cut as you go, like pro flooring installers do. Both work.

The floor has two hatch covers, one for a small storage locker between the console seats and one over the gas tank.

To protect their edges from wearing out prematurely, I made metal edging for them out of aluminum angle iron. The bow and stern bulkhead panels were reusable, as

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HANDS-ON Transformation were some of the console panels, but some weren’t. I used the old ones to make new ones, from plywood, where needed, coated them with epoxy resin and then reupholstered them with marine vinyl and monel staples. I reinstalled the bulkheads and console panels and installed support cleats for the bow seats.

I made new epoxied plywood panels for the bow seat cushions, and my wife sewed the vinyl for all the upholstery, some of which we installed together, since doing so took three hands. I tore out the bow backrest bolsters, destroying them in the process, and made new ones out of quarter-inch plywood, which we fastened to the boat with stainless carriage bolts, with the heads glassed to the bases, so they can’t come loose.

Using foam from some old folding seats I saved from a previous boat and the hinges from the bass-boat seats, which I pinned so they don’t fold, I built the console seats. The base of each is half-inch plywood, epoxied, lagged to the floor and angled back a little, so occupants don’t feel like they are pitching forward. I hinged the seats in the front, to provide easy access to their base and the storage within, where I installed pieces of bar mat, to keep stored items off the floor a little, in case the area gets wet.

I like to kneel on the seat when I’m driving; over time, doing so wears a spot in the seat, so my wife made a kneeling cushion that I place on the seat when I want it, to protect the seat. When it’s not in use, it stows beside the seat, snapped onto the side panel so it doesn’t

With the boat completely stripped, Davis was able to formulate his plan for its transformation, which turned it into a new vessel.

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blow out of the boat when we’re driving down the highway.

The boat had some open storage bins on the floor along the sides, aft of the consoles, that were good for storing long items such as paddles and fishing rods. My previous boat had filler panels there, with drink holders built into them, which were handy but eliminated the storage beneath them.

For the best of both, I made side storage bins out of epoxied plywood and gave each a piano-hinged top. They have drink holders and storage bins, which are actually small aluminum bread pans, in the top, and the top opens, so we can store things inside them, such as a gaff, the side curtains and some swim noodles. (Leave the carpet unglued near the hinge, so it can flex.)

With the bins in place, I built the stern bench seat, from 3/8-inch epoxied plywood. The base is a removable chest, so we can access the area under the splashwell. The seat panel is fastened to the base with ball bungees at the back and latches on the front, so the seat/top comes completely off, for cleaning and to make it easier to remove the chest.

At the stern, I didn’t like the look of the kicker motor living on the transom. It was too cluttered. The only time I use it is if the main engine breaks down, so I like to store the kicker under the splashwell. The shape of the splashwell was such that the 7.5 hp motor that came with the boat wouldn’t fit, so I used a 5 hp one from my previous boat, which fits, if I take the hood off it. To make the kicker fit, I had to move the battery toward the center of the boat and lower it by cutting out part of the deck. (A multitool is perfect for this.) The alterations allow the leg of the motor to fit over the battery, without contacting any of the live parts. A hold-down strap keeps the battery in place if the boat’s bouncing around, and I used the space where the battery used to be to install a storage box. While I was under there, I installed a second bilge pump, which will come in handy in a jam. (I also carry a hand pump, just in case.)

E10 gas is causing all sorts of problems, so if the gas has been in the tank too long, I drain it and put in new gas. To facilitate

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Both console seats hinge forward to reveal storage. Davis’ wife fashioned a cushion for the captain’s seat, for the times Davis drives with his knee on the seat. The side storage bins include cupholders and bins, but they are hinged so they can be used to store long items: gaffs, fishing poles, etc. Carpet pads on the trailer straps will protect the wood trim.

that, I installed a three-way valve in the fuel line, which allows me to stick the drain hose out the drain hole in the stern and drain the tank gas into cans — without having to get any gas in my mouth — which I then put in my truck and put fresh gas in the boat. My wife made a new vinyl drop curtain for the front of the splashwell, which hides all the mechanicals.

We made a back cushion for the bench seat, which attaches where the seller had a built-in yardstick/lie detector for measuring fish. The splashwell needed to be repainted, which I did. To keep the control cables from rubbing the paint off, I installed oak rubstrips for them to ride on.

The boat doesn’t have much brightwork, but what it has I removed, sanded and varnished before reinstalling it.

The boat has a built-in boarding ladder on the transom. I refinished the steps and traction strips in the splashwell. The ladder only has one handrail, which makes it awkward to use, so I installed a couple of stainless grabrails and applied strips of nonskid tape to all the rails where one’s hands go, which has made it easier to use the ladder.

The consoles needed improvement too.

The helm was mounted higher on the dashboard than I like, obstructing the

view when I was seated, so I lowered it two inches. To cover the part of the original hole that showed, I installed a trim plate made out of black-painted Lexan. The helm had a thin plastic wheel with some fake woodgrain in the middle, which I didn’t care for. To continue in the vein of doing this on the cheap, I painted the center of the Crestliner wheel black and swapped it with the thick, padded wheel from my previous boat, which I planned to sell once I commissioned this one and knew I liked it.

Most fishfinders are awkward, intrusive things that take up more room than they need to. The seller had his mounted on an ugly aluminum plate that was bolted to the console, to make it fit. I took the base off it and made one out of oak, which allowed it to be mounted much more cleanly and out of the way. He had a compass mounted on the top of the dash with a bracket. I removed that and installed an in-dash one, leaving the top of the dash clean and making it more useful.

A windshield wiper was installed on the driver’s side of the windshield. A wiper is worth its weight in gold when it’s needed, but the other 99 percent of the time it’s in the way. I removed it and made a bracket out of some aluminum channel that lets me stow the wiper when I don’t need it. It’s simple to stick it on and plug it in when I

The kicker motor rests in a splashwell storage area (top). Storage abounds under the stern bench seat (bottom), whose cushion (middle) flips up to reveal the base.

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HANDS-ON Transformation

rain hits. For extra weather protection, I installed vertical receiver tubes in the front of the splashwell. The tubes accept a PVC bow that supports the aft end of a tarp that I can rig from the cockpit cover. It’s not pretty, but it works, encloses the entire cockpit, and can be the difference between heading home and waiting for the rain to pass. The icing on the upholstery cake is a vinyl air dam that snaps over the opening between the consoles, below the windshield, to keep the wind out.

do. I filled the bolt hole with some JB Weld and now enjoy a clear, unobstructed view through the windshield.

The passenger-side console had a storage shelf on the top and no glove box. I built a drawer into the console, which is perfect for all the things one wants to have near at hand but still out of the way. The boat had no radio, so I installed a Blaupunkt stereo in the dash and placed speakers under the drawer. A 12v outlet rounds out the electricals on the passenger console; it’s fed by a fuse panel I access by removing the drawer.

The boat’s cockpit cover is a nice one. It extends well aft of the console seats and has aft quarterpanels that snap down, for an enclosed space when the

Davis repainted the boat’s dingy bottom (top). He added a drawer to the passenger console (right), increasing its storage space. The windshield wiper and its bracket (left) are removable and have a storage spot.

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On the outside of the hull, the white paint below the blue was dingy, and the bow roller had worn the paint off the stem.

I repainted the white and installed a gym sock on the bow roller (real high tech), which keeps the roller from smudging and wearing off the paint.

Last, I gave the trailer some love. I replaced the bearings, bushings in the springs, and the lights and wiring. I tied a four-way lug wrench to the spare, taped a three-quarter-inch open-end wrench to the winch stanchion (to take the spare off) and secured a “get home kit” — a toolbox with spare bearings, all packed and ready to go, cotter pins, latex gloves and paper towels in it — to the trailer.

The tiedown strap that cinches the boat to the trailer had worn slots in the wood trim on top of the gunwales. After sanding and refinishing the trim, I used Gorilla glue to secure some carpet strips to the strap and protect the trim. Then I added some pull strings to the much-reviled releasing mechanism on the ratchet, to reduce finger pinching, and put a keeper string on the hook on the bitter end of the strap, so it holds the hook in place when I’m putting the strap on alone. Little touches make life easier.

While not new, my new-to-me boat is well equipped, serves our needs very nicely and should do so for a long time. Boaters don’t have to spend a lot of money to get a boat that suits them well, and using the custom features that make it perfect and that they built with their own hands and ingenuity is a thrill not available in stores. BW

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u

,

use this advice from a PWC pro to throttle up safely.

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of the most exhilarating feelings a person can have is the rush of wind created by maxing out a PWC on a glassflat stretch of water, catching very quick glimpses as the speedometer creeps past 60 mph and the world goes by in a blur. Even though we regularly move faster than that in our automobiles, there’s something more adrenalineinducing about doing it on a PWC with but a small bit of hull actually touching the water.

56

That’s just on a stock PWC that tops out at 65 mph thanks to an agreement between the U.S. Coast Guard and PWC manufacturers. But what about those folks who want to go faster? What if the need for speed is all that really matters? For those riders, there are aftermarket modifications that can add speed and power. But how can they ride fast, and maybe even race, safely?

For the answer to that question, we consulted a pro. Scott Watkins has been the product manager for Yamaha for more than two decades, but before that he rode. And he rode fast and hard.

Watkins is a former freestyle world champion and earned a spot in the International Jet Sports Boating Association (IJSBA) Hall of Fame, so he knows of what he speaks.

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Boating World: What’s most important to remember about maintaining situational awareness (e.g., knowing the location of other riders or boats, water depth, obstructions)?

Watkins: It’s important to pre-run any area you plan on testing or operating at race speeds before you actually do so. If the area you ride allows you to set up buoys, do it.

Even just a few are OK to practice highspeed turning. Also, it may help to warn others around you what you are doing.

What’s the best way to work up to high-level riding?

High-performance watercraft of today, particularly the [Yamaha] GP1800, can pull some hard g’s in a turn, especially if you’ve added aftermarket handling parts such as sponsons, a ride plate or a top-loader intake grate. These craft are capable of turning harder and with more g-force than most people can hang on to.

They can test riders’ strength to the limit and beyond. Ease into your limit and do not ride over your head. Don’t forget, there will always be someone faster, and trying to keep up with that person will most likely leave you swimming.

How do I position my body to make a hard turn?

Getting a good start (previous spread) is the key to competing in a PWC race.

During the race, riders should stand as much as possible, to absorb the hits, and lean side to side and forward to back, to keep the pump hooked up.

TO THE WEB IJSBA.com Kawasaki.com Sea-Doo.com YamahaWaveRunners.com

If you’re standing and making a left turn, your left leg will be forward and your right leg will be back. Your left knee will be pushing hard against the seat to take some of the g-force of the turn. Your upper body will have to handle the rest. For a right turn, switch it up. If you’re sitting down and making a left turn, your left knee will be low and press against the seat and the right knee will be a little higher, and your right foot will be outboard as much as possible.

What’s the best way to use trim during turns?

As a rule, bow-down trim is what you want for sharper turns, but not too much, because you don’t want to scrub speed.

How should I position my body and use trim to run fast over chop,

to maintain optimal control?

Riding in choppy conditions takes a lot of control, patience, skill and the ability to feel your way through the waves — call that instinct. Throttle control and keeping the pump hooked up is key to maintaining a fast pace in big water. It’s best to ride standing up as much as possible, to absorb the hits, and weight and unweight your body side to side and front to back in order to keep the pump hooked up as much as possible.

How can I tell when I’m nearing the limits of my control?

Fatigue will be the first sign you’re riding over your head. Find a pace that you think you can ride for a solid hour. Get to know that feeling. If you need to turn it up, know for how long and don’t go past that point.

Know how long you can ride aggressively and in control at different speeds and conditions.

When I sense I am going to wipe out, what do I do? Go limp, tighten up, try to position my body in a certain way?

Try to get away from your boat, so you don’t collide with it. If you’re in a race, be aware of who’s behind you and where they are when you come off your boat, so you have a feel for how long to leave you head down before popping it out of the water. Put your arm in the air before you head into the water, to signal racers behind you.

I’m considering my first race. How do I choose the right level of competition?

For your first race, you should always race a beginner class, or amateur if beginner is not available. Know the rules. Join IJSBA as a race member and research as much as possible online about what class to race in. For instance, a beginner with a stock runabout PWC would race in the Stock Runabout class as a beginner or amateur.

Know what modifications are allowed in your class (reference the IJSBA rulebook).

Even Stock class allows for some modifications that you will have to make if you want to be competitive. ECU modification, sponsons, intake grate, ride plate and an impeller that is matched to your ECU are

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Make sure he’s lapping you, though, and not just behind you wanting to pass you. If you have a rider who seems like he can overtake you, don’t ride over your head and spin out or come off your boat. Ride at your pace and keep true lines. Don’t try to block; that will frustrate the faster rider and make him take a chance to pass you, which might take both of you out of the race.

How do I overtake slow riders safely?

Ease into your limit and do not ride over your head.

Don’t forget, there will always be someone faster. a good start. However, you’ll spend a little more than $1,000 for this stuff.

For a cheaper route to get your feet wet, some race promoters will offer a Box Stock class. I’d say if you’d like to experience racing before you start spending too much cash, the Box Stock class is the way to go.

The speeds are about 10 mph slower, too, so you won’t get over your head too easily.

How do I approach it mentally?

What level of aggression should I exhibit? Should I try to win or just use the first race just to get the feel of how things shake out?

Depends on how much of the competitive gene you have in you. For instance, if you don’t like being passed on the freeway or always hunt for the fastest lane, even in slow traffic, you may have a hard time

58

If you’re lapping them, hopefully they know you’re there and let you go to the inside. If they are not being lapped, then the best and least risky way is to wait for a straightaway and set yourself up to get close to them before the straight. Otherwise, you have to wait for them to take a bad line and then go for it.

sitting back. Sitting back can be smarter, though. You’ll know after the first lap.

If you think you’re going to go for it, the start of the race is probably to most critical and you need to really be on it. The best way is to study the experienced riders. Take the time to sit behind the starting line as much as you can, to get a feel for how the pros do it. What you learn here will save you many places on the track.

Also, take time to know the track. Watch races, watch how the other racers are taking lines. When you get to do practice laps, don’t try to win practice and pass the guy in front of you. Keep focused on the track, the next buoy and what lines you might want to take during the race. Focus.

Focus. Focus.

What’s the proper way to stay out of a faster rider’s way?

If you have a faster rider behind you and he’s lapping you, you generally move to the outside of a turn to let him take the inside.

How do I handle the chop generated by other riders?

Stay out of the pump wash as much as possible, and learn where the sweet spots are in other riders’ wakes. There are always some.

Before the race, how do I get my body and PWC ready?

For your body, hydrate, fuel up and stay loose. For the mind, make sure you completely understand this is for fun. For the PWC, make sure you have the right amount of fuel, check all the hose clamps, the bolts on sponsons, the ride plate and the intake grate. Look in the inlet duct at the prop and shaft to make sure there is nothing hanging out in there that shouldn’t be.

What equipment do I need?

Helmet, goggles (with the foam vents removed), gloves, PWC performance booties, leg protection, back protection (required by some promoters), neck support (recommended) and of course, an approved life jacket. Also, duct tape the goggles to the back of your helmet, in case they come off during the race. BW

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20 VOLT LITHIUM CORDLESS

COMPARE TO

$

5

$ 99

MODEL: 887400

6" VARIABLE SPEED DUAL ACTION POLISHER

SUPER COUPON

LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 8/20/18*

• Drill 28 hole sizes from 1/8" to 3/4"

$39

Customer Rating

$ 62 PORTER-CABLE MODEL: PCFP02003 COMPARE TO

SAVE $ $34

99

ITEM 64032/64030/64033 shown COMPARE TO $

ITEM• 69080/69030/69031 Non-Abrasive shown

LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 8/20/18*

Customer Rating

PROELITE

ITEM 60637/61615 95275 shown

SUPER COUPON • 15,000 cu. in. of storage • 700 lb. capacity • Weighs 139 lbs.

COMPARE TO

20% OFF

B. PANCAKE

LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 8/20/18*

30", 5 DRAWER MECHANIC’S CARTS

PURCHASE

Cannot be used with other discounts or prior purchases.

Original coupon must be presented.

Valid through 8/20/18 while supplies last. Limit 1 FREE GIFT per customer per day.

3 GALLON, 100 PSI OIL-FREE AIR COMPRESSORS

A

• 4.7 hours run-time

MODEL: EU2000i

99

SUPER COUPON

Customer Rating

HONDA

6

MODEL: L4825HV

• Thumb Lock • Rubber • 12" Wrapped x 12" Case

LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 8/20/18*

2000 WATT SUPER QUIET INVERTER GENERATOR

$

99

129

SUPER COUPON

COMPARE TO $

KOMELON $ 98

NOW

ANY

MICROFIBER CLEANING CLOTHS PACK OF 4

COMPARE TO

99

COMPARE TO

1" x 25 FT. TAPE MEASURE

Customer Rating

NOW

$5 9

WITH

10 FT. x 20 FT. PORTABLE CAR CANOPY

®

SUPER COUPON

$

99

2999

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NOW

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MODEL: 2000020293

SAVE 60%

ITEM 62314/63066 66383 shown

LIMIT 7 - Coupon valid through 8/20/18*

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

3/26/18 9:18 AM

StarGazer Wake Edition

GPS Speed Control Turn your inboard/outboard into a true water sports machine.

Driving a stern drive at a steady 20 mph is almost impossible!

Let PerfectPass take the stress out of driving and enjoy your boat like never before. Available for 90% of Mercruiser and Volvo engines produced over the last 15 years.

• GPS Based (No Paddle Wheel required) • No Calibration required • Speed accuracy to within 1 mph

Upgrade Today

perfectpass.com or contact us at sales@perfectpass.com or call

C A LL 949/660 - 6150

1 902 468-2150

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.

marketplace

PerfectPass Boating World 2016 1/2 Page Ad Hanlon Marketing Design Inc. Tel: 902 422-6453 Email hanlon@eastlink.ca

62

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BOATINGWORLD.COM

4/4/18 2:59 PM

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

advertiser advertiser index index PR O D U C T I N FO R M ATI O PR NO AD NU DCPH T IO NN FO ER NM U ATI M BO ER NSA N D PH O N E N U M B E R S

BOATS

SERVICES

Apex Marine (989) 681-4300 ...........................CV4

Boat Angel (800) 227-2643 ................................ 59

Crownline Boats (618) 937-6426 ...................... 6-7

Five Star Houseboat Vacations (417) 988-1387 .................................................... 47

SmokerCraft, Inc./Starcraft (866) 719-7873 .........................................5, 17, 62 Splendor Boats (260) 352-2835 ......................... 63

The World’s Smallest Package Lightest Weight • Least Expensive

National Marine Underwriters (800) 262-8467 ................................................. 59

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

1-800-PROGRESSIVE (800)776-4737 ............... 23

DOCKS & MOORINGS

United States Power Squadrons (888) 367-8777...................................................20

9-13 Man 5” x 12” x 14” 18 lbs $1960

NEW!! FAA TSO Approved Life Rafts Available

WATERSPORTS EQUIPMENT

ELECTRONICS

Connelly Skis Inc/CWB (425) 775-5416 .......30-31

Simrad ........................................................................ 15

Overton’s (800) 334-6541 .................................... 53

ENGINES

Perfect Pass Control Systems (902) 468-2150 .................................................. 62

Mercury Marine (920) 929-5916 ...................... CV2 SternDrive Engineering (813) 925-7127 ............60 Suzuki Marine (800) 247-4704 ............................ 21 800-88-YAMAHA (800) 889-2624 ................. CV3

Rave Sports (651) 255-4810 ..................................19

C A LL 949/660 - 6150

4-6 Man 4” x 12” x14” 12 lbs $1510

GEICO Insurance (800) 865-4846 ....................... 11

Stingray (843) 383-4507 ........................................ 3

EZ Dock (800) 654-8168 ...................................... 25

C A LL 949/660 - 6150

Survival Products, Inc.

marketplace marketplace

EMERGENCY LIFE RAFT BUY or RENT

WOW World of Watersports (844) 969-9063 .................................................. 13

GEAR & ACCESSORIES

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

Harbor Freight Tools (800) 423-2567 ...............61 McGard Inc. (800) 669-6887 ............................... 62 Survival Products (954) 966-7329..................... 63 West System Inc. / Gougeon Brothers, Inc. (989) 684-7286 .................................................. 39

BOATINGWORLD.COM

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MAY 2018

63

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4/4/18 2:59 PM

Reader Contest

Rick Martin illustration

Name the Boat

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

Larry’s first thought upon seeing the tax man cometh was, “Auuu-dit.” OK, maybe that was his second (or third) thought. Send us your name for our boat. If it wins, we will give you an Orbit 2 Soft Top Towable, valued at $239.99, from Connelly, and your name will appear in the July/August 2018 issue of Boating World.

Win This!

YOURS FREE

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The first person to turn in the best boat name will receive an Orbit 2 Soft Top Towable from Connelly (connellyskis.com), valued at $239.99. This 60-inch two-person towable features a Soft Top — neoprene laminated to supple rubber foam — that won’t abrade exposed skin, for all-day riding comfort. Its concave top keeps the center of gravity low, providing stability, and a boarding handle makes climbing back aboard easier.

How to enter: We’ll reprint the cartoon with the winning boat name in the July/August 2018 issue.

Submissions are due by May 14.

Email editor@boatingworld.com with “Name the Boat” in the subject line, or send snail mail to Boating World Magazine/Name the Boat, 18475 Bandilier Circle, Fountain Valley, CA 92708. Please include your full name, address and phone number, along with your entry. Duncan McIntosh Co. and Connelly employees and their families are prohibited from entering. Prizewinners are responsible for any applicable taxes. Decisions of the judges and the editor are final.

BOATINGWORLD.COM

4/4/18 1:27 PM

ONE POWERFUL DESIGN. TWO RELIABLE NEW OUTBOARDS.

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

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

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

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