Boating

The original editorial staff of this publication, which was named Popular Boating at its inception, viewed an exciting world of recreational boats, one on the cusp of dramatic change. Chris-Craft, Century, Pacemaker, Wheeler and dozens of more local and regional boatbuilders had been supplying mostly wealthy individuals with a steady stream of boats made from wood and/or plywood. Chris-Craft actually built its first fiberglass boat—the streamlined Cobra, sporting a large tailfin—just months before the New Year of 1956. At the same time, at The Anchorage in Rhode Island, Bill Dyer built the first Dyer 29, a downeast-style vessel designed by Nick Potter, out of fiberglass. Still being built today, the Dyer 29 is considered the longest continuously produced fiberglass boat model in history. Born in 1956, we are in good…

ON BOARD WITH CAPTAIN’S TEST FOR COMPARISON’S SAKE ONLINE THIS MONTH FIRST IMPRESSION GEARHEAD How long have you been flying for boating photo shoots? I’ve been chasing boats for over 40 years. I started with offshore races in South Florida in the early 1980s, chasing all those guys who were smugglers who turned into powerboat racers. I was one of the few pilots who knew how to get the photographer in there real close. Once a cameraman gets a pilot they like, they stick with them. In the 1990s, I started working with Forest Johnson (who has shot over 1,700 magazine covers) and we worked together for decades. I love flying and helping photographers get cool shots. What is your rig? I used to fly all different types of helicopters,…

1. Your boat’s bilge pump only works intermittently. Sometimes you can walk by it when it’s on the trailer and hear the pump whirring, but there’s no water in the boat. Where should you look to see if there’s a problem, and correct it? A. The bilge pump is one of the newer models and has a self-activating test circuit that checks the pump every few minutes. There’s nothing wrong. B. The bilge pump automatic float switch is old, or stuck in the “on” position, and is activating the pump. Check the float switch and replace if necessary. C. Someone left the bilge pump manual switch in the “on” position. D. The engine’s kill switch might be bad. E. A or B above—either can be correct. 2. Your navigation lights…

CLEANTOOL ABSORBER SYNTHETIC CHAMOIS THE DRY: Chamois are known for their ability to soak up large amounts of water while also being safe on delicate surfaces. Cleantool claims the wringable Absorber, which is made of a synthetic PVA material rather than animal leather, can absorb water three times faster than a regular towel. It’s machine washable and can be stored wet onboard inside a container without mildewing. THE SOG: A single chamois costs over twice as much as a 12-pack of microfiber cloths. You might need more than one to dry down your boat. PRICE: $15.99; westmarine.com GRIP ON MICROFIBER TOWELS THE DRY: Microfiber cloths are a great choice for drying your boat because they’re nonabrasive and won’t scratch your fiberglass, stainless-steel or plexiglass surfaces, and especially your electronic screens. They’re…

Boating—originally known as Popular Boating—hit newsstands in 1956 to help boaters more confidently make boating purchases, and allow them to more enjoyably own boats and accessories. That credo still guides us 70 years later. An early fan of ours was none other than Carl Kiekhaefer. What Ted Williams was to baseball, Kiekhaefer was to marine propulsion. He founded Kiekhaefer Corporation, which would later merge with Brunswick Corporation, and then become Mercury Marine. Kiekhaefer sent us a congratulatory telegram, calling Boating one of two great developments for boaters. That other great development was the upcoming introduction of the 1957 model year Mercury Mark 75 outboard—a 60 hp, inline six-cylinder engine that was then the most powerful outboard extant. ONLINE THIS MONTH IT’S SHOWTIME! It’s boat-show season, so now is the…

CRUISERS YACHTS 38 VTR EC Here’s a US-built “adventure” boat, rendered in wider, deeper and more luxurious form than many European entries in this category. It possesses the hallmarks of the type. Note the ease of access from bow to stern afforded by its single-level deck; the racks on the housetop to carry bikes, boards or kayaks; the angular lines with a noticeably low-rake to the stem; outboard power; and a stepped hull. On that hull, Cruisers Yachts gave the 38 VTR EC what we’d term vented chines, because the steps terminate at the outboard lifting strakes instead of running from chine to keel. Its deep freeboard and wider proportions also set it apart. An open version is also available. Belowdecks, find a V-berth that converts to a dinette, and…