Boating is the world's foremost magazine for boating enthusiasts. Written by experts for those who love the sport, the editorial covers the waterfront -- from runabouts to sportfish convertibles to luxury showpieces, and everything in between.
Pontoons possibly pack the most versatility per length in feet overall compared to other boat types cruising the lake. Certainly, a pontoon boat can carry the most friends and relatives for a given overall length. That fact alone ranks them high on many boaters’ short list of boats to buy. Pontoons do more than carry an entire extended family at one time, though. There are models of these versatile two- or three-tube craft powered by multiple outboard engines, which, like the PlayCraft on the cover of this Pontoon Buyers Guide, can zoom across the water and deliver 70-plus mph thrills. At the other end of the spectrum, buyers can select single-engine pontoons that operate at more sedate and efficient speeds suited for laid-back touring that don’t come with a six-figure…
My cousin, his wife, and my wife and I loaded up our 27-foot cruiser for a great day on the Ohio River to watch Thunder Over Louisville, a festival at Waterfront Park. The weather couldn’t have been better—it brought everyone out for the air show, and the fireworks later that night. Boats were everywhere, which had me worried because the river was above pool, and the current was very strong. Boats were everywhere, which had me worried because the river was above pool, and the current was very strong. At 3 p.m., two young men in a runabout lost power, and the current slammed their boat into our anchor line, which became entangled with their outboard. The river’s strong current made it difficult to get everything untangled, but we finally…
My sister brought her boyfriend, my future brother-in-law it turned out, with her on my boat for a day of tubing and adventure. Though I had the best of intentions, when it was his turn on the tube, I might have spun the wheel a little too aggressively and sent him flying off. In the process, he separated his shoulder and couldn’t help himself back into the boat. As I struggled to help him even slide up onto the swim platform, I gained a new appreciation of what it would take to help a boater who has fallen overboard. Hopefully, a man-overboard (MOB) situation is something you’ll never have to deal with on the water, but if you have anything from a stunned tuber on the lake to an overboard…
On August 14, 2010, boaters on Kentucky’s Lake Cumberland set a Guinness World Record for the largest boat tie-up when they lashed together a whopping 1,651 boats. Most raft-ups you see at your local party cove don’t involve such an insane amount of boats or logistical planning, but they do always look like a lot of fun. If the idea of joining the cotillion of rafted boats in your local bay or party cove appeals to you, there are some techniques and unwritten rules by which to abide. Here are some important pointers when it comes to raft-up etiquette. ASK FIRST If you see a raft-up of a couple of boats in your local cove, don’t just assume there’s an open invitation to join the party. Sometimes a small group…
Q: Dear Doc, first-time boater here. How do I care for my trailer over the winter layup period? Do I need to do anything? Thanks. Jim Hickey Levittown, New York A: Welcome to Boating! Your trailer does need care. If you give it, the trailer will deliver longer, safer service. You should repack the bearings with grease, and inflate the tires to proper pressure and cover them with a tarp or other method to keep off the sun’s damaging rays. Also, if the trailer is stored on grass, make some pads out of bricks or plywood so the tires are not in contact with the ground. Many boaters jack up the trailer onto blocks so the tires and suspension are not carrying a static load all winter. Also, check the…
Q: Mick, I own a 2017 South Bay 200 24-foot tritoon with a Mercury 150 hp engine with 118 hours. The boat is docked in fresh water during the summer months and then put on a trailer for winter storage. After putting the boat away for storage after the third season, I noticed corrosion near the starboard-side engine bolt that is below the waterline. After I cleaned the area, I could see paint was coming off near the mounting bolts from the Mercury motor bracket. The port side is also seeing some pitting as well. The first dealer I took the boat to said that was normal when a boat is left in the water. The second dealer added some magnesium anodes to the pontoon transom near the motor-mount bolts. I…
