Tabla de contenidos para November/December 2023 en Boating

MANITOU EXPLORE 24 MAX SWITCHBACK DUAL ENGINE Here’s a twin-engine pontoon that lets you boat wide-open. The Explore 24 Max Switchback Dual Engine’s transom is wide open thanks to the Max Deck. The Max Deck is made possible due to the groundbreaking Rotax Stealth engines. Twin 150 hp engines integrate with the boat without impinging on transom space like conventional outboards. The boating industry awarded this propulsion system a prestigious Marine Power Innovation Award last year for the way it enhances pontooning. With this ’toon, you also get the added docking maneuverability of twin engines, especially due to the iDock joystick. The elegant Switchback aft loungers face forward or aft. These work well with the Max Deck. The layout also features the Trifold Bench, which morphs from a table to a…

In my nearly half-century as an enthusiast, coach, and competitive water-ski and wake-sports athlete, I have observed firsthand how recreational and competitive athletes evolve and excel. Smart approaches lead to success on the water, while missteps can land you in a frustrating rut with unnecessary falls and potential injuries. Through decades of observation, I have developed a five-step strategy for success. 1. SEEK GUIDANCE FROM THE START “Just do it” might be an excellent marketing slogan for Nike, but it’s not the ideal strategy for learning and making progress. Instead of adopting a “let me try it” approach, which often results in trial and error, opt for coaching from the outset. Learning through trial and error prolongs your path to success and increases the risk of acquiring bad habits. When…

I’m a “mature” boater, which means a salty old skipper who can’t see close up. So, I need the ubiquitous readers to use my cellphone, tie fishing knots, view the chart plotter and more. But I also need polarized sunglasses to cut the glare and protect my eyes. The reader series from Bajio Sunglasses covers both needs. I have the Stiltsville frames with non-magnifying Bajio LAPIS polarization in the upper part of the lens and blue-light-blocking readers with the same tint at the bottom. Now I can see close up without switching glasses, and I won’t step aboard without them. Available in 1.50, 2.00 and 2.50 magnification, every lens features an oleophobic coating to make sunscreen and water easy to remove. The lightweight nylon lenses are available in Green Mirror,…

TARPS The cheapest way to cover a boat is with a polyethylene tarp. The common blue tarp is the least expensive and the least durable. More durable brown or silver tarps cost more. A silver tarp’s reflectivity keeps temps lower in hot climates. Tarps are rectangular, so they rarely fit a boat well. Many knots, bungee cords and duct tape are used to keep out the weather. This also means getting into the boat to perform preseason tasks is diffcult. Usually, some sort of internal frame or support must be devised to keep the tarp shaped so that rain and snow run off. Poly tarps degrade in sunlight; expect no more than three years of use, even in northern climes. Tarps are not good for moving boats long distances over…

In an era where engine-makers are expanding their offering of high-horsepower outboards and boatbuilders are gobbling them up for runabouts, Chaparral proves the value of big-block sterndrives with the refinement of its new 267 SSX. At a flick of the smooth electronic shift lever, the power levitated this nearly 5,000-pound rocket onto plane. Once there, a combination of the 22-degree transom deadrise and 380 hp engine nested low on the stringers sped us to nearly 50 mph. The balanced center of gravity of this large bowrider is enhanced by the massive engine block to give excellent stability through sharp turns. It also smoothly cut through the chop and doubled-up waves we created on our windless test day. Control of the ponies is intuitive thanks to the responsive power steering and…

Montara’s Surf Boss 2.0 blows the old saying about every boat being a compromise right out of the water. It delivers first-class wakesurfing and wakeboarding. And it delivers the mega-sociability of a pontoon boat. While I’m an astute observer of wake sports, don’t take my word about the wakes and waves produced by the Surf Boss 2.0. Pro riders from both disciplines have lauded its capabilities. See for yourself in the video we produced. At the heart of its performance is the aluminum hull, refined by a crew of craftsmen with decades of experience building watersports boats. At the helm, the 12-inch touchscreen was easy to read in sunlight. This provides control of the 4,200 pounds of ballast, rider profiles and more. The Polk Audio head unit is also located…

IN THIS AGE OF 70 MPH PONTOONS, 90 mph center-consoles and 150 mph sport cats, it’s pretty easy to experience eye-popping velocity on the water. So, there you are, the wind flapping your cheeks as you hold that throttle to the stop, one watering eye on the speedo as you bump the trim hoping to squeeze out the last bit of speed it will take to be the first boat to the poker-run card pickup. Maybe you even imagine that’s Reggie Fountain, Steve Curtis or Shaun Torrente at the helm of the boat you are pursuing, and instead of a king of hearts, there’s a big trophy waiting at the finish line. Well, dream on, Speed Racer. You’re going fast, but you are not racing, and your production-built motorboat is…

GILL WINTER NEOPRENE GLOVES THE HEAT: Made with 3 mm double-lined neoprene, these gloves keep the water out and the wind at bay while still allowing use of your fingers. The tapered wrist seal prevents water from entering if your hand is fully submerged. These gloves provide warmth and some degree of dexterity. THE CHILL: Though you can independently move your fingers, your dexterity is hindered when compared to fingerless glove options. PRICE: $55.95; gillmarine.com SIMMS WINDSTOPPER FOLD-OVER FISHING MITT THE HEAT: This combination of a fingerless glove and winter mitten offers the best of both worlds. Flip the mitten top off to enjoy the dexterity of fingerless gloves and flip it back over to keep your digits warm. The Gore-Tex fabric is water- and wind-resistant, and will keep your hands protected…

In the summer of 1982, I dated a beautiful young lifeguard. She lived 16 miles across Long Island Sound in Mamaroneck, New York. Out of nowhere, we parted ways. I left her place (hungry and broke) and headed home to Cold Spring Harbor, New York, in my 13-foot Boston Whaler. I motored out past the last pilings and entered open water. A pesky low-pressure system created east-northeast wind gusts to 27 knots. Seas funneled straight down the Sound. I heard waves breaking over the loud whine of the dinghy motor, which was running for all it was worth. The roar of the original 40 Merc was long gone. (My treasured boat was earning its keep with a little eggbeater.) Conditions worsened. I quartered serious head seas. A boating classroom course…

Q: Dear Doc, if you had a choice of a handheld VHF radio or a built-in, which would you choose? Our boat is a 20-foot Pro-Line. Emily Hester New Smyrna Beach, Florida A: Built-in. You have the space and the range, power will be greater, and you’ll have more battery power. Once the VHF is installed, give yourself a handheld unit for the upcoming holidays. It’s a great backup. TRANSOM SAVER PIN-KEEPER If you’re like me, you tend to misplace the safety pin that secures your transom saver to your boat trailer when you remove the device. I try to remember where I tossed the pin, but now I don’t have to because I created a lanyard that keeps the pin with the transom saver. I used a scrap piece of…

Knowing the air pressure of your boat-trailer tires is critical to towing safely. A tire that loses too much air pressure can affect trailer balance and support, lead to overheating of the tire, result in uneven tread wear, and cause catastrophic tire blowouts. That’s why it’s important to keep pressures of special trailer (ST) tires at the maximum rated psi (pounds per square inch) printed on the sidewall. Also important is stopping periodically during long tows to check the air pressure with a gauge to see if the tires are in good condition. Today, however, you don’t necessarily need to stop as often to do that. Now there are aftermarket systems available that let trailer boaters monitor tire air pressure and temperature on the fly. Similar to the systems found…

SOLSTICE PUP PLANKS $179 to $239; solsticewatersports.com This semi-rigid inflatable dog-boarding platform has mesh steps that sink into the water, giving your dog an easy leg up to the boarding platform. The dog can sit there to drip off and dry. A duck dog may just hang there for the hunt. D-rings and a pair of 8-foot-long ropes included secure the platform to a boat, dock or poolside. It’s available in three styles. A mini size ($179) is designed for smaller dogs to 30 pounds. An XL will handle dogs to 200 pounds, as will the XL Sport in camo designed for waterfowling (both are $239). The manufacturer says the platforms are tougher than toenails, and considering its success in paddleboards, we wouldn’t argue a bit. We like this device…

The new Sea-Doo GTR-X model is a performance watercraft for the pragmatist. While not the most powerful, best-handling or most advanced model in the Sea-Doo lineup, the GTR-X pairs strong performance with high-level features for a ride that will never leave most owners aching for more. The GTR-X model is the first Sea-Doo to combine the 300 hp Rotax 1630 ACE engine with the Sea-Doo GTI hull in a craft intended to offer outstanding bang for the buck, with a base price of $16,999. The performance attitude is enhanced with a low racing-style handlebar and a racing seat a deep rear bolster, and the GTR-X comes equipped with the same 7.6-inch display screen featured on the premium Sea-Doo GTX touring models. The Sea-Doo GTI hull is formed with Polytec II,…

Tahoe Boat’s new T21 is an aggressively fun, waterborne machine. Its wide-open interior’s minimalist design is sleek, begging you to grip the wheel and take it for a rip. It offers heady 57 mph top speed, hot-rod acceleration (3 seconds to plane, and zero to 30 mph in a quick 4.5 seconds). Its design brings comfort, exciting style and performance at a great value. The fast-planing hull and Mercury 200 XS carve tight turns without complaint. It holds plane at a low 16 mph, which appeals to watersports enthusiasts, along with the ski pylon and ski locker, both standard features. This rig is capable of towing multiple riders, even with a boatload of spectators aboard. Tahoe aimed for a highutility rig and nailed it. In front, the twin facing lounge…

The design of any marine powertrain begins with a propeller that produces a desired amount of thrust. To elevate the performance of the new Sea-Doo RXT-X and RXP-X watercraft models, engineers at BRP Rotax in Austria worked with BRP propulsion engineers in Canada to devise an impeller with a thrust curve capable of propelling these craft from zero to 60 mph in a mind-bending 3.4 seconds. They also designed an engine with a torque curve able to turn that impeller at the desired rpm. BRP will brag on the class-leading 325 hp of its new Rotax 1630 ACE engine, but that rating is almost irrelevant. The top speed of all PWC is governed not to exceed 69 mph, so this new engine rarely comes close to its 8,250 rpm limit,…

1. Should you change the engine powerhead oil and filter before layup or in the spring? A. Wait until spring; prices for oil will be lower then. B. Change the filter now and the oil in spring. C. Change the oil and filter now, before layup. This ensures the engine has fresh oil coating all its internal parts, with no contaminants or water and condensation in the oil. D. None of the above; wait until next summer to change the oil when the boat is in use. 2. Your boat has 50 gallons of recently pumped fuel aboard. Should you drain the boat’s fuel supply before putting the rig up for winter? A. Add fuel conditioner and run the engine for at least 30 minutes to ensure the treated fuel…

With our upcoming coverage of Highfield Boats RIBs—rigid inflatable boats—we thought this question was relevant. So, we posed it to Christophe Lavigne, president of Highfield Boats USA. Lavigne is also a boat designer, so he’s highly qualified to address the question. While the reasons any individual person buys any specific boat are certainly personal and unique, Lavigne put a few of the top RIB attributes into perspective for us. First, he noted the protection provided by the tube. “You are surrounded by a tube that protects you. It’s a good way to give you confidence in certain situations (such as docking), especially if you are a new boater.” Second, he noted the light weight of a RIB compared to a conventional fiberglass boat. Highfield RIBs are especially light for their…

Videos of waterfront residents confronting boating anglers fishing around private docks and shores fill the internet. Ironically, it’s often a case of boater versus boater, as many residents have their own boats at the docks. Fish such as freshwater bass are attracted to the shade and structure offered by boat docks, pilings and seawalls. This in turn attracts boating anglers. Conflicts usually arise when waterfront residents tell boating anglers that they’re trespassing. When anglers disagree and continue to fish, tempers flare and harsh words fly. Some residents call the police or resort to harassment. In the worst cases, anglers and residents both provocate, though violent altercations are rare. As a boating angler, I’ve experienced the early stages of these situations myself. Fortunately, none reached the boiling point. And to be…

Warning stickers throughout new boats encourage boaters to avoid potentially unsafe practices on board. An error among some uninitiated bass anglers is allowing passengers to ride on plane in fore or aft pedestal seats. We suspect the sticker shown was promoting the use of the front step to the bow as a fourth seat, but we feel its position on the diagram could be misinterpreted as recommending the bow pedestal seat. Pedestal seats almost always swivel; in choppy lake water, they tend to rock in opposite cadence with the boat. The potential to eject a passenger or even break loose from the deck makes them dangerous seating positions while underway. When a bass boat legally allows more passengers than actual seats, the next best seating option is a firm step…

Even if you don’t live where the water freezes, you should take steps to prep your sterndrive boat for the winter—even if it means you only put the boat away for the holiday season. The annual maintenance rituals will help your engine and drive live longer while better familiarizing yourself with the workings of your boat. Here are critical steps you should take when winterizing your sterndrive. FUEL SERVICE Before shutting down the engine for the last time, ensure your boat’s fuel is capable of a long-term rest, especially if your fuel contains ethanol. Fill the fuel tank until it’s almost full, allowing room for expansion due to temperature and humidity changes. Next, change the waterseparating fuel filter. Then treat the fuel with fuel conditioner and run the engine long…

At 70 mph, I knew I should be watching the seas ahead in the potholed Gulf Stream, but the numbers painting green on the big Garmin monitor in front of me were as hypnotic as the eyes of a swaying cobra. They read 70.1, 70.0, 72.3, 69 (woops, hit a swell), 70.2. The entire dashboard of the new Intrepid 51 Panacea is laid out for someone with a penchant for speed. The three big Garmin monitors give the skipper’s “office” the feel of a CIA special ops center, and the push buttons for systems are clearly marked and curve across the dash like those on a new C-8 Corvette. Coincidentally, that’s the car owned by Intrepid president Ken Clinton. (You are so busted, Ken.) But the real Intrepid story is…

Solara calls its new S-310 CW a Center Walkaround. It can do a lot on the water. A console offset to port anchors the deck plan. A wide starboard walkway leads to a deep forward cockpit with twin seats on the console’s front and double benches served by a table. There are beverage holders, rod holders, and recesses for gear and stereo speakers. There’s an anchor windlass and bow ladder. A nonskid pad atop the gunwale with a handrail facilitates boarding at a high wharf. The cabin top sports a rack for kayaks, boards or bikes, plus an eight-rod rocket launcher that lowers for access. The helm holds bow and stern cameras, two Garmin MFDs, beverage holders and USB charging ports. There is also a refrigerator-freezer. The lockable cabin offers…

Lifestyle COSTA DEL MAR KING TIDE Any boater worth his or her salt is going to love a pair of sunglasses. They’re a crucial tool for almost any day on the water, as Costa Del Mar knows. To celebrate its 40th anniversary of making shades for anglers and boaters, Costa released its King Tide frames, technical shades combined with 580 lenses for serious days on the water. The six-frame version features a medium wrap, and the eight-frame model offers a full wrap. The King Tide features removable side shields, venting to prevent fogging, and sweat management. $329; costasunglasses.com BAJIO SOLDADO WOMEN’S FRAMES If you’re looking for a gift for your family boater, the eyes always have it. With these stylish metal frames in the spirit of the classic aviator style…