Boating içinde January/February 2023 için içindekiler tablosu

The TH36 represents a departure from traditional Four Winns boats. This catamaran possesses sleek lines courtesy of renowned Italian firm Garroni Design Studio. Also, compared to similar-size monohulls, the TH36 offers acres of on-deck space, plus more cruising privacy. Belowdecks, discover a pair of staterooms, each with its own en suite head and shower. Each resides in a separate hull, providing that aforementioned privacy. Ambient overhead lighting and elegant lines throughout ensure comfort. Topside, the TH36 can host as many as 15 people. The bow cockpit provides seating for six, while the versatile aft cockpit offers plush seating and tables on sliders, with three different layouts. Inside the open-air pilothouse is a double seat and a captain’s chair, with galley areas featuring spacious storage, refrigerators, a sink and an optional…

Managing the load aboard your boat begins before you set out and continues throughout the day. Keep an eye on your boat’s load, and you’ll enjoy greater safety, increased efficiency and improved handling. First off, never exceed the capacity rating of your boat. Even if it’s the Fourth of July, your cousins are in town, or it’s just a short trip to the sandbar, don’t risk lives by overloading your boat. Find the capacities, listed in pounds and in persons, engraved or imprinted upon a plaque or sticker located near the helm. Know that for the purposes of capacity, a person equals 150 pounds. So, if your linebacker-size uncle fishes with you, count him as two people. Some boats carry a yacht certification or otherwise lack a capacity plate. If…

Sperry Water Striders proved to be comfortable, multipurpose footwear that worked as water shoes, boat shoes, and shoes that could be worn ashore. I wore them while washing the boat and out fishing, and my feet did not feel uncomfortable when they got wet because the shoes drained and dried quickly. Traction was good on wet decks and while carrying gear on the dock. These shoes did not slip on and off as easily as I initially thought they might, but they provided better foot and ankle support than easy-off shoes. Water Striders also provided great comfort and protection while wading a shelly, pebbly beach. Sperry Water Striders, part of the Sperry Sport Collection, are available for men and women in a variety of colors. $54.95; sperry.com…

TALE OF THE TAPE Both the Trixx and JetBlaster are based off models in the Rec Lite category: the current Sea-Doo Spark 2up and the former Yamaha EXR. Though Sea-Doo offers the Trixx in the Spark’s 3up version, the added length comes via a 10-inch hull extension that makes it more difficult to perform the original’s signature maneuvers. We’d argue that buyers looking for a true freestyle craft are most often riding solo and looking for best performance, so we opted to pair the best examples from each of these PWC manufacturers. The difference is notable in the specs. The Trixx measures 110 inches long, 46.4 inches wide, weighs 428 pounds and uses a 90 hp, 899 cc Rotax 900 ACE engine. The JetBlaster is longer and narrower at 123.6…

The smaller sibling of Supreme’s S240, the all-new S220 is an all-around wake-making machine designed to provide more bang for less bucks, and it delivers on several fronts, and in a size that can be more approachable for a lot of buyers. While the “S” moniker has been in the Supreme lineup for years, the latest iteration is anything but similar to its predecessors. The S220, along with its bigger 24-foot sister, features higher freeboard, a hybrid bow shape, and a clean hullside and sheerline that give it a solid, defined look on the water. Simply put, the S220 looks like it can create some serious wakes and waves, and thanks to its all-new running surface, it does. The EZ-V hull is similar to the Opti-V hull from sister company…

Pontoon boats are notoriously hard to dock compared to other boat types, but Sea-Doo’s Switch solves that problem. Thanks to handlebar steering with thumb paddle controls, proprietary software and water-jet power, this pontoon spins, shifts and shuttles better than Danny MacAskill. The Switch also offers a unique layout. Maybe call it the unlayout. Instead of fixed seats and amenities, this boat allows tailoring the arrangement to suit the day. Choose wide-open empty space for fishing or beach-ferry duty today, with myriad seating and lounging options for tomorrow’s fireworks cruise. The Sea-Doo Switch is also accessible, which includes its easy docking, but primarily its low price. A family of five can get out on the water for as low as about $28,000 for the Switch Compact, while the largest 21-foot, 230…

At its heart, Fathom e-Power uses advanced lithium-battery technology to provide auxiliary electrical power for boats ranging from less than 20 feet in length to yachts. “Lithium batteries for marine applications have gained substantial traction in the last decade,” says Eric Lindquist, VP and general manager for power systems at the Navico Group. “They last longer, charge faster, reduce weight and maximize space, as well as save time and money in the long run (versus lead-acid batteries)—all the while minimizing negative impacts on the environment.” The upshot: Lithium battery systems are well on the way to rivaling marine generators as an auxiliary power source. Yet Fathom e-Power extends well beyond batteries. It is designed to seamlessly integrate a host of onboard components from brands within Navico (a Brunswick company), including…

VENTILATION HUK A1A ROPE PERFORMANCE STRETCHBACK TIP O’ THE HAT: Hats can reduce both evaporative and convection cooling. Look for more than just common eyelets to improve ventilation. The side and back panels of Huk’s A1A Rope Performance Stretchback are laser-perforated to add literally hundreds of tiny ventilation holes. Taller profile caps also provide room for air to move across the top of the head. HAT HEAD: Steer clear of the open mesh of the classic trucker hat, particularly in summer. It lets in more radiant heat and increases risk of sunburn. PRICE: $35; hukgear.com HYDROPHOBIC MELIN A-GAME HYDRO TIP O’ THE HAT: Polyester’s natural ability to shed or repel water means a good splash or even brief dunking won’t saturate the material, making it quick to dry. Melin’s A-Game…

DOMETIC ELECTRIC STEERING FOR WAKEBOATS Dometic’s new Optimus electric steering system for inboard wake-sports boats makes for effortless and nimble handling. The Optimus steering actuator attaches to the rudder via a rudder post and is commanded by the Optimus electronic steering helm. All of the system’s electronics are housed within the actuator for easy installation. The system can also integrate with touchscreen displays on wakeboats, allowing for easy and precise adjustments of lock-to-lock turns, wheel effort and other steering parameters. $3,500 for the actuator and helm; dometic.com WEBASTO ELECTRIC SHADE Webasto’s Telescopic Shade 2500 is designed for installation on a hardtop or arch. It electrically deploys and retracts, using stainless-steel tubing and castings polished to a high gloss. It can remain extended while the boat is underway in moderate conditions.…

WATERED DOWN An annual cleaning of your engine with soap and water—use a fine, light spray—is beneficial to hinder corrosion. SPRAY AWAY Q: Dear Boat Doctor, what can I do to help protect my engine from corrosion? I am new to boating and bought an older boat with a brand-new engine. Kerry Caramanica Ocean City, Maryland A: Flush it with fresh water after every use if you use it in salt water. (A closed cooling system is best for sterndrives and inboards run in the salt.) Spray the engine with an anticorrosion coating, such as pure silicone, or one of the proprietary engine sprays. Be sure to touch up scrapes in the paint in a timely fashion. Keep up with replacing your sacrificial anodes. Once a year, give the engine…

Like it or not, mobile phones have become indispensable appendages in our lives, even while boating. More than just a way to converse with family, friends and business associates, and check in on social media platforms while afloat, mobile phones also offer useful boating apps that provide wind and wave forecasts, weather radar, tide tables, navigational data and more. The upshot is that mobile phones have become part of the boating lifestyle, and as such we need to keep them charged while on the boat. A cottage industry has sprung up in the field of marine phone chargers, but most require that you plug them in. However, a growing number of marine phone chargers are wireless, and one of the latest is the Rokk Nest SCCW-06E wireless charger from Scanstrut.…

For a company that hasn’t built a center-console since the 1980s, Formula will impress anglers with its 387 Center Console Fish (CCF). Its thoughtful design and clever innovations set it apart from the cookie-cutter boats that abound in the center-console genre. Stepping aboard the 387 CCF at the dock in Miami was easy thanks to the long swim platformettes bracketing both sides of its 2-foot-7-inch-long outboard engine bracket. Another entry point is the portside dive door. The fishing cockpit has 51 square feet of space, and a cockpit gunwale height of 30 inches adds to angler safety and comfort. Toe rails offer extra security when fighting or gaffing fish. Its credentials as a serious fishing machine are quickly revealed with features like twin 40-gallon livewells set into the transom that…

The mission of the Scarab 165 ID can be described in one word: fun. This 15-foot-9-inch runabout can be ordered with up to 300 jet-drive horsepower. With a full tank of gas, it weighs only about 1,700 pounds. That’s an exciting power-to-weight ratio—one that will rip from zero to 30 mph in a tick over 4 seconds and top 57 mph in a flash with a crew of two grinning boaters aboard. The steering is quick, and the hull is agile. The Scarab 165 ID is simply a blast. This boat does have a practical side. On its trailer, the Scarab 165 ID is just 18 feet, 4 inches long and weighs a little more than 2,300 pounds, an easy tow with even a modest vehicle. The Scarab 165 ID…

A new electric-powered boatspeed record was set at the 34th Annual Lake of the Ozarks Shootout last August, breaking a record once held by our own Randy Vance in partnership with Torqeedo (boatingmag.com/electricspeedrecord). Shaun Torrente crossed the finish line at 104 mph in the Vision 32 catamaran powered by two custom-built Vision Marine electric outboards. Torrente, a two-time H20 F1 world champion and owner of Shaun Torrente Racing in Florida, ran the Vision 32 again on Day Two of the event to an even faster 109 mph. The Vision 32 is the first electric-powered boat to exceed 100 mph. The twin Vision marine outboards powering Torrente’s boat were purpose-built for the record run. But the standard E-Motion 180E should provide plenty of excitement, delivering the continuous equivalent of 180 hp.…

OK, this guy doesn’t really have to worry about financing his boat purchases. Being born into generational wealth means he can pull money out of his bank account anytime to buy his dream boat—you know, the one most people only fantasize about. But just because he has the financial wherewithal to plunk down a briefcase of Benjamins for a new boat, is it always the smart idea? That depends, according to John Haymond, senior vice president for Medallion Bank and president of the National Marine Lenders Association. “It really depends on your individual financial situation and the specifics of your boat purchase,” Haymond says. “It’s never a bad idea to maintain cash in reserve, especially in volatile economic conditions. It could also be wise to put less money down or…

Rising interest rates, higher boat prices and lack of inventory have led more people to hold on to their old boats and consider repowering to make their current boat new again. Thanks to the increasing interest, the repower demand—especially for outboard dealers handling popular brands like Mercury, Yamaha, Suzuki and Honda—is stronger than ever. These engine companies, however, are also faced with production and supply-chain issues. “Loose motors” (a term used for new engines sold to the repower market) are especially hard to come by because motor manufacturers are working hard to supply OEM boatbuilder partners, who are working hard to catch up with their backlog of pre-sold boats. Even in this environment, financing is available to fund the purchase of today’s high-powered outboard engines, which easily run from $40,000…

(Answers below) 1. What should you do to a hydraulic steering system every time you take a ride in your boat? A. Drain all hydraulic fluid and refill with fresh. B. Steer the system lock-to-lock to check for loose steering or binding, and to ensure the engine and drive move properly when you move the steering wheel. C. Check the system and its parts for corrosion and fluid leaks. D. B and C E. All of the above 2. Can you “overpower” your boat’s steering system? A. No, all hydraulic and cable systems are rated for unlimited power. B. Yes, some less expensive systems (like BayStar, for example) have horsepower and speed limitations. C. Yes, you cannot exceed 300 hp with any hydraulic system. D. None of the above 3.…

Jeanneau’s DB/43 OB goes beyond the features and functions of dayboats with its style, finish and capacity for entertaining. The work of Italian designer Camillo Garroni, the DB/43 OB is striking. It’s streamlined aesthetic offers a unique character and a contemporary style. Owners will draw attention at any marina or any anchorage they visit. Substance backs up the DB/43 OB’s style. It features an airy, open-to-the-sea deck plan. Of special note is the cockpit, where an expansive swim platform combines with opening terraces port and starboard to provide exceptional entertaining space, plus outstanding water access for any variety of activities. The cockpit also features an island galley. Belowdecks are two staterooms, a head and a galley, all rendered in luxury. Power? The DB/43 OB runs on a hull designed by…

One of the common concerns in marine engineering is what is known as a single-point failure, whereby if one thing goes wrong, disaster is probable. In the photo above, we see a Nyloc nut holding a steering system together. If this nut fails and the bolt falls out of place, this boat owner is in trouble—their steering system will fail totally and instantly. You should inspect your steering system annually to make sure all hardware is in solid condition and not rusted. Make sure to replace with stainless-steel hardware only.…

A bow-mounted electric trolling motor using variable speeds and 360-degree swivel capability can keep a small to midsize vessel on the mark without the need to anchor. Want to hold your boat in position and pointed in a specific direction along a rip or a weed line? We asked Rhode Island charter skipper B.J. Silvia (flippinoutcharters.com) about his use of a trolling motor to capture bruiser stripers, bulldog blackfish and behemoth tuna. “Push a button on the wireless remote or MFD,” Silvia says, “and the Minn Kota keeps you ‘anchored.’ I run Spot-Lock through my Humminbird Apex system.” Here are five ways Silvia uses the automated position-keeping technology of trolling motors to up his scores with saltwater gamefish. MUD OR ROCKY BOTTOM Sticky bottom poses a challenge to conventional anchoring.…

One of the most desirable items on a Cobalt is not an accessory, but rather that iconic logo badge on the side of the hull. It connotes quality, luxury, style and performance, telling every boater in the know that you have indeed arrived. Cobalt earned its reputation over decades of delivering superb boat-owning experiences, and the new R33 carries forward the panache of the Cobalt name. It does so not just with the badge, but with a big, stylish and exquisitely appointed runabout design that’s adept at day cruising, watersports, rafting and anchoring up, motoring to dinner at a waterside eatery, and even overnighting. We tested the sterndrive version (it’s also available with twin or triple outboards) featuring twin Volvo Penta 380 hp V-8s with Ocean X Duoprop drives. The…

Boatbuilders have long attempted to blend the size and space of a deck boat with the look and style of an open-bow runabout, but results are often mixed. Starcraft’s SVX 230 IO pulls off the challenge with aplomb. Hullsides carry the beam width nearly all the way forward, keeping the bow cockpit wide and roomy without resorting to polarizing pickle forks or spoonlike swoops. Instead, a pair of gentle angles bring the otherwise rectangular footprint to a shallow, attractive V. Top things off with a wingless windshield, like those found aboard premier wakeboat models, and the result is a stylish, family-friendly hybrid for Starcraft’s typical value-minded price tag. Step into the cockpit via the starboard-side transom walk-through or spacious bow platform and find seating layout for up to 11 crew.…

So, you’re going to do it: Take the plunge and buy the new boat of your dreams. You’ve cruised boat shows, visited dealerships and scoured the internet to find the perfect rig for your lifestyle and budget. After having countless conversations, scanning boat tests and brochures to compare specifications, and poking around in lockers and peeking into cabins, you’ve found “it”—the best boat for you and your family. Now you need to answer a question that is equally important, particularly in these challenging economic conditions: What is the best way to pay for it? Finding the right answer to this question could be even more challenging in today’s environment of rising inflation and interest rates, not to mention the added wrinkle that many eager wannabe boaters are sitting on lengthy…

This guy actually relishes the process of diving into various financing options and researching all the ins and outs for himself. Wally wouldn’t entrust anybody else with the task of comparing the financing options from different banks and lenders to see how much he qualifies for, and how to structure a down payment and payment plan that suit his needs. Wally doesn’t have to be a financial wizard either, as long as he turns to trustworthy sources. The National Marine Lenders Association is an organization of banks, loan origination companies, finance companies, credit unions and other industry professionals specializing in boat loans. While its primary purpose is to educate current and prospective lenders in marine financing procedures and promote marine lending within the industry, it can also be a valuable…