Innholdsfortegnelse for October 2019 i Boating

DRAGON BAILE—H2O FLOATABLE YES, PLEASE: Floating shades aren’t new, but getting a pair with quality polarized optics and a stylish frame isn’t the easiest. Dragon has addressed that with the H2O Floatable series. This pair, inspired by legendary surfer Mick Fanning, features a matte, translucent frame and blue, polarized lenses that look as stylish as they perform. The fact that they float makes them extremely lightweight, which means no ear or nose fatigue if you wear them all day. NO THANKS: A lack of nose or ear pads makes them less grippy than other high-performance shades. PRICE: $189; dragonalliance.com COSTA SWITCHFOOT—OCEARCH YES, PLEASE: Costa’s signature glass 580G polarized lenses highlight this unique frame, which also features inset Hydrolite nose pads and adjustable temple tips. You get the coverage of a…

Invincible Boats’ new 35 Cat is the third multihull model to join its fleet of center-console catamarans, which includes a 40 and a 37 Cat. The 35 Cat ranks as the first Invincible catamaran available with either twin or quadruple outboards. The 40 and 37 both feature quad outboards. A large insulated coffin box is standard, but there’s an option for a built-in console coffin as well. The top of the box will double as a two-person lounge seat. Additional seating will be available from this factory-direct, custom boatbuilder based in Opa Locka, Florida. A patent-pending Morelli & Melvin hybrid-asymmetric multihull design leans comfortably inward when cornering, like a V-hull, as opposed to leaning outward in turns. With an 11-foot-10-inch beam, the 35 Cat offers more deck space than a…

#3154 We cleared the Boca Raton inlet about 10 a.m. on test day. We were in the new Blackfin 332 CC. The Blackfin brand reemerged three years ago, and out of the gate, “Blackfin 2.0” was a success thanks to the comfort, style and fishability of the 272 CC and the 212 CC. Our goal was to see if the 332 CC topped the company’s full lineup of five models. Spoiler alert: It did, thanks to its length and the features on board that proved Blackfin can improve on its successes. Though we put nothing on the dinner table, the 332 CC put everything on the line for us as we tried everything we knew to generate a bite. The chef was disappointed, but we were happy to have the…

The new Pursuit DC 326 dual console features redesigned topside lines and fiberglass-framed side windows that result in a profile reminiscent of a yacht. The 326 comes standard with a starboard-side cockpit door and an integrated swim platform that extends on each side of the twin Yamaha outboards. Once on board, you’ll find two easy-to-use foldout bench-style seats—one across the transom, the other on the port side of the cockpit. A redesigned aft-facing seat in the forward port corner of the cockpit boasts tackle stowage behind its angled seatback. On the opposite side, a grill and fridge reside in a module abaft the helm seating. To beat the heat, a motorized cockpit shade deploys from inside the optional hardtop. Anglers will appreciate the livewell in the starboard quarter; although, at…

There’s a theme in European folklore about a magical pair of walking boots that allow the wearer to cover seven leagues (21 miles) at every stride. A friend likes to use that term to describe small boats with outsize capabilities. That’s the feel we had recently while running at 20 mph (3,500 rpm) over a washboard chop in the Navigator 610 from BRIG’s North American dealer, Sirocco Marine. With its Honda 90 and its combination of warped-V hull and 1-foot-8-inch-diameter tubes soaking up any impact from the waves, this 20-foot RIB felt like it could take us a whole lot more than seven leagues without breathing hard—or burning much fuel. Its calculated range at that speed is 32.6 leagues (228 miles), based on 90 percent of its 32-gallon tank. That’s…

STERNDRIVE The sterndrives are heavier but offer a better power-to-weight ratio. These drives allow for a full, unobstructed swim platform. OUTBOARD Walk-around space is limited aft of the transom, but outboards can be tilted out of the water, which is really important in salt water. For many years, making the choice between a sterndrive boat and an outboard-powered boat was easy: There wasn’t one. That’s because manufacturers built either one or the other in a certain style, and you took whatever power came with the boat style you wanted. But the proliferation of outboards in recent years, as well as clever engineering on the part of boatbuilders, now allows you to choose between sterndrive or outboard power on essentially the same boat. So, which would you pick? To get a…

WHICH ELECTRONICS ARE THE EASIEST TO USE? Look for models that have the basic functions you want, such as a chart plotter with built-in GPS, navigation charts for the area you are boating in, and a depth sounder/fish finder. Examples of simple-to-operate multifunction displays with all the above are the Raymarine Element S and Simrad Cruise series, both starting at $399 with models ranging from 5- to 12-inch screens. Garmin has a reputation for making products easy to operate. Also, if you understand how to use one model, you probably will have little difficulty operating other Garmin sets when you upgrade. Instruments with touchscreen operation tend to mimic the control functions of smartphones and tablets. If you are comfortable using such devices, you should have little trouble operating a touchscreen…

My brother-in-law has one at his lakehouse in northern Michigan. He put an 8 hp Mercury outboard on the transom and fired it up. My nephews took my two young daughters on joyrides across the lake, just as my brother-in-law had done when he was a kid. The boat is a Wooster Hellion, originally built in Ohio in the 1970s by Rubbermaid. Once powered by a 6 hp Johnson, this two-seater could get up and go, provided the captain and crew were junior-size. With a 7-foot-7-inch length overall and a 4-foot-5-inch beam, the boat itself weighs in at 130 pounds. It’s rated for a 10 hp engine. We asked on social media if anybody owned one, and we heard that Disney used to rent them to guests, and they were…

Wearing a pair of disposable gloves is a good idea while working on the boat, especially when painting, applying sealant, using harsh chemicals or changing the oil. But most gloves tear easily when met with a sharp tool, poorly trimmed zip tie, or the band edge of a hose clamp. Venom Steel’s chemical-, puncture- and rip-resistant nitrile disposable gloves were the answer for me. Two layers—black on the outside and white on the inside—result in sixmil thickness, 70 percent greater than other disposable gloves. If the outer layer does tear, the white inner layer indicates a breach and continues to protect until you can put on a new glove. They are wrist-long to protect as much of the hands as possible, and the micro-texture finish offers a good grip and…

#3155 “Do it all” represents both the current mantra of watersports enthusiasts as well as the battle cry of watersports boatbuilders. With that as a backdrop, Malibu Boats hits the lake with the 22 LSV, the kid sister to its brawny 23 LSV model (by Malibu’s account, the bestselling tow boat of all time). What can you expect from this new jack-of-many-trades? We toured the factory, rode along as a pro rider shredded in our test boat’s wake, and put the 22 LSV through our rigorous boat-test regimen. Hop on, and we’ll share what we discovered. One of the unique options on the 22 LSV is a choice between two different hulls—Wake Plus or Diamond MultiSport. Like it sounds, the Wake Plus is designed for those who just want to…

With the now-complete evolution of the center-console into a form of luxury cruiser, it’s important to remember this type of boat’s original mission statement: to go fishing. North Coast didn’t forget this and designed the 280CC to be a hardcore fishing vessel capable of both chasing inshore species with light tackle and running far outside the inlet in pursuit of the bite. The 280CC’s deep-V hull tapers to 24 degrees of deadrise at the transom, helping it achieve an excellent ride while knifing through waves. We ran it through a confused chop due to excessive boat traffic, and the 280CC handled it with ease. It didn’t pound, shutter or rattle, or throw spray into the cockpit. The twin Honda 250s propelled the boat to a near 54 mph top-end speed,…

At the heart of BoatConnect is an easy-to-install communication hub ($99). No additional Simrad equipment is required to use the system. With a $19.99 monthly subscription, this compact 12-volt DC-powered unit will monitor your boat’s location and battery level, track trips and boat movement, and more. It will send alerts on the free BoatConnect mobile app if your boat leaves a designated area, and will tell you when your battery is low. An internal backup battery will keep the hub powered up for five days, even if the ship’s batteries go dead or are disconnected. BoatConnect also allows you to access live weather reports in the vicinity of your boat on the app. In addition, the app enables boat owners to keep track of family and friends using their boat,…

I think you know how this goes. If you bring an umbrella, it will never rain. If you bet on the Packers, then Aaron Rogers will break his collarbone. And if you purchase a new wakesurfing boat? Maybe our lake neighbor Bill Stolfus could not have anticipated that all the rain that fell last summer and all the snow we were blessed with last winter would cause the water level to rise significantly—to its historically high level, in fact, due to a water table already saturated by consecutive seasons of generous precipitation, and the poor judgment made generations ago to block the natural outlet to neighboring Silver Lake with a Wisconsin state highway. Now our little bathtub of a lake is full to the brim, and to prevent erosion and…

1. What could be the problem if you hear nothing when you turn the key to “start” (engine won’t even turn over)? A. Fuel filter is clogged. B. Main fuse is blown. C. Throttle/shift handle is not in neutral, or if it is, the neutral safety switch is defective. D. None of the above E. B or C 2. You have a carbureted engine. It starts but won’t idle unless you choke or prime it. What could be the cause? A. Fuel filter is clogged. B. Fuel lines (hoses) are disintegrating inside, and the resulting goo is clogging the carburetors. C. Old, gelled and dried fuel residue from nonstabilized fuel is clogging the main jets in the carburetors. D. None of the above E. All of the above could be…

Big-boat craftsmanship combines with bowrider functionality and outboardpowered practicality aboard the new 38 GLS from Cruisers Yachts. Among the features, the biggest “big thing” must be the beach door. Lower the beach door and a spacious recreational area that does not sacrifice the swim platform emerges. In concert with a variety of flexible and convertible seating arrangements, the beach door makes for A-plus entertaining aboard the 38 GLS. Of course, Cruisers Yachts wouldn’t neglect cruisability. Belowdecks, there’s an aft stateroom with deep shelf storage. For additional sleeping quarters, the U-shaped dinette converts into a comfortable berth. A galley, full head and optional flat-screen TV complete this extraordinary accommodation level. With a price of $610,920, the Cruisers Yachts 38 GLS’s top speed with the triple 300 hp Mercury Verado outboards is…

“How fast does it go?” Th is is the question I’m asked most about any boat I’ve tested. Arguably, the most popular statistic in our magazine’s Certified Test results is top speed. But while it’s fun to think about wide-open throttle, how important is it really in terms of how you use your boat? Your boat’s engine is a tool for acceleration, certainly, but how you use it while on board is an important part of overall seamanship. Apply these tips and use your engine to get the most out of your boat. TRIM With outboards and sterndrives, how you trim your boat’s engine or drive proves critical for both performance and safety. When first climbing onto plane, remaining trimmed all the way down helps the boat achieve a flatter…

Boat brushes from brands such as Shurhold, Star brite and West Marine include a variety of bristle stiffnesses—from super-soft to super-stiff, each designed for a specific boat surface and cleaning task. To find out which to use where and when, we talked with Barry Berhof, CEO for Palm City, Florida-based Shurhold Industries, which offers a choice of five stiffness levels in a wide range of interchangeable, quick-attach-and-release brush heads for its aluminum-handle systems. —Jim Hendricks “When it comes to brushes, you should always start with the least aggressive (read: softest) bristles and work your way up in stiffness,” Berhof says. “You want to get the job done, but with minimal effect on the boat’s finish.” SUPER SOFT A supersoft brush style, such as the Shurhold extra-soft design with blue nylon…

#3153 The Swiss Army knife is an overused descriptive cliché, but in the case of the World Cat 400DC-X, it fits perfectly. This new catamaran, powered by a pair of Yamaha’s mighty 425 XTO outboards, stands ready to serve its owner in any number of scenarios. The World Cat 400DC-X was designed to thrive as a multimission boat that would allow enjoyment of a variety of waterborne activities safely, reliably, and with the pride of ownership that comes from a boat put together with a top-notch build. The World Cat 400DC-X is a great boat exactly because it’s so capable at so many things. If you want a walk-around center-console fishing machine, stop reading right here. (World Cat has one coming this fall.) But if you want a boat that…

Outboards powering a premium Down East cruiser? We practically ran the Flag Blue off Back Cove’s 340, and found it responsive, maneuverable, quiet and efficient. With twin Yamaha F300s integrated into its broad swim platform, the 340 bested 42 mph at wide-open throttle. It delivered a range of cruising speeds at which fuel economy beats 1 mpg. Speed up as conditions allow without decreasing efficiency. Sound levels of 78 to 83 decibels in that same range mean conversing without shouting. Smoke, foul odors, vibration? Not with outboards. And outboards tilt clear of the water. For perspective, Back Cove’s popular 34 model, powered by a 480 hp Cummins QSB, tops 33 mph and nets up to 1.5 mpg in that same cruising speed range. Ride? The long, flat, wide transom-pad design…

Chaparral is expanding and improving its well-appointed SSi series of runabouts, reinforcing the company’s commitment to recruiting new boaters by offering a well-engineered, well-built series of boats at a moderate price. The sterndrive-powered 21 SSi proved that ethos during our day running it. We tested the 21 SSi with the 240 hp Volvo Penta SX drive, and achieved a top speed of about 47 mph and snapped onto plane in under 4 seconds. The power steering and super-smooth throttle and shift enhanced the sporty feel of the responsive hull. If you are into sterndrives, and most inland boaters are, the 240 was the ideal horsepower. However, Chaparral also offers the 21 SSi in an outboard configuration. We tested that one with a 200 hp Yamaha and brought it onto plane…

The tide coursing through Sebastian Inlet moved at a steady, uniform pace, the surface of the water uninterrupted, save for the occasional rolling wake from a passing boat. I stood at the helm and looked over the bow, hoping to see signs of life. Suddenly, over 100 yards away, I noticed the water start to percolate like morning coffee, and then explode in a shower of scattering, panicked bait. Fortunately, I happened to be on a nimble PWC, so I sat down, hit the throttle, and rocketed toward the busting fish in a matter of seconds. I popped the PWC into neutral, grabbed a rod from a holder behind me, and cast toward the boil. I frantically cranked the reel handle until a healthy jack crevalle mistook my lure for…