Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2019 i Boating

GRUNDENS WEATHER WATCH HOODED ANSI THE DRY: This is made for commercial fishermen who head out no matter what the forecast. It’s ANSI-certified, meaning it’s fit for use by professionals. Its bright-yellow color helps you be seen in emergency situations, and its seams are sealed with reflective tape. Made from 100 percent nylon, the Weather Watch keeps you dry in all conditions. THE WET: While this jacket is breathable, it’s not as airy as the other choices. You will still need a base layer underneath for warmth. PRICE: $89.99; grundens.com FLYLOW RAINBREAKER THE DRY: Super-lightweight, this waterproof windbreaker is great to wear on warm to temperate days when the rain starts to fall on the water. It can be squished down to pack into a small stowage space when not…

A few no-no’s are visible in the installation of this adjustable trailer-bunk bracket (see “before” photo). First, the bracket is backward. The flat side of the C channel should face the trailer’s cross member so it won’t deform as the nuts are tightened on the U bolt. Also, the bracket is on the wrong side of the cross member. Ideally, it should mount against the flat side of the C channel. What’s more, there are no washers, and as a result, the nuts want to pull through the slot in the bracket, no matter how it’s mounted. What you cannot see here is that this trailer has a 7,000-pound gross vehicle weight rating, or at least it did before being fitted with these adjustable brackets, which are not appropriate for…

American boaters have an alcohol problem. Not too many beers in the fish box, but rather the scourge of ethanol delivered as E15—fuel that’s 85 percent gasoline and 15 percent ethanol—being pumped into boat fuel tanks. E15, or Unleaded 88, was approved for sale by the federal Environmental Protection Agency in 2012 and is now available in 31 states, but it has not been sold between June 1 through September 15—most of the boating season in much of the country—to reduce evaporative emissions that contribute to ground-level ozone. As a boater, you certainly should know that E15 is not approved for use in boat engines, and it should only be used in 2001 and newer cars and light trucks. Boat engines have only been designed to use fuel with up…

The new Starcraft 191 SVX’s elevated sheer brings the boat’s widened beam farther forward than that of previous models, bringing functional and aesthetic benefits, including more space for passengers and stowed gear. The higher hull sides seem to beg for the bright big-block green graphics we saw on our Sport Package test boat, the detailing carried over to piping and panels on the bench upholstery. Within the slightly downswept and stylish bow are cleverly embedded dock lights. Upon inspection, the anchor locker proved roomy; its top is a secure step to the bow’s folding boarding ladder. A small but handy baitwell is within the step-up. Abutting corner cushions, facing bow seats offer plentiful storage. Courtesy lights illuminate the cockpit throughout. Considering the spacious interior, I was truly surprised that the…

Built upon the Wake Plus hull, which is designed to push more water to help create sizable wakes and waves, the all-new 2019 Axis T23 has the ability to provide tons of on-water fun for everybody on board at just the push of a few buttons. With just a driver, passenger, factory ballast (with optional plug-and-play upgrade), and the new Power Wedge III, the T23 put up a wake and wave that advanced riders will love. Add a few more friends to the boat, and the wake only continues to impress. By adjusting the Power Wedge III, you can change the characteristics of the wakes to fit your style and needs. The other advantage of the new Power Wedge III is its lift mode, which positions the foil in a…

At the launch ramp or around the campfire, boater talk oft en turns to troubles—and topping the discussion, along with outboards and tow vehicles, is the boat trailer. It seems like everyone has a story about “that time my trailer wouldn’t…” So, in keeping with that theme, here are 10 potential problems on your boat trailer and how you can prevent them. TRAILER LIGHTS Commonly first or second on the list next to wheel bearings, trailer lights fail often due to the harsh environment they live in and, of course, lack of maintenance. Thanks to LED lighting, however, system problems have dropped dramatically. LEDs can take a lot more punishment than old-school incandescent lights, plus they’re a lot brighter. They last longer as well. If you’re having light problems, it…

The backbone of your boat trailer, the axles see a load of abuse from corrosion, overloading and shock. Consider having yours checked at least once every couple of seasons by a professional trailer-repair shop. Unless you’re a seasoned trailer-repair expert, repairs to the axles, suspension and attaching hardware should be done by a pro. You can, however, check for excessive corrosion, axle sag, spring sag, and spring/attaching hardware corrosion. Check tires for strange wear patterns, and inspect the stance and levelness of the trailer from behind. This can reveal impending axle problems or even failure.…

Polk Marine Audio enlisted Bongiovi to develop its digital signal processing (DSP) system with three objectives. First, to optimize each stereo system by adjusting output settings to each specific speaker and amp in the setup. Second, to optimize that system for a specific boat model with a customized firmware upload to the system’s microprocessor in every subsequent boat of that model. Third, for the real magic, DSP transforms each music frequency band as it is streamed through the system, simultaneously adjusting every frequency continuously to balance with the others and play to the very limit of each speaker and amp. The system not only smoothly adjusts from a vocal solo or a drum and cymbal roll, it also listens to ambient noises such as wind, water and engine sounds, and…

Marquis Yachts is set to release its new 42 dayboat around the 2019 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, with an eye toward boaters who want to live large on the water. The boat will be powered by twin 480 hp Cummins QSB inboards and is expected to top out at 38 mph. Marquis also plans to offer the boat with either twin or triple outboards on the transom. Besides its sleek looks, the 42 will be well-suited to entertain a crew. It will feature abundant cockpit seating with built-in drink holders, and a large cockpit entertainment center with options for a fridge, grill, ice maker and air-conditioning unit. The large aft sun pad should prove a great spot for relaxing. Flexiteek flooring throughout the boat amps up its style factor.…

For centuries, mariners have described encounters with massive waves that reared up out of nowhere. And until recently, scientists disputed the existence of such waves. Today, technology such as satellite radar have proven that rogue waves exist. The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration defines a true rogue as a wave at least twice the size of surrounding waves. According to NOAA, rogues can form when swells traveling in different directions merge to reinforce each other. Rogues can also form when waves encounter a strong opposing current. I encountered the latter on a windless spring day on the backside of Santa Catalina Island off the coast of Southern California. My three sons and I were on the east end of the island and decided to point our 22-foot center-console west to…

For longtime trailer-boaters, backing up a trailer is second nature. They have “game,” as my son calls it, thanks to years of experience and muscle memory. It’s poetry in motion, a ballet of truck and trailer that allows them to quickly launch the boat and load it later while less-experienced boaters weave about and waste time. Once home, they whip around the trailer to put it away without a second thought. How these veterans first learned this skill varies. In my case, a salty Texan named Guy Skinner coached me as I struggled to get my new 22-footer lined up at the launch ramp some 33 years ago. I told him I had been trying a technique I read about of placing my hand at the bottom of the steering…

Big center-console boats—models ranging from 35 to more than 40 feet in length—are taking over in warm places such as Florida where cabins seem superfluous. With a larger center-console comes lots of deck room, and many boatbuilders fill it with cruising amenities such as forward lounges, sun pads, mezzanine seating and more. Yet the Contender 44 ST resists, instead leaving most of the deck clear for the original purpose of this genre—saltwater fishing. To be fair, you can order the 44 ST with a second row of comfy helm seating, and the forward console seating can be extended with a stowage module/cooler that features an inviting padded lounger on top. A motorized lift tilts up the module to access a cavernous compartment underneath. Each boat is built to the buyer’s…

The C-24 Coupe combines trailerability, family weekending, and good performance from its stepped hull. With four adults aboard, we hit 47 mph with a single Yamaha 300. (A 250 hp Yamaha is now the sole engine choice.) It’s 24-degree deep-V hull tracked sure and landed soft. And boy was it quiet underway, maxing at just 89 decibels, a hushed level for such a boat, and one I’d attribute to the robust construction, which, besides providing confidence and durability, offers great sound-deadening properties. For those times you want to meander along, enjoying the sights and just being aboard, fire up the 9.9 hp kicker ($5,260 with remote steering) for even quieter and super-efficient motoring. Naturally, that auxiliary will prove great for trolling, and the C-24 Coupe makes an exceptional fishing platform,…

This is the new shape of entry-level boating. The Four Winns HD 180 melds a runabout’s aft cockpit with the broad bow of a deck boat in a family boat that offers the best of both formats. It’s a formula Four Winns has already offered on four HD series models from 20 to 27 feet in length; the HD 180 scales it down to offer economical cost and operation, plus the ability to tow with a midsize vehicle. We tested the sterndrive version of the HD 180 with base power, but the same boat is offered with outboard power up to 150 hp, starting at less than $35,000. In either case, you get room for four adults in the bow, with a pair of bucket seats and a bench-style seat…

1. What is the common color code for simple trailer wiring in the U.S.? A. Red for positive, black for negative. B. Green for left turn/brake, yellow for right turn/brake, brown for clearance lights, white for ground. C. Black with yellow stripe for ground, red for left turn, green for right turn. D. None of the above 2. Which of the following are differences between a factory-installed (OEM) hitch versus an aftermarket (AM) hitch (choose all that apply)? A. Factory hitches are custom-designed for the vehicle at the same time the vehicle is designed—they are better matched together than an aftermarket hitch. B. Aftermarket hitches are rated for higher loads than factory hitches. C. Factory hitches are usually hidden better behind the bumper. D. When buying an aftermarket hitch, you…

Blackfin’s new 332 center-console is the latest and largest of its five models. The lines feature a high bow and a deep 22-degree transom deadrise for great seaworthiness. Handling is exemplary with Mercury or Yamaha power. Equipped with electronic throttle and shift and power steering, the 332 turns on a dime. The luxurious fisher spins your wallet upward from $318,000. There’s luxury bow seating, and a forward lounge on the console face. Swing-out bolsters form two more lounges to look over the bow. Aft, there is foldout seating in the cockpit, and the extra-wide, contoured bucket helm seats mean everybody gets a good ride. We like the black-and-white gelcoat finish, and repeating it on the underside of the hardtop should reduce glare, ease eyestrain, and serve to give the impression…

A hydraulic surge-brake actuator is one of those items you rarely think about until it malfunctions and wreaks havoc with your boat-trailer brakes. Sometimes the hydraulics in the actuator develop a leak, leaving the system with no brake fluid and the trailer with no braking ability. You usually feel more pronounced thunks as the actuator slides back and forth freely during starts and stops, and you often see fluid on the ground below the actuator. An actuator can also jam due to corrosion or mechanical damage. If it jams while compressing, the brakes can lock up and subsequently suffer severe damage, and grow so hot while towing that they burst into flames. That’s when a malfunctioning actuator really gets your attention. Surge-brake actuators are integrated with trailer couplers, and the…

BOAT WEIGHT Select a model rated for the weight of the boat, if not more. Powerwinch, for example, offers models with capacities ranging from 4,000- to 11,500-pound boats with a single cable setup. Double-cable pulley-block assemblies double the pulling capacity. POWER DELIVERY You can install a battery inside a battery box on the trailer tongue, but it requires that you charge the battery before each trip. You can also wire the winch directly to the tow vehicle’s battery, which is regularly charged by the vehicle itself. CABLE OR WEB STRAP Fulton electric winches are equipped with high-strength web straps. Powerwinch models use stainless-steel cable, while Dutton-Lainson offers winches with either. Both materials work well and are nominally the same when it comes to strength and durability. REMOTE OPTIONS Fulton and…

Ranger launched the 2360 Bay, its downsized version of the 2510, in early 2019. You’ll need to look sharply to distinguish it from the 2510 at first glance because the lines, console, hardtop and leaning post are borrowed from the wildly successful larger flagship. Our test boat featured Mercury’s new 250-horsepower DTS V-8 outboard for power. (It’s also available with Yamaha and Evinrude powerplants.) With the Merc, we hit 52 mph with two men on board and 25 gallons of fuel. Acceleration is snappy, and the boat rode flat, requiring little trim to bring it atop the water, skimming the waves. Trim tabs are not needed for the hole shot, but they are helpful to level the load or lift the bow side facing quartering seas for a smoother ride.…

We were running the Sea Ray SPX 230 Outboard through its performance numbers when we spotted a deer swimming in the middle of the lake. We zipped over and positioned our boat to watch as it slowly swam toward shore. As we idled forward, the water got shallower and shallower, until the deer was standing. But we simply trimmed the outboard and idled in, until we saw it sprint up the shore and into the woods. And that, more than any number, is a great real-world example of the benefits of outboard power. You can trim it up high and, if needed, completely out of the water. For decades, runabouts have been paired with sterndrives, end of story. But boats like the SPX 230 Outboard are increasingly making that rigging…

Leveraging manufacturing expertise and command of technology, Volvo Penta debuts upgraded D4 and D6 diesel engines, a new DPI sterndrive, an upgraded IPS drive, and a new generation of its Electronic Vessel Control (EVC) system, all of which may change the way boaters discuss and compare marine power. These new marine propulsion systems tout cost of ownership advantages, and Volvo Penta goes beyond materials selection, revealing detailed manufacturing techniques to engender confidence in long-lasting reliability. To prove these points, Volvo Penta flew me, along with a corps of other marine journalists, to its Krossholmen, Sweden, test center and proving grounds, on the shores of the Kattegat, an arm of the North Sea near the Danish Straits. There, I ran the new engines and drives in a variety of craft, with…

Next to trailer lights, wheel bearings seem like the most often reported problem among trailer boaters. If you’re towing down the road and experience bearing failure, it’s often too late. If you catch it in time, you might be able to field-fix the issue, if you’ve planned ahead and carried parts and tools. (An extra hub complete with bearings and grease is a great savior.) Before a long trip, make it a habit—part of your pre-trip checklist—to check the bearings, and repack or replace them if necessary, before you head out. To avoid the problem in the first place, take a short test ride. Check the hub temperature at every gas and rest stop; feel the hubs on the inside and out for excessive warmth. If a hub gets hot,…

Green water was coming over the bow of the Stratton about every 10th wave. We were making maybe 5 knots, a speed we’d hold for two days to maintain steerage into the estimated 15-foot seas while keeping the ship’s crew from tossing their cookies. Only a half-dozen or so crewmen manned the command deck when I climbed to the bridge, and all were marveling at the malevolent violence of the Chukchi Sea just north of the Bering Strait that June day in 2018. Our ship, the 418-foot USCGC Stratton, was assigned to a dual mission. First was a community-relations tour to assist three local communities in training fishermen and boaters in self-rescue techniques in the frigid arctic waters. Diomede, a village on a nearly flat rock in the Bering Strait,…