Innholdsfortegnelse for May 2025 i Boating

No matter what type of boater you are, you should consider a quality pair of polarized sunglasses to be essential safety gear. Not just for how they reduce glare, but for how they protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays as well. Sunglasses-makers now offer myriad lens colors to choose from, but you shouldn’t pick based only on style. The different lens colors provide different benefits depending on how and where you boat. We picked just three different lens colors from Bajio Sunglasses selection, paired with the new Darien frames, to illustrate the differences. BLUE LENSES THE CLEAR: These are best for bright, sunny days offshore. They are ideal for offshore boaters who spend a lot of time roaming far outside the inlet, especially for long days in…

NEWPORT LOPRO LITHIUM BATTERIES LoPro lithium batteries from Newport are engineered for small-boat and kayak anglers seeking a compact, easy-to-transport, yet high-performance DC power source. The LiFeP04 design features an IP67 waterproof rating, Bluetooth connectivity, and tool-free terminal lugs. Its 14.5-square-inch footprint is just 4.13 inches tall. It’s available in 12-volt (100 Ah), 24-volt (50Ah) and 36-volt (50Ah) models. The 12- and 24-volt versions weigh 22.5 and 22.6 pounds, respectively, and each floats. Starts at $599; tinyboatnation.com HOBIE HULL FLOAT SUNGLASSES The Hull Float sunglasses from Hobie Eyewear feature ultralight frames made from upcycled Hobie kayak plastic. Plus, the polarized lenses not only are crystal-clear and cut glare, they are made from bio-based nylon, so they are planet-friendly too. And yes—just like a kayak—these sunglasses float, so you can retrieve…

Typically, I have used the same aerosol antifouling coating that I use to protect my outboard’s mounting bracket and my trim tabs to protect my transducers. This has worked fine. Last year, I applied Foul free by Propspeed to a new transducer I was installing aboard Break-away. Foul free is a foul-release, as opposed to antifouling coating. It contains no toxic biocides. Instead, it creates a surface so slippery that critters and plants get washed off as the boat is underway. This same technology has been successfully applied with Propspeed’s Foul free coating for inboard propellers. In any event, a biocide-free coating sounds like a good idea to me, if it would provide solid protection. For comparison, I applied Foul free to one transducer and a popular aerosol antifoulant to…

The Marex 440 Gourmet Cruiser showcases the Norwegian boat builder’s decades of producing a combined classic style with class-leading comfort and well-thought-out functionality. Marex applies a user-focused approach to boating, inspired by an ownership and management team consisting of devoted cruisers. The Marex 440 is available in two versions: the Gourmet Cruiser we tested, and the Scandinavia, debuting in the US as we go to press. Both feature a cockpit that can rightly be called an exterior salon because they offer plush seating, sun and rain protection from an overhanging top with a sliding canvas insert, and further weather protection from Marex’s unique and easily deployed cockpit enclosure. Aboard the Scandinavia version, you’ll find two almost-equal-size salons outside and inside, separated by a sliding glass door. The Gourmet Cruiser offers…

It is Grady-White’s consistent adherence to its style points that tells all other boaters that they are looking at a Grady, even when the nameplate is not visible. So it is with the new Freedom 345 dual-console. Its high bow deflects seas and their spray and sweeps gently to gunwales in a cockpit ideally proportioned to allow anglers to manage fish boat side or entertain a crowd. The ride is gentle thanks to the SeaV2 hull. This trademarked hull design of every Grady gives a smooth ride with a crisp stem and sharp deadrise forward that spreads out to 20 degrees at the transom. The effect cleaves waves, sliding through them without rattling hatches—or teeth. It’s the wider dead rise aft which gives Grady the at-rest stability that eases footing…

Ranger Boats has built top-shelf fiberglass bass boats for 60 years and tank-tough aluminum craft for more than 10. The new center-console RB210 bay boat is long and broad but boasts a shallow-draft hull rivaling flats boats while bringing more walk-about stability to anglers. A Mercury 150 outboard is standard, which we predict would rocket it to 50 mph, but with the Mercury 200 bolted to the transom, top speed is dead-on 60 mph. It rips to 30 mph in just 4.1 seconds and is really on plane the instant the throttle is touched. Its V-bottom pad hull rises out of the water like a performance bass boat. It’s thrifty too: Best cruise is at 30 mph and 3,000 rpm, where the big 200 sips 4.9 gph making a heady…

They had guts, those great mariners from the Age of Discovery. Though some are viewed today with a degree of controversy, the likes of Columbus, Vespucci, Cortés and Magellan still hold reputations as bastions of courage and exploration. How they did it—setting out on uncharted waters aboard creaking wooden sailing vessels, minds abuzz with apprehension of what might lie ahead, suppressing the lingering fear that they might never see land again—will always fascinate me. Few of us today will ever experience anything approaching that level of long-term anxiety afloat, thanks in large measure to today’s sophisticated marine electronics. They can tell you where you are, where you’re going, when you’ll get there, what’s lies underwater, what might get in your way, and where and when storms might strike. Today’s marine…

The Aquila 42 Coupe is a new cruising catamaran that evinces luxury and functionality, and also boasts the efficiency and performance granted by its Aquila Hydro Glide Foil System. It’s the world’s first cruising catamaran equipped with a standard hydrofoil. In an interview with the 42 Coupe’s designer, Jernej Jakopin, of J & J Design Studio, Jakopin explained how the foil essentially makes the boat lighter, and thus delivers better speed and economy for a given horsepower. “The foil provides 3 tons of lift,” Jakopin said. Jakopin also explained that the foil makes the boat deliver a smoother ride in rough water. We toured the 42 Coupe’s interior and found that Aquila has made the most of the boat’s wide beam. There is a private cabin in each hull, each…

One of the great things about today’s gunwale rod holders are those hose barbs at the bottom of the rod tube to redirect collected spray and washdown water. But this requires connecting vinyl tubing or other small hose to the barb, and running it to a fitting that drains onto the deck or overboard. In this case, we noticed that this step was neglected aboard the boat we were testing. As a result of the mistake, the rod holder drains directly on top of an electrical junction box—the worst possible place to pour water, especially salt water. One might argue that the junction box is sealed, but this still reflects sloppy workmanship. It rubs me the wrong way because it’s an easy fix. Connect tubing to the barb and route…

The title of my article makes a bold statement. I’m basing it on the US Coast Guard requirements for establishing what’s called a Surf Station. Surf Stations are required at locations where surf runs 8 feet or higher for more than 10 percent—that’s 36 days—of the year. That’s a real 8 feet measured by wave gauges and with lidar, not the 4-foot waves that some social-media sailors might call 8-footers. While the size of waves alone is not always the sole criteria for rough or dangerous seas, I think that prevalent 8-foot breaking waves qualifies. The signature boat at a Surf Station is the 47 Motor Lifeboat (MLB), which can right itself from a capsize or pitchpole. You can read more about the 47 MLB on page 80 of this…

The Tiara 43 LE is a luxury sport yacht with a rugged boatbuilding DNA that belies its opulence, ready to take on the snottiest of bluewater days outside the inlet yet equally suited to entertain at anchor or keep the crew ensconced in comfort on an overnighter. And it’s got some next-level features that are sure to be crowd-pleasers. Let’s start with the 43 LE’s performance. For some background, Tiara hails from Holland, Michigan, where it designs high-end boats built to withstand the rigors of boating in the Great Lakes, where the weather can turn in an instant and kick open ocean-size swells with tight periods that can beat down even the hardiest vessels. (For reference, listen to the legendary Gordon Lightfoot song “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.”) Tiara cuts…

Scout’s 261 XSS is a 26-foot crossover offshore/bay boat that’s as well-suited for bay-hopping as it is for afternoon sandbar gathering, family water sports outings and, of course, big-water or shallow-water fishing. Scout calls it a “luxury bay/offshore hybrid.” With Mercury’s 400 Verado V-10, it topped out at nearly 60 mph, planed in 7 seconds, and hit 30 mph in 11 seconds. The Merc teams with Scout’s double-stepped hull to deliver efficiency and yee-haw! Shoppers will note that Regulator’s 26XO compares closely with the Scout on a number of fronts. At $225,395 equipped with a Yamaha 425 hp XTO outboard, the Regulator tops out at 53 mph and also features top quality and versatility. The 261 XSS’s hull reacts quickly to throttle and steering input, whether at lower or higher…

The newly redesigned Mako 18 Pro Skiff Backwater Edition is a light-tackle angler’s dream. It’s a skinny-water boat that’s packed with standard features that will help you find and chase fish. Running with two aboard and a 22-gallon fuel load, we pushed the 18 Pro Skiff to 52 mph, reaching 30 mph from idle in 5.8 seconds. For a relatively flat-bottomed boat, it held true in hard-over turns at planing speeds, never slipping or blowing out the prop. It climbed onto plane in 2.4 seconds. The standard jack plate lets you raise or lower the engine’s running height to keep on plane in skinnier water. With a draft of just 12 inches, you can get shallow and deploy the standard Minn Kota Terrova electric trolling motor and maneuver to find…

While Coast Guard air crews often grab headlines, sometimes flying hundreds of miles offshore into unimaginable conditions to save mariners in peril, boaters in trouble closer to the coast are more likely to have a Coast Guard vessel come along-side. That’s true even in extremely gnarly conditions. Crews aboard the 47-foot Motor Lifeboat, the Coast Guard’s primary nearshore fast-response rescue platform, will head into 50-knot winds through 30-foot seas and traverse inlets with 20-foot breaking surf. These venerable boats first went into service in the late 1990s, replacing the 44 MLB. As they exceed their anticipated service life, the Coast Guard has turned to Birdon, a global maritime and defense contractor, to complete a fleet wide $191 million Service Life Extension Program. Boating went behind the scenes to see firsthand…

1. When selecting a tube or other similar inflatable toys for watersports, what are some safety aspects to keep in mind? A. It’s safer to consider tubes and toys designed and approved for watersports towing from reputable distributors and sellers. B. Old tire tubes work best; run down to your local tire store and ask for leftover, worn-out or repaired truck tire tubes. C. The toys that advertise the ability to lift off the water at higher speeds look like a blast to ride! Look for these at your local marine supply store or online. D. All of the above E. None of the above 2. When towing a wakesurfer, wakeboarder, tuber or knee-boarder, what are some good, general commonsense and etiquette guidelines to abide by concerning your surroundings? A.…

The new M Line of Bennington pontoon boats (24 Swingback is pictured) offers a customizable design, unique features and a sleek silhouette. Models range from 22 to 26 feet in length, and are rated for up to 500 hp and for between 10 and 15 people. M Line pontoons also come in seven foundational layouts: Quad Bench, Swingback, L-Bench, Center Swingback, Sport Lounge, Open Fastback and Fish N Cruise. The Swingback layout’s aft lounge backrest swings so that people can sit facing forward or aft. Excellent boarding access also marks this layout. Check out its extended aft deck with LilliPad ladder. Other standards include two bow lounges with armrests, an Ergo Lounge bench seat amidships, and Veneto Premium soft-touch vinyl upholstery. At the helm, find a standard 7-inch Vivid UX…

The first spreaders—aka marine floodlights—that I installed on my boat 30 years ago were ITT Jabsco Ray-Line 50-watt 12-volt Halogens. Like most spreaders, they mounted overhead at the back and front of the hardtop and shone down on the deck. They provided plenty of light, but they were relatively large, would grow hot and drew 4 amps, so you didn’t want to leave them on too long with the engine off. Since then, marine lighting has undergone a revolution for the better, thanks to light emitting diode technology, which allows for more-compact fixtures, provides more lumens, creates less heat, and consumes less power than comparable incandescent lights. On top of that, LEDs offer a substantially longer service life than do incandescent bulbs. That makes the LED variety of spreaders attractive…

William Marshall ventured 20 miles offshore on November 15, 2024, and never expected to have catastrophic engine failure at sea. Worse yet, threatening storms forming ahead of weather reports loomed over them. He activated his EPIRB—a larger cousin to the PLB—and 45 minutes later, Sea Tow showed up, followed by a Coast Guard rescue boat. Loss of life was averted, and Marshall and his crew lived to fish another day. This is just one of many rescue stories enabled by emergency locator beacons. Here is what you need to know about rescue PLBs and SOS messengers. Personal locator beacons are designed to speed rescue by SAR teams via government-run Cospas-Sarsat satellites, which are programmed to notify appropriate response authorities—such as the US Coast Guard, or terrestrial rescuers for skiers and…

On our outing aboard the newly revamped Pursuit S 328 Sport, I realized why Pursuit is the perfect name for this builder. Fishermen are always in pursuit, but the conditions, well, they’re not always perfect. This applies equally to boaters simply seeking to head home after a day at the beach or a weekend up the coast. In fact, conditions can be downright crappy, as we discovered after leaving the dock. I’m not exactly inexperienced, having endured everything from meltemis on the Aegean to mistrals in the Med to Santa Anas in the Catalina Channel. But the Gulf Stream—that massive ocean river flowing implacably north at several knots—can turn growlers into white capped square-edged opponents. Set the stage: It was blowing a solid 30-plus, and we were heading directly into…

The SDX 250 Outboard incorporates Sea Ray’s new design language, including a defined “jawline,” S sheerline, updated logo and a curved windshield. Though no longer blunt, like a traditional deck boat, the bow still offers wraparound seating for a crowd. Add the Comfort Bundle ($2,825, which includes two teak tables and a filler cushion), and the bow becomes a playpen. Get the bow ladder ($385) for beach excursions. The Water System Bundle ($2,850) includes a bow wash-down and a transom shower. A smaller console to port creates storage and gives the co-pilot control of the Fusion stereo. The starboard console features a corner-opening door and a day berth that’s perfect for kids to rest and recharge. There’s a sink fed by a 12-gallon tank and a pump-out head option ($1,540).…

Flux Marine co-founders Ben Sorkin, Daylin Frantin and Jon Lord say that they began developing an electric outboard motor in a garage. That’s a startup plan that worked out for Bill Harley and Arthur Davidson, and famously for Bill Hewlett and David Packard. It’s too early to tell if Flux Marine will scale similar heights of market success, but after 10 years of research and development and a claimed investment of $30 million, the founding trio has expanded to 50 employees, the garage has been replaced with a 40,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Bristol, Rhode Island, and the sleek and sophisticated Flux Marine electric outboard is in production. Sorkin started tinkering with electric power for small hydroplane boats while studying mechanical and aerospace engineering at Princeton University, from which he graduated…

Available in 10-, 12- and 16-inch screen sizes, the NSS 4 MFDs feature an all-new Qualcomm 8-core processor, enabling smoother page transitions, faster auto-routing and, ultimately, easier use with lightning-fast transitions. The NSS 4 series also features a trio of hybrid control options—touchscreen, rotary dial and keypad—providing choices in accessing and controlling functions via the optimized user interface. An updated glass-to-edge design delivers a premium look to the helm. Simrad NSS 4 models offer built-in dual-channel 1 kW chirp sonar, as well as support for Active Imaging HD sonar. With this unique new feature, anglers for the first time can track as many as four sonar sources on a single split-screen display. The new MFDs also feature integrated C-Map, Discover X and Reveal X electronic charting. NSS 4 displays offer…