Boating is the world's foremost magazine for boating enthusiasts. Written by experts for those who love the sport, the editorial covers the waterfront -- from runabouts to sportfish convertibles to luxury showpieces, and everything in between.
IN A RECENT POST ON boatingmag.com, we asked you whether you thought U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio’s (R-Florida) EdgeWater 245CC constitutes an extravagance and whether it is a “luxury speedboat,” as reported by The New York Times. The consensus of those who shared was that it was not. Now, I’ll share my opinion. The New York Times was right, at least partially. The facts are that, unless you are a crabber working the Bering Sea, a clam digger working Great South Bay or a water-taxi operator working Biscayne Bay, in short, if you bought your boat for recreational purposes, it is, de facto, a “luxury boat.” roto-molded canoe from a yard sale or a big-box store is also a luxury. Like an outboard-powered center-console, it serves to fill the leisure time…
Jake Owen is a bona fide country music powerhouse who grew up boating and fishing in Florida. He’s been working with Discover Boating to help promote the boating lifestyle. We caught up with him (where else?) on a boat right before he was about to go wakesurfing. MORE ONLINE! To read the full interview online, go to boatingmag.com/jakeowen. You grew up in Florida around a lot of water. Did you boat a lot as a kid? I was born in Winter Haven but we moved to Vero Beach when I was 3 or 4. We were always on the water, surfing in the ocean, kneeboarding and wakeboarding in the Intracoastal, and fishing. My parents used to water-ski at Cypress Gardens. What type of boat do you currently own? I own…
Synthetic teak can give a boat owner the best of both worlds. He gets the beautiful, rich look of classic teak without the backbreaking work required to maintain it. Synthetic teak feels forgiving underfoot and can enhance a boat’s appearance. For DIY boaters, most companies offer the material in a roll or as a single pre-cut piece. Here are three popular choices in synthetic teak. PlasDECK THE GRIP: PlasDECK is the sister product to PlasTEAK. PlasDECK is the outdoor version while PlasTEAK is used for interior areas. PlasDECK’s patented formula won’t dry out and harden from exposure to the elements. It also has the highest-grade ultraviolet protection and anti-fungal agents. It comes in a roll or an owner can measure an area and send in the specifications for a pre-made…
Fuel is the one thing every powerboater has in common; whether it’s gas or diesel — or even the new propane and natural gas alternatives — clean-burning fuel is an imperative for a good day on the water. Think you know your power source? Take our quiz. 1 We’ve all heard about the problems associated with ethanol in gasoline. Which of the following treatments combats the negative effects of ethanol? A. Star brite Star Tron B. ValvTect’s Ethanol Gasoline Treatment C. Marine-formula Sta-Bil D. All of the above 2 Engine oil is the other important petroleum product on board. What’s the best way to check its health in the middle of the season? A. Just make sure it’s full and you’ll be fine until fall. B. Empty it and refill…
Here at Boating headquarters, we think it’s time to think about your boat’s trailer and tow vehicle. 1 For trailering pointers and to take a closer look at tow ratings for a new tow vehicle, you’ll find our Ford Tow Guide an incredible resource at boatingmag.com/tow-ratings. 2 Also, there’s some salient advice on selecting the right boat trailer at boatingmag.com/selecting-boat-trailer. 3 If your current trailer just needs a little TLC, learn how to rewire it at boatingmag.com/rewire-your-boat-trailer.…
ASK THE MASSES Go to boatingmag.com/forums to ask fellow boaters your questions, or to answer theirs. A Step Ahead [ Q ] Hello. I am the owner of a 1990 Sea Ray 230 CC. I love this boat and I’ve made many great memories on it. Due to my health, I need to replace the factory two-step, underplatform ladder with a three-step. The original equipment manufacturer is no longer in business, so I purchased a Windline three-step ladder. It was the closest to original and the one Sea Ray recommended. My problem is the mounting bracket holes don’t line up. Due to the way the platform is designed, I can’t use a backing plate, and the factory will not tell me what is in the core of the platform. Any…
