June 2017 – Boating World Magazine

BOATING WORLD • JUNE 2017 VOLUME 38 NUMBER 6

I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E : S P O R T B OAT S , D E C K B OAT S , WA K E B OAT S , F I S H B OAT S , P O N T O O N S A N D M O R E !

T H E L E A D E R I N R E C R E AT I O N A L T R A I L E R B OAT I N G

®

3… 2 … 1…

GO!

OUR TEST CREW HELD ON TIGHT DURING OUR 8TH ANNUAL TOWABLE TOY ROUNDUP

BOATS TESTED MALIBU 21 VLX TIGÉ RZX2 MASTERCRAFT XT23 YAMAHA 212X

$5.00 USA and Canada

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FAST TRACK TO FUN!

Cutwater 242 Coupe • CutwaterBoats.com MADE IN USA

contents

J U N E 2017

MAGAZINE

VOLUME XXXVIII NUMBER 6

departments Editor’s Letter Our towable toy test crew gets high marks p. 4 Currents Bits from the boating world p. 6

Trailering How to tow a pontoon p. 14

Watersports Learn to slalom better p. 16

TUBE TEST 2017 Our team of teens and ’tweens put 15 of the latest inflatable tow toys to the test. p. 50

Fishing How to read fishfinder screens p. 20

Engines Get-home tips and techniques p. 22 DIY How to install new coaming pads p. 24 Ask the Experts Our panel of experts answers your questions p. 26

Gear The latest accessories, gadgets and electronics p. 30, 32

boats tested Malibu 21 VLX

Tigé RZX2

This is the boat many people wanted to own but didn’t think they could afford. p. 34

Following the rollout of Tigé’s RZX last year comes a 22-foot version full of surprises. p. 38

MasterCraft XT23 The new crossover from MasterCraft manages to hit the mark on many levels. p. 42 pg. 46

2

Yamaha 212X Yamaha is leading the charge to popularize the compact jet-drive surfboat. p. 46

Bonehead Blunders Mistakes no boater should make p. 45

Contest: Name the Boat Win a $350 boat care package from Bel-Ray p. 72

pg. 38

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editor’s letter

BY A L A N J O N E S

Kid Power F

THE BOATING WORLD TEAM RESPONDS: What two creatures would you genetically splice to create a new fad pet? What would you call it?

OR EIGHT YEARS NOW, ON the day before our annual towable

tube test for the June issue, I have had the job of unboxing and inflating about 15 tubes. For six years, I had undertaken this task in the Transition Watersports service bay, in the small central Florida town of Ocklawaha. The following morning we would load all the tubes on a flatbed trailer and have a small but festive parade to nearby Lake Weir. But for the last two years, I’ve inflated the tubes onsite, at Sandy Hook Beach, under a giant tiki hut behind Transition owner Nate Stockman’s house.

It’s a tedious task that involves taking the box the tube comes in out of its shipping box, then cracking into the product box fortress. Then, I take the tube out of the box and remove it from a sheath of plastic that’s secured with tape strong enough to repair airplane wings. Last year was especially difficult thanks to 30 mph winds. That year, I didn’t finish until well after dark — made worse by having to listen to the jocularity of a party I was invited to at the house next door.

This year, as I was about a third of the way into my Sisyphean task, two teenagers happened by, saw what I was doing and asked if I needed any help. That got my attention. As I came to discover, these two guys, Redmond Farrell and Caleb Emerson, were two of my eight tube testers. I gratefully accepted their offer and we got the assembly line rolling, allowing me to finish earlier than ever. As we worked together, I learned these two were avid watersports participants, which didn’t surprise me, since most of our testers learn to swim before they can walk.

Over the last eight years, I’ve had the pleasure of working with nearly 50 kids during our tests, ranging in age from 3 to 18, and every year I come away with a renewed sense of hope for the next

generation. Ski kids are just different, and I think it has a lot to do with the boating/ skiing lifestyle. Invariably, the kids are super polite, genuine and are at ease being around adults. Most are also really fit and athletic. Our group’s ages this year ranged from 11 to 15 years old, which is the age when kids usually shun the company of adults and retreat to their circle of friends — typically via electronic means.

But boating, and watersports in particular, changes that dynamic. Here is a shared experience where parents and kids alike learn, struggle, fail and overcome to achieve something together in an environment that also just happens to be really fun. Sure, other sports bring kids and parents together, but it’s not the same when the parent is mostly a chauffeur and/ or cheerleader.

Watersports kids tend to be high achievers, do well in school and radiate confidence. The sport also teaches responsibility. Society for kids has gotten incredibly complicated, but watersports seems to not only to bring parents and kids together but also helps youngsters get themselves together, which makes for a pretty good start in life. On his bio, Farrell says he wants to be president. It wouldn’t surprise me. BW

Duncan McIntosh Jr. Dove, macaw: D-Mac ASSOC. EDITOR/PUBLISHER Jeff Fleming Leopard, lion: Leolion EXECUTIVE EDITOR Alan Jones Donkeys, Komodo dragon: Asses dragon MANAGING EDITOR Mike Werling Albino rhino, nightingale: Pale Ale ASSISTANT EDITOR Stephanie Shibata Hermit crab, Labrador retriever: Hermit Lab ART DIRECTOR Julie Hogan Seahorse, T. Rex: Searex PRODUCTION Mary Monge Frog, rabbit: Fribbit CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Amelia Salazar Shark, grizzly: Shizz FULFILLMENT OPERATIONS MGR. Rick Avila Kinkajou, kookaburra: Kookajou PUBLISHER

ADVERTISING SALES & MARKETING

Call (949) 660-6150 Janette Hood Tiger, Penguin: Tiguin

DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING

REGIONAL SALES MANAGERS

Annabelle Zabala Iguana, crocodile: Iguanacroc Felice Lineberry Panther, Pomeranian: Pantheranian MARKETPLACE SALES MGR. Jon Sorenson Blobfish, hippopotamus: Blobopotamus AD COORDINATOR Jennifer Chen Penguin, dinosaur: Pengosaur TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR Dave Kelsen Mastodon, vinagaroon: Mastogaroon DIGITAL DIRECTOR Bryan Sheehy Skunk, banshee: Sheehy SUBSCRIPTIONS

Boating World – Subscriber Services P.O. Box 25859, Santa Ana, CA 92799 (888) 732-7323 circulation@boatingworld.com PUBLISHED BY DUNCAN MCINTOSH CO. INC.

Boatingworld.com 18475 Bandilier Circle, Fountain Valley, CA 92708 (949) 660-6150 • Fax (949) 660-6172 Duncan Mcintosh Co. is founded by Editor and Publisher Duncan McIntosh Jr. and Co-Publisher Teresa Ybarra McIntosh (1942-2011)

Editor's Note: We want to thank the folks at Bel-Ray for their generosity. For the last year, Bel-Ray (belray.com) has sponsored our Name the Boat contest and provided $350 worth of products to the winner every issue. Their participation has been much appreciated by all of us at Boating World.

VOLUME 38 • NO. 6 Boating World Editorial and Advertising Offices, 18475 Bandilier Circle, Fountain Valley, CA 92708; (949) 660-6150. Boating World (ISSN 1059-5155, USPS 16200) is printed in the U.S.A. and published nine times a year in Jan., Feb., Mar., Apr., May, Jun., Jul./Aug., Sept./Oct. and Nov./Dec. at 18475 Bandilier Circle, Fountain Valley, CA 92708 by Duncan McIntosh Co. Inc. Periodicals Postage paid at Santa Ana, CA 92799 and at additional mailing offices. Editorial contributions are welcome. Please submit all contributions to the editor, accompanied by return postage. We assume no responsibility for loss or damage of unsolicited materials. Boating World retains reprint rights, via print and electronic media. Contributor retains all other rights for resale, publication, etc. POSTMASTER: Please send change of address to Boating World, P. O. Box 25859, Santa Ana, CA 92799-5859. CANADA POST: Publications Mail Agreement #40612608 Canada Returns to be sent to Bleuchip International, P.O. Box 25542, London, ON N6C 6B2. SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE: Please send all subscription correspondence to Boating World, P.O. Box 25859, Santa Ana, CA 92799-5859. Please allow at least six weeks for the change of address to become effective. Include both your old and your new address enclosing, if possible, an address label from a recent issue. SUBSCRIPTION PRICE: U.S. and its possessions, $11.00 per year. Additional postage for Canada is $15.00 per year and other foreign countries $30.00 per year. Single copy price $5.00; back issues, $8.50 (in the U.S. only) includes postage and handling. Boating World is a registered trademark of Duncan McIntosh Co. Inc. Copyright © 2017, all rights reserved. PERMISSIONS: MMaterial AG A Z I Nin E this publication may not be reproduced in any form without written permission.

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LEARN MORE AT STARCRAFTMARINE.COM

the all-new

currents

BY STEPH A N I E S H I BATA

L E A D B O AT • R E ATA B Y R A N G E R 2 2 3 F

Fishing Platform

Ranger Boats swings for the fences with its brand new pontoon line.

R

anger fishing boats. You have an image in your mind based on those three words, don’t you? Well, 2017 is going to change that image for everyone who knows Ranger. See, the builder now has a pontoon line. Yes, you read that correctly: a pontoon line. Called Reata by Ranger and consisting of seven models — four in the Cruise Series and three in the Fish Series — the new line is sure to change some perceptions about fishing boats.

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Enter Your Dog Now

S A LT Y D O G

WIN THIS

This month’s winner: FAITH ANN



OWNER:

John Armstrong HOMETOWN:

Grants Pass, Ore. For your chance to win a CWB Dog Vest (ridecwb.com), send a picture of your boat-loving dog to editor@boatingworld.com or Boating World, Salty Dog, 18475 Bandilier Circle, Fountain Valley, CA 92708. Please include a photo, along with your name and your dog’s name, your address and phone number.

All Tied Up WE HAVE A devious quiz for you this month. We want to see if you can tell boating knots from professional wrestling finishing maneuvers.

A. B. C. D. E. F. G. H.

Constrictor Patriot Lock Pile Hitch Captain’s Hook Carrick Bend Empire Elbow Soft Shackle Twisted Bliss

Letters A, C, E and G are boating knots. The rest are wrestling moves.

THE REATA 223F is the flagship of the Fishing Series at 24 feet, 2 inches long, but it maintains an 8-foot, 6-inch beam, for trailerability. Its triple-tube configuration uses 26-inch-diameter aluminum logs with lifting strakes on both sides of each to deliver performance and lift. And Ranger powder-coats the logs white, to deliver a different-looking pontoon from the bottom up.

Inside the fences, it’s an angler’s playground. Twin fishing chairs occupy the bow, and each has its own fishing station with built-in rod and cupholders and tool slots. The one to port holds a livewell while the one to starboard is a battery compartment. There are twin fishing chairs aft, too, and those anglers share a fishing station, which includes tool, rod and cupholders, and battery storage. A livewell is under the bench seat just forward of the portside chair. A seven-and-a-half-foot lockable rod box is just aft of the driver’s seat. A curved seat is just port of the helm, and both sections have storage underneath.

An extended motor pod holds a Mercury FourStroke outboard and a telescoping ski tow bar, so watersports are in the mix. A trolling motor is attached at the bow.

The helm includes a flush-mounted Lowrance HOOK-5 fishfinder with GPS, a Kicker stereo head unit and the throttle for the Mercury outboard. A cooler is stored under the console. With a 115 hp ELPT Pro XS FourStroke, the 223F starts at $36,695.

QUIZ

ANSWER KEY:

Fishing amenities abound inside the fences of the Reata by Ranger 223F.

FA S T FA C T

The anagram for yacht is Cathy.

Ranger Boats, rangerpontoons.com

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name the boat

To participate in this month’s contest, turn to page 72

contest winner



Mike Arnett from Shell Knob, Mo., was the first to submit the winning name, Row-ver. For making the most of a letter and a hyphen, Mike receives a Customized Boat Care Package from Bel-Ray (belray.com), valued at more than $350.

Rick Martin illustration

MORE OF APRIL’S BEST ENTRIES:

Dawg Days

Ruff Life

The Canoodle

Michael Meints, Rochester, MN

Gary Wood, Middleboro, MA

Jon Paul Bouvier, Venice, FL

On Golden Pound

Dogout Canoe

PT-10K9

Nick Franki, Rochester, NY

Hot Dingh-ity Dog

Mary Oberfoell, Monticello, IA

Chaney Taylor, Batesville, AR

Melanie Akstulewicz, Neenah, WI

Bone Voyage

See Spot Row

Jim Carson, Ballwin, MO

Anita Burns, Kearney, MO

Who’s a Good Buoy?

Birch Bark

USS Milk Bone

Corinne Eversmann, Collinsville, IL

Steve Kuhl, Wichita, KS

David Wabakken, Oak Hills, CA

Ruffing It Lisa Stovall, Mt. Sinai, NY

> > A P R I L W I N N E R : R OW-V E R

A. South Pacific B. Gulf of Mexico C. Mississippi River D. San Francisco Bay QUIZ

Watery Depth BODIES OF WATER have long been

the inspiration for songs, whether it be a tiny fishing spot in an out-of-the-way locale or the gigantic Pacific Ocean. Can you match the song lyrics to the body of water the writer is referring to?

ANSWER KEY: 1, C; 2, B; 3, D; 4, A 8

1.1 Big Bill Bronzy: Ain’t it hard to love someone/When they are so far from you/Lord, I’m on’ get me a boat and/Paddle this old river blue 2 Steve Earle: Well my Daddy drove a crew 2. boat/Haulin’ workers to the rigs/He was sick of mendin’ nets/And couldn’t stand the smell of fish 3 Journey: When the lights go down in the city/ 3.

And the sun shines on the bay 4 Crosby, Stills & Nash: So I’m sailing for 4. tomorrow my dreams are a-dyin’/And my love is an anchor tied to you (tied with a silver chain)/I have my ship and all her flags are a-flyin’/She is all that I have left and music is her name

Accepting Top Squadron honors is Cdr David Fine (second from right), Minnetonka Power Squadron. Presenting the award are (L to R) Chief Commander Louie Ojeda; Ted Sensenbrenner, assistant director, boating safety, BoatUS Foundation; Rear Commander Jim Pahl-Washa, chair, USPS Membership Committee

Top Honors

AT ITS ANNUAL meeting in Orlando, Fla., United States Power Squadrons awarded the Minnetonka Power Squadron of Minnetonka, Minn., Top Squadron honors, while Florida’s U.S. Power Squadron District 22 was named Top District. The Minnetonka Squadron had 483 volunteers contribute 3,653 hours to various charities and events, including numerous shore cleanups. BoatUS sponsors the annual awards in recognition of exceptional public service and public boating safety education and service to the boating community.

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Discover the family-friendly versatility of Yamaha’s new FSH Series boats.

Now you can experience all the advantages of Yamaha’s legendary internal propulsion system in a layout that gives you wide-open access to everything you love about the water.

TM

YAMAHA. THE #1 BRAND ON THE WATER.

YAMAHABOATS.COM

©2017 Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA. Follow instructional materials and obey all laws. Drive responsibly, wearing protective apparel. Always drive within your capabilities, allowing time and distance for maneuvers, and respect others around you. Don’t drink and ride. For more information, visit yamahaboats.com or call 1.800.88.YAMAHA.

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currents

Dads Get Their Due DON’T FORGET THAT June 18 is Father’s Day — that day where dad is

usually just as busy as usual but he’s being honored as he’s doing whatever he’s doing. Or something like that. While dads definitely deserve their day, they probably deserve more. Here are some boating locations that pay tribute to dads year round:  Dad’s Place Boat Rental and Marina, North Wildwood, N.J.  Fat Daddy’s Resort & Marina, Kentucky Lake, Dover, Tenn.  Old Man’s Marina, Mt. Sinai, N.Y.  Papa’s Sicamous Marina, Shuswap Lake, Sicamous, B.C.  Grandpappy Point Resort & Marina, Lake Texoma, Denison, Texas

A Hero, Again

A PROJECT IN the British Virgin Islands is

determined to create a world-class dive site, bring a species back to local prominence and save a World War II warship, all at the same time. YO-44 — once called Kodiak Queen, now known as Yoko and one of five ships remaining from WWII-era Pearl Harbor — was recently sunk off Virgin Gorda to serve as the base for an artificial reef called the BVI Art Reef. The hope is that the reef will drive tourism, become a “fantasy adventure dive site” and help the Goliath grouper make a comeback in the area. In addition, the coral out-planting platforms will become underwater sculptures. All this thanks to a hero ship saved from the scrap yard. DiveTheBVIArtReef.com

D I D YO U K N OW ?

D I D YO U K N OW ?

In Florida, personal watercraft may not be operated from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise, even if navigation lights are used.

10

According to The Inertia, Josh Enslin of South Africa broke the world record for fastest human on a surfboard being towed by a vehicle. Why? We have no idea. He claims to have reached a top speed of 50.3 mph, beating the previous record set by Layne Beachley on an episode of Top Gear Australia, 48.62 mph. Enslin also holds the world record for longest single surf session, at 30 hours and 431 waves.

FA S T FA C T

7%

Jump in outboard sales from 2015 to 2016 Source: NMMA

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FUN RUNS IN THE FAMILY. FAMILY. STARTING AT

5,299 5,199

$

Any unforgettable day on a Sea-Doo® watercraft can go from exciting to relaxing and back again. No matter what type of watersports you’re into, there’s a Sea-Doo that’s right for you.

From 300-hp, pulse-pounding performance models to the most-affordable watercraft on the market, starting at just $5,299.

And Sea-Doo is reinventing the way to play on the water with the new SPARK™ TRIXX.™ Whip, dip, spin and dunk with ease thanks to one-of-a-kind features made just for nailing the best tricks, or just enjoying your ride even more. It’s everything you need to maximize your fun on the water.

Visit your Sea-Doo dealer today, or find more at sea-doo.com.

sea-doo.com

©2016 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ™, ®, and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP. BRP reserves the right to discontinue or modify product models, features or price at anytime. Performance number achieved under optimal testing conditions. Not all riding conditions are appropriate for inexperienced or beginner riders. Never perform tricks with a passenger. Do not attempt if beyond your skill level and experience. Always ride safely and responsibly.

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OVER 460 BOAT TEST VIDEOS...

468 Boat Tests and Over 3,684,000 Views Search ”Boating World’ on Youtube.com to access our video channel.

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... AND COUNTING!

We answer the questions that really matter to you - before you buy a boat.

Ride along with Boating World’s executive editor Alan Jones as he tests hundreds of makes and models, from ski boats to pontoons. Our boat test video vault includes over 460 clips — each with in-depth walk-throughs highlighting features and options, and running footage showing how the boat accelerates and corners (including the type of wake). We put ourselves in your shoes and deliver practical and objective opinions on how each boat measures up. ®

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trailering

PR AC TI CE BACKI N G U P

Learn to Launch The ramp is not the place to discover your backing skills are lacking, so practice.

BY CHRIS CASWELL

I

F YOU THINK BULLFIGHTING IS a cruel sport, spend an hour at a launch ramp on a fine

Saturday morning, watching novice trailerboaters try to get their boat in the water.

While spectators critique their moves, they back to and fro, taking a snake-like path vaguely toward the water, spinning the steering wheel one way and then another, sweat popping out on their brow, and either scaring or blocking all the other boaters.

Don’t be that person.

FOR NEWBIES

Backing a boat trailer isn’t rocket science, but it’s counter-intuitive to everything we know about driving forward. It’s like trying to trim a sideburn or moustache in a mirror; every movement is confounding because it’s backwards. Get over it. Everyone can learn to back a trailer like a pro.

The starting point is practice. Lots and lots of practice. Before even taking a new rig near the water, take it to an empty parking lot and use the lot to learn the lessons you don’t want to learn on the launch ramp. Take two or three cardboard boxes or highway cones, set them a few feet wider than your boat and practice backing the trailer between them. Bring extras because — guaranteed — you’ll run over them a few times.

One of the lessons to learn at the empty lot is that small movements of the wheel translate to big movements of the trailer. Drivers not understanding that is how many trailers get jackknifed: a little inattention gets the trailer sideways quickly.

The basic rule for backing the trailer is to grab the steering wheel at the bottom, palm down. If you move the wheel to the right, the back of the boat and trailer will move right.

It’s such a simple method that drivers of 18-wheelers still use it after thousands of miles on the road.

Pick a launch ramp with care. Skip the small ones that require drivers to back in a curve. Instead, find a ramp with plenty of space, so you can line the boat up and then back straight into the water. Trust me, you’ll have enough problems just backing straight that you don’t want to complicate things.

Most newbies get their side mirrors all wrong. Ideally, the tow vehicle will have extra-wide mirrors; if not, add clamp-on wide mirrors just for launching.

Set the mirrors so one-third of the mirror is filled with the boat and especially the trailer wheels. Roll the windows down so you can see better, and get rid of any passengers: they can become your observers.

An observer can act as a second set of eyes, but make sure he understands he should see your face in the mirror to be of help. Agree on simple hand signals: point left, point right, pulling to continue, fist to stop. Shouting is for hackers.

Remind your observer to look up, too, since there may be branches or wires in the way.

Place your hand at the bottom of the steering wheel to Most newcomers to backing a trailer get in trouble

A little inattention gets the trailer sideways quickly.

turn while backing up.

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Back Down Gracefully Reference point Begin turning

Reference point End turning

The key to turning the boat is planning its path. point for the trailer tires?

If possible, leave enough room so the trailer is straightened out a few feet before it hits the water. Doing so keeps you from blocking other boats and makes departure easier.

Backing up in a turn means there’s another important area to watch: the front end. The front end of the tow vehicle is going to be making a bigger swing than the trailer, so be aware of trees, pipes, fire hydrants or, even worse, some other skipper’s fender.

PRO TIP

because they try to keep going or try to save an out-of-line path. Stop, pull forward, straighten everything out and start fresh. Even the most experienced trailer backer-uppers have moments when they must start over. It’s the mark of a smart driver to recognize that a problem is easily solved by starting over.

IMPROVING INTERMEDIATES

When you’ve mastered backing straight, it’s time to learn to handle turning the trailer into the perfect launch position.

Once again, it’s time to head back to the empty parking lot with yet more boxes.

When backing up in a curve, find your own “comfort zone” at the empty parking lot. In my case, I prefer a curving turn to the left that allows me to look out the driver’s window and see the whole side of

the boat. Others prefer to back to the right, using the far mirror to set their course.

The key to turning the boat is planning its path. Just as a baseball pitcher checks out the mound and even kicks the dirt, you should walk over the launch area and look around. Is there a landmark such as a weed in the ramp that you can use as a turning

Want to look like a real pro? Back up entirely using the rearview mirrors. Watch a truck driver back his 18-wheeler into a small loading dock; his head is never twisting around, because that’s uncomfortable.

He’s perfected his side-mirror skills, so he can place the trailer exactly where he wants it, and so can you. Once again, go back to the parking lot to crush some boxes. You’ll gain confidence putting the trailer where you want it, perfectly, every time.

Don’t expect people in the crowd of spectators at the launch ramp to applaud or throw roses like at a bullfight, but you know they’ll be saying to each other, “Now there’s a real pro!” BW

ASK OUR EXPERTS. Send your boating-related maintenance or repair question to our panel of experts at boatingworld.com/AskTheExperts.

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watersports

S L A LO M S KIIN G

When it’s time to cross the wake, stay in a balanced body position and keep the ski on edge.

Get Yer Slalom On With one’s body and hands positioned correctly, one-ski skiing is double the fun.

BY ZENON BILAS

Y

OU HAVE ALREADY DISCOVERED THAT riding a slalom ski is a terrific way to have fun and stay fit behind a boat. As you progress from simply standing on a single ski to crossing the wake, making sharp turns to throw big walls of spray, running the slalom mini course and conquering the full six-buoy course, slalom skiing offers challenges, physical fitness and exhilaration.

How quickly you advance will depend a great deal on body position. Of course you are eager to get up and begin crossing the wake, but think first about how you are standing on the ski. To use the ski’s design and make it work to its potential, you need to be balanced over its bindings. That might sound obvious, but many slalom skiers — including competition skiers — stand too heavily on the tail of the ski. Some skiers believe overweighting the tail is the way to accelerate. Other skiers stress bending the knees, but that can lead 16

to a squatted position, which places too much weight on the tail of the ski. Both are counterproductive. The ideal position is to be balanced on your bindings by having your ankles flexed.

LOWER BODY

Slalom skiers tend to lock their ankles, which pushes the ski in front of one’s hips and puts weight on the heels. If the ski feels slippery, then you are on your heels.

Having locked ankles also makes the ski pop up during wake crossings. Instead, think of flexing your ankles, like a plie in ballet. Relax your calves and feet and bring the ski under your knees. Simultaneously, make sure your hips and seat are raised tall over your bindings. Visualize a stacked position, with your head and shoulders over your hips and your hips over your knees and ankles. Such a stack positions your weight directly over the center of your feet, delivering optimal control of the ski.

UPPER BODY

Your back should be tall and your arms fairly straight, with just enough bend in

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watersports the elbows that you can position the handle near waist level.

Having your arms at chest level — a common mistake for recreational skiers — causes a weak position, because your shoulders will be absorbing the pull of the boat. When the handle is at waist level, the pull of the boat is spread throughout the body, which reduces the chance of falling forward. To enhance your leverage when crossing the boat’s wake, use a baseball

Your hands play a big part in any success as a slalom skier. grip on the handle instead of having the palms down on the handle, which is preferred for skiing on a pair of skis or riding a wakeboard.

SPEED CONTROL

Boat speed is an important element of success on the water.

In slalom competition, the open division men ski at 36 mph, the women at 34. However, depending on weight, 25 to 32 mph is the speed range for recreational slalom skiers. Beginners should start closer to 25 mph and then slowly increase boat speed as they improve.

WAKE CROSSER

To cross the wake, point the ski at a mild angle away from the boat using your lower body — feet, knees and hips — to direct the ski at the wake. Make sure to stay in a balanced body position.

The goal is to keep the ski on edge through the boat’s wake.

Initially, cross the boat’s wake 18

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slowly, to develop a rhythm of crossing back and forth. Slalom skiers who go too fast at the wake often let off the edge just before crossing the wake, making the ski ride flat. When a flat ski hits the wake, the ski pops up. You want the ski to slice through the wakes, so it needs to stay on edge. Think pendulum: be fluid and rhythmic. Remember those flexed ankles. Keep your chin up and your eyes at horizon level, so you’re not looking directly at the boat’s wake.

Keep pushing yourself to ski wider (farther away from the wake). Initially, keep both hands on the handle when turning back to the wake; however, as you learn to ski farther away from the wake, begin to release your outside hand — skiing to the right, release your right hand — from the handle to change edges and initiate the turn.

GEAR UP

BOATS FOR SLALOMING The best boats for slalom skiing are boats with small wakes. Most boats with a shallow hull deadrise (flat hull bottom) create small wakes. For example, even the specialized V-drive wakeboard boats don’t have much hull deadrise.

If the ballast is empty and weight kept low in a wakeboard boat, it can provide a low wake ideal for recreational slaloming. Also, single outboard–powered boats often create a low wake ideal for slalom skiers. Outboard-powered deck boats, center consoles and family boats are perfect for recreational slalom skiing.

HANDS ON

Though you use your lower body to direct and turn the ski, your hands play a big part in any success as a slalom skier, as they and the upper body control the handle. As you ski farther away from the wake, the boat’s pull will bring your hands away from your body. Focus on controlling and keeping your hands near your waist, especially as you ski farther from the wake. Keeping the handle near your waist will help you to ski away from the boat more effectively and yield precise turns.

As you master the basics and develop an understanding of crossing back and forth through the wakes, increase the boat speed. And when you become a slalom addict, you can then test your new skills by conquering the mini-course and finally zigzagging around those six buoys in a slalom course.

SLALOM EQUIPMENT Using one ski from a combo pair is a great way to learn to slalom. But once you master skiing on a single ski, it’s best to move to a specialized slalom ski that fits your weight, ability level and skiing speed. Slalom skis for adults and teenagers typically come in 2-inch increments, starting at 63 inches and reaching 69 inches. Manufacturers also make slalom skis for junior skiers. Specialized slalom skis have design features in the ski’s bottom and fin that make it more effective to edge through the boat’s wakes and turn the ski.

A slalom line (with a handle) is 75 feet long. Slalom lines for course skiing come with takeoff loops to shorten the line, with the first loop at 15 feet (shortening the line by this amount). If your boat has a small wake, slaloming with the 15-foot takeoff loop on the pylon provides a pendulum effect with the shorter line and less slack when making turns.

Invest in a pair of waterski gloves. They will help with starts, provide a better grip on the handle and prevent blisters. BW

BOATINGWORLD.COM

5/3/17 12:55 PM

.

O G T S U J

Chart your course with the Simrad GO9 XSE, and go safer with Broadband Radar™, and SiriusXM® satellite weather integration.

Take control with a super-bright 9-inch touchscreen, and discover the ultimate all-in-one system for fishing, cruising and water sports. Leverage CHIRP-enabled Broadband Sounder™ sonar and StructureScan® HD imaging with the TotalScan™ transducer, and expand your view with support for Simrad radar solutions.

Download and upload maps, software, and apps direct to your fishfinder / chartplotter.

Go With Confidence

NEW GO9 XSE StructureScan™ HD imaging

SiriusXM® Weather compatible

CHIRP fish-finding sonar

Built-in GoFree™ Wi-Fi

Radar compatible

NMEA 2000® Engine Interface

SIMRAD-YACHTING.COM/GO

fishing

INTER PR E TIN G SCR EEN IM AG E S

What Am A I Looking At?

T A SIMRAD PRESS EVENT on Hawk’s Cay in the Florida Keys, we tried out some new products, including the new HDS Carbon Series from Lowrance and the Simrad NSS evo3 multifunction displays in a variety of situations. Part of the challenge of using new equipment is figuring out what’s on the display and how to read it. We captured some screenshots that anglers are bound to encounter on their fishfinders. All the units we used had dual-band CHIRP sonar, for better imaging, and SideScan and DownScan, which deliver a near photographic view of what’s below. After talking to a few of the pros at the event, we developed some tips for interpreting what you are actually seeing on the screen.

Interpreting images on a fishfinder screen can be tricky. Here’s what to look for.

KEY TO CHARTS:

Black circles indicate bottom structure

Blue circles are bait

Red circles are larger fish

BY ALAN JONES

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The big tip-off you are marking large fish is the color red, which indicates the sonar is encountering something that has substantial density.

Obviously, the bigger the mark and deeper the red, the larger the fish. The one on the bottom right, circled in red, is probably a 100-pound tarpon. Bait (circled in blue) tends to stack up vertically and is usually indicated in blue/purple and presents no distinct individual targets.

In this shot, the boat is moving faster, which can cause screen clutter or noise, seen at the top.

Sometimes the color red indicates bait schools that are dense, like those on the left, circled in blue. Larger fish can be stacked in tight schools but will still mark individual fish, like the fish circled in red, and sometimes resemble a bunch of spiders.

Obviously, big fish eat little fish, so they are often in close proximity, like in this shot. The vertical mass, circled in blue, is a large, dense ball of baitfish, and at the bottom and on the left, circled in red, larger fish are stepping up to the all-you-can-eat seafood buffet. At the bottom, circled in black, is a wreck, characterized by the deeper red color and sharp edges.

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To prospect for fish close to the bottom when the boat is on plane, a good technique is to go to Bottom Color Mode (found on select Lowrance and Simrad models), which “paints” the bottom a brown color that contrasts nicely with the red areas that are marking fish. This screenshot was taken with the Simrad S5100 Sounder module, which can display multiple ranges. The split on the left is the bottom 20 feet of the image to the right. The bottom is actually fairly flat but looks lumpy because of the wave action. When a boat is on plane, water turbulence typically causes screen clutter, as seen toward the top on the right screen split.

Circled in red is how fish appear with DownScan, which delivers a near-photographic picture of what’s really down there. On the bottom right split, the actual shape of the fish is apparent.

This image shows a split screen with high CHIRP sonar on the left and DownScan on the right.

The DownScan image provides a near-photographic view of the bottom. The images on the bottom are the same wreck. On the right is a view of the actual shape. Higher up, check out how differently fish appear on each.

Purple circles indicate noise or screen clutter

Humpbacks Why do big fish look like a Nike swoosh? Large fish are usually characterized not only by their color but also their shape. The reason they take on a curved shape has to do with the motion of the boat and the shape of the sonar signal, which resembles a cone. As the signal first picks up a fish, it’s at the edge of the cone and is farther away from it. As the boat goes directly over the fish, it’s closer, which translates as higher in the water column. As the boat moves away, it’s slightly farther away again, which drops the image lower in the water. BW BOATINGWORLD.COM JUNE 2017

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engines

G E T- H O M E TAC TI C S

Use a dinner fork tine or a belt buckle to create a cotter pin.

Think First Not every dead-in-the-water scenario has to be a can’t-get-home scenario.

prop with all the factory hardware but lost the stainless cotter pin down the center of the prop and went to the hardware store to get “something” to replace it.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t stainless and wasted no time rusting into uselessness.

The next time the engine was put into reverse, the prop shot off the shaft and sank 50 feet. No problem: spare prop. Problem: no hardware. The inner spacer is probably still on the shaft, so install the emergency prop. You wouldn’t be lucky enough to have washers aboard, so use a dinner fork tine or a belt buckle to create a cotter pin.

When you engage forward, the prop will be spinning forward, thrusting rather than pulling, and the cotter pin and washers won’t be necessary until you engage reverse again. At that point, maybe your emergency parts will hold it together…

BY GRID MICHAL

D

JUICELESS ID YOU EVER HAVE AN “Oh, @#*!” moment on the high seas? Don’t be embarrassed

if you did. At least you remembered to install the drain plug before launch. You did, didn’t you? Aw, man! You’re better than that. If it makes you feel better, I once launched a 24-foot Grumman pontoon with neither drain plug. The bond between us? We didn’t take an instant to think prior to doing.

Not thinking is what can turn a “let’s go boating” day into a “we’ve done everything except boating” day. If you take time to think, you can be a hero. My customers have encountered day-ruining scenarios over the years. Here’s what could have been done to bring ’em home.

FORWARD FRUSTRATION

Often a prop develops a spun hub — that’s the rubber-clad device that joins the 22

propeller to the engine’s prop shaft — from striking immoveable objects. You increase the throttle and the engine responds by going faster, but the boat doesn’t. Because the hub has probably sheared in forward motion, put the engine in reverse, very gently, and move all the passengers forward in order to keep the transom high. Head for home — or to a safe haven — in reverse, utilizing the shear to your advantage.

Picture this: You installed a new stainless

You’ve been at the beach all day, stereo blasting. The stereo system doesn’t draw a lot of amps, but at day’s end, even though the battery switch was on ALL, the ignition key invites only a strained “rrumph.”

Turn the battery switch to OFF. Make sure the bilge pump won’t engage. Switch the battery selector to one battery, which should have removable cell caps. Carefully remove the caps — shield your eyes — and add some drinking water to the cells.

Install the caps. Inside of 10 minutes, one battery should crank the engine over. You’ll have only one chance, though. When the engine starts, the alternator will recharge the battery relatively quickly. Read: Do not shut the engine down until you’re home!

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HOT, HOT, HOT

“It’s overheating! The light came on. What do I do?” First, look aft to see if there is a telltale water stream emanating from the engine. Then sniff. Do you smell something overheated? If the first answer is “yes,” the second should be “no.” If the first answer is “no,” the second should be “yes.” But wait.

What makes you think it’s overheating?

The light? The ubiquitous light, described in detail in the owner’s manual you left at home. The light that denotes overheat under one pictogram, oil change reminder under another, and CK ENG under another, warning you to get qualified help for the engine.

You’d be amazed at how many bell and light warnings aren’t related to overheating.

Perhaps if you’d read the owner’s manual you would have known that only the oil change reminder needed to be reset.

Did you make certain the water pictogram is lighted? Is it pumping but really overheating? Try this. You should have that cheap multi-use toolkit supplied with

the engine. Remove the thermostat cover, remove the thermostat, replace the cover and let the water course through at low operating rpm to get home safely.

DEAD IN THE WATER

When you see a connecting rod blow through the side of the engine cover, you can rightfully start humming “Row, row, your boat,” unless you’ve been waiting

for this moment all your life (credit due Phil Collins for the lyrics) and actually stop to think. Forward progress has been hampered, darkness is here, your cell has no reception and probably the next thing you see will be the orange and white U.S. Coast Guard helicopters spending millions of taxpayer dollars searching for you. Does your boat have a center console? Did you stuff the console cover into the console? Do you have an oar or paddle? A boat hook?

Twisted dock line? Fileting knife? Cut the twisted line every 2 feet, for 6 feet. That’ll provide nine strands of line. Lash the boat hook to one side of the console’s grabrail and the oar/paddle to the other. Grab the console cover, hold it sideways and cut holes in all four corners. Use four strands to tie it to the pole and paddle. Leave the engine tilted down for steerage. Now you’re headed somewhere, either with the wind to safety or tacking to safety. It’ll be slow going, but it’s better than sitting dead in the water. BW

• Pull tubes, wakeboarders, waterskiers— virtually all water toys.

• Corrosion resistant 316 stainless steel tow bar elevates the tow rope clear of the wake and prop wash • Improves vessel stability, fuel economy and towing power • Tow bar can be quickly removed

T U R B O S W I N G . C O M / B W • 855-22-TURBO (855-228-8726) TurboSwing BW Ad 2017.indd 1

2/23/2017 10:34:03 AM BOATINGWORLD.COM

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diy

COA M I N G PA D I NSTA LL

Coam Over Coaming pads look good, are easy to install, and will spare anglers a beating in rough water.

BY JARED JOHNSON

A

NGLERS WHO HAVE GONE FISHING in rough water on a boat without coaming pads learn of their utility the hard way. The evidence in the following days is exhibited in Technicolor thanks to the many-hued bruises that appear on their thighs. Part of the reason I bought a Whitewater 28 is its ability to fish safely when it gets snotty — hence, the name of the boat. I knew coaming pads would be one of the first additions to my refit of this great hull.

I researched the best way to add them and found a variety of solutions. I’m a hands-on guy and like a challenge, so I first looked at constructing my own pads, which is easy enough to do. The project starts with some sort of backing — marine plywood or Starboard — and involves gluing on some dense closed-cell foam and then covering it in a vinyl of choice. The part I didn’t like is that I would have had to drill some fairly large holes in my boat’s inwales (the overhang under the inside of the gunwales) to affix them. Another problem is that certain sections of my boat’s gunwales don’t have inwales. The second type of coaming pad system includes pads that slide onto a track, but the track requires smaller

holes to be drilled, but many more than on the aforementioned install. Since the pads are only attached at the top, they tend to flop around, especially while towing.

The best solution I found was SeaDek coaming bolsters, which are less intrusive because they are peel and stick — no drilling needed. I had SeaDek flooring on my old boat, and it was easily the best addition I made, so trying the manufacturer’s bolsters was a no-brainer for me.

SeaDek offers two options. Stock Coaming Pad kits consist of two 4½-inch-by-37inch pads and cost $106. I chose to go the custom route, which carries a minimum charge of $160.

The ordering process was simple and streamlined. Perhaps the most difficult part of the process was deciding which of the many different color configurations to choose, from solid to two tone. There are 16 colors/color combos to choose from — and that’s just for the stock bolsters. Plus, there are embossed and brushed finishes. I chose brushed. SeaDek will include names, drawings or teak lines cut into the material, so I had “Whitewater” added to the bow bolster and a ruler added to the stern pad, to help

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With the peel-andstick coaming pads in place, the bow is a comfortable place to fight a fish.

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measure fish easily. The bolsters can be cut to custom sizes to fit the boat perfectly, with a maximum length of 75 inches, a maximum width of 18 inches and up to 20 inches of thickness.

Once I figured out exactly what I wanted, I sent the dimensions of each bolster to SeaDek, whose designers drew it up on CAD and sent it back to me for verification. Because of this process, I knew exactly what I was getting — no surprises when the kit showed up in the mail. I received mine all in one large

5

box, each pad individually wrapped and labeled (1). The total cost for the eightpiece package I got was $1,144.

The application process is fairly simple.

The key is to have a very clean surface for the pads to adhere to. Normally, we’re instructed to avoid dishwasher detergents when washing the boat, because they strip the wax off the gelcoat, but in this situation, that’s a plus, because wax can keep the adhesive from bonding properly. Afterward, I wiped it dry with a clean towel.

At this point it’s as easy as peel and stick (2). The adhesive SeaDek uses is super strong, so as long as the surface is clean and grease-free, it’s not coming off without resorting to violence. First, line up each bolster where it’s supposed to go (3) and make sure you’re happy with that, because once it goes on, moving it will be 4

difficult at best.

I used the top curve on the boat to help align the bolster combined with the bottom edge, so it was perfectly straight (4). Don’t attach the full width of the pad until you are happy with the alignment (5). Start with just the top edge on one end in case an adjustment is needed. That way, if you happen to mess up a little you can quickly un-peel the small part that’s stuck more easily and then maneuver the pad to where you want it.

SeaDek’s customer support was excellent. Its hotline has experts on hand who can answer any questions about the installation process. The SeaDek coaming pads look great on my boat and are not only functional but will also add to its resale value. For more information, visit seadek.com. BW

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ask the experts

Q

+A

PROPELLERS

Counter-Rotating Rundown

Q I have twin-engine boat. The props are counter-rotating toward the outside. If props are changed so that the water is pushed toward the middle of boat rather than pushed to the outside will the boat be less stable and will the boat be faster? I have a 30-foot Formula that’s only 8 feet, 3 inches wide. The engines are 454 Mags.

Mark Leamon, via BoatingWorld.com

The primary advantage of counter-rotating props is to improve boat performance by eliminating the steering effort required to overcome the pulling associated with both props turning in the same direction. When both props turn in the same direction, the boat tends to pull to one side or the other (depending on prop rotation), meaning you’d have to turn against this pull to keep the boat going in a straight line.

Counter-rotation can be either in or out, as viewed from astern while looking at the tops of the props. Although factors such as hull design tend to play a more crucial role in how the vessel reacts to inward

 OUR PANEL OF EXPERTS:

Frank Lanier Capt. Lanier is an accredited marine surveyor with more than 30 years of experience in the marine industry and owner of Capt. FK Lanier & Associates, Marine Surveyors and Consultants.

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Zuzana Prochazka Grid Michal With 50 years of experience as a marine tech, Michal is also American Suzuki and OMC/ Bombardier (BRP) certified.

Prochazka is a freelance writer and photographer. She holds a USCG 100-Ton Master license, is the editor of her boat and gear review website, TalkOfTheDock. com, and serves on the board of Boating Writers International.

BOATINGWORLD.COM

5/3/17 12:47 PM

sylvanmarine.com I 866-766-9698

With patented Revolutionary Planing Technology (RPT) Sylvan changes everything about pontoon performance.

Our exclusive tube design slices through the water with sports car handling and runabout exhilaration. The unique V-shaped tube provides increased top speed per horsepower and dramatically improved fuel efficiency. RPT is a revolution in pontoon performance. AND IT’S ONLY FROM SYLVAN.

EXCLUSIVELY FROM SYLVAN.

THRILL RIDE.

Boating just became even more effortless.

HELM MASTER,® NOW FEATURING SET POINT.™ Many have already discovered the ease, convenience and intuitiveness of the Yamaha Helm Master fully integrated digital boat control system. It moves large offshore boats in incredibly agile ways, making tight marinas and docking situations easier to navigate.

Now, Helm Master gives you even more control—with Set Point.* This new suite of control functions includes Fish Point,™ Drift Point™ and Stay Point.™ Programmed using our new CL7 touchscreen display,* engaged via the new joystick and guided with unique dual-antenna GPS navigation technology, these functions maintain position, heading or both. Suddenly maneuvers that are difficult for even experienced captains can be automatically achieved via Helm Master.

JOYSTICK NOW WITH SET POINT

NEW 7-INCH LCD DISPLAY

DUAL-ANTENNA GPS TECHNOLOGY

To learn more about Helm Master with Set Point, visit 2017newproducts.yamahaoutboards.com.

FISH POINT This mode maintains position.

It’s perfect for stationary fishing directly below the boat, and uses quiet, lower-RPM power.

DRIFT POINT This mode maintains heading.

It’s great for drift-fishing a wreck, kite fishing or watching a sunset from the stern.

STAY POINT This mode maintains position and heading. It’s handy when waiting for a bridge or for your turn to approach a fuel dock.

Some restrictions apply. Helm Master available on select new twin, triple and quad Yamaha outboards installed on new boat packages manufactured by participating boat builders and sold by authorized dealers only. REMEMBER to always observe all applicable boating laws. Never drink and drive. Dress properly with a USCG-approved personal floatation device and protective gear. © 2017 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved.

YMOB0756-D-HLM_Sgl_9x10.875.indd 1

3/7/17 4:55 PM

THE ULTIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR LARGE BOATS

ULTIMATE CONVENIENCE Automatic Trim Assist, Steering Friction Control, Station Selection, Single-Lever Operation, Speed Control, Free Throttle and Center-Engine Operation.

+ INTUITIVE CONTROL Effortless Joystick Docking and Maneuvering

= COMPLETE CONFIDENCE Enhancing Your Boating Fun, Satisfaction and Memories

EACH COMPONENT ADDS CONTROL AND CONVENIENCE. Helm Master includes an innovative joystick, LCD display, dual-antenna GPS, enhanced binnacle control, electronic steering and key switch, multi-function RFID key fob and Y-COP® theft deterrent system.

Helm Master is compatible with new Yamaha F350B, F350C and 4.2-liter V6 Offshore outboards in twin, triple and quad configurations, and also with our I-4 F200, F175 and F150 in twin configurations. *Expected availability May of 2017

ask the experts or outward turning props, there are some benefits associated with each.

Outward counter-rotating props generate stern lift, while inward-turning props can cause the stern to sink slightly. As such, if a boat has trouble getting on plane, inward turning props can help lift the bow, making it easier to get on plane. Other advantages attributed to inboard-turning props include increased speed at lower rpm and less wake, as well as the ability to “walk the boat” sideways.

Outward-turning props may increase top-end speed slightly but can also give less “bite” in rough seas and reduce maneuverability in close quarters. — FL

see your new boat. If it’s not too late, have the dealer route the new transducer cable through a piece of PVC pipe that will cover the wire from the transducer straight up the transom to the top, then secure the PVC to the transom. It can be done retroactively, but it’s messier. Then again, fastidious otters will leave you alone. — GM SEASON PREP

Looking to Avoid Drama

Q Is there any way of starting the boating year without the all-inclusive drama involved? I mean, every year a whole weekend has to be spent “getting the boat ready for when the company comes.” Right now I’d be happy if the company stayed home.

CRITTER PREVENTION

Vince Porter, via BoatingWorld.com

Q We recently moved from the city to a

Hey-hey-hey! “Drama” is how I make my living, pay my bills! My creditors encourage drama. You can look at this a couple of ways. First, if it were your car, would you schedule an oil change and checkup with your service center? It saves you lying in the dirt, draining oil, greasing tie rods (do they still do that?), changing filters and so forth. You lose the satisfaction of doing it yourself by letting somebody else spend his day lovin’ on your car. Of course, you pay

Pest Control

beautiful waterfront home. Wanting to recapture my boating youth, we bought a used runabout. I followed the advice of the seller and had the bottom painted with antifouling paint, as we keep the boat in the water, not on a lift.

Last Saturday we decided to use our new depthfinder to find channels and gunkholes. I pushed the power button and on it came. That’s all it did — wouldn’t give us a

Outward counter-rotating props generate stern lift, while inwardturning props can cause the stern to sink bit of information. I called the dealer who’d installed it and he came right over. He checked connections at the dash, muttered “I thought so,” went to the stern and pulled the sheared transducer wire out of the water. We hadn’t even released the dock lines! The dealer says we have “varmints,” but he’ll replace the transducer. Is there any way of being proactive with a cure?

T. Havelock, via BoatingWorld.com

I never heard an otter called a varmint, but otters are what you have. They love the electric tingle from the cable and chew on it until it just bleeds current all over, inviting bunches of those playful devils to come

for the pleasure of staying clean and maybe playing nine holes while the car’s serviced.

Same with the boat: schedule the service, stay clean, enjoy a day of doing nothing more than stroking a check.

However, in my never-ending quest to educate, I encourage my customers to follow a service manual, or watch and ask while a tech services the boat. It’s a lot easier if you can identify a problem and fi x it when it occurs as you’re getting ready to go from sundown to dark. If it were your car, AAA could find you pulled off the highway, snuggled in the front seat. A tow boat? Not so easy without coordinates you probably won’t have. — GM BW BOATINGWORLD.COM

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gear

STU FF YO U WA NT

Sure Footing

$14.30/pair, beckson.com Slippery decks and stairs can be a boating hazard, which is why Beckson Marine introduced Step-Mate All Weather Non-Skid Step Pads. Made of flexible material and sold in pairs, the step pads stick firmly into place on a swim step, stair or deck, delivering non-skid footing in places it doesn’t already exist. Available in white, brown or black, Step Pad won’t crack or discolor, according to the manufacturer.

Filet-o-Fish $22.95, outdooredge.com A sturdy and dependable knife is a must-have fishing accessory. Outdoor Edge’s ergonomically shaped Reel-Flex 6-inch fillet knife has a TPE composite handle that ensures a comfortable, non-slip grip, even with wet or slick hands. Each knife is hand finished and comes with a polprophylene sheath and swivel-clip belt attachment for ease of carrying. The blade is crafted from German 4116 stainless steel that is known for its corrosion resistance and excellent edge retention.

Damp Out

$79.99, guardiantechnologies.com On a boat, humidity and dampness mean that mold and mildew can have a field day. Guardian Technologies has launched the Pure Guardian DH201WCA Small Space Dehumidifier, which boat owners can use to get rid of extra moisture and musty smells. The tank of the Pure Guardian collects about 12 ounces of water a day at 80 percent humidity. An indicator lights up when the tank is full and the unit automatically shuts off. It efficiently and quietly utilizes Peltier (thermo-electric) technology, so there is no heavy compressor needed or any filters required.

Bucket Seats $10.98, shurhold.com Space is limited on a boat, so items that can pull double duty are preferred.

Shurhold’s Bucket Seat/Lid turns a five-gallon pail into a cushioned seat. The lid is made of durable plastic with a slightly convex seat, so water won’t collect on it.

The Bucket Seat/Lid is part of the One Bucket System, including a group of tools that nest inside the bucket, for the entire boat washing experience. It can also be used as a stepping stool or a footrest.

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5/3/17 10:23 AM

gear

STU FF YO U WA NT

Go Bag

$39.99, matadorup.com The Droplet XL bag from Matador is a 100 percent waterproof bag that fits in the palm of one’s hand. It is always ready when needed, has 20 liters of capacity and is good for storing a wetsuit or wet towels. The bag features a Hypalon roll-top closure, a buckle by YKK and taped seams for a watertight hold. It expands to a full 24 inches by 14 inches, comes with a silicone droplet storage case and includes an aluminum carabineer, so it can accompany any boat, kayak or standup paddleboard adventure.

Get Offensive with Odors

A New Light

$285/pair, tecniqinc.com Docking lights prove convenient when a day on the water becomes an evening on the water. New E610 docking lights from TecNiq are backed by a lifetime warranty, are waterproof, and feature anodized cast-aluminum heatsinks and TecSeal urethane potting with 1,400 lumens of powerful light. The surface-mount docking lights don’t require a cutout, just a small hole for wires, and two screws.

They draw between 0.85 and 1.15 amps and measure 5.76 inches wide by 3.27 inches tall and have a 1.06-inch profile.

Enlightening

$497, inotechnologies.com The first handheld device that combines weather data and real-time local lightning detection is available on or off the grid. INO’s Weather Pro has its own sensor that provides real-time local lightning detection and direction anywhere, anytime.

Watersports enthusiasts can stay apprised of changing weather or dangerous conditions in their immediate area. The device senses lightning, temperature, atmospheric pressure, humidity, heat index, altitude and dew point. It’s highly water resistant and runs on a USB-charged lithium battery.

$19.95/32 oz., iosso.com Too often, odors on a boat are covered up by owners who use a heavily scented spray, but Odor Buster from Iosso is different, in that it doesn’t mask odors. It neutralizes odors and eliminates them at the source. Sprayed directly on fabrics and carpets, Odor Buster attacks the source of odors. Sprayed in the air, it freshens the cabin air. It contains no harsh chemicals and is safe around children and pets.

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5/3/17 10:23 AM

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tested

M A LI B U 21 V L X

Malibu Did What?

Malibu’s new 21 VLX is the boat many people wanted to own but didn’t think they could afford.

BY ALAN JONES

U

SUALLY, SKI BOATS FROM A premium brand such as Malibu come with a price tag that is more consistent with a house than a boat. But for 2017, Malibu is offering a loaded Wakesetter 21 VLX — including a trailer — for less than $80K. Game changed.

UNIQUE FACTOR

PERFORMANCE

Previously, Malibu’s only “service entrance” into its family of watersports boats was via the Axis brand. First launched in 2009 as an independent arm of Malibu, Axis started with one model, the A22, which was pretty spartan.

Underneath its plain-Jane upholstery it clearly showed some Malibu DNA, especially when it came to function, but many of the best Malibu goodies, such as the new-in-2009 MaliView display screen, weren’t on the table. More recent Axis models have been decidedly more upscale and offer the option of including some former Malibu-only features. But they still don’t have the Malibu name on the outside, which is a big deal for many watersports enthusiasts.

Surprisingly, Malibu didn’t hit its price point by making all the most popular features options. It’s selling the 21 VLX as a turnkey boat that’s ready to go have some watery fun without checking a single box on the options menu. Most of the heavy lifting is done by Malibu’s Integrated Surf Platform, which provides a killer surf and wakeboard wake with features such as Surf Gate and Surf Band, Command Center, Power Wedge III system and Quad Hard Tank ballast. Also included is the G3.5 Tower, which has board racks and a Bimini for shade. Even the stereo is upscale — a six-speaker Wet Sounds Bluetooth system that includes a 12-inch subwoofer.

Malibu uses the Indmar 6.2L platform for its 21 VLX, which is based on the Ford Raptor iron-block V-8 that has aluminum heads and a single overhead cam design.

The standard engine is the Monsoon 410, and the number refers to its torque rating rather than its 350 hp. That’s not just because 410 a larger number, but because when it comes to pushing a wakesurf boat that’s loaded with nearly two tons of ballast, torque is the number that really matters. Owners will like the fact this is the same block found in the 450 (400 hp) and the Rauch-supercharged 575 (not available on the 21 VLX), so it’s probably a little overbuilt in its Clark Kent configuration, which bodes well for its longevity — not to mention the security of having Indmar’s five-year warranty.

The base engine provided plenty of punch on test day, even when we had the boat loaded with ballast. The Wedge II is a standard feature that simulates 1,500 pounds of ballast while helping to shape the wave and helps the 21 VLX get on plane quicker. The Wedge II redesign gave it 21 percent more surface area over the original Power Wedge but also gave it an upturned angle that creates more lift. Without it, our test Malibu reached plane in 3.9 seconds with a fair amount of bowrise. With it deployed, the time was cut to 3.2 seconds with considerably less bowrise. A flat power curve got it to 25

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mph in five seconds and pushed strong all the way to its higher-than-expected top speed of 41 mph.

HANDLING

At 21 feet long, the 21 VLX is among the shorter models in the Malibu lineup, and it features a narrower-than-most 8-foot, 2-inch beam. Both of these specs help give it really nimble handling that’s enhanced by twin tracking skegs. Even when romping at full speed, the driver can whip it into a jetboat-like turn (after warning passengers, of course). What’s great about the Surf Gate system is you no longer need to overweight one side to get a great surf wake — a technique that makes a boat heel far over. It uses two vertical tabs to redirect the water that’s rushing around the hull. Normally on an evenly weighted boat, the flows converge in the center, but by disrupting the flow on one side when the tab sticks outward 6 inches, it creates a clean, giant surfing wake on the opposite side. Thanks to the robust hydraulic system, changeovers happen in less than two seconds and the switch is announced by a horn on the transom or by optional tower lights. The upshot is the boat stays level, which gives the driver more control. Driving a fully laden 21 VLX, with its 4,000-pound hull and ballast maxed out at 3,690 pounds, was really easy. Like most surf boats, drivers can tighten up the surf wake by carving a slight turn in the direction of the surf side, something that was no problem, nor was turning around at the end of the lake.

BEST USES

The 21 VLX is a boat for all who love watersports, thanks to Malibu offering it with a choice of two different hulls. The Wake Plus hull we tested is designed to create the biggest, tightest wakes possible and is the clear choice for owners who

(Clockwise from top right) Easy-grip release handles make the G3.5 tower easy to lower.

Wraparound cockpit seating creates plenty of room. Portside glove box stores valuables. Flip-up backrest reveals a huge storage area. Full-width sunpad is a great place to relax.

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owner feedback W H AT W E L I K E D :

The incredible value/Upgraded standard stereo/ Surf Gate system/Plush, cloth-like upholstery/ Malibu fit and finish/Watersports versatility W H AT W E W O U L D C H A N G E :

A number of options weren’t available that we would have liked, such as a heater, hot shower, lighting options and Surf Pipe.

WHY WE BOUGHT IT:

Purchased by Bob and Nadia Riggins, plus Cullen, 9, Finley, 7, and Avery, 5, Belleview, Fla. Purchased at Transition Watersports, Ocklawaha, Fla.

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We’ve owned about 10 Malibus and two Axis watersports boats and bought the 21 VLX sight unseen because we knew what to expect, and we haven’t been disappointed. Lately, I’ve been spending most of my time on Lake Weir chauffeuring my kids, who really love watersports. All three are into wakeboarding, Cullen likes to slalom, and he and Findlay are avid wakesurfers. I’ve known Nate, who owns Transition Watersports, for 20 years and he really takes great care of us. He’s incredibly responsive and makes sure our boat doesn’t spend time sitting around the shop waiting to be repaired.

are all about surfing. The second choice is the Diamond hull, which turns the 21 VLX into a crossover that does everything well. Dump the ballast, cruise to a speed greater than 31 mph and the wake flattens out admirably for slalom skiers. For the next run, add max ballast, set the standard Zero Off cruise control for 21 mph and the wakeboard ramps are surprisingly good — a bit more mellow and not as large as with the Wake Plus version, but only pros or talented amateurs might find it wanting.

In surf mode, the Diamond still plows up an admirable wake. The 21 VLX is rated for 13 people, and there’s a seat for everyone on luxurious fabric-like upholstery.

PREFERRED SETUP

As mentioned, there are two engine choices for the 21 VLX: the Ford Raptorbased 6.2L Indmar Monsoon, either the 410 or the 450 (remember, these are torque numbers). The two engines are identical, except for software within the ECU that

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boosts the horsepower by 50. This flash of the computer’s card comes at the rather steep upcharge of $7,667. Looking at the respective power curves of each reveals not much difference below 3500 rpm in either horsepower or torque, so it looks like this is a rare case where the entry-level engine is the correct bang-for-the-buck call. Given the huge list of standards on the 21 VLX, there’s not a whole lot left to add. In fact, blowing up the bottom line would be difficult, because many popular Malibu options aren’t available, which, understandably, gives buyers an incentive to upgrade to a more expensive model. One item that would be greatly appreciated by owners that isn’t available is Surf Pipe, which sends the exhaust downward so it surfaces behind surfers. It’s not really a safety thing, since the Indmar engines are rated Four Stars by CARB, signifying they are super ultralow emissions engines, but it reduces the engine noise to the point it’s like a stereo upgrade.

At the helm, drivers are set with

everything they need, including a tilting 12-inch Touch Screen Command Screen where they can control most of the boat’s systems, including ballast presets, stereo and cruise control. It also comes with the Sport Dash with the rotary knob that allows drivers to perform functions such as switching the side of the surfing wake or

bumping the speed just a little. Some of the notable options include Soft Grip flooring ($333), bow ballast ($817) and a colored deck ($700) and hull ($1,050). Add these to the standards such as snap-in carpeting, a 14-inch rearview mirror and two pairs of popup cleats, and the boat’s ready to hit the lake in style. BW

Specs Length 21 ft., 0 in. Beam 8 ft., 2 in. Deadrise N/A Capacity 13 people Dry Weight (hull) 4,000 lbs. Fuel Capacity 48 gal.

Max HP 400 PERFORMANCE Peak 41.0 mph/5500 rpm/95 dBA Cruise 19.6 mph/3000 rpm/85 dBA Time to Plane 3.2 sec.

Time to 25 mph 5.0 sec.

POWER Test Indmar 6.2L Monsoon 410 Cylinders V-8 Displacement 6.2L Weight w/outdrive N/A WOT Max 5500 rpm Base Price w/test power $79,995 Value-Added Standard Features: Dual-axle trailer, popup cleats, Surf Gate, Quad Hard Tank ballast, 12-inch Touch Screen Command Center, 6-speaker Wet Sounds Bluetooth stereo with subwoofer, G3.5 Tower Must-Have Options: Decadence or Soft Grip flooring, bow ballast, choice of deck and hull colors, saltwater package, high-altitude prop, speed prop Builder: Malibu Boats, malibuboats.com Financing: $574/month w/15% down and 6% interest for 15 years

ULTRA-PLUSH SOFT TOP TUBES

The Softest…Guaranteed!

Learn more about Connelly exclusive Soft Top Technology at connellyskis.com

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tested

TI G É R Z X 2

Locked and Loaded Following the rollout of Tigé’s RZX last year is a 22-foot version that will surprise you.

BY ALAN JONES

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AST YEAR TIGÉ BLEW US away with a new flagship. Called the RZX, now known as the RZX3, it has a new baby bro called the RZX2, a 22-footer that’s ready for any watersport and is loaded with standard features.

UNIQUE FACTOR

Some companies offer ski boats with a low MSRP, but often it’s an unrealistic price. After all, who would buy a wake/surf boat without a tower, ballast or a stereo?

That’s not going to be an issue with the Tigé RZX2. For an MSRP of $114,521, the builder didn’t just do the least it could do.

For example, electronically actuated towers

mounted rather than above the dash where it can interfere with a driver’s forward field of vision. On a single screen, the driver can control virtually every system on the boat, from ballast to wake settings and skier preferences, and from standard Zero Off cruise control to stereo parameters. And instead of tiny touchscreen targets that can be hard to hit on a moving boat, functions

On a single screen, the driver can control virtually every system on the boat are usually five-figure wow-factor options, but the Alpha E2 tower with swiveling board racks is standard and lowers to near windshield height with the push of a button.

No one buys a watersports boat without a stereo, but often it’s an option. Tigé gets buyers off to a great start with an ICE Power Premium Bluetooth stereo. The brand is obscure, but it’s a high-end subsidiary of Bang & Olufsen, one of the most prestigious names in audio equipment.

Paired with six REV 8 Wet Sounds speakers and a subwoofer, it’s a jammin’ system.

Another impressive standard on this boat is the Clear User Experience touchscreen display. It’s a whopping 10.4 inches tall and is presented in an unusual vertical orientation, which allows it to be in-dash 38

fill the screen when selected. The driver can watch the show, too, thanks to a standard tower-mounted RearView camera, which is great for documenting awesome moves or for monitoring skiers.

PERFORMANCE

A few years ago, Tigé switched to the Ford-based Raptor series 6.2L motors

by Indmar. The reliable powerplants are torque monsters that are ideal for pushing heavy loads. Our test RZX2 had the optional Raptor 440 version, whose number refers to its torque rating, not the 400 horses it possesses. It’s a $6,667 upcharge over the standard Raptor 400, which has 350 hp, according to California Air Resources Board test info. The engines

are identical except for different software in their respective ECU computer brain.

The good news is both engines have the same everything as the monster Raptor 575, except for an intercooled supercharger that gives it a whopping 530 hp with a stump-pulling 575 pound-feet of torque.

The 575, like the other models, comes with a five-year warranty, which implies the lower horsepower versions are, relatively speaking, overbuilt for their power ratings.

It comes at a pretty steep $20,000 bump over the standard 400 but in certain situations makes sense.

The Raptor 440 is a good match for this stout 5,600-pound boat with the patented Convex-V Hull, which is built to plow up a wake organically before loading it with ballast. Its time to plane was 3.8 seconds with surprisingly little bowrise. Its time to 25 mph was seven seconds flat, and the GPS-based speedometer peaked at 37 mph, which indicates it was propped for surfing.

HANDLING

I liked the way the Z-Cline captain’s chair felt on my back. It had a bit of a faux headrest, but at the bottom it was flush with the seatback and angled slowly, so it didn’t jab me. Something I couldn’t help but notice was a new innovation called the Smart Wheel, which Tigé offers as a $963 option. Taking a cue from automotive design, it gives the driver a control panel right at his fingertips that allows him to interface with the Clear User Experience to control the surf wake’s direction, the boat’s speed, the stereo, the camera and the TAPS 3 system. The interface doesn’t spin with the wheel, so the driver doesn’t have to hit a moving target to make changes.

The RZX2 is an easy boat to drive. At surf speeds — the best is around 11.5 mph — the driver doesn’t need to heel it over more than five degrees, and it holds its line well.

Thanks to the tracking fins it really hooks

(Clockwise from top right) A pickle-fork bow section gives passengers plenty of space. The stern section is ideal for lounging or booting up for a run. Transform Seats add additional aftfacing seating.

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owner feedback up nicely during hard turns with moderate lean-in. High gunwales give passengers a secure feeling, especially up front.

BEST USES

Purchased by Jeff and Lorri Strizich, plus Lindsey, 21, Parker, Colo.

Purchased at Wakeboard & Waterski Specialty, Denver W H AT W E L I K E D :

Wakeboard wake and surf wave/Tigé fit and finish/Clear User Experience display/Smart Wheel/Taps 3 surf system/Plush upholstery W H AT W E W O U L D C H A N G E :

We wish there was an anchor locker.

WHY WE BOUGHT IT:

This is our fourth Tigé since 2006, and they just keep getting better. My wife and daughter like to slalom and I like to wakeboard, and we all love to surf, so getting a boat that can do all three makes a lot of sense for us. Our previous boat was the Z3, and while the RZX2 is smaller, it feels as big and has the same 16-passenger capacity. The surf wake on this boat is the best I’ve ever seen. We just love how easy it is to use with new features like the TAPS 3 system, Smart Wheel and the great Clear User Experience display. We do most of our skiing on Lake Granby, which is 8,324 feet above sea level, which can really sap the power of an engine, but there’s no problem with the Indmar 575; it has plenty of power even in extreme altitudes. We bought our boat at Wakeboard & Waterski Specialty, and its service department is fantastic. We love to go camping and take our boat with us, and on one trip to Wyoming our impeller went out.

They sent a technician to us and he installed it to save our weekend.

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Although the Tigé RZX2 is touted as a crossover boat, which sometimes can create a master-of-none situation, it really excels at wakesurfing and wakeboarding. Last year, the TAPS 3 system was unveiled. Built to deliver total control of the surf wake, it consists of three tabs that work together to shape and set the RZX2’s Convex V hull to list at the perfect angle, which drivers can verify on the onboard inclinometer.

The center tab controls the running angle of the boat much like the trim on a sterndrive boat, and the two outer tabs control the boat’s list, making it simple to evenly weight the boat and switch sides in just less than three seconds. The TAPS 3 system also induces the hull to yaw slightly (think of an airplane crabbing to make a crosswind landing) to further help create and shape the wave. The surfer can use a Surf Link remote control to tweak the wave and control the switchover. One thing observers will notice right off the bat is how long the wave is. A boat owner can’t make a great wave without ballast, and the RZX2 has the Surf + Wake XL system, which provides four underdeck ballast tanks that total 3,000 pounds and is standard.

During our test, we went through various rpm ranges with zero ballast to log speed and sound levels, and just before it reached 3500 rpm and 22.6 mph, I looked back to notice it was already producing a

well-formed mini-wakeboard wake. So it was no great surprise when we filled the tanks and checked out the crisp pair of launching ramps trailing behind. After dumping the ballast, which took longer than I’d hoped, I took it up to 32 mph to see how flat the wake would get for slalom skiing. Frankly, slaloming is the weak link of its watersports prowess — the wake still had a bit of lump out back. Putting the center TAPS tab down helped, so long-line cruising and slashing are certainly doable.

PREFERRED SETUP

The off-the-rack RZX2 comes so wellequipped only a few options are needed.

One of the best features of this and other Tigé boats is the seating, with different textures and diamond stitching. The pickle-fork bow is roomy and has great recliner seats, and the center is filled in with a cushion. The entire cockpit is ringed with seating, and to port is a standard Transform Seat, which has a flip-up backrest, to add a rear-facing recliner.

Good additions would be a companion starboard-side Transform Seat ($519) and a reversible stern lounger for facing aft ($2,926). A dual heating system is available ($1,741), but Tigé offers a single with three vents and two hoses ($852) that’s well worth it. Surprisingly, the lake-temperature shower is an option ($481). There are numerous upgrades available for the stereo.

The only really big decision is the engine, and short of always having the boat full of passengers, the standard 350 hp Raptor 400 will get the job done. BW

Specs Length 22 ft. Beam 8 ft., 6 in. Deadrise N/A Capacity 16 people Dry Weight (hull) 5,600 lbs. Fuel Capacity 55 gal.

Max HP 530 PERFORMANCE Peak 37 mph/5500 rpm/94 dBA Cruise 22.6 mph/3500 rpm/85 dBA Time to Plane 3.8 sec.

Time to 25 mph 7.0 sec.

POWER Test Indmar Raptor 440 Cylinders V-8 Displacement 6.2L Weight w/outdrive N/A WOT Range 5500-6000 rpm Base Price w/test power $121,188 Value-Added Standard Features: Alpha E2 power tower, Zero Off cruise control, Clear User Experience display, Surf + Wake XL ballast system, TAPS 3 surf system, Gator Step flooring Must-Have Options: Trailer, REV 8 Wet Sounds tower speakers, shower, heater, heated seats, GPS chartplotter, saltwater package, metallic gelcoat, Bimini top w/surfboard storage, underwater lighting Builder: Tigé Boats, tige.com Financing: $869/month w/15% down and 6% interest for 15 years

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tested

M A STERCR A F T X T 2 3

Hitting the Spot The new crossover from MasterCraft manages to hit the mark on many levels.

BY ALAN JONES

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AST YEAR, MASTERCRAFT UNVEILED ITS all-new XT series with the XT22, a crossover

boat capable of handling any watersports mission with aplomb but at a price more buyers could afford. For 2017, the XT lineup expands with the addition of the XT23, which features the new styling scheme and some innovations that will make mainstream boaters who are avid skiers consider switching to this new breed of pure watersports boat. It replaces the popular X30 in the lineup, but there’s no doubt it’s a step forward.

UNIQUE FACTOR

With the expansion of the XT line — which includes a 20- and a 21-footer in addition to the 23-foot, 3-inch crossover flagship XT23 — MasterCraft now fully covers the spectrum of price ranges. The entry-level NXT series gets owners into the MasterCraft family for as little as $59,590, and the X series pushes the luxury bounds beyond the reach of many potential owners, as evidenced by the X26’s starting price of $150,790. The XT23 splits the difference while delivering some of MasterCraft’s best features, for a starting price of $101,190.

The new styling scheme starts on the hull’s sculpted sides and new hipline, giving it a 3-D look that makes the colors really pop, especially the optional metal-flake gelcoat our test boat featured (starts at $1,100). The 2017 version of the ZF4 Tower ($9,460) includes some new styling changes and new options such as the vertical surfboard rack ($1,860). But the best innovations are the new tow points in the corners of the tower. Called Surf Knobs, they help entry-level surfers by placing them right in the surf wake’s sweet spot from the get-go, so they don’t have to surf down the face of the emerging wave to get in the pocket.

The stout tower has release levers, instead of knobs, and gas-assisted struts to make lowering the tower a one-person job.

Resources Board’s (CARB) Five-Star rating, identifying it as Level Five Extremely Clean Emission engine. It reaches this standard thanks to a new catalytic converter, a Thermal Command Center and a more advanced fuel-injection system called GDI that’s part of GM’s newest Gen-5 engines. In addition, with the sale of each new engine, Ilmor will plant three trees to further reduce its carbon footprint. This engine won the coveted NMMA Innovation Award at this year’s Miami Boat Show, partially for its low emissions, but also because users can change the water-pump impeller in less than a minute and reset fuses on the standard Murphy Touch Screen display at the dash.

The model we tested was the 5500 GDI, which uses a smallish 5.3L block to produce 365 hp and 410 foot-pounds of torque, which helped the boat achieve snappy out-of-the-hole performance. Also helping the XT23 out of the hole was the Auto Launch feature on the optional Attitude Adjustment Plate ($1,090), a center tab that deploys down but retracts after the boat is on plane, to keep drag to a minimum. With it, the XT23 got on plane in 2.8 seconds with negligible bowrise. Time to 25 mph was 5.8 seconds, brisk considering the boat weighs 5,000 pounds without ballast or passengers, up to 16 of them. Speed peaked at 40.2 mph.

PERFORMANCE

We tested the XT23 with Ilmor’s new-generation engine — the first ski-boat engine to achieve the California Air 42

HANDLING

Usually, a discussion about ski-boat handling during docking maneuvers goes

something like this: “You can easily pull up to a dock, provided it’s on your starboard side — and forget backing in a straight line.” This year, MasterCraft got a leg up on the ski-boat industry with its new Dock Star system, which also won an NMMA Innovation Award. MasterCraft uses two rudders in front of the prop that work in concert with the main rudder behind the prop to allow unprecedented maneuvering, whether docking or towing. Dock Star is included as part of the Sport Handling Package ($4,760), which includes three tracking fins and the Attitude Adjustment plate. The tracking fins gave the XT23 tremendous grip during hard corners.

(Clockwise from top right) The bow seat is ideal for spectating. A low swim platform makes it easy to get back aboard. The board racks use clamps instead of bungee cords. Billet aluminum is prominently featured at the helm. The 2017 ZF4 tower has beginner-friendly Surf Knobs. Premium speakers ensure all can hear the tunes.

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owner feedback BEST USES

Purchased by Doug and Trisha Craft, Atlanta; plus Sarah, 18, Jonathan, 19, and Charlie, 23 Purchased at WaterSports Central, Buford, Ga. W H AT W E L I K E D :

Huge, well-shaped surf wave/Interior roominess/Great stereo/Dock Star system for easier low-speed handling/Touchscreen display W H AT W E W O U L D C H A N G E :

We have all the features we could ever want.

If it’s a watersport, this boat can handle it.

Most wake/surfboats are specially designed for one task: plowing up the largest wakes possible. Unfortunately, such focus leaves slalom skiers up in the air … literally, as they slash across watery speed bumps.

MasterCraft’s new XT hull reacts differently, depending on the speed of the boat. When it’s cruising at 32 mph and faster, the wake dissipates and allows slalom skiers to get their cuts on. Giving the center Attitude Adjustment plate a bump puts the bow down a little, which further mitigates wake height. The XT23 throws a clean wakeboard wake at around 21 mph, especially when it’s tankered up with the max ballast of 2,600 pounds in its forward hard tank and rear sacks. The Gen 2 Surf System uses specially shaped tabs custom designed just for this boat to create waves that range from 5 feet long to up to 20 feet long with different levels of steepness. Such versatility accommodates the full range of surfers. On our test boat, the starboard wave seemed a bit cleaner than the one to port, but with more time aboard, that should be tweakable.

WHY WE BOUGHT IT:

Over the years, we’ve had mostly outboard-powered boats until we got the MasterCraft X25 in 2013. While that was a great boat, the XT23 for us is a real upgrade in lots of respects. We have a house on Lake Burton, north of Atlanta, and my kids and their friends are into surfing, wakeboarding and tubing, so I tend to do a lot of the chauffeuring. The first thing I noticed was the much improved Bluetooth stereo, especially for the driver, since there are speakers on the dash. The surf wake is better in terms of height and mass, the tanks are quicker to fill, and it’s easier to control with the new touchscreen display. The new Dock Star system makes docking much easier. The pointy bow of the X23 handles rough water better. When we aren’t skiing, we go to The Waterfall Club or LaPrade’s, where sometimes you’ll see local resident Alan Jackson pick up a guitar and play with the local band. WaterSports Central’s follow-up after the sale was fantastic and their service department is great. We’re about an hour away and don’t have a trailer, but they are Johnny-on-the-spot whenever we need something.

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PREFERRED SETUP

XT series boats have hulls and caps that are specially designed to maximize interior space. The XT23 has a capacity of 16 passengers, many of whom can be accommodated in the cockpit’s U-shaped lounge.

In the stern bench sectional, cutaways in the corner create great passenger alcoves but don’t kill sunpad space. Even though it has the more traditional pointy bow, it’s a

bit wider up front than most others and has a comfortable rear-facing seat in the front.

Add the filler cushion ($630) and three people can stretch out up front. The first box that should be checked on the options list is the Cool Feel vinyl ($1,590), which greatly reduces the temperature of the upholstery, even in direct sunlight. Our test boat had it, and even the small black accent sections remained cool. Another must-have is the convertible rear seat ($1,430), which provides a front-row view of the ski show.

The standard engine is the 320 hp Ilmor 5.7L 5000 MPI model, but the $6,340 upcharge to get the new-gen 365 hp 5500 GDI engine, with reduced emissions and incredibly easy serviceability, is money well spent. The next bump is to the flagship of the GDI family, the 6000 GDI, which produces 430 hp and an impressive 479 foot-pounds of torque and costs $6,890 more than the 5500 GDI. It’s the choice for hauling lots of people regularly. The apex predator is the 522 hp 7.4L engine — its GM ancestor was originally in the 1970 Chevelle SS 455 — which comes at a whopping $20,940 over the standard engine.

The newly-designed helm comes well equipped, as is, with standard features such as the Murphy Touch Screen and Zero Off GPS cruise control, but it isn’t a proper ski boat without a killer stereo, and the Premium Audio and Touch Screen does the trick for $6,900. That upgrade includes a Fusion Bluetooth stereo with its own control screen, JL Audio’s top-of-the-line M-series speakers, one subwoofer for the cockpit and a rare bow subwoofer. BW

Specs Length 23 ft., 3 in. Beam 8 ft., 6 in. Deadrise N/A Capacity 16 people Dry Weight (hull) 5,000 lbs. Fuel Capacity 55 gal.

Max HP 522 PERFORMANCE Peak 40.2 mph/5400 rpm/95 dBA Cruise 20.4 mph/3000 rpm/86 dBA Time to Plane 2.8 sec.

Time to 25 mph 5.8 sec.

POWER Test 365 hp Ilmor 5500 GDI Cylinders V-8 Displacement 5.3L Weight w/outdrive N/A Max WOT 5500 rpm Base Price w/test power $107,530 Value-Added Standard Features: Murphy Touch Screen display, trash can, sunpad, centerline walkthrough, swim platform w/padded mat, Ilmor 5000 MPI V-8, snap-in carpeting, Zero Off cruise control Must-Have Options: Dock Star, Gen 2 Surf system, trailer, ZFT4 tower or ZFT7 power tower, Decadence flooring, premium audio system, Attitude Adjustment Plate, removable ski tow, Cool Feel upholstery Builder: MasterCraft, mastercraft.com Financing: $771/month w/15% down and 6% interest for 15 years

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bonehead blunders

BY G R I D M I CH A L

Directionally Challenged BONEHEAD BLUNDER: Filling the boat

instead of emptying it THE BONEHEAD: A favorite customer, handed down by his dad BONEHEAD RATING: I have a broad shoulder; I’ll split a 10 WHAT HAPPENED: Year before last Tom called to say his washdown pump wasn’t working. It’s a pretty good trek up to his summer home, so after church we drove there to assess the situation. Come to discover he’d never used it in 10 years. It worked fine. All he had to do was use the correct switch. We had a good laugh about growing old and wondered whether one senior center could handle us both. It was a good visit, no charge.

Last year Tom emailed me a smartphone photo showing water pouring into his bilge from a rotten hose. Apparently he’d discovered this as he and his grandson were going out for the last day of striper season and the boat wouldn’t plane. And his bilge pump wouldn’t work. A week later I was ready to

All he had to do was use the correct switch. winterize his boat. I drove up there, took the tarp off the boat, winterized the engine and removed the aft hatch cover — and realized why boat builders and techs are always at loggerheads. The hull, a deep-V, gave no access to the area of concern unless the engine was removed, and even then only an adolescent could get at it to correct the problem, if he was swung by gallows by his feet. I finished the winterization and went home to cogitate.

A month later I swapped some labor for labor and took a young waterman up there, and, believe it or not, he was able to replace the rotten hose and an in-line filter without having to remove the engine. Yay, team! I

zipped everything back together, put the tarp back on the boat, took the kid home, wrote up the bill and mailed it. Quick pay, but with a note: “Why doesn’t the bilge pump work?” Damn. I was so tickled to see what we didn’t have to do that I’d forgotten what we had to do.

Of course I couldn’t find my new “apprentice,” but I finally found a willing subject.

Up to the boat we went. Tarp off, hatch off, battery on. I flipped the switch and the pump worked, manual and automatic — no hesitation. Since the kid was up in the boat, I asked him to read the labeling of the switches: Horn, Lights, Washdown/ Livewell, Bilge Pump, ACC, ACC. Hmmm…

You don’t suppose he was filling the boat

HAS YOUR DOG GOT THE SALT?

BONEHEAD RATING SYSTEM Acceptably assinine Slightly slow Distinguished dunce Massively moronic Seek mental help

rather than emptying it, do you?

LESSON LEARNED: It’s only a guess, mind you, but I’m starting to think Tom needs to change his glasses prescription, or put the Washdown switch wayyyy down where one of the ACC switches is. And my half of the lesson learned? Start writing stuff down. The memory ain’t what it usta be! BW

Enter your pooch in our Salty Dog of the Month contest.

Email your pet’s photo and name, your name, address and phone number to editor@boatingworld.com, or snail mail to Boating World Salty Dog Contest, 18475 Bandilier Circle, Fountain Valley, CA 92708. Your pet could win a cool PFD from CWB.

This month’s Boating World Salty Dog will win this cool CWB dog vest.

*Shown above is our current prize, a CWB Dog Vest valued at $24.95. Prizes are subject to change.

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tested

YA M A H A 212 X

Propless Surfing With the 212X, Yamaha is leading the charge to popularize the compact jet-drive surfboat.

BY ALAN JONES

T

RADITIONALLY, THE WORLD OF WAKESURFING was the bastion of boats with props,

and that can be kind of a problem considering the surfer’s proximity to the transom.

Inboards dominate the sport because the prop is tucked well under the boat; more recently, Volvo Penta’s Forward Drive penetrated the sterndrive surf market with a twin-prop drive that faces forward. But when Yamaha came out with its new-gen 242X, the surf was up in a whole new way. This year the 212X gets many of the same surf enhancements to go with triple ballast tanks that add up to 1,100 pounds of wave-creating fun.

UNIQUE FACTOR

For a few years, Yamaha’s focus has been on its new-gen flagship 24-footers and its emerging 19-foot series. The “mama bear” 21-foot line seemed to lag behind a little … until 2017. The first noticeable feature is a new forward-swept watersports tower that comes standard with a generous Bimini top and board racks. It’s far easier to lower than the older model, for easing under low bridges or putting it to bed in the garage.

to not take them seriously. What got many people’s attention was how Yamaha took advantage of the jet-propelled engine’s low profile and compact nature to expand the rear lounging room on its boats, and the 2017 model 212X exemplifies that evolution. Boarding on its signature wedding cake transom and gazing at all the real estate, no one would think it’s a 21-foot, 3-inch boat. The rear deck is a great place to boot up for a run and is

People who grew up driving propped boats are going to experience a learning curve The jammin’ eight-speaker Polk Audio sound system includes a subwoofer and, on the tower, a Wet Sounds eight-speaker sound bar that can swivel to properly target the music. The 212X features Yamaha’s new Connext system display that gives the driver control over all the boat’s systems.

Like in high-end cars, the display has a controller knob that can act like a pointand-click mouse to move among the many function tabs on the screen, giving drivers an easy way to tweak the boat’s speed without having to use the touchscreen when moving.

Yamaha was among the first to take jetboating to the level of “real” boats.

Previous to that, most of them had a toy-like quality that caused many boaters 46

padded in comfortable Hydro Turf. A side-mounted table is clad in matching Hydro Turf non-skid, so snacks don’t slide during stern dining. Cleaning out ingested weeds is a real pain for jetboat owners, but Yamaha installed two cleanout ports that reside under a hatch on the seat of the swim platform.

displacement of any mainstream jet-powered engine. One of the knocks on jetboats is how loud they are, so Yamaha attacked this annoying trait with Quiet Cruise Technology, which is a holistic noise abatement system that really works. In previous tests of boats with twin 1.8L High Output engines, I’ve recorded sound levels as high as 99 decibels at wide-open throttle, 7800 rpm. On this boat, the decibelmeter peaked at 93 decibels, which is significantly lower.

When I threw down on the twin driveby-wire throttles, the acceleration shoved me back in the seat as the 212X raced to plane in just 2.4 seconds. Its time to 30 mph was a rapid five seconds flat, and there was no letup in acceleration until the GPS peaked at 50.6 mph. With this much power, it takes a bit of practice to learn to ramp up the engines at the proper rate when towing skiers — especially youngsters — so Yamaha offers Cruise Assist, which is a cruise control drivers set once they are moving that then allows them to tweak engine speed in 500 rpm increments to dial in the perfect number. Unfortunately, the driver can’t set a target speed in advance, which would be a big advancement, since it’s difficult not to overshoot the mark, especially when surfing.

HANDLING

People who grew up driving propped boats are going to experience a learning curve, especially during docking. The other trait that’s difficult to wrap one’s head around is the loss of steering when the throttle is disengaged, since the thrust in the moveable nozzle is what makes the boat turn. Yamaha solved these issues with its Advanced Responsive Handling system, which includes its patented Articulating Keel, a rudder-like extension of the

PERFORMANCE

The 212X is one of the hot rods of Yamaha’s lineup, thanks to twin 1.8L High Output engines that are designed from the get-go to push a watercraft. Yamaha doesn’t publish horsepower ratings, but the engines are estimated to produce about 180 hp, which is a very conservative number considering they have the highest

(Clockwise from top right) The portside console features a flip-down snack tray. The helm Connext display keeps the driver informed and in control.

Standard board racks accommodate surfboards.

A deep in-floor storage compartment holds extra boards. The wide bow section is deep for extra security. Like the cockpit, the swim platform features Faux Teak SeaDek.

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owner feedback W H AT W E L I K E D :

Connext touchscreen and control knob/Rigid watersports tower and Bimini top/Hinged seats for storage compartments/Dual batteries/Articulating keel for easier docking and tracking W H AT W E W O U L D C H A N G E :

We wish the underside of the anchor locker hatch was finished.

WHY WE BOUGHT IT:

Purchased by Guillermo and Gris Perez Arce, Lantana, Texas Purchased at Phil Dill Boats, Lewisville, Texas

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We’ve owned several boats over the years including inboard ski boats, PWCs and other jetboats, but the Yamaha is the best boat we’ve owned. It’s a really comfortable boat and has plenty of room for us, our guests and our Yorkie, Luna. This boat is absolutely loaded with standard features like the great stereo and large cockpit table. We really enjoy cruising and the 212X’s performance and handling are outstanding. We love to go skiing and wakeboarding and plan to learn to surf this year, since we have a boat that can do it. Phil Dill Boats made the buying process very easy. They answered all our questions and have a great service department.

pronounced keel that moves in concert with the nozzles. It helps with maneuvers such as backing the boat in a straight line and carving turns at high speeds, and it delivers off-throttle steering. Low-speed maneuvering is improved by Thrust Directional Enhancement, which is a fancy way of saying the thrust is angled downward at low speeds to give it more directional impact. And with Cruise Assist in no-wake mode, the driver can dial in the fastest speed without throwing a wake. In rough water, the 212X has a surprisingly good ride thanks to its 20 degrees of deadrise.

BEST USES

Using the Connext interface, filling the three ballast tanks is easy. Two stern hard tanks sit above the deck and have viewing ports, so passengers can see their state of fill. In the bow is a sack that resides amidships in an in-floor compartment.

With the tanks filled with 1,100 pounds of ballast and with up to 10 passengers

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on board, the 3,605-pound hull plows up a surprisingly effective surf wake at 10 to 11 mph. The wave is a bit washed out at the top but still has plenty of push to keep a surfer going. The wakeboard wake isn’t huge but it’s well-defined and offers a good ramp for launching. With zero ballast, its slalom wake is flat enough to allow some serious slashing, and its Articulating Keel keeps the boat pointed in a straight line. An oversized billet aluminum rearview mirror helps the driver monitor the action. Out back, the swim platform sits just a couple of inches off the water and the reboarding ladder is recessed under the platform, for a clean look.

The 212X is a great entertainment platform that belies its size. In addition to the cockpit/ stern side-mounted table, there’s a flip-down tray (in the spot one would normally see a glove box on the port console) that can hold snacks. And there’s more than enough seating for 10 thanks to the U-lounge in the cockpit and the wide bow section. The seats themselves are really comfortable, but the recliner

seats and crew buckets have a seemingly purely decorative protrusion at the top that puts a pressure point at the top of occupants’ shoulders. All seat bottoms are hinged for easy access to storage.

PREFERRED SETUP

Everything is standard on the 212X, including the trailer. Usually,

manufacturers will find ways to add to the bottom line, but the only additions to the $57,999 MSRP are potential taxes and destination and dealer fees. Sure, there’s an accessory section for odds and ends such as tubes, tow ropes and fenders, but for my money, buyers get a good-looking, fun-todrive watersports boat that can handle any activity … in style. BW

Specs Length 21 ft., 3 in. Beam 8 ft., 6 in. Deadrise 20 degrees Capacity 10 people Dry Weight (hull) 3,605 lbs.

Fuel Capacity 50 gal. Max HP 360 PERFORMANCE Peak 50.6 mph/7800 rpm/93 dBA Cruise 25.2 mph/5500 rpm/86 dBA Time to Plane 2.4 sec.

Time to 30 mph 5.0 sec.

POWER Test Yamaha 1.8L High Output Cylinders In-line 4 Displacement 1.8L Weight w/outdrive N/A WOT Range 7800 rpm Base Price w/test power $57,999 Value-Added Standard Features: Dual-axle trailer, 6 popup cleats, 8-speaker Polk Audio Bluetooth stereo with subwoofer and Wet Sounds sound bar, Connext display, shower, watersports tower w/Bimini Must-Have Options: Tower camera, boat cover, contoured fenders, towable tubes, anchor Builder: Yamaha Boats, yamahaboats.com Financing: $416/month w/15% down and 6% interest for 15 years

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©2017 Sea Tow Services International, Inc. All rights reserved.

®

5/5/17 8:28 AM

B OAT I N G WO R L D ’ S

TUBE TEST 201 7 WO R DS BY AL A N J O N ES P H OTOS BY FAY STOCK MA N

Our team of teens and ’tweens put

SOMETIMES it feels like a scene out of Ground­

We had eight juniors put 15 tubes

hog Day, but every April, just like taxes, comes

through the wringer in some chilly

the annual Boating World Tube Test. For the

post-winter water, from relaxing rides to tubes that challenged the

eighth year in a row, we conducted testing on Lake Weir

testers to stay on. Kid safety is a

in the sleepy central Florida town of Ocklawaha, popula-

key goal, and we followed the

tion 6,865 (931 more than Punxsutawney). While the town might be small, it’s home to Transition Watersports

testing protocol recommended by the Water Sports Industry Association (wsia.com). WSIA has

(transitionwatersports.com), which we’ve watched grow

an excellent video to help make

into a watersports powerhouse during its 10-year exis-

tubing fun and safe.

tence. Our hosts for the event were Nate and Abby Stockman, who helped with the many details of pulling this

Driving the boat this year was Sean Griswold from Malibu Boats.

off, including finding us testers.

15 of the latest inflatable tow toys to the test.

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The 2017 Malibu 24 MXZ was an

TUBE TESTERS:

outstanding model for our purposes; without ballast, it gave our tubes a nice mountain to climb.

Our testers gave us great feedback.

Of course, their opinions are subjective, and their style might not be yours, as evidenced by the weird days. But one thing is sure: Your

KATHERINE KUTZ

next great tube can be found on the

AGE:

following pages.

14

power drinks kids consume these

GRADE:

9th DREAM JOB:

Teacher FAVORITE SPORT:

Golf FAVORITE TUBES:

O’Brien Barca 3, Connelly Cruzer Soft Top

RAMSEY FARRELL

REDMOND FARRELL

HANNA HOGAN

BRYANNA ALLISON

AGE:

AGE:

AGE:

15

14

15

GRADE:

GRADE:

GRADE:

9th

9th

9th

DREAM JOB:

DREAM JOB:

DREAM JOB:

President

Oceanographer

Actress

FAVORITE SPORT:

FAVORITE SPORT:

FAVORITE SPORT:

Wakeboarding

Softball

Basketball

FAVORITE TUBE:

FAVORITE TUBES:

FAVORITE TUBES:

No Fear Drop Zone 4

HO Sports Viper 3, No Fear Dropzone 4

HO Sports Viper 3, Airhead Throne 3

CALEB EMERSON

ANNEMARIE EMERSON

NYA ALLISON

AGE:

AGE:

AGE:

AGE:

11

14

12

12

GRADE:

GRADE:

GRADE:

GRADE:

7th

9th

6th

6th

DREAM JOB:

DREAM JOB:

DREAM JOB:

DREAM JOB:

Paid Protester

Tour guide

Interior decorator

Police officer

FAVORITE SPORT:

FAVORITE SPORT:

FAVORITE SPORT:

FAVORITE SPORTS:

Fishing

Curling

Wakeboarding

Football and basketball

FAVORITE TUBES:

FAVORITE TUBES:

FAVORITE TUBES:

WOW Eagle, O’Brien Barca 3

No Fear Drop Zone 4

Nash Supreme Pizza, Airhead Throne 3

KEY TO RATINGS: SET UP: 1-5 — 1 = you’ll be swearing; 5 = easy FUN SCALE: 1-5 — 1 = stay on the couch; 5 = yowza RAFT-UP RATING: 1-5 — 1 = stay in the boat; 5 = bring extra sunblock

FAVORITE TUBES:

Airhead Throne 3, Full Throttle Smoothie Flocked

(Ed. Note: The Fun Scale rating is a bit subjective, based on testers’ age and familiarity with tubing, as evidenced by one tube’s 3.5 rating one year when it got a 5 the previous year.)

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B OAT I N G W O R L D ’ S

T U B E T E S T 201 7

FUN SCALE:

4/5

CONNELLY VORTEX 2 MSRP: $250 SET UP: 5/5 — 1 Boston valve DIM.: 72" diameter RIDERS: 2 HANDHOLDS: 6 w/EVA knuckle

guards

FUN SCALE:

4/5

SPORTSSTUFF CHEESEBURGER **G R E AT VA LU E**

pretty good speed.” “The handles could be spaced a little farther apart.”

UNIQUE: Convex bottom reduces drag for a fast ride. Raised outer ring yields a lower center of gravity, for better stability.

MATERIAL: 420D nylon cover, heavy-duty PVC bladder ERGONOMICS: Neoprene elbow pads reduce chafing, and an extra set of handles in the middle comes

in handy when kneeling or reboarding.

POSITIONS: Lying, sitting, kneeling RAFT-UP RATING: 3/5 — Comfortable for reclining on your back.

COMMENTS: “Wicked fast in corners; the first time we got out of the wake, it kept going until we were almost even with the boat.”

“Surprisingly stable, even when going over large wakes, but we still wiped out.” “This could use a towing ball or a higher tow point because of the spray.”

MSRP: $150 SET UP: 5/5 — 1 Speed Safety valve DIM.: 58" diameter RIDERS: 2 HANDHOLDS: 4 w/EVA knuckle

guards UNIQUE: It looks like a floating cheeseburger, complete with all the fixin’s.

MATERIAL: 840-Denier (abbreviated D from now on) nylon cover, 24-gauge PVC bladder ERGONOMICS: Its relatively small size makes it more comfortable for younger riders who won’t hang too far off the back.

POSITIONS: Lying, kneeling RAFT-UP RATING: 3/5 — Good for catching rays.

COMMENTS: “It rides high above the water, which reduces spray in your face.” “A comfortable ride with

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FUN SCALE:

4.5/5

CONNELLY CRUZER SOFT TOP **G R E AT VA LU E** * * K I D FAV O R I T E * *

MSRP: $180 SETUP: 5/5 — 1 Boston valve DIM.: 66" x 70" RIDERS: 3 HANDHOLDS: 6 w/EVA knuckle

guards UNIQUE: The top is covered in neoprene backed with rubber to create a really comfortable surface for riders.

FUN SCALE:

5/5

AIRHEAD THRONE 3 * * K I D FAV O R I T E * *

MSRP: $470 SET UP: 4/5 — 2 Speed Safety

valves DIM.: 82" x 92" RIDERS: 3 HANDHOLDS: 8 w/EVA knuckle guards UNIQUE: High-back design and inflatable seat bottom give the riders the feel they are perched on a throne.

MATERIAL: Neoprene top over 420D nylon cover, heavy-duty PVC bladder ERGONOMICS: Tapered from front to back for more comfort and less spray in riders’ faces. Covered mesh bottom drains water.

POSITIONS: Lying, kneeling RAFT-UP RATING: 4/5 — Good for sunning and catching a nap.

COMMENTS: “What a wild ride; we ended up backwards at one point!”

MATERIAL: 840D nylon cover, twin 30-gauge PVC bladders ERGONOMICS: Really comfortable ride with a supportive backrest that’s angled for comfort.

POSITIONS: Sitting, kneeling RAFT-UP RATING: 5/5 — Its sofa-like feel makes it a great place to chill.

COMMENTS: “For a big tube, it’s a really fast ride that crosses the wake easily.” “It kinda wiggles left and right, which gives it some extra action.”

“Because you are sitting inside it, you stay pretty dry and feel safe.” “The cover is a bit scratchy.”

FUN SCALE:

3.5/5

RAVE RAZOR XP 3 MSRP: $150 SET UP: 5/5 — 1 Boston valve DIM.: 62" x 67" RIDERS: 3 HANDHOLDS: 6 w/EVA knuckle guards UNIQUE: Skim-Fast bottom helps it cover some water by reducing wetted surface and drag.

MATERIAL: 420D nylon cover, 30/24-gauge PVC bladder ERGONOMICS: Good handle placement, but it’s a bit compact for three riders unless they are also compact in size.

POSITIONS: Sitting, kneeling RAFT-UP RATING: 3/5 — Decent for reclining and sunning.

COMMENTS: “It’s a pretty fast tube, but the top and handles are kinda slippery, so once one person started sliding, they would take the other ones with them.” “It’s a good value for a three-person tube.”

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B OAT I N G W O R L D ’ S

T U B E T E S T 201 7 FUN SCALE:

FUN SCALE:

4.5/5

FULL THROTTLE SMOOTHIE FLOCKED * * K I D FAV O R I T E * *

MSRP: $350 SET UP: 4/5 — 1 Boston valve, but alignment with hole was off DIM.: 70" x 66" RIDERS: 2 HANDHOLDS: 4 w/EVA knuckle guards UNIQUE: Instead of the usual Denier nylon over PVC bladder

design, it features a flocked surface for comfort.

MATERIAL: Flocked nylon cover, 28/24-gauge PVC bladder ERGONOMICS: The surface feels very soft to the touch and helps avoid rider chafing. Low backrest offers support while divider keeps riders separated.

POSITIONS: Sitting, kneeling RAFT-UP RATING: 5/5 — This is basically a floating couch with a soft cover. What more could you want?

COMMENTS: “Really smooth ride with a comfortable riding position.” “We loved its fuzzy surface.” “While it seemed to have a little trouble getting out of the wake, it was still fun.”

FUN SCALE:

4.5/5

O’BRIEN BARCA 3 * * K I D FAV O R I T E * *

MSRP: $350 SET UP: 4/5 — 2 Lightning valves DIM.: 62" x 114" RIDERS: 3 HANDHOLDS: 6 w/EVA knuckle guards UNIQUE: Three riders sit on this sofa-like tube with dividers in between to keep riders in place and from bumping into each other.

MATERIAL: 840/420D nylon cover, 30/24-gauge PVC bladder

3.5/5

FULL THROTTLE D’LUXE MSRP: $270

SET UP: 4/5 — 1 Boston valve, 2 small beach-ball valves DIM.: 70" diameter RIDERS: 2 HANDHOLDS: 4 w/EVA knuckle guards UNIQUE: It features a “flocked” finish that feels very soft to the skin; it’s round in the front and flat in the back with small inflated wings to keep riders from sliding.

MATERIAL: Flocked nylon cover over 26-gauge PVC bladder ERGONOMICS: Flocked finish is far softer than Denier nylon, which can feel scratchy, especially when overinflated.

POSITIONS: Lying, kneeling RAFT-UP RATING: 4/5 — Good for lying on or paddling around.

COMMENTS: “Really fast and easy to swing outside the wake.” “It sits low to the water, so you feel like you are going faster, but it also causes you to get more spray in your face; a tow ball or higher tow point would have helped.”

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FUN SCALE:

5/5

NASH NO FEAR DROPZONE 4 * * K I D FAV O R I T E * * ** G R E AT VA LU E**

MSRP: $200 SET UP: 5/5 — 1 Boston valve DIM.: 80" x 55" RIDERS: 4 HANDHOLDS: 8 w/EVA knuckle guards

ERGONOMICS: Good back support and handle placement POSITIONS: Sitting, kneeling RAFT-UP RATING: 5/5 — It’s named the Barca because it’s like sitting on a three-person Barcalounger.

COMMENTS: “You feel really locked in on this one. If you fall off this one, it’s because the driver did something crazy.” “It’s like sitting in your living room.” “Even though it’s pretty big, it was able to cross the wake easily.”

UNIQUE: Wider than long, there’s room for four — barely — on this unusually shaped tube. Its bad-to-the-bone attitude is announced by the 15 skulls on its surface.

MATERIAL: 840D nylon cover, 30-gauge PVC bladder ERGONOMICS: A neoprene pad is there for elbows but since the tube is pointed and riders are staggered, not everyone benefits.

POSITION: Lying RAFT-UP RATING: 4/5 — Good tanning station for two or three lying sideways.

COMMENTS: “If you have four riders, they’d better be close friends.”

“Being close together makes it a more shared experience and really fun.” “Ones on the outside have their legs hanging over but their feet act like rudders to stabilize it in turns.”

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FUN SCALE:

3/5

FUN SCALE:

3.5/5

O’BRIEN BOXXER 2

HO SPORTS SATURN 2

MSRP: $170

MSRP: $300

ERGONOMICS: Large deck gives

SET UP: 5/5 — 1 Lightning valve

SET UP: 5/5 — 2 Boston valves

riders room to maneuver. Softshell technology is softer than 840D covers.

POSITIONS: Kneeling, standing RAFT-UP RATING: 2/5 — Not really suitable for lounging.

COMMENTS: “Really, really fast and, purposefully, unstable.”

“Unless the boat driver goes in a straight line, at some point you’re going to crash.” “It helps to have two riders the same size for better balance.”

DIM.: 66" x 66"

DIM.: 86" x 74" RIDERS: 2 HANDHOLDS: 4 w/EVA knuckle

guards UNIQUE: Its patented Sphere technology reduces drag to make it very fast and creates an interactive experience where two riders must work together or crash.

MATERIAL: Softshell deck, 30-gauge PVC bladder

RIDERS: 2 HANDHOLDS: 6 w/EVA knuckle guards UNIQUE: This deck-style tube was the only two-person model to have six handholds, but the two in the middle should be closer together. Thin design gets riders close to the water.

MATERIAL: 840D nylon cover, 26-gauge PVC bladder ERGONOMICS: Twin neoprene strips are placed for elbow and knee comfort. Two straps in the back aid in post-crash reboarding.

POSITIONS: Lying, kneeling RAFT-UP RATING: 3/5 — Decent platform for lounging and sunning.

COMMENTS: “A fun ride that had some speed.” “We weren’t really sure where to put our hands.” “Really comfortable to lie on.”

FUN SCALE:

5/5

HO SPORTS VIPER 3 * * K I D FAV O R I T E * *

MSRP: $400 SET UP: 4/5 — 1 Boston valve, two beach-ball valves DIM.: 90" x 75" RIDERS: 3 HANDHOLDS: 6 w/EVA knuckle guards UNIQUE: Wedge shape is thicker in the front to elevate riders’ heads

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higher than their feet, for comfort and easier reboarding. Individual body contours and winglets help keep riders in place.

MATERIAL: Softshell cover, 30-gauge PVC bladder ERGONOMICS: Softshell material on top is very comfortable and rider position is excellent.

POSITIONS: Lying, kneeling RAFT-UP RATING: 5/5 — Riders can still lounge on their back and not be staring at the sky. Lying face down, one could read a book while sunning.

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T U B E T E S T 201 7

FUN SCALE:

4.5/5

WOW EAGLE * * K I D FAV O R I T E * *

MSRP: $370

COMMENTS: “Really comfortable ride with a soft top to lie on that had indentations for your body that kept you in place.” “We loved having our heads high off the water; it felt like a really natural riding position.”

“You felt very safe on this one, it’s so stable.”

SET UP: 3/5 — 2 Speed valves, two basketball valves that had to be tucked under flaps, which wasn’t easy.

DIM.: 94" x 76" RIDERS: 3 HANDHOLDS: 9 w/EVA knuckle guards UNIQUE: Eagle head and saddle gives the center rider the feel of riding a horse with two wingmen on the lower side decks.

MATERIAL: Heavy-duty D nylon cover, heavyduty gauge PVC bladder

ERGONOMICS: Center saddle seat is very comfortable and side riders have side bumpers to keep from sliding off.

POSITIONS: Sitting, lying, kneeling RAFT-UP RATING: 4/5 — Saddle is comfortable for hanging out; people on the side wings can lean against the center for support.

COMMENTS: “Sitting high above the water in the center seat is comfortable and a little scary … but in a good way.” “There were a couple of times the side bumpers saved me from sliding off.” “We got sideways once after crossing the wake but it recovered nicely.”

BOATINGWORLD.COM JUNE 2017

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B OAT I N G W O R L D ’ S

T U B E T E S T 201 7

MATERIAL: NeoSoft cover over heavy-duty PVC

bladder

FUN SCALE:

4/5

NASH SUPREME PIZZA * * K I D FAV O R I T E * *

DIM.: 72" diameter RIDERS: 3

MSRP: $200

HANDHOLDS: 6 w/EVA knuckle guards

SET UP: 4/5 — 1 Boston valve that was smaller

UNIQUE: Part of the “Towedible” collection, its top looked like a pizza with everything.

than standard

ERGONOMICS: Very comfortable NeoSoft cover prevents chafing. Tapered rear makes reboarding easier.

POSITIONS: Sitting, kneeling RAFT-UP RATING: 4/5 — Large enough to be a good recliner.

COMMENTS: “Really fun tube with plenty of stability.” “Very comfortable riding surface that didn’t scratch.” “We only had two on board but there was plenty of room for a third person.”

FUN SCALE:

4/5

WOW VIKING **G R E AT VA LU E**

MSRP: $200 SET UP: 5/5 — 2 Speed valves DIM.: 150" x 47" RIDERS: 3 HANDHOLDS: 6 w/EVA knuckle guards UNIQUE: Shaped like a Viking ship, this really long tube allows riders to sit inside.

MATERIAL: Denier nylon cover, heavy-duty PVC bladder ERGONOMICS: Secure Form-Fit Seating allows the riders to sit lower to drop the center of gravity for comfort and stability.

POSITIONS: Sitting, kneeling RAFT-UP RATING: 3/5 — Small passenger compartments don’t lend themselves to adult lounging, but kids will love hanging out on it.

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5/3/17 2:24 PM

ON THE ROAD OR THE WATER, YOU’RE HEADED NOWHERE FAST

WHILE WHILE IMPAIRED. IMPAIRED. JUNE 30– JULY 2, 2017 OPERATIONDRYWATER.ORG

SU

/connellyskis

Insta

BoatingAdRaveOUT.pdf

1

4/28/17

RF,

RID

E&

BO

OG

IE !!

!

Visit us at connellyskis.com 9:56 PM

C

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CM

MY

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CMY

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5/4/17 6:57 AM

NEOSOFF

SUPREME

HN72

72” Deck

› Sublimated Graphics look like real pizza. › Fully Covered SoftNeoSoff Top › 6 Foam Filled Handles

› Boston Valve for inflation/deflation › Quick Connect › 840D Cover

› Three Riders

› 28G Bladder

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

SLICE TO GO

HN53

56” x 53”

Tears of Joy

HN60 60” Round

Buy Now With FREE SHIPPING at www.nashmfg.com

watertoys // special section

WOW EAGLE 1-3 RIDERS

Climb aboard the WOW Eagle and experience freedom on the water. This custom deluxe deck tube features a WOW Eagle themed soft tail Secure Saddle Seat and a large wing shaped deck area for 1, 2, or 3 riders to sit, stand, kneel, or lay. Each side of the winged shaped deck area has custom winged shaped EVA foam body pads and a side bumper system built on the edges to keep the riders from falling off when the ride gets extreme.

Tell your friends to get ready for take off as you pilot the WOW Eagle.

www.wowwatersports.com

marketplace

64

WOW-SOUND SPEAKER

• BLUETOOTH WIRELESS SPEAKER IP67 Waterproof tested to a depth of one meter for up to 30 minutes • 50+ hours of battery life • It floats and you can actually listen to it while it floats.

• Includes speaker float for rough waters or busy pools • Includes floating phone holder • Incredibly HI-Volume omnidirectional sound with GIANT BASS • 360º Degree LED light for nighttime use comes with dim, medium, bright settings • Take it anywhere super portable EZ carry handle and bottom stem design that fits into cup holders

www.wowwatersports.com

C A LL 949/660 - 6150

JUNE 2017 BOATINGWORLD.COM

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5/4/17 6:57 AM

Powerful. Agile. Responsive.

Move almost any trailer with our powerful, compact dolly.

With Stablelock technology, our dolly won’t tip, tilt or pivot and is easily controlled with a simple thumb control switch. Our units have the ability to freewheel and smart trailer brakes are an available option for added control.

1-888-926-5517 | www.parkit360.com

20% OFF

SUPER COUPON

SUPER COUPON

# 1 SELLING

SUPER COUPON

JACKS IN AMERICA

SUPER COUPON

RAPID PUMP® 1.5 TON ALUMINUM RACING JACK

3 GALLON, 100 PSI, OIL-FREE AIR COMPRESSORS Customer Rating A

Customer Rating

• Air Delivery: 0.6 CFM @ 90 PSI 1 CFM @ 40 PSI

• 3-1/2 Pumps Lifts Most Vehicles • Lightweight 34 lbs.

SAVE 59%

SAVE $70

$98.62

• Weighs 83.5 lbs.

• 21-1/4" L x 10-1/8" H

$129.99

ITEM 68053 62160/62496/62516 60569 shown

B. PANCAKE

Voted Best Winches

ITEM 60637/61615 95275 shown

ITEM 61256/61889/60813 shown

$ LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 9/24/17*

SUPER COUPON

7 FT. 4" x 9 FT. 6" ALL PURPOSE WEATHER RESISTANT TARP

Customer Rating

$299 4

Compare $ 34 $8.48

ITEM 69249/69115/69137 69129/69121/877 shown

38999 $752.99

Compare

MOVER'S DOLLY

• 1000 lb.capacity

Customer Rating

SAVE 59% ITEM 60497 61899/62399/63095/63096 63098/63097/93888 shown

$

1099

$

19999

$129

99

Tools sold separately.

$

159

99 Compare $395

SIZE MED LG X-LG

ITEM 62434/62426 62433/62428 62432/62429

SAVE 59%

$9.98

™

$99

99

ITEM 63054/60728 69034/62858 shown

7$14.97

LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 9/24/17*

hft_boatingworld_0617_M-REG109634.indd 1

$

129

99

LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 9/24/17*

Compare

$205.99

3/8" x 50 FT.

Customer Rating

RETRACTABLE AIR HOSE REEL

SAVE $138

$

13999 $215.41

Compare

$5999

ITEM 69265 62344/93897 shown

LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 9/24/17*

SAVE $106

METRIC

$ 99

ITEM 60432/69662 shown

18 VOLT CORDLESS 3/8" DRILL/DRIVER WITH KEYLESS CHUCK

SAVE 65%

Customer Rating Includes one 18V NiCd battery and charger.

ITEM 69651/62868/62873/68239 shown

$

99 79$198.45

Compare

LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 9/24/17*

SUPER COUPON

10 FT. x 20 FT. PORTABLE CAR CANOPY

ITEM 42305/69044/63171

SUPER COUPON

$11999

SUPER COUPON

SAE

Compare

SAVE $95

Compare

LIMIT 8 - Coupon valid through 9/24/17*

Customer Rating

2000 WATT CONTINUOUS/ 4000 WATT PEAK POWER INVERTER

SAVE 60%

ITEM 69043/63282/42304 shown

$599

Blade sold separately.

SUPER COUPON

Customer Rating

Item 62429 shown

$399 $599

9 PIECE FULLY POLISHED COMBINATION WRENCH SETS

YOUR CHOICE

$339

LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 9/24/17*

Customer Rating

YOUR CHOICE

LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 9/24/17*

SUPER COUPON

Compare

Customer Rating

SUPER COUPON MECHANIC'S GLOVES

SAVE $204

$13499

ITEM 69684 shown 61969/61970

$7

Compare

SUPER COUPON

SAVE $265

LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 9/24/17*

• Powerful 15 amp motor • Makes precision cross, bevel and miter cuts • Laser guide

99

$19.97

Customer Rating

SAVE $463

$28999

12" SLIDING COMPOUND DOUBLE-BEVEL MITER SAW

LIMIT 8 - Coupon valid through 9/24/17*

60", 4 DRAWER HARDWOOD WORKBENCH

SUPER COUPON

SUPER COUPON

LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 9/24/17*

Customer Rating

ITEM 62728/62583/47770/62570 shown LIMIT 1 - Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or prior purchase.

Coupon good at our stores, HarborFreight.com or by calling 800-423-2567.

Offer good while supplies last. Shipping & Handling charges may apply if not picked up in-store. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented.

Valid through 9/24/17. Limit one FREE GIFT coupon per customer per day.

SUPER COUPON

SAVE 64%

ITEM 93454/69054 63395/62603 shown

7

VALUE

12,000 LB. ELECTRIC WINCH WITH REMOTE CONTROL AND AUTOMATIC BRAKE

A. HOT DOG ITEM 69269 97080 shown

LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 9/24/17*

Customer Rating

PURCHASE

$ 97

Battle Tested

5499

Compare

$5999 Compare

Limit 1 - Coupon per customer per day. Save 20% on any 1 item purchased. *Cannot be used with other discount, coupon or any of the following items or brands: Inside Track Club membership, Extended Service Plan, gift card, open box item, 3 day Parking Lot Sale item, compressors, floor jacks, saw mills, storage cabinets, chests or carts, trailers, trenchers, welders, Admiral, Bauer, Cobra, CoverPro, Daytona, Earthquake, Hercules, Jupiter, Lynxx, Poulan, Predator, StormCat, Tailgator, Viking, Vulcan, Zurich. Not valid on prior purchases.

Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 9/24/17.

ANY

6 PIECE SCREWDRIVER SET

ANY SINGLE ITEM

$3999 $

7999

WITH

YOUR CHOICE B

$

FREE

SUPER COUPON Customer Rating

900 PEAK/700 RUNNING WATTS 2 HP (63 CC) 2 CYCLE GAS GENERATOR

$8999

$1699 $

99 19$49

Compare

LIMIT 7 - Coupon valid through 9/24/17*

Use Coupons: In-Store, HarborFreight.com or 800-423-2567 *Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 9/24/17.

$

10999

ITEM 63024/63025 shown LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 9/24/17*

At Harbor Freight Tools, the “Compare” or “comp at” price means that the same item or a similar functioning item was advertised for sale at or above the “Compare” or “comp at” price by another retailer in the U.S. within the past 180 days.

Prices advertised by others may vary by location. No other meaning of “Compare” or "comp at" should be implied. For more information, go to HarborFreight.com or see store associate.

4/26/17 12:49 PM

StarGazer Wake Edition

GPS Speed Control Turn your inboard/outboard into a true water sports machine.

Driving a stern drive at a steady 20 mph is almost impossible!

Let PerfectPass take the stress out of driving and enjoy your boat like never before. Available for 90% of Mercruiser and Volvo engines produced over the last 15 years.

• GPS Based (No Paddle Wheel required) • No Calibration required • Speed accuracy to within 1 mph

Upgrade Today

perfectpass.com or contact us at sales@perfectpass.com or call

1 902 468-2150

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IT’S EASY! Any customer with an existing PerfectPass System can easily upgrade to Star Gazer-Wake Edition. In most cases it is a simple 5 minute “Plug & Play” installation. For more details, contact one of our customer service specialists.

5/4/17 9:10 AM

LOUD BY DESIGN

The new AQ-MP-5UBT-S marine stereo is packed with quality and innovation. Built specifically for marine use it features a fully waterproof internal dock to stow away even the largest Smartphones and MP3 devices and connects with wireless Bluetooth, USB (including charging) or headphone-style jack connections.

2-way wireless Bluetooth displays album artwork (Apple iOS), with song, playlist and album information (iOS and Android) and crystal clear audio streaming, while our powerful 288W amplifier is in a class of its own, powering outstanding sound quality and volume, even when you’re cruising on the water at speed!

High-quality 4V RCA pre-outputs and a dedicated 4V RCA Subwoofer output provide the best quality signal when connecting additional amps or subs for system expansion.

SiriusXMÂŽ Satellite Radio Bluetooth Ready 3" color screen Album artwork display (iOS) 288W power (4x 72W) Connect up to 8 speakers USB & 3.5mm jack inputs USB device charging x2 DSP EQ 2-Zone / 2-Source

Clock display RCA 4V pre-outs RCA aux inputs Rotary control 30 AM/FM radio presets Removable faceplate Waterproof IP55 12V device triggers Fits largest Smartphones

Make sure your marine stereo is LOUD BY DESIGN! Only from Aquatic AV. Find out more online.

Includes Dummy Faceplate/Dust Cover and USB Socket

WWW.AQUATICAV.COM/MARINE

t: 1-877-579-2782 e: info@aquaticav.com

iPhone is a trademark of Apple Inc. Sirius, XM, SiriusXM and all related marks and logos are trademarks of Sirius XM Radio Inc. All rights reserved.

For five generations and counting, our family has been dedicated to building boats that deliver better experiences on the water.

Each year, we put our heritage on the line with great new models and features that are responsive to today’s boat buyer and are backed by the industry-leading Lifetime +6 Warranty.

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C A LL 949/660 - 6150

See our 2017 lineup at THEBESTBOATBRANDS.COM.

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Got An Old Boat?

DONATE IT TODAY!

Call Us At 800-227-2643 www.boatangel.com *Shown above is our current prize, a CWB Dog Vest valued at $24.95. Prizes are subject to change.

WIN THIS

®

marketplace

HAS YOUR DOG GOT THE SALT?

Enter your pooch in our Salty Dog of the Month contest. Email your pet’s photo, name, your name, address and phone number to bobby@boatingworld.com, or snail mail to Boating World Salty Dog Contest, 17782 Cowan, Suite C, Irvine, CA 92614. Your pet could win a cool PFD from CWB.

EMERGENCY LIFE RAFT BUY or RENT

PR O D U C T I N FO R M ATI O N A N D PH O N E N U M B E R S

BOATS

The Durabak Company (303) 690-7190 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Apex Marine (989) 681-4300. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

West System Inc. / Gougeon Brothers, Inc. (989) 684-7286. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Cutwater Boats (800) 349-7198 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 SmokerCraft, Inc./Starcraft (866) 719-7873 . . . . . . 5, 27, 70 Splendor Boats (260) 352-2835. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Stingray (843) 383-4507. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Yamaha Watercraft (800) 888-2624. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

ELECTRONICS SIMRAD (800) 628-4487. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

The World’s Smallest Package

PERSONAL WATERCRAFT Sea Doo/BRP (800) 882-2900 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

SERVICES 1-800-Progressive (800) 776-4737. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CV2 Allstate Insurance Co. (866) 414-2628. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CV4 Boat Angel (800) 227-2643. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Boat U.S. (800) 283-2883. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Lightest Weight • Least Expensive

ENGINES

4-6 Man 4” x 12” x14” 12 lbs $1510

SternDrive Engineering (813) 925-7127 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

GEICO Insurance (800) 865-4846. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Suzuki Marine (714) 996-7040. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CV3

Sea Tow + Sea Insure (877) 568-1672. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Yamaha Outboards (800) 962-7926 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28-29

Water Sports Foundation (407) 833-0383. . . . . . . . . . . . 59

GEAR & ACCESSORIES

WATERSPORTS EQUIPMENT

9-13 Man 5” x 12” x 14” 18 lbs $1960

NEW!! FAA TSO Approved Life Rafts Available

SURVIVAL PRODUCTS, INC.

5614 S.W. 25th St., Hollywood, FL 33023 (954) 966-7329 • FAX (954) 966-3584 www.survivalproductsinc.com Made in U.S.A

Aquatic AV (877) 579-2782 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Connelly Skis Inc./CWB (425) 775-5416. . . . . . . . . 36-37, 60

Cook Manufacturing Corp (800) 654-3697. . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Kwik Tek, Inc. (800) 624-1297. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Harbor Freight Tools (800) 423-2567. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Nash Manufacturing (800) 433-2901. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

McGard, Inc. (800) 669-6887. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

O’Brien (Motion Water Sports) (425) 831-1050. . . . . . . . 63

NuShield, Inc. (215) 500-6426 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Perfect Pass Control Systems (902) 468-2150. . . . . . . . . 68

Parkit360 (888) 926-5517. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Rave Sports (800) 659-0790. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Survival Products (954) 966-7329 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Turbo Swing (855) 228-8726. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Swim Platforms (602) 431-8225 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

WOW World of Watersports (844) 969-9063. . . . . . 41, 64

BOATINGWORLD.COM JUNE 2017

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C A LL 949/660 - 6150

Survival Products, Inc.

for Service/Sales/Rentals of Aviation and Marine life rafts and vests since 1974.

advertiser index

•

71

5/4/17 6:57 AM

R E A D ER CO NTE ST

Rick Martin illustration

name the boat

He calls this one the Transcendental Glide with a Front-side Ommmm. Send us your name for our boat that appears to be on (a higher) plane. If it wins, we will give you a Customized Boat Care Package from Bel-Ray (belray.com), valued at more than $350, and your name will appear in the September/October 2017 issue of Boating World World. > SEE THE WINNING ENTRY AND THE BEST OF THE REST FROM THE APRIL CONTEST ON PAGE 8.

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The first person to turn in the best boat name will receive a Customized Boat Care Package from Bel-Ray, valued at more than $350.



YOURS FREE

A Boat Care Package from Bel-Ray (bel-ray.com) can include All-in-One Fuel Treatment, High Performance Gear Oil, Rust Preventative Coating, Multipurpose Lubricant, SemiSynthetic Engine Oil, Contact Cleaner, Extreme Pressure Waterproof Grease and more.

HOW TO ENTER:

We’ll reprint the cartoon with the winning boat name in the September/ October 2017 issue. Submissions are due by June 16.

Email editor@boatingworld.com with “Name the Boat” in the subject line, or send snail mail to Boating World Magazine/Name the Boat, 18475 Bandilier Circle, Fountain Valley, CA 92708. Please include your full name, address and phone number, along with your entry.

Duncan McIntosh Co. and Bel-Ray employees and their families are prohibited from entering.

Prizewinners are responsible for any applicable taxes. Decisions of the judges and the editor are final.

BOATINGWORLD.COM

5/4/17 9:20 AM

suzuki spring savings Three Limited Time Offers Make A Good Deal Even Better Suzuki Gives You All Three So You Don’t Have To Choose One Or The Other

Buy a new Suzuki outboard from 25 to 300 horsepower and take advantage of not just one, but ALL THREE Suzuki Spring promotional offers.

Add cash rebates on select models and you can get up to $800 cash back. Plus our Repower Financing is available at attractive interest rates (on approved credit.*)

Just say, “Gimme Six!” and you’ll get six years of product protection. That’s right, you’ll get Suzuki’s three-year limited warranty and Suzuki’s 3-Year Extended Protection Plan at no extra charge.

See your participating Suzuki Marine dealer today and find out how you can get the ultimate deal on the Ultimate 4-Stroke Outboard.

Six Years of Protection at no extra charge on all new outboards 25 to 300 HP.

Cash Rebates on select models.

See your dealer for details.

REPOWER FINANCE

Rates as low as 5.99% on new Suzuki outboards (OAC).*

For details and the name of your nearest participating Suzuki Marine dealer, visit www.suzukimarine.com

Gimme Six Extended Protection promo is applicable to new Suzuki Outboard Motors from 25 to 300 HP in inventory which are sold and delivered to buyer between 4/01/17 and 6/30/17 in accordance with the promotion by a Participating Authorized Suzuki Marine dealer in the continental US and Alaska to a purchasing customer who resides in the continental US or Alaska.

Customer should expect to receive an acknowledgement letter and full copy of contract including terms, conditions and wallet card from Suzuki Extended Protection within 90 days of purchase.

If an acknowledgement letter is not received in time period stated, contact Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. – Marine Marketing via email: marinepromo@suz.com. The Gimme Six Promotion is available for pleasure use only, and is not redeemable for cash. Cash Rebates apply to qualifying purchases of select Suzuki Outboard Motors made between 4/01/17 and 6/30/17. For list of designated models, see participating Dealer or visit www.suzukimarine.com. Customer and participating Dealer must fill out the appropriate rebate form at time of sale. Customer will have the choice to either apply the cash rebate against the original dealer invoice (Suzuki will credit Dealer parts account) or have a check sent directly to the customer. There are no model substitutions, benefit substitutions, rain checks, or extensions. Suzuki reserves the right to change or cancel these promotions at any time without notice or obligation. * Financing offers available through Synchrony Retail Finance. As low as 5.99% APR financing for 60 months on new and unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors. Subject to credit approval. Not all buyers will qualify. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness. $19.99/month per $1,000 financed for 60 months is based on 5.99% APR. Hypothetical figures used in calculation; your actual monthly payment may differ based on financing terms, credit tier qualification, accessories or other factors such as down payment and fees. Offer effective on new, unregistered Suzuki Outboard Motors purchased from a participating authorized Suzuki dealer between 4/01/17 and 6/30/17. “Gimme Six”, the Suzuki “S” and model names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. Don’t drink and drive. Always wear a USCG-approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual. © 2017 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.

SZ_Q2Promo_1PG_WIPv2.indd 1

3/21/17 3:19 PM

Does home insurance cover your boat when you’re not at home?

You might not be sure, so let an Allstate Agent help.

Allstate Agents can help you understand where your home insurance ends and your boat insurance begins. You can trust them to help you tailor your Allstate protection to make sure you avoid coverage gaps. Call today to see what the personal service of an Allstate Agent can do for you.

Local Agent Allstate.com 866-414-BOAT

Auto Savings vary. Based on coverage selected. Subject to terms, conditions, availability and qualifications. Allstate Indemnity Co., Allstate Property and Casualty Insurance Co. and their affiliates: 2775 Sanders Rd., Northbrook, IL 60062. Š 2017 Allstate Insurance Co.

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