January 2019 - Boating World Magazine

For destinations found on a map, or ones that are simply a state of mind, trust a reliable Honda outboard to get you there. And back.

Honda Marine. Proven.

Visit your Authorized Honda Marine Dealer or marine.honda.com to learn more about the redesigned Honda BF200, BF225, and BF250. Š 2018 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Always wear a personal flotation device while boating and read your owner’s manual. All Honda outboards meet EPA and CARB emission levels.

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THE NUMBER ONE BOAT FOR FAMILIES WHOSE MEMORIES COME IN WAVES.

19FT

SERIES

This year, it’s time to trade in your kids’ screen time with more sunscreen. Thanks to Yamaha’s all-new 19 FT Series, you can enjoy all of the benefits of a premium boat at an entry-level price. The completely redesigned interior feels like a larger model perfect for a growing family. And with the reliable Yamaha Marine Engine and the world-class swim platform, our versatile and affordable package is the perfect introduction to the water for first-time boat owners. Starting at $29,899.

YA M A H A B OAT S . C O M | #RunTheWater ©2018 Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA. All rights reserved. Follow instructional materials and obey all laws. Ride responsibly, wearing protective apparel and USCG-approved personal flotation device. Always drive within your capabilities, allowing time and distance for maneuvering, and respect others around you. Never drink and ride. Shown with optional accessories.

SX190

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AR190

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Contents

Ja n u a r y 2019 • Vol u m e 40 N o. 1

MAGAZINE

VOLUME XL NUMBER 1

BOAT BUYER’S GUIDE 2019 Twenty-five boat reports anchor 47 pages of new gear and accessories and, of course, boats. p. 38

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Editor’s Letter

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Currents

Innovation abounds Bits from the boating world

12 Trailering New year, new look. Bling it up.

18 Watersports 10 pro tips for a better 2019 22 Fishing Weights and sinkers 26 Engines Midwinter winterization 30 Electronics Latest in trailerable-boat radar 32 Ask the Experts Our panel of experts answers your questions 34 Bonehead Blunders Mistakes no boater should make 36 Gear The latest accessories, gadgets and electronics 88 Contest: Name the Boat Win a Theory kneeboard and rope package from Connelly

• JUNE 2018 2 • 2 JANUARY 2019 BOATINGWORLD.COM BOATINGWORLD.COM

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The ever-popular Formula 270 Bowrider is turning heads on the water and at the dock. Well known as the bowrider leader in big-water performance, versatility and fun, this Formula will draw the crowds and is ready to please any boater!

Highly detailed, comfort-driven and so versatile, the 270 cockpit puts good times first. An appealing mix of colors, angles and detailed stitching punctuates every inch of the wraparound seating.

Convertible seating is the key – both helm and passenger backrests easily flip forward and aft, so watersport lookouts and easy conversations are a breeze. Modular bow seating with armrests and removeable seat bottoms make space for your needs. The aft facing sun lounge with dual-position backrest cleverly converts for your seating and lounging needs.

The helm commands attention, with handsome angles that brilliantly showcase the perfect union of flawlessly molded fiberglass and richly padded, double-needle stitched vinyl.

The portside dash is a virtual entertainment center, sporting an integrated glovebox complete with a Clarion® AM/FM stereo, iPod/MP3 and USB ports and 12V outlet.

2200 West Monroe St. • PO Box 1003 • Decatur, IN 46733 • 260-724-9111

formulaBoats.Com

The 270 Bowrider is built to perfection, making days on the water fun and stress free. From the convertible bow seating to the extended integrated swim platform, the 270 delivers the perfect Formula experience. Bring family and friends together for a day of fun – in the Formula 270 Bowrider!

Break free from the ordinary — Choose formula!

Editor’s Letter

by Ala n Jones

THE BOATING WORLD TEAM RESPONDS:

“

What’s the worst possible idea for a color photoof-the-day calendar?

PUBLISHER

Duncan McIntosh Jr.

The Freeway Head-on Crash of the Day

N E W Y E A R , M O R E I N N O VAT I O N REMEMBER WHEN THE year 2000 sounded like something out of a sci-fi novel? Well, we

blinked and now it’s 2019, one year before we finally get perfect vision. Looking ahead, it will be really exciting to see what surprises manufacturers have for us. The last few years have been great for the marine industry and produced a flood of innovation. You don’t have to be Nostradamus to see outboards as the wave of the future, and recently the major players have been pushing the envelope in a big way.

In 2018, Mercury unveiled back-to-back major breakthroughs with its new lines of V-6 and V-8 outboards that are lighter and more powerful and user-friendly than ever before … even without the benefit of supercharging. Yamaha crashed the big-horsepower arena with its new V-8 XTO Offshore 425 hp. And it wasn’t long ago that Suzuki unveiled its lightweight twin counter-rotating DF350A outboard.

All this power has had an effect on the boats outboards can power, and the size of the biggest outboard-powered boat grew exponentially. It was the 53-foot Sueños from HCB, and now it’s the Sueños’ stablemate, the HCB 6500 Estrella. It stretches 65 feet, weighs 46,000 pounds, is powered by five Seven Marine 627 hp outboards and dwarfs the Sueños.

May we have a moment of silence for the passing of carpet on pontoon boats? Of the last 30 new pontoon models I’ve tested, exactly one still had that fluffy flooring that’s been a staple for 50 years. Woven vinyl and rubberized flooring have taken over, and it’s no surprise, because they look great, offer good traction and are really low maintenance.

Pontoon boats continue to evolve and are more versatile than ever. Most can be used for entertaining, cruising, watersports and fishing. I am waiting for the first pontoon to be modified for wakesurfing.

While I’m on the subject of the hottest watersport going, the number of boats that can accommodate wakesurfing without employing a traditional direct drive has expanded dramatically thanks to innovations such as Volvo Penta’s Forward Drive and muchimproved jet drives.

Something new to check out are ski boards that use hydrofoils. They’re a bit tricky to master but they offer a new thrill, which is what people who shred are always searching for.

I noticed something else in this year’s crop of boats. Manufacturers are offering entrylevel boats for a great price — nothing new there — but they’re including standard features usually only found on their more expensive lines. For example, buyers typically couldn’t get the latest technology as options, but much of it is now available.

While your favorite body of water is being used as a skating rink, check out a local boat show to fan the dwindling boating flame. Even if you aren’t buying, looking at new boats is always a good cure for the wintertime blues. BW

ASSOC . EDITOR/PUBLISHER Jeff Fleming

Maggot Feasts of the Serengeti

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Alan Jones

Scratch and Sniff Teen Gym Lockers MANAGING EDITOR Mike Werling

The Effects of Smoking: Intimate Portraits

ASSISTANT EDITOR Stephanie Shibata

The Animal Butt 365 Series

ART DIRECTOR Julie Hogan

Pooping Pooches

PRODUCTION Mary Monge

A Year of Roadkill

CIRCUL ATION

Emily Wells-Horneff A Year of Dead Grass Dustin Nguyen 12 Months of Vomit ADVERTISING SALES & MARKETING

Call (949) 660-6150

REGIONAL SALES MANAGERS

Annabelle Zabala Prison Latrines

Felice Lineberry Nuggets of Daily Wisdom from Kanye West MARKETPL ACE SALES MGR. Jon Sorenson

Scabies! Scabies! Scabies!

AD COORDINATORS

Jennifer Chen Manila Envelopes 2019 Lacee Garcia 365 Cockroach Vacation Destinations

TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR Dave Kelsen

Faces of Death: The Calendar

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)

VOLUME 40 • NO. 1 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 © 2019, all rights reserved. PERMISSIONS: MMaterial AG A Z I Nin E this publication may not be reproduced in any form without written permission.

M AG A Z I N E

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BOATINGWORLD.COM M AG A Z I N E

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Learn more at STARCRAFTMARINE.com.

When it’s time to move up to a better pontoon, there’s no better choice than a luxury-minded Starcraft. With an unmatched heritage of quality and craftsmanship, Starcraft pontoons continually set the standard for better experiences on the water.

It takes a heritage of pride and excellence to build Best-In-Class pontoons year after year. So from our family to yours, welcome aboard.

Bringing smiles to the water since 1903.

Currents

by Steph a n ie S h ibata

L E A D B O AT

>

ZODI AC OPEN 5.5. RIB II

MINI MULTITASKER Zodiac’s latest Open model is that line’s smallest, but it’s fast and super versatile.

dayboat.

A rigid polyester hull and a removable tube of Strongan or Neoprene deliver performance and underway comfort, and a double grabline provides added safety. Five airtight compartments in the tube ensure that a puncture won’t deflate the entire tube.

Yamaha testing with a VF115LA yielded a top speed of 43.7 mph and a highly efficient cruise speed around 20 mph, where the outboard was burning just 3.3 gph. That’s a full day of cruising on a 26-gallon tank.

A doublewide helm seat/leaning post faces a molded helm console filled with displays, throttles and switches, and is protected by a wind screen. An optional Bimini or T-top furthers the protection factor. Further seating is found on a four-person transom bench settee — its backrests detach and stow, for when it’s time to fish — and a single seat is tucked into the bow. An optional extension turns the bow into a sundeck.

Action-seekers will appreciate the elevated tow point provided by the optional roll bar/ski mast and rear platforms and a ladder that facilitate easy reboarding. Those rear platforms will also serve anglers well, as will a front casting deck created by removing the cushion. Under the helm seat is storage for dive tanks.

Storage is maximized in a compartment hidden in the center console behind a forward door that swings up. A 14-gallon cooler makes it possible to keep the crew fed and hydrated for a day of anything-goes.

Zodiac, zodiac-nautic.com 6

photos by Hocus Focus

AT 1 INCH LONGER THAN 17 AND A HALF FEET, the Zodiac Open 5.5 RIB from Z Nautic Group is small but versatile. More than a tender, the single-engine center-console Open 5.5 is capable of being a fishing boat, a watersports towboat, a dive boat and a

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photos by Hocus Focus

With a top speed of 43.7 mph, the Zodiac Open 5.5 RIB will be there in no time flat. But don’t worry about getting a flat, because the tube’s five airtight compartments ensure that a puncture won’t deflate a day on the water. An app (opposite bottom) keeps operators informed of important stats, such as battery life.

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CURRENTS

name the boat To participate in this month’s contest, turn to page 88

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER CONTEST WINNER: Muttly Crew

Gene Pedoto from Lincroft, N.J., was the first to submit the winning name, Muttly Crew. For dogging the competition (and perhaps being rewarded for misspelling a word?), Gene receives a Dock King Lounge & Float from Connelly (connellyskis.com), valued at $199.99.

MORE OF SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER’S BEST ENTRIES:

Ruffing It

Siriusly Hot

Paws-ing

Eric Stovall, Mt. Sinai, NY

Bernie Matsumoto, Half Moon Bay, CA

Yvonne Riggio, East Moriches, NY

Mutter Load

Man’s Best Friend-ship

Thomas Smith, Christiansted, VI

Gideon Miller, Ashland, OH

Pant-a-sea

Triple Dog Dare

Dick Ferguson, Niceville, FL

Phillip Wheet, Bowling Green, KY

Dog Day Rafternoon Corey Stone, Los Angeles Rick Martin illustration

100 Dogrees Alisia Harrelson, Canton, TX

Pawseidon Adventure James Cantwil, Flushing, MI

Marine-ated Mutts David Iacono, Cherry Hill, NJ

Bark-a-lounger Carol Oberfoell, Monticello, IA

Three Dog Rite Jerry Dawson, Hernando, FL

WH E RE IN TH E WORLD?

Can you figure out where this picture was taken? Find out on page 10. We’ll give you a hint or two: • Helmeted Titans • Heart of country

One, the Other or Both?

WATERSPORTS TRICKS AND bands tend

Steely Resolve

IT’S JANUARY, which means it’s time to break

out a new calendar, take down the holiday decorations and take advantage of post-holiday sales. Oh, yeah, and make a few resolutions for 2019. Anyone who needs a little help with a few resolutions can borrow from our list, which we’re happy to share here.

• Check life jackets for wear and tear.

• Check the cartridge on inflatable life jackets.

• Learn to tie three new knots.

• Find a new wake

FA S T FAC T

87 lbs.

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trick and study it on YouTube until you can get back on the water.

• Get better at backing down the launch ramp. Practice.

• Clean all the fishing gear after each use.

to have interesting names, and while the creativity of both groups is to be commended, sometimes their inspiration becomes imitation. Check out our list and see if you can figure out which of these names is a watersports trick, a band/artist or both.

• Special K • Discombobulator • Big Wurm

• Slurpy • Scare Crow

Answer key: Based on our extensive-ish research, all of these are both a trick and a band/artist, except Slurpy, which appears at one time to have been an artist but no more.

The world record for the biggest mahi mahi (dolphinfish, dorado) is 87 pounds. Manuel Salazar has held the record since 1976, when he hooked his massive mahi in Papagayo Gulf in Costa Rica. Source: IGFA

BOATINGWORLD.COM

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Jump into Summer Fun Whether it’s a lady’s day out, family water sport fun, or casting a line towards the catch of the day, Sylvan has floorplans that are perfect for you. Led by class-leading technology, comfort and styling, we will leave you wondering why you don’t hop aboard sooner.

SYLVANMARINE.com

© 2019 Sylvan Marine. All rights reserved

CURRENTS

Enter Your Dog Now

WIN THIS Dog Vest

S A LT Y D O G OF THE MONTH

Dog: Buddy Owners: Lincoln & Bonnie Barr, Russellville, Ark. 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

D I D YO U K N OW ?

WH E RE IN TH E WORLD?

Minnesota has the highest per-capita boat ownership rate in the nation, followed by Wisconsin. Florida registers the most boats.

Boaters in Music City will recognize Nashville’s downtown skyline from the Cumberland River in the photo on page 8, especially the unique profile of the AT&T building, with its twin spires.

(Source: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)

Vest Friends SEA TOW FOUNDATION (boatingsafety.com), a nationwide nonprofit dedicated to the education and promotion of safe boating practices, launched a program called “Vest Friends.” The campaign wants boaters to help other boaters understand the importance of wearing a life jacket by sharing photos of themselves and their friends wearing life jackets on social media, using the hashtag #VestFriends. The campaign will supplement and support Sea Tow Foundation’s Life Jacket Loaner Program, where boaters can borrow life jackets for the day, free of charge, at more than 400 locations around the country.

A N AT O M Y L E S S O N

By Land and Sea Sealegs (sealegs.com) entered the U.S. market roughly nine years ago and its amphibious craft have been making inroads since, in the recreational and commercial markets. Its newest electric RIB —now on its fourth generation and available later this year — is 24 feet long, 8 feet, 10 inches on the beam, technologically advanced and easy on the eyes.

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1. Three wheels make it easy to beach and can be deployed/retracted from the helm MFD. 2. Helm includes a 24-inch touchscreen display and an electronic joystick 3. Brushless electric hub motor propels vessel to about 6 mph on land.

4. A 150 hp outboard delivers 40 knots of speed on the water.

5. The 48v 7kwh battery pack fully recharges in four to five hours.

6. Ski tower brings watersports into the picture.

7. Bow seating/sunning area adds to passenger capacity.

BOATINGWORLD.COM

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The Art of the Pontoon

For Tahoe Pontoons, high quality isn’t just a commitment to creating the best built pontoon boats on the market.

It means an even bigger commitment to high quality family time.

Trailering

B ling it U p

All Dressed Up

1 Fuel Off-Road Wheels 2 PT series LED trailer light 3 Ranger RL Series 4 Eddie Marine 5 Nautique Boat Co. 6 BoatBuckle G2

It’s a new year, and you know your trailer has places to go, so isn’t it time for a new look?

BY GREGG MANSFIELD

• WAYNE MONASMITH BUILDS custom trailers for high-performance boats, a world

where flash is often as important as performance. Customers demand trailers that are color-matched to their boat, that use remote-controlled hydraulic jacks and that roll with custom rims.

When it comes to adding trailer bling, Monasmith and his company, Adrenaline Trailers in Havasu City, Ariz., know the custom trailer market. We asked Monasmith, who has been boating for more than 40 years, to share his expertise on how boaters can affordably make their trailers look cool again.

Before spending any money on cosmetic improvements, he said, the trailer should be in good mechanical condition, specifically the brakes and bearings.

“You are putting a trailer into the worst environment possible,” Monasmith said.

“It should be serviced every couple of years. If it hasn’t been serviced for a while, that’s where I would start.”

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1/ RIMS & TIRES

For Monasmith the biggest bang for the buck comes from new rims and tires.

Few things change the look of a trailer faster than a new set of wheels. Consumers don’t have many choices when it comes to wheels built specifically for trailers; instead, they have to turn to the automotive side.

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BOATINGWORLD.COM

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SAVE BIG ON AMERICA’S

NUMBER 1 DECK BOAT Get a new SD 187 OB or SD Sport 188 OB with a Yamaha 115 HP outboard at these incredible prices until February 28, 2019. Price does not include trailer, options, rigging or freight.

Contact your dealer today!

SunDeck 187 OB

$26,795 BASE BOAT & MOTOR ONLY

Does not include trailer, options, rigging or freight.

SunDeck Sport 188 OB

$25,595 BASE BOAT & MOTOR ONLY

Does not include trailer, options, rigging or freight.

www.HurricaneBoats.com

TRAILERING

improve a trailer’s look but offer firmer footing. Some high-performance boaters are opting for faux teak step pads from SeaDek Marine Products. The company provides a template and can even add custom logos.

Some trailer manufacturers offer upgraded step plates for their models, which could save owners some time and money.

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BEZELS

“When you’re coming in, it is literally like a plane coming in for a landing on a runway,” Monasmith said. “It lights up the water.”

Bezels for brake lights and side running lights provide a nice finish detail and come in assorted colors to match the boat or tow vehicle. Adding bezels is probably the easiest do-it-yourself project and can be done during the installation of new LED brake lights. Most trailer lights are standardized, so finding bezels is as easy as an internet search.

5/ FENDERS

Monasmith uses rims from Wheel-1 and Fuel Off-Road Wheels for unique custom looks for ski boats and go-fast boats. Before ordering new rims, boaters need to know the bolt pattern, offset and backspacing.

Anyone who isn’t sure should go to a trustworthy local tire or trailer shop to do the work.

new set of LED lights. Marine parts stores carry aftermarket LED brake lights that fit most trailers. The lights are completely sealed but care should be taken to heatshrink the wire connection to prevent water intrusion. Most boaters can easily handle the swap in a few hours.

3/ RUNWAY LIGHTS

PAINT JOB

Painting a trailer is surprisingly affordable and instantly makes an old trailer look new again. Monasmith advises against taking the trailer to the local autobody shop; he suggests using an area trailer manufacturer that does painting.

“There’s nothing that I’ve ever encountered that’s harder to paint than a trailer,” Monasmith said. “If you think about a trailer, it’s got so many angles and so many places that you’ll miss it. If you’re not trained to get paint in the right places, it runs and you’ll get dry spots.”

Insist on an epoxy primer and select a polyurethane paint with good UV protection, which will slow down fading caused by the sun.

Putting a boat on the trailer after sunset and trying to find the bunks can be a maddening experience. Some boaters have taken to putting LED lights on top of the trailer rails not only to assist with trailering but to add bling.

“When you’re coming in, it is literally like a plane coming in for a landing on a runway,” Monasmith said. “It lights up the water.”

Boaters can also add LED lights under the trailer to emit a cool custom look rolling down the road. Available in several colors, the underframe lights are designed to be submersible in water and can even be controlled remotely. It costs about $500 to put lights on a 28-foot trailer.

4/ STEP PLATES

2/ LED BRAKE LIGHTS

If the trailer still has incandescent brake lights, it’s time to exchange them for a

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Replace the old diamond-plate step plates with custom step plates. Color-matched billet aluminum step plates not only

Chrome fenders are on the way out and black fenders are in. If your trailer’s fenders are dented, it might be time replace them, but leave this one to the pros.

Fenders are either welded to the steps or bolted to the trailer and often need to be finessed to fit properly. “No two fenders are ever made the same,” Monasmith said.

“They may be the same size but they’re going to come out of the press just a little bit different every time.”

6/ RATCHET STRAPS

Clean up the transom by installing retractable tie-downs that look good and are convenient. Retractable transom tie-downs are common on newer trailers, but older trailers often have removable ratchet straps. Available in black or stainless steel boxes, the strap retracts into the box, similar to a car seatbelt. “It’s stays on the trailer, so you don’t have to go hunting for the straps,” Monasmith said. BW

TO THE WEB > AdrenalineTrailers.com > TheWheelGroup.com (Wheel-1) > FuelOffRoad.com > SeaDek.com

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LABSSpread19.qxp_Layout 1 9/26/18 9:45 AM Page 1

NEW YEAR NEW BOAT

NEW YOU COME AND GET IT!

Official Sponsors:

Duncan McIntosh Co., producers of:

LABSSpread19.qxp_Layout 1 9/28/18 10:16 AM Page 2

Admission: $15 for adults; Children 12 and younger, FREE Military ID, $5 discount Hours: (Rain or shine) Thurs.: Noon to 8 p.m.

Fri. & Sat.: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Sunday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Jan. 10-13, 2019 Fairplex — Pomona 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona, CA 91768

Largest selection of boats on the West Coast The Los Angeles Boat Show is the ultimate destination for boating and outdoor lifestyle enthusiasts, featuring sport fishing boats, performance boats, ski boats, cruisers, jet skis, pontoons, motorboats, cabin cruisers, dinghies/inflatables, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and a lot more! See ’em, touch ‘em and sit yourself down at the helm! The fun starts here!

Come see the largest selection of boats on the West Coast, latest marine gear and tech gadgets, accessories and anything and everything a boater needs to kick off the new year.

The LA Boat Show is a one-stop shop for water enthusiasts . . . no couch potatoes here!

For more information go to:

LABoatShow.com

Watersports

Pro Tips

Be Better Behind the Boat Use these 10 tips to know now what our writer wishes he knew then.

BY ZENON BILAS

• “IF I ONLY KNEW THEN what I know now.” It’s a phrase most of us have probably said many times, and it applies to watersports as much as any other facet of life. My 43 years of being a wakesport fanatic — and decades of coaching, competing and observing everyone from beginners to the best in the world — have given me insight into what works and what doesn’t.

To keep as many of you as possible from having to utter “If I only knew then what I know now,” here are 10 pieces of advice that will give you a jumpstart for the upcoming season and get you on the right track to learning more, having more fun and doing so safely.

1) Get educated. Learning by trial and error is an excellent way to learn bad habits and become discouraged. Before you try any wakesport or a new trick, watch instructional videos and read instructional articles. Also, get up close, preferably in 18

the boat, and watch someone proficient do what you want to do. Then get coaching, ideally from a professional, but if one is not available, find someone accomplished.

2) Be balanced over your feet. Most

beginners put too much weight on their heels, which puts added pressure on the handle. Stand over the center of your feet and keep plenty of flex in your ankles. From this balanced position, you will be able to direct the ski or board more easily and use less strength.

3) Focus on the basics. We all like to aim for the stars, but slow down when learning. Think about the basics of what you are trying to do. It’s easy to see a pro perform effortlessly and want to do the same right away. However, it’s best to learn in increments. Always start with correct body position, balanced over your feet. Even the pros frequently return to the practice of the basics.

4) Diversify. There are many behind-theboat sports, and each one appeals to different personalities. However, most people become passionate about one discipline and don’t even try the others. Though there are commonalities among the wakesports, each has unique characteristics, and some may be easier to master. Anyone who explores a variety of disciplines will develop a deeper understanding of body position and technique, have more fun and reduce the chance of burning out.

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Build your 2019 boat online now!

PLEASURE + ADVENTURE

About Brunswick Headquartered in Mettawa, Ill., Brunswick Corporation’s leading consumer brands include Mercury Marine outboard engines; Mercury MerCruiser sterndrive and inboard packages; Mercury global parts and accessories including propellers, and SmartCraft electronics; Power Products Integrated Solutions; MotorGuide trolling motors; Attwood, Garelick and Whale marine parts; Land ’N’ Sea, BLA, Payne’s Marine, Kellogg Marine & Lankhorst Taselaar marine parts distribution; and Mercury and Quicksilver parts and oils; Bayliner, Boston Whaler, Brunswick Commercial and Government Products, Crestliner, Cypress Cay, Harris, Lowe, Lund, Princecraft, Quicksilver, Rayglass, Sea Ray, Thunder Jet and Uttern boats; Life Fitness, Hammer Strength, Cybex, Indoor Cycling Group and SCIFIT fitness equipment; and Brunswick billiards tables, accessories and game room furniture. For more information, visit http://www.brunswick.com.

PRINCECRAFT’S Experience

About Princecraft Boats Inc. Since 1954, Princecraft Boats Inc., headquartered in Princeville, Quebec, Canada, creates unparalleled experiences on the water for fishing and boating enthusiasts with "professionally rigged and ready" packages of aluminum fishing boats, pontoon boats and deck boats. Its commitment is borne out of a deeply rooted heritage of unmatched craftsmanship, incomparable performance and the promise of years of trouble-free boating. More fishermen, families and dealers than ever join the Princecraft family, and create some of the best moments of their lives.

Princecraft Boats Inc.

C

2019 | A Brunswick Company

W AT E R S P O R T S

5) The lower-body matters. The quieter your upper body is, the more you will accomplish with less work. When attempting a turn on a slalom ski or a spin on a wakeboard, trick ski or kneeboard, think “Head and shoulders level, upper body still,” and let the lower body do the work. The upper body always follows the lower body.

6) Driving matters. Wakesports are a collaboration between rider and driver, no matter the rider’s skill level. The driver needs to get educated, through instructional videos, articles and rider feedback. A driver who doesn’t know a rider’s optimal boat speed or doesn’t have a sensitivity to the throttle and the steering wheel to deliver a smooth and straight pull will distract the rider’s focus. Speed control options available on today’s inboard and sterndrive boats are a huge benefit to giving every rider a perfect pull. A mirror on the dash or windshield is a must to assist the driver. Also, both the driver and the person being towed should know the

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body of water they are in and be aware of any peculiarities or hazards.

7) Equipment makes a difference. There are times when participants can share skis and boards. But, if your goal is to get really proficient, you want equipment that fits you specifically, especially bindings, where you want ultimate comfort and control to better direct the ski or board. High-quality skis, boards and bindings will be lighter and more responsive. Lines and handles are made specific to each sport, to provide the optimal pull. Wetsuits and vests should fit snugly. Neoprene that is too big or worn out will hold water. Of course, make sure all the necessary safety equipment is on board.

8) Change conditions. Early in my career, like most people, I wanted ideal conditions: same driver, same boat, perfect water.

However, today I enjoy it more, progress quicker and increase my confidence by training behind a variety of boats, with different drivers and in a variety of water

conditions. Even if it’s quite windy, I will work on basics to increase my skill level.

Perfect and consistent conditions are great for learning, but once you master a trick or skill, start expanding your horizons and change the variables.

9) Don’t neglect off-the-water training.

Maintain your ideal weight. Stay fit by cross training. Stretch like you would before a set.

Observe good nutrition and sleep habits.

I minimize sugar and empty calories to maintain my ideal weight.

10) Be a mentor and share your knowledge. Teach someone the skills you have mastered. Not only are you doing a good deed, but teaching others will reinforce your understanding of the basics, and that deeper understanding will help you learn new skills more quickly. Remember, everyone is unique and everyone learns through different ways and at a different pace, so be patient with everyone. This will teach you to be patient with yourself. BW

BOATINGWORLD.COM

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11/26/2018 4:09:52 PM

Fishing

Weig ht s & Sin kers

1

2

8

3 5

A Weighty Issue

4

When it’s time to get a bait to the bottom or send a trolling lure deep, reach for a sinker.

BY LENNY RUDOW

•

6

ALL FISHING WEIGHTS and sinkers are not created equal. In fact, there are a number of

rather specialized shapes and types of sinkers on the market, which are designed for very distinct and different purposes. How will you know when to employ an egg sinker versus securing a split shot? Read on.

1

BANK SINKERS

Also sometimes called dipsey weights or simply boat sinkers, bank sinkers are among the most commonly used fishing weights on the market. Available in all sizes, their oval or pear shape means they snag less often than many other choices when used for fishing on structure.

However, when cast from a static position they may roll along the bottom in a strong current. That means bank sinkers are a prime choice for bottom anglers on boats or shoreline anglers casting into calm seas,

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but they aren’t always the optimal choice for fishing in fast-moving waters.

2

BULLET WEIGHTS

These bullet-shaped sinkers have a hole through the middle and are rigged inline, so they sit up against the lure.

They’re commonly used with soft plastics and/or plastic worms, and in practice they function similar to the way a lead jig head works with a plastic lure while allowing the weight to remain separate from the lure itself.

3

EGG SINKERS

Like bullet weights, egg sinkers have a hole through the middle that the angler runs his line through, but they’re shaped like an egg instead of a bullet. Their advantage is their ability to rest on the bottom yet still feed a fish line and allow it to run, as the line passes through the lead and doesn’t let the fish feel any resistance. It’s a popular choice for live-baiting, chumming and other situations that call for allowing the fish to swim with a bait for several seconds before setting the hook.

BOATINGWORLD.COM

12/4/18 2:48 PM

Fish & Cruise While the 236CC was designed for use as a coastal fishing boat, it's really a multi-purpose boat that can be used for lots of activities — pulling kids on a tube, cruising to dinner, or just a leisurely ride along the waterways.

With seating for up to twelve passengers, rod holders and storage throughout, and a changing compartment that can be upgraded with an optional porta potti, the 236CC is ready for a full day of fun on the water with family and friends!

236CC Deck Boat 23’ 8” | 101” beam | 3648 lbs (w/ popular engine) | 68 gal fuel capacity | 12 ppl, 3250 lbs VISIT STINGRAYBOATS.COM /236CC FOR MORE INFORMATION

FISHING

4

PYRAMID & STORM SINKERS

These weights have a flat, triangular face designed to grab in a sandy or mud bottom and hold on tight. They’re often the best choice for surf fishermen, though in extremely heavy waves it may be necessary to step up to models that have additional wire arms — sometimes called “spider weights” or “Sputniks” — to enhance that holding power. Pyramids are also used in rivers with fast-moving currents, though it should be noted they will snag much more often than many other types of weights if there’s a rocky bottom.

5

SLIP SINKERS

Commonly used for slow trolling along snag-prone bottoms, slip sinkers are essentially long, thin strips of lead (or a similar material) that get a bait down deep but rarely snag even when bounced along rocks and structure. Freshwater anglers often use them while slow trolling, especially for species such as walleye, which love to hang out in areas with lots of rocks.

6

SPLIT SHOT

7

RUBBER-CORES & PINCH-ONS

Small and round, split shots are shaped like a mini-Pac Man and are squeezed over a fishing line. They come in handy in countless fishing scenarios, when a small amount of weight needs to be added quickly and easily to a bait or lure. Since they can be crimped directly to the fishing line, they require little to no extra rigging effort. And since they’re so versatile, there probably isn’t a fishing tackle shop that doesn’t keep split shot in stock.

Long and slender, rubber-cores and pinch-on weights can be used in a fashion similar to split shot, but with a profile that’s better suited to trolling or fast retrieval.

Rubber-cores have a rubber insert that you lay your line against and then spin, trapping the line inside the weight. Pinchons simply have flexible lead ears that can be crimped down over the line. Both can be added to a line in moments without any special rigging.

8

CIGAR WEIGHTS

Cigar or “torpedo” weights are shaped exactly like they sound and come in a number of styles, including some with keels, some with eyes on either end, and some with swivels or beads on either end. Some have a bend in them to prevent spinning and are commonly called banana weights. In general these types of sinkers are the best choice for use as inline trolling sinkers, since they add weight with minimal water resistance and are available from small to very large sizes.

Is this a complete list of all the different types of weights and sinkers? Nah. There are so many different fisheries out there, and so many pieces of gear designed for very specific functions, that there are hundreds of different designs and derivatives. But these eight varieties cover the most popular and most commonly seen types of sinkers that anglers are likely to run across. BW

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THE PINNACLE OF PONTOON PERFORMANCE AND QUALITY.

You see at Manitou, our quest is to provide you absolutely breathtaking boating experiences. So while it’s not easy scaling the mountain of pontoon perfection, the climb sure is worth it when you see the view from the top.

With all the horsepower — and the power to impress — Manitou provides an incredible combination of high performance and high style. With over 30 years of craftsmanship, our pontoon boats let you part the water, turn on a dime and carve a wake like no other. Beyond acceleration and handling, our patented V-Toon® and twin tube hulls are constructed to be the strongest in the industry. And our impeccable custom styling ensures that heads will turn when you pass others by.

All of which is why at Manitou, we believe that when you choose one of our pontoon boats, you’ve landed the highest-performing, best-quality boat in the industry. Period.

For more information, visit www.manitoupontoonboats.com

PASSION. PRECISION. PERFORMANCE.

Engines

Winter Chores

If your engine is freshwater cooled, all you need to do is check the antifreeze for its protection level on it and one didn’t. It’s probable you didn’t notice and can’t see the gasket in one of the holes, so without replacing both gaskets — the proper way — you run the screws back in. Now one screw has two gaskets and the other has no gasket. This “new math” allows the oil to disperse on the pristine waters as the gear oil warms and expands, and suck water in as the gearcase cools.

The easy thing to do is remove the upper drain screw and see how many gaskets are on it and in the hole. Only one? Breathe a sigh of relief. Two? You know what to do.

Midwinter Winterization Think you’ve done everything necessary for your engine? Read on to find out.

BY GRID MICHAL

•

BY JANUARY, MOST boats have been put away for the winter, but if you’ve committed any of these five faux pas, there’s still time to correct them before your mechanic has to fix them in spring.

1

When you changed oil in your fourstroke, did you put a new drainscrew gasket on the drain plug?

Most have a compressible copper gasket.

Be judicious in tightening the plug. It’s steel going into aluminum, so Superman strength will strip the threads, but a whole lot less torque will calm the waters with oil.

26

The net result, since mechanics don’t take first-born as payments, is a big hit to the Visa card.

2

There’s no question in my mind you changed lower unit gear oil. When you had the drain screws out, it’s probable that one came out with a gasket

3

An inboard/outboard has become a nemesis as folks encourage manufacturers to create “out of sight, out of mind” rigs. The engine is inaccessible.

If you can get to the recirculation hoses (assuming raw-water cooling), you can drain most of the block water. But what about the “cool can,” exhaust riser and power steering cooling? It’s not too late. (I hope!) Go to any reputable marine dealer and get a winterization rig that allows you to run the engine on flush-muffs until it’s warm. Then flip a lever and the engine pulls non-toxic antifreeze (three to five gallons) from a big bucket you just bought.

When prop-exhaust discharge comes out pink like antifreeze, let it run until your supply is exhausted, shut the engine off, recheck the hose connections and you’re done. If your engine is freshwater cooled, all you need to do is check the antifreeze for its protection level — it’s already protecting the things you can’t see or don’t think about.

4

Steering resistance only increases over the winter. If your mechanical steering was tight in the fall, it’ll be impossible to move in the spring, and

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F rom big water trolling to a day of family fun, the all-new Ranger ® VX Series is engineered to excel. Each VX Series design packs hardcore fishing capability in a wide open layout with rich comfort that sacrifices nowhere. Spacious cockpits can be catered to any activity and a full roster of high-end features make these rigs stand out whether you’re pulling a tube – or flipping one. Built with legendary Ranger protocols and all-welded, wood-free construction, the all-new Ranger VX Series is Ultra-Versatile And Ultra-Fun.

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11/27/18 4:15 PM

ENGINES

what happens following launch is fodder for many an observer’s story. The tilt tube on many engines — where the mechanical steering ram goes through — still isn’t stainless, while the ram is. The tube “grows” rust, which the ram tries to scrape off.

There comes a point when it’s scraped as much as it can and the rust that’s growing clamps down on the ram. Grease will help, but not retroactively.

If you want to get your boat dirty without a tech ever touching it, remove the steering arm from the ram. Remove the big nut from the cable where it attaches to the tube. Remove the ram from the tube and use a household radiator brush to clean the tube’s insides. On the front of the engine will be two grease fittings, often mistaken for steering fittings. They’re tilt fittings.

Remove the fitting on the right where the ram exits. Using a drill bit smaller than the threaded hole, drill into the tilt tube and clean up the metal bits. Reinstall the grease fitting and check that when you hook up your grease gun, grease squirts into the

5 Did you just remove the battery cables and let them fall into the bilge? tube. Voila! Now your engine is just like the new ones, and the steering is free again.

Reassemble it the way you disassembled it.

Then give the steering fitting halfway down the vertical midsection a little shot of joy.

Did you remove the boat’s batteries for the winter and leave them charging in the garage? Did you just remove battery cables willy-nilly and let them fall into the bilge without tie-strapping groups? I get an easy half-dozen calls a year asking me to replace the starter on a customer’s engine when all that happened was the owner failed to notice one big, black ground cable lying in the bilge behind the batteries. Take this time to climb under the boat cover with your flashlight, locate all the wires and cables, and tie-strap POS and NEG for both batteries separately. Since it’s easy to use a phone as a camera, why not take a picture of the number of cables coming to each battery, then print the pics and use them to ensure you have the right number of cables on the proper battery when you reinstall the batteries?

Give me (and other marine mechanics) a break by checking these five items before your problem becomes my spring income. BW

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Electronics

Rad a r

RAYMARINE 4-foot Super HD Color Open Array

RAYMARINE 18-inch Quantum 2 Radome

RAYMARINE Radar with bird view

Seeing Is Believing Radar for the trailerboat crowd makes more sense than ever.

BY ZUZANA PROCHAZKA

•

30

YOUR BOAT’S TOO small for radar, you say? But is it really? Do you leave to fish in the wee hours of the morning or return home from a weekend cruise at night? Do you boat in frequently foggy areas? Would you give an arm to spot birds that signal where the fish are biting? Do you have navigation on a multifunction display (MFD)? If so, the truth is you’d probably benefit from radar.

Today’s radar units are powerful, affordable and compact. For example, Garmin offers radome-based radar scanners only 18 inches in diameter, good for boats less than 30 feet. Furuno offers domes at 15, 18, 19 and 24 inches, and most of those units weigh less than 15 pounds. Open-array scanners are four or six feet wide but once placed on a center console hardtop, they don’t really take up any usable space. Most of the dome radar is available in 4kw, which reaches out 24 or 48 miles and is great for cruising. For fishing, more powerful open arrays will be the choice.

While traditional radar was considered a power hog, the new units are low wattage, with some using only 25 watts, similar to a VHF radio. Small boats have limited battery banks, so they’re power-sensitive, but that’s no longer a reason not to have radar. Also, these new units put out very low radiated emissions. Simrad’s Halo is considered so safe in its emissions that it’s been dubbed “huggable.” Although the hugging is optional, that

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GARMIN Fantom 4 Open Array

FURUNO

LOWRANCE

DRS4D-NXT Radome

Halo 24 Radar

GARMIN

FURUNO

SIMRAD

Fantom 24 Radome

Target Analyzer shows red targets approaching

Halo radar shows birds

means they can be mounted in areas previously deemed too close to human activity, and remain safe.

Yes, radar is primarily used for situational awareness, which translates to collision avoidance and safety, but these new units can do so much more. Today, radar delivers better clarity, target separation and small-target detection. For example, everyone now offers “bird mode” — the ability to identify sea birds up to five miles out — which fisherman will love.

Additionally, new solid-state Doppler radar has amazing features. Raymarine’s Quantum 2, Garmin’s Fantom, Simrad’s Halo and Furuno’s DRS4D-NXT all offer color coding to help with target interpretation. The colors answer the most basic radar question: Which way is that target moving? With Garmin’s Fantom MotionScope, if the target is inbound, it turns red; if it is outbound, it turns green. Color use varies among the manufacturers but the concept is the same.

Furuno calls its color coding Target Analyzer, and Simrad’s is VeolcityTrack, which determines, from the first sweep, motion as low as 2 mph of combined inbound (target) and outbound (your) speeds.

Ease of use continues with Halo’s presets for modes titled Harbor, Weather, Offshore and Bird, which are pretty self-explanatory and can be reached in two keystrokes.

These modes change the beam angle and eliminate sea clutter automatically. Weather will no longer sneak up on anyone thanks to today’s sharp resolution. Users can see squalls coming and navigate around them or decide to pull up anchor and head home if thunderstorms pile up all around.

Furuno’s Rain Mode turns rain cells blue, separating them from other radar targets and land.

Raymarine systems are also stabilized.

If a boat’s course and speed change, the entire scope rotates accordingly, not waiting for the next sweep to update. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference in readability.

Simrad’s 3G and 4G technology, which is also marketed under the Lowrance brand, offers pulse-compression radar that has no “main bang,” that blind spot created during in-close navigation due to the time delay between when each pulse starts and ends.

With the Halo 24, for example, users can pick up a piling even as they nearly poke it with their pulpit. That makes close-quarters navigation, such as entering a new harbor in

the dark, much safer.

As for connectivity, most of the new units are plug-and-play with MFDs and most of those, such as Garmin’s GPSmap, have radar capability built in. Manufacturers such as Simrad offer software unlock codes that make it simple for users to purchase a new upgrade later and unlock it in their existing MFD, with an additional fee.

Some radar doesn’t need an MFD. Furuno offers DRS4W Wi-Fi-based radar that’s compatible with iOS devices (iPad and iPhones). It requires a power cord but no other connectivity is needed, which makes the system very affordable when users already have an iPad. Radar has a number of uses, the benefits of which don’t require adverse conditions.

But at what cost? Folks may be pleasantly surprised by modern radar’s price/benefit ratio. Raymarine’s Quantum 2 with Doppler is $1,950, while Furuno’s DRS4DNXT 24-inch radome with Doppler is about $2,100. Garmin’s Fantom 24-inch dome with MotionScope runs about $2,800, and Simrad’s offerings range from 3G ($1,499) to 4G ($1,999) and all the way up to the Halo 4 ($5,500). BW

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Ask the Experts

Q

+A

market, manufacturers feared they’d be perceived as ungainly, or fat, which precipitated painting them a “slenderizing” black.

My personal thought? When you try to get the cover off a black outboard when it’s 95 humid degrees, and the cover is so hot you burn your fingers, I’m guessing the manufacturer wants you to keep your danged pokin’ fingers off the engine, and to yourself! — GM ENGINES

Time for Replacement?

Q I didn’t change my outboard’s thermostat when I winterized it this fall, but I’m wondering if I should before spring arrives. It’s been in place for three seasons, and I haven’t had any trouble with it. What do you think?

OUTBOARDS

Fashionable Power

Q My 2004 Suzuki is looking lousy for a couple of reasons. One, I failed to wax it to protect the paint. Two, my son is a somewhat distracted driver. I was going to have it repainted black, then decided on white, so it wouldn’t contrast with my boat. Then I wondered, “Why are these engines painted black in the first place?”

Benjamin W., via BoatingWorld.com

This has nothing to do with a proper answer, but I frequent a site called “Barn Finds,” which shows cars that people have discovered and hauled out of storage after a sleep of generally 30 years. I asked myself, “What happened 30 years ago that so many cars were stuffed in barns?” I can’t get an answer from anybody, which is frustrating.

OK, back to the question at hand, sort of. For years the prevailing fashion advice has held that anyone even slightly larger than a runway model shouldn’t wear clothes with horizontal stripes, because they make the wearer look less svelte. Clothes with vertical stripes have been recommended as slimming agents, and beyond that, black clothes have been the go-to wardrobe choice. I have been told informally that when the new four-strokes came on the

P. Levya, via BoatingWorld.com

I used to be more aware of saltwater destruction until I started seeing what fresh or brackish water was doing to engine internals. Now I encourage my customers to change their water pumps and thermostats at the same time. The more advanced the technology, the more careful we need to be about keeping the temperatures regulated. That’s changed my thinking, from a five-year span to three, right where you are now. Take a look at the used parts and relate them to your boat usage. You may have to change every two years, or be able to extend it to four. — GM

MEET OUR 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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Grid Michal

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

Zuzana Prochazka

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

12/4/18 1:19 PM

ASK THE EXPERTS

R E A D E R S AY S W H AT ?

point they had no firing area left. Any idea why the fouling?

Grid Michal’s item on electrical connection to both the battery terminal and the engine (September/October 2018, p.

25) is not the only place one can have an electrical transmission problem.

I had a Sisu 22 with a Perkins diesel on a trailer. Before I headed to the coast (35 miles), I would attach a water hose and start up the diesel in the yard. If all was working properly, I disconnected everything and headed for the launch ramp. One time, I got to the ramp and launched the boat only to have the motor refuse to start.

In fact, there was no electrical anything.

The connections were tight at the battery and the starter. I started down the cables between the battery and the engine only to hear a “crackle” sound at a droop in the positive cable. Somehow, condensation had made its way to the low point and over a period of time corroded the copper. No copper to carry the load, no start.

A.J. P., via BoatingWorld.com

Another Cause of Trouble

Have your tech put each plug back where he got it. I’ll bet none was properly indexed, meaning the firing area was protected rather than maximized, making that rpm a fouling speed rather than clean-burning

with the two ignition modes. See if whoever installed the plugs drew a line indicating where the open firing area is, and if that lines up with the fuel spray from the injector. If it does, you have other internal engine problems that need to be ferreted out. If not, index a new set of plugs and install them. That should make for a happy face. — GM BW

THERE’S A LOT GOING ON INSIDE A 4-STROKE ENGINE Keep it protected with ECSTAR Suzuki Genuine Oil and Chemicals

C. Henry Depew, Tallahassee, Fla.

Grid replies: I’m glad somebody is thinking! I’ve also seen breaks in NEG cables where they enter the lower cowl and break so you couldn’t tilt the engine down, but once it was manually tilted down, all was well as the cable rejoined itself. Tilt it up, cable separates halfway up.

Nothing. Now I’ve learned when going to one of these jobs to take some sort of cable that will reach from the engine block to the battery. Problem identified fast!

OUTBOARDS

Technical Foul

Q Last year I bought a lightly used 2007 ETEC 115. It was serviced before we put it on my boat. Over the latter part of the summer we managed to put on about 10 running hours, with maybe 2500 rpm being the top rpm we ran. We went to start it this year and it kept kicking back, as though it were out of time. Finally, it kicked back one time too many and trashed the two starter reduction gears.

My tech pulled the spark plugs and all four were oil-and-crud fouled to the

Available in Gallons or Quarts at a Suzuki Marine Dealer Near You.

RUN LONG. RUN CLEAN. RUN STRONG.

ECSTAR. the Suzuki “S” and model names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. Always wear a USCG-approved life jacket when on the water and read your owner’s manual. © 2018 Suzuki Motor of Ameria, Inc.

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BOATINGWORLD.COM

12/1/17 10:28 AM JANUARY 2019 • 33

12/4/18 1:19 PM

Bonehead Blunders BONEHEAD SCALE:

By G rid M ich a l

1 Acceptably assinine 2 Slightly slow 3 Distinguished dunce 4 Massively moronic 5 Seek mental help

Trail of Tools BONEHEAD BLUNDER: Leaving damning evidence THE BONEHEAD: An old, old friend BONEHEAD RATING: 4

Think of us as a significant other Dependable, knowledgeable, entertaining, witty and adventurous

2 years 18 issues

$10

Topics for conversation: • Tips and techniques to help you rule the launch ramp • How to interpret what's on the fishfinder's screen • Get the insurance coverage you need — and that will be there when you need it • 9 tips to beat the midseason watersports slump

WHAT HAPPENED: My very best friend since 1949 (not many of us left from that class that graduated 14 years later) called and said he was having trouble shifting his Suzuki 250 four-stroke, which turned into a no-start situation and a no-stop trauma when he couldn’t snag reverse. I made the hour-long trek to his boat, which was thankfully on a trailer. I was certain the shift cable just needed to be adjusted, to align with N on the engine and N on the remote control.

As I began to remove the lower engine cowl, I saw the problem and called him.

“Got the engine fixed,” said I. “What was it?”

“Whoever worked on it last left a medium-sized pair of vise-grips clamped to the rotating shift rod, creating both your problems.”

I could hear him think, I told him nobody else was ever going to touch this engine. Now what?

LESSON LEARNED: I can’t remember who said “Knowledge is power” but he or she was absolutely correct. What I hold over his head now! BW

HAS YOUR D OG

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

Email your pet’s photo, name, your name, address and phone number to editor@ boatingworld.com, or snail mail to:

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BOATINGWORLD.COM

12/4/18 1:19 PM

Gear 1.

St u f f You Wa nt

Digital Stereo Receiver

$329.95, prospecelectronics.com 1

Like its predecessor, the Infinity by Harman INFPRV315.2 has no moving parts, a rotary encoder and large buttons that make it easy to change settings, even underway, and dimming control for the faceplate display. INFPRV315.2 includes a rear video input for playback on its 3.5-inch color TFT screen and a 2-ohm stable internal amplifier that allows up to eight speakers to be wired in parallel, connecting to the head unit without the need for an external amplifier. It can be installed from the front or the rear.

2.

Marine Fuel System Treatment

$12.99/10 oz., chevronlubricants.com

Techron Marine Fuel System Treatment is formulated specifically for gasoline-powered boats and the harsh marine environment. It can be used in boats powered by all inboard, outboard and sterndrive gasoline engines, including two-stroke and four-stroke, carbureted, and electronic fuel-injected and direct-injected engines. It works with ethanol-free gasoline and a wide range of ethanol-blended fuels, from E10 to E85. This formulation delivers performance benefits with every use, providing complete fuel system protection.

3.

2

3

Cabin Fan

$44.99, caframolifestylesolutions.com The model 747 Ultimate 12 Volt DC fan features a patented FingerSafe blade that does not require a protective grill and has a shock-absorbing leading edge that flexes when it is stopped. Featuring two speeds, two mounting options (permanent and suction), and an adjustable tilting head, Ultimate is one solution for keeping cool in a boat cabin.

4.

VHF Radio

$499, lowrance.com The Lowrance Link-9 VHF radio features a sleek, industrial design with a large, intuitive interface, a removable fist microphone, a built-in AIS receiver and a front-mountable mechanical design for easy installation.

With its integrated GPS receiver, Lowrance Link-9 has four ways to ensure GPS reliability in an emergency. A GPS antenna in the face of the radio makes it suitable for open-air installations, and the SMA connector can be coupled with a GPS-500 antenna. NMEA 0183 and NMEA 2000 connections allow users to get GPS data from a chartplotter or from another antenna.

4

• JANUARY • JANUARY 36 36 2019 2019BOATINGWORLD.COM BOATINGWORLD.COM

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SUBMIT YOUR GEAR TO STEPHANIE@BOATINGWORLD.COM

5.

5

Aluminum Tele-Outrigger Poles

$999, tacomarine.com

Taco Marine’s new deluxe hybrid aluminum tele-outrigger poles feature thicker walls for increased durability and 360-degree swivel rollers for better natural-bait presentation and reduced halyard friction. The three pieces telescope to less than 8 feet for trailering, storage and bridge clearances, and extend to 18 feet to increase the strike zone for fishing. They pair with Taco Grand Slam 280, 380 and 400 mounts and come in silver/silver and black/silver.

6.

6

Silicone Marine Tape

$12.99, lifesafedirect.com

Life Safe SOS Silicone Repair Tape is a self-fusing, adhesive-free emergency repair supply that comes in handy on the water. The material creates an airtight seal that ensures inflatables stay filled and water stays out. The tape has a tension strength of 600 PSI and a melting point of more than 500 degrees Fahrenheit. It can withstand salt water, UV rays, acid and fuels and will remain flexible in temperatures down to minus 60 degrees.

7

7.

Rod Holder

$90, seasucker.com With SeaSucker’s Single, 2- and 3-Rod Holders, it’s easy to bring along another rod or three and place them where it’s most convenient. The holders install in seconds on any clean, non-porous surface, including textured and curved areas, by simply pushing the integrated pump button with power indicator several times.

Removal is just as fast; a tab on the SeaSucker breaks the vacuum seal. Built for a marine environment, only 316 stainless steel hardware is used on the Rod Holders.

8.

8

Polymatrix Ultra Clean

$19.50, protectivecoatingsystems.com Polymatrix Ultra Clean is a spray-on coating that puts a clear protective barrier on the surface of a boat while enhancing its shine. This barrier — a tri-molecular titanium bonding solution — protects a boat’s surfaces from salt water and lake and river film; prevents corrosion and discoloration; and allows for easy cleanup. When Polymatrix Ultra Clean is applied to chrome and painted surfaces, it magnifies the shine and produces a durable gloss finish. The kit includes a 4-ounce spray bottle of Ultra Clean, an applicator pad, a microfiber towel and an instruction sheet.

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5

PONTOON INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION

2 01 9 B OAT B U Y E R’ S G U I D E 2019 2 0 1BOAT 9 B OBUYER’S A T B UGUIDE YER’S GUIDE

SOUTH BAY 525RS ARCH Contents

• BOWR IDERS

Crownline E 215 XS Rinker Q3 OB Sea Ray 210 SPX

• DECKBOATS

40 42 44

Hurricane FunDeck 236SB OB Stingray 201DS

• CENTER CONSOLE

46 47

Starcraft MDX OB 211 CC

• PONTOONS

48

Barletta L25UC Bennington G25 Fastback Berkshire 23RFX Arch STS Coach 250 RE Harris Solstice 240 Qwest LS 820 Lanai Sanpan 2500 ELW South Bay 224SB2 Starcraft SLS 5 SP

• FISHING

49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57

ANOTHER ROUND (OF ROUNDUPS)

We have successfully placed another year of boats tests in

Bullet Having 21SST seen Brad Rowland’s 58 South Bay white sport arch that featured an Princecraft 929CR Sport reach 172114 mph at the Lake 59 of the the Ozarks books,Shootout and we are in pleased to showcase 25 of the latest models integrated in this issue.

BiminiI that was shaded able to the on more than 100 new boats of all shapes, sizes and speeds andlounges, conductan nearly 70 full tow Ranger 2016, VS1660 I wasn’t surprised to see a South 60 Bayget 525RS Arch equipped rear extra-high boat tests, complete thisand issue are racks accessible at with the new Suzuki DF350A outboard and its twin counter-rotating props.with videos. The 25 videos for the boats in point board ($597).

BoatingWorld.com or on the Boating World YouTube channel, and rest willpackage be postedadds South WA BayKEBOATS is a performance leader among pontoon builders, and the result The the 3.0+ tube inplace the coming months.

— Lake Wawasee in sides northis an incredibly Axis A24 sporty pontoon that wouldn’t 61 be out of at a poker run. In addition to our three main test siteslifting strakes on both of the ern Indiana, Table Rock Lake near Branson, Mo., and Lake center Laniertube northand of Atlanta — I of Unlike Cobalt one-trick R7 Surfgo-fast boats that give the 62 engines more cockpit space on the inside boats in Canada, South Carolina, Florida, Tennessee, Michigan and Alabama. than Malibu passengers 24 MXZ get, however, the 525RS 63 has roomalso for atested lucky 13 people, the outer tubes and PAD running One trend I noticed luxury and versaand it’s MasterCraft a multitasker.

XT22 Our test boat featured 64 identical Lexington quad during tests of 2019 models was an increase surfacesinthat provide lots of lift. tility in the entryall the best loungers that were covered in pearlescent two-tone upholstery withand a mid-level models. Previously, boat companies Combinereserved those features with the goodies for high-end E 215 XScounter-rotating (page 40), carbon JETBOATS fiber–like finish, a look that’s part of the Super Sport Trim Package models, but runabouts such as the Crownline Suzuki DF350A’s Sea Ray 210and (page 44) and Stingray 201DS (page 47) are proof buyers don’t have to spend ($4,693), Scarab which 255 also Open includes ID white pearl-fi 65nish exterior panels highprops, and operators get a fantasa lot of money toplus get a quality ride. backed Yamaha captain’s 190 FSH chairs Sport with bolsters and66 powder-coated armrests tic holeshot with zero bowrise. The fishing boats are especially popular and affordable.

Sport other items. For entertainment, the standard KickerSmaller Bluetooth stereo boat Princecraft’s reached plane 172 in 2.7 seconds, features seating to oversized with PWC lighted speakers is great, but the upgraded JL(page Audio59) system withaaconvertible stern that goes from qualityand the Suzuki pushedcasting the 25-foot, platform in seconds. is a fi2,970-pound shing-forward deck-to 30 subwoofer Yamaha ($2,170) EXR WaveRunner takes it over the top. The 67swim platform is extra roomy The Starcraft MDX OB 211 CC (page 48) 7-inch, 525RS boat that’s also great for cruising and entertaining. and comes with a swimming pool-style stainless steel boarding ladder. mph in 5.7 seconds and to a top PontoonsPackage still rule the lake and builders keep finding new waysofto make more Our test boat was equipped with the 3.0+ Performance speed 54.7 mphthem at 6300 rpm. and to versatile.

One surprising standard feature I saw was a pullout doggie dish ($10,961), which uses three pressurized, chamberedluxurious 25-inch tubes add on the Barletta (page 49), which also comes with a 1,500-watt standard stereo the rigidity needed to handle rough water at high speed and providesL25UC the withalso a subwoofer.

SLS 5 SP (page 57) got a serious upgrade with the SP packability to carve really hard, controlled turns. This package comes withStarcraft’s a

D

•

• •

which all components of the pontoon’s appearance together.

Sport Ski Tow along with many other items. It’s artfullyage, curved andties color-coSki fencing boats keeps getting better, with bigger waves, wakes and capacities, but they can ordinated to the boat — robin’s egg blue to match the outer accents affordable. Take the Axis A24 (page 61), which starts under $80k but still has on our boat. To add to its sportiness, our boat camestill with be a forward-swept plenty of Malibu DNA. — Alan Jones 38

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You could get a discount when you combine your auto and boat policies.

geico.com | 1-800-865-4846 | Local Office Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. Boat and PWC coverages are underwritten by GEICO Marine Insurance Company. Multi-Policy Discount available to auto insureds that have purchased a boat policy through the GEICO Marine Insurance Company. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. Š 2018 GEICO

BOWRIDER

2 01 9 B OAT B U Y E R’ S G U I D E

CROWNLINE E 215 XS

TAHOE 2485 LTZ QL

C

rownline’s motto, “Our standards

are their options,” is spot-on when it comes to the E 215 XS. The upscale standard features rolled into its nationally advertised price of $46,995 include a six-speaker Kicker Bluetooth stereo, a Mercury 150 FourStroke with SeaStar hydraulic steering, a depthsounder and a twin-axle galvanized-aluminum EZ Loader trailer with disc brakes. For relaxation at rest, a stern sunpad has a three-position backrest and conceals a huge storage compartment underneath it. Some other value-added features include snap-in Highlander carpet, a swim platform clad in Soft Touch and a color-matched Bimini.

The Crownline E 215 XS (formerly the E 21 XS) is well-suited for cruising and watersports thanks to a range-extending 45-gallon fuel tank. Stretching to 21 feet, 4 inches long and 8 feet, 6 inches across the beam, the E 215 XS has plenty of interior space and enough seating to carry the 11 passengers it’s rated for. The cockpit features an L-lounge with a Soft Touch–padded portside walkthrough, and twin captain’s chairs have flip-up bolsters. New this year, the standard upholstery is called Pure Platinum and is a two-tone gray. Also new is the Royal Champagne interior option ($958), which features a Pearl White interior with Camel and Dark Oak accents, an Executive Oak wheel and a teak-look swim platform mat.

The E 215 XS’s beam is carried far forward to create extra room up front, and a bow filler cushion ($475) is an option. Flip-up

40

> SPECIFICATIONS < LOA 21 ft., 4 in.

BEAM 8 ft., 6 in.

DEADRISE 19 degrees CAPACITY 11 people DRY WEIGHT 4,060 lbs.

FUEL CAPACITY 45 gal.

MAXIMUM HP 250 PRICE W/MERCURY 150 FOURSTROKE $46,995 TIME TO PLANE 3.7 sec.

0-30 MPH 9.5 sec.

PEAK 42.0 mph /6000 rpm/94 dBA CRUISE 27.4 mph/4000 rpm/82 dBA TOP 3 STANDARDS: Bow boarding ladder, freshwater shower, cockpit LED lighting TOP 3 OPTIONS: Electric rear Sun Bed, stereo upgrade w/ subwoofer and Wet Sounds speakers, watersports tower CROWNLINE.COM

armrests for the bowrider chaise lounges are standard, as is the side-mount table that can be installed up front or in the cockpit. The table has a dedicated storage spot in a slider drawer that resides in the deep centerline storage locker.

Our test boat was powered by an inline four-cylinder Suzuki DF150, an outboard whose large 2.9L of displacement doesn’t keep it from being one of the lightest 150s on the market at 522 pounds.

Suzukis are known for their low-end torque, a plus for towing skiers, and the DF150 put our test boat and its stoutly built 4,060pound F.A.S.T. TAB vented hull on plane in 3.7 seconds with little bowrise. The E 215 XS reached 30 mph in 9.5 seconds and topped out at 42.0 mph, but buyers who want more speed can equip it with up to 250 hp (from Yamaha, Suzuki or Mercury). The vented hull design allows it to attack hard turns without losing much traction. — AJ

JANUARY 2019 BOATINGWORLD.COM

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Jan 1 – Mar 31, 2019 Visit scarabjetboats.com for details

JOIN THE

JETPACK From 16' to 25' and everything in-between Scarab Jet offers the most complete jet boat lineup in the industry. Be the alpha and customize yours at scarabjetboats.com.

165 ID

195 ID

215 ID

165 G

| Starting at $20,714 255 ID

195 OPEN ID

See the full line at scarabjetboats.com ©2018 Rec Boat Holdings, LLC. All rights reserved. ™ and ® are trademarks or registered trademarks of a subsidiary of Rec Boat Holdings, LLC or suppliers.

255 OPEN ID

BOWRIDER

2 01 9 B OAT B U Y E R’ S G U I D E

RINKER Q3 OB

YOU CAN WATCH ALL OF THESE TESTS AT BOATINGWORLD.COM/VIDEOS

H

anging out back when the key is off is

the way most people like to chill at the sandbar, and jumpseats facilitate that. And just when we think we’ve seen every variation of stern jumpseats, Rinker surprises us with the new Q3 OB, which highlights an all-new approach that uses optional Stow-n-Step stern platform seats ($1,286). Under one of the stern hatches is a small pull strap. Yank it and the seat emerges from its hidey-hole and deploys; yank it again and the seat lowers and stows. A standard Stow-n-Step seat in the center cockpit bench creates a step-up to the stern when it’s not in use.

Rinker designers solved the riddle of wasted space in the outboard engine well with a sectional that fills in the gap and creates an expansive, easy-to-navigate swim platform. Helping to keep the look clean is an optional pull-up ski pylon ($843) that drops down when not in use.

Rinker made its reputation with sporty, affordable sterndrive-powered boats, but catalytic converters and other items made them more costly. Plus, consumer preference shifted to outboards, so Rinker pivoted to create an outboard line that embraces the trend. At a couple of inches more than 23 feet, the Q3 is the newest and smallest model in its Q-Series. Rinker’s goal with the Q3 is to give boaters a fully loaded boat with some luxurious touches that will appeal to coastal boaters who desire a bowrider with some attitude.

Our test boat was powered by a new-generation Mercury V-6 200 that has 3.4L of displacement to give it lots of torque, which is especially

42

> SPECIFICATIONS < LOA 23 ft., 2 in.

BEAM 8 ft., 6 in.

DEADRISE 20 degrees CAPACITY 12 people DRY WEIGHT 3,315 lbs.

FUEL CAPACITY 50 gal.

MAXIMUM HP 250 PRICE W/MERCURY 3.4L V-6 200 $60,249 TIME TO PLANE 3 sec.

0-30 MPH 5 sec.

PEAK 46.4 mph/5600 rpm/94 dBA CRUISE 35.1 mph/4500 rpm/89 dBA TOP 3 STANDARDS: Bimini top, in-floor storage, Kicker KCM10 Bluetooth stereo TOP 3 OPTIONS: Ski tow, choice of 7 hull colors, cockpit table RINKERBOATS.COM

helpful for watersports. This package put the Q3 on plane in 3 seconds and to 30 mph in 5 seconds flat. Our test boat had the Active Trim option ($614), so it was able to reach a top speed of 46.4 mph without the driver touching the trim button.

Rinker managed to keep the Q3’s MSRP at $60,294 with the Merc 200, but for an additional $7,850 buyers can bump up the excitement and refinement with a Mercury V-8 Verado 250 (non-supercharged) that has Advanced Mid Section and digital controls. (Rinker will rig Suzuki and Yamaha.)

The standard package includes extras such as a portside Swingback Lounge, an extra-deep bowrider section, a Simrad GO7 at the helm and snap-in Infinity Softstep padded flooring throughout. — AJ

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LUXURY

DEFINED THE FOUR WINNS 2019 LINE Four Winns, more than any other brand, offers the power to choose. Outboard and sterndrive from 18'-37' with a wide range of horsepower options. Visit fourwinns.com for more information on the newest additions to our fleet.

Life should be a beautiful ride.

©2018, Rec Boat Holdings, LLC. All rights reserved. ®/TM signifi es trademarks of Four Winns, LLC or suppliers.

Jan 1 – Mar 31, 2019 Visit fourwinns.com for details

BOWRIDER

2 01 9 B OAT B U Y E R’ S G U I D E

SEA RAY 210 SPX O

ne of the barriers to owning a Sea Ray for

D

S

because this boat morphed from a many buyers has been the brand’s premium cost, but the Sea Ray sterndrive, a large storage compartSPX 210 OB is a turnkey package whose $43,032 MSRP — dualment hides beneath the sunpad, axle trailer and Mercury 150 FourStroke included — busts that notion. It’s where the engine would have been. not skimpy on standard features, either, coming with a removable ski tow With the key off, the sunpad, with pylon, a Fusion SRX400 Bluetooth four-speaker stereo, hydraulic steering its flip-up backrest, is a great place and an Isotta Fiume wheel. A few well-chosen options, including a to lounge. two-tone hull color ($1,189) and a package ($397) that upgrades The swim platform the rubrail, cupholders, handles and hardware to stainless steel, is good sized for an make this boat look like it cost big bucks. outboard-powered boat, The SPX 210 OB is really the sweet spot of Sea Ray’s SPX OB and on our test boat it was PE E D TEST E lineup, which also includes a 190 and a 230. The 150 FourStroke padded in SeaDek ($578). is available on all three, but our test boat was powered by a new-gen Cockpit seating options include Mercury V-6 200 hp and it performed really well. It put the SPX 210 OB either a matching captain’s chair on plane in 2.3 seconds and pushed it to 30 mph in 4.8 seconds. The boat with a flip-up bolster or a portside reached a top speed of 50 mph. On the downside, the 200 adds $10,000 lounge ($231) with a convertible to the bottom line. For that upcharge, stick with the 150 FourStroke, which backrest, so occupants can either will yield a top speed in the mid-40s. face forward or see where they’ve Buyers can boost the SPX 210’s watersports quotient by adding a tower been. At the dash, a flush-mounted that comes with a Bimini ($4,675), or they can order just a Bimini top ($872).

Simrad GO5 Simrad GPS/fishfinder A deep in-floor ski locker can accommodate most people’s toys, but what and a pair of multifunction gauges about those giant inflatable tubes that are all the rage these days? Well, are a $1,000 option. — AJ

> SPECIFICATIONS < LOA 21 ft., 6 in.

BEAM 8 ft., 6 in.

DEADRISE 19 degrees CAPACITY 12 people DRY WEIGHT 3,020 lbs.

FUEL CAPACITY 40 gal.

MAXIMUM HP 200 PRICE W/MERCURY 200HP FOURSTROKE $53,032 TIME TO PLANE 2.3 sec.

0-30 MPH 4.8 sec.

PEAK 50.0 mph/6000 rpm/92 dBA CRUISE 31.3 mph/4500 rpm/83 dBA TOP 3 STANDARDS: Ski tow pylon, Fusion 4-speaker Bluetooth stereo, dual-axle trailer

YOU CAN WATCH ALL OF THESE TESTS AT BOATINGWORLD.COM/VIDEOS

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TOP 3 OPTIONS: Snap-in vinyl, carpet or SeaDek, stereo w/ subwoofer and 1,600-watt amp, livewell SEARAY.COM

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MAKE IT A

GLASTRON For over 60 years families and friends have been making memories on the most iconic boat on the water. Share with us and the rest of the boating community by tagging your memories with #GLASTRONSUMMER.

Jan 1 – Mar 31, 2019 Visit glastron.com for details

© 2018, Rec Boat Holdings, LLC. All rights reserved. ®/TM signifies trademarks of Glastron, LLC, its affiliates or suppliers.

Glastron.com

D E C K B OAT

2 01 9 B OAT B U Y E R’ S G U I D E

HURRICANE FUNDECK 236SB OB

YOU CAN WATCH ALL OF THESE TESTS AT BOATINGWORLD.COM/VIDEOS

B

ack in 1973, Hurricane pioneered a

new boat concept that would forever change the way many people went boating. Called the FunDeck, it featured a pontoon boat layout atop a fiberglass hull, and over time it led to the development of the modern deckboat. But Hurricane is still building FunDeck models because this ever-evolving design provides plenty of passenger space and has the seaworthiness and quietude of a fiberglass hull.

The latest and largest iteration is the FunDeck 236SB OB whose open design and seating configuration can accommodate up to 12 people. The SB stands for Split Bench, a layout that comes with quad layback lounges.

On our test boat, the lounges — upgraded to the Sport Luxury vinyl package — were white with Vapor Blue accents. The optional changing room enclosure ($367), which resides in the front portion of the portside stern lounge, can house a portable toilet ($167).

The 236SB’s fiberglass cathedral hull has a moderate 13 degrees of deadrise, giving it plenty of lift out of the hole and helping it ride high in the water, with just enough Vee to help it part the waves. Powered by a new-generation Mercury FourStroke 200, it reached plane in 2.6 seconds with very little bowrise, galloped to 30 mph in 6.2 seconds and topped out at 41.3 mph.

An advantage of fiberglass is it doesn’t have any corrosion issues, which makes it really popular in saltwater coastal areas. Sometimes pontoons

46

> SPECIFICATIONS < LOA 23 ft., 6 in.

BEAM 8 ft., 6 in.

DEADRISE 13 degrees CAPACITY 12 people DRY WEIGHT 3,350 lbs.

FUEL CAPACITY 48 gal.

MAXIMUM HP 250 PRICE W/MERCURY FOURSTROKE 200 $50,534 TIME TO PLANE 2.6 sec.

0-30 MPH 6.2 sec.

PEAK 41.3 mph/5800 rpm/92 dBA CRUISE 30.5 mph/4500 rpm/88 dBA TOP 3 STANDARDS: Ski tow bar, in-floor storage compartment, Marine Audio Bluetooth stereo TOP 3 OPTIONS: Power canopy, Polk stereo upgrade, GPS chartplotter/fishfinder HURRICANEBOATS.COM

can rattle in choppy water, but during our test, the 236SB felt very solid and was quiet, even at higher speeds. Coastal boaters will like the standard fiberglass deck, which can be easily cleaned at the end of the day. Snap-in carpeting is standard and snap-in vinyl flooring is available for $960.

The 236SB is ready for watersports with a sturdy, fixed ski tow cage on the roomy swim platform.

There is room in front of it to wedge a towable tube during transit to a favored tubing place, so you don’t have to inflate it onsite or have it eat up cockpit space. When the day’s action is done, tubes — even gigantic ones — can be deflated and stowed in the thigh-deep, 80-inch-long centerline storage compartment that’s a standard feature. — AJ

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2 01 9 B OAT B U Y E R’ S G U I D E

STINGRAY 201DS

T

> SPECIFICATIONS < LOA 20 ft., 1 in.

BEAM 8 ft., 4 in.

DEADRISE 20 degrees CAPACITY 10 people DRY WEIGHT 2,800 lbs.

FUEL CAPACITY 46 gal.

MAXIMUM HP 175 PRICE W/YAMAHA F150 $43,167 TIME TO PLANE 3.0 sec.

0-30 MPH 7.9 sec.

PEAK 46.3 mph/5600 rpm/94 dBA CRUISE 37.6 mph/4500 rpm/87 dBA TOP 3 STANDARDS: In-floor ski locker, Fusion RA-55 Bluetooth stereo, bow boarding ladder TOP 3 OPTIONS: Full colored hull band, hydraulic tilt steering, bow filler cushions STINGRAYBOATS.COM

he new midsize Stingray

201DS deckboat layout maximizes the onboard space customers use the most to create a deckboat that feels larger than a 20-footer.

It’s especially noticeable in the bow where a large forward deck and a roomy bow section dominate.

This year Stingray’s furniture was upgraded to include a thicker, softer foam on the seat bottoms and seatbacks, for greater comfort. The layout includes a portside console equipped with an iPad rack and a charging port, which is in addition to the pair of USB ports at the helm.

Stingray listened to customer feedback and totally revamped the 201DS’s floor plan. The message was clear: The majority wanted a second captain’s chair instead of a portside chaise lounge, as most people prefer to face forward while underway. But it and the helm seat can spin 180 degrees to face the stern bench when the run is over.

The 201DS has some great entertainment features, including a freshwater spigot in a compact refreshment center that’s behind the helm seat. The sink is part of a free bundle of extras Stingray includes that also comes with a 25-quart cooler, an hourmeter, an Italian sport wheel, spring-line cleats and a Fusion Bluetooth

WHAT REALLY GRABBED US WAS THE 201DS’S TURNING ABILITY stereo. At the helm, there’s space for a 7-inch GPS chartplotter to be flush-mounted directly in front of the driver. A fishing package costs $642, and a livewell and two more rod holders cost $525.

The trend toward outboards continues to gain momentum, especially in coastal regions, and Stingray has been shoring up its offerings. The 201DS is rated for up to 175 hp, but our test boat ran well with a Yamaha F150. Stingray’s Z-Plane hull consistently allows boats equipped with it to outperform those with standard hulls. The Z-Plane strakes provided plenty of lift out of the hole and helped the boat reach plane in 3 seconds flat and hit 30 mph in 7.9 seconds. Even with a modest 150 hp, it reached a top speed of 46.3 mph.

What really grabbed us was the 201DS’s turning ability, aided by SeaStar hydraulic tilt steering ($1,346). We were able to carve a ridiculously tight turn with the wheel all the way to its stops. The hull on the 201DS has 20 degrees of deadrise, which should make for a soft ride in the chop. — AJ

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CENTER CONSOLE

2 01 9 B OAT B U Y E R’ S G U I D E

STARCRAFT MDX OB 211 CC

T

ake the roominess of a deckboat and

add a center console, and the result is the Starcraft MDX OB 211 CC, a boat as at home cruising with the family — a standard four-speaker Kicker Bluetooth stereo system handles the entertainment, and 14 cupholders handle refreshment parking needs — as it is fishing. At 21 feet long and with a full 8-foot, 6-inch beam, the MDX is rated for 12 passengers and uses its bowriding section to maximum effect with wraparound seating and a filler cushion. A side-mount table transforms this area into a great place for social gatherings. The extended bow platform can be customized with EVA Soft Touch traction matting ($1,337), a fourstep bow ladder for hopping onto the beach and a shower option. Our test boat featured cognac upholstery, which is new for 2019.

The bow platform also makes a great place to fish from, especially since the seat cushions can be replaced by a filler deck section to create more fishing room. At the stern, a casting platform can be created by flipping down the rear bench’s seatback. The MDX OB 211 CC takes its fishing duties seriously, providing under-gunwale rod storage racks (three on each side), four in-gunwale holders and a large fishbox under the stern bench to hold the day’s catch. The leaning post has a five-position backrest and underneath it is room for a 36-quart cooler. The DLX Package upgrade ($4,382) adds an integrated 18-gallon livewell to the leaning post and a walk-in head

48

> SPECIFICATIONS < LOA 21 ft., 10 in.

BEAM 8 ft., 6 in.

DEADRISE 13 degrees CAPACITY 12 people DRY WEIGHT 2,715 lbs.

FUEL CAPACITY 45 gal.

MAXIMUM HP 200 PRICE W/YAMAHA F150 $42,161 TIME TO PLANE 3.5 sec.

0-30 MPH 9.3 sec.

PEAK 47.6 mph/6000 rpm/94 dBA CRUISE 27.3 mph/4500 rpm/84 dBA TOP 3 STANDARDS: Bimini top, Kicker KMC10 Bluetooth stereo, BayStar hydraulic steering TOP 3 OPTIONS: Transom shower, trolling motor and fishing seats, snap-in seagrass vinyl flooring STARCRAFTMARINE.COM

compartment in the large center console. At the helm, the accessory switches and twin gauges are set low to create plenty of space for dual 9-inch GPS/fishfinder displays.

Our test boat was powered by a Yamaha F150 outboard that gave it plenty of performance for activities such as watersports. And the 211 MDX has a removable ski tow pylon option ($648), so skiing is possible. On plane in 3.5 seconds, the 211 MDX reached 30 mph in 9.5 seconds and a top speed of 47.6 mph. For owners who want even better performance or who tend to carry a lot of people and gear, the 211 is rated for up to a 200 hp motor.

The MDX Hull features 13 degrees of deadrise, which makes it stable at rest or when trolling, and it has vented outer sponsons, which allowed us to crank it into hard turns during testing. — AJ

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2 01 9 B OAT B U Y E R’ S G U I D E S

PE

BARLETTA L25UC

B

arletta might be a new pontoon company,

but it has already made a splash, winning an NMMA Innovation Award in Minnesota last year. And the L25UC is a good example of why. One of the innovations that four-legged crewmembers will enjoy is the slide-out water and food dish.

During our sea trial, despite choppy conditions, I noticed a lack of extraneous noise. Credit its stout Hybrid construction for that. Hybrid construction combines C-channel and box/I-beams and something called Vibration Isolation Pad (VIP) technology, which places a rubber pad between any two metal surfaces that otherwise would be touching. Oversized 26-inch tubes and dual-stage lifting strakes give it the ability to ride high in the water. Our test boat was powered by Mercury’s new V-8 Verado 300, which unlike the 2.6L V-6 platform is not supercharged. On plane in 2.6 seconds, it jumped to 30 mph in 6.4 seconds and reached a top speed of 46.7 mph.

A passenger-friendly feature is the rear Ultimate Lounger, which features a flippable backrest, for extra versatility. When the seatback is laid horizontal to the rest of the pad, guests can deploy two flip-up backrests at the back, so they can recline facing forward. To starboard is a companion captain’s chair, and at the luxurious helm, the driver has a standard Simrad 7-inch display. Instead of the consoles being used for storage, space underneath is allocated to extra legroom for the crew.

Up front, a pair of identical layback lounges clad in Dolce marine vinyl and

THE REAR DECK IS HUGE FOR AN OUTBOARDPOWERED PONTOON

> SPECIFICATIONS < LOA 27 ft., 6 in.

BEAM 8 ft., 6 in.

TUBE DIAMETER 26 in.

CAPACITY 13 people DRY WEIGHT 3,793 lbs.

FUEL CAPACITY 48 gal.

MAXIMUM HP 400 PRICE W/MERCURY VERADO 500 $98,800 TIME TO PLANE 2.8 sec.

0-30 MPH 6.4 sec.

PEAK 46.7 mph/6100 rpm/93 dBA CRUISE 33.3 mph/4500 rpm/86 dBA TOP 3 STANDARDS: Hertz premium stereo w/subwoofer, Simrad G07 XSE chartplotter, power Bimini TOP 3 OPTIONS: Double power Bimini tops, interior RGB lighting package, changing room BARLETTAPONTOONBOATS.COM

E D TEST E

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PONTOON

special foam backing allow guests to sink in comfortably. All bench seats have USB power plugs, so everyone’s devices can stay charged, and a power Bimini top bumps up its cool factor.

The rear deck is huge for an outboard-powered pontoon, with room, even, for a large storage locker that can accommodate a cooler. Fender storage is attached to a Tube-Tow Watersports Cage.

All 16 cupholders on board are oversized and Yeti-ready, for extreme hydrating. To get a killer sound system, there’s no need to check the options box, because the standard sound system includes four 6-inch coaxial speakers, a subwoofer and a 1,500-watt amplifier. The system is built by Hertz, which is best known for motorcycle stereos, so it is optimized to work well in wind and weather. Also standard is large bow pedestal table for snack display.

— AJ

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BENNINGTON G25 FASTBACK E D TEST E

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oat owners whose idea of a fun time on

the water is to invite all their close friends — plus their friends — Bennington has the right pontoon. Upon boarding the Bennington G25 Fastback, my eyes were immediately drawn to the longest settee I’ve ever seen. Set to port, beginning at the stern, it stretches longer than the formal name of this boat, the 25GSRCFB. Designed to provide maximum seating, especially when paired with filler sectionals for the stern and bow ($743 each), this 27-foot, 9-inch pontoon’s perimeter can be ringed by more than enough seating for its 16-passenger rating.

Buyers can expand the width of the chaise lounge seat bottoms by checking the options box ($413). All the seats on our test boat featured dark, diamond-stitched panels, which can get blazing hot in the sun … unless they’re made of Simtex, which features a fabric-like feel and stays far cooler. For snack presentation, an optional rectangular, matte-finish Zebrawood table ($407) can be added to the bow section.

What makes this pontoon a Fastback? A pair of radiused corners that hold rear-firing speakers, so passengers can be entertained while swimming or waterskiing. There are a number of stereo options, but this is an entertainment boat, so buyers should spend the extra $2,900 for six Roswell speakers and another $1,528 for a Kicker stereo upgrade that includes a 10-inch subwoofer. Two ski tow pylons are available, with the taller 52-incher ($1,190) being the preferred model. The G-series features a new driver’s console this year; framed in a wide

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> SPECIFICATIONS < LOA 27 ft., 9 in.

BEAM 8 ft., 6 in.

TUBE DIAMETER 25/32/25 in.

CAPACITY 16 people DRY WEIGHT 3,298 lbs.

FUEL CAPACITY 35 gal.

MAXIMUM HP 425 PRICE W/ESP TUBE PACKAGE AND YAMAHA F350 $100,812 TIME TO PLANE 2.4 sec.

0-30 MPH 5.8 sec.

PEAK 48.8 mph/5700 rpm/93 dBA CRUISE 40.2 mph/4000 rpm/87 dBA TOP 3 STANDARDS: Seagrass flooring, All-In-One Kicker stereo system, Surlast mooring cover TOP 3 OPTIONS: ESP triple-tube package, power steering, power Bimini top BENNINGTONMARINE.COM

upholstered border, the console has a repositioned glove box — now to the right of the padded, tilt steering wheel — with 12v and USB charging ports. Also at the helm is a standard Simrad G07 touchscreen chartplotter (are these on every boat now?).

Under the deck on our test boat was the Elliptical Sport Package (ESP), a $9,765 add-on that includes a huge 32-inch center tube that’s flatter on the bottom for a ride that lifts it higher in the water, so cruising with a full house doesn’t mean plowing through the water.

Powered by a Yamaha F350 four-stroke V-8 that now comes with a standard 5-year warranty, the boat had plenty of muscle.

The F350 pushed the G25 on plane in 2.4 seconds, to 30 mph in just 5.8 seconds and to a top speed of 48.8 mph. — AJ

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BERKSHIRE 23RFX ARCH STS

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erkshire’s 23RXT Arch might be part

of its midlevel STS Series, but that’s misleading, because this pontoon is all about sporty luxury. Berkshire offers a lot of options, but buyers don’t have to agonize over each one; they can check the Super Sport box and receive an upscale pontoon that will attract a lot of attention.

Our test boat was Super Sport–equipped and featured the Lagoon Blue color scheme, which really highlights the color-coordination aspect of the SS package. Most eye-grabbing is a blue aft-curving ski tow and a matching forward-swept arch that’s two feet longer this year, which allows the Bimini top to be stretched to an oversized 10 feet. Blue fence panels and matching trim on the Silver or Pearl White upholstery will have owners adjusting their wardrobe to be in sync with their pontoon.

The SS Silver package ($7,699) includes a pair of high-backed captain’s chairs with wide flip-up bolsters and aircraft-aluminum armrests. Another SS perk is the Silver Matrix flooring, which is an upgrade over the standard vinyl deck (Berkshire eschews carpeting).

While the standard stereo is an impressive Kicker KMC10 system, the premium stereo is a JL Audio upgrade with 800 watts of power, a JL subwoofer, speakers in the cockpit and coffee can tower speakers. The nighttime ambiance is attractive and functional thanks to recessed, lighted cupholder modules in the layback bow lounges whose USB chargers are also lighted. A wood-grain pedestal table is available to hold beverages and food.

At the Silver Helm station, which is part of the SS Package, the standard Simrad G07 chartplotter has advanced features

such as CHIRP sonar and StructureScan, which delivers a near-photographic view of the bottom. It also supports the ForwardScan sonar upgrade, which shows what’s in front of the pontoon — important when navigating shallow water.

Our test boat’s retail price was $77,981. That prices includes the tripletube 3.0 Performance Package and Mercury’s new-gen 250 hp V-8 FourStroke (linked to the Simrad display). The boat featured Smart Tow, which is great for pulling skiers at a precise speed, and ActiveTrim, which keeps the boat properly trimmed without driver input.

ActiveTrim helped give the 23RTX Arch STS a tremendous hole shot that put it on plane in 2 seconds. It reached 30 mph in just 4.6 seconds and hit a top speed of 48.2 mph. — AJ > SPECIFICATIONS < LOA 24 ft., 5 in.

BEAM 8 ft., 6 in.

TUBE DIAMETER 25 in.

CAPACITY 13 people DRY WEIGHT 2,450 lbs.

FUEL CAPACITY 37 gal.

MAXIMUM HP 250 PRICE W/MERCURY V-8 FOURSTROKE 250 $77,981 TIME TO PLANE 2.0 sec.

0-30 MPH 4.6 sec.

PEAK 48.2 mph/5900 rpm/94 dBA CRUISE 37.2 mph/4500 rpm/89 dBA TOP 3 STANDARDS: Simrad G07 touchscreen chartplotter, extended swim platform, stainless steel ski tow

YOU CAN WATCH ALL OF THESE TESTS AT BOATINGWORLD.COM/VIDEOS

TOP 3 OPTIONS: Arch with high tow point, pop-up changing room, LED lighting BERKSHIREPONTOON.COM

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COACH 250 RE I

f the word Coach is on the side of a

a $2,107 upgrade over the Honda BF200 and will be a buyer’s easiest decision. Even with these upgrades, the price was $81,261.

The Coach 250 RE (Rear Entertainment) is the builder’s full-bar boat and has a large, artfully asymmetrical table surrounded by four sturdy barstools.

Lighted cupholders add to the nighttime ambiance and little touches such as a purse hook display great attention to detail. A J-lounge behind and to the side of the bar and two really long chaise lounges up front are all upholstered in passenger-pleasing Soft Touch. The seat bottoms have a scalloped contour and the two-tone upholstery adds some panache. Our boat’s options included a double Bimini top ($2,057) that can shade the entire boat,

lent performance, it’s a great match.

The Coach 250 RE we tested weighs 3,200 pounds and is rated for 15 people, so the BF250 is the way to go. It pushed the Coach on plane in 2.7 seconds and to 30 mph in 8 seconds flat. Its top speed of 38.8 mph will be plenty fast enough for all watersports. The in-tube ski locker is a pricey option at $1,724, but it’s needed. — AJ

LIGHTED CUPHOLDERS ADD TO THE AMBIANCE

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teak-look Infinity woven vinyl ($1,176), which gave E TEST it a more nautical look than the standard vinyl, and a raised LED-lighted helm station ($1,172).

Coach signed an exclusive agreement with Honda Marine to be its sole engine supplier, and while some buyers might find that restricting, it comes with a giant perk: a 10-year motor warranty that matches Coach’s 10-year Stem-toStern warranty. Along with Honda’s reputation for reliability and excel-

S

pontoon, no matter the model — we tested a Coach 250 PE ED RE — we know certain features are on board: a Simrad GO7 GPS/Fishfinder, a Rockford Fosgate premium stereo with at least four Bazooka Bass Tubes, a Gussi Italian sport wheel, Soft Touch upholstery, stainless steel cleats, a black Bimini top and a snapless boat cover. That’s a pretty impressive list of standards, which stems from the fact Coach doesn’t have a “price boat” in its fleet; there’s only one class, and it’s not coach. Ironic, right?

To reach its full performance potential, our 27-foot-long 250 RE test boat had the full triple-tube High Performance Package ($1,769) and a Honda BF250 motor, which is only

> SPECIFICATIONS < LOA 27 ft.

BEAM 8 ft., 6 in.

TUBE DIAMETER 25 in.

CAPACITY 15 people DRY WEIGHT 3,200 lbs.

FUEL CAPACITY 55 gal.

MAXIMUM HP 250 PRICE W/HONDA BF250 $81,261 TIME TO PLANE 2.7 sec.

0-30 MPH 8 sec.

PEAK 38.8 mph/6000 rpm/92 dBA CRUISE 29.0 mph/4500 rpm/86 dBA TOP 3 STANDARDS: Simrad GO7 chartplotter/fishfinder, ski tow, Rockford Fosgate Bluetooth stereo TOP 3 OPTIONS: Power assist steering, Deluxe Arch, Extreme Water Package COACHPONTOONS.COM

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PONTOON

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HARRIS SOLSTICE 240

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or 2019, Harris’ popular mid-level Solstice 240 has been updated

with many new features. The driver’s console has a modern, asymmetrical look, the wheel features an expensive-looking automotive style and a pair of retro-modern analog gauges are easy on the eyes. The Solstice 240 comes standard with a Humminbird Hook 24X depthfinder/fishfinder, but our test boat had an upgraded Simrad GO5 touchscreen that was linked to the boat’s new-gen Mercury V-6 Offshore 200 so it could display all aspects of engine performance. Buyers can further upgrade to include SmartCraft options such as ActiveTrim ($995). Harris will also rig Honda outboards.

Our test ’toon had the new-for-2019 HP III triple-tube package ($8,610), which allows the Solstice 240 to handle up to 400 hp. Just half that power seemed to push it fine, but 250 to 300 hp is probably the sweet spot for this boat. Even with 200 hp less than the max, the 240 got on plane in 3 seconds, reached 30 mph in 8.6 seconds and topped out at 42 mph.

The HP III tube setup pairs a 27-inch center tube that has two lifting strakes with 25-inch outer tubes that have lifting strakes on the inside only.

This combination simulates a V-hull and allows the pontoon to lean inward when carving a hard turn. The package also includes a 63-gallon fuel tank and a ski tow pylon or fixed bar. And this year, all triple-tube models get a standard centerline storage locker. Desirable options include an available Delta Tower ($6,345) with an extra-high tow point and a popup hoop ($525) set into the port chaise lounge, for privacy while changing out of wet swimsuits.

Harris pollsters’ customer research revealed customers felt the Solstice line’s monochromatic upholstery scheme

THE SOLSTICE 240 CAN HANDLE UP TO 400 HP

was a little bland, so for 2019 it was changed to a look that features high-contrast two-tone vinyl, contrasting stitching and a diamond pattern in the seatback inset. Our test boat featured the Single Lounger floor plan, which features a convertible seatback on part of it and a fixed backrest on its port side. Underneath is a huge storage area, which is perfect for skis, PFDs and even giant inflatable tubes. And for improved tunes, there’s a Platinum Package JL Audio upgrade, which features six speakers and twin subwoofers ($5,490). — AJ

> SPECIFICATIONS < LOA 25 ft., 6 in.

BEAM 8 ft., 6 in.

TUBE DIAMETER 25/27/25 in.

CAPACITY 16 people DRY WEIGHT 3,050 lbs.

FUEL CAPACITY 63 gal.

MAXIMUM HP 400 PRICE W/MERCURY V-6 200 W/DTS $79,255 TIME TO PLANE 3.0 sec.

0-30 MPH 8.6 sec.

PEAK 42 mph/5800 rpm/93 dBA CRUISE 30.7 mph/4500 rpm/89 dBA TOP 3 STANDARDS: In-floor ski locker, ski tow, Seagrass woven vinyl flooring

YOU CAN WATCH ALL OF THESE TESTS AT BOATINGWORLD.COM/VIDEOS

TOP 3 OPTIONS: Power Bimini top, JL Audio upgrade, powered SST ladder HARRISBOATS.COM

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QWEST LS 820 LANAI E D TEST E

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ots of builders make compact pontoon

boats, but none has taken the concept further than Qwest. In the 20-foot class, big manufacturers such as Sun Tracker (from Bass Pro Shops), Bennington and Lowe don’t even offer a triple-tube model with enough power for all watersports. But Qwest does. The LS 820 Lanai we tested came equipped with a Gen II triple-tube option ($6,750) that includes a stout aluminum ski tow cage, a rearview mirror, an aluminum underskin, a Power Arch and a 35-gallon fuel tank.

Powering our test boat was a Suzuki SF150 SS that featured a sporty matte black finish and bold graphics. The Suzuki delivered plenty of torque and put the Qwest on plane in 2.7 seconds. It reached 30 mph in 6.7 seconds and hit a top speed of 42 mph.

The LS 820 Lanai achieves great performance and fuel economy thanks in part to lightweight furniture whose seat bases are made from Dura-Lite, a PVC-based composite that’s lighter than roto-molded. It’s also equipped with slightly smaller and lighter 24-inch pontoons that offer plenty of flotation, even when carrying up to 11 people.

Qwest ups the luxe factor with high-backed furniture covered in 33-ounce Comfort Touch linen-textured vinyl, which will keep passengers from sticking to the seats on hot days. The seatback section has a pleated look, and the furniture backs are striped for a cabana-like motif.

With its Ultra Flow design, the storage underneath the seats gets plenty of ventilation.

The LS 820 Lanai is loaded with standard features. Its all-fiberglass driver’s

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> SPECIFICATIONS < LOA 20 ft., 4 in.

BEAM 8 ft.

TUBE DIAMETER 24 in.

CAPACITY 11 people DRY WEIGHT 2,395 lbs.

FUEL CAPACITY 35 gal.

MAXIMUM HP 150 PRICE W/SUZUKI SF150 SS $40,532 TIME TO PLANE 2.7 sec.

0-30 MPH 6.7 sec.

PEAK 42.0 mph/5900 rpm/92 dBA CRUISE 34.9 mph/4500 rpm/89 dBA TOP 3 STANDARDS: Bimini top, Diamond Seagrass flooring, Humminbird Helix 5 GPS/fishfinder TOP 3 OPTIONS: Gen II triple-tube package, trailer, rear Bimini extension QWESTPONTOONS.COM

console has a Humminbird Helix 5 color GPS/fishfinder and an Infinity PRV 315 Bluetooth stereo, and nearly half the boat can be bathed in shade by the 9-foot Sur-Last Bimini top. Qwest did away with carpeting years ago, so the standard flooring is Diamond Seagrass vinyl, which looks good and is easy to maintain.

Our test boat featured some well-chosen options, including the six-speaker stereo upgrade ($2,279), which comes with interior blue mood lighting and a washdown. One of the more clever options is a space-saving Refreshment Center ($850) set into the end of the portside layback lounge. The top section is a flipdown table that’s perfect for snack or beverage assembly, with built-in bottle storage, and below it is a pullout drawer that holds a portable cooler. — AJ

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SANPAN 2500 ELW

> SPECIFICATIONS < LOA 26 ft., 10 in.

BEAM 8 ft., 6 in.

TUBE DIAMETER 27 in.

CAPACITY 16 people DRY WEIGHT 3,573 lbs.

FUEL CAPACITY 45 gal.

MAXIMUM HP 350 PRICE W/YAMAHA F250 $104,080 TIME TO PLANE 2.5 sec.

0-30 MPH 5.5 sec.

PEAK 43.3 mph/6000 rpm/93 dBA CRUISE 30.0 mph/4500 rpm/87 dBA TOP 3 STANDARDS: Convertible stern lounge, Simrad G07 XSE touchscreen, wraparound windshield TOP 3 OPTIONS: Twin Garmin C-Zone 742xs displays, Polk 6-speaker stereo upgrade w/subwoofer, second boarding ladder GODFREYPONTOONBOATS.COM

S

anpan sits atop the

Godfrey Pontoon Boats lineup, so company designers make it clear Sanpan models are built as a no-compromise salute to luxury — as the 2500 ELW’s $104,008 price tag (when powered with a Yamaha F250) suggests.

The ELW in the model name stands for Elite Windshield, and its curved design looks like a pair of wraparound sunglasses.

The 2500 ELW can be optioned up to give it a more yacht-like feel. At the helm, for example, the driver can sit behind twin flushmounted Garmin C-Zone 742xs displays ($5,385) instead of the standard single Simrad G07 XSE touchscreen. Every function on the boat can be controlled on the two screens, eliminating many of the normal switches at the dash, and set outside the displays is a pair of multifunction gauges. One of the most clever features is the flush-mounted Night Cruise switch: press it and light up all the mood lighting on board. And if any guest would like a specific light shut off, that can be handled on the Garmin display. A Day Cruise button turns on all other functions used during daylight hours.

The 250 ELW’s most unique feature is a rear

lounge that has an electronically actuated backrest. Most of the backrests I’ve seen simply swing one way or another, but this one can accordion up in the middle to provide a backrest for passengers facing forward and backward at the same time.

It can also lie flat for sunning, and its flip-up, three-position backrest provides prone comfort.

The lounge resides within the fencing, so it can be used underway. The entire lounge can be lifted to reveal storage and battery access.

A large swim platform features a stainless steel boarding ladder that’s curved to create an angle to make it easier for swimmers to use. Up front are identical chaise lounges with comfortable backrests that feature the perfect angle of recline.

The 2500 ELW features triple oversized 27-inch tubes. They deliver better seakeeping in rough water and more flotation to better carry its capacity of up to 16 guests. Buyers can get this near27-footer with up to 350 hp, but our test boat’s Yamaha F250 gave it outstanding performance.

On plane in 2.5 seconds, it streaked to 30 mph in 5.5 seconds and romped to a top speed of 43.3 mph. — AJ

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PONTOON

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SOUTH BAY 224SB2

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ver the years, we’ve seen some over-

the-top South Bay pontoons — Brad Rowland’s 925CR with triple Mercury 300s reached 114 mph — but the pontoon builder from Elkhart, Ind., also knows how to build boats with a high relaxation quotient. The South Bay 224SB2 we tested is evidence of that.

The 200 Series is South Bay’s most affordable line, but the models have plenty of luxurious touches, including the unique SB2 stern lounge. Rear-facing stern lounges with flippable backrests are nothing new and are still among the hottest pontoon features, but this one different. Usually, passengers have a choice of sitting facing aft or forward, but thanks to a flip-up backrest built into the sunpad, guests can do both at the same time. And because the lounge in encircled by stainless steel rails, they can do it while the boat is running.

Our test boat featured the 3.0 Performance Package, which includes triple 25-inch tubes with lifting strakes, an upgraded transom, an aluminum underskin, SeaStar hydraulic steering and a 37-gallon fuel tank. The combination of features allows the 24-foot, 5-inch 224 to be powered by a maximum of 250 hp, but our boat was rigged with a Mercury 150 FourStroke, which is likely the minimum power anyone will get with this tube package.

The Merc’s great low-end torque pushed the 224 on plane in 2.3 seconds and to 30 mph in just 5.9 seconds. Wide-open throttle

> SPECIFICATIONS < LOA 24 ft., 5 in.

BEAM 8 ft., 6 in.

TUBE DIAMETER 25 in.

CAPACITY 14 people DRY WEIGHT 2,215 lbs.

FUEL CAPACITY 37 gal.

MAXIMUM HP 250 PRICE W/3.0 TUBES AND MERCURY 150 FOURSTROKE $57,786 TIME TO PLANE 2.3 sec.

0-30 MPH 5.9 sec.

PEAK 36.7 mph/6000 rpm/93 dBA CRUISE 27.0 mph/4500 rpm/88 dBA TOP 3 STANDARDS: 10-foot Bimini top, ski tow, one-piece V-Lite deck TOP 3 OPTIONS: Simrad color GPS/fishfinder, bow livewell, double Bimini top SOUTHBAYPONTOON.COM

produced a top speed of 36.7 mph. The 224SB2 with the 3.0 package and a Mercury 150 costs a budget-friendly $57,786.

A helm-forward design creates a huge amount of space in the rear for a roomy swim platform that on our boat had a standard stainless steel ski tow bar. Traffic can move freely on the open starboard side, since the lounge is oriented to port.

Chaise lounges in the bow and to the left of the driver are relatively short, and the stern bed is rather large, so this boat does well with a passenger load of 10 or less, even though it’s rated for 14 people. Buyers can upgrade to a little more attitude with the Deluxe Package ($3,974), which includes a premium Kicker Bluetooth stereo system, a furniture vinyl upgrade, full rail panels with the new design, aluminum corner pads, raised logos and tilt steering at the helm. — AJ

YOU CAN WATCH ALL OF THESE TESTS AT BOATINGWORLD.COM/VIDEOS

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STARCRAFT SLS 5 SP

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he best-selling pontoon in Starcraft’s lineup

just got more attractive for 2019 with the addition of the SP Appearance Package, which changes the look inside and out. The outside features white fence panels that are overlaid with silver anodized rails that have an orange upper stripe and a silver lower stripe. But the gray painted tubes might be the most unique feature. That theme is carried on board by gray furniture with orange panels and a Bimini top with the same color palette. Even the snap-in Marine Mat flooring gets the same orangeand-gray treatment. Buyers who opt out of the SP Package still get a choice of eight fencing colors with black rails.

One of the things that makes the SLS 5 so popular is its impressive performance. No two-tube, life-in-the-slow-lane package is available. Every SLS model includes the HMX Performance Package, which features drag-reducing aluminum underskin, triple tubes (a PR 25-inch center tube has specially placed Performance Strakes on both sides) and an integrated 60-gallon fuel tank. The outer tubes get Performance Strakes on the inside only, which gives it, as we discovered during our test, the ability to turn in a ridiculously tight radius while leaning inward like a runabout.

The HMX Package helps this near-26-footer perform well with less horsepower than its 300 hp max. Our test boat featured an Evinrude E-TEC G2 200 hp direct-injected two-stroke outboard that pushed it well. On plane in 2.7 seconds, the SLS 5 reached 30 mph in 8.2 seconds and hit a top speed of 37.3 mph.

The SLS 5 comes ready for watersports with a standard removable

> SPECIFICATIONS < LOA 25 ft., 10 in.

BEAM 8 ft., 6 in.

TUBE DIAMETER 25 in.

CAPACITY 14 people DRY WEIGHT 2,471 lbs.

FUEL CAPACITY 60 gal.

MAXIMUM HP 300 PRICE W/EVINRUDE E-TEC G2 200 HP $54,660 TIME TO PLANE 2.7 sec.

0-30 MPH 8.2 sec.

PEAK 37.3 mph/6000 rpm/95 dBA CRUISE 25.0 mph/4500 rpm/86 dBA TOP 3 STANDARDS: HMX Performance Package, 10-foot Bimini top, SeaStar hydraulic steering TOP 3 OPTIONS: PTS tube upgrade, watersports tower, Babbito underwater lighting STARCRAFTMARINE.COM

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ski pylon and Sea Weave flooring on the ample swim platform, which offers better grip. When the skiing and swimming are done, participants can change out of their wet suit in the standard changing hoop.

The same basic symmetrical layout — twin layback couches fore and aft and twin captain’s chairs — is used on all SLS (Sporty Lounger Series) models. This year, a portside console option has been added and the helm has been updated with a lower windshield, better gauge placement and space for buyers to add flush-mounted electronics such as a Lowrance HDS 7 GPS/fishfinder display. Only a few options are needed to take this pontoon to its max potential: a second cockpit table, in-floor ski storage and upgraded synthetic teak flooring. — AJ

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FISHING

2 01 9 B OAT B U Y E R’ S G U I D E

BULLET 21SST

YOU CAN WATCH ALL OF THESE TESTS AT BOATINGWORLD.COM/VIDEOS

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ost full-time bass pros who run a

Bullet boat use the 21XRS, which is 10 inches longer than the 21-foot-long 21SST I tested, but if speed is the top priority, the 21SST is the Bullet to get. I got a sneak peek at the Bullet 21SST at Mercury’s legendary Lake X, and with a 300R V-8 engine it reached a hat-peeling 103 mph. The boat I tested on Lake Lanier, near Atlanta, was the same but had a different member of Mercury’s 4.6L V-8 family: the ProXS 250.

The first hint to the Merc’s performance potential is its gruff growl on startup, the product of having one muffler rather than the standard two. And the ProXS 250 is no sheep in wolf’s clothing, as it pushed the 21SST to 84.4 mph. When I stomped the standard Hot Foot pedal, there was a fair amount of bowrise and it took a couple of seconds to hook up properly, but when it did it was like Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.

On plane in 3.6 seconds, it started to porpoise a little, but I just drove through it and the boat settled down in earnest and the needle started climbing fast.

Bullet not only makes sure its owners are the first to the fishing grounds but also gives anglers pro-level amenities such as a 40-gallon divided livewell that has a pumpout. At the bow is plenty of room for an arsenal of rods in port and centerline storage compartments.

The starboard box holds tackle boxes or life jackets, and a smaller day box is just in front of the helm. There’s no passenger console, so there’s room for two small storage compartments that can be used

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> SPECIFICATIONS < LOA 21 ft.

BEAM 7 ft., 7 in.

DEADRISE 22 degrees CAPACITY Not rated DRY WEIGHT (HULL ONLY) 1,300 lbs.

FUEL CAPACITY 35 gal.

MAXIMUM HP Not rated PRICE W/MERCURY PROXS 250 $72,950 TIME TO PLANE 3.6 sec.

0-30 MPH 7.0 sec.

PEAK 84.4 mph/6000 rpm/98 dBA CRUISE 47.8 mph/4000 rpm/88 dBA 3 TOP STANDARDS: Painted trailer, Hot Foot accelerator pedal, 12-inch jack plate 3 TOP OPTIONS: Oxygenator for the livewell, 36v MotorGuide trolling motor, auxiliary fuel tanks BULLETBOATS.COM

as step-ups to the front deck; one can be used as a cooler. The signature skinny Bullet bow section limits the real estate up front, but three anglers can fish the 21SST in comfort.

Twin spring-assisted SAS passenger seats are extra wide and provide a high degree of comfort, and the center “brother-in-law” seat is the lid for the cooler. The driver’s console is a low-profile model that necessitates the use of a Boatlogics bracket mounting system ($100) for displays up to 12 inches. At a relatively narrow 7 feet, 7 inches wide, the Kevlar-reinforced hull weighs only 1,300 pounds, which helps it get good fuel economy and attain its high speeds. And with 22 degrees of deadrise, it has a smoother ride in the chop than most bass boats. — AJ

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PRINCECRAFT SPORT 172

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he Sport 172 has been in Princecraft’s lineup for a few years, but

the Quebec-based boat builder keeps finding ways to make it even better. Its signature feature is a huge rear casting deck that can be flipped up to create seating for three passengers. Last year, it was a bench seat, but for model year 2019 three individual flip-up seatbacks give it even more versatility, and the entire assembly can now be removed if desired. And this year, instead of a carpeted casting deck, it’s easy-to-maintain vinyl. This compact boat is rated for seven passengers, and its six pedestal seat receivers in the cockpit, in addition to the transom seats, provide plenty of seating for everyone.

At only 17 feet, 5 inches long, the Sport 172 feels much bigger thanks to its high gunwale height and a full windshield whose wind protection will add at least a month to either end of boating season. A full enclosure with standup headroom is an option.

During testing on a blustery fall day a few hours north of Montreal, we found Princecraft’s claim that its boats contain a strong dose of Canadian DNA to be true. With 15 degrees of deadrise at the stern, it sliced through the chop nicely but remained stable at rest. And while the 172 is rated for up to 125 hp, the Mercury 90 FourStroke on our test boat provided plenty of punch. It got on plane in 2.8 seconds, reached 25 mph in 6.1 seconds and hit a top speed of 40 mph. Mercury offers the option of adding Active Trim, which automatically keeps the boat at the perfect trim.

THE MERCURY 90 FOURSTROKE PROVIDED PLENTY OF PUNCH

Anglers will love the twin 17-gallon SportFlo livewells fore and aft, and the Sport 172 features plenty of rod storage under the gunwales and in a lockable in-deck floor compartment. It’s rigged to accept an optional trolling motor and the forward battery compartment provides better weight distribution. At the helm, our test boat had the optional Lowrance Hook 7 fishfinder/GPS on a gimbal mount. Buyers can transform it from fishing boat to family runabout with a few options, including bowrider cushions and a tall removable ski-tow pylon. And for entertainment, buyers can choose a 160-watt Jenson or 200-watt Clarion stereo. With a Merc 90 and a galvanized trailer, the Sport 172 has a budget-friendly price of $27,112. — AJ

> SPECIFICATIONS < LOA 17 ft., 5 in.

BEAM 7 ft., 7 in.

DEADRISE 15 degrees CAPACITY 7 people DRY WEIGHT 1,377 lbs.

FUEL CAPACITY 24 gal.

MAXIMUM HP 125 PRICE W/MERCURY 90 FOURSTROKE $27,112 TIME TO PLANE 2.8 sec.

0-25 MPH 6.1 sec.

PEAK 40.0 mph/rpm (no tach)/92 dBA CRUISE 25 mph/rpm (no tach)/81 dBA 3 TOP STANDARDS: Galvanized trailer, twin 17-gal. livewells, transformable rear deck 3 TOP OPTIONS: Bowrider cushions, ski tow, 200-watt Clarion stereo

YOU CAN WATCH ALL OF THESE TESTS AT BOATINGWORLD.COM/VIDEOS

PRINCECRAFT.COM (A DIVISION OF BRUNSWICK)

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RANGER VS1660 S

ince Ranger’s splash into the aluminum boat

fishing seat. An extra one costs $399.

Made of fiberglass, the driver’s console is an homage to its Ranger DNA. The power lever’s placement on the console makes it a little awkward for driving, but it’s probably a smart place for it, since it frees up the gunwale area for a lockable storage locker that can hold Plano tackle boxes or life jackets.

Naturally, with a Mercury 50 FourStroke, it’s no speed demon, but it’s just right for smaller lakes and rivers. The trolling motor’s battery is in the forward deck, next to the huge 20-gallon livewell, so the VS1660 has no problem planing. There’s really not much bowrise; it pretty much rises in a level fashion as it planes in a leisurely time of five seconds and reaches 20

Kota Powerdrive 55 trolling motor, a Dual-Pro battery charger and maximum Mercury power. Ranger makes it easy to accessorize the VS1660 with a Lock-Track mounting system that allows temporary installation of items including rod holders, tables and downriggers. A dash-mounted Lowrance Hook2 4-inch fishfinder is standard, but buyers can upgrade that to a 7-inch Hook2 gimbalmount unit for $805. — AJ

THE DRIVER’S CONSOLE IS AN HOMAGE TO ITS RANGER DNA

D

mph in 9.1 seconds. I was surprised by the relatively fast top speed of 32 mph. Most 16-footers have a single six-gallon tank, but the VS1660 has room for two of them under the rear deck, which easily flips up E TEST for access.

Entry-level boats are typically devoid of extras, so they can reach an attractive nationally advertised price, but the VS1660 includes items such as a Ranger Trail trailer, a Minn

S

market in 2013, its aluminum line keeps expanding, and for 2019, the builder from Flippin, Ark., unveils its smallest model yet, the 16-foot-long Ranger VS1660. Typically, the smallest boat in the fleet is a “price boat” that’s designed to lure boaters into the family.

The VS1660 qualifies there with an MSRP of $18,995 — Ranger’s big bassin’ wagons such as the Z521L can approach six-figures with PE ED all the options — but it immediately defies the label in other ways.

The first indicator of a boat being entry level? Cheap seats. But the pedestal seats on the VS1660 are really nice and are clearly the product of Ranger’s vaunted in-house upholstery department. One of them can be repositioned to the bow as an at-rest

> SPECIFICATIONS < LOA 16 ft.

BEAM 7 ft., 5 in.

DEADRISE 8 degrees CAPACITY 3 people DRY WEIGHT 975 lbs.

FUEL CAPACITY 12 gal.

MAXIMUM HP 50 PRICE W/MERCURY 50 FOURSTROKE $18,995 TIME TO PLANE 5.0 sec.

0-20 MPH 9.1 sec.

PEAK 32 mph/5600 rpm/88 dBA CRUISE 25.1 mph/4500 rpm/82 dBA TOP 3 STANDARDS: True-Lock track system, Minn Kota Powerdrive 55 trolling motor, Ranger Trail trailer

YOU CAN WATCH ALL OF THESE TESTS AT BOATINGWORLD.COM/VIDEOS

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TOP 3 OPTIONS: Lowrance Hook2 7-inch GPS/fishfinder, vinyl foredeck, Minn Kota Ultrex 80 trolling motor RANGERBOATS.COM

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AXIS A24

S

> SPECIFICATIONS < LOA 24 ft., 5 in.

BEAM 8 ft., 6 in.

DEADRISE N/A CAPACITY 17 people DRY WEIGHT 5,250 lbs.

FUEL CAPACITY 76 gal.

MAXIMUM HP 450 PRICE W/PCM MONSOON 6.0L 409 $79,271 TIME TO PLANE 2.7 sec.

0-30 MPH 5.5 sec.

PEAK 34.1 mph/5600 rpm/96 dBA CRUISE 24.5 mph/4000 rpm/89 dBA TOP 3 STANDARDS: Soft Grip flooring, Skybox seating, triple hard-tank ballast TOP 3 OPTIONS: Surf Gate w/Surf Band, Surf Pipe exhaust, 3-outlet heater AXISWAKE.COM

ure, wakesurfing is the

hottest watersport going, but not everyone has $150,000 or more to purchase a purpose-built wakesurf/wakeboard boat. The folks at Malibu Boats realized this back in 2009 and started Axis Wake Research with the idea of giving wakeboarders a functional wake-plowing machine for a lot less than the going rate for a Malibu. The only downside was the boats were devoid of many of Malibu’s state-ofthe-art features — even as options. Fast forward a decade and the philosophy of keeping it affordable is the same, but now many of the high-tech surf and wave enhancements are attainable, as evidenced by the latest version of the Axis A24. The flagship of the builder’s picklefork line, this 24-footer comes with plenty of standard features but still lists for less than $80,000.

According to dealers who sell both brands, some buyers prefer the less complicated A24 dash, which is devoid of anything resembling a touchscreen. Instead, its analog gauges and soft keys allow operators to easily control boat functions. A driver can press one button to fill one of the four ballast tanks. To drain, she presses it again.

The A24 is no lightweight boat. Its dry weight is 5,250 pounds and its ballast max is 4,872 pounds, a combined total of more than five tons. And that’s not counting the 17 people the boat can carry. The designers saved money in other places, such as the simple Skybox seating (a stern bench that slides forward and has removable backrests) and a manual fold-down tower.

Buyers can still amp up the attitude with a $1,910 Wet Sounds stereo option that includes a subwoofer and tower speakers.

Available Malibu technology includes the new Power Wedge III ($3,367), which is 15 percent larger, simulates 1,500 pounds of ballast and assists a fully laden boat on plane; Surf Gate ($3,611), which consists of vertical tabs that redirect the flow of water to help create a giant, really clean wave; and Surf Band, which a surfer wears around his wrist and uses to control the Wedge, change the wave from left to right and dial in the perfect speed.

Standard power for the A24 is the PCM 409.

Our test boat was propped to push a heavy load, which limited its top speed to 34.1 mph, but it was a beast out of the hole, with a time to plane of 2.7 seconds and a time to 30 mph of 5.5 seconds. — AJ

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COBALT R7 SURF

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or years wakesurfing has been the fastest

growing watersport. At first, it was the exclusive domain of direct-drive ski boats; they get the job done but typically have a top speed of less than 40 mph. Conventional sterndrive boats have great performance but their exposed props behind the boat make surfing a no-go. Then came Volvo Penta’s Forward Drive. It allows boats such as the Cobalt R7 Surf we tested to produce a really long wave with lots of push, and it puts the props well under the hull.

Our test boat featured the 380 hp version of Volvo Penta’s 6.0L V-8, which can be pushed to 430 hp or demoted to 350 hp. Forward Drive’s twin forward-facing props provided plenty of bite and got the 27-and-a-half-footer on plane in 3.1 seconds. Especially impressive was its zero-to-30-mph time of 5.4 seconds, and it reached a top speed of 48.9 mph, which is not ski boat-like. A sharp 21 degrees of deadrise and an extended running surface gave it a smooth ride over choppy Table Rock Lake in Missouri.

Cobalt’s Easy Surf electronic control system makes it as simple as possible to go surfing. The driver can simply use the ballast sliders on the standard Garmin 7607 touchscreen display to fill the hard tanks with 1,225 pounds of ballast, and they fill on the move, so captain and crew can head to their surfing spot while the tanks ballast up. Then, to surf, simply select left or right and the Surf Tabs automatically deploy. They only work when the boat’s going 14 mph or less, so nobody can accidentally cause the big

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> SPECIFICATIONS < LOA 27 ft., 6 in.

BEAM 8 ft., 6 in.

DEADRISE 21 degrees CAPACITY 14 people DRY WEIGHT 5,850 lbs.

FUEL CAPACITY 78 gal.

MAXIMUM HP 430 PRICE W/VOLVO PENTA 6.0L 380 HP W/FORWARD DRIVE $180,431 TIME TO PLANE 3.1 sec.

0-30 MPH 5.4 sec.

PEAK 48.9 mph/6000 rpm/94 dBA CRUISE 37.8 mph/4500 rpm/82 dBA TOP 3 STANDARDS: Wakesports arch, Flip Down Swim Step, Garmin 7607 TOP 3 OPTIONS: Trailer, stereo upgrade w/tower and transom speakers, dinette table COBALTBOATS.COM

tabs to engage, which could cause a loss of control. With the tanks full, the boat can get on plane quickly if the driver selects the Performance Mode tab, which puts both tabs down.

Cobalt is a super-premium brand, so the R7 Surf’s MSRP is $180,431 with the Volvo Penta 380 hp sterndrive, but that’s not out of line when it’s compared to MasterCraft’s smaller X26, which carries a $171,430 price tag. The R7 Surf is loaded with standard features, including a Flip Down Swim Step, a premium six-speaker stereo and a stainless steel/aluminum watersports tower with a Sunshade, but buyers can customize it with an extensive list of options. At the top of that list are an electronic porcelain head ($2,278), a transom shower ($681) and wakeboard racks (1,781). — AJ

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MALIBU 24 MXZ

M

alibu continues to improve the 24

MXZ, its biggest picklefork surf- and wakeboat. New this year is Power Wedge III ($4,040), which is 15 percent larger than last year and simulates 1,500 pounds of ballast to help build a really long surf wave with a tremendous amount of push. Power Wedge III’s two lift modes help with holeshot, and it retracts automatically when the boat’s on plane.

The 5,500-pound Wake Plus hull uses the MaxBallast system of twin L-shaped hard tanks and two plug-n-play bags to create a maximum of 4,830 pounds of ballast. Then, add up to 18 people and include Surf Gate ($4,642) — vertical side gates — to create a crisp wall of water. Included with Surf Gate is Surf Band, a watch-like device the surfer wears on her wrist to control surf direction (left or right), the Power Wedge III and boat speed. The driver can concentrate on driving and leave the wave tweaking to the surfer. An option called Surf Pipe ($858) puts the exhaust far down into the water, so it comes up well behind the surfer.

New are flip-down boarding steps ($1,150) on both sides of the cockpit. Passengers can board without stepping on the new-for-2019 upholstery, which was Sepia Brown on our test boat. Spectators aboard the 24 MXZ will appreciate the Wake View convertible rear-facing bench seat and the flip-up, rear-facing backrests ($1,042) on the lounges. But maybe the best rear-facing seats are in the pickle­ fork bow; when it’s filled in with playpen cushions, three people can recline and watch the show. Another new optional feature is a power

lift helm seat ($925) that offers drivers of all heights ideal visibility during surfing or cruising. The MaliView touchscreen tilts, so any driver can choose the best viewing angle.

Docking direct-drive boats can be difficult, but Malibu makes it easier with a notoften-seen bow thruster option ($12,500). An Indmar Monsoon 450 6.2L HO engine — the 450 refers to its max torque rating, which is the most important measurable — is standard power for the 24 MXZ. It offered instant power and pushed the heavy hull on plane in 2.6 seconds and to 30 mph in a very quick 5.1 seconds.

Our test boat’s top speed of just 36.2 mph probably reflected the choice of a power prop — better suited for heavy loads — over a speed prop. — AJ

MALIBU MAKES DOCKING EASIER WITH A BOW THRUSTER OPTION

> SPECIFICATIONS < LOA 24 ft., 5 in.

BEAM 8 ft., 6 in.

DEADRISE N/A CAPACITY 18 people DRY WEIGHT 5,500 lbs.

FUEL CAPACITY 78 gal.

MAXIMUM HP 510 PRICE W/INDMAR 6.2L 450 HO $140,449 TIME TO PLANE 2.6 sec.

0-30 MPH 5.1 sec.

PEAK 36.2 mph/5600 rpm/97 dBA CRUISE 25.4 mph/4000 rpm/90 dBA TOP 3 STANDARDS: Wakesports tower, MaliView 12-inch touchscreen, Gorilla Fins

YOU CAN WATCH ALL OF THESE TESTS AT BOATINGWORLD.COM/VIDEOS

TOP 3 OPTIONS: Soft Grip flooring, Surf Gate, Power Wedge III MALIBUBOATS.COM

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MASTERCRAFT XT22

YOU CAN WATCH ALL OF THESE TESTS AT BOATINGWORLD.COM/VIDEOS

M

asterCraft introduced the surf/wake-

board/slalom-capable XT22 last year and already the builder is tweaking the boat to make it even better. An all-new interior look features a dark tan Odessa vinyl, which is reminiscent of the interior of a luxury sports car, and a helm that includes more analog gauges and a new 7-inch touchscreen. Set off to the side but high enough for easy reading, the MFD allows the driver to control everything on the boat, including ballast setup and the stereo. MasterCraft is the only ski-boat builder to use Klipsch stereos, and this year the sound got even better with an Audio Zone Control System from KMSU1, which allows users to adjust the volume in every zone to create the perfect mix.

MasterCraft takes an à la carte approach to outfitting its boats, so owners have a number of options. The base price is $103,170, and buyers start by choosing items such as the tower, which on our boat was the mid-priced ZFT4 manual tower ($4,500). Then come the ingredients to cook up heavy surf and wakeboard launch ramps.

MasterCraft’s Gen 2 Surf System ($7,220) isn’t a one-size-fits-all system but is customized for each model in the lineup. In addition to a wake-friendly hull shape and computer software, the 22-footlong XT22 packs 2,700 pounds of ballast in four tanks to go with its 4,900-pound hull weight — a total of 7,600 pounds of heft before 16 people pile on board. Last, the wave-shaping devices consist of two outer tabs and a center plate that’s part of the Auto Launch system, which creates four zones of surf waves and helps conserve fuel.

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> SPECIFICATIONS < LOA 22 ft., 4 in.

BEAM 8 ft., 6 in.

DEADRISE N/A CAPACITY 16 people DRY WEIGHT 4,900 lbs.

FUEL CAPACITY 65 gal.

MAXIMUM HP 430 PRICE W/ILMOR 5000 MPI $103,170 TIME TO PLANE 3.5 sec.

0-30 MPH 7.8 sec.

PEAK 38.4 mph/5400 rpm/94 dBA CRUISE 23.2 mph/3500 rpm/84 dBA TOP 3 STANDARDS: Reversible seating, Zero Off cruise control, ZFT2 Tower TOP 3 OPTIONS: ZFT7 Tower, Gen 2 Surf System, DockStar MASTERCRAFT.COM

Direct-drive ski boats are notoriously difficult to dock for boaters used to more conventional boats, so MasterCraft created DockStar ($3,250). It places a pair of rudders in front of the prop that work with the main rudder behind the prop to not only improve directional control in reverse but also underway.

Our test boat had a standard Ilmor 5000 MPI engine that gave it plenty of plowing power.

Time to plane depends on the configuration in use. Without any mechanical assist, the XT22 got on plane in 3.5 seconds and exhibited a fair amount of bowrise. With the center tab down, the boat planed in 3.0 seconds with vastly reduced bowrise. With all three tabs deployed, the boat simply rose up and off we went. Top speed was 38.4 mph. — AJ

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T

he big news this year for the Scarab 255

Open ID, which debuted last year, is the availability of twin Rotax 1630 ACE 300 hp engines. The 1.7L powerplant features a larger supercharger and intercooler than the Rotax 250s we tested last year but retains a compact profile that allows the stern to be used as passenger space.

Even with four people on board during our test, performance was exhilarating. On plane in 2.6 seconds, the 255 Open ID reached 30 mph in 5.3 seconds and topped out at 58.5 mph — 4.2 mph faster than during last year’s test, even with two more people on board. Despite all this power, acceleration is not too abrupt for pulling skiers, as the power flows on smoothly. The standard power package is twin non-supercharged 150s, but this is one of those situations where owners should go for the max, even though going from 300 hp to 600 hp raises the starting price by $12,213, to an MSRP of $75,823.

The signature feature of the 255 Open ID is its dropdown stern tailgate, which gently lowers to create a great place for hanging out at rest and extends the boat from 25 to 27 feet. The boat is well suited for watersports, including wakesurfing, since its jet-drive propulsion system doesn’t have external props.

The Surf Stream Wake Enhancement System option uses a pair of scoops to redirect water flow. Additional ballast is only available on the 255 ID model, but this model’s 13-person capacity means passengers can help it plow

THE BOAT IS WELL SUITED FOR WATERSPORTS

> SPECIFICATIONS < LOA 25 ft.

BEAM 8 ft., 4 in.

DEADRISE 20 degrees CAPACITY 13 people DRY WEIGHT 3,800 lbs.

FUEL CAPACITY 56 gal.

MAXIMUM HP 600 PRICE W/TWIN ROTAX 300 HP $75,823 TIME TO PLANE 2.6 sec.

0-30 MPH 5.3 sec.

PEAK 58.5 mph/7400 rpm/99 dBA CRUISE 41.3 mph/6000 rpm/95 dBA TOP 3 STANDARDS: Twin-axle trailer, dropdown tailgate, T-top w/tow point TOP 3 OPTIONS: Touch Screen Command Center, tailgate ladder, pumpout portable toilet SCARABJETBOATS.COM

PE

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SCARAB 255 OPEN ID

E D TEST E

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J ET B OAT

up a decent wake. If watersports are on the agenda, the Digital Speed Control package ($907) is a musthave option. It includes cruise control for dialing in the perfect skiing speed and controls the rate of acceleration.

Other features include Eco Mode, which delivers maximum range, and Docking Mode for better low-speed handling.

The Scarab 255 Open ID is a turnkey package that includes a custom tandem trailer, but there are plenty of options available for customization. For a buyer to get the items he wants, he should select one of the bundles, such as the Fishing Package ($2,060), which comes with twin fishing seats, a baitwell, four rod holders and a stainless steel wheel. To boost the entertainment factor, the Premium Sound System ($2,167) upgrades the stereo to Kicker speakers inside and outside the cockpit, a pair of amps, a transom remote and a subwoofer. — AJ

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YAMAHA 190 FSH SPORT

A

ll the 19-footers in Yamaha’s 2019

lineup have been totally reimagined and have grown by three inches in length and two inches in width.

While that might not seem like much, the roomier interior is readily noticeable on the 190 FSH Sport. It’s now much easier to walk around the center console, which is important for a boat that’s optimized for fishing, and pads on the inside of the gunwales cushion anglers’ legs. The hull itself has also been reconfigured to be more comfortable in choppy water.

Major changes to the T-top include the addition of new grab handles that make it easier to hang on when cruising, support bars that have been made flatter to reduce their profile, four rocket launcher rod holders and grommets in the fabric that allow vertical rod storage for six rods on the side of the console. Add the six in-gunwale holders and altogether there are 16 places to store rods on this boat. Two new pods hold Plano tackle boxes.

In addition to more passenger space, improvements have been made to the seating. New easy-to-remove and easy-to-stow backrests adorn the stern jumpseats that flank the leaning post, which itself has a sturdy flip-flop seatback. In front of the console is a doublewide seat, and the whole front of the console can be raised to reveal a popup changing room that can hold a portable toilet.

The 190 FSH Sport is rated for eight passengers, and the last two can sit on the thick, removable pad on the forward casting deck.

> SPECIFICATIONS < LOA 19 ft., 5 in.

BEAM 8 ft., 2 in.

DEADRISE 18 degrees CAPACITY 8 people DRY WEIGHT 2,575 lbs.

FUEL CAPACITY 30 gal.

MAXIMUM HP N/A PRICE W/1.8L JET ENGINE $34,899 TIME TO PLANE 4.4 sec.

0-30 MPH 9.5 sec.

PEAK 40.4 mph/7600 rpm/100 dBA CRUISE 28.0 mph/6500 rpm/93 dBA TOP 3 STANDARDS: Trailer, T-top w/ rocket launchers, 25-gal. livewell TOP 3 OPTIONS: Galvanized trailer, aftermarket GPS/fishfinder, rod holder-mounted bait table YAMAHABOATS.COM

Of course, at rest, the two-tiered stern lounging area makes a great place to hang out on or to fish from. And this year, an additional rear storage compartment holds a deluxe five-gallon bucket.

Power for the 190 FSH Sport comes from a single 1.8L jet-propulsed engine that features a new V-shaped reverse bucket that, along with a redesigned Articulating Keel, makes it far easier to back up. The helm includes a 4.3-inch Connext color touchscreen that makes it easy for the driver to control and monitor all onboard functions.

The new hull reduced bowrise during our test and helped the 190 FSH Sport get on plane in 4.4 seconds and to 30 mph in 9.5 seconds. Top speed was 40.4 mph. Despite the many upgrades, Yamaha kept the price at a low $34,899, which includes a custom trailer. — AJ

THE NEW HULL REDUCED BOWRISE DURING OUR TEST

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YAMAHA EXR WAVERUNNER

E D TEST E

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PWC

YOU CAN WATCH ALL OF THESE TESTS AT BOATINGWORLD.COM/VIDEOS

R

ec-Lite is a relatively new category of

personal watercraft and is used to describe sleds that are smaller and less expensive than a full-sized PWC. But while the price might be right, a lack of performance can be a turnoff for adrenaline-seekers.

Yamaha is blowing up that deficiency with the introduction of its new EXR. How did its engineers do it? First, they used Yamaha’s NanoXcel 2 technology, which is stronger and lighter than fiberglass, for the deck and hull.

Previously only used on higher-end models, NanoXcel 2 reduced the EXR’s weight to 540 pounds, which is 60 pounds less than the EX Deluxe. Then, they boosted the 1049 CC TR-1 engine by 10 percent and created the TR-1 High Output, which cranks out about 110 hp. The result is a WaveRunner with some attitude: a 0-30 mph time of 2.4 seconds and a top speed of 54 mph.

Rec-Lite is usually the code phrase for a lack of high-end features. And while the EXR’s dash setup is pretty basic and it lacks Connext or electronic trim, it does have RiDE with Traction Control, which gives the operator the ability to shift into reverse by pulling the left-hand counterpart to the throttle. It can be used to brake in emergency situations and it delivers control dockside. The EXR always starts in neutral for safety.

At 124 inches — 8 inches shorter than the VX hull — the EXR is relatively short, but that helps it achieve nimble handling. And it’s remarkably stable.

When we were shooting video, I did figure-8s in one spot for the camera, and it handled the resulting chopped up water in a very predictable manner.

Its price is a budget-friendly $9,299, and buyers get plenty of extras, including a large two-tone padded rear deck and a reboarding ladder. NanoXcel

> SPECIFICATIONS < LOA 10 ft., 6 in.

BEAM 3 ft., 9 in.

DEADRISE N/A CAPACITY 3 people DRY WEIGHT 540 lbs.

FUEL CAPACITY 13.2 gal.

MAXIMUM HP 110 PRICE W/TR-1 HIGH OUTPUT $9,299 TIME TO PLANE 1 sec.

0-30 MPH 2.4 sec.

PEAK 54.0 mph/8000 rpm TOP 3 STANDARDS: RiDE electronic forward and reverse, ski tow hook, reboarding ladder TOP 3 OPTIONS: Bluetooth speakers, cellphone case, side-entry PFD YAMAHAWAVERUNNERS.COM

THE EXR IS RELATIVELY SHORT, BUT THAT HELPS IT ACHIEVE NIMBLE HANDLING 2 creates a dense surface that really shines — all the better to show off its bold Azure Blue and Lime Yellow finish. It has a 13.2-gallon fuel tank, which is large by Rec-Lite standards, for plenty of range. Storage capacity is 7.7 gallons, which is quite a bit less than the larger, similarly priced VX’s 24.6 gallons of storage. One of the few options is a pair of wireless Bluetooth speakers ($299), to add a soundtrack to the ride. — AJ

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introduction 2018 2019 boat Buyer’s Guide BOWRIDER/SPORTBOATS DECKBOATS PONTOONS FISHING GEAR, ACCESSORIES AND SERVICES SERVICES

Formula 400 Super Sport Crossover

The 400 Super Sport Crossover combines Formula’s confident deep-V FAS3TECH multi-step hull performance and quad outboards with versatile open bow and cabin Crossover elements. The 400 SSC centers on the full-height windshield and coupe top design that encloses the entire width of the cockpit, moving beyond the confines of a center console’s narrow, pilothouse tradition. Cabin accommodations offer amenities that are unprecedented in an open bow design, including convertible dinette/ sleeping berth, aft stateroom bed, stand-up private head compartment and entertainment galley.

Specifications • Length: 40'0" (12.19 m) • Maximum Beam: 12'0" (3.66 m) • Approximate Weight: 23,700 lbs (11,340 kgs) • Fuel Capacity: 400 gal (1514 L) • Water Capacity: 56 gal (212 L) Formula Boats 2200 W Monroe Street, Decatur, IN 46733 Tel 260-724-9111 www.formulaboats.com

Scarab 255 ID You’ve just landed on the biggest, baddest, and boldest of the Scarab jet boat lineup: the 255. She’s well-known for extreme wake sports and lively parties, yet reserves herself for endless comfortable cruising. The bow is loaded for comfort and features plush hand-stitched upholstery with deep storage and optional fill-ins to maximize the art of lounging around. Boaters will fall in love with U-shaped seating within the cockpit, a full walkthrough, and convertible backrests that make relaxing off the stern effortless. For convenience, a large changing room, with optional head, found to port is an excellent asset for on water rest breaks and additional storage needs. Available in the well-equipped G series and the fully-customizable ID series, we brag about the 255—for a good reason— her dynamic versatility and exhilarating performance serve up an infinite stream of the purest adrenaline rushes in the business.

2019 2018 BOAT BUYER’S GUIDE GUIDE

Specifications Length: 25' 0" Beam: 8' 4" Approx. Dry Weight: 3660 lbs Fuel: 56 gal Capacity: 13 persons Scarab Jet Boats 925 Frisbie Street, Cadillac, MI 49601 231-775-1351 Contact email: boating@scarabboats.com scarabjetboats.com

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Starcraft SCX 211 Surf If you’re craving speed, comfort, and convenience, look no further than the Starcraft SCX. The innovative series of crossovers combines runabout performance with deckboat spaciousness. The SCX IO and OB series includes 14 models ranging from 20 to 25 feet, all featuring Starcraft’s exclusive dihedral vee hull and pickle-fork bow designs – eliminating almost all rocking and providing an incredibly stable ride as well as a sizeable bow area. For 2019, Starcraft is excited to announce an enhanced line-up of the industry’s first surfable deckboats with the addition of the SCX 211 Surf and the Starstep Surf Series. The SCX 211 Surf is the perfect platform for surfers of all skill levels and offers the surf features you crave. Adjustable surf tabs, Volvo Penta’s forward drive propulsion, zero off GPS speed control, and over 1300 lbs. of ballast combine to provide endless wave of fun.

2019 boat Buyer’s Guide

Specifications • Length: 20' 4" • Beam: 102" • Weight: 2,532 lbs • Capacity: 12 Starcraft Marine P.O. Box 65, New Paris, IN 46553 Tel 866-772-4538 www.starcraftmarine.com

Splendor Boats 239 SunStar Splendor Boats 239 SunStar, the outboard configuration of their ever popular 240 SunStar is sleek and stylish and just as capable as its sterndrive counterpart. Offering a large deck space with a capacity for up to 12 adults, an oversized head compartment complete with a standard portable toilet and custom installed options of your choice, the 239 SunStar offers all of the essentials needed for a day of fun on the water, but that’s just the start. So, what makes this boat different from the rest? How about the full planing catamaran hull that offers a very stable, smooth ride and only drafts 12" of water. Pair those features with the 239 SunStar’s standard 225 horsepower Suzuki outboard and you have a combination of class and power that no one can compete with.

2019 BOAT BUYER’S GUIDE

Specifications • Length: 24' • Beam: 8' 4" • Weight: 3,700 lbs (w. motor) • Capacity: 12 people / 2,400 lbs • Base Price: $55,440.00 Splendor Boats, LLC 9526 S State Road 15 · Silver Lake, In 46982 800-359-7915 www.splendorboats.com

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Four Winns HD 220 The HD 220 comes complete with everything you desire when on the water. This 22-foot deck boat includes a luxurious interior designed with hand-stitched upholstery, an abundance of storage capability, and deluxe seating arrangements. From hinged bow seating, comfort ride bucket seats with flip-up bolsters, and cockpit reed flooring to a swim platform lounge, fully-enclosed changing room, and an optional tower with canvas everyone will feel comfortable on board. A sporty RS exterior and interior package is available for anyone desiring a refined, sporty look out of their boat while the Surf Package is ready for when you call for a wake with superior push.

A standard, factory trailer also accompanies the HD 220 making it the perfect choice for your next beautiful ride. Choose between sterndrive, outboard or forward drive power and let the HD 220 deliver an unforgettable boating experience.

Specifications • Length: 22' 1" • Beam: 8' 5" • Approx. boat & engine weight: 4170 lbs • Fuel: 44 gal • Capacity: 12 persons Four Winns Boats 925 Frisbie Street, Cadillac, MI 49601 231-775-1351 Contact email: boating@fourwinns.com fourwinns.com

Stingray 216CC Deck Boat The 216CC is the 4th center console in our deck boat line. Whether fisherman or family, this boat offers a little something for everyone. The first thing you will notice is rod holders — twelve are standard, not including the moldedin rod storage in the gunnels. Add the optional t-top for eight more. Bow cushions can be removed and the rear seats folded down for stern casting platforms. A bow fishing seat and pedestal is optional. At the helm is a leaning post, 74-quart Engel cooler, real tempered glass windshield, and a large flat space for a 3rd party electronic display. A 14-gallon stern live well is standard, and the front cooler can be upgraded to a second live well. A trolling motor mount and harness are optional. The optional raw water washdown, along with a self-bailing cockpit and optional seagrass flooring, makes cleanup a breeze. For families, the 10-person layout allows easy movement about the boat. Storage is abundant throughout, plus multiple coolers and adequate cup holders. The changing compartment can be upgraded to a head compartment.

2019 BOAT BUYER’S GUIDE

Specifications • LOA: 21' 8" • Beam: 101" • Avg Dry Weight: 3,150 lbs • Fuel Capacity: 57 gal • Max Capacity: 10 people / 3,050 lbs Stingray Boats 625 Railroad Ave., P.O. Box 669, Hartsville, SC 29551 (843) 383-4507 boatsales@stingrayboats.com www.stingrayboats.com

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Glastron GTD 205 The GTD 205 is exactly what boaters have been waiting for. This great model offers superior running capability and features an interior with volumes of seating and storage for the whole family. The GTD 205 comes in three distinct deck configurations; single console, dual console with windscreens, and dual console with full windshield, and leaves space for up to 11 passengers to lounge comfortably. You will admire widened floor plans that significantly improve cockpit maneuverability, removable backrests for additional seating, and an available tower for added versatility.

A multi-purpose side entry is to port, while Glastron’s signature gauge bezels, switches, and carbon fiber paneling radiate superiority from the helm. Make it a #GlastronSummer within the GTD 205 and its standard trailer; or fall in love with its sister—the GTD 200 with outboard power!

2019 boat Buyer’s Guide

Specifications Length: 20' 4" Beam: 8' 6" Approx. boat & engine weight: 3800 lbs Fuel: 40 gal Capacity: 11 persons Glastron Boats 925 Frisbie Street, Cadillac, MI 49601 231-775-1351 Contact email: boating@glastron.com glastron.com

Stingray 201DS Deck Boat If you love the open feel of a deck boat, but like your boat to have a full windshield, you shouldn’t have to choose. The 201DS Deck Boat gives you all the interior room and storage space of our 192SC and the added full wrap-around windshield provides a nice shield from the wind while underway. This version gives you two sport bucket seats with bolsters (the 201DC gives you a rear-facing passenger lounge). Deep cockpit and bow areas provide extra safety and security for your passengers. Behind the captain is a solid-surface countertop with a sink and faucet. A mix of dual console deck boat and traditional runabout seating works together to give you a roomy boat with seating for up to 10 passengers. Contact your dealer to see more and to schedule a test ride.

2019 BOAT BUYER’S GUIDE

Specifications • LOA: 20' 1" • Beam: 100" • Avg Dry Weight: 2,800 lbs (w/ 115 hp engine) • Fuel Capacity: 46 gal • Max Capacity: 10 people / 2,225 lbs Stingray Boats 625 Railroad Ave., P.O. Box 669, Hartsville, SC 29551 (843) 383-4507 boatsales@stingrayboats.com www.stingrayboats.com

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Hurricane SunDeck 187 OB Hurricane Boats has been around since 1974, and with its maturity comes great innovation and heritage to be the leading deckboat manufacturer in the industry. The SunDeck 187 OB is your everyday deckboat, featuring the elegant windshield, with a sleek exterior design. Along with the very popular SunDeck 187 OB, is the SunDeck Sport 188 OB. With a sporty look, the SunDeck Sport 188 OB is your go-to boat for water sport activities, or a day out on the water with family. With ample stern space and plenty of room in the bow to be ahead of the action, these boats are capable of countless days on the water, and endless tales of entertaining night cruises with your loved ones. Right now, until February 28, 2019, receive all time low prices on the SunDeck 187 OB and SunDeck Sport 188 OB. Base boat and 115 Yamaha motor, does not include trailer, freight, options, or rigging.

Specifications • Length: 18' 10" • Person Capacity: 10 • Dry Weight: 2,450 • Max HP: 200 • Fuel Capacity: 36 gal Hurricane Boats info@hurricaneboats.com www.hurricaneboats.com

Harris Solstice DC 250 The Solstice Dual Console (DC) feels more like a runabout than a traditional pontoon. With its sport windshield, 23' and 25' lengths, multiple performance packages and floorplans, you will be able to customize a boat to fit your needs. The windshield and removable wind-dam door help protect passengers from the elements. Left open it allows for easy movement throughout the boat.

The dual helm seats offer flexible seating options. Turned forwards the passenger seat becomes the ideal position for co-piloting. Swivel it aft and it becomes the perfect perch for the spotter. The power-fold EVO tower with tow point ensures capability for plenty of activities to spot for.

With both fore and aft facing loungers, those less apt to take part in watersports have somewhere to sit back and relax.

Whatever the activity, the Solstice DC is sure to accommodate!

2019 BOAT BUYER’S GUIDE

Specifications • Length: 27' 2" • Beam: 8' 6" • Weight: 3,779 lbs • Capacity: 14 people Harris Boats 1111 N. Hadley Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46804 www.harrisboats.com

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Starcraft MX 25 C DC For more than a century, Starcraft has championed quality, innovation, and comfort in every model it puts on the water. With 59 models for 2019 ranging from 18 to 26 feet, Starcraft pontoons offer a range of innovative and industry leading features. In the 2019 model line-up is the new MX 25 C DC, which features a rear lounge that easily converts into the ultimate conversation area. The MX series comes packed with premium features like, plush soft touch furniture, an extended deck, and an ergonomic fiberglass console with a high back helm chair. Or check out the new EX series with updated furniture, exterior design, full height panel and high end floor covering options. Every Starcraft is backed by our unbeatable Lifetime +6 Warranty, giving you peace of mind. Contact your closest dealer today to find the boat you have been dreaming about.

Specifications • Length: 26' 10" • Beam: 102" • Weight: 2,542 lbs • Capacity: 14

2019 boat Buyer’s Guide

Starcraft Marine P.O. Box 65, New Paris, IN 46553 Tel 866-772-4538 www.starcraftmarine.com

Sylvan M5 LZ Sylvan has been making waves in the pontoon industry for multiple decades. With patented Revolutionary Planing Technology (RPT) tubes, Sylvan has changed everything about 2-tube pontoon performance. The exclusive V-shaped tube design slices through the water with sports car handling and runabout exhilaration, along with providing increased top speed per horsepower and dramatically improved fuel efficiency.

Designed with exclusive high end amenities and performance the M-Series is primed for luxury. With exclusive innovative standards such as the new convertible lounge arm galley, raised front bow for better performance, new SPX third tube with performance strakes, ultra-soft touch vinyl, and the most dynamic helm station in the market! In total, Sylvan offers models ranging from 18’ to 26’, and these pontoon boats are made for hours of play on the water. All backed by Sylvan’s Lifetime +6 Warranty.

No matter which Sylvan you choose, you’ll be part of the revolution in pontoon performance.

2019 BOAT BUYER’S GUIDE

Specifications • Length: 26' 10" • Beam: 102" • Weight: 4,150 lbs • Capacity: 14 people Sylvan Marine P.O. Box 65, New Paris, IN 46553 Tel 866-766-9698 www.sylvanmarine.com

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Princecraft Vectra 25 RL The Vectra 25 RL is part of the Vectra pontoon boat Series comprised of 12 models. Designed mostly for water sport lovers and warm afternoons spent swimming and catching rays, this pontoon boat has it all: 160-watt AM/FM/Bluetooth Jensen Stereo with 4 waterproof speakers, 2 chaise lounges, plenty of storage, 32’’ port side gate, and 4 chromed cleats. Now have a look at the back! A huge rear sundeck with a 2-position seat and a large table, a swim platform, and a stern boarding ladder. Two captain seats come standard on the boat, but you can switch the passenger captain seat into a flip flop seat (with a cooler) as an option. Choose a few options from the list, such as a stainless steel waterski tow bar, a pop-up privacy enclosure, a camper enclosure; choose your outboard engine (ranging from 40 to 200 HP), your configuration, and you’ll be more than ready for a whole day of fun on the water. And at a price like that, you can stop dreaming about an affordable pontoon – you’ve found it!

Specifications • Length: 25' 8" • Beam: 8' 5" (2.6 m) • Approximate Boat Weight: 2,009 lb • Fuel Capacity: 110 L / 29 U.S. gal • Persons and Total Persons Weight: 12 and 1,635 lb • Max Weight Capacity: 2,297 lb Princecraft Boats 800.395.8858 princecraft.com

Angler Qwest Pro Troll Deluxe Angler Qwest Troll and Pro Troll series utilize quality equipment to better your fishing experience. Every weld, seam, and part of Troll and Pro Troll boats are made to handle waves that send most anglers back to port.

We don’t suggest staying out when your weather app has the red stuff all over the radar—but if you get caught off guard, we have a floating insurance policy.

Pro Troll Features include, State of the Art Fiberglass Center Console · Voltage Sensing Relay (VSR) · Fiberglass “Leaning Post Style” Captains Seat Station with: Cabinet Door with (2) Tackle Drawers & Plier/ Knife Holders · Cabinet Door with (4) Tackle Trays & Plier/ Knife Holders · Heavy Duty Aluminum Radar Arch with: Exclusive Binary Rear Wall System with: (2) 72" Traxstech Accessory Tracks · High Pressure Washdown System · 8'x7' Front Bimini Top with 4' Rear Arch Extension · Riser Trim with “Angler Qwest” Logo.

2019 BOAT BUYER’S GUIDE

Specifications • Overall Length: 25' 8" • Maximum horsepower: 300 • Maximum Person Capacity: 13 people • Maximum Weight Capacity: 1,875 lbs • Approximate Dry Weight: 2,745 lbs Apex Marine, Inc. 300 Woodside Drive, St. Louis, Michigan 48880 Tel: 989-681-4300 Fax: 989-681-4333 www.qwestpontoons.com

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Qwest Avanti 825 Executive Lanai DS Bar Built for an experience you and your guests will never forget, the Avanti Lanai Series offers high end furnishings, luxurious upholstery and a layout for all your family activities. The rear facing “Lanai” bench is the perfect spot for lounging at the sandbar while the rear deck has ample space for water sports and swimming. The interior boasts large front lounge seats and two rear bars accompanied by four reclining high back captain’s seats. Luxury comes standard in the Avanti series with an extensive list of features including an Infinity 6 speaker stereo system, a GPS color fish finder, and Interior blue LED lighting. Check out our website and discover your Qwest today.

2019 boat Buyer’s Guide

Specifications • Overall Length: 25' 4" • Maximum Horsepower: Up to 250 HP with Triple Tube Package • Maximum Person Capacity: 12 people • Maximum Weight Capacity: 1,625 lbs • Approximate Dry Weight: 2,155 lbs Apex, Inc. 989-681-4300 www.qwestpontoons.com

SunChaser Eclipse 8525 Entertainer Loaded with great features, reliable construction, and our Lifetime +6 warranty, SunChaser gives you the peace of mind that you deserve when looking for a family value pontoon. With 43 models ranging from performance, cruising, and fishing, SunChaser has something for everyone.

The new Eclipse 8525 Entertainer features a port bar that is a perfect entertainment area, while still providing ample lounge seating so all your friends and family can get in on the fun. Other significant features for the Eclipse include plush soft touch furniture and an executive helm station on a raised platform. Or check out the new Geneva Series that allows the customer to customize by choosing from 3 interior colors, 8 panel colors, and 5 accent colors. Plus, take your SunChaser to the next level, by upgrading to the optional X-Treme PR25 performance package that gives you a full length center tube, X-treme performance strakes, 60 gallon gas tank, and a ski pylon. Contact your local SunChaser dealer today and find the perfect boat for your family.

2019 BOAT BUYER’S GUIDE

Specifications • Length: 24' 9" • Beam: 102" • Weight: 2,425 lbs • Capacity: 13 SunChaser P.O. Box 65, New Paris, IN 46553 Tel 888-797-9023 www.sunchaserboats.com

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Ranger Reata® Pontoon 220FC The Ranger® Reata® 220FC boasts a capable size and the ideal layout for both casting and cruising. Dedicated space for relaxation melds perfectly into a rear deck that’s tailor-made for fishing and features clever, ample storage with angler-centric amenities such as a livewell, rod holders, optional trolling motor battery storage and fishing seats inspired by our premium fiberglass bass boats. When the bite slows down, head to one of the bow’s plush lounges to unwind and take in the lake. Soft, durable flooring and an abundance of storage ensure that you’re prepared for anything and always leave the dock without compromising.

Specifications • Length: 24' 2" • Person Capacity: 10 • Dry Weight: 2,120 • Max HP: 150 • Fuel Capacity: 32 gal Ranger Boats P.O. Box 179, Highway 178 North, Flippin, AR 72634 (800) 373-BOAT (2628) www.rangerboats.com

Tahoe LTZ The beautiful LTZ Pontoon has the luxurious design and rigid structure you expect from an Avalon deco inspired model.

Avalon’s clearly distinct, deco 4 wall design and unique accents give this boat high end looks at an affordable price.

The retro looks of the Cadet driver's stand, with torpedo shaped gauge bezels and chrome brows, harkens back to the muscle car days and provides a fun driving experience.

Complete your experience with the powerful Millenia Bluetooth stereo, & speakers, tilt steering and 12 volt receptacle.

All furnishings are mounted on lifetime warranted aluminum lifetime seat frames with no wood or plastic components.

LTZ is also built with the industry’s finest construction. The chassis boasts extended rear deck platforms with vinyl decking and stainless steel ladder for easy access to the water.

2019 BOAT BUYER’S GUIDE

Specifications • Length: 24' • Width: 8.5' • Dry Weight: 2,050 lbs • Max Weight: 2,260 lbs • Max Engine HP: 125 Tahoe Pontoons 903 Michigan Ave., Alma, MI 48801 (800) 334-2913 www.tahoepontoons.com

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Avalon Catalina Avalon Catalina provides the luxury and beauty of Avalon’s deco design with the custom features you desire. This popular Signature series model offers Avalon’s sleek, clearly distinct, Deco 3 wall design with stainless accent and retro logo oval. The fiberglass sculpted helmstand features storage trays, greywood dash, full gauge cluster, and a powerful infinity Bluetooth stereo & speakers. The driver will enjoy the soft pillow top reclining commander chair that slides and swivels for maximum comfort. The plush interior is made with the industry’s thickest Matrix 50 soft touch vinyl and features designer suspension seating that never bottoms out and remains comfortable all day. All furnishings are mounted on lifetime warranted aluminum seat frames with no wood or plastic components.

2019 boat Buyer’s Guide

Specifications • Length: 23' 3" • Width: 8.5' • Dry Weight: 2,150 lbs • Max Weight Capacity: 2,150 lbs • Max Engine HP: 125 Avalon Pontoons 903 Michigan Ave., Alma, MI 48801 (800) 334-2913 www.avalonpontoons.com

Godfrey Sweetwater 2286 FS Godfrey makes boats for every family, every lifestyle and every body of water. Built to last with over 140 different layouts for your personal preference, and admirable brand heritage, the possibilities are endless and so worth it with a Godfrey pontoon. This year Godfrey brought innovation to the fishing market. The Sweetwater fish models speak to not only the fishing connoisseurs in the family, but to each family member with the ample space provided to relax and entertain. The fiberglass fish prep station is top of the line. A few key features include the 16.5 gal aerated livewell center, rod holders, Plano box storage, sink with transom shower faucet, USB port and 12 volt plug. The amount of seating in the bow is enough for the whole family to join on the fishing extravaganza, and don’t forget about the two fish seats in the stern with two gates to follow the fish wherever they may lead you. When you choose your Godfrey pontoon, you will feel proud to be part of such a legacy in the boating community.

2019 BOAT BUYER’S GUIDE

Specifications • Length: 22' 10" • Dry Weight: 2083 • Person Capacity: 12 in 25" 2-tube (13 – 25" TT) (14 - 27" TT) • Max HP: 150 for 25" 2-tube (200 – 25" TT) (250 - 27" TT) • Fuel Capacity: 30 gal Godfrey Pontoon Boats info@godfreypontoonboats.com www.godfreypontoonboats.com

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Barletta E-Class Pontoon Boats Affectionately referred to as the “little brother” to the Barletta L-Class, the E-Class (Elite) is offered at a price-point one step lower than the L-Class while maintaining much of the same DNA. More standards, simple yet refined options, comfort, quality and excellent customer experience... all the hallmarks of a pontoon boat built by Barletta. Featuring V.I.P. (Vibration Isolation Pads) Technology and a patent-pending underdeck structure, dealers and customers alike are raving about the smoothest, quietest ride in the industry. You’ll find premium furniture, and standards including a tube-tow watersports bar, power bimini top, snapless playpen cover, and Yeti-Ready cupholders. We also have integrated pet food and water dishes for your furry family members.

In everything we do, we ask ourselves, “How can we make your Barletta experience better?” Visit our website to hear our story and see why Barletta is one of the new leaders in the marine industry.

Barletta Pontoon Boats www.barlettapontoonboats.com 574-825-8900 inquiry@barlettaboats.com

Barletta L-Class Pontoon Boats Barletta is building pontoon boats that are changing the industry…and the Barletta L-Class (Luxury) was the pontoon boat that started it all in January of 2018. The Barletta L25UC received the 2018 NMMA Innovation Award for most innovative boat in the pontoon boat division. Featuring V.I.P. (Vibration Isolation Pads) Technology and a patent-pending underdeck structure, dealers and customers alike are raving about the smoothest, quietest ride in the industry. Barletta L-Class pontoon boats offer the most standards in the industry, and just the right amount of options, to make your buying experience easy and enjoyable from start to finish. You’ll find the most comfortable furniture in the industry, and luxurious standards including the sleek automotive-style helm station with tons of legroom, a premium sound system, power bimini top, snapless playpen cover, and Yeti-Ready cupholders. We also have integrated pet food and water dishes for your furry family members.

2019 BOAT BUYER’S GUIDE

In everything we do, we ask ourselves, “How can we make your Barletta experience better?” Visit our website to hear our story and see why Barletta is one of the new leaders in the marine industry.

Barletta Pontoon Boats www.barlettapontoonboats.com 574-825-8900 inquiry@barlettaboats.com

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Manitou Legacy At Manitou, our passion is to deliver the highest-performing, best-quality pontoon boats in the industry, and Legacy — our top-of-the-line aluminum offering — exceptionally delivers. Its quality classic construction will have you appreciating the fine details and craftsmanship in every inch.

Unlike other pontoons that charge extra for added features, the Legacy comes standard with all the bells and whistles — including premium plush upholstery and a reclining high-back helm chair — so you can have the perfectly appointed pontoon boat. Every Legacy comes standard with our SHP hull so be ready to experience the superior ride and handling of V-ToonTM Technology. Visit www.manitoupontoonboats.com to find out more.

2019 boat Buyer’s Guide

Manitou Boats www.manitoupontoonboats.com 800-999-9788 manitou@manitouboats.com

Yamaha 19 FT Series The newly redesigned 19 FT Series from Yamaha provides all the benefits of a premium boat at an entry-level price. With a deck that is 2" wider and 3" longer, Yamaha engineers have reimagined passenger flow from bow to stern to create the most spacious, most comfortable experience ever in a 19' family runabout. A new area aft of the captain’s chair provides seating with extra leg room, a storage area for the cooler, and a table mount.

Spin the captain’s chair around and the cockpit transforms into the perfect entertaining area. Along with the table, cooler and sound system, Yamaha’s 4.3" Connext® touchscreen control system is now included standard with all 2019 19-foot models. And under the waterline the longer, wider hull is designed for added comfort to reduce bow rise when accelerating and smoother operating in choppy water. See the all-new 19-foot series at www.yamahaboats.com.

2019 BOAT BUYER’S GUIDE

Specifications • Length: 19' 5" • Beam: 8' 2" • Dry Weight: 2,434 lbs • Fuel Capacity: 40 gal • Seating Capacity: 8 people/ 1,600 lbs Yamaha WaterCraft 1270 Chastain Road, Kennesaw, GA 30144 www.yamahaboats.com

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introduction 2019 boat Buyer’s Guide BOWRIDER/SPORTBOATS DECKBOATS PONTOONS FISHING GEAR, ACCESSORIES AND SERVICES

Cutwater 24 Dual Console Cutwater Boats’ sporty new offering is just as comfortable blasting around the lake with the kids in tow, as it is gliding along the shoreline for a sunset cruise. Designed and built to be a master of multiple functions, the C-24 DC provides exceptional versatility. Whether you’re fishing, enjoying watersports, sightseeing, or entertaining guests, the new C-24 DC opens up a new world of exciting possibilities. Powered by a Yamaha 250, she is fast, efficient and fun. Patented laminar flow interrupters provide smooth positive cornering and her deep V forward and double stepped hull gets on plane quickly. The private head with marine toilet and sink is roomy, comfortable, and bright thanks to the fogged overhead skylight. Standard features include refrigerator, aft beverage cooler, rod holders, locking rod storage, fishbox, large under-seat cooler, retractable ski pylon, pop up stainless cleats, abundant drink holders, and Garmin GPSMAP942xs MFD. Options include bow thruster, livewell, Bimini or hard top, electric grill and more.

Specifications • Length: (LOA): 29' 2" • Beam: 8' 6" • Weight w/outboard (Dry): 4,400 lbs • Fuel Capacity: 116 gal • Water: 26 gal Cutwater Boats www.cutwaterboats.com 800-349-7198

Aspen 32CC Aspen Power Catamaran’s new Outboard Series expands their patented PROA catamaran line. They offer different configurations using outboard power based on their popular 28' and 32' models, some with cabins, and others with new open-air designs. The all new Aspen 32CC (center console) provides boaters with the versatility, open seating, and fishability inherent to center consoles but with the seaworthiness and efficiency of a PROA cat. The advanced design incorporates two different sized Outboard motors proportional to each hull size running simultaneously for improved top speeds. A 200HP on the main hull to starboard is paired with a 70HP on the smaller portside PROA hull. Initial testing shows top speeds of over 30mph and modest fuel burn in the 8GPH range at 20mph. Plenty of on deck seating, a step-down cabin with head, and queen berth provide accommodations not found in most Center Consoles of this size.

2019 BOAT BUYER’S GUIDE

Aspen Power Catamaran www.aspenpowercatamarans.com 360-668-4347

BOATINGWORLD.COM JANUARY 2019

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GEAR, ACCESSORIES & SERVICES FISHING PONTOONS DECKBOATS BOWRIDER/SPORTBOATS

introduction

Honda Marine and Honda BF200, BF225 and BF250 V6 Outboard Motors Honda Marine, a division of American Honda Motor Co., Inc., markets a complete range of marine outboard motors—a product line powered exclusively by four-stroke engines.

Honda Marine pioneered four-stroke engine technology and has been designing and building four-stroke outboard motors for more than 50 years, setting the benchmark for fuel efficiency, quiet operation and low emissions. With models ranging from 2.3 to 250 horsepower, the Honda Marine lineup meets the rigorous California Air Resources Board (CARB) 3-star standards, enabling availability and regulatory compliance in all 50 states.

2019 boat Buyer’s Guide

The redesigned and refreshed Honda BF200, BF225 and BF250 V6 outboard motors mark the newest evolution in the company’s products, integrating innovative design, a sleek new style, enhanced corrosion resistance, streamlined maintenance and an expanded number of rigging options.

Whether boaters are weekend cruisers or commercial users, these V6 motors deliver what every marine enthusiast wants—maximum time on the water.

Suzuki DF350A A Revolution In Innovation. Suzuki Marine, a leader in 4-stroke outboard technology and performance, is proud to introduce its newest model, the DF350A. At 350 horsepower, this V6 4-stroke is the largest, most powerful outboard Suzuki has built to date. The DF350A was the winner of the 2017 IBEX Innovation Award, and is Suzuki’s ninth Innovation Award winning outboard.

“We took the time and effort to build an award-winning new outboard that really matches the trend towards bigger boats,” said Gus Blakely, Vice President of marine sales for Suzuki Motor of America, Inc. “Suzuki can now deliver the power, performance and ease of use today’s boat buyers are asking for.”

2019 BOAT BUYER’S GUIDE

For detailed information and complete technical specifications, please visit www.suzukimarine.com.

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introduction 2019 boat Buyer’s Guide BOWRIDER/SPORTBOATS DECKBOATS PONTOONS FISHING GEAR, ACCESSORIES AND SERVICES

Swim Platforms Inc. Swim Platforms Inc. is the world leader in aftermarket swim platforms.

We have shipped thousands of our swim platforms to satisfied customers worldwide. Swim Platforms have been consistently providing boaters with superior products and outstanding customer service.

Our production staff is carefully selected craftsmen that are top in their field and maintain the highest quality standards. Our sales and customer service department is unsurpassed, as we are a customer satisfactionoriented company.

Once you order one of our swim platforms, you will enjoy all the benefits of having the extended space on your boat.

Visit our website and see our many offerings. Beat the Spring Rush, Order Now. Swim Platforms Inc. (602) 431-8225 www.swimplatforms.com

Got An Old Boat?

Donate It Today!

Boat Angel 800-227-2643 www.boatangel.com

2019 BOAT BUYER’S GUIDE

BOATINGWORLD.COM JANUARY 2019

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GEAR, ACCESSORIES & SERVICES FISHING PONTOONS DECKBOATS BOWRIDER/SPORTBOATS

introduction

Six10 Thickened Epoxy Adhesive

2019 boat Buyer’s Guide

The West System Fiberglass Boat Repair Kit has everything you need to repair cracks and scrapes, gelcoat blisters, loose hardware, delaminated decks and panels, damaged keels and holes up to 1” diameter in solid laminates up to 1/4” thick, and smaller holes in thicker laminates. Each Fiberglass Boat Repair Kit contains eight packets of West System 105 Resin and 205 Fast Hardener, fiberglass fabric, adhesive filler, fairing filler, glue brushes, mixing pots, a reusable mixing stick, an application syringe, three pairs of protective gloves and illustrated instructions for completing a variety of common fiberglass repairs. All components are contained in a sturdy, resealable package that can be easily stowed aboard your boat.

Six10® Thickened Epoxy Adhesive combines the strength and reliability and excellent physical properties of a two-part West System epoxy with point-and-shoot convenience. The self-metering coaxial cartridge dispenses a gap-filling structural epoxy that bonds tenaciously to wood, metals, fiberglass and concrete. The tube comes with a static mixer that lets you lay down a bead of thickened epoxy with any standard caulking gun. Six10’s shear thinning properties make it “thinner” as it’s worked. It can be easily tooled into a non-sagging fillet or used to wet out light to moderate reinforcing fabrics like fiberglass. The hardener provides a long open time but has fast thru-cure. Six10 stays workable in the static mixer for 42 minutes, making it practical for long or complicated assemblies.

Each tube of Six10 comes equipped with a static mixing wand. Additional static mixing wands are available in sets of two or twelve.

100 Patterson Ave. , P.O. Box 665, Bay City, MI 48707-0665 Toll free 866-937-8797 / 989-684-7286 www.westsystem.com

100 Patterson Ave. , P.O. Box 665, Bay City, MI 48707-0665 Toll free 866-937-8797 / 989-684-7286 www.westsystem.com

Fiberglass Boat Repair Kit

H A S YOUR DOG

Enter Your Dog Now

WIN THIS

2019 BOAT BUYER’S GUIDE

Ecstar Suzuki Genuine Oil Suzuki Marine is continually developing state of the art technology to produce the ultimate 4-Stroke outboards. The benefits of this innovation now extend beyond the engine to the development of a new highperformance engine oil: Ecstar V7000 semi-synthetic marine engine oil.

Ecstar Marine engine oil uses a high-quality, low sulfur content base oil that reduces ash buildup for increased durability. The high viscosity index in this base oil is also a major contributor to maximizing fuel efficiency.

When combined with select high-quality additives that inhibit engine corrosion, the product is the best performing marine oil Suzuki has ever offered.

ESCSTAR www.suzukimarine.com

84

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. *Shown is our current prize, a CWB Dog Vest valued at $24.95.

Prizes are subject to change.

JANUARY 2019 BOATINGWORLD.COM

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12/4/18 12:51 PM

Splendor FP.qxp_Layout 1 12/4/17 10:49 AM Page 1

Splendor: 239 SunStar Splendor Boats 239 SunStar, the outboard configuration of their ever popular 240 SunStar is sleek and stylish and just as capable as its sterndrive counterpart. Offering a large deck space with a capacity for up to 12 adults, an oversized head compartment complete with a standard portable toilet and custom installed options of your choice, the 239 SunStar offers all of the essentials needed for a day of fun on the water, but that’s just the start. So, what makes this boat different from the rest? How about the full planning catamaran hull that offers a very stable, smooth ride and only drafts 12" of water. Pair those features with the 239 SunStar’s standard 225 horsepower Suzuki outboard and you have a combination of class and power that no one can compete with.

www.splendorboats.com│260.352.2835│Silver Lake, Indiana

C A LL 949/660 - 6150

Got An Old Boat?

DONATE IT TODAY!

advertiser index 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

SERVICES

Apex Marine (989) 681-4300......................CV4

Boat Angel (800) 227-2643...........................86

Aspen Power Catamarans (360) 668-4347............................................24

GEICO Insurance (800) 865-4846................39

Avalon Pontoons (800) 334-2913................. 35

marketplace

Call Us At 800-227-2643 www.boatangel.com

Barletta Boat Company (574) 825-8900..... 21

BUYER’S GUIDE

Cutwater Boats (800) 349-7198.................... 28

Apex Marine (989) 681-4300.................. 75, 76

Formula Boats (260) 724-9111.......................... 3

Aspen Power Catamarans (360) 668-4347.............................................81

Godfrey Marine (574) 522-8381............... 13, 29 Harris (260) 432-4555...................................... 15 Manitou Pontoon Boats (517) 322-3822...... 25 Princecraft Boats Inc. (800) 395-8858.........19 Ranger Boats (800) 373-2628....................... 27 Rec Boat Holdings/Four Winns, Glastron, Scarab (231) 775-1351..................... 41, 43, 45 SmokerCraft, Inc./Starcraft (866) 719-7873.....................................5, 9, 86

Avalon Pontoons (800) 334-2913................. 78 Barletta Boat Company (574) 825-8900............................................ 79 Boat Angel (800) 227-2643........................... 83 Cutwater Boats (800) 349-7198.....................81 ECSTAR................................................................84 Formula Boats (260) 724-9111........................69 GEICO Insurance (800) 865-4846

Splendor Boats (260) 352-2835.................... 85

Godfrey Marine (574) 522-8381.............. 73, 78

Stingray (843) 383-4507................................. 23

Harris (260) 432-4555..................................... 73

Tahoe Pontoons (800) 334-2913.....................11

Honda Marine..................................................... 82

Yamaha WaterCraft (800) 962-7926.............. 1

Manitou Pontoon Boats (517) 322-3822......80 Princecraft Boats Inc. (800) 395-8858........ 75 Ranger Boats (800) 373-2628....................... 77

ENGINES Suzuki Marine (800) 247-4704................... CV3 Honda Marine.................................................. CV2

Rec Boat Holdings/Four Winns, Glastron, Scarab (231) 775-1351..................... 69, 71, 72 SmokerCraft, Inc./Starcraft (866) 719-7873................................ 70, 74, 76 Splendor Boats (260) 352-2835....................70

EVENTS

Stingray (843) 383-4507........................... 71, 72

Los Angeles Boat Show (949) 757-5959.........................................16-17

Suzuki Marine (800) 247-4704...................... 82 Swim Platforms (602) 431-8225.................... 83 Tahoe Pontoons (800) 334-2913................... 77

GEAR & ACCESSORIES ECSTAR................................................................ 33

West System Inc. / Gougeon Brothers, Inc. (989) 684-7286.............................................84 Yamaha WaterCraft (800) 962-7926...........80

Harbor Freight Tools (800) 423-2567......... 87 NuShield, Inc (215) 500-6426.........................86 West System Inc. / Gougeon Brothers, Inc. (989) 684-7286.............................................20

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12/5/18 8:07 AM

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hft_boatingworld_0119_M-REG162502.indd 1

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11/19/18 9:08 AM

Reader Contest

Rick Martin illustration

Name the Boat

SPONSORED BY

See the winning entry and the best of the rest from the September/October contest on page 8.

Well, I guess our aquatic vandal is finished here. Send us your name for our boat. If it wins, we will give you a Theory kneeboard and Proline EVA rope combo, valued at $330, from Connelly, and your name will appear in the March 2019 issue of Boating World.

Win This!

YOURS FREE

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The first person to submit the best boat name will receive a Theory kneeboard and a Proline EVA wake/ski/kneeboard rope combo, valued at $330, from Connelly (connellyskis.com).

How to enter: We’ll reprint the cartoon with the winning boat name in the March 2018 issue. Submissions are due by January 14.

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

A plush kneepad and padded Velcro strap provide

include your full name, address and phone number, along with

a comfortable ride on the sleek Theory board, and

your entry. Duncan McIntosh Co. and Connelly employees and

a front handle hook makes it easy for newbies to

their families are prohibited from entering. Prizewinners are

start. The Proline rope combo has a soft EVA grip

responsible for any applicable taxes. Decisions of the judges and

on a floating handle and 75 feet of poly-e rope.

the editor are final.

BOATINGWORLD.COM

12/4/18 2:40 PM

ULTIMATE

PERFORMANCE FAST? OF COURSE. BUT YOU’VE ALSO GOT TO HAVE FORCE, AGILITY, RESPONSIVENESS – AND NO FEAR. WE BUILD OUTBOARDS TO HANDLE THE BIG LIFT. We describe performance the way you might describe a fighter. When a world class boxer plants his right foot for a jab, he’s setting up a complex series of motions designed to maximize his strength and his weight. The resulting momentum delivers a blow far beyond the sum of the parts. Our approach to performance is like that.

We use innovative materials and simplify components and systems to deliver a power-to-weight ratio that assures top speed and acceleration.

Lightweight components magnify the power generated by our large displacement engines. Fuel injection and integrated electronics take full advantage of precise timing and ambient conditions. Mechanical efficiencies eliminate wasted effort and provide quick recovery. So yes, you go faster, quicker, like an eagle, like a shark, like a fist.

Big block Suzuki outboards deliver more torque. Our approach to performance is multi-dimensional, starting with the dimensions of our engines.

PERFOR M A N CE

Our Inline 4s and V6s rely on an advanced network of sensors to precisely control timing and fuel delivery so you get the most power from every stroke.

Remember, drinking and driving don’t mix. Always wear a USCG-Approved life jacket and read your owner’s manual.

Suzuki, the Suzuki S and model names are Suzuki trademarks or ®. © 2018 Suzuki Motor of America, Inc.

Performance_PG_WIP.indd 1

11/26/18 2:47 PM

GREAT

STORIES BEGIN WITH A

989.681.4300 | QWESTPONTOONS.COM | FIND US @ QWEST PONTOONS

| APEX MARINE, INC. | 300 WOODSIDE DR., ST. LOUIS, MI 48880