February 2018 - Boating World Magazine

T HI SI S S UEOFB OA T I NGWOR L DI SS P ONS OR E DB Y

T HEB E S TB R A NDS .

T HEB E S TB OA T S .

V I S I TT HE BE S T BOA T BRANDS .

C OM F ORMOR EI NF OR MA T I ON

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210 FSH®

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YA M A H A B OAT S . C O M

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contents

FEB RUA RY 2018

MAGAZINE

VOLUME XXXIV NUMBER 2

departments Editor’s Letter Make 2018 a year for family on the water p. 4

Currents Bits from the boating world p. 8

Trailering Get the right tow vehicle p. 16

Watersports The right line makes all the difference p. 18

Fishing 5 must-have lures Engines Yamaha F25

p. 22

p. 24

DIY Install a monitoring system p. 26

Ask the Experts Our panel of experts answers your questions p. 28

Gear The latest accessories, gadgets and electronics p. 32 Bonehead Blunders

pg. 54

Mistakes no boater should make

features

p. 34

Bet You Don’t Know Deckboats Could it be

Havana via Avalon Why be the first people to

time for a boat that’s all decked out? Only if you want to have fun, fun and more fun. p. 48 BY LENNY RUDOW

go to Cuba in a pontoon? Why not? p. 54

Contest: Name the Boat Win a $240 Boating

BY JIM WOLF

Starter Kit from Connelly p. 64

boats tested

SunChaser Geneva 22 LR DH Sport The Geneva series is all about matching lifestyle and pontoon at an affordable price.

Wellcraft 202 Fisherman

Manitou 25 Legacy LT

This 20-footer feels like a much bigger center console.

The new Manitou flagship is destined to become a modern classic.

Bayliner Element E21 Simplicity and fun are the intangibles that define the E21.

• FEBRUARY 2 • 2 FEBRUARY 2018 2018 BOATINGWORLD.COM BOATINGWORLD.COM

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editor’s letter

BY A L A N J O N E S

THE BOATING WORLD TEAM RESPONDS: In anticipation of Valentine’s Day, Cupid is getting all of his arrows’ shafts engraved. What sentiment should he put on them?

The Boating Connection

I

N LATE DECEMBER MY 94-YEAR-OLD father, Glenmore,

came to Florida for a month-long trip from his old Kentucky home. He dropped by my house in Jacksonville and we sat and talked. The subject of boating came up and he began reminiscing about the great trips we’ve taken together and how much they’ve meant to him.

Among the most memorable? The trip we took from Knoxville to Iuka, Miss., down the Tennessee River, and the time we joined the Boat-A-Cade — a central Florida group that’s been taking boating trips en masse since 1950 — for half of a lap around Florida. As he talked, two things dawned on me: One, our best times together have been afloat, and two, we haven’t gone on nearly as many trips as we should have.

Actually, a third thing occurred to me. Dad may have been hinting we are long overdue for our next adventure.

While it might seem funny to some people, considering I tested almost 100 boats last year, I did very little boating for the fun of it. Most of the time I was holding a notebook, scratching words that I would look at later and say, “What the heck does ‘gd fbrd, nds mo cphlds’ mean?” While chatting with dad, I realized my new New Year’s resolution was to go out and do what got me hooked on boating in the first place: head out with no agenda other than to have fun. Tops on the list is to get dad tethered to an angry bull redfish.

Exploring new places is one of boating’s greatest pleasures, and in 2017 I finally got to cruise the Lower Colorado River

on a PWC, though I missed checking Lake Havasu off my bucket list by a few miles (scheduling issues). Many boaters ply the same waters for decades, which can get a little monotonous, so if you have already broken a vow to quit or start something in 2018, add “boating in a new place” to your list.

Winter is a great time to start planning. Today, you can sit down at a computer and gather information in hours that previously took months.

In addition to conducting a Google search of a dream destination, go to googleearth. com, which is essentially a flyover of any destination in the world. Plus, with today’s electronics, you can literally go anywhere, turn on the display screen and safely navigate any new body of water. No excuses should be the takeaway here.

There is no better way to bond with family than to go boating. The last thing anyone wants is to regret not having done it more. Some people think the accumulation of things is a yardstick for success, but in reality it’s the number of memorable experiences one gathers that determines who leads the richer life. BW

PUBLISHER Duncan McIntosh Jr. No waiting, order now while supplies last ASSOC. EDITOR/PUBLISHER Jeff Fleming Love hurts EXECUTIVE EDITOR Alan Jones She got the mine, you got the shaft MANAGING EDITOR Mike Werling The secret to long love is…HA! ASSISTANT EDITOR Stephanie Shibata Luv(sic) ART DIRECTOR Julie Hogan Now show him the ankle monitor PRODUCTION Mary Monge Marry for money CIRCULATION MGR. Rick Avila I was drunk CIRCULATION ASSISTANTS

Emily Wells Horneff No refunds Dustin Nguyen Cupid in training ADVERTISING SALES & MARKETING

Call (949) 660-6150 REGIONAL SALES MANAGERS

Annabelle Zabala Another one bites the dust Felice Lineberry 10th time’s a charm!

MARKETPLACE SALES MGR. Jon Sorenson Cheer up…there’s always Viagra!

AD COORDINATORS

Jennifer Chen Just settle Lacee Garcia Single Pringle 4ever TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR Dave Kelsen Sucker DIGITAL DIRECTOR Bryan Sheehy I love you more than bacon 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 39 • NO. 2 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 M AG A Z I N E 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 © 2018, all rights reserved. PERMISSIONS: MMaterial AG A Z I Nin E this publication may not be reproduced in any form without written permission.

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M AG A Z I N E

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Keep the whole crew happy.

Oh they’ll be smiling all right. After all, what’s not to love about a SunChaser? It’s the perfect pontoon for fishing, cruising, or just dropping anchor and practicing cannonballs. We know you never want to get off the pontoon, and with a full fiberglass console, rounded bow, recessed cup holders, and a changing room on board you might not have to. So c’mon dad. See your dealer for a test spin.

Now look who’s smiling.

To see all of our fine Smoker Craft Inc. products, visit thebestboatbrands.com

currents

BY STEPH A N I E S H I BATA

L E A D B O AT > B O S T O N W H A L E R 17 0 M O N TA U K

VINTAGE

& MODERN

Boston Whaler reintroduces an iconic model for its 60th anniversary model year.

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S A LT Y D O G

This month’s winner: CASH

Enter Your Dog Now

WIN THIS Dog Vest



OWNERS:

Pat & Debbie Scotella HOMETOWN:

Harrison Township, MI

W

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 numbe

ith one eye looking toward the future and the other looking to the past, Boston Whaler decided to celebrate its 60th anniversary by creating modern editions of its iconic Montauk models. Introduced at the Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show, the Montauk 170’s classic look will have boaters recalling their youth on whatever bay or lake they were fortunate enough to call home, but its modern features might steal the spotlight.

Simply laid out with a center console that has a doublewide helm seat and a cooler seat (or a pedestal fishing seat) forward of it, twin jumpseats aft (a bench is an option), and a casting deck (or sun lounge) forward, the 170 (and its 150 sibling) has new features and options packages that expand its appeal. An integrated 25-gallon fuel tank is a nice touch, as is the forward integrated fishbox that conveniently drains overboard.

Anglers can choose a Fishing Package that includes a compass, a 36- or 72-quart cooler seat, and rod holders and tackle drawers on and in the console. Raymarine electronics are available with RealVision 3D technology, for accurate underwater imaging.

If the 170 is going to be more of a family boat, owners can opt for high railings all around, a Bimini top, a sun lounge in the bow and a soccer goal–style ski tow that protects the outboard from watersports lines. For a vintage touch, the Teak Package adds teak swim ladder flooring and a teak gunwale cap on either side at amidships.

Mercury FourStroke power is available in 90 and 115 hp.

Top speed is about 40 mph with the former and 46 mph with the latter.

Model-year 2018 boats will include an exclusive 60th Anniversary badge.

Boston Whaler, bostonwhaler.com

LOVE IS IN THE WATER

IN THE SPIRIT of Valentine’s Day — it’s this month, guys, so be

prepared — we searched the BoatUS boat name database and found a few vessel monikers based on love. Let us just tell you it would have been easier to compile a list based on love gone wrong: Anchor & Chain, anyone? Anyway, here are five that fit the mood of the month:  All to Get Her  Anniversary  Lost Together  Party of 2  Soul Mates

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currents name the boat

To participate in this month’s contest, turn to page 64

contest winner



Larry Bagans from Grosse Ile, Mich., was the first to submit the winning name, Haste or Baste! For recognizing the urgency of the situation, Larry receives an Airhead G-Force 2 towable, an AIR PIG 12v pump and a 60-foot tow rope, from Airhead (airhead.com), valued at $262.97.

MORE OF NOVEMBER/DECEMBER’S BEST ENTRIES:

Butter Ball Express

Broiler Spoiler

Gobblers’ Gig

Aimee Tesoro, Seminole, FL

Ron Jansen, New Richmond, WI

Bill Shipman, El Cajon, CA

The Great Eggscape

Tom Foolery

Rafter Craft

Wayne Young, Annandale, VA

Gayle Arnett, Shell Knob, MO

Gravy Boat

Air Force None

Pardon our Wake

Carol Oberfoell, Monticello, IA

Ronie Benck, Yonkers, NY

Frank Santiago, Santee, CA

Beyond the Chop

Turkey Tender

Mike Barry, Sparks, NV Rick Martin illustration

Congressional Launchroom

Nick Franki, Rochester, NY

Charles King, DeFuniak Springs, FL

Susan Duink, Sarasota, FL

> > N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R W I N N E R : H a ste o r B a ste !

Stay Warm During the summer, Mille Lacs Lake in central Minnesota is a 132,500-acre boating and fishing playground, but during the winter it freezes solid, with four feet of ice in spots. While that makes boating a little difficult, anglers can still catch walleye, perch, northern pike and more.

Feb. 3

• Krewe of Tchefuncte Parade, New Orleans • Yachty Gras Grand Night Boat Parade, Clear Lake, Texas

Feb. 8

• Mardi Gras Lighted Boat Parade, Lake Charles, La.

Feb. 10

• Bud Light Mardi Gras River Parade & Festival,

Get Lent

HAPPY FAT TUESDAY! Remember, this year Mardi Gras is on Feb. 13.

Celebrants don’t have to be in the Big Easy to enjoy the festivities.

Boat parades in several locations celebrate the tradition on the water.

Check out these on-the-water celebrations, or find one near you.

10

The Riverwalk, San Antonio, Texas • Krewe of Tickfaw Mardi Gras Boat Parade, Tickfaw River,

Livingston Parish, La.

Feb. 13

• LuLu’s Mardi Gras Anniversary Celebration & Boat Parade,

Gulf Shores, Ala.

FEBRUARY 2018 BOATINGWORLD.COM

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ALL-NEW

GTD SERIES DECK BOATS

60 YEARS SALES CELEBRATION

Jan 1 – Mar 31, 2018

We are proud to introduce the GTD Series: revolutionary deck boat with that fun, do-it-all attitude Glastron is known for. Bring your friends and bring your friends' friends.

Just be sure to stock up on enough sunscreen. Learn more at Glastron.com

M A K E

I T

A

G L A S T R O N

S U M M E R

ENDLESS UTILIT Y The GTD has 3 available cockpit/ windshield configurations

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

currents

Special Sail

TO COMMEMORATE THE 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal — seen at the time of its groundbreaking as a potential boondoggle — the canal schooner Lois McClure undertook a Legacy Tour of the Champlain and Erie canals over the course of 100 days last year. A full-scale replica of an 1862-class sailing canal boat, Lois McClure used the anniversary to celebrate New York’s canal system and “boatwood” trees, white oak and white pine, which, according to the ship’s builder and operator, Lake Champlain Maritime Museum (lcmm.org), have been essential to boat building and forests for centuries. The replica schooner planted trees along the way and made calls on several ports.

D I D YO U K N OW ?

Although the origins of the saying “a cup of Joe” have been lost to history, one theory is that the etymology of the phrase refers to Secretary of the U.S. Navy Josephus Daniels, who instituted several reforms in the Navy, including banning alcohol. With booze gone, coffee became the strongest drink available.

U.S. Coast Guard

144 Number of vessels Coast Guard teams board every day

105

36,235 Number of active-duty personnel, fewer than the NYPD

9 Districts into which the Coast Guard divides the U.S.

FEBRUARY 2018

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There are plenty of household items that can clean metals safely and less toxically than the chemicals often found in commercial cleaners. It’s not only safer for boaters, it’s safer for the environment too.

According to the California State Parks Division’s “Boater’s Guide,” here’s how to clean the metals on a boat the natural way.  Aluminum: Mix 1 tablespoon of cream of tartar in 1

BIG NUMBERS

Age of the oldest active serving member of the Coast Guard, Anthony Christy, keeper of the Christiana Lighthouse in Delaware

12

Cleaning Green

quart of water.  Brass: Use a paste of equal parts salt, vinegar and

water. Or try Worcestershire sauce.  Chrome: Use cider vinegar to wipe it clean and

then rinse with water. Use baby oil to polish.  Copper: Use a paste of lemon juice, water and salt.  Stainless steel: Clean and polish with a paste of

baking soda and water.

Start Them Young Young philanthropists from Gloucester, Mass., formed a club last summer called “Plastic: Pick it Up!” They volunteered a summer day to organize and manage a lemonade stand that raised $540, which they donated to help purchase a Marina Trash Skimmer from Bellingham, Wash.-based Marina Accessories Inc. The skimmer, which utilizes sustainable technology to remove plastics, oil and trash, helps clean more than 300 gallons of water per minute, while using less than $2 worth of energy per day to operate. An online competition to name the skimmer resulted in the winning name Skimmy Gibbler. You can visit Skimmy at her homeport of Gloucester Harbor.

BOATINGWORLD.COM

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All-Out Power EXPERIENCE LUXURY IN STERNDRIVE OR OUTBOARD PROPULSION

Horizon 350 OB

Jan 1 – Mar 31, 2018

Horizon 290 OB

Horizon 210 RS

Four Winns, more than any other brand, offers the power to choose.

Outboard and sterndrive from 18’-35’ 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.

HD 220 Surf

OVER 460 BOAT TEST VIDEOS...

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

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... AND COUNTING!

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

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

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trailering

TOW V EH I CLE S

What Makes A Great Tow Vehicle?

Look for the following 13 traits to ensure every towing experience is uneventful.

BY CHRIS CASWELL

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HEN IT COMES TO BUYING a vehicle to tow a boat, owners have a lot

of choices. We’ve broken them down into three categories to help buyers prioritize where to put their money to get the best possible vehicle for hitting the road.

Must-Haves TOWING CAPACITY. This seems obvious, but too many boaters overlook it,

or they keep their old tow vehicle when they buy a new boat, even though it requires a more powerful vehicle. Every vehicle is rated for towing capacity: Don’t exceed it! And don’t make assumptions, either. The Cadillac Escalade, which is basically an up-trimmed GMC Yukon or Chevy Tahoe, has an 8,100pound towing capacity, while the Yukon can tow 8,300 pounds, because it has less onboard weight. So check the numbers carefully.

TORQUE VS. HORSEPOWER. Torque is the sheer low-end grunt power that gets

the vehicle off a launching ramp or up to speed from a stoplight. Horsepower is the middle and high-end power that provides higher top-end or cruising speed. Torque is most important for towing, so check the torque rating of a vehicle’s engine. FYI, a 2018 Ford Explorer 3.5L V-6 base engine creates 255 foot-pounds of torque, the 2018 GMC Yukon gas V-8 5.3L engine creates 383 foot-pounds, while the 2018 Dodge Ram 3500 6.7L diesel puts out a whopping 930 foot-pounds of torque.

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1 TWO, FOUR OR ALL? Hands down, the first choice for serious towing is rear-wheel drive, which delivers better traction and stability than front-wheel drive.

Truck-style four-wheel drive just adds weight, and some all-wheel drive vehicles may aid during towing, while others reduce the towing capacity. Either way, all-wheel drive adds to maintenance costs. See if the towing capacity of an all-wheel drive model is actually lower than the two-wheel version.

SIDE MIRRORS. A tow vehicle should have the largest side mirrors available, especially if it will be used to pull a wide boat, such as a pontoon. Extendable mirrors allow the driver to adjust the mirror properly, and the best towing mirrors have two parts: a large flat mirror and a smaller convex mirror that eliminates blind spots.

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Photos courtesy Ford and Chevrolet

While finding a tow vehicle that matches one’s boat is the top priority, TV screens (1) that will occupy the kids are bonus features, and a backup camera (2) is a nice-to-have feature that is increasingly available.

Nice-to-Haves BACKUP CAMERAS. Now becoming increasingly common, especially on SUVs and trucks used for towing, backup cams simplify towing, especially backing up and hooking up, in ways drivers who haven’t used one won’t understand.

MORE GEARS. Trucks and sport utes have been given an increasing

number of gears in recent years, which allows engine power to be matched to any given situation. An example is being able to drop down a gear on a long uphill climb, so the engine isn’t struggling at the bottom of its power curve. The Dodge Ram TorqueFlight eightspeed transmission has six gears plus two overdrives, for maximum flexibility. Many transmissions now have a towing mode that holds the transmission in a lower gear longer and locks out the overdrive, so the engine isn’t overloaded.

UPGRADED COOLING. Towing puts a load on both the engine and the transmission and results in high heat, so heavy-duty cooling systems keep the fluids within safe operating temperatures. It’s also nice to have a gauge for both the engine and the transmission temperature, so the driver can keep an eye on the engine.

TRAILER WIRING. Sure, an owner can get basic trailer wiring at any U-Haul store, but a factory-installed wiring harness is better for several reasons. First, it includes a heavy-duty flasher to replace the standard wimpy module, which can let trailer lights dim and flicker rather than give off a strong turn signal. Second, it’s wired properly rather than just tapped into the existing system, and it includes a receptacle to keep trailer disk brakes from locking during backing.

SUSPENSION. Factory tow packages, especially on trucks, often include air suspension, which reduces sag when the trailer hitch is supporting near-maximum weight — great for a larger boat.

VEHICLE WEIGHT AND WHEELBASE. Both of these numbers impact

2

The first choice for serious towing is rear-wheel drive.

the “towability” of a vehicle. A heavier tow vehicle is less likely to be affected by side winds and is generally more stable, but of course, the penalty is often increased fuel consumption. A longer wheelbase also adds to the stability, especially since it adds “tracking” at highway speeds. The downsides of a longer wheelbase include an increased turning radius and, at the extreme end with very long trucks, difficulty finding a parking place.

Bonus Features GREAT STEREO. We debated putting this with the MustHaves, because a long road trip is twice as long without good sounds. Add satellite radio if you’re out in the middle of nowhere. To keep

kids entertained, upgrade to TV screens for the rear seats and, folks, be absolutely sure everyone has earphone jacks, so you don’t have to listen to 1,000 miles of nonstop SpongeBob Square Pants.

GPS. Anyone who’s driven

down the wrong road and then couldn’t turn around easily will know why a GPS is worth its weight in gold. Look for hands-free functionality, voice recognition, a large screen, and

warnings for weather info and/ or speed traps.

BLUETOOTH. Seems obvious, but a Bluetooth system allows the driver to stay in touch without having to take his hands off the wheel. BW

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watersports

FI N D TH E R I G HT LI N E

Right on Line Don’t let everyone’s watersports performance suffer because of the wrong line.

BY ZENON BILAS

S

LALOM SKIERS, WAKEBOARDERS, BAREFOOTERS AND tube riders. They all depend

on the line they use for performance and safety. It is critical to fun. It connects them to the boat. Watersports fans can have the perfect boat, a great driver and the best equipment, but having a line designed for their favorite behind-the-boat sport is equally important to a successful day.

Professionals in each discipline have raised the bar for what can be done behind a boat, and manufacturers have kept pace by developing lines that work best for each activity.

Lines for all wakesports have very little spring. However, there are variations as to how tight the line should be. Each sport also has optimal line lengths.

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 RECREATIONAL WATERSKIERS, SLALOM SKIERS AND JUMPERS want a little spring in the line, so their shoulders and arms can better absorb any looseness in the line when they make a quick turn or land a jump.

Manufacturers use polypropylene, a plastic material, to give waterskiers the right balance between spring and tightness. A line for waterskiing, including the handle, is 75 feet long. Skiers who run the slalom course use a line that has takeoff loops at lengths of 15, 22, 28, 32, 35, 38, 39 1/2, 41, and 43 feet off the line.

In competition, each time a skier successfully rounds the six-buoy slalom course, the line is shortened to make each ensuing pass more difficult to complete.

Even for skiers not running the course, using a line with takeoff loops is still smart.

Beginners benefit from using the 15-foot off

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Boat insurance serviced by the boating experts. Get a fast, free quote today.

BoatUS.com/insurance | 800-283-2883 See how much you could save on boat insurance.

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

watersports loop (60 feet of line), because the shorter line gives the skier a tighter pull and less slack line. The boat’s wake might also be smaller for mastering wake crossings.

 WAKEBOARDERS, BAREFOOTERS, WAKESKATERS, TRICK SKIERS AND TUBERS want a tighter line, which keeps the pull even more consistent and makes getting air and doing tricks easier. But Slalom skiers even here there are degrees of desired tightness, so materials prefer a good and rope lengths will vary. For example, tube riders want a polypropylene line. tight, consistent pull, so manufacturers use polyethylene, a plastic with a stiffer feel than polypropylene. Lines for tubing are typically 60 feet long. The shorter line gives the tube rider a less springy pull. It is also safer since it reduces how far the tube can get whipped away from the wake when the boat turns. Tubes come in various sizes to fit one to six riders. To accommodate the various sizes of tubes, manufacturers make lines of various thickness: 3/ -inch diameter for up two riders, 5/ -inch diameter for up to four riders and 8 8 3/ -inch diameter for up to six riders.

4 The tight pull and varied line lengths of a wakeboard line or barefoot line can serve double duty as the line for kneeboarding, wakeskating and riding a hydrofoil.

1.

2.

3.

ABOVE > 1. Airhead Spectra Thermal (wakeboard) > 2. Airhead (wakesurf) > 3. Connelly Proline Launch (polyethylene wakeboard)

 WAKEBOARD RIDERS want an even tighter line, to help them get more hangtime when they jump the boat’s wake. Manufacturers use low-stretch materials such as Spectra and Dyneema to give the rider a very tight pull. Some lines are encased in silicone to increase tightness. Lines for wakeboarding come in 80-foot lengths with takeoff loops at varied distances, such as 60, 65, 70, and 75 feet. The takeoffs allow riders to use a length that suits their ability level. Beginners typically use a 60-foot length, since the wake is narrower closer to the boat, which makes jumping the boat’s wake easier. More aggressive riders and the pros like the longer line lengths, so they can get more speed when edging to the wake and get massive air.  Especially when doing starts and tricks, a tight line is advantageous for BAREFOOTING. ’Footers use lines made of Spectra to minimize line bounce. Barefoot lines are 90 feet long and have takeoff loops at 80 and 70 feet. Barefoot competitions are performed on a 70-foot line. The less line, the more consistent and tighter the pull will be. However, for barefooting behind boats with a turbulent wake, the 80- or 90-foot line will get skiers farther away from the rooster tail.

 TRICK SKIERS use lines about 50 feet long made of polyethylene or Spectra, for a

ROPE TRICKS After a session on the water, riders should stretch the line straight and then coil the line in circles in their hand. Once the line is coiled, they should tie it or use a Velcro strap to keep the circular shape. Let the line dry in an airy spot away from the sun’s harmful UV rays, which will increase the longevity of the line.

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tight pull. This line length affords the trick skier a big enough wake to get air while keeping the inside of the wake narrow enough to move quickly from trick to trick.

 WAKESURFING is done without a line, except to start, which is done close the boat, with lines 20 to 24 feet long. Wakesurf lines may have takeoff loops, so the surfer can place himself in the most ideal spot in the wake. The wakesurf line also features a thick braided section near the handle, which allows the surfer to pull up on the line to find the best spot. For safety, the wakesurf line features a very short handle, about six inches wide, or a just a pigtail handle, so if the surfer falls when he releases the line, his arm can’t get caught. BW

BOATINGWORLD.COM

1/4/18 1:31 PM

sylvanmarine.com | 866-766-9698

Featuring:

fishing

N ECE SSA RY LU R E S

5 Must-Have Lures In a tacklebox full of gear, these five lures should hold a place of prominence.

BY LENNY RUDOW

J

UST AS EVERY HUMAN BEING needs socks in a drawer and food in a cupboard, every angler needs a few tried-and-true lures in a tacklebox. Whether one is a freshwater fishing fanatic or a saltwater slayer is irrelevant — don’t leave home without these five fish-catching lures aboard.

1. Spoons.

Since humans first figured out fish are edible, spoons have been wobbling, spinning and flashing their way into anglers’ hearts. That’s not much of a stretch. Spoons made from reflective shells have been discovered in aboriginal archaeological sites worldwide, and references to metal spoons date back to the time of the Roman empire. There’s a simple reason why: they work.

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Spoons get a leg up over many other artificial lures because they not only wobble and flash in a visually appealing way, but they also create vibrations as they move through the water.

Many anglers believe such vibrations help fish home in on the lure in cloudy or discolored water, where visibility is reduced. Meanwhile, their versatility is increased by the fact spoons can be cast and retrieved, trolled and, in some cases, jigged.

2. Topwater

Plugs.

While it’s true that some species aren’t caught on topwater plugs — hooking a flounder on topwater, for example, would be a longshot at best — the diversity of surface-feeding gamefish attracted to them is still huge. They’re highly effective on some of the most popular species, including bass of all varieties, pike, redfish and speckled trout. Even tuna anglers can sometimes cast topwater plugs to rather dramatic effect.

That dramatic effect — a fish exploding out of the depths in a spray of fury — is one of the things that makes topwater plugs a favorite of anglers all across the globe. No strike is more

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Bucktail

Soft Plastic Twister Tails

Topwater Plug

Spoon

Fly and Streamer

exciting than one generated by topwater, and the fact that fish often miss on their first swing and attack the same plug multiple times in a matter of seconds makes using one all the more exciting.

3. Bucktails.

Another lure that’s been around for as long as anyone can remember is the bucktail. Made by wrapping thread around a hook to hold the hairs of a deer’s tail against it, the bucktail is probably responsible for the demise of as many gamefish as any other lure in existence. They can be found in a million different shapes, colors and sizes, and if those parameters match up with what the fish are feeding on, there aren’t many finned predators alive that won’t take a bucktail at one time or another.

The bucktail’s biggest advantage, however, may lie in its versatility. It can be fished with virtually any method, from casting to trolling to jigging. And unlike some other lures, a bucktail can be “sweetened” with a trailer, such as a soft plastic twister-tail or a wiggling pork rind, which allows the angler to adapt a single lure to countless applications, for species ranging from walleye to wahoo.

4. Flies

and Streamers.

Wait a sec, these things are only for fly fishing, right? Wrong! Whether an angler uses fly gear, spinning gear or conventional gear, she should keep a few flies and streamers in the tacklebox at all times. They can be presented with weight

BONUS LURE

While the five lures in the main story are the must-haves, we’d be remiss not to mention the über-effective spinner. True, spinners aren’t as versatile as the lures on the main list, but they have been around forever, because they’re so darn effective. Plus, they have that same vibration-creating advantage that spoons enjoy. That’s why shafted spinners, spinner baits and other lures with spinner-bladed enhancements are popular for everything from salmon to stripers. added to the line, or tied onto a rig in tandem with a heavier lure. And there are times when the small, slender presentation offered by flies and streamers matches the hatch better than anything else. Lake and reservoir anglers, for example, can add a fly above a spoon or jig on a dropper loop and catch crappie and bluegill while they also jig for lake trout. Bay fishermen can do the same to catch stripers and weakfish at the very same time. Even offshore, a streamer can come in handy, tied in tandem in front of a larger lure, for example. It mimics a tiny baitfish fleeing a small predator, which in turn represents a healthy mouthful to a fish such as a mahi-mahi.

5. Soft

Plastic Twister Tails.

As mentioned earlier, these can be used to sweeten the look of a bucktail, and they can be used to enhance a variety of other lures, including some spoons and parachute jigs. But threaded onto the hook of a lead-head, they can also stand on their own and generate strikes from virtually any gamefish on the planet, thanks to their lifelike wiggle. And like most of the other lures on this list, twister tails are versatile in that they can be cast, jigged or trolled. But their universal appeal goes one step further, since they can also be matched up with heads of varying shapes and sizes to probe vastly different depths. BW BOATINGWORLD.COM

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engines

YA M A H A F 25

Downsized Surprise Yamaha remade its popular F25 into a shadow of its former self… in a good way.

BY ALAN JONES

B

IG OUTBOARDS TEND TO GET most of the ink, but more than half the registered boats in the U.S. are less than 16 feet long, so when Yamaha rewrites the book on its F25, that’s big news to many. Obviously, the weight of an outboard becomes more critical the smaller a boat is, so all Yamaha did is reduce the weight of the lightest version of its 25 hp four-stroke from 168 pounds (F25B) to 126 pounds (15-inch shaft F25C). That’s a reduction of 42 pounds, or 25 percent, making it the lightest 25 hp outboard on the market, including the direct-injected two-stroke Evinrude E-TEC, which weighs 150 pounds.

The weight loss led Yamaha to reclassify its F25 from a midrange outboard to a portable.

Perhaps even more startling is its smaller profile, which makes it look more like a kicker than a main propulsion engine.

One of the biggest differences is the carburetor, or lack thereof. It has been replaced by electronic fuel injection (EFI), a feature that used to require a battery to fire the injectors.

Obviously, a battery is still required for the electric-start version, but the pull-start 24

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mechanism generates the electricity needed to start it. One might think this adds to the effort required to yank it into action, but thanks to an auto-decompression device, it’s actually easier. It is designed to fire up on the first pull.

I grew up in Wisconsin and drove tiller-steered outboards, so I felt right at home on Geneva Lake in America’s Dairyland aboard an Alumacraft Escape 145 powered by an F25 equipped with Yamaha’s Multi-Function Tiller Handle.

This advanced method of controlling an outboard bears no relationship to the tiller handles of old, however. For one thing, I didn’t have to reach back to the engine itself to shift. The shifter’s right on the extra-long handle, which I found provided a more ergonomically correct driving position. At idle, some vibration was transmitted to my tiller hand, but that’s typical of outboards in this class.

BOATINGWORLD.COM

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Transporting the F25 has never been easier, not only because of its reduced weight and size but thanks to an easy oil-retention system that prevents leaks. It can be stored on its side or with the handle tilted up and the motormount side down during transport in the bed of a pickup.

The displacement for the new F25 is smaller, at 432 cc vs. 498 cc, but it accelerates more quickly, according to Yamaha tests on a heavily loaded G3 1448 fishing boat (for which torque becomes really important). It even out-accelerated a Yamaha two-stroke 25 under identical conditions. We purposely ran our performance

Look for the F25C to appear on a wide variety of boats.

At every other speed it exhibited minimal vibration, so long runs won’t lead to excess fatigue. And thanks to its rubber engine mounts, the at-idle vibration didn’t cause our test boat to resonate along with it.

Anglers will appreciate the Variable Trolling RPM function, which allows the driver to control the F25’s engine speed in 50 rpm increments, from 750 to 1050 — up to 150 rpm below its standard idle speed of 900 rpm — for the perfect presentation of baits and lures. On the tiller handle model it’s located just behind the shifter; on boats with steering wheels, it can be controlled with a switch on the dash.

Even small boats these days can have an impressive array of battery-draining electronics, so the new F25 puts out 16 amps, which is 14 percent higher than the previous model. And the charging power comes on fast, with the alternator making more than 14 amps at just 1500 rpm.

test on the biggest, heaviest boat of the fleet at our disposal, a Starcraft Patriot 16 SC that had a steering wheel in the side console and was rated for up to a 60 hp outboard. Like the rope-start version, the 20-inch shaft F25 fired up right away and two of us motored away from The Abbey Resort’s marina to open water.

As I jammed the throttle, the Starcraft rose on plane in 4.2 seconds with very little bowrise. Perhaps thanks to the two-cylinder outboard’s “square” bore and stroke of 65 x 65.1 mm, the power curve was very linear. The F25 uses a single overhead cam (SOHC) design, and it took the Starcraft to 15 mph in 8.9 seconds before peaking at 23.2 mph at 6000 rpm. Yamaha engineers wisely designed this engine to be operated for long periods of time at near wide-open throttle (WOT), because most people flog smaller engines unmercifully.

According to Yamaha tests, the fuel economy is best at 5500 rpm, only burning 1.9 gph and getting 11 mpg. At WOT, the fuel flow only increased to 2.1 gph, giving virtually the same fuel economy as at 4000 (10 mpg vs. 10.4 mpg).

Look for the F25C to appear on a wide variety of boats, from pontoons such as the Qwest LS 7516 to aluminum fishing boats like the one we tested to microskiffs such as the Hell’s Bay Glades Skiff. BW

Specs Type Inline 2-cylinder EFI four-stroke Displacement 432 cc Full-throttle Range 5000-6000 rpm Weight 126 lbs. (15-in. shaft) Gear Ratio 2.08:1 Price $3,875 PERFORMANCE Tested with Starcraft 16 Patriot Time to Plane 4.2 sec.

0-15 mph 8.9 sec.

Top Speed 23.2 mph Decibels @ Idle 54 Cruise 15.6 mph/4500 rpm/83 dBA Peak 23.2 mph/6000 rpm/85 dBA Yamaha, yamahaoutboards.com

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diy

I NSTA LL A BOAT M O N ITO R I N G S YSTEM

Install a Monitoring System Here’s an easy way to monitor a boat 24/7.

BY ALAN JONES

T

HE VALUE OF MY NEIGHBOR JK’s 2005 Pro-Line 32 Express roughly

doubled when he recently had new twin Yamaha F300s installed. And while most boats on the water are located in close proximity to a house or at a marina, which has security, his boat sits on a lift on the St. Johns River in Jacksonville, Fla., at the end of a very long dock upriver a few miles from his house, so if it were stolen he might not know it for a week or more.

So what’s the solution? Hire a guard to watch his boat? That’s precisely what he did, although this guard works for less than $1 a day and never takes a day off. It’s Siren Marine’s (sirenmarine.com) MTC boat monitoring and tracking system, and not only does it let him know where his boat is at all times, it will send a message to him as soon as the battery switch is turned. The unit itself costs $599 and the annual fee for the monitoring service is $180, but what he’s really buying is peace of mind.

It should qualify him to receive a boat insurance discount, and it’s a way for family and friends to monitor his boat’s whereabouts when he’s on the water.

Unboxing the MTC, we found a mounting bracket that the unit snaps onto, the one-piece unit itself, a power cable with a five-amp fuse, and a small flathead screwdriver for installing the power wires and up to 23 different sensors onto the unit’s wiring board. The MTC measures just 6½ by 4½ by 1½ inches and weighs less than a pound.

It’s wired straight to the boat’s battery instead of at the power panel at the helm, for good reason: It wouldn’t work if someone turned the battery switches off, as boaters normally do when they leave their boat. It draws less than 20mA, which means that if it runs for a week, it consumes 3.36 Ah (amp hours) — roughly the equivalent of an AA battery or 5 percent of a 60Ah boat battery, which would be a concern for an owner who doesn’t use his boat much. But the MTC has an internal lithium polymer battery with a capacity of 3000mAh (3Ah) that charges when the boat is running, to prevent the main battery from 26

running down. Owners who take the boat out infrequently can get an inexpensive solar charger and controller to eliminate any drain. The MTC also monitors the state of the battery, so owners will know if the battery is charged or not.

The installation of the unit is really simple and takes a short time. The only necessary items are a Phillips screwdriver, small stainless steel screws, a tie wrap, a wire stripper, a wrench for loosening the battery terminals and cable stays for a tidy installation. We were hardwiring it directly to the battery, so the best location for the MTC was in the lazarette, near the batteries. Because boat thieves are more sophisticated these days, we installed the bracket on the underside of the deck, out of sight.

If the boat is stolen, JK will know its location.

Most owners will probably add sensors to monitor different aspects of their boat — temperature, bilge and even a sensor to let them know when someone unsnaps the canvas — so they’ll want it within reach. It just snaps in and out of the bracket with no tools needed, so accessing the unit to add to its wiring panel is easy. If it’s mounted in plain sight, putting a piece of white tape on it and writing “bilge monitor” or something benign on it will disguise its real purpose.

Our first job was to mount the bracket (1). The four small stainless steel screws necessary for this step weren’t provided, which was kind of annoying, so we bought them — bought five, actually, just in case one fell, and sure enough, the very first one dropped where we couldn’t retrieve it.

We unscrewed the two small Phillips-head screws that hold the wiring panel cover in place and then removed the cover. We attached the power cord wires to the panel, red to positive and black to negative, and used the top screws to secure them into place (2). Owners can connect the unit to two batteries if they want to, since there’s another positive wiring port. The one ground (negative) receiver in between can handle both black wires.

We loosened the battery terminals and inserted the two small wires of the cable, then tightened the terminals (3). You may have to cut back the cable’s

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ITEMS NEEDED

2

1

MTC Boat Monitoring and

Tracking system Optional solar charger

and controller Phillips screwdriver Small stainless screws One tie wrap Wire stripper Wrench Cable stays

3

protective sheath to allow the wires to spread far enough to reach each pole.

Then it was time to replace the panel. We made sure the wires were lying between the two rubber sections that create a watertight seal and then snapped the MTC unit into the bracket (4).

With the unit installed (5), it was time to call Siren Marine, at (401) 619-4774, and set up an account. Users can create a monthly billing account for $17.97, a seasonal account from April 1 through Oct. 31 for $125, or a yearly plan for $180. Siren provided a password to use after we downloaded and installed the free app on JK’s cellphone.

At this point, it was time to open the app and set the parameters JK wished to monitor. One of its primary features is a geofence that lets the owner know when the boat leaves a certain area. Since JK wants to know when the boat moves at all, we created a 50-meter fence. What’s cool is that when the boat is moving, it drops virtual breadcrumbs, so if the boat is stolen, he will know its location; it also acts as a real-time float plan when we take it out. While it might be out of sight, JK knows where it is at all times. BW

4

5

If all the steps are done correctly, the lights come on and the MTC system is fired up and ready to monitor a boat’s systems and location.

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ask the experts

Q

+A

New thermostats help ensure that your engine operates as the factory intended.

PROPS

Stop Slipping

Q I’ve been told my prop hub is slipping and needs to be replaced. The guy who told me may be the world’s biggest kidder. How can I find out?

Matt I., via BoatingWorld.com

Remove the prop and look at the bushing where it joins the center bushing. If you see rubber shards, your buddy is correct. If you know you haven’t hit anything, the engine is probably running too cool, and it’s time for thermostats. — GM

ENGINES

Why the Trouble?

Q Why does my Yamaha tech continue to push me to get thermostats every couple of years in my F225 if he hates the job — and it’s so expensive (to me)?

Val M., via BoatingWorld.com

Your engine has aluminum pistons and steel cylinder sleeves. When the engine is started, the sleeves are essentially the same temperature as the water. The pistons, however, are heating up quickly. If they heat too quickly and the cylinders don’t heat and expand, you end up with piston seizure, and the inability of that piston/cylinder to perform as intended, though the rings continue to give good compression readings. New thermostats help ensure that your engine operates as the factory intended it to, with no damaged internals. — GM

U S E D B OATS

A Good Deal?

Over the winter and into early spring, a lot of people will be looking at used boats, and this year there could be a lot more on offer than usual, thanks to the active hurricane season the southeastern U.S. had in 2017.

While it would be foolish to discount every used boat that suffered through a major storm, it would be equally as foolish to be too lax in one’s due diligence. The folks at

 OUR PANEL OF EXPERTS:

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

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

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

BOATINGWORLD.COM

1/4/18 9:55 AM

MAKES ALL OTHER PONTOON BOATS FEEL EXTREMELY INADEQUATE. 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 highestperforming, best-quality boat in the industry. Period. For more information, visit www.manitoupontoonboats.com.

PA S S I O N . P R E C I S I O N . P E R F O R M A N C E .

ask the experts BoatUS have some quality advice for used boat shoppers.

While many of the more than 63,000 boats damaged as a result of 2017 hurricanes will be repaired and have more years of life on the water, some used boat buyers in 2018 could end up with storm-damaged lemons. BoatUS cautions used boat buyers that some boats affected by hurricanes Harvey and Irma are beginning to hit the market, and that getting a prepurchase survey (called a Condition and Value survey) is very important.

“It’s not that you don’t want to buy a boat that’s been repaired, but you should have full knowledge of the repairs and know they were done correctly. It’s a transparency issue that will help you negotiate a fair price,” said BoatUS Consumer Affairs Director Charles Fort.

The boating group offers eight tips to help buyers spot a boat that might have been badly damaged in a storm:

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1. Trace the history. When a car is totaled, the title is branded as salvaged or rebuilt and buyers know upfront that there was major damage at some point in the car’s history. But only a few states brand salvaged boats — Florida and Texas do not — and some states don’t require titles for boats. Anyone wishing to obscure a boat’s history need only cross state lines to avoid detection, which can be a tipoff. Look for recent gaps in the boat’s ownership, which may mean that it was at an auction or in a repair yard for a long time.

2. Look for recent hull repairs.

Especially on older boats, matching gelcoat is very difficult. Mismatched colors around a repaired area are often a giveaway and may signal nothing more than filler under the gelcoat, rather than a proper fiberglass repair job.

3. Look for new repairs or sealant at the hull-to-deck joint. Boats that bang against a dock during a storm often suffer damage there.

4. Evidence of sinking. Check for consistent corrosion on interior hardware, such as rust on all hinges and drawer pulls. You might be able to spot an interior waterline inside a locker or an area hidden behind an interior structure.

5. Corrosion in the electrical system.

Corrosion on electrical items, such as lamps, connectors and behind breaker panels might mean the boat sank recently.

Does the boat have all new electronics?

Why is that?

6. Look for evidence of major interior repairs. Fresh paint or gelcoat work on the inside of the hull and engine room is usually obvious. All new cushions and curtains may be a tipoff, too.

7. Look for fresh paint on the engine.

It may be covering exterior rust as well as interior damage.

8. Ask the seller. In some states, a seller isn’t required to disclose if a boat was badly damaged unless you ask. If the seller hems and haws, keep looking. BW

BOATINGWORLD.COM

1/4/18 9:55 AM

60in years the making

Shed off the chill of winter with the hottest savings of the year!

Now through March 31.

For 60 years, Godfrey has led the way. We’ve listened to our customers and integrated their feedback into award-winning, industry-defining designs. The result? Pontoons that stand the test of time.

When you own a Godfrey, you join a winning legacy of originality, excellence and 60 years of unparalleled craftsmanship and innovation.

Find your Godfrey: www.GodfreyPontoonBoats.com

gear 1. Mussel

STU FF YO U WA NT

Pump

$18, beckson.com Invasive species such zebra mussels continue to spread to bodies of water across North America. In response, many regions now require that boat operators clean, drain and dry all parts of their watercraft after each use, and before traveling to another body of water. A new pump and discharge hose package from Beckson Marine makes it fast and easy to mitigate aquatic hitchhikers and comply with Clean, Drain, Dry regulations. The Beckson Pontoon Pump is self-priming and incorporates a unique flexible foot and tapered collar that fits the standard funnels in most pontoons.

2. No

1

Stale Air

$78.88, caframolifestylesolutions.com Mold and mildew can wreck a boat during the winter months. The Stor-Dry dual action air dryer from Caframo uses a low-wattage heating element and internal fan to both heat and circulate the air, which prevents stale air pockets, which in turn prevents mold or mildew from forming on the interior surface of the boat. Available in 120v and 230v models, Stor-Dry has a rugged construction and low power consumption.

3. Mint

2

3

Condition

$85.45, iosso.com Iosso Fiberglass Reconditioner restores color and protects in one easy step, removing oxidation, chalking, waterline scum, rust, exhaust, road tar and oil. The reconditioner leaves a protective glossy coating that lasts four to six months, and because it doesn’t contain silicone, it won’t cause problems with any furniture refinishing. The one-pound can will clean a 30-foot boat from the waterline up. Simply apply the paste with a brush or sponge and buff it out.

4. Bluetooth

Crew

$99.95, prospecelectronics.com With the Infinity by Harman INF-BC4 Pre-Amp Bluetooth Controller from Prospec Electronics, anyone with a Bluetooth enabled device can stream his favorite music. This standalone audio solution solely focuses on the most popular mode of audio, Bluetooth. A small footprint makes it ideal for trailerboats. The all-weather INF-BC4 features a rotary encoder and large buttons for ease of use while moving.

Pairing a device to the controller is simple. Once connected, the phone or other Bluetooth-enabled device can be stored in a glove box, console or pocket.

4

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SUBMIT YOUR GEAR TO STEPHANIE@BOATINGWORLD.COM

5. Map

5

it Out

$1,999.99, humminbird.com Humminbird has expanded its SOLIX series with the SOLIX 10 Chirp GPS, whose 10.1-inch screen is easy to use at the bow or on more compact console settings. SOLIX 10 helps anglers find and catch more fish with advanced sonar, MEGA Imaging image clarity and mapping capabilities.

Standard on the SOLIX 10 is the new Humminbird Basemap, which helps anglers pinpoint fishing hotspots by showing freshwater depth contours in 10- to 20-foot increments for more than 10,000 American lakes, and precise coverage of the entire U.S. coastline thanks to NOAA-based charts.

6. Portable

Power

$89.99, wildernesssystems.com Small in size but large in power, Wilderness Systems rigid solar panels are water resistant and feature a built-in charging meter and modern USB connector, so electronics stay powered up during a long day on a kayak. The solar panels are easily to install and remove with SlideTrax-ready attachments. The panels themselves fold up for compact storage.

7. Anchors

6

Away!

$299, fortressanchors.com Fortress Commando Small Craft Anchoring Systems boast anchors that adjust for different seabed conditions, all while being light but with good holding power. The FX-7 weighs seven pounds and is suited for boats from 16 to 27 feet. It disassembles quickly and easily for storage, and is made from precision-machined marine-grade aluminum-magnesium alloy. Fifteen feet of quarter-inch proof coil chain spliced to 250 feet of 3/8-inch three-strand rope and a quarter-inch shackle come with the anchor.

8. Accent

on Light

$14.25, tecniqinc.com When a little extra light would help, the D03 Mini Light and D07 Accent Light from TecNiq can provide low-cost, high-performance LED lighting. Horizontal, vertical and 45-degree cases make them versatile, and they come in multiple colors. Guaranteed to last a lifetime, the high-clarity polycarbonate lenses emit a light projection range of 180 degrees wide and won’t discolor due to UV rays. They are available with white, amber, blue green or red LEDs.

7

8

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bonehead blunders

BY G R I D M I CH A L

Misapplied “Knowledge” BONEHEAD BLUNDER: Making things worse THE BONEHEAD: A reclusive retiree BONEHEAD RATING: 5++ WHAT HAPPENED: A couple of years ago

I was called to a home where there was a 17-foot Wahoo with a 115 Evinrude that wouldn’t start. I opened the battery compartment and made the immediate diagnosis that 200 snakes were making love in there. No, wait. Those weren’t snakes, they were black wires of a multitude of gauges, spliced into wires of indeterminate colors, all black because they lay in water too long.

Because 2015 had pretty well been spoken for by The Nurse and 413 other customers, I gave the owner two choices, based on his immediate needs. One, I could rip everything out (a 17-foot Whaler

HAS YOUR DOG GOT THE SALT?

clone — how much electronics can there be?) and rewire. It could take about a day, depending on how much of the cable tube was still there and what electronics he still used. I saw a depthfinder. Period. Or two, I could disconnect everything but the two engine cables, locate the bilge pump wires for the automatic function and attach them to the battery and call it done. The boat is a self-bailer, on a lift, so the pump was a tad redundant. He chose Door #2, as he is retired military with “experience in this sort of thing” and his son “is an electrical engineer.” His bearing required he pay me on the spot, and off I went.

This past Monday — the first of four days (so far) I “should have ‘stood’ in bed” — the owner’s wife called to say the kids used the boat to go to the beach, where it decided to

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

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

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

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

do nothing. To me, that means no cranking, no tilt, no gauges. Nothing? Nothing.

“They think a wire is missing to the starter.” Wednesday I had a job scheduled a month ago about two doors down, and when I was done there, I went to check the Wahoo. I removed the engine cover: salt encrusted everywhere. Hmmm… Looking around I discovered the water discharge hose clamp had broken, water pressure had popped the hose off the engine and sprayed bay water all over. I’m surprised it still ran.

I sprayed the solenoid with Liquid Wrench, invited the owner to step in and hold the key over as if to start the engine.

When he did, I popped the starter a good ’un with my “Snap On hammer” (1/2-inch ratchet wrench) and the starter engaged.

The words that nothing worked, and that there was a wire missing were obviously relative to somebody else’s engine, not this one. I reattached and clamped the hose, and all was well.

Since I was just next door, the cure was an easy one, and they had waited a month for me, I was in the process of saying “I’ll catch you next time” when I opened the battery compartment. Gaaaaccckkkk!

Not 200 black snakes this time, but 400, at least! I looked at the retired military person who had a mile-wide smile: “Ya like it?” He said. “My son and I got it figured out! Now, how much do I owe you?” I wrote his bill legibly. For a lot.

LESSON LEARNED: I don’t think we have to worry about pigs flying overhead as long as he has retiree-time and his son uses what he learns as an electrical engineer. BW

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

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tested

SU N CH A S ER G EN E VA 2 2 LR D H S P O RT

Lake Geneva Diva SunChaser’s new Geneva series is all about matching lifestyle and pontoon at an affordable price.

BY ALAN JONES

S

UNCHASER’S GENEVA SERIES GIVES BUYERS a choice of three paths, depending on

how they intend to use the boat: Cruise, Sport or Fish. We tested the Geneva 22 LR DH Sport, which is optimized for families whose active lifestyle includes watersports.

And while the model has some luxurious appointments, it’s priced starting at $22,985 (boat only), which provides plenty of budget wiggle room for personalization.

UNIQUE FACTOR

One issue with many outboard-powered pontoons is that the motor pod bisects the swim platform, which is usually the busiest place on the boat, for jumping

rather have a red outboard, he can do it for a few hundred dollars.

Inside the boat, the fencing isn’t sullied by rails, and the gray theme continues to the upholstery, which is light enough

The Geneva 22 LR DH Sport is optimized for families whose lifestyle includes waterports. into the water and climbing out and for staging watersports. But the X-Treme PR 25 Performance Package mounts the center tube farther back, to create a mounting bracket, and places the outboard behind a large, unbroken swim platform that’s covered in vinyl as a standard feature. It’s plenty big for hanging out and gearing up.

The Geneva series is new for SunChaser, replacing the Classic line, and features a fresh look inside and out. Our test boat featured the hot trend of black rails over gray fencing with two black accent panels.

The Bimini top was color matched to the rails. For a sleeker look, the pontoon featured radiused corners. The color coordination extended to the Evinrude E-TEC G2 200; its changeable side and top panels on this boat were black. But if the owner wakes up one morning and decides he’d 36

to remain cool on blazing summer days.

The SunChaser features gates that are 30 inches wide, which is wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs, since they are typically 26 inches wide.

PERFORMANCE

The X-Treme PR 25 Performance Package is a fairly costly upgrade, at $5,909, but it’s the key to the Geneva 22’s outstanding performance. It includes three 25-inch logs with an aluminum Performance Shield underskin, Performance Strakes on the center tube for extra lift, an integrated 60-gallon fuel tank

for extra range and SunChaser’s full Heavy Hat channels. The latter provide an industrial-strength connection between the deck and the pontoons and are far stronger than the industry-standard C-channels, which can flex over time — especially important for enjoying the pontoon on large bodies of water that can get rough.

Even though the Geneva 22 LR DH Sport is rated for up to 250 hp, the direct-injected two-stroke E-TEC G2 200 hp ($19,896) outboard proved to be plenty of power to move this near-24-footer with a 12-passenger capacity. When I jammed the throttle, the G2 200 hp exhibited a slight hesitation, as is typical for DI two-strokes, but then it pinned us back in our seat with a blast of acceleration. The G2 pushed the SunChaser on plane in three seconds and to 30 mph in 6.4 seconds. Top speed hit 42.2 mph at 6000 rpm. SunChaser will rig this Geneva with any major outboard brand, which gives buyers many power options, starting with 60 hp (don’t do it!).

HANDLING

One of the Evinrude G2’s best features is its iSteer integrated hydraulic steering system whose adaptive resistance system changes based on the boat’s current speed.

The G2 has the cleanest rigging in the industry. Only one large hose comes off the engine’s mount, and it doesn’t move when it’s turned, which will reduce wire and hose fatigue. Evinrude’s drive-by-wire system means effortless shifting, and a light indicates when it’s in neutral — something that’s often difficult to discern because of the subtle detent many digital shift and throttle systems exhibit.

The X-Treme PR 25 tube setup has lifting strakes on both sides of the center tube and on the inside of the outer tubes, which gives it plenty of lift, allows it to ride high in the water for better seakeeping and helps it to turn really well. When I cranked it in a progressively harder turn, it leaned

(Clockwise from top right) A high-backed helm seat comes with the Executive Helm option. To port is a matching companion helm seat. SunChaser will rig any brand outboard, including Yamaha. Seat bottoms stay open for easy loading. The standard cockpit table can be positioned fore or aft. Two-tone upholstery lends a stylish touch. A vertical hatch secures storage within the helm’s console.

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owner feedback in a bit and really hooked up well. With the wheel turned all the way to the stops, the boat carved an impressively tight circle without prop blowout. At high speeds, a little up-trim released the drag on the hull and it settled into a happy cruise speed of 27.1 mph at 4500 rpm.

BEST USES

The quad lounger setup is versatile and accommodates large groups with a 12-passenger rating. In smaller groups, all

Purchased by Charles and Anita McDaniel, King’s Mountain, N.C. Purchased at Long Island Marina, Terrell, N.C. W H AT W E L I K E D

Stout construction and clean welding/ Aluminum underskin/Attractive styling/Quiet Yamaha F150/Roomy interior W H AT W E W O U L D C H A N G E

We would love a built-in cooler.

WHY WE BOUGHT IT

Although we’ve had other boats, this is our first pontoon boat. Our four kids are grown, and we have three grandkids, so we wanted a boat that had enough room for everyone.

I am pretty mechanically minded, so the quality of build was very important to me.

I looked at just about every brand and was really impressed with SunChaser’s attention to detail, like the sturdy connection between the deck and the pontoons and the clean welding.

We do most of our pontooning on Lake Wylie and Moss Lake and really just spend most of our time cruising around. The kids like going to the sandbar and we like to have cookouts at Catawba Park. We haven’t done any watersports yet, but now that the grandkids are old enough, we plan on taking them tubing this summer. We were really impressed with the time Chris Hamilton from Long Island Marina spent with us when we were shopping. He answered every question and put no pressure on us to buy. After the sale, he also spent a lot of time with us making sure we were comfortable with the boat’s operation.

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list, buyers can get a shade-producing 10-foot Bimini for a $260 upcharge. To totally eclipse the deck, a double Bimini is available for $1,325.

PREFERRED SETUP

An upscale Kicker Bluetooth system is standard, but the upgraded 200-watt Infinity Bluetooth PRV350 stereo with a subwoofer will amp up the party vibe.

For night cruising, underwater lighting is available for $620. A gray faux-teak cockpit

The boat carved an impressively tight circle without prop blowout. passengers get the best seat in the house, if they are into reclining. SunChaser ensures all the lounges are comfortable for facing forward or aft, and puts storage underneath in the rotomolded frames whose seat bottoms flip inward and stay open on their own. To the left of the driver is another high-backed captain’s chair, which is part of an Executive Helm package, normally a $2,717 option, that also includes a raised helm that provides better visibility. Also included is platform lighting, an Italian sport wheel and a special gauge package that includes a trim indicator.

For watersports, the X-Treme PR 25 tube package includes a tall, removable ski pylon. And there’s an available in-floor locker ($900) for storing skis and vests.

A flip-up changing station in the back of the port bow lounge can be equipped with a portable toilet ($220). Although there’s not a watersports tower on the options

table is standard; a second one is an option thanks to the fore and aft receivers. Buyers who like to stay on the water overnight or who like to hit the water when it’s raining or a little cool should add the full camper enclosure ($4,280).

This particular model doesn’t have any fishing features available — is any boat truly unfishable? — but SunChaser has four Geneva 22-foot models that are optimized for angling. The one closest to the LR DL Sport is the Geneva 22 CNF. Designers moved its rear fence back a couple of feet and moved the helm forward a bit, which created a roomy rear fishing area with twin pedestal seats, a rigging station with vertical rod holders and cupholders. The table has a large working surface that can do double duty as a snack table during parties.

Seating is still aplenty on twin lounges in the front and an L-lounge just in front of the fishing section. BW

Specs Length 23 ft., 10 in. Beam 8 ft., 6 in. Tube Diameter 25 in. Capacity 12 people Dry Weight (hull) 2,100 lbs.

Fuel Capacity 30/60 gal. Max HP 250 (Tri Toon) PERFORMANCE Peak 42.2 mph/6000 rpm/94 dBA Cruise 27.2 mph/4500 rpm/85 dBA Time to Plane 3.0 sec.

Time to 30 mph 6.4 sec.

POWER Test Evinrude E-TEC G2 200 hp two-stroke Cylinders V-6 Displacement 2.7L Weight w/outdrive 533 lbs.

WOT Range 5000-6000 rpm Base Price w/test power $48,790 Value-Added Standard Features: Kicker Bluetooth stereo, 5-step aluminum ladder, polished corner caps, Bimini top, 22-oz. carpeting, changing room, docking lights Must-Have Options: Dual Axle-trailer, upgraded Infinity Bluetooth stereo w/subwoofer, double Bimini top, full camper enclosure, raw-water washdown, Minn Kota Talon shallow water anchor Builder: Smoker Craft Inc., sunchaserboats.com

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tested

W ELLCR A F T 202 FIS H ER M A N

Wellness Center Wellcraft’s new 202 Fisherman is a big center console masquerading as a 20-footer.

BY ALAN JONES

M

OST BOAT BUILDERS INTRODUCE A couple of new models a year, but Wellcraft totally redesigned and consolidated its fleet over a two-and-a-half-year period. Its latest model, the 202 Fisherman, epitomizes the builder’s new direction, which hews toward affordable family fishing fun.

That’s not to say its boats aren’t serious fishing machines; after all, Wellcraft manufactures the Scarab Offshore series, a line of 30-something-footers designed to compete on pro fishing circuits such as the Southern Kingfish Tour (SKA) whose anglers sometimes make daily runs of more than 200 miles in any kind of seas. And Wellcraft has only been building boats for more than 60 years, so its new boats have some pedigree behind them.

UNIQUE FACTOR

The 202 Fisherman is a tank in the best possible sense. It’s a center console that looks and feels bigger than its 20-foot, 4-inch length, thanks in part to its gunwale

To enhance the bow’s family friendliness, Wellcraft offers a Bow Seating Package ($527) that creates a U-lounge for passengers. Set into the forward deck is a huge livewell with a tinted tempered glass viewing window on one side. It keeps adults apprised of the contents’ well-being and acts as an aquarium for kid entertainment.

Filled, its added weight helps the 202 get on plane quickly with less bowrise.

A head compartment is a big deal to most boating families, but few 20-footers have anything more than a five-gallon bucket for this amenity. The front of the 202’s large center console, however, lifts up to reveal an adult-sized compartment that can be outfitted with a pumpout head

The 202 Fisherman is a tank in the best possible sense. height, which enhances passengers’ sense of security when conditions are less than perfect, like what we experienced on Lake Cadillac in Michigan during our test. Lots of center console boats have low gunwales that punish anglers’ knees during a long day of fishing in lumpy water, but even those who are more than 6 feet tall will be thigh-high on the 202’s gunwales, allowing them to feel locked in while hooked up.

Additionally, the Marine Mat Package ($700) includes padding that encircles the cockpit and acts as coaming pads and footrest padding at the bow and on the helm’s footrest.

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($367). It also provides a place to store the bow cushions.

PERFORMANCE

Wellcraft gives owners a choice of Yamaha or Mercury outboard power, from 115 to 200 hp, with a momma bear choice of a 150 thrown in. While the boat with a Yamaha 115 comes at a very attractive $35,115 price point, I can only say, “Don’t

do it!” Yamaha’s test of that package showed it could muster a top speed of just 35 mph at 6200 rpm, which lands it squarely in the slow lane, and owners will probably have to drive it at close to its top rpm. Disciplined drivers who run it at 4500 rpm will find it pokes along at 23.4 mph.

We tested it with an F200 and can’t picture this boat with anything less, given its stout hull’s 3,100-pound heft. Of course, going to 200 hp increases the price to $44,805, which is a pretty big bump, but that includes the price of hydraulic steering, which is mandatory for 150 hp and up. The 200 hp Yamaha moves the 202 Fisherman into a different performance echelon, starting with a great holeshot of 3.2 seconds, with modest bowrise. Its time to 30 mph was 7.2 seconds on test day, and it reached a top speed of 44.4 mph, nearly 10 mph faster than with the F115. A comparison of cruise speeds at 4500 rpm, where most modern outboards love to run, shows an increase of 10 mph. Evinrude only becomes a factory option with the 222 Fisherman and larger boats in the lineup.

HANDLING

At the helm, the driver grips a thick stainless steel destroyer-type tilt wheel that has a spinner knob. And for a better ergonomic driving position, the footwell can be fitted with optional matting for comfort and slip-free operation.

A Plexiglas windshield offers good protection against the elements and is removable. Seating at the helm consists of a leaning post whose backrest flips fore and aft, giving occupants the option to sit facing rearward when they’re fishing or hanging out. The upholstery has a carbon-fiber look, but I could do without the oversized piping on the seat bottom and backrest, which is purely decorative.

The 202 Fisherman is wide for its length, with a full 8-foot, 6-inch beam, which is six inches wider than its smaller

(Clockwise from top right) A flip-flop backrest for the leaning post adds seating versatility. Standard rod holders at the transom are perfect for trolling. Stern jumpseats add passenger capacity without sacrificing fishability. An aquarium livewell makes it easy to keep track of bait. In-deck storage compartment is deep. An unexpected feature is the roomy head compartment.

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owner feedback

Purchased by Shawn and Mary Beth Corley, plus Patrick, 14, and Katie, 13, Satellite Beach, Fla. Purchased at Top Notch Marine, Melbourne, Fla. W H AT W E L I K E D

High gunwales/Deep-V hull/Head compartment/Shallow draft/Glass-faced livewell/ Yamaha F150/Garmin electronics W H AT W E W O U L D C H A N G E

I wish it had a hardtop instead of just a canvas T-top.

WHY WE BOUGHT IT

I grew up boating in South Carolina and had a variety of boats, from Jon boats to a 25-foot Whaler, but my wife and I hadn’t owned a boat together. We wanted our kids to experience the fun we had, so we made the Wellcraft our first family boat. We live on the Banana River and love to fish for trout there and on nearby Indian River. The 202 Fisherman is ideal for our lifestyle — not just a fishing boat but with plenty of family-friendly amenities like the fantastic stereo and bow seating. When we aren’t fishing, we go cruising and find a beach and have a cookout.

The kids love to ski and tube, and the Yamaha F150 gives us plenty of power. It’s seaworthy enough to take into the ocean via Sebastian Inlet, when it’s not too rough. Brian from Top Notch Marine was really great during the sale.

I felt like I was being matched up with the perfect boat based on the information I gave them. It was the best major-purchase buying experience I’ve ever had.

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center console cousin, the 182 Fisherman, and is the same as the 242 Fisherman. The beam width delivers side-to-side stability at rest or at trolling speeds and provides extra lift for holeshots. Deadrise is 19 degrees, which gives it a good combination of stability and slicing prowess through the waves, as we discovered on test day, when a white-capped Lake Cadillac dealt with a 25 mph wind. Our boat had the optional Lenco trim tabs ($1,113), which deliver a better holeshot in shallow water, correct any weight distribution imbalances, right any lists in beam seas, and nudge the bow down a little in head seas, so the sharper leading edge of the hull can provide a softer ride.

BEST USES

Although primarily designed as a fishing boat, the 202 Fisherman has a bow U-lounge, twin flip-up jump seats at the stern and a double seat at the helm — enough for its capacity of eight passengers.

To increase its entertainment chops, there’s a stereo option for $527 and plenty of room for a cooler under the leaning post.

Wellcraft offers the Scarab Offshore Package ($947), which comes with the leaning post and its flip-flop backrest, Marine Mat padding, additional rod holders and the giant Scarab Offshore hull graphics, to channel the vibe of its tournament fishing boats. Rod storage is available in under-gunwale racks, a pair of rod holders in the gunwales and two on the transom that multitask as cupholders.

For casting, there’s a large bow deck, and

the area at the bow where the anchor locker is located is flat enough and has enough room for a person to stand and throw a cast net. Just behind the cooler is an extra-deep storage compartment that could double as a cooler or a fishbox.

PREFERRED SETUP

Wellcraft offers a turnkey package that’s ready to roll with a saltwater-friendly twinaxle galvanized trailer. And there’s no need to go with a boring white hull. For $260 buyers can get one of six solid hull colors or, for the same price, get the same colors in two tone with contrasting white. Buyers who want to make a visual statement can get a black hull accented with fluorescent yellow/green, aka Atomic, Passion Red or white, for $360.

Buyers can get the 202 Fisherman with a Bimini top ($793), but to accentuate its role as a serious fishing boat they should get the T-top option ($2,867), which includes a canvas top, netting for storage underneath, two rocket launcher rod holders and plenty of room to add more.

A plug-and-play trolling motor factory pre-rig costs $267.

At the helm is a deep well at the top of the dash for stowing cellphones and often-used fishing gear, and the dash has room for an electronics display up to 14 inches. The biggest no-brainer option is the raw-water washdown ($280), for after-fishing cleanups. For times when the fish aren’t biting, the addition of a ski tow ($267) will put watersports into the mix of activities. BW

Specs Length 20 ft., 4 in. Beam 8 ft., 6 in. Deadrise 19 degrees Capacity 8 people Dry Weight (hull) 3,100 lbs.

Fuel Capacity 56 gal. Max HP 200 PERFORMANCE Peak 44.4 mph/5900 rpm/93 dBA Cruise 33.2 mph/4500 rpm/84 dBA Time to Plane 3.2 sec.

Time to 30 mph 7.2 sec.

POWER Test Yamaha F200 four-stroke Cylinders In-line 4 Displacement 2.8L Weight w/outdrive 467 lbs.

WOT Range 5000-6000 rpm Base Price w/test power $44,805 Value-Added Standard Features: Dual-axle galvanized trailer, bow in-floor storage, leaning post, detachable windshield, aquarium-face livewell, rod holders, stainless steel rubrail Must-Have Options: Bluetooth stereo, bow cushions, colored hull options, underwater lighting, leaning post backrest, trim tabs, fishfinder, portable toilet, T-top, ski pylon, snap-in vinyl flooring Builder: Group Beneteau, wellcraft.com Financing: $321/month w/15% down and 6% interest for 15 years

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JUST GO. N E W L A R G E 12- I N C H D I S P L AY

GO SERIES CHARTPLOT TER / FISHFINDER

Bigger, easier, and safer — the new Simrad Go Series allows you to maximize your time on the water. A super-bright touchscreen makes navigation easy, and with the widest choice of maps, radar compatibility, and optional transducer bundles, upgrading to Simrad has never been easier or more affordable.

AVAILABLE IN 5, 7, 9, AND 12-INCH DISPLAYS. Radar available on GO7, 9 and 12

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tested

M A N ITO U 25 LEG ACY LT

Building a Legacy

Our test boat featured twin Yamaha F300s.

Manitou’s flagship model is destined to become a modern classic.

BY ALAN JONES

U

SUALLY WHEN A COMPANY TALKS about a legacy model, it is referring to a past hit that remains in the lineup, unchanged from its days of glory. Manitou pretty much rewrote the term’s meaning with its 25 Legacy LT model, because it’s a cutting-edge model that’s the exact opposite of dated. It’s designed to be the company’s new standard for performance, styling and high-end luxury.

UNIQUE FACTOR

Manitou is one of the builders that has made twin-outboard pontoons more mainstream than anyone would have imagined a few years ago, which makes sense given the pontoon’s similarities to catamaran hulls that often have twins. Unlike twin-outboard monohulls that have their motors close together on the transom, the 25 Legacy LT has its twin engines placed far apart on the outer pontoons, making those horsepower more useful than just for propulsion. Spreading the engines far apart helps with maneuverability at speed and around the dock, but it also opens up the center for getting in and out of the water using the stout stainless steel boarding ladder with swimming pool–style grabrails.

The setup allows the swim platform to be pushed far back in the middle, because there’s no engine there, delivering more real estate exactly where it’s needed. Manitou cleverly solved the riddle of how to integrate the ski tow and the ladder in the same location. It made the standard stainless steel ski tow large enough that any passenger can board and enter the water within its perimeter, a configuration that also keeps the tow line from chafing the engine cowlings, even during the hardest skier cut.

Eschewing the ubiquitous aluminum fencing/rail exterior used on most pontoons, Manitou uses an all-fiberglass exoskeleton to give the boat a bold look 44

and an intricate molded shape that aluminum-clad pontoons can’t achieve. While Manitou offers some of the industry’s boldest color choices, such as the metallic lime green model we tested last year, the top-of-the-line Legacy LT takes a different approach. The four color choices for the center panel are more conservative, as are the four different color choices for the surrounding fiberglass. For a little extra panache, buyers have a choice of four colors for the powder-coated rubrail and its stainless steel protector.

The model I tested took the current hot trend of gray to the extreme, incorporating a two-tone automotive paint job on the exterior that was a perfect match with its Yamahas. Inside, the upholstery was dark and light gray with black piping. It exuded classiness. The bow entry gate is cut from one piece of billet aluminum and was powder-coated to match the boat’s color scheme. It’s heavy, so Manitou wisely designed it to lock into place, whether open or closed, for extra security.

PERFORMANCE

Manitou will rig its boats with any outboard brand, a smart move to satisfy

customer preference that’s made even smarter by the fact that in certain areas of the country buyers might only have one outstanding dealer nearby. The dual-engine options on this boat range from 150s all to way to Mercury Racing’s new 400R, but the cost for the alpha dog package — the Mercury XL Carbon Edition with twin 400R outboards — is an additional $101,475.

Our test boat featured Yamaha F300s, which add $66,075 to the base price of $92K. Buyers can take the Yamaha option all the way to a pair of F350 V-8s, but the additional 402 pounds, not to mention the extra $16,275, make the F300s the Yamaha sweet spot. The acceleration was breathtaking, giving the 25 Legacy LT a time to plane of 2.1 seconds and a time to 30 mph of four seconds flat — one of the quickest times we recorded during testing for 2018, regardless of boat type. Top speed was an un-pontoon-like 63.3 mph.

HANDLING

Wisely, Manitou offers only one tube configuration for the Legacy LT, and that’s its industry-changing SHP (Sport Handling Package): twin 25-inch logs on the outside and an oversized 27-inch center tube that’s been dropped so it’s 5¼ inches lower than the outer tubes. The arrangement results in a pontoon that mimics a V-hull and leans in noticeably during hard turns — despite having positive-angle lifting strakes on both sides of all tubes, which we’ve learned tend to “push back” in hard corners and normally result in a flat cornering attitude. Despite being nearly 27 feet long and weighing 4,310 pounds, the 25 Legacy LT was very nimble and stayed

(Clockwise from top right) The stylish helm features an automotive look. The Optimus 360 joystick option makes docking easy. The standard helm features twin flush-mounted displays. The exterior is all fiberglass. The bow lounges are extra-wide at each end. Twin outboards and a ski tow deliver maximum versatility for watersports.

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owner feedback

Purchased by Steve and Marilynn Myers, Denver, N.C. Purchased at Foothills Marina, Mooresville, N.C. W H AT W E L I K E D

Fit and finish/Attractive styling/Rough-water handling/Turning ability/900-watt stereo/ Power Bimini top W H AT W E W O U L D C H A N G E

I would like to have gone with the twin-engine option but my budget ran out at one 250 hp outboard.

WHY WE BOUGHT IT

We have had the same Correct Craft ski boat since 1980 and a twin-tube Sweetwater pontoon we bought in 1994. We had no intention of buying another boat until we went to the Charlotte Boat Show and fell in love with the Manitou Legacy. We loved its styling and realized it could replace our two older boats. We live on Lake Norman, which is large, and visiting someone across the lake could take an hour on our old pontoon and we worried about weather kicking up. With the Manitou, we can make it in 25 minutes.

We were tempted by the twin-engine version, but the Yamaha VMAX SHO 250 pushes it really well. On our first trip, we had 11 people on board and one of our guests wanted to go slalom skiing; we were surprised when he got up easily. We have four grown kids and a 5-year-old grandson, and they like to go sightseeing, tubing and skiing. The buying process at Foothills Marina was great. I told them what features I wanted and what I wanted to do with the boat, and they made sure it was properly equipped. After the sale, they went to great lengths to make sure my prop setup was perfect for my lifestyle.

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hooked up even when I turned the wheel all the way to it stops.

The 25 Legacy LT is a good choice for boaters who live on large bodies of water and need the buoyancy the big center tube and six lifting strakes generate. The tubes are tipped with what Manitou calls Barracuda nosecones. Saber-sharp and reinforced, they effortlessly cleave through larger waves.

Twin engines make docking easier, especially when they are spread as far apart as they are on the Manitou. Our test boat took it to the next level with joystick docking, though it’s the only Yamaha-powered joystick boat I’ve seen that didn’t use the Helm Master system. Instead, Manitou offers SeaStar Solutions’ Optimus 360 system ($16,250), which worked very well.

With it, drivers can walk the pontoon sideways. Remember, though, to let go of the joystick control before reaching the dock, because the outboards can reach outside the protection of the pontoons and get their cowling dinged.

BEST USES

Our test boat was fully rigged for watersports, including an optional Sport Arch ($10,000) that was color-matched to the exterior and had a Bimini top, a ski tow — combined they give the Legacy LT two tow points than can handle any watersport — and an optional in-floor locker set deep into the 27-inch center tube ($1,500). The boat had an optional forward Bimini ($1,100). A pop-up privacy booth was set into the port bow recliner.

To enhance the entertainment factor,

the 25 Legacy LT might have one of the best standard stereos I’ve ever seen: an 800-watt JL Audio system with a subwoofer and six lighted speakers, including two on the transom that fire rearward, for some tunes while swimming. The only stereo option is a pair of coffee cans on the Sport Arch that cost $1,875.

PREFERRED SETUP

The 25 Legacy LT features quad loungers with fiberglass frames that continue the overall theme. The two in the stern are slightly shorter. Perhaps the best option on the boat is the upgrade to a companion bucket seat called Aqua Lounger that includes a kick-out footrest ($250). Standard features abound, so buyers won’t have to check very many boxes on the options list. At the helm, there’s both a standard Simrad Evo 3 smart screen and a seven-inch Murphy display that allows the driver to control any of the boat’s systems. Our test boat had the optional Yamaha CL seveninch smart screen ($550), which replaced the Simrad unit. Manitou offers a choice of beige or gray vinyl flooring as standard, but 13 options range from $1,250 to $1,300.

The standard 25 Legacy LT is well lit with both interior and exterior lights, and items such as speakers and cupholders glow blue. For refreshments, Manitou offers several custom cooler options, including an Orion 45 Super Cooler ($561) that has a Manitou-logoed top pad or a more modestly priced soft-side carryon ($63). For on-the-water dining, grab the Magma grill option for $388. BW

Specs Length 26 ft., 8 in. Beam 8 ft., 6 in. Tube Diameter 25 in. outer tubes, 27 in. center. Capacity 13 people Dry Weight (hull) 4,310 lbs. Fuel Capacity 90 gal. Max HP 600 PERFORMANCE Peak 63.3 mph/6000 rpm/95 dBA Cruise 41.5 mph/4000 rpm/87 dBA Time to Plane 2.1 sec.

Time to 30 mph 4.0 sec.

POWER Test Twin Yamaha F300 four-strokes Cylinders V-6 Displacement 4.2L Weight w/outdrive 562 lbs.

WOT Range 5000-6000 rpm Base Price w/test power $158,075 Value-Added Standard Features: Ski tow, mooring cover, power steering, 800-watt JL Audio w/subwoofer, vinyl flooring, twin touchscreen displays, master power switch Must-Have Options: Dual Axle-trailer, sport arch, coffee can speakers, hydraulic pedestal for captain’s chair, Aqua Lounger companion seat w/footrest, Yamaha digital display, Optimus 360 joystick Builder: Manitou, manitoupontoonboats.com Financing: $1,134/month w/15% down and 6% interest for 15 years

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Destination Honda

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. Find out more at marine.honda.com.

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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tested

BAY LIN E R E LE M E NT E 21

Elemental Journey Bayliner’s Element E21 keeps it simple … and fun

BY ALAN JONES

B

ACK IN 2013, WE GOT our first look at Bayliner’s Element, which, true to its name, was a boat reduced to its simplest form. It was designed to be incredibly stable for its 16-foot length, thanks to its revolutionary M-hull, and inexpensive enough to attract new boaters. The original Element started at roughly $12,000, including a Mercury Bigfoot 60 and a trailer, and is still available as the E16, which now starts at $14,449. Since then, the concept has expanded to include seven Element models, including the E21, which I tested in Miami.

The new models haven’t changed the basic mission: keep it simple, fun and affordable.

UNIQUE FACTOR

It would be an understatement to say the Element E21 goes its own way, because just about everything about it is different.

For one thing, it’s a nearly 21-foot deckboat with a starting price of $25,599, including a trailer and a Mercury 115 FourStroke.

The interior has a totally different vibe than most deckboats. For example,

had just one giant gauge that housed a speedometer, a fuel gauge and an “idiot” light that indicated if the outboard was overheating. The E21 has a slightly more elaborate dash: a multigauge speedo, temperature and voltage monitors, a separate tach and a trim gauge. Our test boat also had the optional digital depth display ($315) set into its carbon fiber–like

The E21 is well suited for fishing, with a wide and roomy deckboat bow section. everything is fixed into position. There are no flip-flop seatbacks, and instead of twin captain’s chairs, the crew seat bases are fixed parts of the deck cap, like club seats. Drivers of average height will find it to be comfortable, but shorter and taller skippers will miss having an adjustable helm chair. Bayliner does include a booster seatback pad that snaps in place and gives shorter drivers a backrest they can reach. A potentially better solution than its one-size-fits-all seat would be a bucket seat on a slider that allows the driver to fine-tune his position, but that would be a moving part.

On the dash, the original Element

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dash panel.

The stern lounges feature recliners with a decent amount of backrest. They are comfortable for loungers facing forward or backward, and backrest pads in the middle support folks sitting upright. A centerline walkthrough goes from the swim platform into the cockpit, and the stern bench’s seat bottom is removable, so boarding guests don’t trod on the upholstery, which comes in two-tone desert sand or graphite. What’s

cool is the entire cockpit behind the crew seats can become a giant sunpad with the filler cushion option ($365).

Because this is a deckboat, most of its relatively narrow 7-foot, 9-inch beam is carried forward to create room up front.

The bowrider section is set up for reclining only, and Bayliner designed the curved backrest pad in such a way that taller riders can sit in the corner and let their long legs stretch toward the centerline. This section can be turned into a playpen with optional filler cushions ($215).

PERFORMANCE

Bayliner is part of the Brunswick Group, which manufactures Mercury engines, so Mercury outboards are buyers’ only options. And to make it even simpler, there are only two choices: the 115 FourStroke and the 150 FourStroke. Our test boat was equipped with the latter. After testing it, I can say going with the max is the only choice. Buyers who choose the 115 can, and should, get hydraulic steering ($1,050).

With the 150, hydraulic steering is standard, and the entire upgrade costs $4,215, which is money well spent.

The M-hull is shaped like it’s named and is sort of like a cathedral hull. Instead of being rounded, however, its angular design creates flattish areas between the outer catamaran-like sponsons that generate lots of lift, as do the outer hard chines. The Mercury 150 gave it plenty of push, getting the E21 on plane with practically zero bowrise in 3.3 seconds. Time to 30 mph was a quick 7.5 seconds, and top speed was a respectable 41.7 mph, despite Biscayne Bay’s choppy conditions.

HANDLING

The M-hull’s most unusual feature is its pronounced keel, which sticks down six inches farther than the sponsons at the bow and tapers to four inches deeper at the stern. The keel helps it track in a

(Clockwise from top right) With filler cushions, the entire cockpit can be turned into a playpen. The beam carries all the way forward for more room. A compact helm conserves room for passengers.

Fishing chairs can be added fore and aft. Platformettes surround the outboard, for more room out back.

There’s plenty of storage aboard the E21.

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owner feedback

Purchased by Russell McDaniel, Kennesaw, Ga. Purchased at Park Marine Boating Center, Kennesaw, Ga. W H AT I L I K E D

Low price point/Mercury 115 FourStroke/ Roomy seating/Side-to-side stability/ Simple design W H AT I W O U L D C H A N G E

The first thing I did was change the plastic cupholders for ones made of stainless steel.

Also, it really didn’t have a great ski tow solution, so I got a TurboSwing instead.

WHY I BOUGHT IT:

A little more than a year ago I was camping with my nine-year-old grandson and he asked why we didn’t have a boat. I had owned boats before, and now that I have seven grandkids, it dawned on me he was right. I bought a two-tube pontoon with a fairly small engine and wasn’t happy with the performance, so I looked around for a better option. A triple-tube pontoon with a large motor was pretty pricey, but when I saw the Bayliner E21 with a Mercury 115 FourStroke, I realized I could do many of the things I wanted to do for about half the price. I mainly like to cruise around Lake Allatoona, but I wanted to take the older grandkids skiing and tubing. I didn’t like the ski tow pylon option, though, and ended up getting the TurboSwing, which was kind of expensive, but Park Marine installed it for free. I also like to fish but since I usually stand when casting, I opted for the E21 rather than the F21 fishing model, because I liked its seating arrangement a lot better.

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straight line and also gives it some bite when cornering. And because the outer sponsons provide lots of lift, cornering is very flat compared to a traditional V-hull. It handled the chop really well but exhibited some wave slap in the hull’s tunnels.

At rest and at slower speeds, the M-hull’s superior side-to-side stability really shines.

Drivers probably won’t use the trim switch a lot, because the boat likes to run pretty level. After takeoff, bumping the trim up until the hull drag is released slightly will probably be enough in all conditions — even when turning.

BEST USES

The Element E21 is pretty much a blank slate that can be customized to fit most any boating lifestyle. For watersports, a good start is the ski tow pylon option, for $295, which includes a removable tow point that’s high enough to rise above the outboard. The M-hull puts out a pretty flat wake, which is a good thing for slaloming. Towing small kids on a tube is easy thanks to the boat’s slow planing speed of 16 mph, and there’s even a bi-directional compressor option ($180), so a pre-inflated tube doesn’t have to take up the entire cockpit. To raise the tow point even higher and boost the rad-factor, add the Xtreme Tower with an integrated top, for $2,710. The rear deck is extra roomy for watersports staging and boarding, and the outboard is flanked on both sides by lowerto-the-water platformettes.

The E21 is well suited for fishing, with a wide and roomy deckboat bow section.

An optional Starboard filler section creates a casting platform that comes with a

comfortable pedestal fishing chair, and all the seat bottoms on the boat are removable.

To complete the fishing package, there’s a MotorGuide trolling motor ($1,090), a fishfinder ($430) and a livewell ($725).

Bayliner also offers the F21, which is a center console version of the Element that’s more dedicated to fishing.

PREFERRED SETUP

To keep the price low and allow buyers to add only the features they want, many typically included features are options, such as a full windshield ($680) that has an optional walkthrough filler ($180) for cool days, a Bimini top ($690), a cockpit table ($180) and a Jensen MP3-ready stereo ($515). A painted dual-axle trailer is standard; optional is a saltwater-friendly galvanized model. Both have a swing-away tongue to help them fit in garages. Another standard is the choice of one of four hull colors.

One beef I had with the E21 is the lack of a bow cleat for proper anchoring. Its side cleats sit pretty far back. There’s no dedicated anchor locker either, though the bow storage bin is large enough for an anchor, but it will probably scratch the finished gelcoat. There are easy fixes. To stow the anchor, put a plastic clothes basket or a plastic storage tub in the storage bin. A Prostock cleat ($70) that uses two industrial-strength suction cups to securely position it at the bow can solve the anchoring situation. Remember to pass the bitter end of the anchor line through the center of the Prostock cleat before tying it off and then tying it to a side cleat — in case the suction cups pop off (they won’t). BW

Specs Length 20 ft., 8 in. Beam 7 ft., 9 in. Deadrise N/A Capacity 10 people Dry Weight (hull) 2,645 lbs. Fuel Capacity 44 gal.

Max HP 150 PERFORMANCE Peak 41.7 mph/5800 rpm/92 dBA Cruise 31.4 mph/4000 rpm/83 dBA Time to Plane 3.3 sec.

Time to 30 mph 7.5 sec.

POWER Test Mercury 150 FourStroke Cylinders In-line 4 Displacement 3.0L Weight w/outdrive 455 lbs.

WOT Range 5000-5800 rpm Base Price w/test power $29,814 Value-Added Standard Features: Dual-axle painted trailer, swim ladder, trim indicator, 7 cup holders, 500 gph bilge pump, padded steering wheel Must-Have Options: Galvanized dual-axle trailer, ski tow, watersports tower, carpet or vinyl floor runners, trolling motor, cooler cockpit table, boat covers, fishfinder Builder: Bayliner Boats, bayliner.com

1/5/18 1:03 PM

OVER 460 BOAT TEST VIDEOS... ... AND COUNTING! We answer the questions that really matter to you - before you buy a boat.

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

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

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Bet You Don’t Know Deckboats

B

oat owners, whether seasoned salts or relative newbies, who love a variety of waterborne activities have probably taken a look at deckboats, either directly or peripherally. But do they really understand deckboats’ appeal? Do they know why they see so many of them on the lake?

BET YOU DON’T KNOW DECKBOATS

COULD IT BE TIME FOR A BOAT THAT’S ALL DECKED OUT? ONLY IF YOU WANT TO HAVE FUN, FUN AND MORE FUN.

bays, most deckboats can more than handle average sea conditions. And for folks who want to leave the dock in conditions that would make Capt. Ahab think twice, note that there are some deckboats based on hullforms with deeper-V shapes. In a few unusual cases — such as Splendor deckboats — the hull utilizes a power catamaran design to improve wave-handling abilities.

Hold on just a second: If a deckboat’s biggest assets are the wider, roomier bow and enhanced stability, why not just opt for a pontoon boat? Truth be told, these two types of boats share a lot of the same utility, but deckboats usually have much sportier handling and looks. There are also many models available in both fiberglass and aluminum, while pontoons are mostly limited to aluminum construction. Finally, boat owners who enjoy wakeboarding and wakesurfing, where a larger or shapeable wake may be desirable, will find that a deckboat provides them with more options than a ’toon.

BY LE N NY RU DOW

deckboat’s strongest suit is its do-anything attitude, along with a wealth of interior space as compared to many other types of runabouts.

Watersports. Tanning while the kids take a dip in a quiet cove. Wetting a fishing line now and again. For all these activities and more, a deckboat is a viable platform. But what, exactly, makes a deckboat a deckboat? What are the potential limitations of this type of boat? And how has this genre changed through the years?

A

Dictionary Deckfinition Strictly speaking, a deckboat could be categorized as a runabout and, in most cases, also as a bowrider. But several defining characteristics set it apart from other boats in these categories. Most noticeable is the shape of the bow. Deckboats tend to have a wider, more squared-off or oval-shaped bow than many other types of boats, which enlarges the bow seating and entertaining area. Carrying the beam forward as far as possible not only has an effect on the boat’s topsides but in many cases translates to a wider hull bottom. When builders combine a wider hull bottom with less deadrise — a flatter V-shape — in the hull than many other types of boats, deckboats usually enjoy far greater stability than their counterparts. It also means the bow can handle a heavier load, so more passengers can pile forward.

The tradeoff to designing a boat with a wider, flatter bow is a rougher ride in heavy seas. But really, most people don’t buy a deckboat because they want to charge forth into frothy waves and whipping winds. On relatively protected lakes, rivers and

The deep-V entry of the Bayliner M-Hull gives the Element series rough-water capability, and the catamaran-like sponsons deliver stability and improved handling.

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Bet You Don’t Know Deckboats

Current Events WHILE THE BASIC HULLFORMS and topsides layouts of deckboats have remained more or less the same through the years, today’s models have a lot of features and functions that older deckboats couldn’t match. In fact, the past decade or so has seen major evolutionary changes, most notably their power systems.

Outboards While in the past there was a broad mix of sterndrive and outboard propulsion used for deckboats, as modern outboards have improved in just about every way — fuel efficiency, sound and vibration levels, reliability, and environmental friendliness — they’ve taken over the lion’s share of the deckboat marketplace. And moving the powerplant outside of the boat has a significant effect on stern design, allowing manufacturers to incorporate larger aft seating areas and more stowage compartments. The only potential downsides are the loss of a full-beam swim platform and the slightly lower maximum horsepower usually allowed for outboard models. For many people, however, that’s more than made up for by a financial savings — today’s outboard boats commonly cost less than similar sterndrive models. Look at the Tahoe line, which has nearly identical outboard and sterndrive models, as an example. You’ll discover that the outboard models cost thousands of dollars less.

Bow Utility Some builders have responded to the changes at the transom by enlarging and extending the platforms on either side of the outboard, but many have also learned to take advantage of the opposite end of the boat. Incorporating a forward swim platform and/or a boarding ladder at the bow makes for easy debarking and reboarding when beached or at anchor.

To maximize utility, deckboat manufacturers such as Bayliner and Starcraft have given outboards a bigger role, and they have extended the swim platforms to preserve watersports staging space. In addition, bows have been given expanded roles with features such as hidden boarding ladders and portable fishing chairs.

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Watersports Another way deckboats have been evolving in recent years is their ability to adapt to serious watersports. Many “crossover” models are

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infused with features such as ballast tanks, speed control systems and surf tabs that allow surfers to “create” their ideal wave. The Starcraft SCX Surf edition, for example, is based on the standard Starcraft deckboat design but is powered by Volvo-Penta’s trimmable Forward Drive, comes with the aforementioned wake-shaping features, and has a wake tower with board racks and stereo speakers. Yet it also has a livewell for anglers and a transom shower for swimmers. Or consider Sea Ray’s SDX Sundeck line, which offers options including a tower with board racks, a digital helm with Smart Tow digital speed control and Active Trim. In fact, a majority of modern deckboats are offered with, at the very least, a watersports tower and board racks.

Helm Integration Some of the teched-out features mentioned a moment ago — e.g., digital helm and GPS-based speed control systems — point to another recent trend in many styles of modern boats, deckboats included: technical integration at the helm. In just the past few years, more and more models have gone digital, incorporating touchscreen control systems and interfaces.

In some cases they’re based on a GPS/chartplotter multifunction display that’s tied into the boat’s systems via NMEA2000 integration. In other boats, the builder uses a proprietary system. The Regal 24 FasDeck RX, for example, offers the RegalVue touchscreen display with engine data, a GPS chartplotter, music

controls, cruise control and more.

One caveat: These integrated systems can get expensive and are most commonly seen only on high-end models that aren’t as simple or as affordable as the average deckboat.

Consoles Another development worth noting and following is the expanded popularity of center console deckboats. While most deckboats have historically placed the steering console to the side, center console models are now popping up everywhere.

Stingray, for example, introduced two new center console deckboat models just in the past year.

Hurricane offers four different center consoles that include a wealth of additional fishing features. Starcraft rolled out the new MDX211 OB Center Console in 2017. And Bayliner has an entire line of center console versions of the Element deckboat series. Naturally, these models all tend to slant a bit more toward fishing and a bit less toward watersports and other uses, but they still offer basic adaptability and the necessary features to enjoy the boat in ways other than fishing.

There’s an added bonus to having a center console, too.

Many builders take advantage of it to increase a boat’s versatility even more by incorporating a head compartment inside the console. Even deckboats without a center console have found ways to include a head. A few deckboat builders, such as Splendor, offer models with cabins, but as a general rule, deckboats don’t have them.

Deckboat consoles, whether to the side like on the Regal 24 FasDeck RX (top) or centered like on the Bayliner Element F18 (bottom), have been given technological and equipment upgrades. Some even house a head.

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Bet You Don’t Know Deckboats

1. Factory-installed electronics are gaining prevalence in deckboats.

NEW DECKBOAT DELIGHTS

During the past few seasons, builders have added some new goodies to their deckboats that owners will love. Here are five of the coolest.

1. Factory-installed chartplotter/fishfinder.

New boats used to ship with a blank slate at the helm, and the dealer or owner was expected to install the electronics.

That’s been changing lately, and that’s good. In some cases it may limit a buyer’s options — some builders offer a range of units from different electronics manufacturers while others don’t offer much to choose from — but a professional factory installation job usually looks and works better.

2. Onboard air compressor. These have become

more popular as optional equipment recently, and parents and grandparents will absolutely love the idea of blowing up the kids’ tow toys without getting red in the face and lightheaded.

3. Fishing seat pedestal mounts on the swim platform. It’s a pain to stow the removable seats and owners will only want to

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haul them along during dedicated fishing trips, but the ability to turn a swim platform into a casting deck with a removable pedestal seat is a big perk during an all-day outing.

4. Digital switching. While

it’s mostly found only on high-end deckboats at this point, digital switching is gaining in popularity. It allows an owner to control all of the boat’s systems right from a touchscreen at the helm, and while many people are initially worried about gremlins and glitches, large yachts with many more systems than a deckboat are using digital switching to great effect.

5. Padded decking. These days we see swim platforms and sometimes entire boats that are decked out in foam padding. This stuff looks great — faux teak and other stylin’ patterns are available — but more importantly, it’s far easier on one’s feet and knees than nonskid fiberglass decking.

Manufacturers such as Princecraft have figured out how to give anglers and sun worshippers what they want in a boat, such as on the Ventura 222.

Who Buys Them?

SO IS A DECKBOAT the best choice for everyone? Obviously not, but anyone who likes using a boat for a wide variety of activities should consider a deckboat.

“Our Ventura [deckboat] line is sold mostly to people that enjoy a combination of watersports and fishing,” said Jean-Philippe Martin-Dubois, director of marketing and customer experience at Princecraft. “Our deckboats give the customer a nice ride, a sporty driving experience and a combination of a boat hull with a pontoonlike interior. We typically see buyers who don’t find the amenities they want for a day of relaxing when looking at a fishing boat and who think they are not ready for a pontoon boat.

The deckboat is a perfect fit — not a hardcore fishing boat but you can still have an incredible fishing experience, combining fishing and fun.”

Splendor Boats general manager Brandon Coward sees a very similar type of customer enjoying Splendor models. “Our deckboats offer a platform in which customers can spend the day fishing, the afternoon pulling the kids or grandkids on a tube, and then spend the evening entertaining 10 or 12 people,” he said.

For boaters trying to decide if a deckboat would be the ideal fishing/watersports/entertaining platform for their needs, we have a bit of advice: Visit a number of dealers and take a few deckboats out on the water. Test a number of different brands and models, to get a feel for how each boat handles each activity. A well-informed decision is going to be the best decision. BW

Outboards have taken over the lion’s share of the deckboat marketplace.

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The crewmembers — (l. to r.) Doug Haskell, Charlie Chiara, Travis Conners and Jim Wolf — are all smiles as they prepare to leave Florida and head for Cuba on their Avalon pontoon.

via WHY BE THE FIRST PEOPLE TO GO TO CUBA IN A PONTOON?

WHY NOT?

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BY JIM WOLF

AT 15 MILES OUT WE ARE READY TO CELEBRATE, maybe have a beer. We

have already been to Cuba and are on the run back, this leg from Key West to Marco Island. In other words, we are almost done. We are on a good clip to Marco Island when I see them coming: two large waves, back to back and very tightly stacked, one right behind the other, just 30 or 40 yards ahead. We are approaching them quickly, and I am trying to find a way out. I look left and then right — no safe place to turn. We are going to fall, I tell myself, now it’s just a matter of how hard.

“Hold on boys!” It is all I have time to yell.

As we punch through the back of the first wave, the front door blows open and 1,500 gallons of water — we did the math — swamp us. The boat slows instantly, rolls to the right and actually starts backing up into the oncoming surf. We are being pulled, backwards, into the waves. As the water shifts to my side of the boat, it fills up to the bottom of my captain’s chair and is held in by the L-shaped seating at the rear.

Charlie grabs the drone and life raft before they float out the back, and Doug grabs someone’s jacket and a few floating yetis. The next wave is coming. I hear Travis yell, “Full throttle. Turn right!” As the 800 horses respond, the water shifts to the left side of the boat and starts pouring out of the rear door nearly as quickly as it had come in the front.

••• DOUG HASKELL, AN AVALON DEALER in Michigan, and I — hi, I’m Jim Wolf — the CEO of Avalon, have been making long-distance extreme pontoon excursions since November 2004, when we took our first trip, from Baltimore to Key West. Since then we have completed five other Extreme Pontoon Adventures: • Chicago to Mackinac Island • Fort Lauderdale to Bimini Island • Key West to the Dry Tortugas • The Mississippi River • Los Angeles to Catalina to San Diego During our last trip, the 2015 Pacific Adventure, we pondered, “Where to next?”

“Cuba,” someone said, half joking.

But once we started looking at it, we thought, “Why couldn’t we? It’s supposed to be a pretty cool place to visit and sits only 100 miles from Key West.” Yes, but that is 100 miles of open ocean, Doug reminded me. And no support or chase boat. “No problem,” I said. This is how we do it in the Wolf family.

Once we knew we really wanted to go in 2017, the plan came together quickly — experience acting as our guide.

••• WITHIN 30 SECONDS we are back underway and bouncing to and from each and every wave, still dodging the big ones. A quick check reveals one flip-flop and my new baby blue Yeti cup are missing — but they’re the only things missing. All in all, we have come out of it in great shape. But as we regroup and relive the moment, telling our versions of what had just happened, Doug says, “I smell burning.”

Sure enough smoke is coming from under the seats.

“We have an electrical fire somewhere,” yells Travis Conners, an Avalon engineer.

I immediately pull back on the throttles, turn off the motors and reach for the fire extinguisher.

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Under hazy skies we scan for the horizon. We are 20 miles out.

Cuba seems a long way away from the launch ramp in Clearwater, Fla. The first leg, Clearwater to Key West, with a fuel stop on Marco Island, was actually longer than the second leg, from Key West to Havana.

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“Keep moving,” Travis shouts.

I try to start the engines but they won’t fire. Travis quickly goes to the back and flips on the emergency reserve battery. We are dead in the water. One engine fires and we start moving. Now underway, I get the other motor to start. Smoke is coming from the USB port where I have my phone plugged in. Smoke but no fire. Yet. We decide it’s a good idea to let the Coast Guard know of our position and situation, merely as a backup. We don’t want to lose power and be dead in the water in eight- to 10-foot waves. We keep moving while talking to the Coast Guard. We let them know there is no medical emergency but we did take on a lot of water and are experiencing electrical and burning issues due to all of the salt water.

Marco Island is getting closer and closer. As we pass the southern tip of Marco Island, the waves start to die down; we are in more protected waters. We see a Fire & Rescue boat close to shore. It’s heading south and looking for us. We are still underway and let dispatch know which boat we are. We quickly have a Sheriff’s boat in front of us and the Fire & Rescue boat trailing us. We ask for the name of an open marina that has a forklift to get us up out of the water. We need to assess the boat. They escort us into Marco Inlet and direct us to Rose Marine where a large forklift awaits us.

When the boat comes out of the water, I am extremely glad to see that our engineering efforts over the past two years have been paying off. The underside of the boat looks like it just rolled off the production floor. No damage at all to the front walls, the structure or the tubes. I think the crew got more beat up than the boat.

••• SEARCHING THE WEB for information about boating to Cuba resulted in a lot of conflicting information. I started making calls

and finding boaters who knew the lay of the land and could explain the dos and the don’ts. An early contact named Wally provided some good info and pointed me in the right direction. He told me that we would have to fill out an application with the Coast Guard that would allow us to enter Cuban waters and that the process could take up to six weeks.

Through one of our suppliers, I met another person who proved to be invaluable. Ron Shelton, now retired, worked and lived in Cuba for more than 10 years and frequently visits Cuba by boat from his home in Florida. Shelton suggested we hire his friend George, a Cuban national and tour guide who speaks very good English. Shelton gave me pointers on how to find the customs office when entering Hemingway Marina, how to exchange money, and how much to tip the dockmaster and guards. Over the next several weeks I spent a lot of time on the phone with Shelton, asking questions and finalizing the plan.

He assured me that Cuba is an extremely safe place and has a rich culture, a deep history, awesome architecture, great music, mind-blowing old cars, great rum and even better cigars. He also informed me that the marine fuel in Cuba had not been reliable lately and recommended we carry enough to make the return trip too.

The Avalon Ambassador comes standard with a 100-gallon fuel tank built into the center pontoon. I challenged my engineers to add a second 100-gallon tank, which became the only modification we made to our stock production boat. To err on the side of caution, and to observe the one-third rule — one-third out, one-third back and one-third in reserve — we also took eight five-gallon tanks, giving us a total supply of 240 gallons.

The last big unknown, as on any marine adventure, was the weather.

••• THE MORNING WEATHER REPORT says it is going to be a nice day, and we are a go. This is it. We are pumped. Before

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That is the first thing we do – have a Cubano and a swim. In Cuba. Excellent.

A forklift at Rose Marine on Marco Island prepares to lift the pontoon out of the water for an inspection, which shows no damage to the pontoons or underskin.

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Driving into Old Havana, in the evening, is surreal. leaving Key West, we fly the drone and get some video and then set a waypoint for Hemingway Marina, just west of Havana. A bearing of 215 degrees will take us on a straight line to Cuba. What will it feel like? What will we find in the middle of the ocean? Well? Not much, actually.

The 100-mile crossing is smooth under blue skies and without a care in the world. We crank the music and take in the vast beauty of the deep, blue, open ocean. We pass a lonely freighter. At the halfway point, we stop to contemplate our achievement. Epic. We fly the drone. We put in the fuel from the cans. And then, we go.

Only 50 more miles to reach our goal of being the first people to take a pontoon boat to Cuba.

Under hazy skies we scan for the horizon. We are 20 miles out.

Can you see it? The clouds are high and storms are looming as the Havana skyline comes into view. We stay on our course to Hemingway Marina, 12 miles to the west of Havana. As we enter the marina, a few locals wave to us from the breakwall. Soviet-style one-story buildings line the entranceway. This feels familiar, like going to the Bahamas. Very tropical. We take the first canal to the left, as Shelton had instructed, and see a very blue wall and a small building on our left. It looks like nothing but should be the Customs Office. And it is. We pull in and tie up.

The first officer comes out, but he doesn’t speak English and we struggle to communicate for 10 to 15 minutes. Charlie Chiara, Avalon’s media coordinator, lives in California, so I thought he knew some Spanish; it is very little and doesn’t really get us anywhere. Soon another officer appears. He speaks some English and we start making progress. They take us, two at a time, to fill out our visa documentation and take photos. They ask about things like SAT phones and drones, and we tell them we have both. They put special security tape on the drone and the satellite phone cases and instruct us not to use either while visiting Cuba. They will check the tape at the end of our trip.

They take us and our bags to another small room for screening.

Finally, we are free to go but need to go to our designated docking location for a visit with the harbormaster and the doctor, who greet us when we arrive. They both speak English rather well. The dockmaster quickly dubs the Avalon the Sea Car, and everyone agrees. The doctor comes on board and asks us some questions — some very funny. Several locals mill around and check out the boat.

Travis hands out hats, T-shirts, koozies and other memorabilia.

We secure the Avalon and hire a couple of the dockhands to be security for the next 48 hours. George (our guide) is there and helps us with our bags into his waiting 1952 Chevy Bel Air. All in all, a pretty easy experience. Now we are off and running, in Cuba.

Thanks to Shelton and George, we have a great rental house, in a nice neighborhood, with a pool and a staff who have prepared some amazing Cuban sandwiches for us. That is the first thing we do — have a Cubano and a swim. In Cuba. Excellent. The pool comes in especially handy, because the weather is hot and muggy. We barely have time to relax before George says we must go to dinner, at a local place where we can have some traditional Cuban food.

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Driving into Old Havana, in the evening, is surreal.

The sodium lights give everything a yellow hue and the buildings, though architecturally quite lovely, are well worn and look foreboding in the faded light. And the old American cars we always hear about? They are here, and they are everywhere. I feel like calling it Cuba-land. Very fun and curious. A great local dinner, Cuban cigars and rum complete the mood. We have made it.

•••

BY MID-APRIL WE had coordinated schedules and picked dates, which is often the hardest part. Doug, Travis and Charlie are all seasoned boaters, so everyone quickly divided up tasks. Jim would work with the team in the factory to build a 27-foot Ambassador and outfit it with brand new, state-of-the-art twin 400 Mercury Verado outboards, Garmin GPS, a JL Audio stereo and Yeti coolers. Travis, our engineer, would arrange the necessary safety equipment, including EPIRBs, tracking beacons, strobe lights, flares, marine radios, Mustang life jackets and a satellite phone. Doug watched the weather, found a suitable, rentable, six-man provisioned lift raft, provisions and charts, while Charlie did background work on the requirements to visit Cuba and the various cameras we would take. The finished boat would be trailered down to Clearwater by Travis’s friend Harold and his fiancée, Amy, while the crew would fly to Tampa on Tuesday, June 13, and leave for Cuba the next morning. No one had to be back home for a week, so we had a good window in the event of weather delays.

••• GEORGE SHOWS US A GREAT time as we tour around Cuba. The people, the country, the music and the food are just as Shelton described. We spend the day visiting an old train station that has been converted into shops — the best tourist shopping, we are told.

And then Charlie wants to get a high-elevation shot for the film we’re making of the trip, so George takes us up to a SkyBar where we have some excellent local beer called Cristal. Then it’s off to more shops and a local restaurant where they serve meats on a skewer — Who doesn’t like that? — and more beer.

After that, we go in search of cigars. And a weather report. We have to be aware of an approaching system in the gulf. Our plan is to spend three nights; however, the weather reports show deteriorating conditions, so it looks like we have to depart on Saturday morning if we want to make the crossing back to the U.S. before the weather turns.

The waves in the gulf stream are three to five feet as we leave Cuba behind us. But within 90 minutes the seas have calmed and we again have excellent conditions. At the halfway mark we stop to take a few more drone shots, and I enjoy a quick swim. Everyone else is chicken. With the sun beating down, the 78-degree water is cool and refreshing. Then off again. An easy 30 mph. At one point we pass a large sea turtle on the surface, but by the time we turn around to check it out, it is gone.

Arriving in Key West in midafternoon, we head to the fuel dock and fill up with 168 gallons of fuel. We have a nice reserve left over from the 200-plus-mile journey, and I feel a sense of pride that we made the trip without risking burning up the motors with potential bad fuel.

Walking into Sloppy Joe’s later, I immediately notice the back wall is covered by Ernest Hemingway memorabilia and pictures. I recently started reading “Hemingway’s Boat” by Paul Hendrickson, which describes Hemingway’s love of Cuba and his daily fishing excursions to the Gulf Stream on his boat, Pilar.

As I look at the large pictures from afar, I notice one in the middle. It shows Hemingway sitting on the back of his boat. I glance around and ponder whether any of the other patrons have been to Cuba by boat — probably — and if any of them had ever done it on a pontoon.

Not a chance. I smile and think about the fact that we are probably the only four people in the world who have ever been to Cuba on a pontoon. BW

Hemingway Marina (far left, top) marked the end of a 100-mile open-ocean run for the four-man crew.

The crew’s Cuban guide, George, helped the crew secure Cuban cigars (far left, middle), which Doug Haskell shows off.

Fusterlandia (far left, bottom) is a converted train station that is now an art-filled area full of shops. Classic American cars (above) were everywhere in Havana — a step back in time for the crew.

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Splendor 1-2h4c.qxp_Layout 1 10/27/17 10:58 AM Page 1

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R E A D ER CO NTE ST

Rick Martin illustration

name the boat

Forecast: a cold front — and back — is on the way for every one of these brave(?) souls. Send us your name for our boat. If it wins, we will give you a Boating Starter Kit — four life vests, two dock ties and a safety flag — valued at $240, from our sponsor, Connelly, and your name will appear in the April 2018 issue of Boating World. > SEE THE WINNING ENTRY AND THE BEST OF THE REST FROM THE NOVEMBER/DECEMBER CONTEST ON PAGE 10.

YOURS FREE

WIN THIS 64

The first person to turn in the best boat name will receive a Boating Starter Kit from Connelly, valued at $240 (connellyskis.com).

The Boating Starter Kit includes an Adjustable Neo Vest 4-Pack with two S/M and two L/XL vests, two six-foot Deluxe Nylon Web Dock Ties and a Safety Flag.

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We’ll reprint the cartoon with the winning boat name in the April 2018 issue. Submissions are due

by February 15.

Email editor@boatingworld.com with “Name the Boat” in the subject line, or send snail mail to Boating World Magazine/Name the Boat, 18475 Bandilier Circle, Fountain Valley, CA 92708. Please include your full name, address and phone number, along with your entry. Duncan McIntosh Co. and Connelly employees and their families are prohibited from entering. Prizewinners are responsible for any applicable taxes. Decisions of the judges and the editor are final.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER FEBRUARY 2018 BOATINGWORLD.COM 2017 BOATINGWORLD.COM

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1/5/18 8:11 AM

Fish & Cruise The 206CC is part of the STINGRAY deck boat line, but the versatility of this center console model has many labeling it as the ultimate fish and cruise package.

With seating for up to nine passengers, storage throughout, and a changing compartment that can be upgraded with an optional porta potti, the 206CC is ready for a full day of fun with family and friends!

206CC Deck Boat 20’ 1” | 100” beam | 2700 lbs (w/ popular engine) | 46 gal fuel capacity | 9 ppl, 2400 lbs