Tabla de contenidos para April 2021 en Boating

BALL FENDER THE BUFFER: Ball fenders, such as the Taylor Made Tuff End, are great for use on bigger boats, especially in slips that endure a lot of wakes from passing boat traffic or in busy marinas. They will keep your hull sides well away from pilings and dock walls, and they’re stout, round shape prevents them from getting caught up on the dock or other obstructions. They also double as buoy floats. THE SQUEEZE: Their size makes storage difficult (though they can be deflated), and if you just need fenders for the fuel dock or the occasional restaurant, they can be overkill. PRICE: $59.99 for a 12-inch diameter; westmarine.com CYLINDER FENDER THE BUFFER: The most popular type of fender, such as the Taylor Made Storm Guard, these are better…

The DC 236, the newest member of Pursuit’s dual-console family, supplants and improves upon the popular DC 235 model, featuring the sleek lines, signature fiberglass-framed windshield and thoughtful accommodations that are the hallmarks of the series, as well as a roomy cockpit and abundant storage. The DC 236 offers built-in versatility, making it ideal for boating families with a taste for a variety of boating activities such as fishing, diving, cruising, watersports and entertaining. A single 300 hp outboard will power this 21-degree-deadrise V-hull. Pursuit’s new DC 236 model offers a significantly larger cockpit than its predecessor. Along with more space, we’re told by Pursuit that boaters will find increased flexibility in seating options, a way in which the boatbuilder addresses an even broader range of desired customer configurations. And…

As a boat captain, succumbing to pressure can turn out poorly. Case in point: Capt. Edward John Smith, master of RMS Titanic. Against his better judgment, Smith acquiesced to pressure from the higher-ups in the White Star Line, which owned Titanic, to exceed safe speeds based on the course he had set through the iceberg-strewn north Atlantic on that fateful night of April 15, 1912. Smith might emerge as the most tragic, but he is far from the only captain who allowed pressure to affect decisions related to safety. Most captains reading these words have also fallen into this trap. That includes me. Pressure can emerge in many guises. Often it comes from guests giddy with the anticipation of spending the day on the water. It’s difficult to break the…

Invincible Boats continues to gobble up market share like tuna devouring baitfish in the most competitive boat market of all: hardcore fishing boats, particularly serious offshore fishing boats. And it has proceeded to compete with a line that includes both center-consoles and some of the most exciting catamarans to hit the waterways. Twenty-five years ago, boatbuilders began to bring forth cats, and while some anglers embraced them, most did not. Why not? Cats get boaters to the fishing grounds through heavy seas in greater comfort, and they let anglers fish on a more stable platform that straddles waves as they move under the boat instead of cresting over them as with monohulls. But some early cats heeled outward in turns, giving the impression the hull might topple over until straight…

I hop aboard a boat, and the first thing I do is open the hatches and check the neatness of the rigging, the hullto-deck joint, the robustness of the fittings and ease of service. Upon completion of my bilge crawl aboard the unsinkable Boston Whaler 240 Vantage, I knew it was a high-quality boat capable of safely carrying a family across rough, open waters. Topside, I was delighted to find amenities crafted with precision. The portside lounge epitomizes this Whaler’s luxuriousness and convenience. Doublewide, it offers five seating configurations: back-to-back, leaning post, lounging aft, lounging forward and fully reclined. Inside, it hides a cooler. There’s also a foldaway aft lounge. In the wide, flaring bow, wraparound seating for six is complemented by a table. An enclosed head resides in the…

We, the boaters of the US, recently dodged a bullet, one you might not have even heard about. The bullet in question was California Assembly Bill 3030, which would have restricted the use of large chunks of California’s recreational waterways and fishing grounds. Thanks to an outpouring of protest by everyone from the fishing community to groups such as BoatUS and the National Marine Manufacturers Association, the bill was put on ice by the State Senate Appropriations Committee, which adjourned without taking action. But the victory was short-lived (see “Nationwide” on page 81), proving that the battle is far from over in California and elsewhere. What does this mean for boaters? “Nobody loves the water more than us,” Boating Editor-in-Chief Kevin Falvey said to me when I took this assignment,…

Though sounding like a big-boat product, YachtSense offers a scalable and customizable marine control system that is suitable for boats down to 35 feet length overall. Each system begins with the Yacht-Sense master module and power-supply module, and is completed with a combination of additional multichannel signal modules. These interface with specific types of onboard devices and systems such as lighting, pumps, windlass, entertainment systems, air conditioning and generators. You can monitor and control it with a Raymarine Axiom touchscreen multifunction display with user-interface options that empower marine manufacturers and installers to create vessel automation solutions. In addition, YachtSense delivers electrical redundancy. The master module features an integrated keypad for manual override, as well as an LCD screen for system diagnostics. All Yacht-Sense modules are housed in rugged IPX6 waterproof…

Artificial Intelligence seems like a scary future technology, but it’s already here on the water, in an application that may usher in self-driving boats. A company called Buffalo Automation recently tested its self-driving Greycraft boat as a water taxi on the Tennessee River in Knovxille, Tennessee. Before you imagine in your head some sort of George Jetson craft on the water, the Greycraft as currently constructed looks like a floating patio with a battery bank. It’s basically a solar-powered pontoon that uses AI technology to navigate between stops without the aid of a captain. A company spokesperson noted that Buffalo’s technologies focused on functionality (making sure it actually worked) rather than form, which will come later. For now, the company is focused on using its technology for driverless transport, which…

Somehow, your neighbor’s 15-year-old boat looks showroom new. How? Elbow grease, my friends. Elbow grease. But, for me, that work doesn’t include lugging a bucket of soapy water around. WASH Most boat soaps suggest several ounces of soap per gallon of water. That gets a good suds going and, when applied with a sponge or soft brush, does a good job of lifting dirt. It also does a good job of wasting soap. A utility spray bottle from a discount or hardware store costs a couple of bucks or less. It’s better to use the soap concentrate straight if the spray bottle will pump it, but you might have to dilute the soap. This bottle (pictured above) from Walmart sprayed Blue Coral soap straight. Some boat soaps are of higher…

In the course of events, I asked to use his onboard flashlight. “I don’t have one,” he responded. I was dismayed. This is a captain who is meticulous, but he hadn’t thought to stash away a flashlight. This led me to think about the little things that make a big difference in terms of convenience and safety afloat, both day and night. I am thinking about gear other than the required safety equipment. Here are some little things that can often make a big difference, each available for less than $10. FLASHLIGHT I always carry two LED flashlights as well as spare batteries for each. You can get an LED flashlight for as little as $8.99 at harborfreight.com. GLOVES A pair of gloves is handy in a variety of chores,…

Stingray’s 2021 269DC represents a new tack for the popular boatbuilder. It’s the company’s first crossover fishing boat aimed at the premium boat market—and it’s still comfortably priced, keeping within Stingray’s outstanding reputation for delivering quality and fun in family boats with an eye on value. Its fishy nature is a departure from the sporty bowriders and deck boats, sure, but all the accoutrements of a fun rec boat are aboard the 269DC. The dual-console style, a fast-growing category in coastal boats, is a saltwater-hardened bowrider that gives the comfort of forward seats, posh interior cockpit seating and a walk-through windshield. Dual consoles’ versatility is the primary asset that has driven the category’s growth over the past decade, and we are glad to see Stingray in it. Taking a cue…

The Scout 215 Dorado adds flourishes to its classic lines—including a frameless, racy-looking wraparound acrylic windshield—that will turn heads anywhere this smooth-riding dual console carries you. An inviting bow area offers twin lounges and seating that envelopes guests. Set up the optional oval teak table for drinks and snacks. Open the central windshield panel and stroll aft to find a cockpit deck spanning 7¼ feet wide by 7¾ feet long. Guests can fold down the transom bench seat to kick back. For the helm and port console, twin adjustable, swiveling bucket-style seats come standard. Back-toback seating that becomes a lounger is an option for the port side. Insert the optional ski pylon to retrieve your gear from the central insole ski locker, and turn up the Fusion four-speaker stereo. The…

It’s hard to believe a piece of metal with no moving parts can be the approximate equivalent of adding 200 horsepower, 100 gallons of fuel and 100 miles of extra range. But when it’s a hydrofoil attached between the hulls of an Aquila 36 Sport power catamaran (above, far right), that’s the net effect. While the efficacy of foiling boats is well-documented, this technology has surprisingly had little impact on the recreational powerboat market. Hydrofoils that lift a hull entirely out of the water seem to be too alien to most boaters. Plus, most foil designs require dynamic control using computers to remain aloft at a constant elevation. But they are proven to be effective. With the Aquila 36 Sport, we experienced its benefits on a recreational boat and compared…

1. What are some good steps to prepare your hull for repowering? A. Take your boat to a local dealer who can assess your hull and transom condition. B. Sit down and catch your breath after reviewing the new engine prices. C. Review the power and weight of your current engine and compare to new engines. D. A and C E. None of the above 2. Your current engine is a tired 1975 Mercury 150. Your boat is also a 1975 model, rated for 150. When checking over your boat for repower, what are some considerations? A. The weight of a new engine vs. your old engine. B. Torque and real prop-shaft horsepower of new engines vs. your old 150. (Hint: It’s more!) C. Value of your boat with the…

The new 250 Dauntless almost seems too pretty to fish—too comfortable, too dandy to get bloody. But the combination of day-cruising comfort features and fishing attributes falls right into Whaler’s SUV strategy for on-the-water family fun. A bow lounge extends prominently from the console. Whaler eased this big-boat feature into the foredeck while maintaining ample walkways to the bow casting deck and leaving plenty of space to cast a line from either the sole or the casting deck. A cooler (or use it as a fish box) resides under the casting deck. Aft, jump seats tuck into the casting deck, and Whaler situated them as far abeam as possible, giving passengers a better view than centered jump seats. On a brief check ride, this model with a Merc V-8 250…

Consulting a depth chart was one of the first things I did as a new boater in 2015 after taking the US Coast Guard Auxiliary’s “About Boating Safely” course. After a season of cautiously boating on the Potomac River near Washington, DC, I was confident I knew the waterway and its hazards. During the following season, new challenges presented themselves. The region witnessed a massive submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) bloom, which many experts blamed on pollution and runoff, and it blanketed the river in a green carpet, resulting in many areas outside the channel becoming unnavigable, even at high tide. The thick vegetation ensnares the props of vessels not planing at high rpm. To complicate matters, some of the vegetation was only visible at low tide. I slowed before a…

Headlamps have developed a strong following among boaters, particularly DIYers (like me) who need to see and work in the dark reaches of bilge compartments, behind cabin bulkheads and elsewhere while keeping hands free to crimp terminals, secure fasteners and more. I’ve found the Nite Ize Radiant 300 rechargeable headlamp particularly well-suited for this work. It combines powerful LEDs with a micro-USB recharging port, so I’m not chewing through batteries. Independently operated, a dimmable spotlight (300 lumens max) and floodlights (55 lumens max) pump out plenty of bright illumination, and you can tilt the beams 90 degrees downward to focus on the work at hand. The LED array for the floodlight is dual-color; choose white or red—the latter helps preserve night vision. A single charge of the lithium-ion battery will…

SQUEEGEE When drying the boat on a hot day, you’re competing with ol’ sol to get the job done first. A squeegee such as the Shurhold Shur-Dry flexible water blade ($26.98, shurhold.com) lets you quickly sheet away water from broad surfaces. Start at the uppermost portions of the boat and work your way down. If you can’t reach areas such as a hardtop, use Shurhold’s adapter ($12.98), which fits one of the company’s telescoping handles. NATURAL CHAMOIS There are some surfaces such as rails, cleats and crannies that don’t lend themselves to squeegees. That’s when a chamois skin ($8.27 for a 2¼-square-foot piece, walmart.com) can come in handy. Many old salts believe there’s nothing better for drying surfaces to a spot-free shine. You’ll have to soak the skin because natural…

Bennington lets handsome upholstery make the first impression for its new L series line. The horizontal diamond-press treatment was executed on our test boat in graphite with Rosa Red accent panels in Simtex, a vinyl material with a slight fabriclike texture that keeps it cool to the touch. Side panels in Rosa Red and Smokey Granite contrast nicely with the optional Blackout Luxe Edition ($3,594; black finish on rails, deck trim and skirt, Bimini frame and boarding ladder). New this year is a choice of standard crimped side panels, or optional smooth side panels for no charge. A manual Bimini top comes standard. In typical Bennington fashion, there is clever design behind the fancy upholstery. For example, the toe kick below the seat bases creates a few extra inches of…

Yamaha Marine has updated its immensely popular 4.2L V-6 Off shore outboards—the F250 and F300 models—with new electric steering systems, a redesigned exhaust bypass to optimize reverse thrust, fulltilt functionality, and more. The same Digital Electric Steering (DES) on the Yamaha 425 XTO Off shore outboard is now built into V-6 variants. DES is easier to rig than conventional steering systems and creates a less cluttered bilge, with no pumps, hydraulics or bleeding procedure. There’s also a bolt-on version of DES for new V-6 Off shore models that don’t have it integrated Past Yamaha V-6 outboards had poor response in reverse. Yamaha has corrected this with the new Thrust Enhancing Reverse Exhaust (TERE) on updated V-6s that keeps exhaust bubbles above the anti-ventilation plate when below 2,500 rpm in reverse…