Tabla de contenidos para June/July 2022 en Boating

Formula built center-consoles through the 1970s. The boatbuilder returns to the genre with the 387 Center Console Fish (pictured) and 387 Center Console Sport. Riding a race-bred, double-stepped Fas3Tech hull created by longtime Formula designer John Adams, these boats sport a wave-cleaving 23-degree transom deadrise. That shape and legacy—along with decades of testing Formula boats—give us high confidence that these boats will ride well off shore. The 387 CCF includes custom triple helm seats, dual 40-gallon pressurized livewells, fish boxes with available freezer plates, and premium outriggers. The 387 CCS features standard bow seating, a power-adjustable table, and a double-wide, flip-down seat facing the leaning-post bench in the cockpit. Both cabins include a private head, a convertible salon lounge, a galley and more. Power options include triple Mercury Verado 300s,…

Xtratuf might be best known for its iconic brown deck boots, euphemistically known as Alaskan loafers. Today the brand has expanded to include a multitude of additional footwear styles, including the new Auna sandals in both men’s and women’s sizes. These cool-looking yet durable flip-flops feature a high-rebound, textured foot bed and a soft, abrasion-resistant fore-foot strap. The pair I tested was supportive and comfortable during long days on deck. Designed for the boating lifestyle, the sandals include a Tufgrp outsole constructed with a special rubber compound in a unique water-shedding pattern. I found the nonskid sole offered superb traction on wet decks and docks that might otherwise send me sliding about. Xtratuf Auna sandals are available in men’s sizes 7 to 14 in brown, black camo and gray, and…

DROP TOP “Some people only lower their tower once a year,” says Darrick Wilson, chief of design at industrygiant Roswell. “But for someone who lowers their tower daily for a bridge or to get in a garage, folding is an important consideration.” Look for features designed to off set a tower’s weight, including compression spring systems, hydraulic or gas shocks, or electric-gear or worm-drive actuators. Release mechanisms vary, from bolts and pull pins to cam-style levers or even a simple push button. UNDER COVER Some Bimini tops are surprisingly small to integrate with a tower. Options with greater coverage make a world of difference in hot, sunny climates. Ask for a demonstration on how to han e the Bimini when folding the tower. Some can be quite cumbersome, while others…

After running the new World Cat 400CC-X, I came away humming an old Dinah Washington Grammy-winning song, but I changed it to “What a Difference a Deck Makes.” Why? Because World Cat has taken its solid, fast and well-proven 40-foot dualconsole catamaran and redecked it as a center-console. I’d tested the 400DC-X and found it a terrific family-fun boat, with acres of room, plenty of seating, an enclosed head and buckets of speed. Now as the 400CC-X, this center-console version is a serious war wagon that should delight anglers and terrify fish. This is no slapdash, throwon-a-new-deck model, but a seriously designed fishing machine. The collective minds at World Cat burned the midnight oil to figure out what fishermen want and how to provide it all. Step aboard through the…

The Scarab Jet 285 ID is a wide-beam, luxury runabout with all the advantages of jet propulsion. It boasts an enclosed head, a huge sun pad and transom platform, and a long list of options. A new standard helm with twin touchscreens replaces all switches and instruments. There’s also a Scarab app that syncs a mobile device with the touchscreens. The Scarab Jet 285 ID is now equipped with two wireless phone-charging pads and a new foldout snack table. The 12-gallon freshwater tank and the waste tank have been moved to ease service. There are 60 different color and graphic options, including a number that incorporate soft Impact mat ($975) on the hullsides, a durable material that adds interesting graphic texture and protects the hull from dock rash. A Wake…

The Four Winns H1 slots into a versatile segment of the runabout category. At just over 20 feet, it handles stiff lake chop and carries the entire family while still delivering decent economy. Filled with fuel and gear, the H1 weighs less than 5,000 pounds on its trailer, an easy tow for a midsize vehicle. That the H1 is also an extremely handsome craft is icing on the cake. The styling is familial to the new Four Winns H2 and H4 models. The H1 possesses the same vertical stem, compound-curve windshield with sweeping side wings, and gentle taper of the beam abaft midship, as introduced on the larger H Series models. The classic look serves as a pleasant contrast to the angular pickle-fork, stealth-fighter lines so common in this category—the…

Watersports boats, aka tow boats, have grown in popularity over the years—and the numbers show it. According to statistics from the National Marine Manufacturers Association, since 2007, tow boats have enjoyed double-digit sales increases year over year. Much of this is due to the rise in popularity of wakesurfing and, more recently, wake foiling. The charge of that growth has been led predominantly by inboard boat manufacturers. However, with the introduction of Volvo Penta’s Forward Drive in 2015, many other manufacturers have been working for a piece of the watersports pie. Add in the fact that jet-drive manufacturers make boats with ballast systems, wakesurf wave-shaping devices and the like, and you can see that watersports popularity has spread to several other facets of the boating industry as a whole. The…

RASH GUARD BODY GLOVE BASIC Originally created as thin Lycra shirts to protect surfers’ chests from the wax on their boards, rash guards have evolved into a multitude of styles in a variety of materials. You can still find Lycra-based rash guards anywhere, but go to a few surf-specific brands’ websites, like Body Glove, O’Neill or Billabong, and you’ll find many options. Rash guards cross over into the sun-shirt realm but can get wet. You can find skintight or looser varieties, short-or long-sleeved, hooded and much more. BODY GLOVE BASIC PRICE: $24.99; bodyglove.com SUN SHIRT COLUMBIA PFG SKIFF GUIDE KNIT HOODIE Sun shirts (also called UV shirts) come in two groups: Those designed to go in the water and those that aren’t. Many are designed as boating-urban-clothing combos, but not…

FUSION APOLLO AMPS The Apollo Series amplifiers from Fusion Entertainment feature digital signal processing to enhance audio clarity and reduce distortion. Designed for Fusion audio systems, the amps are available in one-, four-, six-and eight-channel models, as well as a two-channel zone amplifier for zones not being amplified. With 150 watts of RMS power per channel, the compact amps are easy to install and set up using a wireless Fusion-Link connection. With the Fusion-Link app, you can tune the amplifiers from your mobile device. $179.99 to $949.99; fusionentertainment.com LIQUI MOLY OIL FOR OLDER ENGINES Older marine engines need lubricants that are hard to find today. What to do? Liqui Moly off ers a solution with its new Marine Single-Grade SAE 30 oil for both gas and diesel engines. This classic…

Marine lithium batteries represent a relatively new alternative to lead-acid batteries for creating an onboard house bank. The latest versions feature lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) chemistry, minimizing the risk of fire or explosion associated with older lithium-ion batteries. With lithium batteries—available in 12-, 24-, 36-and 48-volt models—there’s no decline in power throughout the discharge cycle, and nearly 100 percent of the battery capacity is available. A lead-acid battery steadily declines in power and provides only 50 percent of its total capacity. A lithium battery also weighs far less than a comparable lead-acid battery. In addition, it provides up to five times more charge cycles than comparable lead-acid AGM batteries. However, most lithium batteries are not suitable for use as starting batteries, and they are expensive, costing as much as $1,100…

Always turn off an outboard or sterndrive, or make certain an inboard is in neutral, before a rider approaches the stern. Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. With experience, the game gets upped. As long as the rider indicates they’re OK, slow to neutral after a fall, then return at idle to avoid kicking up rollers. Focus on the water ahead, but keep a roving eye on speed and the rearview mirror. Should a rider bobble, slow down to allow them time to recover before resuming your normal speed. The best watersports boat drivers, however, take it up yet another notch by tailoring their driving to each discipline. Here’s a few of their insider tips. TUBING For a fun, safe ride, watch your speed. A mere 8…

It was late on our Boating roundup test day, and I was a bit weary. When I climbed aboard the Chaparral 28, newest in the builder’s surf series, I sank into one of the seats and thought, OMG! These are really comfy! But that’s just the beginning of my love affair with the 28 Surf, which is a terrific wakesurfing boat that doesn’t give up any of the family amenities—particularly a head—that many buyers expect from runabout boats. And the 28 Surf is big enough that you can take everyone in your neighborhood for a surf session. The wide swim platform gets you aboard easily, and the solid-fiberglass walk-through gate into the cockpit keeps little ones safely in place. It also allows crew to board the boat without having to…

Known for its top market off erings, Bennington pontoons combine luxury, solid construction and innovation at less-than-stratospheric prices. Case in point: the L23 Swingback. It tops 40 mph with a Mercury 200 and comes in at just over $91,000 as tested. The Swingback Lounge in the stern really makes the L23 a family and action craft in one. The wide lounge has a multiposition backrest to sit or recline facing forward or aft. A full perimeter stainless-steel rail with a swing gate for aft-deck access provides security. On that deck, we discovered a stainless-steel ski tow and a black powder-coated, curved folding aluminum boarding ladder. This aft seating arrangement coupled with the captain’s chair provides a separate conversation area for six crewmembers. Checking under the console and seating, we discovered…

Modern boats are increasingly powered by computers on the engine and at the helm rather than fuel. Mercury SmartCraft, Yamaha Helm Master EX and Volvo Penta Electronic Vessel Control systems, to cite three examples, incorporate steering control, an autopilot system, a virtual anchor, auto trim and more. A touchscreen multifunction display at the helm off ers the potential to combine navigation, fish finding, and touchscreen switching for many vessel functions. Often the MFD can also show engine data and control engine functions; however, it can’t always because the engine’s computer might not be able to fully integrate with the MFD. Every engine manufacturer off ers an MFD designed to work with its engine computing system. This is much more complicated than simply plugging a new monitor into your desktop computer.…

Yamaha’s Battery Management System (BMS) reduces the number of starting batteries required for triple, quad and quint Yamaha Digital Electronic Control (DEC) outboard installations that incorporate the Helm Master EX system. In a conventional setup, each engine requires a battery. With BMS, the number of starting batteries is cut to just two. That translates to more room, less weight, cost savings and neater rigging. At the heart of BMS is the Yamaha Battery Management Unit (BMU) that allows you to turn on the batteries remotely via a button on the Helm Master EX key fob or on the helm switch panel. BMS eliminates the need to clamber into a dank bilge compartment or squeeze inside a console to throw the battery switches. It also lets you remotely turn on deck…

Vicem Yachts’ 37-foot center-console is the first in its new Tuna Master series of center-console and express sportfishing boats. The lead production manager, Yigit Arkbarlas, says the builder’s belief that starting—and eventually growing—the new range at the 37-foot size gives boat buyers “a perfect platform for fishing with friends, cruising with family or both.” Arkbarlas also explained how Vicem worked diligently on weight distribution to provide a range of power options. Initial estimates peg top speed at 40 knots with standard triple 300 outboards, and speeds to 45 knots with optional power up to 1,050 hp. With a hull optimized for off shore use, range is 350 nautical miles. The boat, a wide-beam design, is said to come standard with a berth and a wet head in addition to a…

My wife and I bought our first boat in 2010, a 2002 MasterCraft X9. At the time, we lived far from the nearest dealer, so I dug into understanding the boat mechanically. I collected a cache of parts for the most common reliability issues, one of which was the in-tank fuel pump, according to a MasterCraft owners forum. I practiced replacing the pump to ensure I had all the correct parts and tools at the ready—very proactive of me. Fast-forward to 2012. We bought a cabin on a lake in Balsam Lake, Wisconsin. It was a boater’s dream of a day in late June, and my wife invited a couple of families to come out with their kids. While greeting our guests, my kids encouraged our friends’ kids to play…

When it comes to wake sports, popular opinion is that wakesurfing is the low-risk, high-reward proposition. Wakeboarding? Many consider big risks and painful falls as the dues you have to pay. Not so, says wake legend and Team Nautique member Shaun Murray. “You don’t have to make crazy steps to have fun in wakeboarding. With a few small changes, it can be pretty rewarding.” Here’s a few low-risk tips that pay off big, from getting up for the first time to progressing toward that first wake-to-wake jump. FLY, DON’T PLOW “When learning to get up, people think you need to keep the topside edge of the board dry,” says Murray of the common wake starting position. “The mistake with that is the board acts like a plow, and you’re going…

When introduced in 2006, Malibu’s Wakesetter 247 supersized the market. It was big in terms of length and also passenger capacity. With its 1,450 pounds of potential ballast and Malibu’s proprietary Power Wedge wakeshaper, it also produced awesome wakes. The 2022 Wakesetter 25 LSV carries on that tradition. At 25 feet, it remains big, now with an 18-passenger capacity. It also offers the third-generation Power Wedge and adds Malibu’s Surf Gate technology to dish up endless waves for the surf crowd. The biggest influence on wake size, however, will always be ballast. Here, compared to the original 247, the 25 LSV offers 250 percent more capacity. That’s not just supersizing. That’s super-duper-sizing. Because it’s designed to displace more water, Malibu’s Wake-Plus hull naturally boosts wake size, but it’s the 3,680…

Experience shows 23 feet as a sweet spot for producing great wakes and waves. The redesigned Ri230 makes the spot extra-sweet. Centurion’s Opti-V hull, the updated running surface, features the deepest transom deadrise in the segment—20 degrees. This helps shape wakes and waves, and gives the Ri230 a smoother ride. With 5,400 pounds of onboard ballast, the Ri230 displaces a ton of water, further adding to towing performance. The Ri230 was chosen over bigger boats to pull at last year’s World Wakesurfing Championship. Centurion’s QuickSurf port and starboard transommounted plates deploy to create the sizable, endless waves. A centerline transom plate customizes the wave’s shape and size. Centurion’s Revo Side by Side 12-inch touchscreens allow easy control of settings. Find a setup you like, then save it to a custom…

One is the loneliest number. Well, unless you’re skipping across the wakes solo on an inflatable tow toy, then let’s face it: One might be lonely, but it’s still pretty darn fun. But as any kid who has ever invited a friend along for the ride knows, two can be double the fun. And three? Judging by the teen trio riding a collection of tubes in this year’s annual inflatable roundup, the equation turns exponential. That’s probably the reason inflatable manufacturers keep producing bigger and bolder rides. In terms of rider capacity, fun factor is far from finite. To prove it, we assembled a quiver of truly unique three-passenger inflatables from brands HO, Radar, O’Brien and WOW. One off ered arguably the best bang for the buck, one was laid-back…

Garmin’s LiveScope Plus sonar system, which attaches to a bow-mounted electric trolling motor, offers 35 percent better target separation than the previous iteration. This enhances the ability to see structure, bait and fish around the boat in real time. You can select from three viewing modes—Forward, Down and Perspective—on compatible Garmin MFDs. A Perspective Mode Mount creates a top-down wide view in front of the boat. Sensors adjust sonar beams to compensate for boat motion. A GLS 10 black box and LVS34 transducer, along with a trollingmotor mounting kit, are sold separately for $1,699.99 and $1,199.99, respectively.…