MARINE AUDIO 34 WHALER’S LATEST 38

TIPS FOR LAUNCHING

Pg.
30

Pg.
22 WAYS TO
BE A GREAT
CREWMEMBER
TOW VEHICLE
Pg.
32

MUST-HAVES
SCOUT
Pg.
52

355 LXF

Pg.
FOUNTAIN’S
70
QUEST FOR A
KILO RECORD

C
CERTIFIED BOAT TESTS
CRUISERS YACHTS CANTIUS 42 / SCOUT 355 LXF
FLOECRAFT AFINA 3950 / MJM YACHTS 35Z
CUTWATER 302 COUPE / BERKSHIRE 25SB ULTRA
SEPTEMBER 2018 VOLUME 91 NUMBER 8
 Available in new,
REMEMBER to always observe all applicable boating laws. Never drink and drive. Dress properly with a USCG-approved personal floatation device and protective gear. Pearlescent White
© 2018 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved. 1-800-889-2624 and Classic Yamaha Gray
Extreme
An entirely new species of

predator is moving quietly offshore.

class of extreme offshore power.

offshore boating experience.

To learn more about the Yamaha 425 hp 5.6L V8

XTO Offshore, visit YamahaOutboards.com/XTO.

INDUSTRY-FIRST DIRECT-INJECTION
FOUR STROKE

UP TO 90 AMPS OF ELECTRICAL POWER

WITH HARDENED GEARS

INTEGRATED P O W E R S Y S T E M
 09.18
BOATINGMAG.COM
SEPTEMBER 2018

MOTORHEAD P.62
+ Yamaha’s new XTO Offshore is
a big, bad V-8 outboard

+ Apollo Marine Audio Series

+ Fusion Panel-Stereo

C P.70
COLUMNS
P.8 EDITORIAL
P.22 SEAMANSHIP
CERTIFIED P.82 OFF MY DOCK
TESTS FEATURES
P.44 CRU IS ER S SCHOOL OF FISH IN PURSUIT OF SPEED
YACH T S Can an unlikely collegiate sport save Under the ownership of Iconic
CA NTI US 42
both recreational and professional Marine, Fountain designs and builds
A coupe that delivers fishing? We take a look. a boat to reclaim a world speed
the goods on the BY RANDY VANCE record in the kilo run.
water, inside and out. BY CHARLES PLUEDDEMAN
P.64
P.48 MJM YACHTS P.70
35Z

MOTOR CORPORATION USA, ZACH STOVALL, COURTESY S’WELL; ILLUSTRATION: TIM BOWER
An outboard-
powered boat with

PHOTOS: (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) CHARLES PLUEDDEMAN, COURTESY YAMAHA

the amenities and
layout of a larger
vessel.
THE BOAT
P.52 SCOUT
WAVES
355 L X F P.11 P.24
Want to roam off-
shore and fish in
luxury? Check out + On Board with ... P.24 Q&A
Scout’s latest.
+ Captain’s Test P.27 We Test Stuff
P.56 FLO ECR A F T P.28 Weekend Workbook
A F I NA 3950 + For Comparison’s Sake
P.30 Quick Study
P.58 CU T WAT ER + Online This Month
302 COUP E
P.32 What to Look For
+ First Impressions
ON THE COVER
P.34 Boat Doc Special The Scout 355 LXF is a dual
P.60 BER KS HI R E
25S B ULTRA + 5 Things P.38 BoatingLAB console designed to provide your
family and fishing crew the utmost
in amenities and usability.
Photo by Garrett Cortese

4 | B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8
 C34
A BOAT THAT’S BUILT BETTER,

PERFORMS BETTER.

Vacuum infused resin technology. It’s how Carver Yachts builds a

boat that’s lighter and stronger for greater performance and better
fuel economy. No wonder Carver Yachts is taking the marine industry
by storm. And Carver offers seven, Coupe and Command Bridge See The Difference.
models from 34 to 52 feet to choose from.
See your dealer for a sea trial today. WWW.CARVERYACHTS.COM
 editor-in-chief Kevin Falvey
PRESENTS
deputy editor Pete McDonald
electronics and west coast editor Jim Hendricks
managing editor Sue Whitney
watersports director Garrett Cortese
art director Ryan Swanson
staff photographer Jon Whittle

MISS
senior copy editor Nicole Paskowsky
editor-at-large, fishing and marine groups Randy Vance

SEPTEMBER
contributors Chris Caswell, Capt. Vincent Daniello, Bill Doster,
Ken Englert, Michael Folkerts, Joe Friedman,
Steve Griffin, Michael “Mick” Hannock, Jeff Hemmel,
Forest Johnson, Tom King, John Linn,
JESSICA M. / SCOUT 355 LXF Charles Plueddeman, Capt. John N. Raguso,
Lenny Rudow, Tom Schlichter, Rick Shackleton,
Ed Sherman, Heather Steinberger, John Tiger Jr.,
Capt. John Page Williams

illustrators Tim Barker, Tim Bower, Colin Hayes

group production director Rina Murray
associate production director Kelly Weekley
production manager/artist Rick Andrews

vice president, managing director

Glenn Sandridge
407-571-4747; glenn.sandridge@bonniercorp.com
publisher/brand manager
John McEver
407-571-4682; john.mcever@bonniercorp.com
director of brand strategy
Rhonda Mock
407-571-4696; rhonda.mock@bonniercorp.com
marketplace/account manager
Brian Luke
407-571-4788; brian.luke@bonniercorp.com
director, digital strategy
Mike Staley
407-571-4803; mike.staley@bonniercorp.com
detroit advertising director
Jeff Roberge
248-213-6154; jeff.roberge@bonniercorp.com

BONNIER MEDIA
executive vice president Gregory Gatto
editorial director Shawn Bean
editorial director, boating Kevin Falvey
and watersports group
creative director Dave Weaver
editorial operations director Stephanie Pancratz
copy chief Cindy Martin
group marketing director Haley Bischof
marketing manager Christopher Cole
digital content director Mark MacKenzie
custom audience manager Jackie Fry
digital content production Michellina Jones
and presentation director
digital producer Brian Daugherty

chairman Tomas Franzén

head of business area, magazines Lars Dahmén
chief executive officer Eric Zinczenko
chief financial officer Joachim Jaginder
chief operating officer David Ritchie
chief marketing officer Elizabeth Burnham Murphy
chief digital revenue officer Sean Holzman
vice president, integrated sales John Graney
senior vice president, digital operations David Butler
vice president, public relations Perri Dorset
vice president, data science and analytics Mark Crone
vice president, enterprise solutions Shawn Macey
general counsel Jeremy Thompson
human resources director Kim Putman

PHOTO GALLERIES VIDEOS Printed in the USA

For reprints, send an email to reprints@bonniercorp.com.

Occasionally, we make portions of our subscriber list available
to carefully screened companies that offer products and
services we think might be of interest to you. If you do not want
to receive these offers, please advise us at 515-237-3697.
This product is from
sustainably managed All contents copyright ©2018 Bonnier Corporation. No use may be made of materials con-
forests and controlled tained herein without express written consent. For inquiries, please contact us at Bonnier
sources. Corporation, 460 N. Orlando Ave., Suite 200, Winter Park, FL 32789.

SCA N ME
FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SUBSCRIPTION QUESTIONS,
Go to www.boatingmag.com/cover-girl such as renewals, address changes, email preferences, billing and account status, go to boatingmag.com/cs. You can also email
BGMcustserv@cdsfulfillment.com. In the U.S. call toll-free 800-289-0399. Outside the U.S. call 515-237-3697 or write to Boating
or scan here to view all OUR Magazine, PO Box 6364, Harlan, IA 51593. Retail Single Copy Sales: ProCirc Retail Solutions Group, Tony DiBisceglie.
cover girl photos and videos
BRING IT ON.

• Feature Rich Design

• Smaller Footprint for Easy
Installation Options
• Class D DSC
• GPS Version Available
• Choose from Black or White

Contact Your Local Icom Dealer Today.

Visit www.icomamerica.com/marine
for additional features and specs.

www.icomamerica.com/marine
 EDITORIAL
LUDDITES
Te c h n o l o g y i s n o t n e c e s s a r y, b u t i t s u r e i s n i c e .
TOW THE LINE!
This issue’s focus is
trailering boats. On
page 30, you’ll find
Jim Hendricks’ advice
for launching boats in
crosswinds and
crosscurrents.
8 | B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8
By Kevin Falvey
I
like to steer boats by the compass. That is to say, I read the course off the GPS and
then swing the wheel until the compass card and lubber line match what the screen
says. (I’ve worked up a deviation table for my boat’s compass and pretty much have it
committed to memory.) That done, I look ahead for a handy water tower, lighthouse,
cliff or cloud and head for it. If it’s a long leg, I’ll mentally adjust for wind and current.
Periodically, I check the GPS and correct the course, if needed. I find this procedure lets
me, personally, keep a straighter wake than when I steer by looking at
the boat-shaped icon on the screen and trying to keep it as close as Am I a Luddite? No.
possible to the magenta line drawn by the plotter.
Am I a Luddite? No. I wouldn’t trade my GPS for a barrel of monkeys’
I wouldn’t trade my
fists. But that doesn’t mean I have to be a slave to technology. The gizmos GPS for a barrel of
are just tools in my arsenal. I use them as needed, when needed, and in monkeys’ fists.
cold blood. That is to say with neither prejudice nor veneration.
That treatment of technology as tools extends well beyond GPS. If you read my boat test
of the MJM Yachts 35z on page 48, you’ll discover that I laud the installation of Mercury
Marine’s Active Trim system aboard that boat. I state how the system trims the boat as well
as I can trim it manually; that I cannot beat it. In fact, I have run dozens of boats with Active
Trim and have rarely seen an instance where manually trimming the drives or outboards
proved more effective than letting the technology do it.
Now, at risk of sounding self-aggrandizing, I run dozens of different boats per year
and have been doing that for over 20 years. And that’s just for work; I’m not counting my
personal boating adventures. It’s safe to say that I know how to run a boat. Using Active
Trim, therefore, is not a concession to my failure to master the trim switch. Rather, it’s
simply a convenience I choose to use most of the time, when it is available to me.
The same goes for the autopilot (I know how to steer), power steering (I have strength
in my arms), depth sounder (I could use a lead line), and fuel gauge (I could use a dipstick).
Getting my point? Is anyone still advocating a return to engines that need to be choked
manually or the RDF? (Google it!)
Radar and AIS are a bit different. I cannot see in the dark or through fog, and I certainly
can’t read the name of a vessel a mile away so that I can hail it on the VHF. Well, if I used my
binoculars, I probably could.
Enjoy the issue.
Kevin Falvey, Editor-in-Chief
editor@boatingmag.com
 O U TB OAR D P O W E R H AS N E V E R LO O K E D S O G O O D
I NTR O D U C I N G TH E A L L- N E W M 2 2 5 & M 2 0 5
UN COMP ROMISI N G P ER FOR M A N C E | EL E G A N T STY L I N G | E X TR A W I D E B OW S E ATI N G A R E A

M O NTE R EYB O ATS.C O M    A WORLD LEADER IN STYLE AND PERFORMANCE

 BOATINGMAG.COM
SEPTEMBER 2018

O N B OA R D W I T H . . .
CAPTAIN’S TEST
FOR COMPARISON’S SAKE
ONLINE THIS MONTH
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
5 THINGS

ON
BOARD S CA N M E
To read the full
WITH ... interview, scan
this tag or go to
boatingmag.com/
knot-wafflen.

David Jenkins If you’re supposed to keep your friends close and your
and enemies closer, where are you supposed to keep family?
For brothers-in-law David Jenkins and Blake Eder, the
Blake Eder answer was as close as possible. For most of 10,000 nau-
Boaters on a 10,000- tical miles from Alaska to Maryland, the two have shared
mile tour on an Aspen the extra-close confines of a 40-foot powercat. We met up
C120 Catamaran named with the duo as they crossed Florida via the Okeechobee
Knot WafflenÕ Waterway. —Garrett Cortese

How did this whole journey come about?
DJ: My family took a cruise through Alaska several years
ago, and it was great, but the whole time I kept wishing I
could get off the boat so I could experience more. As I start-
ed researching boats, I really liked what Aspen and owner
Larry Graf were doing. I reached out, and we started putting
PHOTO: GARRETT CORTESE
DJ: Whenever my wife, Sue Ellen, is on board.
BE: I’d never been to Alaska before, and the weather was
bad, but the scenery is just incredible.
What about the craziest thing you’ve seen so far?
DJ: We were cruising through the Gulf, and we somehow hit

this together. a shark.

BE: I came on as the captain because David didn’t have a
captain’s license. Being that we were brothers-in-law, it
made sense that I’d be on board to help.
What’s been your favorite part so far?
BE: I didn’t see it — I must’ve been looking at a chart or
something — but I felt it, and then I heard David screaming.
DJ: I couldn’t believe it. I was on the phone and looking out
at the water. I see what I know is a shark, and we’re headed
right for it. I started screaming, “We’re gonna hit that shark!”

B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 | 1 1
 MAKING WAVES /// C A P TA I N ’ S T E S T
All New Exclusive LAUNCH
FULL THROTTLE INSURANCE RAMP
CANCELLED? ETIQUET TE
NON-RENEWED? With millions of boaters flocking to the water each weekend, what do
SKYROCKETING RATES? you know about the do’s and don’ts when launching and retrieving?
WE CAN HELP. To keep tensions to a minimum and help everyone enjoy their boating
experience, here’s a quiz on launch-ramp etiquette. —John Tiger
CALL TODAY! (Answers on page 14)
EST
THE BSERVICE
CLAIMIN THE 1. When preparing your
TRY!
INDUS
boat to launch, it’s best to:
A. Load all your gear
into the boat away
from the ramp,
before lining up to
launch.
B. Attach retrieval lines
and fenders before
backing down the
ramp.
C. Start the engine and
run it at home, just
for a moment in the
driveway (with a
For over 50 years Total Dollar has flush attachment, of
built a first- rate reputation, course), to ensure a
providing expertise that’s second smooth start at the
to none. You’ll get custom-tailored launch.
insurance — agreed value hull, D. None of the above
liability and special coverage, plus E. All of the above
personalized service and rates that
won’t gouge your pocket. 2. The last thing you
Call us 7 days a week at: should do before backing
down the ramp is:
800-962-5659 A. Wave at all the
people in line.
B. Install the hull drain
plug and secure it.
C. Put beach towels
aboard.
D. Switch backing/
driving chores with
your spouse.
E. None of the above
Member: Professional Insurance Agents Association
3. Backing a boat trailer
Better Business Bureau down the ramp can be
One Pleasant Avenue, Pt. Washington, NY 11050 intimidating. What’s a
Toll Free: 800-962-5659
good way to conquer
this task?
Fax: 516-704-2285 • Web: www.totaldollar.com
E-mail: info@totaldollar.com A. Practice first, pref-
erably in an open
John Posey, TX Buzz Fyhrie, FL
972-775-3523 888-327-8467
parking lot away E. All of the above
from the ramp. F. None of the above;
B. Place one hand on just head to the
the wheel, at the lake!
bottom center of the
rim. Moving your 5. At the ramp, you’ve
hand to the left will launched your boat and
make the trailer it’s running and ready.
move to the left, and Now what?
vice versa. This is an A. Idle in the middle of
easy way to back a the ramp area while
trailer. you wait for your
C. Turn your body so family to board.
you’re looking out B. Move your boat to a
the rear window at dock away from the
your trailer, over ramp so you’re not
your right shoulder. blocking others.
This makes it much C. Tilt your engine up
easier to back the to expose the pro-
trailer. peller, and floor the
D. Use your vehicle’s throttle to produce
backup camera, if a huge shower of
equipped. spray for others.
E. All of the above D. None of the above
4. Before heading to the 6. At the end of the day,
water, a checklist might you’re ready to retrieve
ensure a trouble-free your boat and head
day. What should be on home. What do you do
that checklist? first as you approach the
A. Fill the boat tanks ramp?
(and the tow vehicle) A. Pull up to the dock
with fuel. away from the ramp
B. Remember the drain and go get your
plug. vehicle and trailer.
C. Charge the boat B. Drop off your spouse
batteries. to get the truck and
D. Check engine trailer while you idle
starting, cooling, away from the ramp.
idling and shifting by C. Pull up close to the
running it on a flush ramp and wait.
PHOTO: BILL DOSTER
attachment in the D. All of the above
driveway. E. A or B above
 11:27 AM
the moment your child meets
your inner child

When you’re on a Sea Ray, a curious thing happens. Every moment seems to matter more. That’s because we craft
every detail to heighten your experience. From the way you move through the water to the way you move through the
cockpit. We care about every detail so you can make the most of every moment. Explore the SDX 270 OB at SeaRay.com.
 MAKING WAVES /// F O R C O M PA R I S O N ’ S S A K E
METAL WATER BOTTLES
Who needs ice? Metal water bottles are known for keeping your beverage cool
— or hot — for hours on end. Here are three reusable metal water bottles to bring
aboard your boat. —Pete McDonald
S’WELL
Teak looks
super-nautical
S’WELL
TEAKWOOD
THE CHILL : Made of high-
grade 18/8 stainless steel,
the S’well definitely kept
water cool inside even after
the outer bottle baked in the
summer sun for hours. S’well
claims it keeps liquids cool for
24 hours and hot for 12 hours.
The teakwood design goes
hand in hand with the
boating life.
THE NIL: One of the more
expensive metal bottles;
prone to dings and scratching.
PRICE: $45 for 25-ounce
bottle; swell.com
15
1 4 | B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8
GSI
The lightest of
the three bottles
GSI
MICROLITE 1000 TWIST
THE CHILL: The lightest of
the three bottles, the GSI is
also vacuum-insulated 18/8
stainless steel and makes
the claim of keeping liquids
cold for 32 hours. In personal
use, it also kept water cool
while exposed to summer
sun for hours. The rubberized
bottom keeps a decent grip
on surfaces such as a boat’s
pedestal table.
THE NIL: While the screw-
top leash doubles as a finger
hold, it juts out at an awkward
90-degree angle.
PRICE: $34.95 for 33-ounce
bottle; gsioutdoors.com
The record for most
Atlantic hurricanes in
a season, from 2005.
THE COLDEST
WATER
Keeps liquids cool
for 36 hours
THE COLDEST
WATER
BOTTLE
THE CHILL: Like the S’well,
The Coldest Water bottle is
made of 18/8 stainless steel
and vacuum-insulated, but
this one claims a 36-hour
chill time. It also kept water
chilled for hours while lying
exposed in the sun on an off-
shore trip. The screw-on lid
has a handle, and the bottle
has a rubber grip.
THE NIL: The heaviest of the
three bottles; not as ergo-
nomic to hold.
PRICE : $29.99 for 32-ounce
bottle; thecoldestwater.com
C A P TA I N ’S T E ST
(Answers from page 12)
1. E. All of the above are good
practices to ensure a smooth
launch without keeping others
waiting.
PHOTOS: (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) COURTESY S’WELL, COURTESY GSI OUTDOORS, COURTESY THE COLDEST WATER, BILL DOSTER;
2. B. The drain plug should be on
your checklist and installed before
launching.
3. E. All of the above are good
ways to back a trailer. However,
nothing beats practice.
4. E. All the suggestions make
good checkpoints on a before-
launch checklist.
5. B. Moving your boat away from
the ramp ensures room for others
to launch and retrieve.
6. E. A and B are the best moves.
Waiting while idling away from the
SOURCE FOR STATISTIC: NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER
ramp or at a dock that’s out of the
way of the ramp is the best way to
make room for others to do their
thing. When it’s your turn, you’ll
be ready.
CAPTAIN’S TESTS ONLINE
Test your knowledge of boating with
more Captain’s Tests at boatingmag
.com/captains-test.
ONLINE
THIS
MONTH
Keep up on your road skills with our
compilation of articles on trailering
tips and maintenance.
SCAN ME
Go to boatingmag
.com/trailering-
and-towing-special
or scan this tag.
BUILT TO DO IT ALL
Whether unwinding on a weekend trip to the Bahamas,
sharing a fun-filled day with family and friends, reeling
in your next big catch, or cruising at wide open throttle
under the sun, our 40cc is designed to let you do it all.

Model 40cc • Made in the USA • belzonamarine.com

 FI
FIRST
IMPRESSION
By Pete McDonald

HINCKLEY
Sport Boat CC
Hinckley is joining the outboard-
powered, luxury center-console market
to great fanfare with its new Sport
Boat CC. Like all new Hinckley power
yachts, the 42-foot-7-inch hull was
drawn by Ray Hunt Design. It’s built
using epoxy-infused carbon from bow

PHOTO: COURTESY HINCKLEY SPORT BOATS

to stern with an inner layer of Kevlar
for extra strength and durability. Every
part is vacuum-infused to create the
strongest boat possible while maintain-
ing a relatively lighter weight.
With triple outboards on the tran-
som, the Sport Boat CC is expected to
hit a top-end speed of 63 mph while
maintaining a true course and the
seakeeping capabilities expected of the
legendary Hunt deep-V.
Within the console, boaters will
discover a well-appointed and air-
conditioned cabin featuring a galley
with a U-shaped settee, which con-
verts to a queen-size berth, and a fully
separate head with a shower. Above-
decks, the helm and passenger seats are
covered by an extended hardtop.
· LOA: 42'7" · BEAM: 12'5" · DRAFT: 3'1" · DISPLACEMENT
(APPROX.): 19,000 lb. · FUEL CAPACITY: 450 gal.
H I N C K L E Y S P O R T B O AT S
Portsmouth, Rhode Island; 401-683-7100; hinckleysportboats.com

SIERRAOIL&LUBES
TREAT YOUR ENGINES LIKE ROYALTY
Sierra NMMA certified marine engine
oils have been developed to meet the
specific lubrication needs of marine
engines operating under unique and
challenging environmental conditions.

SIERRA’S COMPLETE RANGE OF MARINE

ENGINE OILS Including the new NMMA
FC-W Catalyst Compatible Engine Oils.

www.seastarsolutions.com
 FI
FIRST
IMPRESSION
By Kevin Falvey

TIGÉ
ZX5
With seating for 19 and ample stowage,
the 2019 25-foot ZX5 is Tigé’s flagship
and will allow your whole crew to enjoy
a day full of wakesurfing, wakeboarding
or skiing.
This big boat should generate the
biggest of waves. Wakeboarders can
expect the massive, rampy wakes for
which the Convex V-Hull is notorious.
PHOTO: COURTESY TIGÉ BOATS

On the other side of the coin, the ZX5 is
said to be able to make the wake vanish
when you are ready to ski and still per-
forms with total agility when you take
it into a turn. Done for the day? Stow
your boards in the Surf Locker and
keep your cockpit dry and tidy.
Standard features include the TAPS
3 Surf System, patented Convex V-Hull,
Tigé CLEAR User Experience, and
the Alpha E2 Powered Tower. Other
notable standard features include
an Indmar Raptor Series engine,
transform seating, Surf + Wake XL
underfloor ballast, RearView Camera,
Tigé 5 Warranty, and the Lifetime Hull
Replacement Warranty.
· LOA: 25'0" · BEAM: 8'6" · DRAFT: 2'5" · DISPLACEMENT
(APPROX.): 6,300 lb. · FUEL CAPACITY: 80 gal.
T I G É B O AT S
Abilene, Texas; 325-676-7777; tige.com/boats/ZX5

FIL LING,
LESS TIME AY ING
I M E P L
MORE T
GET RID OF THE GAS CAN
Quick, efficient, and safe way to 95 gallon recreational gas trailer
keep your toys full of gas and Take fewer trips to the gas station
you in the action.
SAVE MONEY
No more paying hiked up marina gas prices
Pays for itself with money saved

EASY TO USE
LEARN MORE AT Tow with any 2” ball hitch
GASDINGO.COM Up to 175’ of hose to reach end of your dock
 FI
FIRST
IMPRESSION
By Kevin Falvey

FORMULA
400 Super Sport
Crossover
We look forward to testing the Formula
400 Super Sport Crossover later this
fall. It appears it will be a top-notch
crossover boat, one that marries the
attributes of several boat types into a
single versatile vessel.
The 400 SSC incorporates the For-

PHOTO: COURTESY FORMULA BOATS

mula Crossover SmartZone: separate
areas for a variety of activities. Cabin
accommodations include a private
stateroom, a convertible dinette, en-
closed head, and a sink and microwave.
Topside, the 400 SSC’s first-of-its-
kind slide-open windshield leads to
expansive wraparound seating. There’s
a galley on deck, and aft you’ll find a
rear-facing sun lounge and a broad,
extended swim platform.
Four Mercury Verado outboards of
up to 350 hp each will power the 400
SSC. We expect exciting performance
and agile handling when combined
with yet another FAS3Tech hull de-
signed by longtime Formula Boats
designer, John Adams.
· LOA: 40'0" · BEAM: 12'0" · DRAFT: 3'6" · DISPLACEMENT
(APPROX.): 25,000 lb. · FUEL CAPACITY: 400 gal.
F O R M U L A B O AT S
Decatur, Indiana; 260-724-9111; formulaboats.com
 NEW

NC 695 NC 795 NC 895 NC 1095

NC 1095
35-Foot Outboard Powered Cruiser
This 35-foot outboard powered cruiser allows for life on one level. On the starboard side she
has a recessed side-deck and access gate for easy boarding along with a sliding door at the
helm. The modular aft cockpit has sliding glass doors that fully open to connect the indoor
and outdoor spaces. Offered in a two or three cabin version, the NC 1095 sleeps up to eight
comfortably and has optimized storage spaces making it ideal for weekends on the water.
Be one of the first to schedule a private tour by visiting jeanneau.com/1095seatrial
s

North American Debut at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show | Oct 31 – Nov 4, 2018

jeanneau.com
 MAKING WAVES /// 5 T H I N G S

FIVE GUYS YOU The Dock

Blocker
DON’T WANT TO
SEE AT THE
LAUNCH RAMP
The Screamer The Loaded

5
THINGS
MORE
THAN 5
See more
The Loader
humorous

ILLUSTRATIONS: COLIN HAYES

things at
boatingmag.
com/five-
things.

The Submariner

INTRODUCING THE SOUTHPORT 33 DC

Dual Console...
Double Comfort
“I’ve owned 44 boats in my life
and I cannot get enough of my
Southport; it is my favorite.”
CRAIG FROM FLORIDA

“The ride and handling are what

sold me. This boat never feels
anything less than planted and
rock-solid.”
DAVE FROM MASSACHUSETTS

Whether you’re heading for the canyons with friends or day-

tripping along the coast with your family, you’ll appreciate
every minute of time on the water in your Southport.

www.southportboats.com
 Call 800.669.6529
moorings.com/boating

unforgettable
Your vacation should be a reflection of
you—original, authentic, and marked by
a proud passage as unique as your handprint.
Discover a world where time slows down and
nautical miles inspire unforgettable smiles.
Come aboard, leave mainstream in your
wake, and become part of our esteemed
cruising culture—undock, unplug, unwind.
 SEAMANSHIP
BE A GOOD
CREWMEMBER
Jumping aboard on another boat? Here’s how to
earn a second invite.
Skippering your own boat brings
rewards, but it also comes with
responsibility and extra work. So
occasionally, it’s nice to jump aboard
another boat and let someone else
shoulder the burden that weighs
heavy on the helm.
Considerate and experi-
enced guests — especially
those who captain their own
boats — take on responsibili-
ties to help the skipper. Here
are 10 tips for being the best
crewmember ever.
1 SHOW UP EARLY A
now-departed boating mentor
once told me: “If you’re on
time, you’re late.” Arriving
10 to 15 minutes ahead of the
appointed meeting time tells
the captain you’re eager and
ready to go. Never keep a cap-
tain waiting, lest he invoke the
“15-minute rule” — if you’re
more than 15 minutes late, the
boat leaves without you.
2 2 | B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8
2 ACT LIKE CREW Too many
guests sit down and do nothing.
That’s actually a great routine
for the kids, but you should
ask how you can help and then
respond immediately. The skip-
per may not want assistance,
but it is always good to ask.
3 NO SECOND-GUESSING
If the captain makes a decision
or a request (it’s not really a
request, it’s a polite command),
don’t second-guess. You gave
up that right when you stepped
aboard another person’s boat.
This is especially important
when maneuvering in tight
quarters, negotiating rough
seas or in emergency situations.
By Jim Hendricks
4 AVOID OVERINDULGING
Just because you’re not behind
the wheel doesn’t mean you
can consume alcohol (or other
intoxicants) at will. Part of be-
ing a good crewmember means
you need to stay alert and agile.
You might need to shimmy up
to the bow to man the anchor
or handle dock lines. A beer
or two while on the water can
impair your ability to traverse
catwalks or descend from the
bridge. From my point of view,
a tipsy crewmember is more of
an impediment than a help.
5 OFFER TO BRING PROVI-
SIONS This is not essential,
but it’s one of those gestures
most captains appreciate im-
mensely. Having someone else
handle the food, drinks and ice
results in fewer things for the
captain to worry about when
getting the boat ready.
6 COMMUNICATE On a boat,
there’s no such thing as too
much communication. That’s
why Navy crewmembers re-
peat an order, to acknowledge
that they heard it and confirm
the command. So, when the
captain says, “Fend off on the
port side,” you should respond,
“Fending off on the port side.”
7 NO FRIEND REQUESTS
Please don’t ask to bring a
friend. While the captain
might extend an invitation to
you plus one, asking to bring
a second person is bad form,
at least in my boating circles.
Even worse, I once invited a
co-worker to go fishing on my
boat; he accepted and then
asked if he could bring his dog.
Dog or human, such requests
put the captain in the awkward
position of saying no.
8 REPLACEMENT POLICY
I like to explain to the crew
the replacement policy (right
after the safety talk). To put it
simply, you break it or lose it,
you replace it — immediately.
I practice what I preach when
jumping aboard other boats.
This extends from losing one
of the captain’s lures to break-
ing a fishing rod. Avoid delays,
because the longer it takes to
replace, the more resentment
it’s likely to generate.
9 PITCH IN Don’t even ask
about contributing money to-
ward the trip, just do it. If any-
thing, err on the generous side.
The captain invests a lot more
time, energy and resources
than crew, so an even split of
the costs is hardly an even one
for the skipper.
10 STAY TO CLEAN Any
self-respecting crewmember
offers to unload gear and help
clean the boat after a day on
the water. It’s what I call Man
Law (please excuse the sex-
ism). That said, as a captain, I
often decline the offer because
I like to take my time, have a
beer or three, play tunes and
relax while washing the boat.
I find it therapeutic. At the
same time, I greatly appreciate
the offer, and just as impor-
tantly, I make a note of guests
ILLUSTRATION: TIM BOWER
who don’t offer to help me.
For them, a second invitation
might never come.
 BOAT
DOCTOR
BOATINGMAG.COM
SEPTEMBER 2018

BOAT DOCTOR /// Q&A

Q:CURSES,
FOULED
AGAIN!
Dear Mick, my depth sounder worked well at spring launch
but deteriorated toward midseason. I suspect that my trans-
ducer is fouled with marine growth. It is a new installation
and did not receive anti-fouling paint. What can I do now? I
was not planning on hauling the boat for a few months yet.
Jack Adams

A:
Smyrna, Delaware

You can haul the boat. You can hire a diver to scrub your trans-
ducer. Or you can anchor in clear, shallow water and, using a
mask, snorkel and fins, check out the ’ducer yourself. A mask
and fins are handy tools for all boaters who keep their boats
in the water. Which choice to make will depend upon your
pocketbook and your abilities.

PHOTOS: ZACH STOVALL

INKED Errant pen marks on vinyl seats cause unsightly, tough-to-remove stains. Often, wiping
with a rag soaked in alcohol will remove the stains.

2 4 | B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

BAD FITTY
Q: My boat’s red-
and-green bow light
[Editor’s note: the red-
and-green light or lights
are officially termed
“sidelights”] has a plastic
lens that is in two parts.
One side is green and
the other red. When
replacing a bulb, the
chrome-plated housing
screws down over these
two plastic pieces. The
problem is that there is a
small seam between the
red and green plastic. It’s
not enough to see, but
while running, this seam
allows spray to seep in
and hit the hot bulb.
This breaks the bulb.
The same thing happens
back at the dock after
a night run: If I rinse
off the boat, I have to
avoid spraying the bow
light or else the bulb
breaks. Do you have any
suggestions?
Don Fitterman
Secaucus, New Jersey
A: Don, while I could
suggest any number of
Rube Goldberg fixes, I
would only deem these
appropriate if done while
out on a cruise where
no other options were
available. Instead, I’ll
PHOTOS: (FROM TOP) KEVIN FALVEY, COURTESY TRAILER VALET
recommend you replace
the fixture and check the
new one out for water-
tight construction. Prop-
er lighting is an essential
safety component. It’s a
shame that a maker pro-
duced a light made from
such a costly, quality ma-
terial like chrome-plated
stainless and then fell
short in another part of
the design.
BOAT DOCTOR /// Q & A
RUSTED
Q:
Mick, I have a 2016 Cobalt 26SD and
keep it slipped on the Potomac River
in northern Virginia. When trailered,
I clean the waterline (and bottom) at
least twice per year, mostly because I cannot
stand to look at it. I use Slimy Grimy, an off-the-
shelf cleaner containing oxalic acid. It works
well and is easy to use. The problem is that the
oxalic acid and/or the other chemicals leave
serious stains on my galvanized trailer. What is
the best DIY method to clean the stains off my
trailer? Thanks!
Rick McKeown
Fairfax Station, Virginia
A:
Hi Rick. You cannot let acid (oxalic, muriatic, etc.) cleaners get on your
trailer. Can. Not. Do. It. The acid eats the finish.
If the fenders have not yet turned to Swiss cheese, you can grind back
the stains and rust to bright metal. Then you can apply what’s called “cold galvanizing
spray.” This is basically a zinc-rich coating in an aerosol can. Follow all directions and
safety precautions on the product label.
As for your boat’s bottom, you can coat it with anti-fouling paint, or you can haul the
boat weekly or every 10 days or so and clean it with milder chemicals. Growth won’t be so
tough after a week, but the time frame will vary locally; only you can judge the specific
rate of growth on your boat in your slip. If you leave it slipped long enough that you need
to use acid, then cover the trailer with tarps during the cleaning process.
TRAILER grass and dirt. A vehicle weight. There’s also
VA L E T RV R WE planetary gear motor the RVR3 ($2,100) with a
Jockeying a boat TEST offers plenty of low- 3,500-pound capacity and
trailer around STUFF end grunt. a bracket that attaches the
on the tail of a A changeable tow unit to the side of the trailer,
tow vehicle might ball on a pedestal se- and the RVR9 ($4,100) with
be second nature for cures to the trailer coupler. a 9,000-pound capacity. To
many boaters, but there are The rechargeable lithium-ion learn more, visit trailervalet
occasions when things get battery gives you 30 minutes .com. —Jim Hendricks
dicey, even for a veteran. Take, of run time, more than enough
for example, backing down a to maneuver your trailer in or
narrow driveway with walls on out of a tight spot or around a
each side that limit the swing difficult corner. The remote
of tow vehicle’s front end. gives you control from up to
This is where the new 40 feet away.
Trailer Valet RVR series came We tested the RVR5
in handy during our test. The ($3,400, trailervalet.com),
compact, self-motorized and which has a rating of 5,500
remotely controlled trailer pounds, and it worked
bot features heavy-duty exceedingly well in moving
caterpillar tread for traction our tandem-axle trailer
on asphalt, concrete, gravel, with a 5,000-pound gross
B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 | 2 5
 BOAT DOCTOR /// Q & A
Q:STUCK
ON YOU
Dear Doc, I am confused about when to use an
adhesive sealant, such as Sikaflex 291, or a plain
sealant, like silicone or polysulfide. Can you offer
some guidance?
Doug Zachary
Accomac, Virginia
A: It would be easier to answer your question if
you supplied me with a specific application.
That said, an adhesive sealant would generally be
used in cases where regular removal of the fitting
or fixture was not required. A plain sealant would
be preferable where the fitting being sealed was
expected to be removed at some point. The screw-
down hatch that conceals a fuel tank might best be
bedded in sealant, for example, while the intake
through-hull for an air-conditioner or livewell
might be caulked in place with an adhesive sealant.
BA D B OW T H R U S T E R
NAUTICAL
Bow thrusters have become so com-
mon, they are almost standard equip- NO-NO
ment on new boats. The problem is
that small details often get overlooked
as part of the installation. The photo here
shows one of the most common faults I see. That large
red battery cable attached to the thruster motor should
have an insulating boot covering that terminal where
it’s attached. Typically, bow thrusters get installed
under a V-berth and there is a significant amount of
space left for stowage near the motor. That space will
get used, and if a metal object comes in contact with
that terminal and also happens to touch the case of
the motor housing, you will have fireworks. A boot or
insulating cover eliminates this possibility. I’ve seen
cases where the connection between
the positive stud and the motor
housing sent positive direct
current (DC) through the
thruster lower leg and
dissolved it in a matter of
days due to electrolytic
corrosion. The connection
wasn’t good enough to
blow the fuse you see but
good enough to pass DC
down through the thruster leg
and destroy it. —Ed Sherman
2 6 | B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8
BUBBLED
Q: I own a 1998 Larson 223
IO. My depth gauge works well
until about 2,300 rpm. Then
it goes blank. If it slows back
down to 2,300 rpm, it works
OK. What can be wrong?
Gary Stribley
Lake Okoboji, Iowa
A: Hi Gary. One of three
things is the likely cause of
your problem. First, if the
transducer is mounted where
it comes out of the water — or
too near to the surface — as
the boat rises when you
accelerate, the signal will be
lost as the transducer comes
out of the water. Sonar does
not work through air. Typi-
cally, the ’ducer is mounted
somewhere about one-half
the distance between the keel
and chine on V-hulled boats.
Another cause for the
symptoms you describe also
relates to the transducer
installation. If there is a hull
fitting — like a strainer or
intake or a lifting strake
that terminates midship —
directly forward of the
’ducer’s mounting location,
it may be creating a bubble
stream once a certain speed is
reached. If the bubble stream
runs over the transducer’s
face or gets between the
’ducer and the bottom of the
lake or ocean, the signal will
be interrupted. Again, sonar
does not work through air.
Third, you can try adjust-
ing the power output (aka
gain or sensitivity) of the
depth sounder to maximum.
Some low-power, inexpensive
units need all of their output
power to send and receive
sufficient signal. Good luck!
SCREWED
Q: Dear Boat Doc, a few of the
snaps on my boat that secure
the boat canvas have pulled
from their holes in the side
of the cabin. How can I best
replace these snaps?
Amy Cavlin
North East, Pennsylvania
A: Amy, the male snaps
fasten to the boat using either
a wood screw or a machine
screw. The wood screw is
typically a No. 8 size (diam-
eter) and 3/8 inch in length.
If they pulled clean without
damaging the fiberglass, you
can source snaps with longer
screws, usually 5/8 inch
long. You may also be able to
modify a snap by removing
the screw and inserting one of
PHOTOS: (FROM TOP) COURTESY WEST MARINE, ED SHERMAN
a suitable length.
Also, if you can get to the
inside/other side of where the
pulled snaps are installed,
you can drill the holes out to
a clean size, fill them with
epoxy filler, and then drill
and use the snaps with the
machine screw and a nut,
which will increase the
holding power.
If you cannot get access
to install a nut on the back

side, drill the current snap
holes out to three times their
current diameter. For a No. 8
screw, that means a 5/16-inch
bit. Fill with epoxy. After cure,
drill for the No. 8 snap-screw
pilot hole with an 11/64 bit.
Do not glue dowel, matches
or similar material into the
holes for the screw to bite.
This technique is not meant
for long-term repair. The
wood will soon turn soft, and
PHOTO: COURTESY MEGAWARE KEELGUARD INC.
the snaps will pull again.
ASK THE DOCTOR
Send questions to Mick with
your name and address to:
boatdr@boatingmag.com or
The Boat Doctor, Boating, 460
N. Orlando Ave., Suite 200,
Winter Park, FL 32789.
M E G AWA R E
FLEXSTEPPRO
Most of us have been there:
needing to reach into
the trailered boat at the
ramp, in the driveway
or at the gas station. It’s
why I carry a stepladder
when towing a boat.
Megaware’s FlexStep-
Pro is a neat solution for
easing access to trailered
boats. Installation proved
dead simple and entails
sandwiching your boat
trailer’s frame between the
base mount of the Flex-
StepPro and the pre-drilled
backing plate using the
supplied 4¼-inch-long
bolts, washers and locknuts.
A 17 mm socket is called
for; 2⅓2 worked for me. A
WE
TEST
STUFF
nice touch is the supplied
plastic tubing intended to
cover the bolts to inhibit
scratching.
The final installation
step is to use the T-handled
locking pin to affix the step
to the step receiver in the
base mount. Once done,
the step can be affixed in
four different positions
from horizontal to vertical.
BOAT DOCTOR /// Q & A
The step provides a
maximum boost in
height above the
trailer frame of
16 inches. The step
removes completely
from the base by
pulling the locking
pin, and the entire
assembly can be moved,
or removed, by loosening
the nuts.
Made from 6063 T-6
aluminum using top-
quality fasteners, I expect
the FlexStepPro to serve
well in the coastal environ-
ment in which I boat. It is
more convenient for getting
to the fuel fill while on land
than hauling around a step-
ladder. $129; keelguard
.com —Kevin Falvey
 BOAT DOCTOR /// W E E K E N D W O R K B O O K

DIY+ Weekend
Workbook

SKILL LEVEL

2 OF 5

FINISH TIME
Approx. 4 hours
(excluding drying time for
primer and paint)

TOOLS AND
SUPPLIES
• Gatorbak premium clear
bunk covers ($139.50/
pair of 8-foot covers
with hardware for 2-by-6
bunk boards, gatorbak
.com)
• Molded end caps ($6
each with hardware to
fit 2-by-6 bunk boards,
gatorbak.com)
• PlashLights waterproof
LED strips ($96/8-foot
strip, gatorbak.com)
INSTALLING
ILLUMINATED
• Zinsser indoor/outdoor
123 primer ($20.98/gal-
lon, homedepot.com)

• Oil-base exterior gloss
paint
• Paintbrushes
• Router with 1/2-inch bit
• Trigger clamps ($29.98/
Irwin four-pack, lowes
.com)
• Marine silicone sealant
• Power drill with bit set
and drivers
• Assorted stainless-steel
hardware (for attaching
bunk boards to trailer)
• Socket wrench set
• Diagonal cutters, marine
TRAILER BUNKS
Light up your trailer bunks with the Gatorbak system.
If you’ve loaded a boat on
a trailer in the dark, you
know the problem. You’re
working virtually blind.
Even with the trailer lights
on, the bunks become
invisible underwater. The
unique bunk-illumination
system from Minnesota-
synthetic, ribbed bunk carefully measure the
covers that do away with bunks on your trailer and
traditional bunk carpeting note the shape. Order a
and yet gently cradle your waterproof LED light strip
boat, and 2) waterproof that’s long enough to span
LED strips that install the entire length of the
under the covers. bunk. Dry-fit the covers
Gatorbak’s Premium and lights to ensure they
Clear covers are available fit before beginning your
ILLUSTRATIONS: TIM BARKER

butt connectors (with

heat-shrink collars),
shrink tubing and crimp-
ing tool for wiring LED
strips to the trailer’s
running-light circuit
based Gatorbak solves this in a range of lengths, work. We installed a pair of
problem. widths and contours. To illuminated 8-foot 2-by-6
There are two unique make sure you order the bunks on our project trailer.
components: 1) clear correctly sized cover, —Jim Hendricks

2 8 | B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

BUILD THE BUNKS
Use treated lumber if pos-
sible and allow it to dry
for 21 days. Use a router
to create a 1/2-inch-wide by
1
/4-inch-deep longitudinal
channel down the length
of each bunk board. Rout-
er down the aft end of the
board (to route the wire to
power the LED light strip).
We created the groove to
position the light down
the center of the board. If
through-bolting the bunk
board, drill the mounting
holes for the boards now,
and be sure to countersink
ILLUSTRATIONS: TIM BARKER
recesses on top of the
board to prevent the bolt
heads from protruding
above the board’s surface
and preventing the cover
from fitting flat.
TIP
You can install
more than one
LED strip per
board, but the
clear covers
disperse the
light throughout
the surface, so
one strip works
fine. We chose
red LEDs, but
Gatorbak offers
a wide choice of
LED colors from
PlashLights.
PAINT THE WOOD INSTALL THE ATTACH THE LED INSTALL THE
Priming and painting BOARDS If you’re STRIPS Apply a bead COVERS Trim the cov-
helps protect the wood through-bolting your of marine silicone sealant ers per the directions.
from moisture and rot. trailer bunks to the brack- in each groove (optional), Use trigger clamps to
For primer, Gatorbak rec- ets, it helps to install the then lay in the Plash- hold the cover against
ommends Zinsser indoor/ boards first, then attach Lights waterproof LED the sides of the board.
outdoor 123 primer. Give the LED strips and covers strip. Start at the aft end, Install the supplied
each board a generous afterward. This, of course, making sure the wires are mounting screws on the
coat of primer, then sand means removing the boat routed down through the sides of the cover, driving
the dried finish smooth from the trailer to com- groove in the back of the the first and last screws
before applying an oil- plete the rest of the proj- board and that the lights about 1/2 to 3/4 inch from
base exterior gloss paint. ect. Use stainless-steel face up, then work for- the end of the board.
Since the covers are hardware with backing ward. Press the strip in the Place the next screw
clear, you might want to washers and nylon-locking groove so it does not pro- 1 inch from the first, and
choose a paint shade that nuts to snugly bolt each trude above the surface of each screw thereafter 8 to
complements your boat. board in place. As noted the board. Once the bunk 12 inches apart. Use the
For example, if your boat earlier, make sure the bolt cover is in place, it will placement line on the side
has blue accents, you can heads do not protrude keep the LED strip secure. of the Gatorbak cover to
paint the boards blue. We above the upper surface Connect the wires for align the fasteners. Repeat
used pure white because it of the board. This step can each strip to the trailer’s on the opposite side. Using
matches the base color of be completed at the boat running-light circuit using the supplied hardware,
the boat. Allow the paint launch ramp so that re- marine-grade connectors install the Gatorbak end
to dry completely before moving the boat from the with heat-shrink collars caps on the end of each
moving on. trailer is easier. and shrink tubing. board per the instructions.
B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 | 2 9
 BOAT DOCTOR /// Q U I C K S T U D Y

GO WITH
THE FLOW

COPING Start upwind from the

trailer to compensate
for a cross breeze at
the ramp.

WITH CROSS-
WINDS AT
THE RAMP
Six tips for bringing your boat to the
trailer through the wind.
Crosswinds and currents have plagued
mariners since humans jumped into dugout
canoes. At least early boaters didn’t have to deal
with crosswinds at launch ramps, but today’s
trailer boaters do.
When a stiff breeze or current streams
perpendicular to the ramp, the difficulty factor
notches up considerably, especially when trying
to load a boat on a trailer. Here are six tips for
coping with crosswinds and crosscurrents at
the boat ramp. —Jim Hendricks QUICK
1. DON’T SINK THE upwind or upstream
TIP
TRAILER If the trailer side of the trailer to In many areas
is too deep, the boat will compensate for these it’s forbidden
simply drift over it with lateral influences. to power onto
the wind or current. Adjust your throttle to throttle to make head- up snug. It helps to the trailer. Be
patient. There
Position the trailer so intercept the back of way and maneuver the have two people for
is no shame in
the hull will contact the the trailer before the hull onto the bunks or this, especially with do-overs.
bunks or rollers and wind or current pushes rollers. stronger winds.
remain in place once you away from it.
you drive the boat over 5. WALK IT UP If 6. AVOID THE the crowds disperse
it. This rule applies 4. ANGLE THE there are finger docks CROWD When the a bit before loading
even when there is no TRAILER With very at the ramp, tie up the winds howl, negotiat- your boat in dicey

ILLUSTRATION: TIM BARKER; PHOTO: COURTESY TIE DOWN ENGINEERING

crosswind or current.
2. STOW THE
BIMINI Bimini tops
act like sails to push
the boat sideways in
a crosswind. Take it
and other unnecessary
canvas down to reduce
the vessel’s windage
before you load the
boat on the trailer.
3. LEAD YOUR
TARGET Begin your
approach on the
strong winds and boat on the downwind ing the basin around a conditions. This will
currents, it sometimes side, then back the launch ramp can turn minimize the number
helps to angle the trailer down as close into a game of bumper of hard targets, give
trailer downstream as possible to the dock. boats. Such conditions you a bit more room to
or downwind. With Belay lines to the stern pose challenges even maneuver, and reduce
this method, you’ll and bow cleats and for veteran trailer the chances of another
approach into the wind walk the boat onto the boaters, let alone new- boater sliding into
or current. Use enough trailer, then winch it comers. If possible, let your vessel.
GUIDE Side guides or side bunks on your trailer
can help you center the hull in a cross-
ON wind or current. Tie Down Engineering
offers a pair of 5-foot-long bolt-on side
bunks. $143.10; walmart.com

3 0 | B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8
 You could get a discount when you combine your auto and boat policies.

geico.com | 1-800-865-4846 | Local Office

Some discounts, coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. Boat and PWC coverages are underwritten by GEICO Marine Insurance Company. Multi-Policy Discount available to auto insureds
that have purchased a boat policy through the GEICO Marine Insurance Company. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C. 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. © 2018 GEICO
Let’s face it: Towing your trailer boat is not the most enjoyable are still the most popular, but alert you if there’s another vehi-
part of part of boating. Yet for trailer boaters, it’s integral to the diesel engines are gaining cle on either side of your trailer.
experience. Choosing a tow vehicle with the highest capabil- ground, particularly for trucks
ities can make this part of the trip as trouble-free as possible. with a TWA of 8,000 pounds or band. If you have a choice in
For any boat/trailer weighing more than 5,000 pounds, you more. Diesels offer exceptional transmissions, opt for one with
will need a full-size pickup or sport utility vehicle. Here are torque, along with good mile- the greatest number of gears.
tips for picking the best model for your needs. —Jim Hendricks age. Diesels had been found Selectable tow/haul modes
primarily in larger trucks such — included with most tow
KNOW YOUR WEIGHT tow vehicle and its trailer, in- as the Chevy 2500 and Ford packages — hold gears lon-
Before you can choose a tow cluding all passengers, equip- F-250 (so-called 3/4-tons), and ger and prevent gear hunting.
vehicle, you need to know the ment and fuel carried in both,” Chevy 3500 and Ford F-350 Make sure your next vehicle
weight of your boat/engine, he points out. Finally, check (so-called 1-tons). But now has this technology.
trailer and gear/equipment. the vehicle’s maximum allow- diesels are finding their way

Have your rig weighed at a
facility such as a Cat Scale
(catscale.com), says Todd
Brinkman, trailer engineer for
GM Trucks. “Load up as you
would when going out for a day
on the water,” Brinkman ad-
vises. “Make sure you get the
tongue weight, which involves
unhooking the trailer to allow
the tongue jack to rest on the
scale, as well as the weight on
trailer axles.”
CHECK THE SPECS
Compare the towed weight
against the trailer weight al-
lowance (TWA), the maximum
weight a vehicle can tow. An-
other important vehicle speci-
fication is the gross combined
weight rating, Brinkman says.
“This reflects the maximum
allowable loaded weight of the
PHOTOS: (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP) JIM HENDRICKS, COURTESY FORD TRUCKS, BILL DOSTER
able tongue weight against the into trucks such as the Chevy TWO- VS. FOUR-WHEEL
tongue weight of your boat/ Colorado, Ford F-150 and Ram DRIVE The decision between
trailer to be sure the vehicle 1500. Whether you choose two- and four-wheel drive
and its trailer hitch can han- a gas or diesel engine, don’t hinges on what kinds of launch
dle the tongue weight. Give skimp on the ponies; nothing is ramps you use. If you launch
yourself a margin. If your boat/ more stressful than trailering on ramps subject to extreme
trailer weighs 6,000 pounds, with an underpowered vehicle. tides, four-wheel drive can be
select a tow vehicle with a TWA helpful when low tide leaves
of 7,500 to 8,000 to be safe. TRANSFER OF POWER the ramp covered with moss.
Today’s sophisticated auto- Also, if you plan on using un-
PACKAGE DEAL Factory matic transmissions maximize paved ramps, four-wheel drive
towing packages maximize the capabilities of tow vehicles. is nearly a must on muddy or
the towing capacity. These of- The number of available gears sandy inclines. Otherwise, two-
ten include a wire harness and has steadily increased from wheel drive can save you a bit of
receptacle for trailer lights, a six to eight to 10 to help keep money on the purchase price.
trailer hitch, large side-view the engine revving in its power
BACKUP CAMERA Many tow vehicles now have backup
video cameras that make it easier to hitch up your trailer.
The camera lets you place the coupler right over the tow
ball. Consider this option on your next tow vehicle.

3 2 | B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8
 EVERY BLACKFIN HAS A
FISHFINDER ONBOARD.

WE CALL HIM CAPTAIN.

B L AC K F I N B OAT S.CO M

212 CC 242 CC 272CC 332 CC

 BOAT DOCTOR /// B O AT D O C S P E C I A L

outboards. Instead of a three-cylinder,

a small side console, as 260-pound Mercury
in the 13, they placed 90 hp outboard at Ches-
a plywood console in apeake Whalertowne.
the center. It proved Today First Light
to balance better, and sports a 60 hp Mercury
with handholds on the FourStroke with a
console, crew could Bigfoot (now Command
run safely standing up, Thrust) gear case. This
bending their knees to engine also weighs 260
absorb shock. It was pounds. It sports a four-
a “little big boat” that blade Mercury Spitfire
debuted in 1961 and aluminum propeller
became an instant suc- (13.8 by 13 inches).
cess. In 1973, the boat The big blades provide
was officially dubbed extra lift for slow-speed
“Montauk.” planing — essential in
Though this Whaler the Chesapeake’s nasty
was tough and versatile chop. First Light planes
and a big success, it at 10 to 12 mph, cruises
rode hard and wet. In at 16 to 22 mph, and

REPLACING 1976, Dougherty rede-

signed the hull, adding
tops out at 30 mph. The
Mercury 60’s fuel effi-

AN ICON
Boston Whaler’s old Montauk 17 versus the new
deadrise along the
centerline, moving the
side “runners” inboard,
ciency is outrageously
good: It averages less
than 1 gph across
and bringing them the year.
170 Montauk together at the bow to Yes, those speeds
create Whaler’s trade- seem pokey by today’s
The latest iteration of Boston Whaler’s iconic mark “smirk” to knock standards, but they are,
17-footer — the 170 Montauk — is the fourth down the spray. This and have always been,
softer- and drier-riding plenty for working
edition of this popular model. These boats have Montauk endured for within 10 miles of the
spread around the globe, on missions ranging the next 26 years. dock. The trick is to
from pure pleasure to search-and-rescue. MY BOAT OLD-SCHOOL
First Light is a 1993 Older versions included

PHOTOS: (FROM TOP) COURTESY BOSTON WHALER, CAPT. JOHN PAGE WILLIAMS
teak cockpit accents and
too. It has also been a my uses. In this article, Montauk 17, orig-

F
Full disclosure: I have
sea time in all four
models and bought
my own Montauk 17
in 1993. First Light
serves me in my work
for the Chesapeake Bay
Foundation as a charter
boat, and as family boat
Boating project boat
since 1995. Some days
I treat it like a canoe,
dragging it over shallow
bars. Other days, I make
the 9-mile open-water
run from Crisfield,
Maryland, to Tangier
Island, Virginia. There
aren’t many other boats
that can cover all these
bases with comparable
safety, economy and
versatility.
Is First Light perfect?
No, but it’s perfect for
a narrower hull bottom
I’ll compare the new inally fitted with with wider chines.
2018 model to my
1993 version to help
illustrate the evolution
of an icon.
ORIGINS
In 1960, Whaler founder
Dick Fisher and engi-
neer Bob Dougherty
were testing a prototype
of a “16,” which, like the
13, had been designed
by Ray Hunt. It weighed
500 pounds, and they
ran it with 40 to 75 hp

3 4 | B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8
 BOAT DOCTOR /// B O AT D O C S P E C I A L

Weight increased to
1,700 pounds without
an engine, and the draft
went from 9 inches to
12 inches.
How does it run? I
skippered one off Sara-
sota, Florida, powered
by a Mercury 90 Com-
mand Thrust, and later
I spent all day fishing
a tournament aboard
FUEL TANK FISH TANK another fitted with a 115
For decades, the Boston Whaler Montauk featured The newest 170 Montauk boasts a built-in fuel tank — Merc on Chesapeake
portable fuel tanks stowed under the leaning post. and room beneath the seat for a livewell or stowage.
Bay. It exhibited good
balance with either of
find the hull’s comfort- and a dual-battery space, more stowage, a prototypes, and then ran the 363-pound out-
able speed for a partic- system was not offered, permanent fuel tank, them on real water. boards, planing at 10 to
ular day’s conditions. which caused con- a new running bottom, a “The new 170 has a 12 mph, cruising at 18
Gnarly days can make sternation among tow arch, and the option modern running sur- to 25 mph, and topping
First Light throw some some owners. of a 115 hp engine. The face,” Garza says, “with out around 40 mph with
spray, but that’s what company also added a 16-degree transom the Mercury 90 and 45
foul-weather gear is for. THE 170 MONTAUK: in space for a second deadrise tapering to a mph with the Mercury
TODAY battery, wiring for an 30-degree entry, nar- 115. On tournament day,
THE 170 MONTAUK: By 2018, it was time for optional bow-mounted rowed chines, a sharper it handled gracefully in
2002 TO 2017 a blank-slate redesign trolling motor, and an keel, and a little rocker nasty, confused seas of
For 2002, Boston per Spencer Traynom, anchor locker designed in the keel to let the 2 to 3 feet.
Whaler introduced the boat program manager for a Fortress FX7 hull run easily at 3 de- As the iconic Boston
170 Montauk. At 17 feet, at Boston Whaler, who anchor. It was Whaler grees fore and aft so as Whaler Montauk
it was 5 inches longer explained that input naval architect Bobby to present that sharp proves, change is often
than my 17 hull, 8 inches from customers and Garza and his engineer- entry to seas.” It’s lon- for the better. —Capt.
wider (a 6-foot-10-inch dealers drove the design ing team that designed ger (17 feet 4 inches), John Page Williams
PHOTOS: (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT) CAPT. JOHN PAGE WILLIAMS, COURTESY BOSTON WHALER (2)

beam) to better handle process. New features and tested the hull’s per- wider (7 feet 3 inches),
heavier four-stroke included more interior formance digitally, built and more stable at rest.
engines, and 500 pounds
REINVENTED
Unsinkable and versatile
heavier. It has sharper as ever, the new Montauk
offers a smoother ride,
deadrise from transom increased stowage, better
to bow, with broader amenities, and more room
flare and wide reversed for family, fishing and fun.
chines, so it runs softer
and drier, but it squats a
bit rising onto plane. Its
fuel supply consists of
two portable 6.6-gallon
tanks that fit under the
helm seat.
Plenty of people
bought this model,
including Boating’s
editor-in-chief, Kevin
Falvey, confirming the
success of the general
design, though this
model did not self-bail,

B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 | 3 5
 BOAT DOCTOR ///
ACCENTUATING
THE POSITIVE
A high-tech, crowdsourced way to gather and use
boating-safety statistics
Since forever, boating-safety statistics
have focused on the negative: collisions,
drownings, fires, operator inattention,
excessive speed and more.
T
This procedure has
been used to identify
behavior that creates
accidents and fatalities
that lead to education
and regulation for-
bidding or dissuading
boaters from engaging
in those behaviors.
SOBOS (Self-
Reported On-the-
3 6 | B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8
Water Boat Operator
Survey), a new app
from the National
Safe Boating Council
and East Carolina
University for iOS and
Android, intends to
invert that paradigm.
Instead of cataloging
bad behavior, SOBOS
collects survey data
from boaters who
act safely. It provides
information about
non-accident-based
recreational boaters.
The goal is to test the
efficacy of crowd-
sourcing recreational
boating data. It is an
evidence-based pub-
lic health approach
to reducing boating
accidents.
The SOBOS mobile
app asks boaters to enables reports such
fill out a short survey as floating debris,
that permits the app harbor congestion,
to track a span of their broken-down boats
next outing. and more (similar
Both the anonymous to the Waze app
survey and anony-
mous on-water
SOBOS has launched in
data points are Beta, and you can scan this
then linked to a tag to download the app,
stacked waypoint. or visit sobos.org. Doing so
With this, SOBOS might make you a safer,
builds a situa- more informed boater.
tional-awareness
network that
for motorists).
While SOBOS
launches now, situa-
tional-awareness tools
are planned for 2019.
As described to me
by Ernest G. Marsh-
burn, Ph.D., director
and senior research
scientist, these situa-
tional-awareness tools
would work similar to
the way cautions and
heavy-traffic alerts
currently appear on
mobile traffic-mapping
apps. As boaters
approach an area,
accident and safety
alerts would appear
on the screen.
Dr. Marshburn
assured me that data
collected by SOBOS
SCAN
ME!
is kept anonymous
and SOBOS is only
interested in en-
hanced recreational
boating safety.
You can contact
SOBOS by visiting
sobos.org or by scan-
ning the tag on this
page. Boating will be
PHOTOS: COURTESY SOBOS APP (SCREENGRABS)
conducting on-water
testing of SOBOS once
the situational-aware-
ness tools become
available. Look for
that story and more
updates in the coming
months. —Kevin Falvey
 CRAFTED IN THE UNITED STATES
VISIT CRUISERSYACHTS.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION.

TOW VEHICLE TIRES
We evaluate five different tires for your ride.
How can you get better
stability and heavy-load
traction at the ramp on
your rear-wheel-drive
truck? Add all-terrain tires
to it, based on our experi-
ence. Here is a comparison
of five tire options.
Our test vehicle is a 2015 Ford F-150 XLT
Super Crew Cab. We upgraded it from 18-
inch factory wheels to 20-inch Wheel Pro
wheels and went for larger, more aggressive
tires. Seems like that offers both some stabil-
ity benefits and a firmer ride under load. And
the new wheels looked really cool.
In addition to getting some ride, towing
and handling impressions, we wanted to see
how the aggressive tread impacted cabin
noise. We were pleasantly surprised that,
while the aggressive tires exhibited an ex-
pected hum, it wasn’t disturbing.
TESTING FUEL ECONOMY
EVERYDAY DRIVING
We ran at least two tanks of gas through
the vehicle, noting average mileage with-
out towing on the vehicle’s computer. You
can expect a mileage decrease from a more
3 8 | B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8
aggressive tread, and we experienced that.
However, the bulk of that decrease can
be attributed to upsizing to larger, much
heavier tires and wheels. We considered
the trade-off worthwhile for our heavy
load and for sandy and slick ramps.
TOWING
We pulled the boat through multiple
routes of 75 to 175 miles, noting fuel econ-
omy on the vehicle’s computer. Our routes
were a mix of interstate, toll road, and
stop-and-go city driving. Surprisingly, one
tire showed an improved fuel economy not
noted on the other tires.
THE MEANING OF SPECS
The first number in a tire size is the width
of the tread in millimeters.
The second number is the ratio of tire wall
height to tread width.
R means radial tire.
The last two-digit number represents the
wheel diameter in inches.
The load ID letter refers to the tire’s
load-carrying capability. At one time, it re-
flected the number of actual plies, or layers,
of material in a tire. As tire construction tech-
niques and materials improved, comparable
durability was achieved with fewer plies. So,
a D-rated, eight-ply tire may have only three
or four actual plies.
GENERAL
GRABBER A/TX
WARRANTY: 50,000 miles
Designed to balance the need for off-road
traction with on-road performance, the
tire can be studded for snow and ice.
The Grabber’s chip- and cut-resistant
lugs come from special compounds
and molding designed to create durable
tread blocks. The acoustic tread pattern
provides a quiet ride, and General’s Stabil-
itread Technology gives a larger footprint
designed to increase tread life.
EXPERIENCE: The tire was noticeably
softer in ride than the other AT tires.
Towing stability was good but not as
strong as the Nitto or the Toyo. However,
the Nitto was a harder-riding tire, while
the Toyo was somewhat softer. Hauling
out on a sandy ramp with the rear axle
locked gave a little slippage, but the deep
treads dug through the goo and pulled
out. There was no slippage at all on a
concrete ramp with or without the rear
axle locked, meaning one-wheel drive
was sufficient to haul-out. Additionally,
we experienced no sideways slippage on
wet cloverleaf ramps like we experienced
with the Toyo and Nitto offerings. The
tread made a squishy sound and felt
squishy on aggressive stops. We didn’t
document a longer stopping distance but
hadn’t noticed the handling trait on the
other tires.
SIZE: 285/55R20
DIAMETER: 32.36 in.
TREAD DEPTH: 15/32 in.
TIRE WEIGHT: 62.7 lb.
LOAD/SPEED RATING: 117/114T
(118 mph)
PHOTOS: COURTESY GENERAL TIRE (2)
LOAD ID: D
RIM WIDTH: 8.5 to 11 in.
MPG: 16.5
MPG TOWING: 9
35 MPH/DBA: 57
70 MPH/DBA: 69
 The World’s Finest Sport Cruisers.

Introducing the
Cutwater 242 SE Sport Coupe
Fish, Cruise, Explore, and more from $109,937.00*!
250 HP Yamaha Outboard • Garmin 942xs Chartplotter
Fish Box/Cooler • Refrigerator/Freezer • Microwave
Private Stateroom & Head • Fusion Stereo System
Beaching Ladder • Ski Pylon

Le a r n m o r e a t
cutwaterboats.com

MADE IN USA
* Freight and dealer prep may be added to final price.
 BOAT DOCTOR /// B O AT I N G L A B
HANKOOK
DYNAPRO
WARRANTY: Six years or 60,000 miles
This tire’s best attribute is its low rolling
resistance, which results in superior
mileage. We had to hand it that. The
tire’s passenger characteristics give a
comfortable ride. Its lowest attribute
noted in company literature was wet
traction, and while we found off-the-line
start-ups on wet pavement could spin
out, the tires cornered well, even on wet
pavement.
EXPERIENCE: These tires were bred and
mounted for ride and fuel economy, not
for towing the 11,000-pound advertised
towing capacity of the rear-wheel-
drive 5.0-liter engine drivetrain and
chassis. While we could safely tow the
7,500-pound payload, the truck lacked
authority in turns. It shimmied over un-
even pavement and bucked under load
at bumps, and particularly at highway
and bridge pavement seams. On the
ramp, the passenger tires required the
rear axle to be locked so both wheels on
the rear axle were pulling the load. The
pavement tread’s best strength was on
wet and particularly curvy roads, where
it tracked better than all but one of our
AT tires.
SIZE: 265/60R18
DIAMETER: 30.6 in.
TREAD DEPTH: 11.2/32 in.
TIRE WEIGHT: 34 lb.
LOAD/SPEED RATING: 105
LOAD ID: T
RIM WIDTH: 7.5 to 9.5 in.
MPG: 19.5
MPG TOWING: 9
35 MPH/DBA: 79
70 MPH/DBA: 80
4 0 | B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8
CHECK OUT MORE BOATINGLAB TESTS AT BOATINGMAG.COM.
YOKOHAMA
GEOLANDER AT GO15
WARRANTY: Five years or 60,000 miles
This tire’s durability comes from what
Yokohama calls Triple 3D sipes in the tread
that change shape as the tire wears. The
unique rubber compound includes orange
oil and other polymers to increase durability.
Shoulder tread covers nearly 40 percent of
the tread wall to increase traction in mud,
snow and slush.
EXPERIENCE: This tire felt closest to the
Hankook Dynapro factory-installed pas-
senger tire on the Ford F-150. Its smooth
rollout seemed to give it endless coasting.
Its braking characteristics felt similar as
well, with no detectable reduction in braking
or squishing when the brakes were applied.
It did ride a little harder than the passenger
tire, as expected, but cornered well and
provided good stability with our tow load.
The tread looked more aggressive than the
other tires tested but actually turned out to
be very quiet at neighborhood and high-
way speeds. We found the circumferential
grooves gave us a more passenger-
tire-like ride and wet-surface traction than
the aggressively blocked tires. Overall,
these tires provided the ride closest to the
factory passenger tires, but in spite of their
freewheeling feel and smooth rollout, they
clocked lower fuel economy.
SIZE: 275/55R20
DIAMETER: 32.36 in.
TREAD DEPTH: 17/32 in.
TIRE WEIGHT: 57.7 lb.
LOAD/SPEED RATING: 120/117S
LOAD ID: E
RIM WIDTH: 8 to 10 in.
MPG: 16.5
MPG TOWING: 8
35 MPH/DBA: 56
70 MPH/DBA: 67
TOYO
CT OPEN COUNTRY
WARRANTY: See toyotires.com
The CT Open Country tire is rated tops for
snow and tread life, and friends who’ve
driven them have reported getting as
many as 100,000 miles from them.
Secondary attributes are for the quiet ride
and off-road traction. We’d concur. The
tire is pinned for studs for winter driving.
Its open-shoulder design and dual-angle
shoulder blocks are designed to improve
traction in mud, slush or snow.
EXPERIENCE: When we put these Toyos
on the truck, the ride was radically differ-
ent. If we were blindfolded passengers,
we would swear this was a different truck.
The ride was steady and smooth, and the
hum of the aggressive tires was mild and
even soothing. But when the Ranger was
hooked up to the truck, the tires showed
their stuff. This eliminated the side-to-
side instability we experienced with the
factory passenger tires, and the heavier
load-bearing tires also stopped much of
the bucking from the trailer load. At the
ramp, the truck didn’t hesitate to haul the
boat up the steep ramp. The LT-rated tires
were stiffer in their ride, but in a sporty
and commanding way that we enjoyed.
PHOTOS: COURTESY HANKOOK TIRE (2), COURTESY YOKOHAMA TIRE CORPORATION (2),
The high decibel readings were surprising
since the cabin noise seemed so low.
SIZE: 275/55R20
DIAMETER: 31.9 in.
TREAD DEPTH: 11.2/32 in.
TIRE WEIGHT: 49 lb.
LOAD/SPEED RATING: 115/112Q
LOAD ID: D
RIM WIDTH: 7.5 to 9.5 in.
MPG: 16.5
COURTESY TOYO TIRES (2)
MPG TOWING: 8
35 MPH/DBA: 76
70 MPH/DBA: 80
 roswellmarine.com

WHERE IMAGINATION MEETS SOUND

Roswell R1 is a concept that never considered limitations. Developed without

compromise, this system consumes you in a place where imagination meets sound.

Experience audio engineered for excellence in every application

and join a movement that stands for those that never settle.

#Roswell 20Years #E xperienceRoswell #G etLoud

@roswellmarine

for more info, visit your local authorized roswell dealer or online at www.roswellmarine.com
 BOAT DOCTOR /// B O AT I N G L A B CHECK OUT MORE BOATINGLAB TESTS AT BOATINGMAG.COM.

BIG WHEELS
ROLLIN’
Function is all well
and good. That
doesn’t mean your
rig’s wheels can’t
look cool too.

NITTO
TERRA GRAPPLER G2
WARRANTY: Five years or 60,000
miles
Two sidewall designs give the owner
the option of choosing the look that
suits him. High-density siping keeps
tread blocks firm off-road but chan-
nels away water on pavement. The
WHEELS
tire is designed to be stiffer on the
road with good traction off-road. WHEEL PROS
XD83529063440
EXPERIENCE: People often make
joking offers on our boat when we These cast-aluminum, milled wheels come in black or satin gray. We had a hard time choos-
trailer it to a gas pump or ramp. ing but went with black on our black test truck. They are available in 17, 18 and 20 inches.
When we put these tires on, we The good-looking wheels clean up easily after mudding or driving on rainy roads and have
started getting offers on the truck. retained their satin shine in rough testing, with no chipping or scratching. The rear wheels
The slight increase in diameter have been in and out of salt water with no ill effects.
gave a surprising impression of WIDTH: 9 in.
an aggressive, lifted truck. They
were closest to the Toyos in BOLT PATTERN: 6 x 135
performance, stability and ride LOAD RATING: 2,500 lb.
but slightly stiffer than passenger
tires. Treads for mud and snow
are siped differently to improve
forward traction at the expense of
rain traction — a factor we noticed
navigating cloverleafs. So, slow TRAILER TIRES
down on wet, curvy roads — a MAXXIS
good rule always, better still for AT ST RADIAL 8008
tires. The dirt and concrete ramps
This is the second trailer we’ve
were no trouble for these tires with
re-equipped with Maxxis tires.
our boat in tow.
These six-ply-rated tires matched
PHOTOS: COURTESY NITTO TIRE USA INC. (2), COURTESY WHEEL PROS LLC,
SIZE: 285/55R20 the factory specs of the trailer and
DIAMETER: 32.36 in. load, but we felt they carried the
load better with more firm handling
TREAD DEPTH: 16/32 in. and less sway. We run them at
TIRE WEIGHT: 55.86 45 pounds psi cold and have had
no trouble with sway, even when
LOAD/SPEED RATING: 112/119S
dumping off the shoulder or
LOAD ID: E crossing uneven surfaces in
COURTESY MAXXIS INTERNATIONAL-USA

RIM WIDTH: 8 to 10 in. construction zones.

MPG: 16.5 SIZE: 175/75R15

MPG TOWING: 8 PLY RATING: 6

35 MPH/DBA: 69 DIAMETER: 27.1 in.

70 MPH/DBA: 70 MAX PSI: 65 lb.

LOAD CAPACITY: 1,820
TREAD DEPTH: 9/32 in.

4 2 | B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8
 The Formula 400 SSC will
NewporT boaT Show,
debuT aT The
SepTember 2018, aNd will be
FeaTured aT Several loCaTioNS
ThiS Fall. viSiT
FormulaboaTS.Com!

Introducing the Formula 400 Super Sport Crossover, a pivotal The FAS3Tech® multi-step hull design with quad outboards
addition to the revolutionary Formula Crossover fleet – now five delivers world renowned Formula performance.
models strong and growing – that is rapidly changing the entire
boating experience. Taking its cue from the phenomenal 430 break Free iN The NeweST addiTioN To The
SSC, the 400 combines confident Super Sport performance Formula CroSSover FleeT, The Formula
with Formula’s versatile open bow and cabin Crossover 400 Super SporT CroSSover!
elements. Now boaters can venture beyond narrowly defined
conventions and enjoy all that boating was meant to be!
At 40’ in length with a 12’ beam, the 400 SSC centers on the
full-height windshield and coupe top design that encloses the
entire width of the cockpit, allowing guests to move beyond the
confines of a center console’s narrow, pilothouse tradition. The
Formula Crossover SmartZone™ concept creates separate
areas for a variety of activities while encouraging connections
among guests, from the expansive bow to triple helm seating
to the outdoor kitchen and U-shaped lounge aft with convertible
rear-facing sunpad and extended swim platform.
400 SSC cabin accommodations offer amenities that are
unprecedented in an open bow design, including a convertible
dinette/sleeping berth plus aft stateroom bed, stand-up head
compartment and entertainment galley with sink and microwave.

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

 #3085

C CRUISERS YACHTS
CERTIFIED
CANTIUS 42
TEST With its spacious, flowing layout and all the benefits of Volvo Penta’s IPS
diesel power, this cruiser will appeal to experienced boaters.

PHOTO: COURTESY CRUISERS YACHTS

S
Six inches can often make a huge difference in many things, but we’re talking about boats
here. The new Cruisers Yachts Cantius 42 is just 6 inches longer than the former Cantius
41 (now retired) but, more important than adding half a foot, this cruiser’s debut marks
a huge rethink of how people use their boats. And I’ll give away my conclusion: Cruisers
Yachts nailed it with this new Cantius 42.
One word kept coming to mind: flow. The cockpit flows seamlessly (no step) into the
salon because the triple-wide sliding doors tuck completely away, creating an entertain-
ment zone literally from transom to helm. The cockpit has an L-shaped settee, which,

4 4 | B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

PHOTOS: COURTESY CRUISERS YACHTS
with the doors out of sight, matches up nicely to the aft-facing
L settee in the cabin.
Even better, the galley is in the salon right next to the sliders,
making it easy to serve munchies to the cockpit or meals to the
dining tables. And with the transom barbecue station with grill
and drawer fridge (no-brainer options), this cockpit/salon is
where the party starts.
A big, smooth-running Webasto sunroof is standard, which
SCAN ME
To view our online photo gallery of the
Cruisers Yachts Cantius 42, scan this tag or
visit boatingmag.com/3085.
can further open the salon to fresh air, as well as sliding windows
port and starboard. Want some private space? The entire fore-
deck is a sun pad that converts to a cleverly designed settee with
flip-out table, and you can add an optional sunshade.
The galley isn’t just for making popcorn, as on some dine-
ashore boats, but for serious cooking projects, with ample coun-
ter space, two-burner cooktop, microwave/convection oven
and fridge.
B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 | 4 5
 The helm isn’t overlooked on the
Cantius 42, with a stylish carbon-fiber
dash encircled by stitched Ultraleather
and space for the two optional Raymarine
Axiom Pro 12-inch monitors, plus an ar-
ray of lighted and labeled rocker switches.
The skipper gets a bolstered double-wide
helm seat and footrest, with throttles and
the Volvo Penta joystick controls under
an opening window. Forward, the view is
unblemished through a huge one-piece
windshield. Opposite the helm is a raised
mini seating area with psychiatrist-style
backrest at the forward end.
After you entertain in the cockpit and
salon, sweep everyone out because you
have two quite lovely staterooms for two
The 43-foot Cantius 42
features two queen-size
staterooms and two
private heads with stall
showers. Nice!
couples to recuperate on the lower deck.
Cruisers labels the forward cabin as the
construction with the Cantius 42, with an
all-fiberglass hull reinforced with rot-free
foam and glass stringers, plus numerous
molded sections for monocoque strength.
If you’re shopping, the Sea Ray Sun-
dancer 400 ($707,435) is a slightly smaller
express cruiser with two cabins but one
head, and twin Cummins diesels (480 hp)
with a conventional shaft drive.
Power for the Cantius 42 is either twin
Volvo Penta IPS 500 or 600 pod drives, and
their compactness is what gives the after
stateroom extra space. Our test 42 had the
500s of 370 hp each, topping out respect-
ably at just under 35 mph. A 14 kW Onan
genset is standard, and Cruisers Yachts has
thoughtfully created a space in the engine
room for a Seakeeper gyro. This is a factory
option but, if you decide to add it later, it’s
pre-wired and easily installed. Boating’s
High Points
 Large engine room with excellent access to
service points.
 Pre-wired for Seakeeper gyrostabilizer.
 Standard equipment list includes Onan
genset, joystick controls, and shore power.
Low Points
 Windshield reflection is distracting from the
white dashboard.
 Space from the door to the midcabin is
narrow (17 inches).
· LOA: 43'2" · BEAM: 13'8" · DRAFT (MAX): 3'4"
· DISPLACEMENT (APPROX.): 28,469 lb. (dry)
· TRANSOM DEADRISE: 16 degrees · BRIDGE
CLEARANCE: 13'8" · MAX CABIN HEADROOM:
8'8" · FUEL CAPACITY: 300 gal. · MAX
HORSEPOWER: 870 · AVAILABLE POWER: Twin
Volvo Penta IPS 600 diesel pod drives

master, probably because it has an en-
suite head. The island berth is eight-sided,
8 inches wider than a queen and longer,
with walk-around space on each side.
Large windows provide ample light, and I
give Cruisers Yachts big points for two full-
height hanging lockers that won’t crumple
your clothes, plus four big lockers under
the berth. The en-suite head is comfort-
ably large, with a raised Dometic electric
head, vessel sink, and big stall shower with
seat and Lucite door.
The midcabin stateroom is a close
runner-up to the master, with an athwart-
tests of Seakeeper gyros validate that it
virtually eliminates roll. Price: $880,480
The Cantius 42, as you’d expect with
pod drives, is both agile and economical.
AVA I L A B L E P O W E R :
The joystick control makes close-quarters
handling a cinch, and the Volvo Penta POD
throttle/shifters offer low-speed, sport- DRIVES
fish and single-lever settings. You’ll find
your own “best” cruising speed, but we
liked 2,750 rpm, which gave us 21.5 mph at
HOW WE TESTED
18 gph, or 1.2 mpg.
ENGINES: TWIN 370 HP VOLVO PENTA D6
Whether you want to party with a doz- DIESELS DRIVE/PROP: IPS 500 PODS / T-3
en friends or get away with another couple NIBRAL PROPSETS GEAR RATIO: 1.94:1 FUEL
for a lazy weekend, the Cruisers Yachts LOAD: 270 GAL. WATER ON BOARD: 80 GAL.

ships queen berth that has the bonus (un- Cantius 42 is ready to meet your needs CREW WEIGHT: 550 LB.

like many midcabins) of walking space on with style and quality. —Chris Caswell C R U I S E R S YA C H T S
Oconto, Wisconsin; 920-834-2211; cruisersyachts.com
one side, making bed entry much more
graceful. Besides having a square berth
and good headroom, I might be tempted
to make this my master cabin for two rea-

C
sons. First, it has access to the day-head SPEED EFFICIENCY OPERATION
PHOTO: COURTESY CRUISERS YACHTS

with yet another full-stall shower, and naut. stat. n. mi. s. mi. sound
rpm knots mph gph mpg mpg range range angle level
second, it has a comfy couch/love seat 1000 4.00 4.60 0.60 6.66 7.67 1799 2070 0 66
running along the starboard-side. It’s here 1500 8.34 9.60 4.80 1.74 2.00 469 540 1 65
2000 9.73 11.20 11.00 0.88 1.02 239 275 2 67
that I might retire to get away from the 2500 14.60 16.80 15.00 0.97 1.12 263 302 5 71
party going on in the cockpit. Whichever 3000 22.25 25.60 26.00 0.86 0.98 231 266 4 75

you decide is the master and which is the CERTIFIED 3620 30.06 34.60 39.50 0.76 0.88 205 237 4 82
MOST ECONOMICAL CRUISING SPEED
VIP, no one is going to feel second-class. TEST
Cruisers doesn’t cut any corners on RESULTS

4 6 | B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8
 lev e l
h e n ext
to t
- S k i d
o u r Non
y
Take

Cutting-Edge
Polymer Technology
Star brite's NEW Non-Skid Deck Wax creates a barrier against
dirt and stains, while keeping your feet planted.
Perfect complement to Star brite Non-Skid Deck Cleaner
for ultimate non-skid performance.
Find out more at www.starbrite.com
S C A N ME
To see a photo
gallery of the
MJM 35z, visit
boatingmag
.com/3086.

My boat test and factory inspection prove that the MJM Yachts 35z performs well, features

M
PHOTO: COURTESY MJM YACHTS

a robust build, and its self-touted “eco-friendly” moniker has merit. Further, it impressed
me with numerous small details, the likes of which make it obvious they were conceived
and executed by those with major sea time.
Conceptualized and overseen by Bob Johnstone of J/Boats fame, designed in collaboration
with naval architect Doug Zurn, and built in collaboration with Boston Boatworks, the MJM
35z’s basic laminate is created using wet pre-impregnated epoxy composite, a technique at the
heart of the boat’s mission statement. The “wet pre-preg” process uses less resin to achieve

4 8 | B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

C MJM YACHTS
CERTIFIED
TEST
higher strength and stiffness at a lighter weight to comparable struc-
PHOTOS: COURTESY MJM YACHTS
tures made with other resins. Along with the use of high-tech coring
materials, which further reduce weight, the 35z has a 3.5-to-1 length-
to-beam ratio, versus the typical 2.7- or 3.0-to-1 ratios, for a slipperier,
smoother ride, since weight and drag are primary factors in fuel effi-
ciency and performance for better use of resources (and boating dol-
lars). Plus, since epoxy does not outgas styrene, the 35z’s lamination
process is more environmentally friendly than other methods.
#3086
35Z
This boat delivers a combination of performance,
efficiency and panache that is almost without comparison.
How did it perform on the water?
Hit the throttle and twin 300 hp Mercury Verado outboards
make the 35z jump. While I noted a top speed of 46 mph, what im-
pressed me was the way the boat ran at a 34 mph cruising speed in
the moderate chop of test day. Crew comfort was high, fuel burn
and sound levels proved low, and vibration and fumes were unde-
tectable. The 35z nets 1 mpg at this speed. If the rising seas lead to
slowing down, we recorded similar economy at 16, 20 and 26 mph.
B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 | 4 9
 Plus, I discovered the boat maintains plane
at 15 mph. These attributes provide plenty
of options without foregoing economy when
sea conditions change. Notably, the 35z’s
length-to-beam ratio, which makes it nar-
rower for its length than many other boats,
pays off tangibly in seakindliness and han-
dling that speak for themselves.
Handling proved able using the classic,
teak-rimmed destroyer wheel and basic
controls. But that’s just a baseline. The MJM
35z is offered with a Seakeeper gyro. Hit the
switch and the boat simply will not rock and
roll. Furthermore, the Active Trim and Auto
Tab features allow the skipper who’s busy
with crew and navigation to “set it and forget
it” with respect to these controls. Manual
override is available, of course, but I couldn’t
better the auto systems myself. See if you can
during your test ride. Likewise, Skyhook GPS
who run solo. Naturally, access to the stern
from the helm is lickety-split thanks to the
open, single-level layout of the MJM 35z.
This layout delivers the room of a larger
vessel. It features a hardtop with two deck
hatches, electric-opening windshields and
Strataglass side curtains. Drop curtains seal
off the helm deck from the cockpit, making
a weathertight, air-conditioned space that
also serves for entertaining, lounging away
a rainy day in port, or creating a twin berth
stateroom for guests. A Bimini top extends
aft of this to protect the cockpit proper from
sun and rain. Twin transom doors provide
great engine access and access to the water.
High Points
 Ease of operation is built in: spring-cleat
placement, joystick control, secure bow
access and more.
 Excellent performance, with low sound
levels and no discernible fumes or vibration.
 Eco-friendly(ier) in build and in use.
Low Points
 Rod holders, if not capped, drain into the
stowage compartment/seat module rather
than onto the self-bailing cockpit sole.
 There are fiddle rails/keepers at the helm
and atop the lockers but, ironically, none are
installed on the cabin galley counter.
· LOA: 35'6" · BEAM: 11'0" · DRAFT (MAX): 2'8"
· DISPLACEMENT (APPROX.): 13,200 lb.

A sport-fishing
configuration complete
with livewell, outriggers,
tackle management and
more is available.
station-keeping is standard.
The 35z is also equipped with Mercury’s
Joystick Piloting complementing the ba-
sic wheel and throttle. With the joystick, I
found the 35z could be made to maneuver
in a highly precise and incremental manner
around the dock. It can even be made to slide
sideways, if needed. A joystick is a great ad-
ditional tool for any captain to have at hand.
The helm itself is a broad, flat expanse
housing an array of big-screen electronics,
gauges and switches. As much as I trust elec-
tronics, I was glad to see the compass atop
Belowdecks, the cabin features a galley, · TRANSOM DEADRISE: 19.7 degrees · BRIDGE
CLEARANCE (WITH RADAR): 9'0" · MAX CABIN
an enclosed head and a V-berth. A movable
table is provided. I appreciated the keeper
HEADROOM: 6'4" · FUEL CAPACITY: 250 gal.
· MAX HORSEPOWER: 700 · AVAILABLE POWER:
Twin outboards to 700 hp total
rails installed on stowage shelves that in-
hibit items from sliding off. The hull sides
are sealed in slatted cherry, and the sole is Price: $630,000
(with test power)
teak and holly. All very yachtlike, although,
thanks to modern coatings, the owner need AVA I L A B L E P O W E R :
not schedule annual varnishing. OUTBOARD
Shopping against this boat will be difficult
because the combination of high beam-to-
length ratio, construction method and de-
tails makes it rather unique. That said, check HOW WE TESTED
out the Back Cove 34O, a new Downeast ENGINE: Twin 300 hp Mercury Verado outboards
DRIVE/PROP: Outboard/141/2" x 17" GEAR RATIO:
cruiser offered with twin 300 hp Yamaha
1.85:1 FUEL LOAD: 200 gal. WATER ON BOARD:
outboards as standard power ($340,000 base 20 gal. CREW WEIGHT: 790 lb.
price). —Kevin Falvey
M J M YA C H T S
Newport, Rhode Island; 401-862-4367; mjmyachts.com
SPEED EFFICIENCY OPERATION

C
naut. stat. n. mi. s. mi. sound
the helm, since I prefer to steer by compass rpm knots mph gph mpg mpg range range angle level
1000 5.21 6.00 2.00 2.61 3.00 587 675 0 61
rather than icon. (Plus, a compass needs nei-
1500 6.91 7.95 4.00 1.73 1.99 389 447 1 68
ther power nor software updates to work.) I 2000 9.34 10.75 6.60 1.42 1.63 318 366 3 69
PHOTO: COURTESY MJM YACHTS

also liked that the spring-line cleats were in 2500 11.38 13.10 10.30 1.11 1.27 249 286 5 69
3000 13.47 15.50 14.00 0.96 1.11 216 249 6 74
reach from the helm, since the ability to get a 3500 17.81 20.50 17.90 1.00 1.15 224 258 5 74
line on while still at the controls is a big plus 4000 22.59 26.00 21.50 1.05 1.21 236 272 5 74
4500 29.98 34.50 30.00 1.00 1.15 225 259 4 77
when single-handing a boat. In fact, I found CERTIFIED 5000 34.32 39.50 38.90 0.88 1.02 199 228 4 78
that with the canvas rolled up, I could get out TEST 5500 36.93 42.50 47.00 0.79 0.90 177 203 4 79
6020 39.97 46.00 59.70 0.67 0.77 151 173 3 81
onto the side deck and up to the bow directly RESULTS MOST ECONOMICAL CRUISING SPEED
from the helm — another plus for skippers

5 0 | B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8
 ADVERTISEMENT

THE GEAR WE MAKE.

GUIDE LIFE™ CACHE CREEK DUFFEL

Constructed of 840-denier nylon with a waterproof, welded TPU bottom, this
versatile duffel bag easily converts to a backpack to go wherever your day may take you.

DESIGNED WITH THE EDITORS OF

OUTDOORLIFE.COM/GUIDELIFE
@OLGUIDELIFE #GUIDELIFE
 #3087

C SCOUT
CERTIFIED
355 LXF
TEST This boat delivers luxurious comforts and fishability,
plus a style and attention to detail exceeding the norm.

G
Got 2-foot-itis? Eye up Scout’s newest 355 LXF. It packs all the amenities of its larger
siblings at an easier-to-handle size and price.
PHOTO: GARRETT CORTESE

Our tester was rigged for performance, using three Mercury Verado 350 outboards to
reach an exhilarating top speed of 66 mph. Punching the throttle, we jumped on plane
and passed the 30 mph mark in just 6.8 seconds. Range with the standard 310-gallon
fuel cell is 336 miles at a best-cruise speed just shy of 40 mph, where the triple 350s
burned fuel at 32.6 gph, netting an efficiency of 1.2 mpg.
Per our pre-trial seminar from Scout CEO Steve Potts, the 355 was born from

5 2 | B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8

customer feedback, asking for the features from the larger 380 and
PHOTOS: COURTESY SCOUT BOATS
420 models. Since Potts doesn’t like the idea of jamming big-boat
features into smaller hulls not designed to handle them, he or-
dered a complete redesign. While the dual-step hull was retained,
everything else was changed to accommodate boat-owner input.
And what were those desires? Scout owners clamored for the
addition of a Seakeeper 3DC gyrostabilizer, which requires room
amidships and care in installation for proper hull balance due to
SCAN ME
To see a photo gallery of the Scout
355 LXF, scan this tag or visit
boatingmag.com/3087.
its heft. Potts and crew redesigned the stringer grid system and
relocated the fuel cells and batteries to ensure that the 355 pos-
sessed proper center of gravity for fast oceangoing runs. If the
Seakeeper option is not chosen, a huge cooler is installed instead.
Like all Scout luxury center-consoles we’ve tested, this is a
high-performance fin chaser at heart but feels right at home
as a dinner-cruise vessel, yacht tender, or island-hopping play
boat. Our test in the Charleston Harbor gave us foot-high wind
B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 | 5 3
 chop along with steep wakes from passing
cruisers. The 355 gave it right back, ripping
through harbor traffic. Cornering deliv-
ered a pronounced, confident heel under
tight control. The double-stepped run-
ning surface produced speeds approach-
ing 70 mph with three aboard, which gave
a fleet-of-feet sensation even in a large
hull. Spray is deflected downward by the
hard chines and Carolina bow flare. The
hull frees up quickly, releasing faster for
less wetted surface; higher efficiency is the
result, especially in calm water.
The wide center console mimics those
aboard the 380 and 420 models, and it of-
fers a heated, triple helm seat. The setup
includes a new leaning-post design for bet-
ter comfort and position. The T-top perch-
es atop sculpted extruded supports, like all
Scout boats. Up on the roof, a solar panel
keeps the standard AGM batteries charg-
ing, even under the load of the Seakeeper
Scout’s remastered 355
stowage abounds; even the bow cushions
tuck away without hassle.
The console is all-digital, with a wide
touchscreen featuring e-connectivity so
you can operate pertinent functions at the
dash or with your smartphone. Redundant
“traditional” switches provide backup. The
Verados’ horses are kept in line with Mer-
cury’s power steering and digital throttle/
shift controls, as well as optional Mercury
autopilot, joystick and Skyhook controls.
Through the portside cabin door, the
belowdecks amenities proved comfort-
able and accommodating for a cozy couple
overnight. The twin queen berth fits tall
folks comfortably, and a full galley and en-
tertainment center are standard. Air con-
ditioning is available.
Abovedecks, Scout’s sculpted recessed
High Points
 Double-stepped high-performance hull
provides fun top speeds with good mileage
and crisp handling.
 Scout’s clean rigging and execution mean
trouble-free operation and maintenance for
many years of ownership.
 Standard bow camera is a cool tech-head
feature but really should be standard on all
big centers like this; it’s invaluable for seeing
just ahead and surely can prevent mishaps
by enhancing forward visibility.
Low Points
 Seakeeper 3DC gyro really tames rolling
seas but is listed as a $50,000 option.
 How can you fish in such a luxurious craft?
Keeping the 355 clean-as-new will flummox
many owners; it’s so beautiful, you won’t
want to sully it with fish blood.
· LOA: 34'11" · BEAM: 10'9" · DRAFT: 2'0"
· DISPLACEMENT: 9,800 lb. (hull only); 16,504 lb.

LXF adds details from the grab rail encircles the cockpit, providing a
secure handhold. Plenty of rod stowage re-
380 and 420, without the sides under the gunwales. Fish stowage at
added cost and length. the transom is 60 gallons, along with a cir-
(with engines) · TRANSOM DEADRISE: 22 degrees
· BRIDGE CLEARANCE: 8'5" · FUEL CAPACITY:
310 gal. · WATER CAPACITY: 23 gal. · MAX
HORSEPOWER: 1,050 · AVAILABLE POWER:
Twin or triple Mercury or Yamaha outboard motors
to 1,050 total

culating baitwell. A walk-through transom

and all the other cool electronic accesso-
ries. Those accessories include a standard
high-resolution bow camera.
Scout builds in a high-level combina-
tion of pure fishing function with luxury
touches and quality. The construction part
of that begins with the 355 LXF’s resin-
infused hull and deck. Epoxy is used for
the hull lamination, while polyester resin
is used for the deck. This provides maxi-
mum weight savings and strength. There
is no wood core or transom plywood to rot.
When you look underneath, it’s a pleasure
to see that all fasteners are through-bolted
with no wood screws to vibrate out.
The deck and interior layout follows
the Scout luxury center-console for-
mula: At the bow, behind the standard
concealed anchor windlass, there’s a re-
door allows access to the full-width tran- Price: $357,540
(base)
som bracket/platform with its Armstrong
dive ladder.
AVA I L A B L E P O W E R :
In the 35-foot center-console market,
Cobia’s 344CC starts at $244,889 with OUTBOARD
twin Yamaha 350 V-8s; with triple F300s,
it sells for around $285,000. Boston Whal-
er’s 350 Outrage mimics the Scout in size
HOW WE TESTED
and weight, and rigged with triple 300
ENGINES: TRIPLE MERCURY 350 HP VERADO
Verados, it starts at $389,785; with 350s, it FOURSTROKE OUTBOARDS DRIVE/PROP:
tabs at just over $404,000. Pursuit’s S328 MERCURY REVOLUTION 4 14.625" X 20" (OUTER
measures out at just under 35 feet, starts ENGINES); 22" (CENTER ENGINE) GEAR RATIO:
1.75:1 FUEL LOAD: 100 GAL. WATER LOAD:
at $315,495 with twin Yamaha F300s, and
10 GAL. CREW WEIGHT: 600 LB.
tips the scales at just over 12,000 pounds
rigged and ready. —John Tiger S C O U T B O AT S
Summerville, South Carolina; 843-821-0068;
scoutboats.com
SPEED EFFICIENCY OPERATION
naut. stat. n. mi. s. mi. sound

C
rpm knots mph gph mpg mpg range range angle level
laxation station to rival that aboard any 1000 6.2 7.1 4.1 1.5 1.7 419.8 483.1 1 69
1500 8.1 9.3 6.8 1.2 1.4 331.6 381.6 0 74
luxury bowrider. Center-facing cush- 2000 10.0 11.5 12.5 0.8 0.9 223.0 256.7 3 76
ions surround the (optional) electroni- 2500 12.6 14.5 19.2 0.7 0.8 183.1 210.7 4 82
PHOTO: GARRETT CORTESE

3000 23.3 26.8 25.0 0.9 1.1 259.9 299.1 5 86

cally operated party table that can be 3500 27.7 31.9 29.6 0.9 1.1 261.3 300.7 3 88
set higher for dining or lowered and cov- 4000 34.2 39.3 32.6 1.0 1.2 292.3 336.3 2 91
4500 40.3 46.4 41.4 1.0 1.1 271.7 312.7 1 91
ered with (standard) cushions to form
5000 44.5 51.2 53.4 0.8 1.0 232.5 267.5 0 95
a huge recessed sun deck. Forward of CERTIFIED
5500 48.9 56.3 67.6 0.7 0.8 201.9 232.4 0 97
the center-console windshield, there’s a TEST 6000 53.3 61.3 77.2 0.7 0.8 192.5 221.5 0 98
6350 57.4 66.1 84.4 0.7 0.8 189.9 218.5 0 100
reclined double lounge. Cavernous dry RESULTS MOST ECONOMICAL CRUISING SPEED

5 4 | B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8
 LET’S
BOAT
l

ATLANTIC CITY IN-WATER

POWER BOAT SHOW ¨

The est lace t u a at is at a at sh w.

September 6th-9th, 2018

FARLEY STATE MARINA | GOLDEN NUGGET HOTEL

$12 tickets in advance

Free SELF Parking
www.acinwaterboatshow.com
 High Points
 Fabulous fit and finish, and it’s
semicustom, so you can get many
details built to order.
 More attractive than a houseboat but
offers the same all-season versatility.
 Running surface carves in turns and
allows air to lift the bow at cruising
speed for improved economy.

Low Points
 That same running surface impacts
choppy water amidships and produces
an uncomfortable ride, unless care is
taken to moderate speed and course.
 Cabin hatch location in the walk-
through is awkward.
 No outboard engine option.

Toughest Competitor
 No single boat really compares to the
Afina 3950. If you’d like a dayboat that

AFINA can also sleep up to four people in

climate-controlled comfort, consider a
coupe-style cruiser like the 35-foot Sea
Ray Sundancer 350 Coupe ($415,000

3950
The Afina 3950 was born
out of frustration. When
Wayne Floe, CEO of boat-lift
builder Floe International,
couldn’t find just the right
boat to suit his particular
style of boating, he decided
maker calls the Grand View
cabin can be completely
closed or opened up to the
environment in a variety of
ways — open the forward
and aft glass doors, roll down
(electrically) the huge side
port side. This head includes
a shower and almost 6 feet of
total headroom.
I found access to the Hide-
away Suite cabin is a bit incon-
venient. One needs to go down
three steps after lifting a large
with twin MerCruiser 8.1 sterndrive and
Axius joystick). If you’re seeking the
Afina’s maximum seating with a view, a
big dayboat like the Formula 350 CBR
($477,415 with twin MerCruiser 8.1
sterndrive and Axius joystick) might
serve your needs. But you’ll need at
least two premium boats to cover the
diverse features of the Afina.
· LOA: 39'6" · BEAM: 11'0" · DRAFT (MAX): 3'0"
· TRANSOM DEADRISE: 11 degrees · BRIDGE
CLEARANCE: 10'0" · DRY WEIGHT: 18,500 lb.
· FUEL CAPACITY: 200 gal. · MAX HORSEPOWER: 860

to design and build one that windows, and roll back (elec-
did suit him. (Must be nice!) trically) the soft-top section.
Now his dream boat can On the day we ran the Afina
for a photo
shoot near
To watch our video review MORE
of the Afina 3950, visit
Jacksonville,
boatingmag.com/3088. O N L I N E Florida, we
opened all the
glass but kept
be yours. The semicustom the roof closed for shade,
Afina 3950 is in production and were very comfortable
from a new boatbuilding on a 90-degree day and en-
facility near McGregor, joyed the bright, airy house
hatch in the walk-through to
the bow. Below is a settee and
Price: $500,000
a midcabin-style berth. (with test power)
Twin 430 hp MerCruiser
Bravo Three drives equipped AVA I L A B L E P O W E R :
with joystick piloting pushed STERNDRIVE
us to a top speed of 48 mph.
The 3950’s inverted V-hull is
super-stable and carves neat
HOW WE TESTED
turns but pounded through
ENGINES: Twin 430 hp Mercury MerCruiser 8.2L
moderate chop at speed. Pay DRIVE/PROP: Bravo Three/25-pitch stainless-steel
attention to course and speed propset GEAR RATIO: 2.00:1 FUEL LOAD: 175 gal.
when the water is rough. CREW WEIGHT: 700 lb.

Minnesota, with a base price area with great views all —Charles Plueddeman A F I N A YA C H T S
of about $500,000. And around. Heat and air condi- McGregor, Minnesota; 800-336-6337; afinayachts.com

there is really nothing like it tioning will allow the owner

on the water. to further manipulate the
At first glance, the environment for the com- SPEED EFFICIENCY OPERATION

C
39-foot-6-inch-long, 11-foot- fort of guests in just about rpm knots mph gph
naut.
mpg
stat.
mpg
n. mi.
range
s. mi.
range angle
sound
level
beam fiberglass Afina 3950 any season and during bouts 1000 5.65 6.50 4.30 1.31 1.51 236 272 0 67
looks like a big deck boat un- of inclement weather. 1500 7.39 8.50 7.70 0.96 1.10 173 199 1 65
2000 9.99 11.50 12.90 0.77 0.89 139 160 1 72
der a glass house. Designed There’s a galley in the 2500 11.30 13.00 19.50 0.58 0.67 104 120 2 76
to stretch the season for main house area, where a
PHOTO: BILL DOSTER

3000 16.08 18.50 27.00 0.60 0.69 107 123 4 79

3500 26.94 31.00 33.50 0.80 0.93 145 167 3 80
northern-tier boaters, the wraparound settee pulls 4000 35.63 41.00 39.50 0.90 1.04 162 187 3 83
concept works as well for out to create a comfy berth. CERTIFIED 4500 39.97 46.00 56.00 0.71 0.82 128 148 3 85
5000 41.71 48.00 73.50 0.57 0.65 102 118 3 88
those who boat in tropical or The head compartment is TEST
MOST ECONOMICAL CRUISING SPEED
semitropical heat. What the located forward and on the RESULTS

5 6 | B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8
 High Points
 Convertible transom grill hides a
livewell beneath that can also be used
as an ice box.
 Outboard power is easy to maintain.
 Compact design means this rig is
trailerable, and many roll their way
right into RV parks as a camper.

Low Points
 Enclosed salon and cockpit hardtop
leave fewer spots to sunbathe but
ensure comfort in inclement weather.
 Low deadrise angle gives a stable
cruising ride and offers entry to shallow
waters but requires judicious speed in
choppy seas.

CUTWATER Toughest Competitor

 You could look at a Beneteau 30 Swift
Trawler if you wanted to investigate

302 Coupe
Everything on the Cutwater
302 Coupe transforms into
something else. Call it Wave-
tron, cousin to Maximus
Prime.
The first order of business
for this outboard-powered
companion. Ours had a bow
thruster on it for easy dock-
ing and anxiety-free cruising.
Prime examples of trans-
forming features are the
galley seating that converts
from a double-wide helm
the action from still another
transforming feature — gun-
wale seats that fold outward.
The finely crafted buffet
top on the port side of the sa-
lon lifts to reveal a two-burner
stove and galley sink. There’s a
competitors. You’d have a roomy salon
with the comforts of home, but
Beneteau chooses sterndrive power in
its Swift. There’s a flybridge on it too,
and its key transforming feature is a
transom that opens to the swim plat-
form, extending the cockpit to the
water’s edge.
· LOA: 30'0" · BEAM: 10'0" · DRAFT: 2'5"
· DISPLACEMENT: 9,800 lb. (with power)
· TRANSOM DEADRISE: 11 degrees · BRIDGE
CLEARANCE: 9'9" · FUEL CAPACITY: 300 gal.
· MAX HORSEPOWER: 600

pocket trawler is pleasure, seat on the forward side of microwave below.

and when you flip a hatch, the dinette and a comple- In the forward stateroom, Price: $309,937
(with test power)
turn a seat back or open a mentary couch on the aft more finely crafted work trims
side. Lay those a closet, drawers and spacious
down and berth. We were impressed AVA I L A B L E P O W E R :
For a photo gallery of the MORE you’re facing with the size and convenience O U T B OA R D S
Cutwater 302 Coupe, visit
boatingmag.com/3089. O N L I N E a comfortable of the head compartment,
central berth with an acrylic circular shower
for two. Flip enclosure.
window in the Cutwater, the that aft seat up and open the The Cutwater 302 Coupe HOW WE TESTED
ENGINE: Dual Yamaha 300s DRIVE/PROP: Yamaha
pleasure of cruising is multi- aft cabin window, and that is surprisingly spacious, con-
SDS 15.25" x 19" 3-blade stainless steel GEAR
plied and its value increased. double seat joins the cockpit venient to handle with confi- RATIO: 1.75:1 FUEL LOAD: 40 gal. CREW WEIGHT:
But in our tests, the first conversation area. Under- dence, and transforms quickly 400 lb.
order of business is to see neath that aft seat is still for you. —Randy Vance C U T WA T E R B O A T S
how it runs. For its length another berth. Monroe, Washington; 800-349-7198; cutwaterboats.com

overall, its draft is diminu- Another convertible fea-

tive, but its acceleration and ture is the electric grill in the
SPEED EFFICIENCY OPERATION
cornering are snappy and transom compartment. Stow

C
naut. stat. n. mi. s. mi. sound
rpm knots mph gph mpg mpg range range angle level
crisp. Hard-over turns were it away and enjoy the loung-
PHOTO: COURTESY CUTWATER BOATS

1000 4.5 5.2 2.6 1.7 2.0 469.2 540 0 68

handled without rattling es, or lift it up and access the 1500 6.7 7.7 4.4 1.5 1.8 410.6 472.5 1 68
dishes or opening cupboards. livewell beneath. If you’re 2000 8.1 9.3 7.6 1.1 1.2 287.1 330.4 3 69
2500 8.4 9.7 12.2 0.7 0.8 186.5 214.7 4 68
At economical speeds, the not into live bait, ice it down 3000 9.2 10.6 18.1 0.5 0.6 137.4 158.1 6 68
302 Coupe can take you to far and stow the catch there as 3500 14.6 16.9 21.5 0.7 0.8 183.9 211.6 6 73
4000 21.5 24.7 27.5 0.8 0.9 210.7 242.5 4 75
ports without refueling. well. There are rod holders 4500 26.9 31.0 35.1 0.8 0.9 206.9 238.1 3 78
This new 302 pocket on the transom and more in CERTIFIED 5000 34.8 40.0 42.9 0.8 0.9 218.8 251.7 2 82
5500 41.9 48.2 51.2 0.8 0.9 220.9 254.2 1 85
trawler is easily managed the hardtop. TEST
5800 43.2 49.7 52.1 0.8 1.0 223.8 257.6 1 83
single-handedly or with a Spectators can watch RESULTS MOST ECONOMICAL CRUISING SPEED

5 8 | B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8
 FloorLinerª
Laser Measured, Custom-Fit

AlloyCover™ WaterBlade Seat Protector TechLiner®

Side Window Deflectors BumpStep®XL RackSack® Pet Barrier

Designed and Engineered in USA -
Handcrafted in Germany

24" Hitch Mounted Bumper Protection

Acura · Alfa Romeo · Aston Martin · Audi · BMW · Buick · Cadillac · Chevrolet · Chrysler · Dodge · Ferrari · Fiat · Ford · Genesis
GMC · Honda · Hummer · Hyundai · Infiniti · Isuzu · Jaguar · Jeep · Kia · Land Rover · Lexus · Lincoln · Maserati · Mazda
Accessories Available for Mercedes-Benz · Mercury · Mini · Mitsubishi · Nissan · Oldsmobile · Plymouth · Pontiac · Porsche · RAM · Saab · Saturn · Scion
Smart · Subaru · Suzuki · Tesla · Toyota · Volkswagen · Volvo and more!

American Customers Canadian Customers European Customers

Order Now: 800-441-6287 WeatherTech.com WeatherTech.ca WeatherTech.eu

© 2018 by MacNeil IP LLC

 High Points
 Performance by design: roll-formed
performance skin, V-Lite Composite
Deck, fins, a pad, nose cones and more.
 Seating proved comfortable, flexible
and ruggedly built.
 Deutsch connectors are just one mark

BERKSHIRE
of a quality electrical system.

Low Point
 We would like to see a longer eyebrow

25SB Ultra to shade the instruments at the helm.

Toughest Competitor
 The Berkshire’s long standards list
makes finding direct comparisons
tough, but check out Bennington’s
Berkshire’s 25SB Ultra hit 250 hp Verado model en- helm console with its au- 25SSXAPGP ($67,833 with a 225 hp
47.3 mph carrying five crew- gine, sporting the 5.44 HD tomotive styling and tilt Mercury outboard).
members and a near-full gear case, propelled us, de- steering. Inspecting inside,
tank of fuel and reached 30 livering a stingy 3.62 mpg at we discovered wiring that · LOA: 25'10" · BEAM: 8'6" · DRAFT (MAX): 2'6"
mph in just under 5 seconds. 23.5 mph. That’s an efficient utilized Deutsch connectors · DISPLACEMENT (APPROX.): 2,690 lb. · TRANSOM
DEADRISE: NA · BRIDGE CLEARANCE: 5'2"
The 25SB Ultra also cor- cruising number. that are known for reliability · FUEL CAPACITY: 41 gal. · MAX HORSEPOWER:
400 · AVAILABLE POWER: Twin Mercury or Yamaha
nered and handled dockside While I thought the and ease of service. outboards to 400 hp
maneuvers with grace. brow over the instrument Our tester was an SB
Credit Berkshire for de- panel could have been lon- Ultra 3.0, a performance
Price: $69,245
veloping a pontoon geometry ger in order to provide more package including, among (base with 250L Mercury)
shade for other things, SeaStar hydrau-
viewing the lic steering and an optional
AVA I L A B L E P O W E R :
To view a photo gallery of MORE instruments electronic steering pump.
the Berkshire 25SB Ultra, O U T B OA R D
visit boatingmag.com/3090. O N L I N E and Murphy Standard items aboard in-
touchscreen cluded a Murphy display
installed at with GPS mapping, speed,
that enables such spirited the helm, I found much to water temp and a radio. HOW WE TESTED
ENGINE: 250 hp Mercury 4.6 V-8 Verado DRIVE/
performance and capable like about the 25SB Ultra. Looking to create pontoon
PROP: Outboard/143/4" x 16" 3-blade stainless steel
handling. Of note is what Choose the aft-facing envy in your boating friends? GEAR RATIO: 1.75:1 (HD 5.44) FUEL LOAD: 20 gal.
Berkshire calls the V-Lite recliners so your crew can Check out a Berkshire 25SB CREW WEIGHT: 1,000 lb.
Composite Deck. An aero- relax with a sundowner, Ultra. —Kevin Falvey BERKSHIRE PONTOON
space honeycomb, it is watch the kids, and have Middlebury, Indiana; 574-206-8288;
berkshirepontoon.com
said to be rot-free and also front-row seats for the wa-
weighs as much as 50  per- tersports action occurring
SPEED EFFICIENCY OPERATION
cent less than plywood in your wake. Upholstered

C
naut. stat. n. mi. s. mi. sound
PHOTO: COURTESY BERKSHIRE PONTOON

rpm knots mph gph mpg mpg range range angle level
decks. Weight and pow- in heavy-duty marine vi-
1000 4.08 4.70 1.20 3.40 3.92 126 145 0 86
er are key components of nyl and constructed with 1500 6.00 6.90 1.90 3.16 3.63 116 134 2 86
speed and efficiency. robust, corrosion-resistant 2000 8.17 9.40 2.80 2.92 3.36 102 119 6 86
2500 13.12 15.10 3.30 3.98 4.58 146 168 5 86
It’s also notable that our hardware, these should 3000 17.12 19.70 4.60 3.72 4.28 137 158 5 91
test boat was powered by serve well for the long haul. 3500 20.42 23.50 6.50 3.14 3.62 140 161 3 94
4000 24.59 28.30 9.00 2.73 3.14 101 116 3 95
one of Mercury Marine’s A bow gate filler seat is op- 4500 29.11 33.50 11.00 2.65 3.05 98 112 3 95
new 4.6-liter V-8 outboards. tionally available. CERTIFIED 5000 34.15 39.30 13.60 2.51 2.89 93 107 3 95
5500 38.23 44.00 19.00 2.01 2.32 74 85 3 96
(Yamaha outboards are also Running the boat, we ap- TEST
5850 41.10 47.30 21.90 1.88 2.16 69 80 2 97
available.) In this case, a preciated the all-fiberglass RESULTS MOST ECONOMICAL CRUISING SPEED

6 0 | B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8
 MH
MOTORHEAD
By Pete McDonald
YAMAHA XTO
OFFSHORE
The new 425 hp, 5.6L V-8 outboard is designed to
power mega-boats way outside the inlet.
The biggest trend in outboards
in the past decade is, well, ev-
erything’s getting bigger. The
rise of mega-center-consoles
— boats that are 40 to 50 feet
in length and powered by quad
outboard installations — has
both expanded the realm of
outboard-powered vessels and
grown the demand for engines
powerful enough to push them.
Enter Yamaha’s biggest and
most powerful outboard engine
to date, the 425 hp, 5.6L V-8
XTO Offshore.
The XTO represents a first
for Yamaha in many respects.
6 2 | B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8
It is the first four-stroke on the
market to feature direct in-
jection, with an industry-high
12.2-to-1 compression ratio, and
the first to be packaged with an
electric steering system. In fact,
Yamaha is touting it not merely
as an outboard but as a “fully
integrated power system.”
At the Yamaha test facility
in Bridgeport, Alabama, I had
the opportunity to test the XTO
in a quad installation aboard a
Grady-White Canyon 456, a tri-
ple installation on a Contender
39 Tournament ST, and a single
on a Sportsman 267 Masters. If
there is one word I’d use to de-
scribe the experience, it would
be thrust. Yamaha claims the
XTO produces 150 percent
more thrust than its F350, one
of the current standard-bearers
in big-boat outboard propul-
sion. I noticed it right away
on the Contender 39; while
cruising at 3,500 rpm, I pushed
down the throttles and felt the
oomph as the triples rapidly
accelerated the boat from
the mid-30s to a mid-50 mph
speed. With a crew of eight on
board and a nearly full fuel load,
I could push this boat close to
70 mph. In different conditions,
Yamaha’s testers recorded a top
speed of 72.7 mph at 6,000 rpm.
The other place I noticed
that thrust? In reverse. Yamaha
claims a 300 percent improve-
ment in reverse thrust. I expe-
rienced that firsthand aboard
the Grady-White. When we
put the quads in reverse, the
boat rocketed backward in a
straight track. While this was
impressive in terms of back-
ing down on a fish, having that
thrust in reserve really plays
out in close-quarters handling
and docking. Part of that comes
from the increased diameter
of the XTO propellers, which
range from 16 to 171/8 inches.
While the XTO is ideal for
big-boat applications such
as the Grady-White 456, the
nearly 1,000-pound engine
also fared well as a single on the
Sportsman 267. The lone XTO
propelled the bay boat to a top-
end speed exceeding 60 mph.
While climbing onto plane,
it didn’t display the expect-
ed squat from hanging such a
beefy engine off the transom.
The XTO engines are
massive, but the rigging is un-
obtrusive and clean. With the
electric steering system, you
won’t see any hydraulic lines,
just a cylinder that looks like
it’s part of the mounting brack-
et. The XTO works seamlessly
with Yamaha’s Helm Master
PHOTOS: COURTESY YAMAHA MOTOR CORPORATION USA
joystick technology and CL7
digital display, and the afore-
mentioned electronic steering
felt super-responsive during
maneuvers at speed.
Yamaha is offering the XTO
with 25-, 30- or 35-inch shafts.
Pricing starts at $44,750 per
engine. For more information,
visit yamahaoutboards.com.
 Atlass Insurance : Small Boats | Yachts | Mega Yachts

Managing the Full Spectrum

of Marine Insurance

For over 35 years, the Atlass Insurance Group has set the industry
standard for comprehensive and affordable custom marine insurance
across the entire yachting spectrum – from coastal cruising small boats
to mega yachts worldwide.

Direct access to, and strong working relations with, the finest US and
London yacht insurance underwriters ensures Atlass clients receive the
broadest coverage on the most competitive terms. Personal service and
years of experience ensures peace of mind.

Main Office - Ft Lauderdale, FL 954.525.0582

Also - Cocoa Beach, FL and Newport, RI www.atlassinsurance.com

www.RiskStrategies.com
6 4 | B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8
 SCHOOL
OF FISH
H o w a n u n l ik ely
col l eg ia te sp o r t
m a y b e sa v in g
pr o fessio n a l a n d
recreatio n a l fish in g .
BY RANDY VANCE

PHOTO: COURTESY ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGIATE BASS ANGLERS

B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 | 6 5

A
Abigail Askew isn’t your
typical fishing fanatic.
She didn’t grow up with
it in her early years in
South Florida, and ac-
tually didn’t take it up
until she was in college.
Yet she ended up on the
University of Florida’s
collegiate fishing team. It
6 6 | B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8
“
I met the
coach at Lake
was her teammate Colby
Eldridge, a lifelong an-
pay our own way.”
Scholarships?
Seminole at
gler from Panama City, “One of my best fish-
Florida, who introduced ing partners just took a the FLW, and
her to me. full-ride scholarship to
“I’ve got pictures fish on SCAD’s team.” I went online
of me in diapers with You could hear the wist-
a cane pole,” Eldridge ful envy when he spoke
of Abigail Askew mov-
and filled
says. “I was raised by
a single dad and my
grandparents, and they
ing to Southern College
of Art and Design in
out their
had a creek in the back- Savannah, Georgia.
yard, and I pretty much Askew was in her interest form.
spent all my time there.” third year of nuclear en-
So, when he got to gineering at UF, making They called
the University of Florida great grades and crank-
and found a bass fishing
club, he joined up.
ing along on a path to
a lucrative career. And
me up and
“It’s more a club she was miserable,
than a collegiate sport,” locked into the degree offered me
Eldridge says. “Some program, and even
schools support the though she was rocking a full
team with expense along, she was just not
money, boats and trans- having any fun — unless scholarship.”
portation. We have a she was fishing.
professor who spon- Nobody would’ve
sors our club. We get pegged the young South
excused absences for Florida woman as the
tournament days and fishing type. She wasn’t learn, but I’ve had to
a couple of days to pre- until recently. do a lot of research to
fish a tournament lake, “My stepdad is really catch up to most of the
but that’s about it.” into fishing. We moved other anglers,” she la-
Still, Eldridge was to Jacksonville when I ments. “Most people
enthusiastic about it was 18, and we have a lit- learned how to fish on
and, though a collegiate tle lake in the backyard. a spinning reel, but to
angler, is also a profes- I grabbed one of his me a baitcaster wasn’t
sional angler. “We fish baitcasters, and when I that difficult. My dad
for the school, and if we started catching bass, it showed me hand place-
win, our winnings go to was like wow this is fun. ment, then playing with
support the team. We It’s really, really late to it, how to manipulate
PHOTOS: RANDY VANCE
 the bait, how fast and and it’s really amazing fish, how to scout lakes, Her sonar? A Raymarine the UF club, she fell in
how slow to make it go. I when we see them in and how to succeed in Dragonfly. love with bass fishing.
just fished that one bait Academy Sports.” tournaments. To help “I needed to catch But it was odd too.
for a long time.” Askew may have her practice, her par- up,” she freely admits. “There were a lot of
“That one bait” was hated engineering, but ents, Rebecca and Doug, “I had to set my mind boys and only a hand-
PHOTOS: (FROM TOP) COURTESY ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGIATE BASS ANGLERS, RANDY VANCE

a Texas-rigged Trick her engineering mind bought her a 1996 Nitro to it and research it. ful of girls. At my first
Worm by Zoom. kicked in to study this 180 bass boat powered Before, I just fished the tournament, I was there
“The Trick Worm new problem of how to by a Mercury outboard. Trick Worm and pond- with seven guys, pre-
will never fail you,” hopped all the time. Un- fishing all week, and
she says. “Like today, til I got to UF, I didn’t not a single girl. Then,
before dawn, it was a fish in lakes and rivers. finally, when I saw the
tough bite, and I went I had only a semester on SCAD team, one boat
to the Trick and caught the water to learn how had two girls,” she says.
a 3-pounder — it was a it works, how tourna- “I met the coach at Lake
pretty nice fish.” ments worked. Seminole at the FLW,
She broadened her “I was a third-year and I went online and
arsenal to include Strike engineering student. filled out their interest
King’s Rage Blade chat- I wasn’t passionate form. They called me
terbait vibrating jig (it about it. I was making up and offered me a full
puts vibrations in the good grades. Calculus scholarship.”
water in low visibility) one, two, three, phys- Askew’s college ca-
and Big Bite Baits’ Kick- ics. I was still miser- reer got a little longer,
er Paddle Tail swimbait. able. I dreaded class and but now she’s aiming at
“One of my team- homework.” a degree in advertising.
mates’ dad makes them, When Askew joined “I want to work in

B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 | 6 7

the fishing industry. I
want to do something in
the outdoors. There is a
huge outdoor industry,”
she explains.
That’s not a bad ca-
reer path, and it’s not
an uncommon path for
college anglers either.
Matt Raynor is the
marketing director of
Ranger Boats in Flippin,
Arkansas. College bass
fishing got him there.
“I was in the college-
fishing hotbed of the
USA,” he says. “Indi-
ana University, Purdue,
Illinois, the Big Ten col-
leges were the first to
start doing it.”
Raynor, always ear-
nestly purposeful in
conversation, was now
talking at a surprising
rapid-fire pace recalling
the birth of collegiate
fishing. “I went to Ball
State and I knew all the
guys who fished clubs.
This was pre-FLW and
BASS college programs,
but I knew the guys
running those clubs,
6 8 | B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8
and we would organize
our own tournaments.
Then we’d partner with
local bass clubs, and we
paired a college fisher-
man with a boat, and
the college guy would
fish for points while
the other guy fished for
money. It was archaic,
but we did it.”
Maybe it was garden-
variety amateur, but it
got ESPN’s attention,
which covered the Big
Ten Classic.
And the anglers
made some historic
traditions too. Like
the Minnow Bucket.
Indiana University and
Purdue have a 100-year-
old rivalry in football.
It’s an annual contest of
the teams, and the win-
ner takes home the Old
Oak Bucket with a chain
made of links that are
shaped like either “IU”
or “P.” Each year, a new
link was added bearing
the initial of the win-
ning school. So, it was
natural the universities’
subsidiary of the White
River Marine Group,
a Johnny Morris com-
pany that holds the
Ranger, Tahoe, Tracker,
Nitro and Suntracker
boat brands.
College fishing has
made many careers. Ask
Seth Borton, the head
fishing coach at Adrian
College in Adrian,
Michigan. Borton and
the president of the col-
lege began their colle-
giate fishing program in
2013. They were trying
to recruit students of a
different feather.
“When we proposed
bass fishing, the reac-
tion we got was, ‘Bass
fishing? Are you seri-
anglers started the collegiate fishing got ous?’ But it turned out
Minnow Bucket. him first an internship to be the most success-
“I graduated in at Ranger, then a post at ful program we have,”
2005, the first year of the FLW Cup for college Borton says. “Kids tow
the FLW Cup collegiate anglers. He wasn’t com- the line academically.
series. I was jealous,” peting, but he was on In order to be success-
Raynor says. “Collegiate the cutting edge of this ful, you’ve got to be good
fishing was just start- new sport. He eventu- with your time and boat
ing to come of age, and I ally moved back to Flip- mechanics, and these
was graduating.” pin, Arkansas, where he kids have a more ad-
Ultimately, Raynor is now marketing direc- vanced sense of respon-
had no complaints. His tor of Ranger Boats, a sibility than any other
PHOTOS: COURTESY ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGIATE BASS ANGLERS
 “
When we
proposed
bass fishing, play well on TV, but he
made one anyway, cov-
figure out how to reach
these kids. We spun off
championships,”
Raynor says. “We send
a broken-down Astro
[bass boat] and we
ering the FLW Colle- the Ranger Cup and a service trailer to the patch ’em up and put
the reaction giate League. we did rangercupuniver BoatU.S. tournament ’em back on the water.
And for the fishing sity.com.” at Chickamauga [Lake We want to provide that
we got was, industry, it solved a big Ranger supported in Tennessee]. And we level of support — it’s
problem. them in a big way. help everybody just not cheap, but we sup-
‘Bass fishing? “We’d attend tour-
naments, the Bassmas-
“These aren’t pop-
corn events where
to keep the kids fish-
ing. They can bring us
port those organiza-
tions in a major way.”
Are you ter Classic, fishing-
tackle trade shows, and
you’re fishing for hot
dogs. You have the abil-
the people there were ity to qualify for the
serious?’ But all 45 to 55 or older,” Bassmaster Classic COLLEGIATE
Middleton says. “Every- through that. A lot of CONTINGENCY CASH
it turned out body is asking, how are 200-boat tournaments
we going to recruit new don’t offer this level While many fishing- companies, discounts
to be the most young anglers to keep
the sport from dying?”
of winnings either,”
Raynor says.
related companies
support collegiate
to collegiate fisher-
men are generous and
Turns out, college Ask any tourna- anglers with contin- hit the scatter graph
successful bass fishing was a good ment pro and he’ll tell gency money, most at about 40 percent
answer. you contingency mon- require using their off, no insignificant
program “If you build them ey is a big part of his equipment (not so amount. For more
a playground, they’ll bread and butter. Rang- easy for college kids information, visit
we have.” come and play,” Middle- er made its plan easy racking up student flwfishing.com.
ton says. for college kids to join. loans) or paying an
Borton agrees. “This You didn’t have to own entry fee. The follow-
just went out of control or even fish a Ranger. ing three related com- BASS PRO SHOPS
in a great way.” Just wear a logo, ride panies offer real mon-
kid on any other team.” “As a brand, FLW for the brand, and sign ey to the contestants Display the logo on
And college fishing continued to grow,” up for free. of a qualified tourna- your boat and jersey
brings opportunities. Raynor says. These guys “I’ve been so in- ment in exchange for to win up to $2,000 in
“Because of sponsor all know each other volved with our out- simply expressing an gift cards to support
partnerships, you’re al- like brothers. “It was reach and continue interest in the brand the angler and team.
ways in front of cameras like high school is now. to travel with them by displaying the logo.
and you have to develop Brands are trying to and support  the And from most CABELAS
those skills. They have
to be super-rounded,” Wear the Cabelas Col-
he explains. “In the end, legiate Fishing logo
some become fishing on your jersey and win
pros, some work in the $500 for the college
outdoor industry, and team if you win the
some go on to regular tournament. If both
careers and fish club partners wear the
PHOTO: COURTESY ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGIATE BASS ANGLERS

tournaments for fun.” logo, win $1,000.

As a recruiting tool,
college fishing worked RANGER CUP
well for the universities. UNIVERSITY
As a career builder, it
works for the students. Qualify to win bonus
Then there’s Wade cash from $200 to
Middleton of Careco $2,000 for the team
TV. Raynor describes by signing up with
him as the Godfa- Ranger, wearing the
ther of college fishing. brand on your jersey
Middleton didn’t know and winning, regard-
if a fishing show based less of boat or other
on college fishing would equipment.

B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 | 6 9
IN
PURSUIT
OF
SPEED Fountain builds a boat to break a world record.
STORY AND PHOTOS BY CHARLES PLUEDDEMAN

It will only take about 12 seconds to set a

new UIM/APBA Unlimited Vee Bottom (UVB)
speed record. You can travel 1 kilometer in
12.09 seconds at 185 mph. Not a blink of the
eye but probably not long enough to break
a sweat. Rip off a 12-second kilo, then
turn around and do it again in the other
direction, and see your name in the
PHOTO: STOPWATCH CREATED BY
MACROVECTOR-FREEPIK.COM

record book.

7 0 | B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8
B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 | 7 1
T
The record book is what
Iconic Marine Group had in
mind in August 2017 when
it embarked on a mission
to bring the UVB speed re-
cord back to Fountain Pow-
erboats, taking it from the
current holder, Outerlimits
Offshore Powerboats. More
than a year later, after the
investment of untold man-
hours and a mountain of
money, that 12-second kilo
remains elusive. We made
two trips to Washington,
North Carolina, home of
Iconic Marine and also the
site of the measured kilo
Holding that record will be a halo
an indicator that we are serious
about re-establishing Fountain as a
premium performance brand.”
7 2 | B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8
course on the Pamlico River,
to watch this process unfold.
Turns out, going very fast is
challenging and expensive.
The current UIM/APBA
Unlimited Vee Bottom re-
cord of 180.464 mph — the
average of back-to-back runs
— was set on the Pamlico
River in 2014 by Brian Free-
hand in a 43-foot Outerlimits
SV 43. That effort shattered
the 171.88 mph UVB speed
mark set on the same course
in 2004 by Ben Robertson
Jr. and Reggie Fountain in a
Fountain 42 Lightning.
At that time Reggie
Fountain still owned his
namesake boat brand. That
business did not survive the
recession. In 2016, Kansas
City businessman Fred Ross
purchased Baja Marine LLC
and the Fountain, Baja and
Donzi brands. He hired 33-
year marine-industry vet-
eran Joe Curran as COO to
for the Fountain brand,
Reggie
Fountain II
brings decades
of experience and
eternal optimism.
resuscitate these legendary
performance boat brands
under the apt name Iconic
Marine Group.
“Going after the speed re-
cord was Fred’s idea,” Curran
said in February. “He asked
me about it three times be-
fore I really took him serious-
ly. Holding that record will be
a halo for the Fountain brand,
an indicator that we are se-
rious about re-establishing
Fountain as a premium per-
formance brand.”
ASSEMBLING
A SPEED BOAT
The foundation of the boat
that the company is call-
ing the Fountain 40 Race-
boat is a double-stepped
running surface borrowed
from the 42 Lightning, the
same surface used to set the
2004 record and also the
same as the production 42
Lightning. Unlike the 2004
record-setter, this boat is
a cut-down version with
about 10 inches removed
from the top edge of the
hull. This amputates most
of the bow flare that tends
to generate a lot of lift and
drag at high speeds.
Robertson, a 63-year-old
racer and boat dealer from
South Carolina with more
than 30 tunnel-boat champi-
onships and 12 speed records
on the wall, says the cut-
down 42 is now 39 feet long
and weighs 9,600 pounds
dry. It’s the first hull Iconic
laid up using complete vinyl-
ester-infused composites.
The area below the fore-
deck holds batteries, oxygen
bottles for the crew, and a
38-gallon ballast tank.
The boat has a full canopy
over the two-seat cockpit.
Robertson and his son, engi-
neer Ben Robertson III, were
instrumental in the design
of the UIM-certified safety
cell constructed of Kevlar
and carbon-fiber laminate
supported by a cage of 1.25-
inch chromoly steel tubing
wrapped in carbon fiber. The
crew is further protected by
air-filled bladders surround-
ing the cockpit that prevent
the deck from collapsing un-
der impact. Driver and throt-
tleman peer through slitlike
windshields, which, because
they are a point of vulnerabil-
ity, are as small as possible.
Power comes from a pair
of Sterling Performance
557-cubic-inch V-8 engines,
each receiving up to 18 psi of
boost from huge twin turbo-
chargers and fueled with E90
(90 percent ethanol), which
is more resistant to detona-
tion than gasoline. There
are two power modes: 1,500
hp for testing and 1,900 hp
at 6,800 rpm for the record
run. E90 requires 35 percent
more fuel flow than gasoline,
and each engine will con-
sume 170 gph at wide-open
throttle.
That power is trans-
ferred to the water through
 The Mercury
Racing M6 stern-
drives were blue-
printed by Mark Wilson at
Wilson Custom Marine in
Fort Pierce, Florida.
The Herring five-blade
cleaver propellers, tested
in three pitch sizes,
cost $12,000
apiece.

SCS crash-box transmis-
sions and Mercury Racing
M6 sterndrives, with the op-
tion of 1.15-to-1 or 1.24-to-1
gear ratios. The drives were
blueprinted by Mark Wilson
at Wilson Custom Marine
in Fort Pierce, Florida, a
hand-finishing process that
ensures the outer surface is
as smooth as possible and
the skeg true. The drives are
flanked by a pair of Livorsi
1150 multistepped trim tabs.
The team has been testing
with the two ratios and forged
stainless-steel Herring five-
blade cleaver props in 39-,
40- and 41-inch pitch sizes.
Each prop costs $12,000.
The first cowl devised to
cover the engines is unusual.
Rather than fitting flush to
the canopy, it’s raised slightly
and open at the front and
rear, with the huge exhaust
pipes poking through its top
like stacks. The idea, Robert-
son explains, was to create
a Venturi effect that would
draw air through the engine
bay to both feed and cool
the engines.
SETBACKS
Iconic had hoped to make
its record attempt in early
February 2018 and then
triumphantly display the
Fountain 40 Raceboat at
the 2018 Miami Interna-
tional Boat Show. A delay
in receiving the engines
pushed the attempt back
to late February. Making a
record run on the Pamlico
requires assembling a doz-
en Amercian Power Boat
Association marshals and
the timing crew and their
gear, coordinating with
law enforcement and the

MEASURING SPEED
A precise kilometer was measured on the
north and south Pamlico River banks in 1996
and first used for record runs in 1997. Russ
Dodge, the chief surveyor for the American
Power Boat Association, and his wife, Carol,
traveled from Seattle in February to conduct
timing for the speed-record attempts. Setting
up on the south bank, they located the sur-
vey irons under the sod and those 4,000 feet
away across the river, which are marked with
a bright stake. A small cable is laid between
the kilo irons and connected to a set of stop-
watches that are triggered as the boat passes
the start and finish of each kilo run. That elec-
tronic trigger is built into a pair of World War
II-vintage M6A1 elbow telescopes that swivel
on a tripod placed directly over each survey
rod. Russ and Carol set the electronic switch-
es to trigger the stopwatches as the telescope
pivots in alignment with the mark across the
river. As the boat approaches the start line, the
telescope is aimed at the bow and follows as
it passes by, triggering the watches. The same
procedure stops the watches at the end of the
kilo. It’s a method that predates digital stop-
watches and has not been replaced because
of the challenge of measuring a speeding boat,
according to Russ. Civilian GPS updates too
slowly to be accurate over this short distance,
it’s not possible to set up magnetic triggers on
the river bottom, and optical devices can be
triggered by flying birds and are confused by
boat spray.

B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 | 7 3
 U.S. Coast Guard to close
the river to boat traffic for
several hours, and having a
safety crew with divers in
place. The complicated and
“
expensive logistics placed
quite a bit of pressure on the
team, which had only a day
What we
have done
this week
is not for
the faint
of heart in
business
or on the
water.”
Power comes
from a pair of stout
557 cid V-8 Sterling
engines that can produce
1,900 hp at 6,800 rpm
during the record run
attempt. The engines
each burn E90 fuel
at a 170 gph
clip.
or two to test the boat. It was
a rush job, and the boat sim-
ply wasn’t ready. The engine
cowl was an aerodynamic
disaster, and turbulence was
disturbing the props. The
boat did not feel steady at
speed, even at 150 mph.
“What we have done
this week is not for the faint
of heart in business or on
the water,” said Curran, an-
nouncing the postponement
of the effort. “We will con-
tinue this kilo attempt with
caution, in a professional
manner with safety and ex-
perience. We will announce
our next attempt at a later
date, but be assured we will
be back better, stronger and
smarter.”
UPDATES
We returned to Washing-
ton in late May 2018 and
found much had changed.
Robertson, who had been
bumped from the cockpit in
a bit of crew drama in Feb-
ruary, was back at the wheel
with 43-year-old offshore
champion Billy Moore of St.
Petersburg, Florida, on the
throttles. Robertson and
Moore were engaged in a
methodical testing program.
Curran brought Steve
Wedde, the former chief
engineer at Intrepid Power-
boats, to work at Iconic. In
an effort to improve aero-
dynamics, Wedde commis-
sioned a complete 3D digital
scan of the 40 Raceboat and
used that model to complete
a 200-hour computational
fluid dynamics (CFD) analy-
sis. On a computer screen, he
showed us how the CFD pro-
gram identified areas of drag.
“We applied the CFD
from the hull sides up,”
Wedde explained. “It was ob-
vious that we needed to seal
the engine canopy and get rid
of the exhaust stacks.”
A new exhaust sys-
tem exits at the transom.
A new engine cover fits
flush to the canopy and has
side-mounted scoops. The
afterdeck was reshaped to
eliminate small areas of tur-
bulence, which Wedde said
reduced drag by 8 to 9 per-
cent, a surprising result.
 IT’S A DRAG
Drag is the adversary of speed, and it’s an unfair opponent because
drag increases to the square of gained velocity. Iconic has stated it
Robertson mounted a than 10 percent is accept- would like to break the 180.836 mph UVB speed record by a signifi-
Garmin Virb camera under able. Robertson frowned and cant margin — say to 185 mph. That’s 13.12 mph, or 7.6 percent, fast-
the transom to see how tur- studied a prop slip app on his er than the 171.88 mph mark Fountain set in 2004. To go 7.6 percent
bulence from the water pick- smartphone. faster will require overcoming 16 percent more drag. The horsepower
up was affecting the props. “In theory, with the 41 required to go faster increases with the cube of gained velocity, so it
“The first pickup was prop and 1.24-to-1 ratio and will take 25 percent more horsepower to overcome the 16 percent
2 inches in diameter and fed our power, we should be run- increase in drag and go 7.6 percent faster. Some combination of less
by a 30-inch-long tunnel ning 185.9 mph,” Robertson drag and more power will also get you an increase in velocity. Reduc-
in the bottom,” Robertson said. “So now we are wonder- ing aerodynamic drag has to be a focus of the effort, because more
said. “It would lift the tran- ing if we really have 1,900 power can be very expensive, heavy or unreliable. Fountain set the
som and push down the bow, horsepower, or if the engines 2004 record with a pair of 1,500 hp Sterling engines, so if the new
and caused turbulence. Now need work.” turbocharged Sterling engines each make 1,900 hp, the team has
we have two 1-inch pickups, From a Donzi center- gained 23 percent more power. This assumes no increase in prop slip,
one on the first step and the console on the Pamlico I losses to drivetrain friction, or significant change in air density, among
other at the transom, both watched with Curran and other factors.
flush with the bottom, and Reggie Fountain as Robert- Here’s another bit of math to ponder. The elapsed time difference
the lift and turbulence issues son and Moore ripped up over a kilometer between 171.88 mph and 185 mph is just 0.93 sec-
are gone.” and down the river to test a onds. That’s what this crew is chasing — 0.93 seconds.
Robertson and Moore are set of props. Their speed was
now pleased with how the not revealed, but the boat
boat feels at speed, and on looked much smoother and
the day we visited, they were cleaner in the water than it said. “So we decided to pull another shot at the speed
focused on fine-tuning props. had in February. Every test them before they fail, and record in October, when
“We need to match the run takes a little life out of have them gone through and the air is cooler and there is
props and the gear ratio to the highly stressed engines. freshened up for another run less boat traffic on the Pam-
the torque curve of the en- “We have almost 14 hours at the record.” lico. All it takes is 12 seconds.
gines,” Robertson said. “We on the engines,” Robertson Curran expects to take Twelve perfect seconds.
have a 3-mile run up to the
start of the measured kilo,
and we want to be able to
time the run so we are actu-
ally accelerating through the
kilo, to come out faster than
we enter. When the boat
reaches peak velocity and
stops accelerating, the props
freewheel and the boat loses
a little stability.”
On a bench, Moore and
Robertson showed us two
sets of the Herring props
that had been sent to Mark
Wilson for fine-tuning.
Wilson ground off about a
quarter-inch from the tip of
each prop blade.
“With the tips sharp, the
props lift the boat too much,
and we had to add 50 pounds
of ballast to compensate,”
Robertson said. “Rounding
the tips reduced that lift, and
the boat feels settled with no
ballast. We also reduced the
tip speed of the props, which
was at the point of causing
cavitation.” Digital analysis identified significant aerodynamic issues caused by the original engine cowl and aft deck (top)
Prop slip of a little less during the run in February, which were addressed with a fresh design we saw on the water in May (above).

B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 | 7 5
 E
ELECTRONICS

By Jim Hendricks

aft cockpit, the shared space

of the salon or the privacy of a
master stateroom.
The PartyBus audio
distribution network gives
boaters the power to add
more stereos to the onboard
entertainment system. Each
PartyBus-enabled stereo gives
you the option to play the same
APOLLO MARINE perfectly synced audio source
through the entire vessel. Boat-
AUDIO SERIES ers can also opt into personal
mode and listen to audio sourc-
Fusion reaches a high note with the launch of Apollo. es from the stereo in their zone.
Apollo is also the first
Most marine stereos are made by companies marine Wi-Fi stereo. It will
that dabble in the boat market, with the vast wirelessly connect to provide
fuller, richer sound quality
majority of sales and engineering efforts
than you might experience
concentrated on the automotive side of the with Bluetooth wireless con-
business. New Zealand-based Fusion, on the nectivity. The series is also
other hand, dedicates its energy and resources Bluetooth-enabled.
exclusively to marine applications, and the new The RA770 has two RCA
Apollo series takes that focus to a new level. auxiliary inputs, one SPDIF
port for TV audio output, one
The RA770 head unit includes the more compact Ethernet port, one USB 2.0 port
($649.99, thegpsstore.com) SRX400 head unit ($349.99, for phone charging and media
is the flagship of the Apollo crutchfield.com) with a playback, one SiriusXM port,
series, featuring a one-piece 2.7-inch display. one Motorola antenna connec-
4.3-inch glass touchscreen dis- Apollo’s DSP technology is tor port, and it is DAB+ ready.
play, built-in Wi-Fi streaming, designed to deliver premium The SRX400 has one Ethernet
digital signal processing (DSP) sound to all speakers using port and one Motorola an-
and PartyBus capabilities. Us- the free Fusion-Link app. Boat tenna connector port. Both
ers can simply tap the screen
to pause and play or review a
playlist. The Apollo series also
Ask KEN
Q&A
WHAT SIZE WIRING
SHOULD I USE
WHEN INSTALLING
MARINE
ELECTRONICS?
Wire size for 12-volt DC
applications depends on
the current needed to oper-
ate the equipment being
installed, the cable length,
and possible voltage drop
across the total cable run.
Also consider the added
current requirements for
any electronics or electrical
equipment you might be add-
ing in the future.
You should follow the 3
and 10 percent rules when
planning your wiring. Boat
wiring standards specify that
electronics, communications,
navigation, safety and other
critical equipment should
have a 3 percent voltage drop
loss factor to help ensure this
equipment continues to be
operational under allowable
entertainment electronics,
windlass operation and other

61/8 Blue Sea Systems offers a

FUSION
PHOTOS: COURTESY FUSION (2), CRAIG HASHIMOTO (TOP RIGHT)

PANEL-
STEREO
Not every boat — be it a
flats skiff or inflatable
tender — can accept a
full-featured, multi-
speaker marine sound can also flush-mount ASK KEN ONLINE
system. That’s where is also possible directly Installation options the unit with only a For more exclusive
the Fusion Panel-Stereo from the front face include surface mount- single cutout. electronics content, visit
($349.99, westmarine of the Panel-Stereo ing with the optional Fusion’s DSP opti- boatingmag.com/askken.
.com) comes in. The using audible feed- 43-millimeter-deep mizes audio to produce
139/16-inch-wide-by- back to guide the user surface-mounting quality sound.

7 6 | B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8
Hit the high seas with
a low-rate boat loan

Fixed APR* as low as

4.74% 5.64%
$50,000 + $25,000 – $49,999
Rates accurate as of 7/17/18. See website for current rates and terms.

New • Used • Refinance

When the sea beckons, answer the call with an affordable marine loan from Essex Credit. Whether refinancing
an existing loan or financing a new or used boat for live-aboard, full- or part-time charter, or pleasure use, our
dedicated consultants can help you with your dream vessel. And with our simple online application, securing a
loan couldn’t be easier. So visit our website or call 866-377-3948 today to take advantage of the open water,
and our low, fixed APR.

Apply online at EssexCredit.com/boating

* Estimated APR (Annual Percentage Rate) based on 5 year loan term; individual rate may vary based on loan amount, loan term, vehicle use, model year and type of boat. Subject to
consumer loan program requirements and credit approval. Rates and terms may vary with market conditions and are subject to change without notice. Certain fees, closing costs, and
restrictions may apply. APR applied to the loan is the APR in effect on the date the application is received and is valid until 30 days after loan approval. APRs may vary with loan term.
Boat must be 1998 model year or newer; for boat model year 1998 to 2007, add .25% to above rate. Maximum loan term based on loan amount. Maximum loan amount is calculated
using an advance percentage determined by FICO score and multiplied by NADA base wholesale value with adds; if not listed in NADA, then multiplied by 80% of BUC low retail value.
Other rates with different loan terms are available. See our website for rates and terms for financing live-aboards and loan amounts below $25,000. Example of a recreational use
boat loan: A $65,000 loan for 5 years with an APR of 4.74% has 60 monthly payments of $1,218.90 each.
Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. © 2018 Bank of the West. Doing business in South Dakota as Bank of the West California. NMLS ID 19116
 SUPER COUPON SUPER COUPON

FREE
20%
900 Stores Nationwide • HarborFreight.com
SUPER SUPER COUPON
COUPON
2000 WATT SUPER QUIET RAPID PUMP 1.5 TON ® Customer Rating
INVERTER GENERATOR LIGHTWEIGHT ALUMINUM 6 PIECE
• 4.7 hours run-time FLOOR JACK SCREWDRIVER

OFF
• 3-1/2 pumps lifts most vehicles SET
99
$449
• Lifts from 3-1/2" to 14-1/8"
• Weighs 34 lbs. • Magnetic Tips
$
9 7999 • Ergonomic Handles

$599
ANY
COMPARE TO SINGLE
$ 99 SAVE
499 $
549
HUSKY
7
$ 97
ITEM*

ITEM 62523
COMPARE TO $
12568 SAVE MODEL: 20210003 *36980829 *
Customer Rating COMPARE TO $
999 K TOOL MODEL: KTI63094
$
65 ITEM 47770/62583/62728/62570 shown 36980829

*36986491 *
Limit 1 coupon per customer per day. Save 20% on any 1 item purchased. *Cannot be used with
HONDA MODEL: EU2000i
ITEM 68053/62160/62496/62516/60569 shown other discount, coupon or any of the following items or brands: Inside Track Club membership,
Extended Service Plan, gift card, open box item, 3 day Parking Lot Sale item, compressors,

*36986584 * *36988936 * 36986491 floor jacks, safes, saw mills, storage cabinets, chests or carts, trailers, trencher/backhoe,
welders, Admiral, Ames, Bauer, Cobra, CoverPro, Daytona, Earthquake, Fischer, Hercules,
Cannot be used with other discounts or prior purchases. Original coupon must be presented. Icon, Jupiter, Lynxx, Poulan, Predator, Tailgator, Viking, Vulcan, Zurich. Not valid on prior
36986584 36988936 Valid through 12/14/18 while supplies last. Limit 1 FREE GIFT per customer per day. purchases. Non-transferable. Original coupon must be presented. Valid through 12/14/18.
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 12/14/18* LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 12/14/18*

Battle Tested SUPER SUPER COUPON SUPER COUPON

COUPON
POWDER-FREE 10 FT. x 20 FT.
Customer Rating 7 FT. 4" x 9 FT. 6" 2500 LB. ELECTRIC WINCH WITH PORTABLE CAR CANOPY
ALL PURPOSE/WEATHER WIRELESS REMOTE CONTROL NITRILE GLOVES
PACK OF 100 Customer Rating
RESISTANT TARP • Weighs 14.3 lbs.
• 11-1/8" L x 4-1/2" H • 5 mil thickness
Customer Rating
NOW SAVE
$299 SAVE
$9999
Customer Rating
140
$5 99
$

COMPARE TO Voted Best

40%
SAVE $ 99 SUPERWINCH COMPARE TO SAVE 106 $
99
Winches

$49
$
COMPARE TO
BLUE HAWK
9
$ 98
MODEL: BG8X10-Y 70% 4
$
189 99
MODEL: 1125220
$
69 99 VENOM
9
$ 99
7
ITEM 64417, 64418, 61363, 68497,
COMPARE TO $
20599 $
11999
ITEM 69115/69121/69129/69137/69249/877 shown ITEM 61297/63476/61840/61258 shown MODEL: VEN4145 61360, 61359, 68498, 68496 shown SHELTER LOGIC MODEL: 23522
ITEM 63054/62858 shown
*36992420
36992420
* *37002695
37002695
* *37005598
37005598
* *37013028
37013028
*
LIMIT 8 - Coupon valid through 12/14/18* LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 12/14/18* LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 12/14/18* LIMIT 4 - Coupon valid through 12/14/18*

SUPER SUPER SUPER COUPON

COUPON COUPON SUPER COUPON
Customer Rating Customer Rating Customer Rating
3 GALLON, 100 PSI 3-IN-1 PORTABLE 4 PIECE, 1" x 15 FT. 17 FT. TYPE IA
OIL-FREE AIR COMPRESSORS POWER PACK WITH RATCHETING TIE DOWNS MULTI-TASK LADDER
A A. HOT DOG JUMP STARTER • 400 lb. working load • Versatile - 24 configurations
B ITEM 69269/97080 shown
• Safe + Strong + Secure
B. PANCAKE • Super Strong - Holds 300 lbs.
9 NOW
$399
ITEM 60637/61615

$699
95275 shown
• Weighs 34 lbs.

YOUR CHOICE SAVE $189

99
• Air delivery:
0.6 CFM @ 90 PSI SAVE
59% $39 99 SAVE $
38% 5799 $
1199 COMPARE TO
LITTLE GIANT $1 09
1 CFM @ 40 PSI COMPARE TO $
54 88 SAVE 87% $
298
99
$ Customer Rating
COMPARE TO
PORTER-CABLE
$
9862
MODEL: PCFP02003
$
54 99 ITEM 62376
64083/62306 shown
COMPARE TO
SUPERSTART
$
64 99
MODEL: 55001
ATE TOOLS MODEL: 33079

ITEM 90984/60405/63056/63057/63150/63094/61524 shown

MODEL: XE M17 13999
ITEM 62514/62656/63418/63419/67646/63417 shown
*37029829
37029829
* *37036499
37036499
* *37047419
37047419
* *37056697
37056697
*
LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 12/14/18* LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 12/14/18* LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 12/14/18* LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 12/14/18*

SUPER SUPER SUPER

COUPON COUPON SUPER COUPON
COUPON
Customer Rating CLICK-TYPE 12" DOUBLE-BEVEL 6" VARIABLE SPEED DUAL 3 WATT LED RECHARGEABLE
TORQUE WRENCHES SLIDING COMPOUND CORDLESS SPOTLIGHT
MITER SAW Customer Rating Customer Rating

$129
99
$999
• Reversible
• Laser
SAVE
DRIVE ITEM guide
1/4" 61277/63881/2696
3/8" 61276/63880/807
Item 239
shown
$
69 SAVE $ 99
1/2" 62431/63882/239
YOUR CHOIC
E $
17999 66% 13
99
6999 $49
COMPARE TO

$999
Blade sold
COMPARE TO ITEM 61970/61969 shown PORTER-CABLE
2999
separately.
$ $
HUSKY
SAVE $ $
249 SAVE Customer Rating
$
119 COMPARE TO
$
84 97
MODEL: H2DTWA 88% 19
99 COMPARE TO
RYOBI MODEL: TSS120L
$
119 MODEL: 7424XP
ITEM 62403/62862/69924 shown
Includes AC/DC adapter and
12 volt DC cigarette lighter plug.
PEAK MODEL: PKC0TV-R

ITEM 61960/61777 shown

*37057481
37057481
* *37060142
37060142
* *37061792
37061792
* *37075340
37075340
*
LIMIT 8 - Coupon valid through 12/14/18* LIMIT 5 - Coupon valid through 12/14/18* LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 12/14/18* LIMIT 9 - Coupon valid through 12/14/18*

SUPER SUPER COUPON

SUPER COUPON COUPON SUPER COUPON

1000 LB. CAPACITY 130 PIECE TOOL KIT 100 WATT SOLAR PANEL KIT 1500 WATT DUAL
SWING-BACK WITH CASE Customer Rating TEMPERATURE HEAT GUN
TRAILER JACK (572°/1112°)
Customer Rating • Height range: Customer Rating Customer Rating
12-1/2" to 24"

SAVE 60% NOW

COMPARE TO
REESE
$1 799 $29 99
$1 49
99 COMPARE TO
BLACK & DECKER
$8 99
$
4599
$ 99 $
66 39 SAVE $
35719 SAVE 28 $ 06
25 COMPARE TO COMPARE TO
54% $ $
207 $19999 SAVE 67% $1499
MODEL: 74410
ITEM 69780/41005 shown
HDX MODEL: H137HOS
ITEM 63248/64080/64263/68998/63091 shown 3869 SUNFORCE MODEL: 50180
ITEM 64335/63585 shown
MODEL: HG1300
ITEM 62340/62546/63104/96289 shown
*37078008
37078008
* *37078701
37078701
* *37082945
37082945
* *37090311
37090311
*
LIMIT 6 - Coupon valid through 12/14/18* LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 12/14/18* LIMIT 3 - Coupon valid through 12/14/18* LIMIT 8 - Coupon valid through 12/14/18*

At Harbor Freight Tools, the “Compare to” price means that the specified comparison, which is an item with the same or similar function, was
*Original coupon only. No use on prior purchases after 30 days from original purchase or without original receipt. Valid through 12/14/18. advertised for sale at or above the “Compare to” price by another national retailer in the U.S. within the past 90 days. Prices advertised by others
may vary by location. No other meaning of “Compare to” should be implied. For more information, go to HarborFreight.com or see store associate.
MARKETPLACE

See it in action at cleanwayfuelfill.com

CIVILIZED REFUELING
• BURPED fUEl ovERfill
DRains Back into tank
• aDaPtERs inclUDED
• PatEntED, hEavy-DUty
• thE RiGht Way to
REfUEl yoUR Boat!

ah
m r
a ra
a
r

$3695 - $3995
order at cleanwayfuelfill.com
enter coupon code BM618 to get 10% off

Customizable dollies and

racks for small boats.
www.dynamicdollies.com

(401) 683-0427
Dynamic Dollies & Racks
PROUDLY MADE
275 Highpoint Ave.
IN THE U.S.A. Portsmouth, RI 02871

8 0 | B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8
 MARKETPLACE

ASTROslip
ª
10X tm

The Ultimate Coiled Bunk Covers GETS YOU MORE AFFECTION from WOMEN
1 Piece Total Coverage
Extremely Durable
Makes Trailering and Launch a Breeze
Easy to Install
No Water or Salt Retention Dealer Inquiries
No Splices Welcome
Add to your
Favorite Scent
www.astroplastics.com
14101 Industrial Park Blvd. N.E. « Covington, GA 30014 Dr. Winnifred Cutler 4-6 month supply
Toll Free: 1-800-334-4474 « 770-786-2703
PROVEN EFFECTIVE IN 3 PUBLISHED STUDIES
10X increases your attractiveness to women.
Developed by Dr. Winnifred Cutler, co-discoverer of human pheromones in
1986. Ph.D. in biology from U. of Penn, post-doc at Stanford.
Unscented fragrance additives. Cosmetic
Will work for most, but not all. 10X for men $99.50, 10:13 for women $98.50.

For classified & STOP BY OUR NEW MEN’S CORNER on our website.
FREE US SHIPPING.
♥ George (NE) “The product works great. My girlfriend
marketplace ad placement and I were out shopping and a girl walking by stopped and
said ‘I have to ask you what that cologne is that you’re
wearing!’ I couldn’t remember, she hands me her card and
Contact Brian Luke asked me to call her with the name. My girlfriend took the
card and said: ÔI will call you!’” Rec’d 5/10/18
e-mail: brian.luke@bonniercorp.com
Not in stores. Reject cheap imitations. Call: 610-827-2200 or order online at:
call: 407-571-4788
www.athenainstitute.com
tm
Mail: Athena Institute, 1211 Braefield Rd., Chester Springs, PA 19425 BT

B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8 | 8 1
 OFF MY DOCK By Charles Plueddeman

To which bartender Wally

interjected, “Appropriate use of a
marine-based idiom there, Chuck.”
Silence as the group with collec-
tive furrowed brow waited for Wally
to elaborate.
“The origin of the expression
‘let the cat out of the bag’ dates to
the 18th century,” Wally said as he
wiped dry a glass. “The cat, or cat o’
T H E CAT ’ S O U T nine tails, was a whip of nine knot-
ted cords attached to a handle and
O F T H E BAG used to flog seamen as punishment
for drunkenness or insubordina-
An untimely letter sinks a boater’s scheme.
tion. In the Royal Navy, the cat o’

A
s luck would have it, Karen Schultz had taken a well-deserved nine tails was kept in a red bag and
day of PTO from the hospital and was at home weeding her gar- not removed until the offender was
den when the sound of tires crunching on gravel announced the secured on deck. When the cat was
arrival of the mail truck at the box near the end of the driveway. pulled from the bag, his punish-
In the box, she found a letter from the bank, addressed to Karen, a “just so ment was revealed. In other words,
you know” memo alerting one spouse to the fact that the other had applied the secret was out.”
for a personal loan. Silence at the bar.
The amount was $3,600. “The Royal Navy did not formally
Dean Schultz intended to deposit suspend use of the cat until 1879.”
The cat, or cat o’ nine tails, these borrowed funds into his Wally then answered our unspo-
was a whip of nine knotted classified executive account for the ken question.
purchase of a 12-foot pre-owned “I found that tidbit in Breverton’s
cords attached to a handle aluminum boat and 6-horse out- Nautical Curiosities,” Wally said.
and used to flog seamen as board, an ideal auxiliary rig for explor- “The phrase ‘no room to swing a
punishment for drunken- ing the upper reaches of Wisconsin’s cat’ relates to the fact that there
Wolf River. was only 4 feet 6 inches of head-
ness or insubordination.
ILLUSTRATION: TIM BOWER; PHOTO: MABEL PLUEDDEMAN

Usually, Dean is home first to col- room on the gun decks, too low to
lect the mail. effectively deliver a blow with the
Karen was surprised to receive this announcement. Dean found the page cat o’ nine tails, so the punishment
of bank letterhead on the kitchen table when he arrived home from work. had to be administered on the open
Later that evening he related the story to us all at the Lakeview Inn. main deck.”
“She didn’t say a word but wrote ‘WTF?’ with a thick black Sharpie on the Which is why Dean has been
bottom of the letter,” he said. “I didn’t know the bank would send that notice hanging out in the basement —
for such a small loan. It wasn’t a second mortgage!” belowdecks as it were — lest Karen
“Well, I guess that really let the cat out of the bag,” opined my good remove her metaphorical cat from
friend Chuck Larson. the bag.

BOATING (ISSN 0006-5374) (USPS 504-810), September 2018, Volume 91, No. 8. ©2018. Boating is published nine times a year (January/February, March, April, May, June, July/August, September,
October and November/December) by Bonnier Corp., 460 N. Orlando Ave., Suite 200, Winter Park, FL 32789. Subscription rates for one year (9 issues): $15 in the U.S., $25 in Canada, $35 for other
international. Orders outside the U.S. must be prepaid in U.S. funds. Periodicals postage paid at Winter Park, Florida, and additional mailing offices. Authorized periodicals postage by the Post Office
Department, Ottawa, Canada, and for payment in cash. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to BOATING, PO Box 6364, Harlan, IA 51593-1864; BGMcustserv@cdsfulfillment.com; boatingmag.com/
cs. Canada Post: Publications Mail Agreement No. 40612608 Canada. Returns to be sent to IMEX Global Solutions, PO Box 25542, London, ON N6C 6B2 Canada. If the postal service alerts us that
your magazine is undeliverable, we have no further obligation unless we receive a corrected address within one year.

8 2 | B O AT I N G M A G . C O M | S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 8
 & While the 236CC was designed for use as a coastal fishing boat, it's really a multi-purpose boat that
can be used for lots of activities — pulling kids on a tube, cruising to dinner, or just a leisurely ride along the waterways.
With seating for up to twelve passengers, rod holders and storage throughout, and a changing compartment that can be
upgraded with an optional porta potti, the 236CC is ready for a full day of fun on the water with family and friends!
236CC Deck Boat 23’ 8” | 101” beam | 3648 lbs (w/ popular engine) | 68 gal fuel capacity | 12 ppl, 3250 lbs
. /