May 2011

www.fullthrottlewatersports.
com
+++BW OFCDE_OFC 5/4/11 9:03 AM Page 1
TRAILERING: WORST-CASE SCENARIO HOW-TO
BoatingWorld
THE LEADER IN RECREATIONAL TRAILERBOATING ®
BOOSTYour FUN QUOTIENT

boatingworld.com JUNE 2011
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FREE INFO CIRCLE 3 ON THE READER SERVICE CARD ON PG. 33
©2010 Malibu Boats is a registered trademark of Malibu Boats, LLC.
12/2/10 11:38:19 AM
+BoatingWorld DE_024_BWFamilyTime 5/6/11 11:38 AM Page tk2
VOLUME XXXII NUMBER 7 M AG A Z I N E
contents July ’11

FE ATURES
Who’s Afraid of Insurance? Use these 11 Editor’s Letter Use your
tips to turn your premium into the incredible shrinking calendar to get more on-water
dollar amount. time this summer
Having a Blast with Towable Toys Mailbox Letters from our read-
Boating World’s teenage testers put 16 tubes ers
through their paces — laughing Currents Bits from the
and screaming all the way. boating world
Coast Guard BUI enforce-
ment gets a boost with sobriety
tests
M Watersports Rent a PWC
before you take the purchase
plunge
DIY How to replace your
engine’s serpentine belt
Engines Care and maintenance
of your lower unit
Trailering Worst-case scenario
how-to tips
   Ask the Experts Our panel
of experts answers your questions
Bonehead Blunders
Mistakes no boater should make
Moomba Mobius LSV Malibu Wakesetter 247 LSV Tigè Z1 Gear The latest accessories,
gadgets and electronics
BOATS TESTED
Contest: Sudoku Win a
Malibu Wakesetter Moomba Mobius LSV polisher pack from Shurhold
247 LSV The “stretch limo” of So versatile, it’s a Swiss army boat Contest: Name the Boat
Win a Wet Gear 25L Cylinder Bag
the watersports world Tigè Z1 Multitalented, stylish
from West Marine
and scalable to your budget
Online BoatingWorld.com
Articles Get advice on electron- Gear Find the latest information on
ics installation, how to stay safe, products to make your boat safer and
how to keep your boat in tip-top your time on the water way more fun.
shape and more.
Plus: New boat reviews, product
Forums Connect with the information, boating resources and
boating community. more.
Apex_Layout 1 2/23/11 11:08 AM Page 1
THE RE-CREATION
OF RECREATION
Padd
le
Qw
AR
e es
t
vo
Ne
lut
Introducing Paddle Qwest,
w
i
the first and only compact pontoon boat
on
Co
with pedal power! Featuring an innovative
n ce ry
a
Easy-To-Pedal design and plush pontoon style
upholstery, Paddle Qwest is fun and comfortable for
boaters of all ages. Robust construction and 19”diameter pt
pontoons make it safe and stable in the water, while the large deck
area offers plenty of room for people and gear. Easy to operate and
healthy to use, it’s the new and exciting way to be on the water.

TigeSpread_Layout 1 4/29/11 10:22 AM Page 1
TigeSpread_Layout 1 4/29/11 10:28 AM Page 2

+BW Templates Full_024_BWFamilyTime 5/2/11 10:27 AM Page 8
editor’s letter alan jones M AG A Z I N E
SAY WHAT? We asked the BW team:

They’re making a movie about your
life. What’s it Mcalled?
GUARANTEE MORE PUBLISHER Duncan McIntosh Jr.

Master and Commander
BOATING TIME CO-PUBLISHER Teresa Ybarra McIntosh

Second Banana
ASSOC. EDITOR/PUBLISHER Jeff Fleming
THIS SUMMER One Tequila, Two Tequila, Three Tequila, Floor

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Alan Jones
Al’s Quiet on the Eastern Front
Need an excuse to get on the water? Here are five. MANAGING EDITOR Mike Werling
Arrested Development
You’re welcome. ART DIRECTOR Julie Hogan
This Is It
SYSTEMS MANAGER Mike Miller
I Don’t Know. What do You Want to Do?
T
BY ALAN JONES PRODUCTION Mary Monge
he biggest enemy of recreational boating Hotel for Dogs
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Lisa Hanks
isn’t higher gas prices or restricted Galaxy Quest
access, it’s the dreaded schedule. People COPY EDITOR Judy Wilkin
are working harder than ever, and last-minute Great Expectations
CIRCULATION DIRECTOR Amelia Salazar
occurrences often crop up to thwart our plans. The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
The key is to do away with the “let’s go some- FULFILLMENT OPERATIONS MGR. Rick Avila
where, sometime” scheduling. The hazier the Nine Months
CIRCULATION ASSISTANT Anne Falster
plan, the more likely it is to be axed. A League of Her Own
One of the best ways to make sure that, on a CIRCULATION ASSISTANT Liz Ketchum
given week, you’ll be hitting the water is to sign The Apprentice
up for a flotilla trip. It’s a blast to share an ADVERTISING SALES & MARKETING
CALL (949) 660-6150
adventure with a group of people, and many lifelong boating friendships DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING Janette Hood
have been formed on these cruises. The added benefit is getting out of your Twister
REGIONAL SALES MANAGERS
comfort zone, because once you see how easy it is to go somewhere, you’re Annabelle Zabala
more likely to go exploring on your own. The key is adding it to your calen- It’s a Wonderful Life
dar (electronic, too), because once there, it’s practically etched in granite. AD COORDINATOR
Adrienne Joaquino
Just try telling your family you can’t go; it’s not gonna fly. Most large dealer- Fast Cars, Clean Kicks
ships or prominent boat brands sponsor flotillas, and if there’s not one in NEW MEDIA Adam Tessin
your area, check out the Boat-A-Cade in central Florida, which has been Office Space
DIGITAL ASSISTANT Bryan Sheehy
going on for six decades. For info, go to centralfloridacruiseclub.com. The Jerk
ACCOUNTING Stacey Iannotti
Keeping the Faith
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Alan’s Picks BOATING WORLD – SUBSCRIBER SERVICES
P.O. Box 25859, Santa Ana, CA 92799
(888) 732-7323
> I’ve done a bit of traveling, and I
REPRINT SERVICES
always love to see how people boat (877) 652-5295, ext. 117
Outside U.S.: (281) 419-5725, ext. 117
in other countries. Well, if you want
PUBLISHED BY
the global view of boating, check DUNCAN MCINTOSH CO. INC.
out indigenousboats.com. The site boatingworld.com
17782 Cowan, Ste. A, Irvine, CA 92614
focuses on the native boats of many (949) 660-6150 • Fax (949) 660-6172
countries, so not only do you get the
history, but you see how they are
built. At the list of countries on the
starboard side of the homepage,
click on Egypt and check out King
Cheop’s 4,600-year-old, 143-foot
royal ship, found disassembled at his
pyramid in 1954. The elaborate
Boating World Magazine supports responsible forest
wooden ship is in fantastic shape,
management, which protects habitat for threatened and
and the story behind it is amazing. endangered species, fosters prompt reforestation and is
committed to protecting water quality.
8 BoatingWorld June 2011

Progressive_Layout 1 3/29/11 5:11 PM Page 1
AT PROGRESSIVE, WE KNOW THERE’S MORE TO BOATING THAN BOATS.

That’s why we offer coverage for things like fishing gear, life jackets and water toys.
And with Total Loss Replacement coverage, we’ll even buy you a brand-new boat.
So you’re free to focus on the important stuff. Like having fun.
LOCAL AGENT PROGRESSIVE.COM
Progressive Casualty Ins. Co. & its affiliates, Mayfield Village, OH. Total Loss Replacement coverage is subject to policy terms, and is not
available for all boats and coverage selections. Available in most states. 11D00224 (03/11)
+BW Templates Full_024_BWFamilyTime 5/2/11 10:28 AM Page 10
editor’s letter
If you want to spend more time on
your boat this summer, put your plan
on the calendar.
A gas-friendlier alternative to
cruising is to attend a giant raft-up.
The “mack daddy” soirée of the sum-
mer is AquaPalooza, hosted by Sea
Ray. Last July, the Signature Event
near Austin, Texas, attracted 70,000
revelers who boated in, spent the
weekend and watched Brad Paisley
perform at Lake Travis. I’ve been to
the last two, and I’ll be there again
wherever it’s being held. The location
each year is a secret, but my wild
guess for 2011 is Lake Lanier, north
of Atlanta. If you can’t make the
Signature Event, check out one of the
100 regional locations for the sum-
mer’s biggest party. For info, go to
aquapalooza.com.
This winter I installed some new
fishfinding electronics that create a pho-
tographic view underwater (Lowrance
AS IF OWNING THE BEST WASN’T GOOD ENOUGH StructureScan). And I have been going
around to all my fishing holes checking
HE
ERRE
E AR
A R E T WO
W MO
M O RE GREA
GR E AT REAS
RE AS
A OONS
NS
TO U
UPPGR A
AD
RA D E TO TTH
H E FU
F U LTO
T ON
N F2 out what it really looks like down under.
It’s fantastic for jetties and areas that
have underwater obstructions. The fish
1 2 just can’t hide anymore. Add a new toy
GET TWO 1000 lb. GET TWO 1000 lb. to your boat that will allow you to do
OR
TRANSOM TIE DOWNS* TRANSOM TIE DOWNS* something new, and like me, you’ll be
WHEN YOU UPGRADE TO AND A $25 REBATE obsessed with it.
EITHER AN F2 SERIES WHEN YOU UPGRADE TO This year, bad knee and all, I’m
JACK OR F2 WINCH BOTH AN F2 SERIES JACK going to take up a new watersport.
AND F2 WINCH
After hearing from others who suffer
from the same malady, I’m going to
brace up and try wakesurfing. Not
only are you only going about 10-15
F2 JACK mph, but if you crash and burn, you
F2 WINCH
t Adjustable mount/swivel
t Left or right handed drive won’t have a giant roller inflict a case
system with convenient
pull pin for easy swivel t 4 position handle
adjustment
of “reef rash” on you as you get
t Lifts trailers 30% faster
t Corrosion resistant dragged along the bottom as with
t Extruded aluminum alloy
inner and outer tubes t Ergonomic operation regular surfing.
t One piece gear box The best way I know to ensure
you’ll be out every weekend is to buy
a new boat. There is no way you are
going to be trapped all weekend
doing lawn work when there’s a new
ASK YOUR MARINE DEALER ABOUT FULTON F2 PRODUCTS, boat in your driveway. It may be your
THE NEXT GENERATION IN INNOVATION. only chance to get out of all those
II WWW.F U L T O N P E R F O R M A N C E . C O M II honey-dos, as your spouse will be on
board with letting everything slide so
FREE INFO CIRCLE 70 ON THE READER SERVICE CARD ON PG. 33 *P/N 2060766 ©2011 Cequent Performance Products, Inc. MKG#0063 everyone can hit the water.

Sevylor_Layout 1 4/29/11 9:14 AM Page 1
Sharks move
through the water
very efficiently...
because of the
arrangement
and shape of
their scales. We developed the
skin of this towable Scan for more
to mimic these
plate-like scales... with 20% information.
less drag. Just when you thought your old tube was fast, along comes
Sharkglide™ skin. This awesome towable has a grooved
surface similar to sharkskin that makes it extremely agile and
fast. It’s also durable, and folds and stows easily. If it seems
like everyone is afraid to go into the water this summer,
Sevylor.com maybe it’s your Sharkglide™ towable. They can’t compete.
12:36:53 PM
+BW LettersJune11_024_BWFamilyTime 4/29/11 9:21 AM Page 12
incoming
MAILBOX Letters from our readers

Launch-Ramp Lunacy the next person in line, it’s got to thought, “Look at that idiot standing
I read the “Weird Ramp Stories” make you chuckle. in the water and waving his arms,”
column with amusement (April, p. Eric Martin, St. Petersburg, Fla. because he kept coming. I heard a
26). Spend enough time at the launch rapid “thup-thup-thup,” and I actual-
ramp, and you can safely say you’ve Eric, thank you for letting us know ly saw the boat rise and fall with each
seen it all … until the next time. The we aren’t the only ones who find amuse- “thup.” The skipper wisely shut it off
ment in other people’s folly. We had and dragged it to the trailer (around
more stories we could have published; low spots on the bottom) on foot.
here are a couple of them. Once it was on the trailer, we all spot-
ted the mangled SS prop and bent
I was boating on the Columbia prop shaft. More dollars than sense.
above Wanapum Dam, and the oper- Forum member wildbluejuander
ators kindly let the water level down
over the weekend. I had my drive The only one that’s vivid in my
waaay up to get to the ramp and brain happened in the early 1980s,
winched her up to the trailer. I saw a and I was smack-dab in the middle.
ski boat approaching at displacement We were selling pontoon boats and
speed, and I knew it was an inboard were involved in an on-the-water
sheer variety of ways people find to … so I waded out (mud on rock bot- show. We backed the ’toon as far
mess up at the ramp is impressive, tom) and waved my arms wildly to let down as we felt safe — it was low tide,
and while that doesn’t make the wait the skipper know impending doom naturally — and tried to remove the
to launch any more tolerable if you’re awaited. I guess he saw me and hull from the trailer. No dice. We
Photo: Tom Reid
+BW LettersJune11_024_BWFamilyTime 4/29/11 9:22 AM Page 13
incoming
messed with it for a half-hour, no lies had boats, I spent a fair amount
luck. Finally, a friend with a yacht of time being pulled behind a boat.
with twin 8-71 Detroits came by, We opted more for skiing, but I
hooked his line to the stern of the remember taking a ride or two on a
’toon and just put the boat in gear. tractor-tire innertube. The memories
The ’toon came sailing off as though are fond, even if the experience was-
it had a rubber band hooked to it. n’t always.
And it started to settle. Fast. Before Gary Merkett, St. Louis
we could get back to the trailer to
install the drain plugs, we essentially
had a deck on two submerged pon- How to reach us:
toons. We brought joy to many that amount of time on the river.
day. Not us, but others. Nashville, of course, is a must-see, Send us your gripes, criticisms,
Grid Michal but I think that applies whether ideas or whatever is on your mind.
you’re on the river or the roads. Please understand that we can’t
answer everyone personally.
A Southern Treasure Thank you for a look at one of the
I’ve been on stretches of the South’s great waterways. BY MAIL
Write to the Editor at Boating World,
Cumberland River, and it’s always dif- Phillip Theriot, New Orleans 17782 Cowan, Suite A, Irvine, CA 92614.
ficult to imagine that the horrors of
FAX OR E-MAIL
the Civil War took place along such Fond Remembrances Fax us at (949) 660-6172; or e-mail us at
serene stretches of water (Cruising Mike Werling’s look at water toys editor@boatingworld.com. Letters must
the Cumberland River, April, p. 58). past brought back a lot of memories have the writer’s full name, signature
Bobbye Kenyon, through her “river for me, too (Towables Ain’t What They (unless e-mailed) and city of origin. We
guides,” did a nice job of capturing Used to Be, April, p. 20). As a reserve the right to edit for the available
space.
what it’s like to spend a decent Midwestern kid whose friends’ fami-
Quality, Innovation, Durability = Better Value

Connelly since 1965
See videos and more tubes at connellyskis.com

+BW Currents_024_BWFamilyTime 5/2/11 10:16 AM Page 14
currents news and notables

by Lisa Hanks
SMOKING (FAST) IS ALLOWED

The red-hot mash-up of Ducati luxury and sleek good looks. mph, spurred by two staggered 1,100
motorcycles and the Cigarette Racing Ducati was founded by three hp Mercury racing engines. It features
Team has created an ultra-chic, heart- brothers in Bologna, Italy, in 1936, the classic red-and-white colors of
stopping racing boat they hope will and has been designing fast and stylish Ducati and Cigarette Racing’s logos —
blow away the competition. This 42- road and racing bikes ever since. white exterior with red pinstripes and
foot speedster with an 8-foot beam Cigarette Racing has built a reputation white interior accented with red —
combines the style, performance and for producing super-fast boats that and a custom-designed stereo system.
luxury of Ducati motorbikes and win races, starting in North Miami If the need for speed is worth
Cigarette race boats. It’s an instantly Beach in 1969. $700,000 to you, maybe this is your
recognizable blend of performance, The 42X Ducati Edition Cigarette boat.
Racing Boat zooms more than 120
Whether it’s the accommodations or the power, this boat is a seamless melding of Ducati style and luxury with
Cigarette Racing’s performance. Or is that the other way around? Works for us either way.
▲
? More info: Cigarette Racing Team; cigaretteracing.com.

B1G NUM3ERS
Ocean Facts
64 Size of the Pacific Ocean, the

largest of the four main
oceans, in millions of square miles
5 Size of the smallest main ocean,

Fiona Browne
the Arctic, in millions of square

miles
Just Ducky 39
oceans
Average temperature, in
degrees Fahrenheit, of all the
Take one rubber ducky — aka inflatable boat — throw it in the surf and race
it as fast as you can around the southern tip of Africa, which is nicknamed the
Cape of Storms. Imagine dozens more brave duckies enduring five days and
450 miles of brutal waves and winds, and often poor visibility. The Trans
12,144 Average depth, in
feet, of all the oceans
Agulhas Challenge race is so grueling that, last year, 28 boats started, but only
23 managed to cross the finish line. Perhaps that’s why this ultra-long-haul race
in South Africa is proclaimed “The World’s Toughest Inflatable Boat Race.”
180 Baltic Sea’s average depth,
in feet
More info: transagulhaschallenge.co.za.

36,198 In feet, the deepest
place in the ocean,
the Pacific’s Marianas Trench, which is
deeper than Mount Everest is tall
SAVE THE SWORD
Florida anglers can help protect
the oceans and the future of their
favorite fish. A brand-new special-
80 Percentage of all life on Earth
beneath the ocean’s surface
ty license plate features a vibrant

Guy Harvey rendition of the awe-
inspiring blue marlin — sword up-
97 Percentage of the world’s
water that’s salty
thrust from the water — and the phrase “Catch Me, Release Me.” Sales bene-
fit the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation’s marine conservation and educational
programs. More info: guyharveyoceanfoundation.org.
752 Measured at a hydrother-
mal vent, the hottest ocean
temperature, in degrees Fahrenheit
SALTY DOG OF THE MONTH

25,000 Approximate
number of islands
in the Pacific, more than the rest of
the oceans combined
DOG: Preto & Cheddar
OWNERS: Cynthia Charbeneau and
Mike Konvinski, Fife Lake, Mich. Did You Know?
Calling all Salty Dogs: What’s the difference between a
Send your picture to Bobby WIN THIS! dolphin and a piling? Dolphins are
for your chance to win a SportsStuff
tow toy. Contact Bobby at
three or more pilings lashed
bobby@boatingworld.com or together.
Boating World, Salty Dog, 17782
Cowan, Suite A, Irvine, CA 92614.
Please include a photo, along
with your name, your dog’s
name, address and phone number.
BoatingWorld.com 15
■ Classic Boat 1959 Owens FROM THE POOPDECK
After more
Ask Bobby:
than three Advice for
decades in Your Pet
the garage,
Fair Lady is
on Board
ready for
the water. I couldn’t wait to take our
? 7-month-old Newfoundland
puppy, Winchester, out on
our Nordic Tug. But as soon as we
got out of the harbor, he started to
whine and vomit. I thought Newfies
loved the water. What’s the deal?
My Fair Lady Alan and Jane Jones, San Diego
Yes, dogs can turn a little

t 20 feet, Fair Lady is the green around the gills,
“A smallest Owens cabin cruiser
I’ve ever seen, and the only
especially the pupsters. Their
ears aren’t quite finished growing
outboard,” said Don Dickinson of yet, and that can affect their sense
Shippensburg, Pa. His parents had Name: Fair Lady Length:19 feet, 6 inches of balance. Your dog may outgrow
purchased the three-year-old Owens Engine: 1984 Evinrude 60-hp outboard seasickness once he matures.
Cruising speed: 20 mph Material: Wood
in 1962, and it stayed in the family for Signs your dog may be motion sick
the next 50 years. include being less active than usual,
“We lived only 4 miles from Lake er and bought a rebuilt engine, and uneasiness, yawning, whining,
Wallenpaupack in Pennsylvania’s Don bought a used pickup. With his excessive drooling and tossing his
Pocono Mountains, and enjoying son Todd doing most of the work, cookies.
the lake was something my family they installed new electronics and As with people, the dog should
came to love.” safety equipment, plus a new bot- feel better if you face him the direc-
But in 1973, when Don’s parents tom and transom. tion the boat’s going, give him a lit-
were cruising on the lake, water They applied paint, varnish and tle fresh air and keep him cool. You
started gushing through a hole in epoxy to the inside and outside of can also try feeding him less right
the bottom front. His dad beached the bottom. But two years later dur- before a boat trip.
the boat at a local marina, had it ing a Delaware vacation trip, Fair Try getting your dog used to the
hoisted out of the water, replaced Lady once again sprang a leak. sensation of moving in stages. Let
part of the bottom, trailered the “Turns out, the epoxy wasn’t such a him sit on the boat for five to 10
boat and backed it into a garage — good idea. It peeled off and gave the minutes while it’s docked a couple
where it stayed for 33 years. water access to the bottom.” A of days a week. Feed him a treat and
In his 40s, his parents offered him basketball-sized hole in the rear hull praise him. Gradually, let him stay
the boat. The trailer was in bad caused it to sink to the gunwales, on the boat a little longer. Give him
shape and the original engine, a and the salvaging caused even more an extra-special chewie or a toy that
60 hp Scott-At-Water, needed to be damage. Don took it to a boat he only gets on the boat. Once he’s
replaced. “I had no way to tow it, builder, who replaced the dry- looking more chipper while docked,
and no money for a trailer or rotted bottom and transom. try a short spin on the water — 10 to
engine,” Don said. “Our grandkids love it,” Don 15 minutes. Do this regularly.
“After I retired in 2005, both sons said. “My mom is thrilled we’re If none of these works, ask your
badgered me about getting the boat using the boat again. She views it as veterinarian how to soothe your
running.” a tribute to my dad, who once loved dog’s motion sickness.
They split the cost of a new trail- it so.”
For boat manufacturer deals and
> Send your Classic Boat stories to lisa@boatingworld.com $ incentives, go to BoatingWorld.com

:(.12:7+(',))(5(1&(
%(7:((13$5.,1*$1''2&.,1*
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+BW Coast Guard_024_BWFamilyTime 5/2/11 8:43 AM Page 18
coast guard bui
Boarding officers
at Coast Guard
Station Vallejo
practice field
sobriety tests on
a volunteer as
U.S. Coast Guard photos

part of their
boating-under-
the-influence
training.
BUI Enforcement blood-alcohol concentration of .08
Gets a Boost
Standardized field sobriety tests approved
percent or higher will find their voy-
age terminated and may have their
vessel impounded. Penalties can
include arrest, fines, loss of boating
privileges and even loss of driving
for use on the water. privileges.
The U.S. Coast Guard enforces a
BY JOSEPH CARRO, U.S. COAST GUARD BOATING SAFETY DIVISION federal BUI law that pertains to all
boats, from canoes and rowboats to
A t a bend in the river, a powerboat heading downstream slams into the

port side of a pontoon boat headed upstream. One passenger on each
boat dies in the collision. The powerboat operator tells investigators
she’d had a few “light” beers hours before getting on the boat. But a passenger
reports that the driver was operating recklessly just before the collision and
the largest ships, and includes for-
eign vessels that operate in U.S.
waters, as well as U.S. vessels on the
high seas.
In addition, Operation Dry Water,
that she was drinking something from a water bottle that he took to be a mixed a national multi-agency BUI detec-
alcoholic beverage. Field sobriety tests conducted at the scene show the tion and enforcement initiative, puts
woman to be extremely intoxicated, and she is taken into custody. thousands of state and federal marine
officers on the water the weekend
Lives lost. Others forever changed are not always easy to determine. Add before July 4. This gives BUI enforce-
by a moment of thoughtless behavior alcohol and these determinations are ment high visibility before a holiday
and the assumption that alcohol and even more difficult, increasing the known for drinking and boating —
recreational boating mix. They don’t. likelihood of a collision, grounding or and deadly accidents. This year,
Many times, intoxicated individu- other accident. Operation Dry Water takes place June
als continue to operate their vessels Currently, nearly 20 percent of all 24-26. More information on ODW is
despite the fact that they cannot take boating fatalities are the result of available at operationdrywater.org.
the quick action necessary to navigate boating under the influence (BUI) of A variety of sobriety tests and
safely and avoid a collision. People alcohol or drugs. As a result, states procedures have been used in the
don’t wear their life jackets and don’t have gotten tougher enforcing laws past to determine if an individual is
keep an eye out for other vessels. against this high-risk behavior. intoxicated. Despite these efforts,
Speed and distances on the water Recreational vessel operators with a determining intoxication on a bob-

+BW Coast Guard_024_BWFamilyTime 5/2/11 8:44 AM Page 19
coast guard bui

An Increased Risk
bing boat has been problematic and of a Boating Accident
T
sometimes controversial. Also, after he Coast Guard’s annual report
being brought ashore, an individual “Recreational Boating Statistics”
suspected of BUI may require time to shows that a boat operator or
get his “land legs” before any tests can passenger with a blood-alcohol concen-
be administered. tration above the legal limit runs a signif-
That has now changed. A three- icantly increased risk of being involved in
year field evaluation of afloat field a boating accident. This is why:
sobriety tests, funded by the U.S.
Coast Guard and managed by the 1 Sun, wind, noise, vibration and and green) are reduced.
National Association of State Boating motion — “stressors” common to the 3 Finally, alcohol reduces inhibitions
Law Administrators, has been com- boating environment — intensify the and brings on a false sensation of
pleted and published by the Southern effects of alcohol, drugs and some physical warmth, which could cause a
California Research Institute. This medications by causing fatigue, person to enter and/or remain in cold
study validated a battery of tests for which in turn impairs a boater’s bal- water until hypothermia sets in.
marine use and is now the basis for a ance, coordination and reaction time. With these impairments, accidents
push to implement a National Marine 2 As blood-alcohol concentration are more likely and more deadly for
Field Sobriety Test standard. goes up, the ability to process infor- both passengers and boat operators.
With validated field sobriety tests mation, assess dangerous situations Alcohol is a factor in nearly one in five
for use on the water, we hope to stop and exercise sound judgment becomes recreational boating fatalities; U.S.
intoxicated recreational boaters and increasingly difficult. Coast Guard data show that in more
to impress upon all boaters that oper- Peripheral vision, depth percep- than half of these cases the victims
ating a vessel while under the influ- tion, night vision, focus and the ability capsized their boats or simply fell
ence is too great a risk. to distinguish colors (particularly red overboard.
The U.S. Coast Guard reminds all boaters to “Boat Responsibly!” For more tips on boating safety, visit uscgboating.org.
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+BW Watersports_024_BWFamilyTime 5/2/11 8:14 AM Page 20
watersports pwc fever
You are here:

A PWC tour
around Key West
is just one way to
test your PWC desire
before you buy.
You Know You Want One

If you need a final push before you buy, then rent a PWC first.
The advantages of a tour like this
T
BY MIKE WERLING
he decision’s been building. You’re almost convinced. You just moved are many. You get to not only see the
near a lake or river. Your kids are the right age to enjoy it (or them) with island from a different perspective,
you. You’ve never been on one, but you’ve never seen anyone having a but you get to learn some of its histo-
bad time on a PWC. The last piece of the puzzle is to give one a try. But how? If ry and see some of its structures from
you don’t have a friend with one you can try, you need to find a dealer that will a new angle at various planned stops.
let you demo one, or you can rent. You also get to practice using a safe
following distance — very important
The dealer option is good if it can I’ve been to the Colorado River at on a watercraft with no brakes
be arranged. You’ll get solid informa- Laughlin, just below Davis Dam. (though Sea-Doo is making inroads
tion, both about the PWC and safety, There are a lot of people out there, with its Intelligent Brake and Reverse
and you’ll likely be treated very well. many of whom don’t know enough system). During our particular tour,
The people who sell Sea-Doo, Yamaha, and many others who think they there were wide-open stretches
Kawasaki and the rest know their know too much. It’s probably not the where you could run the PWC to warp
products, and they have a good idea best place to get a feel for whether speed. I peeked down for a split sec-
about which watercraft will fit your you want a PWC or two for the family. ond at one point and noted I was
intended usage. When it’s time to buy, Another option is to take a guided going a touch faster than 50 mph.
they’re going to be your biggest asset. PWC tour. My wife and I did this in OK, that’s not warp speed and won’t
Let me throw out an endorsement Key West shortly after my 40th birth- impress everyone, but for a newly
for renting as a prelude (or maybe a day. The tour itself was a 26-mile ride minted middle-aged man, it was a
follow-up) to a dealer visit. Now, there around the island under the watchful rush. And it was faster than Dawn
are a couple of ways to do this. The eyes of two guides. There were maybe went. Plus, at the end of the tour all
obvious one is to get to Lake Havasu 10 of us, a few first-timers, a couple of of the riders had 20 minutes of “me
or Lake Lanier or Lake Travis or a veterans and a few like Dawn and me time” to play as they wished.
smaller body of water near you, rent a — people who were comfortable on Granted, not every tour will pro-
PWC and get after it. That option PWCs but had never ridden in a place vide all of the opportunities this one
comes with the inherent menace of where the opposite shore was a dis- did. But as platforms for getting used
… other people. I’ve been to Havasu. tant country or continent. to PWCs and testing their capabilities

+BW Watersports_024_BWFamilyTime 5/2/11 8:14 AM Page 21
watersports pwc fever
at fast and slow speeds, a guided tour

with a small group is tough to beat.
All of the riders in our group agreed
that the experience was worth it. I
don’t know if anyone bought a PWC
as a result, but I’m willing to bet more
than a few people were thinking
about it. I was. BW
Advancements Galore Yamaha VXS
P ersonal watercraft manu-

facturers comprise an innova-
tive group that’s always look-
ing for the edge against the competi-
tion. When you’re building machines
was looking for a way to get more
power, Yamaha decided to create the
largest-displacement engine ever on
a PWC, its 1.8L High Output, instead
of supercharging a smaller engine.
by lifting or dropping the upper deck.
If you put the system on automatic,
you might not even notice it’s work-
ing, until the next day when you’re
not as sore as usual.
that have to be fast, comfortable, Sea-Doo took safety and comfort As engine and hull materials get
light, strong and safe, the next idea is to a new level with its iBR braking sys- lighter and stronger, expect
always the best one. tem, which stops the vessel up to 100 ergonomics and dashboard informa-
Yamaha has done that with its feet sooner than other PWCs, and its tion centers to improve, as pursuit of
2011 VXR and VXS models. The com- Intelligent Suspension system, which the need for speed can’t go much fur-
pany developed a nanotechnology uses a nitrogen-charged remote oil ther, due to an agreement with the
that made its hulls, decks and liners tank to adjust to the riding conditions Coast Guard to cap PWCs at around
up to 25 percent lighter. So when it — either automatically or manually — 67 mph.
The Wake Edition can be installed on most wakeboard, E A SY U P G R A D E

ski and stern drive boats. Ideal for riding, surfing, Any customer
customer with an
skiing and even tubing! Let PerfectPass take the existing
existing PerfectPass
PerfectPass
stress out of driving...simply pre set the speed and go! System
System can
can easily
easily
upgrade
upgrade toto Star
Star Gazer-
GPS Based (No Paddle Wheel required) Wake
Wake Edition. In most
most
Enhanced performance for all wakeboard cases
cases it is a simple
simple 5
minute
minute “Plug & Play”
& stern drive boats
installation.
installation. For
For more
more
No calibration ever required details,
details, contact
contact one of
our customer
customer service
service
specialists.
specialists.

+BW DIY 5_024_BWFamilyTime 5/2/11 10:22 AM Page 22
diy serpentine belt
Serpentine belt
Tighten until flush
Stationary bolt
Alternator
Tension Replacement specs
on the Adjustment bolt
Beltway
We’re talking serpentine
belts, not D.C.
Adjusting or even replacing your
serpentine belt doesn’t have to
I
BY CAPT. WILSON J. SHEPPARD
keep you out of the water for long,
nboard and sterndrive engines not only power the especially if you know what you’re
propulsion system aboard a boat, they also indirectly doing.
provide power to other systems.
To utilize the rotational power rotating in sync while the engine is worn, cracked or frayed, replace it.
produced by an engine, a pulley is running. After several operating The belt-and-pulley system is a
connected to its crankshaft. The hours, the belt may begin to stretch. series of moving parts that presents
crankshaft pulley is located outside Without adjustment, it will begin to serious danger. Your engine needs to
the engine block and is connected to slip and buckle as it travels around be shut off before you attempt to
pulleys on accessory components the pulleys. If the belt continues to adjust or replace a serpentine belt. In
with either a serpentine belt or a lose tension, falls off the pulleys or fact, you should not have the keys in
V-belt. breaks, the engine or its components the ignition. You may even want to
The most common component may be damaged. consider disconnecting the battery to
powered by the belt system is the As a belt ages, adjusting the ten- avoid accidental operation of the
alternator. As the pulleys rotate, the sion becomes less effective. There are engine.
alternator produces electricity to a few indications that you need to
charge the battery bank and power replace a belt. One is dust. Black dust Taming the Serpent
the electrical system. On larger collects on pulleys, hoses and engine To adjust or replace a serpentine
engines, the belt system may also parts near the belt’s path. Another is belt, you must adjust the position of
connect to pulleys on other compo- the belt’s seating. It’s time to replace the alternator. There are two bolts
nents such as a water pump. In any when the belt travels inside the pul- that secure the alternator to the
setup, sufficient tension is required leys rather than along the outer edge. engine. One is a stationary bolt that
for the belt to keep all of the pulleys The last is wear. If the belt appears serves as a pivot point for the alterna-

+BW DIY 5_024_BWFamilyTime 5/2/11 1:22 PM Page 23
diy serpentine belt

tor. The other is an adjustment bolt ly as the worn belt, then reinstall the tachometer. It may display a low or
that secures the alternator to a rail. stationary bolt and adjust the position erratic reading upon startup if there
With both bolts loosened, the alter- of the alternator. You should use a is not enough tension on the belt.
nator will slide along the rail and tension gauge to check the tension, While the engine is running, listen
adjust the tension of the belt. Sliding but you can estimate it by pressing on for any high-pitched noises from
the alternator away from the engine the belt. You should only be able to the belt or pulleys. If you can get
will move the alternator pulley away press it about ¼ to ½ inch. Avoid over- someone to help you, have him
from the crankshaft pulley and tightening the belt, because you can slightly increase the engine’s idle to
increase tension on the belt. Moving damage bearings in the pulleys. Once see if you notice the belt slipping or
the alternator toward the crankshaft sufficient tension has been applied, buckling. Remember that you
pulley will decrease the tension. As tighten the adjustment bolt and then should use protective eyewear
you are adjusting the position of the the stationary bolt. The belt should be when looking at a running engine.
alternator, be sure not to damage the positioned flush with the other edge If everything looks good, remember
thin metal of the alternator’s housing, of the pulley. to check the tension of the belt
break or crimp the wires, or kink the periodically after a few hours of
hoses. Start ’er Up operation.
Before starting the engine to test Regularly checking the condition
Out with the Old the operation of the belt, be sure and operation of the belt system will
To find a replacement belt, check there are no objects that can get go a long way in making sure that
your engine manual or use the specs caught in the belt and/or pulleys. the connected accessories function
printed on the belt. When installing This includes tools, clothes, fingers, properly. Maintaining sufficient ten-
the new belt, you may need to loosen hair or anything else you don’t want sion on the belt will remove some
the adjustment bolt and completely to be separated from. tension from your boating experi-
remove the stationary bolt. Position Once you start the engine, pay ence. Ironically, a little tension can
the new belt around the pulleys exact- close attention to your engine’s provide a lot of peace of mind. BW
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BoatingWorld.com 23
+BW Engines2_024_BWFamilyTime 5/2/11 8:11 AM Page 24
engines lower unit care
The Care and

Feeding of
Changing it is easy. Tilt the outdrive
or outboard up until the lower drain
screw is at the lowest point, and then
put a bucket underneath. Remove the
Your Lower Unit

If you want your boat to keep on trackin’,
upper vent screw, then the drain
screw, and as it drains inspect the flow
for metal particles. Drain screws are
usually magnetized to attract metal
shavings from the gears to help keep
them out of circulation. Take a look: A
follow this advice. few small particles are OK, but a lot of
them means you could have a problem
Y
BY ALAN JONES that should be checked out by your
our boat’s lower unit is where the rubber meets the road, so to speak. mechanic. Also, if the oil looks like cof-
So if things aren’t right down under, you might not go anywhere. fee with cream, there was water intru-
Whether you have an I/O or an outboard, there are several items to sion, which needs to be checked. Very
keep an eye on to make sure your boat has what it takes to keep on trackin’. dark oil that smells burned is a warn-
ing sign of excess friction somewhere.
Gear Oil After making sure the oil’s fully
 One of the items that can be serv- Because you don’t want any metal drained, replace the screws’ O-ring
iced by an owner is the lower unit gear shavings or foreign substances such as seals, and after tilting the outdrive
oil. As our resident mechanic, Grid water in the oil sitting in the gearcase down, fill from the bottom hole until
Michal, suggests, this should be all winter. And this is not a place to go the gear oil comes out of the top hole.
changed at least once a year at the cheap; always use quality oil, not Put the upper screw in first and then
end of the season. Why at the end? whatever is least expensive. the lower.


Zincs Skeg
Ë These are the small pieces of gray Ë The skeg is designed to protect the
metal, usually attached to the cavita- prop by being the first point of contact
tion plate or just above it, that keep when — not if — you hit an obstruction.
galvanic corrosion at bay. Never paint If it’s bent, it can cause your boat to track
over these, or they will cease to func- incorrectly. If it’s broken, it won’t protect
tion. If more than half of the zinc your prop the next time you hit some-
anode is missing, replace it. thing. You have a couple of options:
Take it to your marine mechanic, who
will fabricate and weld on a new section,
Prop or buy an aftermarket replacement.
Ë Periodically inspect your prop for dings and gouges. Prop repair is pretty
technical and should probably be left to the pros, but tiny nicks can be filed off. Paint
Every couple of trips, remove the prop from the shaft and check things out. Ë Periodically, you may need to paint
Often, you’ll find fishing line wrapped around the shaft. If your lower unit is your lower unit. Sand the unit with
dripping oil, this line is the likely culprit. Remove the line and see if this fixes the #60-grit sandpaper, then #200 and
problem. Many people will assume the seal is bad and replace it, but hold off then #300 for a smooth surface. Using
until you see if it’s still leaking. Once a year, wipe off the old grease and inspect compressed air, blow off the sanded
the splines and thrust washer for signs of wear, then liberally re-lube the shaft. surfaces, then wipe them down with
Most props have a rubber hub meant to absorb an accidental hit and pre- acetone. Your spray-can primers and
vent the shaft from snapping, but these can dry out and slip (happened to me paints should all be specifically formu-
once 50 miles deep in the Everglades). An easy way to check for slippage is to lated for outdrives and are sold at
take a silver Sharpie, mark the hub and the case at the same spot, and then places such as West Marine or
run it for a while. If the line on the hub no longer matches the one on the Overton’s. Remember to not paint
case, you’ve got slippage, and it needs a trip to the prop shop for re-hubbing. over zincs or water-intake inlets.

+BW Trailer_024_BWFamilyTime 5/2/11 8:18 AM Page 26
trailering situations gone wrong
Worst-Case
Scenario
How-to
What happens after
“don’t panic”?
E
BY ALAN JONES
ven if you are a smooth, safe driver who fanatically maintains your
equipment, sometimes bad things can happen when pulling your
boat and trailer. Here’s how to handle nightmare-inducing scenarios.
Ë Brake Failure
CAUSES: Breaking a mechanical com- downhill and are picking up speed
ponent, losing brake fluid, and none of the above has worked,
hydroplaning, overheating from rid- try to scrub off speed by gently turn-
ing the brakes going downhill. ing into a guardrail or other roadside
WHAT HAPPENS: You apply the brakes feature that’s regular. Look for escape
and little or no braking action occurs, ramps for runaway trucks, which are
causing your pants to suddenly fill usually steep inclines with sand or
with moisture. gravel that will quickly stop your
SUGGESTED ACTIONS: First, don’t panic! vehicle. If you have a CB radio, try to
Remove your foot from the accelera- enlist the aid of a nearby trucker to
tor, and try pumping the brake pedal use his vehicle to stop you (works best
quickly in case there is air in the line. in a TV show or movie). As a last, last,
Honk your horn and flash your lights last resort, shift into reverse, which
if there is traffic, and smoothly steer will probably destroy your transmis-
Driving safely and maintaining your around any obstruction. Downshift to sion but could save your life.
equipment can help avoid nightmare “engine brake.” When your speed is PREVENTION: Maintain and inspect
scenarios, but things happen, so be around 30 mph, gently apply the your brakes obsessively. Equip your
prepared for the worst — such as
emergency brakes, which are on a dif- vehicle with trailer brakes that can
brake failure, skidding or the trailer
ferent system and should work. be manually actuated. Always travel
popping off the ball.
Manually apply your electronically at a safe speed, and leave plenty of
actuated trailer brakes, if your vehicle room between you and the next
is so equipped. If you are heading vehicle.


Ë Trailer Receiver Pops Off the Ball
CAUSES: Improper connection, wrong tailing wildly. PREVENTION: Always make sure you
ball size, failure to use a trailer lock, a SUGGESTED ACTIONS: Don’t slam on the have the correct-size ball, check to
broken component. brakes; rather, gently remove your foot make sure you’ve coupled it properly
WHAT HAPPENS: If you don’t cross your from the accelerator and try to steer as and periodically inspect all compo-
safety chains to form a basket to hold straight a line as possible. Hit your nents. Use the correct-size safety
the receiver off the pavement, it will emergency flashing lights and then chains — don’t twist them to fit —
drop and start dragging until it catches apply the brakes very, very lightly if you and cross them and attach with the
on any raised imperfection, which have to use them. Don’t pull off the S-hooks coming up through the holes,
could cause the front of your trailer to road until you are moving very slowly. not over the top.
stop suddenly and your boat’s stern to
stand up in the air. Even if you get the
chains right, the trailer could start fish-
Ë Skidding
CAUSES: Going too fast around a corner,
hydroplaning over standing water,
driving over ice or braking too hard.
WHAT HAPPENS: Most skids occur when
the rear tires on a rear-wheel-drive
vehicle lose traction, because the driv-
er exceeded their “traction budget”
(when combined forces such as brak-
ing plus cornering exceed the grip of
the tires) and the towing vehicle’s rear
end slides to the side. When you brake
quickly, the weight shifts forward,
which greatly lessens the traction of
the rear tires, and unless you are trav-
eling in a perfectly straight line, the
result is often a skid.
SUGGESTED ACTIONS: The worst thing the
driver can do is hit the brakes or stand
on them harder if he was braking. This
will increase the overload on the skid-
ding tires and prevent them from
rolling freely, which is necessary to
regain traction and control. Instead,
gently reduce throttle or keep it steady
(if you have the nerve and experience),
and turn the wheel in the direction
your rear end is sliding. Try to do this
smoothly, and don’t over-correct or
you will end up skidding in the other
direction. If you have manually actuat-
ed electronic trailer brakes, you can
also gently apply these to create a
parachute effect, but only do this if
your attempt to steer out of it fails.
PREVENTION: Give yourself plenty of room
to brake and do so smoothly. Keep your
speed down, especially when cornering.
Watch for water or ice on the road.

BoatingWorld.com 27

Zincs Skeg
 These are the small pieces of gray  The skeg is designed to protect the
metal, usually attached to the cavita- prop by being the first point of contact
tion plate or just above it, that keep when — not if — you hit an obstruction.
galvanic corrosion at bay. Never paint If it’s bent, it can cause your boat to track
over these, or they will cease to func- incorrectly. If it’s broken, it won’t protect
tion. If more than half of the zinc your prop the next time you hit some-
anode is missing, replace it. thing. You have a couple of options:
Take it to your marine mechanic, who
will fabricate and weld on a new section,
Prop or buy an aftermarket replacement.
 Periodically inspect your prop for dings and gouges. Prop repair is pretty
technical and should probably be left to the pros, but tiny nicks can be filed off. Paint
Every couple of trips, remove the prop from the shaft and check things out.  Periodically, you may need to paint
Often, you’ll find fishing line wrapped around the shaft. If your lower unit is your lower unit. Sand the unit with
dripping oil, this line is the likely culprit. Remove the line and see if this fixes the #60-grit sandpaper, then #200 and
problem. Many people will assume the seal is bad and replace it, but hold off then #300 for a smooth surface. Using
until you see if it’s still leaking. Once a year, wipe off the old grease and inspect compressed air, blow off the sanded
the splines and thrust washer for signs of wear, then liberally re-lube the shaft. surfaces, then wipe them down with
Most props have a rubber hub meant to absorb an accidental hit and pre- acetone. Your spray-can primers and
vent the shaft from snapping, but these can dry out and slip (happened to me paints should all be specifically formu-
once 50 miles deep in the Everglades). An easy way to check for slippage is to lated for outdrives and are sold at
take a silver Sharpie, mark the hub and the case at the same spot, and then places such as West Marine or
run it for a while. If the line on the hub no longer matches the one on the Overton’s. Remember to not paint
case, you’ve got slippage, and it needs a trip to the prop shop for re-hubbing. over zincs or water-intake inlets.

Worst-Case
Scenario
How-to
What happens after
“don’t panic”?
E
BY ALAN JONES
ven if you are a smooth, safe driver who fanatically maintains your
equipment, sometimes bad things can happen when pulling your
boat and trailer. Here’s how to handle nightmare-inducing scenarios.
 Brake Failure
CAUSES: Breaking a mechanical com- downhill and are picking up speed
ponent, losing brake fluid, and none of the above has worked,
hydroplaning, overheating from rid- try to scrub off speed by gently turn-
ing the brakes going downhill. ing into a guardrail or other roadside
WHAT HAPPENS: You apply the brakes feature that’s regular. Look for escape
and little or no braking action occurs, ramps for runaway trucks, which are
causing your pants to suddenly fill usually steep inclines with sand or
with moisture. gravel that will quickly stop your
SUGGESTED ACTIONS: First, don’t panic! vehicle. If you have a CB radio, try to
Remove your foot from the accelera- enlist the aid of a nearby trucker to
tor, and try pumping the brake pedal use his vehicle to stop you (works best
quickly in case there is air in the line. in a TV show or movie). As a last, last,
Honk your horn and flash your lights last resort, shift into reverse, which
if there is traffic, and smoothly steer will probably destroy your transmis-
Driving safely and maintaining your around any obstruction. Downshift to sion but could save your life.
equipment can help avoid nightmare “engine brake.” When your speed is PREVENTION: Maintain and inspect
scenarios, but things happen, so be around 30 mph, gently apply the your brakes obsessively. Equip your
prepared for the worst — such as
emergency brakes, which are on a dif- vehicle with trailer brakes that can
brake failure, skidding or the trailer
ferent system and should work. be manually actuated. Always travel
popping off the ball.
Manually apply your electronically at a safe speed, and leave plenty of
actuated trailer brakes, if your vehicle room between you and the next
is so equipped. If you are heading vehicle.


 Trailer Receiver Pops Off the Ball
CAUSES: Improper connection, wrong tailing wildly. PREVENTION: Always make sure you
ball size, failure to use a trailer lock, a SUGGESTED ACTIONS: Don’t slam on the have the correct-size ball, check to
broken component. brakes; rather, gently remove your foot make sure you’ve coupled it properly
WHAT HAPPENS: If you don’t cross your from the accelerator and try to steer as and periodically inspect all compo-
safety chains to form a basket to hold straight a line as possible. Hit your nents. Use the correct-size safety
the receiver off the pavement, it will emergency flashing lights and then chains — don’t twist them to fit —
drop and start dragging until it catches apply the brakes very, very lightly if you and cross them and attach with the
on any raised imperfection, which have to use them. Don’t pull off the S-hooks coming up through the holes,
could cause the front of your trailer to road until you are moving very slowly. not over the top.
stop suddenly and your boat’s stern to
stand up in the air. Even if you get the
chains right, the trailer could start fish-
 Skidding
CAUSES: Going too fast around a corner,
hydroplaning over standing water,
driving over ice or braking too hard.
WHAT HAPPENS: Most skids occur when
the rear tires on a rear-wheel-drive
vehicle lose traction, because the driv-
er exceeded their “traction budget”
(when combined forces such as brak-
ing plus cornering exceed the grip of
the tires) and the towing vehicle’s rear
end slides to the side. When you brake
quickly, the weight shifts forward,
which greatly lessens the traction of
the rear tires, and unless you are trav-
eling in a perfectly straight line, the
result is often a skid.
SUGGESTED ACTIONS: The worst thing the
driver can do is hit the brakes or stand
on them harder if he was braking. This
will increase the overload on the skid-
ding tires and prevent them from
rolling freely, which is necessary to
regain traction and control. Instead,
gently reduce throttle or keep it steady
(if you have the nerve and experience),
and turn the wheel in the direction
your rear end is sliding. Try to do this
smoothly, and don’t over-correct or
you will end up skidding in the other
direction. If you have manually actuat-
ed electronic trailer brakes, you can
also gently apply these to create a
parachute effect, but only do this if
your attempt to steer out of it fails.
PREVENTION: Give yourself plenty of room
to brake and do so smoothly. Keep your
speed down, especially when cornering.
Watch for water or ice on the road.

BoatingWorld.com 27
+BW Ask Experts_024_BWFamilyTime 5/2/11 8:04 AM Page 28
Q/A ask the experts
ASK THE EXPERTS

Submit your
question to
ASK OUR our experts
and win a
Our Panel of Experts answers your questions EXPERTS Mothers
Polish kit and
&WIN! accessories
valued at $50.
ACCESSORIES If your question is featured as

A LIGHTBULB MOMENT Letter of the Month, you win!
Q|
My boat continually blows
its bow lightbulb, sometimes This month’s
in a matter of weeks. I’ve been
through four in the last year or so,
winner:
and replacing them is driving me
crazy. I’ve tried replacing it with
a Perko #71 and an automotive LETTER OF THE MONTH
#DE3175, but nothing helps.
Could this be the result of a FUEL
problem with my wiring or
electrical system? FILTER EFFICACY
Q|
Will Freeman, Portland, Ore.
The use of
Maybe, maybe not. You a water/fuel
could also have a leak in the separator filter
light housing, bad contacts will remove
in the light or any number of water from gas.
other issues that can shorten Will it remove
the life span of the bulb.
the water/ethanol mixture
Fortunately, there’s an easy
fix for you: Remove the bow light resulting from phase
entirely and replace it with an LED. They’re separation of E10?
far better suited to the marine environment and draw Philip M. Carter, Green Valley, Ariz.
much less power. Although the initial cost is high, you’ll
save money by not constantly buying new bulbs. LR Yes and no. If the phase sepa-
ration takes place in the tank,
then the filter will catch it before
it gets to the engine. If the fuel has
been sitting in the fuel lines after
MEET OUR PANEL OF EXPERTS: the separator for an extended
period (which varies with the use
of stabilizer and how long it has
sat), then the carbs or vapor sepa-
rator tank will probably have
water in the base. GM
Keith Burton Grid Michal Lenny Rudow Bruce W. Steve Knauth Capt. David
Burton co-hosts With 50 years of Rudow has won Smith Knauth is a three- G. Brown
“Truck Test experience as a four Boating Smith has three time Boating Captain Brown Send Your Question to:
Digest,” a marine tech, Writers decades of expe- Writers Int’l has been a Boating World, Attn: Ask the Experts,
nationally syndi- Michal is also International rience as a pro- award winner licensed master 17782 Cowan, Suite A, Irvine, CA 92614
cated radio pro- American Suzuki awards in the fessional photog- and contributor to for more than 20 fax: (949) 660-6172 e-mail: editor @
gram featuring and OMC/ electronics cate- rapher, editor, multiple publica- years. He has boatingworld.com Please include your
trucks, SUVs and Bombardier gory and one columnist, book tions. He was a written five boat- full name, city and state of residence.
crossover vehi- (BRP) certified. Outdoor Writers author and radio marina yard fore- ing books and
cles. He also Association of host. He is also man for 12 years also built new
writes for many America co-host/producer before becoming boats and
national car and Technical award. of “Truck Test a full-time writer. restored antique
boat magazines. Digest.” boats.

Obrien_Layout 1 4/28/11 2:06 PM Page 1

+BW Ask Experts_024_BWFamilyTime 5/2/11 2:12 PM Page 30
Q/A ask the experts

DETAILING
SAME MOLD STORY
Q|
I keep my Tigé boat in a plastic garage from
Costco, and for the last two years it has been
getting mold in the seats. Could you tell me
the best way to remove the mold and the best way to
keep it off? Ralph Smith, Santa Cruz, Calif.
This is an easy one, Ralph, but get to work quickly,

because if mold and mildew sits on the seats for an
extended period of time, it can stain permanently. First,
attack the mold with Star brite Mildew Stain Remover,
which is made specifically for taking these sorts of stains
out of things such as your vinyl seat cushions. Next, coat
your seats with a liberal dose of a good vinyl protector,
like Star brite’s Vinyl Protector, 3M Vinyl Cleaner,
Conditioner and Protector, or Meguiar’s Flagship
Premium Vinyl & Rubber Protectant. Re-apply the pro-
tector every month or so. Finally, add some vents to the
plastic garage. The root of your problem is a lack of venti-
lation, which allows the mold and mildew to thrive. You
can also cut down on the mold and mildew by allowing
the boat to dry as much as possible before you enclose it
in the garage. LR
Support Your Most Valued Cargo

Without Overloading Your Budget
When you pack up the whole family, all their gear and the boat, your
vehicle has taken on a very hefty load. Safely support that valuable
cargo with Firestone Air Helper Springs. They’re an extremely
affordable solution to keeping your vehicle
level and handling correctly. After all, nothing
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NEW Firestone Work-Rite™ is a non-air load assist spring kit that

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Firestone Air Helper Spring Systems are

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1.800.888.0650 www.firestoneip.com/bw

+BW Ask Experts_024_BWFamilyTime 5/2/11 8:04 AM Page 31
Q/A ask the experts

ELECTRONICS
stumbling block is the reliability and as serviceability, you can handle most of
DOWNLOAD VS. CARDS serviceability of electronic fuel injection what needs to be done via injector
Q|
I’m planning to upgrade the vs. carbureted. What do you think? cleaners and stabilizers in the fuel.
chartography on my chartplot- Trenton Treadle, Carlsbad, Calif. Beyond that, it has to be diagnosed and
ter, which came with a back- serviced by a tech with the proper diag-
ground map that isn’t detailed enough I love an engine that doesn’t need nostic computer programs, which, in
for my needs. I can either buy a chart me. Electronic fuel injection is wonder- my experience, is a lot quicker than run-
card or download it onto an SD card ful as far as reliability, economy, power ning the boat all over the bay to re-create
from the Internet. In the long run, does and precision of fuel placement. As far the problems with the carburetors. GM
it make any difference which way I do
it? Chase Franklin, Norfolk, Va.
CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF LEADERSHIP
Both methods work just fine, but
before you buy a card, check with the IN FLOATING DOCKS
manufacturer and find out if it allows
you to return the card for updates in the
future. With some manufacturers, once
you buy the card you’re done, but others
allow for a trade-in. Download to an SD,
however, and in most cases download-
ing future updates is part of the deal. The
policy of each provider varies, so you do
want to research it before you lay out
any cash. LR
PERFORMANCE
PLAY IT BY EAR
Q|
My birthday is coming up, and
I’d like my wife to get me an
engine synchronizer gauge.
Can you help me talk her into it?
Michael Tripp, Baltimore
Actually, I prefer to accept the

tachometer readings and the synchro-
nized hum of the engines over a gauge
to try to balance. If you’re not certain
about the sound, have someone who
knows the sound go out with you. Let
him take the helm and bring the
engines to synch while you have your
eyes closed. When the operator says
they’re in synch, memorize the sound.
Note that the tachs read the same,
whatever the rpm. GM
MARINE ENGINES
EMBRACE ELECTRONIC
FUEL INJECTION
Q|
It’s time to replace the
worn-out 5.0s in my Stamas. I 1-8 0 0 -6 5 4 -8 1 6 8
know 5.7s will give me more
power, and the drives will handle it. My
ww. e z -d o c k . c o m
BoatingWorld.com 31
+BW Bonehead_june_024_BWFamilyTime 5/2/11 3:33 PM Page 32
bonehead blunders
Mistakes Nobody Should Make

Our resident mechanic talks about the disturbingly dim-witted
decisions boaters make about their boat engines BY GRID MICHAL
A Spark Too Close they cleaned the carb, changed plugs, BONEHEAD RATING SYSTEM:
BONEHEAD BLUNDER: Buying the etc. He ran it one more time and put it
incorrect spark plugs away. Over the winter, we became 1 : Acceptably assinine
WHO’S THE BONEHEAD: A trusting, acquainted, and he did me a favor. 2: Slightly slow
hapless, new boater This spring, when he said the skiff’s 3: Distinguished dunce
BONEHEAD RATING: 3 engine seemed to have lost power, I 4: Massively moronic
told him I’d take care of it, no charge. 5: Seek mental help
WHAT HAPPENED: I just figured that (Gotta be the carb.) I lugged that
a “newbie” boater is like a deer tied to monster back to the shop, yanked the The incorrect spark plug, combined
a tree: Everybody’s taking potshots at carb and checked it — clean as a pin. with the stale fuel, melted the piston
it, trying to get the biggest hunk of Checked the plugs: BP7HS-10. Wait. so badly that the only cure is a power-
meat to take home. This particular The sticker in the cowl said it was sup- head rebuild.
guy moved to the river from the city, posed to have B7HS-10. Uh-oh. A
bought a skiff with a 15 hp Nissan and compression test showed 52# on #1, LESSON LEARNED: The proper spark
thought he’d found nirvana. Last fall, 94# on #2. That “P” in the spark plug plugs are cheap. The incorrect ones
the carb really needed cleaning, so he designated “projected tip,” putting the are expensive. Take the time to learn
took it to a nearby boatyard, where flame too close to the piston crown. the basics of your engine. BW

YEAR
Parts & Labor
Warranty
No matter what your

service or Maintenance
needs may be, Mallory
Marine has the right part
at the right price with
unparalleled quality and
performance. Spend less
money on repairs and
more time on the water.
Make sure you specify
Mallory Marine Products on
your next service or repair.
Mallory Marine has

been the #1 brand of
ignition for over 80 years
and offers thousands of
quality engine and drive
parts for every brand of
Outboards, Sterndrives
and Inboards.
www.mallorymarine.com
FREE INFO CIRCLE 42 ON THE FREE INFO CIRCLE 47 ON THE READER SERVICE CARD ON PG. 33
READER SERVICE CARD ON PG. 33
+BW Reader Service_june_024_BWFamilyTime 5/6/11 11:54 AM Page xx33
Order FREE Product Information – Fast

Simply fill out the attached reply card and mail or fax for FREE brochures, catalogs and other advertiser information.
Fax toll-free to (866) 605-2323.
Circle this number Circle this number Circle this number
fi fi fi
BOATS 47 Mallory Marine Products WATERSPORTS EQUIPMENT
1 Apex Marine, Inc.(989) 681-4300 5 (216) 688-8300 32 Airhead Watersports
2 Craig Cat (877) 999-4228 69 48 McGard Inc. (800) 669-6887 64 (800) 624-1297 61
3 Malibu Boats (209) 383-7469 CV2-1 49 Megaware KeelGuard 80 Body Glove Redondo
(800) 292-9835 65 (310) 374-3441 58
15 Malibu Wakesetter 247
(209) 383-7469 34-36 50 Megaware SkegGuard 81 Connelly Skis Inc.
(800) 292-9835 71 (425) 775-5416 12-13, 52
16 Moomba Mobius LSV
(800) 320-2779 38-40 51 Merco Marine (800) 396-3726 71 82 Connelly Fun 3 (425) 775-5416 62
4 Ray Electric Outboards, Inc. 52 Overton’s (800) 334-6541 59 83 Connelly Quest 2 (425) 775-5416 61
(800) 259-1637 70 53 Pontoon Water Glide Inc. 84 Full Throttle Watersports
5 Sea Doo/Bombardier Recreational Products (888) 311-8313 23 (320) 252-2056 53
(800) 882-2900 CV3 54 Shurhold Brite Wash 85 Full Throttle Double Howler
6 Smoker Craft Family of Products (800) 962-6241 50 (320) 252-2056 58
(866) 719-7873 64 55 Soap Cinch (877) 333-2462 50 86 Full Throttle Speed Ray 2
7 Splendor Boats (260) 352-2835 65 56 Sport Marine Tech. Inc. (320) 252-2056 60
8 Starcraft Marine (866) 719-7873 2 (800) 201-9095 70 87 HO Black Ice (800) 938-4040 62
9 Stingray (843) 383-4507 CV4 57 SternDrive Engineering 88 HO Drifter (800) 938-4040 63
(813) 925-7127 67 89 Maxxsonics USA Inc. - MB Quart
10 Sun Tracker Pontoon Boats
(888) 487-2253 19 58 The Durabak Company (847) 540-7700 53
(303) 690-7190 69 90 Monster Tower Inc.
11 SunChaser Boats (866) 719-7873 3
804 Send me all gear & accessories information (877) 778-6937 41
12 Tahoe Boats (888) 487-2253 25
91 Nash Hydroslide Arsenal AT58
13 Tige Boats Inc. (325) 676-7777 6-7 (817) 926-5223 62
14 Tige Z1 (325) 676-7777 42-44 PROPELLERS 92 O’Brien Watersports
800 Send me all boats information 59 Turning Point Propellers (800) 662-7436 29
(847) 437-6800 50
93 O’Brien Hammerhead 2
(800) 662-7436 56
DOCKS & MOORINGS 94 O’Brien Super Screamer
21 EZ Dock Inc. (800) 654-8168 31 SERVICES
(800) 662-7436 56
60 ACE Recreational Marine Insurance
22 Hewitt Lifts & Roll-A-Dock (215) 640-2609 37 95 Perfect Pass Control Systems, Inc.
(800) 544-2067 68 (902) 468-2150 21
61 Allstate Insurance Co.
23 Innovative Marine Tech/Touchless (866) 601-BOAT 49 96 Rave Sports (800) 659-0790 51
Boat Cover (877) 679-2217 23 97 Rave Sports Aqua Buddy Trainer
62 Boat Angel (800) 227-2643 71
801 Send me all docks & moorings information (800) 659-0790 61
63 Markel Corp. (800) 236-9283 17
98 Rave Sports Nighthawk
64 National Marine Underwriters
(800) 659-0790 56
(800) 262-8467 66
GEAR & ACCESSORIES Sevylor Towables (800) 835-3278 11, 52
40 AGT 5000 DC Marine Generator 65 Progressive Insurance
(800) PROGRESSIVE 9 Sevylor Delinquent
(954) 462-2800 50
(800) 835-3278 63
41 Babe’s Boat Care Products 66 Sea Tow (800) 473-2869 27
Sevylor Monster Tube
(888) 422-2374 64 806 Send me all services information
(800) 835-3278 58
42 Boatlife/Life Industries
SportsStuff (800) 624-1297 60
(800) 382-9706 32
TOWING 99 Stryker T-Tops (888) 893-6499 69
43 Cook Manufacturing Corp.
(800) 654-3697 64 70 Cequent Towing Products Group 100 Turbo Swing Ltd. +31(0)71-30 11 220 51
(800) 632-3290 10 808 Send me all watersports equipment
44 Dormenica’s Marine & RV Cleaner
(877) 85-SHINE 69 71 Firestone Industrial Products Company LLC information
(800) 888-0650 30
Flatwater Inc./Sharkhide Metal Protectant
(618) 624-4091 68 72 Maxxis International USA
(800) 4-MAXXIS 57
45 Golight Inc. (308) 278-3131 71
73 TorkLift International
46 Great Lakes Boat Company (800) 246-8132 63
(877) 778-6937 45
807 Send me all towing information
BoatingWorld.com 33
MalibuWakesetter_024_BWFamilyTime 4/29/11 10:45 AM Page 36
tested Malibu Wakesetter 247 LSV
Better Setter
Malibu Wakesetter 247 LSV
can be used for booting up or hanging be a web-footed canine. This is the
B
BY ALAN JONES
igger is badder is better out when it’s time to chill. engine our test boat packs, but an
describes the 2011 incarnation Not that this has ever happened to interesting aside is that the optional
of the Malibu Wakesetter 247 me, but if you arrive at the lake and supercharged 555 hp LSA V-8, which is
LSV. Affectionately called the “stretch start a conversation with “I thought the motor on the Cadillac CTS-V sports
limo,” the 247 can handle you and 16 you brought the keys,” it’s no worries, sedan, has also been adapted as an
buds in style while pumping out a mate, because the 247 has a keyless outboard by a company called Seven
wake that can be tweaked to handle start system. Just tap in your secret Marine. While the optional powerplant
riders of every level. code, press the start button and go. might be the ticket if you are running a
This year’s standard display screen is full house, we loved the smooth power
Unique Factor the Malibu Touch Command (MTC), of the 6.0L Indmar L96. Using the
As the 247 in the name implies, this which uses Projected Capacitive Touch drive-by-wire throttle, we launched out
longest Malibu stretches to 24 feet, 7 technology like the iPhone’s, so con- of the hole and got on plane in 3.7 sec-
inches, which means you don’t have to trolling elements such as ballast, the onds and breezed to a 30 mph slalom
perform “invite triage.” With this plat- Power Wedge, lighting and the optional speed in 7.4 seconds. Top speed was a
form, the entire ski team roster plus GPS navigation only requires the oper- faster-than-most 45.3 mph, and we
some friends are invited, and those ator to tap the screen. were running 5400 rpm, but despite
who run ski schools will find they only the fury, sound levels were a moderate
need one bus to handle the class of Performance 92 decibels thanks to the Silent Rider
2011. One of the new innovations this When the standard engine pumps mufflers.
year is the transom seating area that out 410 hp, you know it’s not going to Saving gas is a high priority these

MalibuWakesetter_024_BWFamilyTime 4/29/11 3:27 PM Page 35
MALIBU
WA K E S E T T E R 2 47 L SV
days, and Malibu’s Power Wedge helps to create a positively stupid-sized surf-
do that, with a feature called Auto- ing wake for people participating in
Wedge. When engaged, the Power the latest, greatest watersport.
Wedge pulls the stern down to simu- The variety of wakeboard wakes is
late from 400 to 1,200 pounds of bal- amazing. Without using the Power
last to help beef up and define the Wedge and with minimal ballast, the
wake. But because wakeboarders don’t 247 has a medium-sized, well-shaped
do tricks when the boat’s getting on wake that’s perfect for people who are
plane or turning, Auto-Wedge feathers learning or for those who don’t want to
the Power Wedge when the boat’s run- launch into the stratosphere (like me
S P E C I F I C AT I O N S
ning below 75 percent of your set with my bad knee). Pump it up and
speed. This not only takes the strain you get a really long, mellow ramp with Length 24 ft., 7 in.
off your engine but greatly improves no lip to beat through, for smooth Beam 8 ft., 6 in.
fuel economy. takeoffs and soft landings. Deadrise 12 degrees
At higher speeds with no ballast, Capacity 17 people
Handling you can even go old school and slalom Dry Weight 4,000 lbs.
Control is the name of the game, with a relatively flat wake. And bring- Fuel Capacity 84 gals.
and aided by its near 25-foot length, ing along every type of ski isn’t a prob-
the 247 tracks very straight. Of course, lem, because there is massive storage PERFORMANCE
it doesn’t hurt to have giant twin under the seats. Some people might mph rpm dBA
Gorilla Fins underneath, which are 120 not like the fact you have to remove the Peak 45.3 5400 92
square inches and made of man- bow seat bottoms entirely to access the Cruise 30.1 3500 83
ganese bronze to resist corrosion. storage, but it does give you unencum- Time to Plane 3.7 secs.
With all that tracking help, we were bered access. The cockpit lids have Time to 30 mph 7.4 secs.
able to generate some serious Gs piano hinges for easy access. One of
POWER
Dillon Donnelly
when doing a 180 to simulate a rider my favorite touches is the rotomolded

down. The relatively flat 12 degrees of “pizza box” tray above the motor that Test 410 hp Indmar L96 ETX/CAT
deadrise on the X-25 hull means you can be used to hold a hot pie or can Max hp 555
don’t heel way over in turns — but help store and dry those wet items. A Cylinders V-8
does it ever grip when cornering. In pair of massive coolers on the star- Displacement 6.0L
the extreme chop, you’re reminded board side should hold enough cans Weight w/outdrive N/A
that it’s a ski boat and not an offshore and bottles to keep all 17 riders from WOT Range 5600
racer, but when we took three ski suffering beverage deficit syndrome. Base Price w/Indmar L96 ETX/CAT $87,560
boats across Lake Lanier, north of
Atlanta, in rough conditions to find Preferred Setup VA L U E - A D D E D
calmer water, this is the one I For starters, owners will want the S TA N D A R D F E AT U R E S
jumped on. Power Wedge, which helps define the Illusion G3 tower, rear and amidships bal-
At the helm, a futuristic Italian shape of the wake as well as adding last, Precision Pro speed control, Silent
Isotta one-spoke wheel allows you to some beef. The Wakesetter 247 comes Rider mufflers
grip it whether you are a 9-and-3 driver standard with the Illusion G3 tower
or a 10-and-2 type; there are no spokes that has a “weightless” spring-loaded M U S T- H AV E O P T I O N S
to obstruct you. The power steering design that’s so easy to use that the Cockpit heater, Power Wedge, depthfinder,
was perfect: not too light where you slightest member of your crew can fold stereo w/subwoofer, 8-inch speakers and
have no feel but easy enough not to it down in less than a minute. I haven’t tower speakers
have to use the large muscles in your met many wakeboarders who didn’t
back to hold course. want a killer stereo, and they won’t BUILDER
have to go aftermarket to tune up. The Malibu Boats, malibuboats.com
Best Uses Wake 247 Package option gives you 8-
The Wakesetter 247 LSV is one of inch main speakers for starters, then
the most versatile ski boats on the for some thump add a subwoofer Circle 15 on reader service card, page 33
market. It weighs 2 tons, and with up to along with a head-banging (literally)
1,450 pounds of sub-floor hard-tank quad of Wet Sounds tower speakers to
ballast along with up to 1,200 pounds take your sound to concert pitch. You $ FINANCING:
of simulated ballast with the optional would be remiss if you didn’t choose
$628/month w/15% down and 6%
Power Wedge, there won’t be any wake- the Flo-cam rider camera system to
interest for 15 years
size envy issues. The ballast control capture those “I meant to do that”
allows you to load it up on either side YouTube moments.
BoatingWorld.com 35
MalibuWakesetter_024_BWFamilyTime 4/29/11 10:46 AM Page 38
tested Malibu Wakesetter 247 LSV
Owner Feedback
J.J. and Alisa Shelton, along with Monica, 13, Huffman, Texas
PURCHASED AT DARRYL MOORE’S MARINE, SPRING, TEXAS
What we liked: can get to them very quickly.

• MaliView display My brother has four daugh-
• Roominess ters, and my daughter brings
• Incredible wake her friends along, but we
• Storage have plenty of room with a
• Fabulous stereo system capacity of 17, so everyone is
comfortable. With all of the
What we would change: storage we have, we don’t
If this boat doesn’t have it, you don’t have things lying around on
need it. the deck; there’s a place for
everything. We can do any-
Why we bought it: thing with this boat: The
We live on the East Fork of Lake younger kids go tubing, the older ly easy to change the ballast and con-
Houston, which is a large lake that’s ones like to wakeboard and I like to trol the other systems on the boat. My
pretty busy, so it can get rough, but wakesurf. My friend’s son is a compe- daughter and I love our music and
the Malibu 247 handles the chop very tition wakeboarder and loves the really dig the stereo. When we aren’t
well. Plus, I like that it’s very maneu- huge wake we can create. The skiing, we love to just cruise around
verable, so when a skier goes down I MaliView touch-screen makes it real- or beach the boat to swim. BW
1 3 IN BRIEF:
FEATURES
1 Huge cockpit earns it the
nickname “stretch limo”
2 Killer stereo system turns
Wakesetter into a party on
the water
3 Filler cushions turn bow into
a tanning station
4 MaliView takes control of
4 many of boat’s tasks
5 New stainless steel grab han-
dles are functional, stylish
6 Storage easily accessible with
piano-hinged seat bottoms
2
5

ACE_Layout 1 4/29/11 9:08 AM Page 1
in seas tranquil and turbulent,

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It takes the right people, a strong balance sheet, superior claims handling and local market
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*Company ratings as of April 1, 2011.

Mal
ibu W akeset
ter247
MoobiusMoomba_024_BWFamilyTime 4/29/11 10:43 AM Page 38
tested Moomba Mobius LSV
Swiss Army Boat

Moomba Mobius LSV
graphics are bold without being angry built-in Bimini that creates a patch of
T
BY ALAN JONES
oday’s top ski boats are techno- — they don’t look like they were shade, and it’s black to match the
logical marvels that are loaded designed by someone venting personal Darth Vader-esque tower. Moomba
with never-before-seen features issues — and the chrome Moomba might lose some budget-conscious
and amenities. But including all of the logo reflects your bold style. Throw in buyers with the $3,500 upcharge for
latest and greatest drives the price an optional colored rubrail and stain- the V2, but if that’s an issue, the back-
where man has never gone before. So, less steel pull-up cleats, and you elimi- swept silver Rad-A-Cage tower comes
Moomba is there for those who can’t nate several clues that this boat costs standard.
pay top dollar and just want to go ski- much less than others in its class. The
ing. One reason the Mobius LSV has interior has been upgraded for 2011 Performance
been one of the top-selling ski boats is and features new gunmetal and mica Our test Mobius is powered by
its value, and Moomba is getting very mist carpeting, along with upholstery Indmar’s 325 hp MPI Assault engine,
good at hiding where it saves you the that has a new texture and metallic which doesn’t have the ETX/CAT cat-
money. So as far as anyone knows, graphite and topaz vinyl with accent alytic converter. This engine will only be
yours is just another stylish ski boat thigh rails. available in boats built during the first
that onlookers will be lusting after. The biggest addition this year is the half of the year because of the mandat-
V2 tower option that features a spring- ed rule to switch to CARB (California Air
Unique Factor loaded fold-down design. It’s a for- Resources Board) 4-Star engines, which
This year, Moomba upped the ward-swept model, which means you reduce carbon monoxide and other
Mobius LSV’s game with an all-new don’t need bracing in front of the driver emissions by up to 98 percent. The cata-
Appearance Package. The standard that can impair his vision. There’s a lyst version puts out 15 more hp and

MOOMBA
MOBIUS L SV
should be the choice for anyone con- the three optional Gravity III ballast
templating wakesurfing. bags, and keep the wake plate parallel
Using drive-by-wire technology, to the hull where, at wakeboard speeds,
the Mobius LSV has very smooth it plows up a large, well-formed launch
throttle action that allowed us to ramp. When you spot some glassy
accelerate without jerkiness, and we water and have the desire to do some
got on plane in 3 seconds flat. Keeping slashing, dump the tanks and deploy
the even-Steven thing going, accelera- the MultiSport wake plate, which kicks
tion to 30 mph was accomplished in the bow down and flattens the wake.
exactly 6 seconds. Top speed was 42.3 For slaloming, there’s a standard ski
mph, which is right where you would pylon set into the large rear sunpad for Length 21 ft., 6 in.
expect it. the preferred lower tow point. Beam 8 ft., 1 in.
The LSV features a medium-high For comfort, there’s a huge stern sun- Deadrise N/A
windshield with new black framing for pad and bowrider seats that have an Capacity 13 people
2011, but there’s no option for a height- optional filler cushion. Storage is Dry Weight 3,300 lbs.
adjustable captain’s seat like the one on accessed by removing the entire seat Fuel Capacity 39 gals.
the Moomba Outback. To keep costs bottom, and for max hydration there is a
down, there’s no fancy color LCD large cooler underneath the port settee. PERFORMANCE
screen for the driver, just a small black- mph rpm dBA
and-gray information center that Preferred Setup Peak 42.3 4800 94
includes ballast-level information if While Supra, the other boat line in Cruise 33.0 3500 88
you get the Digital Cruise Pro speed the Skier’s Choice family, delivers a lux- Time to Plane 3.0 secs.
control. urious turnkey boat that needs few Time to 30 mph 6.0 secs.
options, Moomba gives budget skiers
Handling POWER
Dillon Donnelly
an extensive a la carte menu of options

The 21-foot, 6-inch Mobius LSV to keep the bottom line as low as possi- Test Indmar 325 hp Assault
features a fairly narrow 8-foot, 1-inch ble while delivering only those features Max hp 409
beam but has some good heft, weigh- a buyer wants or needs. Cylinders V-8
ing in at 3,300 pounds, which gives it a The first choice is engine size. Displacement 5.7L
solid feel. Because of its relatively flat While the Indmar 325 hp model is fine Weight w/outdrive N/A
deadrise, it corners very flat. One of the for most uses, bumping the power to Max rpm 5000
changes in the hull for 2011 is its two- the Indmar 6.0L 409 hp ($7,195 Base Price w/Indmar 325 hp Assault
tracking-fin configuration. It had three upcharge) makes sense if you will be $44,840
in 2010, and I tested that model as well, carrying passenger loads up to the
but I couldn’t feel any difference in cor- max of 13 people. VA L U E - A D D E D
nering ability, as both carved really The no-brainers here are to equip it S TA N D A R D F E AT U R E S
well. In Moomba’s lineup, only the with the Performance Pro package Rad-A-Cage tower, 1-bag Gravity I ballast
Outback model retains three fins for ($3,595), which gives you the Gravity III system, Performance Cruise
2011. ballast system that can hold up to 1,400
Those who are moving to the pounds of launch liquid and includes M U S T- H AV E O P T I O N S
Moomba from an inboard/outboard- the MultiSport wake plate, Digital Zero Off GPS cruise control, V2 tower,
propelled boat will be at home on the Cruise Pro with display and the Stereo MultiSport wake plate, stereo, Gravity III
Mobius with its giant Lenco trim tab A package. We would upgrade to the E ballast system, heater
mounted on the centerline, called the package ($1,595), which features a sub-
MultiSport wake plate. Not only does it woofer, tower speakers and twin amps. BUILDER
help shape the wake for different One more option we would include is Skier’s Choice Inc., moomba.com
sports, it can also be used to adjust the the heater, because I’ve never known
running attitude of the boat to achieve an avid skier who didn’t want to get on
the best ride when cruising. the water as early in the season as pos- Circle 16 on reader service card, page 33
sible and prolong it until ice blocks the
Best Uses way.
The Mobius LSV is Moomba’s Loaded with these options plus a $ FINANCING:
crossover model, so it’s a perfect choice single-axle trailer and the 340 hp cata-
$322/month w/15% down and 6%
for those who like to split their time lyst engine, the bottom line comes to
interest for 15 years
between slaloming and wakeboarding. $50,580, which is tens of thousands less
When you want to wakeboard, fill up than most other ski boats.
BoatingWorld.com 39
tested Moomba Mobius LSV
Owner Feedback
David and Aida Joiner, along with Ryan and Colin, age 13 and 15, Atlanta
PURCHASED AT SKI BOATS OF THE PALM BEACHES, BOYNTON BEACH, FLA.
What we liked: wakesurfing. We had a 19-

• Great interior layout with lots of foot bowrider and loved it
seating but wanted a purpose-
• Multisport WakePlate built ski boat, since we
• Low price were all getting more seri-
• Speed control ous about watersports.
• Abundant storage The Moomba Mobius LSV
is a ski boat that allows us
What we would change: to do whatever we want to
We ordered it loaded with all the do. It handles fantastic,
extras we wanted; so for us it’s per- and we can pick up a
fect. downed skier very quickly
and change the ballast easily for the boat, I like the safety of the prop
Why we bought it: next rider. We love music and have being tucked under the boat, espe-
We have a place on Lake Carter, our boat set up with tower speakers cially when wakesurfing. The price
north of Atlanta and wanted a versa- and a subwoofer, which sounds point on this boat and quality of
tile ski boat that could handle great; I just wish my kids and I liked Moomba make the Mobius LSV a
slalom, wakeboarding and the same music. With kids on the great value. BW
1
IN BRIEF:
FEATURES
1 Traditional pointy bow is
Moomba hallmark
2 Room for multiple sun
worshipers on huge sunpad
3 Indmar 325 hp will be replaced
next year with 340 EXT/CAT
4 Basic information center gets the
job done and saves big bucks
5 Want to rock? Mobius can play
that tune
2 3

Monster_Layout 1 2/23/11 11:11 AM Page 1
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with Monster Tower Packages
and Save Hundreds!!!!
Tower packages include
tower, 2 wakeboard racks,
mirror and single barrel
speakers.
Monster Towers
Strong, Sleek,
Silent.
Guaranteed!
877-778-6937
www.monstertower.com
MoombaMobi
usLSV
Tigé Z1_024_BWFamilyTime 4/29/11 10:39 AM Page 42
tested Tigé Z1
Tigé Blood, Type Oh!

Tigé Z1
prisoners. The perfect complement to Tigé’s LifePlus Lifetime
T
BY ALAN JONES
he phrase entry-level boat con- the overall look is the optional Alpha Z Replacement Warranty takes coverage
jures up images of blandness, tower, with its black bat-like appear- of the boat’s hull, floor or stringer to
like the old white-boxed super- ance that’s as strong as it looks. It has the extreme: It won’t just fix the prob-
market brands: generic. When some spring-assist, so you can ease this mus- lem, you’ll get a whole new boat in the
boat builders design a value boat, they cular aluminum tower down gently event of a component failure. So far,
leave out the glamour and style to with little effort, and it folds lower than no one has ever had to use that cover-
keep costs down and to make their the rear deck, so you can move freely age, but it’s nice to have. A compre-
more-expensive boats look better by about the interior with it furled. hensive Three-Year Bow-to-Stern lim-
comparison. Tigé didn’t play that card This is the only Z-class boat in the ited warranty on parts and labor
with the Z1, a multipurpose ski boat Tigé lineup not to have a pickle-fork means that if something fails you don’t
that you can take from basic to bow, giving it a classic but up-to-date go to the individual vendors for relief
upscale, depending on your needs and look. The stiletto-pointy bow is aggres- but right to your Tigé representative.
the thickness of your wallet. sive to look at but does restrict bow New for 2011 is the 360 Service Plus
space, contributing to a reduced that takes care of all scheduled main-
Unique Factor amount of acreage on this 21-footer. As tenance for three years.
Now in its 20th year of production, a trade-off, the bow seat recliners have
Tigé made sure its latest-generation a less-than-perfect amount of recline Performance
styling package gives you incredibly in order to give riders more legroom, We ran the Tigé Z1 with the 5.7L
bold colors and a graphics scheme but it’s still a comfortable perch from PCM 343 hp V-8, the max optional
that re-emphasizes you are taking no which to observe slalom skiers. engine, and it was an ideal match. We

TIGÉ
Z1
reached plane in 2.9 seconds and pounds of water. Belowdecks in the

arrived at 30 mph in only 5.1 seconds. stern is another 250 pounds on each
Top speed was an outstanding 45 side, for a total of 900 pounds. With
mph, which had the PCM spinning at this wake system, intermediate to
5200 rpm, slightly more than its adver- near-experts will have all the wake
tised maximum rpm. At a cruise speed they need.
of 30.8 mph, the engine read 82 deci- If wakesurfing is on the agenda, the
bels on our soundmeter and 92 dBA at Surf Ballast system adds two 350-
wide-open throttle, which was quite pound ballast bags in the stern in
conducive to conversation and music. addition to the Basic Ballast system, Length 21 ft.
The Z1 weighs a hefty 3,714 and Velcro holds them to the sides and Beam 8 ft., 4 in.
pounds, which helps give it a cushy out of the way when not in use to pre- Deadrise 15 degrees
ride for up to 10 people. For those with serve storage space. But if you are Capacity 10 people
more modest needs and budgets, the looking for the same monster wake as Dry Weight 3,714 lbs.
standard engine is a 303 hp 5.0L PCM the riders shredding on tour, you’ll Fuel Capacity 38 gals.
ProSport V-8, which delivers slightly want the Pro Ballast system, which
slower out-of-the-hole speeds but takes the Surf Ballast system, removes PERFORMANCE
doesn’t seem to affect top speed too the 400-pound horseshoe in the bow mph rpm dBA
much, according to another third- and replaces it with twin 400-pound Peak 45.0 5200 92
party test. tanks for a total of 2,000 pounds of Cruise 30.8 3500 82
launch liquid. Time to Plane 2.9 secs.
Handling Time to 30 mph 5.1 secs.
With nothing more than human Preferred Setup
POWER
Dillon Donnelly
ballast, the Z1’s hull is designed to The one must-have option is the
make a decent wake all on its own. 6.5-inch TigéTouch color screen that Test PCM Excalibur 343 hp
Unlike traditional ski boats that have a allows drivers to control virtually Max hp 343
hook (curve down) at the stern to help every onboard system with the touch Cylinders V-8
kick the bow over to minimize the of a finger. Want to turn all the lights Displacement 5.7L
wake, Tigé’s ConvexV hull sweeps up on simultaneously? Hit the All Lights Weight w/outdrive 950 lbs.
toward the back of the running surface button and let there be light. Max rpm 5000
to help nestle the stern down in the Controlling the ballast, Taps2 presets Base Price w/PCM EX-343 hp $53,500
water to start the spring plowing. and custom configurations for indi-
All Z-class Tigé boats come stan- vidual riders has never been easier. VA L U E - A D D E D
dard with the Taps2 wakeplate, which Heading through shallow water? Go S TA N D A R D F E AT U R E S
is a large, single Bennett trim tab. This to a full-screen depthfinder that Tigé SpeedSet cruise control, insulated
allows you to shape a wakeboard wake shows you graphically how much coolers, Transom Activity Center, ski pylon
when you have ballast or push the water you have beneath the V-drive.
front end down to create a flat slalom Set up your gauges and control items M U S T- H AV E O P T I O N S
playing field when running dry. When such as the blower or optional items Alpha Z tower, bow filler cushion, trailer,
cruising to your preferred ski haunt, it including the heater and video cam- ballast, stereo, cockpit table, saltwater
also allows the driver to achieve the era. One nice Tigé touch is that the package
optimum ride by allowing him to screen sits off to the side, so the dash
adjust the boat’s running angle. With a doesn’t have to be extra tall, which BUILDER
deeper-than-most 15-degree deadrise, can impair your forward vision. Tigé Boats, tige.com
the Tigé Z1 offers a softer ride in the One of your main options has to
chop and helps build a wake at slower do with which Wet Sounds/Clarion
speeds. stereo system you want: bad, badder Circle 14 on reader service card, page 33
or baddest. All seats feature PreFixx
Best Uses premium-grade 36-ounce upholstery
Tigé’s Ballast system is a modular for longevity and good looks. To
way to create the boat you need for upscale the Z1 a little, you can replace $ FINANCING:
your favorite watersports activity. With the Argo captain’s seat with the
$384 /month w/15% down and
the Basic Ballast system, which is an Visionaire mesh-back model and
6% interest for 15 years
option on the Z1, you get a horseshoe- order the Carlotta Italian steering
shaped tank in the bow that holds 400 wheel.
BoatingWorld.com 43
tested Tigé Z1
Owner Feedback
Jason and Kelly Knaust, along with Conner and Hannah, ages 11 and 12, Olathe, Kan.
PURCHASED AT PERFORMANCE MARINE, OSAGE BEACH, MO.
What we liked: the TAPS2 tab system that

• TAPS tab system
2
shapes the wake in sec-
• The Z1’s stylish appearance and onds. We also use it when
graphics we cruise to places like
• The Alpha Z tower Captain Ron’s. We usually
• The huge swim platform bring a lot of kids with us,
and the Z1 is roomy
What we would change: enough to handle every-
As the kids grow older and their one. The swim platform is
wakeboarding progresses, we will really large and sits low, so
probably add ballast. it’s really easy to get in and
out of the water. The new
Why we bought it: Alpha Z tower looks great,
We have a place on Lake of the and we might add speak-
Ozarks, and the whole family loves to ers to the tower eventually. Even 343 hp motor, and it’s got plenty of
ski. My wife likes to slalom, and the without them the stereo is great; I power. The fit and finish on the Z1 is
kids and I are into wakeboarding. The love being able to plug in my iPod exceptional — a solidly built boat
Tige Z1 allows us to do both thanks to and listen to my tunes. We have the with no rattles. BW
1 3
IN BRIEF:
FEATURES
1 Classy but stylish interior
part of new look
2 Wet Sounds amps and Pro 60
tower speakers get the job
done
3 Gull-wing stern hatches
provide easy access to storage
4 Low-profile dash provides
4 great forward visibility
5 Alpha Z tower exudes some
bad-boy menace
2
5

GreatLakes_Layout 1 4/29/11 10:01 AM Page 1
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+Feature-Insurance_024_BWFamilyTime 5/2/11 8:27 AM Page 48
feature insurance
Boat Insurance Myths

When discussing the variables pertaining to boat insurance, we decided to uncover some of the myths regarding
boat insurance. Allstate’s Zac Bowden and ACE’s Bruce Wixson clarified a few of the most common misperceptions.
æ My boat isn’t worth that much. False. “Everyone should have liability protection,” Bowden said. “The cost for a
liability claim is on average four times more than the cost to repair a boat. People will also want to have coverage for
family and friends who are on the boat, which is medical coverage, and will provide coverage for those tubing or ski-
ing behind the boat, as well.”
æ All insurance companies are the same. False. “Boat insurance is highly specialized,” Wixson said. “A boat owner
should be confident that the company they are insured with has financial stability and truly understands their needs,
especially at the time of a loss. If that boat suffers a loss or damage, the boat owner should be confident that their
insurance carrier understands the costs and details required in repairing their vessel and returning it to them. Be sure
that your company has the expertise and long-term history in the boat insurance market to meet all of your needs.”
æ Boat insurance costs too much. False. It’s time to rethink this one. “For liability, medical and physical damage cov-
erage, the average is $23 per month,” Bowden said. “The yearly cost for insurance is on average less than the cost of
a tank of gas.”
æ Insurance scoring is the same as credit scoring. False. Insurance scoring has absolutely nothing to do with an
individual’s ability to afford his insurance premium. “Insurance scoring looks at several and various factors in an
effort to determine how likely a vessel owner is to have an insurance claim,” Wixson said.
Fuel Spill Liability a stamp of approval from the National Storage

“
M E
any competitors will have Association of State Boating Law ven though your boat may be
an insured endorse the lia- Administrators. stored for a while each year,
bility coverage for an extra Ringberg elaborated on safety Bowden emphasized that cover-
charge to cover fuel spilling into the aspects that lead to reduced insurance age is still needed. “Just because the boat
water,” Bowden said. However, it’s costs. “Other safety discounts may be is out of the water doesn’t mean it is out
important to note that some compa- applied if boaters install specific safety of harm’s way. Claims while in storage
nies provide this type of coverage equipment on their vessel, such as an include rodents chewing on the electrical
free with the purchase of their automatic fire-extinguishing system in wiring, damage while being moved, fire
liability coverage. the engine room or a VHF radio to caused while having work done on the
receive weather reports or anti-theft boat and weather damage.”
Safety First devices, such as an electronic Wixson also stressed the impor-
“
S
afety is the name of the game alarm/tracking system that calls you if tance of disclosure if your boat is
when it comes to insurance,” your boat is sinking, on fire or has going to be out of active service.
Ringberg said. “So almost any- been moved from the dock.” “This is typically done in the northern
thing you can do to increase the safe- climates during winter, when a vessel
ty of your boat or the safety of others Join a Boating Group may be laid up ashore or afloat.
S
is going to be rewarded with money- ome insurance companies offer Insurance premiums are sometimes
saving discounts.” group discounts, so check with discounted based on the length of
An easy way to reduce your insur- your local organization. time the vessel is laid up.”
ance overhead is to take a state- Additional discounts can be earned by And even though some recom-
approved boating safety course. A joining a boating group such as the mendations won’t reduce premiums,
majority of insurance companies offer U.S. Power Squadron or U.S. Coast they are designed to streamline your
discounts if you complete and pass Guard Auxiliary. insurance coverage process. Wixson
a Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power suggests that you “check whether
Squadron or similar course. And you Loyalty Rewards your insurance company has alternate
“
T
can trim the budget even more by he insurance industry is a com- payment plans, such as credit card or
taking the BoatU.S. Foundation’s free petitive one, and most insur- automatic bank withdrawals. While
Online Boating Safety Course, which is ance companies will gladly give they may not always save money, they
recognized as boater certification in you a renewal discount for your con- will save time and avoid an accidental
31 states. BoatU.S. membership isn’t tinued business,” Ringberg said, while lapse in coverage due to a missed
required, and the course has received “some discounts are accrued over time.” payment.”

Deductible
Deep
Comprehensive
Reef WHO’S
AFRAID OF
INSURANCE
POLICIES?
STEER YOUR B OAT
AL ONG A COST-CU TTING
COUR SE WITH THE SE
11 SAVVY TIPS.
BY BOBBYE KENYON
Liability
Bay
Tranquil
Sound
X
Treasure
Cove

L
ooking to save money? Who isn’t? These days, everyone is trying
to slash expenses in every category, and the cost of insuring one
of your most prized possessions — your boat — is no exception.
But boat insurance can be overwhelming, as you navigate your
way through a complex sea of deductibles, comprehensive cov- gather free quotes from myriad com-
erage, policy add-ons and payout methods. Some areas that panies before making their invest-
affect the type of policy you need include how often you use ment. It’s also another valuable learn-
your boat, where you boat (lake, river or ocean), and the value of your boat and the ing tool that arms consumers with a
equipment and possessions on board. better understanding of the different
Now that it’s time to hit the summer waters, you can make sure your boating types of policies on the market. And,
budget remains comfortably afloat. Look into your state’s insurance require- remember, the cheapest insurance isn’t
ments, then start assessing what numbers can be crunched to come up with always your best buy. Coverage from a
insurance that offers tailor-made coverage. company that provides customer serv-
Boat insurance differs from other types of insurance in that a diverse set of ice and supports its customers through
risk factors comes into play when companies write a policy for boaters. In addi- a claim process can be worth those
tion to marine-related risks, companies consider the type of boat you own and extra dollars.
your navigation limits. Although many insurance companies provide addition-
al services and/or policy add-ons at no charge, it’s important to note that dis- Paid in Full
W
count availability does vary from state to state. rite a one-time check that
We contacted several of the industry’s leading insurance companies for their covers the total premium,
input. Those representatives include Bruce Wixson, chief underwriting officer, rather than stretching insur-
ACE Recreational Marine; Zac Bowden, boat line manager, Allstate Insurance; ance payments over a monthly or
Eric Baillargeon, boat sales manager, GEICO; Gordon Ringberg, senior marine quarterly schedule. “Pay the full
underwriter, Markel American Insurance Co.; and Rick Stern, boat product amount of your policy upfront, and
manager, Progressive. Their responses generated a menu of practical cost-reduc- you’ll receive a discount on your boat
ing measures that don’t compromise solid coverage. insurance rate,” Stern said. Paying
annual premiums cuts down on
administration, invoicing and postage
expenses, resulting in savings that are
Get Educated: Buy What You Need passed along to policyholders.
D
Know the Product etermining exactly what your
O
ne of the best ways to save boat insurance needs are can Claims-Free Renewal
S
money on your boat insurance be a solid step in slimming ay so long to deductibles. Many
is to know the product. your budget. Select limits for bodily companies have instituted a
Baillargeon stressed the importance of injury, property damage and physical terrific mechanism for boaters
having a comprehensive understanding damage coverage that comfortably to reduce their insurance costs via
of your policy, what is included in basic reduce your premium without sacrific- maintaining good boating standards.
coverage (with no additional charges) ing your coverage. It’s possible to decrease your
and what costs are extra. “Always make Ringberg emphasized the fact that deductible by 25 percent each consec-
sure you understand exactly what your not everyone needs the same cover- utive year that you remain loss-free
policy covers and what’s specifically age. “Depending on the type of boat with your insurance company, earning
excluded,” Baillargeon said. you own and the type of boating you a zero deductible after four consecu-
When purchasing boat insurance, do, you can modify your policy’s hull tive years. “You won’t have to pay any
keep in mind the three options for coverage, liability limits, navigation deductible for a loss should you have
how the company will pay you in the territory and/or layup period to meet an accident and need to file a claim
event of an accident claim. Actual Cash your specific needs,” he said. “We rec- later on, so you’ll save $1,000 in out-
Value will pay the current market value ommend that you work with marine of-pocket expenses,” Ringberg said.
for your boat or personal belongings. insurance experts who can help you “Not bad for doing nothing more than
Factor in depreciation and you will usu- understand and secure the appropri- boating safely.”
ally get less than what you paid. The ate coverage you need to protect your
Agreed Value pays an amount you boat and your assets.” Multi-Policy Discounts
T
“
agree on when you sign up for the pol- ypically, many insurance compa-
icy, while Full Replacement cost pays Shop Around nies in the industry will offer
C
for the actual cost of replacing said omparison shopping is one of discounts on multiple lines of
boat. This option comes with a hefty the best ways to get started in insurance (such as home, auto and life)
premium, yet shields owners from any slashing boat insurance costs. by bundling your insurance needs,”
financial liability. Savvy boat owners take the time to Bowden said.
BoatingWorld.com 47
feature insurance
Boat Insurance Myths

When discussing the variables pertaining to boat insurance, we decided to uncover some of the myths regarding
boat insurance. Allstate’s Zac Bowden and ACE’s Bruce Wixson clarified a few of the most common misperceptions.
My boat isn’t worth that much. False. “Everyone should have liability protection,” Bowden said. “The cost for a
liability claim is on average four times more than the cost to repair a boat. People will also want to have coverage for
family and friends who are on the boat, which is medical coverage, and will provide coverage for those tubing or ski-
ing behind the boat, as well.”
All insurance companies are the same. False. “Boat insurance is highly specialized,” Wixson said. “A boat owner
should be confident that the company they are insured with has financial stability and truly understands their needs,
especially at the time of a loss. If that boat suffers a loss or damage, the boat owner should be confident that their
insurance carrier understands the costs and details required in repairing their vessel and returning it to them. Be sure
that your company has the expertise and long-term history in the boat insurance market to meet all of your needs.”
Boat insurance costs too much. False. It’s time to rethink this one. “For liability, medical and physical damage cov-
erage, the average is $23 per month,” Bowden said. “The yearly cost for insurance is on average less than the cost of
a tank of gas.”
Insurance scoring is the same as credit scoring. False. Insurance scoring has absolutely nothing to do with an
individual’s ability to afford his insurance premium. “Insurance scoring looks at several and various factors in an
effort to determine how likely a vessel owner is to have an insurance claim,” Wixson said.
Fuel Spill Liability a stamp of approval from the National Storage

“
M E
any competitors will have Association of State Boating Law ven though your boat may be
an insured endorse the lia- Administrators. stored for a while each year,
bility coverage for an extra Ringberg elaborated on safety Bowden emphasized that cover-
charge to cover fuel spilling into the aspects that lead to reduced insurance age is still needed. “Just because the boat
water,” Bowden said. However, it’s costs. “Other safety discounts may be is out of the water doesn’t mean it is out
important to note that some compa- applied if boaters install specific safety of harm’s way. Claims while in storage
nies provide this type of coverage equipment on their vessel, such as an include rodents chewing on the electrical
free with the purchase of their automatic fire-extinguishing system in wiring, damage while being moved, fire
liability coverage. the engine room or a VHF radio to caused while having work done on the
receive weather reports or anti-theft boat and weather damage.”
Safety First devices, such as an electronic Wixson also stressed the impor-
“
S
afety is the name of the game alarm/tracking system that calls you if tance of disclosure if your boat is
when it comes to insurance,” your boat is sinking, on fire or has going to be out of active service.
Ringberg said. “So almost any- been moved from the dock.” “This is typically done in the northern
thing you can do to increase the safe- climates during winter, when a vessel
ty of your boat or the safety of others Join a Boating Group may be laid up ashore or afloat.
S
is going to be rewarded with money- ome insurance companies offer Insurance premiums are sometimes
saving discounts.” group discounts, so check with discounted based on the length of
An easy way to reduce your insur- your local organization. time the vessel is laid up.”
ance overhead is to take a state- Additional discounts can be earned by And even though some recom-
approved boating safety course. A joining a boating group such as the mendations won’t reduce premiums,
majority of insurance companies offer U.S. Power Squadron or U.S. Coast they are designed to streamline your
discounts if you complete and pass Guard Auxiliary. insurance coverage process. Wixson
a Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power suggests that you “check whether
Squadron or similar course. And you Loyalty Rewards your insurance company has alternate
T
“
can trim the budget even more by he insurance industry is a com- payment plans, such as credit card or
taking the BoatU.S. Foundation’s free petitive one, and most insur- automatic bank withdrawals. While
Online Boating Safety Course, which is ance companies will gladly give they may not always save money, they
recognized as boater certification in you a renewal discount for your con- will save time and avoid an accidental
31 states. BoatU.S. membership isn’t tinued business,” Ringberg said, while lapse in coverage due to a missed
required, and the course has received “some discounts are accrued over time.” payment.”

Allstate_Layout 1 4/29/11 9:12 AM Page 1

+BW Gear June_024_BWFamilyTime 5/2/11 7:52 AM Page 50
gear essentials
SEND NEW GEAR INFORMATION TO LISA@GOBOATING.COM
Propel
Performance
Turning Point’s Hustler Hy-Tech Power
Propellers | Starting at $84.50 AGT 5000 DC Marine Generator | $14,795
Pump up your boat’s perform- Forget big, noisy generators; this Panda is smaller and
ance with aluminum propellers. Designed to enhance quieter, requires less fuss and is fuel efficient. The 5 kw,
speed and fuel efficiency, Hustler Mid-Range 12v AGT 5000 from Fischer Panda is the latest hybrid power
Propellers are made for smaller boats using 40 to 75 hp generator for cruisers and sailboats. The freshwater-cooled
engines with 3½-inch gearcases. Its blades accelerate Kubota engine produces 272 amps continuously. The AGT
and channel water and minimize slip. A high-flow, 5000 automatically monitors the batteries and charges
through-barrel exhaust system reduces back pressure them as needed. Once the batteries are charged, the gener-
and increases horsepower. They’re compatible with ator shuts down. Special inverters then distribute power
most outboards. ‹ Turning Point Propellers; from the batteries without starting the generator, provid-
(847) 437-6800; tpprops.com ing enough energy for tasks such as cooking, air condition-
Circle 59 on reader service card, page 33 ing or laundry — or other 120 or 120/240 AC current
applications. ‹ Fischer Panda; (954) 462-2800;
fischerpanda.com/marinegen
Circle 40 on reader service card, page 33
Bucket of Suds
Bathing Is a Cinch Brite Wash |
Soap Cinch | $14.95 for three $11.98 & $24.98
Got a small shower? Stop fiddling Suds up at the end
with soap, sponges, washcloths and of your fishing day to
body scrubbers. Soap Cinch, an all-in- keep your boat shinier
one tool, lathers, scrubs and exfoli- and in better shape.
ates. The soft, hypoallergenic hemp Brite Wash Profes-
pouch cinches closed with a short sional Grade Multi-
rope to hold your soap inside. This Purpose Boat Soap is a
lets you lather up right down to the concentrated boat cleaner that breaks
last, slippery little piece. Grab the down dirt, grease, salt and other gunk,
short, stretchy elastic strap on the but treats the boat’s finish, polish and
bottom and lever with the cinch wax gently. It works on fiberglass,
rope to scrub your back. Hang the clear coat, metal, rubber and painted
Soap Cinch in the shower to dry, or surfaces, and discourages water spots.
toss it in the washing machine to Salt water and fresh water can ravage
clean. ‹ Soap Cinch; finishes and rust metal, but Brite Wash
(877) 333-2462; soapcinch.com is an environmentally smart everyday
Circle 55 on reader service card, page 33 boat cleaner. ‹ Shurhold;
(800) 962-6241; shurhold.com

SpecialSection_x 4/29/11 11:24 AM Page 51
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BoatingWorld.com 51
Rule the Water with a Sevylor Sharkglide Towable ® ™

The best way to make summer last is to enjoy every adrenaline-induced second of it with some exhilarating
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so you can comfortably glide through the
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BoatingWorld.com 53
+Feature-Watersports_024_BWFamilyTime 5/2/11 11:37 AM Page 54
TestTub
»
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STORY A
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ES TO IDEST AND GREAT
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are imp have b m u st be s e d tube te y n o wind c e nt
comfo or een
rtable a tant, what’s m straight A stu omething spe sters, they sh until th ral
rou ore imp dents — cia are e after-
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only he nd adults. Yo ressive
is y a
ter abo a r u c ould te t hat the ’re h o love b m e traits
ut the f the bad thing ll they y are ge all members oating
uture. s abou weren’t nuinely of som and wa as those
t the you p nice kid e cult of te
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instruc e asked our t nger ge utting on a go s who a achiev rsports,
ted este n e ration, o d show b re very r e m ent. Wh
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hat felt s g with
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only pa f terror/ s t r inder a id s I’m fe e ems
got a fu
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nt ? B esides , w h r t a ble. It w u s what th lo t bet-
Joe’s, a
hoppin he water and sore m ich let me kn as clea ey reall
Ocklaw g eater gator t uscles ow wh rly a la y think
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camera ve, judging ere also
in r , they
s 2 011 »Teste
r Bios
NAM E: Kay
Afrin, 1 la “The Playa
7 ” NAME: J
SPORTS acob “K
PLA
Wakebo YED: Miller, illa”
a 17
swivel s rding, slalom, SP ORTS P NAME : Reb
swimm
kiing an
d
LA
barefoo YED: Water polo Wrang ecca “The
t , ler” So
ing rollerbla skiing, track an SPORTS lch, 17 NAME:
Ben
“The It jamin
GPA: 3 PLAYED
.9 ding d skiing, h : Swiv
GPA: 4 e l ali
.4 (grad orsebac Capita an Stallion”
DREAM
JOB:
instructo Sky-diving above 4 es ca
.0 by ta n be
volleyb
all and
k riding
, no, 17
r classes) king AP GPA: 4 softball S P ORTS P
FAVOR .8 LA
ITE TU sports p YED: All water-
Quest 2 BES: Connelly DREAM
JOB: P
DREAM
JOB: O
lympic lus socc
er
and HO in a roc laying g equestr GPA: 4
.8
Drifter k band uitar ian
FAVOR DREAM
FAVOR ITE TU JO B: Rac
ITE TU
Mega R BES: SportsStuff e car dri
Speed R BES: Full Thrott ock Sta
FAVOR
ITE TUB ver
ay 2, HO le Quest 2 r, Conne F un 3, Fu ES: Connelly
Drifter lly ll Thrott
Ray 2 le Spee
d
1 RAVE SPORTS NIGHTHAWK
»The Toys
1 RAVE SPORTS NIGHTHAWK
MSRP: $300 3 O’BRIEN SUPER SCREAMER
Ease of setup: ★★★★★ — One Boston valve, 2 O’BRIEN HAMMERHEAD 2
inner bladder was hard to align with outer MSRP: $180
nylon cover Ease of setup: ★★★★★ — One Boston valve
Max number of riders: 3 Max number of riders: 2 3 O’BRIEN SUPER SCREAMER
Handholds: 6 with neoprene knuckle guards Handholds: 6 with EVA knuckle guards MSRP: $180
Quick Connect Tow Point: No Quick Connect Tow Point: Yes Ease of setup: ★★★★★ — One Boston valve
Unique factor: Raised middle section for one Unique factor: Shaped like a hammerhead Max number of riders: 2
rider with room for two on either side shark’s head. Extra width up front allows for a Handholds: 6 with EVA knuckle guards
Material: 30-gauge PVC bladder with 840- wide grip. Quick Connect Tow Point: Yes
denier nylon cover Material: 28-gauge PVC with 420/840-denier Unique factor: Round deck tube that rides fair-
Ergonomics: Middle section very comfortable; vinyl ly low to the water
the sides have more legroom, but riders over- Ergonomics: Needed elbow padding, and Material: 26-gauge PVC covered with 420-
lap arms. Neoprene pads provide comfort for the nylon stitching under the hand grips felt denier nylon
torso but could use elbow pads. abrasive. Two large EVA pads for torso were Ergonomics: Very comfortable on your stomach
Riding position: Lying comfortable. and knees, but the handles at the 9 and 3 o’clock
Fun scale: ★★★★★ Riding position: Lying positions are too far back to be of much use.
Comments: “Rider separation is very good; Fun scale: Riding position: Lying
you didn’t bang into each other.” “Lots of air Comments: “OMG!” “Crazy.” “Lack of control Fun scale: ★★★★★
when crossing the wake.” “Because of the two was scary, in a good way.” “Being low to the Comments: “Very light and fast, but stable; you
distinctly different riding positions, it was water magnified the feeling of speed and made never felt like you would flip.” “Because you
almost like having two separate tubes.” it very exciting.”>> obrien.com tend to slide around in corners, you have to use
>> ravesports.com Circle 93 on reader service card, page 33 some muscle to hang on.” >> obrien.com
Circle 98 on reader service card, page 33 Circle 94 on reader service card, page 33
2 O’BRIEN HAMMERHEAD 2

FREE INFO CIRCLE 72 ON THE
READER SERVICE CARD ON PG. 33 
+Feature-Watersports_024_BWFamilyTime 5/2/11 12:53 PM Page 58
4 BODY GLOVE REDONDO
4 BODY GLOVE REDONDO

MSRP: $140
Ease of setup: ★★★★★
— One Boston valve 5FULL THROTTLE
Max number of riders: 2 DOUBLE HOWLER 5 FULL THROTTLE DOUBLE HOWLER
Handholds: 5 handles with EVA knuckle MSRP: $211

guards Ease of setup: ★★★★★ 6 SEVYLOR MONSTER TUBE
Quick Connect Tow Point: Yes — Four small push-in valves MSRP: $150
Unique factor: Deck-style tube with raised Max number of riders: 2 Ease of setup: ★★★★★ — One large Double
winglets at the ends Handholds: 8 with neoprene knuckle guards Lock Fast Valve for outer ring, One Mini Double
Material: 30-gauge PVC with 840-denier that accommodate different-sized riders Lock Fast Valve for the middle well
nylon cover Quick Connect Tow Point: Yes Max number of riders: 4
Ergonomics: Very comfortable for the torso, Unique factor: Each rider sits in own compart- Handholds: 8 with neoprene knuckle guards
but the material under the handles is a bit ment with a backrest Quick Connect Tow Point: No
abrasive. Material: 30-gauge PVC with nylon cover Unique factor: Outer skin texture is called
Riding position: Lying Ergonomics: Comfortable sitting position for Sharkglide, which is patterned after a shark’s
Fun scale: ★★★★★ smaller riders with supportive backrests. When skin, said to be faster than models with nylon
Comments: “This is a great tube for active seats get wet, they rub. Handholds very covers. It also dries faster and is more compact
riders.” “You need to shift your weight on comfortable. when stored.
hard turns to keep from flipping, which adds Riding position: Sitting Material: 30-gauge PVC with Sharkglide surface
to the challenge.” “Tremendous feeling of Fun scale: ★★★★★ Ergonomics: Handholds are comfortable, but
speed in corners.” >> hydroslide.net Comments: “Great straight-line cruiser.” “Very there is a seam that joins the middle well section
Circle 80 on reader service card, page 33 stable in corners; it never felt like you were to the outer that felt sharp and chafed riders.
going to flip.” “Adults have to scrunch up legs Riding positions: Sit or kneel in the middle well
to fit.” >> fullthrottlewatersports.com Fun scale:
Circle 85 on reader service card, page 33 Comments: “Magnifies wake in bouncy, fun
way.” “Fast in corners.” “Very different feeling
to be sitting low in tube.” “High tube walls pre-
vented spray from hitting you in the face.”
>> sevylor.com
6 SEVYLOR MONSTER TUBE

Overtons_Layout 1 4/29/11 10:13 AM Page 1
• Advanced Electronic Technology

• Recreational to Professional Grade
Sport Fishing & Boating
• 100% Waterproof Charging Systems
ProMite Recreational Series

• Fully automatic
• LED power and charge indicator
• 1-year warranty
• Available in 3 models starting at $79.99
ProSport Heavy-Duty
Recreational Series
• Fully automatic multi-stage charging
• Fast charge times
• Expanded LED status center
• 2-year warranty
Expanded LED Digital Battery

Status Center Selector
ProTournament
Professional Grade Series
• Fully automatic 3-stage charging
• 2 to 3 times faster than traditional chargers
• All aluminum housing
• Limited lifetime warranty
9LJLP]L6--`V\YW\YJOHZL1\Z[TLU[PVUJVKL=)>ÔLUVYKLYPUN
:VTLYLZ[YPJ[PVUZHUKL_JS\ZPVUZTH`HWWS`6MMLYL_WPYLZ
1.800.334.6541 • overtons.com
feature test tubes
7 FULL THROTTLE SPEED RAY 2
7FULL THROTTLE
SPEED RAY 2
MSRP: $230
Ease of setup: ★★★★★ — One Boston valve
for main chamber, two small push-in valves for 8SPORTSSTUFF SUMO &
» Host with the Most toaster-sized slide preventers SPLASH GUARD COMBO
Our host for the tube tests was Nate Max number of riders: 2 MSRP: $160
Stockman, owner of Transition Watersports in Handholds: 4 large handgrips with neoprene Ease of setup: ★★★★★ — One speed safety
Ocklawaha, Fla., just a stone’s throw from padding underneath valve for each piece
Lake Weir. Stockman started his business six Quick Connect Tow Point: Yes Max number of riders: 1
years ago at age 21 — clearly another one of Unique factor: Upturned wings make it look Handholds: 6 in total, 2 with knuckle guards
those young high-achieving watersports like a stingray with some attitude. Quick Connect Tow Point: No tow point, rider
enthusiasts. In that time, he’s managed to Material: 30-gauge PVC bladder with heavy- holds on
make Transition Watersports the top ski center duty nylon cover Unique factor: Rider wears the tube like a shirt
and the leading seller of Centurion ski boats Ergonomics: Large neoprene pad protects and holds onto the Sumo Splash Guard, chang-
in this part of the state, despite a faltering elbows and knees. Tall riders’ knees are right at ing handholds to maneuver.
economy. I’ve talked to several of his cus- the back of the tube due to the rear cutout. Material: Heavy-duty PVC (gauge not speci-
tomers, and it’s clear the relationship goes Riding position: Lying fied) for Sumo; PVC with nylon cover for Splash
well beyond a business connection; they are Fun scale: ★★★★★ Guard
also good friends. In addition to running spe- Comments: “Light, fast and maneuverable.” Ergonomics: Comfortable fit, underarms chafe
cial events and tournaments, he’s a mentor “Wings and inflated pads keep you from sliding a bit; handholds very comfortable
and an outstanding role model to many around during hard corners.” “Wings caught a Riding position: Lying
young skiers in the area. little air to help you go airborne.” “Rode over the Fun scale: ★★★★★
Our tow boat was the Centurion Enzo waves very well.” >> fullthrottlewatersports.com Comments: “Less scary than I thought it would
SV230, a boat that made its name as one of Circle 86 on reader service card, page 33 be.” “Lots of upper body strength needed for
the top wakesurf and wakeboard boats. At 23 long runs.” “Changing handholds allows you to
feet long, the boat gave us plenty of room for roll over and steer.” “I would probably enjoy it
lots of people and gear, and it produced a more after more practice.” >> sportsstuff.com
lovely wake for our tubers to launch off. When
fully ballasted, it’s capable of producing a
monstrous surfing wake.

8 SPORTSTUFF SUMO
9 RAVE SPORTS AQUA BUDDY TRAINER
10 AIRHEAD MEGA ROCK STAR
11 CONNELLY QUEST 2
9RAVE SPORTS AQUA
BUDDY TRAINER AIRHEAD MEGA
10
MSRP: $50 ROCK STAR

Ease of setup: ★★★★★ — MSRP: $393 11 CONNELLY QUEST 2
Two push-in valves Ease of setup: ★★★★★ — One Boston valve MSRP: $240
Max number of riders: 1 for main chamber, two push-in valves for saddle Ease of setup: ★★★★★ — One Boston valve
Handholds: 0 Max number of riders: 6 for deck, one smaller push-in valve for backrest
Tow point: Rider holds on to ski rope Handholds: 14 large, soft handgrips with neo- Max number of riders: 2
Unique factor: Catamaran training device for prene knuckle guards Handholds: 6 handles, the outside ones with
those learning to ski or wakeboard Quick Connect Tow Point: No neoprene knuckle guards on outboard, but not
Material: Heavy-duty PVC Unique factor: Large U-shaped tube with a the middle ones
Ergonomics: Wide seat can accommodate all saddle in the middle Quick Connect Tow Point: Yes
ages of would-be skiers. Material: 30-gauge PVC bladder with 840- Unique factor: Wide, roomy sit-aboard with
Riding position: Sitting denier nylon cover divider in the center
Fun scale: ★★★★★ Ergonomics: Well-placed neoprene panels pro- Material: 30-gauge PVC bladder with 840-
Comments: “This effective device allows new tect elbows and knees when lying on the out- denier vinyl cover
skiers to be able to get up without having to side and more panels protect the seat when rid- Ergonomics: Very comfortable backrest and
perform a deep-water start.” “It’s extremely ing center tube. padded seat. Seam on handle chafed a little.
easy to use; when you pick up a little speed, all Riding positions: Lie or kneel on outsides, sit Riding position: Sitting
you do is stand up and you’re skiing.” or straddle/stand on middle saddle Fun scale: ★★★★★
>> ravesports.com Fun scale: Comments: “Very stable and comfortable.”
Circle 97 on reader service card, page 33 Comments: “Awesome!” “Smooth over the “Good straight-line cruiser, but exciting on
wake.” “Lots of versatility.” “Amazing ride in slingshots.” “It felt scarier than it really was.”
the chop.” “Stable enough to ride without hold- “Divider kept us from banging into each other
ing on.” >> airhead.com in hard corners.” >> connellyskis.com
BoatingWorld.com 61
feature test tubes
12 HO BLACK ICE
12 HO BLACK ICE
MSRP: $350
Ease of setup: ★★★★★ — Two Boston 13 CONNELLY FUN 3
valves, one for inner section (inflate first), one MSRP: $280
for outer ring Ease of setup: ★★★★★ — One Boston valve
13 CONNELLY FUN
Max number of riders: 3+ for deck, one push-in valve for backrest 14 NASH HYDROSLIDE ARSENAL
Handholds: 6 double-sized padded handgrips Max number of riders: 3+ 15 HO DRIFTER
with neoprene padding underneath Handholds: 6 padded handles with neoprene

Quick Connect Tow Point: Yes knuckle guards plus 8 grab handles
Unique factor: Middle “doughnut hole” con- Quick Connect Tow Point: Yes NASH HYDROSLIDE
14
vex construction section sits lower than outer Unique factor: Large “sofa” on the water is ARSENAL AT58
ring to reduce wetted surface for more speed one of the few sit-down models without pas- MSRP: $100
Material: 30-gauge PVC bladder with 840- senger dividers Ease of setup: ★★★★★ — One Boston valve
denier nylon cover Material: 30-gauge PVC covered with Max number of riders: 2
Ergonomics: Neoprene-padded sections pro- 840-denier nylon Handholds: 5 soft EVA handles with neoprene
tect elbows and knees from chafing. Three Ergonomics: Very comfortable; testers were knuckle guards
riders must intertwine arms for a wider grip, or lounging on it when not testing tubes. Well- Quick Connect Tow Point: Yes
two can share middle grip. padded handholds. Unique factor: Round deck tube that rides
Riding positions: Lying or kneeling Riding positions: Sitting or chariot-style high in the water
Fun scale: ★★★★★ Fun scale: ★★★★★ Material: Heavy-duty PVC (gauge not
Comments: “Rides high above the water, so no Comments: “Really designed for three, but we specified) with 420-denier nylon cover
water splashes in your face.” “Super fast when all wanted to ride it so four of us hopped on and Ergonomics: Handles are well-padded and
cornering.” “Very good cruiser.” had plenty of room.” >> connellyskis.com include one for reboarding. Position of Boston
>> hosports.com Circle 82 on reader service card, page 33 valve prevented rider from resting head on the
Circle 87 on reader service card, tube.
page 33
Riding position: Lying
Fun scale: ★★★★★
Comments: “Because it rides so high in the
water, it’s a little tippy, but this challenge made
it more fun to ride because you had to actively
balance it to keep from flipping.” “So much fun
… awesome!” >> hydroslide.net
feature test tubes
16 SEVYLOR DELINQUENT
MSRP: $120
Ease of setup: ★★★★★ —
One push-in valve
Max number of riders: 1
Handholds: 4 with neoprene knuckle
guards
Quick Connect Tow Point: No
Unique factor: Upturned wings on this solo
tube keep the rider from sliding off in corners
Material: 30-gauge PVC with Sharkglide outer
pattern for less drag and higher speeds
Guest Tester
Ergonomics: Very comfortable padding for hands.
Rider had to put weight far back to prevent sub-
marining in starts when kneeling. NAME: Erik “The Sub” McKay, 14
Riding positions: Lying or kneeling SPORTS PLAYED: Wakeboarding, barefoot,
Fun scale: ★★★★★ track and field

GPA: 3.9
Comments: “It’s best to start lying down to prevent
DREAM JOB: Own my own company
nosediving.” “Once on plane, it rode high, which
kept spray out of your face.” “Very light and fast in
corners.” “Wings allowed you to lay it on its side for
cornering.” >> sevylor.com
15 HO DRIFTER
MSRP: $205
Ease of setup: ★★★★★ — Two Boston valves
Max number of riders: 2
Handholds: 4 handles with neoprene knuckle
guards
Quick Connect Tow Point: Yes
Unique factor: Two-chamber tube keeps seat-
ed riders high off the water and in their own
compartment
Material: 30-gauge PVC covered with 840-
denier nylon
Ergonomics: Guys’ legs are better protected with
longer swim trunks; girls’ legs chafe a bit. Large
comfortable handles and unlimited legroom
Riding position: Sitting
Fun scale: ★★★★★
Comments: “You sit very high, so you think it’s
going to be tippy, but it’s quite stable and spray
doesn’t get in your eyes.” “Lots of air when
going over wakes.” “Divider kept riders from
banging into each other.” >> hosports.com BW

BoatingWorld.com 63
BW Mrktplc_x 4/29/11 8:10 AM Page 64
NICE BOAT!
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The three year fault-free warranty covers any damage to the drive that requires it to be repaired or replaced including failures resulting from lack of oil, fishing line, impact, neglect, and other abuse.
Sterndrive Engineering, Inc. (SEI) manufactures a stern drive designed to replace Mercury Marine's MerCruiser®, Alpha One®, R, MR, Gen II and Bravo One® stern drives. MerCruiser®, Alpha One®,
Gen II, R, MR and Bravo One® are trademarks of the Brunswick Corporation. SEI has no affiliation with the Brunswick Corporation. Consequently, any warranties governing products manufactured
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Mail completed puzzle to: Boating
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numbers 1–9 only once. name, address and phone number.
Congratulations to April’s winner:

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BoatingWorld.com 69
BW Mrktplc_x 5/2/11 12:56 PM Page 70
1(:IW*5((1(;3/25(5
SRZHUHGE\WKHRay Electric Outboard
Remember the fun of exploring creeks and tribs when
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With 8” draft and shallow water drive, the 21 ft. x 5.5 ft.
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The propeller is guaranteed not to bend or break, for
your relaxed pleasure and the slip clutch eliminates
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out of trouble. Available enclosure and porta-potty.

Cruise continuously at 6.2 MPH for 8 hours on only 8
golf cart batteries, guaranteed, with top speed of
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See 5 new Ray E-Boats at rayeo.com
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BoatingWorld.com 71
+BW Templates6 May 11_024_BWFamilyTime 5/2/11 2:54 PM Page 104
contest name the boat YOURS

NAME THIS BOAT FREE!
Prize courtesy of
April’s Winner:
Towed the Chevy
to the Levee
Shane Lomax from Atlanta was
the first to submit the winning
name for our truck-towing boat.
Shane receives a Folding Boat Cart
from West Marine.
How to Enter This

Month’s Contest:
Rick Martin illustration
The first person to turn in the best boat name will receive
a Wet Gear 25L Cylinder Bag from West Marine, valued at
$39.99.
We’ll reprint the picture with the winning boat name in
the August 2011 issue. Submissions are due by June 14.
Send an e-mail to editor@boatingworld.com with “Name
the Boat” in the subject line, or send snail mail to Boating
Perhaps a hot-air balloon would be a more appropriate venue? The race is on World Magazine/Name the Boat, 17782 Cowan, Suite A,
to come up with a boat name stately enough to win a Wet Gear 25L Cylinder Irvine, CA 92614. Please include your full name, address and
phone number, along with your entry.
Bag from West Marine.
MORE OF APRIL’S FUNNIEST ENTRIES:

What the Truck? Aft Backwards Towed Truck Hauler Trawler Dip Ship
Neil Harvieux, Centerville, MN Judy Kiss, Harrison City, PA Donnie Holmes, Cary, NC Rex Huffman, New Smyrna Beach, FL Sonia Milian, Little Egg Harbor, NJ
Surf ‘n’ Turf Hillbilly Boathouse Vice Versa Mother Trucker aFORDable
Sharon Bartley, Silver Spring, MD Kathy Berlin, Toledo, OH Patricia Kaminsky, Northford, CT Denise Kidder, Toledo, OH Anne Dodrill, Leesburg, VA
Towsome Twosome Redneck Run About Trading Places Redneck Ferryboat Tow for the Road
Charlie Katz, Punta Gorda, FL Keith Stewart, Rocky Point, NY John McDowall, Plymouth, CA David Brown, Raleigh, NC Nick Franki, Rochester, NY
Valet Parking Whatever Floats Deep on Truckin’, Baby Pigs Flew Stow Vehicle
Patrick Riggio, East Moriches, NY Your Truck Brandon Donohoe, Salisbury, MD Cayce Everett, Tampa, FL Mike Mason, Malabar, FL
Todd Reiss, Pequot Lakes, MN
Pickup Line Park and Ride Ship 4 Brains Tow the Line
Dewayne McVay, Bolivar, OH Flotilla Ford John Kaminsky Sr., Northford, CT William Gomola, Olmsted Falls, OH Ron Jansen, New Richmond, WI
Mark Morath, State College, PA
Island Hopper Tug A Lug Keel Hauler Reef Builder
William Bird, Spencer, MA Kevin Reichert, Centralia, WA Weldon Vittitow, Renton, WA Mike Thigpen, Panama City Beach, FL
Boating World Editorial and Advertising Offices, 17782 Cowan, Ste. A, Irvine, CA 92614; (949) 660-6150. Boating World (ISSN 1059-5155, USPS 575-890) is printed in the U.S.A. and published nine times a year in Jan.,
Feb., Mar., Apr., May, Jun., Jul./Aug., Fall and Winter at 17782 Cowan, Ste. A, Irvine, CA 92614 by Duncan McIntosh Co. Inc. Periodicals Postage paid at Irvine, CA 92614 and at additional mailing offices. Editorial con-
tributions are welcome. Please submit all contributions to the editor, accompanied by return postage. We assume no responsibility for loss or damage of unsolicited materials. Boating World retains reprint rights, via
print and electronic media. Contributor retains all other rights for resale, publication, etc. POSTMASTER: Please send change of address to Boating World, P. O. Box 25859, Santa Ana, CA 92799-5859. CANADA POST:
Publications Mail Agreement #40612608 Canada Returns to be sent to Bleuchip International, P. O. Box 25542, London, ON N6C 6B2. SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE: Please send all subscription correspondence to Boating
World to P.O. Box 25859, Santa Ana, CA 92799-5859. Please allow at least six weeks for the change of address to become effective. Include both your old and your new address-enclosing, if possible, an address label
from a recent issue. SUBSCRIPTION PRICE: U.S. and its possessions, $19.97 per year. Additional postage for Canada is $15.00 per year and other foreign countries $30.00 per year. Single copy price $4.95; back issues,
$8.50 (in the U.S. only) includes postage and handling. Boating World is a registered trademark of Duncan McIntosh Co. Inc. Copyright © 2011, all rights reserved. PERMISSIONS: Material in this publication may not
be reproduced in any form without written permission.

SeaDoo_Layout 1 4/29/11 10:16 AM Page 1
YOUR EYES SEE
3-FOOT WAVES.
But with our
suspension system,
the rest of
your body will
never know.
Riding hard is one thing. Riding hard in the chop is another. Fire up the Sea-Doo®
RXT ®-X™ aS™ and the conditions won’t matter. It’s the only race-inspired watercraft
with an adjustable suspension calibrated for aggressive riding. So the only thing
that’ll be bruised after a long, rough ride? Your competition’s ego. sea-doo.com
© 2010 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ™, ® and the BRP logo are trademarks of Bombardier Recreational Products or its affiliates. Products are distributed
in the USA by BRP US Inc. Do not attempt any of these, or any other risky maneuvers, if they’re beyond your level of driving or wakeboarding ability, as well as your understanding and respect
for the performance of your personal watercraft. Always ride safely and responsibly. Not all riding conditions are appropriate for inexperienced or beginner riders.

Stingray_Layout 1 2/23/11 11:47 AM Page 1
in PERFORMANCE,
EFFICIENCY, & VALUE
Compare our exclusive Z-Plane hull with

other hulls and see that Stingray boats are
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Quality, user-friendly features, extended protection programs,
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9LVLW\RXU6WLQJUD\GHDOHUDQGFRPSDUHWKHUHDOYDOXHRIRXUERDWV
TO LOCATE A STINGRAY DEALER IN YOUR AREA, VISIT STINGRAYBOATS.COM/DEALERS

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www.fullthrottlewatersports.

TRAILERING: WORST-CASE SCENARIO HOW-TO

BOOSTYour FUN QUOTIENT

16 TOWABLE TOYS PUT TO THE TEST

MOBIUS LSV WAKESETTER 247

©2010 Malibu Boats is a registered trademark of Malibu Boats, LLC.

VOLUME XXXII NUMBER 7 M AG A Z I N E

contents July ’11

FREE INFO CIRCLE 1 ON THE READER SERVICE CARD ON PG. 33

FREE INFO CIRCLE 13 ON THE READER SERVICE CARD ON PG. 33

editor’s letter alan jones M AG A Z I N E

SAY WHAT? We asked the BW team:

GUARANTEE MORE PUBLISHER Duncan McIntosh Jr.

BOATING TIME CO-PUBLISHER Teresa Ybarra McIntosh

THIS SUMMER One Tequila, Two Tequila, Three Tequila, Floor

8 BoatingWorld June 2011

AT PROGRESSIVE, WE KNOW THERE’S MORE TO BOATING THAN BOATS.

LOCAL AGENT PROGRESSIVE.COM

10 BoatingWorld June 2011

MAILBOX Letters from our readers

Quality, Innovation, Durability = Better Value

See videos and more tubes at connellyskis.com

currents news and notables

SMOKING (FAST) IS ALLOWED

? More info: Cigarette Racing Team; cigaretteracing.com.

14 BoatingWorld June 2011

currents news and notables

64 Size of the Pacific Ocean, the

5 Size of the smallest main ocean,

the Arctic, in millions of square

More info: transagulhaschallenge.co.za.

ty license plate features a vibrant

SALTY DOG OF THE MONTH

currents news and notables

■ Classic Boat 1959 Owens FROM THE POOPDECK

Yes, dogs can turn a little

16 BoatingWorld June 2011

Your boat isn’t a car. Why insure it like one?

Call 1-800-236-2453 or visit markelinsuresfun.com/car for a FREE quote

coast guard bui

U.S. Coast Guard photos

BUI Enforcement blood-alcohol concentration of .08

A t a bend in the river, a powerboat heading downstream slams into the

18 BoatingWorld June 2011

coast guard bui

888.476.6866 SOME RESTRICTIONS APPLY. See www.basspro.com/vip for details.

watersports pwc fever

You are here:

You Know You Want One

20 BoatingWorld June 2011

watersports pwc fever

at fast and slow speeds, a guided tour

Advancements Galore Yamaha VXS

P ersonal watercraft manu-

The Wake Edition can be installed on most wakeboard, E A SY U P G R A D E

FREE INFO CIRCLE 95 ON THE READER SERVICE CARD ON PG. 33

diy serpentine belt

Tighten until flush

Tension Replacement specs

on the Adjustment bolt

22 BoatingWorld June 2011

diy serpentine belt