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Category: boatingmag

  • Trawlerfest 2025 Set for Anacortes Boat & Yacht Show

    Trawlerfest 2025 Set for Anacortes Boat & Yacht Show Trawlerfest will be a highlight of the 2025 Anacortes Boat and Yacht Show. Courtesy Trawlerfest The Anacortes Boat & Yacht Show featuring Trawlerfest promises an impressive in-water selection of over 200 new and pre-owned boats, informative classes for both new and seasoned boaters, marine products and…

  • Flux Marine’s Electric Outboard Advances Propulsion Innovation

    Flux Marine’s Electric Outboard Advances Propulsion Innovation The Flux-powered Highfield 660 offered a smooth, silent ride. Courtesy Flux Marine Flux Marine co-founders Ben Sorkin, Daylin Frantin and Jon Lord say that they began developing an electric outboard ­motor in a garage. That’s a startup plan that worked out for Bill ­Harley and Arthur Davidson, and…

  • Refitting Coast Guard Motor Lifeboats to Continue Saving Lives

    Refitting Coast Guard Motor Lifeboats to Continue Saving Lives Crews from US Coast Guard ­Station Barnegat Light train in surf aboard newly refit 47-foot Motor Lifeboats. Scott Nevins While Coast Guard air crews often grab headlines, sometimes flying hundreds of miles offshore into unimaginable conditions to save mariners in peril, boaters in trouble closer to…

  • Four Emergency Locator Beacons for Boaters

    Four Emergency Locator Beacons for Boaters Emergency locator beacons, like Spot’s Gen4, can aid rescuers in an emergency. Courtesy Spot BUY NOW William Marshall ventured 20 miles offshore on November 15, 2024, and never expected to have catastrophic engine failure at sea. Worse yet, threatening storms forming ahead of weather reports loomed over them. He…

  • The 2025 MasterCraft XStar – Legendary Luxury Reimagined

    The 2025 MasterCraft XStar – Legendary Luxury Reimagined MasterCraft, one of the most iconic names in watersports, introduces the brand-new XStar 23—a masterpiece of engineering designed for wakeboarding and wakesurfing enthusiasts. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, the SurfStar system creates powerful, customizable waves and adjustable wakes, ensuring a world-class experience at any skill…

  • Balise Pontoons – Horizon | The Yachtsman Test

    Balise Pontoons – Horizon | The Yachtsman Test Step into the future of pontoon boating with the all-new Balise Horizon. Built for those who demand more from life on the water, this premium vessel blends cutting-edge innovation with timeless luxury. Enjoy heated captain’s chairs, cool-touch upholstery, and a custom Max Papis steering wheel—all surrounded by…

  • Most Dangerous Inlets in the United States for Boaters

    Most Dangerous Inlets in the United States for Boaters U.S.C.G. Surf Stations are served by special boats and people. Courtesy U.S. Coast Guard The title of my article makes a bold statement. I’m basing it on the US Coast Guard requirements for establishing what’s called a Surf Station. Surf Stations are required at locations where…

  • The Importance of Having a Co-Captain

    The Importance of Having a Co-Captain A co-captain can manage and monitor critical navigational electronics. Courtesy SiriusXM Military fighter pilots can suffer from a condition called information overload, which can be brought about by overwhelming amounts of technology in the cockpit that distract from the primary mission of flying the aircraft.  This phenomenon has led…

  • Best Boat Choices for First-Time Boat Buyers

    Best Boat Choices for First-Time Boat Buyers The hardest part of becoming a boater is taking that first step. To be a real boater, you have to actually buy a boat, a prospect that can seem daunting. With so many choices and styles, it’s hard to figure out which one is best for you. Plus,…

  • Premium Marine Audio, Perfected by KICKER

    Premium Marine Audio, Perfected by KICKER Take your on-the-water experience to the next level with KICKER’s M-Class Marine Audio—a lineup built for performance, style, and durability. Designed with Real Marine®️ technology, these speakers, subs, and components feature weatherproof materials, corrosion-resistant connectors, and UV-treated enclosures that stand up to the harshest marine environments. Whether you’re cruising,…

  • Go Fishing With the Kawasaki Jet Ski Ultra 160LX-S Angler

    Go Fishing With the Kawasaki Jet Ski Ultra 160LX-S Angler Visit Kawasaki Find a Kawasaki Dealer The name Jet Ski is synonymous with PWCs the way Kleenex is with tissues or Xerox with copy machines. Now, with the introduction of its Jet Ski Ultra 160LX-S Angler, Kawasaki is converting its personal-watercraft platform into a dynamic—yet…

  • Suzuki V-6 vs. Inline-4 Outboard Test

    Suzuki V-6 vs. Inline-4 Outboard Test In 2016, Suzuki unveiled its new 2.9L inline four-cylinder DF200A outboard, which was lighter and more fuel efficient than its V-6 model that had been on the market since 2004. Confident that its engineers had invented a better ­mousetrap, Suzuki discontinued selling the 3.6L V-6 DF 200 in the…

  • Solid-State Batteries for Boaters

    Solid-State Batteries for Boaters Solid-state batteries from Solid State Marine feature a thin, solid lithium electrolyte coating that saves weight and boosts capacity. Courtesy Solid State Marine As recently as this past winter, solid-state batteries were touted as future tech poised to move electric propulsion rapidly forward. Jumping ahead a year, Honda ­announced limited production…

  • Boat Test: 2025 Sea Ray SDX 250 OB

    Boat Test: 2025 Sea Ray SDX 250 OB The SDX 250 is incredibly maneuverable. Courtesy Sea Ray Boats Visit Sea Ray Build Your Sea Ray Find a Sea Ray Dealer Overview The SDX 250 Outboard incorporates Sea Ray’s new design language, including a defined “jawline,” S sheerline, updated logo and a curved windshield. Though no…

  • Statue of Liberty to Albany Powerboat Run Garners Support

    Statue of Liberty to Albany Powerboat Run Garners Support “The idea came from a historical race called Albany to NY Marathon that started in the late 1920’s,” says Tim Sharkey, referring to a generations-old boat race down the Hudson River from the New York State capital of Albany to New York City’s New York Harbor…

  • Sunglass Lens Color Comparison

    Sunglass Lens Color Comparison No matter what type of boater you are, you should consider a quality pair of polarized sunglasses to be essential safety gear. Not just for how they reduce glare, but for how they protect your eyes from the sun’s harmful UV rays as well. Sunglasses-makers now offer myriad lens colors to choose…

  • On Board With: Tracy Nowacki

    On Board With: Tracy Nowacki Tracy Nowacki helps protect waterways from invasive species. Charles Plueddeman Launch a boat in Green Lake, Wisconsin, and you may run into Tracy Nowacki, a friendly woman with a clip board. We met Nowacki on duty at the Horner’s Landing ramp, dressed in her bright blue “Clean Boats/Clean Waters” shirt…

  • Installing a Lighted VHF Antenna

    Installing a Lighted VHF Antenna Shakespeare’s new CommLight antenna adds illuminated flair to nighttime boating. Jim Hatch Marine VHF antennas have not changed much since VHF radios were adopted by recreational boaters in the 1960s. We have seen improved durability and materials, optimized transmission and reception range, and enhanced mounting systems. Yet, the function of…

  • Boat Test: 2025 Scout 261 XSS

    Boat Test: 2025 Scout 261 XSS The 261 XSS combines sleek looks with top-notch performance. Courtesy Scout Boats Visit Scout Build Your Scout Find a Scout Dealer Overview Scout’s 261 XSS is a 26-foot crossover offshore/bay boat that’s as well-suited for bay-hopping as it is for afternoon sandbar gathering, family watersports outings and, of course,…

  • Suzuki Engine Test: V6 vs Inline 4

    Suzuki Engine Test: V6 vs Inline 4 Join Kevin Falvey and Alan Jones in Panama City, Florida at Suzuki’s Test Center as they re-evaluate the recently re-introduced V6 200hp and Inline 4 200hp. Wondering which of these engines is best for you? Watch now as we run the same Carolina Skiff 21 Ultra Elite with…

  • MasterCraft and Chevy Embark on the Rule The Water Tour 2025

    MasterCraft and Chevy Embark on the Rule The Water Tour 2025 See and demo 2025 MasterCraft Boats models at a Rule the Water Tour stop. Courtesy MasterCraft MasterCraft is back with its third annual Rule The Water demo tour, headlined by its recently redesigned iconic flagship model, the XStar 23 and 25. In partnership with…

  • Boat Test: 2025 Pursuit S 328 Sport

    Boat Test: 2025 Pursuit S 328 Sport The S 328 Sport is capable of handling a variety of conditions. Courtesy Pursuit Boats Visit Pursuit Build Your Pursuit Find a Pursuit Dealer Overview On our outing aboard the newly revamped Pursuit S 328 Sport, I realized why Pursuit is the perfect name for this builder. Fishermen…

  • Live Sonar for Saltwater Fishing

    Live Sonar for Saltwater Fishing Garmin has the ­longest history in live-sonar ­development and has earned a reputation for ­prevailing as the top device. Courtesy Garmin BUY NOW Be it Garmin LiveScope, Lowrance Active Target 2 or Humminbird Mega Live 2, live sonar seems to have popped up on bass boats overnight, but saltwater anglers…

  • Your Source For Spring Prep

    Your Source For Spring Prep Spring is here, and it’s time to get your boat ready for the season! West Marine is your one-stop solution for all your boating prep needs, from essential maintenance supplies and cleaning products to safety gear and the latest electronics. Whether you’re refreshing your dock lines, upgrading your navigation system,…

  • Boat Test: 2025 Mako 18 Pro Skiff Backwater Edition

    Boat Test: 2025 Mako 18 Pro Skiff Backwater Edition Visit Mako Build Your Mako Find a Mako Dealer Overview The newly redesigned Mako 18 Pro Skiff Backwater ­Edition is a light-tackle ­angler’s dream. It’s a skinny-water boat that’s packed with standard features that will help you find and chase fish. The 18 Pro Skiff Backwater…

  • Boat Test: 2025 Ranger RB210

    Boat Test: 2025 Ranger RB210 Visit Ranger Build Your Ranger Find a Ranger Dealer Overview Ranger Boats has built top-shelf fiberglass bass boats for 60 years and tank-tough aluminum craft for more than 10. The new ­center-­console RB210 bay boat is long and broad but boasts a ­shallow-draft hull rivaling flats boats while ­bringing more…

  • Boat Test: 2025 Grady-White Freedom 345

    Boat Test: 2025 Grady-White Freedom 345 Visit Grady-White Build Your Grady-White Find a Grady-White Dealer Overview It is Grady-White’s consistent adherence to its style points that tells all other boaters that they are looking at a Grady, even when the nameplate is not visible. So it is with the new Freedom 345 dual-console. Its high…

  • Setting Goals for the New Boating Season

    Setting Goals for the New Boating Season Making a list will help you accomplish all of your boating goals this season. Tim Bower We are deep into mud season here in the North Woods, that interminable meteorological period that has winter lingering and spring reluctant. My affluent farmer neighbors have escaped to a warm beach,…

  • Boat Test: 2025 Tiara Yachts 43 LE

    Boat Test: 2025 Tiara Yachts 43 LE Visit Tiara Yachts Find a Tiara Yachts Dealer Overview The Tiara 43 LE is a luxury sport yacht with a rugged boatbuilding DNA that belies its opulence, ready to take on the snottiest of bluewater days outside the inlet yet equally suited to entertain at ­anchor or keep…

  • Choosing the Right Trailer Tongue Jack

    Choosing the Right Trailer Tongue Jack If the jack must be used at full extension to keep the bow of your boat high for drainage, select a taller jack, or one with more travel, or deploy the jack onto some blocking to gain height. Using a tongue jack at full extension severely shortens its lifespan.…

  • Tips for Handling Batteries in Awkward Spaces

    Tips for Handling Batteries in Awkward Spaces Cover the terminals when moving batteries, especially if using a metal battery carrier. Electrical tape works, as do OEM terminal covers, if you can source them. Kellie Jaeger Removing and replacing batteries from boats is an age-old challenge. Batteries are heavy, and they are often housed in small spaces.…

  • Hertz Marine Audio Systems Offer High-Quality Sound

    Hertz Marine Audio Systems Offer High-Quality Sound The Capri Source unit is designed to broadcast high-resolution audio throughout the speaker system on the boat. Courtesy Hertz Audio BUY NOW In the not so distant past, boat owners had a much different audio experience on the water than while driving in the tow vehicle they used…

  • Let Her Rip Tour Set for 2025

    Let Her Rip Tour Set for 2025 “This campaign is about empowering and inspiring women to build confidence and feel their best on the water.” –Meagan Ethell Courtesy MasterCraft Now in its fifth successful year, the MasterCraft Let Her Rip Tour powered by Progressive takes off for 2025. Let Her Rip is about empowering and…

  • Sea Trial of the Avikus Neuboat System

    Sea Trial of the Avikus Neuboat System Avikus’ docking technology utilizes six cameras to create a 360-degree view, while also using AI to recognize obstacles and distances. Courtesy Avikus I felt the same during a sea trial of the 2025 AquaSport Center Console at the 2024 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show using the Avikus Neuboat…

  • The Importance of a Spring Launch Checklist

    The Importance of a Spring Launch Checklist The author keeps a logbook to help maintain his boat, adding this very checklist to that log. Sviatoslav Kovtun / Adobe stock, Kevin Falvey (checklist) The definition of seamanship is apparently a matter of contention among some boaters, including other marine journalists not working for this publication. I…

  • Three Top Manual Signaling Devices

    Three Top Manual Signaling Devices Technological advancements have made us all ­exponentially safer every time we set out on the water, but there’s still something to be said for bringing aboard a few inexpensive, tried-and-true safety devices that don’t require a power source or any kind of operator instruction. Here are three simple safety devices…

  • Mercury Joystick Steering for Single-Engine Vessels

    Mercury Joystick Steering for Single-Engine Vessels Single-engine boats, especially lighter, shallower types such as RIBs and pontoons, will benefit from joystick maneuverability. Courtesy Highfield Boats The new Mercury Marine ­joystick control for a single outboard puts throttle, shifting and steering control in the palm of your hand. Many captains will find that the joystick makes…

  • A Pontoon Boating Adventure Across Lake Michigan

    A Pontoon Boating Adventure Across Lake Michigan A journey across Lake Michigan shows just how far pontoon boats have come. Tom King The young man attending the gas dock in Frankfort, Michigan, seemed befuddled. “So you just crossed Lake Michigan on a pontoon boat,” he said. “Why would you do that?” I thought about this…

  • Pocket Cruiser Overnighting on Beneteau’s Antares 8

    Pocket Cruiser Overnighting on Beneteau’s Antares 8 The Antares 8 is a versatile pocket cruiser capable of meeting the needs of many boaters. Craig Kotilinek It sounds idyllic, right? You’re going to go overnight on a mini yacht (my words, not theirs) and gallivant around ­Florida’s Sarasota Bay on a beautiful summer day. That’s how…

  • BRP’s Dedication to Innovation

    BRP’s Dedication to Innovation The Sea-Doo Fish Pro is just one of many BRP innovations. Courtesy BRP History In 1937, 15-year-old Joseph Armand Bombardier invented the Ski Doo to traverse the snowy streets of Quebec. His company grew into railway and aerospace, and was sold in 2003 to an investor group for billions. Sea-Doo personal…

  • Phone Charging and Mounting Systems for Boats

    Phone Charging and Mounting Systems for Boats Boatbuilders recognize that everyone on board uses a phone—posting, Snapping, TikToking, and more—between leaving port and returning. To keep the social posting live, everybody needs a power port or charger, many of which securely hold your phone. We’ve tested numerous different phone holders and chargers, while testing boats.…

  • How to Create Custom Boat Trim

    How to Create Custom Boat Trim Fashioning pieces of fitted trim can enhance the good looks of your boat. Jim Hatch After 30 years of saltwater use, the intricately curved anodized-aluminum trim along the cap of the open transom of my outboard-powered 21-foot center-console fishing boat was falling apart. Corrosion had eaten away at the…

  • On Board With: Harry Besley

    On Board With: Harry Besley Harry Besley made an epic voyage around Britain in an all-electric RIB. Courtesy Harry Besley On July 13 of last summer, 18-year-old Harry Besley left Lyme Regis on the English Channel, aiming to be the first person to circumnavigate Britain in an all-electric boat.  He and a rotating crew of…

  • The Benefits of Direct-Current Marine Generators

    The Benefits of Direct-Current Marine Generators A DC generator can eliminate much of the complicated AC shore-power rigging. Courtesy Fischer Panda In the simplest of terms, an AC generator supplies power directly to a 120-volt circuit to run AC accessories throughout a boat, as well as charge the boat’s batteries (through an AC-to-­DC charger). A…

  • Single vs. Twin Outboards

    Single vs. Twin Outboards The Contender 24S is a versatile boat, well-suited for this comparison. Courtesy Contender Boats Contender Boats is known for tournament sport-fishing boats, but the company describes its 24S center-console as “a great day-tripping boat” that fishes well but also serves families and divers. After several sea trials on the upper and…

  • The Sound of Luxury Arrives from KICKER Marine Audio

    The Sound of Luxury Arrives from KICKER Marine Audio Follow Boating Editor Randy Vance, as we show you how to put the final tune on a new KICKER Marine Audio system, so listening to your favorite music that you want to sounds just right.  Step 1 – Zones  We first went to each zone: top…

  • Boat Test: 2025 Lancer Craft/Elco Electric Legacy

    Boat Test: 2025 Lancer Craft/Elco Electric Legacy When the brushless, permanent magnet electric motor engages, the boat just goes. Capt. Vincent Daniello Visit Lancer Craft Find a Lancer Craft Dealer Overview The new Electric Legacy, a collaboration between Lancer Craft and Elco, combines rich mahogany looks with 100 percent fiberglass construction, electric-power performance, and impressive…

  • High vs. Low Tow Points

    High vs. Low Tow Points Which type of towing rig is the best one for your boat? It all depends on what type of watersport you plan to pursue. Randy Vance The right tow point—a water-ski pylon or a wakeboard tower—transforms your boat for watersports. With this addition, it’s not just about the experience in…

  • Bowrider vs. Cuddy Cabin

    Bowrider vs. Cuddy Cabin Both the OSX and OCX provide a spirited ride. Courtesy Stingray Boats It’s not often that we get to compare two of the same hulls with different deck configurations from the same manufacturer. What a bonus when they’re both high-performance outboards! Stingray Boats of Hartsville, South Carolina, recently released its 23…

  • Solving Boating Mysteries

    Solving Boating Mysteries Locals are solving boating mysteries from inside the Lake View. Tim Bower Our neighborhood made the boating news twice in 2024, stories that have fueled the offseason hot-stove league here at the Lake View Inn, where everyone is welcome to their opinion. I’m almost certain you heard about Ryan Borgwardt, the fellow…

  • Boat Test: 2025 Bluewater 25T

    Boat Test: 2025 Bluewater 25T The 25T serves up a comfortable ride to your favorite fishing grounds. Courtesy Bluewater Sportfishing Boats Visit Bluewater Build Your Bluewater Find a Bluewater Dealer Overview Bluewater Sportfishing Boats’ newest, the 25T, proves itself a purpose-built fishing boat ready to tackle offshore conditions like few boats its size. An Armstrong…

  • Safely Navigating Unfamiliar Waters

    Safely Navigating Unfamiliar Waters Boating in unfamiliar waters can be fun with the right preparation. Parilov / Adobe Stock Early on in my boat-testing career, I learned the hard way about what can happen when boating in unfamiliar waters. The boat company set up our test out of a beautiful Southwest Florida resort adjacent to…

  • Boat Test: 2025 Regal 43 SAV

    Boat Test: 2025 Regal 43 SAV Visit Regal Build Your Regal Find a Regal Dealer The 43 SAV is built to deliver a comfortable ride. Tom King Overview With its ability to cruise, fish, dive, entertain and even overnight, it’s tempting to dub Regal’s 43 SAV the proverbial “jack of all trades,” but that would…

  • Boat Test: 2025 Navan S30

    Boat Test: 2025 Navan S30 Visit NAVAN Build Your NAVAN Find a NAVAN Dealer Overview Navan (rhymes with “baton”) is new boat line from Brunswick Corporation, which also builds Sea Rays, Bayliners, Boston Whalers, Heyday Boats, Princecrafts and others, along with Mercury Marine outboards and sterndrives. Bucking the trend of similar boats imported from the…

  • Ignoring a Warning Sign Ruins a Day of Boating

    Ignoring a Warning Sign Ruins a Day of Boating Ignoring warning signs can sometimes leave you stranded. Tim Bower It was a beautiful August afternoon in Maryland, and my fiancée, her granddaughter, and I decided to take my 28-foot cabin cruiser down the South River and out into the Chesapeake Bay to the picturesque Thomas…

  • Night-Vision Technology for Boaters

    Night-Vision Technology for Boaters There is a range of night-vision devices available to boaters. Courtesy X Vision, Sionyx If you want to boat more safely at night, night-vision technology can help minimize your odds of getting off course or missing a hidden ­aid-to-navigation post or piece of flotsam. There are two basic technologies to open…

  • Humminbird Mega Live 2 and Xplore MFDs

    Humminbird Mega Live 2 and Xplore MFDs Mega Live 2 features enhanced clarity and a more stable view versus the previous Humminbird forward-facing-sonar ­system. Courtesy Humminbird BUY NOW As forward-facing sonar, aka live sonar, from brands such as Garmin and Lowrance takes over freshwater bass fishing, some anglers forget that the company that introduced this…

  • Three Top Handheld Lights for Boaters

    Three Top Handheld Lights for Boaters The right handheld light can make boating in the dark much easier. Courtesy West Marine, Streamlight, Milwaukee Tool No matter how many lights you have hard-wired into your boat, every boater would be well-served to carry aboard some type of handheld illumination device. You never know when you’re going…

  • How to Cleat a Dock Line

    How to Cleat a Dock Line I used to work with a former tugboat captain who taught me many things, including how to properly cleat a line. Walking the docks at the marina where we worked, he’d spot incorrectly cleated lines and retie them properly. Naturally, under most conditions, the different ways of cleating off—such…

  • On Board With: Randy Wayne White

    On Board With: Randy Wayne White Randy Wayne White’s “Doc Ford” series has proven to be a hit. Courtesy Randy Wayne White New York Times bestselling author Randy Wayne White has written more than 40 novels, but he’s best known for his “Doc Ford” series, set on Sanibel Island, Florida. Doc Ford is a biologist…

  • Boat Test: 2025 Sessa C44

    Boat Test: 2025 Sessa C44 The C44 mixes style with performance. Courtesy Sessa Marine Visit Sessa Find a Sessa Dealer Overview From the land of Ferrari, it’s no surprise that the new Sessa C44 pops onto plane in just 8 seconds flat and, pushed by a pair of Volvo Penta D6 ­diesel IPS 600s, this ­stylish…

  • Boat Test: 2025 Solara S-310 SC

    Boat Test: 2025 Solara S-310 SC The 310 runs on a double-stepped hull with a progressive variable deadrise. Tom King Visit Solara Build Your Solara Find a Solara Dealer Overview Multipurpose crossover boats are enjoying their time in the sun, mixing sporty performance with the ability to do everything from fishing, diving, and towing watersports…

  • Boat Test: 2025 Hurricane SunDeck 3200 OB

    Boat Test: 2025 Hurricane SunDeck 3200 OB The SunDeck 3200 OB is packed with a lot of great design features. Courtesy Hurricane Boats Visit Hurricane Boats Build Your Hurricane Find a Hurricane Boats Dealer Overview Boating with small children can be a fraught experience. I have a pair of toddler grandchildren, and they sure move…

  • Boat Test: 2025 Pursuit OS 325

    Boat Test: 2025 Pursuit OS 325 The OS 325 serves up a smooth, stable ride. Courtesy Pursuit Boats Visit Pursuit Build Your Pursuit Find a Pursuit Dealer Overview Full disclosure: Boats and adult beverages are two of my favorite things, and I’ve realized that there are many similarities (besides being addictive). Some boats are beer…

  • Must-See Engines at the Miami International Boat Show

    Must-See Engines at the Miami International Boat Show When it comes to marine power, the Miami International Boat Show is stacked with outboards, inboards, diesels, jets, electric engines and more, both on display and in the water. Here are five highlights to check out. Suzuki DF 200 V6 and Inline 4 Courtesy Suzuki Marine Suzuki…

  • 2024 Boat of the Year: Monterey Elite 30

    2024 Boat of the Year: Monterey Elite 30 The innovative layout on the Monterey Elite 30 combines the best qualities of multiple boat types. Florida Film & Tape/Clayton Dodwell Editor’s Note: Today, at the Discover Boating Miami Boat Show, Monterey Boats’ Elite 30 was awarded the Boat of the Year trophy by Editor-in-Chief Kevin Falvey. Look for…

  • Boat Test: 2025 Alumacraft Competitor 205X SC

    Boat Test: 2025 Alumacraft Competitor 205X SC Visit Alumacraft Build Your Alumacraft Find an Alumacraft Dealer Room is always at a premium on angling boats. For 2025, the Alumacraft Competitor line of aluminum multispecies boats offers a clever idea that expands the aft casting deck without compromising cockpit space or making the boat longer. The…

  • Boat Test: 2025 Sea Pro 255 FLX Sandbar Boat

    Boat Test: 2025 Sea Pro 255 FLX Sandbar Boat The Sea Pro 225 FLX Sandbar Boat is designed and equipped to be a versatile boat, optimized for taking to the sandbar, cove or boat raft-up. Courtesy Sea Pro Boats Visit Sea Pro Find a Sea Pro Dealer Overview Given the widespread popularity of taking one’s…

  • Boat Test: 2025 Robalo R257

    Boat Test: 2025 Robalo R257 Visit Robalo Build Your Robalo Find a Robalo Dealer Overview Robalo Boats are tough and stylish, offering optimal deck space for crew as well as top-shelf production quality at a ­modest price. The R257 dual-­console punches above its class in performance, ­fishability and comfort. The R257 proves a seriously fishable…

  • Must-See Marine Electronics at the 2025 Miami Boat Show

    Must-See Marine Electronics at the 2025 Miami Boat Show Planning a trip to the Miami Boat Show, now officially known as the Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show? We just call it MIBS for short. But by any name, it is a great place to see what’s new and exciting, including some of the coolest…

  • Installing a Skyhawk Oversea System to Protect Your Boat

    Installing a Skyhawk Oversea System to Protect Your Boat The Skyhawk Oversea system won an Innovation Award from the National Marine Manufacturers Association at the 2024 Miami International Boat Show. Jim Hatch There are a number of app-based boat security and monitoring products today from well-known brands such as Garmin, Gost, Siren Marine, and one…

  • Boat Test: 2025 Intrepid 41 Panacea

    Boat Test: 2025 Intrepid 41 Panacea Visit Intrepid Powerboats Build Your Intrepid Find an Intrepid Dealer Overview If, like me, you dozed through Ancient Greek Mythology class, Panacea was the goddess of all cures and ­solutions. And that is the perfect name for the new Intrepid 41. This big center-console will satisfy every one of…

  • Mercury Racing 150R and 200R Outboards

    Mercury Racing 150R and 200R Outboards Mercury Racing’s new 150R and 200R outboards are available in Phantom Black and optional Cold White Fusion. Courtesy Mercury Racing Mercury Racing debuted the 3.4-liter V-6 150R and 200R outboards, providing boaters ­who seek high-performance outboards with lighter weight and array of performance-oriented choices in things such as gear-case type,…

  • Miami Boat Show 2025: Must-See Boats

    Miami Boat Show 2025: Must-See Boats There are a number of new boats on display in Miami. Courtesy Discover Boating There will be more than 1,000 boats on display at the 2025 Discover Boating Miami Boat Show (MIBS, as industry folk refer to it). To help you better navigate the show, our team of boat-testing…

  • Highfield Boats, Tohatsu America, Announce “The Big Pink Charity Auction” to Benefit Cancer Research and the National Breast Cancer Foundation

    Highfield Boats, Tohatsu America, Announce “The Big Pink Charity Auction” to Benefit Cancer Research and the National Breast Cancer Foundation The Highfield Sport 360 RIB is a versatile boat, and 40hp Tohatsu outboard provides it with plenty of power for a full day of family fun on the water. Courtesy Highfield Boats Highfield Boats USA,…

  • Bright Idea

    Bright Idea Lighting is customizable with all kinds of colors, textures and laser-cut patterns. Courtesy SeaDek It was November 2022, and Jeff Schieman was walking around the gigantic Metstrade show in Amsterdam. Exhibitor after exhibitor was displaying equipment, materials and systems that could be used on boats. The place was cavernous, with every product imaginable.…

  • Troubleshooting Autopilot Interference

    Troubleshooting Autopilot Interference Sometimes the solution to a boat problem is a simple one. Courtesy Raymarine, dule964 / Adobe Stock After months of extensive preparations, my friend Coy and I headed for the Bahamas from Brunswick, Georgia, on Makana, his 32-footer. Prior to leaving for the Bahamas, we learned that the -autopilot on Makana was…

  • A Vintage Boat Evokes New-Boat Memories

    A Vintage Boat Evokes New-Boat Memories The boat was a real throwback, from its carpet-covered gunwales to the cassette-player stereo. Tim Bower It’s a red-letter day at the Lake View Inn when somebody shows up with a new boat. Beers go flat and pizza goes cold at the bar while everyone adjourns to the parking…

  • Wakesurfing vs. Ocean Surfing

    Wakesurfing vs. Ocean Surfing While similar, there are subtle differences between wakesurfing and ocean surfing. Tatiana Weston-Webb (photos); Kevin Falvey (composite) What caught on as a rough-water activity for wakeboarders and water skiers, wakesurfing has undeniably driven new participants and wake boat buyers to experience riding the energy of a wave. The deep history of…

  • Three Choices for Nonsnag Cleats

    Three Choices for Nonsnag Cleats Cleats that retract or fold flush can protect toes and fishing line. Courtesy West Marine Whether you’re an angler hoping to avoid line snags or a regular boater looking to avoid stubbing your toes, cleats that can retract or fold flush with the deck could be on your radar. Here…

  • Using RoamSat to Access the Internet While Boating

    Using RoamSat to Access the Internet While Boating RoamSat units are designed to house a Starlink satellite receiver that you purchase separately. Courtesy RoamSat Elon Musk has surrounded Earth with Starlink communications satellites, and that has boaters buzzing about the possibilities of staying in touch and accessing the internet anywhere. RoamSat helps fulfill that promise…

  • Soaking Up Tow-Sports Fun at TL Summer Nights

    Soaking Up Tow-Sports Fun at TL Summer Nights TL Summer Nights is packed with action…and free corn! Aidan McCarthy Only in Wisconsin might freestyle water-skiing and free sweet corn be highlights of the same event. This past August, I found myself sitting on a bench overlooking Lake Mary, watching a national champion on a single…

  • Navigating Safely Around a Boat Being Towed

    Navigating Safely Around a Boat Being Towed Give vessels under tow a wide berth—for your sake and theirs. Jim Hendricks A floating traffic jam quickly developed as we joined a line of other boats, not unlike a solemn funeral procession, through a narrow channel behind a half-submerged vessel under tow and en route to a nearby…

  • Garmin inReach Messenger Plus

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