Category: April 2025
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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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.…
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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.…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…