Category: June/July 2025
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Top Protective Coatings for Boats
Top Protective Coatings for Boats To achieve a good result with graphene, ceramic or wax, perfect surface preparation is essential. Hedgehog94/Adobe Stock If you’ve had a great season so far, chances are that the spit and polish you put on your boat’s gelcoat finish this past spring is losing some its luster. Boating Lab has…
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Electronically Stabilized Binoculars for Boaters
Electronically Stabilized Binoculars for Boaters The Sirius 12 features a built-in six-axis electronic gyro-sensor. Courtesy Koden Electronically stabilized marine binoculars are a boon to boaters, allowing for increased magnification versus conventional binoculars because they compensate for shaky hands and rough seas to provide steady viewing. These are different from the heavy, electrically powered gyroscopic binoculars…
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Gulf Star’s Robotic Dry Stack Marina
Gulf Star’s Robotic Dry Stack Marina A new robotic dry stack marina could be in your future. At Gulf Star Marina in Fort Myers Beach, Florida, it’s here now. The five-story concrete building accommodates up to 115 vessels in concrete cubicles of varying beam and height, 80 feet deep, which can nest vessels of dimensions…
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The Benefits of Volvo Penta’s Electronic Vessel Control
The Benefits of Volvo Penta’s Electronic Vessel Control The helm of a 2003 boat looks nothing like a new boat’s helm. Upgrade your engine’s EVC and you can upgrade your helm, adding value, function, and a modern look. Courtesy Volvo Penta Maybe you own an older boat and don’t want to replace it but would…
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Paying the Worm Tax
Paying the Worm Tax The industry relies on an army of worm pickers who go out at night with coffee cans strapped to their shins and pluck the worms by hand from the surface of leased pastures in Ontario. Tim Bower Loyal readers will recall that a few years ago, my good friend Chuck -Larson…
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Installing a Watersports Mirror on a Center-Console
Installing a Watersports Mirror on a Center-Console Once installation is complete, remove the protective film from the mirror’s reflective surface and, if necessary, clean the mirror with the supplied microfiber cloth. Jim Hatch Today’s new center-consoles have evolved into much more than just fishing boats. These popular models increasingly come with all kinds of family-oriented…
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Choosing the Right Watersports Tow Point
Choosing the Right Watersports Tow Point Tubing, skiing and wakeboarding all have different requirements. Courtesy Monster Tower, Sea Dog (eye), Centurion Boats (pylon) Almost every boater, whether they’re watersports fanatics or enjoy it casually, has the idea to take someone tubing, skiing or boarding behind their boat. But not all tow points are created equal,…
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Top Water Toys for Summer
Top Water Toys for Summer Fliteboard’s Series 5 is a versatile, all-around platform. Courtesy Fliteboard Schoolchildren and boating enthusiasts have one thing in common. And that is, both groups know that summer is the best time of year. The sun’s out, the days are long, and the water beckons. Scratch that—schoolkids and boaters actually have…
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Midseason Inboard-Engine Maintenance Tips
Midseason Inboard-Engine Maintenance Tips A midseason checkup will ensure your inboard keeps running smoothly. Courtesy Pleasurecraft Marine Your tow-sports inboard—or any inboard—requires regular maintenance if it is to deliver long life and good performance. Seasoned boat owners know to make recurring assessments part of their routine. Here are several excellent midseason checkups you should make…
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On Board With: Gordon Harrison
On Board With: Gordon Harrison Gordon Harrison is an experienced boat driver. Tom King Gordon Harrison is the consummate watersports enthusiast. Growing up lakeside in Central Virginia, he naturally gravitated toward skiing and wakeboarding before moving to Orlando after high school to train and compete on the Pro Wakeboard Tour. Later, he would be drawn…
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Boat Test: 2025 MasterCraft XStar 23
Boat Test: 2025 MasterCraft XStar 23 Thanks to SurfStar, the wave is easily adjusted to suit a variety of skill levels and preferences Garrett Cortese Visit MasterCraft Build Your MasterCraft Find a MasterCraft Dealer Overview Since its introduction in the late ’90s, the MasterCraft XStar has left an immeasurable mark on wakeboarding, propelling the sport…
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Boat Test: 2025 Tigé Ultré 23ZX
Boat Test: 2025 Tigé Ultré 23ZX The Ultré 23ZX combines top luxury, killer tech and jaw-dropping performance. Garrett Cortese Visit Tigé Build Your Tigé Find a Tigé Dealer Overview When it comes to premium watersports-specific boats—think top luxury, killer tech and jaw-dropping performance—there are plenty of choices. One not to be ignored is the Ultré…
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Boat Test: 2025 Supra SA
Boat Test: 2025 Supra SA The SA mixes performance with impressive tow-sports capabilities. Garrett Cortese Visit Supra Build Your Supra Find a Supra Dealer Overview The Supra SA is the official tow boat of the Pro Wakeboard Tour, the model of choice for Supra’s pro team riders, and an all-around performer known worldwide. For the…
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Boat Test: 2025 Robalo R300
Boat Test: 2025 Robalo R300 Visit Robalo Build Your Robalo Find a Robalo Dealer Overview Robalo’s R300 is the latest introduction into its center-console lineup, and it’s impressively equipped with standard features for beachcombing, touring and, in keeping with Robalo’s heritage, serious fishing. Robalo reinvented its popular 30 with a Michael Peters running surface and…
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Boat Test: 2025 Highfield Velox 420
Boat Test: 2025 Highfield Velox 420 The Velox 420 is easy to run. Courtesy Highfield Boats Visit Highfield Find a Highfield Dealer Overview Highfield’s Velox 420 is a welcome addition to the entry-level-boat segment. Priced at $36,000, this jet-powered RIB is intended to fill the compact runabout niche somewhat abandoned by popular boat brands. Highfield is…
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Boat Test: 2025 Boston Whaler 210 Vantage
Boat Test: 2025 Boston Whaler 210 Vantage Visit Boston Whaler Build Your Boston Whaler Find a Boston Whaler Dealer Overview The 210 Vantage is the newest and smallest of Boston Whaler’s dual-console fleet. It shows its versatility immediately upon entrance to the cockpit, where its comfy, flip-up jump-seat backrests fold down flat to the deck…
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Boat Test: 2025 Centurion Nv233
Boat Test: 2025 Centurion Nv233 Visit Centurion Build Your Centurion Find a Centurion Dealer Overview In 2024, Centurion introduced its Fe model as a way to get new customers into the Centurion lineup for a lower price, as well as to cater to legacy Centurion customers looking for a new model without fully upgrading. For…