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Category: August/September 2025

  • The Safest Soaps for Your Boat and the Environment

    The Safest Soaps for Your Boat and the Environment The right soap will make washing your boat much easier. Randy Vance Internet analytics reveal that “environmentally safe boat soap” is a wildly common search term entered into Google. The keystrokes reveal a plethora of bits and advice from forums, magazines and websites pointing toward food…

  • How to Handle Five Boating Emergencies

    How to Handle Five Boating Emergencies If flames threaten a portable gas tank or propane cylinder, toss it over or abandon ship Courtesy US Coast Guard The types of emergencies that can occur aboard boats are as numerous as the types of boats and types of boaters. Naturally, our boats should be properly equipped with…

  • How to Install an Automatic Bilge Pump

    How to Install an Automatic Bilge Pump Select a pump with the same output or greater than the original pump. Jim Hatch A dewatering device is strongly recommended by the US Coast Guard aboard boats, and electric bilge pumps fulfill this role. However, bilge pumps can wear out. Replacing the old pump with one that…

  • Choosing the Right Cleaner for Nonskid Surfaces

    Choosing the Right Cleaner for Nonskid Surfaces Making your nonskid gleam can be accomplished by choosing the proper cleaning agent. Kevin Falvey The same properties that help provide grip for a boater’s feet can allow dirt and grime to cling to nonskid surface with tenacity. There are myriad patterns of molded-in nonskid, as well as…

  • Falling in Love With Boating

    Falling in Love With Boating Discovering a love for boating can happen at an early age. Tim Bower I was probably a preteen when my father and I were guests of the older son of family friends. The son owned a fast, gold metal-flake speedboat, probably a Glastron. On its transom hung a towering pair…

  • Do You Need to Carry as Much Fuel as Possible?

    Do You Need to Carry as Much Fuel as Possible? Advances in technology and materials has changed the thinking on fuel capacity. Jim Hendricks Carrying as much fuel as possible ranked for many years as one of my most devoted beliefs, especially in the days of two-stroke outboards and heavy, overbuilt offshore hulls. But a…

  • The Joys of Restoring a Classic Boat

    The Joys of Restoring a Classic Boat Antique- and classic-boat restoration captures the joy of the boating culture. John Tiger It’s no secret that boats are, in today’s parlance, hella expensive. You can spend well over $50,000, $100,000, even $150,000 on a medium-size runabout, fishing boat or wakeboard boat. So, if you want to get on…

  • Minn Kota Riptide Instinct Quest

    Minn Kota Riptide Instinct Quest Beefy construction is just one of the motor’s hot new features. One-Boat connectivity to power anchors and MFDs allows multiple points of control. Courtesy Minn Kota The Riptide Instinct Quest from Minn Kota is more than the sum of its parts. Intuitive controls, multiple points of operation, and complete networking…

  • What Happens to Abandoned Boats?

    What Happens to Abandoned Boats? Damaged boats are just one of many hazards left behind after storms. Randy Vance Mike Provost was boating with his family one day when they saw a disintegrating boat tied up to a tree on the shore of Long Creek, one of the hundreds of creeks threading through the Virginia…

  • 10 Do’s and Don’ts When Fueling Your Boat

    10 Do’s and Don’ts When Fueling Your Boat Proper fueling will keep your crew and boat safe. Courtesy Water Sports Foundation Fueling up is a basic component of boating. After all, if there’s no flow, there’s no go. But when was the last time you gave any thought to filling up at your local marina? Recently…

  • Affordable Boat-Security Systems

    Affordable Boat-Security Systems Monitoring your boat from afar is easier than ever, thanks to increasingly affordable and compact app-based systems that update you on the condition and location of your unattended boat, no matter how many miles separate you from your vessel.  All it takes is a few clicks on your mobile phone to get…

  • Scout 400 LXF Li-Ion Fathom E-Power System

    Scout 400 LXF Li-Ion Fathom E-Power System Fathom provides data monitoring, including consumption rate and time remaining. Courtesy Scout Boats The 39-foot-7-inch Scout 400 LXF Li-Ion is a wide-beam luxury ­center-console equipped with the Fathom M7000-X+ Series, currently the premier e-power system ­offered by Navico Group, the technology division of Brunswick Corporation. Scout is one…

  • Tips for Loading a Boat on a Trailer in a Crosscurrent

    Tips for Loading a Boat on a Trailer in a Crosscurrent The first thing to do when loading a boat on a trailer in a crosscurrent is to make your approach from downstream. You have much more control when the bow is facing into the flow. Elisabeth Kelly/Firecrown Many, if not most, boat-launch ramps are…

  • Boat Test: 2025 Bayliner V20

    Boat Test: 2025 Bayliner V20 The V20 offers enjoyable performance at an affordable price. Courtesy Bayliner Boats Visit Bayliner Build Your Bayliner Find a Bayliner Dealer Overview Bayliner was founded in 1957 to bring seaworthy family boats to the water with an ­attractive bundled package, including boat, motor and trailer at a budget price. Today,…

  • Boat Test: 2025 Vexus VXs21

    Boat Test: 2025 Vexus VXs21 The performance-engineered pad-V hull provides intuitive reaction to throttle and steering inputs. Courtesy Vexus Boats—Advanced Marine Performance Visit Vexus Build Your Vexus Find a Vexus Dealer Overview Vexus Boats’ VXs21 is a full-size bass hunter aimed squarely at serious anglers. This boat is a pure fishing machine designed for running…

  • Boat Test: 2025 Boston Whaler 365 Conquest

    Boat Test: 2025 Boston Whaler 365 Conquest Fish and cruise in comfort aboard this luxurious crossover. Courtesy Boston Whaler Visit Boston Whaler Build Your Boston Whaler Find a Boston Whaler Dealer Overview Multipurpose boats sometimes have a weak link in their design where a token effort is given to one area to check a box.…

  • Boat Test: 2025 Cruisers Yachts 57 Fly

    Boat Test: 2025 Cruisers Yachts 57 Fly The 57 Fly offers a comfortable ride. Courtesy Cruisers Yachts Visit Cruisers Yachts Find a Cruisers Yachts Dealer Overview How can you not love a yacht with a 23-bottle wine cooler in the owner’s stateroom? Especially a yacht like the new Cruisers Yachts 57 Fly, which has enormous…

  • Boat Test: 2025 Sylvan M-5 CLZ DC

    Boat Test: 2025 Sylvan M-5 CLZ DC Visit Sylvan Build Your Sylvan Find a Sylvan Dealer Overview Sylvan’s target with the new M-5 CLZ DC is to offer a true high-level, ultra-luxury performance pontoon as the top choice for boat buyers seeking the epitome of pontoondom. We think Sylvan hit the bull’s-eye with its aim…