Category: October 2025
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Things to Consider When Selling Your Boat
Things to Consider When Selling Your Boat There’s more to selling a boat than cashing the check. Tim Bower A few years back I sold a Honda automobile to a private party. I had no use for the license plates so I dropped them into my king-size municipal trash bin, and on a Thursday a…
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Four Things to Consider When Choosing an Outboard Color
Four Things to Consider When Choosing an Outboard Color Lighter colors can allow the engine to run as much as 10 degrees F cooler. Courtesy Mercury Marine Today, outboards from Honda, Mercury, Suzuki and Yamaha are available in a wide array of colors. In fact, Mercury—which once adhered to the Henry Ford mantra of “any…
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Tips for Handling Stormy Weather When Boating
Tips for Handling Stormy Weather When Boating Always check the weather before heading out for a day of boating. A.I.-generated by Adobe Firefly As experienced boaters know and newbies will soon learn, boating isn’t always blue skies, sunshine, and calm seas. That might be the ideal, but the reality is that sometimes those skies turn…
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Seven Dayboats You Can Wakesurf Behind
Seven Dayboats You Can Wakesurf Behind Today’s dayboats offer watersports capabilities alongside overnighting and entertainment options for your whole crew. Courtesy Regal Boats The surge in the popularity of wakesurfing has everyone looking for a way to catch some waves. Watersports-specific boats are the best way to enjoy wakesurfing, but not everyone wants to pay…
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Power Steering for Outboards
Power Steering for Outboards Outboards are increasingly available with power steering systems, using advanced high-speed brushless electric motors controlled by digital input from an electronic helm. Randy Vance While many hydraulic-assist steering systems are available, engine-makers are pushing fly-by-wire steering. In fact, for many applications, we wouldn’t be surprised if digital steering replaced hydraulic steering…
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A VHF Relay Saves the Day
A VHF Relay Saves the Day Shore-station antennas sometimes need a little help from VHF relays. Ryan Swanson/Boating The US Coast Guard crackled over VHF Channel 16 requesting the commercial passenger fishing vessel Victory to help with a radio relay between Coast Guard Base Los Angeles and a disabled pleasure boat, the 25-foot Fin Fun (the…
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How to Install a Fixed-Mount Marine VHF Radio
How to Install a Fixed-Mount Marine VHF Radio A fixed-mount VHF radio offers a number of sophisticated features and options. Jim Hatch Installing one of today’s advanced fixed-mount marine VHF radios can prove more involved than you might imagine. Naturally, every radio model requires a 12-volt DC power source and a VHF antenna, but models…
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Choosing the Right Boat Engine
Choosing the Right Boat Engine The weight of a boat properly loaded has to be considered when choosing power. Courtesy Yamaha Marine Selecting the appropriate marine power is crucial for achieving optimal boat performance. US Coast Guard regulations guide this process on some boats, but among larger vessels over 20 feet in length overall, the…
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Comparing Three-, Four-, and Five-Blade Propellers
Comparing Three-, Four-, and Five-Blade Propellers Matching the right propeller to an engine and boat will ensure maximum performance. Courtesy Mercury Marine Selecting the proper propeller for your boat requires a lot of science and an equal amount of art. It’s all about putting together the right amount of tech and magic to work best…
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On Board With: George Laycock
On Board With: George Laycock George Laycock embarked on a foiling adventure from Bimini to Palm Beach. Courtesy Nautical Ventures After seeing a random person on a Fliteboard cruise past his Nordhavn three years ago, 67-year-old George Laycock decided he needed to get one. On a recent trip to the Bahamas, he decided to undertake…
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Boat Test: 2025 Scarab 210 LX
Boat Test: 2025 Scarab 210 LX The 210 LX combines power and efficiency with sleek design. Courtesy Scarab Jet Boats Visit Scarab Jet Boats Build Your Scarab Jet Boat Find a Scarab Jet Boats Dealer Overview Scarab’s 210 LX shares the “second-generation” look and feel of the boatbuilder’s retooled 285 and 235. It also offers…
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Boat Test: 2026 Chaparral SSX 8
Boat Test: 2026 Chaparral SSX 8 The SSX 8 is an excellent blend of comfort and style. Courtesy Chaparral Boats Visit Chaparral Build Your Chaparral Find a Chaparral Dealer Overview Chaparral began building boats in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in the ’60s. Back then, it produced inexpensive boats (its first, an $850 tri-hull) and developed a…
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Boat Test: 2025 Wellcraft 38 T-Top
Boat Test: 2025 Wellcraft 38 T-Top The Wellcraft 38 T-Top matches European styling with fishing amenities and a confident ride. Courtesy Wellcraft Visit Wellcraft Build Your Wellcraft Find a Wellcraft Dealer Overview Full disclosure about Wellcraft’s boats: I like them. I’ve owned ’em, raced ’em, and regretted selling ’em. But I’ve never seen a…
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Boat Test: 2025 Nimbus 495 Flybridge
Boat Test: 2025 Nimbus 495 Flybridge The 495 slices through everything from calm waters to white-capped seas. Courtesy Nimbus Boats Visit Nimbus Find a Nimbus Dealer Overview Today, many boat buyers seek boats in the 50-foot class. With the introduction of the 495 Flybridge, the builder’s flagship, Nimbus Boats proves itself happy to oblige, and…
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Boat Test: 2025 Intrepid 50 Evolution
Boat Test: 2025 Intrepid 50 Evolution The 50 Evolution blends luxury and performance. Courtesy Intrepid Powerboats Visit Intrepid Powerboats Build Your Intrepid Find an Intrepid Dealer Overview Intrepid Powerboats has figured out how to blend luxury, performance and fishing on a balanced basis with the new 50 Evolution. It’s a cruiser with a well-appointed cabin,…
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Boat Test: 2025 Scout 670 LXS
Boat Test: 2025 Scout 670 LXS The 670 LXS offers a luxurious and smooth ride. Courtesy Scout Boats Visit Scout Build Your Scout Find a Scout Dealer Overview Most boat buyers know Scout Boats—well-built, solid-performing center-consoles, served with a heaping of luxury. So, I dearly wish that I could have been a mouse in the…