Tabla de contenidos para November/December 2018 en WAKEBOARDING

CITIZEN PROMASTER DIVER HIGH TIME: On the water is the perfect place to let the sun do some work for you. The Promaster’s Eco-Drive harnesses light to keep its battery topped off, eliminating the need to ever open the titanium case. The titanium bracelet is comfortable and classy, and has the extra security of a double-locking clasp. TIME OUT: The titanium bracelet isn’t as easy to expand if you’re slipping it over a bulky wetsuit sleeve. PRICE: $495; citizenwatch.com ORIS AQUIS TITANIUM DATE HIGH TIME: Powered by a self-winding Swiss movement, the Aquis gives you a peek at its spinning works through a mineral glass window in the titanium back. The rubber strap closes with a folding titanium clasp that allows for quick and easy size adjustments. With its polished…

Outboards continue to grow in popularity due to new designs that generate more torque than many sterndrives and present lower maintenance costs to operate them. A few years ago, we analyzed and compared the costs of operating 150 hp outboards. Now, with new models being introduced, it’s time to review 250 hp engines. In single applications, they provide exciting power for runabouts and saltwater fishing boats to 25 feet long, two hot-selling boat categories. Here’s what 250 hp outboards cost to run. HOW WE TESTED We calculated the maintenance costs by using the manufacturers’ recommended maintenance schedule. Parts and labor estimates are listed below. PARTS COSTS Four-stroke oil is averaged at $8 per quart, fractional quarts are rounded up. Gear-case lubricant is averaged at $12 per quart, fractional quarts are…

Sea-Doo is known for innovation, but arguably no craft has included as many new ideas as found on the GTX Limited 300. Hull, deck, saddle, stowage, aft platform — even the glove box showcases clever engineering and design. The result isn’t so much a makeover as a full-on re-envisioning of the PWC builder’s flagship platform. The redesign (one shared by all GTX, RXT and Wake Pro 230 models) starts be 20-degree deadrise. The shape aims to improve wave penetration in rough conditions and quickens the boat’s overall reflexes. My test ride proved it works. Underway, the GTX corners with aggression and tenacity yet, thanks in part to its subtle reverse chine, feels precise and stable in rough water. Stability at rest was also a design priority. According to Sea-Doo, owners…

Given that apps and social media play a role in Boating’s boat tests, I was pleased to discover a USB charging port installed at all seats as well as at the helm aboard Barletta’s L25UC. I was just as tickled to slip the lines, head for open water and put the throttle down. Powered by the hulking new 300 hp V-8 Verado Pro XS from Mercury Marine, the L25UC accelerated with great authority, reaching a top speed of 47 mph and doing so while carrying full fuel and a crew of six adults. The Pro XS is fitted with Mercury’s HD gear case, a 5.44-inch beast that houses super-robust gears and bearings intended to stand up to offshore boats punching through big waves. It is a good choice for pontoon…

One of the many good things about having a boater in the family is that when it comes to gift ideas, he or she probably has an endless amount of wants and needs. There’s always something that can make the boat or a day on the water better. With that in mind, here are 45 gift ideas that are bound to improve your nautical holiday spirits. TAKING FLIGHT RAYMARINE AXIOM PRO WITH DRONE FUNCTION If the angler on your list likes drones, he or she will love Raymarine’s Axiom and Axiom Pro multifunction displays with integrated controls for drones. They include a single button to launch, track and record video. They also have a GPS link for various “follow” modes and real-time video streaming. Starting at $649.99; westmarine.com REEL GIFT…

Retired husband and wife, Klaus and Mary Priebe wanted something with low maintenance that, in Klaus’s words ‘required no more crawling around in engine rooms any longer!’ They wanted to simplify their boating. Something they could jump on, start the engines and go explore the wonders of the north, east and southern waters surrounding Vancouver, British Columbia. Klaus said: “When Mary and I first tried an Axopar 37 Cabin, the hull design meant we could slice through water so smoothly, it felt like it had a suspension system we had never experienced before. “We were hooked and bought a 37 Cabin with twin 350hp Mercury Verado outboards from Freedom Marine.” British Columbia’s landscapes are wild and untouched with numerous islands and inlets to discover. Based on Saltspring Island, they can…

East Coast Yacht Sales info@ecys.com www.ecys.com 101 Front Street, BLDG #1 Belfast, ME 04915 T: 207 236 8656 44 Bayview Street, Camden, ME 04843 T: 207 236 8656 1 Maritime Drive, Suite 1, Portsmouth, RI 02871 T: 401 682 2010 23 Glendale Street, Salem, MA 01970 T: 978 744 7070 194 Water Street, P.O. Box 209 Stonington, CT 06378 T: 860 415 8282 106 Lafayette Street, Yarmouth ME 04096 T: 207 846 4545 JK3 info@jk3yachts.com www.jk3yachts.com 1070 Marina Village Parkway Suite 109, Alameda, CA 94501 T: 510 227 2100 201 - A1 Shipyard Way Newport Beach, CA 92663 T: 949 675 8053 2330 Shelter Island Drive Suite 106, San Diego, CA92106 T: 619 224 6200 1500 Westlake Ave. N Suite 112, Seattle, WA 98109 T: 206 285 6200 Nautical Ventures…

The Donzi 41 GT’s sleek, aerodynamic profile provides ample seating and the lounging ability of a runabout, all concealed below the sheer line. The frameless, wraparound windscreen provides crew protection without adding to the visual freeboard. Performance comes from the two steps in the hull, composite construction, and twin or triple Mercury 400R Verado outboard motors. One word: yee-haw! The suffx stands for Grand Touring, and Donzi claims to have created a new class of upscale, versatile sport boat. According to the builder, space, ergonomics, comfort and performance are blended to take you to a level of style that is distinctly Donzi. Amenities include twin berths, a head with holding tank, and a sink and shower belowdecks. The cockpit boasts sport helm seats, twin L lounges, and two transom chaise-style…

It was a warm sunny day, just perfect for taking my daughter Lauren, my son-in-law Alex, and my 2-year-old grandson Teddy out for a ride aboard my Cobia 296. Our goal was to see the dolphins that feed in the area of my second home, near Marco Island, Florida, and just enjoy an hour or so on the water. As I carefully pulled up to the dock at the Caxambas Park public ramp, I could see Teddy waving to me, anxious to get on board “Puppa’s” boat. The dock was on the same side as my steering wheel, so rather than tying up, I simply straddled the gunwale with one foot in the boat and the other on the dock. I left the boat idling. I realized Teddy was at…

A hat has become an essential bit of my boating kit, both for protection and for the comfort it provides. Since Tilley has a longtime rep as a premier maker of hats for the waterborne and other outdoor enthusiasts, I decided to wear one of its new models through a summer of boating for work and play. This year, with its extended periods of 90-degree F heat even into New England, lower Canada and the upper Midwest, proved a perfect season for such a test. The T5MO Organic Airflo boasts a ¾-inch band of mesh around the crown to allow cool air in and hot air out. I like the look and feel of its sueded cotton, and the brim is not too big to be floppy yet big enough…

Greases are semisolid lubricants possessing a high initial viscosity. Upon the application of sliding pressure — known to engineering types as shear — the viscosity drops to that of the base oil used in the grease. Grease is used as a generic term, and while the old saw that “any grease is better than no grease” usually proves true, there are specific formulations that will serve the lubrication needs of your boat’s engines, trailer and accessories better than others. Here are some points to ponder prior to purchasing grease for specific applications. SNAPS AND ZIPPERS You don’t want dark red, green or blue smears on your boat’s canvas, yet you need the snaps and zippers to work well. Lubes made with Teflon or Star brite’s PTEF lubricant work well (as…

Power catamarans seem to be making a new charge on the saltwater fishing market, and one of the latest to emerge is the Invincible 40 Cat. Our testing revealed a boat that runs fast, rides smooth and affords an immense amount of deck space. The aft cockpit interior width measured more than 11 feet wide by 5 feet 4 inches long. The 26-inch-tall gunwales offer plenty of security in rough seas. Wide walkways aside the center console and level deck throughout offer easy access to and from the forward cockpit, which maintains its width thanks to the characteristics of the cat design. The 40 Cat banked gracefully inward while turning at speed. (For more on the ride qualities, see “Another Take.”) Pete Morrelli of Morrelli & Melvin, the Newport Beach,…

Feedback from owners, most of them experienced cruisers, and careful study of the predecessor Swift Trawler 34’s (few) warranty claims indicated that a refresh was in order. Thus, the new Swift Trawler 35. It offers valuable refinements and new features, from major — a stronger Dometic air-conditioning system, stashed beneath the galley — to small but convenient — fuel and waste deck-plate access side-by-side, handy to the pilothouse side door. The galley includes more freezer capacity and a neat little work surface that converts to a cushioned seat opposite the double helm seat. The head now provides a comfortably sized separate shower stall — the commode is in there too, under a teak seat. The entire dashboard is set into a hinged panel that swings back for easy access to…

In building the new OXE outboard diesel, Cimco hopes to provide a rugged new outboard option that can handle thousands of hours of duty on work boats — but that also has recreational appeal. Think yacht owners looking to run the same fuel through their tenders as the big boat uses, or boaters looking for increased fuel economy and durability. The OXE is based on a 2L GM automotive diesel normally found in the European Opel line of cars. It is a common-rail, turbocharged, freshwater-cooled engine turned horizontally to work in an outboard design. The key to the OXE is its patented belt drive system, which replaces traditional bevel gears with a twin-belt system in order to better handle the higher-generated torque of diesel and to allow for a smaller,…

“They seem to always be too tight and undoubtedly neon pink. I get razzed by friends for wearing our show costumes, but I know they’re really just jealous!” It’s a sweltering summer evening in Oldsmar, Florida, and like he does almost every Saturday from May to October, 31-year-old insurance agent Clint Gordon is busily wriggling his 6-foot, 245-pound frame into yet another tight, bright costume. Tonight’s theme? Aargh, it be pirates, mateys! Don’t laugh. A few weeks earlier it was the platforms and bell bottoms of Swedish uber-band ABBA. Soon Gordon, along with about 30-odd friends, will come together and all get their Jack Sparrow on — even sweat their way through a few choreographed dance numbers. Local community theater? Some kind of weird live-action role-play? Puh-leez. Gordon and friends…

Albury’s Ferry Services recently acquired two Axopars for its busy ferry and charter services in Abacos, Bahamas. Used mainly for luxury, skippered private charters and custom tours, Albury’s are proud to offer their customers both an Axopar 28 and 37 Cabin model, supplied respectively with single and twin 300hp Mercury outboard engines. Popular with tourists, who can now enjoy these waters from the air-conditioned comfort of the enclosed cabins, the Axopar 28 and 37 have both proved a hit with guests of all ages. It means they can arrive at their destination cool, dry and suitably relaxed. Given the high cost of petrol on the islands, being fuel efficient is vital for the business too. The slippery, twin-step design of the hull with its distinctive wave-piercing axe bow is a…

1. How would you measure the diameter of your propeller? A. The diameter is the distance measured across any two opposing blade tips to the outermost points. You’d need to use a tape measure and measure around the blades. B. Who needs to? It’s always stamped somewhere on the prop. C. It’s the distance from the center of the hub to the outermost tip of one blade, times two; measure with a tape measure or ruler. D. None of the above E. A and C above 2. What is propeller pitch and how is it measured? A. The color of the propeller, measured with a spectrometer. B. The distance a propeller would push a boat through the water in one complete revolution, minus a certain percentage for slip. C. The…

When Pfaff Automotive — dealer of high-end supercars Pagani, McLaren, Porsche and Audi — wanted to market a complementary boat, it commissioned Carbon Marine. The result is a 28-foot high-end, high-tech, high-performance boat. Power is a single 627 hp Seven Marine outboard. Thanks to handcrafted carbon-fiber construction, the 28 Super Sport boasts an unmatched power-to-weight profile. With the agility of a supercar, and a deep-V designed for offshore conditions, this is intended to be a versatile boat that takes its owners fishing on Saturday, to dinner on Sunday, and delivers thrills on the water anytime. Given the power-to-weight ratio advantage of carbon fiber and our experience running Seven Marine outboards, we don’t doubt these claims. Top speed is expected to be 80 mph. Amenities include two Garmin touchscreen multifunction displays,…

Much has been written about the importance of winterizing the cooling systems in marine engines, but depending on the boat, water might lurk elsewhere. For example, many boats have potable water stored in a tank below deck and delivered via pumps to faucets, showers, heads and freshwater washdown spigots. These systems also require proper winterization for long-term boat storage in regions subject to temperatures of 32 degrees F or below. Otherwise, the H2O can freeze, expand and crack components such as faucets, fittings, hoses, pumps, accumulator tanks and even the water-storage tank itself, resulting in a hefty repair bill. Even in warm locales, boats stored or disused for more than a month should drain potable water systems to avoid stale, smelly, foul-tasting drinking water. This project is best undertaken after…

Simply put, Boating’s Boat of the Year is the boat that stands out in its category more than any other boat stands out in any other category. In the same way that the MLB MVP selection process cannot directly compare pitchers and catchers and that the MPAA cannot compare best picture candidates in comedy to those in drama, Boating cannot directly compare watersports boats to offshore fishing boats, or cruising boats to performance boats. The very attributes that make a boat great in one category make it less desirable in other categories. Therefore, we look at the boats that excel in their category. Then it’s a matter of deciding which ones excelled in their respective category more than another candidate excelled in its respective category. Here are the Boating 2018…

The trends I see in recreational boats consist of increased sophistication, elegance in styling, and more features, both standard and optional. EdgeWater has always built classy, upscale boats. In recent years it has taken that philosophy to all new levels, targeting both hardcore fishing fanatics as well as their families. Impossible blend? EdgeWater’s foundation is its construction method. Called single-piece infusion, it places knitted fiberglass and structural composite stringers into the mold before introducing the vinylester resin via a vacuum-bag process. The net is a single-piece hull with the perfect ratio of resin to glass, and no air bubbles or voids for maximum strength at minimum weight. EdgeWater boats also float level and upright if swamped. When you board the 230CC, there’s no question that this is a family-oriented boat.…

Not even a decade ago, if you had uttered the words “outboard-powered bowrider,” I would have in my mind’s eye pictured an entry-level 16-footer with a single 90 hp on the transom. Today seemingly every major boatbuilder offers an outboard version of its mega-bowrider or dayboat models, seeking to capitalize on the booming popularity of this power choice. In this increasingly crowded field, what does the Sea Ray SLX 310 OB bring to the table? Serious style and creature comforts. Not to mention a nice performance. In lieu of sterndrives, our test SLX came powered with twin Mercury 300 Verados. While you can upgrade to 350s, the smaller engines did the job, smoothly propelling the boat to a 52 mph top speed while comfortably seating a crew of five. With…

The poster for the poker run was taped to a wall in the men’s room at the Lake View Inn, positioned at eye level where both my good friend Chuck Larson and his compadre ’Tos Lund could ponder it as they stood shoulder to shoulder. “I see the ’Bago Blast Poker Run is coming up,” Chuck said. “I see that also,” ’Tos replied. “Best hand wins $2,500.” “That’s not chump change.” “More than we’ve ever won in a walleye tournament.” After scanning the images of speeding Outerlimits and Fountain and Nor-Tech poker-run specials, the boys picked up on one detail: team shirts. “Looks like easy money. We should enter.” “In your Yar-Craft?” Thus was hatched another scheme by the Lucy and Ethel of the Lake View Inn. And they actually…

From a passion for fast and exclusive cars to becoming a truly global player: When Bodo Buschmann* founded BRABUS in 1977, he never dreamed his company would grow into the world’s largest independent auto-tuner and manufacturer of unique, high-performance automobiles over the next four decades. High-end tuning and lifestyle for Mercedes-Benz, AMG and Maybach is the core domain of BRABUS, with individualised solutions and options to satisfy every owner’s wish. In love with boating ever since he was a small child, Bodo found an immediate connection and direct synergy with Axopar, where he could extend the BRABUS concept of creating exclusivity from ultra high-performance, luxury and sophisticated engine power. Referred to as a luxury chase boat, or ‘shadow’ boat for a larger yacht or superyacht, the Shadow 800 ‘One of…