Boating

Boating is the world's foremost magazine for boating enthusiasts. Written by experts for those who love the sport, the editorial covers the waterfront -- from runabouts to sportfish convertibles to luxury showpieces, and everything in between.

Boating

’TOONING UP • From humble beginnings comes one of the most versatile vessels.

Rudy Socha Veterans Advocate

LAUNCHING A DREAM

SPRING READINESS • As you read this, spring is in the air! It’s the most wonderful time of the year; winter is over—it’s now time to get your boat in the water and start the countdown to summer. To help ensure a trouble-free launch, let’s cover a few popular topics when getting your rig ready for the season.

BIRD REPELLENTS • Birds using your boat as a perch and relieving themselves on deck is a problem that’s been around since the dawn of boating. Whether you keep your boat on a mooring ball, tie it off in a slip or lift it out of the water on an uncovered hoist, you run the risk of birds befouling the boat you spent hours cleaning after your last adventure. With that, people come up with all sorts of ways to keep the birds at bay, from hanging old compact discs to placing a fake coyote on the dock. Here are three bird repellents that we often see on the docks.

Riva Las Vegas

GEARHEAD

Q&A

WE TEST STUFF

NAUTICAL NO-NO

HYDRAULIC STEERING MAINTENANCE • Regularly inspecting and maintaining your steering system will help ensure crisp handling and safety.

SEAKEEPER RIDE FOR PONTOONS • Dynamic stabilization comes to pontoons via Seakeeper’s Ride system.

OUTBOARD WATER-PUMP REPLACEMENT • These 12 steps help ensure good cooling.

PONTOON

BENNINGTON 25 RTSBA

BALISE HALO 26L TWIN

BENNINGTON 27 QX SB WAT2

SYLVAN G5 CLZ

STARCRAFT SX 25 Q DC

ALERA MODEL M25L

SANPAN 2700 SPLIT BENCH WITH WINDSHIELD

SUNCHASER ECLIPSE 25 SBDH

BENNINGTON 24MSL

HARRIS SUNLINER 230 SPORT

GODFREY MONACO 235 SFL

AVALON EXCALIBUR LTD FLEX LOUNGE WINDSHIELD

ALERA MODEL M23Q

AVALON CARBON EXCALIBUR QLSW

MONTARA EVO 25

REGENCY 230 DL

CREST CONQUEST 230 SLS

REVEL RS25L

VIAGGIO LAGO X22Q

VIAGGIO LAGO Z22B

RANGER 223FC

SUN TRACKER PARTY BARGE 22 DLX

G3 SUNCATCHER ELITE 324 SL DIAMOND ARCH

PRINCECRAFT VECTRA 23 QL

TAHOE LTZ ENTERTAINER

FOREST RIVER DOCKSIDE 20DF

SEA-DOO SWITCH CRUISE 21

AURA QL

CHOOSING THE RIGHT BOAT ENGINE • Maximum power is almost always—but not quite always—the best choice. Consider your options carefully.

MERCURY RACING 500R OUTBOARD • The beastly 500R is OMG-fast.

ELECTRONICS MAKE ME SAFER • The correct array of marine electronics can keep you and your crew safe, no matter the conditions.

HEAVY-METAL MEMORIES • Crossing Lake Michigan in a 22-foot Bentley shows just how far pontoon boats have come.

FASHION OR FUNCTION? • With boat design it’s sometimes hard to tell the difference.