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

THE NDA ERA • Is there a reason for all this secretive behavior?

Capt. Boomies Boating Instructor and Influencer • If you follow boating content on social media, you’ve probably seen posts by the ebullient Capt. Boomies, offering seamanship advice and commentary to recreational boaters with insight and humor. Off camera, she’s a 200-ton Master based in Baltimore who works as a delivery captain and a recreational boating instructor. We caught up with her to find out more.

REPOWERING • Repowering boats is a business unto itself, as evidenced by the multitude of outboard repower specialists in big marine markets around the country. How does this occur? Well, one answer is that boats have been outlasting their engines due to being much better built and more durable since the early 1990s. Another is that even though the boats have lasted, the outboard market has radically changed in the past 20 years. As the market has moved entirely to four-strokes, boaters with older engines now wish to take advantage of the newer powerplants. Think you know the repower game? Let’s take the test!

To Be Clear

INSIDE THE ISSUE

SACRIFICIAL ANODES • Sacrificial anodes are small and relatively inexpensive, but they play a huge role in keeping the metal parts of your boat safe. Basically, they help prevent galvanic corrosion of your boat’s metal props, lower unit, shafts, struts or anything that could react to create a corrosive electron flow when submerged in salt—or even fresh—water. Here we take a look at three popular alloys used for skeg outboard anodes: zinc, aluminum and magnesium.

A Life-Saving Donation

Windy Wisdom

FI FIRST IMPRESSION

GH GEAR HEAD

CAPTAIN CATNAP • Stay awake and alert at the helm!

CAPTAIN DISTRACTION • Stay focused while running the boat.

OPTIMAL BALANCE • Watersports greatness starts with your feet.

NEED AN AMP?

WE TEST STUFF

PATCHING A PUNCTURE IN AN INFLATABLE DINGHY • An inflatable that leaks air is worthless, but a good patch job proves priceless.

PROPELLER PITCH • Propeller pitch greatly affects boat performance, so it’s a worthwhile topic for boaters to review.

MARINE FLAME ARRESTERS

CRUISERS YACHTS 50 GLS • This large and luxurious outboard-powered dayboat rides well, entertains a large crowd, and offers cruising amenities—all with a top speed of 56.6 mph.

BLACKFIN 400CC • The 400CC marries serious angling assets to luxury dayboat qualities in a solid performer dressed in style.

HANOVER 377 • This price-conscious 37-foot dayboat offers comfort, luxury and a choice of power options.

GODFREY XP 2700 W TWIN • Boasting 800 hp, Godfrey’s fast and flashy XP 2700 W Twin ensures your days of flying under the radar are over.

KAWASAKI JET SKI ULTRA 160LX • This premium-level personal watercraft comes in at an affordable price, with a lot of cool bells and whistles, and a top speed of 52 mph.

SEA PRO 259

FOUR WINNS H2e

PROPPING A PONTOON • Go for thrust, not speed.

DOMETIC MEGA JACKPLATES • Jack plates are a common performance-enhancing accessory, typically found aboard high-performance boats, along with some bay boats and bass boats. Do jack plates make sense for boats when top speed is not the primary mission?

YAMAHA DRiVE X • DRiVE X makes docking and tight maneuvers with Yamaha jet boats simpler, easier and safer.

SUPERSIZE BAY BOATS • Bay boats aren’t just for bays anymore. Here are nine big...