The first spreaders—aka marine floodlights—that I installed on my boat 30 years ago were ITT Jabsco Ray-Line 50-watt 12-volt Halogens. Like most spreaders, they mounted overhead at the back and front ...

I had an idea of what the new Tiara Yachts 39 LS would be like even before I ever saw it. Having the opportunity to tour Tiara’s production facility told me a lot of what I needed to know about the ...

It’s no longer common for boatbuilders to offer a fast single-engine outboard sportboat, let alone one available as both a bowrider and a ­cuddy cabin. Kudos to Stingray and its 23 OSX/OSC models, ...

Ranger Boats has built top-shelf fiberglass bass boats for 60 years and tank-tough aluminum craft for more than 10. The new ­center-­console RB210 bay boat is long and broad but boasts a ...

After a day on the water testing the new Cruisers Yachts 50 GLS, I realized why it seemed so familiar. It reminded me of the Porsche 356 coupe I owned decades ago. It was fast, it was fun, it was ...

In my early days as a captain, few boats cruised faster than 30 mph. Back then, bigger engines and the fuel they burned added too much weight, netting little more speed. Today, even modest performers ...

Many, if not most, boat-launch ramps are situated so as to be somewhat sheltered from strong currents. Not all ramps offer this convenience, though. At some point, you might find yourself needing to ...

Once upon a time, bowriders were relegated in size to boats that could fit on a trailer, so if you wanted a large boat that could hold lots of people, you were stuck with a cabin cruiser, even if you ...

Ownership records prove ­bowriders are the most popular boat type, but performance buyers have been slow to jump aboard, clinging to the traditional closed-bow, sportboat style. Checkmate’s 2400 BRX ...

Over three years ago, Suzuki broke new ground in outboards when it introduced its DF350A, which featured contra-rotating propellers seen previously in sterndrive applications. The dual-prop setup ...

Personal locator beacons (PLBs) and emergency position-indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs) are tools that most boaters hope they will never have to use, but they can literally save your life. Able to ...

Full disclosure: Boats and adult beverages are two of my favorite things, and I’ve realized that there are many similarities (besides being addictive). Some boats are beer (a good one like Heineken or ...