WaterBlogged, your blog for news, views, and reviews about the boating lifestyle

Is it Time for Electric-Over-Hydraulic Brakes?

Depending on the technology, I tend to vacillate between early adopter and abject Luddite. I bought a vehicle with fuel injection as soon as I could afford one—and would never go back to carburetors—but I hung back and waited awhile before buying a smart phone. When it comes to boat trailers,… [more]
Vanquish 24 Center Console: High-Tech Inboard Power

Naval architect Doug Zurn has designed quite a few eye-catching and successful boats, both sail and power, usually combining classic, graceful elements with modern flourishes and cutting-edge materials and methods. The Shelter Island 38 Runabout, first commissioned by Billy Joel, is an example. So are… [more]
The Skinny on Boat Trailer Tires

If you're shopping for a used boat, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll be shopping for trailer tires sooner or later. No other tires withstand so much neglect, abuse, and degradation through disuse as they do. Trailer tires sit in one spot for long periods, which leads to flat spots and UV… [more]
Danalevi Furina: A Bolt Out of the Blue

Trying something new is risky, especially for boatbuilders. It’s more comfortable to stick with the formulas that usually work, more or less – for overall design purpose (offshore fishing, bay fishing, wakeboarding, etc.), for powerplants and steering, for general styling, and so on. But there are… [more]
Five Overlooked Used Runabout Brands

Before you label me a flip-flopper, yes, I have previously in this space advocated focusing your search on big name brands. And that's still a good approach. However, like any skilled politician (if you can think of one) will tell you — I’m not a flip-flopper. I just adjust my opinion based on new… [more]
Cobalt A40: Sporty Comfort Under the Sun

A 40-foot boat that combines a lot of hull volume and cockpit space with advanced styling -- while promising both speed and serious comfort -- has to accomplish quite a bit to get it all right. The new A40, the biggest boat in Cobalt’s current lineup, coordinates these ambitions well. Defined… [more]
Bottom Stripping Basics

Scene 1: A kitchen, springtime. A couple sits drinking coffee. Man (looking miserable): “I can’t hold out any longer. It’s been years.” Woman: “What has, dear?” Man: “There’s no way I can keep covering it up. It’s embarrassing as hell.” Woman (alarmed): “What? What’s going… [more]
Rinker Captiva 236 CC: Cockpit and Cabin Comfort

Building on the success of their Captiva 236 Bow Rider, the boatbuilders at Rinker have introduced a cuddy-cabin version called the 236 CC. The company, based in Elkhart, Indiana, is no stranger to the lifestyles and preferences of boaters on inland lakes, where pontoon boats are a big presence, or along… [more]
Understanding Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings

When shopping for a used boat, assuming you already have a tow vehicle, it’s important to know how much the boat you’re interested in weighs on its trailer, and what your truck is capable of pulling. If you buy more boat than your truck can haul, you’ll have to shop for a new tow vehicle, too.… [more]

Latest Posts

Is a bowrider the best bet? Could a cruiser be in your future? Or, is a trawler at the top of your list?

What Type of Boat is Right for You? Top 10 Choices for Boaters

September 25, 2016 by Lenny Rudow · Leave a Comment

Whether you’re a beginner boater who’s still trying to figure out basic boat terminology or an old salt who stays in tune with the latest boat design trends, you probably know that choosing the ideal … [Read More...]

Bilge pumps live in deep nooks that naturally collect dirt, hair, and general grunge. They have to be robust, and they have to be maintained. All photos: Doug Logan

Troubleshooting a Faulty Submersible Bilge Pump

September 21, 2016 by Gary Reich · Leave a Comment

Not long ago we wrote about how to install a submersible bilge pump, that thankless piece of gear primarily designed to keep nuisance water from collecting in your bilge. But the fact that such a pump … [Read More...]

The all-new 2016 Boston Whaler 280 Outrage looks quite different from its predecessors, both inside and out.

Boston Whaler 280 Outrage: Something’s Fishy

September 17, 2016 by Lenny Rudow · Leave a Comment

This article originally appeared on boats.com. Republished by permission. Boston Whaler has been building a 28’ long Outrage for years—along with models in the line ranging from the 18 Outrage (which … [Read More...]

f you’re getting your boat ready to sell, a moderate amount of time and effort will add genuine value and help justify your asking price.

Preparing Your Used Boat for Sale

September 13, 2016 by Staff · Leave a Comment

First impressions are everything when you're trying to attract buyers to your used boat for sale. Just as important as when selling a house, proper staging is critical to achieving your desired price. … [Read More...]

As is true on most center console boats, fishing remains the main mission, but the Fisherman 236 is dressed up with plenty of comfort-adding features.

Grady-White Fisherman 236: Center Stage

September 9, 2016 by Lenny Rudow · Leave a Comment

This article originally appeared on boats.com. Republished by permission. Grady-White is known for building fishing boats, but in the past decade or so they’ve added a healthy dose of … [Read More...]

If you’re not blessed with a big driveway, make sure to calculate the costs of remote storage — it can be expensive, especially under a roof.

Owning a Trailerable Boat: Hidden Costs

September 5, 2016 by Brett Becker · Leave a Comment

One thing they won’t tell you—and whatever “they” you have in mind is fine with me—is that there are a number of ongoing costs associated with owning a trailerable boat. So, as you search for … [Read More...]

Is it Time for Electric-Over-Hydraulic Brakes?

Vanquish 24 Center Console: High-Tech Inboard Power

The Skinny on Boat Trailer Tires

Danalevi Furina: A Bolt Out of the Blue

Five Overlooked Used Runabout Brands

Cobalt A40: Sporty Comfort Under the Sun

Bottom Stripping Basics

Rinker Captiva 236 CC: Cockpit and Cabin Comfort

Understanding Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings

Latest Posts

What Type of Boat is Right for You? Top 10 Choices for Boaters

Troubleshooting a Faulty Submersible Bilge Pump

Boston Whaler 280 Outrage: Something’s Fishy

Preparing Your Used Boat for Sale

Grady-White Fisherman 236: Center Stage

Owning a Trailerable Boat: Hidden Costs

Recent Posts

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Four Reasons to Keep Boating Right Into Autumn

2016 Suzuki DF6A Outboard: Lightweight Champ

Tying Up Boats: Mooring Basics

Best Boat Deals: Expert’s Choice—Jones Brothers, Beneteau, Bertram

Submersible Bilge Pumps: Installing One Like the Pros

Choosing a Tow Vehicle for Your Boat

Boat-Gating for Football Fans

Everglades 325cc: Canyon Capable

Choosing a Boat: Center-Console Pros and Cons

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