Breaking news from the Boats.Com Outboard Expert, Charles Plueddeman, who tested two new Mercs earlier this month. At the opening session of its new-product introduction earlier this month, Mercury Marine revealed an all-new MerCruiser 4.5-liter V6 sterndrive engine, which will be rated at 250 horsepower and weighs 130 pounds less than the 5.0-liter V8 engine it will replace. The engine
Navionics is entering the fray by making its popular smartphone and tablet navigation app free. With over 1.5 million downloads since it was first released, Navionics’ paid smartphone and tablet navigation app has become one of the most popular mobile marine navigation solutions for Apple’s iOS and Android devices. But when the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) stopped printing
Boating safety advocates across the U.S. and Canada are teaming up to promote safe and responsible boating, including consistent life jacket wear each and every time boaters are on the water, during National Safe Boating Week, held from May 17-23, 2014. National Safe Boating Week is the official launch of the 2014 North American Safe Boating Campaign. This yearlong campaign
From June 27 to 29, marine patrols and other boating enforcement agencies across the country will be participating in Operation Dry Water, an awareness and enforcement campaign initiated by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA). A 2006 survey of college students (provided by NASBLA) noted that 45 percent of respondents had consumed alcohol while boating. College kids are,
Here’s your Spring Boating Safety Checklist. Complete safety inspection of the engine, hull, and other systems should take, at most, an hour or two. Out of the Water Inspect and lubricate seacocks. Hoses and hose clamps (two at each fitting below or near the waterline) should be inspected and replaced as necessary. This is also the best time to replace gate
