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Tournament News Powered By Lake Drive MarineTournament News Powered By Lake Drive Marine


p>Power-Pole Report

Power-Pole AnchorsPower-Pole Anchors

Ever have that sinking feeling? You know the one you had on windy days before you had a Power-Pole Shallow Water Anchor on your boat. Remember drifting into that big school of redfish or past that favorite patch of lily pads full of big bass. Make sure you are ready for that perfect shot! Instead of blaming the product, know that the maintenance of your gear and keeping it a well-oiled machine is your responsibility as an angler and boater.

Here are six tips to keep your Power-Pole Shallow Water Anchor in top shape and keep you in the game:


Yamaha Report

Yamaha 4.2-liter V MAX SHO®Yamaha 4.2-liter V MAX SHO®

Yamaha Marine’ s newly upgraded 4.2-liter V MAX SHO® outboard has a full 40 percent more charging capacity and contemporary styling as it enters a new era of reliable service.

“The newly upgraded 4.2-liter V MAX SHO follows a familiar theme requested by Yamaha customers: make it better, but don’t change it too much,” said Ben Speciale, President, Yamaha U.S. Marine Business Unit. “The V MAX SHO was the first outboard to prove a four-stroke outboard could be as light and powerful as a two-stroke. It now takes battery charging capability from 50 to 70 amps, a full 40 percent more. That extra juice greatly improves the boat’s power margins and gives anglers confidence that the systems on their boat have plenty of power to take them wherever they need to go.”

Tested by tournament anglers and weekend warriors alike, V MAX SHO outboards are renowned for their power, performance and reliability coupled with smooth, quiet operation and incredible fuel economy.

At 200, 225 or 250 prop-shaft horsepower, and with select models available with a 25-inch shaft, these outboards are appropriate for a variety of applications, fresh water and coastal. Yamaha also offers an optional isolator lead to better charge house or trolling batteries.


Mercury Report

Five Things to Know When Buying and Financing A BoatFive Things to Know When Buying and Financing A Boat

You’ve just decided to buy a boat and are wondering what you need to know about boat financing? First things first: you’ve just made an excellent decision. Nothing will bring you and your family more fun and quality time together than a boat. But when you’re making a major monetary move such as financing a boat, there are a few important items you need to bear in mind. Before you sign on any dotted lines, be sure to consider the following five things:

1. Trust Your Dealer to Help with Financing

While there are various ways of setting up boat financing, boat dealers do it each and every day. It’s in their interest to make sure the process goes smoothly and to the buyer’s advantage, and many boat dealers work with a number of lending companies so they can identify the best deal for you with a few keystrokes of the computer. Some people think of boat dealers like car salesmen, which is a shame. The pool of boat buyers is far smaller than that of car buyers, so boat dealers depend much more on establishing long-term relationships and keeping their customers happy. It may seem like surprising advice at first, and of course there are exceptions to the rule, but it’s a fact — as long as you’re dealing with a reputable dealership with a respected history, trusting the boat dealer to set up financing is often your best option.

2. Consider the Loan Term and How it Affects the Payments 


Mercury Outboard Report

Battery power is a critical component in the overall performance of a boat for any activity on the water. From cranking your outboard to operating integrated digital technologies and marine electronics, not much happens without a reliable source of electrical power.

The simplest way to make sure you have the proper batteries installed in your boat is to consult an experienced marine battery dealer. Understanding the basics before you do will better prepare you to communicate your wants and needs.

This quick rundown of the fundamentals should get you started. It was assembled with help from marine battery expert Menno Ligterink, OEM sales manager at Power Products®, which manufactures Mastervolt® batteries and electrical accessories.

Battery Applications

For marine use, batteries typically fulfill one of three applications: starter, traction or semi-traction. Using the wrong type for any application can greatly reduce a battery’s performance and life span.

Life span is measured in cycles. One complete cycle takes place when the battery’s available power is depleted and then recharged to full.

Starter batteries – A starter battery delivers a high start-up current over a short period of time for firing up the engine, then is quickly recharged by the boat’s alternator. It’s designed for short, intense bursts of power that use small amounts of the battery’s storage capacity.

Traction batteries – A traction battery is designed to gradually deliver much more current over a longer period for deep-cycle applications, where most of the battery’s available power is used before it is recharged. A traction battery can also withstand many repeated cycles. Powering a trolling motor is a job for a traction battery.

Semi-traction batteries – A semi-traction battery is a dual-purpose solution that can be used for starting or cyclic applications. A common use would be as a starter battery that also powers a multi-function display.

Lead-Acid Battery Types

Most marine batteries are the lead-acid type. Within the battery housing they contain a series of lead plates surrounded by an electrolyte solution, which includes sulfuric acid. The configuration and size of the plates and specific type of electrolyte solution used determine the characteristics of the battery, its best applications and the amount of necessary maintenance.

Wet-cell batteries – In a wet-cell lead-acid battery, the acid is mixed with water and circulates around the lead plates. Over time, as the battery is discharged and charged, the water will evaporate. It must be periodically refilled with distilled water.

Traditional wet-cell batteries are affordable and still very common as starter, or “cranking” batteries. Properly cared for, they can deliver years of effective use. They’re not ideal as traction batteries, however, and using one for repeated deep-cycle applications will greatly shorten its life span and result in poor performance.

AGM batteries – An absorbed-glass-mat (AGM) battery is a type of dry-cell lead-acid battery. It has the same chemistry as a wet-cell battery, but the electrolyte solution is absorbed into a fiberglass mat that rests against the lead plates. It’s considered maintenance-free because there’s no need to top off with water.