Stay Connected to your boat. Stay connected to your boat from $99. BoatConnect™ from Simrad gives you peace of mind. Monitor your boat’s location and battery, track trips and movement. Receive alerts if your boat leaves a designated area, and know when your battery is low. With BoatConnect™ stay close to family or employees out at sea, track a stolen boat or ensure your battery is ready for planned trips. LOCATION TRACKING
MOVEMENT ALERTS
BATTERY STATUS
LIVE WEATHER
TRIP HISTORY
SIMRAD-YACHTING.COM/BOATCONNECT SIMRAD-YACHTING.COM/GO *To get started install the BoatConnect hub, download the app and register for the monthly subscription ($19.99/mo. You can stop the subscription at any time).
By Nick Carter
Build Your Own
FISHING BUDDY T
o a father and an angler, there’s nothing sweeter than the phrase, “Daddy, can we go fishing today?” I heard those words the first time three years ago from the open face and high-pitched lilt of a 6-year-old boy. It was the reward for years of careful cultivation. We’ve fished together since he was a toddler. Before, it had always been my idea, a way to drag him outside on a warm afternoon. Those early trips to a small neighborhood pond were frustrating. He wanted to do it himself, so Dad picked through snarled lines while the boy mucked around in the shallows, throwing rocks and scaring fish. At some point, I gave up on catching fish. That pivotal moment freed us both to enjoy time together. To a 4-year-old, sharing crackers with minnows that dart from beneath a dock is as engaging as a fish on the line. Frogs, turtles and the blue heron that fished the same spawning flats we did were as integral to the experience as fish. Now, as a 9-year-old, that kid stands in the front of the boat, ties his own rigs and pounds
the banks with skill. Watching his growth as an angler is immensely rewarding, and keeping it fun was/is the key to feeding his desire.
The Fishing Fishing is more fun when fish are biting. Pond bream are great for young anglers because techniques are simple and the action is fast. In saltwater, seatrout and whiting provide the same kind of action that keeps their attention. For the first few outings, leave the boat trailered. Fishing from the bank, from a pier or in the surf provides freedom of movement for them to explore. If they lose interest in fishing, they can chase crabs, look in the buckets of neighboring anglers, hunt for shells or wade the shallows.
Catch And Keep Like sports trophies, Children want and take pride in having something to show for their efforts. Allow kids to take part in the process of catching, cleaning and cooking fresh fish for dinner. In the process, they’ll learn how the meat they eat makes it to their plate.
A Few Tips • Be Patient: Don’t plan on fishing yourself. The adult’s job is to cast and untangle lines, bait hooks, unhook fish and avoid being hooked. • Take Snacks: The most important items in the tackle box are snacks and juice boxes. • Don’t Push It: If your kids would rather throw rocks, let them. • Their Gear: Children love stuff that is theirs. Get a small tackle box for them to carry. Load it with a small pair of pliers and a few inexpensive lures. • Lures: Some kids just want to throw it out and reel it in. Small inline spinners and some jigs are designed to catch anything that swims, and there’s no wrong way to fish them. • Let Them Learn: Nothing is more aggravating than being constantly told what to do. Offer help, but let them learn from their own mistakes.
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3 6 0 - D E G R E E AC C E S S TO AN OCE AN OF POSSIBILITIES The engineless design of the FSH Series gives owners a spacious stern area, as well as 360-degree uninterrupted access to the water. With enhanced saltwater corrosion protection and a host of fishing and family-friendly features, Yamaha’s 2020 FSH Series is the best way to experience everything the coast has to offer. YA M A H A B OAT S . C O M
©2020 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved. Follow instructional materials and obey all laws. Drive responsibly, wearing protective apparel. Always drive within your capabilities, allowing time and distance for maneuvers, and respect others around you. Don’t drink and drive. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT YAMAHABOATS.COM OR CALL 1.800.88.YAMAHA.
THE EVOLUTION OF YAMAHA BOATS
I
n 1989, following the consumer success of the WaveRunner line, and as the Yamaha brand captivated a whole new audience on the water, Yamaha engineers began to explore the feasibility of creating even more exciting and memorable experiences for our customers on the water through new, innovative product offerings. The success of jet drive systems in WaveRunners drove Yamaha engineers to explore the possibility of a larger product, a boat, around that same technology. Three engineers in Japan started work on the first prototype boat models. This included Hirofumi Imaeda, who had experience designing outboard engines, Tomoyoshi Koyanagi, who had deep experience designing WaveRunners, and Yoshiyuki Kaneko, who created prototypes of four passenger WaveRunner models. At that time, 50 horsepower was the most powerful Yamaha engine that could be used in a boat application but it was not powerful enough for a 20-foot jet boat. It was then that Yamaha began to envision its boats with twin engines. Initial tests of the twin boats proven successful in Japan, and in February of 1991, Yamaha released its first jet boat, known as the RJP, as a concept boat at the Tokyo and Osaka Boat Shows. Showcasing at these shows attracted the attention of the larger global marine community, and the positive reception
prompted Yamaha to continue to explore its feasibility as a mass marketed consumer boat, sold through Yamaha dealers. Interestingly enough, one of the American boat builders who took note of these early prototypes at the boat shows, expressed serious interest selling the boats in the US. After a short exploratory and research phase, it was decided that the US market was indeed ripe for such a product, and in 1995 a handful of the Japanese team working on the project moved to the US to continue development. Yamaha Motor Corporation USA purchased a boat building facility in Vonore, Tennessee and made the decision to produce jet boats there. It was here that Yamaha’s US based product team joined in the development including Scott “Hollywood” Watkins, the IJSBA Hall of Fame freerider who birthed the WaveRunner boom in the US. The team expanded the original design of the RJP and created a radical new, family friendly design that would become the staple of Yamaha Boats from that point on.
The new design provided more space than any other bowrider in the industry thanks to the compact nature of the engines and jet pumps units. Even though these boats used the 110-horsepower engines popularized with the WaveRunner line, they were able to be mounted inside the hull in what became a true engine-less layout. Next up was the hull design and Yamaha experimented with several prototypes, utilizing a wide range of different shapes and molds. When matched with the twin engine power plant, it became clear rather quickly that this boat could offer a level of performance and exhilaration unlike anything else on the water today. In May of 1995, Yamaha debuted its first jet boat called “Exciter” and it was an instant hit in the market. Soon after, development continued and Yamaha introduced new boats including the “LS-2000” and “SR-230,” each of which grew the market and acceptance of jet drive boats. And the momentum has never slowed. Today, Yamaha jet boats have become the gold standard for all open bow family fun runabout boats, outselling all other boats in their classes. Innovation and engineering are only two aspects of Yamaha culture and values. For more information, visit YamahaBoats.com or call 1-800-88-YAMAHA.
Looking for Hot Spots? Looking for Hot Spots?
Fish Mapping™ is the newest, most comprehensive service package from SiriusXM Marine. Delivering regularly updated,is science-based datacomprehensive via satellite to service compatible Garmin multi-function displays, this service is available Fish Mapping™ the newest, most package from SiriusXM Marine. Delivering regularly updated, sciencebased datawell viabeyond satellite to compatible displays, service is available wellfuel. beyond cellular range cellular range to Garmin help youmulti-function find the hot fishing spotsthis faster – saving time and Fish Mapping also to help you fi nd the hot fi shing faster –information saving timeinand fuel. Fish Mapping also package. includes all weather information Marine includes allspots the weather SiriusXM's Marine Offshore It’sthe great for offshore anglersinfiSiriusXM’s shing Offshore package. It’s great for offshore anglers fi shing in tournaments, taking clients on charter trips or just fi shing for fun. in tournaments, taking clients on charter trips or just fishing for fun. Fishing features locationslocations for specifi gamecfigame sh, Weed Lines,Lines, Sea Surface Temperatures andand Front Strength, Fishinginclude featuresrecommended include recommended forcspecifi fish, Weed Sea Surface Temperatures Sub Surface Sea Temperatures, Sea Surface Height Variance, and Plankton Concentration data. Concentration data. Front Strength, Sub Surface Sea Temperatures, Sea Surface Height Variance, and Plankton
H E R E I S W H AT T H E P R O S S AY A B O U T S I R I U S X M M A R I N E F I S H M A P P I N G ™ “After looking at SiriusXM’s Fish Mapping “Fishing Recommendations” feature on our Garmin plotter and seeing several recommended areas for wahoo, we aimed the Intrepid for one of the overlapping “fi sh bubble” areas about 80 miles offshore. We put two weighted wahoo fl atlines out well behind the boat and two outriggers with skirts chugging over the wakes and trolled at 8.5 knots. We had our fi rst wahoo on in minutes!” — Dave Johnson, Mike Hatcher & Captain Tom Robinson “Fixed Income” (40’ Intrepid) Naples, Florida
MORE FISHING. LESS GUESSING.
™
See recommended spots to fish – marked directly on your boat’s display.
The Fish Mapping service includes 8 dedicated fishing features plus all of SiriusXM Marine’s weather features and is available offshore well beyond cell range. Add SiriusXM Radio and you're all set for an incredible day of fishing.
1-MONTH TRIAL + $250 COMBINED REBATE
AVAILABLE ON
Learn more and Offer Details at siriusxm.com/fishmapping OFFER DETAILS: Activate a new subscription to SiriusXM Marine Fish Mapping and receive your first month free (a $99.99 savings), plus get free activation (an additional $25 savings), for a combined savings of $124.99. Add SiriusXM Select radio package at the discount rate of $11.99/mo. Fees and taxes apply. A credit card is required on this offer. You must cancel during your free month to avoid being charged. At the beginning of your second month service will automatically renew thereafter every month and you will be charged at then-current rates. Fees and taxes apply. Please see our Customer Agreement at siriusxm.com for complete terms and how to cancel, which includes calling us at 1-800-985-9200. All fees, content, and features are subject to change. This offer may not be combined with any other trial offers and may be modified or terminated at any time. Subscription and hardware sold separately. $100 Rebate from SiriusXM available through Dec 31, 2020, limited-time $150 Rebate from Garmin available Jan 20th - March 31st with hardware and subscription purchase, see Rebate Offer Details at siriusxm.com/fishmapping. Photo by Cody Spinadel. © 2020 Sirius XM Radio Inc. SiriusXM, Automatic, Pandora and all related logos are trademarks of Sirius XM Radio Inc. and its respective subsidiaries. All other marks and logos are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
While the early success of Realtree was rooted in the hunting industry, three decades later the company’s influence now reaches into virtually every corner of the sporting world. Of course, the same sportsmen and women who trade their bows and guns for fishing rods are drawn to the Realtree brand, and that’s why Realtree fishing was created. So get out and enjoy the outdoors with some great products from a brand you trust, no matter the season.
Get a GEICO quote for your boat and, in just 15 minutes, you’ll know how much you could be saving. If you like what you hear, you can buy your policy right on the spot. Then let us do the rest while you enjoy your free time with peace of mind. geico.com/boat | 1-800-865-4846
Some discounts, coverages, payment plans, and features are not available in all states, in all GEICO companies, or in all situations. Boat and PWC coverages are underwritten by GEICO Marine Insurance Company. In the state of CA, program provided through Boat Association Insurance Services, license #0H87086. GEICO is a registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, DC 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. Š 2020 GEICO