Photos

New Boats, Electronics and Gear

From the February issue of Sport Fishing magazine

By Chris Woodward

Updated: February 20, 2014

Boston Whaler 345 Conquest

When you take an offshore fishing trip, you can still enjoy ease and comfort. Boston Whaler’s new 345 Conquest features a climate-controlled helm area with seating for anglers and family within the integrated open-windshield/hardtop enclosure. A cockpit wet bar — with refrigerator/freezer, sink, storage, a cutting board and pullout grill — lets family and friends quickly wash up after a catch, and grab or prepare a snack. To port, Whaler offers its reversible companion seating that easily transforms to face aft (with a pullout footrest) to watch baits or fishing action. The ample cockpit comes with a transom door, downrigger weight holders, up to 15 vertical rod holders, a 40-gallon livewell in the aft port corner, and two insulated in-deck fish boxes with pump-out. Belowdecks, the cabin offers a six‑person dining table and full galley. The table and benches convert to a queen-size berth. A settee to starboard sleeps one adult or two kids. The 345 Conquest handles triple Mercury outboards (up to 1,050 horsepower). It carries 400 gallons of fuel, and is outfitted with a gas generator and 45 gallons of freshwater storage. Base package price is $430,243. See our video of the 345. Call 877‑294‑5645 or visit bostonwhaler.com. SPECIFICATIONS: LOA: 35 ft. 11 in.
BEAM: 11 ft. 8 in.
DEADRISE: 20 deg.

Robalo 206 Cayman

Robalo enters the ever-popular bay-boat market with its 206 Cayman, a 20-footer that features a 15-degree deadrise, extended V-plane hull and aggressive hull-side flare. Beneath the forward casting platform, Robalo dropped in an insulated 30-gallon fish box and twin lockable rod-storage compartments. Aft, the 206 offers flip-up seats for travel that quickly drop to create a flush casting deck. Fore and aft standard livewells combine for 33 gallons of bait storage. (The forward fish box can become a third livewell.) A five-gallon cast-net bucket stows in its own compartment on the port side of the outboard. The forward console seatback flips down to reveal a storage locker below the helm. A removable 54-quart cooler stows beneath the brushed -anodized-aluminum leaning post. Robalo says prices start at $29,995 for the 206 Cayman, including a tandem-axle trailer and an F115 Yamaha four-stroke outboard. Max horsepower is 200. Call 229-686-7481 or visit robalo.com. SPECIFICATIONS: LOA: 20 ft. 6 in.
BEAM: 8 ft.
DRAFT: 10 in.

Suzuki Precision Maneuvering

Suzuki has announced its new**** joystick-control system — Suzuki Precision Maneuvering — providing integrated electronic throttle, shift, and steering for twin DF250AP and DF300AP V-6 four-stroke-outboard installations. SPM replaces conventional cable controls with electronic wiring connected to shift and throttle actuators. Commands transmit from helm to engine in real time via the computer-based control system. Suzuki uses electronic-steering and joystick-control systems developed by SeaStar Solutions. SPM will be offered through select boatbuilders in March. Call 714-996-7040 or visit suzukimarine.com.

Power-Pole Micro Anchor

Power-Pole’s Micro Anchor employs an 8½-foot spike (or any length of aftermarket ¾-inch spike) to stop and hold small fishing craft. The all-electric Micro uses natural-rubber wheels and a rugged drive train to deploy and retrieve the spike. It comes with a wireless remote control and runs off a vessel’s 12-volt battery (although a battery pack and charger kit are available). The adjustable mounting bracket installs on any transom or horizontal deck surface. The Micro’s driver unit costs $595; the spike costs $95. Call 813-689-9932 or visit power-pole.com.

Pettit Hydrocoat Eco

Hydrocoat Eco anti-fouling paint incorporates Pettit’s self-polishing, water-based ablative technology with the organic (nonmetal/noncopper) biocide Econea. In combination with a slime-fighting inhibitor, the biocide provides multiseason protection to boat hulls. Pettit says application is easy with only soap-and-water cleanup. The paint film wears away (ablates) with use, eliminating paint buildup and the need for sanding; it’s also safe for all substrates, including aluminum. Available in five colors — white, blue, red, green and black — Eco costs $249.99 per gallon. Call 800-221-4466 or visit pettitpaint.com.

Fishmaster PWC Fishing Arches

Fishmaster’s new PWC Arches turn a personal watercraft into an honest fishing platform. The arches fit any PWC and can be installed in less than two hours. The rear arch ($595) accommodates a cooler and add-on rod holders for trolling. The front arch ($495) offers mounting options for rod holders, a fish finder, VHF radio and other accessories. The arches are made from 1.9-inch-diameter aluminum tubing and come with quick-release knobs. A combo pack of arches and accessories costs $995. Call 877‑777‑8693 or visit fishmaster.com.

Humminbird ONIX and ION

With the introduction of ONIX and ION multifunction displays, Humminbird ventures well offshore. The ONIX line comprises four models with 8.4- or 10.4-inch, multitouch screens that combine sonar, imaging and navigation features in one unit. ONIX can also accommodate add-ons, including 360 Imaging, radar, AIS and i-Pilot Link. The ION 10.4- and 12.1-inch multitouch systems give anglers a networkable platform to incorporate everything from radar or autopilot to side-imaging, CHIRP or IP cameras via NMEA 0183/2000. ONIX ($1,999.99 to $3,199.99) and ION ($2,499.99 and $2,999.99) units come with Navionics, C-Map and Humminbird charts. Call 800-633-1468 or visit humminbird.com.

Navionics Bahamas SonarCharts

Navionics has released SonarCharts for the Bahamas, meaning sonar logs can be recorded and uploaded to Navionics, refreshing the Bahamas area with the latest contour details. In this recent release, additional sources and technology were used to generate 1-foot contours out to 80 feet, and additional detail to 1,000 feet. The SonarCharts map layer is included with Navionics+, Platinum+ and HotMaps Platinum. Silver, Gold or HotMaps Premium customers can order SonarCharts through Navionics Updates for $99. Call 800-848-5896 or visit navionics.com.

Garmin GPSMAP 800 and 1000

Garmin has rolled out a new series of networkable chart plotters/fish finders with built-in scanning-sonar capability. The GPSMAP 800**** and**** 1000 series come with 8- or 10-inch screens, an intuitive keyed interface, 1 kW traditional sonar, built-in CHIRP, and the newly announced DownVü (with support for SideVü with CHIRP). Available with a worldwide base map or preloaded with U.S. coastal BlueChart g2, the 820xs and 840xs units cost $1,499.99; the 1020xs and 1040xs units cost $1.999.99. Call 800-800-1020 or visit garmin.com/marine2014.