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Almost a year after debuting its new diesel outboard at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, Cox Powertrain will begin manufacturing the CXO300 in October. The British firm anticipates that the initial deliveries of the outboard will occur by the year’s end, as announced by officials this week at the Seawork International marine and workboat exhibition in Southampton, U.K. This much-anticipated diesel outboard will be produced at Cox Powertrain’s manufacturing facility in Shoreham, England. Once fully operational, the production line will function two shifts daily to satisfy demand. Production of Cox Powertrain’s CXO300 will commence in October, with the first…

Gordon Houser, known for fostering a generation of high-performance boat enthusiasts, passed away in Sarasota, Florida, on March 1, at the age of 88. During his nearly 60-year career in the marine industry, Houser led marketing for prominent brands such as Wellcraft Scarab and Donzi Marine. His initiatives included featuring boats on television shows and in amusement parks, which attracted a new audience of boaters. “Gordon was always a pioneer in marketing,” stated Bob Black, a colleague and best man at Houser’s wedding. Black met him while managing public relations for Betty Cook’s powerboat record run on the Hudson River…

All Aboard Explore these waterfront dining spots in Florida and North Carolina. By Gregg Mansfield Taking your center console boat to a waterfront eatery or bar is a delightful experience. There’s something unique about arriving at the docks, securing your boat, and heading into the restaurant for a burger and a beer. In this edition, we highlight restaurants in Florida and North Carolina recommended by readers of Center Console Life. Bring out the center console and share your thoughts with us. Marina Jacks Sarasota, Florida, boasts an impressive boating heritage, featuring renowned names like Chris-Craft Boats and Donzi Marine. Its…

Center console fishermen can maximize every gallon of gas by reducing weight, keeping the boat properly trimmed, and planning fishing excursions for optimal efficiency. By Barry Gibson Fuel prices at marinas and gas stations have significantly decreased from the excruciatingly high rates of five or six years ago, which reduces the stress of refilling your boat’s fuel tank. Nonetheless, you can stretch each gallon further by making a few straightforward modifications to your boat, engine, and fishing trips. The biggest fuel consumer is unnecessary weight, particularly the amount of fuel you carry. My 28-foot center console has a fuel capacity…

More than 25 boats are anticipated to take part in this weekend’s Everglades Rendezvous, which is being organized by Annapolis Boat Sales in Maryland. The rendezvous opens on Friday evening with a cocktail reception at Bridges Restaurant. On Saturday morning, following a brunch check-in at the Jetty Dock Bar, the boats will embark on a roughly 30-minute journey to Lowes Wharf Marina Inn for a crab feast dinner featuring live music from the Chris Sacks Band. The event concludes on Sunday with an optional trip to Conquest Beach, where families and kids will gather for a fun-filled day. This marks…

Research: Tuna and Billfish Fishing Creates $510 Million in Annual Sales The United States economy benefits significantly from fishing for swordfish, tuna, billfish, and sharks. Precisely how much? According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries, anglers contribute approximately $510 million to the economy each year. In late 2019, NOAA Fisheries published two studies examining the economic influence of recreational fisheries focused on Atlantic highly migratory species such as Atlantic tunas, sharks, billfish, and swordfish. These species are highly valuable to anglers, as evidenced by the number of permits and tournaments available. In 2018, NOAA Fisheries reported over…

Sea Hunt Boat Company has become part of the group of center-console makers that include Garmin marine electronics as standard gear on every new vessel. Beginning in November, Sea Hunt introduced electronics packages that feature chartplotters, VHF radios, and autopilots as standard features. Each boat will include a Garmin VHF 110 marine radio with Digital Selective Calling (DSC) capabilities, and select packages also come with the Reactor™ 40 Hydraulic Autopilot, which includes a solid-state 9-axis attitude heading reference system (AHRS). “We’ve experienced a substantial rise in the number of boats ordered with Garmin electronics packages, so we’re thrilled to have…

This Grady-White model is the largest outboard-driven dual console available today. By Gregg Mansfield Since 1959, Grady-White has been crafting boats and has introduced groundbreaking designs and advancements in the boating industry over the years. The Freedom 415, the latest innovation from the North Carolina builder, is being touted as the largest outboard-powered dual console currently for sale, having premiered at the 2024 Miami International Boat Show. Measuring 40’7” in length with a beam of 13’8”, the Freedom 415 is an impressive vessel, featuring quad Yamaha XTO Offshore 450 outboards mounted on the transom. It appears even more imposing outside…

Purchasing a new boat and officially giving it a name is a significant milestone. The Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) has published its list of the most popular boat names for 2019, compiled from requests for boat name designs from BoatUS Boat Graphics. According to BoatUS, the Top 10 boat names are: 1. Aquaholic: Making a comeback after a four-year absence from the Top 10, this favored boat name plays on the idea of indulging in too much time on the water. 2. Pearl: Often a shortened reference to the fictional ship from the “Pirates of the…

Spring is an Ideal Time to Ensure Your Boat Insurance Keeps You Covered. For those living in states without year-round boating conditions, many boat enthusiasts eagerly await the days when temperatures consistently rise above freezing. This marks the moment to retrieve the boat from its storage and look forward to enjoyable days on the water. This season provides an excellent opportunity to assess your marine insurance policy and on-water towing coverage. The insurance policy purchased years ago for your new boat might now be insufficient. Insurance professionals advise consumers to examine their policies annually, paying close attention to the details.…