Boston Whaler, which is celebrating its 50th Anniversary recently introduced the 230 Dauntless. This latest in the Dauntless series follows the same styling as the 200 Dauntless introduced last year. Designed for multi-purpose versatility, the 230 offers a full-width aft casting deck that converts to a wide bench seat. You can also stow wakeboards as well as fishing rods in this area. The bow seating provides a wide and expansive foredeck when backrests are not in use. The area converts to wide and comfortable lounges.

The fall boat show season is just getting underway in North America from Seattle to Newport. Builders historically showcase new model year product at these shows, and this year, there were a varity of new boats that caught the attention of our editors. Here are some highlights from the Newport, Rhode Island show and the Norwalk, Connecticut shows. We're also heading down to Annapolis and Ft. Lauderdale in October and will keep you posted.

The fall boat show season is just getting underway in North America from Seattle to Newport. Builders historically showcase new model year product at these shows, and this year, there were a varity of new boats that caught the attention of our editors. Here are some highlights from the Newport, Rhode Island show and the Norwalk, Connecticut shows. We're also heading down to Annapolis and Ft. Lauderdale in October and will keep you posted.

Lately big, thundering V-6 outboards have been getting all the attention. But just off stage, smaller, portable outboards have also benefited from mechanical and electronic advances. Gone are the days of smoky, noisy, and polluting conventional two-stroke motors. In their place are a new wave of 4-strokes, a technology renowned for its efficiency. Four-strokes are soft spoken, smokeless and economical to operate.

I was speaking recently with Karen Schuler of Trawlers Midwest about PDQ and Lagoon, the company's power catamaran offerings. Karen and her husband Ken first began selling Nordic Tugs on the Great Lakes about 15 years ago. Today they carry American Tug and Camano, admittedly more traditional designs than either the Lagoon or PDQ. I was reminiscing about a Lagoon Power 43 I helped deliver from Florida to the Virgin Islands.

While your boat enjoys a well-earned break over the winter months, the off-season is an excellent time to take a safe boating course offered by the Coast Guard Auxiliary or Power Squadron. One of the highlights of these informative courses is a study of Navigation Rules.