DEPARTMENTS

Editor's Report
AMF Offshore Racing's John Haggin earns the Viking Spirit Award. By Gregg Mansfield

Letters
Outboard Interest, Embracing Change, Insurance Costs, Challenger Molds and Fun in Central Florida

Teague on Tech
When to spend money on improvements. By Bob Teague

Come Together
Fountain Powerboats purchases Baja Marine, uniting two of the largest performance-boat manufacturers.

ShowStopper
Answers from the Miami International Boat Show. By Dick DeBartolo

Accessories
Alpine marine sound systems, customizable sea strainers and more.

Timeout With
Reggie Fountain interviewed by Matt Trulio

Finely Honed
Cobra Performance Boats enters the twin-engine, sport-boat market with the 320 Razor. By Jason Johnson

Propped to Go Big
Bought by SC Performance, Hering Propellers looks to cut delivery times and create stock inventory—and that's just the beginning. By Matt Trulio

Freed Radicals
Improperly stabilized gasoline stored in a boat over the winter can make springtime maintenance a headache. By Brett Becker

Flashback
After four decades of testing some of the industry's best performance boats, the Powerboat Test Team still takes it seriously. By Ben Gallagher

FEATURES

Face Lift
Nothing dresses up a dash like sporty new gauges and controls. Here's a step-by-step look at a red-hot helm installation.

Gold Rush
Performance boaters from around the country flock to Florida's Gold Coast for an early-season poker run. By Terry Tomalin

2008 AWARDS FOR PRODUCT EXCELLENCE

Publisher's Award
Imco Marine's Fred Inman

Awards Introduction
Hanging Tough

Outstanding Sport Boat Workmanship
Hallett Boats 290-S Midcabin

Outstanding Deck Boat Performance
E-ticket Performance Boats 29 Luxury Cat

Outstanding Deck Boat Workmanship
Dave's Custom Boats Mach F-30 Sport Deck

Outstanding Offshore V-bottom Performance
Donzi Marine 38 ZR Competition

Outstanding Offshore V-bottom Workmanship
Nor-Tech 3900 Super Vee

New Model of the Year
Cigarette Racing 49 Grand Sport

Tow Boat of the Year
Malibu Boats Wakesetter 23 LSV

Runabout of the Year
Chaparral Boats 284 Sunesta

Sport Cruiser of the Year
Formula Boats 350 Sun Sport

Deck Boat of the Year
Howard Custom Boats 28 Sport Deck

Sport Boat of the Year
Advantage Boats X-Flight 29 Cuddy Open Bow

Sport Catamaran of the Year
Eliminator Boats 30 Daytona

Offshore Catamaran of the Year
Douglas Marine Skater 30 Race/Pleasure

Offshore V-bottom of the Year
Fountain Powerboats 35 Lightning