Follow Boating Editor Randy Vance, as we show you how to put the final tune on a new KICKER Marine Audio system, so listening to your favorite music that you want to sounds just right. 

Step 1 – Zones 

We first went to each zone: top zone, deck zone, and subwoofer zone. Adjusted all the tones to neutral except for the subwoofer zone which we put full-on. Now when tuning your system, you are going to use whatever music source you usually listen to. If that’s Bluetooth audio, pick a song that has a wide range of tones and volumes so you are getting the full experience and adjust to that. 

Step 2 – Let’s Amplify Things

Now once we’ve got all the tones set to neutral, the volume set to 75% and the subwoofer set to full, it’s time to take the control panel off so that we can get to the amplifier behind it. Once we get access to the amplifier we have to set up the crossover points for each pair of outputs labeled amp 1 and amp 2. Very low frequencies can be harmful at high volume to smaller speakers, so when we get to the subwoofer we want to disconnect the leads to the higher-frequency speakers on amp 1 and amp 2. But we’re going to start by adjusting the high-frequency speakers first. 

For the coaxial speakers in the top zone, we’re going to set the amplifier’s high pass crossover, and set the frequency to around 150 hertz. This will be approximately the 12’o clock position on the KICKER KXMA 900.5 amp, which is the one we have here today. 

Step 3 – Sound Check & Crossover Frequency 

Play your favorite music at the level you use to set the gains, which should be at approximately 75% of full volume. You’ll want to follow this procedure for each of the zones separately. 

1. If you hear the speaker distort or make a popping noise, turn the crossover frequency adjustment dial clockwise. This will take more of the lower frequencies away from the coaxials. 
2. If they don’t distort or pop, you can gradually turn the crossover frequency adjustment dial counterclockwise. This will send more of the lower frequencies to the speakers and make the system sound fuller and naturally balanced. 

Now keep in mind setting up some of your crossover frequency for each zone is essential to giving you the best sound and the longest life from your speakers. 

Usually, only the larger speakers like the KMXL 8″ horn-loaded speakers on the deck can handle those low frequencies at a higher power level. 

Step 4 – Subwoofers 

Now that we’ve got AMP one and two adjusted for higher frequency speakers it’s time to do the subwoofers. We’re going to do that with all of them hooked up together. While setting the crossover frequency on the high-frequency speakers can be destructive if you have too low of frequencies going through them, you won’t have that problem with the subwoofers so they can handle it, you’ll just get poor sound. 

We’re going to use the same music that we used to set the higher frequency speakers and now we’re going to work on the crossover for the subs. We will set that to about 100 to 120 hertz and turn up the volume of the entire system.

Tip: If the bass sounds hollow or muddy, turn the low pass crossover frequency down to prevent the upper frequencies from going to the subwoofer. 

Tip 2: The KICKER KXMA900.5 subwoofer amplifier section also features a “subsonic” filter. This will protect the subwoofer from ultra low frequencies at high volume levels. We suggest setting this at about 1/4 to 1/2 way up from the “10” position.

Ideally, your crossover settings on the subwoofer are going to closely approximate the crossover settings on your higher frequency speakers. By doing so, you now have a full range of sound with no gaps in the Spectrum. All that means is whatever the recording artist and their producers put on that track are going to come through completely and clearly on your stereo system. 

Step 5 – Enjoy your new audio system 

It’s really not difficult to perfectly tune your audio system for the optimum sound. Just follow the procedures that we’ve listed above and in the video to get things started. 

Thanks for joining Randy On My Dock, and enjoy your KICKER Marine Audio system.

The post The Sound of Luxury Arrives from KICKER Marine Audio appeared first on Boating Mag.

It was November 2022, and Jeff Schieman was walking around the gigantic Metstrade show in Amsterdam. Exhibitor after exhibitor was displaying equipment, materials and systems that could be used on boats. The place was cavernous, with every product imaginable.

Even amid that endless sea of options, the Kanvaslight display stopped Schieman cold. This French company had figured out how to weave optical fibers into fabric, and then add a light injector. In essence, the combination made fabric light up.

“It was pretty cool,” says Schieman, one of the founding partners of Florida-based SeaDek, which makes foam flooring for boats. “They were putting it in Bimini tops and seating and things. I wanted to work with them to light through our EVA foam.”

Two years later, at the 2024 Miami International Boat Show, SeaDek won an Innovation Award from the National Marine Manufacturers Association for its latest product: Lighted SeaDek. Judges were wowed by what they called “a new level of functionality and owner customizations.”

To Schieman’s thinking, Lighted SeaDek was simply the next step in what has been a journey of high-quality, innovative boat flooring since the company’s founding in 2004. Back then, SeaDek gave boaters an alternative to the ubiquitous hard-fiberglass nonskid or standard household-style carpeting. SeaDek flooring, by contrast, is a foam blend whose underfoot comfort helps to reduce boater fatigue while providing traction. It’s fully customizable too, with all kinds of colors, textures and laser-cut patterns.

Boaters loved it—so much so that competitors sprung up, many with lower-quality knockoff products. That’s why Schieman and the team were at Metstrade, trying to figure out the next advancement that SeaDek could offer in a high-quality way.

“We’re always thinking of ways to stay No. 1,” he says. “The job of myself and the SeaDek team is to think about what the next big thing will be to stay as leaders in innovation.”

Kanvaslight’s fiber-optic technology appealed to Schieman because it’s different from the LED lighting that’s usually installed in covered locations on boats. This fiber-optic solution can be out in the open for everyone to see—where flooring is on a boat.

“When you see LED strips, they’re not pretty-looking. You want to keep it hidden,” Schieman says. “The fiber-optic strip is very clean. It just looks like a white strip, and you can get it in very wide lengths. With LEDs, getting an 8-inch-wide LED, there are too many little, teeny chips. A piece-of-paper size of an LED looks like a circuit board. The lights are independent. It’s not a nice, consistent wide light. That’s why the LED doesn’t work in this kind of application.”

By the time Schieman got to Metstrade, SeaDek had already been trying to solve the lighted flooring challenge for a while. SeaDek had several patented ideas, but they were different from this new solution: “A fiber-optic ribbon is adhered, and our peel-and-stick flooring is on top of that to create the illumination that you want.” 

Another key benefit to making Lighted SeaDek this way is that the fiber-optic lighting stays cool when it lights up. It also can handle the wet environment without the system being fried. And it works with dimmers and with music, similar to other modern boat lighting.

Right now, Lighted SeaDek is available only by request from OEMs on new builds—and only under the SeaDek brand. The SeaDek team works directly with manufacturers to determine how the wiring should connect to the boat’s command center, which is why boat buyers need to ask for Lighted SeaDek during a boat’s construction.

The biggest problem that SeaDek’s team is running into so far is boaters requesting the lighted flooring for all kinds of sprawling onboard spaces. They want it everywhere. The technology isn’t quite there yet, although SeaDek is the only company figuring out how to apply it in different ways.

“None of our competitors are doing this,” Schieman says. “What we are offering right now is 3 to 4 inches wide by about 3 feet long, to light up logos and small areas.

“SeaDek strives on innovation and customer service,” he adds. “We want everyone to know that when we come out with a product, our goal is to stay No. 1 and be innovative, and not just sell flooring. It’s about new products and disrupting the marine industry time and time again.”

For more information, visit seadek.com/innovation.

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Garrett Cortese and Amy Mauzy give an exclusive behind the scenes tour of the Centurion and Supreme factory in Merced, California. See the entire process for how these boats are built and explore the similarities and differences between the two brands.

The post 2024 Centurion & Supreme Factory Tour appeared first on Boating Mag.

The Highfield Boats Velox 420 is redefining what the boating industry knows to be true about jet boats. A sleek, reserved design combines Highfield’s renowned durability and lightweight aluminum hull with the cutting-edge performance of a jet propulsion system. A boat built for a day on the water spent surfing, diving and more has elevated the jet boat market with a brand-new approach to exploration.

According to the team at Highfield Boats, this model tops out around 39 mph and is powered by the BRP Rotax 90 HP engine, built to outfit the Velox 420 perfectly. Unlike most jet boats, this model capitalizes every inch of the vessel to ensure owners can seat up to eight people and bring along all their surfing, diving and fishing equipment on board for their next adventure. Uniquely designed to include a fiberglass platform to lounge and surf, the lightweight, buoyant and easy to tow Velox 420 has all the advantages of a rib while maximizing the thrill of owning a jet boat. Both visually and performance wise this model easily sets itself apart from the competition.

Watch as the editors of Boating Magazine take you behind the scenes for a first look at this luxury jet boat at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

The post Introducing the Highfield Boats Velox 420 appeared first on Boating Mag.

What they are able to do with this Cobalt R33 Surf boat is basically offer a two-in-one situation: The family that wants to use a traditional runabout so they can do everything they normally do, plus it’s able to surf, which has been really favorable. 

The key feature of Volvo Penta’s Twin Forward Drive system is that the props are mounted on the forward side of the drive rather than facing aft on the traditional stern drive. So it pulls the boat through the water, rather than pushing it. 

An added benefit of the props facing forward is that they’re working in clean water, which adds to their efficiency and even top-end speed when you’re working with the surf package. When you trim the forward drives up they actually direct thrust down, dropping the stern of the boat further into the water, increasing the displacement and helping to produce a larger wave to surf on. 

In fact, with the Twin Forward Drive system on a boat as big as the Cobalt R33 surf, you don’t even need a ballast system. With Volvo Penta’s Duoprop system that means it has counter-rotating propellers, which help when you are handling at the dock, or trying to load the boat on the trailer, making it that much more maneuverable. 

Volvo Penta’s Joystick Surfing system is a fantastic feature to have on the boat. It really helps with closed-quarter handling around the docks or in the marina and now the operator can use this to control the boat with one hand while in Surf Mode.

Volvo Penta also includes autopilot so you can set your Waypoint and follow a route just by pressing a button. In their partnership with Volvo Penta, Cobalt optimized the R33 Surf to create a clean and adjustable wig that’s ideal for surfers of all levels. Cobalt has long been one of the gold standard companies for building day boats. 

The beauty of having the surf package in the day boat is you get all the benefits and cruising comfort of having a boat of this style. You can overnight on it and you can bring your whole family aboard, plus you can surf from it.

Learn More:

• Volvo Penta Unveils Joystick Surfing
• Find Your Next Cobalt R33 at River Valley Marine

The post Discover Unmatched Versatility: Cruise in Comfort and Surf in Style With the Cobalt R33 Surf Powered by Volvo Penta appeared first on Boating Mag.

This is one of the most versatile boats we’ve tested. It’s ready to fish, dive, day boat, or cruise. It makes it ideal for bringing out the entire family or a large group of friends and enjoying a wide variety of activities. Step aboard the Regal 43 SAV with us. 

One feature that makes the Regal 43 SAV so versatile is the side terrace doors. When they’re up, you have a nice deep cockpit, that can run offshore, and when you lay them down they add 50 square feet, making it ideal for the sand bar. There are twin pressurized livewells in the transom, gunnel rod holders, rod holders across the transom, and other options for your fishing needs. 

Our test boat was powered by triple 450 horsepower Yamaha XTO offshore V8 outboards that delivered 53-mile-an-hour speeds. This boat was built with high-tech construction methods, and carbon fiber throughout the boat. 

Regal built the 43 SAV with versatility as its hallmark, and after our day out on the water we can say they achieved that goal. To learn more visit: regalboats.com/model/43-sav/.

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Today we’re at Lake Minnetonka testing the brand new 2025 Alumacraft Competitor 205X. This is a great fishing boat from Alumacraft and we take you through all the new features. 

One of the new features for 2025 is the all-new Alumacraft X-Pods. These clever transom extensions wrap around both sides of the outboard to create 16 inches of additional fishing deck space. X-Pods also add storage, there are lockers underneath them, and help to improve buoyancy.

Alumacraft’s gone to an all-digital dash, and our test boat was fitted with a Garmin screen that shows navigation, fish finding, and all your vital instruments. Now up in the bow, there’s an angle control center where you can fit a large screen graph, a touch screen MFD, and room for your trolling motor pedal and controls. 

Another thing that impressed us about the 2025 Alumacraft Competitor 205X was the number of storage incorporated into the boat, it’s everywhere: The bow, stern, in the sides of the boat. And of course, if you’re an angler you’ll appreciate the ample amount of rod storage throughout the entire boat, including a rod locker in the bow that’s big enough to store rods up to 10 feet long! 

Let’s talk about construction and propulsion. This drove to a pretty fast 54 mph, running on a Mercury 250 HP outboard engine. It delivered great performance, stability, and excellent maneuverability. Overall it proves a great fishing boat, equipped with plenty of storage, fishability, and versatility for families on days when you are not just fishing. Learn more at alumacraft.com. 

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Join us here in beautiful Lake Minnetonka and aboard Alumacraft’s brand-new Trophy 185X. It’s wider, has more versatility, and has a stunning design and more storage. When we tested this boat it ran over 42 miles per hour with the Rotax S 150 outboard, an innovative engine that won Boating Magazine’s prestigious Marine Power Innovation Award.

It has a responsive trim, takes off instantly, and is economical to run. Besides efficiency, the Rotax S is seamlessly integrated into the boat delivering more usable space plus all the benefits of a traditional outboard. The new Rotax S enables the installation of the MAX Deck, which provides 25 sq. ft. of fishing and recreational space. Additionally, the MAX Deck offers two seat pedestals which allow a pair of anglers the option to comfortably fish standing up or sitting down. Built-in storage compartments in the MAX Deck offer a convenient place for all of your gear. And a sun pad that fits the MAX Deck turns this area into a great sun lounge. 

In addition to the innovative MAX Deck, the new Trophy model also offers a modern design that features a stylish curved gunnel. You might ask why doesn’t anyone else do that? Well, it takes a lot of extra work to get aluminum to bend in two directions. Alumacraft has the craftsmanship and special equipment to make it happen. 

On Trophy models like this one,  you’ll also notice the striking red accent color, and Alumacraft offers a selection of colors that feature automotive-like paint on the hull so you can really stand out on the water. 

One thing Alumacraft didn’t change is its exclusive full-length 2XB hull, and we could see why. Whether ripping along at top speed in rough conditions or idling among the lily pads seeking a fish, Alumacraft’s 2XB hull offers two times more strength and protection than most other aluminum fishing boats. Whether ripping along at top speed in rough conditions or idling amongst the lily pads seeking a fish, Alumacraft’s 2XB hull offers two times more strength and protection than most other aluminum fishing boats. The hull is double-plated for durability and delivers a quiet fiberglass-like ride. These Alumacraft boats are really built to go the distance. 

No walk-through of an Alumacraft boat would be complete unless we talked about fishing features. Standing by the gunnels here, they’re extra wide in this model that provides extra security for people who run on big waters. Additionally, there’s space for storage like these flip-out compartments and the compartment below which can hold all your gear, tackle, and what have you. It’s fitted with the Alumatrac system where you can fasten rod holders, down rigor mounts, and a host of other accessories, while positioning them exactly where you want. There’s locking rod storage that can easily accommodate rods of up to 10 feet. And in the stern of the boat thanks to the new Flex Module system, you have a variety of livewell and seating configurations.

With its dual consoles, and big protective windshield, this boat lends itself to a dual-purpose family. The Rotax S Series Outboard not only delivers great performance, but it also makes the max deck possible which is the key to the versatility of this new Alumacraft Trophy 185X boat. Learn more at alumacraft.com. 

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Follow the journey with two avid anglers on a serene day at Lake Minnetonka, where they reel in bass after bass. Meanwhile, a father and son create cherished memories on their boating adventure. Both groups take to the water in two sleek 2025 Alumacraft models, seamlessly blending the thrill of fishing with the joys of family fun. 

Hardcore anglers Jeremy and Chris are searching for bass. On the Alumacraft Competitor 205X, storage has been incorporated everywhere into the boat, and the rod storage is top tier. Since Alumacraft has gone to an all-digital dash there are no more gauges, the test boat was fitted with a Garmin screen that shows you navigation for fish finding.  

Nick and John, father and son, have rods handy but mostly want to soak in the sun taking off from West Arm Bay Marina. They ventured off on the Alumacraft Trophy 185X which features the innovative MAX Deck. A ton of space meets versatility, so you don’t have to compromise for fishability. 

Your perfect lake day and fishing trip with an Alumacraft awaits.

The post 2024 Alumacraft Timeline: Two Groups of Boaters x One Day Out on the Water appeared first on Boating Mag.

Why choose ODYSSEY batteries? Are they worth it? How long do they last? Where can you find them? The Internet has questions, and Captain Don Dingman, Jacksonville charter captain, TV host and longtime ODYSSEY battery ambassador, has the answers. Captain Don serves as our search engine, schooling us on why ODYSSEY batteries are his go-to battery. With 2x the power, 3x the lifespan, and unmatched reliability, the choice is simple.

To learn more or purchase your own, visit odysseybattery.com. 

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