Boating World: Currents

The Evinrude name is one that’s been synonymous with boating innovation for years — 100 years, to be exact. From the earliest inventions in 1909 to today’s Evinrude E-TEC technology, Evinrude engines have always been on the cutting edge. “Indeed, in its proud history, Evinrude has sold more engines worldwide than any other outboard manufacturer,” says Roch Lambert, vice president and general manager of BRP’s outboard engine division. “By letting people throw away the oars, Evinrude has introduced scores of people to the joys of boating and turned these people into lifelong boating enthusiasts.”

Ever since Ole Evinrude built the first commercial model of a “detachable row boat motor” in 1909, Evinrude has continued its innovativeness, being the first to use aluminum, first with propeller exhaust discharge, first with electric start, the first V8 outboard, and much more. BRP revived and strengthened the Evinrude brand — once owned by the Outboard Marine Corporation (OMC) — with the introduction of the Evinrude E-TEC outboard engine in 2003. The E-TEC 2-stroke, direct-injection engine technology ushered in a revolutionary generation of outboard engines that has set a new benchmark in the marine industry. BRP continues to expand and enhance the Evinrude line with five platforms and 42 models, ranging in power from 40 hp to 250 hp. BRP kicked off its yearlong 100th anniversary celebrations of the Evinrude brand this past February, at the Miami International Boat Show.

Charlie Moore has the No. 1-rated TV show Charlie Moore Outdoors on NESN; a Saturday morning show called Beat Charlie Moore on ESPN 2 with 1 million viewers; and now a pilot and show in development with Fox TV scheduled to air in fall 2008. He’s known in the fishing world as a fun, energetic guy with a wild sense of humor and a sheer love of the outdoors. But few people know he’s also just an ordinary man who once hit rock bottom, but believed in his dream, overcame adversity and pushed down the walls of resistance. His book The Mad Fisherman: Kick Some Bass With America’s Wildest TV Host is a hilarious and uplifting memoir that tells the ultimate “working-class-guy” success story, probably better than most “fishing” stories you’ve heard. (St. Martin’s Press, $22.95).

The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF) is partnering with Bass Pro Shops to pro mote the Anglers’ Legacy Program. Titled The Pledge to Preserve the Legacy, the promotion will encourage customers nationwide to not only share their love of fishing, but to also introduce newcomers to the sport. For more information, and to learn how you can help preserve the sport of fishing, visit www.anglerslegacy.com or www. rbff.org.

Freddy Krueger, professional water-ski jumper and 7-time USA Water Ski Athlete of the Year.

 Boating World : How old were you when you began waterskiing?
Freddy Krueger: I was actually 3 years old when I first learned to get up on a pair of skis, and when I was 5, I begged my parents to let me go over the ramp. By the time I was 6, I was sliding over the top of the ramp, and I haven’t looked back since!

BW : What’s a common mistake you see people making while waterskiing?
FK: People have a tendency to make it harder than it is. They use the wrong equipment, which makes it much more difficult. Or, they might not have a boat that can maximize the experience. Waterskiing is a blast, but if you don’t have the right equipment to do the job or have the right understanding to do it, it’s not going to be the best experience it can possibly be.

BW : What’s the best tip you can give the average water-skier?
FK: Try to find a local in the area who has the right equipment and who’s a good skier, and build a relationship with a ski club. They have a wealth of understanding and can help you out and give you good tips. You can learn more in a few days with a good coach at a school or camp than you can in years skiing on your own. If you get some help, you can make improvements by leaps and bounds.

BW : Where’s your favorite place to ski?
FK: I live in Orlando, and honestly to me, it’s the best place to be when I want to water-ski for leisure. With the great weather and plenty of good places to ski, this area is hard to beat.

BW : What kind of advice would you give someone who wants to pursue professional waterskiing?
FK: It’s not an easy road. You need a good support group. In all reality, I think professional waterskiing is one of the most brutal of sports. Even if you do make it, it’s still in the shadows like the smaller sports … you have to be committed in all aspects of your life. I wanted it more than anywhere else in the world and had a drive from within to get me where I am today, and that’s what it takes.

FK : As a professional water-ski jumper, and with the label of “professional athlete,” I treat it that way — just as any athlete who’s committed to their sport. I do have office hours, but most importantly, I make sure to get my workouts in. I have a whole training regiment, and do training by the “three in, one off” program. Out of 52 weeks in the year, I work 50 of those.

FK : I love movies, so if I have free time, I love to go see a movie with my wife. I also do a lot of work on my log cabin, which isn’t necessarily my hobby, but it fills my day. I’m pretty simple — I love a good movie, a good barbecue and an easy day on the lake.

FK :I’ll watch anything, but I’m not big on horror movies, which is funny, considering my name is spelled exactly like the villain in The Nightmare on Elm Street. To be completely honest, I’ve never sat down during an entire movie in that series. I was around 10 or 12 when the first one came out, and it scared the heck out of me. My official name is Frederick August Krueger IV, but since my dad’s name is Fred, to distinguish us, I was “Freddy.”

FK : You know, I don’t know the answer to that question yet. I’m definitely someone who plans for the future, yet at the same time, if you’re doing exactly what you’ve dreamed of doing since you were 8 — and I’m doing exactly what I want to do — all I know is that I’ll be competitive and do it as long as I physically can. I’d like to do it about another 7 years, and then we’ll see how it goes. I try to be an asset to my sponsors’ relations/operations too, so I could also see myself working for one of them one day. Currently, my sponsors are MasterCraft Boats, Zero Off Speed Control, Body Glove wetsuits, OJ props, and MasterLine ropes. Without them and their support, I couldn’t do what I do today. I’ll probably go into some type of industry-related job. Someday, I’d like to get back into coaching as well, which I’ve done in the past.

FK: This year we’re bringing back the MasterCraft Pro Tour, with five stops throughout the country. Only two have jump events, but next year there will be more. If you enjoy waterskiing and want to see something you’ve never seen before, I would encourage you to go. Seeing it live is such a different experience — seeing a guy slam into a ramp at 70 mph and then slide 220 feet down the lake is like nothing else. If you enjoy your time on water, it’ll be a day to remember.

Boating World is giving away annual BoatU.S. ANGLER memberships to five lucky readers. Each is valued at $63 and includes an unlimited freshwater towing plan from TowBoatUS or Vessel Assist, roadside assistance for both your tow vehicle and fishing boat trailer, and a year’s subscription to BoatU.S. ANGLER magazine. BoatU.S. — the Boat Owners Association of the United States — is the nation’s leading advocate for recreational boaters, and provides its 650,000 members with an array of services, lobbying efforts, consumer protection, boating safety and environmental programs. If you fish from a boat on fresh water, this prize from BoatU.S. ANGLER will ensure you’ll always have a way home, 24/7, whether you’re broken down on the water or side of the road. Submit your name and address to editor@boatingworld.com, and after a random drawing on June 1, 2008, five readers will win a free one-year membership.

Currents

News & Notables

by Sarah Pelot