almost here and whether you're a pleasure boater or an avid angler it's time to get back out on Bermuda's beautiful waters. In this special marine section, we preview the Dockyard and PWs boat shows, rev up the latest outboard motors, tune in to new marine communications technology and cast an expert eye over the best fishing tackle.

Come May 24 or thereabouts, a Bermudian's thoughts invariably turn to the water. And with the recession and high Government duties having all but sunk the big boat business, they are looking for more economic ways to have fun on the water this summer. From inflatables to jet skis, the emphasis this year is on value-for-money fun.

"The trend is definitely towards small boats,'' says John Powell, manager of PWs' Marine Centre. "With duty and the cost of fuel and maintenance, big ticket items are just not selling.'' PWs, who will be staging their first Boat and Outdoor Living Show at their Waterfront location on May 1, are expanding their range of Boston Whaler runarounds and also report growing interest in inflatable dinghies.

With prices from about $1200 to just over $2000, PWs' Quicksilver range of inflatables is a cheap way to go boating or just fish off the rocks.

Hard-bottomed and made from Duratex 1000, a Denier tight-weave non-stretch polyester, and US Coastguard-approved, they can be deflated in minutes and easily stored away when not in use.

"They are ideal for people who just want something for the summer, who don't want to spend a lot of money and don't want the hassle of having to get a mooring,'' says Powell. They can be fitted with a small outboard motor which will add around $527 to the cost for a 2hp engine for the smallest eight-footer and up to $1900 for a 25hp for the large 12-footer. All boats come equipped with foot pump, oars, repair kit and carry bag.

But when it comes to small boats, the dependable Boston Whaler remains a perennial favourite and the company's latest boat is literally all the rage.

With the Whaler's famous foam-filled unsinkable hull and powered by a Yamaha 50hp, 650cc engine,the 13-foot Rage can operate in just six inches of water and is capable of seating up to five people.

The only drawback is the Rage's Bermuda price tag. With duty, it will sell for a hefty $19,000 and PWs, who hope it will attract rental businesses, will only bring them in on special order.

More affordable are the new nine and 11-foot Whalers being brought in for the first time. With a 6hp engine and a price tag of about $4,400 for the nine-footer and $7,200 for the 11-footer, John Powell of PWs says they are ideal first boats foryoungsters. "There is a big trend now of 16-year-olds looking for a speed boat and these are ideal. Whalers are very safe boats and parents are looking for that.'' If you're looking for something a little racier, the new generation of jet skis will be among the products on display at the fourth annual Dockyard Boat Show, which is being staged at the Dockyard Marina's North Arm on May 8 and 9.

Among those on show will be Yamaha's new Pro VXR. With a stylish racing bike look, the 63hp, 700cc tandem is built for an exciting ride. In jet ski jargon, Yamaha claims that the concave V-hull "delivers high-speed carving without flat sliding or chine wobble.'' In plain terms, it means you can make some pretty impressive wall-of-spray turns without falling off or losing control.

Michael Araujo, of retailers A & P Marine, describes the VRX as "a high performance jet ski with incredible acceleration.'' He says the VRX, which will retail for about $9,500, will hit 48 mph with two passengers.

Dowlings Cycles will be showing their range of Kawasaki jet skis, including the unique 650cc Sports Cruiser which allows two riders to sit side by side and share the controls. The moveable control column can be slid from one driver to the other or locked in the middle for a solo drive.

At the high performance end, there is the 38 mph Kawasaki 750cc two-seater Super Sport and, for those looking for a cross between a stand-up racer and a tandem sitdown cruiser, the 650cc X2. The X2 retails for $6,740, the Super Sport for $9,120 and the Sports Cruiser for $9,400. Dowlings also offer a special package price ($10,600 for the Sports Cruiser, for example) that includes two life vests, trailer, cover, fire extinguisher, oil, gas and registration.

Increasingly popular, jet skis are still fighting a controversial image in Bermuda as being noisy and dangerous. But Irving Minors, manager at Dowlings Cycles, insists they are "no more dangerous than the bikes we rent, probably less so'' and believes Government should allow them to be rented to tourists in the same way. "They are rented everywhere else in the world,'' he points out. On the more traditional boating side, Dockyard boat builders Windjammer Enterprises will be unveiling their latest custom-built fibreglass small craft. In addition to an improved version of the `Bermuda 8' dinghy they launched last year, owners Jamie Harvey and Raymond Lambert will be displaying their new Windjammer Cedarberry dinghy.

The 12-footers are from the same mould used by Bobby Doe, who designed the original Cedarberry dinghy. Explains Lambert: "The outer hull is base white but the inside can be different colours, which allows the owner to get creative and give it a personal touch. A couple of models will be trimmed in mahogany.'' Both the 8 and 12 have brass rollocks and the 12 has the capacity to be converted to a sailboat. The Bermuda 8 retails from $1200 and the 12 from $1700.

The pair are also continuing to upgrade their popular Optimist dinghy - Windjammer have sold more than 50 of the $1800dinghies in the three years they have been in operation. They are also producing basic seven and eight foot punts which will sell for about $800.

Dockyard Marina manager Mark Osinga says this year's show, which will feature around 20 retailers, will be bigger and better than previous years. It will include a used boat market because, he says, "I think people are looking for used boats because of the high cost of new boats with that initial 55 percent duty and the recession.

'' This year's show will also feature some fascinating new developments in marine electronics and the latest in engine technology (see separate stories), and mark the opening of Marine Locker West, the marina's new seven days a week, 12 hours a day retail outlet. Osinga says the store, which is situated next to the new Waterside Inn and will be managed by the marina, will give boaters a handy western stopoff for everything from lines and fittings to foul weather gear. Engine servicing will still be carried out by Marine Locker's main shop in Gorham Road, Hamilton.

The Dockyard Boat Show runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days with powerboat racing, parachute jumps and a US Navy search-and-rescue demonstration among the other planned attractions. Admission is free.

JET POWER: Kawasaki's dual control Sports Cruiser jet ski.

FUN AFLOAT: The Quicksilver range of inflatables is a cheap and easyway; to get out on the water.

LICENSED TO THRILL: Yamaha's new high performance jet ski, the Pro VXR.

RG MAGAZINE MAY 1993 RG MAGAZINE APRIL 1993