News — bad boating habits

Bad Boating Habits You Should Avoid

Like with anything else you do frequently and get over confident in, if you’re in your pontoon boat out on the water often, you’re likely to cut corners and possibly develop some bad boating habits. It happens to the best of us! So, we thought maybe we’d bring some things to your attention so you can avoid them in the first place.

Keep the Water Clean

This may seem the most obvious, but we feel it needs to be mentioned anyway. Animals live in and drink the lake water, so it’s important to keep it clean to the best of your ability. First of all, no littering. Bring trash bags on your boating excursions, fill them with your trash, and throw them in a dumpster at the end of your day.

And, yes, you need to clean your boat on occasion, but, no, you shouldn’t clean it in the lake! Clean your boat when it’s out of and far away from lake water. Similarly, if you’re filling your boat gas tank at a dock station, do it carefully to avoid gas spilling into the water, which is toxic to the water inhabitants. In fact, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as little as one quart of oil or gasoline can contaminate up to 250,000 gallons of water!

Boat Ramp Etiquette

Be courteous of others that are using boat ramps and docks. Practice backing up a trailer before you head out to the lake. When the time comes to unload, try and get it done as quickly as possible to avoid congestion. For example, before you back up to the boat ramp, have your boat ready to launch -- take the straps off, etc.

Protect Others While on the Water

We know that going fast in your boat is fun. But we also know that the wake your boat creates can be dangerous for other boaters, those enjoying water sports (like water skiing or tubing) and those on jet skis. Be considerate of others on the water as you would someone in the bicycle lane when you’re driving through town. Watch your wake and minimize the damage it can do by lowering your speed if necessary.

Boating on the lake is a great pastime. Don’t ruin it for yourself or others with these bad boating habits. Be aware, be courteous, and have fun!

You have a dog. You have a boat. You need MariDeck.

Whether it's a pickup truck or a pontoon boat, there is something inherently wrong about getting into a vehicle and driving away without taking your dog along for the ride. For dogs, a ride in anything mechanized is a little slice of Doggie Heaven.

It’s impossible to shove off onto the lake, steering your pontoon boat out onto the water while watching your dog on land getting smaller and smaller, tail wagging slower and slower as he realizes he's not coming along for the ride. Talk about cruel and unusual! Have a heart. Bring your pooch on board.

Dogs are great. Dogs are wonderful. But wait! Dogs have claws.

Claws present several problems on the deck of a pontoon boat. First of all, without good flooring, dogs don't walk on boat decks. They ice skate. After about a half hour of slipping and sliding around like a drunk figure skater, your dog might start to wonder if he might have been better off back on shore chasing Squirrels or napping.

When you upgrade to high-end vinyl flooring from MariDeck, however, your dog — and your two-legged passengers — have a safe, slip-free deck that's cozy on the feet while offering all the traction any species could ask for.

The other problem with claws is that they scratch things up — yes, even fiberglass. While your dog is slipping and sliding, frantically trying to gain even the slightest bit of traction, he's digging those claws into your deck.

Finally, dogs go to the bathroom — only when they do, they don't actually go to the bathroom.

Even the best trained dog might succumb to his instincts in unfamiliar surroundings. If the worst — or the really worst — happens on MariDeck flooring, a few sprays with the hose and it's like it never happened. If the same thing goes down on traditional boat carpeting, your dog's mishap is now a permanent part of your boat deck. Like, forever.

Or at least until you upgrade to Marideck — which you should right this second! Your dog and your deck will thank you.

Pontoon Boat: Your Floating Stay-Cation

You don't have to go too far to get away.

You, after all, are among the elite. You have the hardware required to bring the party wherever you go. You invested in a floating memory-making machine.

You're a pontoon boat owner.

Leave the "all-inclusive" cruises to the schmos who are willing to settle for cramped cabins, crowded dinners and hack entertainment. Let the landlubbers scour Travelocity for the can't-miss, can't-wait deal of the century that comes along every four days. Let the masses pack their SUVs and head to their secret, pristine vacation hideaway that's a secret to everyone except for all the people who have Facebook.

You're a pontoon boat owner. For you, the vacation starts as soon as you shove off from the dock.

On regular boats, kids get bored quickly because they can't move around. Your floating living room, however, gives them all the stay-cation space they need to spread out and have some fun.

What would you do on vacation? Go fishing? Go water skiing?

Check and double check.

Unlike most boats, with their rigid seating structures, pontoon boats are comfy and cozy. Cuddle up and watch the sunset — or sunrise, depending on your stay-cation itinerary. Grab a pair of binoculars and see what kind of birds or other wildlife you can spy from your maritime sanctuary. Explore a channel or tributary you've never cruised before, or cut the engine and just relax, talk and enjoy each other's company — cell phone and iPad free.

The point is, spring is here. The kids will be out of school soon and a vacation doesn't sound like a bad idea. But you don't need to go very far to get away. When you invested in your pontoon boat, you entered an elite fraternity of adventurers and enthusiasts who don't need to travel to find excitement, adventure and relaxation.

You've got a pontoon boat. All of that goes wherever you go.