News — boat snacks

The Best Beverages To Bring Boating | Pontoon-Depot

By: 844 Lets Boat

Summers in Georgia are hot, there are no two ways about it. So don’t you want to stay cool with beverages that will leave you feeling sated and chilled? Whether you’re boating or laying out next to the kiddie pool in your backyard to try to stay cool this summer, these beverages will ensure that you don’t overheat as the weather heats up. Keep in mind to check out the Georgia drinking laws to ensure everyone on the boat stays safe. We also encourage you to read Common Misconceptions About Drinking And Boating to ensure that you know more about BUIs.

At Freedom Boat Club, we want to make sure that everyone stays safe and out of trouble. While every person who comes boating on Lake Lanier wants to have a good time, we also want to ensure that you, your family, friends, and even your dog, Fluffy, abide by the Georgia boating laws. Additionally, no matter what you may be inclined to drink, it’s important that you continue to drink water to stay hydrated. One of the biggest issues that can happen when boating is dehydration and exhaustion, even to people who aren’t drinking. Make sure that you bring plenty of water when you visit us on Lake Lanier.

Drinks To Try This Summer

Keep in mind that we do not encourage you to drink and boat, but we do want you to have a good time as long as the rules and regulations are followed. In addition to packing snacks galore, try out some of these beverages to enjoy a cool drink as you swim, boat, and stay cool in the Georgian summer. From sangria to non-alcoholic drinks, you’ll find a little something for everyone on this list.

Sangria

However sangria is made, it’s delicious. The fruity freshness such a treat for the tastebuds and is perfect to sip on as you lay back on a pontoon boat and get some sun. Sangria can be made in a variety of ways that involve alcohol and ones that are completely non-alcoholic, so that your children can enjoy the deliciousness of this unique beverage as well. While you can browse the internet for recipes aplenty, we have a few that we enjoy and want to share. There’s one that has star fruit and kiwi to really enhance the summer tastebuds and then there’s the Tropical Sangria that has all of your favorite fruits with a hint of Malibu rum.

Beach Side Punch

While you’re not laying out on the beach in the Bahamas, this Beach Side Punch is a summer classic. Punch is always a refreshing drink, from the days when you’d sip it at school dances to when you need a pick me up while boating. The Beach Side Punch has ripe cherries, grapefruit, soda with a dash of lime, and some vodka. If you’d like to add a little something extra, then rim the glass with some salt. This punch isn’t too sweet and overpowering, but just right to relax on a boat for an extended period of time.

Margarita

A summer’s not complete without trying a new type of margarita. While you may like sticking to the traditional margarita, it’s always fun to play it up a bit and experiment with some new flavors. You can try a light strawberry, grapefruit, tropical, skinny, and the sparkling blood orange margarita. Keep in mind that none of these have to have alcohol and you can always create your own margarita that you think people may enjoy.

Sparkling Summer Limeade

One of our non-alcoholic drinks that we are most excited to share with you is the Sparkling Summer Limeade. Living in Georgia, it’s always delicious to have a sparkling drink that’s delicious and chilled to cool you down on a hot summer afternoon. The limeade is a delicious combination of five different fruits. You’ll add blackberries, kiwi, pineapple, mango, and strawberries. If you’re a fan of blueberries, then we encourage that as well. You’ll add limeade concentrate that’s thawed and either ginger ale or lemon lime soda. It’s a truly delicious non-alcoholic beverage to enjoy while boating.

Pineapple Ginger Sparkler

Ginger sparklers are a great way to spice up spring and summer with some refreshments. The Pineapple Ginger Sparkler has everything you need to have a great boating day and it’s without alcohol. To get the perfect summer drink, all you need are a few ingredients and it’ll serve everyone on the boat. You’ll need ginger ale, pineapple juice, fresh ginger, sliced oranges, and fresh basil. This sparkler is not only delicious, but it’s nutritious too with the ginger, which helps to settle stomachs.

You can always try a variety of Georgian beer that’s native to the Buford or Cumming area. With so many breweries in the area, you’ll be hard pressed to find more delicious beer. Remember to be safe this summer while you go boating on Lake Lanier! We look forward to starting the boating season with you!

Whether you are in Georgia or Arkansas please drink and boat responsibility and have fun & be safe from www.Pontoon-Depot.com

Father's Day Gift Guide | 9 Ideas for Dad

By: PBMagazine

Fathers do so much for us when we're growing up. Beyond being providers and protectors, they're the ones who introduce us to the world of outdoor sports and fishing. They are the ones who bait our hooks when we're still squeamish about a writhing worm wrapping around our fingers, and know when to help us when we're still apprehensive about a fish flapping wildly in the air at the end of our line. The least we can do is to get them something other than a tie or cheap cologne for Father's Day, and show them how much we appreciate their impact on our lives.

The items on this list are all sure to please and get you that smile you've known your whole life. If you're still looking for something for dad, consider the following items:

Shakespeare Ugly Stik Spinning Combo $64.99

There is nothing more thrilling than landing the big one on your favorite lake. No rod seems to have more universal appeal and reviewer approval than the Ugly Stik line of rods from Shakespeare. They are durable and affordable. And there's no worry if the rod and reel are compatible, since they both come together in a package deal. If your dad's rod could use an upgrade, you can't go wrong with a combo rod and reel from Shakespeare. This combo package is available at shakespeare-fishing.com. There are also different combos to choose from, with varying pole lengths and string weights.
Photo provided by West Marine.

Casio Men's Pathfinder Forester Fishing Moon Phase Watch $49.95

This watch takes the guesswork out of finding the perfect time of day to catch fish. It takes into account the time of day, the phase and movement of the moon, the longitude and latitude of your location, and sunrise/sunset data to give accuracy within 15 seconds per month. It has a large digital readout and has a backlit display. It is also waterresistant for 100M. This watch is available on a lot of different internet retailers, but is also available at www.westmarine.com.

ICOM M34 Floating Handheld VHF Radio $169.99

Although dad might not want to admit it, he can be clumsy at times. This radio is great in that if it were to be dropped overboard, it would simply bob around like fishing tackle or a buoy. The M34 features a long Lithium Ion battery and is rated IPX7 in water resistance. If it takes on water, it even has an AquaQuake water draining mode which makes the radio vibrate to clear water from the speaker. It includes a battery charger, AC adapter, a Lithium-ion battery pack and belt clip.

This radio is available at www.westmarine.com.
Photo provided by West Marine.

Boatowner's Mechanical and Electrical Manual $48.99

Inside every man lurks a handyman. But a handyman is nothing without knowledge. Nigel Calder's book, now in its third edition, is written in plain English and has helped many boaters troubleshoot and repair their boats. It has full-color photos and illustrations. It covers rigging, furling, plumbing, electrical installation, maintenance and more. If that isn't enough, Professional Boat Builder, in reviewing the book wrote, "Several feet of shelf space in [our] technical library is devoted to material published in recent years on marine systems for small craft. But the single most frequently reached-for reference in this collection is [this book]... It has effectively supplanted everything else on that shelf." This book is available on a myriad of websites and bookstores. If you're having trouble finding it, check out www.westmarine.com.

Leatherman Wave Multi-Tool $79.99

Having a multi-tool ensures that your dad will be ready for whatever comes his way. This is Leatherman's most popular multi-tool and includes pliers that have been redesigned to allow twice the squeezing load, and features new bronze bushings for easier access. It also includes wire cutters, a saw, scissors, files, a bottle/can opener, and a lot more. It comes with a nylon case and a 25-year warranty to ensure that the tool will serve its purpose for a long time. It is useful both on and off the boat and can be used for repairs and maintenance work around the home. And you can tell him that it's a rugged survivalist tool, which every manly man should have.

Visit www.leatherman.com to compare multi-tools and models. There are a wide variety of styles and prices. Photo provided by West Marine.

Wagan 300 Amp Battery Jumper with Air Compressor $69.99

A battery jumper is something you don't think you'll need until you need one. This model from Wagan also features a 260 psi air compressor to fill any kind of tire or inflatable object. It also features five LED lights for emergencies or for working on your boat. And it has a charge indicator so you know when it needs to be recharged.

You can find this versatile product at www.wagan.com or at other retailers on the internet.

PowerCap Pilot Series 5 LED Night Vision Cap $39.95

Sailors are taught to keep two flashlights handy, one for themselves and one extra for the crew. By simply wearing this stylish baseball cap, the mariner will always have a convenient, hands-free light for whatever the situation demands. The PowerCap features four LED lights under the brim, two in redand two in regular white, and one bright light on the edge of the brim on the front which can project over 60 feet. All the lights are controlled by pressing buttons hidden under the visor. This seamless cap is very useful for sail trim checks, deck clearing or spotting buoys, and you can add your own logo to the plain cap as well.

If you're interested in one of these caps, visit www.sailorsnightvisioncap.com and your purchase will be shipped the very next day.

Henri Lloyd Men's Vista Jacket $165

These lightweight and stylish jackets provide comfort for those cool early mornings and come in handy in case of foul weather. Ergonomically designed, they are 100 percent waterproof, windproof and come in four different colors. A Durable Water Repellency (DWR) finish helps shed surface water, which maintains the performance and comfort of the garment in inclement weather. If you're interested in this jacket, visitwww.us.henrilloyd.com or other fine retailers like West Marine.

Onyx Universal Camouflage Sport Vest $34.99

Why should you let your father boat around in an old, worn-out lifejacket that you're not even sure what the original color was supposed to be, but is now gaudy and pastel? Get him a new camouflage vest that will be both functional in sporting and provide safety as well. This vest has oversized pockets to allow easy access to angling or hunting equipment as well as adjustable belts to keep the vest from shifting or riding up. Available in sizes up to XXXL for the same price, check www.westmarine.com for more information.

Memorial Day from Stem to Stern | Pontoon Depot

By: Home is Where The Boat is 

Memorial Day kicks off Boating Season at the Lake! A reprise of our Memorial Day Fun from last year’s celebration!! I hope you don’t mind weighing anchor with me again :-)

In anticipation of boating over the course of the long holiday weekend, I decorated the pontoon for fun. . .. . .from Stem to Stern. . .including a few stems in a mason jar!

A few pillows. . .

Some Red,White & Blue to dine with. . .

A beverage tub filled with drinks to keep us hydrated. . .

 A breezy day as you can see, with the wind whipping the flags~

Of course Memorial Day has a much more important significance than boating & picnics. . . it commemorates U.S. soldiers who died while in military service.

First enacted to honor Union and Confederate soldiers following the American Civil War, it was extended after World War I to honor Americans who have died in all wars.

A day to recognize, reflect, and remember, how fortunate we are to live in freedom.

We’re celebrating with a flag formation of Watermelon, Feta, and a side of Blueberries~The creamy, salty cheese is the perfect partner to the sweet, juicy melon.

4 Must Haves When Entertaining on a Pontoon Boat!

There are plenty of things to do out on the water, like fishing, sitting quietly, waiting for a good nibble, but what if you’re an Entertainer?  What if your family and friends aren’t into fishing?  What if you’re bringing people out on your boat or pontoon boatwho just want to have a blast?

Here are a few things to bring when entertaining on a pontoon boat that are guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser: 

1. FOOD!!! 

Everyone loves to eat.  Always be sure to have tons of finger food handy to keep your guests happy.  Some easy to prepare and transport boat foods are:

• A bowl of chips
• A canister of popcorn (try the Chicago Mix! Guaranteed crowd pleaser)
• Fruit and/or veggie tray
• Hummus and pita bread
• Guacamole and veggies
• Crackers and cheese 

2. Music

Most boats are equipped with a radio or USB port for your phone or music playing device.  Nothing livens up a mood like good music.  Music tastes vary, but here is a list of top 10 “Boating Songs”:

• “Redneck Yacht Club” - Craig Morgan
• “Come Sail Away” - Styx
• “Don’t Stop Believin” - Journey
• “Pontoon” - Little Big Town
• “Rock the Boat” - Hues Corporation
• “Toes” - Zac Brown Band
• “Copacabana” - Barry Manilow
• “Boats” - Kenny Chesney
• “It’s Five o’Clock Somewhere” - Alan Jackson feat. Jimmy Buffet
• “Kokomo” - Beach Boys

3. Games

There are plenty of games to play on your boat, some involving game pieces and some not.  Some obvious suggestions are things like 20 questions, eye spy and charades.  For an interesting challenge, though, here are a few board and card games that are easily played on a boat:

• Cards - go fish, crazy 8s, rummy, Euchre, Hearts
• Card Games -  Love Letter, Hypertheticals, Snake Oil, Mad Gab, Taboo, Super Fight, Apples to Apples, Dixit, Exploding Kittens, Fluxx, Munchkin, Uno, Codenames
• Board Games - Trivial Pursuit, Headbanz, The Game of Things, Scattegories, Pictionary, Telestrations, Bang!, Boggle, Concept, Cribbage, Roll for it, Sherrif of Nottingham, Yahtzee

4. Good conversation

You’re with friends afterall!  Pick a topic and see where it takes you. Here are some suggestions:

• Your first concert
• The best part of your home town
• Famous people you’ve met
• Your favourite book
• The best restaurant in the city
• The farthest place you’ve driven
• Your next out of country adventure

These are just a few tips and suggestions, but hey, it’s your boat!  You do whatever you think will make the best day on the water for you and your party!  Happy boating!