News — Boating Safety

Joining A Marina Community | In Boating Safety, Tips and Pontoons!

By: LoweBoats.com

Boating means many things to many people. For some, it means thrill-seeking hours of wakeboarding, water skiing and tubing, or perhaps it means peaceful daybreak and twilight hours with a rod and tackle. For others, it means relaxing cruises and warm summer afternoons of dropping the hook for swimming, sunbathing and dining al fresco.

But at its heart, boating is really about community. As you share your passion for the on-water lifestyle with your family and friends, you naturally will gravitate to other families, couples or groups who share the same interests. And when you become a community, your entire on-water experience goes to the next level. It just keeps getting better and better.

Yet, how can you find those like-minded people?

It’s easy. Find a marina near you or near your favorite cruising grounds that fits your personality and lifestyle. It’s guaranteed that most of the other boaters there will be your kind of boaters. In fact, the right marina will provide countless ready-made playdates.

How do you choose the right marina? It’s simple: Do a little homework, and talk to people — marina management and slip-holders alike.

These are a few important questions to ask yourself as you start reviewing marina prospects:

• Does the marina easily accommodate boats like yours? A sailors’ marina might not be the best for a pontooner seeking other pontooners, and a marina catering to larger cruising boats might not be as appealing as one that serves vessels of all sizes, shapes and styles.
• Is the marina located in or near appropriate waters? A pontooner should dock his or her boat in a marina that offers access to relatively sheltered cruising grounds with lots of interesting nooks and crannies to explore. A coastal marina that is a gateway to big, open and frequently rough waters wouldn’t be the best place for a pontoon.
• What amenities are important to you? Are you simply looking for a place to dock your boat and hang out with other boaters, or would you like to take advantage of shower facilities, laundry, picnic areas, special events and other attractions?
• Is there a good vibe on the docks? Do people look like they’re enjoying themselves? Ask them how they like the marina and if there have been any problems or concerns.
• How do you feel when you tour the facility and talk with the management? Do you feel ill at ease, or do you feel comfortable? In the end, you want to form a relationship with the marina owners and staff. If you feel that they’re your kind of people, you’re going to be happy keeping your pontoon there.

For extroverts, some of the main delights at a marina are hanging out on the boat at the end of a fun day on the water, visiting with the boaters next door and across the way, savoring an ice-cold beverage and listening to music.

At the nearby Skipper Bud’s Quarter Deck Marina, seasonal slip-holders could enhance their experience with outdoor grills, an outdoor fireplace, a covered pavilion and a plush boaters’ lounge with all the extras. On one occasion, I spotted a crowd of boaters enjoying an impromptu suppertime picnic in the pavilion — their laughter and good cheer were infectious.

Some marinas, like the Bay Harbor Lake Marina in Bay Harbor, Michigan, offer formal events such as in-water boat shows, classic boat shows and rendezvous cruise-ins. Others, like Marina Jack’s in Sarasota, Florida,  are part of large complexes that incorporate restaurants, retail outlets and watersports equipment rentals.

The best part is that you don’t need to be on the East or West coasts or in the Great Lakes. You can be an inland-lake boater and still enjoy the very best of marina life. Just look at operations such as the Ozark Yacht Club  in Missouri, the Holiday Marina on Georgia’s Lake Lanier and even the Frisco Bay Marina  and Dillon Marina, both located at 9,000 feet in the snow-capped Rocky Mountains.

Marinas have embraced the idea that they, too, need to focus on community. To that end, they have added those aforementioned amenities — things like swimming pools, picnic areas, pavilions and gazebos — that encourage gathering. And they have created a formidable list of events, from Venetian parades, Fourth of July fireworks and Halloween trick-or-treating to regattas, cruising clubs, rendezvous events and dockside barbecues.

If you don’t currently belong to a marina community, what are you waiting for? Jump online and do a search for marinas in your chosen boating area. You might also want to do a more general search for exciting events and activities in that region… for example, in the Lake of the Ozarks, you won’t want to miss www.funlakelife.com and www.lakeozarknow.com.

Don’t be shy – your new and improved boating lifestyle is out there, waiting for you!

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The Pontoon Boat Bar: How to Make Your Boat Party Dreams Come True!

By: BetterBoat

Who doesn’t love being the life of the party?

Well, when you’re hosting a party on your pontoon, the ‘toon itself might steal the stage.

Especially if it’s a got a built-in wet bar.

Sure, you can install one later, but if you’re considering a new pontoon purchase, you might as well look for a ‘toon with this popular feature included.

It seems like an added luxury that you don’t really need, but entertaining friends and family are what days on the water are all about. And what better space to gather around than a built-in wet bar on your pontoon deck?

Whether you’d prefer to perch on a stool or lean back on a bench, pontoon boat bars can create a social atmosphere for cocktail-mixing adults, as well as contained areas for children to eat.

The Pontoon Boat Bar: How to Make Your Boat Party Dreams Come True

There are several varieties of pontoon bar types available.

I mean, if you’ve ever attended a boat show, you’ll notice the sheer variety in pontoon boat bar styles.

Some have a simple galley where you can store a few liters, whereas others might be full-blown, high-top counters with sinks and stools.

Add-on Bars

Okay, let’s say you already own your own pontoon and are looking to upgrade it a bit with a new bar.

Luckily, there are always attachable Docktail bars and accessories if you just need something smaller-scale or temporary.

For example, they’ve got a handy utility table (check price on Amazon) if you need to add counter space.

And, from Boat Outfitters, here’s another add-on bar option (check price on Amazon) that can be installed right on your boat’s deck.

Then, you can look for the additional appliances that complete the whole pontoon boat bar, like a mini-fridge and portable ice maker.

If you’re looking to buy a new (or just new-to-you) boat, then you can seek out a model with all of the good integrated.

We’ll help you with that now. Before giving you a list of boat models that carry bars, here’s a list of common styles you might come across while you’re checking out the market.

Bar Tops

You can find a variety of boats with basic, bar-height seating arrangements without putting out much for optional upgrades.

A lot of boats will have this as part of the entire package, just without the sink.

I find bar tops are useful for everyone, even if you’re more of a quiet boater and not an entertainer. They give you a nice place to sit and eat lunch. Don’t need all the appliances of a home kitchen and only want to pack a cooler? Not problem.

Built-in Wet Bars

A wet bar is a bar with a sink (at least). You may also come across wet bars with fridges and occasionally grills. Of course, a grill is easy enough to add yourself.

On some pontoons, you may find both a built-in wet bar on one side and a galley on the other. This combination can be quite nice, as it provides maximum counter space and cabinet storage space.

With a setup like this, you don’t have to get creative with your boat storage ideas.

Galleys

Galley kitchens inside our homes are designed as maybe one or two walls where all the cabinets and appliances are hooked up.

Since a pontoon has minimal space for these kitchen accessories, you’ll typically see galleys lined up along either the port or starboard railing.

You can find pontoon bar galleys with many amenities including mounted stoves. On the other hand, you can also find them very minimal with only counter space and a bit of cabinetry to store items. In the latter case, the galley is paired with another standing bar feature.

One thing to mention: Keep in mind that none of these bar tops are adequate for preparing fish. If that’s something anglers are looking for, many pontoon manufacturers carry pontoon models offering an optional fish station.

6 Pontoon Boats with Enviable Bars for Entertaining

Whether it’s cocktails or appetizers you’re after, here are a few boat models with bars in the layout.

To find out what type of pontoon bar is suitable for you and your family, think about how you entertain in your own home.

Do you typically sit gathered around a table? Or are you too active and prefer to stand to eat and run?

1. Bennington

• Bar Type: Portside Bar (Optional Starboard Galley)

• Seating: Standard Height Chairs

Bennington’s G22 Bar and Galley Pontoon Boats have very nice touches like under lighting at the bar and cup holders for those moonlight cruises. Although you won’t find the sink at the galley side, you’ll find it in front of the bar.

The bar does not have stools, per se. Instead, it has reclining swivel chairs, which to me is much more luxurious.

The starboard galley is optional. With the sink in front of the bar, if you feel you need the counter space and storage beneath to hide away all the plastic tumblers and plates your heart desires, I’d suggest adding the galley. Again, Bennington adds nice touches like stainless railings.

2. Veranda

• Bar Type: Bar Top
• Seating: 2 Club Chairs

Also called the Vertex Bar Series, standard features of this series include lighted drink holder, a tilt-out trash can and a fiberglass bar with deluxe seating.

It only consists of a bar top, not the whole shebang wet bar or even a galley area. But if you never intend to mix cocktails and need a prep station for snacks, this might be just all that you need.

Keeping it simple by preparing lunch ahead of time is how most ‘tooners think. And the more counters you have, the more you’ll need to clean up at the end of the day. For some of us, this is plenty of space for entertaining.

Veranda 2016 Relax Bar Series

• Bar Type: Bar Top

• Seating: 2 Swivel Seats

Veranda’s Relax Series Bar differs from the Vertex Bar in one major way. It has a non-skid vinyl bar top instead of fiberglass. But that’s just the bar feature.

The Veranda Relax Series is an entirely different model entirely. Their floor plans are very similar, but the Relax series has more optional upgrades.

3. Sylvan Mandalay 8525 Bar

• Bar Type: Aft Bar and Port Galley
• Seating: 2 Stools

Sylvan’s bar is located in the aft, which is a bit unusual placement by pontoon bar standards.

The most impressive part, in my opinion, is the pop-up glass and plate holder, located on the back of the bar’s top. It was a smartly-planned use of what could have been wasted space behind the bar.

Other features include a faux granite countertop, a sink (which I find to be larger than average for these bars) and a pull-out drawer where a cooler is stored beneath.

The portside galley adds a bit more counter space for preparing drinks. With this galley, you have the option of adding a small fridge. In addition to the bar, located on the starboard side are two bucket seats with a built-in insulated cooler between them.

4. Godfrey SanSpan 2500 WetBar

• Bar Type: Wet Bar
• Seating: 2 Barstools

If you love to entertain guests and prepare fresh meals right from your pontoon, this bar area feels more like your own personal kitchen space.

Visually separated by the bar and optional flooring change, if you’re looking for a lot of counter space to spread out for a burger-building station—this is your pontoon!

Aside from the overall space, it has most bells and whistles other pontoon bars incorporate like cup holder lighting and stainless steel rails (to keep that drink from sliding off).

5. Avalon Pontoons 2018 Ambassador Entertainer

• Bar Type: Wet Bar and Port and Starboard Galley
• Seating: Booth Benches

Avalon’s Ambassador Entertainer Bar will make your jaw drop. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing but nothing was spared in this fully-equipped galley and wet bar combo.

Corian-like counter surface with an electric refrigerator, a built-in sink with stainless faucet. There are even hidden cold-storage compartments. Avalon really utilized every square inch of volume in this bar. Not much empty space to speak of.

You can cook your meals at the aft prep center and take your plate to an illuminated bistro table. On the bistro table is a curved stainless double wine bottle holder, but the coolest thing—a hidden wine rack beneath them that raises with only the push of a button.

6. Manitou SES Series

SES Bar

•  Bar Type: Bar Top
• Seating: 4 Bar Stools

Manitou’s SES Bar has no galley sink or extra counter space. It only comes with the bar top and four adjustable height bar stools.

The main difference the SES Bar has from the Entertainer is a lounge bench placed starboard where the galley or wet bar would normally go. If you plan to store your food and drinks in a personal cooler, no big deal. But something to consider.

SES Galley

• Bar Type: Galley

• Seating: Booth Benches

This galley is pretty decked out. A built-in grill for flipping burgers, a refrigerator to keep your drinks cool and a sink to wash up.

The only difference the SES Galley has—compared to the SES Entertainer and SES Bar—is bench seating.

Without a bar top, it will feel like the equivalent of taking your drinks into the living room, except there’s not even a cocktail table. If you feel the need for some sort of flat surface to eat on, this may not be the bar boat for you.

However, I do like the open space it provides without the table. And bench seating is more family friendly, allowing children to cozy up without having to be lifted up to a bar stool. If you allow pets on seats, they can jump up freely too.

SES Entertainer

• Bar Type: Bar Top and Galley

• Seating: 2 Bar Stools and 1 Bench Lounger

The Entertainer is the most bar space you can get from Manitou Pontoons. Like the SES Bar and SES Galley, it has both a bar table and extra counter space.

The SES Bar’s lounger is replaced with the wet bar including a sink, mountable grill and refrigerator below.

The seating consists of a pair of height-adjustable stools on one side of the bar top, and a bench on the other. One nice feature I absolutely love it is that the bench converts into a sun lounger.

This list is by no means the entire world of pontoon boat bars on the market. And of course, there are more pontoon models designed every year.

If you don’t see exactly what you like, talk to your favorite manufacturer about having it custom made. It’s important to find a pontoon fitting your particular needs.

Once you’re set up, entertaining on the lake can be a lot of fun.

Of course, with a bar on board, just remember that it’s important to drink responsibly (yes, even if you’re not the captain).

Heavy drinking to the point of getting plastered can result in falling overboard and creating an emergency situation. Being alert when on the water can mean life or death.

Have fun entertaining, but be safe on the water!

For all your accessories and/or vinyl flooring visit Pontoon Depot's shop site.

How To Launch A Pontoon Boat The Right Way | Pontoon-Depot

By: Manitou Pontoon Boats

Launching a boat is something every boater needs to do in order to enjoy a day on the water. As such, everyone owes it to everyone else to know how to do it right and do it quickly. Every second spent dawdling at the launching ramp not only cuts into your day, but into everyone else’s day as well.

Once you get to the launching ramp, it’s too late to cram for your real-life test. By preparing in advance and knowing what to do when, you’ll be able to efficiently launch your boat free of angry horns and shouts from other boaters.

BEFORE YOU REACH THE LAUNCHING RAMP

Prepare your boat before you approach the ramp. This ensures when it’s your turn, you’re ready to go without any delay.

• Load your safety equipment, mooring lines, and other gear into the boat.
• Unhook and stow the transom straps.
• Disconnect any incandescent light-bulb plugs.
• Gather your mooring line and fenders, making them ready to use.
• Make sure your drain plug, if your boat has one, is in place.

WHILE ON THE LAUNCHING RAMP 

You’ve waited your turn, and ideally everyone in front of you followed all the same steps you’re following, continuing a friendly and efficient day of boat launching. Now, prepare yourself to get your boat into the water.

• Get a spotter. Move all kids and onlookers from the ramp area and put a spotter out there. Launching is easier with one person driving and another directing.
• Situate your vehicle and boat. Line up your vehicle and trailer as straight as possible, about the length of a trailer away from the water.
• Back into the water. Slowly back your trailer down the ramp, only making small, fine-tuned steers. If you need to straighten the trailer, driving forward a bit can be a big help. When the stern begins floating in the water, stop.
• Secure your vehicle. Set the parking brake. If you have an excessively large boat, chock the wheels on your vehicle.

GETTING IN THE WATER

At this point, you’re ready to get your boat off the trailer and into the water.

• Unhook the boat. Disconnect the winch strap and safety chain from the trailer. Next, back the boat away from the trailer. When the water is just above the wheels of the trailer, you’re ready for the next step.

• Launch the boat. Start your boat’s engine. Important: make sure the engine is in the water before you crank it. Shift into reverse and gently back up. All Manitou boats have to be powered with the engine into the water off the trailer—you can’t float it back by hand. If, after applying gentle power, your boat doesn’t move, you probably need to back up farther.

SECURING THE BOAT

Now that you’re in the water, tie your mooring lines to the dock. Make sure all your passengers and supplies are nearby and ready to board. By getting everyone and everything on the boat quickly, you show courtesy to other boaters and help keep the launching ramp free of holdups.

While your other passengers are boarding, park your vehicle nearby and make your way back to the boat without delay. Join your family and friends on the boat, untie the mooring lines and off you go.

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How to Enjoy A Pontoon Boat Experience | Pontoon-Depot

By: Amy Cabanas - Pontoon-Depot

Pic By: TurboSwing

What we’ve learned this past year! 

Welcome to the intersection of imagination and inspiration! Boaters with discriminating taste and a penchant for performance love pontoons. There is a certain sense of serenity that comes with a trip out on the water on a pontoon boat. It can be any body of water and does not necessarily have to be an actual tropical paradise. The smooth ride will have you sitting back and enjoying the day. That kind of experience can make any body of water a welcomed sanctuary. 

The setup of a pontoon boat allows guests to sit back and have a cocktail while enjoying some pleasant conversation. There is no need to speak over the buzzing hum of an engine and no need to worry about choppy seas. The stability of a pontoon boat can give all passengers their very own pair of sea legs. 

There is always the option to throw a line in the water and catch an afternoon meal. Fishing can be done while you kick back and relax underneath the sun. Pontoon boats also offer plenty of shade, which allows passengers to stay cool on a hot summer day. 

But cool is a constant theme when it comes to pontoon boats. Style combined with comfort makes for a truly unique boating experience. There is even plenty of room on a pontoon boat to do some grilling. That kind of functionality provides everything that is needed for a day of leisure. 

Pontoons, as well as tri-toons use cylindrical, metal flotation devices or tubes that keep afloat a broad platform. Pontoons uses 2 tubes and Tri-toons use 3 tubes, this allows a shallow draft and good stability on the water. This type of boat is used primarily used for fishing and cruising inland lakes as well as water sports and as a water borne camper. Pontoons are powered by an outboard engine, stern drive, or an electric motor. 

Pontoon boats have evolved beyond just a form of recreation and transportation. They have evolved into representing a lifestyle, one that provides relaxing days on the water, free of worry and stress. The soft feel of woven vinyl on your feet sold by Pontoon Depot offers top notch quality and will go perfectly with your wrap around comfortable teardrop bench seats, recessed cup holders, and smart design. Let Pontoon-Depot not only show you the way to a better flooring option for your boat but add all the cool accessories that will not disappoint once you and your family get out on the water. 

Let’s enjoy life on a Pontoon Boat, everyone else is doing it!

For all your accessories and/or vinyl flooring visit Pontoon Depot's shop site.