News — Boating Safety

5 Big Advantages to a Pontoon Boat

By: JetDock

When it’s time to choose the right kind of boat for your lifestyle, there are several things to consider. It’s important to understand the experience level that is required with certain watercrafts as well as affordability and ease of use.

Pontoon boats should always be part of the conversation when choosing what kind of boat to purchase. Among the different kinds of watercrafts on the market today, a pontoon boat can be the ideal choice for just about any boater. Here are 5 advantages of buying a pontoon boat compared to other watercrafts.

Ample Storage

Because pontoon boats are more spacious than a traditional watercraft, it makes storing important items much easier. If you choose to boat during the fall and into the colder months, it’s inevitable that passengers are going to bring jackets, blankets, and other bulky items. On top of these, you always need extra life vests, snacks, an extra pair clothes, an ice chest, and the rest of your safety equipment. Small power boats simply don’t have the square footage to store important equipment and accommodate more than two people without feeling like your stuck in a  sardine container. A pontoon boat on the other hand, gives you the space you need for extra people and and extra essentials, usually seating a minimum of 11 passengers.

Beginner and Family Friendly

Pontoon boats are the ultimate beginner friendly watercraft. Regardless of your experience, a pontoon is extremely easy to use and maintain. It features a stable platform and controls that are a cinch to master. Because of the sheer weight, pontoon boats are easy to drive and handle, making them unlikely to flip.

Pontoon boats are also great for families with small children. Because pontoons are so spacious, this gives small children the freedom to walk about the boat without “getting in the way.” Older kids can also invite their friends aboard, still leaving plenty of room for everyone’s gear and a make for a more enjoyable trip all around.

Cheaper to Insure

Typically, pontoon boats are less expensive than a power boat, making them cheaper to insure. Pontoon boats under $30,000, can be as little as $20-$30 a month for good insurance coverage. They can also be much cheaper to fix when an accident does occur, making them more appealing to insurance companies. Even a pontoon boat with a souped up engine can carry a cheaper insurance policy than that of a typical power boat when you’re using it for recreational use.

Easy to Dock

Trying to dock your boat can be a stressful experience but with a pontoon boat, it doesn’t hate to be. Because pontoons are easy to drive, they’re also easy to dock. The ideal boat lift is low profile, making it easy to drive onto without backing in and even easier to launch from. You’ll still need to practice docking, but a pontoon is the best way to master the art form.

Long Lifespan

Unlike ski boats, pontoons don’t change much, so there isn’t a need to always upgrade to the latest and best model. Pontoons have a timeless design and are often much more customizable after purchase, making them more appealing for long-term use. For this fact alone, pontoons can last well into the next generation of your family when taking care of properly.

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

Tackle Box: Fall Fishing Chores | Pontoon-Depot

By: Pdbmagazine 

Assuming your fishing season is coming to its annual autumnal break, one of the best ways to increase your odds at fishing success next spring starts with what you do to your boat and tackle now.

Take for instance your boat’s motor. Unless you enjoy wetting a line at the dock, you can’t go fishing from your boat if the motor won’t run. And if you live anywhere there’s a threat of sub-freezing air temperatures this winter, you need to make sure there’s no water in the engine’s crank case or lower unit. That means getting your engine vertical (ie: tilted all the way down) and keeping it that way over the storage period. That orientation will allow gravity to draw all the moisture down into the lower unit, through the lubricant (water is heavier than oil), where the water can be drained via the plug placed there for the purpose before it can freeze, expand and do their damage. Top off the lower unit with fresh lube or replace it entirely and you have one less task standing between you and the fishing grounds next spring.

While draining the lower unit, remove the engine’s propeller and check for any sign of fishing line that may have found its way and wound its way around the shaft. Fishing line, especially the new super-braids, left to spin and wear through a seal or score a shaft, creates one of the most common entry points for water to get into the motor in the first place. 

I replaced my pair of six-gallon metal fuel tanks with three-gallon plastic ones last year, primarily to force me to use fresh fuel during the fishing season. I found that, depending on how and when I used it, my 9.9hp Johnson outboard could take a month or more to consume six-gallons of ethanol-“enriched” gasoline that some experts say has a shelf life of nine weeks. I enjoyed flawless engine operation all season and found that when it did come time to refill the tanks, they were much easier to carry to and from the truck and filling station than the larger six gallon containers. Those small tanks pay off now as well, for when I have some left over at the end of the season, there’s a small enough amount that I can easily pour it into the tank of my SUV so that I can start with full tanks of fresh gas next fishing season.

Metal tanks, most advise, may be best left topped off with fuel that has been stabilized and treated to thwart the effects of ethanol.For those pontoon and deck boats with built-in tanks, if they are plastic, condensation isn’t nearly as big a problem as it is with metal fuel tanks. With fluctuating air temperatures, the walls of a partially filled metal tank will condense and weep moisture into the remaining gasoline that will cause problems when it comes time to use it as engine fuel. Many experts now say that it’s better to empty plastic internal tanks for storage over the off-season and fill them with fresh gasoline when it’s time to go boating again. 

If your boat has been docked all season and has a fish-finder, take time to clean the face of the transducer as soon as the boat is removed from the water and before the slime that accumulated on the unit has time to dry and harden. Make sure the transducer is secure to the hull and facing straight down to give the most accurate sonar readings. Check again for that face-down orientation next spring and before every launching. Check the mounting hardware on all rod holders and fish-finders now as well, and get them secure while you’re thinking about it; you don’t want that first good fish of the season ripping a rod holder out of the gunwale to remind you next spring.

Check your rods for lose guides or missing inserts and get them scheduled for repair or replacement over the off season—when tackle shops have more time to offer such services and you don’t have to suffer through any “down time” during the fishing season without your favorite rod or reel. Go through the tackle box and remove any leaking Gulp! containers, discard any rock-hard Powerbaits and tighten any stinky dip bait jars that threaten to permeate the box and foul the air over the winter. Separate rubber worms, grubs and skirts from lures with finishes that might be damaged by the reaction between their respective surfaces.Fishing tackle deserves some love come autumn too. I find that watching football games—at least those that I don’t have an emotional or monetary stake in—provide a great time to remove all the old fishing line from my reels and re-spool with new. Back off the drags on all your reels now as well, to keep the washers from assuming compressed postures full-time, and oil any moving, exterior parts of the reel.

Finally, look at your landing net and check for holes in the webbing. The little ones are supposed to be there; the big one on the side signals it’s time to replace the netting—or give yourself a reason to kick yourself when it comes time to land that first big fish next spring.

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

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PONTOON BOATS

By: yhwatersports.com

Picture a sleepy summer day, a warm sunshiny breeze and the smooth sheen of a clear blue lake. The only thing missing is you in this scene on a protective Pontoon boat. Pontoon boats have been a favorite way to enjoy the mixture of sun and water since the fifties. According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, pontoon boat sales were up by 48% in 2016. Here are some more facts on this fun-in-the-sun sporting vessel that you should know.

A Little Bit of History

In 1951 the first commercially manufactured pontoon boat is credited to a farmer named Ambrose Weeres from Minnesota. He visioned a craft that was stable in the water and large enough for the whole family. By the late 1960s, pontoons, as we know them today, were a part of every lake across the country.

 Types of Pontoons

• Fiberglass – Used as a construction material for the hulls, it is a lightweight and fairly durable material. Fiberglass pontoons perform well on the water, not subject to rust, and many people prefer its visual appeal. However if damaged repairs can be quite expensive.
• Foam filled – Foam filled pontoons boats are not hollow so they can’t leak and typically cheaper to manufacture. They usually have a plastic exterior and don’t require a thick shell to protect a hollow interior. They typically need to be narrow because the wider they get the lower they sit in the water. This leads to more drag, slower speeds, and poor fuel economy.
• Steel – The main disadvantage of a steel pontoon boat is that steel is a corrosive material, and will rust over time when exposed to moisture and air. Without regular maintenance a steel pontoon can develop leaks and cracks, which may require extensive repairs.
• Aluminum – The most common type of pontoon boat on the market. Unlike steel, aluminum is non-corrosive and wont rust over time just from being exposed to moisture. It’s very durable and repairs are usually easy and relatively inexpensive. Aluminum pontoon boats may be more expensive than other pontoon boats but low maintenance, and knowing that it will last for many years, makes aluminum pontoon boats a top choice for buyers.

            2018 LOWE SF214 SPORT FISH

Safety Tips For Labor Day Weekend; Start planning now!

By: PdbMagazine

The Safe Boating Campaign, a worldwide effort focused on responsible boating led by the National Safe Boating Council, shares important boating safety tips for boaters to make the most of Labor Day weekend.

“We believe wearing a life jacket is the simplest way to ensure the safety of you and your loved ones while enjoying a day on the water,” said Yvonne Pentz, communications director of the National Safe Boating Council. “As you make plans for Labor Day weekend, remember to have fun, make memories, and most importantly, boat responsibly.”

Boaters are encouraged to follow these boating safety tips:

• Take a boating safety course. Gain valuable knowledge and on-water experience in a boating safety course with many options for novice to experienced boaters.
• Check equipment. Schedule a free vessel safety check with local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or U.S. Power Squadrons to make sure all essential equipment is present, working and in good condition.
• Make a float plan. Always let someone on shore know the trip itinerary, including operator and passenger information, boat type and registration, and communication equipment on board.
• Wear a life jacket. Make sure everyone is wearing a properly fitting U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
• Use an engine cutoff device. An engine cutoff device is a proven safety device to stop the boat’s engine should the operator unexpectedly fall overboard.
• Watch the weather. Always check the forecast before departing on the water and frequently during the excursion.
• Know what’s going on around you at all times. Nearly a quarter of all reported boating accidents in 2017 were caused by operator inattention or improper lookout.
• Know where you’re going and travel at safe speeds. Be familiar with the area, local boating speed zones and always travel at a safe speed.
• Never boat under the influence. A BUI is involved in one-third of all recreational boating fatalities. Always designate a sober skipper.
• Keep in touch. Cell phones, satellite phones, EPIRB or personal locator beacon, and VHF radios can all be important devices in an emergency.

The Safe Boating Campaign is produced under a grant from the Sports Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund and administered by the U.S. Coast Guard. Statistics are from the Coast Guard. More boating safety tips at http://www.safeboatingcampaign.com/resources.

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