Yamaha’s “Summer Power” Sales Event | Pontoon-Depot
Promotion on select outboards purchased until end of August
By: PBDMagazine
Yamaha Marine Group announced today the “Summer Power” outboard sales event, valid from July 16, 2018, until August 31, 2018.
“The ‘Summer Power’ sales event gives customers the opportunity to purchase eligible, select, new Yamaha four-stroke outboards from our F2.5 through the F200 (four-cylinder model),” said Dale Barnes, Division Manager, Marketing, Yamaha Marine Group. “This is a great time to purchase some of our most popular models and spend the rest of the summer enjoying Yamaha power on the water.”
The “Summer Power” sales event provides the purchasing consumer with one of two sales incentives. Consumers who purchase eligible, new, select 90-200 horsepower four-cylinder, four-stroke outboards can receive a two-year Yamaha Extended Service (Y.E.S.) plan for additional warranty coverage. Consumers who purchase eligible, new 2.5-75 horsepower outboards, can receive a credit of up to $500 based on MSRP toward the purchase of goods and/or services available at the authorized participating Yamaha Outboard dealer that sold the outboard, at no extra cost to the purchasing consumer.
Additional terms and conditions apply. Consumers should see authorized participating Yamaha outboard dealers for complete details.
Yamaha Marine products are marketed throughout the
For all your accessories and/or flooring, visit Pontoon-Depot's online store.
- Amy Cabanas
- Tags: Boating Pontoon Accessories pontoon boat Pontoon Boat Operating Pontoon Boat relaxation summer tips
Boat Organization & Storage Tips | Pontoon-Depot
A place for everything, and everything in its place—here's 20 of the best onboard organization solutions for your boat.
By: Zuzana Prochazka
No matter how big the boat, onboard stowage options never seem to be enough. Some captains even insist that for each item that comes aboard, something has to leave. That’s when it’s time to get creative—and organized. Let’s see how some clever crews have managed to fill a boat almost to the point of needing to raise the boot stripe.
1. CREATE SPACE IN THE COCKPIT
When it comes to boat organization, we think of space as being inside or on top of something but a good eye will spot spaces that are simply created. For small cockpit items like sunglasses, sunscreen and cellphones that are always sliding around in the cockpit, try making Sunbrella pockets. Canvas holders can be custom designed around the binnacle, handrails and dodgers. This keeps small stuff from getting lost or broken.
2. MANAGE THE OUTBOARD (AND OTHER HEAVY STUFF)
Even small dinghy outboards can be heavy so many boaters carry a davit to help raise and lower them to the tender (especially on a sailboat). But davits can be expensive to purchase and install and take up space on deck. Some sailboats can solve this with a shackle and block and tackle that will fit in a shoebox. Just hang the rig from the main or mizzen boom and you have a great lifting device for the outboard, dive gear, jerry cans of water or fuel and even coolers.
3. STOW THE LONG STUFF
Boathooks, deck brushes and even dinghy paddles are awkward to stow and take up valuable space in the lazarette. Try leaving them on deck in PVC junction fittings. A row of 3-4 fittings can be lashed to the pushpit and hold these tools vertically. They’re affordable and hold up well in the sun. Just be sure to lay the brushes on deck before a photo op.
4. COLLAPSE WITH CANVAS
Another item that’s not lazarette-friendly is the bucket. Instead of bulky buckets that can crack when you jam them in, consider getting collapsible canvas buckets for deck duty.
Nobody likes spending time untangling the lines—now, you won't have to.
5. WRANGLE THE RODE
Line is a space hog. What to do when every space and outside locker is already full of docklines and fenders and you need a stern anchor line? No worries, Quickline has a flat rope reel that can hold up to 265 feet of flat polyester or floating polypropylene webbing out on deck. The reels are 15” – 24” in diameter and only about 1” thick. They may be mounted to a railing or stanchion and have a handy etched measure on them to let you know how much line is out.
6. WRAP THE WRENCHES
A set of wrenches usually comes in a bulky plastic case and if you have room for it, they’re nicely organized. But if space is tight, consider canvas wrench roll-ups. Fold, roll and tie wrenches up like a burrito and easily spot a missing wrench that’s not in its designated pocket.
7. TACKLE THE FASTENERS
Boats are fastener-hungry. There’s no end to the nuts, bolts, screws and hose clamps that a boat will consume and keeping them handy isn’t always easy. Why not use clear tackle boxes to organize the small stuff?
8. STORE THE SANDPAPER
Sandpaper is another consumable that boats love. Most sandpaper comes in bulky cardboard boxes that get wet and ruin the paper inside and you can never find that half sheet of 80-grit that you knew you had leftover from the last varnishing project. A better way to keep lots of sandpaper is with an expandable pocket file from an office supply store. Label each pocket with the grit level and keep small leftover pieces where they belong.
Yes, common office supplies can come in handy while onboard.
9. MANAGE MANUALS
While you’re at it, buy two pocket files. They’re great for organizing small manuals and quick reference cards for things like electronics. They’re also good for ship’s papers like insurance, registration and schematics.
10. MAKE PILLOWS THAT AREN’T
We love pillows – they’re comfortable, decorative and really pull a “look” together. But they take up room as do sheets, blankets and towels. Why not combine them into one? Pretty accent pillows can be stuffed with towels and that leaves room in lockers for more jeans to mysteriously find their way aboard.
11. HANG YOUR HAT
Piles of hats accumulate on boats and soon can smell musty. Why not hang baseball caps and sunhats on a single plastic hanger? Just clip them on with clothespins or Velcro. This works great for flipflops on the back of door handles too.
12. VACUUM BAG PUFFY STUFF
If you’re going to keep heavier items aboard year round, consider getting a vacuum sealer. Pack fleeces, jackets and blankets into special bags and suck the air out. Not only does that shrink the contents, it keeps them mildew free.
13. CHOOSE SQUARE CONTAINERS
Galley organization is always a challenge. Not only do you have to find room for boxes and bags of basics like sugar, pasta and chips, you also have to keep them fresh and dry. Plastic containers are great but be sure to choose square ones that will butt up against each other without leaving precious space between round packaging. Label and date the containers if the food will be there a while—and toss out the cardboard that can bring cockroach eggs aboard.
14. SAVE SPACE WITH WIRE RACK DRAWERS
There are never enough drawers on a boat. But you can create them by converting a locker into drawer space using wire rack drawers that are lighter, airier and take up less room inside than actual wooden drawers. Rail and rack solutions can be found in organization outlets like the Container Store.
15. PREP THE PERISHABLES
Perishables, especially produce, can take a beating on long passages. But what to do when you just don’t have the counter space to stow all those vegetables and fruit? Hammocks utilize the space we don’t think of as space—air. String a veggie hammock near the galley. Not only does it make room out of thin air, it’ll keep produce well ventilated and swinging free so it doesn’t get bruised. Also, onions and potatoes may be kept perfectly in pantyhose. Place an onion in the hose, tie a knot, repeat. Hang the hose vertically. Just be sure to separate the two veggies because the moisture in onions makes potatoes sprout.
16. SHRINK WITH SILICONE COOKWARE
Silicone has become a “thing” in household kitchens and it makes even more sense aboard. Bulky galley tools like pot lids and strainers now come in handy collapsible versions that are easy to clean and you can even put them in the oven. Look for pots, baking dishes and even ice cube trays that can be folded and squished into tiny spaces.
17. SECURE THE KNIVES
A knife drawer is inefficient and unsafe on a moving vessel but who has room for a knife block? You do. Cut an existing block or make a new one and mount it on the side of a locker or bulkhead. Slip the knives in and make a canvas cover so you aren’t dodging flying knives in a rough seaway.
Anyone need a drink? Become the fastest bartender on the water.
18. PREP YOUR DOCKTAIL PARTIES
Throwing a party in the anchorage? Try the Docktail Bar. Manage your spirits, mixers, wine, Solo cups, limes and swizzle sticks in a handy tray that mounts on a gunwhale or rail or even slips into a rod holder. The bottles stay secure and you have more room on tables and chairs for food and guests.
19. SECURE BOTTLES AND GLASSES
Transporting the goods to your party can be tricky and noisy. Slip those wine and rum bottles into old socks and pile them into the bilge. They’ll be cushioned and silent. You can also build wine rack below the cabin sole. Oh, and glasses can be protected by hair scrunchies so you can pack them closer together even in bouncy conditions.
20. BRING THE BUNGIES
Finally, you can never have enough bungy cords. They secure everything from fishing rods to slapping halyards. An over-the-door clear pocket organizer will keep dozens of cords of various sizes, tangle free.
These simple solutions expand space aboard so you don’t need to worry about where to stow and hide everything down to the last M&M.
The Best Beverages To Bring Boating | Pontoon-Depot
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
Protecting Aluminum Boats From Salt Water Corrosion
By: Boating Magazine
In the last 5 years, boaters have bought over 300K boats.
Aluminum boats require special care to prevent salt water corrosion.
They’re light, economical, nearly maintenance-free, easy to repair and almost impervious to damage. The Coast Guard and Navy prefer them for small craft, and many commercial boats are aluminum, as are many recreational craft. Their high strength-to-weight ratio means they can be built lighter and therefore can run faster for a given amount of power, and are easier to trailer. If you’re looking for the ideal boat building material, aluminum could be it. The only problem is that it’s the wimp of the electrochemical schoolyard, being beaten up and corroded away by almost every other metal except for zinc and magnesium.
Want to be a saltwater metal head? Aluminum can seemingly dissolve away in salt water when in the presence of other metals. Builders do everything they can to prevent this, but once the boat is in your hands it’s up to you to keep it alive. Here’s how.
How It Happens
We’re talking about galvanic corrosion. Back in science class you’d say that this is where one metal in an electrically conductive solution (such as salt water) gives up atoms when connected to a dissimilar metal in that same solution. Losing atoms means that the metal is falling apart, or corroding. In the slip aboard your aluminum boat, you’d say that this is where your hull becomes pitted because of a bronze through-hull on a neighboring boat.The rate of corrosion of a metal on its own is determined by how chemically active it becomes when put in salt water. The more active, the more susceptible it is to corrosion. The less active, the more resistant it is to corrosion. When not in contact with anything else, most marine metals such as aluminum, bronze and stainless steel will corrode away at a reasonably slow rate. No danger there. But connect different metals, one active (aluminum) and the other a lot less active (i.e., a copper penny), in water and atoms will start to flow. And the aluminum will start to fall apart.
The Good News
When not in contact with other metals, aluminum can do quite well in both fresh and salt water, needing only bottom paint to prevent fouling. However, to play it safe, the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) recommends that “aluminum vessels shall have a protective paint coating that provides a high [electrical] resistance barrier between the aluminum and the water.”Above the waterline aluminum does even better. When continuously exposed to oxygen, it develops a film of aluminum oxide so dense and well bonded to the metal that it prevents further corrosion. That’s why many commercial and military craft leave aluminum bare from the waterline up: There’s no need for protective paints, cosmetics aside. As you can see, building an aluminum boat for salt water takes thought. The right alloys must be used, welding must be done just right, and parts must be carefully assembled.
Fiesta, a Florida pontoon builder that bills its boats as “built for use in salt water,” isolates hardware and stainless-steel bolts from the aluminum with nylon washers. Hull compartments have drains with silicone-sealed nylon plugs that can be opened to drain accumulated moisture. They also employ dedicated mounting brackets for sacrificial anodes, and their hulls and extrusions are made from thicker metal.
Better aluminum boat builders don’t allow crevices or joints that collect water, and avoid upturned brackets and channels that trap water. Moisture, including condensation, must drain away, with no sealed or dead air spaces. An emphatic spokesman for Premier Pontoons said, “We are constantly doing pre-emptive detective work to stop corrosion before it starts.”
Zinc or Swim
Engine manufacturers, as well as boatbuilders, attempt to save their aluminum products by attaching sacrificial anodes. As long as the anode is electrically connected to the part, either by direct contact or by wire, it stuffs the aluminum with excess electrons so it loses those rather than the aluminum giving up its own electrons. The zinc? It erodes — sacrificing itself for the benefit of the boat or motor.Unfortunately, there is no formula to tell you how many anodes you will need and what size. In the beginning, it will be a matter of trial and error. A good place to start is the ABYC’s procedure. Inspect the anodes every month. Go with many small ones rather than a few large ones. If you have the right amount, your “zincs” should be about halfway gone by the end of the season, and replaced each spring. If they are not wearing away, they are either too large (rare) or not making good contact with the aluminum (common). Well-made anodes should have cast-in plates and fasteners to maintain good electrical connection throughout their lives, and they should meet military spec Mil-A-18001J (or higher last letter).
Don’t go nuts with zincs everywhere because aluminum won’t tolerate being overprotected. In mild cases, the zinc develops a crust and stops working. But if things get too far out of balance, you can generate an alkaline solution that will start eating away at the aluminum. An early sign of this is the softening or blistering of the bottom paint.
How Much Zinc?
Use too few anodes, and the fittings are not protected. Use too many, and the anodes erode quickly and may blister paint. A multimeter and a reference electrode help to nail down the right amount.
1. Place a silver/silver chloride electrode in the water near the item that is to be protected.
2. Touch the positive probe to the fitting. Note the meter’s reading in DC millivolts.
3. Connect a sacrificial zinc of the proposed size to the metal part to be protected. Put the zinc in the water and note the new meter reading.
4. Protection is adequate when the new voltage is 200 millivolts (0.20 volts) more negative than the reading noted without the zinc.
The Trouble with Tanks
Even if you don’t have an aluminum boat, you probably have aluminum fuel tanks. While these can be perfectly safe, the U.S. Coast Guard noticed a recurring problem with leaking tanks. So it asked Underwriters Laboratory to see why. Not surprisingly, UL found that corrosion caused 92 percent of the failures. Most of it was caused by how the tanks were installed.
In general, aluminum tanks should be left bare. Paint can help. But if it’s not properly applied, it wears away, scratches or peels off, and moisture gets under the paint, concentrating and accelerating corrosion.
The most common fittings used in fuel systems are usually made from brass. Screw one of these directly into an aluminum tank and add some moisture, and you’ve got serious galvanic corrosion. Isolate these fittings from the tank by using 300-series stainless-steel washers or adapters.
The tank’s supports must not be moisture-absorbent, such as carpeting is. Suitable materials are stiff neoprene, Teflon or any high-density plastic. Water should drain from all tank surfaces when the boat is at rest; the bottom of the tank must be at least a quarter-inch above the hull to let air circulate and above the level normally reached by bilge water. The European standard says “no less than 25 mm [1 inch] above the top of the bilge pump inlet or the bilge pump automatic float switch.”
A fuel tank should be accessible for relatively easy inspection via a screwed-down, caulked hatch, but that is often not the case. Many builders install tanks so that a saw is needed for inspection or replacement. Too bad.
13 Ways to Prevent Galvanic Corrosion
1. Don’t mix metals, or at least use metals as close to each other as possible in the galvanic series.
2. Bolts should be less active than fittings; they’re small, so loss of metal is more serious.
3. Take all measures to electrically isolate fittings from each other, even on small craft.
4. Securely fasten anodes, and ensure there is firm contact with the metal to be protected.
5. Never paint an anode. Be sure the metal to which it is fastened is free of paint, scale and dirt.
6. Impressed current voltage should never exceed 1,300 millivolts when protecting aluminum.
7. Always repair paint chips and scratches that expose bare metal as soon as possible.
8. Avoid using any lubricant made with graphite aboard a boat made from aluminum.
9. Employ an isolation transformer whenever the boat’s connected to AC shore power.
10. Don’t use an automotive battery charger aboard a boat, especially an aluminum boat.
11. Paint only with primers and coatings specifically designed for aluminum.
12. Wash the aluminum boat down with fresh water after every use to remove built-up salts.
13. Keep hooks, sinkers, bottle caps and other metal debris out of the bilge lest they wreak havoc.
DIY the Right Way
Protecting your aluminum boat and equipment from the rigors of the marine environment.
Adding Hardware
Ideally, you’d use aluminum fittings and fasteners, minimizing the chance of galvanic corrosion, but these are hard to find. Instead use 300-series stainless steel. This works fine if you isolate the fitting with plastic washers or pads and keep the water out with a polysulfide or polyether bedding compound like Star brite polyether Boat Caulk.
Bottom Paint
Interlux and Pettit sell copper-free, aluminum-compatible paint systems backed by excellent application instructions and tech support. It takes lots of prep, plus attention to detail, to do this right.
Ditch Your Carpet
To prevent hull pitting caused by trapped moisture, replace carpeted trailer bunks with vinyl with DeckRite.