News — Pontoon Boat Operating

Top Boating Apps for Your Smartphone

We realize that the whole idea of a pontoon excursion with your friends or family is to disconnect from our crazy busy lifestyles. But we also recognize the need for information in an information age. So we’ve compiled a list of boating apps that may help you get the most out of your Pontoon Depot boat outing, without totally engaging the real world.

For iOS

• Boaters Checklist GPS – Make sure that you have everything you need before you hitch up the boat and head to the lake. And, if you frequent a favorite location, you can use this app to record the exact GPS location of a stellar fishing spot or a hidden shallow sandbar.
• Float Plan – Share your boating excursion plans with friends and family not hitting the waves with you, so that they know where you are in case of an emergency.
• Boating Weather – Get real time weather information from the National Weather Service before and during your boating excursion.
• IGFA Mobile – If you’re an avid fisherman, then this is the app for you. The International Game Fish Association gives you access to information on great fishing spots, as well as a fish identifier, a catch log, locating IGFA weigh stations, and more.

For Android

• GPS Speedo – This app provides an analog GPS speedometer, graphing your speed in real time.
• Sea Tow – Use this app to get on-water assistance, tide information, weather forecasts, GPS and more.
• The Encyclopedia of Boating – Everything you need to know to be a boat owner, all in one place. This app provides information on boat maintenance, navigation, boating in various weather conditions, and even how boats work.

Both Operating Systems

• Boat Ramps – Find and get directions to more than 35,000 boat ramps all over the U.S.
• BoatUS – Just in case you get into trouble (such as running out of gas because you were having too much fun to notice), use this app for access to a network of on-water towers in over 300 nationwide ports.

Used Boat, New Flooring: Now We're Talking Smart Investments

There’s nothing better than that new boat smell.

Pristine vinyl. Unblemished fiberglass. Never-been-used wood and steel.

Smells like ... depreciation.

The second you tow a new boat off the showroom lot, it loses 25-30 percent of its value. When you buy a high-quality previously owned boat from a reputable source, on the other hand, the original owner paid that depreciation for you.

People ditch boats for all kinds of reasons. In a lot of cases, they simply underestimate the cost, use it a few times and sell it while it's still mint.

In short, buying used can make a lot of sense, provided you get a marine surveyor to inspect it for you before you sign. Once you get the all clear, you can walk away with a near-pristine vessel at a fraction of the cost. Even better, it's likely that most of the initial kinks and quirks were worked out by the previous owner or the refurbishing company.  

Most importantly, you'll be able to put some of the money you saved right back into your new used boat.

That means tearing out that disgusting marine carpeting that's dragging down your new baby. Even if the boat has only been taken out just a few times, you'll notice the wear on even lightly-used boat carpeting. Once it gets dirty, which is inevitable, marine carpeting is impossible to clean to its original state.

High-quality vinyl flooring like MariDeck, on the other hand, can make a used boat look brand new. With your choice of colors, textures and patterns, it will always look great — but looks aren't everything.

With good boat flooring, you can walk on water — literally. Boat decks get wet, but with MariDeck, wet does not equal slippery. Your floor will safe and slip-free while you're on the water, and cleanup is a breeze when you're back on land.

Unlike boat carpeting, some quick, basic maintenance will have your MariDeck surface looking brand new time after time after time on the water.

Consider going used. If you play it smart, you'll get more boat for less money without making any real sacrifices in quality. That will leave you with a little left over to invest in the industry's best flooring.

Top 5 Reasons to Own a Pontoon Boat

On the pontoon
Makin' waves and catchin' rays up on the roof
Jumpin' out the back, don't act like you don't want to
Party in slow motion
Out here in the open
Mm, motorboatin'
(Pontoon – by Little Big Town)

Now that we have that song stuck in your head, you might be wondering what all the fuss is about. Well, if you’ve lived the song, you know that a pontoon can be loads of fun for the whole family. If not, here are the top five reasons why owning a pontoon is so enjoyable.

5. Storage, storage and more storage.
You won’t find many boats that offer the storage capacity of a pontoon. There’s hidden storage under just about every seat available, and often storage compartments in the flooring too. Pack it full of coolers, food and camping gear, and you’re all set for a weekend on the water.

4. It’s a smooth ride.
Even in rough waters on the lake, you’ll have a smooth and relaxing ride on a pontoon, whether you’re running it hard for speed or simply coasting along. It’s so smooth, in fact, that you could easily bring a grill along to barbecue as you coast.

3. There’s room for… everyone.
Pontoons are incredibly spacious, with seating often available for up to 12 people (or more, depending on how many adults and how many kids you have on board). Even then, there’s still space available for walking, coolers, and to kick back and enjoy the ride (seen #5).

2. Everyone will enjoy it.
Young or old, a pontoon has far more to offer than any other boat available. The flat flooring makes perfect sense so grandpa and dad can easily fish, made especially better by MariDeck Boat Flooring. Meanwhile, mom, grandma and the kids are jumping off the back for a swim. Go for a spin and enjoy the scenery and the breeze, or pull up to a sand bar for a picnic lunch.

1. Embrace family time.
A pontoon offers a great opportunity to reconnect with your family over several generations. Customize your boat to fit the needs of all your passengers and spend a weekend on the water, disconnected from the busy world we all live in (after all, you likely won’t have any cell phone coverage out on the lake).

Trouble(shooting) at Sea

So you're out on the boat, and you're out deep. Nothing but sea in all directions. You've got your family and little else. You've left all your stress, all your worries, all your problems back on land, which is miles away.

Wait. What's that noise? Why does your motor sound like it has sleep apnea? Wait. Why are we stopped?

Even if you're fairly handy, a mechanical issue at sea is always pretty scary, pretty trying and, unfortunately, pretty likely. Before you signal for distress and make the Coast Guard come rescue you just because your float switch is facing the wrong way, do a little troubleshooting yourself. Here are five of the most likely problems.

1. Your float switch is facing the wrong way. This is super common, which is why we used it as an example just there. If it's improperly installed and facing forward instead of aft, the bilge pump will run even when there's no water to bail.
2. An air lock causes your impeller to fail. This can cause diesel engines to stall, even after just a short time in the water. Remove the zinc plug and add water to prime the pump, and then try the engine again.
3. Your oil cooler has a leak. This is likely the case if you see oil on your expansion tank. Replace the oil bundles after you remove the oil cooler. Oil in the coolant equals stalled boat.
4. You have a corroded battery terminal. This is probably the cause of your problem if the engine won't turn over even if the other electrical components are working.
5. You have air in your steering fluid. If your steering is difficult and unresponsive, you'll likely need to bleed and replace the steering fluid, depending on your manufacturer's recommendations.