Search For Kelsey Starling Continues Since Boat Wreck on The 4th of July
By: www.whnt.com
WINSTON COUNTY, Ala. – A Decatur man was arrested Friday in connection with a boating accident on Smith Lake.
Our news partners at AL.com report William Jackson Fite, 23, was booked into the Winston County Jail. He faces a charge of boating under the influence.
Kelsey Nicole Starling, 26, was reported missing when the crash happened around 10 p.m. Thursday.
Her little sister, Meghan Starling says her family is hopeful that they'll find her.
"We're just really thankful for the people who are helping find her, that they're still looking and that they say they won't stop because we really want Kelsey back," said Starling.
Authorities stated she was still missing after their search concluded Sunday night but the search is still ongoing.
Please remember to always boat responsibly.
- Pontoon-Depot Team
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- Amy Cabanas
- Tags: Boating Boating Safety pontoon boat tips
10 Best Cities to Watch Fourth of July Fireworks by Boat
By: Discover Boating
When it comes to fireworks, Independence Day celebrations are hard to beat. As great as they are on land, though, they’re even better from the water. Here are 10 of the best boat-friendly places for watching fireworks this Fourth of July.
Boston, Massachusetts
Chicago, Illinois
The pyrotechnics show off Navy Pier lights up Lake Michigan. If you’re close enough to shore, you might hear the music to which the spectacle is synchronized. Navy Pier hosts fireworks shows every Wednesday and Saturday night this summer, too.
Kemah, Texas
Grab the kids and spend the day at the Kemah Boardwalk before returning to your boat at the adjacent Kemah Marina to watch the fireworks. The show, over Galveston Bay, starts at 9:30 p.m. Like Chicago’s Navy Pier, the Boardwalk hosts fireworks every Friday through July.
Lake Tahoe, California & Nevada Border
The Lights on the Lake literally lights up the southern waters of Lake Tahoe. Between the highly touted display and the Sierra Nevada Mountains, it’s no wonder the show is considered among the country’s best.
Marina del Rey, Califorina
This 20-minute spectacle attracts onlookers from miles around. Start time is 9 p.m. Check the Visit Marina del Rey website for tips on when to arrive, as well as options for kayak and paddleboard rentals if you decide to spend the day.
Miami, Florida
South Floridians have lots of options when it comes to boat-friendly places for watching fireworks. The Fire on the Fourth Festival, over the Atlantic Ocean in North Miami Beach, is popular. You can also raft up with fellow boaters at Miami Marine Stadium.
New York, New York
The largest display in all of the USA is the annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks. Because the show encompasses the Brooklyn Bridge as well as four barges along the East River, there are lots of good vantage points.
Rockaway Beach, Oregon
USA Today names Rockaway Beach’s celebration one of the nation’s best. The city, in northern Oregon, sends up the fireworks after a day marked by a big parade, wiener dog races, beach treasure hunts, and more.
Seattle, Washington
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Seafair Festival, so you know the fireworks over Lake Union will be extra special. They start at 10:15 p.m., visible from both the Gas Works Park and Lake Union Park areas.
Tampa, Florida
Tampa’s new mayor has big plans for the first city-run Boom by the Bay celebration, encompassing four different fireworks displays over 2.5 miles along the water. Since the event was just announced this month, keep tabs on the official Facebook page.
Washington, D.C.
This year the iconic show, which promises to be bigger and longer, too, takes place from West Potomac Park, rather than the Washington Monument. That’s great news for boaters. You’ll be in good company on the Potomac River, since several sightseeing boats organize trips, too.
Regardless of where you go, be mindful of possible Coast Guard waterway restrictions, and remember to follow these simple safe boating tips. Have a happy and safe 4th!
For All Your Accessories and/or Vinyl Flooring Visit Pontoon-Depot's Shop Site.
- Amy Cabanas
- Tags: Boating Boating Safety Entertainment Family pontoon boat tips
The Ultimate Boat Show Guide Boat | Pontoon-Depot
By: Lenny Rudow
Boat shows offer you the ability to see a slew of new model boats all at the same time, comparison shop, and make a seriously good deal.
Our Boat Buyer’s Guide is chock full of information, and should help any prospective boater get a good idea of just what type of boat will be best for their needs. But once you’ve decided on a type of pleasure craft, be it a pontoon boat, a flybridge motor yacht, a deck saloon sailboat, or anything in-between, you need to do some serious boat shopping to find the exact model that’s ideal for you–and the perfect place to make that happen is at a boat show.
While you’re at the show, try to see as many boats as possible and don’t get too hung up on any one model until you’ve seen all the choices. In fact, many buyers will walk the entire show floor with a map of the displays in hand (these are usually in the guides available at the show entrance) and mark off the locations of potential boats of interest without closely examining them. Then later they can go back and look at the options that caught their eye, one by one. At extremely large boat shows, it may be prudent to sit down with that guide and try to pick out which displays you want to see before you start walking around, too.
Boat shows give you the opportunity to check out all different shapes, styles, and sizes of boats on the same day, in the same place.
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- Amy Cabanas
- Tags: Boating Entertainment pontoon boat tips
Discover Boating | Buying A Pontoon Boat | Pontoon-Depot!!
By: Discover Boating
The pontoon boat has undergone quite an evolution in the past few decades, and what was once a simple boxy floating platform is now a luxury-laden pleasure-boat that can offer everything from a relaxing day on the lake to invigorating thrill rides. If you haven’t been on a modern pontoon you’ve got to step aboard one to believe just how amazingly advanced—and comfortable—the best pontoon boats have become.
Activities You'll Most Enjoy
Pontoon boats are loved in all corners of the nation because they can be used for so many different activities: watersports, swimming, day cruising, and of course just lounging about. There are fishing pontoon boats, performance pontoons with big outboard engines that will have you blasting across the lake or bay with the wind whipping in your hair, and luxury-oriented pontoons equipped with everything from a blender to a bathroom. There are big pontoon boats and small pontoon boats, you can get a pontoon trailer and explore far-flung waterways, and in all of these cases the options for what to do on your pontoon are essentially unlimited.
Perfect fishing platform
In some areas, you’ll discover that there are more fishing pontoon boats than other types of fishing boats. The reason why is simple: they are amazingly stable and comfortable, they hold large numbers of people, and they make an ideal fishing platform. Added bonus: modern fishing pontoon boats have all the angling accessories you need built right in, ranging from rod holders to aerated livewells to tackle boxes.
Used for skiing, tubing, and wakeboarding
If watersports are your thing, today’s pontoons won’t let you down. The best pontoon boats for skiing, tubing, and wakeboarding have tow-bits, storage lockers large enough to hold water skis or knee-boards, and swim platforms with large, stable ladders for climbing on and off the boat. They also have plenty of power and can give the kids a safe but spectacular thrill-ride. Even small pontoon boats usually have all the basics you need to enjoy watersports on some level.
”Party barge” to entertain family and friends
There’s a reason pontoon boats are often called party barges, and it’s quite simple: with oodles of deck space, excellent stability, and variable furniture arrangements, you can have a pontoon that’s just as ideal for relaxing as a lake-side patio. The one difference—and what makes a pontoon boat even better—is that you’re afloat instead of on land, and you can take the party wherever you’d like.
Pontoon Boat Brands
Explore brands to find more information on models and pricing.
Pontoon Boat Ownership Costs
Buying a modern pontoon boat can be just as expensive or as economical as you’d like, and there are pontoon boat prices that fit every budget. There are even some mini pontoon boats that cost far less than the most affordable new cars. When you research out the ownership cost of a specific pontoon boat, an important factor to figure in is storage or mooring costs, if you can’t keep it on a pontoon trailer at your house. Visit our Boat Loan Calculator to learn more about what fits with your budget.
Maintenance Costs
You’re not likely to encounter maintenance costs on a new pontoon boat for several years, beyond basic care items like cleaning supplies. Its engine, however, will have a regular required maintenance plan. These vary from model to model and manufacturer to manufacturer so to figure out just how much you’ll spend on items like oil and filter changes, you should refer to the manufacturer recommendations. Note that most pontoon boats on the market today and the engines that power them carry substantial warranties that should protect you from unexpected maintenance costs for years to come.
Operation Costs
The main operational cost for a pontoon is fuel. Just how much you burn will depend on the size of the boat and engine, how often you use it, and how far you run it. You may also want to plan in insurance costs (see Insuring Your Boat for more information.
Pontoon Technology/Materials/Features
Of all the different boat types out there, pontoons have seen some of the biggest technological advancements in recent years. Today many boast touch-screens at the helm, and seats with space-age fabrics that are resistant to UV light, mold and mildew, and staining.
As pontoons have become more advanced they’ve also become better-equipped. You can find models with rather extreme stereo systems, fully-equipped wet bars, and even things like automatic sunshades that rise at the press of a button. In fact, if you look at the list of optional features on a high-end pontoon you’ll see that often goes on for pages and pages.
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