News — pontoon boat

Halloween Decorations for Your Boat: Dockside Trick-or-Treating

By: Boats.com

This Halloween the docks are filled with decorated boats packed full of tricks and treats for all ages.

Halloween is a time for ghosts, ghouls, goblins, costumes, and of course, trick-or-treating. Trick-or-Treaters have found their way out of the neighborhoods and onto the docks, no longer following their regular candy routes from house to house but now from boat to boat. Marinas and yacht clubs all over the country are hosting annual dockside trick-or-treating events where club members and those living in surrounding communities can bring their little monsters down to the docks in search of Halloween candy and other goodies.

These events are not just a treat for the kids, but the grown-ups also seem to enjoy themselves. Parents of trick-or-treaters will be pleasantly surprised to find a variety of adult-beverages at many of these candy stops—but the fun isn’t limited to just those trick-or-treating. Half the excitement comes beforehand in the boat decorating and preparation. While many marinas host contests—some even for cash prizes—to see who can create the spookiest vessel, many boat owners decorate purely in the true spirit of Halloween. If you’re thinking about dressing up your boat this holiday, check out these tips.

HOW TO DECORATE YOUR BOAT FOR HALLOWEEN:

• Add lights
• Use a fog machine
• Carve a jack-o’-lantern
• Hang pirate flags
• Play scary music

HALLOWEEN DECORATIONS FOR BOATS

Like any good haunted house, a haunted boat shouldn’t lack any of the basic elements needed to bring your vessel to life on Halloween night. As we briefly mentioned, some of those items might include lights, a fog machine, jack-o’-lanterns and pumpkins, pirate flags, a stereo speaker playing spooky music, and oh, so much more. For those of you who are looking to ‘go big,’ tack on the addition of an inflatable glowing ghost or pumpkin to the top off your boat—with just a few bungee cords, you’ll have a new haunted hood-ornament that is sure to turn some heads.

{These houseboats provide plenty of room for your imagination to run wild during your decorating process. No matter what size vessel you're dressing, there's always room for a little Halloween spirit. Photo courtesy: Houseboat Magazine.}

Many of the items we’ve mentioned thus far need an electrical source for power, but your choices aren’t limited to just battery-powered décor. You can hang skeletons, spiders, and bats from your t-top or Bimini, and use dark-colored bed sheets to create a black backdrop to hide undecorated sections of your boat. Don’t forget to pick up a pack of stretchable, synthetic fiber spider webs to drape over doors and across seats. If you happen to have a black light, you can find a variety of options for glow-in-the-dark items, including glow-in-the-dark cobweb packs. You might also think about adding a few Styrofoam tombstones to lean on the edge of your swim platform.

One last word of advice regarding décor: do not use candles, matches, or any source of fire or open flames on board your boat.

HALLOWEEN CANDY & OTHER TREATS

Once you have your boat all decked out, your final step is to stock up on the goodies. Candy is a necessity, and be sure to choose a variety: chocolate, gummies, sweet, sour—cover all your bases. Fill the coolers of your boat with sodas and waters. Then, bring aboard a few portable coolers for other items. Pack one with tasty spirits and libations for the grown-ups, and fill another one with water and apples for apple bobbing. Don’t forget to bring plenty of paper plates, cups, and napkins (preferably Halloween-themed) and trash bags for clean up.

{Adults and children of all ages have a lot to look forward to at annual Halloween Dock Parties and "BOO'tiful Boats" contests. Photo courtesy: The Marina at Marina Shores, Virginia Beach, VA.}

Whether you’re chasing around your favorite little trick-or-treater across the docks, or pulling together the spookiest Halloween décor to dress up your boat, be sure to share all your Halloween pictures and videos with us on the boats.com Facebook page.

• And for more nautical haunts, check out:
• Most Haunted Fishing Destinations
• Boating Superstitions
• Friday the 13th: Boaters Beware
• Boat Trader’s Top 10 Nautical Themed Halloween Costume Ideas

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

UPGRADING YOUR PONTOON BOAT IN THE OFF-SEASON

By: Bennington Marine

Pic By: Manitou Pontoon Boats

One of the many perks of owning a pontoon boat is the number of features, add-ons and upgrades available to customize your boating experience. No two boat owners want exactly the same set up and pontoon boats are a great canvas to build on.

It can be difficult locating exactly the right components for your boat during the spring and summer seasons, as demand for these features tends to be much higher. The off-season is a great time to consider upgrading your pontoon boat as many items are restocked and become available.

Here are some upgrades to consider for your boat or as a gift for a boat owner this fall and winter.

Sound system or speakers

Summer is a popular time for upgrading sound systems and speakers. Often boat owners do not think about this feature until the first time they start their boat up for the season and that can make it difficult to get the model you're looking for. Contact your dealer in the fall to give yourself plenty of time to get your system ready for the following year.

Grills and coolers

Food and beverage related features are also extremely popular in the summertime. Take some time to consider what you plan on doing with your boat the following year and explore these options with your local dealer. Remember to plan for the size of the group you expect to have on board, you don't want to cook burgers for 12 people on a 2-burger grill.

Water sports equipment

Not only will you see great deals on towable tubes, water skis, wakeboards and other fun toys in the off-season, but these items will be easy to store and a pleasant surprise when you open them for the first time the following year or as a Christmas present.

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

TIPS FOR WINTERIZING AND STORING YOUR PONTOON

By: Harris Boats

At the end of summer it’s important to take steps to ensure any boat is protected from sun, moisture and freezing temperatures while it’s sitting still. Hiring a professional to winterize and/or store your boat is the easy way to go, but for do-it-yourselfers we’ve put together a checklist of tasks to complete before putting a pontoon away for the season.

Dry-docking is advised in regions where snow and ice are likely, because ice can crack the hull of the boat, but below are recommendations for all regions.

• Clean the boat inside and out. Apply mildew and rust protection, and ensure the boat is completely dry before it’s covered.
• Remove accessories, water equipment, and fishing equipment to prevent moisture build-up.
• Cover the boat whether it’s kept inside or outside. Shrink-wrap the boat before you cover it, to lock out moisture and keep the cover from sagging even when rain or snow accumulates. If your boat is stored outside, be sure the cover is supported enough to shed water in the worst conditions. This is an especially important part of the process for pontoon owners, because the protective fabric of a pontoon cover is spread over a wide area and must be able to support the weight of rain or snow that might accumulate into a pool and potentially damage the railings or other parts of the boat. If the pontoon cover collapses it can be worse than not having a cover, because the cover will trap moisture into the deck and furniture.
• Use insect/rodent repellent to prevent mice from chewing through the canvas cover.
• Prepare the engine by spraying fogging oil into the carburetor and into the spark plug holes.
• Fill the gas tank to at least the 3/4 mark.
• Change and replace oil filters.
• Remove the battery, fully charge it, and store it somewhere cool.
• Drain engine coolant and replace it with a non-toxic, propylene glycol-based antifreeze (ethylene glycol base will release toxins into the water).
• Those who boat year-round should use a good boat lift and a quality enclosure to protect against wind and rain.

Protecting boats from the worst of winter weather helps insure a hassle-free launch in the spring. More importantly, keeping a pontoon in top condition is an essential part of protecting your investment, saving money in repair costs over time, and adding years to its life on the water.

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

Boat safely: Follow these tips for inclement weather

By: Accuweather.com

Monitoring the forecast, as well as the marine weather forecast, is crucial to boating safely because the weather can often change quickly, leaving boaters in a precarious position if unprepared.

On April 25, severe thunderstorms swept through Dauphin Island, Alabama, while the annual Dauphin Island Regatta was taking place. Five people were confirmed dead and more than 40 individuals were rescued, according to AL.com.

In a recently released report by the U.S. Coast Guard, boating fatalities in 2014 totaled 610. While the number of fatalities rose from 560 in 2013, 2014 was still the second-lowest number of yearly boating fatalities on record. Of the 10 known contributing factors of accidents, weather was ranked ninth, causing 45 deaths and 78 injuries. And in recent years that number is getting better. 

The National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) is one of the leading organizations for promoting a safer recreational boating experience. Rachel Johnson, NSBC Executive Director, said working together with other boating safety agencies, including the Coast Guard, to promote safe boating campaigns has been a significant factor in raising awareness.

“I think it’s really getting out to boaters and making them more aware of how to boat more safely each and every year,” Johnson said.

Although National Safe Boating Week recently concluded, instituting safe boating practices must be done year round.

Be Prepared Before Leaving the Dock, Take a Boat Safety Course

When learning how to properly operate a boat, a key aspect is getting a firm grip on understanding how to read the weather. The number-three cause of boating incidents according to the Coast Guard, is operator inexperience.

The NSBC trains professionals who then, using the curriculum installed by the organization, instruct recreational boaters throughout the country.

While weather preparation isn’t a primary focus, it still plays a key role in the NSBC’s training efforts, according to Johnson.

Johnson gave the example of learning how to dock a boat and perform a close-quarters maneuver near the shore, which can be very tricky if the wind is blowing.

“Weather is a very important part of boating and it’s a very important part of safe boating,” Johnson said. “We always encourage boaters to make sure they are always keeping an eye on the weather because it can change quickly, it can change drastically and it can really affect your day.”

Ensure That You Have the Proper Equipment

The U.S. Coast Guard requires that all recreational vehicles must carry one Coast Guard-approved life jacket per person on board. The most important safety measure the NSBC recommends to boaters, regardless of weather, is to wear a life jacket. According to AL.com, an Alabama state trooper said he "did not believe” that any of the Dauphin Island Regatta victims had worn life jackets.

Having the proper communication equipment is important too. A VH-FM radio is key, especially since cell phones can become unreliable if you head further off shore. If heading out more than 25 nautical miles from shore, satellite phones are recommended.

Earlier this month, the Coast Guard released its new mobile app for boating safety. The app comes with a detailed checklist of the latest safety regulations, the ability to find the nearest NOAA buoy, as well as a way to request emergency assistance.

It also lets you send a float plan to friends and family faster than ever before. From kayakers to deep-sea fishermen, filing a float plan with the Coast Guard is recommended for anyone heading out on the water. A float plan consists of detailed information about where you departed from, the time and place you’re expected to return and any other pertinent details about your trip.

Coast Guard-approved, marine-style fire extinguishers and visual distress signals (flares) must also be kept on board.

How to Manage and Prepare for Adverse Weather While on the Water

From rapidly changing winds and waterspouts to severe thunderstorms and fog, there are plenty of weather threats to boaters.

Thunderstorms are one of the more common dangers to mariners because they can develop quickly.

According to both the Coast Guard and National Weather Service, boaters should never venture out if thunderstorms are a possibility. If out in the water and you notice approaching storms, return to land or shelter as soon as possible.

If unable to return to land, it’s best to “stay inside the cabin and avoid touching metal or electrical devices.” If your boat doesn’t have a cabin, stay as low as possible in the boat, the NWS states.

Fog is another danger that can disorient a boater and disrupt their navigation and like thunderstorms it can form quickly. According to the NWS, fog is typically considered dense when it reduces visibility to below a mile.

When on a vessel, the Coast Guard suggests to keep a close eye out for these signs that may indicate a change in weather:

Key Indicators of Changing Weather

What to do When Caught in a Storm

Fog Safety Tips From the NWS