Things to Do at Lake Powell This Winter
Cool breeze. Quiet surroundings. Calm waters. A Lake Powell vacation in the winter can be quite the serene experience. Unlike summer, the busiest season for the lake, winter on the water means better fishing conditions and more hiking opportunities. At Antelope Point Marina, we know that the fun doesn’t stop after Labor Day weekend. Here are a few of our favorite things to do at Lake Powell during the winter months.
Rent a Houseboat
The best way to enjoy a Lake Powell vacation in the winter is by renting a houseboat. You and your family can spend quality time together away from the hustle and bustle of the busy holiday season. In fact, we have many families who prefer to spend their holidays on a houseboat. With a fully equipped kitchen and grill onboard, you can whip up an easy holiday feast in no time. Thinking about spending your Thanksgiving at Lake Powell? We talk about how to prepare your meal on a houseboat in this post.
Other fun wintertime activities while on a houseboat vacation include; a campfire on the beach, stargazing, fishing, hiking, sightseeing and more.
Fish
Houseboating and fishing go hand and hand. Both are great ways to relax and unwind while enjoying nature. Worried the fish won’t bite this time of year? Nonsense. Lake Powell is known to have great fishing all year long, no matter the temperature. Cast your reel off the back of your boat and you could catch various types of bass, walleyes and crappies. Make sure to obtain an Arizona fishing license and pack your tackle box before you head out.
Hike
Fall and winter are the best times to hike around Lake Powell. The weather has finally cooled off making the several-mile hikes much more tolerable. We encourage those adventurous spirits to go on at least one hike in the area, as there are many to choose from. Whether you’re headed to the lake to spend a few days on the water, or merely stopping by for a short day trip, you won’t find sights comparable to those of the canyons and monuments nearby.
To help you narrow down your “must-see” list, we recommend the following…
Destinations you can reach by boat:
Destinations you can reach by vehicle:
With so many things to do on and around Lake Powell this winter, why not make a couple-day vacation out of it? Antelope Point Marina offers houseboat, watercraft and pontoon boat rentals for your enjoyment. Give us a call at 1-800-255-5561 to begin your reservation today.
For all your accessories and/or vinyl flooring visit Pontoon Depot's shop site.
Wow! It’s Not Your Father’s Pontoon Boat!
By: SlideMoor
Searching for a new boat for the family can be an arduous task. How do you please everyone? It isn’t easy. Do you need a speedboat for skiing? Do you need something with a lot of room? What about something comfortable for those all-day adventures?
Oddly enough, the big question is, have you considered a pontoon boat? Yes, you think they’re cumbersome. Yes, you think they’re for putzing around on the lake. Yes, you think they’re nothing but a party barge for twenty-something drinkers to float around on. But your perceptions might be dated!
Today’s pontoon boat is NOT your grandfather’s (or even your father’s) pontoon boat! Gone are the days of nothing but slow motion cruising! These fresh, new versions are anything but boring.
The new pontoon boat is speedy, efficient, and exciting! It is often still supported by 2 tubes, but the new tubes are sleek and bear lifting strakes and keels. Many manufacturers now add a 3rd pontoon which makes the boat handle much like a V-hull boat. Sure, you can still play the slow paced captain of a floating get-together, but today’s options offer a whole different realm of possibilities for fun in the sun!
Do you have the need for speed? Surprisingly, pontoons can provide it! This innovative generation of boats can rise up on plane, and put a kick in the behind of the old version. Some models, with the right outboard, can reach over 50 mph! You can have all the relaxing atmosphere you want with the speed you want. You don’t have to take the slow lane to get to where you want to be. Today’s pontoon boat will zip you to your destination in a fraction of the time!
Can you believe that these new pontoons are fully capable of pulling skiers, wakeboarders and tubers? Amazing, but true.
You have the option of several different, high powered outboard motors to fuel your fun! You can pick many different upholstery and Bimini top fabrics. There are multiple design options available to suit your family’s needs. You can customize the seating to suit your family’s needs. Do you want super storage space? You can have that too!
What about contrasting fabric for the seat cushions and Bimini top? You can have it. What about multi-color flooring? They’ve got you covered. You can even get a wet bar, movable tables and built in stereos. And the cost for all this customization is less than you would imagine.
There are multiple options for storage, shade, and even the possibility for a collapsible changing cubicle to whip on that bathing suit in private. You can even choose to use the extra space to install a chemical toilet to provide a civilized option for your children and guests on a long trip!
It’s finally here—the best of both worlds! Relaxing in style, with room for plenty of friends, with the added fun of a little zoom in your day when you want it. Don’t count pontoon boats out when you’re shopping for a new family craft. It might just be your perfect ticket to fun!
For all your accessories and/or vinyl flooring visit Pontoon Depot's shop site
- Amy Cabanas
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Pontoon Boat Statistics | Pontoon-Depot
By: Pontoon Boat | Discover Boating- Freshwater Fishing
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- 15 Max
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- Sterndrive Engine
- Trailerable
Pontoon boats may still be the ultimate “party barge,” but these versatile craft have grown far beyond the slow-moving vessel you may remember from Grandpa’s cocktail cruise. Yes, the core remains very much the same — stable pontoons below, topped by an abundance of seating above. Today’s craft, however, increasingly feature plusher seats and lounges, entertainment centers and wet bars, and the latest sound and lighting systems. They also perform increasingly like boats with a deeper v-shaped bottom, or “hull”, and include with triple-tube models that carve on a dime and an abundance of horsepower.
Activities You'll Most Enjoy
Pontoon boats are still one of the best options for that cocktail cruise of old, and with innovative seating choices and mood-setting music and lighting, they’re arguably better at it than ever before. Pontoons also make the perfect fishing platform, and many models feature fishing-friendly amenities. Today’s models, however, increasingly rival their fiberglass counterparts for versatility. Lifting strakes and foils, structural features of the boat’s hull bottom, dramatically improve handling; triple pontoon models often drop the center tube lower to mimic the lean-in handling of a V-hull. The end result is exceptional handling and agility. Larger diameter pontoons, or triple tube models, also are capable of handling far more horsepower, meaning a pontoon is also a viable alternative for skiing, tubing, wakeboarding…or just punching the throttle to feel the rush of wind and speed.
Which Engine is Right For Your Boat
Outboard power remains the most popular option for a pontoon. Even a small horsepower engine will propel a pontoon at a stately pace. Higher horsepower models, single or in pairs, can push a pontoon along at thrilling speeds and easily tow a rider on their favorite water toy.
For all your accessories and/or vinyl flooring visit Pontoon Depot's shop site.
The Complete Guide to Pontoon Sea Legs
By: BetterBoat.com
What are pontoon sea legs?
Sea legs are basically two portable hydraulic mechanisms that attach to a pontoon boat’s underside, which can lift the boat approximately six feet above water when activated. Even out in the middle of the lake! When you’re ready to head home, you just lower it back down.
Unlike traditional boat lifts or storage systems you normally see on docks, they’re an excellent alternative for pontooners. Because as you’ll soon learn, pontoon sea legs go wherever you and your boat goes.
And you might not even need a boat trailer to haul your pontoon to storage, either.
How Pontoon Sea Legs Work
Attached to the bottom of your pontoon, sea legs are powered by a battery, which lifts the boat up out of the water to a holding position.
Tucked hidden away and installed under a seat compartment, the sea legs’ hydraulic system is activated by a one-horsepower, 12-volt pump.
To work properly, they require at least a 750 cold cranking amp battery, similar to this Optima Deep Cycle Marine (check price on Amazon).
Strong Pontoon Sea Legs Materials
Sea legs are typically constructed of lightweight extruded aluminum alloy tubing, set at an angle to provide the strength for a heavy pontoon boat. The aluminum isn’t bad for erosion prevention, either. At the end of each sea leg is a 48” x 18” pad foot, which supports the structure along the lake bottom.
The four hydraulic cylinders themselves are supported by steel alloy piston rods, which support approximately 6,500 pounds of lift capacity, which should support most heavier pontoons.
Pontoon Sea Leg Manufacturers
Sea legs are currently manufactured by two reputable Minnesota companies. Here’s a brief introduction to each:
Hewitt
Hewitt offers different models for pontoons. One model has a wide base to offer better stability in wind and rough water. But there are also electric and hydraulic sea legversions.
Sea-Legs
Sea-Legs, the brand, has sold more than 10,000 sets throughout the U.S. and Canada. Their product offers 3,000 pounds of extracting and retracting power to keep from getting stuck. This is great if your lake’s sediment has sand, rock and mucky areas that could get the legs stuck.
The Cost of Pontoon Sea Legs
The cost to place sea legs on a pontoon can vary, depending on which brand you go with. But here is a general breakdown:
For a two-tube pontoon boat, sea legs cost approximately $4,300. And that’s just the legs.
Installation cost an additional $700, totaling $5,000.
For a tritoon pontoon boat, sea legs are approximately $6500, plus $1000 for installation, totaling $7500.
If you want the average 26-foot lift canopy, expect to pay around $4500, which doesn’t include setup or installation.
And then there’s the bells and whistles! Want a remote control for your pontoon sea legs? It’ll cost around $300 to $400.
The warranty — With your sea legs, you will find a warranty. But they may be different and vary anywhere from a one-year to two-year warranty. Ask your dealer about specific details of your warranty and read the fine print! Once installed, improper use of your sea legs can void the warranty.
Pontoon Sea Legs vs. Traditional Hydraulic Lifts
Sea legs are different from your traditional hydraulic lifts. The most obvious difference is that sea legs are installed to the bottom of your pontoon. Traditional hydraulic lifts, however, are installed onto docks and within storage facilities.
If you’re considering buying either sea legs or hydraulic lifts, consider their additional advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages of Sea Legs Over Lifts
- Prevents having to haul your boat to docks/lifts
- Prevents a pontoon from banging against the dock
- Activated by the convenient push of a button
- Protects pontoon tubes from algae and mold buildup
- Deployed anywhere easily without cables and pulleys
- Install works on most pontoons
- Drifting is prevented and without anchors
Disadvantages of Sea Legs Over Lifts
- Affects your pontoon’s performance and towing capacity, as they add ~350 pounds
- Only fits pontoons between 18 and 30 feet
- Pontoon weight affects sea legs. (For maximum performance, the weight cannot exceed 5,800 pounds
- Sea legs are not on the cheap side
Alternatives to Sea Legs and Lifts
Sea legs aren’t a good fit for all pontoon owners. One major issue is the cost. If you prefer not to spend money on sea legs, lifts or even a dock, you can always go with economical ways to protect and secure your boat.
You have a couple of options:
1) Secure your boat to a dock or deck — For starters, learn some of those handy, Houdini-esque nautical knots.
The downside? This method won’t protect pontoons from mold/algae. It may not prevent damage from banging the dock’s side either. If you go this route, make sure you have a good pontoon cover to protect your boat.
To be fair, you’ll probably want to cover your pontoon when using sea legs, too. It’ll still be exposed to the elements, so a good cover is a good idea, like this Pyle UV protective cover(check price on Amazon) that’s mildew resistant and waterproof.
2) Use a trailer — Load your boat up onto your trailer and haul it to and from the water.
When you can’t currently afford sea legs or own your own dock, these are great options! Sea legs are expensive. So are docks. They don’t always fit our budgets … and some folks are simply more budget-conscious.
How Many Sea Legs Your Pontoon Needs
Your sea leg quantity depends on your pontoon’s overall size in terms of length and weight. Keep in mind, however, if your pontoon’s longer than 30 feet or shorter than 18 feet, it may not be suitable for sea legs at all.
In most cases, however, a pair of sea legs is installed toward each end of the boat. Longer pontoons, obviously, may require more. Check with your dealer and installer to help determine what your pontoon make and model needs.
Sea Leg Safety and Stability
Reports of pontoons tipping over while on sea legs are out there. But don’t let that scare you away. You just have to use them in the right conditions.
Muddy underwater sediment and even high wind affect a sea leg’s stability, so double-check these possible conditions before installing.
They can’t be used in water with rocky bottoms, either. It reduces the safety and stability of the sea legs.
Laws and Permits for Sea Legs
Although sea legs have supported pontoons since 1996, they’re still an up and coming trend and growing steadily.
Check with your state and local authorities to inquire exactly what permits are needed. It’s possible sea legs may not even be permitted where you live. Avoid spending that much money or having to remove them!
As always, it’s always a good idea to double-check. If you’re uncertain where to start, check with the United States Coast Guard to better understand laws and regulations. If you’re still unsure, request a contact in your local area.
Sea Leg Insurance
You need insurance for practically everything these days. And you’ll need insurance to cover your pontoon sea legs, too. Attached to your pontoon’s bottom, they’re not a permanent structure and may require a different type of insurance.
Check on your pontoon coverage, too, while you’re at it. Your current coverage may change with these additions. And your insurance company may need to know how your boat’s being stored.
If you have questions, you can contact the United Marine Underwriters for guidance.
Conclusion
Pontoon sea legs are a promising alternative to traditional lifts, even though they’re unusual and make your pontoon appear as though it could walk on water.
They might not work for every pontoon owner. But if they do, one thing’s for sure: They’ll not only protect your pontoon, but also be a great conversation piece!