News — tips

The Boating Dog's Days of Summer | Pontoon-Depot

By: Outdoor Channel

Some dogs were born for the water, others less so. The key to boating with dogs, says Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), is taking it slow and making safety #1.

Here are eight tips to get you started:

Before you go:

• Get a good fitting life jacket and have the dog wear it a few times around the home before they get on a boat. Any pet life jacket should have a handle to easily lift the animal out of the water. Here’s a buying guide for dogs of all sizes: www.BoatUS.com/doglifejacket.

• Have a special ID tag with the name of the boat, marina, slip number and cellphone number on it just in case. If the dog gets lost, it’s a lot easier for the person who finds them to get them back to you quickly.

• If there is any chance you’ll be going to Canada and Mexico, make sure you have current rabies vaccine and other shot documentation with you as dog tags are not acceptable proof of immunizations. It is also a good idea to check with customs because the rules and requirements often change.

Getting started:

• Familiarize the dog with the boat slowly - don’t just get on the boat and leave the dock right away. Ideally, bring the dog to the boat for the first time without leaving the dock, and give them a chance to sniff around and get their sea legs. It may help to start the engine so they are used the sound.

• Plan for falls overboard, either from the boat or dock. If the dog falls overboard underway – or jumps in – you may be able to circle back and retrieve Fido just like a fallen water skiier, pulling up slowly, cutting the engine and luring the dog to the swim platform with a treat. If you don’t have swim platform, smaller dogs may be lifted over the side by their life jacket handle, but bigger dogs may require a different solution. If a dog falls off a dock, know that seawall bulkheads may prevent the animal from a self-rescue.

• Bring plenty of water and make sure there’s some place the dog can get out of the sun and stay as cool as possible. Know the symptoms of dog heat stroke. While seasick dogs may vomit, that’s also one sign of heat stroke. Rapid, loud or difficulty breathing, extreme thirst, thick saliva, disorientation and a bright red tongue and pale gums are a few of the others.

• If you’re going to be out on the boat for more than a few hours, plan on how your dog will relieve themselves, and pick up after your dog, no matter where they go. If you see where someone else didn’t pick up after their dog, pick it up for them. You don’t want to give any opportunity to show why dogs shouldn’t be allowed in your marina, and your boating friends will love you for it.
• Does your boat’s insurance policy cover pets? All BoatUS policies do. For more information go to BoatUS.com/insurance/pets.

About BoatUS:
Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is the nation’s leading advocate for recreational boaters providing its over half-million members with government representation, services such as 24-hour on water boat towing as well as roadside assistance for boat trailers and tow vehicles, feature-packed boat insurance programs, money-saving benefits that include marina and West Marine shopping discounts, and vital information that improves the boating, fishing and sailing lifestyle. Its member-funded BoatUS Foundation is a national leader promoting safe, clean and responsible boating.

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BOATING WITH KIDS :-) | Pontoon-Depot

By: Bennington Marine

Start taking your children on your Bennington pontoon boat at an early age, and you will instill in them a lifelong love of boating. You will relax, laugh and play with them, and see all sorts of amazing sights and wonders from your boat's wide, stable deck. The experiences you share on the water are unmatched and are likely to become your family's most cherished memories.

As with all activities involving children, it is best to be prepared. That means being cautious and having the proper knowledge, plans, equipment, and supplies. We love family boating, and are happy to share these tips with you.

Safety First

Everyone small wears a US Coast-Guard certified life preserver, also known as a life vest, life jacket, or personal flotation device (PFD). That is a rule that never wavers. Children should be wearing their life vest before they step on board the boat. It should fit snugly, and should be equipped with a handle and a whistle for emergencies. Start teaching water safety to babies and toddlers; swimming, floating, and knowing how not to panic are invaluable skills. Show them that being safe and having fun are in no way mutually exclusive. You always want to model smart behavior on the water.

Pack Wisely

No amount of diapers are ever enough, especially on the water. Make sure you have diapers and wipes galore, lots of drinking water, sunscreen for face and body, a change of clothes or two, and snacks. Lots of snacks. What is it about being on the water that makes even the pickiest toddler suddenly ravenous? Pouches of yogurt freeze and thaw nicely. Frozen fruit is a good choice, as are cheese sticks and crackers. All parents know that kid snacks taste best while children are napping. Go ahead and have some animal crackers. We won't tell.

Designate a "Safe Spot" on Board Your Bennington

Have a place where you can safely stash the kids on your Benny. Make sure it is a shady and protected spot, so that way if you are otherwise occupied you won't worry about them wriggling overboard. Make sure they know the rules. When you tell them sternly but steadily that you need to focus, they must listen and know not to run or get in the way. Kids need to know that being out on the water is fun, but requires attention and awareness of one's surroundings. That's the best way to make a confident and capable boater.

Plan Activities

Most children are not great at sitting still and soaking up the wonder of nature. Make sure you have a few fun tricks up your sleeve, especially for older kids. It can be as simple as coloring books and crayons, or as creative as a scavenger hunt of things they can find on the water or on the boat. Keep them looking around and engaged so they don't start telling you that they are bored 10 minutes into your day of boating.

Set Out Early

So many things can happen to derail your day when you are out on the water. There are just so many variables, from weather, to naptime, to unexpected detours, to tantrums. Start early and see where the day takes you. If your kids are holding up well, you can enjoy more hours on your Benny. If the toddler starts an epic meltdown around lunchtime, you will still have logged some hours on your pontoon. If you need to head home early, so be it. You can spend the rest of the afternoon snuggling.

We love being on the water with our families; it is the best place to teach life lessons and enjoy being together. As long as you remember these simple tips, you will enjoy countless excursions and start making awesome memories!

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Wakeboarding Accessories: Get Your Boat Ready For Labor Day

By: Wake-Worx

Surfing is probably the most fun you can have in the water: the buildup of choosing the right wave, catching it, and using every muscle in your body to balance out, stand up, and ultimately ride it is an extremely satisfying experience. Unfortunately, access to actual waves can limit the amount of surfing you can do in your life, usually only benefiting those living near tropical coastlines with decent wind speeds which produce surf-able waves. Luckily, thanks to the invention of wakeboarding and wakesurfing, now you can go surfing anywhere boats are allowed!

Wakeboarding is done when a rope (usually between 52 and 78 feet long) is attached to the back of a boat, allowing someone who’s standing on a wakeboard to hold on and ride the wake that the boat produces as it picks up speed. Wakesurfing is similar but involves a shorter rope (usually around 20 feet), or sometimes no rope at all. These water sports allow people who live near lakes to enjoy the thrill of surfing without needing to relocate.

So, with Labor Day being the last holiday of the summer, you’re going to want to make sure your boat is equipped with the best boat accessories to help you get up on that wake wave and see what everyone’s been raving about. At the very least, you’re going to need a ballast system to help your boat balance and create bigger, more ride-able waves. If you’re already an experienced wakeboarder or surfer, look into purchasing an aftermarket surf system which gives you complete control over the size and direction of your wake while also ensuring that your boat is safely balanced. Once your boat is decked out with these essential boat accessories, try to find some American themed wakeboards or wakesurf boards — Labor Day will be upon us soon, after all.

Spend this coming Labor Day living the American dream — go out on your boat for some soothing relaxation, good company, and great fun. Find the right wakeboarding or wakesurfing boat accessories for you today and have a holiday you and your friends will be sure to remember!

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

What to Wear on a Boat | Pontoon-Depot

By: A Pair & A Spare

I know I know, ‘What am I going to wear on the boat’ is pretty much at the top of the list of First World Problems, up there with inexplicable anger when your phone battery dies and eating so much you get sleepy. Regardless, if you’re lucky this Summer you might get invited on a boat. Yay! Rejoice because a) drinking Aperol Spritz’s in the sunshine on the water is what Summer is all about and b) you don’t own said boat (ask anyone who owns a boat and they’ll tell you that it’s like throwing money out the window).

Wearing: Denim DIY cut offs, Her one piece, Ray Ban sunglasses, Market Flats, Hat from Athens

Plan for all weather conditions

No matter what the forecast says, or what the weather is like before you leave, be prepared for both cold and windy and blazing hot sunshine. Pack sunscreen and a hat (make sure it fits properly as that pesky wind can strike at any time) as well as something warm to throw on like a denim shirt (like this one) or utility jacket (like this one).

Choose the right footwear

Make sure it’s something that can slip on and off easily and something with a bit of grip. I’m all about a flat but a wedge could also work (although is much less practical). Sandals (like these) or converse (like these) are perfect – just make sure they have light coloured soles. Black soles that mark the deck are a big no no and the first rule of boating etiquette.

Keep clothing basic

Don’t wear anything that is too precious so avoid silk and anything that you wouldn’t want getting wet – Denim is a great hardy fabric to wear – these denim shorts or these ones would be perfect. Hats and discarded items of clothing are notorious for flying off the boat too, so be careful!

Take a big bag

I always take a few outfits with me when I go on a boat, mainly because sometimes your clothes get wet or you want something more comfortable to wear. That’s where a big bag will come in – a large tote that can handle a few changes as well as your magazines and beauty products.

Take a pair of sunnies (or three)

Forgetting to bring a pair of sunglasses will truly ruin your day. I always take more than one pair because I find that friends sometimes don’t bring their own – sharing is caring! I just make sure I get them back at the end of the the day 🙂

Arrive with your swimsuit already on

Space is a big issue on boats and the changing facilities are usually below deck in the toilet. Small and cramped and terrible if you get seasick so spend as little time in there as possible. Bikinis are just as appropriate as a one piece, but I love that my one piece doubles as a bodysuit as soon as you throw on a pair of shorts. This looks like the perfect one piece, and I love this nautical swimsuit.

Consider Short Skirts or dresses carefully

Not only are these a bad idea in windy conditions but boats are often 2 levels. You spend a lot of the day climbing up and down the ladder between them so don’t wear a skirt of dress. The upper deck is where all the sunbathing happens too! A romper like this one is a great alternative.

Other tips

If you arrive in your swimsuit don’t forget to bring your underwear. A kaftan is great for throwing over your swimsuit while in the cabin or eating lunch (and is super sun smart). Don’t be afraid to get into the boating spirit. Nothing says nautical like blue and white with a touch of red and some tan accessories. Oh, and on the practical side – fashion doesn’t apply when you feel like there’s a need to put s life jacket on (when you’re inverting or traversing the seaway for example), and don’t ever get in the water when the engine or propellor are still on.

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