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9 Tips For Tube Towing With Kids | Pontoon Depot

By: Sun Tracker Boats

When it comes to summertime fun on the water, it’s hard to beat the inflatable tow tube. There’s just something irresistible about the thrill of bouncing over waves behind a boat, that kids and the whole family love. Plus, it’s one of the most versatile activities for people of all shapes, sizes, and skill levels.

When gearing up for a day on the water, it’s important to be prepared before you head out. Be sure to read the warning labels, follow the manufacturers’ recommendations, and properly check your gear so that you can stay safe and have fun. 

Here are some tips to keep in mind the next time you take your family out tubing:

 1.) Always Wear a Life Vest: Anytime a child is on the water it’s important that they are wearing a life vest. Fit is one of the most important factors in determining the safety of a life vest. It should be snug enough that when you pick a child up by the shoulder straps it doesn’t slip past their ears and chin. There are many different life jackets designed for kids of all ages available at Bass Pro Shops http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Navigation?storeId=10151&catalogId=10051&langId=-1&searchTerm=life+vests+for+kids

 2.) Choose The Right Tube: Not all towable tubes are created equal – some are built for speed, others provide a more leisurely ride. Some are designed for one person and others can fit three or four. To narrow down your options, consider how many people you want to tow and how wild they want their ride. Kids of all ages enjoy tubing, so look carefully at weight restrictions and your boat’s horsepower before picking out a tube.  A good place to start is with the selection of tubes at Bass Pro Shop (http://www.basspro.com/Towable-Tubes/_/S-12850004002) or stop by your nearest Tracker Boating Center to check out their selection of tubes.

3.) Invest in a Proper Tow Rope: One of the main causes of tubing accidents is due to tow rope failure. This is easily avoidable if you invest in a proper rope and you make sure that it’s attached according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. The rope you use will depend largely on how many people the tube will carry. When buying your rope, check the tube manufacturers’ recommendations for specific tow rope requirements. Also, make sure to check for signs of wear, tear and fraying and replace your tow rope as needed.

 4.) Know Your Boat: Whether it’s a pontoon or a fishing boat, the horsepower of your engine will determine your tube-towing capacity. For example, the approximate top speed of a 20-foot pontoon with a 50hp FourStroke engine is 15-18 mph. This speed might be best for younger children, or those who don’t enjoy the higher speeds. With that in mind, you can more easily narrow down your tube and tow rope options.

 5.) Check For Proper Inflation: One of the quickest ways to damage your towable is under inflating it, which not only affects the performance of your tube, but also the longevity. Similarly, overinflating can cause damage to the PVC bladder and it might also rip seams in the cover. Make sure to follow the manufacturers’ recommendations for proper inflation.

 6.) Have A Spotter: There should always be a designated spotter onboard to alert the driver if the rider falls off. The spotter should keep track of the rider and be on the lookout for other swimmers in the water, as well as nearby boats.

 7.) Practice Hand Signals: Before taking off, make sure you and your crew have agreed upon a set of hand signals, just like water skiers use. For example, a ‘thumbs down’ could mean that you’re going too fast and a ‘thumbs up’ could mean they want to go faster. Using a set of hand signals will make it easier to communicate and check in with your rider.   

 8.) Avoid prime time: Peak traffic hours on the water are generally between noon and 4 p.m., when the temperature is at its hottest. Consider going out in the morning or in the evening to avoid the crowds.

 9.) Just Relax:  Finally, remember that a tube can be a whole lot of fun when parked in a bay and tied to your boat or pontoon. Kids can jump off and swim around it, or just hang out and relax.

How to Polish Pontoons for a Mirror Finish (And make it last!)

By: Jim Harmer

It’s funny how pontooners get about their pontoons.  Despite the fact that it makes no difference in durability, and the fact that you’ll end up needing to shine them up again before too long, and the fact that half of them are below the water line, we still like a nice mirror-like finish on our pontoons.

In this guide, I’ll show you the best practices for polishing your pontoons so they look their best out on the water.

If you take your pontoon boat to your dealer and ask them the cost to give you a mirror-like finish and apply Shark Hide, the price is usually around $400 (US), so you’re saving a good chunk of money by doing this project by yourself, and it’s not very hard–just time consuming.  Expect the project to take about 3 hours start to finish–depending on the size of your boat.

Step 1: Prepare the Pontoons

First thing you’ll need to do is remove any algae or buildup on the pontoons.  For those of us who trailer our pontoon boats after each use, this won’t apply, but for those who leave the boat docked or at the marina for extended periods, there is likely to be some buildup.  This is especially true for saltwater pontoons because of the salt deposits.

If there is no visible buildup on the pontoons, then a simple pressure wash with water  will do fine.  If you don’t have a pressure washer, then just do your best to wipe down the surface with a wet rag as you spray.

Step 2: Apply Cleaner

Cleaner will do nothing to actually polish the pontoons, but if you skip this step you’re unlikely to make the polished finish last more than one trip on the lake.

I recommend using toilet bowl cleaner.  Some people use acid baths or other products specific for pontoon boats, but most people I’ve seen just use regular old toilet bowl cleaner mixed in a bucket with 2 parts water and 1 part cleaner.

It can take a long time to apply this to a 22′ pontoon, so I recommend getting a simple one gallon sprayer (like the kind used for your yard) from Home Depot or Lowes.  Go over the entire boat and spray a coat.

Do not let the cleaner dry, but let it sit for as long as it can before it starts to dry up at all.  If it dries, it will leave deposits and will only make matters worse.  Don’t leave it on too long, so work in sections.

Spray off the cleaner thoroughly.  You may want to get a wet rag again and rub as you spray to be sure it’s all off.

Step 3: Buff

If you just want your pontoons clean, you can skip this part.  You may have your finish done with step 2 and you’ll be ready to apply the Shark Hide.  However, if you want that mirror-like finish on the pontoons, then this is the step that will give you the best results.

First, you’ll need a polisher.  Get a Makita, get a Dewalt, get what you want, but remember that some of them are a little overzealous and can put circle marks on the boat if you aren’t careful.  A good choice if you’re in the market is this one from Porter Cable.

Using a wool or other similar pad, go to town and start polishing them ‘toons!  Work in small sections and be careful about the pattern you polish in (not straight up and down lines, for example) so your marks don’t show.  Go in a nice swirly “s” pattern to blend in your movements.

This part of the job will likely take about 2 hours on a standard size pontoon boat.  You don’t realize just how much surface area there is to cover until you get started.

Step 4: Apply Cleaner

At the risk of sounding redundant, you’ll need to re-do step 2.  You can’t leave any polishing compound on the pontoons at all or else it’ll get sealed on there and look terrible.

Since this is the last step before the Shark Hide sealer, be extremely thorough to be sure that the entire surface is cleaned off and rinsed very well.

Step 5: Apply Shark Hide

Just about every pontooner who does this job uses Shark Hide.  For some pontoon boat owners, this is step #1 before they ever put a new boat in the water.

The Shark Hide will come with instructions, but it’s very vague on how much to mix of the solution with water.  Most of the pontooners choose about 3 parts water to 1 part shark hide.

Pontoon Boat Prep: Before the Season Starts…

By: Misty Harbor Boats

If you’re like most pontoon boat owners, you’re itching to get back on the water once the season starts. If you don’t live somewhere with year round warmth, you may have stored the boat away for winter—but that doesn’t mean you can’t start preparing for the spring and summer season now!

Read on to see a few things you can do to get your pontoon boat ready for fun once the warmer weather rolls around.

 Make improvements

As boat owners, we’re always looking for ways to make our next trip even better than the last. This might mean making improvements to your pontoon boat that make it more enjoyable for everyone on board. If you’ve been thinking about adding features such as a ladder, slide or tent cover to your boat, now is a great time to do it. By the time the season starts up again, your pontoon boat will be decked out and ready to go!

 Clean up your pontoon boat and make necessary repairs

There are, of course, practical issues you may need to take care of during your offseason time. If there are any repairs you need to make on your pontoon boat, now would be a good time to check those out and pick up the necessary parts you may need. If all your boat needs is a bit of freshening up, devote an afternoon to cleaning it up and getting it back to looking like new.

 Plan your next adventure

A fantastic way to keep yourself and your family occupied during the winter months is to plan your next adventure. Whether this is to a local spot or a bona fide vacation destination, everyone will enjoy having a say in the planning process. It’s also a great way to keep your mind focused on the water fun you’ll be having—without actually being on the water.

 Give it a name

If you have not yet given your pontoon boat a name, do it this winter! Every boat needs a good name, both for practical reasons—so help on the water can find you easily, should you ever need it—and fun ones. Every pontoon boat has its own unique personality, just like the people who use it, so be sure to give yours a name that sticks.

 Purchase your new pontoon boat

Like many boaters in search of a fun alternative to traditional powerboats, you may be considering purchasing a brand new pontoon boat this year. Why wait until the season’s already underway to do it? The winter months are the perfect time to think about the style and design you want and get your new boat ready for fun on the water in 2018.

If you fit into this category, get in touch with us today! We can make your pontoon boat wishes a reality in time for the season ahead.

Can’t wait to get back on the water? Try these ideas and hold on just a little longer—you’ll be seeing fellow boaters on your favorite waterways in no time at all. 

PONTOON BOATS: A GOOD PLATFORM FOR FISHING?

By: Line and Sight

Most people think pontoon boats are only good for pulling water-skiers and wake-boarders. The truth is that a lot of anglers today are using them for freshwater and saltwater fishing. Pontoon boats have some key advantages over regular fishing boats. Of course, there are a few downsides to fishing from a pontoon boat as well. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of pontoon boat fishing.

THE PROS
More fishing space

Party barge pontoon boats offer lots of deck space to move around on while fishing. You won’t be cramped for room to cast your line, as you would in a typical two-seater boat.

Keep in mind, not all pontoon boats are big. Some are small one-seaters built for lone fishermen. These types of pontoon boats are comfortable, but don’t offer much space. Bigger pontoon boats give fishermen more space to operate. Their wide, rectangular shape allows for plenty of elbow room. You’ll also have more space between each rod while slow-trolling. You can better space out your down riggers — although you’ll have to order a specialized mount online.

You can safely stand up and move around

If you’re embarking on a family fishing vacation, big pontoon boats are perfect. Their wide deck gives you better stability and balance while standing. The spaciousness a pontoon boat provides will give you room to teach junior how to properly cast his line. Your kids can practice their fishing techniques without snagging you.

Your kids can also move about the boat, which means they’ll be less fidgety and impatient. You can stay on the water with them longer, and enjoy more fishing with the family. The seat sizes in big pontoon boats are also ideal for all day fishing. They’re comparable to sofa cushions, and are good for adults and kids alike. Plus, if you’re out on the water and need to relieve your bladder, having a sturdy boat helps. Just make sure no one’s looking when you do your business.

Of course, if you’re using a one-seater pontoon boat, standing up is not an option. Standing is only smart if you’re on a bigger boat.

They’re a smooth ride over moderate waves

If you like lake and saltwater fishing, then tri-toon boats are a good mix of size, speed, and comfortability. They’re seaworthy, as long as you stay close to the shore. Larger tri-toon boats can be rigged with huge outboards. They can zip through the water at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour and beyond. Ocean anglers say they’re performance is comparable to a V-hull.

Pontoon boats can come with very nice interiors. It’s less like a boat, and more like a living room. They definitely offer more comfort than traditional bass fishing boats. Their elevated design allows them to handle bumps and chops on windy days. You can coast smoothly. Their stability on the ocean also makes them ideal for drift fishing. As long as you stay away from big waves, you’ll like pontoon ocean fishing. Just be smart and use them in ideal water conditions.

THE CONS
They’re taller than deck boats

While their height makes them a comfortable ride, it’s more difficult to get your fish into the boat. You’ll have to reach further, and/or lift the fish higher with your rod.

A one-person pontoon boat puts you closer to the water, and allows you to work your way into nooks and shallows. But the bigger, taller ones can cause you to lose fish at the last second. Remember, it can be dangerous to lean over the side and fight with a fish. It’s a good idea to take a fishing net with you to help safely secure your catch.

Poor handling

Pontoon boats have a pretty poor turn radius. They’re not ideal for making sharp turns. You won’t be able to fit a party barge style pontoon boat into a tight channel or cove. If you want a boat with a tight turn radius and ideal mobility, try a traditional deck boat. They offer better steering, and are easier to maneuver on the water.

They’re not good for deep sea fishing

As mentioned, pontoon boats can coast over choppy water. But when it comes to big waves and rough waters, they are not the boat of choice. To get the best performance out of a pontoon boat, you’ll want to stay somewhat close to land. You’ll also want to avoid rivers and lakes on extremely windy, wavy days. It’s good to be brave and try new things. But setting out into deep wavy water should be avoided at all costs. Pontoons can handle moderate water conditions, but are not designed for rough waters.

Now that you know the advantages and disadvantages of fishing in a pontoon boat, give it a shot—or don’t. At least you’ll know what to expect, and what to avoid while pontoon-fishing.