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RBFF's Best Family-Friendly Places to Fish and Boat

By: PDB Magazine

The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) has compiled a list of the Best Family-Friendly Places to Fish and Boat. The list of locations is bolstered by endorsements from celebrities and fishing pros, and the help of federal and state representatives. 

The full list of Best Family-Friendly Places to Fish and Boat is available at TakeMeFishing.org and highlights include:

• Percy Priest Lake, Tenn. - Country music star Luke Bryan admits "a good fisherman never shares his best spot," but still offers up his favorite place to escape his fast-paced world for some relaxing time on the water. Known for "Huntin', Fishin' and Lovin' Every Day," Bryan's favorite spot near Nashville is a natural addition to this year's list. Bryan has a clothing line of the same name available at Cabela's, and fans can catch the country music megastar on his HFE tour this summer.
• Presque Isle Bay, Pa. - Professional offensive lineman and former Army Ranger, Alejandro "Big Al" Villanueva, picked this popular spot on Lake Erie, and knows a thing or two about the importance of good tackle and a strong line. When he's not protecting the quarterback, Al says, "I spend a lot of my free time fishing and really cherish any time on the water."
• Degray Lake, Ark. - Having grown up in nearby Poyen, Ark., country music singer Justin Moore often frequented Degray Lake as a young boy, and passed down his love of fishing to his own kids. He remembers, "watching my oldest daughter catch her first fish all by herself has to be my favorite moment out there."
• Texas City Dyke, Texas - Professional angler Cindy Nguyen added this spot, noting, "I grew up fishing in Texas City Dyke and the surrounding areas. It's still one of my favorite places to bring the family."
• Central Park, N.Y. - Host of South Bend's Lunkerville, Michael de Avila, better known to his fans as Mike D., picked an unexpected fishing oasis in the middle of the nation's largest city. Central Park offers three unique family-friendly spots at the lake, the pond and the Harlem Meer.
• Webb Lake, Fla. - Women's sportfishing advocate and outdoor writer Debbie Hanson loves the fishing at wildlife at Webb Lake. "Not only is Webb Lake great for numbers of largemouth bass and bluegill, but there are also some fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities. I've spotted sandhill cranes, great blue herons and white-tailed deer on my visits."
• South Padre Island, Texas - Pedro Sors, professional angler and Mexico's most popular fishing TV show host, chose this popular spot for its ability to provide him and his sons with "a sense of freedom and a way to connect with nature and myself."
• Buckeye Creek, Calif. - Chelsea Day of the Someday I'll Learn blog, fondly recalls memories at this picturesque spot in the eastern Sierras. "Our oldest son caught his first fish at this spot, and it was really special to be able to cook it right up and serve it for dinner at the campsite. Such a sense of accomplishment for him!"

"This year we decided to ask some of our friends and partners where they like to go fishing, and the response has been overwhelming," said RBFF President and CEO, Frank Peterson. "While the locations are as diverse as the people who shared them, some key themes emerged. Fishing and boating are easy ways to escape life's tensions, and you're never too far from a quality body of water. So whether you're getting over a stressful week at the office or simply trying to cut back on screen time, this is the year to get out on the water together to help conserve and restore our nation's aquatic natural resources."

EASY UPGRADES TO MAKE ON YOUR BOAT

By: Triangle Marine Boat Center

Owning a pontoon or open deck power boat is a wonderful luxury – but newer is always better. What if there was a way to upgrade the value and comfort of your boat without having to buy a newer model? There is!

Small additions and improvements to your boat can make a huge difference in your enjoyment. There is no need for massive overhaul or large investments. Instead, by updated old materials or technologies or adding something new, like an audio entertainment system, your boat will give off a fresh, rejuvenating vibe.

Safety and Security

For both quality and aesthetic purposes, the hardware on your boat should be inspected regularly and, if need be, refurbished. Rust streaks around stainless steel fasteners are a sign of corrosion, and should be replaced. Once the bolt or fastener has been reinstalled, it is important to make sure it is completely sealed, and you can use rust remover will give it that brand new look.

Anchors should also be inspected for safety purposes. You want to make sure the chain is in good condition and will be reliable whenever you need to use it. If you need to replace the chain, it’s also a good opportunity to add a bit of extra length, as well, notes Boats.com. This will provide additional length in case you need to anchor in deep waters or heavy seas.

VSM monitors – vessel systems monitors – help you keep your boat’s overall maintenance needs in check. They are easy to use and keep track of dozens of vital measurements within your ship’s systems. Upgrading your monitor can ensure that you keep a close watch on all different aspects of your boat and better maintain your vessel.

Entertainment and Enjoyment

Now that we have gotten some necessary safety aspects taken care of, let’s inject a little extra fun into the boating experience. Adding a new sound system will give your pontoon a new sound and allow you to enjoy your day at sea in style. There is nothing like listening to your favorite tunes accompanied by sunshine and the open sea. You can have an audio system installed along with a USB port connection, as well, which will allow you to play music from your cellphone or other music player – and even charge it in some cases.

You can also update your vessel’s lighting with LEDs. While just a few years ago, these bulbs were prohibitively expensive, the price has dropped dramatically, making them an option work considering. In addition to offering a greater longevity, LEDs are also often brighter and use less electricity, helping conserve power on your boat.

Speaking of power, you can also take advantage of being out on the open water and in the full midday sun by installing a solar panel on your vessel, says Sailing Magazine. While the initial investment may seem expensive, the truth is that panels are much more affordable than you might think. Plus, by boosting your available battery power, you won’t ever have to worry about being without power while on the waves.

Triangle Marine Center offers a full range of accessories to help make your boat everything you want it to be. Our accessory shop offers a full range of equipment, from anchors and electrical supplies to navigation systems and lighting – all at a very affordable price. Stop in to see us on Highway 441 in Tavares, Florida today and shop our selection or speak with our service team about major upgrade options and how we can help improve your boat.

For all your Pontoon boat needs shop on Pontoon-Depot.com 

Top 5 Most Common Pontoon Boat Issues

By: pontoonhelper.com

Much like cars and trucks, pontoons are susceptible to a variety of problems. And most of the serious issues you’ll encounter during your life as a pontooner are engine-related, as there are few other things that could affect the boat’s well-being quite as much. Today, we’re taking a look at the most common of these issues – how to spot them, recognize them, and what can you do to save your pontoon.

1. ENGINE IS OVERHEATING

The reason why we’re putting this one first is that an overheating engine can be ignorable at first, but will lead to the complete breaking of the engine if not taking care of. And you don’t want to realize you’re left with a dead engine with a whole party on your ‘toon 100 yards away from the dock. Make sure you’re always keeping an eye on the engine temperature gauge. If you notice any suspicious activity, check for blockages near the engine, or replenish the water in the cooling loop.

2. ROUGH STARTS

If your pontoon is making weird screeching or whining noises when you’re trying to start the engine, it might be due to a couple of issues. The first probably the most common one is contaminated fuel, which happens when gas mixes together with water. This can occur right after you fill up your tank, and the best way to protect your engine, in this case, is to wait for the fuel and water to separate. Alternatively, you might want to install a fuel-water separator between the tank and the engine to prevent this from happening.

3. ENGINE DOESN’T START

Probably the most frustrating issue of all, a non-starting engine can happen due to battery failures, corrosion, or lack of fuel. If the third one is not the case, you might want to check the battery first and recharge or replace it as needed. Other electrical components might be the issue as well, so check the ignition circuit for any loose connections as well. Another common problem that leads to the engine to starting are oil gasket leaks – and if that’s the case, you need to replace your oil gasket as soon as possible.

4. PONTOON NOT AS RESPONSIVE TO STEERING

This is the one common issue that usually doesn’t have much to do with the engine. However, if your pontoon is not as sensitive to your steering commands as it used to be, you might want to check your steering ram and grease all the fittings and swivels. Using muscle power to steer an unlubricated system will only work for so long, and you don’t want to accidentally have to row back to the dock. While this might not seem like a huge issue at first, it’s very similar to engine overheating – it doesn’t really affect you too much until it actually breaks down on you.

5. SMOKE FROM EXHAUST

Last but not least, smoke emitting from the exhaust can cause even the most experienced boater to panic. However, that doesn’t always indicate engine failure – it might also be due to contaminated fuel, fuel injector failure, too low or too high oil levels, and more. If you see smoke coming out of the exhaust, we recommend you contact a mechanic as soon as possible.

These are the top five most common problems pontooners come across when it comes to their boats. Some of these can be solved without the help of a professional, but if you’re one of the ‘better safe than sorry’ people out there, don’t hesitate to contact a mechanic if any of the above happens to your boat.

Tips for the Pontoon Captain | Pontoon Depot

By: Restore Pontoon

At first glance, the difference between driving a car and steering your pontoon boat may not be immediately obvious. Both have steering wheels, throttles, and an expectation that vessels will pass each other on the left side, just like on the highway. However, even though the official rules of maritime navigation are informally called the Rules of the Road, these rules make it clear that there are great differences between steering a pontoon boat and driving an automobile. A responsible pontoon captain who is attentive to safety will want to familiarize themselves with the Rules and conduct themselves accordingly on the many waterways that they’ll travel and explore in their pontoon boat.

The Rules of the Road, officially called the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, were written in 1864 during the time of the Civil War, when steamboats were gaining popularity. The Rules were updated several more times over the past century and a half. Although times have certainly changed on the waterways since the Civil War, many of the rules have not. The most current version of the Rules has 38 items that govern turns, maneuvers, and other sorts of signals required of maritime craft, including pontoon boats, operating in American waters. The primary purpose of the Rules is to help avoid collisions between maritime vessels. Every state in the union has adopted these U.S. Inland rules. In theory, anyone operating any sort of maritime vessel—from a small pontoon boat to a massive luxury cruiser—is expected to abide by the Rules. However, only a few of the Rules have direct applicability to pleasure craft such as pontoons, so here we’ll only cover the Rules that directly apply to pontoon boat operation and navigation.

The most important Rule is called the “Rule of Good Seamanship” and is at the heart of the rest of the Rules. “Good Seamanship” has never been strictly defined in the Rules, although there are seven broad generalities. The first is to obey the Rules unless extreme circumstances necessitate departure from them. Second, you should take whatever action necessary to avoid a collision. Third, if you cannot avoid a collision, you should attempt to alleviate possible damage of the collision by maneuvering to take a “glancing blow.” Fourth, you must know how to use a radiotelephone and be able to use it to communicate with other vessels. Fifth, sensibly enough, you need to keep a proper lookout at all times. Many pontoon boats offer wide, unobstructed views, but if, for whatever reason, the captain does not have a 360-degree view of the horizon, he or she must enlist a crew member as an additional set of eyes and ears to be alert to the sight or sound of other vessels. Sixth, you must insure that other crafts can see your pontoon boat by using proper lights. Seventh, your boat is equipped with a radar device; you must use it at all times. Although they are not specifically covered in the text of the Rules, court decisions over time have added additional items to the definition of “good seamanship,” such as proper training for crew and equipping of your pontoon boat with appropriate navigational charts.

However, the general and important rule of “Good Seamanship” has a caveat, called the “General Prudential Rule” which states that any of the Rules can be ignored if circumstances warrant extreme action. For example, a pontoon boat should ignore a Rule if it would cause them to collide with another craft. There may be occasions where it is impossible to obey a Rule, such as navigating near rocks or in shallow waters. Also, there are situations that are not covered by the Rules, such as when three or more craft are involved. When more than two craft are involved, none have right of way and all must yield and be sure to execute all maneuvers to avoid collision. Finally, if circumstances warrant, both vessels can agree to not follow the Rules if they have communicated and decided that this course of action is necessary, but this is extreme and has legal perils, since a miscommunication can lead to disastrous consequences. As you can see, the Rules depend on commonsense, good communication, and a general understanding of how vessels are expected to interact during maritime encounters.

The Rules articulate specific requirements for maneuvers involving the interaction between two vessels. When two craft approach each other, neither has the right of way and both are expected to pass each other on their left, or port, sides. If one vessel is coming up behind another, or overtaking it, the slower vessel has right of way. If the slower vessel does not want to be overtaken, it should sound five long whistle blasts and the faster vessel must steer clear and wait for another occasion to pass. A faster vessel must always steer clear of the slower one. If the direction of vessels involved is neither head-on, nor overtaking, they are referred to as crossing. In a crossing situation, the vessel that is approaching another on its starboard side must slow down or alter course to avoid collision, while the other vessel maintains course and speed.

The Rules explain specific methods for audible communication between vessels by using “whistle signals,” that are, in modern times, sounded by air or electronic horn blasts. Although many small pleasure crafts, such as pontoon boats, often fail to use whistle signals, the Rules require that all maritime vessels use audible means to indicate their maneuvers and how they will interact with other vessels. These “whistle blasts,” similar to Morse Code, are structured in series of short and long blasts. A short blast is a sound of about 1 second. One short blast means that your pontoon boat wants to pass on the port side of the other craft. Two short blasts indicate that your pontoon boat is attempting to pass another craft on its starboard side. Three short blasts means you are operating your pontoon boat with its engines in reverse. Five short blasts mean your pontoon boat is in danger or is unsure of the intentions of a different craft. A long blast lasts around 5 seconds. One long blast would be used to announce the location of your pontoon boat to other crafts, such as when leaving the dock. However, weather conditions, such as rain, fog or other adverse situations, can alter the meaning of these signals. In these situations, one long blast every two minutes is expected from your pontoon boat so that other vessels are aware of the presence of a power-driven vessel. Two long blasts communicates that your pontoon boat is adrift or otherwise not progressing. One long blast and two short blasts are required of special vessels, such as sailboats, fishing boats, and tugboats; other power-driven craft (such as pontoon boats) are expected to give right of way to these kinds of special vessels. If you anchor your pontoon boat in adverse conditions that affect visibility, you must ring a bell for five seconds every minute.

Obviously, there are no speed limit signs posted on rivers or other open waters, but the Rules do have some guidelines for proper speed on the water. They require that all vessels, including pontoon boats, maintain reasonable “safe speeds” that can insure the avoidance of collisions between craft. When there are no other vessels on the waterway, “safe speed” might be full open throttle, while “safe speed” during dense fog conditions might be slow enough so as not to produce any wake. Pontoon captains must factor in a variety of variables so as to determine the safe speed of their pontoon boat: the state of visibility, the density of other vessels around, the maneuverability of your craft, the strength of the waves or wind, the depth of the water relative to your hull, and, at night, the background lights on the shore that could obscure the lights of other vessels and your own. In short, the “safe speed” of your pontoon boat is relative to the prevailing conditions.

The Rules, while appearing complicated, are really designed for one single purpose; to avoid dangerous or deadly collisions between vessels. If you use a bit a caution, commonsense, and alertness, you’ll fulfill the spirit of the Rules and ensure fun times on your pontoon boat.