A Life Vest With Speakers Kickstarter Campaign Underway
At PDB magazine we sometimes get a sneak peek at boats, products or even breaking news before others. It's just one of the many perks as a member of the boating media. Often we have to wait to share exciting new products with our readers, but this time we're able to let you in on something special. If you love listing to music while wakeboarding, tubing, skiing, etc. then you're going to want a Groove Vest. This is truly a gamechanger for the wakesports industry.
“I wanted to listen to music out on the water and found out that I was not alone,” said Drew Bartek, co-founder and chief financial officer of Groove Watersports. “Our vests are made to bring the best listening experience out on the water without compromising the comfort and range of motion of your vest.”
The Groove Vest combines the enjoyment of listening to music with the safety of an impact vest and was created by riders for riders. The Groove Vest is designed to solve the issue of not being able to listen to music while out on the water. The vest is ideal for individuals looking for a comfortable, high quality, lightweight impact vest that has the added benefit of playing music.
“I’ve always been frustrated when riding behind the boat and never could hear the music clearly. Then I tried waterproof headphones which just caused more problems,” said Gus Gehlen, co-founder and chief executive officer of Groove Watersports. “I knew there had to be a better way so we have designed our vests to solve this problem through the integration of powerful speakers in the shoulder area of our vest for an easy all in one solution.” 
The Groove vest has 8GB of internal memory so you can ditch your phone, grab your vest, and get in the Groove as you play your tunes for up to 6 hours of continuous playback. You then simply charge your Groove vest with any micro USB charger (provided) and that's it. IP68 is the maximum Ingress Protection rating against solid particles or liquid so your vest can handle just about anything you throw at it. Just remember to spray it down after a saltwater session.
As your own DJ you can control your music with easy access buttons on the front chest of your vest. There are four buttons to help you get in the Groove: Play/Pause, Volume Up/Down, Skip/Back, Power On. Engineered for the folks who like to “SEND IT!” the vest is designed to withstand high impact crashes..JPG_600.jpg)
Electronics:
- Speaker Type: Portable Waterproof Speaker
- Connection Type: 8GB Internal Memory (1,000 songs)
- Impedance: 4±10%ohm
- Speaker Output: 3 watts
- Driver Diameter: 40mm
- SNR/Sound Pressure Level: 87±3dB
- Weight: approx. 700g
- Charging: Micro USB
-
Frequency Range -
Battery Capacity: 3,000mAh - Charging Voltage: DC 5V
- Charge Time: approximately 2 Hours
- Playback Time: approximately 6 hours
- Housing Material: Polycarbonate
Vest:
- Material:
Jersey Knit Nylon Bonded to Scuba Stretch Neoprene - Foam: Closed Cell MLC Foam
- Zipper: YYK #10 Marine Grade Zipper
- Pocket Flap: Magnetic Neoprene Flaps
Groove Vests are available in sizes Small to XL and those interested have the opportunity of pre-ordering on Kickstarter that begins today. The Groove Vest will retail for $299, but during this Kickstarter campaign in August, the vests can be pre-ordered starting at an early bird special of $150. For more information visit GrooveWatersports.com.
For All Your Accessories and/or Vinyl Flooring Visit Pontoon-Depot's Shop Site.
- Amy Cabanas
- Tags: Boating Entertainment Pontoon Accessories pontoon boat Pontoon Electronics tips water skiing
Discover Boating | Buying A Pontoon Boat | Pontoon-Depot!!
By: Discover Boating
The pontoon boat has undergone quite an evolution in the past few decades, and what was once a simple boxy floating platform is now a luxury-laden pleasure-boat that can offer everything from a relaxing day on the lake to invigorating thrill rides. If you haven’t been on a modern pontoon you’ve got to step aboard one to believe just how amazingly advanced—and comfortable—the best pontoon boats have become.
Activities You'll Most Enjoy
Pontoon boats are loved in all corners of the nation because they can be used for so many different activities: watersports, swimming, day cruising, and of course just lounging about. There are fishing pontoon boats, performance pontoons with big outboard engines that will have you blasting across the lake or bay with the wind whipping in your hair, and luxury-oriented pontoons equipped with everything from a blender to a bathroom. There are big pontoon boats and small pontoon boats, you can get a pontoon trailer and explore far-flung waterways, and in all of these cases the options for what to do on your pontoon are essentially unlimited.
Perfect fishing platform
In some areas, you’ll discover that there are more fishing pontoon boats than other types of fishing boats. The reason why is simple: they are amazingly stable and comfortable, they hold large numbers of people, and they make an ideal fishing platform. Added bonus: modern fishing pontoon boats have all the angling accessories you need built right in, ranging from rod holders to aerated livewells to tackle boxes.
Used for skiing, tubing, and wakeboarding
If watersports are your thing, today’s pontoons won’t let you down. The best pontoon boats for skiing, tubing, and wakeboarding have tow-bits, storage lockers large enough to hold water skis or knee-boards, and swim platforms with large, stable ladders for climbing on and off the boat. They also have plenty of power and can give the kids a safe but spectacular thrill-ride. Even small pontoon boats usually have all the basics you need to enjoy watersports on some level.
”Party barge” to entertain family and friends
There’s a reason pontoon boats are often called party barges, and it’s quite simple: with oodles of deck space, excellent stability, and variable furniture arrangements, you can have a pontoon that’s just as ideal for relaxing as a lake-side patio. The one difference—and what makes a pontoon boat even better—is that you’re afloat instead of on land, and you can take the party wherever you’d like.
Pontoon Boat Brands
Explore brands to find more information on models and pricing.
Pontoon Boat Ownership Costs
Buying a modern pontoon boat can be just as expensive or as economical as you’d like, and there are pontoon boat prices that fit every budget. There are even some mini pontoon boats that cost far less than the most affordable new cars. When you research out the ownership cost of a specific pontoon boat, an important factor to figure in is storage or mooring costs, if you can’t keep it on a pontoon trailer at your house. Visit our Boat Loan Calculator to learn more about what fits with your budget.
Maintenance Costs
You’re not likely to encounter maintenance costs on a new pontoon boat for several years, beyond basic care items like cleaning supplies. Its engine, however, will have a regular required maintenance plan. These vary from model to model and manufacturer to manufacturer so to figure out just how much you’ll spend on items like oil and filter changes, you should refer to the manufacturer recommendations. Note that most pontoon boats on the market today and the engines that power them carry substantial warranties that should protect you from unexpected maintenance costs for years to come.
Operation Costs
The main operational cost for a pontoon is fuel. Just how much you burn will depend on the size of the boat and engine, how often you use it, and how far you run it. You may also want to plan in insurance costs (see Insuring Your Boat for more information.
Pontoon Technology/Materials/Features
Of all the different boat types out there, pontoons have seen some of the biggest technological advancements in recent years. Today many boast touch-screens at the helm, and seats with space-age fabrics that are resistant to UV light, mold and mildew, and staining.
As pontoons have become more advanced they’ve also become better-equipped. You can find models with rather extreme stereo systems, fully-equipped wet bars, and even things like automatic sunshades that rise at the press of a button. In fact, if you look at the list of optional features on a high-end pontoon you’ll see that often goes on for pages and pages.
For All Your Accessories and/or Vinyl Flooring Visit Pontoon-Depot's Shop Site.
World of Watersports - Shop - Towable Tubes Big Bubba HI-VIS 2P
The Bubba couch style towables are some of the most popular tubes on the market. They make for a perfect starter tube for the family just getting into towables but also they are a tube that just about anybody can have fun on. The Bubbas come with a flat base for a smooth ride over the water and minimal drag on the boat. The SECURE DECK SEATING on the Bubbas come with a super high backrest with sidewalls which is great for keeping young kids safe and for giving them a secure feeling if they are just getting started on towables. But don’t get us wrong, these aren’t just for little kids. The high backrest just means it’s more difficult to fly off on the more wild rides. The smooth, flat base will get this baby going fast on the water if that’s what you’re in to. The Bubbas also come with front and back tow points so you can ride sitting, laying down, or kneeling chariot style. And after your ride is over the Bubbas make a perfect floating couch on the water. Great for relaxing with your friends at your favorite body of water.
- 1-2 Rider Towable 340lbs or 154kg maximum capacity
- SECURE DECK SEATING comes with extra high backrest and sidewalls. Great for helping young kids feel secure on the water
- The extra high backrest keeps the ride going on the extra fast and bouncy rides
- Reinforced front and back tow points with 1 EZ tow connector on front tow point for fast connection
- Ride sitting, laying down, or kneeling chariot style
- EVA foam seat and knee pads
- 8 double webbing foam handles & 4 flat handles
- Great floating couch for relaxing after your ride
- Heavy-duty PVC bladder and nylon cover
- Speed valve for fast inflation and deflation
- Zippered valve cover
- Backed by 1 year warranty
- Deflated dimensions: 66 in x 60 in x 42 in
- Amy Cabanas
- Tags: Boating Boating Safety Entertainment Family pontoon boat safe boating habits Swimming tips water skiing
With Some Changes, Pontoon Boats Make a Comeback in The US!
Pic By: A pontoon boat at the Baltimore Boat Show at the Baltimore Convention Center (Kenneth K. Lam / The Baltimore Sun)
Written By: Baltimore Sun
Back this hitch up into the water, untie all the cables, and rope step onto the vinyl floor, and get yourself a coozie, Let's go….
Long before the pop-country group Little Big Town introduced its No. 1 hit, "Pontoon," pontooning has been a part of the boating community in the United States.
Its roots go back more than 60 years to a Minnesota farmer named Ambrose Weeres, who came up with the crazy idea of putting a wooden platform on two columns of welded steel barrels and spending his lazy summer afternoons fishing on a nearby lake.
But those no-frills pontoons, like Hula Hoops and Silly Putty, seemed to be a fading remnant from a simpler time.
Now, they're making a comeback with a few modern frills.
"It's exploded. Pontoons are selling much better than fiberglass boats," said Brian Schneider, whose Tradewinds Marina in Middle River has been selling pontoons for many years now.
In an industry that was struggling with a weak economy, pontoon boat sales now account for half of Schneider's income in boat sales.
Using the same Minnesota-based boat manufacturer that made the pontoon for Little Big Town's music video, as well as, for Kid Rock's video of the 2008 song "All Summer Long," Schneider said that popularity of pontoons is based largely around the fact "they're almost 100 percent usable space."
Who said anything about skiin'? Floatin' is all I wanna do, well you can climb the ladder just don't rock the boat while I barbeque…
Dan Naleppa of Salisbury is considering buying one of Schneider's pontoons after seeing them at the Baltimore Boat Show.
"It's like you're riding in your living room," Naleppa said while attending the show.
Certainly if your living room is stocked with plush couches and other accoutrements, though Naleppa said the 25-foot pontoon he is thinking about buying will not have a barbeque, minibar or some of the other amenities that seem to find their way on what many consider to be the best kind of party boats.
"They've come a long way," Naleppa said. "They're pretty roomy and they can go fast. I also like the fact that you can ride them year 'round, unlike some of the inboard-outboard motorboats I've had."
While a lot more high-tech than "The Empress" and the other boats that Weeres, who became known as "Mr. Pontoon," built en route to being inducted in Minnesota's Marina Hall of Fame, the modern pontoon industry has seen a revival in recent years. They're cheaper to make, easier to maintain, less than half the weight of comparably-sized fiberglass boats and more environmental-friendly because they typically need smaller engines.
"It seems like they're everywhere now," said Matt Finklestine, who sells pontoon boats in Lake Raystown, Pa. "Nothing is going to be a smoother ride than a pontoon boat because you don't ride on top of the water, you ride in the water. They're light, they're easier to trailer. The fiberglass chips don't break off and it makes it much easier to clean."
According to Finklestine, whose Full Performance Marine sells "everything from jet skis to 45-foot yachts," he has seen a resurgence in the past years. Finklestine said his 15-year-old company has gone from selling around two dozen aluminum pontoons in 2005 to five times that last year. The lakes around central Pennsylvania are among the most popular for pontoon boating.
"The difference between a pontoon and a regular boat is that with a pontoon, you have a lot more room. You can fit on twice as many people and you can pretty much cut the cost in half because they're very easy to make," Finklestine said at the Baltimore Convention Center, where a couple of his company's higher-end pontoons were on display and for sale during the Baltimore Boat Show.
Reach your hand down into the cooler, don't drink it if the mountains aren't blue, try to keep it steady as you recline on your black inner tube
The basic concept of the pontoon hasn't changed much since Weeres first introduced his boat, it's now a vinyl deck rather than wood attached to aluminum barrels, but pontoons have certainly been upgraded over the years to include everything like woven vinyl flooring for what essentially becomes the best under your feet feel, plus is slip resistant.
The size of the boats haven't changed (typically between 15 and 28 feet long) but they can be custom fit for whatever you need, fishing, cruising, skiing or racing.
The cost depends mostly on the size of the motor used, ranging from $15,000 to $80,000, according to industry experts. Pontoons can go as fast as 55 mph, but most are built to go a lot slower.
"The difference between a 50 horsepower and a 250 horsepower could be $20,000," said Finklestine, whose company typically sells pontoons with 90- to 115-horsepower motors. "A 28-foot fiberglass is more than $100,000, double what a pontoon costs."
Finklestine said pontoons are perfect for someone who "wants to fit a lot of people on the boat, wants some room for his kids to run around on and doesn't care about having the fastest boat on the lake."
Naleppa said he is looking forward to having his pontoon out on the Chesapeake Bay, as well as the Wicomico River and down to Ocean City this summer with family and friends, and was told that a 25-footer can comfortably seat around 10 and as many as 17, about double what can fit on a fiberglass motorboat.
Though mostly used on lakes, some pontoons have now become stable enough to operate on open bodies of water such as the Chesapeake Bay because of advanced technology. Schneider said he took "a gamble" bringing pontoons to local sailing aficionados who might be fearful that the pontoon would capsize in rougher seas.
Schneider said Premier Pontoons' development of a "PTX" center tube "lets the pontoon boats handle like a fiberglass boat." Though he doesn't recommend anything under a 20-footer on the Chesapeake Bay, "they're very stable, you've just got to get the bigger pontoons."
5 mile an hour with aluminum side wood panelin' with a water slide can't beat the heat, so let's take a ride on the pontoon makin' waves and catchin' rays up on the roof jumpin' out the back, don't act like you don't want to party in slow motion, I'm out here in the open Mmmmmmm...motorboatin' on the pontoon!