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Tips and Tricks for Fishing with Kids

Making lifetime family memories on the water is something that just can’t be beat, and what better way to make some of those memories than fishing with the kiddos out of your Starcraft boat?  For some people, this activity can seem daunting.  I got together with Team Starcraft Pro Fisherman, Greg Yarbrough and got some awesome tips and tricks for taking tykes fishing!

To start, safety , education, and engagement are key to a successful fishing trip with the kids.  I know, I know, it feels like people are constantly harping on boat safety, but it truly is an important aspect that we need to teach the kids so that it just becomes habit.  Did you know that on average, a child needs to be told something 200 times before it starts to stick with them? 200 times! That’s a lot of patience, and a lot of “don’t forget your lifejacket!”  And the key to making safety and fun a part of the adventure is ​engagement.

15 Ideas to Make Boating More Fun for Kids

So, you want to bring kids out on the water.

And you want to make sure they have a great experience—one that will last a lifetime.

That’s a tall order. A fun day of boating can turn sour if you’re not prepared to feed, entertain and care for the littlest people board your pontoon.

If you’re bringing kids on board, then here are the fun, favorite items that I’d recommend you bring along with you.

1. Bring Playdough

Our our pontoon boat we have a small table by one of the L loungers under the shade of the bimini.  It’s a perfect spot for little kids to play with toys or playdough while the adults have their fun.  Having a little jar of playdough in your boat can save a parent who will otherwise spend the day trying to console their bored baby/young child who isn’t interested in getting in the water.

2. Get a Big Tube

Kids love tubes.  That’s no secret, but what I’ve found is that kids are a lot more excited about getting out on the tube if you have a big tube that can accommodate 4 or 5 kids.  The tubes that only hold one or two are usually a bit scarier to little kids who have to go alone. 

3. Stock Up with These Fun Snack Ideas

You gotta have your boat loaded with snacks for the kids to enjoy the trip.  It’s even better if you have some snacks that the kids don’t usually eat.  Here are a few ideas that work well in the boat because they won’t get the boat messy while they eat, and they stay good in the heat of the sun.

• Homemade granola bars with their favorite fixings (nuts, raisins, craisins, M&Ms, etc)
• Pretzels and mini marshmallows in a ziploc bag
• Sweet Potato French Fries in a bag (Sweet potato french fries that are baked are delicious, healthy, and easy for kids to grab)
• Dried fruit
• Bread balls (my kids won’t eat bread unless I tear it into pieces and smash it into little balls.  Suddenly they love it!)

4. Movie Time!

If your boat has a power supply or cigarette lighter that you can use an adapter on, one way to REALLY convince them they like boating is to watch a big movie on the boat with a projector.  Hang a white sheet down from the bimini and set the projector at the bow.  It’s the perfect way to end a day on the water.

5. Order Pizza to the Dock

My five year-old goes WILD when we do this!  Just call your local pizza place and give them directions to the dock.  Pick up some pizzas and shove off again for more boating.  The kids laugh and laugh when you call and order.

6. Get a Slide

Pontoon boats are perfect for fun accessories like a slide.  They can be a bit pricey but for kids it’s tough to beat.  Older kids may love wakeboarding and playing on the tube, but younger kids can be intimidated by the tube and prefer something right on the boat.  The Rave Pontoon boat slide looks awesome!

7. Invite Their Friends

Kids suddenly get a lot braver when they feel like they are in charge.  Have each of your kids bring two friends on the boat for a day and suddenly they’ll be very popular, and your kids will love going on the boat because they’ll have other people they can tell the rules to and show how things go.

8. A Long Downed Skier Flag

My 3 year old loves going on the boat even though he rarely dares to get in the cold water.  That doesn’t stop him from having fun, though.  He is the “downed skier sheriff” and is responsible for waving the orange flag wildly the instant someone hits the water.

If you get a longer downed skier flag, the kids have a lot more fun with it and won’t mind a few hours in the boat.

You can put your other kids on “biff cam” duty, to video record everyone being towed behind and get good video of them falling, biffing, and otherwise splashing.

9. Bring a Rod

Kids love fishing, and it’s a fun activity to break up the day.  Start or end the day fishing when the fishing is good and you’ll usually hook your kids into boating.

One thing I like to do is to watch the fishing boats during the day and see where they are.  Then, when it’s sunset time and perfect for fishing, head over to those hot spots and catch a few.  This way you don’t have to spend the whole day trying to locate the fish, but can still get the kids interest in fishing because the fishing’s hot!

10. Get them a Wet Suit

One of the major things that turns my kids away from boating is when the water is cold in the Idaho lakes.  Get your kids a nice wet suit so they can enjoy the trip.  Remember that kids get cold very easily, so be sure to keep them warm!

11. Head to the Beach for a Picnic

If you haven’t noticed a trend yet, this list is really about finding ways to break up the day.  If you just get on the boat and ski all day long, it means a lot of boredom for the kids.  Spend some time planning different activities you’ll be doing at different times of the day so that there is always something for the kids to be looking forward to.

At lunch time, I think it’s nice to get off the boat for the while.  The kids can run around at the park or marina for a while and you can take a break from rocking up and down, go to the bathroom, and get anything else you need from the car.

12. Explain the Rules FIRST!

One mistake I made when we starting bringing the kids out on the boat was that I didn’t sit them down and explain the safety rules at the beginning.  The reason this was a mistake is that I spent the first entire trip telling the kids what they were not allowed to do–not very fun for them!

I took the kids out to the boat while it was still trailered on the side of the house and we all climbed up to the boat.  I then explained they needed to wear a life jacket from the second they get onto the dock until we’re back in the car–even when we’re just walking around the beach.  I showed them danger zones on the boat like the bow, how they need to sit down while we’re moving but can run around while we’re stopped.  When they can get in the water, and if they take off their shoes when they get in the boat then it’s okay with me if they climb all over the furniture.

Once the kids had the rules explained all at once when I had time to sit down and explain everything, they became very good at following the rules and I never have to say “no” on the boat because they already know what they can and can’t do.  Much more fun.

13. Teach the Kids to Drive

I’ll admit–this one is sketchy.  In my state, there is no law about age to drive a boat and I talked to the sheriff specifically and asked if it’s okay if the kids drive when they’re sitting on my lap.

My pontoon boat is powered with a 115hp engine which is no toy, but can take a full hard turn of the wheel even at top speed and we aren’t anywhere near tipping.  What I do is let the kids sit on my lap and they can control the steering wheel and I control the throttle.  I am in charge of lookout and can grab the wheel at any instant if there is danger, another boat in the vicinity, etc.  I also never go above 15 miles per hour.

The kids love it, and with the restrictions I put on it, I don’t see any danger at all since I’m able to take over at any second.

14.  Peppermint to the Rescue

Some kids get motion sickness on the boat when there’s a good chop on the water.  Bring a peppermint stick for seasickness and it can rescue an otherwise unpleasant trip.  Dramamine and other drugs are not okay for kids, so this is a great alternative.

I really don’t put much faith behind the homeopathic/home remedy stuff.  I really don’t.  But peppermint works!  I was very skeptical but it did wonders for my wife when she used it for car sickness and the Amazon reviews are nearly all positive. 

Get a Quease Ease and just stick it in the glove box of your boat.  When you or someone you invite on your boat starts to feel nauseous, you’ll be very glad you gave it a try.  The stuff works!

15. Deputize a DJ

Need another “job” on the boat to keep the kids entertained?  One of my boys loves being the DJ.  We have a Bluetooth stereo in the boat (you can put one in for just $100, by the way) so you can play the music remotely from a phone.  I hand my phone to my son and he controls the volume and the song.  When there isn’t one he likes, he is in charge and nobody is allowed to stop him from changing the song.  It’s a small thing, but he loves it.

by Jim Harmer

5 Ways to Enjoy Your New Pontoon Boat

We may still be in the midst of winter, but that doesn’t mean we’ve stopped thinking about having fun on the water! In just a few months, the boating season will be upon us once again—and we’ll all want new, exciting things to try once we hit the water.

In today’s blog, we are looking at five ways to enjoy your new pontoon boat this coming season.

Pack a picnic

Of the best ways to enjoy an afternoon on the water is with a freshly packed picnic for the family. You can rest easy knowing that your pontoon boat has plenty of space for food storage and, of course, seating and tables to enjoy the picnic itself. The only thing you need to worry about is what food you’ll be bringing!

For picnics on the water, light (but tasty!) meals and snacks are the best way to go. Prepare yummy sandwiches, do-it-yourself trail mix, fruit salads any other treats for yourself and all your passengers. Top it off with a few cool bottles of water and you’re ready to go.

Throw a party

An on board party is a great way to celebrate a family milestone, birthday or simple get together with friends. Throw your own pontoon boat party by preparing music to play, providing fun games or activities for young kids, and gearing yourself up for plenty of fun.

Add a slide

For many pontoon boaters, the flat, stable deck is the perfect backdrop for a fun addition—a water slide! You can purchase a water slide made for attaching to the side of your boat. Watch your family and friends laugh in enjoyment as they slide from the boat into the water below. It’s a great addition that’s bound to provide hours of fun and laughs every time it is used.

Go camping

Few boats are as well equipped for a family camping trip than a pontoon boat. Take your boat somewhere special, whether it’s a favorite lake or coastal marina spot—then set up camp! You can add an enclosure to your boat that serves as a sort of camping tent, giving you a comfortable place to snooze, change clothes or simply enjoy some shade while on your camping trip. In advance of your trip, be sure to pack plenty of snacks and dry clothes for your passengers. It’s a unique experience everyone will enjoy!

Bring some water toys

Finally, for fun on your pontoon boat in 2016, don’t forget the water toys! These can be anything from inner tubes to beach balls to higher-tech toys like wakeboards and water skis. These toys are fun for kids and adults alike, and can provide you, your family and friends with plenty of memories that will last well beyond your return to land.

Which of these ideas are you and your family going to try once the season starts back up? We hope this list helped you find inspiration for fun and adventure on your family pontoon boat.

HOW WELL DO PONTOON BOATS HANDLE ROUGH WATER?

Generally speaking, pontoons can handle much better in choppy water than other recreational boats since they have at least two hulls, providing more stability to the boat than one hull could. If a pontoon (with two ‘toons) is more stable than a monohull, imagine how much better a tritoon’s third tube can make it!

Of course, while a pontoon boat itself is generally safe, a little common sense goes a long way on the water. Besides ignoring common sense, what can get you in trouble on a pontoon is not knowing how to handle the boat when the water gets rough.

CAN A PONTOON FLIP OVER?

Sure, it’s possible to flip your pontoon. It certainly has happened. But it’s highly unlikely if you’re being responsible. While forces of nature cannot be controlled, there are steps you can take as a boat owner and captain to make sure you reduce the chance of these types of accidents on the water.

Here are a couple factors to keep in mind:

Keep an even load on board. This applies to cargo loads, as well as loads of passengers. Consider how weight distribution can contribute to safety on choppy waters. Make sure your passengers know the importance of maintaining balance on board, especially in rough conditions. Keep in mind that any modifications you make to the boat can also affect its balance or center of gravity. For this reason, “Double decker” pontoon boats with a second level, while they offer additional options for fun on the water, are much more prone to tipping.

The bigger the boat, the more weight the elements have to contend with, and the larger the pontoons, the greater the boat’s stability. If your pontoon is on the smaller side, you’ll want to make sure conditions are safe before going out on the water.

KEEPING YOUR PONTOON STABLE IN ROUGH WATERS
To keep your pontoon safe in rough waters, the key of course is to keep the pontoons above the water and avoid the risk of burying the nosecones. If you’re cruising straight into big waves, and you slow down before hitting a trough, chances are you’re going to dip the pontoon’s nose below water and will take some of that water on board when it crashes over the bow. Depending on the force of the waves, this can cause damage to the pontoon’s playpen, which can cost a considerable amount to fix. Rather than slowing down when riding into the waves, trim up just before hitting the wave. This will help lift the boat’s bow more.

Adjust your course so you’re riding properly into the waves. When possible, rather than riding head-on into the waves, cruise so the waves are at a 30 to 45 degree angle from the center of the boat. Taking the waves at an angle will allow you to keep your bow high more consistently. At this angle, one of the tubes will also ride high, allowing the boat to glide into and out of the waves’ crests and troughs more smoothly. There is still potential to dip the corner of the boat, however.

It is possible to get a special handling package on your boat to handle the elements better. For instance, our Sports Handling Package (SHP) allows higher horsepower and includes power assisted steering, positive angle lifting strakes, and barracuda nosecones, all of which are better for handling rough waters. Underskinning can also help reduce drag from water splashing up beneath the boat.

WATCH THE WEATHER AND THE WATER
This is obvious, but you should always check weather and marine forecasts before going out on the boat. When you are on the water, keep an eye on the skies and look for any changes in the water. If conditions start to turn, it’s always better to prioritize safety over pushing for a little more time on the lake.

by Manitou Pontoon Boats