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w a t e r. we live to be on the

SunbrellaÂŽ is a registered trademark of Glen Raven, Inc.

Enjoy your time on the water with friends, family and the world’s most trusted marine fabric. sunbrella.com/sealife

FEAT U R ES

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PONTOON REDEMPTION Michigan Family Gets Second Chance MY PROPELLER What Every Boater Should Know LAP OF LUXURY Taking Over The Industry

PDB SPOTLIGHT Veranda Marine’s 25RFL

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WINTERIZING 101 Are You Prepared For Old Man Winter?

MY MARINA The Curse Of Dock C NEXT BIG THING Rail-Lok Covers Your ‘Toon

SEPTEMBER 2015

D E PA RT M E N T S

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LOOKING BACK PDB Ten Years Ago CAPTAIN’S CHAIR A College Mascot Playoff

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BETTER BOATER A Closer Look At Fuel Additives TACKLE BOX Paying Forward: September Scouting NO WAKE ZONE Family Boating At Its Best

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PDB TESTED Products Reviewed ADVERTISER INDEX Page Number Listings POWER PROFILE Volvo Penta’s Next Generation STAYING IN ‘TOON What Exactly Is A Pon-tini?

Cover Photo by Brady L. Kay | Cover Design by R.D. Dye

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PONTOON & DECK BOAT MAGAZINE STAFF

Looking Back — September 2005

SEPTEMBER 2015

By Austa Cook

PDB Pontoon & Deck Boat

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“You could have had the chance to see the real people behind the nicknames.”

No, this wasn’t the advert intended to provoke remorse that you didn’t make it to San Diego’s latest Comic-Con. This was one of the 10 reasons you missed out big time if you weren’t able to make it to PDB’s first-ever forum party, recapped in our September 2005 issue.

This was our first attempt to get everyone from the forum together for a party at Lake Lanier in Georgia. After the lively success of this kick-off, we kept the forum party an annual thing for a few years, visiting different places such as Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Kentucky for a sampling of lakes and locations. In many ways, our current PDB Days event actually evolved from the popularity of getting together for a big reunion in the fall. If you did miss those original forum parties, just make sure to make it to our upcoming PDB Days event at the end of September in Indiana and you’ll be able to experience the spirit of gathering with all of our favorite boat lovers.

Along with the re-cap, we spotlighted Sundancer in this issue, who unfortunately is no longer in business—but that’s not why this article was a big deal. It marked the first time the PDB team officially switched to digital cameras.

See? We are up on the times! Editor Brady Kay was a little paranoid so he actually brought two cameras when he met the Kuse family on the Lake of the Ozarks, in Missouri, packing along

both an old film camera with slide film and a regular digital camera…just in case. (Later he had to keep looking for photos because of the confusion over which folder had the picture he was looking for, but boy did he have back-ups!) It’s sad that Sundancer closed up shop because the Kuse family really loved the way their tri-log pontoon rode on the lake’s sometimes extremely choppy water, but they sure looked good doing so in those crisp digital images.

Speaking of extremely choppy water, that’s exactly what was on Georgia inventor Louis Gibbs’ mind when he jacked up his pontoon like truck junkies jack up their 10-inch lifts in the spotlight following. Seeing that monster pontoon bearing down on you when you flip to page 34 is a scary thing! If you could picture a hydroplaning tank, you can put together a fairly accurate visual for what this thing looks like in action. The idea was that integrating a suspension system would help boats cut through choppy water while offering a smoother ride. Sure it might make you wet your pants a little if you cross paths with this bad boy on the lake, but there’s something intriguing about the concept.

Unfortunately we haven’t really heard from Gibbs in the following years, so perhaps he’s still working on getting this idea to catch fire.

Ironically enough, Gibbs was also on Lake Lanier with his monster ‘toon, but I guess none of the partying forum members ran into him on the water, or surely there’d be more screaming in the pictures.

EDITORIAL Editor Brady L. Kay Editorial Staff Austa Cook, Trevor Mason, Vanessa Santoro, Roy Sparks, Georgina Dibble, Rory B. Bellows Editorial Correspondent Dan Armitage Editorial Correspondent Gini McKain ADVERTISING Advertising Director Greg Larsen glarsen@pdbmagazine.com Advertising Executive Terri Duncan terri@pdbmagazine.com Administrative Assistant Terri Duncan terri@pdbmagazine.com MARKETING Marketing Director Greg Larsen CIRCULATION Circulation Director Yvonne Young ProCirc, LLC PRODUCTION Production Manager Janet Chase Layout & Design Artist R.D. Dye HARRIS PUBLISHING GROUP ADMINISTRATION Publisher Greg Larsen Executive Editor Brady L. Kay Administrative Assistant Terri Duncan Production Manager Janet Chase Circulation Manager Yvonne Young Controller Clayton Ward Production Janet Chase Production Jim Donovan Production R.D. Dye Accounting Laura Rafferty HARRIS PUBLISHING EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATION Founder Darryl W. Harris President Jason Harris Vice President Chuck Harris Vice President Ryan Harris Vice President Steve Janes Vice President Greg Larsen Treasurer Clayton Ward Secretary Janet Chase

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THOUGHTS FROM THE HELM

A College Mascot Playoff

SEPTEMBER 2015

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PDB Pontoon & Deck Boat

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or me, there’s no such thing as a boating “season” anymore. When I took my passion and hobby of boating and made it my career, it meant boating season became a 12-month priority and I’m just fine with that. It starts with January boat shows and ends deep in the fall with new boat testing. A career centered on boating: yeah, it doesn’t get much better than that.

So for me there are only two seasons: football season and waiting for football season. Luckily as we roll into September, I now find myself in the better of the two. I look forward to football season like a woman does a buy-one-get-one shoe sale.

Last season after years of frustration for college football players and fans, the NCAA finally established the College Football Playoff (CFP) and clearly Ohio State took advantage of the new format by winning it all as a four seed.

It allowed the champion to be determined on the field, the way every other sport does it.

As we gear up for another great college football season, I decided to put together my own version of a playoff system in a way only a boat editor would think of. Unlike the real CFP, my system to figure out which college has the best nautical mascot can’t be determined on the field, but that didn’t stop me.

After evaluating what I felt were important characteristics to become

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the best of the best, I’ve compiled my top 10 list of “Water-Related College Football Teams” and determined a winner.

you’re probably not boating on a big pontoon or deck boat body of water, but still, we had to have a beaver in our top five.

10. Jacksonville University Dolphins.

While I admit I don’t know a lot about Jacksonville University, I felt a name like the Dolphins has to crack the list.

4. University of Miami Hurricanes.

While hurricanes and storms don’t mix well with boating, Miami still had to make our water-related mascot list.

9. Tulane University Green Wave.

Since I’m not aware of any pontoon college mascots, “Wave” has to be the next best thing.

3. University of Oregon Ducks.

Quack, quack, the Ducks made our top three, but just missed the playoff for the championship.

8. East Carolina University Pirates.

You can’t accuse me of just going with major college programs so far! Few outside the southeast know a lot about East Carolina, but you’ve got to appreciate a name like the Pirates.

2. State College of Florida Manatees. I’m guessing quite a few pontooners have spotted manatees while boating so that’s why those lovable sea cows are ranked so high.

7. University of Maryland Terrapins.

Of course turtles made our list! And considering how many times I’ve spotted turtles while out boating, I probably should have ranked them a little higher.

6. University of Alabama Crimson Tide. Lately there hasn’t been a lot of college football polls without Alabama on it so I guess we’ll add them to ours.

Boating and tides go together so ‘Bama is on the list.

5. Oregon State University Beavers.

Granted, if you see a beaver dam

1. University of Florida Gators. It’s hard to pick one mascot over another, but having an alligator for a mascot earned Florida a top spot on our list.

Did we forget anybody? Go to www.facebook.com/pdbmagazine and tell us which team you think should be included!

Brady L. Kay, PDB Editor

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Better Boater PDB’s

PLANE & SIMPLE

By Rory B. Bellows

Addition Or Subtraction SEPTEMBER 2015

Are fuel additives worth your time and money?

PDB Pontoon & Deck Boat

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Snake oil. We’ve all heard the phrase. For a lot of people, the phrase “fuel additive” may as well mean the same thing. We decided to do a little sniffing around to see if that’s actually the case. To get to the bottom of this, we need to look at the reason people want to use fuel additives in the first place. That reason, as you may have guessed, is ethanol.

“Ethanol” is a dirty word in boating circles. The problem is that in 2005 the government implemented the Renewable Fuel Standard, which mandated that all fuel sold at gas stations be blended with biofuels

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(usually corn ethanol). Because they assumed that gasoline usage would steadily increase, more and more ethanol got mixed with the gasoline.

However, since that same year, our gas usage has actually decreased, but the ethanol mix kept rising. Boat engines are designed to function with fuel that has a maximum of 10 percent ethanol and are in fact prohibited from using fuel that has more than 10 percent.

So ethanol is bad and the only way to combat it is to get a fuel additive for your boat, right? Not so fast, cowboy. While E0 fuel would obviously

be best, that’s not really an option anymore, so E10 is what we have.

Plus, when it comes right down to it, E10 may actually be a better marine fuel due to its tendency to keep low levels of water moving through the fuel system, keeping things “dry.”

That said, the onus is still on you, the owner, to maintain your boat properly. After all, proper, attentive maintenance will win the day over some one-size-fits-all miracle product. That being the case, here are a few ways to keep your engine in tip-top shape that don’t involve incantations to the boating gods.

The most prominent boogeyman when it comes to engine maintenance (at least as it relates to fuel) is phase separation. Phase separation occurs when a sufficient amount of water enters the gas tank and causes the ethanol to physically separate from the gasoline, resulting in two or three distinct layers. A lot of fuel additives claim to get rid of the water and generally prevent that separation, but that’s not actually true. In a webinar in 2011, Mercury Marine revealed their findings about what happens in phase separa-

fresh gasoline. Interestingly, it’s common practice in the Midwest—where E10 has been the standard for over a decade—to always top off your tank.

Get A Filter

Now that we’ve established that ethanol doesn’t deserve (all of) its

What it all boils down to is using your head, both while maintaining your engine and when you choose what to put in it. Jerry Nessenson, president of ValvTect, a company that offers its own line of fuel additives, says, “Boaters need to be cautious about what they pour in their gas tanks.”

He suggests that the Oil Certification Committee adopt the same standards developed by the American Society of Materials and Testing for fuel additives in the automotive industry.

“Any additive manufacturer should be able to verify its claims via industry standard testing,” adds Nessenson.

“It is disturbing that some companies have challenged this need.”

While there are certainly things you can add to your fuel that will help— such as a fuel stabilizer when the boat is going to be idle for long stretches of time—you just need to be smart.

Think of it this way: would you drink some miracle cure-all drink your buddy whipped up in his labora—err, kitchen, without finding out what was in it first?

Treat your boat’s engine the same way.

Do your research first before committing to something that could be harmful down the road.

www.pdbmagazine.com

SEPTEMBER 2015

Get Rid Of That Water

since you need to leave room for the fuel to expand a little) leaves little room for water to condense. Since marine engines are vented—unlike automotive engines—this is the primary way water gets into your fuel. If phase separation has occurred, the only way to fix it is to drain the affected fuel from the tank and add

Get Smart

11 PDB Pontoon & Deck Boat

tion and how to prevent it. According to Mercury, “Major multibillion-dollar companies with enormous resources have improved gasoline additives but there have been no recent breakthroughs involving ‘magical technology.’ Claims made by companies about ‘space-age,’ ‘revolutionary,’ or special proprietary technology should be looked at with a high degree of suspicion.”

No fuel additive is going to make bad fuel usable or reintegrate separated fuel, so there are really only two ways to prevent phase separation: have a full fuel tank or an empty one.

That’s pretty much it. Obviously, with no fuel in the tank, there’s nothing to separate. Ethanol absorbs water, but it has to have water to absorb first. It’s not going to reach out and grab water molecules out of thin air. So preventing water from getting into the fuel tank is your best bet. Therefore, a full tank (or almost full—95 percent is sufficient,

ill-gotten reputation, there are still a few things to keep in mind. The most important thing is that ethanol is in fact a solvent, and therefore dissolves resins, dirt and rust in the fuel, which will then head straight for your engine.

So you gotta get a filter on that sucker.

You also need to make sure you have plenty of spare filters and a galvanized bucket to keep the used ones in before you dispose of them. A 10-micron filter is what you should be aiming for. E10 sometimes also has a tendency to form a mysterious sludge-type substance that can mess up your engine and clog your filter. Richard Kolb, the manager of Emissions and Regulations for Volvo Penta, recommends switching to a different gasoline supplier if you run into this problem. According to him, there are 108 different approved compounds that can be used in gasoline, and any mixture of these can cause the sludge.

Different suppliers use different mixes, so this can help.

Tackle Box PDB’s

T I P S

F O R

T H E

A N G L E R By Dan Armitage

Paying Forward: September Scouting Scheduled autumn drawdowns of water levels in advance of winter and/or periods of drought can result in extremely low water conditions this time of year that reveal underwater features of interest to anglers. This view (above) met the author at his local lake one late summer weekend, allowing him to note the fish-attracting rocks and gravel flats across from his dock that are normally covered with water and hidden from view.

SEPTEMBER 2015

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e do a lot of scouting this time of year on our local lake, when late-summer water levels are often at their lowest. We may get out and fish early in the day, but once the sun is well overhead and some of our favorite gamefish species get a little hard to come by, we pay forward a bit and start seeking spots to fish in the future when water levels are higher. I’ll pack binoculars, a camera, a lake chart and a hand-help GPS unit and have son Ethan at the helm, directing the FloteBote along the shoreline. The teenager will watch the side- and down-scanning screen of GPS-enabled Humminbird mounted atop the helm, creating waypoints as he sees promising subsurface structure and marking the spots on the paper chart for cross-referencing.

Meanwhile, I’m scoping the low-water mark along the shore with the binocular or bare eyes, depending on the circumstances, looking for the same.

When I spy the thick crown of a fallen tree, an old road bed, the foundation from an old building, a pile of rocks, a stump field or any other structure that is normally covered with water, I investigate. If it looks like it might attract fish when water levels are at normal pool and fish are concentrated around such cover, I’ll photograph it and include in the frame any landmarks that are above the high water mark to help me locate the position when levels are back up and the structure itself is no longer visible. I’ll use the hand-held GPS to get a fix on the location as well, and mark it on the paper chart as a further reference, including the coordinates.

And it’s not only classic ‘structure’ points that we are seeking. We also note flats or gravel beds that are exposed by

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the low water, areas that will be used by fish for spawning next spring and honey holes for us early in the season.

The next time we want to go fishing and levels are back up to normal, or at least higher than when we scouted and noted the exposed cover, we just head for those spots. We can use the paper chart, the GPS and our photos to find exactly where the underwater structure is and start fishing it.

We started using the camera for marking spots even before our boat left the dock. A few autumns ago our lake was at record low levels, thanks to an over-aggressive draw down by the lake managers and a record dry fall. The lake dropped so low so fast that by the weekend we were able to get to our docked pontoon boat, but it and the docks were barely afloat. We actually had to remove the furniture from the deck to get enough weight off the pontoons to float the boat, which we paddled and poled to the nearby channel to find water deep enough to use the outboard and get to the ramp and be pulled out for the season.

Before we did, however, we noticed several pockets of structure that were exposed in the cove that held our docks.

From a sunken oak tree and a gravel flat, to a drain pipe outlet and a pile of cement blocks, some resourceful angler had stacked at a previous low water episode to provide his own private reef. We took reference photos and made notes about these fish-attracting features and their locations.

The next spring we found we could catch crappies at times when few others were getting any action at all—and doing so right in the small boat basin we shared with fellow boat club members by fishing over the hidden structure we had

located and marked for just such use the previous September.

The next fall we expanded the low-water scouting and structure-marking effort to include the central main basin of our 3,500-acre home lake, and have more than a hundred waypoints to choose from when water levels are at normal pool and we need to catch dinner or are out with friends and want them to hook-up to some fish. What’s more, if the lake allowed ice fishing, we could use the same waypoints to locate private places to augur holes and wet a line during the winter months. Alas, as a water supply reservoir, the levels at our local lake fluctuate to such a degree that ice fishing is not allowed—or recommended.

If your local lake suffers from varying water levels, and you want to make the most of it and locate some of your own prime, private fishing spots, this may be the time of year to get out there and scout ‘em up.

Montego Bay 8520-4PT Fish

Offering 10 models of fishing pontoons ranging from 16 to 22 feet, Montego Bay has several lengths and layouts to choose from, and all of the angling-specific models come standard with a 15-gallon livewell, rod holders and a sensible-size helm with plenty of space for mounting a fish finder and other electronics.

All Montego Bay pontoons have some notable construction standards that include seven-ply marine-grade plywood decks bolted to three-inch C channel, anodized rails welded on all four sides, all-aluminum welded transoms and fiberglass consoles.

I picked the 21-footer as a larger model for family fishing and because I liked the layout, which you can check out on its website. Rear entry ladder, marinegrade deck carpeting and a comfortable helm chair are also standard features aboard a line of pontoons built in the heart of serious northern Midwest fishing country in Gillett, Wis. Montego Bay 8520-4PT Fish Specifications Length: 21’ 4” Beam: 8’6” Weight: 1757 lbs Max HP: 90 Fuel Capacity: 27 gals Passenger Capacity: 10/2000 lbs.

MSRP: $11,385 (Boat Only) www.montegobaypontoons.com

www.pdbmagazine.com

SEPTEMBER 2015

Watching a GPS-enabled fish finder and being ready to mark waypoints is a great way to locate and save prime fishing spots for future reference and use.

Dan’s Pick:

13 PDB Pontoon & Deck Boat

Low water periods reveal structure such as trees that are underwater during most of the fishing season, when they attract and shelter baitfish and the gamefish that follow. Marking their locations as you fish and/or scout the shoreline can provide you “secret” hot spots to ply when water levels return to normal depths.

Scouting the shoreline during low water periods can reveal structure and prime fishing spots to mine when water depths return to normal levels, as well as netting lures and bobbers that have been snagged and broken off by anglers during the course of the fishing season.

No Wake Zone PDB’s

PLACES, FACES, VIEWS, NEWS, PRODUCTS & MORE

MICF’s Summer Camp A Big Hit

The inaugural Marine Industry Cares Foundation (MICF) 2015 Marine Immersion Summer Camp ended with great success this past July in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., showing that the future shines brightly. With an aim to introduce high school students to the local boating industry, this program included two weeks of field trips, guest speakers, and hands-on projects (including designing tiny copper propellers for remote control boat races). The kids also got to talk with marine industry professionals from various companies and fields.

The MICF, a non-profit organization aimed at bringing marine and local communities together, has a vision to expand awareness and fund-raising for local communities world-wide. (www.marineindustrycares.org)

SEPTEMBER 2015

New 6.2L 300hp and 350hp Sterndrives Released

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Mercury Marine recently announced a new addition to its MerCruiser line of engines in the form of a 6.2-liter V8 300hp and 350hp sterndrive. The biggest advantage MerCruiser’s engines have over other manufacturers is that their engines are built from the ground up to be marine engines, rather than being modified and “marinized” versions of smallblock automobile engines.

“With the introduction of our new 6.2L V8 sterndrive engines, Mercury continues to build on its success of designing and manufacturing propulsion systems that deliver the most intuitive, powerful, worry-free, smooth and quiet boating experience,” says John Pfeifer, president of Mercury Marine. “Like the purpose-built 4.5L V6 sterndrives we introduced a year ago, we’re extremely proud of the remarkable reliability and ease of maintenance delivered by the 6.2L.” (www.mercurymarine.com)

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Ultra-Tow Fast Action Jacks

Getting your pontoon to the water just got easier with Northern Tool + Equipment’s recently launched line of UltraTow Fast Action Jacks. This new jack has been designed with exclusive components that nearly eliminate the need for cranking. It features an innovative step-down base that provides quick, hands-free use with a simple foot tap and a foot pedal release with automatic return that efficiently adjusts trailer height. The convenience of minimal cranking, combined with its unmatched lift range, will greatly enhance the towing experience for pontooners. (www.northerntool.com)

Boater’s Guide To Winterizing

Water expands in volume by about nine percent when it freezes, creating a staggering force that can crack a boat engine block, damage fiberglass or split hoses.

As fall approaches, Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) recently dug deep into its insurance claims files, unearthing a trove of winterizing-related boat insurance claims and finding that more than threequarters involved cracks in the engine block or the exhaust manifolds. Now, the national boating services, safety and advocacy group is making available at no-cost the 15-page “Boater’s Guide to Winterizing” that can make the task easier for any type of boat.

The downloadable brochure addresses the reasons for more than 95 percent of the freeze claims handled by the BoatUS Marine Insurance Program in the past decade. www.boatus.com/ winterizingguide.

The Ultimate In-Water Towing Device!

Who Said It?

Quotes from this issue “It got us out on the lake a lot last year, but kind of like a starter home, we feel like that pontoon was just our starter boat until we figured out what we really needed and didn’t need.” —Page 20 “Even those lucky Sun Belt folks should pay this in mind as they watch the news for warnings of cold snaps.” —Page 32 “On a horsepower-to-horsepower comparison, we are averaging about a 10 percent better fuel efficiency with our new blocks versus our old blocks.” —Page 42

You Can’t Miss

This New Docking Accessory

www.towdster.com

7/31/15 11:51 AM

SEPTEMBER 2015

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(651)261-0685

15 PDB Pontoon & Deck Boat

BoT RoP (pronounced Boat Rope) is a new retractable mooring line that will save you time and frustration while increasing safety around the dock. This innovative docking accessory stores and protects your line inside a rust-proof enclosure that neatly protects it from the elements and algae. Because the product sits flush to the surface, there’s nothing to trip over while walking along the dock. You can also opt for the pier mount device that attaches to the pier or wall of the dock if you’d rather not drill any holes. You can even set the line to automatically lock in place or extend/ retract for rough conditions.

When you’re ready to hit the water, the line instantly retracts and the lockable latch keeps mischief-makers out. A solar-powered LED light brightens the cover at night for easy spotting.

The BoT RoP compartment has a stainless steel finish and aluminum alloy for durability against the elements and is pre-selling for $125. (www.boat

rope.com/501-690-3255)

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12/5/14 9:51 AM

No Wake Zone

New M-16 Belt Pack Life Jacket

Recently introduced by Onyx is the M-16, a slender inflatable belt pack Guard-approved life jacket. The easy-to-use M-16 packs U.S. Coast performance into a comfortable, ultra-sleek belt pack that’s ideal for pontooners. When it is not in use it can be stowed conveniently and compactly. The pack inflates manually and instantly when needed. (www.onyxoutdoor.com)

Reducing Boat Landing Stress

Loading a vessel can be intimidating, but with ShoreStation’s improved GlideRail and GlidePole load guides, boat landing stress can be almost eliminated.

ShoreStation offers unparalleled craft protection, additional guide-on assistance and improved safety.

The GlideRail fully adjusts horizontally and vertically to match a hull, while the T-slot keeps all mounting hardware safely away from the boat. The GlidePole bumper-style guides can be installed within a 90 degree arc on each corner leg of the lift to protect from every angle and provide a visual aid when centering and landing. (800-859-3028/www.shorestation.com)

Reader Submission Photo One word? Peaceful. This picture was shared by Rosemary Allen and shows how her 2014 Lowe SS210 can carry her family to a quiet sanctuary on Lake Allatoona, Ga. Want to share your favorite pictures with everyone?

Just post them on our Facebook page—yours could even be picked for our next issue of PDB! To view the most recent submissions, click the button.

OUR PROMISE SEPTEMBER 2015

Hampton Pontoons are the perfect complement to PlayCraft’s family of premium boats. PlayCraft boats are rich in design, style, tradition and innovation, and the new Hampton is an impressive extension of this well-earned legacy. Whether you’re planning on an early morning fishing trip, a lazy afternoon floating in a quiet cove, a day of energetic skiing or just an excursion around the

PDB Pontoon & Deck Boat

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lake, a Hampton will make your time even more enjoyable ... that’s our promise.

573-765-3265

www.HamptonPontoons.com Dealer Inquiries Welcome

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12/10/14 12:35 PM

No Wake Zone

From The Forums Mr.“How-Wet” Stern

Excerpts from recent PDB forum exchangesat www.pdbmagazine.com

A first-time pontoon owner was recently having problems with too much water splashing his stern area and went to the forum for answers. [jokeman]: I recently purchased a 2005 18-foot pontoon with a 60hp outboard. Boat goes fine, my only problem with it is when I’m cruising, I get a lot of water splashing back onto the back deck of the boat. It basically soaks the battery box and all the carpet on the rear of the boat. Is this normal?

[rickdb1]: Welcome. You could be over-propped or the engine is mounted too low on the transom. Do you know your wide open throttle rpms? [jokeman]: Thanks for the reply. I’ll have to get the boat out on the lake early one morning and find my WOT rpm and get the prop info.

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[Moser]: Welcome to the forum, jokeman. One more thing to do is look for anything that didn’t come from the factory protruding out into that “flow” area. A coil of wire, a battery cable or just about anything sticking out there will catch a lot of water and push it back into the boat. [jokeman]: Thanks for the info folks.

Actually found the outboard was set too deep in the water. Lifted it up three notches and it’s like a new boat. No more water getting on the deck and it gets on plane much quicker.

Are you having any troubles with your boat? Our friends on the forum have great advice to share.

Jump on www.pdbmagazine.com/ pontoonforum and let us know.

Winter Tarp & Frame Systems

Mark Joncas South Berwick, Maine Richard Burchill Budd Lake, N.J. Cody and Taylor Tekampe Burlington, Wis. Mark Singleton Johnston, Iowa Dave Leonard Wanatah, Ind. Ken Braun Hartford, Wis. Wayne Pollis Huntsville, Texas Lyle Watters Hillsdale, Ill. Melissa Bianco Chapin, S.C. Ralph and Genevieve Ehrhart Jerseyville, Ill. As soon as you spy the paddle in this issue, email its hiding place with your name and hometown to paddle @pdbmagazine.com. Good luck!

Strut Your Stuff

With New Walking Frog Terminator’s new Walking Frog is about to take bass fishing to the next level. It has been designed tip to tail to convert blow-ups into hook-ups. It is more productive, designed to maximize its hook’s efficiency, and its trapezoidalshaped weight won’t interfere

with its hook at the moment of impact.

The Terminator Walking Frog is tailweighted to increase casting distance and stability on the retrieve. It has also been designed to clear out any water from its inside for every cast, and is available in eight color patterns. (www.terminatorlures.com)

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An innovative on-board pontoon lift that travels with you.

Hewitt Pontoon Legs are a pontoon lifting system installed on the underside of the pontoon deck. Four aluminum legs raise and lower your pontoon in seconds at the touch of a button. Park your boat anywhere, and eliminate the hassle of winter lift removal. www.pontoonlegs.com 800.544.2067 ROLL-A-DOCK

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Scan the code to view our new line of Pontoon Legs online.

View Hewitt’s full line of boat lifts, docks and accessories at www.hewitt-roll-a-dock.com WIDE BODY BOAT LIFT WITH CANOPY

www.pdbmagazine.com 6/3/14 10:24 AM

SEPTEMBER 2015

Each issue of PDB includes a paddle hidden somewhere inside and the first 10 people to find it are included in an upcoming issue! In July, the paddle was on page 27 in the top middle picture behind the family holding flags. Here are the first readers to spot it:

Wasting $$$ On Shrink Wrap!!!!

19 PDB Pontoon & Deck Boat

Where’s The Paddle?

Pontoon Redemption Michigan Family Gets Second Chance

SEPTEMBER 2015

By Brady L. Kay

PDB Pontoon & Deck Boat

20

For the Pfaff children, tubing behind the boat is by far their favorite thing about having a pontoon.

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I

f at first you don’t succeed, just give up and live with your decision. At least that’s what some people may believe, even if the old proverb suggests that you try, try again. That’s exactly what one Michigan family did after buying their first pontoon boat that just wasn’t the right fit for them.

Even though the Pfaff family enjoyed pontooning after buying their first boat, after one season they were left with some great memories, but also a few regrets. After purchasing a cottage on Higgins Lake in Michigan, approximately two and half hours away from their home, the next logical step for this family was to purchase a boat.

Jim and Heather Pfaff, who have been married for over 16 years, went with an entry-level 23-foot pontoon that was equipped with a 90hp engine. Even though Jim grew up on Higgins lake, this was his first-ever boat purchase and looking back now he sees clearly what his family truly needs.

“At the end of the summer we realized how much we all enjoyed the boat, but we also understood that we needed more horsepower,” recalls Jim. “So at this point we had a decision to make.”

Jim and Heather Pfaff have been married over 16 years and they love being able to make long-lasting boating memories with their three children.

Pioneer Hills Marine in Roscommon, Mich., sold the family their first pontoon and was more than willing to work with them once again to find them a boat that would truly make them happy and exceed all their expectations.

“Owners Bill and Kim Morley were

Pioneer Hills Marine in Roscommon, Mich., sold the family their first pontoon and was more than willing to work with them once again to find them a boat that would truly make them happy and exceed all their expectations.

great to work with; they’re great people with a great staff,” says Jim. “We shopped a little this winter at other dealerships as we looked at other types of boats, but it didn’t feel the same talking to other dealers. I would of course recommend Pioneer Hills to anyone looking to buy a boat. They helped us find the pontoon we were looking for.”

Ultimate Find

The answer to finding the ultimate boat that could do it all turned out to be a Harris Royal 230. Not only did this upgraded model have a lot more high-end features like a touchscreen helm console, complete stereo system and other great amenities, but it also had a third center pontoon and the extra horsepower they needed.

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21 PDB Pontoon & Deck Boat

When it came down to it, the Pfaff family had a few different options.

They could buy a second boat, possibly some type of a fiberglass V-hull with a little more power so the kids could really enjoy being pulled on the tubes. Or they could head back to the dealership where they bought their entry pontoon and try to figure out a way to get what they needed—all in one ultimate boat.

SEPTEMBER 2015

Choices

With a Mercury Verado 225hp four-stroke, the family found exactly what they were hoping for.

“Our first boat got us out on the lake a lot last year, but kind of like a starter home, we feel like that pontoon was just our starter boat until we figured out what we really needed and didn’t need,” recalls Jim. “Honestly the power was the biggest issue. It didn’t have power steering with the 90hp engine and if we had other people on the boat we couldn’t really give the kids a good tube ride.”

The off-set bow gate on the Harris pontoon is where Moose, the family’s 5-year-old dog, spends most of his time.

Moose Crossing

Today the family continues to enjoy their Harris pontoon that they say feels tailor-made for them, including a perfect spot for Moose, the Pfaff’s 5-year-old dog that they rescued.

Compared to their previous pontoon, the floor plan has a few similar features, but one change the family was particularly excited about was the offset bow gate.

“The corner section is for Moose, our large dog so he can stand and look out without stepping on our toes,” says Heather. “He has his own lookout post and if he’s ever in the way we just tell him to go to his spot and he goes.”

Cottage Dreams

SEPTEMBER 2015

Jacob (11) and his sisters Madelyn (8) and Katie (9), take a quick break from tubing while on Higgins Lake in Michigan. There are many sandbars on Higgins Lake and one of the family’s favorite afternoon pastimes is to anchor and fly kites.

PDB Pontoon & Deck Boat

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Jim grew up on the south side of Higgins Lake, so for him having a cottage here is like being home again.

Depending on where you are on the lake, different areas have a specific feel to them. The Pfaffs like where their cottage is located because it’s in a “woodsy” area as different parts of the lake vary from place to place.

“We used to camp, but tenting it got old and so did sleeping on the ground,” says Heather. “We talked about maybe getting an RV, but decided the best thing we should do as a family is get a place on the lake.

It seemed like the logical choice for our family, which led us to boating.”

Another benefit to owning a cottage is that the family doesn’t need a boat trailer. The pontoon stays in the water all summer and then Pioneer Hills Marine comes in the fall and picks up the boat and winterizes and stores it for them. Then come spring the dealer puts it back in the water

The family used to camp and at one point even considered buying an RV, but they’re glad they decided to buy a cottage on the lake because it led them to boating. when the family is ready, which is just another reason why they continue to enjoy working with Pioneer Hills Marine.

“During the school year we come up on the weekends, but now that it’s summer we’re here all the time,” says Jacob, who is 11 years old and the oldest of the three children. “My sisters and I love to tube; that’s what we love the most about having a boat.”

Heather is a stay-at-home mom and Jim is the regional vice president at ExamWorks, an independent medical evaluation company that gives second opinions to insurance companies. Together they work to provide unique opportunities like boating to keep them close as a family.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Harris Boats 260-432-4555 www.harrisboats.com

The Pfaff family (from L to R) Jacob, Heather, Madelyn, Katie, Moose and Jim, are all smiles now on their 23-foot Royal 230 from Harris Boats with a Mercury Verado 225hp on the back.

23 PDB Pontoon & Deck Boat

Even with the second boat there are a just a couple of things they wish they would have done differently, but overall they are still extremely pleased with their decision with no plans of trading in again in the near future.

“We’re not fans of the carpet and we wish we would have gone with the teak-looking vinyl flooring since it would be easier to get the dog hair out, but really that’s it,” says Jim. “We feel we got a great allaround pontoon that gives us everything we need in one package.

Instead of just living with the decision to buy an entry-level model when they needed more, the Pfaff family took charge and corrected the problem. They prove that if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.

SEPTEMBER 2015

Any Regrets?

Mercury Marine 920-929-5040 www.mercurymarine.com Pioneer Hills Marine 989-275-5175 www.pioneerhillsmarine.com

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My

Propeller What you need to know before you pick your next prop

SEPTEMBER 2015

By Rory B. Bellows

PDB Pontoon & Deck Boat

24

Just like dogs, mustaches, and egos, boat propellers come in lots of sizes, shapes and configurations. So much so that you might be a little unsure of what kind you should get on your next—or current—boat. Luckily, you’ve got us to turn to in your hour of need.

What It Does

At its core, a propeller is the means by which your engine moves the boat through the water. The propeller turns either clockwise or counter-clockwise, depending on the design, and due to the pressure difference between the forward and rear surfaces of the blades, water gets pushed through and your boat accelerates. (You can thank Archimedes for figuring that one out, but we also owe a little to Bernoulli and Newton as well.)

So a propeller makes a boat go fast? Yes, it does. But there’s more to choosing a propeller than simply, “Ooh, that one’s shiny.”

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Size

In some applications, size may not matter (Spud Webb says hello), but with a prop it does. Props on pontoons generally have round, oversized blades, which contributes to their overall handling and maneuvering. Two terms are used to describe the size of a propeller: diameter and pitch.

Diameter is twice the distance from the center of the propeller (known as the hub) to the tip of one of the blades. If you’ve ever taken a geometry class, you have the right idea.

Pitch is how far, in inches, the propeller moves during one complete revolution. We’ll get into why pitch is so important in a minute.

Number Of Blades

Most marine propellers used by smaller civilian vessels have three or four blades. Fun fact: the more blades on a propeller, the quieter it is. Generally, moving from three

propellers to four will not change much in the way of performance, but you may need to make minute adjustments to your diameter and pitch to maximize how your boat handles.

That said, pontoon boats can benefit from four-bladed propellers because their larger surface area helps move more water, which improves speed and control, especially in turns.

Material

Here’s where you’ll find the most variance in propeller design and in the way it performs. Pretty much any propeller you come across is going to be made of one of the three following materials: composite, aluminum or stainless steel.

Composite is a super-hard, usually injection-molded material (the actual material will vary depending on the manufacturer) that can take a lot of punishment before breaking. It’s also cheaper than the other two and much lighter as well.

Because there’s no metal, there’s no danger of corrosion or electrolysis. Also, composite absorbs the impact of any collision with debris, instead of transferring it to the lower unit.

There’s a subset of composite props called modular propellers. These are made out of the same composite material, but have replaceable blades. The big advantage of replacing the blades is that it lowers the overall cost of fixing the prop in the event of damage. You simply remove the damaged blade(s), reattach the new one(s), and you’re back on the water in no time.

Aluminum propellers are ubiquitous. Whatever kind of boat you’re driving, there’s an aluminum propeller out there that’ll fit it. Aluminum propellers are also lightweight and relatively inexpensive, but due to the soft nature of the metal, can be prone to damage much more readily than composite or stainless steel propellers.

Stainless steel propellers are the workhorses of the bunch, but they come with the highest cost as well. Not only that, but since stainless steel is so rigid, your lower unit will take the brunt of the damage of any impact too hard to just shrug off. That said, it takes a lot to do any significant damage to a stainless steel prop. Just expect to pay twice to three times as much. Stainless steel blades don’t flex nearly as much as aluminum or composite ones, so you’ll gain up to about 5 miles per hour (MPH) at top speed and around 2 to 3 MPH at cruising speed over the other materials.

Perfect Pitch

Now that we have the basics out of the way, it’s time to go to school. Pitch is one of the most important factors in determining a propeller’s usefulness. If the pitch is too high or too low, you’ll either be wasting power or struggling to get going.

As we said earlier, pitch is how far the propeller would theoretically travel in one revolution if it were moving through

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25 PDB Pontoon & Deck Boat

When picking a prop, the goal is to let your engine maximize its optimal WOT range. Usually this is going to be between 5000 and 5500 RPM for outboards and 4400 to 4800 for sterndrives. If you don’t know the range for your boat or engine, check your owner’s manual.

SEPTEMBER 2015

Wide Open Throttle (WOT) RPM Range

a soft solid substance (like wood). As you may have guessed, the higher the number, the farther the prop will go.

But bigger isn’t always better (Spud Webb says hello again). You have to make sure that you get a pitch that matches not only your engine’s RPMs, but also your ideal boating style.

Lower pitch will increase your towing capacity, but comes at the expense of your top speed. That’s because you’ll hit the maximum revolutions sooner.

Think of it this way: when you’re riding a bike in low gear, you can get going very quickly, but if you stay in that low gear, you’ll be pumping your legs as fast as you can, but you won’t be moving very fast. Increased pitch will give you much better top speed, but at the expense of you acceleration. To continue the bike analogy, it’s like trying to ride in high gear. While it may be useful once you’re at speed, it’s a struggle to get going from a standstill.

Ultimately, you have to decide which end of the spectrum you want to be on. You can either accelerate quickly or go faster once you’re up on plane, not both. You could also choose a prop with a pitch right in the middle of the range and try to split the difference.

There are variable-pitch propellers out there, but they’re pretty much all designed for much larger merchant and commercial vessels, not pontoons.

So what are you using your boat for?

If you’re commonly carrying heavy load (lots of passengers, diving equipment, etc.), then a lower pitch is going to be better. If you’re more interested in blazing a trail out on the water (watersports, being a showoff), a higher pitch is your best bet.

Wrap It Up

SEPTEMBER 2015

So by now you should know all you need to get the right propeller for your boat. There are certainly a lot of factors to consider, but take the time to do your research and you’ll end up with the best fit for your lifestyle.

PDB Pontoon & Deck Boat

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PROPELLER OPTIONS Evinrude www.evinrude.com

Piranha Propellers www.piranha.com

Turbo Propellers www.turbo-props.com

Honda Marine www.marine.honda.com

Quicksilver Propellers www.quicksilver-products.com

Turning Point Propellers www.turningpointpropellers.com

Mercury Marine www.mercurymarine.com

Suzuki Marine www.suzukimarine.com

Volvo Penta www.volvopenta.com

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Yamaha www.yamahaoutboards.com

Story by Trevor Mason

Lap of Luxury The

Worldwide Reach

If you’ve bought a pontoon recently or even just been on one,

chances are you’ve used one of Lexington’s products, even if you didn’t know it yet. As one of the largest luxury seating manufacturers in the boating industry, they have an unparalleled reach. The marine industry is their bread and butter, so to speak. If your pontoon is from a prominent manufacturer, Lexington has likely worked with them.

Woodle continues, “We do something for just about everybody. We do a lot of helm seating and fiberglass kits also, but pontoon boat furniture kits are the biggest part of our business. I would say at this point that we’re about 70 percent marine. Marine by far is the major side of the business at this point.”

When you visit their website, the marine section greets you with this statement: “Water is life, but it also takes a lot of life out of marine seating, especially if it’s not designed to withstand the elements. And the people who own marine craft—from sail boats and pontoons to bass boats and yachts—expect quality and performance for their money.

Lexington knows how to deliver.”

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27 PDB Pontoon & Deck Boat

If you’re going to be spending a lot of time on a boat, shouldn’t your seat be as comfortable as possible? Wouldn’t you want your seat to be the literal lap of luxury? That’s more or less the philosophy behind Lexington Seating. I mean, not in those exact words, obviously, but you get the idea. At the risk of mixing my metaphors, why don’t we get the straight dope straight from the horse’s mouth?

We spoke to Glenn Woodle, the vice president of sales and marketing at Lexington, and Jeff Wysong, company president and owner, to get a better idea of how they run their business.

“We’ve been in business for over 20 years.

We’re manufacturers of high-quality marine products and RV products,” says Woodle. “We do a couple of other strategic partnerships with people manufacturing other kinds of products that are aligned with the quality level of the things that we do.”

SEPTEMBER 2015

Lexington Seating’s Luxury Is Taking Over The Industry

FOR MORE INFORMATION Lexington Seating 888-443-9888 www.lexingtonseating.com

SEPTEMBER 2015

The March of Progress

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Lexington was founded in 1994 and ever since then they’ve been making strides to provide the best possible experience to their customers. They work closely with manufacturers to ensure that the best possible design comes to fruition. But before you get any big ideas about whipping up a killer seat design or layout for your boat, you need to know that they only work with OEMs. We asked Woodle about the design process and how they come to rest on the best way to outfit each boat.

“We’re actually very heavy in the design area,” says the vice president of sales and marketing. “So we actually have a brand-new, totally separate R&D design building and we design work basically from the ground up. So a customer comes to us, and they want a new boat line, and our degreed interior design people will design the aesthetics of the boat for them. Our engineering people put together

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the specifications on it and then we work with the substrate vendors and the foam vendors to work that all the way through. Then our pattern makers and initial article designers take over to give the products a craftsman’s touch. It’s very design-oriented.”

One of Lexington’s biggest priorities is making sure their customers are taken care of. “We are very interested in supporting the growth of our OEM customers and their initiatives to dive into other markets and to innovate furniture lines,” adds Wysong.

“What we try to do is provide that resource for their furniture needs, from conceptual to product development to the production phase. We work hand-in-hand at all levels of the management teams of our customers to make sure that through the product development of the furniture product that it’s going to be competitive in the marketplace that they’re trying to initiate.”

When you look at a pontoon that’s been outfitted

with Lexington’s handiwork, this close attention to detail and exacting design is apparent. Everything fits together, both literally—computer-aided design keeps everything in line—and figuratively—the overall look and feel of the designs just plain work. Because they work so closely with their clients—all the major pontoon manufacturers—everything they deliver is custom-tailored to meet those clients’ needs.

Last For A Lifetime

Something else they’ve taken a keen interest in lately is the development of technology that obviates the need for sewing. Wysong says, “Furniture is usually a cut-and-sew application. We just did an acquisition recently of some high-frequency bonding technology.

So now we’re using a mechanical function and bonding materials such as vinyl and PVC together so we don’t have to use a sewing application.”

The luxury look and feel of the products Lexington makes extends to their durability as well. After 21 years in the business, making seating for all sorts of applications, from marine to RV and transportation applications, to medical seating and office furniture, Lexington knows how to make a product that lasts. In fact, making things last is one of their big initiatives for the future.

Wysong says, “We are making strides for future product developments and launches to take care of saltwater applications. What that means is making sure that the product can withstand not only freshwater but also saltwater. That’s a big product deviation that’s currently not being taken care of in the pontoon market. We’re very heavy in the pontoon market, and that market has made an evolution. It used to be just in the Midwest or freshwater lakes, but it now has so many saltwater applications that we’re seeing.”

The Last Word

In the end, it’s all about making the best possible seats out of the best possible materials. Woodle says, “Marine products are our core business. It’s a major industry that allows us to do high quality. It just fits in super well. The marine industry has been super good.

We’re really happy to be a part of it.”

Wysong concludes, “At Lexington, we’re not just interested in being cost-effective, but we’re also an innovative furniture producer for the trends that are in the marketplace for the boating industry. We build furniture for the boat builders, and we try to complement their goal to achieve their marketplace.”

Satisfaction To A “T”

SEPTEMBER 2015

Lexington’s design ethos is apparent in everything they do. Their clients have their own exacting standards to meet before delivering a boat to their customers. It is therefore incumbent upon them to offer the same peerless service to their clients. They know that to meet the highest standards of excellence, they must constantly be looking to improve their facilities as well as their equipment.

One of the neatest things about their process—and something that should set any boat owner’s mind at ease—is the fact that they catalogue every piece of furniture they produce. According to them, “We can track every piece of furniture in our facility, from inception to delivery, whether it’s for the first unit or unit number 100,001.”

The seats themselves come in just about any color you could want. Lexington also offers a variety of custom headrests to fit any need, as well as logo options, whether that’s embroidery, embossing, or appliqués. As for comfort, they ensure that every seat is ergonomically correct to the millimeter. You’ll be as comfortable in these seats as a baby in a crib.

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Spotlight PDB

ON THE

By Georgina Dibble

I N D U S T RY ’S B E S T B O AT S

The Crown Jewel Of Pontoons Veranda Marine’s Vertex 25RFL

Cancel your flight to London, England, because there is a new crown jewel in town (or should I say, on the lake) and it’s the Vertex 25RFL from Veranda Marine. This pontoon dazzles and radiates luxury, high performance and premium design. I’ll take a fun day out on the lake any day over a few hours spent in a dark basement museum, and this pontoon is packed with all the features to make that happen.

SEPTEMBER 2015

Stand On Interlocking Ground

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Veranda Marine has revolutionized the industry with its patented interlocking deck system, a unique feature all Veranda pontoons carry, including the Vertex 25RFL. This feature is exclusive to Veranda, and the interlocking deck system is extremely durable.

Rather than using plywood for their decking, Veranda creates a strong foundation for their pontoons by using an aluminum deck system that will never rot, warp or flex, unlike some other wood decks on the market today.

This new deck system also provides enhanced performance qualities. Since the deck is smooth and void of cross bracing, noise and drag are virtually eliminated. This innovation and patented design truly is a game changer in the luxury pontoon market.

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It’s In The Details

When you first see the Vertex 25RFL out on the water you can’t help but notice the cool blue LED lighting under the deck. The effect is eye-catching and alluring. This same effect is used throughout the boat, like with the light-up cup holders and interior LED lights, which really add to the experience and make boating at any time of day enjoyable.

The raised helm platform with LED lights and the reclining deluxe helm seat with an adjustable headrest make cruising in comfort stylishly easy. This is true of all the seating onboard. The center walk-through gives quick access to the dual port and starboard rear-facing lounges, and allows passengers to move freely around the deck.

Passengers will love the easy-toaccess privacy room, which lets them change right onboard. And because music makes every activity an event, they’ll also appreciate the Bluetooth stereo and kicker speakers, so you can play your favorite tunes in your ‘toon.

Other features of note are the deluxe steering wheel and hydraulic steering, which make cruising along a breeze. You’ll also enjoy the vinylwrapped dash with push-button controls and fiberglass console with tinted windshield.

Over the past half century, pontoons really have come a long way from their humble roots as 55-gallon drums strapped to makeshift decks, to maturing into today’s high performance, luxury boats. This growth can be attributed to consumers demanding a complete package that enables passengers to lounge, cruise and enjoy water sports with just one solution. Veranda Marine prides itself on creating luxury pontoons, and the Vertex 25RFL truly is in a league of its own, providing quality, performance and a lifetime of enjoyment.

VERANDA MARINE VERTEX 25RFL Length:

25’

Pontoon Diameter:

25”

Beam:

8’6”

Pontoon Thickness: Fuel Capacity:

0.080 40 gal.

Max Person Capacity:

15/2,165 lbs

Max Weight Capacity:

2,800 lbs

Max HP: www.verandamarine.com

250

Give Yourself Options

SEPTEMBER 2015

Not only does the Vertex 25RFL come with exceptional standard features, but you’ll be sorely tempted to consider the amazing options that can be added to your pontoon as well.

For example, what’s a day out on the lake with out water sports? You’ll need a ski/tow bar to make that happen. You can also choose to include side keels and stainless bumper quick releases with four custom bumpers.

To make your crown jewel more personal and unique, consider a color panel upgrade as well as colored powder coated rails. This will surely make your pride and joy stand out on the water.

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Winterizing 101

Are you prepared for Old Man Winter?

By Austa Cook

SEPTEMBER 2015

Tucking in your boat for the winter is a tad more unnerving than tucking in your child. For one, children can’t rust, mildew, or break down and stop working. Generally the best they can do is wet the bed a little. Your boat, however, can do all of these things and worse if it’s not prepared for the looming chill of the winter season. Here are some winterizing tips to make sure that doesn’t happen.

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1. Decide On A Storage Plan If you have access to a safe storage area, particularly a climate-controlled one, winter will be that much gentler on your boat. If not, you can always use a nicelyfitted cover outside—just make sure you pad whatever potentially sharp edges are on your boat so they don’t undermine the integrity of the cover and rip during harsh winds, rain or snow. Windshield frames, transom corner brackets, and other such areas are all places to pad with a towel or old cloth.

2. Roll Up Your Sleeves Early Be very mindful of the weather—you should start preparing your boat for long-term storage before the first freeze hits your neck of the woods. Even those lucky Sun Belt folks should keep this in mind as they watch the news for warnings of cold snaps.

It only takes one time for a boat to go through a big freeze unprepared to sustain potentially extensive damage. It pays to be punctual!

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3. Do A Little Cleanup If you really want to go above and beyond, clean and wash your fiberglass or gel coat surfaces with a mild biodegradable marine wash, drying with a cotton or microfiber towel.

Address any oxidation or stains as needed with a dual-action polisher before thinly applying wax to the clean fiberglass and gel coat surfaces with a foam pad. Finally, wrap it up with a protective application of your choice of wash and wax to get rid of any potential spots or impurities on those painted or metal surfaces. This, paired with thoroughly cleaning all the crumbs and tracks of dirt from the flooring and seats inside, will help cut down on any mildew possibilities and ensure everything is fresh and clean for spring.

4. Turn An Eye To The Vinyl If you have vinyl boat furniture onboard, take the chance to coat it with a protective vinyl cleaner or conditioner product. Your upholstery will be tougher against UV rays and water once the boating season starts next year, and you’ll get the jump on any possible cracking in the vinyl that would let moisture inside the padding and lead to quicker deterioration. Also make sure to detail any clear plastic surfaces in order to protect them from drying out, whether it’s winter or summer.

There are many great products out there, but one

5. Prep The Engine Be careful to drain all the water from your outboard.

Drain the coolant as well, replacing it with a nontoxic antifreeze that’s propylene glycol-based. Take this chance to change the oil and filter as well—just make sure to safely recycle these materials. Fill your tank around 3/4 full and add a stabilizer to protect the integrity of your fuel during winter.

While you’re at it, you should either remove the battery and store it at home or disconnect it and leave it onboard with a trickle charger if your boat will remain in the water. Check out your owner’s manual to make sure you don’t forget any other mechanical to-dos.

8. Pay Your Boat A Visit One final word of advice: it pays in peace of mind alone to check up on your boat at least a few times throughout the spell of winter. The payoff is bigger if you discover your cover ripped anywhere and is letting the weather wreak havoc. If your boat is stored inside, it still doesn’t hurt to make sure everything is looking shipshape.

Keep tips like these in mind when you’re making your own plan of attack for how and when to prepare your boat for the season. Make sure to always peek at the owner’s manual for your specific model to make sure you’re heeding the manufacturer’s advice on prepping for cold weather. If you’re new or not comfortable with any of these steps, you can always get the help of a professional—just make sure you and whoever you hire agree on everything that needs to be done. By exercising caution and forethought, you can make sure that when spring rolls around there aren’t any nasty surprises awaiting you.

6. Check The Ventilation Nothing deals mildew a backhand like proper air flow. Check out your boat’s ventilation prospects and make sure that all areas get plenty of air flow. In some cases you can add a solar-powered vent with a fan among other tricks if you’re worried.

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SEPTEMBER 2015

7. Take Home Any Valuables Anytime you won’t be seeing your boat regularly, you run the risk of a thief sneaking over to check out the scene for easy grabbings. Play it safe and take home anything you’d regret getting snatched, like fishing equipment, binoculars, or your GPS. This will only keep your valuables in better shape through winter, anyway.

33 PDB Pontoon & Deck Boat

to check out is Meguiar’s Plastic and Vinyl Window Wax, along with their other products (www.meguiars.com). Make sure never to trust a glass cleaner or low-quality towels on clear plastic, or you could do more damage than good.

My Marina PDB’s

SPECIAL PLACES TO ENCOUNTER

C

Story by Austa Cook

Curse Dock

The

of

A Closer Look At

SEPTEMBER 2015

Tennessee’s Springs Dock Resort

PDB Pontoon & Deck Boat

34

As you unravel human history farther and farther back through the centuries, this tenacious belief seems to have haunted our minds relentlessly: do curses exist?

A rather spooky topic for being a month short of Halloween, I know, but whenever something unfortunate, unlucky, or just plain weird happens to someone—especially to an all-around great sort of person—the mystics among us point to a curse being behind the misfortune. So do

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you believe in curses?

To outside eyes, it might seem like Springs Dock Resort, specifically Dock C, was at one time under such a spell. This Tennessee marina has decorated the shore of the lovely Lake Norris since the ‘60s, with the Costello family taking over operations since 1982.

The full-service hotspot on the water has been attracting loyal boaters all through the decades, and when you take a look at their setup

it’s easy to see why. A restaurant with an unbeatable view of the lake—seeing as it’s right on the lake—is joined by a colorful variety of rentals bobbing in slips, ready to sweep you away to enjoy this blue-green lake on your own quiet stretch of beach.

Heck, for the landlubbers, there are even condos and duplexes for rent.

Round One

Looking at this cheerful marina, you honestly wouldn’t suspect

anything unfortunate had happened here at all. But there you’d be wrong, because Brian Costello, his mother, and the rest of the hard-working crew have borne more than their share of difficulties to prove their mettle.

Three years ago, Dock C unfortunately took some heat when flames reared up and spread into an all-out fire. Around 60 boats and slips were lost in the fury before responding fire crews were able to tamp down the flames and recover what they could.

Brian oversaw the rebuilding of everything that was lost in the blaze, and insurance companies worked with them to make sure the losses were covered. Before long, the soft Tennessee breeze swept away all traces of smoky haze and Springs Dock Resort was back to normal, albeit a bit newer on Dock C.

Not For Long

SEPTEMBER 2015

But Springs Dock Resort wasn’t out of the woods yet. This past winter, an ugly storm hit the southern state and several marinas suffered from collapsing docks due to the heavy snow, including Spring Dock Resort—specifically Dock C. Can you believe it? Once again, 30 slips were lost under the weight of the winter storm’s fury. Luckily, Brian says no boats were lost this time.

Photos courtesy of Bob Costanzo

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Once again, he worked with insurance companies to repair and rebuild the damaged dock and lost slips.

Whatever you make of these unlikely events, the important question is, have the marina’s regulars questioned their location following the accidents?

That is a resounding “No!” For proof, just chat a minute with the Costanzos, insiders who have moored in the same spot at Springs Dock Resort for 19 years going on 20. The Costanzos’ previous houseboat, christened Urgent Business, has seen a lot of time on Norris Lake, and all while upgrading through their second houseboat there, they’ve called that same slip home.

Bob Costanzo jokes that he christened his boat for a reason.

“Should someone ask me to do something, I could truthfully respond: I am sorry, I cannot. I have ‘Urgent Business’ to attend to.”

SEPTEMBER 2015

Treasure Chest

PDB Pontoon & Deck Boat

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Mooring where they do on a tough-to-beat boating lake, it’s not hard to see why Bob would be more than tempted to use this ruse so he could escape to Springs Dock as often as possible; he considers this spot on Norris Lake “a water-lover’s treasure.” Loyal through and through, he has nothing but praises to sing of the Costellos and the marina they run.

Of Brian’s mother, Bob adds that she’s a “little bitty petite lady, but she’s a workhorse!”

So yes, it’s obvious that this marina goes the extra mile in taking care of its regulars and guests, as Bob points out with his unfailingly supportive demeanor. They pay attention to the details. The marina’s dock store offers all the necessities boaters could need, covering everything from ice and groceries to fishing tackle, boat accessories and lake maps. Their rentals offer a range to satisfy any personal preferences, with houseboats, ski boats, pontoons, and fishing boats making up the fleet. Whatever draws a person to Norris Lake—dipping a fishing line, hitting the wakes in tubes or wake boards, dinner cruising, or spending nights moored on the beach in a

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My Marina PDB’s

SPECIAL PLACES TO ENCOUNTER

Tennessee’s Springs Dock Resort

FOR MORE INFORMATION Springs Dock Resort 423-562-2405 www.springsdock.com

houseboat, this marina has a rental to get you there and the staff to keep you coming back. You can hear the genuine praise in Bob’s voice when he says, plain and simple, “They’re good people.”

tell you that the folks at Springs Dock Resort are just this kind of people.

So let’s ask one more time. Do you believe in curses? I’m a skeptic myself, but if you have the fortitude of the Costellos and the Springs Dock crew, it doesn’t really matter if there are curses—you’ll pull through whatever life has to throw at you and come out looking even better on the other side. And really, that’s something no curse could touch.

Moving Forward

SEPTEMBER 2015

Now that things have calmed down and warm weather has slipped over Springs Dock Resort, it’s made for a peaceful end to the summer. Brian firmly says, “Everything’s finally going well again.”

You could say Springs Dock Resort has gone through hell and high water—or high snow fall—but they definitely haven’t lost that favored place in many local boaters’ hearts, and that’s an easy thing to understand. Sometimes, life hands out trials to the people we think least deserve them. But sometimes these are the very people who handle it with grace and goodwill, and come out better for it. The Costanzos and other regular marina-goers would be quick to

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Dowco’s got ‘toons covered

By Georgina Dibble

Rail-Lok Cover

SEPTEMBER 2015

The majority of pontoon owners take pride in caring for and protecting their vessels. Pontooners who fit this mold understand the important role a well-made and designed boat cover has on the life and protection of their pontoon. However, most standard snap-on pontoon mooring covers are difficult and time-consuming to use, and after a long day of fun out on the lake enjoying the sunshine and water, the last thing you want to be doing is dealing with the hassle of securing down a difficult boat cover. This is why Dowco, a leading manufacturer of accessories for the marine and powersports markets, has created Rail-Lok, an innovative, premium feature upgrade from the standard snap-on boat cover.

Dowco is dedicated to designing and engineering products that are innovative, revolutionary, and meet the pontoon boater’s needs. Dowco saw that pontooners were having difficulty with their boat covers, and knew there had to be a better way. Dowco’s impressive solution to the problem was the creation of Rail-Lok.

The Solution Rail-Lok technology takes the hassle out of working with snap-on pontoon boat covers. The custom-fit cover system features unique, durable co-polymer fasteners engineered to lock into the receiver slot under the boat’s rail. Amazingly, the patent-pending fasteners have been engineered to lock and unlock with just a simple squeeze. By strategically spacing the fasteners around the edges of the cover, Rail-Lok delivers a tight and secure locked-in fit, eliminating the use of difficult rail snaps and trailering snaps.

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38

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Time Saver By integrating Rail-Lok into the cover, Dowco has found a way not only to make taking the cover on and off easier, but also to replace the need for extra straps and allow the cover to be used while trailering.

The addition of this

unique system on pontoon covers is an industry first and results in direct time savings for manufacturers, dealers, and most importantly, the users.

Rail-Lok makes pontooning better for everyone, including older couples who may not like the effort it takes to snap their cover down.

History Of Quality Dowco is a leading innovator and manufacturer of marine OEM covers, tops and hardware, which not only means their designs are unique and revolutionary, but they are also made of quality material. Dowco’s new Rail-Lok cover uses ClimaShield Plus 600 denier, a solution-dyed polyester fabric that will provide long-lasting protection for your vessel. This fabric gives superior UV protection and fade resistance. The woven fabric is water repellent and durable. It is also highly-resistant to mold and mildew, and is resistant to shrinking or stretching.

FOR MORE INFORMATION Dowco Marine www.dowcomarine.com

SEPTEMBER 2015

Never again will the hassle of a boat cover stop you from enjoying taking your pontoon out on the water. The simple design and easy-to-use fasteners of Rail-Lok have made it easier than ever before to take a cover off and put it on, in record time.

Start enjoying your pontoon like you’ve never done before!

PDB Pontoon & Deck Boat

39

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SEA MAID TEST Towable Ice Cream

PRODUCT

190 Maker

No.

The idea of turning my pontoon into a floating ice cream parlor put a big smile on my face, so for $49.95 I decide to give it a try. First of all, I love the concept. Anyone who has ever made homemade ice cream will appreciate the idea behind the Sea Maid.

We started by mixing everything for mint chocolate chip ice cream before leaving the house so it was all premade and ready to go.

So when we came onboard we just had the Sea Maid, a little rope, ice, rock salt and our mixture. The website says you can mix up a 12.5 ounce ice cream in as little as 20 minutes, but our results varied. We did get our ice cream, but it took

us a lot longer for some reason. We went through a lot of ice and a lot of spins behind the boat to finally get our treat, but it was well worth the wait. The website also suggested you could use a kayak or sailboat to pull the Sea Maid, but after pulling it behind our boat I would suggest you stick with outboard power for this one.

It’s a novelty and probably not something you’ll do every time you go out, but it sure does get a lot of attention PRODUCT 84 and it does Application 16/20 make for a fun treat out on Function 45/50 the water on a hot summer day. Durability 8/10 —Roy Sparks, Design 7/10 Price 8/10 PDB Magazine www.seamaidicecream.com

RHEA FOOTWEAR TEST

PRODUCT

191

SEPTEMBER 2015

No.

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40

Classic Slip On Matte Gray

To be honest, my ideal footwear on a boat is bare feet. But all it takes is one step onto a hot dock and I quickly remember why shoes are necessary. Boating is all about relaxing and being comfortable so that’s why these slip on shoes make a lot of sense. When on the boat, I wear them without socks and they easily slip on and off throughout the day without any issues. But what I discovered is that because they’re so comfortable, I enjoy wearing them with socks when I’m off the water too.

Rhea Footwear is the brainchild of two young entrepreneurs, Paul Ahn and John Lee, who met while studying at Cornell University. The duo set out to develop and

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GEAR

Style Function Durability Comfort Price

90

18/20 48/50 8/10 9/10 7/10

www.rheafootwear.com

patent an advanced form of anti-slip technology applied to street shoes in popular genres like sandals, slip on flats and boots.

The outsole features an exclusive rubber compound with a patented microchannel tread pattern (“PMC”) that pushes liquid away from the bottom of the sole to provide more sole-to-surface contact and prevent slipping and sliding, great characteristics of a boat shoe. Available in men’s or women’s sizes, prices range from $55 for sandals to $150 for boots. The Classic Slip On retails for $92.

—Brady L. Kay, PDB Editor

PRODUCT

FULL THROTTLE LIFE JACKETS

TEST Water Buddies For Small Kids

192

No.

GEAR

Getting your children to wear life jackets just got a little easier with the release of the two new designs from Water Buddies. Full Throttle, a leading manufacturer of PFDs (personal flotation devices) and other products for watersports, has added these vests to fit children from 30 to 50 pounds and they are designed to make wearing a PFD fun.

Full Throttle already has two imaginative Water Buddies designs with friendly characters that appeal to children. These designs include a Ladybug and an Astronaut. For this year, a Dinosaur and a Firefly have joined the expanding line.

Each Water Buddies vest has a uniquely-shaped foam

ADVERTISER

PG. # 48

INDEX

ADVERTISER / WEB ADDRESS

Avalon/Tahoe Pontoons www.avalonpontoons.com

7

Caravelle Boat Group www.caravelleboatgroup.com

2

Crest Marine

92

Style 19/20 Function 48/50 Durability 9/10 Comfort 8/10 Price 8/10 320-252-2056 www.fullthrottlewatersports.com

back which brings the designs to life. With soothing fabrics and lightweight, durable flotation foam, the vests are extremely comfortable to promote all-day wear when in or around the water.

All Water Buddies vests feature durable front-zippered closures with fully-adjustable waist belts in complementing colors.

An adjustable leg strap helps prevent the vest from riding up. The Type III vests inspire water safety for children and peace of mind for parents. Prices start around $34.99 and if it gets your kids excited about wearing a life jacket, it’s well worth it in our book.

Roy Sparks—PDB Magazine

your LIFE IS

WAITING

www.crestpontoonboats.com 15

Farley Companies www.towdster.com

19

Hewitt Machine & Mfg., Inc. www.pontoonlegs.com

5

Hurricane Boats www.hurricaneboats.com Kover Klamps SEPTEMBER 2015

www.koverklampframes.com 47

Lewmar, Inc. www.lewmar.com

18

Mister-Comfort Marine Misting Systems www.mist-er-comfort.com

16

Hampton Pontoons

41

www.hamptonpontoons.com 19

Rosenthal Marine, LLC www.boatfirepits.com

47

Skysmith Specialty Insurance

SEE WHAT YOU’re MISSING

www.skysmith.com 3

Sunbrella Marine www.sunbrella.com

15

Touchless Cover LLC www.touchlesscover.com

SUBSCRIBE TODAY! 1-800-638-0135 or www.pdbmagazine.com 149687PDBSub13R.indd 1

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PDB Pontoon & Deck Boat

19

Power Profile Full Speed Ahead PDB’s

WHAT PROPELS YOU

Volvo Penta’s next generation of engines is light years ahead

SEPTEMBER 2015

S PDB Pontoon & Deck Boat

42

terndrives have had a hard time making their presence known in the pontoon boat industry.

Why that’s the case is really anybody’s guess. It’s especially baffling to the people making sterndrive engines, because, well, when something’s your baby, you want to see it do well. You have hopes and dreams for it, and you wish it all the success in the world, but sometimes the world doesn’t see it.

Volvo Penta is looking to change that.

We spent some time talking to Tony Kelleher, the director of marine leisure sales for Volvo Penta, and

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came away with a breadth of knowledge about their product line and what they’re hoping to achieve this

model year. They’ve just launched their brand-new product line for 2016 and, well, I’ll let him tell you: “First up is a V6 4.3 block, and that comes in 200, 240, and 280hp power nodes.

At the same time we are launching our new 5.3-liter V8, and that is in a 300 and 350hp power node. We are carrying on with our larger V8 6-liter, which comes in the 380 and 430 for another calendar year. So this time next model year, we’ll be launching the replacement for that. We are calling these our new generation of engines.”

By Trevor Mason

PDB Power Profile

Cool Your Jets

Another range-wide feature is freshwater cooling. Instead of using salt water or lake water to cool the engine components, Volvo has implemented a closed freshwater-cooled system. In addition to maintaining a more consistent internal temperature, it also prevents corrosion of the engine elements. This in turn increases the resale value and contributes to the longevity of the engine block and

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SEPTEMBER 2015

If that sounds ambitious, that’s because it is. The number of improvements they’ve made not only to their own engines, but also to the design of sterndrives in general, are myriad and far-reaching. The first is their use of marine-quality aluminum throughout the engine, particularly in the head and the block.

Aluminum is lighter than steel, so this has the effect of increasing the power-to-weight ratio as improving the acceleration and mid-range power. For example, their V6 engine block is almost 80 pounds lighter than the block it’s replacing. Less weight means less drag, which translates into a quicker time to plane and better overall acceleration.

Next improvement on the list?

Direct fuel injection. This is a feature

there’s enough kick left in the motor to get up and around somebody if the need arises. There’s enough power within the torque band from the mid to the high range. According to Kelleher, “That’s really fun. We’ve talked about a lot of the technological advantages, but what this really does is it means fun on the boat. You can really feel this.”

43 PDB Pontoon & Deck Boat

Innovation In Spades

that’s been available on their diesel engines for some time, but is brand new this year for gasoline sterndrives.

“What this does is it precisely mixes the air and the fuel to provide faster acceleration, more stable RPMs, and better low-end torque,” Kelleher says. “Another added feature there is you get significantly better fuel efficiency. On a horsepower-to-horsepower comparison, we are averaging about a 10 percent better fuel efficiency with our new blocks versus our old blocks.”

One of their most exciting innovations is variable valve timing. Just as with the direct injection, this is something they’ve featured elsewhere in their offerings—their current V8 380HP, in particular—that they’re expanding to the rest of the product line. When you have a good idea, why limit yourself? Variable valve timing optimizes your torque throughout the entire acceleration range. Kelleher explains, “You don’t get good lowend torque and a poor top speed, or a terrible holeshot with a high top speed. You get everything. You get that great holeshot, you get that great mid-range acceleration, and you still get that high top end. This really is for things like tow sports; it’s really great for getting wakeboarders and such up and out of the water in a hurry.”

It performs so well that even if you’re just out for a pleasure cruise,

SEPTEMBER 2015

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44

its components. Kelleher notes that normally a feature like this would only be available on a larger, more sophisticated, more expensive engine, but they’ve implemented it in everything from the entry-level V6 200 HP engine

Finally, the Volvo Penta sterndrives are a true family of engines. They’ve done a ton of work, both internally as well as with General Motors, during the marinization process to ensure that all the service components and service point are common. What that means is there isn’t a wide range of different belts, filters, and impellers; they’re almost all the same, in the same location, and have the same part number. This reduces carrying costs for dealers and greatly simplifies the training need for service and maintenance.

Summing everything up, Kelleher explains, “We’ve gone from a heavy cast-iron, multi-port injection, with a fixed cam, raw water cooling, and a narrow-band O2 sensor, to the lighter weight, direct-injected, variable-valve timing, closed cooling, with a wide-band O2 sensor. That puts a more powerful package in a more compact space.

In fact, there are certain times now with our new engines that maybe you can downsize an engine.

all the way up to the V8 430hp. The ethanol content of our gasoline is something that’s been on everyone’s minds lately, and this next feature has that problem squarely in its sights. Volvo has implemented a wide-band oxygen sensor system in its engines. That sensor helps to optimize the performance of the engine and negates the effect of any poor-quality fuel that may have been sitting in an engine. Another neat thing the sensor does is adjust the engine management system when there are changes in altitude, so it doesn’t lose power when you’re at higher altitudes that you’d find in, say, Idaho. Another good thing is that at idle they have reduced carbon monoxide emissions by 95%, which means it’s a much cleaner engine.

"We’re actually looking at bringing down the cost of boating. Whereas before maybe you had a V8, there may be a power node in the V6 range now that will be perfectly appropriate for the kind of boat and style of boating that you want to do.”

Family Time

Gotta Getcha One

Volvo Penta pioneered RPM-based speed control in 2008, and that became the standard across their sterndrive line in 2010. As more and more pontoons come equipped with tow packages, this feature really comes into its own.

“We think it’s a nice safety feature as well. When you are going into a turn, it maintains speed and it’s RPM-based, so it really means the driver can concentrate on driving rather than adjusting the throttle,” Kelleher tell us. “If you are a competitive or even a decent amateur wakeboarder, maintaining constant speed is a really important feature and you get this standard across the line with our electronic system.”

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So where does this leave you, the pontoon owner? I mean, when was the last time you saw a sterndrive mounted on a pontoon? Technically, if it were mounted correctly, you wouldn’t see it at all. That’s the beauty of it, if you ask Tony. “I think having a clean transom really lends itself to a sterndrive.

If you want to fish off the back, you don’t have the outboard in the way. If you want to tow from the back, your visibility isn’t obstructed. If you want to jump off the back, you don’t have a limited amount of space there; you have the entire deck there to jump off. And from a styling standpoint, I think it looks more stylish and less obtrusive, too.”

PDB Power Profile forward so on those tri-toons, the ride and the handling will be improved as well. Although we do not sell a tremendous number of pontoons with sterndrives or sterndrives to pontoon builders, we think that it really suits the application.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION Volvo Penta 866-273-2539 www.volvopenta.com

SEPTEMBER 2015

As people have begun using pontoons for tow sports more lately, and a larger number of people can fit on a pontoon, they’ve started putting larger engines on the back. This is something Kelleher says they’ve seen with a few different OEMs. “It depends on the size, but it really lends itself with that smaller compact package to the pontoon application. It gives that deck at the back, that swim platform, a cleaner look and better usage of that swim platform.”

He continues, “The exhaust is underwater so you don’t get that ‘station wagon’ effect at the back. It really helps with the center of gravity as well because it pushes that weight slightly further

The Next Generation

Typically, forward progress with sterndrives has been a slow, halting process, with incremental improvements along the way. But Kelleher feels that Volvo Penta’s new line of sterndrives is a big jump forward.

“We’re really excited about this next generation of engines. I think we are taking the performance of sterndrives to a whole new level,” he says. “The elevation in performance and better torque and better fuel efficiency is really tangible when you compare it to the old sterndrive motors. Just the same way that it’s not your father’s or your grandfather’s pontoon, it’s not your father’s or your grandfather’s sterndrive anymore.”

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45

Stayin’ In ‘Toon PDB’s

B OATING

T I P S A N D O B S E R V A T I O N S with Sky Smith

Introducing The Pon-tini

SEPTEMBER 2015

L

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46

ast month I postponed the pontoon-oriented cocktails so I could discuss my opinion on polishing ‘toons. As a follow up to the polishing, I have to say the shiny ‘toons do look pretty cool, but since my boat has been sitting in the slip at the local lake for a couple months now, it really doesn’t look all that shiny. So my opinion on polished pontoons is if you want to take the time to polish, go ahead, but be prepared for the extra time required to keep them polished. As I walk the dock to my boat I do take a look at the pontoons that are on lifts and yes, their ‘toon bottoms are cleaner than mine, but the top half of the ‘toons are still stained and not any shinier than mine. If you have a lift it would sure save the buildup on the bottom of the ‘toons, but won’t necessarily keep the rest of the ‘toons from dulling.

Okay, on to the Pon-tini. First I do need to make a few comments or disclaimers. We did the following drinks onboard our pontoon and at home on the countertop. So we have experienced mixing layers of colors on the boat in the waves and in the slip. I also want to make it clear that we do not advocate indulging on the pontoon if you are the captain. Safe boating is always my goal for me and my crew and passengers. On water, accidents happen too often even with sober people so why add alcohol to that? And I also don’t advocate any underage drinking taking place.

That said, we do like to entertain on our pontoon. Whether it’s a place to sit while the live music plays at the floating bar or to motor out to watch the sunset, we do like to have people enjoy the experience. My wife and I like to have theme nights for food and drinks. For example, one time we based the meal and drinks around ginger. We had ginger-based drinks using ginger ale, ginger beer and ginger-flavored vodka. And we brought sushi with ginger. The idea is to enjoy the experience and share that with others.

That’s actually where the Pon-tini came from. We were thinking of a kind of signature drink for our boat, something that friends could have to remember their “SkySmith Saylorville Sunset” cruise on our ‘toon.

Another thing: yes, we did mix our drinks in glassware, not plastic glasses. We did try it in plastic, but it just didn’t look good enough. Think about the pictures: glass looked the best. The reason I mention this is that I don’t like having real glass on my pontoon. In the event of a glass breakage it’s dangerous on the ‘toon because many people are barefoot.

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After discussing layered drinks with bartenders and researching different methods we opted to buy the perfect drink tool. (Did I mention I was a bartender back in my college years?) You can use a large spoon and pour the different liquids over the back of the spoon and they will slowly layer, or use a syringe to inject the layers, but the success rate was not as good as the Rainbow Cocktail layering tool. It was well worth the money, especially when you are trying to mix these layered drinks on a boat that can be rocking with waves and wind.

It’s also important to understand that typically the sweeter the liquid the heavier it is.

So the bottom of a layered drink needs to start with the sweet sugar liquid first.

Our search for a drink centered on layering two colors for the Pon-tini and three colors for the Tri-tini. It made sense to me at the time this project started. We also wanted colors that would represent the water theme. Our “go to” color was blue.

There are a lot of blue colored alcohols, but we found that Blue Curacao had the best density for layering and a sweet flavor, yet not too sweet. Blue Curacao is actually an orange flavored liquor, but blue in color; who would have thought? I am also a fan of vodka, so that was to be our lightest layer.

The Pon-tini is really a pretty simple drink. Start with a tapered glass, such as a martini glass and add one ounce of Blue Curacao. Next you place the Rainbow Cocktail layering tool on the rim of the glass and slowly lower the float on to Blue Curacao layer.

Slowly pour 3 ounces of Vodka down the tool’s opening and it follows the float stem down to the float and out on the top of the blue Curacao. You can always use flavored vodkas, but for me it is just regular unflavored Skyy Vodka—it’s like they named the vodka just for me!

If you use a spoon, all you do is slowly pour the vodka over the back of the spoon so it slowly layers on top to the Blue Curacao.

Letting the drink sit for a little while helps the colors to separate better. We garnished with a slice of orange and a Maraschino Cherry. Oh, don’t forget the small umbrella!

The Tri-tini was more of a challenge. Finding the different weight/density liquids and three flavors that go together took a bit more study.

We relied again on the blue Curacao but this time we

added Crème of Coconut, coconut rum and pineapple juice. Crème of Coconut was the bottom layer; pineapple juice was next then Blue Curacao and finally coconut rum. Yes, this is four different liquids but the Crème of Coconut and the pineapple juice blend together and don’t really separate.

The process was the same: add one ounce of Crème of Coconut, and then start layering with the drink tool. The float on the tool slowly lifts up as each liquid is poured down the stem. The Rainbow Cocktail layering tool is a pretty cool device. Anyway, add the next layer of two ounces of pineapple juice then one ounce of Blue Curacao and finally three ounces of coconut rum.

As you can tell each of these drinks has quite a bit of alcohol in them so share accordingly. They are also sweet drinks. I’m not a big sweet drink fan, but you can vary the amounts to your personal taste and I actually enjoyed both of these drinks.

A few final things: You do not need the drink tool but it sure makes the process much simpler. And you shouldn’t use glass on your boat. And an important reminder, you should not drink while driving.

Substitutions: You don’t even need to use alcohol. A layer drink is based on different density liquids, so you can use just different types of non-alcoholic drinks and develop your own unique signature drink. Many of the sport drinks have different sugar contents and can be used for the color. Another of our favorite drinks is La Croix carbonated water (no sugars, sodium etc.). Other liquids such as orange juice, lemonade and grenadine can be used in different layers.

CRW400 Captive Reel Anchor Windlass Designed for Pontoon boats, Deck boats and small fishing boats with an anchor up to 22lb Strong, stylish UV-stabilised Powerful, integrated 400W motor/ gearbox Integrated controls and 30A circuit breaker for overload protection Supplied pre-fitted with 115ft of 1/4” anchor rode Strong stainless steel chassis suitable for salt-water use

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SEPTEMBER 2015

Pon-tini: 1 ounce Blue Curacao in the bottom and 3 ounces Skyy Vodka layered on the top.

Tri-tini: 1 ounce Crème of Coconut in the bottom, 2 ounces of pineapple juice then 1 ounce of Blue Curacao and finally 3 ounces of coconut rum.

PDB Pontoon & Deck Boat

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Sky Smith, PDB Staff Writer Scott “Sky” Smith is the author of “Ultimate Boat Maintenance Projects” and an independent agent insuring boats, custom vehicles, drones and aircraft nationwide. Sky@SkySmith. com. Follow on Twitter @scottskysmith.

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3/17/15 10:09 AM

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