Whitewater Breeze July 2021

Breeze

The

Serving the Whitewater Lake area

INSIDE • Relax on the water • Ride a scooter • Boat safety tips

AUGUST 2021 • VOL. 40 NO. 3

Published by Southern Lakes Newspapers

PAGE 2 • AUGUST 2021 • THE BREEZE

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Fishing Boats

Ski Boats/Fishing Boats

14 foot aluminum fishing boat, trolling motor, oars, battery. $395.

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Johnson, trailer $95 (262) 949-6997 1985 Mastercraft Prostar 190, trailer, Lift and Lift Parts garaged, $2350 best. Text please Jet ski lift, Needs some repair $25.00.

(630) 886-6667 1990 Mastercraft Prostar 190, low (262) 949-6997 hours, excellent ski boat, trailer, lift Jet ski trailer, Needs work. $50.00. kept $5250 best (262) 949-6997 (262) 949-6997 1995 Mastercraft Sammy Duvall series, Corvette engine, flat wakes Shore station lift parts, cheap. great slalom boat $11,500 best. (262) Lauderdale Lakes. (262) 742-3665 742-3665 1998 Supra Legacy, Super low hours, Ski Equipment clean, kept in heated garage, bow rider, great family boat. $7950 best.

Ski trainer, easy to get up on, builds (262) 949-6997 2000 Supra Legacy, very clean, confidence. $75. Text (262) 949-6997 garage/lift kept, bow rider, 275 hours, Slalom ski, Connelly, great shape, $9750 best. (630) 886-6667 $95.00. (630) 886-6667

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THE BREEZE • AUGUST 2021 • PAGE 3

Get on board The 4 ways to restore wellness and relax on a boat this summer Breeze Looking for ways to recharge and escape stress this summer? Get away from it all and “Get On Board” for a relaxing summer on the water. With most Americans (78%) citing COVID-19 as a significant source of stress in their lives according to a recent Harris poll, millions of people are seeking solace outdoors.

One of the best ways to restore your mental health is to spend time with family and friends on the water.

Boating and fishing have become ideal options to enjoy the outdoors and recreate responsibly. Studies show being on the water promotes wellness by improving emotional health, relaxation and creativity.

Boating triggers a restful state of mind and provides an opportunity to get outside of daily routines, allowing our brains to reset.

“People from all walks of life are recognizing that boating and fishing not only offer restorative health and wellness benefits but being on a boat is a ‘vacation on demand’ that you can enjoy close to home,” said Ellen Bradley, Discover Boating Senior Vice President.

“Boating uniquely provides the freedom to explore and escape the stress on land, while allowing you to relax and connect with loved ones in a way that can only be experienced on the water.”

Getting started in boating and fishing is more accessible than you think. In

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fact, more than 100 million Americans go boating each year, according to the National Marine Manufacturers Association. Whether you already own a boat, you’re just getting started or simply want to test out the boating lifestyle,

Discover Boating offers easy ways to get on the water and experience the restorative power of boating and fishing.

• CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

from top: There’s nothing like a lazy day out on the water to cool off and relax during the dog days of summer; Boating is a family friendly activity, enjoyed by kids of all ages and their grown-ups.

STOCK PHOTOS The Breeze

Bird scooters land in Whitewater

PAGE 4 • AUGUST 2021 • THE BREEZE

One-year pilot program means no cost to city; users will pay to ride

The City of Whitewater is partnering with shared electric scooter company, Bird Rides to bring e-scooters to the city on a one-year pilot program contract. The scooters were available earlier this week through a mobile phone application. Riders pay to use the scooter per minute and there is no cost to the city.

“We are happy to welcome Bird to the City of Whitewater. We look forward to having the scooters available for all residents and visitors to get around town and think it will be a nice addition to the community,” said Whitewater City Manager Cameron Clapper.

The company plans on offering scooters to help reduce carbon emissions, as well as traffic congestion on roads. The scooters also offer residents without automobiles another transportation option.

The electric scooters can be used on roads and in bike lanes with a maximum speed of 15 mph. Scooters must be parked out of the way of pedestrians and never blocking driveways.

Riders are required to be 18 years or older to access the scooters. They are also encouraged to wear a helmet on every ride and required to obey all standard rules of the road.

To use the scooters, a renter will download the Bird app to their phone and create an account they will use for each ride. Using the map in the Bird app, riders will find the closest scooter. It can be reserved up to 30 minutes in advance.

To start the ride, the renter will scan the Bird’s QR code with the app, hit the throttle on the right to go and pull the brakes to slow.

After the ride, renters will use the kickstand to keep the Bird upright and park it away from public pathways in an approved parking spot found in the app.

The rider will submit a picture of the scooter to ensure the ride is complete and the scooter is parked.

Riders will be able to use the community mode, allowing anyone with a Bird account to report or provide feedback on vehiclerelated issues such as poorly parked or damaged vehicles in their area. Riders will be asked to provide the Bird ID number and the specific issue they are experiencing.

A Bird team member will be assigned to correct the issue. Community Mode can be accessed by tapping the yield sign on the

Bird e-scooters made their way to the City of Whitewater the first week in July thanks to a one-year pilot program.

Riders will pay to use the scooter per minute and there is no cost to the city. Those interested in using Bird will need to download the app as it utilizes a map to help them locate the closest scooter.

SUBMITTED IMAGE The Breeze

bottom left of the Bird map.

Bird advises riders to check the app for the most up-to-date vehicle charge information, service area locations and pricing.

Clapper said the scooters offer good options for Whitewater residents as well as visitors.

“Having an additional option for transportation will be very helpful for many residents,” said Clapper. “This will also be a nice option for those who are visiting the city and want a new way of getting around and enjoying what our city has to offer.”

Special programs

Bird offers the following programs that are available for all who qualify: • Community pricing offers a 50% discount to low-income riders, Pell grant recipients, select local nonprofit

45 YE ARS OF LOCAL SERVICE

Find your dream boat

Go fish

Chart your own course to boat ownership by visiting DiscoverBoating. com, where you’ll find a boat finder and loan calculator tool to help determine your budget and identify the different types of boats that fit your lifestyle and interests.

There are thousands of bodies of water where you can cast a line. Find Places to Fish and Boat near you, courtesy of TakeMeFishing.org, a dedicated fishing resource where you can also purchase your fishing license on the site, check out how-to guides and more.

Visit DiscoverBoating.com for resources, tips and how-to’s for getting on the water, boat shopping, safety and more. Planning to “Get On Board” this summer? Use the social media hashtag #TheWaterIsOpen to share your boating and fishing moments.

“People from all walks of life are recognizing that boating and fishing not only offer restorative health and wellness benefits but being on a boat is a ‘vacation on demand’ that you can enjoy close to home,” Discover Boating Senior Vice President Ellen Bradley said. “Boating uniquely provides the freedom to explore and escape the stress on land, while allowing you to relax and connect with loved ones in a way that can only be experienced on the water.”

Find a boat club near you to access a variety of boats. You’ll pay a monthly fee and be able to book your time on the water online. Most boat clubs take care of docking, cleaning, maintenance and boat training courses.

Rent or share a boat

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copy of your medical identification card along with your name and phone number together@bird.co. Eligible riders will receive two free 30-minute rides per day for as long as it takes to help communities recover from the global health crisis.

For more information about the Bird scooters, visit www.bird.co, call 1-866-2052442, or send an email to hello@bird.co.

GET ON BOARD • CONTINUED FROM PAGE 3

Join a boat club

your comfort is our top priority

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and community organizations, veterans and senior citizens. To sign up for the community pricing program, download the Bird app, create an account, and email proof of eligibility to access@bird.co.

• Free rides for healthcare workers and emergency personnel – Bird offers free rides to healthcare workers and emergency personnel. To sign up, simply email a

Rental options are available on most waterways and provide hourly, daily or weekly access to a variety of boat types.

Another rental option is peer-to-peer boat rentals that connect you with the boat owner, gather outing details and then hit the water. Most arrangements for boat sharing are made on an app or via computer, minimizing personal contact and eliminating the need to enter an office.

(BPT)

THE BREEZE • AUGUST 2021 • PAGE 5

9 ways to prevent drowning all year long Spending time in and around water is a favorite pastime for adults and children.

Swimming, boating, running through sprinklers, and soaking in a nice warm tub can be great ways to relax and have fun.

Even though water play can be exciting, it also can be dangerous. Drowning is the leading cause of death for children between the ages of one and four and the fifth leading cause of accidental death overall in the United States, offers UCI Health.

Calm rivers can hide swift currents, rocks and tree branches. Ocean rip tides and rough waves can confound even excellent swimmers. Lake waters can be extremely cold, even in summer, making it challenging for a person to stay afloat and avoid hypothermia. It is essential for everyone to play it safe when in and around water. Here are nine ways to do just that.

Avoid swimming or boating in high 1. running water, making sure to always check conditions before starting.

Never dive or jump into unfamiliar 2. or shallow water, advises Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Obey barriers, such as markings 3. for deeper ends in pools, fencing around pools and ropes in open waters.

Barriers help reduce the risk of drowning

considerably.

Life jackets should be worn by 4. swimmers of all ages, especially during water sports like boating and jet skiing.

The Red Cross says strong swimming 5. skills can significantly reduce the risk of drowning. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, most children age four and older can learn to swim. Enroll in a family swim class to brush up on skills.

Have eyes on children at all times 6. when they are in or around the water — both inside the home and outdoors.

Employ “touch supervision,” which means always remaining in arm’s reach of the child.

only in public swimming areas 7. Swim that are protected by lifeguards.

Do not mix alcohol and water 8. recreation. Remain sober when boating, swimming or supervising children who are swimming.

Drains in pools and spas can be 9. deadly. The Mayo Clinic says to keep children away from drains, as body parts and hair can become trapped by the strong suction.

(METRO CREATIVE)

Water safety is a priority all year long, but gets even more attention every summer.

A few simple safety measures can prevent many drownings.

STOCK PHOTO The Breeze

Boating safety tips for 2021 ADVICE FROM REAL CAPTAINS

As we cruise into the 2021 boating season, we bet you’re more than ready to push off the dock! We are too, and having endless summer fun on the water starts with a safe boating experience. Brush up with the basics in our Boating Safety Guide, if you need a refresher.

Feeling confident before you leave the dock is the best way to enjoy boating to its fullest, especially since it allows you to have a stress-free experience. But there are a few somewhat subtle safety measures, tips and tactics that aren’t always as wellknown as the old standbys like “check all your safety gear,” and “wear a life jacket.”

To get the insider scoop on some of the finer points of building confidence by being prepared for a safe day on the water, we went to our friends at Sea Tow and asked them to chime in with their in-depth experience and know-how.

Since those Sea Tow captains have so much experience out on the water, we asked them to help us come up with some Stay safe when boating by being prepared and making sure everyone on board has a life jacket. lesser-known safety tips that would make STOCK PHOTO The Breeze everyone’s time aboard more care-free and enjoyable. They delivered. chart plotters, etc) with cell phones and phone from the boat. But with an external tablet-based apps. battery you’ll be able to keep your phone Have a radio It’s become important to ensure that you battery ready for use.

Always have a VHF radio onboard, but have a way to keep these devices charged Also, know how to get your GPS carry your cell phone as a backup form of and ready when you need them. location from a cell phone. We often get communication.

Pro tip – A phone charger or external calls from people who don’t know their While a properly working VHF battery that doesn’t depend on the boat location, even while using a cell phone to radio remains the standard for on-water for power has become an essential part make the call. They simply don’t know communications, it doesn’t change the fact of our Captain’s equipment bags. If your how to share their location or retrieve their that more and more boaters are replacing boat develops an electrical issue or a dead GPS coordinates on their device. traditional marine electronics (VHF radios, battery, you won’t be able to charge your On an iPhone, one method is to simply

ask Siri, “What are my GPS coordinates?” and she’ll provide them to you.

Or if you’re an Android user, you can open your Google Maps App and click on the blue location dot. The app will pull up a page with your coordinates listed.

But an even better idea is to get a marine navigation app for your phone. Then you’ll not only have easy access to coordinates, but you’ll also have a backup in case you run into issues with your boat’s nav gear.

Advice from Capt. Nik Foster, Sea Tow Daytona/Ponce/New Smyrna.

Have two anchors

Carry two anchors aboard so you always have a spare (you know, just in case the first one goes for a dive).

When you anchor up, remember the adage “when in doubt, let more out.” While a good rule of thumb is to let out five to seven times the amount of depth in anchor line, the more line you have out, the lower the possibilities of dragging or breaking free.

Pro tip – Make sure you know the general depths in the areas you may anchor and that you have a sufficient amount of anchor line aboard. You’ll also want to check that you have an anchor and chain of the appropriate size and type for your boat, and the type of bottom in the areas you normally visit.

Advice from Capt. Ramsey Chason, Sea Tow Rhode Island, and Cape and Islands, Mass.

Carry extra lines, fenders

Many new boaters don’t realize that you’ll need those lines and fenders to raft

• CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

PAGE 6 • AUGUST 2021 • THE BREEZE

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THE BREEZE • AUGUST 2021 • PAGE 7

Fun on the Fourth

The greater Whitewater community celebrated Independence Day with its Fourth of July Festival July 3 and 4.

The event included a car show, carnival games and rides, the Miss Whitewater Pageant, food and drink vendors, live music and fireworks. Highlights included (clockwise from top right): Sage Spear being presented the 2021 Miss Whitewater trophy

by Carmen Kraayvanger; a float honoring Jefferson’s 50 Gemuetlichkelt Days celebration in the parade; the annual carnival; and the car show.

PHOTOS BY TOM GANSER The Breeze

SAFETY TIPS • CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 up with other boaters or tie up at waterfront restaurants. Lines commonly aren’t provided (even at establishments with their own docks), and fenders are a must to prevent damage and to make sure body parts don’t get pinched between boats (a potential danger when rafted boats are not properly secured).

Advice from Cheryl Powers, owner, Sea Tow Key Largo.

Assess the situation

Whenever you’re cruising with doubt, stop your boat and assess the situation.

Too many boaters try to figure things out while they’re still running, which can lead to hitting something or running aground.

Boaters are generally a friendly-group, so never hesitate to ask for information or advice whether it be from your friendly

local Sea Tow captain, or a fellow boater with more experience and local knowledge.

Advice from Capt. Joe McGuinness, Sea Tow Eastern Connecticut.

Always have a backup plan

There’s one final bit of advice that all the captains agree on: You need to have a backup plan in case the unexpected happens. You can’t walk home if you run out of fuel, the battery dies, or you have mechanical issues.

Pro tip – Membership with an onwater towing and assistance company is a smart investment. Even more than that, it provides peace of mind. You can cast off the lines knowing that you always have a friend in your corner – and that’s the very best way to enjoy worry-free boating to its fullest.

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For your Pedaling Pleasure

PAGE 8 • AUGUST 2021 • THE BREEZE

Southern Lakes area offers great trail, road and mountain biking options With some of the best bike trails in the state and plenty of little-traveled rustic and rural roads dotting the countryside, the Southern Lakes area provides the perfect landscape for our pedaling pleasure.

And with the pandemic creating a renewed interest in outdoor activities there’s now plenty of reason to celebrate from the saddle of your favorite road, trail or hybrid bicycle.

Cycling is not only healthy, it is liberating in every sense of the word.

The open air, with the sights and sounds of nature combine to bring a relaxing, revujenating experience that is simply second-to-none.

For today’s cyclists, the cycling industry has evolved to a point where there’s virtually a bike for everyone. Riders simply need to decide what style of biking best fits their desires and go from there. A word of caution though: A proper fit (bike size) is essential and you should rely on a professional to guide you in this basic decision.

Trails abound here Wisconsin is likely one of the most rider-friendly states in the union.

Recognized as the nation’s leader in “railsto-trails” conversions, more miles of former railroad beds have been transformed for use by bicyclists in Wisconsin than any other state. Ask anyone whose ridden along these Wisconsin conversion trails and you’ll learn that they’re scenic, feature minimal grades with motorized traffic prohibited, provide a smooth ride and a safe, uncongested alternative for families, novices and experts looking to bike off the road.

Whitewater The Whitewater Lake Ride is a scenic 20-mile ride around Whitewater Lake in the Southern Kettle Moraine. The family friendly ride takes anywhere from one to three hours to complete, depending on the cyclists.

The ride loops around Whitewater Lake, starting and ending in downtown Whitewater at Cravath Lakefront. The park, features a fishing pier, walking path, gazebo, historical buildings, multi-purpose building, restrooms, and parking. With its proximity to the conveniences located in downtown Whitewater, this is a great location to start your ride.

Another point of interest on the ride it Trippe Lake Park, which lies on the northwest shore of Tripp Lake. Trippe Lake is held back from Cravath Lake by a dam. The undeveloped shores and wildlife help to give Trippe Lake a wilderness feel.

Along with the dam and small fishing pier, you can find parking and restrooms.

Locals have been coming to the natural spring along the trail ride regularly to capture the cool, clear water bubbling up from this hand-dug well. Top off your water bottle before heading out and around the lake.

Also along the way is the Whitewater Lake Recreation Area that encompasses Rice Lake and the surrounding shores.

Only a thin strip of land separates Rice

Lake from Whitewater Lake. The recreation area features a picnic area, boat launch, playground, restrooms and water, as well as parking and camping.

Whitewater Lake anchors the southern end of the 30-mile long Kettle Moraine State Park Southern Unit, which has 20,000 plus acres of glacial hills, kettles, lakes, pinewood and hardwood forests. It is home to the statewide Ice Age trail, Old World Wisconsin, and the largest wet prairie east of the Mississippi River, the 3,500-acre Scuppernong River Habitat Area.

White River Trail Locally, one the most well known trails is the White River State Trail. A 12mile crushed limestone trail, it follows a former railroad bed and connects the City of Elkhorn to Burlington, also passing through the historic villages of Lyons and Springfield in the process. The trail also extends east from Highway 142 in Burlington to Kansasville and can be accessed from the Burlington High School/ Gateway Technical College campus.

The trail requires an affordable daily or annual state trail pass, for those 16 and over, which can be purchased in any of several points along the path, including the communities it touches. Maps of the trail are also readily available at these points as well as online.

Scenic views of farmland, wetlands, waterways and the natural countryside are part of it’s charm and it’s many access points give riders a wide choice of options in how far and where they want to ride along the trail. These access points also provide convenient places to park.

from top: The many rustic roads in the Geneva Lakes Area provide scenic opportunities for road bikers to enjoy their passion. Rolling hills, canopies of trees and fertile farm fields provide an inviting backdrop; The Geneva Lakes Area has several bike trails created from former railroad corridors, including the White River Trail and the Seven Waters Trail. These trails are flat and provide a great opportunity for family bike rides.

FILE PHOTOS The Breeze

THE BREEZE • AUGUST 2021 • PAGE 9

Pedal and Cup There is a great access point to the White River Trail located just off Highway 120 in Springfield. The Pedal and Cup, a bike rental shop and cafe is in Springfield’s historic railroad depot, 1722 N. Highway 120 Springfield (262-249-1111), is just five minutes north of Lake Geneva.

They not only rent bikes, but also serve gourmet coffees, smoothies, ice cream and cold drinks. There are also biking and souvenir shirts and handcrafted gifts inside the historic depot. Check out their web site at www.pedalandcup.com. You can also find them on Facebook-search: pedal and cup.

The Pedal & Cup is open Monday and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Seven Waters Trail Another rails to trails project, the Seven Waters Trail, took several shorter trails and consolidated them under one name once they formed a continuous route. This trail runs from Riverside Park in Burlington up through Waterford, the Town of Norway, into Wind Lake and further on into Muskego.

Just across the Wisconsin/Illinois border in Richmond, Illinois, riders will find the McHenry County Prairie Trail that stretches 26 miles from the Wisconsin State Line to Algonquin, Illinois.

The Prairie Trail follows the former Chicago and Northwestern rail line that ran from Kane County into Wisconsin.

From this trail, users have access to over 100 miles of trail network including the Hebron Trail, the Fox River Trail, the Great Western Trail and the Illinois Prairie Path.

There are several points of interest along the Prairie Trail including the crown jewel of the district, Glacial Park, a 3,200-acre site and home to the Lost Valley Visitor Center. The natural area contains prairie, savanna, marshes, a bog, Nippersink Creek and a variety of geologic wonders, including kames. There are also other parks and rest stops along the way.

Mountain bike Mecca Riders seeking mountain biking opportunities, also have an extensive system of trails available to them in Wisconsin. In our area of the state, the John Muir trail system connecting the John Muir trail with the Emma Carlin trail is one of the region’s top mountain biking destinations.

Both located in the Southern Kettle Moraine State Forest in Walworth County, the Muir trail is over 27 miles consisting of five one-way loops that let riders mix and match distance and difficulty to their particular ability level or time constraints.

The Whitewater Lake Ride loops around Whitewater Lake in the Southern Kettle Moraine along a 20-mile bike route. Cravath Lakefront Park is often chosen as a starting and ending point to the ride because of its amenities, including historical buildings, restrooms, parking, fishing pier, gazebo and more.

TOM GANSER The Breeze

Unlike the mildly graded “rail-to-trail” paths, these loops feature steep, geargrinding uphill sections, fast, twisting descents and lots of rough surface terrain.

The loops are one-way for the sake of safety and to accommodate a smooth flow of traffic, even on days with a generous number of bikers on the trail. The trail offers amenities such as water, flush toilets and an indoor shelter.

The Emma Carlin Trail, which connects via a two-way connector trail halfway around the John Muir Trail on the Green loop, is more remote. Offering three loops ranging in length from 2 to 4 miles, the Carlin Trail is not for the faint-of-heart or inexperienced, all three loops featuring difficult single track sections and rocky, rooted trail surfaces on the slopes.

A dedicated group known as the Southern Kettle Moraine Chapter of IMBA is a strong advocate for the building of new mountain bikes trails in the area. You can find more information at southernkettles. org.

riding on the road. The outstanding rustic roads and scenic routes in our area lend themselves well to this endeavor. Riding along any of the area’s lakeshores, or taking the chance to tour from one town to a neighboring one and visiting it’s local shops and sights can be a particularly rewarding way to spend the day. Here, local chambers of commerce, visitor’s bureaus, maps and the Internet can provide information and ideas for great places to bike.

The Stateline route travels along the Illinois/Wisconsin border, the south Kenosha county route takes back roads from Pleasant Prairie to Trevor, the Silver Lake route travels from Liberty corners, past Camp Lake, Silver Lake, Powers Lake and into Lake Geneva. There is a north Kenosha county route that travels through the Bong Recreation area into Burlington and routes that run from Burlington up into Rochester, Waterford, Tichigan and Wind Lake.

GOINGRATE

The open road

THE

With so many trail-riding options in our immediate area, many cyclists still enjoy

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One of the best known is the Wisconsin Bikeway which follows Highway C from I-94 to near Twin Lakes, then passes through Trevor, Wilmot, Twin Lakes and Genoa City all the way to Lake Geneva.

Several enjoyable rides can be made from East Troy to Elkhorn and onward to Delavan or Lake Geneva as well.

A map of roads in the City of Lake Geneva with recommended routes for bikers to enjoy is also readily available online and is known as the City of Lake Geneva Bike Trails. Five routes with some paths still under construction travel through areas like Sage St. to Edwards Blvd., Highway H to Veteran’s Park along Townline Road, and other areas of the city.

Additional information for biking in our area can be found at: www.dot.wisconsin. gov, www.dnr.state.wi.us/org, www. visitwalworthcounty.com, www.lkgeneva. com/pages/biking.html, and www. lakegenevatourism.com.

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PAGE 10 • AUGUST 2021 • THE BREEZE

Cool pontoon boat accessories for summer Just as all boats are not created equal, all boat accessories are not created equal, either. Take pontoon boats and pontoon boat accessories, for example. They’re designed for a completely different day of fun on the water than, say, a fishing boat and its accessories, or a sailboat and its accessories.

Pontoon boats are all about sharing fun in the sun with family and friends.

Pontoons are stable and wide with lots of seating and places to put a cooler full of snacks and drinks. They can make a terrific platform for early-morning or sunset cruises, or for a romantic dinner on board. Pontoon boats can also be great for watersports like wakeboarding, water skiing and more.

Cool pontoon boat accessories add to these experiences in lots of ways. Discover Boating offers a look at seven great pontoon boat accessories that can help you take the fun quotient up a notch or two.

Under-deck lighting If you like to be out on the water at sunrise, sunset or during the nighttime hours when the moon is high in the sky, then under-deck lights are not only a cool pontoon boat accessory, but also a musthave pontoon boat accessory.

There are a number of different brands and manufacturers that offer under-deck

lighting, and many even come with plastic mounting channels and adhesive strips for easy installation. The strips of lighting are made to be cut, in order to achieve a perfect-size fit, and they’re of course waterproof. They light up the boat either at anchor or in motion.

built to hold bottles of soda, cups, straws, plates of food and more.

Don’t forget, if you’re utilizing your bar tray for some ice-cold adult beverages, you’ll want to make sure you designate a sober skipper in advance who can handle the safe operation of the boat.

Boat grill and mount

Aluminum pontoon boat ramp

Who doesn’t enjoy a good cookout?

Now, try having one on board your boat.

There are a variety of marine-use grills available on today’s market, and many even include special mounting or bracket systems—giving pontoon boat owners a way to mount their grill of choice over the boat’s side and away from the people on board (you know, just in case you “over-char” a burger and the smoke gets a little, shall we say, excessive).

These kinds of mounting systems can attach to the pontoon boat’s rail, keeping all the rest of the space on board free for coolers full of whatever you want to cook.

Getting in and out of the boat can be harder for some people than others—and for kids with little legs, as well as dogs with even littler legs. Enter the solution: a portable aluminum boat ramp.

This kind of product creates an easyaccess platform for people to embark or disembark the pontoon boat, and some can even hold up to 600 pounds at a time. Most use universal mounting brackets, which are made specifically to fit most pontoon-boat models.

Bar tray To help keep everything organized during chow time, it’s often a good idea to invest in a bar serving tray. Many of these portable trays can attach to a standard 1.25inch pontoon square channel, and they’re

Watersports tow bar tower For pontoon boat owners who want to do tow sports like wakeboard, water skiing or tubing, installing a tow bar tower can be a game-changer. These bars are often available in black or polished aluminum, and come with mounting equipment.

Hooking a towrope to a bar like this, instead of to a cleat on the boat itself, makes for a much more enjoyable tow-

sports experience for the boat skipper and wakeboarder alike.

Arm rests and cupholders

Pontoon boats are often designed for comfort and functionality, but for owners who want to take their luxury to the next level, adding additional armrests or cupholders can be a minor upgrade with major benefits.

Some armrests even have built-in cupholders or storage panels, and almost all are made with marine-grade vinyl to protect against mildew and UV, keeping your boat and its accessories looking fresh and new.

Pontoon picnic station A fun day out on the water can mean a big mess on the boat. Similar to a bar tray, a “picnic” station is designed to help keep everything in its place. Many of these stations include utensil storage drawers, trashcan storage shelves and recessed drink holders.

Some picnic stations even include specialized countertops for keeping food prep all in one place. And of course, all the latches, hinges and fasteners are made from marine-grade stainless steel on most models.

Source: discoverboating.com.

Pontoon boat accessories can add to your boating experience. From bars to grills to watersport towers, a day out on the lake is more enjoyable when you’re outfitted for fun.

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Which boat is the right one?

THE ULTIMATE SKI BOAT/WAKE BOAT BUYER’S GUIDE It can be incredibly fun and rewarding to enjoy watersports with your own ski boat or wake boat, but the different varieties of watersports each have very specific and specialized boats that excel at taking the experience from fun to fantastic.

Discover Boating offers a breakdown of the different watersports activities, each of which have genre of boats designed to be ideal for their individual specialties. They include: • Water skiing; • Wakesurfing; • Wakeboarding; • Kneeboarding; and • Tubing.

Water skiing is the original watersport, and people have been enjoying this activity for just about as long as there have been planning powerboats. The ideal ski boats throw up very little wake, and the wakes are shaped so the skier can cut through them with minimal impact.

Propeller turbulence should also be minimized.

To achieve this, most ski boats designed for water skiing have: • An inboard power system with the engine located centrally in the boat; • A relatively narrow beam (width); and • A relatively low deadrise (the amount of V shape in the bottom).

Ideally, they should cruise in the mid to upper 20 MPH range and be capable of speeds over 30 MPH, and they shouldn’t throw spray far aft or off to the sides where it might affect the skier.

Wakeboard boats

Wakeboarding requires a bit less skill than water skiing or wakesurfing, so it’s a great stepping-stone activity for younger watersports lovers. It’s also the realm of tricksters—wakeboarders tend to enjoy doing jumps, spins, and flips.

Since wakeboards have bindings (and boards used for wake surfing do not) the rider can do aerial tricks without fear of losing contact with the board. This means that one important trait of wakeboarding boats has to do with the tow-point. It should be elevated as much as possible, and in most cases, is mounted atop a tower, arch, or elevated pedestal. That high towpoint helps the rider catch more air, and get more creative with his or her waterborne acrobatics.

Serious wakeboarding boats are also designed to: • Create a fairly large wake that peaks 75 feet or so behind the boat, where the wakeboarder is riding; and • Most employ V-drive inboards and many have ballast tanks and/or tabs or “wake plates” that can be used to enhance the size and shape of the wake.

close to the boat, sometimes within 10 feet or less of the transom, where the serious surfing gets done.

Since wake surfing takes place without any attachment to the boat (surfers usually use a tow-rope to get started, then pitch it away and surf on their own afterwards) having those ideal wakes is critical for the rider to be able to maintain his or her position, as well as perform stunts and tricks.

To attain the size and shape surfers need, wake surf boats often have a number of wake-adjusting features: • Ballast tanks are common, and may be used to double the weight of the boat and generate a correspondingly huge wake; • Plates and tabs mounted at the transom may also be employed to both enlarge and shape the wake; and • In some cases these tabs and plates can not only be adjusted to make the ideal wake, but also to shift it from one side of the boat to the other, on the fly as the surfer rides the waves.

Kneeboarding boats

Kneeboarding, where the participant sits on his or her knees on the board, is Wakesurfing boats generally considered an “entry level” form In one very important way, wakesurfing of watersports and in terms of difficulty is a step up from tubing, but a step down from boats are the diametric opposite of ski boats: the idea is to make as large a wake as wakeboarding. As a result, there isn’t much possible, instead of a small one. But it can’t specialization needed in the boat itself.

In fact, many people enjoy kneeboarding be just any old wake. Wake surfers like behind bowriders, deck boats, or cross-over a wave with a clean peak, like a cresting boats like fish-and-skis. breaker on the beach. And it should peak

The exact size and shape of the wake is less imperative in this case, so various boat designs and powerplants may be employed.

In fact, you can have a thrilling kneeboard ride behind just about any type of boat.

Tubing boats

Tubing is where many watersports enthusiasts got their start, and it’s common for kids of all ages to jump overboard for a day of tubing. As a beginner sport, the type of boat you use for tubing is not a critical factor. Essentially, all you need is a boat with tow points, a tow rope, a tube, and some people who are ready to get wet and have a boatload of fun.

Tubing is also the only towed watersport that can be done socially; there are plenty of two-, three-, and even four-person towtubes out there that you can load up and take for a joy ride.

What watersports boat is right for you?

So, which of these types of watersports boats will be best for you, personally?

That’s a question that only you can answer.

Just remember that the more specialized boats designed specifically for one sport in particular will likely be better at their mission than cross-over or multi-tasking boats. But on the flip side of the coin, less specialized models give you more flexibility in which of these activities you’d like to enjoy on any given day.

Source: discoverboating.com.

When all is said and done, one thing is for sure – the only thing more fun that riding around in a boat is being towed or surfing behind one.

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