EDITORIAL
Executive Editor Brady L. Kay
Assistant Editor Rebecca Blackson
Editorial Staff Nicole Richens, Roy Sparks, Lane Lindstrom
Editorial Correspondents
Dan Armitage, Shannon Mitchell
ADVERTISING
Advertising Executives
Greg Larsen, glarsen@pdbmagazine.com
Kevin Malcom, kevin@pdbmagazine.com
CIRCULATION
Circulation Director Chuck Harris
PRODUCTION
Lead Designer Lavon Horne
Designer Laci Thompson
To subscribe, go to: www.harrispublishing.com/pontoon-deck-boat
HARRIS PUBLISHING GROUP ADMINISTRATION
Publisher Brady L. Kay
Executive Editor Brady L. Kay
Circulation Manager Chuck Harris
Controller Clayton Ward
HARRIS PUBLISHING EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATION
Founder Darryl W. Harris
President Jason Harris
Vice President Chuck Harris
Vice President Ryan Harris
Treasurer Clayton Ward
Copyright, PDB magazine is published 11 times per year by Harris Publishing, Inc., sub rates, back copies, foreign, reproduction prohibitions, all rights reserved, not responsible for contents of ads and submitted materials, mail permits printed in Idaho Falls, ID. The basic subscription price is $39.95 for 11 issues. Cover price is $5.95. Canadian and Foreign subscriptions add $20.00 per 11 issues. U.S. funds only. Limited back issues are available for $5.00 each. Copyright 2025 by Harris Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction, in whole or in part, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Call 208-524-7000 to purchase a subscription, to correct your mailing label, or to order back issues.
BY BRADY L. KAY
“Wouldn’t you have given your last drink in the cooler to have a lane open when you first pulled up to the launch ramp?
Some states are known for their beautiful and picturesque seasonal transitions, especially in the northern and central U.S., where temperatures change dramatically throughout the year. If you live in one of these regions that experience all four seasons, you know there are challenges, and you often have to give something up to make way for something else.
While some seasonal changes can be positive, such as spring showers giving way to warm summer days, this time of year can cause anxiety for some boaters. The realization that fall is coming, with snow sure to follow, tends to signal that the boating season is about to come to an abrupt and unceremonious end.
Often the temptation to “get ahead of the line” at your local marina or dealership to winterize your boat and get it in storage has us putting up the white flag a little too early, in my opinion. With kids back in school and weekends dominated by professional and college football, calling it a season despite nice fall temperatures
can be debated.
As tempting as it may be, don’t be in such a hurry to surrender. Before you make the call to put your pontoon or deck boat on the hard for the winter season, I can assure you there are still plenty of great boating days left on the boat season calendar.
September is a perfect time to be on the water. Boat traffic is likely to be down, so you might feel like you have the lake to yourself. Remember waiting in a long line on the Fourth of July weekend to launch or retrieve your boat? Wouldn’t you have given your last drink in the cooler to have a lane open when you first pulled up to the launch ramp?
Another point: if you enjoy seeing the leaves on the trees change from green to vibrant red, yellow and orange colors, why not view them from your boat? When seeking the breathtaking sights of the fall foliage, those colors seem to really pop when viewing them from the water. The front row seat you could be experiencing as the
calendar turns from September to even October, gives you a unique perspective of the autumn colors that non-boaters aren’t able to experience from their cages–ahem–I mean, cars.
What about sports? Yes, the NFL and NCAA seasons kickoff in September, and as an avid football fan, I live for this time of year. There are multiple ways you can watch, including in-person at the stadium, from the bar stool of your favorite establishment, or even from your own couch at home. All great options, but I would argue that with the ability to watch sports on our phones and tablets these days (or in other words the ability to watch sports from just about anywhere), why not watch from the water? I’m not suggesting you watch every game from your boat, but there are some prime sunny fall days where you really could enjoy the best of both worlds.
My last and final plea for not giving up on the season too early: don’t make the off-season any longer than it needs to be. If you winterize too early, you’ll just be more tempted to launch in the spring, which often turns out to be a tease.
The desire to start boating early sometimes gets me into trouble. I’m unable to fight the temptation of an unseasonably warm stretch in March and end up getting my boat out of storage. Even though I know the higher and unseasonable temperatures won’t last, I convince myself boating season has arrived early, only to wake up to snow flurries the following weekend. Prolonging your boat’s hibernation actually shortens the winter gap.
If you live in a region where winter weather is on the horizon, be sure to winterize your boat at some point. I’m just saying don’t be in too big of a hurry to do it. Get out and enjoy your boat a little longer this fall. You’ll thank me later.
Brady L. Kay, Pontoon & Deck Boat Editor
Teak Isle provides advanced storage and table solutions tailored for pontoon OEM builders. Boat Outfitters supplies dealers and boat owners with replacement parts and upgrades.
BY REBECCA BLACKSON
My Facebook friends over at Pontoon Junkies and Pontoon Restoration are constantly working on colossal rebuilds and intricate upgrades. With their do-it-yourself attitude, they don’t seem to be daunted by full-scale renovations that last the entire winter.
But I’m a different story. While I haven’t landed myself in the tax bracket of being able to hire out for all of my projects, I have yet to feel the need to learn how to weld aluminum ‘toons or rewire an entire helm console. Give me an easy project, I say. Let’s have a few baby steps in here before I’m finally ready to learn what an anode is and how to add one to my pontoon.
If you’re like me and are looking for small, do-able projects that won’t derail your weekend plans or your bank account, here’s a list of quick and easy upgrades for your pontoon that will vastly improve your time on the water. You can thank me later. Or the Facebook people I asked about it.
Admit it—we love being outside on the water, but the blazing sun can make us blisteringly hot and rather cranky. Shade is always welcome, and the more shade available the better.
Daniel Santana said, “Add shade. You can always remove or store a front Bimini, but you can’t add it on the fly when needed.” And if you’re not ready to go the distance and have a double Bimini installed by your marina/dealer, there are plenty of cost-effective ways to put up some temporary shade.
An 8-foot by 8-foot pop-up canopy provides almost the exact same shade as a Bimini, is far less expensive, and easily fits in a pontoon’s open floorplan. Another option is to clamp beach umbrellas onto the rails, which will throw a lovely spot of shade over a corner lounger when not underway. For a third solution, Stacy Lam uses extendable flag poles attached with flag rail mounts and flexible sun shades. Added to each end of her Bimini, these extra curtains of shade can conveniently fold up into a small bag when not needed.
While many pontoons have a pedestal table, it never feels large enough for food prep. You can replace the table with a bigger one, or you can use those handy pontoon rails as a spot to clip on additional flat surfaces.
Michaelene Marcotte added the lightweight Porta-Shelf from Loungin’ Lizards; it clips on in less than five minutes and doesn’t require any tools. Other creative solutions include using small, folding tables that can be tucked away when not needed or even side-table-style coolers which have a large, flat top.
Even if you don’t fish, there are all kinds of benefits to having an electronic navigation system on board. Craig Smith said, “We don’t fish but we enjoy seeing what’s on the bottom.” Cliff Otto advised, “A fish/depth finder with navigation will track where you’ve been so you don’t get lost. It will tell your water temp, speed you’re traveling, and how deep or shallow the water is.” Garmin, Lowrance, and Humminbird all sell a variety of aftermarket options. Most come with a binnacle mount for easy installation on a boat’s dash or console.
Adding LED lights is another fun way to personalize your pontoon and make a simple change that has a big impact.
Dan Feldman said, “If you buy cheap Amazon LEDs expect them not to last because the controllers on the low-cost color changing ones tend to die fast from moisture. I installed the blue tint one-color option from Pontoon Stuff with great luck, and the Green Blob kits
for color changing options.”
Michael Moffatt recommends superlightleds.com for color changing options and added that red will not hurt your night vision. Steven Otway added, “Blast LED is the way to go: they’re the best under-deck lights we’ve used.”
Making the biggest splash at the sandbar often comes down to a fun boat name and some well-placed vinyl decals. Bill Steinman said, “Buy from any sign shop who offers UV-laminated, high-grade vinyl. You want your decal to last.” Local sign companies in your area will almost always be willing to help you personalize your order, and a glut of online options are also available from Etsy to doityourselflettering.com.
Customizing your shade and counter space, as well as your boat name and lighting options will give your boat character and charm. Instead of a factory-grade cookiecutter, your personalized pontoon will feel like your home on the water.
Blast LED www.blastled.com
Do It Yourself Lettering www.lettering.com
Garmin www.garmin.com
Green Blob Outdoors www.greenbloboutdoors.com
Humminbird www.humminbird.johnsonoutdoors.com
Loungin’ Lizards www.lounginlizards.com
Lowrance www.lowrance.com
Pontoon Stuff www.pontoonstuff.com
Mustang Survival added two inflatables to its collection with the launch of the Elite 120 and Elite 190. These inflatable PFDs build on the revolutionary design of the award-winning Atlas 190 DLX life jacket with the same cuttingedge ADAPT bladder technology, but in lighter, more versatile profiles. Designed for all-day wear, the ergonomic chassis of the Elite series sits off the neck—ideal for anglers and highspeed boaters.
The Elite 120, a re-engineered version of the fan-favorite Elite 28, maintains the same 28 pounds buoyancy. A breathable mesh back and a shorter chassis prevent ride-up on all body types, even at high speeds. The Elite 190 offers 42 pounds of buoyancy, matching the Atlas 190, in a slightly pared-back, lighter profile. It includes optional accessory compatibility for leg straps, spray hood, and emergency light. (www.mustangsurvival.com)
Just a reminder the next issue of PDB magazine is our Fall edition, which will be mailed out the first part of October. PDB is published 11 times a year—monthly from January to September with our Special Shootout Boat Test issue coming out between our January and February issues— followed by the Fall issue.
Garmin’s quatix 8 is the ultimate nautical smartwatch purpose-built for life on and off the water. With a new built-in speaker and microphone, it’s easier to control the helm or answer a phone call while staying focused on the water. And with just a few taps, quatix 8 acts as a remote for compatible Garmin trolling motors, Fusion entertainment systems and more—while also keeping users updated on conditions such as water depth, speed, heading and wind. Available in two sizes, both models feature a 1.4-inch AMOLED display, scratchresistant sapphire lens, tough titanium bezel, and an incredible battery life of up to 16 days on the 47mm watch and 29 days on the 51mm. (www.garmin.com)
Do the mudflaps on your tow vehicle do an adequate job protecting your boat when you’re out on the road? During a crosscountry road trip where his commercial mudflap still allowed debris to damage his truck and trailer, Bart Stolworthy decided to invent the ideal solution.
After years of research and testing, the Step N Guard was created—a one-of-a-kind modular STEP and mudflap SYSTEM. Heavyduty materials provide superior defense against road debris, gravel, and mud. The mounting bar becomes a step, giving the truck owner quick and easy access to the back of their truck bed. And unlike flimsy add-ons, the integrated step is engineered for durability and safety, providing a secure point of entry for lifted trucks or easy bed access. It mounts solid to the pickup under the bumper and doesn’t interfere with most back-up sensors. Stainless steel anti-sail plates hold the flap down under high speeds. Quick to install, the Step N Guard has optional accessories such as a heat shield, work light, or an exhaust tip for Chevrolet/GMC pickups. (www.stepnguard.com)
Forest River Marine and Margaritaville are collaborating to produce the Chill Series—a line of pontoon boats designed to bring the easygoing spirit of Margaritaville to the water. Blending Forest River Marine’s trusted craftsmanship with Margaritaville’s signature vibe, the Chill Series offers boaters a one-of-a-kind escape—whether it’s a slow cruise at sunset or a weekend of good times with friends. Each model in the series will feature custom Margaritaville-inspired design elements, premium sound systems, and comfort-first layouts made for maximum relaxation. These pontoons are available to order now through Forest River Marine’s network of authorized dealers and trusted brands Berkshire, South Bay, and Trifecta. (www.berkshirepontoon.com // www.southbaypontoon.com // www.trifectapontoon.com)
Mercury Marine has expanded its Verado lineup with the all-new V10 425hp Verado outboard and a performance-enhanced version of the V10 350hp Verado outboard. Both models set new benchmarks for performance in the high-horsepower outboard segment, delivering exceptional power, acceleration, and fuel efficiency while continuing Mercury’s legacy for smoothness and quiet operation.
The new 425hp model delivers class-leading acceleration and significant weight advantages compared to a 450hp competitor, while the upgraded 350hp model delivers impressive improvements in top-end speed and mid-range acceleration. Both engines offer 26-inch centerto-center mounting, making them ideal for repowering boats originally rigged with L6 Verado or competitive outboards. (www.mercurymarine.com)
Humminbird’s XPLORE Series claimed the Best in Category award for Marine Electronics at ICAST 2025. With a sleek touchscreen interface, customizable shortcut keys, and a lightning-fast quad-core processor, XPLORE adapts in real time so anglers spend less time navigating menus and more time fishing. XPLORE easily integrates with Minn Kota trolling motors and shallow water anchors, is available in three screen sizes, and adapts to any angler’s needs. The bright, clear display works in all conditions, even in direct sunlight or when wearing polarized sunglasses. (www.humminbird.com)
A paddle is hiding inside each issue of PDB and the names of the first readers to find it are printed in an upcoming magazine! As soon as you find the paddle, email its location, your name, and hometown to paddle@pdbmagazine.com. Paddle on!
See the fish before they see you with Freshwater Revivals sunglasses from VALLON. Built for fishing, VALLON’s polarized sunglasses are made with high technical performance, old-school style, and sustainable design. The Freshwater Revivals frame has a sustainable and durable frame made of 85 percent recycled fishing nets with excellent wraparound protection. The polarized brown-tinted V52 lenses are optimal for fishing in varying light. A hydro-oleophobic lens coating and rubber nose pads keep your vision clear and sunglasses secure. Delivered in a unique case with a clip-on hook and belt straps, these sustainable sunglasses are designed for inshore fishing and maximum sun protection. (www.vallon.com)
• Uses: Pontoon boats, houseboats, work boats—replace old steel or aluminum pontoons or add a middle tube to existing pontoon boat planing hulls & ocean tested
• Heavy-duty: Molded from sturdy, medium density polyethylene (MDPE) and filled with polyurethane foam for increased stability
• Modular: Bow, middle, and stern modules come in 8ft. and 12 ft. lengths, allowing for configurations of most popular sizes
• Displacement at full submersion: Each 8 ft. module supports net weight 1,640 lbs and each 12 ft module supports 2,280 lbs.
BY LANE LINDSTROM
If there were a boating phrase comparable to, “They don’t let grass grow under their feet,” it would definitely describe Tom and Mary Jo Williams, proud owners of a Barletta Cabrio pontoon.
The half-retired couple (Tom is “retired” while Mary Jo is a full-time realtor with Berkshire Hathaway in Mt. Dora, Fla.) seem to always be on the go with their pontoon, whether it’s participating in their local pontoon club’s events or just out enjoying their 22-foot Barletta on the Harris Chain of Lakes and the St. John’s River.
Recently we spent an afternoon exploring a couple of central Florida’s Harris Chain of Lakes with the Williamses, hearing about all their boating adventures, which stretch back years as they have owned several boats. Along for the ride that day was Sam Lynch, who sold the Williamses their latest pontoon. Lynch, who works for Action Water Sports in Clermont, Fla., even slipped behind the helm for a bit as he showed Tom some of the fun features of the cabrio. They’ve owned it for less than a year, after purchasing it in October last year. Lynch was at Action Water Sports’ Polk City location at the time of their purchase.
If there was ever any doubt – and there shouldn’t be – that the Williamses spend a good deal of time on their Barletta, our afternoon boating cleared any possible confusion. We launched from Buzzard Beach Boat Ramp on Lake Eustis, which is about 40 miles north and a bit west of Orlando in central Florida. As we glided along the water, Tom and Mary Jo pointed out several highlights of the area and took us to (and through) a couple of those highlights.
Actually the conversation was a mix of why boating in this area of Florida is so amazing along with the features they really enjoy about their Cabrio, highlighted by the pontoon’s 150hp Mercury outboard.
The Williamses’ favorite features comprise a long list that stretches from bow to the stern. The couple said the standard features of their Barletta are so extensive that the only upgrade they added was an electric anchor.
“This boat is very well built from the bottom up and loaded with standard features,” Tom said. Mary Jo added, “We really love our Barletta. It’s very comfortable and feels so luxurious. Whether cruising at low speeds or feeling the wind in our face, it feels so stable. And all of the smaller features such as the fender connectors and phone chargers, complement the extended back deck, power/ hydraulic steering, great customer service, and the 10-year bow-to-stern warranty. So much came with it; we absolutely love it.”
Still raving about the specific features they really like, Tom pointed to the nearly 6 feet of in-floor storage in the center pontoon as well as the lifting strakes that allow the boat to get up on plane quickly. He also appreciates Barletta’s Vibration Isolation System (VIS) and the Doggie-Dock View See-Through Acrylic gate panels. The power Biminis, of which there are two on their Barletta, are much appreciated in the intense Florida summer sun. Tom added they like the VIS because any vibration from boating on the water does not go through to the deck of the boat. And as for the doggie doors, yes, they’re nice for the four-legged furry animals, but Tom likes them because it makes docking the boat easier because he can see through them to view the dock.
One of Tom’s favorite features on the Barletta might just be the Ultra Lounger in the stern of the boat. “It can be configured in so many different ways,” he said. “It’s like having a bed on the boat.” He continued, “With this particular boat, it’s the best boat we’ve ever owned. The three pontoons are smooth crossing the water and you can make a turn at speed and it responds.”
in a pontoon as Tom and Mary Jo Williams showed us during a recent visit. ABOVE: Just one of the couple’s favorite features on their 22-foot Barletta pontoon is the Ultra Lounger in the stern. It provides plenty of space to sprawl out and can be configured in a number of ways.
Those features tend to loom large for the Williamses because they spend so much time on their craft. Just counting club activities alone (they’re members of the Pontoon Yacht Club of Lake County), they’re on the water at the very least twice a month participating in activities such as poker runs, cruising to different state parks (easily accessible from the numerous waterways in the area) for a barbecue, murder mystery rides, geocaching and more. Tom has been a two-time commodore for the club, which was founded in 1989. Other activities include yearly Georgefest parades (celebrating George Washington’s birthday) and boat-in movies on the water, sponsored by a local marina. Still another favorite club activity is “going out to eat” using their boats to get to the restaurants. Tom explained the group will “raft up” on the lake to meet, cruise to a restaurant, eat and then maybe cruise around after.
Additionally, club members plan a “getaway” at least three times a year where they go away for about a week and explore lakes, canals and other waterways. They’ll maybe find a place that has cabins where they can stay, using their boats to get there.
“That’s the beauty of the Chain of Lakes,” Tom said. “You can go for miles and miles from lake to lake. You can go to the Gulf or you can go to Jacksonville and then on to the Atlantic Ocean.”
He pointed out that boaters have to go through multiple locks to get to Jacksonville, but that’s also part of the adventure. He also explained that when they do the barbecue thing, they just attach the grill to the back of their Barletta, which is one of the reasons Mary Jo appreciates the extended stern deck.
In all, the couple says they boat four to six times a month between the club activities and just going out on their own. And, thanks to the ideal weather in central Florida, they boat year-round.
It’s obvious the couple loves to explore the area via their pontoon, but Mary Jo said there’s usually a destination. “Tom likes to have a destination,” she said. “He would rather have a place to go.” Tom then added, “It’s really unique here because there are so many lakes.”
The lakes here, he explained, average between 10 to 13 feet deep which is why, “pontoons are perfect here.”
During our ride with the Williamses, they were happy to show us around, mostly on Lake Eustis, but we did get to boat the famous Dora Canal, which is where parts of the 1951 movie The African Queen was filmed. The 1.25-mile canal dates back to 1882 when a river was dredged out to allow steamships to navigate from lake to lake. We went from Lake Eustis to Lake Dora and back, passing large Cypress trees draped with hanging Spanish moss. The canal is only about four feet deep, yet the Williams pontoon was able to easily navigate it.
We also explored a portion of the Dead River before heading up Haines Creek to the Burrell Lock & Dam, which is one of the locks Tom was referring to that has to be passed on the way not only to Lake Griffin, but also to Jacksonville.
As we crossed parts of Lake Eustis, Tom and Mary Jo explained that while some Pontoon Yacht Club members have a residence on local lakes and can keep their pontoons there, the Williamses trailer their Barletta anywhere they need to launch. They own a ranch next to the Ocala National Forest, which is about a half hour from where we launched that day. Owning the ranch means Tom really isn’t retired since taking care of it and all that that entails “seems like full-time,” he said.
The Williamses have been in this part of Florida since 2000, having moved from the Fort Lauderdale area, where they also owned a ranch near the Everglades. Tom graduated from Penn State with a degree in hotel/restaurant management. He moved to Florida, getting a job at the University of Miami, which is where he met Mary Jo. They are both from Pittsburgh, but met in Florida and once there, they never left. Tom is a Navy veteran, having served in the naval aviation division from 1968-72, which was during the Vietnam era.
They explained that getting a boat seemed like the thing to do when they first moved to Florida. When asked, “Why did you get a boat?” Tom responded, “Why not? We lived in the Fort
Tom Williams praised the many features of his new Barletta pontoon, including the helm and setup of controls and instruments.
Barletta Boats www.barlettapontoonboats.com
Mercury Marine www.mercurymarine.com
Pontoon Yacht Club of Lake County www.pontoonyachtclub.com
Lauderdale area; it seemed like the natural thing to do.”
They’ve owned several boats over the years, including a 2021 20-foot pontoon with a 90hp engine and a Chris Craft 210 with a 327hp motor. They owned the Chris Craft in the Fort Lauderdale area and used it to explore the Intracoastal Waterway with it.
“We did take some time away from boating and got horses for trail riding,” Tom admitted. “But the bug came back; we wanted to get back on the water again. We did a lot of camping with the horses, but we now do a lot of camping with our boat as well.”
When it came time to trade in their pontoon they did some homework before making their next purchase. The couple explained they went to numerous boat shows, which is where they first met Lynch from Action Water Sports. They also went to a demo event out on a local lake where Lynch took them for a test ride on the Barletta. Soon after, they were owners and have never looked back.
“There’s so much to do here on a boat,” Tom said. “That’s one of the reasons we had to get a boat.”
BY BRADY L. KAY
Fully restoring his vintage Landau pontoon wasn’t in Corey Martin’s original plans—far from it, actually. When Corey purchased the 1984 craft for $1,700 in 2020, it had been severely neglected. But he knew it would work just fine for his needs. Corey and his wife Kelly live in Canyon Lake, Calif., and at the time they were just looking for a boat that could get them out on the reservoir.
“The boat was in rough shape, but my plan was to just throw some towels over the seats,” recalls Corey. “I had no plans of actually restoring it.”
However, with multiple motorcycle and golf cart restoration projects included among his current list of hobbies, it didn’t take long for the wheels in his head to start turning on what he could do with this boat if he were to tear it down.
“I’m a project guy and I love restoration; it’s kind of in my DNA,” says Corey. “My dad restores old vintage motorcycles, cars and all kinds of stuff, and soon this pontoon took on a life of its own.”
Other than recruiting some friends from time to time to help with heavy items such as mounting a new motor, he did most of the project himself in his front yard. Corey has been working on it for five years now: the bulk of the build took place from 2020 to 2021 and he’s added a little to it each summer since.
something that was a little bit easier to get on and off of than his ski boat.
“Again, my thinking at the time was to buy an old pontoon boat and literally cover the seats with towels,” says Corey. “We wanted to buy an old beater and continue to beat on it, but after I bought it and started to fix a couple of things it was a full snowball effect. There was no stopping the freight train once it started rolling. I stripped it down to the pontoons and thought, ‘Well, here we go. Now we’re going to have to redo everything,’ and that’s where it all began.”
Since he originally wasn’t planning to restore the Landau or really put any additional money into it, he had to count on his wife being understanding of the idea.
“As the days progressed and the parts started flying off, I don’t think my wife fully grasped what was going on,” says Corey. “I kept selling her on, ‘I’m just going to do the seats, and then maybe do this or that.’ It turned into a helm, a motor, Biminis and sending out the frames to powdercoat. I think before either of us realized how deep I was getting into it, I was already into it, but luckily she was fully supportive of what I was doing.”
Corey owned a ski boat and has been around boats most of his life. When the couple decided to start a family they wanted to get
After selling the ski boat, the pontoon became the couple’s only method of getting out on the water and when you live on the lake, not having a boat isn’t an option. It got to the point, Corey admits, where his wife wanted to get the project done just as much as he did, just so they could get back out there.
The outer U-shaped logs are 21 feet long by 22 inches tall, but were in rough shape when he bought the boat.
“If I were to do this again I would buy a pontoon boat that had much better logs on it,” admits Corey. “I’ve sunk a lot of time and money into this boat and really the only part that is left from the original is the right and left pontoons and some of the fencing. If that’s the only thing you’re going to be keeping, then starting with really good pontoons is important.”
The boat sat on Lake Mead in Nevada for an estimated 30 years, and the pontoons ended up being much worse than he had originally anticipated. It took Corey close to four days just to get rid of all the barnacles and calcium buildup. After that many years he says most of it was etched into the aluminum so the aluminum was dented, pitted, and weakened, but he did his best to repair the logs with bondo and Flex Seal.
“The outside logs aren’t very buoyant. They’re terrible, but still do the job,” says Corey. “Like I said before but feel it’s worth repeating: if I were to ever do it again with the plans to do a full restoration, I would make sure the boat had really good pontoons with integrity to them with no damage and go from there.”
Corey ended up adding a third center pontoon log that he bought in Havasu for $500. The pontoon was 28 feet long at the time, but he reached out to a friend who is a fabricator and they cut the back entirely off and fabricated a transom and motor mounts so the boat can now hold up to a 200hp motor if that’s what he wanted. The 25-inch tall center tube is now 22.5 feet long, which led to his upgrading to a better trailer than the single axle one that came with it to accommodate for the deeper pontoon.
Today the interior looks like a new boat and Corey is quick to credit PontoonStuff and DeckMate for helping to make his old Landau what it is today.
“I went with DeckMate and pontoonstuff.com for the majority of my build and they were great to work with,” says Corey. “PontoonStuff has a great website. I drew an outline of the boat on the ground with sidewalk chalk off the measurements from their website to make sure everything would fit. The website gave me all the specs that I needed and it was super easy to order with everything coming directly to the house.”
While the helm, furniture, flooring, and the major upgrades came from PontoonStuff (with the Biminis coming from DeckMate), Corey also found a lot of parts he needed on Facebook Marketplace and Amazon. He even reached out to the original manufacturer for decals to complete the look.
“I gave Landau a call after I noticed on their website they had some nice decals,” says Corey. “I bought them just to give the restored pontoon a factory look and to maintain some of its history.”
Last season Corey added LED’s around the exterior trim and put a ski tower on the back with speakers on it. This season he added a piece of fabric to connect the dual Biminis and close the gap so now both are connected. However, the biggest addition this summer was to swap out the outboard. It now has a 2014 Mercury 115hp on it after replacing the 2001 75hp Mercury he had originally added.
“Another tip when planning a restoration project is to start with a good motor,” advises Corey. “I’ve changed the engine out twice on this. In hindsight I should have spent a little bit more for a boat with a solid engine. It came with a 1977 Mercury Tower Of Power and it didn’t even run. It was terrible.”
Corey is considering adding PontoonStuff’s luxury line of seats to his boat, but the next thing he for sure plans to do is reskin the underside of the boat that is currently two-thirds covered.
“I literally used the old fencing panels off the boat as the skin,” says Corey. “If you were to look under it you’d see those old panels with the 80s graphics underneath it so I’d like to change those out.”
Splash guards, more interior lighting and other upgrades are on the horizon at some point, but that’s about it.
“Once that stuff is done I kind of want to list it for sale and buy another project and start over,” says Corey with some hesitation. “If I don’t end up trying to sell it, I kind of want to add the LilliPad Diving Board. I know my kids would love it.”
The couple’s two young children love getting out on the lake and enjoy being on the pontoon.
“I never really saw myself as a pontoon boat owner, but now that we have kids it’s by far my most favorite boat,” says Corey. “The ability to do whatever we want with it, the ease of getting it on the trailer, running it up on the beach, the safety for the kids, and that we have so much room are just a couple of examples of why I love having a pontoon.”
If he decides to sell his current boat and start over with another restoration project, it is sure to be a pontoon. In that case he will take the lessons he’s learned over the years and apply them to his next project. But regardless of what happens he’s still extremely satisfied with how his Landau build turned out.
“I learned that I never should have put this much work into the boat with those outer `toons, but here we are,” concludes Corey. “I’ve had an absolute blast building the boat so no regrets.”
LilliPad Marine www.lillipadmarine.com
Marine www.mercurymarine.com PontoonStuff www.pontoonstuff.com
BY REBECCA BLACKSON
Calling all the do-it-yourselfers, the handy-with-tools, and the project aficionados. If you’re fearless in the face of a fix-it job and the thought of a little boat project gets you more excited than a kid at Christmas, you’re in the right place.
We’ve gathered 10 doable upgrades that you can tackle on your own to give your pontoon a modest facelift, boost the comfort levels, or simply add more fun. Sometimes small changes make the biggest difference, and these are definitely worth your time and energy.
Better Life Technology, the company behind the trusted GFloor brand, brings commercial-grade marine vinyl flooring directly to boat owners. Originally developed for boat manufacturers and refurbishers, GFloor Outdoor & Marine Flooring is now available to DIYers looking for a durable, waterproof, UV-stable, and slip-resistant solution that’s easy to install and made to last.
Available in a variety of designs, you can give your pontoon or deck boat flooring a real wood appearance, a soft woven look, or match your upholstery with traditional solid colors. Custom options are also available for an exclusive one-of-akind look.
Since spills are inevitable, the nonporous surface is stain-resistant and allows for quick and easy cleanup of salts, fishing scents, oils, and gas without harsh scrubbing. Simply clean using mild, vinylsafe marine products or power wash for a more aggressive cleaning.
Straightforward to install, G-Floor has a welded fiber backing that aids in the adhesion and creates a strong bond to the subfloor. The material is easy to unroll and to trim to fit, while the overall construction helps to hide imperfections on the subfloor and provides some cushion under foot.
Choose from three collections filled with style, durability, and affordability. The different collections come in a variety of wood patterns, faux teak, and weathered grain patterns, as well as neutral color options to please every boater.
Designed for heavy use, the non-woven polyvinyl isn’t harmed by fish hooks, pet nails, or other sharp objects and provides a non-slip surface that won’t crack, peel, snag, or mildew. The UV inhibitor will keep your flooring from fading, preserving the color and beautiful look for years to come. (www.gfloor.com)
If your boat’s sound system just doesn’t “sound” right, it may be due to deterioration or maybe you just deserve to KICK it up a notch! A new set of speakers is the easiest and best remedy and no one makes upgrading more user-friendly than KICKER Marine Audio. In the KM line of coaxials, either 6.5inch or 8-inch will likely fit your current spaces. Simply remove the old speakers, disconnect the wires and re-connect the new speakers to install. With its top-quality copper wire kits that KICKER recommends in all its Real Marine systems, all components are tested to surpass criteria set by ABYC and NMEA. That means your new system is now 100 percent marine-grade for durability, reliability and clear, clean sound.
High-quality features of KICKER speakers include splash, spray and UV resistant sealed motors, injection molded cones with Santoprene surrounds and locking, and sealed terminal covers, all of which will ensure the extended life of your speakers. There is even a drainage port in each rim—all KICKER design and engineering innovations to keep your boat looking and sounding top-notch for years to come.
If the new speakers whet your appetite for even better music, try adding a new head unit, subwoofer or amplifier. Your boat might even boast some tower speakers to entertain friends in the water as well as in the boat! Let KICKER Marine Audio make your DIY a DAY in the sun and water. And, if you happen to have some of those popular but improperly sized speakers, KICKER made the KLSR88 multicolor speaker adapters to make them fit perfectly to standard size. They are affordable, come in seven colors, and are waterproof, too. (www.kicker.com/marine-audio)
If you know the thrill of reeling in the big one, you also know the frustration of disorganized tackle—especially on a pontoon that doubles as your party hub and watersports base. Boat Outfitters gets it. That’s why they created the Backrest Tackle Storage Box—a sleek, space-saving solution that holds 3650 Plano Tackle Trays and features a locking glove box for your essentials. Designed to blend seamlessly with your pontoon’s seating and available in matching interior colors, it’s made in the USA from ultradurable King Starboard and marinegrade hardware. Built for life on the water—and built to last.
The Backrest Tackle Storage Box features a locking glove box, which is perfect for storing your wallet, keys, or cell phones as well as eight Plano Trays in the bottom storage area for serious tackle organization. Easy to install, the unit can replace a pop-up changing room or simply an unused space in the backrest of your pontoon lounger.
(www.boatoutfitters.com)
When your pontoon’s upholstery is faded, cracked, or ripped, transform your boat into something you’re proud to show off with Lippert’s premium aftermarket pontoon furniture. Engineered for comfort, durability, and style, Lippert’s furniture is built to withstand the rigors of marine environments. Whether you’re replacing old seating or designing an entirely new layout, Lippert has you covered with high-quality options in two popular design collections.
The Rockport Series is rooted in classic design. It offers a refined, traditional aesthetic with modular configurations that adapt to how you boat — in the understated tones of Sand or River Rock. The Rockport Series delivers a timeless, traditional look with the durability and ease today’s pontoon owners expect. Featuring a rugged, rotationally molded poly base and UV-resistant vinyl, this collection stands up to sun, rain, and repeated use. Contoured foam cushions offer all-day support, UV- and weather-resistant vinyl are built for life on the water, and rotationally molded poly base offers lasting structure.
The second collection, the Sunset Collection, incorporates sleek lines, angled layouts, and eye-catching accents, while delivering a fresh, architectural look that transforms your pontoon into a stylish, contemporary retreat. Designed to stand out, this collection of pontoon furniture features dynamic contours, stylish accent panels, and premium stitching that delivers both comfort and visual appeal. Engineered for easy reconfiguration and built with marine-grade durability, this collection blends cutting-edge aesthetics with everyday functionality. Ergonomic contoured foam cushioning ensures all-day comfort; durable, marine-grade vinyl resists sun and water damage; rotationally molded poly frame provides exceptional strength; and hinged seats with dry storage keep gear organized.
Plus, Lippert’s virtual pontoon furniture configurator tool lets you customize your boat to find the pontoon design and layout that best suits your needs. Using your personal computer or device, you can perfect your new furniture design and get an itemized list of furniture, part numbers, and quantities needed. (www.lippert.com)
Take total control of your boat with the Minn Kota Terrova— one of the most trusted and capable trolling motors on the water. Featuring Minn Kota’s most advanced GPS trolling system with Spot-Lock, Drift Mode, and effortless stow and deploy, Terrova delivers precise positioning, unmatched efficiency, and hands-free fishing performance. Connect seamlessly with the One-Boat Network to control everything from your trolling motor to your fish finder. Built to handle any water, Terrova is your all-in-one system for smarter, more effective days on the water.
By pressing the Stow/Deploy Lever on the mount, fall-away ramps will effortlessly slide your trolling motor into the water. Terrova uses GPS to control your trolling motor with unrivaled features that keep you on the fish. Set Spot-Lock, record paths, control speed and steering, and more. Minn Kota makes boat positioning and control automatic, and you can take command from the easy-to-read LCD screen of Terrova’s wireless remote.
Minn Kota motors come standard with everything you need to connect to select Humminbird fish finders. Link and control your trolling motor, shallow water anchor and fish finder through the One-Boat Network App on Apple or Android devices.
Spot-Lock will hold you in place with unparalleled GPS accuracy and gives you the power to stay right on top of any productive fishing spot without touching your trolling motor. Drift Mode is a new feature that automatically engages speed and course control simultaneously, meaning anglers no longer need to depend on drift socks, kicker motors, or manual operation to control speed over water – even in the heaviest wind and current.
The Digital Maximizer provides up to five times longer run time on a single battery charge. These variable speed trolling motors let you dial in your exact speed, and they deliver only as much power as you need, helping to conserve your battery for a full day of fishing. (www.minnkota.johnsonoutdoors.com)
With an extensive inventory of pontoon boat accessories and parts for rebuilding, Pontoon Specialists has a wide variety of products you can easily add, including its Marine Mooring Biminis. Available in four different sizes and six different colors, the Marine Mooring Biminis have frames of satin anodized aluminum and square tubing. With six colors to choose from, including burgundy, forest green, and navy, it is easy to find a color that matches your pontoon’s color scheme.
The kits come with the frame, the Bimini rag (fabric), and storage boot, radar bars, hardware and instructions. The Bimini fabric and matching boot are both made of Surlast material, a solution-dyed polyester fabric, designed for outdoor use and known for its durability and weather resistance. The storage boot zips over the frame and Bimini top and has a reinforced hole for the optional Bimini light. (www.pontoonspecialists.com)
If your boat didn’t come with a ski/tow bar or pylon but you want to increase the fun factor and turn it into a water sports wonder, TurboSwing is a clever solution. An aftermarket ski/ tow bar that mounts to your transom, TurboSwing is a rounded bar that can safely surround any outboard motor and pull multiple tubes at the same time.
TurboSwing’s patented technology elevates the tow rope above the wake like wakeboard towers and pylons, only without using up valuable real estate on the stern deck. By attaching it to the transom, the TurboSwing’s mounting system piggybacks on motor mount bolts that are already present. All that needs to be added is a pair of stabilizing bolts. Different models are available that will work with virtually any outboard— even twin engines all the way up to 350 horsepower.
TurboSwing’s pulley system allows for towing multiple riders, as long as you get a separate pulley for each one. Constructed of heavy-duty 316 Stainless Steel, no other towing product on the market can match the towing capacity of the TurboSwing.
The entire unit can be removed in seconds with the included quickrelease clips. But because it provides
From replacement seats to everything you need for a fully renovated pontoon, PontoonStuff has consoles, fencing, electrical, flooring, and more so you can have a great-looking pontoon boat again without breaking the bank. If you’d love to have the same flooring that all the new pontoons are offering, look no further than DeckMate Woven Vinyl Pontoon Flooring offered through PontoonStuff.com.
Providing comfort and durability, DeckMate flooring is available in a standard woven texture or woven teak. This beautiful pontoon flooring is soft to walk on, both slip- and stain-resistant, and easy to clean, meaning you’ll have much less maintenance compared to carpet. With 3,000 hours of UV stability, your new flooring won’t fall apart in the sun. This mold and mildewresistant, marine-grade vinyl is easy to install. After applying adhesive to your deck, use a roller or stiff broom to firmly press your new vinyl flooring down into the glue. (www.pontoonstuff.com)
a protective barrier you may want to leave the TurboSwing in place while using your boat for activities other than watersports, since it creates a ring of
protection around your outboard while still allowing it to be trimmed all the way up and out of the water. (www.turboswing.com)
Completely customize the look of your pontoon without the expense, labor, or permanence of paint. Whether you’re revamping a faded finish or just want a bolder, more personalized design, wrapping your pontoon is the ideal solution.
Boat wraps are vinyl sheets that adhere to the surface of your water vessel. You can choose from a range of colors, textures and graphics to transform your entire boat or enhance different sections for a new look. More economical and far easier to apply than paint, vinyl wraps are durable, last for years, and require little maintenance.
Vinyl wraps from rvinyl.com let you achieve a showroomworthy look in a weekend. Choose from matte black, brushed metal, chrome, carbon fiber, camouflage, or vivid color-change films. Want to match your truck? Showcase your favorite team? Blend in with nature? There’s a wrap for that.
Are your pontoons rusted, cracked, or corroded? Replace them with Wilson Pontoons rotomolded plastic logs, which are tough enough to stand up to the harshest marine environments.
Constructed of medium density polyethylene (MDPE), Wilson Pontoons are excellent replacements for old steel or aluminum pontoons, and they’re also ideal for salt water because they won’t rust or corrode. Available in a variety of diameters including 24-inch and 36-inch, the pontoon logs are made with modular construction. All pontoon modules are filled with closed cell polyurethane foam for greater structural stability, which also helps retain shape over the life of the module. Punctures will not collapse the pontoon module, and it won’t fill with water.
Easy to apply, you can install most wraps in a weekend. Start with a clean, dry boat and ensure that all surfaces are rust-free. With proper care, pontoon wraps from Rvinyl can last 5–7 years or more. Use non-abrasive soap for cleaning, avoid pressure washers on edges, and inspect seams regularly. If sections peel, they can be patched or replaced individually. Premium film is fade-resistant and can last several years without needing touch-ups. It won’t peel or lift if you’ve followed the correct procedures on your own. Also, joins aren’t visible if you’re looking at the boat as a whole. Highperformance films from rvinyl.com shield your boat’s surface from UV rays, oxidation, and light abrasions. Wraps help preserve the underlying aluminum panels and resale value, all while giving your vessel a fresh edge. Compared to painting or hydro graphics, vinyl wraps are more affordable and reversible. If you change your mind later, simply heat and peel — no sanding, no stripping, and no regrets. (www.rvinyl.com)
application sizes. UV protected and maintenance-free, the pontoons can be cleaned with just a pressure wash. Bottom painting is recommended if they are left in salt water full-time.
The bow, middle, and stern modules come in a variety of lengths and configurations for the most popular
Wilson Pontoons are great for replacement pontoons for boats whose old steel or aluminum tubes are leaking or for adding a middle pontoon for boats that have added more weight in the form of larger engines, builtins, or accessories. And they work well in other common applications such as barges, floating platforms, and docks. (www.plasticpontoon.com)
Thank you to those who shared photos of their favorite veteran for KICKER’s Salute the Troops photo contest! We are so grateful to those who serve in the military and for their families and loved ones who support them. Here are some of our favorite photos that were entered.
Did you miss the July issue? Not a problem. Scan QR code to view the issue.
APPLICATION: 19/20
BY BRADY L. KAY
Back in 2004 a manufacturer invited me on an “adventure” to take a pontoon boat from Baltimore, Md., to Key West, Fla. To make it even more challenging, the trip took place in November! After accepting the invite, I was more than a little terrified so I called Mustang Survival who loaned me a full head-to-toe survival suit to help put my mind at ease. Turns out the deep offshore suit was a little overkill for the pontoon ride, but when it comes to boating safety, Mustang Survival has always ruled the waterways.
Fast forward over 20 years later and it’s nice to see this industry giant is still keeping boaters safe with new and innovative products, including the Atlas 190 DLX Hydrostatic Inflatable Life Jacket. This lightweight, ergonomically designed life jacket has a contoured shape that sits off your neck and the adjustable sides ensure a secure and comfortable fit.
For a product that you hope to actually never use, I can appreciate the new ADAPT Technology shaped bladder lobes for face-up positioning, the baffle barriers to dissipate waves and an integrated pillow for head stability. There is even a built-in spray hood to help prevent secondary drowning, while a SOLAS-approved light boosts visibility in the water.
The ISO-approved life vest features Hammar Hydrostatic Inflation Technology, which prevents it from accidentally inflating because of rain, spray, or humidity. You can comfortably wear it all day long with confidence that it won’t accidentally activate.
FUNCTION: 49/50
DURABILITY: 10/10
DESIGN: 10/10
PRICE: 8/10 PRODUCTS 96
The award-winning life jacket retails for $399 and it will give you the same peace of mind I felt when on my Baltimore trip, a massive wave came over the pontoon bow and shredded our full canvas enclosure while temporarily putting two feet of water through the boat. Despite the sudden shock of the powerful wave, I knew Mustang Survival had my back that day and the Atlas 190 DLX gives me that same confidence today.
STYLE: 19/20 FUNCTION: 49/50
10/10
10/10
I must admit I have fallen hard for the Kiata boating sneaker from XTRATUF. It has become my everyday shoe now and I absolutely love it for both the boat and the office. When you find something you really like, you can’t help but start poking around to see what else the manufacturer might have to offer and this is how I ended up here. With football season now (finally) here, I found myself in the Tailgate collection on the XTRATUF website.
The XTRATUF ADB Sport Tailgate Collection features iconic designs and features with new colors to rep your favorite teams, With a dark green version that is named Built For The Birds, a black and gold pair named Built
For The Steel City and the Built For The Bay boots that are red and gold, it’s clear to see where the inspiration came for the different names. I opted for the Built For The Windy City Tailgate 6-inch ankle deck boots that are navy blue and orange.
Designed for the boat or for the tailgate, these extremely stylish boots are slip-resistant and non-marking and I love that they slip on as easily as slippers. They also feature an Eco-friendly BioLite outsole and a special printed insole with comfort you can appreciate all day long. Priced at $140, the Windy City boots give me another option for boating footwear that looks just as good on water as it does on land.
A circle hook is the preferred type for many coastal anglers using live shrimp as bait in the near-shore brine.
BY DAN ARMITAGE
When heading out to angle open water, you want to make sure your safety gear is up to snuff and easy to access.
If you didn’t hook-up with as many fish this season as you expected, it could be as simple as your choice of, well, your hook. Most anglers don’t know an Aberdeen from a Kahle and frankly don’t care; as long as there’s a bend and a pointed barb at one end and an eye at the other, they figure any hook that will fit in its mouth will catch the fish they chase.
I offer a basic primer here. For most of my angling career I felt pretty much the same way – and still do – to some degree. But there are some situations where having the right hook can mean the difference between having fresh fillets or frozen sticks for your fish dinner. We’re talking meat fishing here, when you are serious about catching fish and plan to keep what you land for the dinner table. In many cases, when you simply must catch fish, that means using live bait as your primary lure.
That said, I hesitate to recommend using live bait when you intend to catch and release the fish you fool. Angling with live bait is more akin to feeding the fish with the real thing, rather than fooling them with something they are more likely to spit out than swallow. And anyone who has had to dig a barb out of the gullet of a fish that they had no intention of keeping – let alone killing – knows that fish that hit live bait tend to be hooked more deeply than those who are fooled by artificials.
The hook represents “where the rubber meets the road” anglingwise; your real connection to the fish you will fight and eventually hope to swing over the side of your deck or pontoon boat. But before you can get there, you need to consider that the hook first must hold the bait that draws the gamefish to the table. Not only must the hook secure the bait in place at the end of your fishing line, to be effective it usually must do so while allowing the live offering to look as natural as possible.
Depending on what type of live bait you are presenting, there are four hook types that do that, styles that serious bait-dunkers might want
to consider, for both fresh- and saltwater fishing.
The most common fishing hook for use with live bait such as minnows is the Aberdeen style, which is often made of goldcolored wire and features a long shank with symmetrical bend. The narrow-diameter wire permits easy penetration through a baitfish’s lips, skin or fin, and the hook’s light weight allows the bait to swim more naturally. The light wire also straightens under pressure, which often allows the angler to pull the rig free from snags without breaking the line, and the long shank makes hook grasping and removal easier. Light wire Aberdeens are a great choice when fishing with minnows around cover – or with kids – for those two reasons alone.
An extra pair of barbs built into the baitholder hook’s shank make this popular style a great choice for holding worms on the hook. The worm or nightcrawler can be threaded onto the hook allowing one or both ends of the bait free to wiggle and attract finicky fish while suspended under a bobber or fishing on the bottom with less threat of it sliding down into the hook’s bend and appearing unnatural. Used while trolling, casting or drifting, the bait-holder can securely clasp the head of the worm, allowing the tail to trail behind while keeping the moving bait from spinning.
The talon-like curved point and wide
mouth of the Circle hook was developed by commercial anglers using multi-line rigs to hook and hold fish without benefit of a conventional hookset. The design allows the hook to turn and catch in the corner of a fish’s mouth as it swims off, which makes for a firm hold and an easy release. Circle hooks can be used with minnows, worms or other presentations such as cut or prepared baits and is a popular choice among fishermen targeting bottom-feeders such as catfish.
Made of wire formed into a large gap with a barbed point bent in toward a short shank, the Kahle is designed for use with larger live baits such as shiners, crayfish and frogs. The exaggerated curve of the hook’s throat helps keep lively baits impaled – and the barb in the gamefish’s maw once the hook has been set and the fight is on. The Kahle is also popular among anglers offering soft plastic
Manufactured and assembled in Cobourg, Ontario, Canada, these unique pontoon-style outboard boats cater to anglers who want a stable fishing platform that can easily be launched, retrieved and enjoyed by one
Using the correct style hook is key to the effectiveness of any live bait presentation, including shiners under a float.
artificial baits.
No matter what style hook you use for live bait presentations, make sure it isn’t too big for the job. You can fool and catch a big fish with a small hook, but even the dinks won’t give it a second look if the bait’s size and action are overwhelmed by a hook that is too large or too heavy or both to allow the critter at the end of your line to shake its booty.
person without the need for conventional launch ramps – or as a fun fishing tender for larger craft. The Zego 300’s twin hulls are made of 8mm rotomolded HDPE plastic and foam-filled, which means that the craft is virtually unsinkable, and designed to allow the anglers to stand up on the bow deck. Standard accessories include rod holders built into the backrest, a 12-liter built-in fuel tank, under seat storage, dedicated anchor locker, and Teleflex steering covered by a 10-year structural warranty. Angling upgrade options include a color depth sounder, VHF radio, gaff/paddle, compass, and a Bimini top.
Take a peek at the website, then try to tell me you wouldn’t love to head for the horizon to drown a few worms from the 300 and then take the long way back to the dock.
BY ROY SPARKS
When you’re seriously considering buying your first pontoon or deck boat, there are so many questions you should ask yourself. However, some of the most important yet commonly overlooked questions you should address are, “Where will I be using it most?” and “How heavy is this vessel and can my current vehicle pull it?” Some owners might have their own dock with a boat lift, in which they may never need to tow their boats onshore except for winterization and to return it at the start of the next season. In a lot of cases, though,
recreational boaters tend to tow and haul their vessels regularly to and from a lake or river.
In getting your vessel to and from the body of water, you’ll need a vehicle that can handle the load well, and it may be easy to understand why not just any road machine with a hitch is up for the job. The vehicle best suited also depends on the weight of your vessel, as
pontoons and deck boats come in varying shapes and sizes. Your vehicle may already be well-suited for towing the boat, or it may not. If you’re not sure, you can look at the gross combination weight rating (GCWR) on the manufacturer’s sticker in the driver doorsill or your vehicle owner’s manual. For this application, that number means the maximum safe weight limit of the tow vehicle, boat, trailer, and each unit’s occupants and cargo combined.
If you need concrete numbers to help you understand, the average dry weight of a pontoon boat is around 2,200 to 2,500 pounds. You then add the trailer (average weight is about 1,000 pounds), and the outboard engine(s) add on another 200 to 600 pounds depending on their size. Factor in the other weighing variables as well, such as fuel, watersports gear, fishing equipment, and other cargo (let’s say that all adds up to 200 pounds at a given moment). Of course, these numbers are just estimates to help get you started; actual amounts will vary.
Although manufacturers set their numbers as an extreme precautionary measure and there may be some wiggle room in there, you should by all means not exceed the GCWR. You know you don’t want to risk burning up your transmission, wearing out other engine or power train components prematurely, voiding your vehicle’s warranty (if it’s still under it), getting fined for an unsafe load, or, most importantly, getting into an accident. Note that most sedans are not as well-suited for towing boats as are crossovers, SUVs and pickup trucks. With that said, let me explain the best vehicle types for regularly towing a pontoon or deck boat. If you’re in the market for a new vehicle, it’s probably not a bad idea to look for one with a tow package, which includes mechanical components such as a transmission cooler in addition to a hitch platform and wiring harness. Believe me, that option makes a hauling vehicle so much better outfitted for the boating lifestyle. Also look into a four-wheel drive (4WD) or all-wheel-drive (AWD) powertrain, because that’ll help you with traction on the boat ramp.
You don’t necessarily need a full-size SUV or pickup truck to haul a pontoon or deck boat, but for bare-minimum vehicle class and size in regular towing and hauling, you should go no smaller than a three-row midsize crossover SUV. By that, I mean vehicles such as the Ford Explorer, Chevy Traverse, Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander, or Nissan Pathfinder. With a 4WD-or-AWD powertrain, recent model years of these crossovers have towing capacities ranging between 5,000 and 6,000 pounds. They make excellent family vehicles because of their spacious interiors with lots of seating, and they’re also great for long road trips and recreational adventures. Generally speaking, they’ll also please you with fuel economy.
Weight also adds up quickly from everything you put in and on your boat. Fuel economy will suffer when you reach the towing capacity. However, that may not matter much to you, depending on how often and how far you’ll haul
your boat. If you’re looking for a great family vehicle with the best fuel economy that can also tow a good amount when you need it to, a midsize crossover with 4WD-or-AWD is your best bet.
If you’re ambitious for a vehicle with a large interior that’ll put you virtually in the clear for boat towing, then by all means go with a larger truck-based SUV. Vehicles such as the Ford Expedition, Chevy Tahoe/GMC Yukon, Toyota Sequoia, and Nissan Armada all have towing capacities ranging between 6,000 and 8,500 pounds for the most recent model years. With the upper end of this range, you’ll have no issues towing the largest `toons, such as the high-end luxury models with dry weights around 4,500 pounds in some cases.
Because these capacities are so high, it’s easier to get away without 4WD when towing and launching with these vehicles, but it’s always nice to have. You should keep in mind these vehicles are known to drink some fuel, but that probably won’t matter to you if you spend a lot of time towing and hauling the heavy stuff. On top of that, these SUVs are more spacious and just as well-built for long road trips and family adventure as their midsize crossover counterparts.
Pickup trucks are constrained for interior space compared to crossovers and SUVs, but there’s no denying they’re the best built tow vehicles for anything overall. Midsize and half-ton pickups are the best suited for towing recreational boats; half-tons are very much preferred for many larger pontoons. Pontoons because of their height on the trailer can also produce strong wind resistance when traveling on the highway, making them seem heavier than they are. Having a truck gives you a strong advantage here. You could choose a larger pickup than a half-ton if you want, but they’re way more than enough for what you’ll be doing. Especially as many of the smaller pickups now come with high-torque diesel engine options just like their big brothers, they make for an amazing towing and hauling choice. Even a pickup as small as the
Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon has a towing capacity of 7,700 pounds for the 2025 model year with the standard 2.7-liter TurboMax engine. Halfton pickups such as the Ford F150 and RAM 1500 have diesel options that offer well above 10,000 pounds of capacity. Even though some of the gas V8 engine options provide more towing capacity, if you choose a diesel option, you’ll get more output for the fuel you use; chances are you’ll also flat-out save yourself mileage over the gas engine options. If you have a smaller vessel and want a truck to pull it but don’t want all that unnecessary haughtiness, then consider something such as the Honda Ridgeline, which has a 5,000-pound capacity with the AWD powertrain. If you want more interior space in a truck, you can always opt for a crew cab where applicable. Your family will love you for doing it, especially if you’re regularly traveling long-distance.
It’s a lot to take in, but if you’re in the market for a tow vehicle, hopefully this gives you some useful information on the best road machines out there for handling the weight of a sizable recreational boat on a trailer. While it’s not possible to give you all the pointers you may need, I can certainly tell you the overarching ones. When you’re boat hunting, you can see there’s a lot more to pay attention to than the specified dry weight of your prospective vessel, which is just the boat with an empty fuel tank and nothing on or in it, and not even an engine in most cases. If you already have a vehicle that you believe fits the bill for towing and would like to use it, and if you know someone who owns a pontoon or deck boat, maybe you could ask to test the load on your vehicle by driving it to the scale and comparing the real-time gross combined weight (GCW) to your GCWR. If the measured GCW on the scale display is higher, then your load is too big. In fact, I would try to leave at least 1,000 to 2,000 pounds of leeway between the two numbers on full fuel tanks in both the boat and tow vehicle, as you’ll need to add in the weight of the passengers and cargo. Your local boat dealer should be able to help you out with this as well, so please take advantage of them.
Recently, I embarked on a boating movie binge. After all, the next best thing to being on the water is to watch someone else having all the fun, right?
Nope. Here’s a sad truth about movies that take place on the water: people are rarely having a good time. They all have perilous humans-vsnature plots of being thrown overboard, lost at sea, or hunted by great white sharks. (Here’s a challenge to you pontoon-loving movie-makers: create a fun movie about a cruising ‘toon. I’d watch that.)
While I have seen many of these classic movies before, it was fun to revisit them through the lens of a boater with a writing deadline. (And anytime you can throw in movie-watching as research homework is kind of a bonus.) Plus, I was interested to see how accurately boating was portrayed in these films.
First up I tackled the original Overboard from 1987 and the reboot from 2018. (It made for two fun date nights!) My favorite thing about watching both versions back-to-back was how parallel they were, including the fancy yachts.
The best way to watch a boating movie may just be from the water. The new 250 Solaris RS (Rear Social) from Premier Pontoons can help make that possible.
Even though the pontoons I spend time writing about are all about comfort, there’s a whole crazy mansion-level on these luxury vessels. Especially cute was the newer version’s nod to a cedar-lined closet, as well as the recounting of an actual nautical legend.
My kids joined me for Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. From my sailing background, I appreciated all of the sails, rigging, and deep-hulled ships. But the best of all was what I could hear. I loved the sound of the hull slicing through the water, the creak of the wooden ships as they turned, and the “zip” of the lines as they raised anchor and pulled the boom to leeward.
Of course, a movie marathon about the water just wouldn’t be complete without Jaws, and even if the animatronic shark didn’t terrify me as much as it used to, my kids were suitably scared by the menacing theme music. I was happy that the ship’s captain used the right terminology: starboard and port for directions and transom for tying up lines connected to the harpooned shark. As the boat fell to pieces and began
sinking, the captain finally admitted his human frailty and handed out life jackets to his fellow shark hunters. His one smart move, truly.
However, the best part of watching this 50-year-old!!! movie was that the next day, my daughter learned the Jaws theme song at percussion practice. She told her friends, “Hey I just watched that movie last night!” Now what are the chances of that?
I also watched The Life of Pi (magical realism while lost at sea in a lifeboat) and Charlie St. Cloud (sailing with a bit of friendly haunting by dead people). But I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed The African Queen.
This 74-year-old!!! movie follows a 30-footlong steam-powered pile of junk—a boat called The African Queen—as it weaves its way down the Ulanga river in Tanzania during WWI. Most similar to a pontoon of all the movies I watched, this uncomfortable open boat had wooden seats and a tattered shade canopy. Uppity service missionary Rosie (Katharine Hepburn) learns to handle the tiller and pilot the boat down the river while she slowly comes to appreciate rough-around-the-edges Charlie (Humphrey Bogart). At one point when they’re traversing wild rapids along a crocodile-infested river, Rosie exclaims, “I’ve never known such excitement! I don’t wonder you love boating.”
And that, my friends, is what boating is all about, isn’t it? These movies reminded me that the best thing about boating is how it taps into all our senses with a healthy dose of thrill thrown in. It’s an adventure that makes you feel alive— the sensation of being carried across the water and slicing through the waves while the wind catches your hair and a spray of water cools your face. I also don’t wonder you love boating.
