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A white PlayCraft pontoon boat with red and black graphics and a red and blue bimini top cruises on a lake, creating a white wake. Four people are on board. A treeline is visible in the background across the calm water.

New PlayCraft Owners

Delivering exceptional value to boating enthusiasts nationwide, Evolution Marine Group recently acquired PlayCraft and Charger Boats, expanding their presence in the recreational boating industry. PlayCraft, renowned for its customized pontoon boats, and Charger Boats, a respected name in high-performance fishing vessels, will now join the Evolution Marine Group family, bringing decades of expertise and craftsmanship under one roof.

Evolution Marine owners Chris and Lesli Nelson said, “Both brands share our dedication to quality and performance. This acquisition positions us to better serve our customers by offering a broader range of products and continuing to push the boundaries of marine technology.” Customers and dealers can expect a seamless transition, with continued support and enhanced product offerings. (www.evolutionmarinegroup.com // www.playcraftboats.com)

A white fire extinguisher with a black handle and pressure gauge is secured in a white Boat Outfitters mounting bracket. The bracket consists of a backplate and a circular clamp with a metal quick-release pin.

Fire Extinguisher Mounting Bracket

Engineered for long-term reliability, this U.S.-made fire extinguisher mounting bracket from Boat Outfitters is built from premium, corrosion-proof King Starboard—far outperforming plastic holders that crack, rust, or fail in harsh marine environments. Its rugged, UV-resistant construction provides exceptional durability and secure retention of standard 3.5-pound extinguishers, even in rough water or high-speed conditions. Designed for versatility, it mounts horizontally or vertically on any flat surface, maximizing space on pontoons of all layouts. A quick-release system ensures instant emergency access, making this bracket a dependable, maintenance-free upgrade for serious boat owners. (www.boatoutfitters.com)

Reimagined JBL Speakers

The award-winning JBL Club Marine Speaker line just debuted its newest 7.7-inch models. Featuring weather-resistant silk dome tweeters, a bridge-mounted design, and delivering a smooth high-frequency response, the speakers come in a simple drop-in package with peak power. The speaker’s one-piece polymer basket is designed to stand the test of time, even after long exposure to sun and salt. All Club Marine models come with two removable grilles, allowing users to easily match the grille color to their preference. Eye-catching RGB illuminated speaker cones offer vibrant color displays when hard-wired to a vessel’s lighting system. The 7.7-inch Club Marine Speakers come in sets of two and are available for $279.95. (www.jbl.com)

A speckled Mission DREADKNOT dock line with two looped ends and a white Slide-Lock adjustment piece. The rope is laid out against a light gray background with one end neatly coiled.

Smarter Than Your Average Rope

Make docking faster, easier, and smarter with the DREADKNOT dock line from Mission Outdoors. The knot-free dock line has two looped ends and a Slide-Lock that adjusts instantly and holds tight—just loop, slide, and you’re done. The reimagined dock line is a great fit for pontoon and deck boat owners who value simplicity and ease at the dock. You’ll never have to second guess your knot again. (www.boatgear.missionoutdoor.com)

Boat-Safe, Portable Fire Pit

Redefining on-the-water enjoyment, Floating Flame announced the nationwide availability of its patented, portable fire pit. Taking the chill out of cooler days and evenings on the water, the Floating Flame extends the boating season for hours of enjoyment – no matter the temperature. Perfectly safe for use on boats, the Floating Flame is intuitive to fire up, with a simple dial control just like a grill and features a smokeless design free of ashes, sparks and odor. The frame features side pods that can be used as coolers, extra storage or even a garbage can. For the ultimate portability, the lightweight, Floating Flame has two ergonomic handles for easy transportation, allowing users to bring the heat to any adventure. (www.floatingflame.com)

Open black and red EGO TIDEWATER Tool Kit case containing a fish scaler, scissors, cutting board, sharpening rod, and two fillet knives. A pair of black PVC-coated fishing gloves sits next to the case on a dark surface.

Impressive Fishing Kit

EGO’s new TIDEWATER Tool Kit contains all the essential tools to clean, prep, and fillet your catch with accuracy and ease. This full-featured fishing kit is built for both freshwater and inshore saltwater anglers and makes it simple to process everything from walleyes, perch and panfish to redfish, seatrout and flounder. The kit includes a fish scaler, multifunction fishing scissors, both a 7-inch and a 9-inch fillet knife, a foldable cutting board, sharpening tool, and PVC coated fishing gloves. (www.egofishing.com)

Quiet Holding Power

Hold your boat in position quickly and quietly with Lewmar’s Axis Electric Shallow Water Anchor. Even in wind and currents, the Axis will easily secure you a coveted spot where the fish are biting or you’re ready to play at the sandbar. Compatible with powerboats under 26 feet, this anchor deploys in 8 seconds at the touch of a button, weighs only 26 pounds, and is available in white or black. The streamlined design features an electric linear actuator instead of hydraulic pumps or hoses, which frees up valuable space in your boat and also makes it easy to install and maintain. (www.lippert.com)

Mercury Unveils Digital Control Innovations

Mercury Marine launched a new generation of digital and control innovations designed to elevate performance, simplify operation, and enhance the overall boating experience. They include the Mercury Keyless System, Boost, Premier Joystick, and a new DTS Performance Pedal for high-performance applications.

The new Mercury Keyless System puts easy access and convenience in the palm of your hand by unlocking, powering up, and securing your boat from a mobile device. The Premier Joystick offers a more intuitive control experience at the helm, and the DTS Performance Pedal is a foot throttle engineered for greater control and safety in high speed, so both hands can remain on the wheel. (www.mercurymarine.com)

Where’s The Paddle?

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! In our February issue the paddle is on page 19 on the pontoon logs (shown in the photo below). Here are the readers who spotted it first:

zoomed view of an image from the Pontoon and Deck Boat February 2026 issue article

David Groner, Vacaville, Calif.
Danny Criner, Amelia, Va.
Ken Braun, Hartford, Wis.
Marcus Rosehill, Kaneohe, Hawaii
Bill Atteberry, Auburn, Ill.

Rich Christensen, Townville, S.C.
Tobias Reigns, West Chester, Ohio
Kaylee Lewis, Grand Rapids, Mich.
Burke Tilton, Missoula, Mont.
Ben Bagley, Cary, N.C.

As soon as you find the paddle, email its location, your name, and hometown to paddle@pdbmagazine.com. Paddle on!

Women At The Helm

Although more women than ever are shopping for boats, the number of women at the helm remains much lower than their male counterparts. To help address that difference, Irish Boat Shop, a Northern Michigan three-location boat dealership, started its “Women at the Helm” education program to help women feel more confident at the helm by learning skills and practices that ensure safe and enjoyable boating. Expanding its offerings in 2026, “Women at the Helm,” is a series of workshops as well as educational and experiential events that are designed to help women become more actively involved in boating as they gain confidence in their knowledge base. (www.irishboatshop.com)