A Shout Out For Our Shootout

By Brady L. Kay

A quick shout-out to my hard-working crew. Despite what you might think, there really are a lot of long hours and hard work that go into test week. Each member of our testing crew worked hard to contribute to this issue, and I again cannot thank them enough.

The 2026 Shootout Boat Test crew on board the Godfrey Monaco 235 SFL included (from L to R, back row) Keith Nicolini, Malcolm “Goofy” Sohm, Randy “Cotton” O’Malia, Michael Frisk, Greg Larsen, and Brady Kay. (From L to R sitting up front) Lane Lindstrom, Kevin Malcom, Maudie Heard, Rebecca Blackson, and Terry Sohm.

A big thanks to those who help make our test possible

Each year, our staff converges on a large body of water to hold our Shootout Boat Test. The results are over 50 pages of test reviews, but we couldn’t have pulled it off without a little help. We’d like to recognize those who helped make our Shootout a success once again. A lot goes on behind the scenes of our annual boat test, and there are plenty who helped make our event possible and deserve a little recognition.

Recognizing Our Sponsors

Close-up of a light gray pontoon boat storage console with two closed doors featuring circular chrome latches, set against gray woven vinyl flooring.

The lower door of a pontoon boat storage console is tilted open, revealing two integrated gray plastic trash bins for convenient waste disposal on deck.

Thanks—Teak Isle

For a third straight year, Boat Outfitters, a division of Teak Isle Mfg., helped sponsor our Shootout. The Florida-based manufacturer specializes in CNC fabrication of plastics, wood, metal, and solid surface products, creating unique storage options to maximize space on board boats. Areas such as the back of chaise lounges on a pontoon are considered wasted space, but this is where Boat Outfitters shines. We saw numerous examples of their handiwork at our test this year, as they continue to dominate the marine industry.

Thanks—LilliPad

Another returning sponsor was LilliPad Marine. If you’re not familiar with its innovative REVO boarding ladder, you’re clearly not paying attention. Its easy-to-use ladder was standard or at least available as an option on the majority of the pontoons we tested this year. The Michigan-based manufacturer also offers flagpoles, grill mounts, and a diving board, all of which are designed to be secured to the deck using its Ghost Mounts.

Close-up of a black folding boarding ladder on a boat deck with a gray textured surface, showing a black strap labeled "Ladder Release."

Three people in navy jackets stand on a gray floating dock near a lakefront restaurant. One person looks at a phone while the others converse.

Thanks—Huk

Even in the late summer months, mornings in northern Indiana can be a bit chilly. With the support of Huk Gear, each member of our crew kept warm thanks to its Storm Jacket. We had near-perfect weather the entire week, but this is the ideal jacket to always have on hand for when the unexpected may arise. We even added our logo and our own patch to the shoulder of the waterproof Navy Huk Storm Jacket, recognizing how many years each member of the PDB staff has been testing boats.

Thanks—Pier

Our new sponsor, Pier Perfection, does it all. From docks and piers to accessories and maintenance, this Michigan-based company is a true lakefront property specialist with decades of experience. Partnered with Floe Docks & Lifts and ShoreStation, the locally owned and operated company has the area’s best crew, equipment, and products.

A Great Host

High-angle view of a large, gray three-story lakeside resort with a private sandy beach, lounge chairs, a blue sunshade, and a flag pole on the lawn.

Thanks—Oakwood

Next, a big shout-out to the Oakwood Resort, a premier lakeside destination located on the scenic shores of Lake Wawasee in Syracuse, Ind. Besides luxurious accommodations, the on-site restaurant, The Pier and Back Porch, kept our crew well-fed for the week. The resort is first-class with a friendly staff, plenty of boat slips, plus the view of the sunrises over the lake from the property is legendary.

Photo Boat

Thanks—Godfrey

Having a designated photo boat to shoot video and take photos from is a must, and thanks to Godfrey Marine, we had an excellent pontoon platform to work from this year. The Godfrey Sweetwater Cruise 2086 CP, with a back porch powered by a Yamaha 115 four-stroke, was perfect for our needs. Our professional video crew from Nicolini Media had plenty of room to spread out while chasing down boats to capture the fun of each model at our test. The standard Clarion stereo package, power Bimini, and pit seating, along with the longer L bench, provided the added touches to keep our crew comfortable.

A man on a pontoon boat prepares to hand-launch a drone into the sky while a pilot operates the remote nearby on a clear, sunny day on the lake.

Additional Help

Rear view of a white Splendor deck boat cruising on open water, powered by a black Mercury 300 V8 outboard motor with a driver at the helm.

Thanks—Engines

We’d also like to thank the engine manufacturers from Mercury, Suzuki, and Yamaha for providing technical support, as well as the boat dealers and manufacturers who provided us with amazing vessels for testing. Without your support, our test wouldn’t be possible.

Thanks—Mustang

If you look closely at the photos and videos of all the boats while underway, you’ll notice a common theme: safety. Thanks to Mustang Survival, our staff was able to stay safe during our test boat while wearing Mustang Survival inflatable PFDs, including the new Elite 190. Built with the same groundbreaking bladder design as the ATLAS 190, it features Hammar Hydrostatic inflation technology and is compatible with AIS and PLB for enhanced safety.