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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 18 (shown in the photo on the left) hidden on the knee of the man driving the boat. Here are the readers who spotted it first:
Marcus Rosehill, Kaneohe, Hawaii
Bill Parker, New Bern, N.C.
Danny Criner, North Chesterfield Va.
Bob Reed, Pendleton, Ind.
Scott Slagley, Richmond, Va.
Rich Christensen, Townville S.C.
Jim Greenwald, Little Rock, Ark.
Kathy Smith, Lake Bruin, La.
Quotes from this issue
“Jim told them he was there to run and when they asked him, ‘In what?’ I was so embarrassed. They couldn’t believe a pontoon was going to enter.” Page 18
“We like to imagine that the more someone looks around the pontoon, the more excited they are by all the great features they find.” Page 34
“It’s an affordable, easy-to-install solution that brings reduced steering effort and a more enjoyable driving experience to mechanically-steered boats with single outboard power from 90 to 200hp.” Page 38
Sponges and rags can damage your boat’s finish over time, wearing down paint, vinyl, and gelcoat with unsightly scratches and swirls. The Chenille Microfiber Premium Scratch-Free Wash Mitt from Shurhold can clean your boat without harming detail work. One of the softest, most absorbent mitts available, this Shurhold product is both gentle and powerful. The mitt is made from an 80/20 blend of extra soft microfibers that lock in abrasive material and prevents scratches. The $9.98 mitt has a double-stitched wrist band to ensure a snug fit. It’s machine-washable to maintain a soft, fluffy feel for years.
To get the best performance and longevity from your boat, take care of its fuel. Moisture condensation can ruin engines, especially with watercraft. GAS-SHOK Plus from USA Fuel Service is an easy way to protect two- and four-strokes against moisture-related problems, plus boost performance without affecting warranties. This fuel additive lubricates and protects your engine, restoring performance lost to carbon fouling. The solution is acid-free, and doesn’t risk damage to any engine parts. It’s mixed with gasoline at a ratio of one ounce of GAS-SHOK Plus to 10 gallons of gasoline, meaning the 8-ounce bottle retailing at $18.85 will go far.
Rather than trip over loose tackle boxes, store your loose fishing gear in the Pontoon Lounge Backrest Tackle Storage Box, a sleek and well-designed storage unit made to fit securely in traditionally underused spaces aboard your pontoon. The model boasts three storage compartments: a locking 4-inch deep glove box up top, a 20-inch wide drawer in the middle, and a spacious tackle box at the bottom. The storage units can be custom fit to any boat, from dimensions to color to specific features.
Propspeed, a leading innovator of underwater foul-release coatings, recently received an endorsement from navigation and obstacle avoidance systems pioneer, FarSounder. FarSounder has tested the Propspeed Foulfree foul-release coating and recommends it for application by their customers, dealers and partner shipyards.
The FarSounder line of Argos navigation systems are globally recognized as the cutting-edge of 3D forward-looking sonar systems. The Argos 1000, Argos 500, and Argos 350 provide customers with a suite of sophisticated navigation capabilities.
Designed by industry-leading engineers and certified by Airmar to result in no loss in transducer performance once applied, Foulfree releases marine growth, reducing the maintenance needed to keep transducers clean and streamlining water flow. Foulfree is a specialized foul-release coating that is biocide-free and does not poison marine growth. Once cured, Foulfree forms a super-slippery surface over the transducer, preventing marine growth from attaching to its surface. Foulfree lasts a minimum of 12 months, with an even longer life span in cooler climates.
Your Engine Will Thank You
To get the best performance and longevity from your boat, take care of its fuel. Moisture condensation can ruin engines, especially with watercraft. GAS-SHOK Plus from USA Fuel Service is an easy way to protect two- and four-strokes against moisture-related problems, plus boost performance without affecting warranties. This fuel additive lubricates and protects your engine, restoring performance lost to carbon fouling. The solution is acid-free, and doesn’t risk damage to any engine parts. It’s mixed with gasoline at a ratio of one ounce of GAS-SHOK Plus to 10 gallons of gasoline, meaning the 8-ounce bottle retailing at $18.85 will go far.
Ultimate Space Saver
Rather than trip over loose tackle boxes, store your loose fishing gear in the Pontoon Lounge Backrest Tackle Storage Box, a sleek and well-designed storage unit made to fit securely in traditionally underused spaces aboard your pontoon. The model boasts three storage compartments: a locking 4-inch deep glove box up top, a 20-inch wide drawer in the middle, and a spacious tackle box at the bottom. The storage units can be custom fit to any boat, from dimensions to color to specific features.
Foul-Release Coating for Sonar Systems
Propspeed, a leading innovator of underwater foul-release coatings, recently received an endorsement from navigation and obstacle avoidance systems pioneer, FarSounder. FarSounder has tested the Propspeed Foulfree foul-release coating and recommends it for application by their customers, dealers and partner shipyards.
The FarSounder line of Argos navigation systems are globally recognized as the cutting-edge of 3D forward-looking sonar systems. The Argos 1000, Argos 500, and Argos 350 provide customers with a suite of sophisticated navigation capabilities.
Designed by industry-leading engineers and certified by Airmar to result in no loss in transducer performance once applied, Foulfree releases marine growth, reducing the maintenance needed to keep transducers clean and streamlining water flow. Foulfree is a specialized foul-release coating that is biocide-free and does not poison marine growth. Once cured, Foulfree forms a super-slippery surface over the transducer, preventing marine growth from attaching to its surface. Foulfree lasts a minimum of 12 months, with an even longer life span in cooler climates.
Mercury Marine has teamed up with Sleipner, making Mercury the first engine manufacturer to integrate an outboard joystick engine control system with proportional speed bow thrusters. Mercury’s Joystick Piloting for Outboards (JPO) when paired with Sleipner’s proportional bow thrusters and proprietary S-Link network, allows users to take full advantage of the intuitive maneuvering system. Previously, the thruster system and the engine joystick system were independent with separate controls. Now Mercury JPO combines these into the single joystick for more intuitive 360-degree control.
Ideal for outboard-powered boats from 20- to 65-feet, Sleipner’s proportional thrusters are designed for operators looking for more control in tight spaces and in windy conditions. With Sleipner proportional thruster systems, boaters are able to use a smaller amount of continuous thrust, rather than a series of short, full-power bursts. Not only is this more intuitive, but it results in a quieter and smoother maneuver.
Unexpected damage to your boat can be heartbreaking, but it doesn’t have to be hard to fix. Whether it’s a chip in the gel coat or crushed fiberglass matting, Fix Repair Putty from BoatLIFE offers a powerful solution. Designed for marine use, the Fix Repair Putty is ideal for deck boats and other watercraft.
When combined, the two-part formula hardens like steel and adheres to angled surfaces, fiberglass, wood, metal, glass and concrete, and can even be used underwater. After curing for 24 hours, the putty is tough enough to drill and be sanded, and it becomes impervious to acid, oxidation, and caustic solutions. A 3-ounce jar of Fix Repair Putty retails at $26.88, making this as cost effective as it is powerful.
Need to navigate a dock in the dark of the night? Light up the lake with the OMNI 2K. This versatile tool dock light boasts a 2,000 lumen, dual C.O.B. output with a red hazard feature. Dynamic handles provide easy carry, a sturdy base, or magnetic anchors to mount wherever you need the light. The OMNI2K is fully USB-C rechargeable, and has charging ports and a power bank to power other USB-charged devices. The OMNI2K retails for $54.99.