Executive Editor Brady L. Kay
Assistant Editor Rebecca Blackson
Editorial Staff Nicole Richens, Roy Sparks
Editorial Correspondents
Shannon Mitchell, Lane Lindstrom
Advertising Executives
Greg Larsen, glarsen@pdbmagazine.com
Kevin Malcom, kevin@pdbmagazine.com
Circulation Director Chuck Harris
Lead Designer Laci Thompson
To subscribe, go to:
www.harrispublishing.com/pontoon-deck-boat
Publisher Brady L. Kay
Executive Editor Brady L. Kay
Circulation Manager Chuck Harris
Controller Clayton Ward
Founder Darryl W. Harris
President Jason Harris
Vice President Chuck Harris
Treasurer Clayton Ward
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 2026 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.
Harris Publishing, Inc.
190 1st St., Idaho Falls, ID 83401
(208) 524-7000 • Fax (208) 522-5241
www.pdbmagazine.com
Honestly, it feels more like a spoof of the slogans on motivational posters, as an example of wry humor. Such slogans usually extol virtues deemed meaningful, but this one subverts that on two levels.
The Fender Hanger ($29.95), which is specifically designed for square pontoon rails, is much easier than tying knots to adjust the height of your boat fender. We picked up a pair to make docking easier, since dock heights vary by location. Instead of having to untie and tie the fender line each time, a simple push of a button and a tug on the rope and you’re in business. (www.danikhook.com)
Made to last (and made in the USA), the flexible docking line features a 3/8-inch heavy-duty inner bungee cord with double-stitched loop ends and 1-inch marine-grade tubular nylon webbing. The UV protective cover keeps the dock tie shielded from sun damage.(www.boatlinesanddockties.com)
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)
Starting at $67,620 and available in Sport and Luxe trims, the M Series, which debuted in 2025, offers luxury features and an intuitive interface, with a modern design.
few months have passed since the 2026 Minneapolis Boat Show, and there are several reasons why attendance was a little down this year. The negative-20-degree weather didn’t draw people indoors to the convention center like exhibitors had hoped. Still, from what we saw, the people who did come were serious buyers, not just browsing.
The number of pontoons on display increases every year, and 2026 followed that trend. Including the four Avalons and two Alera Marine pontoons in the hallways, we counted a total of 271 pontoons. That wasn’t the only record this year. More entrants than ever competed for the Innovation Awards from the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), making the decision on selecting the winners the toughest since the program began in 2018.
How to prep your pontoon for spring launch
I was half expecting Crockett and Tubbs to be signing autographs at the Starcraft booth, with the Miami Vice soundtrack blaring in the background. The colorful pink and teal accents popped beautifully on one of its white fiberglass deck boats. They call it the Bermuda package, yet the vibe seems to scream, “Miami Vice.” The fun color scheme drew me in, but a hidden surprise emerged upon closer inspection.
Utilizing the same chassis as all Avalon and Tahoe pontoons, from the deck down Auras are identical to their main line products. Aura Pontoons’ exclusive use of EF-Tech is a cutting-edge innovation in wall, helm, and seat base construction. EF-Tech is a modernized evolution of Rotocast, delivering enhanced durability and performance. This technological advancement ensures that every Aura pontoon is built to withstand the toughest conditions while maintaining exceptional comfort and style.
PDB magazine recently had the opportunity to take the JC TriToon Spirit 247TT DSL out on the lake and try out the Sport hull, the comfy seating, and the open layout for ourselves.
I was a fan of the quatix 7 smartwatch from Garmin that I enjoyed for years, but the quatix 8 Pro marine GPS smartwatch takes my favorite features and enhances them with the latest from this industry icon. I love the new features, such as built-in speaker and microphone, chartplotter voice control, built-in LED flashlight and remote control capabilities for Garmin units and Fusion audio on board systems. It also includes 24/7 health and wellness features. I enjoy starting my day with a customizable morning report that tracks my sleep quality and provides the current temperature and the day’s weather forecast.
But docking makes me break out in a sweat. I know that practice makes perfect, but it just feels like the more often I go boating, the more opportunities I have to make mistakes.
Take, for example, this last time I went with a handful of teenagers. The afternoon had been beautiful and everyone was pleasantly exhausted and ready to call it a day. As captain, I felt the whole cruise went without incident— smooth turns, perfect throttle control, no drinks spilled. But when we approached the dock, it was as if the lake sensed my insecurities. Every boater within a quarter mile stopped what they were doing to watch my approach.
