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A few years back I slipped past a marina “security” gate that had been propped open and I came across a boat so – how do I put this nicely – so “vintage,” that I couldn’t even identify the manufacturer. Old pontoons are quite common, but what caught my eye on this uncovered boat was the etched sign engraved into the windshield that warned, “KEEP OFF Authorized Personnel Only.”
These 6 Safety Practices Make All The Difference
By Rebecca Blackson
How one woman increased boating safety for an entire city
As both a registered nurse and an avid boater in Chicago, Ill., Dani was dismayed by the number of tragic boating accidents in her area. In 2022, she and her boating friends were commiserating about the lack of boating education and the wild mistakes they witnessed on a regular basis.
“We would come back to the dock at the end of the day and complain about all the crazy stuff we saw. And one day I said, ‘Okay, but what can we do about this?’ We actually had the knowledge and experience to help people.”
“We have 15 of us who all worked together at Seven Marine, plus we were able to hire the ‘un-hireable’ or in other words, industry leaders in different segments both inside and outside of boating who we didn’t think would leave their previous careers,” says co-CEO Brian Davis. “This is three years in the making and we have an amazing team of specialists who see our vision to build a pontoon with automotive-like features and ease of operation.”
The Flamingo rOhm pontoon will be a high-volume boat built in southeast Wisconsin. Brian estimates that 75 percent of its first-year boat projections are already committed to its ever-growing dealer network.
“The response from our investors and dealers has been great and very positive,” adds Brian. “They can see our vision. We redefined a market before with Seven Marine and we’re here to do it again.”
It’s exciting to have new pontoon manufacturers on board; more details to come. (www.flamingo-marine.com)
Barletta isn’t chasing trends. We’re setting them.
Seating up to 10 people, Bayliner’s D20 has luxuriously comfortable vinyl seating along with cupholders and grab handles. The comfort package upgrade includes a bow filler cushion and a cockpit table for the ultimate in a lounging atmosphere.
At a time like this, it could be easy to overlook the benefits of deck boats amid the pontoon craze. However, if you’re looking for a new boat, you’ll definitely want to at least check out and consider your deck boat options too. Deck boats continue to be a valuable segment in the industry with a lot to offer, especially in terms of performance and getting an ample amount of boat for your buck.
So before defaulting to a pontoon boat when you’re considering your next (or first) family vessel, take the time to get to know your needs and do your homework because you might end up happier with a deck boat.
“A couple of summers ago we were surveying the landscape of the marine industry and we noticed there had been some consolidation with some of the bigger guys and we felt there was a need for a new and truly independent pontoon manufacturer,” recalls Coley. “We wanted to offer a fresh perspective, customer-oriented, product-driven organization that could come into the market and disrupt the status quo.”
If your boat has a drain plug, the odds of you keeping a wrench in the side pocket of your tow vehicle just went up dramatically. For most boaters a crescent wrench is the tool of choice and for years you’ve probably been wearing down the corners of your current drain plug after tightening and loosening it over and over. If you’ve ever lost or forgotten your wrench you most likely had your “man card” revoked as you sheepishly walked around to other boat owners begging to borrow a wrench.
“You could always tell the rookies at Great Lakes fishing tournaments,” explained Balog. “They’re the ones who run and gun out across the lake, pounding the snot out of themselves and their boat. They may be the first to get to a particular spot, if their rig can take it, but the veterans know that over the course of a season, or over the course of a single tournament if conditions are rough, running that hard will take its toll on the boat, the tackle and the anglers.”
Each season, a few boaters pay that toll with their lives. Avoiding that ultimate payment is first and foremost on Balog’s mind when he rigs a boat for what he calls “big water fishing.”
I realize this makes me sound like a terrible hostess. I promise that I love to spend time with (some) people; it’s just that I’ve been caught one too many times in an objectionable conversation with no way to extricate myself. Especially on a boat.
Maybe your list of who you will or won’t bring boating is different from mine (in which case, don’t invite me out). But here’s how I would categorize the good guests from the bad.
