Recently, I got lost down a YouTube rabbit hole learning about spaghetti, shells, slicers, and cool down times. But you’d be wrong to assume this had anything to do with cooking in the kitchen.

On the contrary, these terms are taken from the futuristic world of 3D printing where you can engineer your own drawer organizers or children’s toys right at home, and then print them seemingly out of nothing into three-dimensional existence.

We love getting the chance to test drive new pontoon models, so we were thrilled to take a run in Godfrey’s upgraded Sweetwater 2286 with the Split Bench layout and Back Porch Extension. Filled with amenities and comfort, we found this to be a well-constructed entry- to mid-level pontoon with a fantastic furniture arrangement that was fun to drive.

Besides looking sporty and being stocked with amenities, this boat hits the sweet spot of having everything you need in a pontoon while still coming in at a great price point. The model we tested featured the new vinyl color option of tan with crimson accents, which felt like the cherry on top.

Adding a barbecue grill to the stern of my pontoon was a game changer for my family. We said bye-bye to cold sandwiches and gladly welcomed burgers, brats and even ribeye steaks to our new on board menu. Foodwise we couldn’t be happier. However, spacewise, well let’s just say the new setup gave me some hesitation.

For starters the rear-facing lounger somehow turned into our makeshift “table” for buns, condiments and grill accessories. That didn’t sit well with a self-proclaimed neat freak like myself, but with minimum space on the stern deck I was forced to just go with it. It’s hard to search for something that you don’t even know exists, but fortunately I stumbled upon a product from Longpointe Nautical called the Nauti Bar Table that solved all my counter space issues.

Adding a simple rod holder to the rail can morph any pontoon boat into a more efficient fishing machine! Note the red clamp-on holder to the upper left.

For many boaters, February is the height of the off-season, when Mother Nature conspires to make open water fishing uncomfortable for many, and impossible for those northern anglers whose fishing holes are literally iced-over. This mid-winter “down time” is a good opportunity to take stock of your boat and fishing gear and determine what may need updated (read that: spool reels with fresh fishing line). Boaters do the same, going over their gear in the off season to see what needs updated or added to make their craft safer, more convenient to operate, and easier to fish from. Conveniently, winter is when local sports and boat shows are popular, offering show-goers a glimpse of the latest boats, tackle and accessories with which to outfit their vessels.

As the popularity of pontoon and deck boats has grown in recent years, it makes sense that more owners are including angling as an on board activity option for their family and friends. Whether they realize it or not, those who purchase one of these adaptable, family-friendly watercraft already have an able fishing platform underfoot. The broad-beamed boats are extremely “fishing friendly,” offering the stability and deck space that drew many of us to consider a pontoon or deck boat in the first place.