A first-aid kit is an essential item on any boat. Most people purchase a kit that appears to contain the basics, store it in a compartment, and forget about it until an injury occurs. However, being prepared for emergency situations requires more advanced thinking, and regularly reviewing the items in a first-aid kit is a good habit to get into. It is also recommended to review the contents of the first-aid kit when guests are on board to ensure there are enough materials to provide care for each person and that any unique medical needs are covered.

Basic first-aid kits, available online or at sporting goods stores and marinas, typically contain items such as bandages, gauze, tweezers, antibacterial ointment, and pain or anti-inflammatory medication. However, there are other items that can come in handy should someone experience a cut, be bitten by wildlife, suffer from heat exhaustion, or face any of the numerous other accidents or emergencies that can occur on a boat. Tailoring a first-aid kit to the type of boating excursion planned and the number of people on board is also a good idea.

One reason the Schillings decided to upgrade from their 2019 Avalon Excalibur to the 2025 model is because of Avalon’s new carbon series, which impressed the couple with its sleek looks.

Mike and Cherie Schilling’s 2025 Avalon Excalibur is being lowered into the water at Manatee River Marina in Bradenton, Fla., which has been the couple’s home marina since 2018.

Nearly all boaters agree that the boating weather in west central Florida is about as ideal as it can get for those who love to be on the water year-round.

The Schillings not only agree with that but the Florida couple get to live it, taking advantage of the beautiful weather and water on the Gulf Coast an average of 50-60 days a year.

Picture a perfect day of boating—it probably includes time with friends and family, maybe some fishing gear, and a beautiful natural setting. The scene you’re envisioning is also likely to include clean water, a trash-free shoreline, and thriving wildlife. It’s not a fantasy—all of these elements exist at waterways around the world. We all have a role to play in ensuring that our boating practices are compatible with protecting and preserving those natural areas so everyone can enjoy them.

That’s why Barletta and the Winnebago Industries Foundation have partnered with Leave No Trace, a nonprofit organization with a decades-long track record of successful environmental stewardship. Leave No Trace promotes responsible outdoor practices to protect natural spaces for future generations, aligning with the Winnebago Industries Foundation’s commitment to sustainability and outdoor enjoyment. Together, both hope to empower people to enjoy and preserve the waters we love and strengthen communities that thrive around them.

While a traditional wooden sanpan was a small, flat-bottomed fishing boat propelled by oars and at least as old as the Han Dynasty, Godfrey’s reincarnation is a luxurious vessel splendid for entertaining. With amenities such as plush seating, advanced audio systems, and thrilling power, it’s a tall order to find greater comfort on the water. Even if both the ancient and modern versions of the sanpan can glide tranquilly across a lake edged with waterlilies, Godfrey’s Sanpan is spacious, versatile, and fast.

Recently, we had the opportunity to take the latest Godfrey Sanpan 2500 MTF out for a test drive on a sunny lake with wide open spaces. We spent the afternoon admiring everything from the adaptable layout to the dynamic performance.

My 19-foot Sea Ray outboard powered bowrider weighs in, on its single axle trailer, around 3,200 pounds and my 18-foot Starcraft pontoon, on its double axle trailer, is around 2,500 pounds.

Our 14-foot, double axle, enclosed utility trailer is in the neighborhood of 2,245 pounds and my 12-foot, single axle, open utility trailer weighs in a little lighter at around 1,800 pounds. As I’ve aged (now in my early 70’s) I’d swear they’ve all gotten heavier, over time. Honest.