Executive Editor Brady L. Kay
Editorial Staff Annie Carbutt, Nicole Richens, Heather Magda Serrano, Roy Sparks, Ryan Beaty, Iris Corbett, M.J. Hansen
Editorial Correspondents
Dan Armitage, Sky Smith, Bill Gius
Advertising Director
Jason Huff, jhuff@pdbmagazine.com
Advertising Executives
Greg Larsen, glarsen@pdbmagazine.com
Robin Witbeck, rwitbeck@pdbmagazine.com
Marketing Director Stephanie Woods
Circulation Director Chuck Harris
Lead Designer Lavon Horne
Production Jim Donovan
To subscribe, go to:
www.harrispublishing.com/pontoon-deck-boat
Publisher Brady L. Kay
Executive Editor Brady L. Kay
Production Manager Janet Chase
Circulation Manager Chuck Harris
Controller Clayton Ward
Production Janet Chase
Founder Darryl W. Harris
President Jason Harris
Vice President Chuck Harris
Vice President Ryan Harris
Treasurer Clayton Ward
Secretary Janet Chase
Copyright, PDB magazine is published 11 times per year by Harris Publishing, Inc., sub rates, back copies, foreign, reproduction prohibitions, all rights reserved, not responsible for contents of ads and submitted materials, mail permits printed in Idaho Falls, ID.
The basic subscription price is $19.97 for 11 issues. Cover price is $3.95. Canadian and Foreign subscriptions add $20.00 per 11 issues. U.S. funds only. Limited back issues are available for $5.00 each.
Copyright 2023 by Harris Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction, in whole or in part, without written permission is strictly prohibited.
Call 800-638-0135 to purchase a subscription, to correct your mailing label, or to order back issues.
Harris Publishing, Inc.
520 Park Ave., Idaho Falls, ID 83402
(800) 638-0135 • Fax (208) 522-5241
www.pdbmagazine.com
Also publishers of Great Lakes Boating magazine and Diesel Tech magazine.
By Brady L. Kay
Buy your last boat first! It’s kind of catchy, right? I know in some cases it’s not quite as simple as that, but in reality you have to admit it does make a little bit of sense to at least consider buying the boat you want—and will eventually need—from the start.
Gradual steps are okay…for 5-year-olds and bicycles, but a lot of people could save some sanity, as well as money, by being a little smarter in their approach to buying a new pontoon or deck boat this year.
As we turn the corner and dive into 2023, there might not be a better time to hit the boat shows. With supply chain issues and the cost of materials on the rise, you should be looking at buying a boat that will fit your needs for several years down the road and not just for this upcoming summer. For some, the plan to buy a new boat every couple of years still works. However, those working with a tighter budget may want to look ahead a little.
for
boating
in 2023
So what’s trending for boating in 2023? Well, we reached out to industry leadership and here’s what they had to say.
For 2023, industry leaders are noticing a preference for customization among their buyers. “Customers are looking for their pontoon boat to be an expression and extension of their personality,” described Chris Bernauer, the president of Harris Pontoons. “The ability to customize and personalize through color, texture, features and technology to suit their individual needs is a market trend that Harris Pontoons is meeting head on.”
successful
boat show
season
Off
Here are some winning tips.
Before you hit the show, first know what you want to do there. Are you looking to actually buy a new boat or are you looking for cool new accessories such as emergency equipment, fenders or tenders? Perhaps you’re simply planning on having a fun weekend with your family while browsing around to see what’s new. There’s certainly nothing wrong with that.
for any pontoon boat
for any pontoon boat
Move sideways, diagonally, or rotate in place
Easy DIY installation • $5,695 for the complete kit
- LOA:26’ 2”
- Beam:8’ 6”
- Max HP:300hp
- Price Range:$50K to $69K
- LOA:23’ 5”
- Beam:8’ 6”
- Max HP:140hp
- Price Range:$70K to $89K
The number of first-time boat buyers has been on a steep incline over the last couple of years. It’s a trend we don’t see changing anytime soon as others are discovering what a lot of us already know: boating is an excellent way to spend your free time. In this section of the directory we highlight each manufacturer’s top affordable price-point model.
- LOA:22’ 3”
- Beam:8’ 6”
- Max HP:115hp
- Price Range:$50K to $69K
This is an 8.5-foot entry-level boat—others are 7.5 or 8 feet long. Also, it’s an entry-level windshield model offering the dual helm windshield look with unlimited upgrades available.
- LOA:23’ 5”
- Beam:8’ 6”
- Max HP:140hp
- Price Range:$70K to $89K
- LOA:26’ 2”
- Beam:8’ 6”
- Max HP:300hp
- Price Range:$70K to $89K
- LOA:19’ 5”
- Beam:8’
- Max HP:90hp
- Price Range:$29K and under
Luxury/Performance
Performance
Performance
From max power options to bells and whistles you didn’t even know were possible, these crafts are often categorized as dream boats. In this section of the directory we highlight each manufacturer’s highest luxury/performance model.
- LOA:28’ 2”
- Beam:8’ 6”
- Max HP:300hp
- Price Range:$70K to $89K
- LOA:26’ 6”
- Beam:8’ 6”
- Max HP:400hp
- Price Range:$210K to $229K
Keep Your Boat
Afloat
Benefits of
extended
boat
warranties
Prioritize The Price
No one enjoys paying more money than they have to, and they especially don’t want to waste money on something that won’t help them in the long run. A lot of extended warranties are indeed a bit expensive, but others can be found at a lower cost. Depending on the extended warranty, it may be able to cover the cost of something that could be much more expensive than what you paid for the extension. Instead of paying thousands of dollars to the repair company, you would instead be paying a smaller amount for greater coverage of your boat. Plan now to get an extended warranty that doesn’t make you pay out more than you need to.
-
JanuaryNashville Boat Show
January 5-8
Music City Center
Nashville, TN -
Chicago Boat Show
January 11-15
McCormick Place South
Chicago, IL -
Atlanta Boat Show
January 12-15
Georgia World Congress Center
Atlanta, GA -
Southern Louisiana Boat, Sport & RV Show
January Dates TBD
Houma Terrebonne Civic Center
Houma, LA -
Portland Boat Show
January 11-15
Portland Expo Center
Portland, OR -
Detroit Ultimate Fishing Show
January 12-15
Suburban Collection Showplace
Novi, MI -
Charlotte County Boat Show
January 12-15
Charlotte County Fairgrounds
Port Charlotte, FL -
Cleveland Boat Show
January 12-16
IX Center
Cleveland, OH -
Stuart Boat Show
January 13-15
54-290 N Dixie Hwy
Stuart, FL -
Bass and Saltwater Fishing Expo
January 13-15
North Carolina State Fairgrounds
Raleigh, NC -
Central Gulf Coast Boat, Sport, & RV Show
January 13-15
Lake Charles Civic Center
Lake Charles, LA -
Fredericksburg Boat Show
January 13-15
Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center
Fredericksburg, VA
NO WAKE ZONE
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 Fall issue the paddle is on page 30 (shown in the photo on the left) leaning up against the wall. Here are the readers who spotted it first:
Ken Braun, Hartford, Wis.
Lori Szczypiorski, New Carlisle, Ind.
Jimmy Baker, Lake Harding, Ga.
Dennis Rome, Heber Springs, Ark.
Richard Burchill, Budd Lake, N.J.
Dianne Parker, Libertyville, IL
Danny Criner, North Chesterfield, Va.
Rich Christensen, Townville S.C.
Ron Raymond, Williston, N.D.
Terry & Kathy Smith, Lake Bruin, La.
As soon as you find the paddle, email its location, your name, and hometown to paddle@pdbmagazine.com. Paddle on!
View Advertisers
- Avalon Pontoons64
- Bailey Custom Boats21
- Barletta Boats63
- Boatmate Trailers60
- BumperMate10
- Conrad Marine61
- Godfrey Pontoon Boats13
- JC TriToon Marine31
- Kicker Audio43
- Manitou Pontoons6
- Playcraft31
- Princecraft45
- Sideshift20
- Skysmith Specialty Insurance10
- Starcraft Marine7
- Stingray Boats4
- SunCatcher Pontoons37
- Sylvan Marine39
- Tahoe Pontoon Boats9
- Teak Isle3
- Viaggio53
-
Aloha Pontoons
North Little Rock, Ark.
800-776-9226
www.alohapontoons.com -
Angler Qwest Pontoons
St. Louis, Mich.
989-681-4300
www.anglerqwestpontoons.com -
Avalon Pontoons
Alma, Mich.
800-334-2913
www.avalonpontoons.com -
Bailey Custom Boats
Statesboro, GA
30458 478-231-5418
www.baileycustomboats.com -
Barletta Pontoon boats
Bristol, Ind.
574-825-8900
www.barlettapontoonboats.com -
Bayliner
Knoxville, Tenn.
847-735-4348
www.bayliner.com -
BeachCat Pontoons
Oldsmar, Fla.
813-855-1413
www.beachcatboats.net -
Bennington Marine
Elkhart, Ind.
574-264-6336
www.benningtonmarine.com -
Bentley Pontoons
Lexington, S.C.
803-520-5280
www.bentleypontoons.com -
Berkshire Pontoons
Middlebury, Ind.
574-825-8696
www.berkshirepontoon.com -
Carolina Skiff
Waycross, Ga.
800-422-7282
www.carolinaskiff.com -
Caravelle Boat Group
Americus, Ga.
855-444-2628
www.caravelleboatgroup.com
