Since Diane loved the 24-foot Harris FloteBote so much and her other siblings weren’t interested in managing the boat’s upkeep, she and Jim inherited it from her parents in 2012. After all, this next generation was the one with four kids at home eager to go boating. And for the next 12 years, the Stackhouse family went cruising around multiple lakes in southern Michigan.

And, like you, I have learned a trick or two about the sport that have made the pursuit more enjoyable. Many came from reading fishing how-to books such as my first and all-time fave, Sportsman’s Digest of Fishing by the late Hal Sharp, two copies of which I now own after a setter pup chewed the spine off my original paperback and Santa brought me a second (in much better shape) just last Christmas. (Note: how St. Nick found a used copy is beyond me, as it’s been out of print for awhile…) It’s just one of countless tomes where authors share tips for anglers. Such how-to material is a great reason to visit your local library, bookstore, or subscribe to magazines with fishing content relevant to your particular angling pursuits, such as Pontoon & Deck Boat.

If you trailer your pontoon on a regular basis there’s a product you should pay attention to. Its called RockGARD and it’s not just for pontoon boats as there is a size and style to fit any watercraft you need to protect. RockGARD works as a shield to defend against rocks, gravel and debris while towing to increase the lifespan of your hull.

The hip-length jacket is stylish and extra warm, thanks to insulation in the shoulders and a fleece lining. Perfect for life on the water, the sailing jacket features zippered pockets, an adjustable hem and cuffs, and a high fleece-lined collar. In my area where wind is a constant menace, the midlayer jacket is the perfect remedy.

For years we’ve been using and promoting SeaSucker products because they work great, so they were the first company to come to mind to solve our issue. If you have a flat surface to work with, you really can add just about any SeaSucker accessory to your boat including its Mirror Mount. How all SeaSucker products work is they have powerful pump-action vacuum cups that are completely non-marking and are simple enough a child could use to secure its products. The versatility means you’ll never have to drill another hole in your boat.