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Handy Do-It-Yourself Upgrades
Save money on the install when you complete these updates yourself
By Rebecca Blackson
Is there a project or upgrade for your boat that you’ve been waiting to tackle because you’re worried about the install fees? For those looking to add convenience and style to your pontoon while staying under budget, we’ve gathered a list of products that are sure to enhance your boating experience, and best of all, they’re straightforward enough that you can do them yourself. From installing the most common updates such as new flooring to adding helpful amenities such as a misting system or integrated air pump, we’ll help you get started.
beautiful and long-lasting wood flooring from Better Life Technology
Better Life Technology
Protect the floor of your boat with beautiful and long-lasting flooring from Better Life Technology. Sold directly to customers, the G-Floor Outdoor and Marine flooring is waterproof, UV-stable, and designed to last for years.

Available in a variety of designs, you can give your pontoon or deck boat flooring a real wood appearance, a soft woven look, or match your upholstery with traditional solid colors. Custom options are also available for an exclusive one-of-a-kind look.

Since spills are inevitable, the non-porous surface is stain-resistant and allows for quick and easy cleanup of salts, fishing scents, oils, and gas without harsh scrubbing. Simply clean using mild, vinyl-safe marine products or power wash for a more aggressive cleaning.

Straightforward to install, G-Floor has a welded fiber backing that aids in the adhesion and creates a strong bond to the subfloor. The material is easy to unroll and to trim to fit, while the overall construction helps to hide imperfections on the subfloor and provides some cushion under foot.

Choose from three collections filled with style, durability, and affordability. The different collections come in a variety of wood patterns, faux teak, and weathered grain patterns, as well as neutral color options to please every boater.

Designed for heavy use, the non-woven polyvinyl isn’t harmed by fish hooks, pet nails, or other sharp objects and provides a non-slip surface that won’t crack, peel, snag, or mildew. The UV inhibitor will keep your flooring from fading, preserving the color and beautiful look for years to come.
(www.gfloor.com)

pontoon tubes that it floats upon
Wilson Pontoons
One of the most important parts of a pontoon is the tubes that it floats upon. Wilson Pontoons offers modular pontoons that can be used to replace any pontoons that have been damaged. If the tube is corroded, rusted, starting to leak water, or just in need of a replacement, these modular pontoons are the right place to look.

If you wanted, you could start from scratch by making a pontoon perfectly catered to your wants and needs, or you could slap a deck on top of this base and have a perfectly functional vessel.

You have plenty of options when it comes to the length of your modular pontoon, so it can fit exactly the tube length that you need. Additionally, these pontoons from Wilson are filled with polyurethane closed-cell 2-pound density foam, making each one nice and sturdy. And if it is damaged for any reason, it can quickly be repaired with special water-proof caulking. It is UV-protected and bottom painted so if it lives in the water full-time, it is safe from wear and tear.
(www.plasticpontoon.com)

close up of woven vinyl
woven vinyl installed on pontoon steps
Corinthian Marine
Whether you’re looking for the durability and style of woven vinyl or an ultra-plush carpet for a soft, cushioned feel, Corinthian Marine offers quality marine-grade carpeting, boat flooring, and boat mats with UV protection as well as MicroBan® for mold and mildew resistance.

Made in the USA for the past four decades, flooring from Corinthian is offered in a variety of colors and styles to accommodate all boat types and budgets. With free samples and a helpful customer service team, you’ll be sure to find what you need.

The AquaMat® snap-in or drop-in boat mats are an innovative product that can be installed over top of existing flooring if needed to update the look of your boat. If older flooring has faded or high traffic areas have become worn in some spots more than others, instead of fully tearing down the boat to replace the floor, you can just put AquaMat on top of the existing flooring to update the look of the boat. If your boat has EVA foam that is falling apart, you can hide the torn up foam with AquaMat without the intense process of removing the old flooring.

AquaMats can be custom-made to your boat’s exact specifications, as well as personalized with a custom inlay design, a variety of edge treatment choices, and installation systems. This includes the popular Snapless System that uses Velcro® to keep your new AquaMat in place without unsightly snaps or a tricky installation process.

Corinthian Marine flooring can also be used in a direct glue application. In addition to beautiful flooring material, the ingenuity of the backings ensures the flooring stands up to the harsh marine environments and lasts for years to come while giving you increased traction and cushion under foot.
(www.corinthianmarine.com)

high-performance audio product from KICKER Marine
KICKER Audio
You can live loud on the water with high-performance audio products from KICKER Marine, which offers source units, subwoofers, amplifiers, tower systems and more. Designed to be completely weather-proof, their marine subwoofers are real-world tested for salt water, fog, and UV exposure. They are made splash-proof for a long lifespan with a completely sealed motor structure and locking terminal cover, while a tough Santoprene surround and marine-grade cone pump out the bass, no matter how long you are on the water. You can also customize your subs by adding LED grilles with up to seven different LED colors.

However, since audio can be a tough DIY unless you’re extra familiar with electronics, here’s a helpful installation tip that can make the difference between a great day on the water with your favorite tunes and a quiet day with no sound system: To keep moisture out of your audio wiring system, always install so all wires lead up to electronics, not down to them.

Water loves to cling to things, just like rainwater will follow a rain chain to the ground without a downspout. In a boat, your wiring is exposed to water from various sources: splashing waves, rain, condensation, and humidity. No matter how hard you try to prevent it, water will stick to your wires. So let gravity assist and good wiring be the guide. Install the wiring to come up to the amplifier or radio from below, rather than down to your device(s). This will prevent water from getting into your electronics from your power and signal wiring, and keep your tunes playing all day long.
(www.kicker.com/marine-audio)

pedestal grill mount from LilliPad Marine closed
pedestal grill mount from LilliPad Marine open
LilliPad Marine
You might be familiar with LilliPad Marine’s diving board and easy-to-board ladders, but you might not know they can also help you turn any boating day into a perfect barbecue. If you’ve ever been in the middle of the lake and wished you could fire up the grill for a hot lunch, you can now make that dream a reality with the pedestal grill mount from LilliPad Marine. And with the Flagpole and Grill Post Kit you can use a single pedestal for both grilling and flying your favorite 3-foot by 5-foot flag.

The 32-inch Pedestal Grill Mount is the perfect way to temporarily mount your marine-style grill on your boat, though be sure to use the grill only when the boat is stationary. Grills are sold separately, but the universal mounting plate works well with the Kuuma and Magma Cabo Series marine grills. The pedestal has a threaded bolt in the base which secures to the boat with a Ghost Mount: a clean mounting system that installs flush to the deck. It can be placed almost anywhere without creating an obstruction or trip hazard. Smaller than a quarter, Ghost Mounts can transform a clean deck surface to fully “Decked Out” with the spin of an accessory.

LilliPad Marine’s Flagpole is an extension of the grill pedestal which allows you to utilize a single Ghost Mount and pedestal for flying your flag and for grilling. The 43-inch flagpole attachment slides into the pedestal and is secured with a quick release pin.
(www.lillipadmarine.com)

man standing under SureShade power Bimini top
Axis shallow water anchor
Lippert Marine
A one-stop-shop for boating products, Lippert Marine offers boat accessories and boat parts in top marine brands such as Taylor Made, Lewmar and SureShade. Among a wide range of accessories from pontoon seating, docking, and marine appliances, we’ll highlight just two: the power Bimini and the Axis shallow water anchor.

The SureShade power Bimini top ensures you have shade your way with a high quality, customizable shade solution. Available in hardwired or rechargeable power options, this easy-to-operate Bimini top deploys in seconds for the shade you want at the moment you want it. Built tough with a durable aluminum frame and marine-grade canvas, the Bimini top comes in two power options: hardwired or rechargeable.

With a telescoping frame to fit boats from 92 to 102 inches wide and a 10-foot long canvas, the Power Bimini delivers premium coverage. Add on the Bimini extension for an additional 7 feet of shade that can zip away when not in use. Other add-ons include the Sport Arm to cruise at higher speeds without having to retract the Bimini, or the breathable mesh Speed Top that can be used at speeds up to 55 mph while still protecting you from rain and harsh UV rays.

The Axis shallow water anchor by Lewmar is a fully electric anchoring solution that provides convenient and effortless boat positioning in up to 7 feet of water. Lightweight and easy to install, the anchor has no hydraulic pumps or hoses to take up valuable boat space. Simply attach to the boat transom and you’re ready to drop your anchor with the push of a button. The electric linear actuator is made with a powder coated aluminum finish and is designed to take on the elements, so chasing fish just got a lot easier.
(www.corporate.lippert.com)

MariDeck vinyl installed in pontoon
MariDeck
For an attractive, durable, time-tested vinyl alternative to traditional high maintenance marine carpet, MariDeck vinyl will look great for many years and will protect your boat from the rigors inherent in boating. In the past, your boat carpet didn’t stand a chance staying clean with kids, fish, pets, or messy meals. But now cleaning up after a successful fish or family outing is a snap with just a spray of water.

MariDeck vinyl is embossed with a slip-resistant textured surface. It can be installed on wood, aluminum, or fiberglass surfaces making it ideal for use on pontoons and deck boats.

Available in multiple widths, thicknesses, and colors, MariDeck works for just about any marine flooring application desired. Changing the way customers think of marine flooring, MariDeck woven vinyl has a high-tech polymer formulation to repel water and moisture, prevent deck rot, and provide excellent slip resistance. Easy to maintain, the flooring cleans up with just a spray of water. Designed with UV stabilizers, the deck covering will resist fading and endure long-term use. The flooring can be installed quickly and easily over wood, fiberglass, or metal surfaces.

The product as well as samples can be sent directly to customers, dealerships, or boat manufacturers. Providing walkable, waterproof flooring to the marine industry for over 25 years, MariDeck is well known for high quality products and wonderful service.
(www.marideck.net)

mister above man's head
misters under the pontoon seats
Mister-Comfort
If you love boating but hate to be hot, the misting system from Mister-Comfort can provide you with hours of cool mist to make boating comfortable even on the hottest days. Built for the harsh marine environment by Bill Ford in 2006, the compact, affordable system was designed with the do-it-yourselfer in mind and is easy to install.

Kits are available for boats that already have an on board water source, as well as those that don’t. The 2300 series connects to your existing freshwater tank and comes with multiple standard adapters to fit virtually any boat. For those who don’t already have a water source, the 2400 series comes with its own tank. And new to the lineup is the two-zone 2420 series, which allows you to control two different zones separately, such as zones by your head and feet, or the cockpit and bow area.

Quiet, powerful, and no larger than a standard marine pump, Mister-Comfort can be installed on hard tops, Biminis, and canvas tops. Each kit comes with all the necessary parts to install the system, and all the components are marine-grade, rust proof, and stainless steel. The misting heads will not drip or build up calcium, so you never have to worry about clogged outlets or pipes.

Utilizing the power of evaporative cooling, the misting system forces pressurized water through holes the size of a human hair, enabling the particles to evaporate quickly as soon as the atomized water hits hot air. As it evaporates, a cool curtain of mist forms a barrier between you and the driving summer heat, which can lower cockpit temperatures by as much as 25 degrees.
(www.mist-er-comfort.com)

woman and man using ATMOS built-in air station from Scanstrut
woman using ATMOS built-in air station from Scanstrut
Scanstrut
Sleek and versatile, the new ATMOS built-in air station from Scanstrut can inflate your towables, paddleboards and more with the touch of a button. The waterproof, on board air station is engineered to thrive in a harsh marine environment and can easily be installed in a few simple steps. As it provides ready-to-go air right where it’s needed, you can skip the drudgery of slowly inflating water toys or losing power on a battery-operated pump.

With a compact size, the ATMOS fits conveniently in almost any panel on board so it can be located into the seating, main consoles, or by the swim platform. Packaged with all of the hoses and various attachments you will need, the unit also has a nice cover to protect the digital display when you’re traveling.

Utilizing next-gen air pump technology, the ATMOS 12V integrated air station can rapidly inflate a wide range of on-water toys; towables can be inflated in three minutes and stand-up paddleboards in seven. Users can set their desired pressure up to 20psi, and ATMOS takes care of the rest so you never have to worry about over-inflating your gear. When you’re done boating for the day, you can also deflate your towables as well, making it quick and convenient to pack them away for your next adventure.
(www.scanstrut.com)

man using turn-key DIY installed solutions
Boat Outfitters by Teak Isle
Boat Outfitters offers pontoon boat owners several turn-key DIY installed solutions to add more storage and on-demand entertainment space. Improve your time on the water with folding entertainment tables, storage drawer units, and other accessories.

Adding more storage is easy with several ready options, from folding tables with drawers to a three-compartment storage unit that comes with a locking glove box and two large drawers. Store your semi-precious belongings such as phones and keys in the locking glove box and necessities such as towels and provisions in the large drawers. You can even add a dog bowl insert!

The patent-pending Pontoon Boat Folding Table mounts in the lounger backrest and easily lifts with spring-locking supports to offer more usable entertainment space. When no longer needed, simply lift to release and fold the table down. This flush-mounting table requires just 4 inches of depth for installation.

All items are available in various sizes and colors to integrate perfectly with your boat’s interior. Made in the USA with marine-grade King StarBoard and stainless steel hardware, these parts are built to last. All units come fully assembled and ready to install.
(www.boatoutfitters.com)