Executive Editor Brady L. Kay
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Publisher Brady L. Kay
Executive Editor Brady L. Kay
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While some seasonal changes can be positive, such as spring showers giving way to warm summer days, this time of year can cause anxiety for some boaters. The realization that fall is coming, with snow sure to follow, tends to signal that the boating season is about to come to an abrupt and unceremonious end.
By Rebecca Blackson
But I’m a different story. While I haven’t landed myself in the tax bracket of being able to hire out for all of my projects, I have yet to feel the need to learn how to weld aluminum ‘toons or rewire an entire helm console. Give me an easy project, I say. Let’s have a few baby steps in here before I’m finally ready to learn what an anode is and how to add one to my pontoon.
The Elite 120, a re-engineered version of the fan-favorite Elite 28, maintains the same 28 pounds buoyancy. A breathable mesh back and a shorter chassis prevent ride-up on all body types, even at high speeds. The Elite 190 offers 42 pounds of buoyancy, matching the Atlas 190, in a slightly pared-back, lighter profile. It includes optional accessory compatibility for leg straps, spray hood, and emergency light. (www.mustangsurvival.com)
The half-retired couple (Tom is “retired” while Mary Jo is a full-time realtor with Berkshire Hathaway in Mt. Dora, Fla.) seem to always be on the go with their pontoon, whether it’s participating in their local pontoon club’s events or just out enjoying their 22-foot Barletta on the Harris Chain of Lakes and the St. John’s River.
“The boat was in rough shape, but my plan was to just throw some towels over the seats,” recalls Corey. “I had no plans of actually restoring it.”
However, with multiple motorcycle and golf cart restoration projects included among his current list of hobbies, it didn’t take long for the wheels in his head to start turning on what he could do with this boat if he were to tear it down.
We’ve gathered 10 doable upgrades that you can tackle on your own to give your pontoon a modest facelift, boost the comfort levels, or simply add more fun. Sometimes small changes make the biggest difference, and these are definitely worth your time and energy.
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)
Those Who Serve
Fast forward over 20 years later and it’s nice to see this industry giant is still keeping boaters safe with new and innovative products, including the Atlas 190 DLX Hydrostatic Inflatable Life Jacket. This lightweight, ergonomically designed life jacket has a contoured shape that sits off your neck and the adjustable sides ensure a secure and comfortable fit.
The XTRATUF ADB Sport Tailgate Collection features iconic designs and features with new colors to rep your favorite teams, With a dark green version that is named Built For The Birds, a black and gold pair named Built For The Steel City and the Built For The Bay boots that are red and gold, it’s clear to see where the inspiration came for the different names. I opted for the Built For The Windy City Tailgate 6-inch ankle deck boots that are navy blue and orange.
I offer a basic primer here. For most of my angling career I felt pretty much the same way – and still do – to some degree. But there are some situations where having the right hook can mean the difference between having fresh fillets or frozen sticks for your fish dinner. We’re talking meat fishing here, when you are serious about catching fish and plan to keep what you land for the dinner table. In many cases, when you simply must catch fish, that means using live bait as your primary lure.
By Roy Sparks
Nope. Here’s a sad truth about movies that take place on the water: people are rarely having a good time. They all have perilous humans-vs-nature plots of being thrown overboard, lost at sea, or hunted by great white sharks. (Here’s a challenge to you pontoon-loving movie-makers: create a fun movie about a cruising ‘toon. I’d watch that.)
