Current Trends In The Boating Industry
The Monetary Side Of Pontoon Ownership
18 Current Trends, What’s Hot In The Industry For 2022
24 Reading Between The Lines, The Hidden Costs Of Boat Ownership
28 PDB Directory, Entry-Level Models
36 PDB Directory, Best-Selling Models
42 PDB Directory, Fishing Specific Models
46 PDB Directory, Luxury & Performance Models
52 PDB Directory, Complete Listings Of Top Builders
54 Financing Boating Bliss, The Monetary Side Of Boat Ownership
58 Boat Show Listings, The When And The Where
Executive Editor Brady L. Kay
Editorial Staff Nicole Richens, Heather Magda Serrano, Roy Sparks, Annie Carbutt
Editorial Correspondents
Dan Armitage, Sky Smith
Advertising Director
Greg Larsen, glarsen@pdbmagazine.com
Advertising Executives
Brad Anderson, banderson@pdbmagazine.com
Administrative Assistant Samantha Stroud
Marketing Director Cameron Bischoff
Circulation Director Chuck Harris
Lead Designer Chloe Adelizzi
Production Jim Donovan
www.harrispublishing.com/pontoon-deck-boat
Publisher Greg Larsen
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
Vice President Steve Janes
Vice President Greg Larsen
Treasurer Clayton Ward
Secretary Janet Chase
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Harris Publishing, Inc.
520 Park Ave., Idaho Falls, ID 83402
(800) 638-0135 • Fax (208) 522-5241
www.pdbmagazine.com
Also publishers of Houseboat and Great Lakes Boating magazines.
Until you sit back and attempt to put an actual date on it, those ever-changing events and unforeseen circumstances in our lives move quicker than you realize. To me it doesn’t feel that long ago when manufacturers had more inventory than they knew what to do with and were overrun with boats. As some smaller dealerships were forced out of business during a tough slump in our economy, manufacturers were shuffling inventory to other dealers so they wouldn’t have to close their own doors. For the record, that would have been the perfect time to be a little picky, ahem, I mean more selective, when shopping for a new pontoon or deck boat. Just saying.
Buyer Should Be Asking
o all your friends have told how great it is to own a boat and you’ve decided to make the plunge and buy your own. That’s great! Recognition is the first step to realizing you have a problem. (I kid, I kid.) But seriously, do you actually know what you’re in for? Not just in a general sense, but in very specific areas? We asked around and got an idea of the kinds of things you should be aware of as you’re looking to make a boat purchase. Hopefully this list will keep you from plopping down your money on a lemon or, say, a transatlantic paddle-powered catamaran.
General
These are the basic questions you need to ask yourself to drill down to a good starting point. In some cases, though, the answers to these questions may even tell you that you’re not ready for a boat yet, so try to be as honest with yourself as possible.
ith boat buying season in full swing, you’re probably wondering what’s trending in the industry right now. I know we were asking ourselves the same question here at PDB magazine.
Fortunately for us, we’re lucky enough to interact with CEOs, presidents and other leaders in the pontoon industry regularly, allowing us to learn what’s popular for the upcoming year. It’s one of the perks of writing for a boating magazine.
So we took the liberty of reaching out to industry leadership to get their take one what’s trending for 2022. Let’s take a look.
Influx Of New Boaters
You’ve probably noticed that the boating industry is booming with an influx of new boaters discovering our beloved sport. This 2020 and 2021 trend continues this year.
uying a pontoon or deck boat should be enjoyable from start to finish, beginning with the dream. The last thing you want is for your reverie to be broken by the crushing realization that you can’t afford the boat you thought you could because of a host of unforeseen expenses.
We’ve compiled a list of costs to consider from the get-go. This can help you make the best purchase so your dream-come-true doesn’t turn into a nightmare you can’t afford.
Registration, Licensing & Certification
A boat is a vehicle just like a car is and must be registered with your state. These registration fees vary widely, but keep in mind you could be looking at fees anywhere from $30 to several hundred, depending on the type and size of your boat and the state you live in. If you have a trailer for your boat, this will also need to be registered for an additional fee.
Deck Boat
Directory
he 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 knew: 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.
This center console rig is laid out for fishing fanatics who want comfort with plenty of seating. What’s more is that it won’t break the bank.
Specifications:
LOA: 21’ 8”
Beam: 8’ 6”
Max HP: 150hp
Price starting at $30K to $39K
www.anglerqwestpontoons.com
Deck Boat
Directory
f you’re in the market for a new vessel but you’re not quite sure where to begin, often a good place to start is researching each manufacturer’s best-selling model. Don’t worry; we’ve done the heavy lifting for you on this one. In this section of the directory we highlight each manufacturer’s most popular model.
This is a center console fishing machine for big water trolling. The large livewell, Radar Arch and layout make this rig the best for fishing.
Specifications:
LOA: 25’ 11”
Beam: 8’ 6”
Max HP: 300hp
Price starting at $80K to $89K
www.anglerqwestpontoons.com
This vessel includes full-length benches in bow and aft portions of the boat, providing comfortable seating and a large, open floor plan. Its unique accents also give it a high-end look.
Specifications:
LOA: 21’ 5”
Beam: 8’ 6”
Max HP: 115hp
Price starting at $30K to $39K
www.avalonpontoons.com
This is a center console fishing machine for big water trolling. The large livewell, Radar Arch and layout make this rig the best for fishing.
Specifications:
LOA: 25’ 11”
Beam: 8’ 6”
Max HP: 300hp
Price starting at $80K to $89K
www.anglerqwestpontoons.com
This vessel includes full-length benches in bow and aft portions of the boat, providing comfortable seating and a large, open floor plan. Its unique accents also give it a high-end look.
Specifications:
LOA: 21’ 5”
Beam: 8’ 6”
Max HP: 115hp
Price starting at $30K to $39K
www.avalonpontoons.com
Deck Boat
Directory
ost (if not all) pontoons and deck boats would work great for fishing, but for serious anglers, a boat with fishing-specific features, such as livewells and rod holders is a must. In this section of the directory we highlight each manufacturer’s best fishing model.
This is a center console fishing machine for big water trolling. The large livewell, Radar Arch and layout make this rig ideal for fishing.
Specifications:
LOA: 25’ 11”
Beam: 8’ 6”
Max HP: 300hp
Price starting at $80K to $89K
www.anglerqwestpontoons.com
Deck Boat
Directory
he term flagship refers to the ship in a fleet that carries the commanding admiral, but in this case, flagship translates to the manufacturer’s best or highest-end luxury model.
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.
This is a center console fishing machine for big water trolling. The large livewell, Radar Arch and layout make this rig the best for fishing.
Specifications:
LOA: 25’ 11”
Beam: 8’ 6”
Max HP: 300hp
Price starting at $80K to $89K
www.anglerqwestpontoons.com
North Little Rock, Ark.
800-776-9226
www.alohapontoons.com
Angler Qwest Pontoons
St. Louis, Mich.
989-681-4300
www.anglerqwestpontoons.com
Alma, Mich.
800-334-2913
www.avalonpontoons.com
Barletta Pontoon Boats
Bristol, Ind.
574-825-8900
www.barlettapontoonboats.com
Magda Serrano
t’s no secret that boating has gained quite a bit in popularity just over the last couple of years, especially since many people have found it to be a great way to social distance. Billy Sullivan of Lewis Boats in St. Peters, Mo., continues to see a definite uptick in boating popularity.
“We saw it early on in 2020 when a lot of people were using it as a way to get out and this trend is continuing into 2022,” observed Sullivan.
If you’re one of these newcomers to boating, then welcome! We’re happy to have you and you’re in for the time of your life. Stepping into the boating world and financing your first boat is both exhilarating and a little nerve-racking. But don’t fret; it’s a fairly easy and straightforward process.
January 6 – 9, 2022
Suburban Collection Showplace
Novi, Michigan
Charlotte County Boat Show
January 6 – 9, 2022
Charlotte County Fairgrounds
Port Charlotte, Florida
January 7 – 16, 2022
NRG Center
Houston, Texas
Portland Boat Show
January 12 – 16, 2022
Portland Expo Center
Portland, Oregon
January 13 – 17, 2022
IX Center
Cleveland, Ohio
Stuart Boat Show
January 14 – 16, 2022
54-290 N Dixie Hwy
Stuart, Florida
January 14 – 16, 2022
North Carolina State Fairgrounds
Raleigh, North Carolina
January 6 – 9, 2022
Suburban Collection Showplace
Novi, Michigan
Charlotte County Boat Show
January 6 – 9, 2022
Charlotte County Fairgrounds
Port Charlotte, Florida
Houston International Boat, Sport & Travel Super Show
January 7 – 16, 2022
NRG Center
Houston, Texas
Portland Boat Show
January 12 – 16, 2022
Portland Expo Center
Portland, Oregon
January 13 – 17, 2022
IX Center
Cleveland, Ohio
Stuart Boat Show
January 14 – 16, 2022
54-290 N Dixie Hwy
Stuart, Florida
Bass and Saltwater Fishing Expo – Raleigh
January 14 – 16, 2022
North Carolina State Fairgrounds
Raleigh, North Carolina
Central Gulf Coast Boat, Sport, & RV Show
January 14 – 16, 2022
Lake Charles Civic Center
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Departments | No Wake Zone
NO WAKE ZONE | PLACES, FACES, VIEWS, NEWS, PRODUCTS & MORE
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 16 (shown in the photo on the left) hidden in the Bimini. Here are the readers who spotted it first:
Bob Reed, Pendleton, Ind.
David Groner, Vacaville, Calif.
Danny Criner, North Chesterfield, Va.
Marcus Rosehill, Kaneohe, Hawaii
Tracey Parm, Bethel, Ohio
Ken Braun, Hartford, Wis.
John Shackleton, Manitowoc, Wis.
Rich Christensen, Townville, SC
www.pdbmagazine.com
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www.twitter.com/PDBMag
riving to work today I heard the song, “Somebody I Used to Know.” It reminded me that many of us put our pontoons away for the winter season and it’s, “out of sight and out of mind.” Typically, we don’t think about our pontoon boat all winter until we get it out for the new season.
Or we just might think about the old pontoon when we start attending boat shows and reading about all the new innovations. Only when we see the new options available, new floorplans and new engines do we think about our old, reliable pontoon we have been using for years.
Okay, maybe not everyone does this, but I do. Once the show season starts and the new boats are on display, I start thinking about a new boat and not just pontoons, but all boats. My interests include cigarette style boats with huge engines, deck boats and sailboats. I get to thinking about my pontoon being just some boat that I used to know. It’s not new. Yes, it has all kinds of modifications on it that make it a great pontoon, but I don’t have anything else I can do to it. And there lies a problem for me.
Not sure how many of you are like me and enjoy do-it-yourself projects, but I’m always looking at improvements or modifications for the boat, the motorcycles and even my lawn mower. It’s kind of a “modification compulsion.” And now my `toon has pretty much everything I need, what am I going to do heading into the new year?
Boating Tips & Observations with
Sky Smith
Sky Smith
riving to work today I heard the song, “Somebody I Used to Know.” It reminded me that many of us put our pontoons away for the winter season and it’s, “out of sight and out of mind.” Typically, we don’t think about our pontoon boat all winter until we get it out for the new season.
Or we just might think about the old pontoon when we start attending boat shows and reading about all the new innovations. Only when we see the new options available, new floorplans and new engines do we think about our old, reliable pontoon we have been using for years.
Okay, maybe not everyone does this, but I do. Once the show season starts and the new boats are on display, I start thinking about a new boat and not just pontoons, but all boats. My interests include cigarette style boats with huge engines, deck boats and sailboats. I get to thinking about my pontoon being just some boat that I used to know. It’s not new. Yes, it has all kinds of modifications on it that make it a great pontoon, but I don’t have anything else I can do to it. And there lies a problem for me.
Not sure how many of you are like me and enjoy do-it-yourself projects, but I’m always looking at improvements or modifications for the boat, the motorcycles and even my lawn mower. It’s kind of a “modification compulsion.” And now my `toon has pretty much everything I need, what am I going to do heading into the new year?
