Used Pontoon Boats - Tips on Buying Discount Pontoon Boats

Hi gang, Rick Ostler here from North American Waterway bringing you Used Pontoon Boats along with news and views from the boating industry. A quick search engine entry on the internet provides a long list of opportunities to buy discount pontoon boats.

The question then becomes, how can I find the best deal for my dollar? There are several key elements to take into consideration before deciding which dealer you should use to purchase your boat. It is important to purchase from a reputable source, which is able to guarantee both the delivery and working condition of your pontoon boat. In essence, you just want to make sure the thing floats before you trustingly pay someone to send it to you.

Find a Dealer You Can Trust

When purchasing discount pontoon boats, it is important to make sure that the dealer selling you the boat can be trusted. Like used car sales men, not all of them can be trusted. A good way to find a reputable dealer is to search online for a dealer in your area that has been around for a substantial amount of time. Also, it is a good idea to seek out online boating forums, where people who love pontoon boats can give you a good idea of where to start looking for a good one at a reduced price. Large companies can usually offer you the most deeply discounted prices due to the high volume of product they are able to distribute. This is not always the case, however and before making a purchase it is a good idea to really take your time and do your homework to ensure you are getting the very best deal out there.

Online Sellers

While purchasing discount pontoon boats online is a very real and convenient option, always make sure that the seller can guarantee that the boat they are selling you will arrive at your door in good working condition. One way to do this is to contact the online seller and ask them for a guarantee in writing (electronic signatures make this easy to do over the internet). Another way to make sure you will receive discount pontoon boats in good working condition is to buy through a reputable trading forum. Often, such trading and selling forums will give purchasers a thirty-day guarantee on the product they are buying from individual sellers. This helps to give the transaction a security blanket and helps sellers to guarantee their product.

Local Dealers

Purchasing discount pontoon boats at a local dealer can be a good idea because it cuts out shipping costs and gives you a person-to-person experience where your questions can be answered in real time. If you choose this option, make sure the dealer offers free local delivery to your home. Often, dealers will not offer this option outright but will come around if you ask them to throw it into the bargain. In addition, it is a good idea to ask your dealer for some kind of guarantee as to the boat's performance in the water. While these are not always available, it never hurts to ask and bring much desired security to the purchaser.

Thanks to Matthew Finn for this. Matthew is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about pontoon boats, please visit Boat Discounts for current articles and discussions.

Discount Pontoon Boats Are Easy to Find If You Know How to Look in the Right Places

Used Pontoon Boats - Pennsylvania Boaters Thankful for Canadian Coast Guard Rescue

Hi gang, Rick Ostler here from North American Waterway bringing you Used Pontoon Boats along with news and views from the boating industry. Two Pennsylvania  boaters are very lucky and thankful to the Canadian Coast Guard.

A Pennsylvania couple were found “alive and well in Canadian waters,” said Chief Deputy James Voutour of the Sheriff’s Department.

Frank J. Yantos, 61, and Mary-Ellen Fosbrink, 60, both of Del Mont, Penn., were rescued at 4:50 p.m. Friday. The search was launched after they did not return to Olcott harbor at their scheduled time.

The two were found, after clinging to their capsized boat for almost two days, about 8 miles southeast of Toronto in Lake Ontario. They were rescued by the Canadian Coast Guard.

Stumbo said the couple was doing well and did not need hospitalization. The cutter was taking them to Toronto, and they planned to return to Olcott from there, he said.

Yantos and Fosbrink had set out early Wednesday morning from Olcott in Yantos’ homemade, 25-foot aluminum pontoon-type boat. They headed to the Somerset power plant and were returning when the weather worsened, according to the Coast Guard.

The boat capsized Wednesday afternoon amid 6-foot waves when they had slowed down to get out of the way of a freighter, Stumbo said. The waves “came over the boat and rolled it over,” he said.

Stumbo said the Canadian rescuers reported that the boaters were “in pretty good condition.” He said the boat will need a new motor, but otherwise is in pretty good shape.

The boat has a 5-foot by 5-foot cabin and is equipped with radar, multiple antennas, a GPS system, 3 VHS radios, a CB radio, two cell phones and flares, Stumbo said.

He said once the boat capsized, the radios were no good, and Yantos could not get to the flares.

An afternoon-long search for two missing boaters off Olcott harbor ended with good news Friday. Thanks to April Amadon, Niagara Gazette - OLCOTT: Missing boaters ‘alive, well’

Used Pontoon Boats - An Adventure Down the Missouri River

Hi gang, Rick Ostler here from North American Waterway bringing you Used Pontoon Boats along with news and views from the boating industry. Here is an interesting article how to get to a football game by boat in Kansas City, Mo.

This is “Old School” meets Mark Twain.What happens when two dozen middle-aged kids at heart lead a boat party down the Missouri River with plans to reach St. Louis in time for Saturday’s football blockbuster between the sixth-ranked MU Tigers and No. 20 Illinois?

Let 50-year-old Breck Anderson of Overland Park answer that.

“Think about it: The adventure, acting like you’re in college again, getting to the game,” Anderson says. “Think about how much fun we’re going to have at that game.

“The sense of freedom. It’s like for three days, you’re not married, you don’t have kids, you’re on the river. There’s nothing you can do but have fun. There are a lot of beautiful things to see on the Missouri River. It’s a pretty cool thing.”

The adventure is the brainchild of Pat Ryan, who knows a thing or two about planning a good time. He has organized trips to Pamplona, Spain, for the Running of the Bulls, and to the 2006 World Cup in Germany, where everyone in his group dressed like Elvis Presley.

Ever since Mizzou and Illinois started their annual series in 2002, Ryan has dreamed of boating the Big Muddy to St. Louis. He wasn’t alone.

“Surprisingly, this was in the back of a lot of people’s heads,” says Ryan, one of the 15 MU alumni in the group that includes seven former football players. “When I sent out the mass e-mail to about 200 people, a lot of people said, ‘I’ve always wanted to do that, too,’ and this is the right time to do it.”

The flotilla leaves at 6 a.m. Thursday from Ameristar Kansas City Casino and Hotel, and will go to Rocheport. They’ll dock, then head to Columbia, where classes began this week. After hitting the campus hot spots (including Harpo’s, of course), the group will spend the night in a hotel and leave Friday morning for St. Charles. More partying will ensue. On Saturday, they’ll navigate the final 45 miles to the Gateway Arch and head to the game at the Edward Jones Dome.

There are four boats in the armada: a pontoon boat and three power boats.

The group has support vehicles driving to each night’s stopping point, and they’ll have trailers to pull the boats ashore (and to take them back home after the game). Oil trucks have been arranged to meet refueling needs along the way.

“It’s kind of a civilian military experience,” says Ryan, who lives in Leawood. “We have to plan all of our necessities out: ice, hydration, food, life jackets, and we’re just pawning off these roles on people.

“We plan on having a barbecue, maybe a generator, maybe an air conditioning unit, poker table, a marine radio in case we have to call the Coast Guard.”

The Coast Guard? What other group heading to the game has that contingency plan? It seems the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers suggested the marine radio.

“We have to go through only one lock, which is when we go from the Missouri River to the Mississippi,” Ryan explains. “When that feeds into the Mississippi, I have to veer left, and if I forget to do that, I’ll run them up on the rocks.”

Although one group member leads float trips on the Buffalo River in Arkansas, most of the group have merely spent time in a canoe or a whitewater raft on smaller rivers.

Scott Widman of Lenexa is one of the few group members with experience on the Missouri River, so he knows what to expect — sort of.

“There certainly is some danger, and that’s what kind of is intriguing about it,” says Widman, 41. “To be honest, that’s really what gets people excited. We can plan all we want, but we don’t really know what’s going to happen.”

Ryan dismisses such talk. He points to the Missouri River 340, an annual canoe/kayak race from Kansas City to St. Charles.

“People always hype things up too much, and then they hype things down too much. Things are never what you assume,” Ryan says. “They had, what, 100 kayakers go on the Mo. River 340? I feel safer on a pontoon than I do in a kayak.”

Widman smiles as he quickly interjects: “Well, yes and no.”

Anderson returns the grin as he quips: “If nobody dies, it’ll be a great trip. If someone does, well, it’ll still be a great trip, because I don’t know all these guys.”

Ryan initially planned to cap the group at 20. But as more boats became available, there was more room, and now 23 people are making the trip. Friends invited friends. In fact, there are some (gasp!) Kansas fans coming along.

“They’ll probably be the slave labor to fix the boats,” Ryan says with a laugh, “or be the rowers at the bottom of the boat like in the old days.”

Yep, the fun started even before the group hit the water.Although they didn’t know what to expect on the river, they had a pretty good idea of what would happen on the boats.

All of the boats are registered and titled, as is required by law, and Ryan reiterated to Widman that everyone had to obtain a life jacket and wear it at all times. Those are two of the requirements for being on the water, according to the Missouri Water Patrol. It has a handbook of boating laws and responsibilities that Ryan read weeks ago.

The group also left a float plan with their wives, as suggested by the handbook. They also know it’s against the law to drive a boat while intoxicated, which is why they are making certain to have a designated driver on all four boats.

“We’ll probably play poker. We’ll probably drink a lot of beer,” Anderson says. “Somebody has to stay sober on each boat — I don’t know who that’s going to be — and then we have the football game, which will kick off what hopefully will be the best football season Missouri has ever had.”

Sounds idyllic. While others will be making the mad dash across Interstate 70 or hopping a train on game day, these fans will be taking it slow.

“The journey is actually more exciting than the destination,” Ryan says. “What a great way to explore Missouri. It’s a beautiful state. Anytime any of us cross over the Missouri River after this, we’ll think back to how glorious that trip was — or catastrophic. It could be the agony of defeat … or something awesome.”

Thanks to PETE GRATHOFF, The Kansas City Star www.kansascity.com | 08/26/2008 | Group hopes to tame the mighty Missouri for adventure, football

Used Pontoon Boats - Boat Review, Chinook Pontoon Boats

Chinook “Resort Classic” Series Pontoon Leisure Boat

Hi gang, Rick Ostler here from North American Waterway bringing you Used Pontoon Boats along with news and views from the boating industry. Pontoon boats aren’t for partying and puttering around the lake anymore.

These unique vessels have earned a reputation as some of the most versatile and rugged work boats. Boats that easily adapt to various and sometimes dangerous tasks including fire fighting, commercial recreation, wildlife protection, marina construction, fish and game research and management, and marine demolition or construction.

Pontoon boats, particularly Chinook Boats from Metalite Industries, have earned respect because design specifications can be tailored to payload capacity, work environment and weight demands.

Width, length and buoyancy can all be modified to meet working requirements. And bow and stern shapes can be adjusted to allow for the best utilization of surface space and work requirements.

Each pontoon boat user will begin with a platform that is crafted for its durability and incredible flotation stability. But you can customize almost anything on these boats. From riggings, cleats, tie-downs, steering and enclosures - cabins, tarps or canopies. All based on the simple or complex nature of the enterprise.

Ken Hagman’s firm, Copper Bay Construction, has been a fixture on Idaho’s Priest Lake since 1977. He ties the increased use of his pontoon boats to the demand for greater longevity of marine construction. “We’re using more aluminum framing and composite decking. Because of that, transporting equipment and materials to the site has become much more critical over the years.”

In Hanman’s work, one thing he does is remove damaged boat lifts and he replaces them with fresh equipment. He wanted to make this job more efficient, so Hagman went looking for a large high-speed pontoon boat that could install heavy machinery easily and readily. He chose a Chinook Pontoon Boat that was built to spec by Metalite Industries, a subsidiary of NewMax Incorporated. The 12 x 32-foot boat he chose has a 15,000-lb capacity and carries a gantry crane that can lift and position 8,000 to 12,000-lb boat lifts. His new boat’s speed and size saves him time and labor costs. “With it being 12 feet wide, which is extremely wide for its size, it allows us to deliver and set boat lifts with a two-man crew. As opposed to the old method, a slow moving boat that needed four people to jockey and set the lift in place.”

In fact, Hagman calculates that since purchasing the Chinook Pontoon five years ago, half the cost has been recouped in labor savings alone. And further savings have been realized as fuel costs rise: the boat’s four-stroke engines operate at one-third the cost of powering the large and heavy semi-displacement work boat Copper Bay previously used.

“We’ve been very impressed with the performance of the boat. It’s common to travel fifteen miles over water to get to a job site. Most work boats are semi-displacement vessels that plow through the water at a slow pace.

The Chinook Pontoon work boats incorporate an angular, flat pontoon design that has a higher displacement and better surface planning capability.

The design provides better hydro-dynamics to allow the vessel to plane on the water’s surface, where it can move quickly and more efficiently. We specifically wanted this boat so it would save money in labor costs by getting people to the job faster. We’ve had a lot of competitors, some who come from five hundred miles away, looking at the boat for design ideas for their operations,” he said.

Hagman’s Copper Bay Construction crew is in the process of replacing Priest Lake’s oldest marina. A new breakwater will be installed and a hundred boat slips replaced. The on-shore construction of a bar and restaurant will be the main focus when the marine aspects of the project are completed in the end of 2008

Hagman’s Chinook Pontoon Boat was outfitted with aluminum ramps that attach to the front of the boat. These ramps allow the crew to easily transport and disembark mini excavators. The on-shore work requires the machinery that must be done in the winter months, when Priest Lake, a reservoir lake is drawn down. Standing snow may arrive as early as the end of October and remain on the ground until April. The pontoon boats are still in the water year round. “The aluminum gets cold, but the boat performs well,” he said.

Though Hagman keeps busy throughout the year, when time permits, he’s not opposed to a little fun. “Every summer, we throw a party for our twenty-five employees. We turn the pontoon boat into a floating party. We spruce it up and cruise around the lake, smiling at everybody. We’ve had more than 30 people safely on that boat,” he said.

About the Author:

Chinook Boats is the premiere manufacturer of pontoon boats and work boats for a wide range of applications. Each boat is custom designed and precision crafted to meet the the customer’s needs. Chinook also builds recreational pontoon boats. Thanks to; Party Pontoon Boat Becomes Revered Work Horse | The Baron

Used Pontoon Boats - A Guide to Boat Shows

Hi gang, Rick Ostler here from North American Waterway bringing you Used Pontoon Boats along with news and views from the boating industry. Boat shows are the best way to check out the new seasonal offerings before you hit the water year.

A Guide to Boat Shows

As you shop the boat shows in your area, though, what, primarily, should you shop for in a new boat? This guide should help.

First, look around the boat shows near you for a good selection of boat styles that fit your needs. Some want the right pontoon boat to carry more party gear. Others need a speed boat for boat racing that reflects their fast, sleek personalities. Whatever your chosen boat style, though, understanding what you need before you walk into any boat shows is essential.

Once you've narrowed things down by style, it's time to start looking at the general size of the vessel. While vessel styles may actually help you determine the size, with boat styles like speed boats, you'll have lots of choices. Keep in mind that you need to choose a boat size that fits both the trailer you currently own and your level of experience.

Bigger boats take a lot more maneuvering than smaller ones do, and if your last lake boating experience was a dinghy with oars, you may need to start small or at least invest in some boating courses to get the job done right.

Boat Accessories

Now that you've looked at styles and size, your next step is to start choosing the preferences that best fit your needs. Most people look at engine capacity first. The larger the engine, the faster your boat is going to go, and boat shows are a great way to look at the engine technology that is currently available.

Talk with dealers about what is new in the world of boat engines, look at demonstrations, and if you're interested, talk about alternative fuel technologies. After all, gas is getting expensive for every engine, including those you'll be seeing at the boat shows you attend.

In addition to engine size, you need to consider other boating accessories. While you can do lots of accessorizing after the fact, choosing a model at the boat shows you visit that comes close to meeting your needs may help things out quite a bit.

Look at the lights, seat covers, and furniture included to be sure that you're getting the right boat. If you're shopping for higher end accessories or boating apparel or you have special boating needs (fishing and so forth) be sure to ask boat show dealers what could be added to their current model to make your boating experience a bit smoother.

Not sure where to find boat shows in your area? Go online. With thousands of boat shows from coast to coast, you're sure to find one within driving distance. It's unquestionably the way to get a look at all of the hottest models of the season and help narrow down your boat purchase choices.

Moreover, though, you can check out some of the awesome boating products boat makers have created for the market this year. It may just give you the fix you need to make it to the next season.

Boat Selection - Boat Shows - Lake Boating - DONE

Used Pontoon Boats - Tips on Choosing the Right Boat

Hi gang, Rick Ostler here from North American Waterway bringing you Used Pontoon Boats along with news and views from the boating industry. Are you are an avid fisherman who spends endless summer days searching for that fish that will give you ultimate bragging rights?

Or want to spend summer afternoons slowly cruising with a group of friends on your pontoon, or possibly have a fascination for speed and water sports.  Whatever your passion, there is a boat out there that is made specifically for your needs and desires. However it isn’t always easy to know exactly which boat you should choose. It is easy to be overwhelmed by the enormous variety of boat types and models. There are several different boat choices based on what they would be used for.

What will I use the boat for?

You should first decide what you anticipate using the boat for. There are boats for fishing, water sports, cruising, sailing, entertaining, or taking long trips. Some are designed for multiple purposes.
Once you know what you want to do with it, decide who you are going to be taking with you? You may not want a pontoon boat the fits 12 people if you are only going to be fishing with a buddy. You also don’t want to overload your boat because of safety.
Consider where you will be enjoying your boat; up and down the calm river, on a sheltered lake, or an open ocean with high waves and rough seas. If you will be taking trips you will want your boat to have a cabin.

Choosing the right engine for my boat:

Now consider the propulsion needed when deciding on an engine type. The horsepower and weight are very important factors in the performance of your boat. An engine that is not powerful enough will cause your boat to work harder than it should and lead to a great deal of maintenance and excess use of fuel. You need to consider the size and weight of your boat, including gear and passengers. There are six different propulsion types with varying factors to consider when choosing a system for your boat.

Different types of boats

Fishing
Inboard Cruisers, Houseboats, Sedan Bridge, Sportsfishing Boats, Center Console, Fish and Ski, Flat Boats, Bass Boats, Fishing Boats, Jon Boat, Deck Boat, Multi-Hull Cruiser, Multi-Hull Power Boat, Closed Bow Runabouts, Walkaround, Bowriders, Cuddy Cabins,

Water Sports
Fishing Boats, Fish and Ski Boats, Bass Boats, Stern Drive Cruisers, Bowriders, Closed Bow Runabouts, Cuddy Cabins, Deck boats, Inboard Ski Boats, Inboard Wakeboard Boats, Jet Boats

Entertainment
Pontoon, Deck Boats, Motor Yachts, Inboard Cruiser

Cruising/Trips
Cuddy Cabins, Motor Yachts, Sedan Bridge, Inboard Cruiser, Sportfishing Boats, Stern Drive Cruisers, Trawlers, Cruising Sailboats, Multi-Hull Cruising Sailboats.
Thanks to;Choosing the Boat That is Right for you | The Fun of Pontoon Boating

Used Pontoon Boats - Tips on Turning Any Pontoon Boat Into the Ultimate Travel Camper

Hi gang, Rick Ostler here from North American Waterway bringing you Used Pontoon Boats along with news and views from the boatingindustry. Pontoon Boat Full Camper Enclosures are a canvas enclosure custom made to fit your make and model of Pontoon Boat.

These enclosures will help protect your console instruments, pontoon
furniture and carpeting throughout. The Pontoon Full Camper Enclosure
makes the most of your pontoon boating experience.

A fully enclosed deck using a Bimini Top and a Camper Back Top gives you overall deck headroom. This is the ideal enclosure for weekenders, travelers and
entertaining on your pontoon boat. By adding optional screens and privacy curtains, you can turn your pontoon boat into the ultimate travel camper.

Pontoon Boat Full Camper Enclosure

Entertain on your Pontoon Boat

The Pontoon Boat Full Camper Enclosure does enclose the entire deck area of
your pontoon boat which now really makes it a multi use boat. You can entertain family and friends as well a great way to have a business meeting with a client. This enclosure is ideal for dining onboard, think of all the ideas you could do to create any atmosphere you wish for a great evening of entertainment.

Pontoon Camper Enclosure Creates Options for Your Pontoon Boat

If you're a real estate broker or agent selling waterfront properties, a The Pontoon Boat Full Camper Enclosure will be a great asset in helping you close a property sale. Keep your clients dry while you tour the lake looking at cottages and year round waterfront homes. Create an office on the water complete with cell phone, laptop computer, GPS etc.

The Pontoon Boat Full Camper Enclosure can also be used for an overnight
stay similar to a tent if needed. Makes for an inexpensive weekend camping trip by boat and give you a break from the hot humid weather or brief rain showers.

By adding a custom made Pontoon Boat Full Camper Enclosure, you can now start up a private charter boat business for tours and self-guided fishing trips, and not have to be concerned about changes in the weather while you are on the lake.

If You Spend More time on Your pontoon Boat

Look into a Pontoon Boat Enclosure with your local boat dealer, marina, boat
canvas shop and online. Get expert advice on the right Pontoon Enclosure before purchasing. You will now be prepared for any change in whether and not put a damper on a planned day on the water.

The Pontoon Boat Full Camper Enclosure will make a true difference in your
comfort while you are boating and extend your boating season deep into the fall.

For more information on Pontoon Boat Full Camper Enclosures please visit North American Waterway at:

http://www.north-american-waterway.com/pontoonboat_camper_enclosure.htm

Thanks to;Tips on How to Turn Any Pontoon Boat Into the Ultimate Travel Camper

Used Pontoon Boats - Creative Community Living's Camp

Hi gang, Rick Ostler here from North American Waterway bringing you Used Pontoon Boats along with news and views from the boating industry. Here is a great story out of Augusta, GA.

Campers rode horses, fished, worked on crafts, cruised on a pontoon boat, danced, played bingo, watched fireworks and tried lots of other activities at Creative Community Living's camp held Aug. 14-16 at the Kansas Jaycees Cerebral Palsy Ranch north of Augusta.

The rural site includes a swimming pool, two dormitories, a lodge and a dining hall. All are specially equipped for people with disabilities. A small lake, trees, grassy areas and a pasture with several horses all add to the beauty of the camp. A concrete ramp and a lift make it possible for campers - even those who ordinarily use wheelchairs - to ride horses.

"Camp is an opportunity for the individuals to participate in camp activities that are fun and accessible to them," said Nancy Mayberry, CCL's director of day services. "Horseback riding, hayrack rides, swimming, boating are all available. The men and women are not limited by their physical or mental capabilities."

Of the many activities, Mayberry said fishing, riding horses, going on hayrack rides, playing bingo and boating were especially popular.

When the pontoon boat was stranded in the middle of the lake because of mechanical failure, no one got upset.

"Even though they had to paddle back to shore, it was an enjoyable activity," she said.

Approximately 105 men and women from Winfield, Arkansas City, El Dorado, Andover and Wichita attended camp. About 30 stayed each night while others spent several hours or the day and then returned home. For day service clients, it was an opportunity to stay overnight without parental supervision.

"The individuals really look forward to camp," Mayberry said. "And with the recent cooler weather, people who are normally limited by the heat got to spend a lot more time outside enjoying the fresh air and activities."

On Friday evening, some parents came for supper, visiting and the outdoor dance. Thanks to the pleasant weather, more attended and stayed longer than in the past.

Legacy, a Regional Community Foundation, and other groups in Cowley and Butler counties helped fund CCL's camp. Thanks to; CCL clients enjoy camp experience

Used Pontoon Boats - Honda Marine True 5 Warranty Program

Hi gang, Rick Ostler here from North American Waterway bringing you Used Pontoon Boats along with news and views from the boating industry. News out of Honda Marine.

Honda Marine's True 5 warranty is now a standard feature for all Honda outboards purchased on or after July 1 for recreational use, the company reported today in a statement.

The program is a factory-backed, non-declining 5-year limited warranty, and coverage under the program is the same on the last day as it is on the first, according to Honda's Web site.

“With full Honda backing and non-declining coverage, True 5 keeps Honda Marine customers where they want to be — on the water,” said John Fulcher, senior manager at Honda Marine.

Thanks to Boating Industry USA for this; Honda's True 5 warranty program now standard

Used Pontoon Boats - The 2008 Legacy I/O

Hi gang, Rick Ostler here from North American Waterway bringing you Used Pontoon Boats along with news and views from the boating industry. The 2008 Legacy I/O brings quality and style to an all-new level. New high impact digital overlay graphics set this boat apart from the crowd.

Soft touch vinyl seats are beautifully complimented by Spradling color vinyl pillow inserts. The robust captains stand will make the captain the envy of the lake.

Faria Multi function gauges and improved ergonomics make this the best looking helm on the water. Many standard features are also found on the 2008 Legacy I/O, including Power Assist Hydraulic Steering, 50 gal. gas tank, activity locker, MP3 port, Kicker speakers, and an industry exclusive stainless steel reclining chair.

The I/O also comes standard with the Manitou exclusive SHP hull.

The Legacy I/O comes standard with the SHP tube configuration.

The Legacy I/O SHP easily provides the power and maneuverability needed to keep up with fast-paced activities and keep the fun level on high all day long. Thanks to; Boat Dealers and Service | Lake Norman > NC

Used Pontoon Boats - Ole Milwaukee Summer Booze Cruise

Hi gang, Rick Ostler here from North American Waterway bringing you Used Pontoon Boats along with news and views from the boating industry. An article on Ole Milwaukee Booze Cruises.

Ten years ago, Michael Kraus and Russ Davis started Riverwalk Boat Rentals & Tours with four paddleboats and a single, 10-person boat. Today, the company employees 20 people and rents three large-sized boats and four pontoons.

Riverwalk's mission is to provide an affordable river experience.

"We found our niche in the everyday person who didn't want to spend a fortune to have fun on the water," says Kraus.

Riverwalk offers private charters and public tours every night of the week. The public tours have a different theme every night, reflected in the drinks and snacks. Monday nights are "Margarita Mondays;" Tuesdays are "Tiki Tuesdays;" Wednesdays are "Wine Wednesdays;" Thursdays are "Thirsty Thursdays;" Fridays are "Funky Fridays;" Saturdays are "Social Saturdays."

All of the tours are $25, and run from 6 to 7: 30 p.m. or 7:45 to 9 p.m. At least 15 people have to sign up in order for the boat to launch.

A Sunday brunch costs $35, and is from noon to 2 p.m. Two-hour private dinner cruises are also available.

On a recent Tuesday night, we gave Tiki Tuesday a whirl and boarded the Brew City Queen II, a 30-person pontoon, just before the 6 p.m. departure time. The following Saturday, we took a second booze cruise.

Overall, we had a lot of fun. The weather was perfect on Tuesday, and cool but choppy on Saturday. The 7.6-mile route is a comfortable amount of time to enjoy the view of Downtown Milwaukee, imbibe in a couple (OK, maybe more like a few) cocktails and taps of Miller Lite, eat a few Swedish meatballs and chat with friends. Saturday's trip was totally sold out, and our group of three grabbed the last seats on a tour of at least two bachelorette parties and one 21st birthday.

"It's like the three-hour tour in Gilligan's Island. Only most of the clients are Ginger / Maryanne types, and there's a lot more drinking," says Paul Connolly, who was visiting Milwaukee from Washington, D.C.

The ride begins at the docks at Pere Marquette Park, 948 N. Old World 3rd St., and continues south along the Milwaukee River until it meets up with the Menomonee and Kinnickinnic Rivers. It then brings you out into Lake Michigan for stunning sunset views of the Milwaukee Art Museum, Pier Wisconsin and Downtown's skyline.

Because of the choppy waters on Saturday, we didn't get onto the lake, instead we cruised up and down the more placid river.

Tuesday's all-you-can-drink menu included Blue Hawaiians, Mai Tais, Pina Coladas or Miller Lite. The featured snacks were pineapple salsa and chips, a fruit and cheese platter and teriyaki chicken.

Our friendly bartender kept the blender spinning, providing our thirsty crew with plentiful sugary drinks served in plastic take-cover souvenir mugs. Though served modestly with no garnish or frills, the colorful slushy concoctions were mixed well and packed a nice punch -- the perfect complement to a smooth cruise around Milwaukee's pleasant shoreline. And you can keep your mug.

Saturday night's cruise -- to the best of our hazy recollection -- featured Miller Lite, rum punch, cheese, crackers, quesadillas and Swedish meatballs.

The pontoon is a simple structure -- unlike the double-decker, enclosed Iroquois -- but we appreciated the closeness to the water. The openness of the pontoon made us able to really enjoy the elements, yet miraculously, we managed to stay completely dry during the ride. Fortunately, there's a tiny, portable bathroom aboard. But the appeal of this cruise isn't the boat itself.

"Intimacy is one of the best qualities of a Riverwalk boat tour," says Kraus. "On our boats, you get a little closer to everything: the wind, the sun and the water."

Our only complaint was the music, which was classic rock piped through tiny speakers, even though the Web site promises Polynesian and Caribbean tunes for Tiki Tuesday.

Because we chose the early evening tour Tuesday, most of the other passengers were Downtown workers enjoying happy hour. Krause says the boat brewery tours are more of a college crowd (over 21, of course) and that the later cruises tend to have a younger crowd, too.

Smoking is permitted on the pontoon, but because of the open nature of the vessel, it's not a problem for non-smokers. During our cruise, smokers asked our permission to have a cigarette and then went to the back of the boat to light up.

Riverwalk employs a few captains, including Bob Gates, AKA "Captain Bob," who was in command for our Tuesday tour. Gates has been with the company since it started. Our Saturday captain pointed out birds and wildlife, but mostly left the passengers alone to chat amongst ourselves.

It's also notable that Riverwalk offers the only boat brewery tour in the state. During the tour, the boat stops at the Ale House, Lakefront Brewery and the Rock Bottom, where passengers sample a variety of micro beers and learn about the brewing process.

The cost is $26 and runs Saturdays and Sundays through Aug. 31, and every Saturday during the month of September.

"These have become really, really popular," says Kraus.

Kraus says the increase in gas prices did not affect the cost of a booze cruise.

"We raised our prices on large, private boats, but not on the nightly cruises," says Kraus. "We've always been affordable and will continue that way."

OnMilwaukee.com Bars & Clubs: Booze cruises shake up typical summer nights

Used Pontoon Boats - Party on your Pontoon Boat

Hi gang, Rick Ostler here from North American Waterway bringing you Used Pontoon Boats along with news and views from the boating industry. Looking for a great place to throw your next party or social gather? Look no further than your pontoon boat.

A pontoon boat can serve as a fantastic setting for your next small party, or intimate gathering With the right combination of décor, food and lighting, your pontoon boat can be well on it's way to becoming the next party hot spot.

Looking for a great place to throw your next party or social gather? Look no further than your pontoon boat. A pontoon boat can serve as a fantastic setting for your next small party, or intimate gathering With the right combination of décor, food and lighting, your pontoon boat can be well on it's way to becoming the next party hot spot.

You can purchase accessories for your pontoon boat that can allow you to have all the luxuries of home while you're dialing around in a nearby lake. You can purchase enclosures for your pontoon that can act as a separate room, seat covers and additional furniture for your seating areas that coordinate with the interior of your boat and can make your pontoon boat seem as comfortable and inviting as your home living room. Pontoon boats can also be outfitted with stoves and refrigerators that allow you to prepare and serve a meal for guests just as you would if they were visiting in your own home.

During the daytime, pontoon boats can be great for small family outings. The pontoon boat can take the family on a leisurely trip around a local lake or waterway, and be a great home spot for swimming, sunbathing, fishing and other recreational activities on a hot summer afternoon. A pontoon boat afternoon outing, is always well received by people of all ages, and interests. Everyone can find something that interests him or her during a day out on the water in your pontoon boat.

During the evening hours, pontoon boats can be a wonderful setting for a high class outing out on a local waterway. Pontoon boats can be outfitted quite lavishly, and along with the right lighting can create a spectacular mood for an early or late evening trip. When planning an elegant evening out on your pontoon boat, also plan for drinks and light appetizers to be served as well. Many pontoon boats are capable for being equipped with refrigerators and stoves for cooking for formal occasions, and grills for nights when you may want to grill out on the water.

Entertaining on your pontoon boat can be just as easy as entertaining in your own home. Choosing to entertain on a pontoon boat, however, can add a fantastic element of atmosphere to your gathering that simply cannot be found anywhere else.

Thanks to Thomas Holley  for this. Thomas is owner of Pontoon-Boat-Products.com where you can find all your pontoon boat products and accessories. Pontoon-Boat-Products.com, because we know where you'd rather be. Also, be sure and sign up for our free newsletter, "The Pontoon Boating Life." Entertaining on Your Pontoon Boat

Used Pontoon Boats - The Town That Wouldn’t Drown | TriCities

Hi gang, Rick Ostler here from North American Waterway bringing you Used Pontoon Boats along with news and views from the boating industry. Here is a interesting article from BUTLER, Tenn. – Strike up the band.

The 2008 Old Butler Days event, to be held Aug. 8-9, marks the 60th anniversary of the closing of the floodgates that created Watauga Lake. It also will be the 20th anniversary of Old Butler Days.“The Town That Wouldn’t Drown” annually celebrates its continued existence on the banks of Watauga Lake with entertainment, contests, food and crafts. One might never suspect there are grocery stores, churches and sidewalks buried deep beneath the lake’s crystal clear waters, so it’s good to have these periodic reminders.

Anna Dugger was a resident of the former town and is now one of the Ruritans running the festival. She also runs the Old Butler Museum, a showcase of artifacts commemorating in pictures and displays Butler’s move to higher ground. In 1948, the Tennessee Valley Authority built the world’s largest earth dam (a mile thick at its base) and relocated hundreds of houses.

Rather than dwelling on the past – as has been done for the last 19 years – Dugger said this year festival organizers are looking to the future.
“This year, we’re going to have a first,” she said. “We’re going to do a green parade. Absolutely no motorized anything. Everybody is going to walk, or ride a horse or wagon. We’re trying to look after our ozone, and we’re going to have people dressed like trees and stuff like that.”

The Saturday morning parade is embedded at the center of two days of activities, when former residents of the long-vanished community return for school and family reunions, and the old-timers reminisce to reconstruct that old town, brick by brick, from memory.

In particular, they remember what people used to like to do for fun.
“We’ll have plenty of music and a lot of games and things for children,” Dugger said. “We’ll be doing several contests.”

One of those will be the Dog Bite Contest. “We’ll take hot dogs and have them stuck in mustard, mayonnaise or ketchup. And with the kids’ hands behind their backs, they try to see who can get the biggest bite,” she said.
The musical rockers contest will be a minor variation on musical chairs, with the winner taking home a rocking chair.

A little train rides the kids all around the festival – motorized, but with a relatively small motor – and there will be a smorgasbord of crafts and food.
“I think they’re going to have a cake baking contest and also a cobbler contest,” Dugger said.  Shuttles will run to the classic car show at Cove Ridge Marina, and the raffles always generate a lot of enthusiasm.

“This year, we will be raffling off a 20-inch Snapper lawn mower,” Dugger said. “And then, we’re going to have a gas leaf blower and a weed eater. Tickets are $3.50 each or two for $5, and we’re also going to be raffling off a stainless steel grill. Those are the big prizes this year.”

The festival is held on the grounds of the Old Butler Museum. Conducted museum tours run through recreations of the Blue Bird Tea Room, T.R. Burgie’s General Store, F.P. Curtis & Sons (clothiers), the post office, the barber shop and the church.

The festival also affords an opportunity to get as close as possible to the real thing. Captain Wally Bender will take to the lake, touring the area that once was Old Butler in his 23-foot pontoon boat, “Toy Box.”

Here’s a rare chance to sit at the intersection of Main and Spring streets. On most days, the sky is blue, the lake is even bluer and just as the town residents have always claimed, it really is one of the nicest spots on the planet.
Directions: Take 19E to Hampton and turn left on Highway 67. After crossing Watauga Lake, take the first left onto Piercetown Road into the town of Butler, and make an immediate right onto McQueen. For more information, call (423) 768-3880. Thanks to Lois Carol Wheatley who is a freelance writer at;

The Town That Wouldn’t Drown | TriCities

Used Pontoon Boats - Why choose a pontoon boat?

Hi gang, Rick Ostler here from North American Waterway bringing you Used Pontoon Boats along with news and views from the boating industry.

Why buy a pontoon boat?

First of all, it is the only boat that is known as a “Party Boat”. However, if you need additional reasons there plenty. This type of boat offers many attractive features; the low price, plenty of extra room for stretching out or taking a group of people for a ride. They are also easily customized to specific needs, and come in various models. Some pontoon boats are intended for fishing, others for cruising, and some have a dual purpose.

What can I do with a pontoon boat?

There are a wide variety of uses for a pontoon boat. The biggest perk that I know of is that you can fit a lot more people than on most other types of boats. The more, the merrier. Right? There are many accessories available that can be added to your pontoon boat to customize it for your use. You can have bench seating all around the sides, in rows, or just use lawn furniture and tables. Adding a camper enclosure can make most all pontoons suitable for spending a night on board.

Attaching a canopy makes your pontoon boat ready for an afternoon cruise with family and friends by providing shade from the hot sun.

For the fishermen; you can get built in livewells, rod holders, and bait buckets.
The deck of a pontoon boat also makes a great platform for fishing with the buddies. It is also an ideal boat to use for scuba diving.

Some models are even fast enough to pull the kids on water skis, wake boards, or tubes. These boats are also available with freshwater and toilet facilities.

What is a pontoon boat made of?

A pontoon boat is a lightweight vessel. The hull of the boat is constructed of tubes called pontoons, which taper in at the front of the boat. This allows for better movement and speed in the water. An aluminum frame attaches the pontoons to the deck platform.

The deck of a pontoon boat can be made out of wood, aluminum or fiberglass. There is a railing all around the deck for safety. This comes in useful for the occasions when the boat is used for party cruising.

Where should I take my pontoon boat?

The best place to cruise on your pontoon boat is in a lake, river, or other calm water. They are not made for the sea because of its shallow hull. Waves over two feet will be washing on to the deck of your boat. So I would stay away from the rough waters of the ocean.Pontoon Facts: Depending on the size of the Pontoon boat; it can hold anywhere from 6-17 people. The sizes range from 14 to 28 feet.

The average price of a pontoon boat is $11,000; with prices ranging anywhere from $7,000 - $30,000 new. A used pontoon boat can range from $1,000 - $15,000. Pontoon boats use an outboard engine and stern drive; with horsepower ranging from 10HP to 135HP.

Kristy Bateman is the writer for Earl's Blog on SellUrBoat.com.. These articles are unique and helpful to anyone interested in learning about boating and or fishing. Please visit SellUrBoat.com to view a variety of unique articles from Kristy. SellUrBoat.com is The Simplest Solution to Buying and Selling 'Ur' Boat. Thanks to;

Why choose a pontoon boat?