At the 2010 Miami International Boat Show, both Honda and Suzuki introduced new four-stroke outboard models.

National Sales and Marketing manager Alan Simmons took the podium in the Honda display to announce their new 115-hp engine, the BF 115. It will be available this summer.

The BF 115 is derived from the in-line four-cylinder 2.4 L dual overhead cam engine used in Honda’s award-winning Accord automobiles. The features on this new engine include Honda’s exclusive Boosted Low-Speed Torque [BLAST] system and a high-performance gear case which combine to deliver a strong hole-shot while Lean Burn Control provides best-in-class fuel efficiency at cruise. Specifically, the new BF 115 reduces fuel consumption by 20% over their previous model.

The new Honda BF 115 is CARB 3-Star rated.

Five years ago at the worldwide press announcement of their 150 and 175 hp four stroke outboards, Suzuki Marine promised to maintain an aggressive pace of new product development. Since then, Suzuki has introduced new models every year.

At last year’s Miami boat show, Suzuki introduced the lightweight DF 60 and a totally new DF 8 and DF 9.9 models. Now, in 2010 Suzuki is continuing on this pace with the introduction of their new DF 40 and DF 50 new generation four-stroke outboard motors.

Both of these new outboards are based on Suzuki’s in-line three-cylinder dual overhead cam engine with 941 cc of displacement.

Initial tests indicate that these new generation outboards use 23% less fuel than the previous 40 and 50 hp models especially in the cruising range where the engine is used the majority of the time. Suzuki engineers also report that the DF 40 and DF50 are 6% faster on top speed and 25% quicker than previous models.

Photo: Alan Simmons of Honda Marine introduces their new BF 115 at the 2010 Miami International Boat Show, February 11th. Thanks to Boating Industry Canada for this. www.boatingindustrycanada.com

Bow, Stern and Port Entrances, Captains Chair with Console and Steering Controls. Control Console has a Double Sink, Bow Deck, (2) Club Style Benches with Storage – Vinyl Cover, (2) Aft Sun Decks, Of which (1) is a Changing Enclosure, Bimini Top. Steering Control Rigged. Also Included NEW 2009 24′ Float on Bunk Style, Tandem Axle Pontoon Trailer……….Call Ed at 763-441-8877………….

• Location: Dayton

Center of the boat has aluminum top and each end has bimini covers that you can have out or pull them in. the back has sunning deck and at night turns into sleeping area. it has sound system in it amp 6 6×9 speakers and aux jack for ipod. this boat will hold 12 people. comes with vest and othor boat things like anchor ropes bumpers etc…. I love this boat but its time for me to move on to other things. my name is ken 664-8148

Also just had boat appraised at $8500 to $10,600

• Location: Tucson

Moderated by Mark Murphy, editor of Providence Business News, the event will take place at 2 p.m. Jan. 7 in the fifth floor rotunda of the Rhode Island Convention Center, prior to the 4 p.m. opening of the show.

Expected speakers include Ben Hall, vice president of Hall Spars; Chris Watson, director of marketing at KVH Industries; Rich O’Meara of Core Composites; Terry Nathan, president of IYRS and Michael Keyworth, manager of Brewer Cove Haven Marina.

For information about the “Boats Work for Rhode Island Roundtable,” call Lisa DiRaimo, executive director of the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association at (401) 615-5419 or go to www.boatsworkri.com.

Click here for the full release.

Also at the show, the Rhode Island Marine Trades Association is continuing its worker outreach effort under its “Boats Work for Rhode Island” brand.

Aspects of the program will be presented Jan. 7-10 at the RIMTA Pavilion on the main floor of the Providence Boat Show and will include how-to demonstrations by workers and students in the industry, information booths by education and career assistance organizations and a giveaway of a new inflatable boat in a raffle to benefit a scholarship fund.

The Governor’s Workforce Board has recognized the marine industry as one targeted for growth and critical to the state’s economy.

“During the Boat Show, RIMTA will have representatives of the industry available to explain how boating impacts the Rhode Island community and economy as well as detail the types of careers available to Rhode Island workers plus training opportunities for students and those already in the field,” said Susan Daly, vice president of IYRS and chairman of RIMTA’s Education & Training Committee, in a statement.

Click here for the full release.

1. Manitou 24 X-Plode Cruise SHP

2. Sun Tracker Party Barge 25 Regency Edition

3. Sylvan 8522 Sport

4. Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 18

5. Premier 310 Boundary Waters

6. Manitou 20 X-Plode Cruise SHP

7. Sylvan 8522 Mirage Signature

8. Premier 235 SunSation FS

9. Manitou 22 X-Plode Cruise SHP

10. Premier 210 SunSation

Note: If you own any of these pontoon boats – we can supply you a new pontoon enclosure. Fill out the form located on our home page to receive our pontoon enclosure price list and newsletter. Thanks, Rick Ostler

Do you own a new or used pontoon boat? Are you looking for a Pontoon Boat Lift? Here are some helpful tips on pontoon boat lifts

A pontoon is a type of boat that is used as small ferries to take people across the river or lake. When they are not in use, they need to be docked in a regular dry place as they are easier to maintain when they are not constantly soaked in dirty water. To remove the boat from the river, a pontoon boat lift is used. This is a large structure that works to hold the pontoon boats above water.

The pontoon is usually supported by three padded racks that come with a cover to accommodate the seat. Pontoon boat lifts are also composed of adjustable levelling legs that users can set to varied depths. The device is typically powered by electricity but the newer models are now fully automatic and even controlled remotely.

Types

There are two types of pontoon boat lifts according to the type of energy that powers them. The electronic pontoon boat lift is powered by electricity that comes from rechargeable or heavy duty batteries. This type of boat lift has controls that let the user adjust it when moving the pontoon out of the water. The controls are mainly located along the frames.

On the other hand, the hydraulic lifts are automated. They are operated through remote controls that are located inside the pontoon boats itself. Power source is self-contained thereby minimizing the risk of electrical accidents.

Buying guide

When choosing a pontoon boat lift, you need to consider the capacity and durability of the product you’re looking at. The lift should be able to support the weight and the size of the pontoon boat it is supposed to carry. It is also important to make sure that the lift can withstand high humidity that is characteristic of river areas. Go for a rustproof and waterproof frame with racks that are rigid enough to cradle the pontoon.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) – He’s become a local celebrity simply because of the watercraft he built. Next time you’re on Lake George in Volusia County, keep your eyes out for David Holstrom.
“You still have signal lights, tail lights, headlights, radio, windshield wipers,” says Holstrom.

Yeah, it’s still a 1979 MG Midget. On top of a pontoon boat!

“I took the engine and all the heavy components out of it and called it the Cartoon. One of my friends, when he saw it for the first time, said it looked like a cartoon. And that stuck,” remembers Holstrom.

So you must be asking: why?

“It’s just something that came to my mind that I thought would be fun. First thing I located was the pontoon boat with big pontoons to support a car. Then I started looking for a car that had the proper dimensions so you could walk around it without falling off the boat. 1979 was the last year they made the midget,” says Holstrom.

Fellow boaters love it.

“Average on a weekend is about 30 to 50 people stopping by our boathouse and take a picture,” he reports.
“I get a lot of people who want to buy it, but it’s not for sale,” Holstrom adds.

There are no pedals. But the steering wheel steers. And the horn honks.

“It’s got an airhorn!” he shouts as he blows a tweety sound.

It took 7 months for Holstrom to build the cartoon. Original plans called for a Model ‘A’ Ford on top of a pontoon. Used Pontoon Boats thanks DAVID MARTIN | FOX 35 News for this.

“I’ve worked with Turning Point for a while and I can say their products and engineering are second to none,” said Pacific Advantage owner Tim Cousins.  “The data and tests that back up their high-performance propellers have been very helpful assets to my sales efforts.”

“Tim was the most logical and best choice to continue our long-term growth success in Western Canada,” said Ron Bailey, Turning Point VP of sales and marketing.  “He has an in-depth understanding of our product line and can continue to leverage that knowledge with his excellent, long-standing relationships with key players in his marketplace.”

Turning Point has been engineering, manufacturing and marketing high-performance, pleasure craft aluminum and stainless steel propellers for almost a decade.  Available worldwide, the innovative designs, high-strength materials and unique interchangeable hub/housing systems make the company the first choice in marine propellers. Visit : www.turningpointpropellers.com. Thanks to Boating Industry Canada for this.

Released by the NMEA 2000® Committee, Edition 2.10 contains a new message database Appendix Version 1.300 which includes AIS Class B PGN’s.  The price for the new 2.10 version is $2,700(USD) for NMEA members and $4,000(USD) for non-members in digital format; or $3,200(USD) for members and $4,500(USD) for non-members for the paper version.  Edition 2.10 includes a full set of 8 documents and a new Appendix B (Version 1.300 is included).  An electronic version of Appendix B Version 1.300 can be purchased separately for $595.  Visit www.nmea.org.

“The marketplace has been asking for NMEA 2000 AIS Class B messages,” said Steve Spitzer, NMEA’s Technical Director.  “Now that AIS Class B products can be sold in the U.S. marketplace, we are sure we will begin to see NMEA 2000 Certified AIS products.”

Current owners of the NMEA 2000 Standard or owners of the NMEA 2000 Appendix B can download the new Version Appendix B 1.300 for free, he said.  Contact info@nmea.org for the free download.

Support and information on the NMEA 2000® Standard, available at www.NMEA.org, includes a list of NMEA certified products, NMEA trained dealers, white papers and downloads of certification information, manufacturer codes, parameter group descriptions and certification tool updates. Other information available covers the certification process and PGN messages.

“The NMEA 2000® Standard and its physical components have become increasingly adopted by the maritime community, both in recreational boating and in the commercial marine sector as well,” Spitzer said.  Now more than 35 manufacturers of marine electronics have certified nearly 100 products to the NMEA 2000® Standard.  “Every day we are having more and more manufacturers inquiring and/or developing NMEA 2000® certified products.”

The NMEA 2000® Standard offers a safe, high-quality means for marine electronics devices to interface and communicate with each other.  Benefits for the boat and ship operators include the following:

• Marine electronics devices from different manufacturers can communicate with each other and operate efficiently and safely.  Equipment built by manufacturers to the NMEA 2000® Standard can share data and commands on the boat’s network.
• The NMEA 2000® Standard, built by and maintained by industry leaders, includes message priority and collision avoidance.
• The NMEA 2000® Standard provides boat and ship operators with choices for their product needs. The NMEA 2000® is an extremely robust system that maximizes the ability for consumers to make the choices of products that they want on one network.

For more information on the NMEA 2000® Standard, please see www.NMEA.org.

Many Pontoons to Choose from!

Just like there’s a widespread variety of car manufacturers these days, the same thing applies to boats! After recently purchasing one of the nice models of used Pontoon boats by Sylvan, it came to my attention just how many pontoon boat manufacturers exist! On this page you’ll learn a bit about some of the major players and brands in pontoon boats these days.

Suntracker Pontoon Boats

Suntracker is one of the most popular and best known manufacturers of Pontoon boats. They currently offer a variety of stylish and comfortable new pontoon boat models in one of 3 classes: the Classic Series, the Signature Series and the high-end Regency Edtition.

Classic Series – The two models included in this series are the Party Barge 190 and Party Barge 200, both of which offer great value while still giving a nice variety of features and styling.  These boats can even allow water-skiing due to their special NV performance Pontoon logs.  The Party Barge 200 will allow up to 10 passengers, and has a 115 hp motor which can work for partying, fishing trips and possibly water-skiing adventures.

Signature Series - Offers 5 models including the Bass Buggy, and 4 different Party Barges, based on their length.  The Bass Buggy is the first ever pontoon made by Suntracker and offers 360 degrees of fishing!  The Party Barges range in length from 20 feet to just over 25 feet, and also will allow fishing or cruising.

Regency Edition - Offers 8 different models including Party barges, Party cruisers and the ultimate Party Huts.  The Party Cruiser 32 almost resembles a small house boat and offers some great amenities including a fridge, toilets, shower, dressing room, couch, pressure treated deck and an enclosable lockable helm with dining and sleeping areas.  15 people can have an enjoyable voyage on this model.

Website: http://www.suntrackerboats.com/

Used Pontoon Boats thanks; Pontoon Boat Manufacturers

Tags: pontoon boats, used pontoon boats