Why did you drop the Shootout reviews from your website? I thought these write ups were awesome and provided a lot of valuable information.
George E. Lains
Via Email
We've been holding our annual Shootout Boat Test for a dozen or so years and that's not going to change. From this annual test we publish a special Shootout issue that comes out between our February and March issues of PDB and it goes to our subscribers as well as the newsstand.
In the past we've run old Shootout reviews on our website to help generate some interest in our current Shootout issue. But the manufacturers didn't like us running outdated information on our site, especially because we include the price on each boat we test so we decided to just stick to the magazine. We do offer a digital version of our magazine. For a limited time we're offering a sneak peek of our current issues. Go to www.pdbmagazine.com/free for more information.
My Perfect Toon
I understand your gripe about cup holders in your February column. (Captain's Chair-The Great Cup Holder Debate.) I'm not an engineer, but just looking at my pontoon and others you would think they would understand some of the built-in problems like water pooling in certain areas and not making a drain provision.
I'd like to purchase a boat that just has bare fiberglass seating and cushions that could be stored on the boat, with no upholstery. Also a solid fiberglass full top and something other than carpet on the floor that isn't hot and can be washed down. Maybe I'm the only one interested in something like this, but it would last and not be destroyed by the sun. Maybe that's why it is not made.
We live on a lake in Arkansas and see numerous boats just destroyed by the elements. The sun is a killer, but because our water level fluctuates on our lake a boat house is not permitted and we leave our boat in the water most of the year.
People buy boats from showrooms not understanding what it takes to maintain them. It seems like a really nice pontoon boat could be made using products that would not deteriorate from the sun, be attractive in appearance and last a long, long time. But it seems like most folks just go for "flash" and the latest trends.
Great magazine, thanks for the information each month,
AL Dierdorf
Quitman, Ark.
It sometimes makes me wonder if the engineers that are designing these boats are really even boaters themselves. Overall I think most manufacturers do a good job, but It seems like all of them have one or two things that I'd consider to be an obvious flaw. But everyone is different and everyone has their own idea on what works so I'm not complaining.
I like your idea for a fiberglass interior. That really would make cleanup a lot easier, plus your upholstery wouldn't be out in the elements all the time. I'd be willing to bet that most manufacturers would be willing to custom build a boat for you like you mentioned. The only drawback to molded seats would be the storage space that you would lose that you gain with traditional seating. I'll be watching for this style of pontoon to evolve in a few years.
Offended
I thought you were putting out a magazine about boating, not the Democrat line of lies and half twisted truths. It seems every issue you have some slam about the gun owners or Republicans. I think you have forgotten that the Democrats got us in Korea in 1951 and we're still there. There are 54,000 dead thanks to the Kennedys. So don't preach your left wing crap to me. The second amendment protects all the other rights so bleeding-heart libs can run their mouths.
Ron Sersen
Marengo, Ill.
We're sorry that you feel this way. In our February issue we included an interesting fact in our sporting/outdoor/boating magazine: gun sales are up in our country since a new president was elected. I really don't see how this can be seen as a political opinion or a slam on our part, but the last thing I want is to get into a political debate over this.
We pulled this news brief off a news site, not because we feel it's a slam on either party, but just as an interesting fact that outdoorsman are concerned about the Obama Administration's gun control agenda. If you were offended by this, then I do apologize because that wasn't our intent.
Don't Idle
I am in the middle of a situation with a 90hp four-stroke fuel injected engine. I bought this engine new as a re-power fuel injected and it was a great engine for me. But I strongly caution others, not to let your outboards sit idle
I let mine sit idle for a year without cranking it up or pumping the fuel bulb to keep fuel in the fuel pump and injector rails. This week I went to take my boat for a spin and it would not start. I took it to my dealer and he showed me what moisture will do when the fuel dries up in the fuel pump (this engine only has 22 hours on it.).
Moisture and humidity in Florida will cause a closed fuel system to rust with a quarter-inch coating all over the fuel pump inside. It burned up the new fuel pump and it cost me $350 to replace.
Conclusion: If you park your boat for long periods of time, pump the fuel up periodically to make sure that the fuel system does not dry up. It's better to deal with varnish that can be cleaned out as opposed to rust slime causing total replacement. Condensation moisture is a killer. Please pass along this information to your readers.
Jack D. Williams
Via Email
I'm sorry to hear about your troubles with your engine. This is a good reminder for all of us, not to let an engine sit that long. It sounds like your location may have been your biggest disadvantage, but this is obviously something that could happen anywhere. Thanks for the reminder.
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