My wife accompanies me to several boat shows each season about this time, where I lead fishing and boating talks. Between programs, we walk the aisles of new boat displays, especially those featuring the latest, greatest pontoon and deck boat models—for obvious reasons.
Up until the arrival of our son Ethan, who officially turns “teenager” this month, Maria was my regular fishing partner. Especially in recent years, I’ve noted that the son and I get out more and more, often leaving Mom at home—or at the dock, if we’re on assignment at some resort with a swimming pool and a bar. If there’s a pool bar, she may not even make it all the way to dock to bid us farewell.
Anyway, when the New Year rang-in, I resolved to do more to coax Maria back onto the boat and into the angling we used to enjoy together. After all, Ethan isn’t going to be around as my fishing partner forever, and I actually miss having my wife around to take pictures of the fish I catch and occasional bouts of slap-and-tickle play when our boy isn’t aboard. One way I plan to re-kindle her interest is to start paying more attention to the boat models and their accessories and features she points out when we are at the boat shows.
Beyond Fishing
For those of us who consider our deck or pontoon boats first and foremost as platforms from which to fish, it’s hard to fathom the value of wine-glass-capable cup holders, fold-out bench seats, flip-up cockpit tables, drop-down changing rooms, pop-up head-surrounds, reclining lounge chairs, overhead misting systems and wet bars. Yet those are the features that turn my better half’s head as we stroll the boat show aisles.
Take those cup holders, for instance. My spouse claims our pontoon boat could use an extra drink holder or two, and especially covets those portable combination arm rest/cup holder consoles for bench seats that are secured by a tab that slips between the seat base and backrest. I’m happy to comply, because I know that by adding an Easy Rodder insert I can morph that—or any standard flush-mount cup-holder—into a fishing rod holder in a moment’s notice. (Note I said flush mount holders only; you don’t want to use the Easy Rodder in a gimbal-mounted drink support.) I’ll let you know how it goes with the portable console-style cup-holder/Easy Rodder app, which may be tenuous unless the console is securely anchored to the seat or held in place by a heavy elbow.
On the other hand, if you feel a need for additional rod holders and fear a cold shoulder from your spouse on the idea, purchase Mate Series combination Rod & Cup Holders. There’s no reason to dwell on the fact that the boat’s new stainless steel flush-mounted cup holders are also sturdy rod holders. Just make sure you remove any beverage before plunging the butt of a rod into the holder to exercise its alterative function.
Other Options
If you find that your favorite deck or pontoon boat offers enough flush-mount rod holders, but feel pressure to increase your vessel’s cup-holding capacity, consider a couple of Todd Marine Cup Holders. The ABS plastic units fit into any angled flush-mounted rod holder and offer not one, but two side-by-side drink holders each.
As for outfitting the family boat with other non-angling amenities, I’m still seeking a baitwell that doubles as a wet bar—and will keep you posted as to what I find at this season’s boat shows. You do same, okay?
