Happy New Year!!!

Thank you for being a part of our family in 2014... We can't wait to see you in 2015!

How a Lake Freezes

The Paupack Plunge Charity Event, which benefits the Tafton and Ledgedale Dive/Rescue teams, is approaching fast. However, in order to plunge into the icy waters of Lake Wallenpaupack, there needs to be ice!

Fortunately, there is a thin layer of ice forming over the lake this morning. Lakes freeze starting at the top and going down. Ice floats because it’s less dense than water. Waters density is determined by temperature and at 40° F is at its most dense. Losing energy to the atmosphere as winter sets in makes the surface water cool, which in turn makes it denser, causing it to sink. Warmer water rises to take the place of the surface water and like the water before it, cools, becomes denser, and sinks as well. When the whole lake reaches 40° F the surface water continues to cool and is less dense, causing it to remain on top where it will freeze at 32° F. The ice thickens as the water on top starts to freeze and freezes downward. There is still water under the ice which remains around 40° F which is habitable for fish.

For last year’s Paupack Plunge the ice was about 20in. thick on Lake Wallenpaupack! This year’s Paupack Plunge will be held on Saturday, February 14^th, 2014 at Lighthouse Harbor Marina.

Finally the Sun!!!!

The sun is FINALLY shining on Lake Wallenpaupack the day after Christmas! Here at Lighthouse Harbor Marina the sun is coming through the showroom windows and shining on our new boats. It's been days since we've seen the sun so this is a welcome sight! We hope you had a wonderful Holiday!

Happy Holidays!

From Our Family to Yours...Happy Holidays!

10 Funny Christmas Cartoons

At Lighthouse Harbor Marina we are in the Christmas spirit so we've collected the 10 cutest, funniest Christmas cartoons to share with you!

Find the Perfect Wakeboard for you and Make it Awesome! - CustomWakeboards.com

Everyone has their own style and likes to show it off. There are so many options out there to customize your belongings and a wakeboard is no different!

 

Introducing CustomWakeboards.com

 

This new website will launch before the end of the year and offers new, brand name wakeboards. In addition to an exceptional selection of wakeboards and wakeboard accessories, CustomWakeboards.com has teamed up with ExtremeBoardSkins.com to create a wide variety of skins available for any board. Choose your board then find the skin that best matches your attitude and apply it to your wakeboard for a unique look that is truly your own!

Things to do around Lake Wallenpaupack

LakeWallyFun.com provides many options for things to do around the lake during the summer, fall, spring, or winter season. There is always a reason to visit Lake Wallenpaupack.

Weego Jump Starter

It's such an inconvenience to have a dead battery. Whether it's your car, boat, or even your cell phone. Imagine if you had a portable jump starter/battery charger. Well, now you can! Introducing the Weego Jump Starter Battery Pack+. Lighthouse Harbor Marina now carries two different Weego products:

• Model# JS6 - Standard for up to 4.6 liter gas engines / 2.4 liter diesel engines: Ultra slim and compact. About the size of a cell phone. Charges most vehicles. Great for everyday use as a phone and tablet charger.

 

• Model# JS12 - Heavy Duty for up to 6.4 liter gas engines / 3.2 liter diesel engines: Compact powerhouse that fits in your back pocket, will jumpstart a hemi and charge a laptop! 

 

Weego takes a fresh, new approach to tech products!

Batteries have long been an essential part of our lives - from staying connected, to driving a car, we rely on portable power for our everyday needs. Unfortunately all this fun & functionality has a price: the more we use our portable devices, the more we drain our batteries.

What if the solution could fit right in your pocket? Weego to the rescue!

Weego Battery Packs offer the charge you need when your USB devices decide to call it a day. Stuck on the side of the road with a dead battery? Weego Jump Starters will jump start your engine – no need to call for help or wait for a friendly passerby. What’s more, after you call your friends to tell them all about it you can use the Jump Starter to charge your phone.

The battery issue goes beyond the busy professional – Weego helps everyday people get the power they need. It’s a family affair, from kids to grandparents – we need more amps for gramps! With rugged, built-to-last products that are lab tested, Weego to great lengths to create a brand you and your family can rely on.

Weego - here, there, everywhere ™

Why to be a boater...

Have you ever seen two motorcyclists give a friendly wave as they pass each other cruising down the road? There is an unspoken kinship between bikers. They acknowledge the fact that they have something in common. The same goes for boaters. Boaters are some of the nicest people around and they appreciate and respect the fact that they have something in common with other boaters like them. They form lifelong friendships on the water. This is just one of the reasons being a boater is wonderful. Here are some more reasons:

There is water EVERYWHERE!

Water is all around us. You don’t have to live near the shore or a huge lake to be a boater. In fact, approximately 90% of American live within an hour of a navigable body of water! How convenient?!

It’s not as expensive as you think.

There are so many brands of boats out there with a wide range of prices. Just like cars, boats vary from inexpensive to expensive. However, unlike a car, a boat have a longer life span which means banks are willing to finance for longer terms, lowering your payment. It’s common to get a boat financed for less than $200 a month! So a boat may be more in your budget than you thought.

A better life.

Have you wanted to try your luck at fishing? Or maybe you’d love to watch those birds that nest on an island. Boating gives you the opportunity to experience things you’ve thought about but haven’t gotten around to. Learning how to water ski or wakeboard or even watching the striking sunset from the water with your loved ones are little things that give you a better quality of life.

Time spent together is never in vain.

There’s a saying for Christmas “It’s not about what’s under the tree, it’s about who’s around it.” Well that can also be translated to boating. The most important thing about boating is who you’re with. What better way to spend time with friends and family than to spend it on the water?

Leave your stress behind.

Upon leaving the dock in your beautiful boat, you’ll notice your troubles haven’t come aboard. Boating was listed as one of the top three stress relieving activities in a survey of over 1,000 American households by a National Marina Manufacturers Association. I guess you could say boating is healthy!

It’s good for your body.

In addition to less stress, everyone also needs more exercise but most of us don’t want to go to the gym. Well, if you have a boat you don’t need the gym! Fishing, swimming, wakeboarding, waterskiing, tubing, and pretty much any boating activity is a great way to get moving and stay active. Besides, wouldn’t you rather breathe the fresh, outdoor air than the sweaty gym air?!

Who doesn’t like a reward?!

The rewards are great when you’re a boater! From enjoying the fresh fish you caught to building up your child’s confidence through learning how to tie a line, boating creates many opportunities to grow and many rewards are reached in the process.

Experience nature.

There is no better way to get out into nature than to surround yourself with it. The water is a beautiful place to experience the outdoors and get away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Make memories.

How many memories are really made sitting on the couch playing video games? How many instances do you remember from watching TV or a movie? If you’re a boater, you make memories without even trying! So many exciting things happen on the water it’s hard to forget the times you’ve spent. Get out on the water and start taking mental pictures of all the smiles, laughs, and joys of being a boater!

2015 Bennington 18 SLX #1374 - LighthouseHarbor.com

This 2015 Bennington 18 SLX is brand new and comes with a 60 HP high thrust 4 stroke YAMAHA outboard. Featuring pillow top upholstery with a graphite accent, G series reclining helm chair, and a premium Bluetooth stereo, this pontoon is a must see. This 18 SLX also includes an Echo 100 Garmin fish/depth graph, two chaise lounges, and a full floor in linen Seagrass. This brand new boat is on display at Lighthouse Harbor Marina. Stop in or call today!

Specification:

• Deck Length 17' 6"
• Dry Weight 1663 lbs. w/o Motor
• Seating Capacity 7
• Length Overall 18' 7"
• Beam 8' 6"
• Pontoon Diameter 23"
• Fuel Capacity 28 Gal.

Attack on Pearl Harbor - December 7th, 1941

"The attack on Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of December 7, 1941 (December 8 in Japan). The attack led to the United States' entry into World War II." -Wikipedia

Click the picture below for more information on the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941

O'Brien Auctions to Help Families in Need

In the spirit of giving, O'Brien Watersports is helping three families with various need this Christmas. To accomplish this, they are auctioning off wakeboards and Masters bibs autographed by current and former O'Brien athletes. 100% of the auction proceeds from these items will go toward that fund and O'Brien Watersports will match all the funds that are raised for these deserving families.

Please visit OBrien.com or DigitalActionImage.com/auction/ for all the details!

Live View of Lake Wallenpaupack 24/7

LighthouseHarbor.com hosts Lake Wallenpaupack's Live Marina Cam!

Anytime, day or night, you can visit the Live Marina Cam for a view of the weather or lake conditions. Since it is the Holidays, Lighthouse Harbor Marina has decked out the Live Marina Cam with festive decorations!

Don't Forget:

• We are hosting the annual Paupack Plunge charity event on February 14th, 2015.  For information, visit us at PaupackPlunge.com 
• Looking for a great Christmas gift? The mPower Jump is a battery pack that fits in your glove compartment for emergencies. Find this, and great watersports equipment at unbeatable deals at our online store on Amazon.com.
• Lighthouse Harbor Marina is open seven days a week ALL YEAR LONG! Stop in our showroom anytime to grab a gift certificate for that boater in your life!

Deer Hunting in the Poconos

"Glory be, it is finally getting to be deer hunting season. Months of waiting have Pennsylvania deer hunters’ enthusiasm piqued. Now, though, it is time for some serious planning. Our goal here is to provide as much information as possible to help you in this planning. We will be examining information that points to the best deer hunting in the commonwealth, and in every corner of the commonwealth." -Game and Fish Magazine

Read more: Game and Fish Magazine

Thanksgiving

Since Thanksgiving is less than a week away, all of us here at Lighthouse Harbor Marina would like to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!

"Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving Day, is a holiday celebrated in the United States on the fourth Thursday in November. It became an official Federal holiday in 1863, when, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of "Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens", to be celebrated on the last Thursday in November. Also, there are reports that the original Thanksgiving proclamation was signed by George Washington. As a federal and public holiday in the U.S., Thanksgiving is one of the major holidays of the year. Together with Christmas and New Year, Thanksgiving is a part of the broader holiday season.

The event that Americans commonly call the "First Thanksgiving" was celebrated by the Pilgrims after their first harvest in the New World in 1621. This feast lasted three days, and it was attended by 90 Native Americans (as accounted by attendee Edward Winslow) and 53 Pilgrims. The New England colonists were accustomed to regularly celebrating "thanksgivings"—days of prayer thanking God for blessings such as military victory or the end of a drought." - Wikipedia

Average Temperatures for Lake Wallenpaupack

Lake Wallenpaupack is a popular vacation destination with many activities on and around the lake, such as boating, parasailing, fishing, hiking, annual festivals, and much more. With all the activities available, it's a good idea to know what kind of weather to expect for your trip. Here are some interesting weather facts for the Lake Wallenpaupack area. You can find more information on average temperatures and precipitation month by month here.

• On average, July is the warmest month.
• 100° F in 1936 is the highest recorded temperature.
• On average, January is the coldest month.
• -31° F in 1994 is the coldest recorded temperature.
• June has the highest precipitation average.

 

Welcome to the new Lake Wallenpaupack Blog!

Lighthouse Harbor Marina is now hosting and managing the Lake Wallenpaupack Blog.  This blog will be about the Lake Wallenpaupack and Pocono region of Pennsylvania in general including information, things to do, places to go, beautiful pictures and maybe even a boat or two.

Join us over the coming days and weeks as we transform into a wonderful social and informational site about this area we love to call home.

Used Boats - 2011 Mariah R 23 For Sale - LighthouseHarbor.com

Lighthouse Harbor Marina prides itself on a quality selection of used and pre-owned boats. Our on-site service department inspects every trade-in model and we provide full disclosure, hours and history to our customers.

Click the icon below to view our entire inventory of used boats.

Our featured used boat is this beautiful 2011 Mariah R 23 bow-rider with a tandem axle aluminum venture bunk trailer. It only has 116 hours, has only had one owner, and has only ever been on our freshwater lake in Pennsylvania.

The exterior and interior are in great shape and options include snap-in carpets, rear facing spotter seat, stern cooler, in-floor storage compartment, cockpit table, depth sounder, Jensen CD head unit, and black bow and cockpit covers which are in excellent condition. This Mariah R 23 is powered by a MerCruiser 5.0L MPI CAT ALPHA 260 HP inboard/outboard.

Here are the specifications for this boat:

• Length 23'
• Beam 8' 6"
• Weight 4000 lbs
• Hours 116
• Fuel Capacity 53 Gal.
• Seating Capacity 11
• Horse Power 260 HP

Are you thinking about waiting until spring to buy a boat to avoid winter storage fees?

WAIT NO MORE...If you purchase a boat at Lighthouse Harbor Marina, we will store it for the remainder of this winter season for FREE!

Visit our website, LighthouseHarbor.com, or call us today for all the details! (570) 857-0220

Honoring Our Veterans

Observed on November 11^th, Veterans Day is a federal holiday that honors those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. At the 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month in 1918, major hostilities of World War I were formally ended, which is why Veterans Day is celebrated on November 11^th. Differing from Memorial Day, which remembers those who have died while serving, Veterans Day celebrates all U.S. military veterans.

On behalf of Lighthouse Harbor Marina, we would like to say thank you to all who have served!

The Mayflower - Thanksgiving Feast

The Mayflower, the iconic ship that carried the Pilgrims to the New World, set sail from Plymouth, England carrying 102 passengers and approximately 30 crewmembers in September 1620. Wine and dry goods were the ship’s usual cargo; however, her journey this time was to bring her passengers to the other side of the Atlantic Ocean to start a new life. With many of those aboard being Protestant Separatists, or “Saints” as they called themselves, they hoped to begin a new church.

Only 53 passengers and half the crew survived the first winter by living onboard the Mayflower. In April 1621, she sailed back to England while the colonists moved ashore. Without the help of the native people, none of the colonists would have endured the harsh weather. More than half of them died from malnutrition, disease, and exposure.

With the help of Samoset, an English-speaking Pawtuxet, the Pilgrims shaped an alliance with the local Wampanoag. They were taught to hunt, gather, and grow food. When the next summer ended, they celebrated their first successful harvest with a thanksgiving festival that went on for three days. Today we still honor this feast every year.

Newly Arrived 2015 Bennington Pontoons - LighthouseHarbor.com

BRAND NEW 2015 Bennington Pontoons have JUST ARRIVED at Lighthouse Harbor Marina! Click the pictures below to get more information on each boat.

2015 Bennington 18 SLX powered by a YAMAHA 60 HP 4 Stroke Engine.

2015 Bennington 21 SLX powered by a YAMAHA 115 HP 4 Stroke Engine.

2015 Bennington 2375 RL powered by a YAMAHA 200 HP 4 Stroke Engine.

2014 Monterey M5 Tower - LighthouseHarbor.com

This 2014 Monterey M5 sport boat is beautiful with it's wakeboard tower with Bimini top. It's powered by a MerCruiser 300 HP Engine Bravo III. The bow and cockpit covers are included to keep your bow filler cushions and snap-in carpet clean and safe. It also features a stereo upgrade package with a stern mounted stereo remote, battery charger with deck plug, and dual battery switch.

The M5 also features a fire extinguishing system, GPS chart plotter, and a swim platform inlay.

Here are some specifications for this Monterey M5:

• Length Overall 25' 10"
• Beam 8' 6"
• Horse Power 300 HP
• Fuel Capacity 80 Gal.
• Dry Weight 5200 lbs
• Deadrise 20 Deg.

For more information, call or stop by Lighthouse Harbor Marina!

Famous Ghost Ships - Halloween

Since it's Halloween, we have gathered a few famous ghost ship stories to celebrate! We hope you enjoy reading through them and have a safe Halloween!

The SS Valencia

Built as a minor ocean liner for the Red D Line in 1882, the SS Valencia was originally constructed for service between Venezuela and New York City. In 1906, after being converted to an iron-hulled passenger steamer, she wrecked off the Vancouver Island, British Columbia coast. One Hundred passengers, including all of the women and children aboard, were killed. With such a devastating end, rumors and ghost stories became popular in regards to the sunken vessel. A lifeboat with eight skeletons was seen in a nearby sea cave at the shoreline of Pachena Bay and similar lifeboats were seen being rowed by The Valencia’s victims’ skeletons. A phantom ship with human figures was witnessed near Pachena Point along with other ghost stories related to The SS Valencia.

The Ourang Medan

In the late 1940s, several ships crossing the trade routes of the straits of Malacca stated they heard a series of SOS distress signals. The unknown vessel’s message was short: “All officers including captain are dead, lying in chartroom and bridge. Possibly whole crew dead.” British and Dutch listening posts who picked up the distress call believed that it likely came from the Ourang Medan, which was a Dutch freighter. Being the closet to the vessel in distress, the Silver Star (a conscripted American merchant ship) was sent to aid the Ourang Medan. Once aboard the seemingly vacant ship, the Silver Star crew discovered the corpses of the Ourang Medan crew with their eyes wide and faces distorted in horror, however, there was no evidence of foul play or injury to the crew or ship. Once back on the Silver Star, the captain decided to tow the Ourang Medan to port, but it then exploded and sank. In trying to figure out what happened to the Ourang Medan, it was discovered that there are no records of the ship ever existing.

The Octavius

On its way to the Arctic from China in 1762, The Octavius disappeared. Thirteen years later, in 1775, The Herald (a whaling ship) came across The Octavius aimlessly floating off the Greenland coast. Sending a boarding party onto the unresponsive vessel proved horrific when the crew of The Herald discovered the frozen corpses of The Octavius crew below deck. The captain was found midway through a log entry from November 11, 1762 at his desk. A dead woman, boy, and sailor were discovered in the captain’s cabin as well. The Herald’s crew refused to search the ship for fear of a curse and took only the captain’s log with them. Neither The Octavius nor her crew has ever been seen since.

The Lady Lovibond

Every fifty years, The Lady Lovibond reappears off the coast of southeast England where she wrecked on the Goodwin Sands in 1748. Celebrating his new marriage and ignoring the superstition that a woman on board is bad luck, Captain Simon Reed and his new bride Annetta went on a cruise. While the newlyweds and guests celebrated below deck, first mate John Rivers, who was a rival for Annetta’s hand in marriage, in a fit of jealous rage, killed the crewmember at the wheel and steered the vessel into the Goodwin Sands, which killed everyone aboard. Fifty years later, in 1798, two ships reported seeing The Lady Lovibond. In 1848, fifty years after the first sighting, another sighting prompted local seamen, who thought a wreck had occurred, to send out lifeboats to rescue survivors. No sightings were reported in 1898, however, in 1848 Captain Bull Prestwick accounted that he saw The Lady Lovibond and she was giving off an eerie green glow.

 

The Flying Dutchman

Traveling from Amsterdam, in 1680 Hendrick Vanderdecken set sail to Batavia, a port in Dutch East India, when his ship came upon a brutal storm. His crew believed the storm to be a warning from God; however, Vanderdecken ignored their fears and went on. Neither his ship, nor the crew, survived the storm. As punishment, Vanderdecken and the ship are condemned to sail the waters for eternity. Many claim to have witnessed The Flying Dutchman at sea, but most of the sightings conclude with it vanishing.

The Mary Celeste

In 1872, despite the fact The Mary Celeste was still under sail and in seaworthy condition, she was discovered abandoned in the Atlantic Ocean. One lifeboat, the crew of eight, and two passengers were missing even though the crew was skilled and competent and the weather was not threatening. In route to the Strait of Gibralter, The Mary Celeste had only been at sea for a month. More than six months’ worth of supplies was on the ship along with the crew’s personal possessions, valuables, and the cargo. The crew and passengers of The Mary Celeste were never seen or heard from again.

Lighthouse Harbor Marina on Lake Wallenpaupack

About Lighthouse Harbor Marina

Lighthouse Harbor Marina is located at 969 Route 507 in Greentown, Pa. We are nestled in the beautiful Pocono Mountains along Lake Wallenpaupack.

Lighthouse Harbor Marina is not just any marina. We are a Five Star Certified Dealer through the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). Being NMMA certified means that when you visit us you can feel certain you are working with a business that is dedicated to your satisfaction. While visiting us, you will receive the assistance of friendly, knowledgeable staff, quality products, and reliable services.

We provide numerous dock slips for our customers, along with a gas dock, large showroom, boat and jet ski rentals, parasailing, water sports store, picnic area, full service department, and much more right on location! Visit us today to discover all we have to offer.

 

Paupack Plunge 2015 - PaupackPlunge.com

Every year Lighthouse Harbor Marina and Pocono Action Sports hosts the Paupack Plunge in February which is a charity polar plunge event on Lake Wallenpaupack.

The proceeds benefit the Tafton Water Rescue Team and the Ledgedale Dive Team.

There are a number of ways you can participate in the Paupack Plunge:

1. For a donation of $25, you can be a brave plunger and dive into the frigid waters of Lake Wallenpaupack. As a plunger, you are permitted to collect sponsors. Sponsors are individuals or companies who sponsor your plunge by donating money on your behalf. Plungers with the largest sponsor donations will win prizes!

2. If you're not up for a freezing time, you can sponsor a plunger and donate on their behalf.

3. You can donate as an individual.

4. Or you can donate as a Corporate Sponsor. Corporate Sponsorship has three different levels: Silver, Gold, and Platinum which are based upon donation level.

Coffee, hot chocolate, and refreshments are provided on the day of the plunge.

This year, the freezing fun will be on Saturday February 14th, 2015. Yes, that's Valentine's Day! There's no better way to support your community while doing something memorable with your honey than to be Freezin' for a Reason!

Reserve your plunge time online at PaupackPlunge.com. You can also view pictures and videos of past year plunges, get more information on how to participate, and find out what you will need on the day of the plunge.

We hope you'll join us this season to support the local dive and rescue teams!

mPower Jump - OnlineWakeboards.com

It's never too early to think about Christmas gifts for loved ones, especially that person who already has everything! Here's a thoughtful gift that will let them know you care.

The mPower Jump, from OnlineWakeboards.com, delivers an incredibly powerful, compact jump-starting capability: powerful enough to jump a 12V battery - auto, marine, recreational vehicle, ATV, small tractors. Small enough to store in any compartment as small as a glove box. Inexpensive enough for virtually any family. Now everyone can enjoy the safety and peace of mind that comes with never having to use jumper cables again. The mPower Jump is always with you, always ready, and always easy to use. It  jump starts all 12V cars including 8 cylinder vehicles and fits in a glove box.

Visit OnlineWakeboards.com today, or click the picture below to get the mPower Jump for yourself, or for a loved one.

Columbus Day Open House - LHMBoats.com

This weekend, Saturday, October 11th & Sunday, October 12th, Lighthouse Harbor Marina is having an OPEN HOUSE from 9-5! We are featuring our lowest ever prices on NEW boats and invite you to stop by for refreshments and to see the beautiful fall foliage from our lakefront showroom! Visit us this weekend at 969 Route 507 Greentown, Pa 18426. You can call us at (570) 857-0220 for directions.

2014 Bennington 2275 GCW - LHMBoats.com

Here is our brand new 2275 GCW Bennington Pontoon, with SPS Tri-toon package. It includes sealed lifting strakes, dual battery switches, solid keels, a java pillow top upgrade, and a stern lounge upgrade.

The aft seagrass flooring is ideal, and the Garmin ECHO 100 fish/depth finder is impeccable. The 2275 GCW also features a satellite radio upgrade and Sony M6 with a USB port. The lighted Bimini top and ski pylon are also wonderful additions to this pontoon.

Here are the specifications:

• Length Overall 22' 6"
• Beam 8' 6"
• Horse Power 150 HP YAMAHA Engine
• Seating Capacity 13
• Fuel Capacity 23 Gal.
• Pontoon Diameter 25"
• Hull Weight/No Engine 3064 lbs

This brand new boat is on display at Lighthouse Harbor Marina. Stop in or call today! (570) 857-0220

Beautiful Autumn Colors on Lake Wallenpaupack

The beautiful colors of autumn are alive on Lake Wallenpaupack in the Poconos! However, why do the leaves change colors?

The end of summer also brings the end of long days. The closer we get to winter, the shorter the days get, which is how the trees recognize that winter is on its way. In order to prepare for winter, leaves change color and fall off. Here is why:

Trees need light and water for photosynthesis, however, the winter does not provide enough of either so the trees live off the food they have made and stored during the summer months. The yellow and orange colors are already in the leaves but are concealed by green chlorophyll. In autumn, the chlorophyll in the leaves disappears, allowing the beautiful autumn colors to come out. After photosynthesis stops, glucose is within the leaves of some trees (such as maple) and brought out as a red color as the nights of autumn get cooler. Trees like oaks, show brown colors which are wastes that are left in the leaves.

All of the colors mixed makes for a beautiful scene. Get out on the lake and enjoy the autumn scenery before it's gone!

Tips for Docking Your Bennington Pontoon

After a fun day out on Lake Wallenpaupack, the sad part always comes: bringing everyone in. And to do this, you must dock your pontoon. Because of its shape and size, pontoons catch wind more easily and can therefore be more difficult to dock than most mono-hull boats. So here are a few tips we've picked up over the years on how to successfully dock your Bennington.

Minimize damage with fenders. Especially if you're still getting the feel for docking your pontoon, there's no harm in tying on 2 or 3 fenders to, well, fend off the dock. We'd rather have fenders hanging out than scratches from the dock, wouldn't you?

Come in at an angle. Even just knowing this is preferred will make your docking life easier. More often than not, it will be impossible to line up straight to the dock. So don't put that pressure on yourself! Once you get closer, straighten up and aim for a particular spot on the dock.

Slow and steady wins the race. Don't race into the dock. That's a recipe for disaster. Go as slow as possible, preferably spending most of your time in neutral and bumping it into gear for seconds every so often. The best way to turn is with power, but the best way to execute a sharp turn is with the lowest amount of power possible to minimize skidding.

Use reverse. Don't be afraid to knock the engine into reverse! That's actually the best way to slide up next to the dock. Once your front end is close, turn the wheel all of the way and slide into reverse for a moment (give it a little oomph) so that the rear will slide into place.

Practice makes perfect. Every boat handles differently, so it will take awhile to learn exactly how to handle your boat in order to dock it gracefully. (Remember how long it took to learn how to back the trailer down the ramp?) Just remember: don't use excessive speed. That can cause a little mistake to turn into a big problem.