Top 10 Reasons to Own a Pontoon

Pontoon and Deck Boat Magazine has come up with a list of the top ten reasons to own a pontoon boat and we have to say, we agree! Click the picture below, and let us know if you agree, too!

Boating Safety for Children

 

Boating is a wonderful way to spend time with family and friends. Whether tubing, water skiing, sailing, or just lounging around on the water, there is no better place to connect with loved ones than outdoors. Nevertheless, it is very important to keep everyone's safety in mind. Did you know that Pennsylvania law states anyone 13 years and younger must wear a PFD (personal flotation device) at all times while on a vessel? Here are some other tips to consider while boating with kids:

Wear the right life jacket – Make sure kids not only wear a life jacket that is U.S. Coast Guard approved, but that it also fits them correctly. While raising both arms straight up, the life jacket should not reach the child’s chin or ears. A life jacket should be snug and fit securely. For more information on choosing the right life jacket, click here.

Keep warm – Children and babies are at a higher risk for hypothermia. It may not feel cold to you but a child may not be able to handle the temperature as well. Make sure you properly dress them, and wrap them with blankets or towels if they are shivering.

Set safety rules – Set some rules to keep kids safe on the boat. No running, no roughhousing, and no jumping are some good rules to follow. Make sure they are aware of the boundaries on the boat and where they are allowed to go while on-board.

Be prepared – No matter how careful you are, sometimes things go wrong. Ensure that you can handle a situation should one arise. Learn CPR, install a carbon monoxide alarm to alert you of toxic fumes, and make everyone aware of the location of the fire extinguisher.

Teach children the difference between swimming in a pool as opposed to open water – Unlike a pool, open water has uneven surfaces, currents, and an unknown bottom. You never know what is under the surface, so kids should not dive into open water or swim too far away from the boat.

Supervise children – Each child is different and has unique capabilities. Enroll your child in swimming lessons so they learn how to tread water, float, and swim. Keep an eye on them when they are in the water and never allow a teen to operate a vessel without supervision.

What Do You Think Of Our New Website?! LHMBoats.com

We are in the process of launching our BRAND NEW WEBSITE and we need your help!

We have spent a lot of time creating a more convenient website for our customers. It is faster to access, has an updated, modern design, and is easier to navigate. We have added brand information and videos for Bennington Pontoon Boats, Monterey Sports Boats, and Tigé Wakeboarding Boats in order to help you find the right boat for you. The new website also features a larger Live Marina Cam, virtual tours of our showroom and Ships' Store, along with direct links to our social medias.

In addition, we now have a mobile site as well! Our new website has a link to the mobile website for quick information on the go. You can also explore our marina from an aerial view, get a list of our boats from convenient menus, and quickly contact us with questions.

While we did make significant additions, we also updated our links to our other websites. It is now easier for you to get to PoconoActionSports.com (our rentals page), YamahaOutboardsOnline.com (our online service page) and OnlineWakeboards.com (our store page) from our main website.

Here is where you come in...

We are looking for your feedback! What do you like about our new website? What can we change to make it better? The website is for you, our customers, so we would like to hear your opinion! Poke around the new website and let us know what you think! LHMBoats.com

Wally Lake Fest - Boat Parade!

This Friday, August 22^nd, 2014, is the first day of the fifth annual Wally Lake Fest. This celebration is from the 22^nd through the 24^th and some activities include the popular boat parade, free sailboat rides, live music from our unique floating stage, along with stand up paddleboard demonstrations.

Highly anticipated, the boat parade is a distinctive activity in which boats are creatively decorated and will parade around the lake from Sunny Point Cove to the judge’s platform at the Tafton Dike on Saturday, August 23^rd at 4pm (rain date: Sunday, August 24^th). The “best dressed” boat wins $1,000! Along with the first place winner, 2^nd and 3^rd places will receive trophies and prizes as well. Davis R. Chant Realtors in Hawley sponsors the parade and accepts registrations at their office (570)226-4518. Registration is free.

Along with annual activities, some new activities have been added to the itinerary this year. Join us for glass stretching and glass bead making, Paupack Blueberry Farm tours, the American Red Cross’s “Call to Action” scavenger hunt, and Schuman’s Point nature hike!

Also new this year is the addition of multiple FREE shuttle buses. They will be available on Saturday from 10am – 6pm and on Sunday from 11am – 5pm, making a variety of stops so you can enjoy Wally Lake Fest without the hassle of driving and parking.

Wally Lake Fest is proudly hosted by the Downtown Hawley Partnership, and presented by Lighthouse Harbor Marina!

Lake Wallenpaupack Watershed

Through research and water quality monitoring, the Lake Wallenpaupack Watershed keeps up on what threats the lake is facing. Fortunately, the Watershed has one of the most extensive data sets in the Northeast to do just that. Since the sampling program began in 1980, it has transformed several times due to funding, sampling protocols, and changes in research projects. There are two locations where today’s program assesses water quality not only on the surface of the lake, but also on the bottom. These two sites give a representative evaluation of the whole lake. The Watershed takes samples once a month, May through October, so if you are enjoying the lake you might see them taking samples from their lab boat.

The Watershed looks first at the physical characteristics of the water, such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, and pH, and records their findings at one-meter periods all through the water column. In addition, by taking samples from one meter below the surface and one meter above the bottom, they can look at the chemistry of the water. Phosphorous, Nitrogen, Total Suspended Solids, and Alkalinity are analyzed at a laboratory where these samples are sent. The laboratory also samples Chlorophyll, which is a green pigment that is necessary for plants to photosynthesize. Phytoplankton and Zooplankton are also sampled and analyzed.

You can find all the details and information on the Watershed’s sampling program, along with Lake Wallenpaupack’s water quality, by checking out the Watershed’s annual reports.

“Water quality monitoring continues to be an integral part of our mission. We know what our pollutants are; we know from where in the watershed they originate; and we know what we have to do to address them.” –Lake Wallenpaupack Watershed