Malibu Wakesetter boats are some of the best. Rambo Marine in Birmingham has a variety to choose from. And some of the Malibu line can accommodate quite a crew.
All-new for 2022, the Malibu Wakesetter 25 LSV is the new standard for 25-footers. The 25 LSV is the longest boat in the Luxury Sport V-Drive Series with all the amenities you need for a big crew on a long day.
Cut through big-lake chop, double-ups and rolling surf waves with the sleek traditional bow even while fully loaded with an 18-person crew and topped-off ballast. Stretch out and grab some sun in the luxurious wraparound lounge or convert the space into a dining room with the Multi View Wake Bench.
Skier’s Marine in Westover looks to their MasterCraft line of boats to top their 2022 list. MasterCraft is synonymous with every form of wakesports.
And for the growing enthusiasm for wakeboarding and wakesurfing, the XStar series is a top performer. For 25 years, the XStar has ruled the water through performance and innovation.
Now joined by the all-new XStar S, this royal family of wakeboard and surf boats is bigger and bolder with more options than ever. Enjoy upgrades including the brand-new, color-matching Z8 and Z10 towers with Supreme clamping board racks, 7.4-liter, 522-horsepower Ilmor Engine, intuitive stern thruster, underwater exhaust and the easily customizable waves courtesy of SurfStar.
Woods Surfside Marina has long specialized in some of the top-of-the-line pontoon boats. And at the very top of that list is the Bennington Q Series. Experience pure distinction on the water.
The Q-Series delivers more than a stunning visual display of style and timeless design. A head-turning purity is equaled by a steadfast commitment to build-quality and performance for a boating experience unequaled. The signature-radiused front of the Q-Series is available in glass-composite or high-grade aluminum and speaks to its premium design and break-through performance. The Q line covers the entire range, from their Sport line all the way to their fully customizable, 30-foot designs. They come with options like premium speakers, built-in sink, special wake tower, lighting and much more.
Sylacauga Marine also carries a wide range of fishing boats, with Ranger being one of their top sellers. Ranger Boats are factory-tuned for maximum all-around performance. That means from hole shot to top end, and especially on the trolling motor.
The new Ranger Z520R sports a redesigned, industry-first touchscreen and delivers whole-boat control that complements twin 12-inch console graphs, revamped NASCAR-inspired seating that sits atop a performance-driven hull and retooled angler-centric decks for our largest storages yet.
Sylacauga Marine and ATV has added Heyday wake boats to their lineup. These boats are known for giving you some of the best wakeboarding and wakesurfing on the water. Whether you’re a first-time boater or seasoned pro, Heyday wakesports boats deliver the necessities for serious shredding without expensive wake-shaping tabs or gates.
With inboard engine options from 320-409 horsepower, it’s easy to get your Heyday on plane for maximized ride time.
The new WTSurf offers a sleek profile, spacious layout and more ballast than ever before. A full windshield and deep gunnels offer great protection from the elements, and double-stitched upholstery keeps passengers comfortable.
The WT-2DC offers a dual-console layout with full windshield and wraparound cockpit seating. The massive bow seating area is complete with port and starboard adjustable armrests.
Rodney’s Marine on Logan Martin carries the stunning SilverWave line of boats. SilverWave’s semi-custom line of pontoon boats make finding your perfect boat a breeze. Select from a number of layouts and top off your new pontoon with an exciting array of optional features and hit the water in total comfort and style.
Their swingback is particularly popular this year. The knock-out feature of this model is the large lounge aft. It is a great spot to catch the rays and keep a watchful eye on your water skiers. When you are ready to go, the flip backrest converts this into a forward-facing seat.
Their boats come loaded with everything you need to enjoy a fun day on the water with family and friends. Garmin GPS, a rocking Wet Sounds stereo system complete with color-changing LED speakers, cupholders, table, bimini, vanity mirror, dedicated trash can compartment and more.
University Marine is expecting their Manitou line to be a hit this year. The Manitou XT is their luxury line of boats. The XT’s bold, contemporary looks redefine what is expected of a pontoon boat. A true luxury vessel with everything you need for an exceptional experience, it also has an enviable turn of speed.
With joystick control, painted fiberglass walls, and soft vinyl seating, you get a high-class boating adventure that’s pretty hard to beat. Their LX Sport Model is also a thing of beauty. Boasting stunning looks and delivering amazing performance, the new LX handles like nothing else on the water. It carves and banks like a runabout and treats everyone onboard to a thrilling ride – the perfect sport pontoon boat.
For people looking for a general recreational boat, load up days with great times with the well-equipped Oasis. Along with their signature quality and construction, multifunctional rear seats and multiple cup holders, you’ll experience a surprising number of standard features at a budget-pleasing price.
You can also find Avid fishing boats at Buck’s Island this year. An Avid bass boat is the epitome of where form meets function. With standard features like the ProMaster pad hull, beam forward TruTaper gunnels, oversized storage and rod boxes and SeaDek® cockpit flooring, Avid bass boats are as tournament ready as they are beautiful. Their package on the 18XB include a Yamaha 115 SHO motor, a Minn Kota Fortrex 80-pound, 24-volt trolling motor, your choice of graphs, two fishing seats and a single-axle trailer with custom color fenders.
Headquartered in Amory, Mississippi, Avid Boats are the world’s finest aluminum fishing boats. Built by fishermen, for fishermen, our boats are crafted with your fishing experience in mind. Gone are the days of old, antiquated aluminum boat designs. From our proprietary TruTaper™ gunnels to our ProMaster™ pad hull design, every Avid boat is as beautiful as is it rugged and sure to please even the most discerning fisherman.
Buck’s Island in Southside on Neely Henry points to Bentley as one of their big sellers this year. Bentley series boats combine quality and craftsmanship with affordability.
The Bentley Cruise offers a traditional rear “L” Section seating and sun deck with plenty of storage beneath. The Bentley Navigator Series offers a traditional, center walk-through floor plan with dual captain chairs and an extended rear deck. Navigator Models and Bentley Swingback Series with flexible rear seating offer performance, enhanced style and outstanding fit and finish.
Standard options include their sporty console, Jensen Stereo, Bimini top, integrated cupholders, swim ladder and radius corner caps.
Other options include LED lighting inside and out, ski attachments, locker storage, aluminum underskin, Simrad Go7, digital gauges, raised-helm platform, power electric bimini top and more.
I even tried convincing myself there were more important things to be done on life’s priority list. But just like an infectious disease, it caught up with me and never loosened its mighty grip.
Carol A. Pappas, Editor and Publisher
That’s what new boat fever does to a person. It’s like new car fever, only better – and a lot more fun.
Of course, I had to wait awhile, long after the fever took hold. It seems the object of my affection got stuck in the supply chain shortage, like just about everything else, and it wasn’t until a week before the water went down for winter on Logan Martin that it arrived. But, oh, what a glorious seven days it was!
Every afternoon after work we skimmed across mirror-like water. Fast. Slow. It didn’t matter much to us as long as we were moving. A slight September breeze and a hint of color along the shorelines foretold that fall was indeed on the way. And a long wait for spring, unfortunately, was up ahead.
Just a hunch, but this may feel like the longest wait for spring and the water rising again that I have ever spent on Logan Martin. Just like the fever that caught me this past spring, it just won’t let go.
Rather than experiencing all alone the anticipated euphoria that surely will be lying in my wake come spring, I decided to start the new year off with more than a fireworks bang. We’re turning LakeLife 24/7 Magazine® into our first ever Boat Show Edition. In print, online, in photos and video, you’ll see the 2022 line of boats, watercrafts and water toys, guaranteed to – at the very least – give you a low-grade ‘wish’ fever.
After all, boat dealers from around the Logan Martin and Neely Henry region stand ready to showcase the hottest vessels on the water this season. While I suffer in silence, already recovering and ready to return to the water, I have to warn you, the photos and stories in this issue can be contagious. New boat fever spreads pretty quickly. Take it from me.
But the allure of this edition doesn’t stop there. New boats aren’t your thing?
No worries. There’s plenty more inside.
We’ll take you inside the kitchen of Ronnie Harkins and wife Deb Mattison. Actually, we’re taking you outside to this kitchen. It’s an outdoor paradise, a gathering place for good times, good food and a panoramic view that makes it the perfect place for entertaining.
Go back in time with us to Neely Henry’s Little Bridge Marina in Remember When, an in-depth look at the story behind our lakes’ landmarks, people and places. This time, it’s the storied history of the bridge and the community.
How about a mechanic who makes house calls? Boathouse calls, that is. That would be Paul Davis of Paul’s Mobile Boat Repair, an innovative twist on getting the job done without putting it in ‘the shop.’
At Greensport Marina, we’ll relive another first – Rocking the Banks of Greensport – a music-filled evening along the shoreline of this historic destination point, ushering yet another new era for this centuries old homeplace.
Ride along with bass pro Zeke Gossett in Catchin’ the Coosa as he provides anglers with tips and trends for nabbing ‘the big ones’ this time of year on Logan Martin and Neely Henry.
There’s more. Just turn the page and discover it all with us.
