Page 4—June 2020Cruzer, new pontoons at BB MarinaSeven new clean and quiet fishingboats and another four luxury pontoonboats with bluetooth radio.There’s a lot that’s new at Big BearMarina as the lake’s 2020 summer seasonfinally gets underway. The floating storehas been remodeled with new counters andadditional point of sale stations, all workthat was planned even before virus mandates.Customers will find expanded baitand tackle equipment plus other supplieslike snacks, beer, wine, ice and more.The new world means Big Bear Marinanow sanitizes every boat between rentals.“We wipe down the helm, controllersand surfaces with professional disinfectant,”the marina’s Steve Fengler said.As June arrives occupancy limits onboats are lifting and marina services areYear-RoundChristmas Room!expanding. Big Bear Cruzer, the marina’svirtually new 28-passenger tour boat, willbe cruising daily at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m.at capacity determined by conditions.Fully-covered with sound system andonboard potty, Cruzer offers an intimateexperience on hour-plus tours on the lake.There’s never minimum passengerrequirements so Cruzer cruises go out evenif there’s only one person on board. It joinsthe marina’s other tour boat, longtimefavorite Big Bear Queen skippered by thelake’s most experienced captain, ChrisBellows, in offering guaranteed daily tours.Between the two guests never get caughtbetween tours because a boat heads outevery hour.Pontoon boats are a great way to socialdistance as same household familiesenjoy ampleseating andshade amidstlake isolation.Floatwith yourfamily in isolationin aquiet cove onthe lake, ormaybe trollfor trout.Bring coolers,picnic lunch,canoes or kayaks,tubes orOur rooms arefilled with giftsand treasuresfrom nearly20 artists!Come Up the Historic Staircase of the 1920's Navajo Hotel• Bear-ly UsedBooks• Jerky• Pottery• Aprons• SportsMemorabilia• EverythingBears & MoreOpen 7 Daysa weekBig Bear's from 9:30 a.m.Shopping ExperienceThere is not “Anything” we do not have!Village Faire40794 Village Dr.(909) 866-8220Above the Leather Depot in Big Bear Villagewhatever and beat the heat on the water.They’re as easy to drive as a car, poweredby eco-kind four stroke Mercury outboards,so even inexperienced skippershave no trouble navigating.The four new pontoons are smaller 16ft. luxury boats from Lowe. “The boats seateight but we’re only going to do sixpeople,” Fengler said. “Smaller luxurypontoon boats have proven to be verypopular with families that don’t need somuch space, even with couples wantingplenty of room.”Last year Big Bear Marina addedlarger Lowe pontoon boats equipped withBluetooth, premium sound system withfour-way speakers including bass withiPhone and USB connectivity, so its luxurypontoon boat fleet continues to expand.Features like comfortable bench seating,drink holders, slip-resistant vinyl flooringand lots of storage make pontoon boats avirtual floating living room, and Big BearMarina has three dozen in the water.Bimini tops provide shade on sunnydays and there’s lots of storage to keep gearout of the way. Larger pontoons accommodateup to 12, smaller ones 10 and featurehigh-tec four-stroke Mercury outboardmotors.Seven new fishing boats from Lowealso joined Big Bear Marina’s fleet, featuringwhisper-quiet 9.8 four-stroke motors,to go with several added last year. The14-foot aluminum vessels seat up to fouranglers and are perfect for going out towhere the fish are biting.The marina is also Big Bear’s officialBig Bear TodayBig Bear Cruzer, one of two tour boats sailing from Big Bear Marinaweigh station with its only tournamentscale. If you hook up with a big one besure to hit “Mac’s Shack” at Big BearMarina and see if you have a lake recordtrout, large or smallmouth bass, crappie orother species.For self-propelled fun check out themarina’s new water bikes, only ones on thelake. These recumbent bike-style rides featurehandlebars and pedals, but instead oftwo wheels there’s two pontoons. Makingthe rides very stable, even in rough water.Plus water bikes are comfortable andpractically maneuver on a dime with a 10-foot turning radius. With rudder and propellerwater bikes have boating features butare as simple to ride as any cycle on land.“They go three knots without havingto pedal very hard at all,” Fengler said.“And they move through the water eveninto the wind.”Ample deck space allows water bikesto carry up to three people. “Or a couplecan go out and bring a cooler,” Fenglersaid. “Plus there’s a tray up front to putyour phone or snacks. A great way to havefun and get exercise at the same time.”Standup Paddleboards are alsomuscle-powered, a way to socially distanceby definition. Stand up on the Hobie surfboard-likeboards nearly 12 feet long andpaddle to enjoy the lake and get exerciseat the same time.Big Bear Marina has 18 kayaks includingsingle, double and even triples.Plus two-person pedal boats as legs are thepower source.Big Bear Marina (909) 866-3218.Water bikes are unique rides (above left); bring the clan on new pontoon boats
Big Bear Today June 2020—Page 5
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