Lake Martin Living - Picture Credit - Paige Patterson

Lake Martin Cruise - Picture Credit - Paige Patterson 

​​What a unique way to find that beautiful lake front property you always wanted ​on Lake Martin in central Alabama. Well when you meet our friend Paige Patterson, you will understand why so many potential buyers are reaching out to her for their dream home.
I recently reached out to Paige to get her perspective on the strategy of selling by Pontoon Boat, here's what she shared with us:
Paige:I became a Realtor in the early 2000s, selling city homes in Birmingham, AL. In 2013, with my water-loving husband and two toddler sons in tow, we moved to Lake Martin, AL full-time, with the intention of selling the water and raising our family lakeside.
The first bit of advice my real estate broker Erle Morring (LoveLakeMartin.com) gave me was “you have to show houses by boat."  - This story is just beginning, who wouldn't want to have a job on Lake Martin that you can do from a Pontoon Boat ? Hello!!!!
​After getting my boating license, taking a course for women boaters, and our first purchase of the “just right size and speed” Bennington (2014 GSR 2250), we started inviting clients aboard.

Episode 91 - Love Lake Martin

​My husband, Brian Dodson, is also a full-time Realtor, specializing in new construction waterfront homes with Harris Doyle Homes.  He is currently selling a 54-home waterfront neighborhood, Talisi Cove. The neighborhood is on the opposite side of our enormous lake, but a boat ride to work cuts the commute by 1/3. No one arrives to work grumpy when you arrive by boat!
​We offer Lake Martin real estate pontoon boat cruises, one Saturday a month from April - November.  It is a non-intimidating way to learn if lake life is right for my clients.  Once you board a pontoon, every sense is engaged.  The smells of lake air, the breeze whipping through everyone’s hair, and the sun-kissed faces after one 3-hour cruise makes or breaks the decision.

Follow Paige on her many social media platforms, as well for more updates on the Lake Martin lifestyle

Congratulations to Paradise Marine Center in Gulf Shores, Alabama for being selected as the 2018 Pontoon Boat Dealer of the Year!

Our team at Livingthetoonlife.com have spent thousands of hours researching this amazing segment of recreational boating. Over the past year, we've focused heavily on the - dealer to consumer - relations.

We believe service after the sale is the most important factor when purchasing a new Pontoon Boat, or even slightly used for that matter. During our initial launch of the website in April 2018 we started searching for who stood out among the crowded field of Pontoon Boat Dealers nationwide.

Well, we  did not have to look any further then - Paradise Marine Center & Your Pontoon Superstore a 10,000 square foot, indoor showroom of  pure awesomeness, located in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Featuring the entire Forest River Marine fleet of high quality Pontoon Boats: South Bay - Berkshire - Trifecta & their very own Paradise Pontoon.

​With many different models on display in the Pontoon Superstore's showroom. This allows their customers the freedom to really understand what options will meet their needs. Honestly, it's like a big toy store for the whole family. Which brings us to what really drives Paradise Marine Center's  success in this amazing industry. They are a Family owned and operated business, recently celebrating 24 years on the beautiful Alabama gulf coast.
Also known as Team Paradise, a moniker that fits quite well. ​

Your Pontoon Superstore - Gulf Shores, Alabama

Jarrett Myers & Team Paradise 2018 

This past summer we interviewed Gene Myers, the owner of Paradise Marine Center for his take on Pontoon Boats on the Alabama gulf coast. Be careful what ya ask for, as Gene, aka "The Pontoon Professor" know's what he's talking about, and doesn't mind sharing his knowledge. 
During our extensive research for the top dealer honors, we kept coming back to Team Paradise. It was a combination of listening to their customers firsthand, as well as their overall presentation. Consumer satisfaction was repeated by every single customer we interviewed. The common theme was: always available! 
Like Coleman Grau, owner of a 2017 South Bay 523RS That's powered by a  200hp Suzuki. (exceptionally nice ride) He and his Family love spending time on the water as often as possible, actually a lot of time! Coleman has logged 326 hours in approximately 18 months on his South Bay. It's a badge of honor, & we get it too! Jarrett and his Team take great care of us, they provide excellent service & always available. It's quite obvious, that Coleman is highly addicted to this lifestyle. 

Gene Myers - aka: The Pontoon Professor

Another Paradise customer is Jamie Jones, who is a proud owner of a 2017 Berkshire 210CL Sport - powered by a Suzuki 175hp  They are a First Class Act said Jamie. The guy's at Paradise are always available, no matter where or when. This past summer we were miles away, at another marina when we needed help. Upon notifying them of our situation, Jarrett dispatched a Team member from the service department asap, problem solved and on the water in no time! First Class Service - said Jamie. 
They like to spend their weekends on the water cruising the coastal islands (Robinson Island) as well as, the world famous Flora-Bama Yacht Club, and Pirates Cove not to mention the awesome sunsets on the Alabama gulf coast.

​Jarrett Myers,  sale manager at Paradise, he and his Team are great representatives of theForest River Marine brand. They are very knowledgeable, friendly & courteous, always looking out for their customers needs. Our manufacturer provides the highest quality of Pontoon Boats for us to offer, However, what we at Paradise really sell, is a Lifestyle, like no other!  Our clients are addicted  from the very first time they hit the water on their maiden voyage. Many new customers wonder why they did not do this sooner (FACT) 
As a huge supporter of  Living The Toon Life - we are proud to list Paradise Marine Center & Your Pontoon Superstore as Pontoon Boat Dealer of the Year  for 2018 - Congratulations and well deserved guy's! #LivingTheToonLife ​

Jamie Jones - Berkshire 210CL Sport  

We recently stopped by Anchor Bay Marina on beautiful Lake Martin in central, Alabama. Nestled away at the end of the road is where all the fun begins. Anchor Bay Marina is a full service marina, they offer everything from dry storage, fuel, fully stocked ship store and the most important Pontoon Boat Rental. Yes, here is a place you can go, spend all day on the water, be called captain (well sometimes) and never worry about all the details of owning the boat. If you've never been on a pontoon boat, this is a great way to get your feet wet.

We checked out their fleet, wow, they've got some really nice boats. You can rent a 20' Pontoon Boat with 60hp engine or you can move all the way up to the 28' Avalon with a 200hp engine, double decked that includes a water slide for maximum enjoyment. The kids will love it, and it's a great way to spend quality time together. The rates for renting a Pontoon Boat are quite reasonable, from $225 to $400 for a full day rental. All of the boats are equipped with life jackets, proper safety gear and full of fuel.

​Do you want to go tubing? or wake boarding? No problem, they can hook ya up with both.  Don't worry if you forgot anything, the ship store fully stocked to cover your needs for the entire day. When you get ready to board your vessel of choice, you'll be greeted by an exceptionally large family of turtles. The water is very clear and they are very friendly, just like the staff at Anchor Bay Marina. #LivingTheAlabamaToonLife 

Picture Credit - Living The Toon Life 

 Take a walk throughBennington Pontoon Boats annual Summer dealer meeting, with our friends from Shoals Outdoor Sports in Florence, Alabama. An amazing line up of Benningtons newest offerings.  The new Q Series, Twin 400HP , awesome new graphics, new colors for 2019 as well as a new white interior package. The "Fun On The Water" division, at Shoals Outdoor Sports are the Bennington Pontoons experts in North Alabama. With three locations to service customer from the entire Tri- States. Weather fishing the Tennessee river for that record breaking Large Mouth Bass,  cruising through the locks at  Wilson Dam, heading to  McFarland bottoms. Doing it on a 2019 Bennington Pontoon Boat makes it soo much better. #LivingTheAlabamaToonLife 

​​Our web-page the  "Who's Who" in pontoon boat manufacturers identifies some the reasons for advances in pontoon & triple toon tube design, materials, building techniques, interior waterproof fabrics, & lighter more fuel efficient outboard engines that new pontoon boat dealerships & sales centers are currently offering in new & used models. The above mentioned items are just some of the reasons for the growing popularity in local Alabama (AL) waterways. Pontoon & triple toon boat dealerships & sales centers sell boats that are not the slow moving awkward barges they had a reputation for being. Today we see these high tech & luxury models with as many as 3 large outboard engines with horsepower to spare added to the stern, and top speeds on some boats approaching 70 miles an hour! Many of these boats also have interior spaces that rival the insides of a fine luxury cars or RVs. Some manufacturer's performance or "Sport" packages allow them to handle and be considered agile just as well as many traditional fiberglass-hulled boats. - LEARN MORE

• *Paradise Marine Center -dealer- 6940A HIGHWAY 59 Gulf Shores Alabama 36542 - Contact
• Singleton Marina - dealer -486 Parker Creek Marina Rd.Equality Alabama 36026
• Bucks Island - dealer - 4500 Highway 77 Southside Alabama 35907
• L&M Marine - dealer-  34600 Hwy 59 Stapleton Alabama 36578
• Boat Mart - dealer -3374 AL Highway 69 Guntersville Alabama 35976
• Airport Marine -dealer- 424 Hwy 87 Alabaster Alabama 35007
• Kowaliga Marina -dealer- 255 Kowaliga Marina Rd Alexander City Alabama 35010
• The Ridge Marina -dealer- 450 Ridge Marine Rd Alexander City; Tallapoosa Alabama 35010
• River North Marina -dealer- 250 River North Rd Alexander City; Tallapoosa Alabama 35010
• Real Island Marina -dealer- 2700 Real Island Rd Equality Alabama 36026
• Smith Lake -dealer- 690 Alabama Hwy 69 S Hanceville; Cullman Alabama 35077
• Bass Pro Leeds -dealer- 5000 Bass Pro Blvd. Leeds Alabama 35094
• Boyd's Marine -dealer- 2481 Highway 431 Dothan; Alabama 36303
• Rambo Marine -dealer -10396 Hwy. 280 E. Westover Alabama 35185
• Freedom Marine Center -dealer -Albertville Alabama 35950
• Erwin Marine Sales -dealer- 28601 U.S. Highway 431 Grant Alabama             35747
• Duckett Marine -dealer- 2780 Brashers Chapel Rd Guntersville Alabama 35976
• Hide-a-way Harbor -dealer -5335 Skyland Blvd. East Cottondale Alabama 35453
• Sylacauga Marine -dealer -2670 Old Birmingham Highway Sylacauga Alabama 35150
• Shoals Outdoor Sports -dealer -1605 Highway 72 East Tuscumbia; Colbert Alabama 35674
• Fredericks Outdoor -dealer- 1312 South Bethel Rd. Decatur Alabama 35603
• Legendary Marine Gulf Shores -dealer- 3977 Hwy 59 S Gulf Shores Alabama 36542

• Nelems Marine -dealer- 13239 Hwy 78 Jasper Alabama 35501
• Skiers Marine Westover -dealer -10171 Hwy 280 Westover Alabama 35147
• Skiers Marine Athens -dealer -15493 Hwy 72 Athens Alabama 
• Skiers Lake Martin -dealer- 6906 Hwy 49 S Dadeville Alabama 36853
• Dawson Boat Center -dealer- 2509 S Broad St Suite 201 Scottsboro Alabama 35769
• Andalusia Marine -dealer- 1707 River Falls Street Andalusia Alabama 36421
• Poor Branch Marina -dealer- 7062 Stemley Rd Talladega Alabama 35160
• Ocean Marine -dealer- 1812 Hwy 98 Daphne Alabama 36526
• Bass Pro Florence -dealer- 4120 Florence Blvd Florence Alabama 35634
• Harbor Pointe Marina -dealer -397 Marina Point Rd Dadeville Alabama 36853
• MarineMax Gulf Shores -dealer- 3829 Gulf Shore Pkwy Gulf Shores Alabama 36542
• Bass Pro Prattville -dealer -2553 Rocky Mt Rd Prattville; Elmore Alabama 36066
• D&D Marine -dealer- 8390 U.S. 72 Athens Alabama 35611
• Brech Marine -dealer- 3049 US Hwy 80 E Selma Alabama 36701
• Scotts Marine -dealer- 27232 US-98 Elberta Alabama 36530
• George's Water Sports -dealer- 1301 Montlimar Drive Mobile Alabama 36609
• Gulf Shores Marina -dealer- 3807 Gulf Shores Pkwy Gulf Shores Alabama 36542
• Orange Beach Boat Sales -dealer- 27844 Canal Rd Orange Beach Alabama 36561
• Elite Marine -dealer -Highway 59 South Foley Alabama 36535
• Pine Harbor Marina -dealer -2120 FRAIM DR Pell City Alabama 35128
• Evans Marine -dealer -141 Hidden Cove Loop Jasper Alabama 35503

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Renting a pontoon boat in Alabama (AL) can be a great way to enhance your outdoor lifestyle. Spending the day on the water with friends and family, fishing, water skiing, kneeboarding, tubing, swimming, grilling, & chilling out will help make a lifetime of memories. We have assembled numerous locations in Alabama near your favorite lakes, rivers, bays, and waterways in our Alabama Pontoon Boat Locator for your consideration for renting a pontoon boat. Also check out our "What's What When Renting A Pontoon Boat" page that will help give you an idea on what to expect when you call, basic requirements for boat operation, and any other information that will help you plan your adventure. 

• ​Boat Rentals at Smith Lake -483 County Road 224, Crane Hill, Alabama 35053
• Orange Beach Boat Rentals -4673 The Wharf Parkway, Orange Beach, Alabama
• Wallace Boat Rentals -27267 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach, Alabama 36561
• Russell Marine -rental -Multiple locations: -www.russellmarine.net/locations 
• OB Watersports -rental- 27267 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach, Alabama 36561
• Lakeside Marina -rental- 7361 Highway 49 South Dadeville, Alabama 36853
• Lake Guntersville Boat Rentals - 351 Marina Rd, Guntersville, Alabama 35976
• Wahoo Watersports -rental- 4576 Walker Key Blvd, Orange Beach, Alabama 36561​
• Happy Harbor Marina -rental- 27212 Marina Rd, Orange Beach, Alabama 36561
• Eastern Shore Watersports -rental- 369 Fairhope Mobile St, Fairhope, Alabama 36532
• Poor House Branch Marina -rental- 7062 Stemley Rd, Talladega, Alabama 35160
• Flora-Bama Watersports -rental- 29603 Perdido Beach Blvd, Orange Beach, Alabama 36561
• Hudson Marina And Watersports -rental- 4575 S. Wilson Blvd, Orange Beach, Alabama 36561
• Caribe Marina -rental- 28101 Perdido Beach Blvd,Orange Beach, Alabama 36561
• Anchor Bay Marina -rental- 2001 Castaway Island Road, Eclectic, Alabama 36024

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