Frequently Asked Questions

As our business grows we plan to be available in all Pontoon Boat sales locations and online. 

Please vist your local pontoon boat sales store and ask if they carry The Bow Mate. If they do not then request they do as this will save you shipping costs as well as assure you it is being assembled and fitted correctly to your boat. 

At this time The Bow Mate is available directly from our production headquarters in Indianapolis IN. Email us at  info@thebowmate.com

Our goal is to produce models that will fit ALL pontoon boats. We are designing into the product the ability for it to be adjustable. 

At this time we are focused on a handful of makes and models so please be patient with us. We may actually request your help in assisting us with providing dimensions we may not have. 

The completion of the Dimensional Document and submittal to info@theboawmate.com will allow us to ensure the current designs will either fit or not fit your model of pontoon. 

 The installation of any boat part, purchased from THE BOW MATE Inc., may void or otherwise adversely affect your factory boat warranty. Always check federal, state, and local laws before installing your boat parts. It is the sole and exclusive responsibility of the user to determine the suitability of the product for their use, and the user shall assume all legal, personal injury risk, and liability and all other obligations, duties and risks associated there with.

Yes it most certainly is. All aspects of the invention of The Bow Mate are covered in the patents that have been filed. 

The width of the boaw mate is a maximum of 96". 

Its depth varies depending on the Make and Model but averages about 17"

The present design is A 100% Aluminum structure. Future designs will offer varying materials that will encompass varying shapes. 

The Bow Mate will be protected with corrosion protection, however, like all materials that are exposed to water, there can never be a guarantee that surface imperfections may occur during the life of the product. 

It is assured though that the structural integrity of The Bow Mate will not be sacrificed. 

The Bow Mate will be covered for a period of 12 months against manufacturing defects. 

It is not covered against standard boating wear and tear such as loading and unloading, bumping, hitting, dropping or mishandling.

It is not covered for accidents from anchoring, mooring, rafting up, tying off, docking, launching, trailering incorrectly and other areas that show negligence or misuse. 

The Bow Mate has been intelligently designed for the ease of replacing small accessory items. 

Some of these are readily available at your hardware store.

However, we do also offer replacement parts. Until our webstore offers these, please email us at info@thebowmate.com

Yes you will need to be aware and alert that your pontoon boat now has a new location for its forward corners. The Bow Mate protrudes beyond your boat deck which you now need to allow for when docking or rafting up. 

Docking Guide Poles are used to give you a visual indication of where those new corner locations are. 

Learn them, Practice knowing where they are and utilize other passengers to provide verbal and visual signals when nearing other objects, docks or boats. 

We will be making educational videos that will provide tremendous tips on Installing, Removing, Launching and Docking with The Bow Mate. 

While these are still in progress, please connect with us at info@thebowmate.com and we will provide you with what is available today. 

Do NOT use The Bow Mate until you are familiar with all Safety, Underway, Anchoring, Mooring, Docking, Rafting Up, Installation, Removal, Launching instructions. 

Do NOT launch The Bow Mate with it in a DOWN position. Doing so may catch the trailer guides causing damage to The Bow Mate, your boat and your trailer. 

Do NOT trailer with it. The continuous banging from bumps and holes in the road will only risk damage to it and your boat.

Do NOT head Underway with it in the Down position. Damage to The Bow Mate and your boat can occur as well as to passengers. 

Do NOT head Underway without tying off / securing The Bow Mate to  the Front Rail of sorts. The risk of The Bow Mate swinging into a Down position is high and can cause damage to The Bow Mate and/or your boat.

Do NOT use The Bow Mate as a diving platform. Injury and/or death can occur. 

Do NOT overload The Bow Mate. Although it is made from Aluminum metal and is very strong, The Bow Mate is made to hold a max of 3 persons / 450lbs. 

Do NOT use The Bow Mate to Anchor, Moor, Dock, Tie Off, Raft Up or fasten any other floating heavy object from. Water Floatation items are acceptable. 

Do NOT use The Bow Mate Hinge Pins or your front pontoon Eyelets / Cleats to Anchor, Moor, Dock, Tie Off, Raft Up when The Bow Mate is installed.