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Boating with a pontoon boat just might be the most relaxing way to spend a day on the water. Feel free to invite the whole family because pontoon boats offer more space and more carrying capacity than any other boating segment.
If you have just started shopping for a pontoon boat, you might be getting a little overwhelmed. Who would have imagined there could be so many brands? And why are there so many different floor plan layouts? Before you get confused we would like to offer some advise that will help to simplify your buying decision.
Its true, most pontoon manufacturers produce 20 or more different models. They do, as needs vary from region to region across the country and pontoon boats get used for a variety of purposes. To choose the model that best fits your boating needs, you need to ask yourself several questions, such as, “how will I use my new pontoon boat?” How many people will boat with us on a typical outing? Will we be fishing from the boat? If so, would we prefer to cast from the bow of the boat or troll off the stern? How about swimming and watersports?
Once you have determined how the boat will be used, you are better prepared to make smart choices about a practical layout for your family’s needs. This will narrow the choices significantly.
If fishing is on the agenda, lets look at models with some swivel fishing chairs and maybe a live well. We can discuss placing the fishing seats either fore or aft. For the die-hard fisherman, look at a model that supports fishing from all 4 corners. If inviting a couple of families out for the day is more your style, lets look at something with lots of couches. This will obviously increase the seating capacity, and also greatly improve the on board storage space under each couch.
Are the kids going swimming? We are going to need a ladder. Do we want a portable one to hang over the side or should we look at a model that offers a rear entry gate with a permanent ladder behind the starboard pontoon? For many families with kids, the pontoon boat gets anchored and becomes their own private island and boy, the ladder sure gets used a lot! Whenever there are kids, boats and water, there will surely be watersports. A pontoon boat is a very capable platform for watersport activities. If the gang wants to go tubing, you might want to think about upping the horsepower a little bit.
After tubing and splashing around, somebody is going to want out of their wet bathing suit. A pop-up change room comes in handy about this time. They also double as an excellent spot to stash a porta pottie, just in case you need it too.
By now, you are starting to draw a picture in your mind of how you and your gang will spend your days at the lake. With a better understanding of how you might boat, you can be more prepared to select the features that are important to you allowing you to narrow your model selection considerably.
But how big does this boat need to be? That’s going to depend again on how many people you plan to entertain on a typical day. We like to point out that the cost of a pontoon boat does not increase drastically from one size to the next. You can step up to a 22 foot from the same series in a 20 foot model with out breaking the bank. The same is true from 22’ to 24 feet. So often, the longer boat is actually seen as a better value.
How big of an engine will we require? This question is always open for discussion, but 20 foot boats with light loads can work well with a 40 hp engine. We sell most of our 20’ pontoon boats with 50 to 60 hp high thrust, four strokes. Our 22’ and 24’ models are best suited for 90 hp and up for use on the Great Lakes. Mercury’s 115 hp EFI 4 stroke is by far our best selling engine in this segment. Top speeds of 25 to 30 mph are obtainable with this combination. As mentioned earlier, your intended use will dictate the horsepower required.
How do you tell a quality brand from just a “run-of-the-mill” boat? We suggest that you look in all of the places the manufacturer doesn’t expect you to look. Even the most value priced brands look plush and stylish, but stick your head up inside the console and check out the wiring harness. Are waterproof connectors used? How about the decking material? Is it true pressure treated decking or just dipped plywood? There is lots of carpet and vinyl on a pontoon boat. Are these products a high grade? Do they have an impressive warranty? Pontoon boats are very open and the soft goods get exposed to the elements. It is important that the components stand up to the elements or your beautiful new boat won’t stay beautiful as long as you thought. Like most major purchases in life, the lowest price does not guaranty the best value. If you’re not sure, ask plenty of questions.
Not long ago it was rare to find a pontoon boat on a larger lake. When you did, it was likely an older model with a 25 or 40 hp outboard. Times have changed all of that. Now pontoon boats ride on larger diameter pontoons and the framework that secures the pontoons to the decks is a much stronger structure. Engine pods have become much more hydrodinamic in shape as have the bullets at the leading end of each pontoon. All of these enhancements have made the new generation of pontoon boats much better suited for rougher water, larger outboards and heavier loads.
Pontoons are relaxing, social and versatile. While not for everyone, they just might be right for you and your family.
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