A Pontoon Boat is basically a flat, long-shaped boat that relies on floating floats for buoyancy. Typically, these pontoons feature a great amount of storage space and enable designers to come up with wide-ranging deck configurations with all kinds of amenities including expandable seating, comfortable sun decks, and lounge areas.
They are primarily designed for recreation and provide great joy to boaters and those who like to spend their time on the water. However, being a boat owner, you need to know the right way to care for your pontoon boat so you can enjoy its maximum operational life span. In this article, we provide you with basic information about pontoon boats. Read on to know more.
A pontoon has several unique features, such as its large open cabin with sliding doors and elegant, streamlined contours. Here is a rundown of its history and how they have evolved from the original designs to better understand what a pontoon boat is.
Back in the 1970s, the first pontoons were built by accident. A group of sailors noticed that when they tried to launch a dinghy without the use of tubes, it often became difficult to push or pull ahead because the hull of the dinghy was too slippery.
To answer the original question “what is a pontoon boat?” – it is basically a boat with a small deck in the middle of the cabin, where a motorboat sits.
This small deck is typically covered with vinyl or plastic to protect it from extreme weather conditions and to keep your gear dry. Most boats have two or three small seating areas, a console with convenient cup holders, and an area for storing things while out on the water.
What Is The Point of a Pontoon Boat?
One of the first questions that I get when I am asked to speak about my hobby is; What is the point of a pontoon boat? Quite simply, it is an inflatable boat that can be used to launch from a barge or a trailer.
These boats are very easy to launch and are great for fishing, taking children to summer camp, or on a day trip to the lake. The reason I ask, What is the point of a pontoon boat, is that there are so many different styles and sizes of these inflatables, that you can almost have one for almost any occasion or purpose!
Here are just a few of the many uses that I have seen this boat put in, or that someone has called me to go out on.
What Is The Difference Between a Boat and a Pontoon?
So what is the difference between a boat and a pontoon, you ask? A boat is a craft that travels on rivers, lakes, or even the ocean. On the other hand, a pontoon is a smaller inflatable boat that can be inflated with either air or water.
While a pontoon is great for fishing and other general river/lake activities, a boat is more suited for larger water trips where weight limits must be considered.
If you’re the adventurous type, then you might want to consider a pontoon – it’s fun! However, if you are looking for a family or party boating option, a boat is the way to go. Boats have better handling qualities, more passenger space, and they tend to be less expensive. So in the grand scheme of things, the differences between a boat and a pontoon aren’t very significant.
Are our Pontoon Boats Dangerous?
Pontoon boats are a great type of inflatable boats that are easy to operate and store. Many people choose to buy these boats for family fishing trips, beach parties, or just to use on the weekends.
The biggest question most people have is, are pontoon boats dangerous? The short answer is yes, they can be dangerous under certain circumstances. I will outline two scenarios below to help you determine if it is safe to fish with a pontoon boat.
This is especially true if the deck is wet from being in the water or if there is mud or other particles on the bottom of the boat. If you wear goggles and have your fishing rods securely attached, using a pontoon boat in these conditions is completely fine. Just make sure to move the boat out of the area where the storm is starting.
The second scenario in which it is possible to be injured while using a pontoon boat is if you get into one when it starts to flip over. Obviously, it is possible that someone could get injured because the structure of these pontoons makes it very difficult to manually flip the boat over (especially with wet tires).
Again, although these are expensive, if you plan on fishing frequently this is definitely worth buying. Just keep in mind that when using your pontoon boats it is extremely important to pay attention to where you are steering, whether you need to tip the boat over or not, and to follow all the safety guidelines for boat use.
How Long Will a Pontoon Boat Last?
Most people think that these types of boats are made out of fiberglass and while they are built of such materials, you should have it in mind that fiberglass does not last forever. As of right now, the average lifespan of fiberglass pontoons is about fifteen years, which may not be much for some, but to others, they are still considered good investments.
One reason why fiberglass pontoons boats can last so long is because of how it is made, which consists of layers of acrylic mixed with layers of pressure molded plastic. This creates a strong structure that withstands weather and elements that might corrode it over time.
When it comes to these types of boats, you should know that these do not come cheap because of the materials used, which is why composite decking is the common replacement for the raw material. Of course, the raw materials may cost more than ordinary pontoons, but it is often considered a worthy investment by those who want to enjoy fishing or water sports on their DIY pontoon boats.
How Deep Does The Water Have to be for a Pontoon Boat?
Many pontoon boat manufacturers will tell you that you don’t need to know how deep the water is to get your boat in and out of it. They will say that the “pool” level of the inflatable is what determines how deep the water is.
While that may be true in some regards, it is not in all cases. If you want to know how deep does the water has to be for a pontoon boat, there are a few things that you need to consider…
First, it is important to realize that weather is one of the major factors that play into how deep the water is. If it is sunny and warm, or if it is rainy, then the water level can become much higher than what it would be for a pontoon boat. Even in cases where it is cold and snowing, the water can still rise a fair amount.
So it is important to know the weather conditions where you will be fishing. If it is going to be hot and sunny, then you will probably want a bigger pontoon boat, while if it is going to be cold and windy, then you might be able to use a smaller inflatable.
Why are Pontoon Boats So Expensive?
For people who love the water, they probably already have a boat of their own – or at least they would know what type of boat it is if they saw one. However, for the rest of us, we need to know all about these wonderful and unique boats before we can make a decision on which one to buy.
If you are looking for a pontoon boat for your next trip on the water, then you should find out all you can about them, including why are pontoon boats so expensive.
First of all, a pontoon boat is a versatile boat that was originally designed to go in the ocean. They have a flat bottom and the mainsail, and these two things provide the boat with excellent maneuverability.
If you can get in the water by using these two main beams, then you will have an easy time getting around; they have excellent strength, and this allows them to float on top of the water even with only a motor.
Now, when you get down to the bottom line, you might be wondering why are pontoon boats so expensive. The truth is that it all comes down to how you plan to use the boat once you purchase it. Some people like to fish from their boats, and others like to use them for water sports.
There are also different types of materials that are used for the boat’s foundation, and these will affect its cost as well. While a regular boat can be just as comfortable and reliable as a pontoon boat, it will most likely cost you more money.
