Pontoons generally consist of the same basic design, with a deck built on top of the two cylindrical pontoons. The sizes of the decks and pontoons are dependent on the activity the boat is built for. The main objective for these boats is to be lightweight, but sturdy enough to carry 6-17 passengers and all the equipment needed for the trips. Pontoon boats generally have railings around the flat shaped boat, to prevent people, and especially children from falling over board.
There is a lot of customizing that you can do to a pontoon boat. Along the sides of the boat you can line them with bench seats that are great for storage or you can simply have lawn furniture and tables. You can add a bimini canvas top that will provide shade from the hot sun and will optimize a late afternoon cruise for the family & friends that have had enough sun throughout the day. If you are interested in spending the night on the river, a camper top can enclose a sleeping area. Some models have fresh water and toilet facilities in a fold-down dressing area in the rear of the pontoon. A marine stereo system provides everyone with entertainment and the swim platform invites everyone into the water. For the fisherman, livewells can be built on to the pontoon as well as rod holders and bait buckets. The seating is not as plush as a pontoon designed for cruising with fishing chairs are found at the bow of the pontoon. The deck allows for a great deal of movement and is ideal for children learning to fish.
Pontoons are not designed to be taken out into the ocean. Because of their shallow hull, they are not designed for waves over two feet high as they will crash over the bow and roughly toss the passengers around. Lakes, rivers, and calm seas are the best place to take the pontoons. Pontoons range is size from 14 to 28 feet. According to the manufacturer the pontoon can hold anywhere from 6 to 17. This is true but if you want to travel at a speed faster than a meandering dolphin you should consider taking less than 80% of the maximum passenger allowance.
The price range for pontoons is from $7,000 to $30,000 with the average price of the pontoon being $18,000. Used pontoons can be found from $1000 to $15,000 but they are very difficult to find. The horsepower for the outboard motor used by the pontoon should range from 10 horsepower to 135 HP. Of course if you are planning to keep your pontoon's vinyl seats from cracking and splitting in the hot sun it is vital that you purchase a pontoon cover.
With the addition of the triple aluminum tube design, pontoons are able to model the performance of the deck boat. The tri-toons have become the greatest advance in pontoon design because this design allows for a larger motor which can add 15 mph on the water. Speeds of 40 to 70 mph can be obtained on some models. Because the deck is raised above the floats, pontoons ride very dry. They are stable, and with the transom mounted to the underside of the deck, the larger outboard motor makes the tri-toon easy to maneuver. The larger motors will even give a smooth wake for tubing, skiing and wake-boarding. Tri-toons average about $5000 more than the two tube pontoon boat.
The pontoon still has many critics. One thing that makes them unpopular is that they are gas guzzlers. Since they plow through the water instead of on top, they are very inefficient which results in poor acceleration and lower speeds. In addition since the pontoon is equipped with an outboard motor, it is often underpowered for what is needed to accomplish the goals of the day. Pontoons require 15-20% more horsepower to do what deck boats do with the same engine. The usual outboard for the pontoon, 60-90 HP, has a very small chance of being able to pull an adult skier. It is possible to pull them, but the ride will not result in pulling them up out of the water.
You now have the information needed to make an informed decision about whether a pontoon is the boat for you. When you consider the cost of the pontoon to the amount of square footage, you can't go wrong with a pontoon. Pontoons are fast enough to cruise down the river and get you out of inclement weather if it should come upon you quickly and you can't beat the passenger's mobility on the boat when your eight year old is first learning how to case a fishing line
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