Both Pontoon and Bowriders are popular, family-friendly, and extremely enjoyable to sail. Their material compositions differ, as do their shapes and respective designs. The possibilities are endless. That brings us to the topic of this article. Like sailing, boat shopping should be fun.
However, you’re here because it’s creating a dilemma you didn’t initially anticipate upon your decision to buy a boat. The source of your distress comes down to one extremely important question: pontoon, or bowrider?
Both boat styles are well-liked, but lately, the pontoon appears to be in the lead as far as popularity contests go. Is that enough to go on when it comes to choosing one over the other? Or is the bowrider, in being rumored as the more reliable of the two, the better option? When both styles come so highly recommended by the experts and general boating community alike, it’s almost impossible to determine which one is better in general, let alone better for you as an individual with unique needs and preferences. Worse yet, there is no single, easy answer. Fortunately, we’re here to provide you with some much-needed clarity. Let’s get into it.
The Pontoon
The construction of the pontoon varies from any other boat style you’ll find on the market, as does the layout. Unlike the bowrider, which looks exactly how you might expect a boat to look, the pontoon strongly resembles a porch or a balcony. The way it works is that there are two or three aluminum tubes with a deck securely placed on top. These hollow tubes, or “pontoons,” are responsible for the boat’s ability to float and function on the water.
Due to the flat, balcony-like layout of the pontoon, it is generally able to hold more passengers than the bowrider — sometimes, even up to sixteen people. Pontoons also provide a versatility factor. Often referred to as “party-barges,” they are terrific for social events and primarily oriented towards those looking to enjoy more leisurely activities onboard, but can be used for numerous water sports as well.
Basic Overview: The Bowrider
The bowrider is famous for the fact that it not only has a significant bow but also allows passengers to experience it firsthand. Bowriders have bows at the front, with seating both there and at the back of the boat. On average, bowriders can hold seven passengers. They’re also extremely versatile — meaning they’re great not only for a relaxing sail, but also for watersports, fishing, and other activities. It even allows for wake surfing. Bowriders are generally predominantly made from fiberglass, although there are some exceptions.
On bowriders that exceed twenty feet in length, there is usually an extremely spacious, secure storage compartment included on the vessel.
Which Style is Best for You
There are several items to consider when determining whether the pontoon or bowrider is optimal for you. While neither is necessarily better than the other, one is likely more suitable for your needs than the other. That’s why we’ve gone ahead and broken the most important considerations for choosing between the two into subcategories: 1) space, lounging, and comfort onboard, 2) speed, 3) maneuverability, 4) size and storage considerations, 5) overall performance, 6) versatility, and finally, 7) cost.
Space, Lounging, and Comfort Onboard
In many ways, both boats provide ample opportunities for space, lounging, and comfort. However, because of the general spacious layout of the pontoon, its tendency towards relaxation, and undeniably greater passenger capacity, it is the preferred boat for social activities, parties, and heightened leisure. The additional room it provides, plus more luxurious seating, adds additional elements of comfort that the bowrider does not always include.
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Speed
Conversely, if speed is more of a priority for you, the bowrider is probably the better option. On average, bowriders tend to pack the ability to reach fifty or sixty miles per hour. This is, in many ways, a result of their design, which is narrower and includes more pointed shapes than the pontoon. They cut through the water far more easily and, on average, pack far less drag.
Maneuverability
Handling capabilities are another major factor when it comes to selecting a boat. Overall, but especially for watersports, the bowrider is better than the pontoon for maneuverability. This, again, comes down to its general shape and corresponding size.
Due to its narrowness, compact build, and angular nature, the bowrider can make stronger turns, even at high speeds, without sacrificing its stability in the process. Even at high speeds and while taking sharp turns, the passengers onboard remain safe and secure. The same cannot always be said of the pontoon.
Size and Storage Considerations
Space onboard is a major consideration, but so is space offboard — in other words, how much room your boat takes up when it comes to storage. Among all their other differences, pontoons and bowriders also vary in size. As you may have already guessed, the pontoon is the significantly larger of the two, and therefore takes up far more room. This comes down to the layouts of the respective vessels. The broad, flat design of the pontoon makes it larger, more cumbersome, and more challenging to put away efficiently while offboard. The bowrider, meanwhile, has a sleek, narrow design that ensures it takes up far less space and is easier to move around as needed — both on and off the water.
Regarding storage onboard, the bowrider (especially when it comes to larger models), commonly has better capabilities than the pontoon. Put simply, it possesses a more spacious and secure storage capacity. This is because the storage on a bowrider generally exists beneath the floor — a system that does not necessarily correspond with the flat, deck model of a pontoon. Rather, on the pontoon, storage occurs wherever there might be space — for example, beneath seat cushions.
The bowrider is better for storing watersport gear, whereas the storage abilities of the pontoon are generally limited to items like coolers, anchors, ropes, and potentially, some fishing equipment.
Overall Performance
Previously, the bowrider was, by default, assumed to have stronger performance than the pontoon. This comes down to the design and the purpose(s) it is meant to serve. However, manufacturers of the pontoon have since branched out and enhanced their designs. This means that choosing a pontoon over a bowrider doesn’t immediately rule out opportunities for low drag, decent maneuverability, high speed, or even long-distance sailing.
While bowriders are, on average, better for all these things, certain models of the pontoon also come with commendable performance capabilities.
Versatility
The bowrider is more famously versatile than the pontoon — but that’s because this analysis doesn’t take newer, more adaptable models of the pontoon into account. These days, both are great for certain degrees of leisure sailing, fishing, and watersports. The bowrider is optimal for a more intense, high-speed sporting experience, whereas the pontoon is better for those looking to enjoy watersports and like activities in a more broadly social context.
Cost
Cost varies for both the pontoon and the bowrider. Determining factors include but are not limited to power, size, durability, and extravagance. How much your model will cost, and whether the pontoon or bowrider will be more expensive, comes down entirely to your boating tastes and needs.
Still, there is more to the cost of a boat than how much you pay for it upfront upon initial purchase. For example, and as mentioned earlier in the article, offboard storage is an important consideration for any boat owner. Certain bowriders (mainly those with a sterndrive engine) are more expensive to prepare for winter storage. However, bowriders generally come with a trailer when purchased, whereas pontoons do not. For the pontoon, a storage unit will likely come at an additional cost. Either way, winterization is an important consideration when determining the true cost of a boat.
Docking fees, mooring fees, anchor costs, rope costs, bumpers, fenders, a radio for communication while out on the water (should there be an emergency), life jackets for each of your passengers, a tool kit, and boat insurance also play a role in how much your boat will cost post-purchase. Of course, having your own storage trailer or space will reduce those docking and mooring fees — especially with a larger vessel, such as the luxurious but often cumbersome pontoon. Some neighborhoods don’t allow front-of-the-house storage, so be sure to check what the rules are for your area before purchasing your boat.
When it comes down to it, it’s hard to generalize whether the pontoon or the bowrider is more cost-effective. Again, it all comes down to your personal preference.
Please note: This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Please consult a legal expert or medical professional to address your specific needs.