Boating is an activity that can be enjoyed by people around the world. Whether you are fishing, skiing, or simply cruising out on the water, there is a boat designed to meet your needs. For many boating enthusiasts, a pontoon boat is a great fit. It allows them to have a great time out on the lake with several friends. However, is a pontoon boat the right fit for you? 
In this article, we are going to look at the characteristics of what classifies a pontoon boat. We will also define specific uses that pontoon boats are known for. We will also closely examine the pros and cons of owning a pontoon boat. Without further adieu, let’s get started…
What Is a Pontoon Boat?
To determine whether or not a pontoon boat is the right fit for your voting needs, we must first look at what traditionally defined a vessel as a pontoon boat. The defining characteristics of a pontoon boat are that it generally has a flat deck, and relies on floating devices known as pontoons to remain buoyant, according to Wikipedia. The massive deck areas of pontoon boats allow for several different layouts, such as expansive lounge areas, stand-up bars, and sun pads. The most common pontoon boat designs are catamarans (two hulls) and trimarans (three hulls).
These vessels are primarily designed for a leisurely day of boating or fishing. They can also be used for skiing and tubing. However, pontoon boats aren’t exclusively used for fun and games. There have been instances in which these watercraft were used as small ferries in parts of Africa. Because of their expansive deck area, pontoon boats can also act as a raft, providing a way to get equipment across small bodies of water such as rivers and lakes.
The Pros of Owning a Pontoon Boat
Of course, you cannot begin a list of the pros of owning a pontoon boat without mentioning that this vessel is specifically designed for leisure activities. In some parts of the country, these boats are known as “party barges, ” and have a knack for living up to that title. When someone invites you to go boating on one of these watercraft, you know that you are in for a day of sun and fun. These boats are large enough to accommodate several of your friends, or for having a fun day with the family.
Another of the many advantages of owning a pontoon boat is because of their durability. These boats are sturdier than other marine vessels, and hold up well to the wear and tear that other boats will succumb to from boating in rivers and lakes. This is because pontoon boats do not sit as deep in the water as traditional v-shaped boats. Owning a pontoon boat is not a worry-free experience, but you will have the peace of mind of knowing that your boat will be in much better shape than other boats after many years of use. For this reason, pontoon boats are known for having a better resale value than other types of watercraft.
Because pontoon boats are not typically designed for speed, they are usually built with your comfort in mind. Pontoon boats can reach top speeds of around 25 to 30 miles per hour, which means that they’re made for cruising. The incredibly large deck area on a pontoon boat can also provide adequate space for comfortable seating. Not only are pontoon boats comfortable when it comes to sitting, but they also provide a comfortable ride. Again, this is because they are not designed for speed.
Pontoon boats are larger than most other boats, they also allow you to stretch out without feeling crowded. This extra space also provides you with plenty enough room to store everything you need for a day out on the water. These watercraft are designed with fun in mind, which means that they have plenty of space for extra clothing; several coolers; fishing gear, and just about anything else that you could want to take with you. Most pontoon boats have enough space for everything you will need for several days of boating fun.
The last advantage to owning a pontoon boat is possibly the most important. Pontoon boats are widely considered to be the safest marine vessels on the water. Because of the way these boats are stabilized on pontoons, they are quite difficult to capsize. The wide-open spaces on the decks of pontoon boats also mean that there aren’t many places where kids can get into a dangerous situation. Full-speed turns are also made quite easily with pontoon boats due to their wide turning radius. The railing around the deck of a pontoon boat also significantly reduces the risk of someone falling into the water.
Do you know to drive a Pontoon boat in rough water. Learn how to here.
The Cons of Owning a Pontoon Boat
There are also a few disadvantages of owning one of these boats. The biggest con of owning a pontoon boat is their lack of speed. These boats do not go very fast, topping out at speeds between 25 and 30 miles per hour. This means that these boats will be somewhat adequate when it comes to water sports, but they are mainly designed to function as vessels of leisure and relaxation. Still, when it comes to these activities, I will take my chances with a boat that is designed to perform at higher speeds.
Another disadvantage of pontoon boats is that they are not designed to handle rough water well. While pontoon boats are built to be safe when the waves are small, their design is not conducive to handling larger waves. This is because the design of pontoon boats causes them to dive into waves. I previously mentioned that the biggest advantage of owning a pontoon boat is that they are the safest marine vessels you can buy, but they are not a boat you would like to be on during a storm. Because there is no place for you to hide, getting caught in the rain on a pontoon boat can be a miserable experience.
Even with all of the fun associated with owning a pontoon boat, they can be quite noisy. While this may not bother some people, others may see this as a deal-breaker. Pontoon boats are powered by large outboard engines, which produce much more noise than their inboard counterparts. Outboard engines have made strides recently with noise reduction. Still, until outboard engines become much quieter, owning a pontoon boat can be a particularly noisy experience. However, you may be having so much fun that you don’t even notice the noise.
One one of the factors that make pontoon boats safe is also one of the things that make owning this boat a disadvantage compared to owning other boats. These vessels have one of the widest turning radii of any watercraft, with an average turning radius of 25, significantly larger than other boats. These boats are not capable of making tight turns the way that traditional v-shaped boats can. Smaller boats are also much more capable of getting into tight spaces than pontoon boats.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we have learned that the characteristics that typically define a pontoon boat are the large, expensive deck and the fact that it floats on two or more pontoons. While these boats can be used for water sports like skiing and tubing, they are traditionally used for leisure activities or a day out in the sun with the family. There are several advantages to owning a pontoon boat, such as their size, ease-of-use and maintenance; their comfort factor; their durability; a large amount of storage space, and their safety factors.
These boats are designed primarily for being out on the lake, which means that they’re not the fastest boats. While these boats are known for being safe when facing small waves, they do not handle big waves or rough waters particularly well. These boats also have a wide turning radius, which can make them difficult for some people to handle. Although this may not deter some people from buying one of these boats, the outboard engines they come equipped with make them quite noisy.
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.