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With Some Changes, Pontoon Boats Make a Comeback in The US!

Pic By: A pontoon boat at the Baltimore Boat Show at the Baltimore Convention Center (Kenneth K. Lam / The Baltimore Sun)

Written By: Baltimore Sun

Back this hitch up into the water, untie all the cables, and rope step onto the vinyl floor, and get yourself a coozie, Let's go….

Long before the pop-country group Little Big Town introduced its No. 1 hit, "Pontoon," pontooning has been a part of the boating community in the United States.

Its roots go back more than 60 years to a Minnesota farmer named Ambrose Weeres, who came up with the crazy idea of putting a wooden platform on two columns of welded steel barrels and spending his lazy summer afternoons fishing on a nearby lake.

But those no-frills pontoons, like Hula Hoops and Silly Putty, seemed to be a fading remnant from a simpler time.

Now, they're making a comeback with a few modern frills.

"It's exploded. Pontoons are selling much better than fiberglass boats," said Brian Schneider, whose Tradewinds Marina in Middle River has been selling pontoons for many years now.

In an industry that was struggling with a weak economy, pontoon boat sales now account for half of Schneider's income in boat sales.

Using the same Minnesota-based boat manufacturer that made the pontoon for Little Big Town's music video, as well as, for Kid Rock's video of the 2008 song "All Summer Long," Schneider said that popularity of pontoons is based largely around the fact "they're almost 100 percent usable space."

Who said anything about skiin'? Floatin' is all I wanna do, well you can climb the ladder just don't rock the boat while I barbeque…

Dan Naleppa of Salisbury is considering buying one of Schneider's pontoons after seeing them at the Baltimore Boat Show.

"It's like you're riding in your living room," Naleppa said while attending the show.

Certainly if your living room is stocked with plush couches and other accoutrements, though Naleppa said the 25-foot pontoon he is thinking about buying will not have a barbeque, minibar or some of the other amenities that seem to find their way on what many consider to be the best kind of party boats.

"They've come a long way," Naleppa said. "They're pretty roomy and they can go fast. I also like the fact that you can ride them year 'round, unlike some of the inboard-outboard motorboats I've had."

While a lot more high-tech than "The Empress" and the other boats that Weeres, who became known as "Mr. Pontoon," built en route to being inducted in Minnesota's Marina Hall of Fame, the modern pontoon industry has seen a revival in recent years. They're cheaper to make, easier to maintain, less than half the weight of comparably-sized fiberglass boats and more environmental-friendly because they typically need smaller engines.

"It seems like they're everywhere now," said Matt Finklestine, who sells pontoon boats in Lake Raystown, Pa. "Nothing is going to be a smoother ride than a pontoon boat because you don't ride on top of the water, you ride in the water. They're light, they're easier to trailer. The fiberglass chips don't break off and it makes it much easier to clean."

According to Finklestine, whose Full Performance Marine sells "everything from jet skis to 45-foot yachts," he has seen a resurgence in the past years. Finklestine said his 15-year-old company has gone from selling around two dozen aluminum pontoons in 2005 to five times that last year. The lakes around central Pennsylvania are among the most popular for pontoon boating.

"The difference between a pontoon and a regular boat is that with a pontoon, you have a lot more room. You can fit on twice as many people and you can pretty much cut the cost in half because they're very easy to make," Finklestine said at the Baltimore Convention Center, where a couple of his company's higher-end pontoons were on display and for sale during the Baltimore Boat Show.

Reach your hand down into the cooler, don't drink it if the mountains aren't blue,  try to keep it steady as you recline on your black inner tube

The basic concept of the pontoon hasn't changed much since Weeres first introduced his boat, it's now a vinyl deck rather than wood attached to aluminum barrels, but pontoons have certainly been upgraded over the years to include everything like woven vinyl flooring for what essentially becomes the best under your feet feel, plus is slip resistant.

The size of the boats haven't changed (typically between 15 and 28 feet long) but they can be custom fit for whatever you need, fishing, cruising, skiing or racing.

The cost depends mostly on the size of the motor used, ranging from $15,000 to $80,000, according to industry experts. Pontoons can go as fast as 55 mph, but most are built to go a lot slower.

"The difference between a 50 horsepower and a 250 horsepower could be $20,000," said Finklestine, whose company typically sells pontoons with 90- to 115-horsepower motors. "A 28-foot fiberglass is more than $100,000, double what a pontoon costs."

Finklestine said pontoons are perfect for someone who "wants to fit a lot of people on the boat, wants some room for his kids to run around on and doesn't care about having the fastest boat on the lake."

Naleppa said he is looking forward to having his pontoon out on the Chesapeake Bay, as well as the Wicomico River and down to Ocean City this summer with family and friends, and was told that a 25-footer can comfortably seat around 10 and as many as 17, about double what can fit on a fiberglass motorboat.

Though mostly used on lakes, some pontoons have now become stable enough to operate on open bodies of water such as the Chesapeake Bay because of advanced technology. Schneider said he took "a gamble" bringing pontoons to local sailing aficionados who might be fearful that the pontoon would capsize in rougher seas.

Schneider said Premier Pontoons' development of a "PTX" center tube "lets the pontoon boats handle like a fiberglass boat." Though he doesn't recommend anything under a 20-footer on the Chesapeake Bay, "they're very stable, you've just got to get the bigger pontoons."

5 mile an hour with aluminum side wood panelin' with a water slide can't beat the heat, so let's take a ride on the pontoon makin' waves and catchin' rays up on the roof jumpin' out the back, don't act like you don't want to party in slow motion, I'm out here in the open Mmmmmmm...motorboatin' on the pontoon!

For all your accessories and/or vinyl flooring visit Pontoon Depot's shop site.

The Do-It-All Machine. Versatility Continues to Drive Popularity.

By: Boating Industry

In an industry-wide seventh consecutive year of growth, the pontoon segment continues to get more people on the water and keep them there.

Pontoons remain a key driver for the marine industry, and that’s going to continue in 2019, Statistical Surveys, Inc. (SSI) director of sales Ryan Kloppe said. “Pontoons will top 56,000 units in 2018. They just keep getting better, and have truly become a crossover boat.”

Kloppe said that SSI is anticipating around another 3 percent in growth for 2019. “It’s one of the categories that’s actually carrying the industry in year-over-year growth,” he said.

From first-time boat owners to longtime boaters switching segments, the pontoon segment refuses to be left behind.

“One of the things we’ve noticed is that the segment has been firing on so many different cylinders and is so broad based in terms of where its drawing its business from,” Info-Link director of client services Peter Houseworth said.

In terms of consumers in other segments converting to the pontoon life, Houseworth said that the segment bleeds are very balanced all-around. “We’re not seeing a single group from a single segment converting,” he added.

Houseworth said that growth within the pontoon segment has been going on for the last 20 years, however it hasn’t always been as visible because of all of the other gyrations of the market during that time period.

Hand-in-hand with pontoon popularity, the continued demand for outboard power certainly helps continue to make pontoons an appealing choice for today’s consumer.

“Pontoons are ultimately one of the key driving forces in outboard popularity,” Kloppe said. “However, it’s definitely a combination of outboard popularity driving pontoon popularity, and vice versa.”

Aside from raving popularity that began in the Great Lakes and Texas markets, the pontoon segment has been branching into new markets in increasing popularity over the last few years.

“Pontoons and their popularity are now a nationwide thing, rather than just occurring in certain places,” Houseworth said. “Florida, for example, hasn’t been a big pontoon state historically, but is now seeing big growth as a segment.”

“These boats will be around for a long time and in more and more territories,” Houseworth added.

Industry analysts anticipate another 3 percent growth for the pontoon segment in 2019.

EXPLORING NEW TERRITORY

With the popularity of pontoons continuing to rise, the industry has seen new players enter, or re-enter, the market at an accelerated rate.

After exiting the marine business in 2004, Polaris Industries Inc. busted its marine doors back open in May 2018 after signing a definitive agreement to acquire Boat Holdings, LLC, boat manufacturer of four well-recognized brands: Bennington, Godfrey, Hurricane and Rinker, in an all-cash transaction valued at a net present value of approximately $805 million.

“We started looking at Boat Holdings in early 2017,” said Scott Wine, Polaris Industries Inc. chairman and CEO during a conference call discussing the acquisition. “We’ve been looking at the marine space for four or five years. We look for great products and great brands, and they have both.”

During Q3 2018, Polaris reported that Boat Holdings was already tracking to its early expectations.

Polaris reported boat segment sales were $134 million in the 2018 third quarter, slightly better than expectations, the company stated in a news release. Reported gross profit for the boat segment was $20 million, or 15.1 percent of sales in the third quarter of 2018.

“We were pleased with the early performance of Boat Holdings, the largest manufacturer of pontoon boats in the U.S. that we welcomed to our growing powersports portfolio earlier in the quarter,” Wine said.

Although not completely new to the marine industry, following the creation of a new Marine Group and the acquisition of Alumacraft, BRP entered the pontoon segment with the acquisition of pontoon manufacturer Manitou in August 2018.

“Manitou’s strong brand, high quality pontoons and recognized technology made it a natural fit for BRP’s newly formed Marine Group,” said Tracy Crocker, President of the Marine Group. “With the acquisition of Manitou, we are strengthening our marine portfolio by entering the fastest growing segment in the boat industry.”

Pontoons offer versatility by providing space for the whole family and room for activities like fishing.

The segment also saw the return of the Premier pontoon brand, when the manufacturer emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 2018.

The company announced that the reorganized Premier was to remain a Wyoming, Minnesota-based company with its current workforce in place. Premier’s exit from Chapter 11 authorized a change in ownership to a Minnesota-owned company, Premier Pontoon Holdings, LLC.

“The Premier team has worked tirelessly over the nine months to assure we continue to build high-quality pontoon boats as an industry leader,” said Rick Gallagher, Premier’s new chief executive officer.

Gallagher served as Premier Marine’s financial advisor while the company was operating in Chapter 11. The company filed for Chapter 11 on June 19, 2017. Unlike Chapter 7 and Chapter 9 bankruptcies, Chapter 11 bankruptcy gave Premier Marine a chance for a
full restructure.

Following the announcement, Premier quickly moved to establish new agreements with most of its existing vendors.

Barletta Boats offers two models: the L-Class, offered in 21, 22 and 23-foot options, and the E-Class (pictured above), offered in 20, 22 and 24-foot options.

Relatively new to the market, Barletta Boats of Bristol, Ind. made a name for itself rather quickly in the pontoon world, signing on dealerships in over 70 locations in its early stages, with no signs of slowing down.

Barletta’s 110,000-square-foot manufacturing facility roared to life in June 2017 and the company hasn’t looked back since.

Most recently, Barletta penned a partnership with Walkers Point Marina, taking the company international and into Canada. The company continues to assemble its network of dealers across the country, and is now pushing to start adding high-caliber dealers in the Canadian market.

“We’ve have a very deliberate approach to adding new dealerships to our network,” stated Jeff Haradine, Barletta’s vice president of sales. “One of our guiding principles is too ensure that if we are going to partner with a dealership, we are able to provide the resources and product necessary to form a strong, mutually beneficial partnership. The timing felt right, and the Walkers Point Marina is exactly the type of dealership we love to partner with.”

Crestliner unveiled its new Sprint Series as an entry-level pontoon.

SUV OF THE WATER

Today’s consumer in the boating world is consistently looking for one boat to handle a multitude of tasks. New technologies, designs, features and more in the pontoon segment are meeting those demands of the consumer.

“A combination of better engineering, fuel efficiency, speed and all-around versatility make pontoons a kind of SUV, do-everything type of boat for consumers,” Houseworth said.

From the luxurious lines and ample space of Bennington pontoons, to the sleek and sporty Manitou designs, to the classic-look pontoons of Lowe, Misty Harbor and more, consumers are finding everything they need in a boat in today’s pontoons.

Pontoons offer the boater a large social space for entertaining, a wide array power options, fishing applications, favored accessibility, near-endless options for customization and much more.

“Pontoons especially offer older boaters — which are the primary owner in today’s market — the opportunity to take everyone out on the water, with accessibility, comfort and all-around easier boating,” Houseworth said.

Ranger Boats recently announced the coming together of the fishing and cruising pontoons worlds with the introduction of the new Ranger Reata 223FC and 220FC.

The new boats combine features for both cruising and fishing into multi-use designs to accommodate families and anglers.

“We pride ourselves on listening to our customers and dealers on their wants and needs in our product lines,” said Bart Schad, Ranger Boats vice president of sales and marketing. “We have incorporated that feedback into these new models to create an ideal fish/cruise line that exceeds the needs of everyone on board. Combined with the upgraded aesthetics throughout the entire pontoon line, we have seen tremendous response and look forward to officially bringing these new boats to market.”

Manitou Pontoons aim to capture the sportier
consumer, by offering twin engine and wake tower options.

The new pontoons’ fish-and-play design brings together a host of creature comforts for pleasure cruising and fishing features valued by anglers.

Pontoons also offer a variety of options for the entry-level boater, with ease of use and lower price points than entry-level boats in other segments.

In March 2018, Crestliner unveiled its new Sprint Series, an entry-level pontoon for novice boaters and those looking for on-water versatility. The Sprint came nearly a year after Crestliner re-entered the pontoon market with its Rally Series.

“The Sprint fills a hole in the pontoon market,” said Crestliner President Eric Hendrickson. “There is a large contingent of boaters out there looking for an accessible pontoon they can hop into without hassle and use for a variety of on-water activities–from fishing to cruising and everything in between. Add to that an exceptional value, and the Sprint is exactly what a lot of families are looking for.”

WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE

In an effort to further push the versatility of the pontoon segment, Minnesota-based Montara Boats announced an industry-first game changer.

In early October 2018, Montara announced it developed a patent-pending design that blends the worlds of surf boats and pontoons in the industry’s first surf pontoon, including the comfort and space of a pontoon boat with the performance of an inboard surf boat.

“For the past 15 years I’ve watched neighbors and friends buy tow boats for water sports in addition to pontoons for entertaining. We’ve cracked the code on this and figured out how to blend these, creating the Surf Boss that does it all,” said Montara CEO Mark Overbye.

Montara Boats’ new Surf Boss offers an industry-first surf pontoon, equipped with a PCM inboard engine and a 5,000-pound ballast system.

Overbye is no stranger to the tow boat and tow sports world after serving as the founder and former CEO of both Moomba and Gekko. Overbye also serves as a chairman and trustee for the USA Water Ski and Wake Sports Foundation.

Montara’s new Surf Boss is available in three lengths: 21 feet, 23 feet, and 25 feet.

Equipped with PCM inboard engines, the Surf Boss features competitive surf wakes, a fully enclosed head, over 100 cubic feet of storage, dual swiveling captains chairs, jumbo-sized dual transom loungers that flip from forward to aft viewing.

Overbye told Boating Industry that PCM sent two engines to Montara Boats for use in Surf Boss prototype testing. “I’ve had a great relationship with them for 20 years,” he said. “We represent a potential entree for them into a huge market segment. The tow boat segment is roughly 10,000 units; the pontoon segment last year was roughly 52,000 units. If we have success with this, this should really open up some market floodgates.”

Features of the new pontoon include a 110-gallon fuel tank, a changing room, Zero Off GPS speed control, a 5,000-pound plus ballast system, custom tandem trailer, Rockford’s premium audio system, carrying capacity exceeding 20,000 pounds for people and gear plus a top-end speed that tops 40 miles per hour. A custom tower with dual Biminis, speakers and lights that retracts into the hull compliments the Surf Boss’s design.

“The concept of combining surfing and pontoons clearly struck a positive cord with the marine business at large,” Overbye said.

Since announcing its Surf Boss surfing pontoon in mid October, Minnesota-based Montara Boats has welcomed 27 dealers to its retail network and has more than 23 additional dealerships pending.

Overbye said that the team at Montara already has more ideas on the drawing board to further the limits of pontoons that the industry could see even four or five years down the road.

With the segment showing no signs of slowing in growth, and continued versatility and new technology coming to market, pontoons will remain a major player in the future of the industry.   

For all your accessories and/or vinyl flooring visit Pontoon Depot's shop site.

Weird Fishing Reel Tech Update (REALLY WEIRD) | Pontoon-Depot

By: Fish Talk Magazine

Ummm... why are you putting that fishing reel into a refrigerator?

Have you ever spooled up a reel with braid, and then become flummoxed when it spun freely around the spool? Yep, it’s happened to us too. So like most folks, we figured the braid had been put on too loose. We stripped the spool, and re-spooled it under more tension. And it seemed to work fine – until it didn’t. The usual solution? Tie 10 or 20 feet of mono to the braid, and reel that onto the spool first. Well fellow anglers, we have some very interesting technical information to share with you.

This all started when FishTalk reader Walt Tomczykowski bought and spooled a pair of new reels early this past winter. Everything seemed honkey-dory, until on a chilly December afternoon Walt discovered that the drags on both reels had somehow mysteriously failed. Further investigation showed that it wasn’t a drag issue, but the braid line was spinning freely around the spool.

Most of us would have simple re-spooled with a longer mono backing. But not Walt. Oh no, he just couldn’t be satisfied. Being a reliability and quality engineer in addition to being a fish-head, Walt started thinking about the problem on a technical level that most of us strive to avoid.

“In the comfort of my kitchen everything worked fine,” Walt explains. “After a long drive to fish at a favorite fishing spot, in the 40-degree temperatures it did not. But back at home, it worked again.”

Tomczykowski began applying a barrage of tests. In one, he placed the reel into his refrigerator to simulate a chilly outdoor temperature – and that’s when the problem arose again. He taped a thermocouple (a sensor that measures temperature) to the spool, and when it hit 50 degree, the reel started to work once more. The experiment was repeated with no line and with all mono, and the reel worked perfectly fine in all temperatures from 32 degrees to room temperature. Finally, with some mono backing (enough for a couple of layers around the spool) the experiment was performed one more time and the reel works in both the cold and at room temperature, too.

“Isolating the issue to the spool and use of braid, I realized the lightweight aluminum spool was contracting with the temperature change,” Walt explains. “I didn’t think about the new slick spectra braid not contracting. I ran calculations on my spool in question, with a length of 0.625" and a radius of 0.5", determined the surface area of the spool, and applied the coefficient of thermal contraction for aluminum and a delta T of 34 F.” (Editor’s note: huh???)

“The change in area was 0.001749 inch square, or in other words approximately 1.8 mils or a couple thousandths of an inch.”

Thank you, Walt (does anyone have an Advil?) We further note that Spectra maker Jerry Brown recommends: "Spool the first full layer of Spectra onto the spool in a close side-by-side fashion under tension of six to eight pounds of pressure over the tag end,” to eliminate this issue. But Walt goes on to note, “To account for variance, or to minimize the risk of human variability or improper spooling (as noted in your staff's Five Tips for Winter Tackle Maintenance article), if the spool does not have a braid-ready rubber ring, adding tape or a layer of mono easily makes up for any shrinkage that may occur.”

Finally, Walt notes that you can test before you cast, by simply putting your new reels into the refrigerator for about 10 minutes. His wife has no comment.

For all your accessories and/or vinyl flooring visit Pontoon Depot's shop site.

The Pontoon Boat Bar: How to Make Your Boat Party Dreams Come True!

By: BetterBoat

Who doesn’t love being the life of the party?

Well, when you’re hosting a party on your pontoon, the ‘toon itself might steal the stage.

Especially if it’s a got a built-in wet bar.

Sure, you can install one later, but if you’re considering a new pontoon purchase, you might as well look for a ‘toon with this popular feature included.

It seems like an added luxury that you don’t really need, but entertaining friends and family are what days on the water are all about. And what better space to gather around than a built-in wet bar on your pontoon deck?

Whether you’d prefer to perch on a stool or lean back on a bench, pontoon boat bars can create a social atmosphere for cocktail-mixing adults, as well as contained areas for children to eat.

The Pontoon Boat Bar: How to Make Your Boat Party Dreams Come True

There are several varieties of pontoon bar types available.

I mean, if you’ve ever attended a boat show, you’ll notice the sheer variety in pontoon boat bar styles.

Some have a simple galley where you can store a few liters, whereas others might be full-blown, high-top counters with sinks and stools.

Add-on Bars

Okay, let’s say you already own your own pontoon and are looking to upgrade it a bit with a new bar.

Luckily, there are always attachable Docktail bars and accessories if you just need something smaller-scale or temporary.

For example, they’ve got a handy utility table (check price on Amazon) if you need to add counter space.

And, from Boat Outfitters, here’s another add-on bar option (check price on Amazon) that can be installed right on your boat’s deck.

Then, you can look for the additional appliances that complete the whole pontoon boat bar, like a mini-fridge and portable ice maker.

If you’re looking to buy a new (or just new-to-you) boat, then you can seek out a model with all of the good integrated.

We’ll help you with that now. Before giving you a list of boat models that carry bars, here’s a list of common styles you might come across while you’re checking out the market.

Bar Tops

You can find a variety of boats with basic, bar-height seating arrangements without putting out much for optional upgrades.

A lot of boats will have this as part of the entire package, just without the sink.

I find bar tops are useful for everyone, even if you’re more of a quiet boater and not an entertainer. They give you a nice place to sit and eat lunch. Don’t need all the appliances of a home kitchen and only want to pack a cooler? Not problem.

Built-in Wet Bars

A wet bar is a bar with a sink (at least). You may also come across wet bars with fridges and occasionally grills. Of course, a grill is easy enough to add yourself.

On some pontoons, you may find both a built-in wet bar on one side and a galley on the other. This combination can be quite nice, as it provides maximum counter space and cabinet storage space.

With a setup like this, you don’t have to get creative with your boat storage ideas.

Galleys

Galley kitchens inside our homes are designed as maybe one or two walls where all the cabinets and appliances are hooked up.

Since a pontoon has minimal space for these kitchen accessories, you’ll typically see galleys lined up along either the port or starboard railing.

You can find pontoon bar galleys with many amenities including mounted stoves. On the other hand, you can also find them very minimal with only counter space and a bit of cabinetry to store items. In the latter case, the galley is paired with another standing bar feature.

One thing to mention: Keep in mind that none of these bar tops are adequate for preparing fish. If that’s something anglers are looking for, many pontoon manufacturers carry pontoon models offering an optional fish station.

6 Pontoon Boats with Enviable Bars for Entertaining

Whether it’s cocktails or appetizers you’re after, here are a few boat models with bars in the layout.

To find out what type of pontoon bar is suitable for you and your family, think about how you entertain in your own home.

Do you typically sit gathered around a table? Or are you too active and prefer to stand to eat and run?

1. Bennington

• Bar Type: Portside Bar (Optional Starboard Galley)

• Seating: Standard Height Chairs

Bennington’s G22 Bar and Galley Pontoon Boats have very nice touches like under lighting at the bar and cup holders for those moonlight cruises. Although you won’t find the sink at the galley side, you’ll find it in front of the bar.

The bar does not have stools, per se. Instead, it has reclining swivel chairs, which to me is much more luxurious.

The starboard galley is optional. With the sink in front of the bar, if you feel you need the counter space and storage beneath to hide away all the plastic tumblers and plates your heart desires, I’d suggest adding the galley. Again, Bennington adds nice touches like stainless railings.

2. Veranda

• Bar Type: Bar Top
• Seating: 2 Club Chairs

Also called the Vertex Bar Series, standard features of this series include lighted drink holder, a tilt-out trash can and a fiberglass bar with deluxe seating.

It only consists of a bar top, not the whole shebang wet bar or even a galley area. But if you never intend to mix cocktails and need a prep station for snacks, this might be just all that you need.

Keeping it simple by preparing lunch ahead of time is how most ‘tooners think. And the more counters you have, the more you’ll need to clean up at the end of the day. For some of us, this is plenty of space for entertaining.

Veranda 2016 Relax Bar Series

• Bar Type: Bar Top

• Seating: 2 Swivel Seats

Veranda’s Relax Series Bar differs from the Vertex Bar in one major way. It has a non-skid vinyl bar top instead of fiberglass. But that’s just the bar feature.

The Veranda Relax Series is an entirely different model entirely. Their floor plans are very similar, but the Relax series has more optional upgrades.

3. Sylvan Mandalay 8525 Bar

• Bar Type: Aft Bar and Port Galley
• Seating: 2 Stools

Sylvan’s bar is located in the aft, which is a bit unusual placement by pontoon bar standards.

The most impressive part, in my opinion, is the pop-up glass and plate holder, located on the back of the bar’s top. It was a smartly-planned use of what could have been wasted space behind the bar.

Other features include a faux granite countertop, a sink (which I find to be larger than average for these bars) and a pull-out drawer where a cooler is stored beneath.

The portside galley adds a bit more counter space for preparing drinks. With this galley, you have the option of adding a small fridge. In addition to the bar, located on the starboard side are two bucket seats with a built-in insulated cooler between them.

4. Godfrey SanSpan 2500 WetBar

• Bar Type: Wet Bar
• Seating: 2 Barstools

If you love to entertain guests and prepare fresh meals right from your pontoon, this bar area feels more like your own personal kitchen space.

Visually separated by the bar and optional flooring change, if you’re looking for a lot of counter space to spread out for a burger-building station—this is your pontoon!

Aside from the overall space, it has most bells and whistles other pontoon bars incorporate like cup holder lighting and stainless steel rails (to keep that drink from sliding off).

5. Avalon Pontoons 2018 Ambassador Entertainer

• Bar Type: Wet Bar and Port and Starboard Galley
• Seating: Booth Benches

Avalon’s Ambassador Entertainer Bar will make your jaw drop. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing but nothing was spared in this fully-equipped galley and wet bar combo.

Corian-like counter surface with an electric refrigerator, a built-in sink with stainless faucet. There are even hidden cold-storage compartments. Avalon really utilized every square inch of volume in this bar. Not much empty space to speak of.

You can cook your meals at the aft prep center and take your plate to an illuminated bistro table. On the bistro table is a curved stainless double wine bottle holder, but the coolest thing—a hidden wine rack beneath them that raises with only the push of a button.

6. Manitou SES Series

SES Bar

•  Bar Type: Bar Top
• Seating: 4 Bar Stools

Manitou’s SES Bar has no galley sink or extra counter space. It only comes with the bar top and four adjustable height bar stools.

The main difference the SES Bar has from the Entertainer is a lounge bench placed starboard where the galley or wet bar would normally go. If you plan to store your food and drinks in a personal cooler, no big deal. But something to consider.

SES Galley

• Bar Type: Galley

• Seating: Booth Benches

This galley is pretty decked out. A built-in grill for flipping burgers, a refrigerator to keep your drinks cool and a sink to wash up.

The only difference the SES Galley has—compared to the SES Entertainer and SES Bar—is bench seating.

Without a bar top, it will feel like the equivalent of taking your drinks into the living room, except there’s not even a cocktail table. If you feel the need for some sort of flat surface to eat on, this may not be the bar boat for you.

However, I do like the open space it provides without the table. And bench seating is more family friendly, allowing children to cozy up without having to be lifted up to a bar stool. If you allow pets on seats, they can jump up freely too.

SES Entertainer

• Bar Type: Bar Top and Galley

• Seating: 2 Bar Stools and 1 Bench Lounger

The Entertainer is the most bar space you can get from Manitou Pontoons. Like the SES Bar and SES Galley, it has both a bar table and extra counter space.

The SES Bar’s lounger is replaced with the wet bar including a sink, mountable grill and refrigerator below.

The seating consists of a pair of height-adjustable stools on one side of the bar top, and a bench on the other. One nice feature I absolutely love it is that the bench converts into a sun lounger.

This list is by no means the entire world of pontoon boat bars on the market. And of course, there are more pontoon models designed every year.

If you don’t see exactly what you like, talk to your favorite manufacturer about having it custom made. It’s important to find a pontoon fitting your particular needs.

Once you’re set up, entertaining on the lake can be a lot of fun.

Of course, with a bar on board, just remember that it’s important to drink responsibly (yes, even if you’re not the captain).

Heavy drinking to the point of getting plastered can result in falling overboard and creating an emergency situation. Being alert when on the water can mean life or death.

Have fun entertaining, but be safe on the water!

For all your accessories and/or vinyl flooring visit Pontoon Depot's shop site.