HOW WELL DO PONTOON BOATS HANDLE ROUGH WATER?
Generally speaking, pontoons can handle much better in choppy water than other recreational boats since they have at least two hulls, providing more stability to the boat than one hull could. If a pontoon (with two ‘toons) is more stable than a monohull, imagine how much better a tritoon’s third tube can make it!
Of course, while a pontoon boat itself is generally safe, a little common sense goes a long way on the water. Besides ignoring common sense, what can get you in trouble on a pontoon is not knowing how to handle the boat when the water gets rough.
CAN A PONTOON FLIP OVER?
Sure, it’s possible to flip your pontoon. It certainly has happened. But it’s highly unlikely if you’re being responsible. While forces of nature cannot be controlled, there are steps you can take as a boat owner and captain to make sure you reduce the chance of these types of accidents on the water.
Here are a couple factors to keep in mind:
Keep an even load on board. This applies to cargo loads, as well as loads of passengers. Consider how weight distribution can contribute to safety on choppy waters. Make sure your passengers know the importance of maintaining balance on board, especially in rough conditions. Keep in mind that any modifications you make to the boat can also affect its balance or center of gravity. For this reason, “Double decker” pontoon boats with a second level, while they offer additional options for fun on the water, are much more prone to tipping.
The bigger the boat, the more weight the elements have to contend with, and the larger the pontoons, the greater the boat’s stability. If your pontoon is on the smaller side, you’ll want to make sure conditions are safe before going out on the water.
KEEPING YOUR PONTOON STABLE IN ROUGH WATERS
To keep your pontoon safe in rough waters, the key of course is to keep the pontoons above the water and avoid the risk of burying the nosecones. If you’re cruising straight into big waves, and you slow down before hitting a trough, chances are you’re going to dip the pontoon’s nose below water and will take some of that water on board when it crashes over the bow. Depending on the force of the waves, this can cause damage to the pontoon’s playpen, which can cost a considerable amount to fix. Rather than slowing down when riding into the waves, trim up just before hitting the wave. This will help lift the boat’s bow more.
Adjust your course so you’re riding properly into the waves. When possible, rather than riding head-on into the waves, cruise so the waves are at a 30 to 45 degree angle from the center of the boat. Taking the waves at an angle will allow you to keep your bow high more consistently. At this angle, one of the tubes will also ride high, allowing the boat to glide into and out of the waves’ crests and troughs more smoothly. There is still potential to dip the corner of the boat, however.
It is possible to get a special handling package on your boat to handle the elements better. For instance, our Sports Handling Package (SHP) allows higher horsepower and includes power assisted steering, positive angle lifting strakes, and barracuda nosecones, all of which are better for handling rough waters. Underskinning can also help reduce drag from water splashing up beneath the boat.
WATCH THE WEATHER AND THE WATER
This is obvious, but you should always check weather and marine forecasts before going out on the boat. When you are on the water, keep an eye on the skies and look for any changes in the water. If conditions start to turn, it’s always better to prioritize safety over pushing for a little more time on the lake.
Bad Boating Habits You Should Avoid
Like with anything else you do frequently and get over confident in, if you’re in your pontoon boat out on the water often, you’re likely to cut corners and possibly develop some bad boating habits. It happens to the best of us! So, we thought maybe we’d bring some things to your attention so you can avoid them in the first place.
Keep the Water Clean
This may seem the most obvious, but we feel it needs to be mentioned anyway. Animals live in and drink the lake water, so it’s important to keep it clean to the best of your ability. First of all, no littering. Bring trash bags on your boating excursions, fill them with your trash, and throw them in a dumpster at the end of your day.
And, yes, you need to clean your boat on occasion, but, no, you shouldn’t clean it in the lake! Clean your boat when it’s out of and far away from lake water. Similarly, if you’re filling your boat gas tank at a dock station, do it carefully to avoid gas spilling into the water, which is toxic to the water inhabitants. In fact, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as little as one quart of oil or gasoline can contaminate up to 250,000 gallons of water!
Boat Ramp Etiquette
Be courteous of others that are using boat ramps and docks. Practice backing up a trailer before you head out to the lake. When the time comes to unload, try and get it done as quickly as possible to avoid congestion. For example, before you back up to the boat ramp, have your boat ready to launch -- take the straps off, etc.
Protect Others While on the Water
We know that going fast in your boat is fun. But we also know that the wake your boat creates can be dangerous for other boaters, those enjoying water sports (like water skiing or tubing) and those on jet skis. Be considerate of others on the water as you would someone in the bicycle lane when you’re driving through town. Watch your wake and minimize the damage it can do by lowering your speed if necessary.
Boating on the lake is a great pastime. Don’t ruin it for yourself or others with these bad boating habits. Be aware, be courteous, and have fun!
You know what is more fun than a Pontoon Boat?
The stuff it floats on!
You know the great thing about boats? They ride on the water. You know the great thing about water? You can swim in it.
Traditional boats are great, but when it comes to stopping your boat to descend into the cool, refreshing water for some fun in the lake, there is nothing in this world that can compare to a pontoon boat.
Want to turn your pontoon into a swimming platform? Then you're going to need a swim ladder. The good news is, you can score the best one money can buy for not that much money at all. Our swim ladders are perfect to use either at the transom or side gate.
They easily attach to the deck with Shur-loc catches, which are included at no extra cost. They're coated in vinyl, so both your feet and your pontoon are protected every time you take a dip. You know how ladder hooks are impossible to store? Not these babies — they fold flat.
There are few things better in this world than staring up from the water and seeing your pride and joy bathed in light. Today's LEDs don't get hot and they only gobble up around 10 percent of the energy of a traditional light. So soak your pontoon in the soft glow of amber, red, blue, white or green light to serve as a beacon while you swim and splash.
Finally, there's flooring. When all those little feet ascend back up your new ladder to the deck of your pontoon, they're going to trample your tired old marine carpeting into a matted, dirty mess. If you have high-end vinyl MariDeck, on the other hand, you'll be safe from slips and falls. Even better, you're just a few sprays with a hose away from looking like new — literally. MariDeck flooring makes your deck, and you whole boat, look brand new for years after installation.
You think it's fun on the lake? Wait til you get in the lake.
It's not a boat. It floating time machine!
Memory is a weird thing.
I know every single line from "The Shawshank Redemption," but I forget entire vacations I've taken with my family. Some people don't remember anything before they were eight. Others live their entire lives traumatized by the memory of getting stung by a bee on the playground.
One thing, however, is certain. If you have a pontoon boat, memories will be made on deck.
Maybe it's the breeze. Maybe it's the sun. Maybe it's the fact that it's the only time you're surrounded by family and friends without a single person staring at a cell phone.
Any which way you like it, when time — and people — pass on, those left behind will look back at the moments they spent on that boat as the best time of their entire lives.
Whether it's the time you spent when you were a kid, or the time you spent with your kids, there's something about the deck of a boat, the grumbling of the engine, the spray from the water and the sun on your face that just makes memories stick and never let go.
So just know that every time you spend the night before preparing and packing with your family for some time on the water the following day, you're not preparing for a trip on a boat.
You're preparing for a trip on a time machine.
Those memories you make the next day stay forever. And years later, when anyone on board wants to travel back in time, they can access those memories and return to that day — one of their best days ever — which you're about to live tomorrow.
Sounds dramatic, I know. But memories are a dramatic part of life, and you have the power to create and store them just by cranking up your engine and shoving off.