Life's a Party on a Pontoon: 8 Great Reasons to Choose a Pontoon Boat
Over 50 years ago, a small town Minnesota farmer decided that he wanted to create a family-friendly vessel.
The idea of pontoon boats has been around since about 800 BC, by ancient Polynesians. They were among the first ones to take the concept of a floating bridge and turn it into a boat.
It began with logs being tied together, and quickly they realized that hollowing out the logs first provided them with much better buoyancy on the water.
Ambrose Weeres takes the credit for inventing the first one in 1951 in the United States. All he wanted was to be able to take something out for a stable day on the lake. And that's what they still are to this day - reliable vessels for sharing a calm day with family and friends.
Should you buy one? We think so! Here are 10 great reasons to choose a pontoon boat.
1. It's a Party Boat
The pontoon boat is nicknamed as the "party boat," and justifiably so. You can walk around easier. There's no need to squeeze by people who are seated. Seats are typically spaced at the edge of either side so people can sit comfortably and chat to one another or move about in the middle.
There are many ways to customize your boat to make it more party-friendly. You can add custom seating, LED lighting, a sound system, and much more. Plus, you can toe inflatable tubes behind the boat for added fun.
2. You Can Fish, Eat, and Grill on It
Many people use pontoon boats for fishing. The trolling monitor, flat platform, and easy access to all areas of the boat make it ideal for fishing.
Pontoon boats are peaceful by nature so as long as you have a shaded area (which most do), you can spend the entire day fishing and relaxing.
There are many grills that are specifically designed to hook onto the railings of pontoon boats. The open space and hook-on grill make it an ideal spot for an all-day picnic with friends or family.
3. They Are Great for Children and Families
Because of the flat platform and the openness, it's easy to see small children from any spot on the boat. Plus, that platform is low to the water, making it easier for people to climb on and off.
You can attach inner tubes to the back for some added fun, without having to go very fast. Kids can jump off without getting hurt because it's so close to the water. And for the rest of the time, when you don't want them jumping off the boat, there are railings all the way around.
Want to know more about ways to have fun on the water? Sign up for our newsletter!
4. They Don't Require a Lot of Maintenance
Pontoon boats are designed to last for a long time. Once you have one, as long as you take care of it, you shouldn't have much to do in the way of repairs.
Once in a while, you may have to clean the aluminum tubes from algae but you can do that yourself. And when you're ready to pack up from being on the water all day, you just have to hook your pontoon boat to a trailer and drive away. Just invest in a cover to protect it from added wear and tear and make sure that you store it properly in the winter.
5. There Is Tons of Space
You might be surprised at home much stuff can fit on a pontoon boat, but it's because of the big platform of space that's available.
There is plenty of room for storage for things like big blankets, life jackets, fishing gear, utensils, and anything else you don't want to lug back and forth each time you venture out on your pontoon boat.
Furthermore, many pontoon boats come with added appliances like a fridge, a cooler, a table, a USB port, or even stereo systems. That being said, if you feel that your pontoon boat is lacking, it's easy to add on and install what you need.
6. Most Are Manufactured Here
Most, if not all, pontoon boats are manufactured in the United States so you can proudly say that you're supporting the US economy.
The top 10 manufacturers who build pontoon boats build their boats out of Indiana and Michigan, predominately.
7. There Are Many Ways to Make Your Boat Suit Your Needs
Aside from grills, there are many other toys and things you can add to your pontoon boat. For example, they even have an inflatable slide that you can use to slide off and into the water. There are tons of other ways that you can make your pontoon boat the ultimate day trip destination.
8. They Are Safe and Easy to Use
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to drive a pontoon boat. In fact, anyone who can drive a car should be more than capable of driving a pontoon boat. Once you get the hang of maneuvering it around, it comes as second nature.
It's also relatively safe. With plenty of space and slower speeds, it's one of the safer options for taking people out on the water.
Pontoon Boats Have Plenty to Offer
Pontoon boats are a relatively inexpensive, low-maintenance, safe option for going on on the water.
They're excellent for many different things, such as entertaining, relaxing, fishing, and a lot more. There is tons of storage so you'll never have to lug things back and forth every time you decide to hit the water.
Basically, they provide an excellent way to spend the day. Not sure that you need all that space? Maybe a PWC is the better choice for you! Either way, there's plenty of fun to be had on the water!
