Buying a Pontoon Boat: Step-by-Step Guide
Step-by-Step Guide to Buying Your First Pontoon Boat
Finding new ways to sit back and relax is vital during stressful times. Whether you’re looking for some quality alone time, fun activities for the family, or simply an excellent purchase to look forward to at the end of the workday, shopping for a new leisure activity is exciting.
However, many people feel that they’ve exhausted all options for relaxation methods. If you’re looking for something new to try but don’t know where to start or what interests you, you should step outside your comfort zone and look into purchases that will give you new, exciting experiences.
For instance, while it might not be the first idea to come to mind, buying a pontoon boat can be rewarding, exciting, and valuable. Though the phrase sounds exciting, you may be curious about the ins and outs of pontoon boats and what the buying process entails.
If you’re interested in a pontoon boat, it’s essential to understand the experience you hope to get from your pontoon. This article is your one-stop spot for your questions about pontoon boats and what you should know before purchasing.
What is a Pontoon Boat?
First, let’s get the obvious question out of the way: what is a pontoon boat? People just getting into the possibility of boating as a leisure activity might not know the difference between a pontoon and any other boat.
Pontoon boats are boats that appear flattish and a bit different from other boats you might know. Though their appearance is unique, pontoon boats are simplistic yet powerful vessels that rely on floats, or pontoons, to remain buoyant in the water. Many first-time boat owners choose a pontoon boat for leisure, fishing, or hosting guests.
Pontoon boats are recreational and typically move slowly, making them a perfect idea for people that want a way to sit back and relax without worrying about the fast, demanding upkeep of a different sea vessel. The pontoons allowing the boat to stay afloat are airtight, hollow, and water resistant.
How Fast Does a Pontoon Boat Go?
First-time boat owners or buyers looking at boating as a part-time recreational activity might be hesitant to invest in a pontoon boat if they are unfamiliar with managing and navigating sea vessels. One worry you may have is speed. If you hope to calm these worries, it’s time to ask: how fast does a pontoon boat go?
The answer to your query depends on three factors: the size, horsepower, and capacity of people on board. Generally speaking, pontoon boats are slow compared to other vessels, with an average speed of somewhere between 17 to 25 miles per hour. To help you determine which pontoon boat is right for you, below are some projections for how fast specific pontoons are likely to run.
- A 24-foot standard pontoon with a 115 horsepower engine will reach speeds of around 25 mph. A pontoon boat with a 115 horsepower engine carrying about 11 passengers will reach speeds of around 22 mph.
- A 24-foot pontoon with a 150 horsepower engine typically reaches peak speed between 35-43 mph.
- A 200-horsepower engine pontoon will reach 32-35 mph speeds when carrying numerous passengers.
- A 300-horsepower engine pontoon will reach speeds around 39-40 mph depending on the number of passengers.
It’s also important to note the average speed for popular models of pontoon boats. Below are some speed estimates for various pontoon boat models you might consider.
- Del Mar U Del20U pontoon boat with a 90-horsepower engine and an average capacity will move about 25 mph.
- A 23’ Tritoon pontoon boat with a 150-horsepower engine and a medium-heavy capacity will move around 38 mph, while a 21’ Tritoon with a 90-horsepower engine and low capacity will move up to 27 mph.
How Much Does a Pontoon Boat Weigh?
Because of how different pontoons look from other types of boats, you are likely asking: how much does a pontoon boat weigh? On average, pontoon boats weigh 2,000-2,500 pounds. This number may change depending on the length and size of your boat, and bigger pontoon boats can weigh around 3,000 pounds.
Driving a Pontoon Boat
Your next concern is most likely learning how to drive a pontoon boat. Those who’ve never driven a boat before are often wary about pontoons as a leisure item because they worry that learning how to drive is a hassle.
Luckily, pontoon boats are relatively simple to operate if you follow a few basic guidelines. Before you begin learning how to maneuver a pontoon boat, it’s essential to keep in mind the safety of the water you’re boating in and its normal conditions. Identifying shallow areas or areas with more obstacles will help you stay focused on driving your pontoon.
Preparing Your Pontoon and Turning on the Motor
Once you have accurately assessed the water, you can follow these simple steps for your first pontoon drive. First, check that everyone on board is wearing lifejackets before leaving the dock. Follow up by checking to ensure that your fuel is complete and that you have outside contact in an emergency. Gather your equipment for the day. If you are fishing, ensure that you have everything you need. Additionally, always have available water, snacks, safety gear, and other necessities.
Now, start the motor on your pontoon. You can start the motor by flipping the battery switch on your pontoon to the on position. Make sure that you have your emergency lanyard before taking off. This lanyard is attached to your emergency stop switch, which you should turn to the “run” position.
Your boat should have its propeller submerged in the water before flipping the switch. Once you’ve double-checked that your propeller is submerged, start your motor. If you struggle to get your motor started, check your basics. The boat’s throttle must be on neutral, or the boat will not start. Additionally, the emergency switch must stay set to “run,” or the motor won’t be able to start.
Get Your Pontoon in Motion
Once you complete the steps to turn your motor on safely, check your pontoon’s gauges, temperature, and fuel levels. Once everything is good to go, pull your dock lines or have another party do this if you are not boating alone.
Move the pontoon’s throttle out of the neutral position. Slowly move the throttle forward until you have safely maneuvered out of the dock.
Maneuver Your Throttle
Your pontoon won’t be too difficult to navigate using the throttle. Take a moment to practice using your throttle, which will help you control the boat’s speed and direction. Once you have cleared the dock, check to see the force of your pontoon’s reverse position. As you push the throttle forward, your boat will move faster.
As a side note, monitor its power once your pontoon is in motion. Pontoons serve the same function as a sail in high wind conditions, meaning that your boat will be more challenging to navigate if you are boating at a high wind speed. In this case, you may need to use extra motor power.
Trim Your Engine
The next step in learning to drive your pontoon is knowing how to use your boat’s trim feature. Trimming your engine involves moving your propeller off the ground, particularly in shallow water. Additionally, trimming helps your pontoon perform well as you make your journey.
It would be best if you practiced trimming before having a deep-sea boating adventure. Understand what the trim feels like when you are boating and how external conditions impact your trim.
How Much is a Pontoon Boat?
Now that you have an understanding of pontoon boats, it’s time to address the question burning in your mind: how much is a pontoon boat? How much does a pontoon boat cost?
Pontoons can range in price from anywhere around $30,000 to upwards of $300,000. The price of your pontoon will depend on its condition, size, and retailer. Finding a dealer near you will help you understand the price range you should use for your pontoon. For instance, dealers like Fish & Ski Marine have pontoon boats of various prices. Browsing the cost of a pontoon boat from Fish & Ski Marine will show you various discounts and deals unlike offers from other marine dealers.
Why You Should Get Your Pontoon Now
Right now is an ideal time to get yourself a pontoon boat. While this may sound strange initially because of the upcoming fall and winter months, the “off-season” for boating is typically the best time for you to buy a boat. The increased buyers market during off-seasons will offer you various options at different prices.
If you hope to purchase a pontoon boat at an affordable price from experts you can trust, you’re in luck. Fish & Ski Marine serves Texas residents looking to invest in an exciting boating experience. With locations close to Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio, finding the right pontoon boat for you is easy when looking at the numerous selections from Fish & Ski Marine. Contact their team of experts today to learn more about your next adventure.