If you want to enjoy memorable occasions out on the water with friends and family, a pontoon boat is a perfect choice. A reliable boat dealer can talk you through the different types of pontoon boats that are available and which would best suit your requirements. Below, learn how to decide whether a pontoon boat is right for you. 

What Are Pontoon Boats?

Usually used for recreation, pontoon boats float on interconnected buoyant tubes. This type of boat gets its name from these tubes, which are called pontoons. These floats create enough buoyancy to allow a versatile range of deck designs with lots of features such as lounge areas, refrigerators, and storage. The pontoons are made of PVC and nylon supported by frames that combine aluminum, steel, and plastic. The boats are powered by outboard motors with horsepower ranging from around 40 to 900.

The different designs are based around the leisure activity the boat is intended for. Boats for watersports such as wakeboarding and water skiing are built for speed and sometimes have twin engines. They have plenty of storage space for the equipment, as do fishing boats, which may also include swivel seats. Party boats offer lots of seating, wet bars, stereo systems, and even grills. Pontoon boats are usually intended for freshwater sailing, but some specially designed boats can be used in certain saltwater environments such as calm coastal bays.

What Are the Advantages?

Pontoon boats are very stable, which means they don’t scare away fish, and they won’t leave people feeling unsteady when they’re socializing on the deck. They are great for families because they have plenty of seating, so you can enjoy a trip with your extended family, and older kids can invite their friends. 

Safety is another major advantage. High side rails ensure all passengers are fenced in, and the boat’s stability means that it’s extremely unlikely that it will flip. As with any recreational boat, it’s important not to stay out during extreme weather, such as storms. In some types of boats, the hulls may be punctured by rocks. In pontoon boats, the aluminum should only be dented at worst. This type of boat is easy to maintain, and parts like couches can be usually replaced as one unit. Contact your original boat dealer to ask about replacement parts if your vessel requires it. 

Whether you want to buy or rent a pontoon boat, Sutter's Canandaigua Marina Inc. in Canandaigua, NY, has everything you need all in one location. This trusted boat dealer has served the area since 1993, and their knowledgeable professionals also provide repairs and dry dock storage. Call (585) 394-0918 to discuss your needs or visit them online for more information.