Pontoon Boat Buying Guide
Pontoon boats are some of the most versatile vessels on the water. They are both versatile, easy to handle, and offer a lot of deck space, perfect for a family in need of a watercraft. If you’re interested in finding out more about pontoon boats, check out this guide from East Coast Flightcraft Inc.
The Pontoons
The “pontoon” in pontoon boats refers to the hollow cylinders at the bottom of the vessel. The pontoons help keep the vessel floating and provide a lot of stability. Most models have only two pontoons, though some models (called tritoons) have three. The pontoons themselves range in diameter from 23 to 25 inches.
Pontoon Boat Activities
While pontoon boats can be used for everything from fishing to watersports, it’s a good idea to deliberately seek out models that have features that are a good fit for how you plan to use the vessel. For instance, if you’re going to use your pontoon boat primarily for fishing, look for a model that offers a livewell and rod holders. Watersports enthusiasts will need a pontoon boat that has lots of space to store their gear and enough horsepower to make towing people easy.
Number Of Passengers
If you plan to boat with 5 people or less, a pontoon boat that is 20’ long or smaller should provide enough space. For 5 to 9 person parties, look for a vessel that is 20’ to 24’ long. If you need to accommodate 10 people or more, you’ll need a pontoon boat that is 24’ long or longer.
The Ideal Horsepower
How much horsepower your boat will need depends mostly on how you plan to use it. 40 HP isn’t very powerful, but you really don’t need that much power if you only plan to cruise around the water. If you’re going to do watersports, however, you’ll need something closer to 300 HP or more.
Shop pontoon boats at East Coast Flightcraft. Visit us online or at any of our nine dealerships throughout the East Coast, including locations in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. We also offer financing, servicing, parts ordering, trade-ins, and rentals. We’re proud to serve the New England region, and we hope to see you soon.