Pontoon boats today have come quite a long ways since the days of yore. From an evolutionary standpoint, the pontoon is probably one of the oldest style of boats known to man. The first boat builders probably invented the raft as a means of transportation on water, but then they realized they needed something with more stability. Two big logs were used instead of multiple twigs cinched together. Add a deck to secure the logs, and thus, the pontoon boat was born.
On the outside it may look like little has changed from the original concept, with the exception of using high-grade TIG-welded aluminum tubes compared to logs or oil drums. Numerous upgrades to engineering and materials make these boats ultimately versatile with endless options. Some options even make pontoon boats handle like sophisticated cruisers.
So where do you begin in your search for the ideal pontoon boat? Here is a few things to consider in your search.
Evaluate where you will be spending most of your time. Do you enjoy cruising with the family around the lake? Or maybe you spend most of your time fishing with your friends. Both of these scenarios lead you to a different style of pontoon. Fishing style pontoons have chairs on the corners of the deck versus leisure pontoons have more lounge and bench-style seating.
Take note of how much room you need. Do you like entertaining? If so, how many people on a given time will you host on your pontoon? I know of some folks who like hosting large get-togethers and they love spending a lot of time taking out everyone on their 25′ pontoon. They are looking at getting a larger one!
Think of how you’d like to travel. These days, you can get a lot more than just a floating barge. Modern triple-tube pontoons like the Premier’s PTX 3-tube allows your pontoon to carve corners, handle and plane like a modern v-hull style cruiser. With a 300 hp Mercury Outboard on back, it’s hard to believe you’re riding in a pontoon boat! Many new pontoon boats come without the outboard motors attached, so you can choose how much power you need.
How far is your destination? Will you transport your pontoon 150 miles to your cabin on the lake? Or are you keeping your pontoon primarily at the site where you launch? Knowing that will help you decide if you need a bunk-style trailer for stable hauling, or a scissors-style trailer for moving your pontoon boat across the yard to the shed.
Consider your style of entertaining. Do you have a lot of friends who enjoy the night life, and they like hosting happy hour on the water? Premier Pontoons offer a full bar as an option on the Grand Entertainer model. Stainless steel grills, refrigerators, and a cabana top make you think you’re at your favorite floating bar.
Some other options include changing rooms, galleys, power Bimini tops, satellite radios, MP3 inputs, ski tow bars, and more.
Hopefully this can get you started in determining your needs for a pontoon boat. There are numerous options out there if you are looking for a specific style of pontoon boating. Nowadays, it seems like every niche is covered, so the perfect model for your is a few options away. If you need more help, we’d be happy to assist you here at Shipyard Marine! Call us at 920-434-2000. Happy boating!































Greetings everyone! This week I’m going to give you a bit of a glance into the future, and a rundown of life around the marina as of late. I have a lot to cover here so let’s get started!