Buying a Pontoon

If you want a boat that can do it all and keep you, your friends, and your family all comfortable for the entire journey, you want a pontoon. But even knowing that, there’s a surprising amount of variety to choose from. We here at Gordy’s Marine want to help you make the most of your time on the water, so we’ve put together some tips for buying the right pontoon, below. To learn more, or to see the pontoons we have for sale, contact our stores throughout Wisconsin and Illinois, today!

Basics

Before you get down to the nitty gritty, it’s important to know the details of pontoons. They get their name from the hollow tubes that form the hull, which is also how they stay afloat. Most pontoons come with two of these tubes, but if you want a little extra space and stability, a three-tube pontoon—or tritoon—is the way to go. All pontoons feature seating around the boat’s diameter and higher-than-average sidewalls, which allows for plentiful seating and a safer voyage for younger boaters.

The average pontoons are between 20’ and 25’ long, though there are larger sizes in the 27’ to 28’ range that can help accommodate more passengers and cargo.

What You Use It For

First, consider what you want to use your pontoon for. These boats can do just about anything, but some are better at certain activities than others, so it all depends on what you’re looking for.

Fishing

For a nice fishing vessel, you should prioritize a spacious layout with more side-seating than average so you can cast multiple lines from different areas of the boat. You can also find a pontoon with rod holders and a livewell or two built-in, and slip-resistant vinyl flooring can be a big help for bringing in larger catches. Lower engine power will actually help you avoid disturbing fish, so aim for an engine with around 40 HP.

Watersports

Anyone hoping to get into watersports will need a bit more engine potential as well as plenty of storage space for various pieces of watersports gear when it’s not in use. Aim for an engine with horsepower around the 150-300 range. You should also look for one with a generous wake, possibly with some manual control over it.

Swimming

If you want the perfect platform for swimming on the other hand, you’re going to want to find a pontoon with a large swim deck and some sun loungers, as well as ladders to help you quickly get in and out of the water. Some even come with slides!

We hope this guide helps you find the perfect pontoon boat! For more information, or to see the pontoon boats we have for sale, contact us at Gordy’s Marine. We proudly serve the people of Madison and Janesville, Wisconsin, and of Waukegan, Illinois—let us serve you today!