In looking for a pontoon boat there are a variety of things you need to consider. One thing to consider is if you would like an inflatable pontoon boat or possibly a solid pontoon boat.
Inflatable Vs. Solid
The inflatable and solid pontoon boats have their own pros and cons. All of it depends on how you intend to take advantage of the pontoon boat. The greatest benefit to an inflatable pontoon boat is the portability. After deflating air bladders you can fit them in the majority of trucks. As they are inflatable they can also be lighter to transport into remote lakes and ponds.
The inflatable pontoon bladders may not be solid, however they are still very strong. They are able to hold up against encounters with rocks and logs without puncturing easily. Even when a puncture occurs, inflatable air bladders are really easy to patch. Inflatable pontoon boats tend to be more difficult to put together and disassemble, however. Normally it takes about maybe five or ten minutes to set up based on the type of pump you use.
On the flip side, solid pontoons are made from kinds of tough plastic. They never need to be inflated and are like catamaran sailboats. They are stronger in comparison to the inflatable models and virtually nothing can puncture them. They can be more difficult to transport – often requiring the bed of any truck a minimum of, however. They are easier to setup as you don’t need to do any inflating. You simply have to attach the frame to the pontoons and you are ready to go.
Picking A Size
Next you should consider the actual size of the pontoon boat you want. There are actually many sizes in relation to pontoon boats. Each size could have their own advantages for the way you intend to make use of it. If you plan on carrying more supplies then you will need a larger pontoon boat due to the increased weight capacity. However, you should never overload a pontoon boat. It is going to happen if you exceed the extra weight capacity, though it isn’t very easy to tip a pontoon boat.
You also want to consider how you will make use of the boat. If you plan on utilizing it for some long time river trip or spending several days in the lake then a larger boat will provide you more room for all your gear. If you plan on traveling a farther distance to your remote location then this smaller pontoon boat is a lot easier to carry.
Lastly you should think of the number of people that will be with you. A little pontoon boat might be all you need if you intend fishing by yourself. However, if there are occasions a family member or friend will go along with you then you may want to look at a medium to larger model depending on how many individuals will travel with you. Deciding on the best pontoon boat means you have to carefully consider how it will be used.