Pontoon Boats

Pontoon Boat Lift with Canopy

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Quite a few manufacturers provide a pontoon boat lift with canopy that not only protects the boat from being corroded by water but also prevent and damage from sun, rain and other environmental damages. An individual may consider lift models that include a canopy for additional protection for their prized pontoon boats.

Hewitt Narrow Pontoon

Hewitt has been building lifts for boats since 1972 and their experience allows them to manufacture one of the best products in the market. Their Narrow pontoon boat lift with canopy comes in three different models which are suitable for pontoon boats of different lengths and weights. These include a 20 feet model that can handle 2000 lbs., a 24 feet model that can carry 2400 lbs. and a 28 feet model that can lift boats with up to 3000 lbs. weight. The unique point of these lifts is that the beams are positioned between the pontoons. As they are equal to the length of the boat, it allows the weight to be distributed more proportionally making it easier to lift and lower boats. All the models come with a 120” canopy that provides protection to the boat from weather, sun and wind. The frame is constructed from aluminum which ensures that it is not corroded due to exposure to water. It includes a self-braking winch for operation that can either be installed in front or on side of the lift for easier operation.

Shore Master Pontoon Lifts

For a person shopping for a pontoon boat lift with canopy, Shore Master is another manufacturer worth considering. Their lifts come in three different models. The 4010 PTN can take a weight of up to 4000 lbs. while the 5500 PTN can support boats with 5500 lbs. capacity and they both can be installed with a canopy with size varying from 23 to 33 feet for protecting the boat. The 701168 PTN model from Shore Master is ideal for longer and heavier boats as it can accommodate boats with a weight of 7000 lbs. The lifts can be equipped with the Lift Boss or Lift Mate motors for operating the lifts easily using a switch, key or a remote. Both the lift and canopy frame is welded for increased durability and high-quality construction. The lifts include guide rails for docking the boat correctly and evenly distributing its weight across the lift.

Shore Mate Pontoon Lifts

Shore Mate manufactures pontoon boat lifts with canopy that free a person from the hassles of having to cover their boats for protection every time they use them. They offer the L45120V and the L4500H pontoon lifts each of which can accommodate boats with a maximum weight of 4500 lbs. and beam width of 10 feet. The former is a center lift that picks the boat from in between the pontoons and is ideal for shallow waters that have a depth greater than 8 feet while the latter is a cantilever style lift that picks the boat up from under the pontoons and is ideal for deep waters greater than 18 feet. Each of these can be pre-fitted with a canopy for added protection.

Click this link for additional information about Fun Pontoon Boat Accessories.

Pontoon Boat Accessories Review – Stearns Puddle Jumper Life Jacket

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Having two daughters ages three years old and one year old we are always looking to improve our experience when we go to the swimming pool or lake. We were looking for great pontoon boat accessories that could keep our children safe and help the whole family have fun on the lake. Our three-year-old is at a point where she wants to be independent and wants to make her own decisions such as what to play and where to play but she also doesn’t yet have the confidence or ability to swim by herself. When we first started taking her to the lake and to swimming pools we initially used a standard infant life jacket. We found the standard infant life jacket to be very uncomfortable for our daughter. She didn’t like to wear it while riding in our pontoon boat and when we took her into the water with the life jacket on she had a lot of difficulty keeping upright and staying comfortable. I appreciate that the life jacket was doing its job and keeping her head well above water (with the pillow in the back) but at the same time it did not create an enjoyable experience for her either in the lake swimming by our pontoon boat or at the swimming pool.

That’s where the Stearns Puddle Jumper Life Jacket comes into play. The moment we put it while sitting on our pontoon boat on we knew that she would love it. She immediately jumped into the lake and enjoyed playing with our friends and family. We noticed that unlike the standard life jacket Stearns Puddle Jumper pontoon boat accessory offered a very balanced flotation device. She was not struggling to either face forward or even float on her back. She could really choose both options with no problems at all. The Stearns Puddle Jumper Life Jacket appears to provide the perfect amount of flotation but not too much flotation where we are confident in knowing that she can keep her head above water whenever she needs to but also is not too much of a hindrance for her to still get around by herself and continue learning how to swim independently.

Please note that we are always right next to her all the time and are not just depending on the Stearns Puddle Jumper Life Jacket as a “babysitter”. We have found at the stern life vest has created an enjoyable swimming experience for our daughter when going out on our pontoon boat. We have not found another flotation device that is as enjoyable as the Stearns Puddle Jumper Life Jacket and consider the Stearns Puddle Jumper Life Jacket to be one of our critical pontoon boat accessories to enjoy our fun time on the lake. Please note that the Stearns Puddle Jumper Life Jacket meets the U.S. Coast Guard certification for an safety flotation device.  However, it cannot be considered to be a life-saving device when riding on a boat or hanging out on the boat dock. So continue packing your standard Class A life jackets in your pontoon boat in addition to the Stearns Puddle Jumper Life Jacket.

Click this link for additional information about Fun Pontoon Boat Accessories.

Wakeboarding Pontoon Boat

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Pontoon boats are just not limited to fishing and cruising. These boats are great for adventure and water sports too. Be it skiing, tubing or wakeboarding, the pontoon boats of today give that much craved rush to the adrenaline junkies. Wakeboarding pontoon boats have few extra features for the sport. The boats are installed with a wakeboarding tower or a sports arch and an outboard motor with decent performance. A dedicated storage space for the sports kit is a welcomed addition.

Multiple wakeboarding pontoon boats are available from different manufacturers. These have a wide array of features and comforts in addition to the wakeboarding essentials.

Bennington Q25 Sport Arc

Bennington’s Q25 Sport Arc is the epitome of features, convenience and utility when it comes to sports pontoons. It has a standard sports tower that can be exchanged for a cladded one that has mounted speakers for some music to add to the exhilarating atmosphere. Engine motors available with this wakeboarding pontoon boat range from 9.9HP to a whopping 400HP that comes with the Elliptical Sport Package for an adrenaline rush. A wake board rack can be installed and an in-floor storage can be requested. The boat can carry 15 on board.

Landau Atlantis 230 Sports Cruise

The Atlantis 230 Sports Cruise manufactured by Landau is the perfect blend of luxury and adventure. This boat can be fitted with a wakeboard tower for having some fun on water and has an in-floor ski-storage. The boat packs a punch with a tri tube hull with option for jumbo pontoons installed with lifting strakes and outboard motor options of up to 250HP. This wakeboarding pontoon boat can accommodate 13 persons on its spacious deck.

Premier 270 Grand Majestic RF

Luxury boat manufacturer Premier has the 270 Grand Majestic RF pontoon boat which is a great companion for thrilling escapade on the water. The boat has the option of installing a sport arch for water sports along with a skiing tow bar. This wakeboarding pontoon boat is a powerhouse of performance with packages that include two outboard motors of 350HP each and the patented 36” PTX consisting of three pontoons with an in-floor storage for skiing kit. The 270 Grand Majestic is perfect for cruising and fishing too with seating for 16 to 18 people on board.

Harris Solstice 240

Solstice 240 from the house of Harris is a pontoon boat that is suited for families with active lifestyle. For water sports, a delta tower or a sports bimmi can be opted for along with in-floor storage. Motor options vary from 9.9HP to 300HP but for using the Solstice 240 as a wakeboarding pontoon boat, at least 115HP should be preferred. Performance can be uplifted by choosing one of the available packages that can add a third tube and lifting strakes. It even has a swim platform for some serene fun in water.

Lowe SS 250XD

Be it some mild water fun or hard-core adventure sports, the SS 250 XD from Lowe serves as the perfect water vessel for both. This wakeboarding pontoon boat has a heavy duty bimmi top that doubles as a sports arch for watersports and may be installed with a tow or a reverse tow. Engine options available range from 25HP to 300HP with anything greater than 115HP will be enough for wakeboarding. Wave tamer and lifting strakes add to the power of boat. The boat can accommodate 15 on its spacious deck and has all amenities for a comfortable cruise.

Pontoon Boat Decking

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The deck of a boat plays an important role in how it looks, feels and performs. Pontoon boat decking is available in different materials that have varying costs and life. The weight of the decking will affect the performance of a boat. A lighter deck material will have lesser impact on its speed and fuel economy than a heavier deck. The durability and structural integrity will also depend on the decking as the body of the boat is connected to the pontoons via the deck. Multiple deck options are available with boat manufactures for choosing by customer. A few factors can be considered while choosing a decking.

Type of Material Used

Pontoon boat decking is available in a range of materials.

Wood

Wood is one of the most popular material for pontoon boat decking. It comes in different types and qualities and the cost can vary based on the same. It is easy to work with but might be a little heavier than other materials. Wood decking is available in rich and vibrant colors and is aesthetically appeasing. Some types of wood are prone to rotting while other such as teak and oak can be quite durable but also very expensive. On the flipside, a wood decking will lose its color and sheen over time due to exposure to sun and water and hence must be refinished after a few years.

Aluminum

Aluminum has a number of advantages over other materials used for pontoon boat decking. It is easy to install and will never rot or corrode lasting forever. Its maintenance and cleaning is a breeze. Aluminum decks are among the strongest in build and lightest in weight allowing for better speed and performance of the boats. The costs of aluminum decks are however higher and their installation takes time. They also do not dampen the sound and motor vibrations making the pontoon louder. In the long run, weighing the pros and cons of aluminum decks, it can be quite cost efficient as it does not require replacement and has no maintenance costs associated with it.

Composite

Composite pontoon boat decking is light and requires almost no maintenance. The material may be a mixture of multiple substances such as wood, vinyl and plastic. They might develop mildew and get stained to counter which cleaning and washing after a few weeks might be needed. Composite decks last longer than wooden decks and are fade resistant therefore not requiring refinishing. These decks are expensive and if damaged will require complete refurbishing.

Fiberglass

Fiber glass pontoon boat decking is the most durable of the lot but also a little expensive. It is resistant to the adverse effects of water and is very easy to clean and maintain. It is easy to mold and fits perfectly. Being light in weight, it does not hamper the speed and fuel economy of the boat as much. However, it is prone to cracking and repairing it can be a time consuming and difficult task. 

Deck Floor Covering

Irrespective of the material used, the decks are generally covered with another material. Carpets are prominently used and are available in multiple colors and grades. A 28oz grade carpet is ideal for marine vessels and is used by top manufactures. Carpets are prone to getting stained and retaining moisture. Vinyl flooring may also be used to cover the deck as it is long lasting and resistant to moisture. It is more expensive that carpeting and is generally employed in fishing pontoon boats. Some manufacturers might even use two separate floor covering materials for the front and rear of the boat.

Choosing the right decking

Choosing the right pontoon boat decking comes to an individual’s budget, the options available at hand and personal taste and style preferences. Aluminum based decks covered with wooden floor and carpets on top are available with quite a few boat manufactures and are strong and durable without compromising the look and feel of the boat. These however can be quite costly. Other factors such as waterproofing, grip and anti-slipping can also factor in while choosing the right deck depending on the purpose of the boat.

Click this link for additional information about Fun Pontoon Boat Accessories.

Small Pontoon Boat

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It is not necessary to buy an expensive pontoon boat for an amazing pontooning experience. Small pontoon boats

too come packed with quite a lot of features and are epitomes of luxury while still being economical. These are easy to carry, effortless to control over the waters, fuel efficient and convenient to tow and store. For a family or a small gathering, they are the perfect water vessels for some holiday fun.

Some of the best small pontoon boats that are worth checking out are listed here.

Bennington SX Series

Bennington SX series is a great value for money boat with the right mix of functionality and utility. It is made in lengths from 16 to 25 foot, the lower ones of which are ideal for people looking for a small pontoon boat. The 16 and 18 foot models can accommodate half a dozen people easily. The quality of upholstery is great and plenty of furniture addons are available including an electric bimmi and a ski tow bar. There are multiple exterior and interior finishing options provided along with a Kicker sound system among other upgrades. For the 16 and 18 foot models, gas engines range from 9.9hp to 60hp and electric ones from 2 to 8 hp. The prices for SX series start from $18,000 for 16-foot and $20,000 for 18-foot lengths.

Berkshire CTS Series

The 17-foot models of the Berkshire CTS Series are one of the best when it comes to small pontoon boats. These are rich in features and come backed by the quality construction expertise of Berkshire. It can seat eight to nine people easily, making it perfect for a small group. It has multiple package options to suit different tastes for an elite appearance and more fuel capacity. A 10’ bimmi is standard and an optional transom upgrade of 25” tubes can be included. It has decent cruising speed with the 60hp engine.

Cypress Cay Seabreeze 191

The Cypress Cay Seabreeze 191 is a small pontoon boat that can accommodate up to eight persons. Despite its size, this boat has great power and maximum features. A 12 foot bimmi upgrade along with changing room curtains, separate main and rear flooring options and a ski tow bar can be opted for. Outboard engines are available ranging from 9.9hp to 60hp along with an electric motor. Prices for this boat’s packages start from $14,000.

SUN TRACKER PARTY BARGE 18 DLX

Just because a boat is small, it doesn’t mean it can’t be fun. The Party Barge 18 DLX boat from Sun Tracker is both. This small pontoon boat is the ideal companion for having a great time with family and friends on the water. It can accommodate nine people on its comfortable couches. It has an aft-side swim platform stretching across the width of boat and plenty of storage space. The boat is equipped with a Bluetooth stereo and even a barbeque grill may be opted for. It has 24” pontoons and motors across 9.9hp to 75hp are available. Above all, it is backed by a 10-year warranty from Sun Tracker. The boat retails from $15,995.

Lowe Ultra 160 Cruise

Lowe’s Ultra 160 Cruise despite being a small pontoon boat is laden with features, durable and roomy. It allows eight people to go on a cruise and explore new waterbodies. A 9’ bimmi shields the passengers from the overhead sun. A ski tow is optional for those seeking adventure on water. Engine options have varying output between 9.9 to 50 hp. With a base price of $14,200, it is a great buy.

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