Pontoon Boat Buying Guide
Pontoon boats are extremely stable and offer a lot of deck room. They are some of the most versatile and easy-to-handle vessels on the water, which is one of the main reasons why they are so popular. If you’re interested in buying a pontoon boat and want help finding a model that really fits your needs, check out this guide from Germaine Marine.
The Pontoons
Pontoons are the hollow cylinders at the bottom of a pontoon boat that help keep the craft afloat and make it more stable. Most pontoon boats have two cylinders. However, if you’d like more horsepower and better performance in choppy waters, you might want to look into buying a tritoon, which is a pontoon boat with three pontoons. While the pontoons themselves vary in size, most have a diameter somewhere between 23 and 25 inches.
The Activities
Pontoon boats are used for everything from fishing to watersports. Think about how you plan to use your boat and seek out features that will make things easier for you. For instance, pontoon boat models that come with a livewell and rod holders already installed are perfect for fishermen. Of course, if you’re a watersports enthusiast, you’ll want a model with a powerful engine and enough storage space to stow all your belongings.
The Number Of Passengers
Pontoon boats vary in size. Smaller models can be about 20’ long or less, which usually translates into a passenger capacity of 5 or less. Medium-sized boats are about 20’ to 24’ long and can fit up to 9 people. Bigger pontoon boats are 24’ long or longer, with enough space for 10 people or more. Think about how many passengers you want to take with you so that you don’t accidentally overspend on a model that’s bigger than what you need.
The Ideal Horsepower
Another way in which pontoon boats can vary from model to model is horsepower. A less powerful model might have about 40 HP, enough for a leisurely cruise around the water. Of course, those wishing to engage in more involved activities like watersports will require a lot more engine power, such as pontoon boats that offer 300 HP or more.
Shop pontoon boats at Germaine Marine. You can view our selection online or at any of our six locations throughout Arizona, California, and Utah. We also offer servicing, trade-ins, financing, and parts ordering. We are proud to serve communities like Mesa, Arizona, and Norco, California, and we hope you’ll come visit us soon!