The Pros and Cons of Buying a Pontoon

Did you know that an estimated 100 million Americans go boating each year? And 95% of boats sold are American-made.

Are you interested in taking up this recreational hobby or perhaps you are already in love with boating and would like to purchase your own? Consider buying a pontoon over other kinds of boats.

In the article below, we speak about the various pros and cons of buying this type of boat so you can easily make your decision.

Pro: Cost

The cost of a pontoon varies widely, but if you are looking for a basic one, you can get it for around $20,000. The higher-end models can be as expensive as $200,000, so keep that in mind, when you are thinking about upgrading your pontoon. If you are on a budget, search for a used pontoon which should be much cheaper.

Pro: Longevity

The great thing about pontoons is that they last a long time. If you take care of your pontoon by covering it up from the sun and cleaning it once a year, then it can last as long as 20 years.

Pro: Ride Comfort

Another positive about owning and using a pontoon is that when running through medium chop, the ride comfort is excellent. Almost like a catamaran, which you will appreciate.

Pro: Minimal Maintenance

And if you are the lazy kind of boat owner, you will love owning a pontoon boat because you don’t have to do that much maintenance to it. As long as you clean and cover your upholstery, your pontoon should work well for years to come.

Follow this link to purchase some pontoon accessories that should make your ride more comfortable.

Con: Rider Safety

This is a big con since rider safety in pontoons isn’t the best. This is especially true if you are riding in rough water. Make sure you check the weather before using a pontoon on open waters.

Con: Handling

Boats don’t have brakes, so when you need to stop suddenly, you would have to take a sharp turn to do so. And that’s hard to do in a pontoon boat. That’s one major disadvantage of a pontoon.

Con: Storage Space

Another con to keep in mind is that pontoons don’t have that much storage on them, and if they do, you can’t lock them. So you can’t store your essentials on board, having to bring them with you every time you go boating. That can get annoying pretty fast.

Buying a Pontoon Boat Is a Solid Idea

Considering the pros and cons listed above, it seems that buying a pontoon boat is a great idea for someone who’s starting with boating and is interested in going out with family and friends on a solid but cheap boat.

Keep browsing through our other related articles to get more insights on what to do when boating and other recreational hobbies to undertake.