Tips to Select the Right Pontoon Boat

Pontoon boats are ideal family-friendly vessels that let you create lasting memories of your trip on the water. These boats provide you endless opportunities of socializing with your friends as well as enjoying family outings. They are fantastic crafts to undertake fishing trips, too.

If you’re ready to buy a pontoon boat, visit The Ski Shack and let our staff show you some of the latest models that we have on offer. We’re in Springfield, Branson, and Shell Knob, Missouri, and happy to serve our friends from Nixa.  

The Basics

To choose the right pontoon boat that matches your requirements, you must first know the basics. The name “pontoon” refers to the hollow tubes that help these boats stay afloat. You can choose a two-pontoon boat if you plan on cruising around small bodies of water or going on fishing trips. And, if you're keen on enjoying adventurous boating trips, a three-pontoon boat will be ideal for you.

An average boater can choose a pontoon boat that has pontoons ranging between 23” and 25” in diameter. If you want your craft to handle extra weight or more passengers, you’ll want to look at the 27” to 28” range.

Preferred Activities

Pontoons come with a wide variety of different features that allow you to use your vessel for many activities. So, you’ll want to pick a model that matches the kind of activity you’re keen on enjoying.

For fishing, you’ll want a craft that offers a spacious layout that can let you cast multiple lines from different areas on the boat. You’ll also want the vessel to feature fishing accessories, such as rod holders and a large livewell, and slip-resistant vinyl flooring.

Watersports enthusiasts will need a craft that offers a higher engine power, a larger storage space for storing a piece of watersports gear when it’s not in use, and an ability to create a generous wake.

Then again, if you will be swimming, you’ll want a vessel that features swim decks or sun loungers, ladders to help you quickly get in and out of the water, and slides for extra fun.

The Engine Power

Additionally, you’ll need to think about the horsepower of the pontoon boat. Match the horsepower with the activities you intend to take part in. Ideally, for enjoying leisure cruises around a lake, a 40 HP range should keep you comfortable. And, if you want to enjoy a higher speed, you can look at crafts in the 150 HP range. Watersports enthusiasts should look at pontoons in the 300 HP range.

We hope these tips will help you make the final choice. If you have more questions, connect with our experts at The Ski Shack. We can address your concerns and show you our latest collection of pontoon boats for sale. We have locations in Springfield, Branson, and Shell Knob and happily serve all those from Nixa.