6 Things to Make You a Better Pontoon Boat Buyer

So you want to buy a pontoon boat, but you don't know your bow from your stern. Relax! Buying a boat should be a fun, easy process. Don't let a pushy salesman throw jargon at you and pressure you into buying something that's not your perfect boat. Here are the six things that will help you be a more informed, educated boat buyer: 

1. Tube Size is Important

Size matters when it comes to pontoon tubes. The standard tube sizes you will find are 25" diameter or 23" diameter. 25" diameter tubes displace more water and are more buoyant, meaning that your pontoon boat sits higher in the water. That means it can handle a larger, heavier engine, and it will fit more people and gear.

There's nothing wrong with 23" tubes at all, just keep in mind that if you want to use your pontoon boat for tubing or skiing, you'll want to strongly consider 25" tubes.

2. Crossmember Construction

Think of crossmembers on a pontoon boat like studs in the walls of your house. The further apart the crossmembers are spaced, the less support your deck will have. The best manufacturers will have only 16" between crossmembers, while other manufacturers will skimp and space these out to 24".

There's also a difference in how crossmembers are built. Leading manufacturers will use a "Top-Hat" style crossmember that includes two points of support. Other manufacturers will use "C-Channel" crossmembers that only have one point of support. These C-Channel crossmembers are much more susceptible to bending and distorting over the life of the boat.

3. Check out the Side Panels

Look closely at the side panels of the pontoon boat. There are three things you want to look for:

1. Tap on the panels and see what kind of noise they make. Is it muffled and quiet? Then the manufacturer uses silicon to seal between the aluminum sheets and the metal railing. If it sounds like a tin can, then it's likely just metal-on-metal.

2. Are the panels recessed behind the railing? Recessed panels help keep your boat free from dings and scratches that can occur while docking.

3. Railings are typically made from anodized aluminum, which is more durable and corrosion-resistant. But check out the welds - are they a different color from the railing? Some of the less reputable manufacturers will use non-anodized welds and then paint over them, meaning that while the railings themselves won't corrode, the welds holding them together will.

4. Ditch the Carpet, Go With High-Quality Vinyl Flooring

Carpet used to be the standard-bearer for pontoon boats. That's no longer the case. Even marine-grade carpet can collect mildew and dirt, and it's a pain to clean off. That's where a good vinly floor comes in. A good modern pontoon boat will offer weaved vinyl floors, which are attractive, resist moisture build-up and are non-slip.

Some manufacturers will use a cheaper vinyl that's not woven. We don't love this because it tends to get slippery when it's wet. 

5. Make Sure to Open Up the Furniture

Some manufacturers are going to cut corners on the furniture. There are three areas that we think you should look at:

1. Open up the seat and feel around the edge of the opening. A good manufacturer is going to sand those plastic/fiberglass edges down so that you or your passengers don't get splinters.

2. If your seats have speakers built-in, make sure that there's no exposed wiring. You might be putting wet life jackets, towels and equipment under the seats. Exposed wires can snag on these items, or short out if exposed to the water.

3. Reputable manufacturers are going to use a double-hinge system, which reduces the stress on the hinge considerably. On the other hand, some manufacturers will cheap out and only install a single hinge. These break all the time. 

6. Make Life Easier, Get Individual Seat Covers

Most boats will come with a cover included. These covers are called "playpen" covers and they will cover the entire boat inside the railing. These are nice, and we highly recommend you keep your boat covered. But putting one of these on and off has long been dreaded as a boat owner's least favorite activities. 

That's where individual seat covers come in. They are custom-made for your boat and cover each section of furniture on your boat. Want to go out for a quick cruise? Just take the covers off the sections you're using and leave everything else covered up. 

Bonus: Make sure that you're getting the right "extras"

Here's a few other things to keep in mind when you're deciding where to buy your boat from.

1. On-Water Lesson with your boat. An on-water lesson is where you'll learn how to use your boat. At Charles Mill Marina we have sessions with one of our knowledgeable techs so you can feel 100% confident. If you ever have a question, we're just a phone call away.

2. Delivery. Charles Mill Marina offers free delivery to anywhere in the State of Ohio on any new pontoon boat. Don't let a dealer tag you with delivery fees.

3. Safety Package. Your dealer should be equipping you with all required safety equipment, not charging you extra.

4. Storage. Charles Mill Marina offers free storage until spring on every new pontoon boat sold.

Want to know more about buying a Pontoon Boat? Check out our Pontoon Boat Buyer's Guide.

Charles Mill Marina is a full-service marina located in Mansfield, Ohio, offering Ohio's best selection of new pontoon boats from Starcraft, SunChaser and Qwest along with high quality Yamaha and Suzuki outboard motors. We also have the best pontoon boat rentals you'll find anywhere. Our entire fleet is brand new for 2021 and is the perfect way to get outside and relax on Charles Mill Lake.

Charles Mill Marina has over 300 docking slips available for pontoons and houseboats and our in-house parts and service department is staffed with factory-certified technicians. We provide pontoon parts and accessories, fuel, live bait, fishing tackle, ice, snacks, beer, drinks, clothing and Wi-Fi.