Pontoon boats are rapidly gaining popularity in the leisure market and nowadays they come in all shapes and sizes and are built for an array of different applications. But they all have a few things in common that separate them from mono-hulled boats – things that you have to be aware of before getting behind the wheel.
Pontoon boats, also known as barges, are all the rage at the moment and boaters of every description including day cruisers, fishermen, watersport enthusiasts, and languid lake loungers, all seem to be buying into the idea. Pontoons are specially built for each application and can be further customised to suit the user’s needs perfectly. But to operate one takes some getting used to, as they behave a little differently to what you might be accustomed to.
Departing
One has to take a bit more care when leaving the dock aboard a pontoon boat, as the wind becomes more of a factor when you sit on top of the water. Pontoons aren’t fully submerged as a v-hull would be, therefore sitting atop the water and, along with the vertical ‘fences’ surrounding the deck, provide more resistance for the wind to grab onto. Being aware of this is crucial so that any gusts can be counteracted by sharp controlled blasts from the engine.
