For obvious reasons, as editor of PDB magazine I can't just come out and say what I think is the absolute best pontoon model on the market today. Besides, I honestly don't think I could narrow it down to my favorite five, little alone just one model that I truly love.
So while I get asked this question a lot, what I can tell you is that I do have a list of must-haves for any pontoon boat. Some of these features will vary between standard and options depending on the manufacturer, but I'm strictly looking at what I would have or would not have on my own personal boat if I were to custom order one today.
*Starting from the hull up, I understand the added cost of having a third pontoon, but I personally couldn't justify not having the added stability. Again, I understand it adds to the overall cost, but the performance with the added lift makes it worth it to me.
*Speaking of below deck, an aluminum full-length underskin is a must. You can actually feel what it's like to not have one when the waves are beating on the cross members as you cruise along. If you plan to have a 90hp engine or bigger, an aluminum skin below is a must.
*Moving up, what's up with carpet? I understand for many years it was basically all we had to choose, but that's no longer the case. Flooring options today include Seagrass, Tornado Teak and PlasTEAK, just to name a few, as well as better non-skid options. The list is endless. There's really no excuse to have carpet on a pontoon today. It shows wear sooner than anything else onboard, it’s harder to clean, and the risk of mold is increased. There's just no place for carpet in the boating industry today.
*As for the layout, I prefer the first mate to have a helm chair that's as comfortable as the captain’s seat with two chaise lounges in the bow so everyone has a comfy seat. Then add an elevated helm platform with a fully loaded dash console and a must-have here is nice built-in GPS map/fish finder.
*In the stern, it's all about rear loungers. This hot trend started years ago and the manufacturers are continuing to improve on the layouts each year. This is a huge upgrade from the basic L-shaped lounges that everyone offers that include pop-up changing rooms below the sundecks that only get used as a storage box anyway. If additional storage is an issue, you can gain more space by opting for the in-floor storage locker using the third pontoon so you can enjoy your rear loungers.
*As for the swim platform, there are basically three things that make for a good stern deck. First, enough room to towel off outside the stern gate before coming inside. Second is a deep boarding ladder. I'm not a gymnast so I hate having to jack my foot up waist-high just to reach the lowest rung so I can get back in. A nice five-step ladder is a must and a lot of the manufacturers offer great user-friendly versions. The third must-have for a swim deck is a wash down because it keeps passengers from tracking sand throughout your boat. One other bonus must-have stern feature is a solid ski/tow bar. Wakeboard towers are great, but if that's not quite in your budget, a solid ski/tow bar does a lot for tubers and boarders in your family. Most manufacturers see this as an option, but I could argue that it should be standard equipment for all boats.
*My ideal boat will also need a nice stereo system with a lot of speakers. This will most likely be an upgrade or an option, but having a good sound system is a must. End of story. Plus a stereo remote in the stern would be nice too.
*Another nice touch is LED lighting. From lighted cupholders to lights just above the pontoons, the rope lighting is another popular trend that I really like.
*While barstools and raised counters are popular right now, I'm good with a freshwater sink, a little counter space and a trash receptacle somewhere onboard. Bar layouts are neat, but they can eat up a lot of space and seating room. However, I have seen some bar layouts that could easily change my mind. Adding a pedestal-mounted grill might be a fair compromise so you can keep more seating room options in the boat.
*Lastly, let's give it some power. A nice-sized outboard is going to be at least a third of the total cost, so a general rule is to not under power but to get what you can afford. The two biggest regrets I hear from new boat buyers is they wish they would have gone two feet longer with a little more horsepower.
There you go; that’s my list. Now it's time for you to go out to the boat shows and find what you consider to be your perfect pontoon.
