How Much Of The Color Pallet Should You Use?

A common saying is, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder,” which means beauty doesn't exist on its own but is created by observers. That famous quote can help you remember that a beholder is someone who sees or otherwise experiences things, becoming aware of them. With that said, I’ve seen some very interesting color combinations on boats. I’m guessing it could take awhile to find a “beholder” who would agree with the owner that the color choices were a good idea, although I’m probably a little more conservative than most.

Resale value aside, I am a big believer in customizing your new pontoon or deck boat in whatever color scheme you personally feel best represents you and your family regardless of what others might think. When picking out the colors for your beloved pontoon or deck boat, it really does come down to personal preferences. Boats are more than just vehicles that carry us around in water. Our boats are an extension of our personalities and a means of expression.

Some dealers may try to steer you one way or another when it comes to colors, but if you’re ordering a boat versus buying an existing model already on the showroom floor, feel free to get creative and dive into the color pallet. Simply put, don’t be afraid to vary from the norm.

Deck boat manufacturers primarily offer white or black fiberglass hulls, but that doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with going with a vibrant red or yellow hull instead. I’m not sure why it took so long to catch on, but for years pontoon builders only offered one exterior panel color, even with high-end lineups. Thankfully, that’s no longer the case. Most (if not all) allow you to customize and create color combinations using a variety of different colored panels or at the very least provide a variety of single-color panels to choose from that often tie in perfectly with the upholstery.

It’s the customizing part of ordering a boat that helps owners dial in the specific look they’re going for. That especially includes the interior, as more color choices are evolving each year to customize the look of the upholstery as well.

Going with your favorite color or colors is popular, but another trend is to match your boat’s colors with your favorite college or professional sports team. It wouldn’t be my first choice, but I guess a Green Bay Packer fan could go with green and yellow for their next pontoon boat colors. Fair warning though: if that fan ever did decide to sell the boat to someone outside of Wisconsin, they might need a little luck finding the right buyer.

Speaking of resale value, for some consumers the plan is to keep the same pontoon or deck boat for a long time, while others prefer to trade in their boat every couple of years. There is no right or wrong way but if you plan on trading it in sooner rather than later, you may want to at least consider going with basic colors such as blues, whites, blacks, greys and tans to help your boat sell faster as well as bring in a few more dollars when it comes time to upgrade. 

Personal preference is a big factor, but another factor that is also important when you’re considering colors is the reflective abilities of your choice. When it comes to upholstery, lighter colors such as white, off-white, yellow or tan will reflect more light and heat and therefore you will have a cooler experience on board, while darker colors such as black, brown or navy blue will absorb more heat and light so your seats will be hotter. I feel it’s something to be aware of, but I wouldn’t let it be the main factor in your final decision.

If you’re in the market to custom order a pontoon or deck boat this year, don’t be afraid to use the color pallet. In the end it’s really up to you to decide just how creative you want to get.