Sometimes known as a party boat, the pontoon boat has a hull constructed of round tubes called sponsons. They are attached to the outside bottom edge of a large flat deck. For personal safety, a safety railing surrounds the deck. You will find the helm station is placed to one side or in the middle of the deck. Of course, and in the more economical models you will find lawn furniture for seating. With more deluxe models, you will find built-in upholstered seating, a roof, a built-in cooler, a dining table, and maybe even a toilet. This style of boat is very stable and has the capacity to hold 6 to 12 people. Unlike most power boats out there, this type of craft is very flat.

The pontoon boat is trailer-able, but you will need a special trailer to haul it as it ranges in size from 16 to 22 feet in length. Power plants differ, but most are powered by with either two or four-stroke outboard gasoline engines between 10 and 100 hp. The sponsons are constructed of two or three welded, aluminum tubes that are tapered at the forward ends that assist with movement and speed. You'll find pontoon tubes are made of wood, aluminum or fiberglass. They are attached to the rigid deck platform by means of an aluminum framing apparatus.

To keep both out weather it is a good idea to put a canopy over the deck, especially if you have a large party! You can explore beautiful lakes and take your friends and family out on an afternoon cruise, on your favorite lake, rivers or other protected waters. These boats are stable and offer an excellent platform for still fishing. You're advised to not take your pontoon boat out on the sea, as large bodies of water with large waves do not agree with pontoon boats!