Cruising & Entertaining Helpful pontooning hints from the staff of the Pontoon Boat Guide.

A pontoon’s spacious layout and smooth, stable ride ensures maximum cruising comfort and convenience. To start, consider the accommodations. Believe it or not, this is like taking your living room for a ride! For example, a 25-foot pontoon boat cruiser can seat up to 15 people (or more, if you’ve added a center log to your boat). There’s plenty of room for everyone, and with the well-thought-out seat plan, no one will be left out of the conversation. What’s more, since the outboard motor is located below the aft fence and sunpad, pontoon boats run very quietly.

Imagine: If you had a different type of boat the same size, everyone would have to stay in a very fixed seating arrangement — like that of a car — and would have to raise their voices to be heard while the boat is under way, especially if companions aren’t facing each other. Not aboard a pontoon boat cruiser. Relaxed lounging, “inside voices” and a lively social atmosphere will rule the day.

If you’re going to spend a long day on the water, or perhaps several days as you embark on a harbor-hopping vacation, you’ll appreciate additional features such as a deluxe, fully adjustable helm chair and those comfortable companion lounges; a tilt up/down wheel with hydraulic steering; a Bimini top for sun protection; a windbreak or camper enclosure for extra weather protection in an anchorage; and a “pop-up” privacy enclosure, which accommodates a portable toilet and provides a private space with standing headroom for changing clothes or freshening up.

Another major benefit for pontoon boat cruiser is the incredible amount of storage space aboard a pontoon, compared to other types of boats in the same size range. Every fixed seat has a storage compartment underneath, there’s large bulk storage under the sundeck, and some models even have storage under the driver’s console. Everyone on board can have his or her own storage area for overnight gear, water toys and personal items.

With the Bimini top, table, drink trays, coolers and state-of-the-art stereo system that incorporates an MP3 port and Sirius satellite capability, your pontoon also provides the perfect venue for on-the-water entertaining! Invite good friends or the new neighbors on a sunset cruise. Host a family get-together on the lake. You can even celebrate an anniversary or another special occasion with a romantic candlelight dinner for two aboard your personal party barge.

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