Float Clubs Helpful pontooning hints from the staff of the Pontoon Boat Guide.

The only thing better than enjoying the pontoon boat experience as a family is sharing it with other families, and the best way to do that is to join — or start — a Float Club. Many dealers and marinas offer Float Clubs for their customers; the business makes all the arrangements for participating pontoon boats to travel together to a day-trip or overnight cruising destination, and these rendezvous’ are the highlights of the area’s cruising calendar.

Float Clubs are famous for one activity in particular: rafting up. And this works far better with pontoon boats than with other types of boats simply because you can walk from boat to boat very easily rather than jumping, climbing and scrambling. For the most part, pontoon boat decks are the same height off the water; a raft-up becomes one large deck. Just open the side gates and start walking! This safer, more user-friendly version of a raft-up will especially appeal to families.

If your dealer or local marina does not offer such social activities, encourage them to do so… you also might want to post an announcement for your fellow pontooners and form your own club! Put together a list of favorite destinations, choose one for the first outing, delegate responsibilities for any arrangements to secure dockage, moorings, dining reservations or special-event tickets, and plan your launch date, time and location as well as a backup “weather plan.” No matter what happens, you know it’s going to be a fun and memorable trip for all ages!