![]() ![]() Long gone are the pontoons that barely eclipse 20 mph on a good day. In the past, a 40 to 90 horsepower outboard was typical of pontoons. Deck boats, while not as spacious as pontoons, can still easily accommodate 8 to 12 people, which really is not too shabby for such a multipurpose boat. Pontoons can typically fit anywhere from 10 to 20 people depending on the model. ![]() Among day boats, pontoons offer the most usable space for the dollar than any other boat, including deck boats. There is a reason pontoons are known as floating living rooms. ![]() ![]() As such, pontoons require more power and fuel to reach the same speeds as a deck boat and without the surf able wake. Pontoons are more fuel efficient at slower speeds since the flat hull cruises on top of the water rather than cutting through it like a V-hull boat. That being said, pontoons were designed for sheltered waters such as lakes and rivers, but have become a possible option for those using Intracoastal waterways. It is this stability that makes pontoons such great spaces for entertaining. However, a pontoon's flat deck and hull lend great stability on the smooth water which easily resists the side-to-side roll typical of deck boats. But with a wide enough V- hull, the issue of stability is generally nullified. On the down side, since a V-shaped hull boat pivots on a central axis, this can cause the craft to gracelessly rock to the movement of passengers or turbulent wind and waves. A V-shaped hull boat is most fuel efficient when cruising at high speeds since slower speeds infringe on the hull's natural ability to rise and slice through the water. The V-shaped hull on deck boats enables the boat to cut through the water and get up on plane at a high speed, creating a surf able wake. Deck boats typically have a V-shaped hull, while pontoons lie flat on the water with the deck balanced on two or three hollow aluminum tubes. The main physical difference between a pontoon and a deck boat is the shape and function of the hull. Compared to their classy cousin, pontoons tend to be more boxy and less nautical looking, although that's becoming less and less true each year as new pontoon models are being released. While some of the typical differences between pontoons and deck boats are blurring, there are still distinct physical features that continue to make pontoons and deck boats unique.ĭeck boats have sleek aerodynamic lines similar to other sport boats and have great aesthetic appeal. Deck boats, in addition, have improved to the point where they can equal seating capacity and creature comforts typical of some pontoons. With the addition of performance-enhancing features such as three logged pontoons and lifting strakes, pontoons now can rival or even exceed the performance of some deck boats. Deck boats, in contrast, were the shiny, more expensive, more powerful boat with a little less comfort and seating capacity than a pontoon. Offering enough deck space to host a small cocktail party was really their only redeeming quality. Originally pontoons were the awkward, slower but cheaper distant cousin of deck boats. But in the last decade or so the differences are definitely getting smaller. Once upon a time the relationship between pontoon boats and deck boats was large and very distinct. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |