Pontoon Boat Watersports

Many people think of pontoon boats as being floating parties, and it's easy to see why: they're a big floating platform that allows you to explore the water and sunlight. But what many people don't realize is that many pontoon boats are great watersports platforms. They're equipped with powerful engines and weigh enough to produce some serious wake. Read on to learn about some of the great water-based sports that you can capitalize on with your pontoon boat. When you're ready to take a look at what exciting new pontoon boat models are on the market today, stop by Dunfords of Havelock. We're located near Peterborough and Belleville, Ontario, and we can help you find everything you need for your pontoon watersports adventures.

Innertubing

A great introduction to tow sports is innertubing. This straightforward practice involves sitting or lying on an inner tube while holding a tow line from the boat. You can go as slow or as fast as the boat permits and it's a great option for first timers and younger children. Because you don't need to go very fast to have fun while ‘tubing, it's something that can be done even with pontoon boats that aren't particularly fast or powerful. Many tubes can be purchased on the cheap, too, which is why many boat owners buy a tube to keep on hand to give more options on boat outings.

Kneeboarding

The next step up in the difficulty department is kneeboarding. This is a good option for slightly older kids who are starting to get into sports and develop coordination. It takes a little bit of practice to get maneuvers down, but once you do, you'll get some of that same feeling of skill and accomplishment that comes from wakeboarding or waterskiing. It's also a relatively inexpensive way to get on the water. Keep your boat between 15 and 25 mph if you want to give a thrilling ride but don't want to go dangerously fast.

Water Skiing

For those who are ready to strap into a slightly more demanding—but often, more demanding—sport, try waterskiing. Water skiing requires balance and a little bit of core strength, and it can take some real practice to figure out. But it's also a whole lot of fun! Water skis come in single leg and double leg models. Unlike tubing, water skiing requires relatively high speeds, otherwise the skier won't be able to stay on top of the water. This energizing activity also allows you to do tricks, jumps, and other maneuvers. Not only is it a great workout, it's good clean fun for the whole family.

Wakeboarding/Wakesurfing

Like water skiing, wakeboarding is a fun but physically demanding watersport. As the name implies, wakeboarding uses the wake of the boat to provide the rider with waves that are navigated using the wakeboard. The activity requires your boat to be heavy enough to create a wake and fast enough to keep the wakeboarder afloat. Wakeboards are somewhere between a snowboard and a surfboard. They're usually symmetrical and feature bindings to keep the rider's feet in place. In the last few decades, wakeboarding has really taken off as both a recreational activity and a professional sport, and their are even professional wakeboarders who are extremely skilled at hitting jumps, slides, and other obstacles.

Fishing

Fishing isn't always considered a “watersport,” but it's certainly a great water-based pastime for those on pontoon boats. Pontoon boats are especially good places for fishing when they are docked or have been floating for long enough to allow the fish to acclimate to the boat's presence. For freshwater fishing on lakes and rivers, and even some types of saltwater fishing, pontoon boats are a great option. Just remember that you don't want to try to navigate heavy surf in a pontoon boat, as their top-heavy design can be unstable in big waves.

Ready to see some new pontoon boats for yourself? Stop by Dunfords of Havelock. We're located near Peterborough and Belleville, Ontario, and we're here to serve your every boating need!