Pontoon Safety: Rough Waters
Pontoons are famous for their stability, making them a great choice for those who want to kick back and enjoy a relaxing day on the water. However, there are some conditions that pontoons simply aren’t built to handle. Most notably, these vessels struggle when the waters get rough. To help pontoon owners understand why their boats aren’t well suited to rough waters and how they can help keep themselves and others safe while on the water, Active Water Sports has created this guide.
Causes Of Rough Water
Predicting how conditions will shake out on the water can be difficult. Just because the lake is calm at one moment doesn’t mean it won’t get rough later. Before you set out on a boating trip, always check the weather report. If you suddenly experience high winds or choppy waters, take it as a sign to cut your trip short. Pontoons simply aren’t meant to handle those kinds of rough conditions.
As an aside, be aware that sometimes the wake from a larger vessel can cause problems for you, even in relatively calm weather. Always be aware of other boats on the water, and take care around larger crafts.
Why Pontoons Are Bad at Handling Rough Water
The reason that pontoons fare so poorly in rough water is that they have a fairly flat bottom compared to other boats. They rest on the surface of the water, meaning that they don’t cut through waves and chop. When a pontoon is hit by water that is too high relative to the boat, it will take on water. The best case scenario is that you and your companions will get a little wet, but at worst, a part of the boat can become waterlogged, dragging the whole vessel under with it.
Avoiding Danger
Staying aware of the weather and of other boaters is important when it comes to safely enjoying your pontoon, but there are other things you can do to help improve your chances when faced with rough water. First, make sure your pontoon is loaded up so that weight is distributed evenly, both in terms of cargo and in terms of passengers. You can also choose to place heavier items at the rear of the boat, keeping the bow above the waves as you move forward.
Another thing you can do is trim up prior to hitting a wave, which will cause your boat to hit higher on the wave and not take on as much water. This will require good timing, so if you are not confident in your skills, you can try taking the waves at an angle instead. This will cause you to ride the waves rather than dip under them. Make sure that you are maintaining an even speed as well, as slowing down will increase your chances of going under.
We here at Active Water Sports hope that all of your future pontooning adventures will be safe and full of fun. To view our selection of pontoon boat models, visit us at one of our three dealerships. We have locations in Oregon City, Canby, and Portland, Oregon. We are proud to serve the western Oregon area, and we hope to hear from you soon!