| Shopping for a new pontoon boat can be a big | | | | keeping the pinch-free gates stable and strong. |
| task. Here are 5 important things to look for in a | | | | There are some new color schemes in 2010 |
| new pontoon. | | | | featuring black colored doors and siding that looks |
| Heavy Duty Tubes and Nosecones - A good | | | | great. Look for many pontoon manufactures to |
| pontoon starts with heavy-duty 0.90 gauge | | | | release a similar look. |
| aluminum multi-chambered 23" to 27" tubes as | | | | Decking - 7-ply, 3/4-inch pressure treated marine |
| well as.100 gauge aluminum two-piece | | | | grade plywood to the frame using an average of |
| hydrodynamic nosecones. Look for splash | | | | 10 stainless steel Tekfasteners per crossmember. |
| deflectors that are integrated into the tube, not | | | | That's more than 300 on a 25 foot pontoon. |
| welded on. This ensures the strongest possible | | | | Unlike pre-drilled decks that are bolted, which |
| structure. In addition, oversized heavy-duty | | | | allows water to leak through the frame, look for |
| M-brackets attach the pontoon to the boat deck | | | | Tekfasteners that are attached with high-speed |
| which offers greater strength and stability. A | | | | drills directly into the Z-channels, generating |
| feature I found interesting is the tube vents | | | | enough heat to sonic-weld the fastener to the |
| prevent the pontoon tubes from filling up with | | | | frame. The decks are then sanded, filled and |
| water if they get punctured. | | | | leveled for a smooth surface to adhere the |
| Crossmembers - Look for 16-inch on-center | | | | high-quality marine grade carpeting. |
| Z-channel crossmembers on it's tubes which are | | | | 100% Wood-Free Furniture - You will want a |
| bolted to the M-brackets with stainless steel | | | | lifetime warranty on the rotocast furniture which |
| fasteners. While the industry standard is 24-inch, | | | | is covered with a stain-resistant NANO Block vinyl. |
| some manufacturers use 16-inch on-center | | | | Look for seat bases that are built with a rotocast |
| crossmembers to dramatically increase stability by | | | | that's lighter and stronger than wood for |
| preventing racking and twisting of the frame. Also | | | | increased durability. An integrated drainage system |
| extra Z-channel crossmembers to support the | | | | to allow water to easily flow off the seats is a |
| strongest all-aluminum transom in the industry. | | | | must. Most importantly all of the furniture including |
| Superior Rails and Gates - The railing and gates | | | | our captain's seats, couches and fishing chairs |
| systems are secured to the deck using patented | | | | should be guaranteed 100% wood-free. While |
| rail spacers to allow for faster drying of the deck | | | | most pontoon manufacturers claim to use |
| and carpet. An industrial-strength silicone caulk is | | | | wood-free furniture, it's not uncommon to find |
| applied to each panel to ensure a quiet ride. Two | | | | wood hidden in their seats, backs and bases. |
| heavy-duty hinges, with a similar design and | | | | Here are 5 important traits that make a great |
| strength as a heavy-duty home door hinge, | | | | pontoon. |