| A pontoon or party boat can be a fun and | | | | If your pontoon boat is stored at a dock, it is |
| relaxing way to travel out on the water. These | | | | necessary for it to be tied up to the dock. At |
| spacious boats hold as many as 15 or so people | | | | our dock there are four cleats, two in front and |
| and can allow for sunbathing, music and partying! | | | | two in back of the boat. It is essential that you |
| Several months ago after searching through | | | | properly cleat the lines and that the pontoon boat |
| various listings of used Pontoon boats for sale, we | | | | is fastened securely near the dock. Otherwise, if |
| found a great deal on one for just under $5500. | | | | it is loose or becomes unattached, your boat may |
| The boat can hold up to ten passengers, includes | | | | float away and hit something! When leaving for |
| a built-in radio, fish finder, and spacious storage | | | | an outing on the boat, we always make sure one |
| for all sorts of items underneath the seat | | | | person is on board while one or more passengers |
| cushions. We've found the pontoon boat to be a | | | | are on the dock to untie the ropes from the |
| lot of fun to take out on the lake for journeys to | | | | cleats. Then the people on the dock safely |
| explore different areas and enjoy the relaxation | | | | board as the pontoon boat motor has been |
| of being on the water. | | | | switched on. |
| While pontoon boats are a lot of fun to take on | | | | With many new and used pontoon boats, the key |
| the water, safety should always be a priority. | | | | also includes a special clip for the "killswitch" or |
| The last thing you want is your partying to get in | | | | "dead man's switch" attached by a cord on the |
| the way of safety and cause a hazard to other | | | | keyring. This clip-on switch provides an important |
| boaters or even worse an accident on the dock | | | | safety function to shut off the boat's motor. It's |
| or water. This article will outline several safety | | | | very important before even starting the boat |
| precautions to keep in mind while you're using | | | | that you have this clip in place, so that if your |
| your pontoon boat. Safety tips for driving the | | | | key becomes dislodged or you have to pull it out |
| boat are better learned via a safe boating course, | | | | for an emergency, the motor will shut down |
| so these will be general safety tips for storing | | | | automatically. |
| your boat and what to do before taking it out. | | | | While out on the water, there are several safety |
| On board the pontoon boat it's essential to have a | | | | rules to keep in mind. While I could cover them |
| flotation device. This is in case of a sudden | | | | here, it is generally advised that you have |
| crash or impact, or if the boat flipped. The | | | | completed a boating or boater's safety course for |
| flotation device should always be kept out in the | | | | your area. Different states have different laws |
| open when your boating, just in case of an | | | | or regulations regarding who is required to have |
| accident. Also, make sure to include a number of | | | | passed a boater safety course before being |
| lifevests, which can be stored underneath the | | | | allowed to even drive a boat on the water. You |
| seat cushions on the boat. Err on the side of | | | | can find out more about your particular state's |
| caution by having 8-10 of these just in case you | | | | laws and regulations at the appropriate Game and |
| have a lot of passengers. You never know | | | | Inland Fisheries website for your state, or your |
| when they will be needed, or if certain passengers | | | | state's gov site. |
| are unable to swim. | | | | |