What is a Pontoon Boat?
A pontoon boat is a flat-styled boat that uses two or more air-filled long tubes to stay afloat. The pontoons provide the buoyancy needed for the large surface area of the pontoon to stay above water. Based on a Katarman style, a pontoon boat allows for a larger deck area to accommodate lounge seating, bars, or more passengers than a typical deck. Most pontoon boats are powered by a large outboard motor attached to the back of the deck.
The Advantages of a Pontoon
Despite its larger size, the pontoon boat has several advantages.
- Wider surface area for accommodations or passengers
- Pontoon boats can pull closer to shore for drop off
- Pontoon boats are more stable in calmer weather
The Disadvantages of a Pontoon
Pontoon boats are great watercraft when the weather is excellent, and the winds are calm. However, many pontoon boats find rougher weather and choppy waves harder to handle.
- Less maneuverable in rougher weather
- Not as graceful as a smaller deck boat
- Not as fast as deck boats
What Kind of Gasoline Does A Pontoon Boat Use?
Owners of Pontoon boats use regular unleaded E10 gasoline. Most service stations are now serving the blend of 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline, so it shouldn’t be an issue to find it. Depending on the size of your boat, the gas tank can vary from 10 gallons or less to over 35 gallons. Many typical pontoon boats are equipped with two 12-gallon tanks that allow for about 5-6 hours on the water's surface (assuming the standard five gallons per hour). Of course, the amount of fuel consumed will depend on several factors, such as the engine's size, the pontoon boat's weight and passengers' weight, and how much cruising is done.
Where is the Best Place to Buy Gasoline for a Pontoon Boat?
If the pontoon is not docked at the lake but ferried back and forth to the water via trailer, then almost any local gas station will have E10 gasoline available. Choose a station with plenty of space for the boat and truck. Some stations are easier to navigate in and out of the way, so pick a station with room to maneuver. Double-check that the gasoline being purchased is E10.
There are options if the pontoon is docked on a pier in the back of your house. Some people prefer to purchase gasoline at their local station because it is cheaper and then haul the gas in cans and pour it into the gas tank. The easiest solution is to cruise to the local lake marina that offers a gas station and pay the extra charges for gasoline (usually more at a marina).
The advantage of purchasing gasoline in a marina is that the gasoline they sell is compatible with boat engines. Since outboard motors power many boats and pontoons, it is especially critical to know where the marina is and what kind of gasoline they sell.
Where is the Gas Tank for a Pontoon Boat Located?
Depending on the manufacturer of the pontoon boat, the location of the gas tank can either be on the stern corner, under the boat near the center rail or even under a seat. Check the boat’s owner's manual for the exact location of the tank and where the nozzle is located so that you can add fuel when needed.
What is the Capacity of a Gas Tank on a Pontoon Boat?
Many older pontoon boats have smaller gas tanks ranging from 6 to 12 - 15 gallons. Considering that the average boat (depending on size) burns about 5 gallons of gas an hour while cruising, this did not leave much time for festivities. Many owners of older model pontoons were forced to add additional tanks for that they did not have to continue to pull into the marina every hour or so.
To address this complaint, most modern pontoons have 35-gallon tanks, which translates to about 6-7 hours of steady cruising. These tanks provide the capacity for a family to enjoy themselves, whether fishing, tubing, or just cruising around a lake to enjoy the water.
What About the Gas When Storing a Pontoon Boat?
For owners storing their pontoon boats for the winter, it is always a good idea to drain the gas tank entirely before putting the boat in limbo. If gasoline is left inside the tank, it can begin to decay and will create issues for the next time you attempt to start the engine. Old gas is filled with filthy particles that can gum up the fuel system of any boat or car.
How Did the Pontoon Boat Come to Be?
A rural farmer in Minnesota developed the concept of the pontoon boat in the 1950s by fastening a thick slab of wood to welded oil drums powered by a small outboard motor. Ambrose Weeres is credited with the first invention of the unusual-looking watercraft, and he felt the design could be marketed. Since Minnesota already has a large number of lakes and watercraft, he found that his design was more sturdy on the water because the larger surface area provided better balance for the boat.
Encouraged by the initial inventions, Weeres attempted to custom-build many of these new-fangled boats with limited success. Eventually, a few years later, in 1956, the concept was used by Harris Manufacturing to produce the first assembly-line-built pontoon, aptly named the “Flote-Bote.”
Today, manufacturers like Bennington, G3 Boats, and Berkshire dominate the market with various shapes and styles of deck boats. The pontoon boat industry amounts to a 2.1 billion dollar industry, which is expected to grow to over 4 billion by 2029.
