If you are interested in purchasing a recreational watercraft, you should think about acquiring a pontoon boat. This type of vessel is inexpensive and perfect for beginners. Also, they need minimal maintenance for an extended lifespan. However, you should remember that the performance of your pontoon vessel and your level of enjoyment will depend on your ability to drive and handle the boat. Here are some guidelines to help you ensure that your boating trips are successful.

Taking the Pontoon from the Dock

Driving your pontoon boat from the dock is not different from handling other vessels. Typically, the pontoon will handle moving at a slow speed well. However, you should be wary of the wind when entering the water body. Unlike conventional boats, pontoons do not settle far into the water, so they are more vulnerable to wind. Also, the vertical fences around the decks will increase the impact of the wind. If you are not careful, the gusts of wind could throw you off your course and back to the dock. For ideal results, you should always work to counter the breeze with energy from your engine. Utilise small applications of power and direct the drive with care to keep your boat from running askew.

Accelerating on the Water

When you are out of the docking area and in the open water, you will probably want to increase the speed of your vessel. Since the pontoon is an outboard powered craft, you should first make sure that the engine is trimmed down. This practice will minimise bow-rise. You should apply the power for acceleration steadily and slowly. Next, the bow should level out, allowing the vessel to break onto a plane. After this, you can trim up the engine so that you can boost speed and attain a better riding speed. When on the water, you should keep safe by following the manufacturer's recommendations for the maximum cruising RPM.

Handling the Boat and Turning

You should be careful when turning on the water. Simply speaking, you should remember that there are no clear lanes on the water. Check your back and ensure no watercrafts are attempting to overtake you from astern. When satisfied, make your desired turn smoothly; it should never be abrupt or sharp. If you do take a sharp turn, you might hear the propeller howling. This issue means that the component is gasping air and not holding water. So, you should trim the engine a little to restore optimal performance.

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