Pontoon Boats For Sale In San Francisco, CA (2024)

FAQs

Are pontoon boats good for the bay? ›

Pontoons are great for the intercoastal, bays, rivers, and so on. They are not made to go 30-40 miles offshore. A good rule of thumb is to make sure you can always see the shore and boat in waves no larger than 3-4'. Anything higher and you could run into issues.

You can enjoy almost any activity on a pontoon — sunbathing, fishing, and water sports like tubing, and there's plenty of space onboard for all passengers to be comfortable. They are also great for exploring, since you can easily beach a pontoon on a sandbar or remote beach for a camping trip.

Pontoon boats will continue to depreciate each year until they are about twelve years old.

For standard two-pontoon boats of 18 to 25 feet in length, you can expect a moderate cruising pace of around 18 to 25 mph. These speeds are ideal for relaxed boating with ample time to take in the sights and enjoy the company of your passengers.

Overall, while pontoon boats excel in stability, comfort, and versatility, their performance limitations in rough conditions and their relatively lower top speeds may be considered disadvantages for certain boating enthusiasts.

Tritoon, or triple-hull pontoon configurations perform best in rougher waters. Look for pontoon diameters of at least 25” and a minimum wall thickness of . 090”.

How long do pontoon boats last? Like any vehicle, the biggest determining factor in a pontoon boat's longevity is how well it was maintained by previous owners. In general, estimates put a pontoon boat's lifespan at 15-20 years. In many cases, outboard power can also be upgraded, extending a boat's lifespan.

While fall may be the best time to buy a new or used boat, the winter months signify the boating offseason, which means the boating market slows down and there is a decrease in boat prices. Private sellers may not want to pay to store their watercraft in the winter, and boat shows are offering incentives to buy.

For one to five people, a 15-foot-long boat is sufficient. For six to 10 people, you'll want something in the range of 16 to 21 feet. If you want to take along an even bigger crowd, you should consider a model that's 21 to 28 feet long.

Remember, pontoons are designed to ride level with the water. As a result of their wide shape and dual hulls, pontoon boats are designed not to flip over and are equally unlikely to capsize.

Is 115 better than 150 on pontoon? ›

115hp has become the starting point for horsepower and can be a very suitable boat for lots of boaters; 150-175hp choice is a great all-around pontoon and can truly be a versatile “do it all” boat; 200+hp is the way to go if you have a need for speed and want the best performance out of your pontoon.

Built for comfort and safety, it's rare that a pontoon boat would sink even with an inexperienced driver behind the wheel.

For those who want to enjoy watersports behind their pontoon, you'll want to opt for a motor of 150 HP or higher. These motors tend to perform well for watersports. For cruising and fishing, you could likely get away with a motor smaller than 150 HP.

Bottom line: feel free to use your pontoon on salt water if conditions are good. A protected saltwater bay, inlet, or mangrove swamp is often a more suitable pontoon boating environment than the open ocean. Keep an eye on the weather, keep your weather radio set for alerts, and avoid rough conditions.

Pontoons are Built for Rough Water. If you're considering a pontoon boat and boat on rough water, the first thing you want to consider is how it's built. With today's performance pontoons, the construction has evolved to be heavier duty than ever before. A solid built boat will stand up to rough water best.

Pontoons Are Known for Versatility

These boats aren't just for leisurely cruises on calm lakes. They can also handle estuaries, rivers, and even coastal waters. Because they're so versatile, they're very popular for fishing, water sports, or just spending a relaxing day on the water.

So in summary, yes, you can use your pontoon boat in either the ocean or lakes, or both you just need to take the simple, precautionary measures to make sure it's saltwater ready. A pontoon boat can last you a very long time, whether you use it on freshwater or saltwater – if and only if you maintain it.