Planning a party out on the water? If so, you may have heard that you should throw your next bash on a pontoon boat, also known as a “party barge.”
Why are pontoon boats called “party barges,” and what makes them so ideal for social gatherings? In this post, we will break it down for you. We’ll explain exactly what a pontoon boat is, what its advantages are for partiers, and even give you some tips for throwing a pontoon boat party of your own.
What is a Pontoon Boat?
A pontoon boat is a kind of floating barge that rests on top of tubes called “pontoons.” The tubes are made of hollow aluminum, and there may be two or three of them depending on the design. Catamarans and trimarans are both examples of types of pontoon boats.
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Pontoons vs Other Types of Boats
There are a few key benefits to pontoon boat design that set them apart from other boats and also make them especially suited to parties and gatherings.
- The pontoons can support a great deal of weight, so you can pack a lot of people and party supplies onboard without worrying about your party boat sinking. Other types of boats may be more restricted in terms of their weight capacities since they do not have buoyant tubes keeping them afloat.
- Pontoon boats have the space and capacity to support awnings, onboard bars, lounges, and other exciting features you will not find on other types of boats.
- Pontoon boats feature superior stability when compared to other boats. So, they will not tilt even if things get wild on deck.
- The pontoons allow for the shape of the boat to include a roomy, flat deck. That provides party-goers with more space than they would enjoy in other types of vessels.
What is a Pontoon Used For?
Pontoon boats are exceptionally versatile and can be used for a broad range of applications like:
- Parties
- Barbecues
- Tailgating
- Fishing
- Water sports
- Lounging around, swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing
Pontoon boats are commonly used in lakes and other inland waters but can be taken out on the ocean as well if conditions permit. With their flat design, they are also suitable for shallow waters that could pose problems for other vessels.
Why are Pontoon Boats Called Party Barges?
If you’ve read this far, you should already have a pretty strong understanding of why pontoon boats are often known as “party barges.”
Simply put, they are the best type of vessel for hosting any sort of gathering. On a pontoon boat, you can relax in the shade under an awning, set up a grill to barbecue, sprawl out on the deck to sunbathe, or drop a ladder down so your guests can splash around in the water.
What makes a boat a barge, specifically? Typically, a key differentiating factor is the width of the deck, along with a flat bottom. Pontoon boats are flat, and they tend to be fairly wide. So, they meet both of these requirements.
Barges generally travel on inland waterways, which is where people often use pontoon boats as well.
How to Throw the Perfect Party on Your Pontoon Boat
If you want to have the best experience on your pontoon boat, you are going to need to stock up on the right accessories.
To navigate your pontoon boat safely and look for fish, you are going to want to invest in a pontoon boat depth finder or fish finder.
To climb easily and safely in and out of the water, we recommend purchasing a pontoon boat ladder.
A pontoon boat offers you expansive deck space, which is one of its chief benefits. But if you want your guests to have even more room to spread out and have fun, you can expand your deck space with an inflatable dock.
For additional recommendations for outfitting your pontoon boat for your next party, explore our site for guides and reviews.
