Introduction
Undoubtedly pontoon boats are gaining traction globally as the preferred choice for avid anglers, waterway explorers, and outdoor enthusiasts. The fun and pleasure gotten from a pontoon boat can dramatically increase when they are fitted with accessories. Some standard pontoon boat accessories are a duckie mat, foldable storage, a bimini top, a portable toilet, and more. Although these items are tagged as “accessories,” there are, in fact, essential for any boat owner.
Pontoon boat accessories are built in a broad span of sizes, with various layouts and features geared towards particular tasks. Depending on the boat type, some accessories are specifically designed to fit any kind of pontoon. The vast majority of these pontoon boat accessories are used for long hours of fishing, while others are essential for relaxation and pleasure.
If you’re wondering which pontoon boat accessories is crucial for your pontoon boats, read on as this guide provides crucial insights about pontoon boat accessories and everything you should know about the listed accessories.
Why Choose A Pontoon Boat?
Great For Fishing And Skiing
An advantage of the pontoon boat is that it offers people a taste of both the fishing and skiing experience. Although pontoon boats may not maneuver in shallow waters and narrow areas, the platform of a pontoon boat is excellent for both fishing and skiing.
People who want to use their pontoon boat for skiing can have as people as possible on board. On the other hand, those who would prefer to use it for fishing will get a stable boat that does not spook fish on the water. Pontoon boats also have a hull enclosure with a heater for fishing during winter.
Great For Families
Traditional boats often bore kids because they can’t run around on them. However, on a pontoon boat, there is ample space for kids to run around and play on the couches. They can fish or use the sound system to have fun while on the boat.
Unlike traditional boats with limited space, a typical pontoon boat can take 11 persons.
Easy To Maintain
The manufacturing of pontoon boats makes them very sturdy and easy to maintain. They are made of aluminum which keeps them tear-free. People who use their boats in shallow, rocky waters may experience frequent holes in their hull. However, with a pontoon boat, the chances of it happening are less likely, and if it happens, it can be easily repaired.
In addition, pontoon boats sit high on the water, and they are easy to load onto the back of a trailer without damage to the hull. An added advantage of the pontoon boats is the ease of cleaning them after using them on the water. A ski boat will need cleaning after an outing because the gelcoat gets water spots that are difficult to remove. On a pontoon, there is no need to clean the water because there is usually no spotting.
Comfort
Pontoon boats come with ample space, allowing people to sleep on the couch while on a trip. There are large couches and areas with comfortable seats for passengers. Some pontoon boats even have a changing room to get out of their wet swimsuits.
A Barbecue grill allows passengers to have a Barbecue on the boat while enjoying the stable and smooth riding of the pontoon.
Long-Lasting
Pontoon boats are easy to repair, which allows them to have very long lives. Most couches can easily be replaced due to the availability of options in the market. Also, pontoon boats are easy to customize; hence people don’t need to want to buy a new one in quick succession.
Storage
A boat needs ample storage, especially when many people are on board. Generous storage will help people safely keep their coolers, bags of clothes, and extra blankets. While most boats don’t come with storage which may cause people to litter their luggage all around the boat, pontoons come with dedicated storage.
Safety
Pontoon boats are much safer, especially for kids than traditional boats. Pontoon boats usually come with a high side rail to reduce the likelihood of children falling over the sides. These boats are heavy and sturdy, making them less likely to topple over even at high speeds.
Top Pontoon Boat Accessories
Installing boat accessories provides an overall performance and operation of the vessel. Also, not only does it gives comfort but also helps the pontoon boats lasts longer. Below are some excellent suggestions for boat accessories.
Railblaza Rail Mount
Railblaza is a secure mount that allows for the easy attachment of the boat’s accessories to the pontoon rails. It is essential for those who wish to hold different accessories or those who want to change the location of their cup holder, rod holder, filet table, and stow pad. The accessory is easy to install by simply screwing it together with no drilling required.
It has rubber inserts to avoid slippage when attached to the rail. The Railblaza rail mount also has starport locking slides which secure accessories in place. The plastic is UV stabilized for protection against harsh sun rays.
PROS
- The rail mount works with high fence pontoon boats.
- It has a unique design that avoids interference with rail walls.
- It offers stability because it stays in place when it is mounted.
CONS
- It does not fit all square ¼ rails.
Crossewin Boat Buoy Bumpers
Boat Buoy Bumpers are an easy and affordable way to protect the boat from scratches, damages, and scrapes. The product is made of durable marine-grade vinyl, which aids in cushioning against the impact. It has a seamless one-piece construction with double eyelets, making it stable and easy to install. One can easily mount the fenders on the side of the boat.
The package includes accessories such as a hand pump inflating the fender. It is made of marine-grade vinyl, excellent in shock resisting and UV protection. It comes in several colors, and the sizes are compact. Crossewin boat buoy bumpers protect against damage caused by collision or impact with docks.
PROS
- The product is sturdy and easy to assemble because it is made with high-quality materials.
- The Oval shape design prevents the fender from turning out of position.
CONS
- The delivery takes a long time to deliver.
Adjustable Pontoon Boat Square Rail Fender
Pontoon rail hangers are crafted to allow one to reposition their boat’s fender easily. It has excellent durability and will not corrode when it comes in contact with seawater. It can also withstand sun exposure and other extreme environments. The pontoon clip edges are smooth and will not scratch the paint surface and the sofa on the boat.
The holes on the clip can support ¼ to ¾ fender ropes. The clips also help the quick adjustment of two dimensions simultaneously. They are constructed using eximious material, which makes them even more durable.
PROS
- The clip is suitable for ¼ and ¾ fender ropes, making it multi-functional.
- It is designed to clamp on one-inch and 1.25 square-inch tube rails.
CONS
- It is hard to position the rail up against the seatback.
Tempress Elite High Back Helm Seat
Tempress Elite High Back is a premium captain chair with a roto-molded seat that uses 30oz marine-grade vinyl. The marine-grade vinyl is resistant to UV and damage from moisture. It has a reinforced framework that supports heavier weights. The seat silhouette is one feature that sets the Tempress Elite seat higher than other brands.
It has built-in lumbar support, which keeps the lower back in good shape alignment. In addition, it also features a cut-out backseat just like the leader accessories captain seats. The captain seat is free to move around because it doesn’t have an extended armrest and it has ultra-plush padding that gives the best responsive cushion.
PROS
- It has built-in lumbar support and a rolled front edge.
- The captain seat is made out of materials designed to withstand the intensity of marine use.
- Tempress Elite captain seat is easy to mount with a backside grab handle.
CONS
- The sides of the captain seats don’t align properly.
Diving Board
The Lillipad diving board is a very straightforward, simple, and practical boat accessory that allows folding for easy storage and movement. It has a sturdy design that can hold up to 250lbs in weight, and it makes use of secure mounting hardware, eliminating energy transfer. This implies that even if there is a lot of weight on the board, none of the energy will be transferred to the pontoon, keeping it steady.
In addition, the board is easy to uninstall. The ease of removing the Lillipad board will come in handy when the cover of the boat is being put on, and the owner wants it to fit snuggly around the boat. When the locking mechanisms are released, and the board is removed, draping on the boat cover becomes more accessible. It is important to note that the Lillipad board is a bit heavy but can fit into a boat’s under-seat storage.
PROS
- The Lillipad diving board is sturdy because of the T60-61 aluminum, stainless steel, and urethane spring components.
- It can hold up to 250lbs of weight.
CONS
- Lillipad diving boards are not readily available.
RTIC cooler 45qt
RTIC cooler 45 is one of the best roto-molded cooler options. RTIC features are on par with the YETI Tundra, yet, the RTIC is considerably cheaper. The RTIC has a three-inch insulated wall and lid gasket. The gasket ensures that its contents are kept frozen for ten days. However, if the heat is extreme, the RTIC cooler can keep contents cold for up to four days.
It has an integrated locking system and solid construction. The solid construction of the cooler is certified bear-resistant and also makes the cooler multi-functional. Boat owners can stand or use the cooler as a bench. RTIC cooler rubber feet make the cooler not slip in the event of turbulence.
However, the cooler is quite heavy, so people need to buy a heavy-duty rope used in transferring the cooler. There is also drainage on each cooler side that enables water to run off.
PROS
- RTIC cooler has a traction lead.
- The cooler can hold more than 36 cans.
- It can contain up to 40lbs of ice.
- There are four color options available.
CONS
- The RTIC cooler is quite heavy.
Myoyay Eva Foam Boat Floor
Myoyay Eva Foam floor has an excellent ability to buffer, seismic-resistant, chemistry resistant, and moisture resistant. There are also non-absorbent which makes them a perfect option for a stain-resistant boat floor. Due to their build, there are also easy to cut to meet the requirements of the boat floor. Myoyay is built with high-quality Eva material that gives a non-toxic, anti-shock performance. In addition, there are resistant to seawater, and the strong adhesive at the back makes them easy to install.
Myoyay Eva Foam Boat Floor provides a non-slip surface for the boat floors in dry or wet conditions. It imitates a teak design and perfectly decorates the boat surfboard.
PROS
- Myoyay is highly durable.
- The high tensile strength means that the flooring won’t crack easily.
- It is non-slip.
CONS
- There are complaints about poor customer service.
Wise 3059-1882 Pontoon Double Drink Holder
Wise 3059-1882 drink holder is ideal for cruisers, fishing boats, runabouts, and pontoons. It features a marine-grade plastic frame, stainless steel cups, foam padding, and vinyl. It has a weighted vinyl flap that secures the drink holder to the pontoon seat and back cushion. There is also a smartly designed drop flap that secures the drink holder to the stormy waters. The package weighs 1.2kg and has 12.25 x 7.5 x 4.63 inches.
PROS
- The material-grade vinyl gives the drink holder durability and UV resistance.
- It has smartly designed drop flaps that hold it to the seat securely.
CONS
- The customer service is poor.
Garelick Stowable Table
Garelick Stowable Table is a durable boat table that withstands harsh marine conditions. It is easy to set up and also easy to stow for convenience. It weighs 12 pounds and has a dimension of 36 x 24.5 x 6 inches. It comes with an attached surface mount casting and the top of the table and the borders have a brownish teak finish.
The Garelick table has a unique locking pin to hold the table when it’s not used. The legs of the Garelick Stowable Table can be removed and stashed when it is not utilized. The package includes a surface mount base, side mount bracket, tabletop, and table leg.
PROS
- The teak finish is quite elegant.
- The package includes everything one will need to mount the table.
- It is easily stowed.
CONS
- The price is on the high side.
Universal Boat Cover
Universal Boat Cover derives the name from its ability to fit almost all boats. It works fine for vessels with a long beam of 25′-28′ and 96″ length. The universal boat cover has a full cut which allows extra room for accessories such as running lights and bow rails. It includes a storage bag made of high-strength polyester Hurricane fabric designed for extra durability and weather protection. The storage bag also makes it more portable.
Universal Boat Cover is weather resistant because of its marine-grade fabric coating technology. The superior coating technology gives the universal boat cover both weather-resistant and repellency capabilities.
PROS
- It has an integrated strap system.
- The storage bag is quite effective in resisting rough weather conditions.
- The cover can fit well on most pontoon boats.
CONS
- The D-rings break easily at several attached locations on the cover.
Conclusion
Pontoon boats have proven to be the preferred choice for many people, especially close-knit families. Pontoon boats come with a wide range of pontoon boat accessories that keep the passengers entertained. Accessories such as; boat covers, cup holders, vertical rod holders, and coolers are all essential for a standard pontoon boat.