Driving A Pontoon Boat

My family wants to rent a pontoon boat at a lake and take the kids out, but neither myself or my husband have ever driven a boat of any kind. Any obvious dangers or problems to anticipate? Thanx!

No experience needed, just common sense. Drive very slowly at the docks, and cut your power long before you near something, you can throw her in reverse to slow your speed, as needed. Give the powerless boats right of way, and stay away from swimmers. Make the kids wear vests---its the law. If you are not familiar with the shore, stay out a ways because of submerged rocks, trees. Make sure you tie off really good if you park anywhere, and that the anchor is tied to the boat...no joke, I almost had to buy and expensive anchor that wasn't tied to the boat, I caught it in the nick of time.

2007-06-30 00:00:32 by hodgesclan@verizon.net

www.destinvacationboatrentals. com demonstrates how to drive a pontoon boat.

If so, how old do you have to be to get a boating license? Thanks.
Sorry I forgot to put this in before but this is in NY.

yes

New York requires a Boater Education Card for boaters, and not a boating license. The regulatory authority for the card is New York State Parks.

Persons above the age of 14 are allowed to operate a personal watercraft if they possess the above mentioned certificate. Until the year 2009, boaters of the age 10-13 are allowed to operate personal watercrafts with some restrictions. Persons between 10-18 years of age are allowed to operate motorboats if they possess the safety certificate. Persons under the age of 10 are allowed to operate motorboats (excluding personal watercrafts) if they are under the supervision of someone above the age of 18 or someone between the age of 10-18 who has completed the Boaters Safety Education course and holds a certificate.

for more info go to this web site

http://www.dmv.com/ny/new-york/boating-l icense

2010-09-01 19:15:07 by Bu

Price: $99.99 $99.95

Fits standard 3/4 inch tapered shafts
Stylish, detailed look combines with rugged construction
14 inch diameter

Ok last summer we had about 12-14 people on board our new pontoon boat and the front half went under water when we started going in the middle of the lake, Im sure it was b/c of the weight from 14 ppl but when it was just me, mom, & dad why did it start going under??? We were all in the middle of the boat sitting on the couches except my dad that was driving the boat. It is very disturbing being on the boat when it starts going under water. Has anyone else had this type of problem and why?

Your pontoons are no doubt sectioned, allowing water in only certain areas. "thank goodness".

Tap the front sections as compared to the rear and they should sound different if one has water.

Pull it out if you have a trailer and look for a leak.

Lastly, for safety and peace of mind, have your dealer test it.

2007-03-10 20:44:51 by sam

Price: $36.79 $22.70

Suitable for mechanical or hydraulic steering
Rugged, stylish design
Soft urethane rim for driving comfort

I am a Pennslyvania resident who annually vacations in Maryland. I will be age sixteen as of Nov 2, 2008. Since I will be of driving age soon, my relatives would like to teach me how to drive a pontoon.

However I'm a bit skeptical about this, especially since its out-of state. I've heard rumors that you must be eighteen to legally drive a boat. What are the requirements? Is sixteen old enough to be driving a pontoon, and are there any special tests such as boating tests I would have to pass?

I can drive just fine in the main channel of the lake, however I can't dock without an assistant on the dock to slow the boat down (some seasoned vets can do it, but I'm just not that good). Are these skills sufficient?

If you were born after 1976, you need to take a boating safety course. This is offered through the US Power Squadrons or Coast Guard Auxiliary. If you have the certificate from another state it is fine.

2008-02-12 18:03:14 by Agent 007

I just got my boating license, and I live in PA. We'll use it in lakes around here, not Lake Erie. I've been driving boats for quite a while and I love my dad's friend Stanley's. It is decently big. It has an area for about 7 or 8 on top (it's not a pontoon boat), and a little area downstairs that has a small bathroom and bedroom with a little living room type thing. It goes pretty fast, but I never really put it to the test because it's not mine. We'll have at the most 10 people on at a time, but usually four. We don't have a whole lot of money, maybe $5,000. I personally don't like pontoon boats, because not many of them have too much power. If you know of one that has power, good handling, and fits our budget, that's fine. We DO NOT want speed boats or anything really little. No sail boats either. Thanks, 10 points!
His is 28'
Fine, $10,000

For $5,000 or less, your options are very-very slim.
While you say you don't like pontoons because they lack power....
I say they have more then enough power... and certainly more power then nothing.
Pontoons are also the very safest vessel on the water, and make great family boats.
So, considering your budget requirements, I suggest you should take another look at pontoons.
They are by far the largest, safest, most comfortable and economical to own vessels on the water.

Good luck,
Happy & Safe Boating,
John

2010-07-31 13:54:34 by Zach