Pontoon Safety: Rough Waters
Pontoons are an excellent way to kick back, relax, and enjoy some nice calm water. But whether you head out too far or just hit unexpected chop, there’s always a chance that your pontoon will hit rough water it wasn’t designed to handle. We here at Nisswa Marine want to help you stay calm and in control, so we’ve put together some information on pontoon safety in rough waters. To learn more, or to see the pontoons we have for sale, contact our store in Nisswa, Minnesota, today!
Causes Of Rough Water
Bodies of water are many things, but predictable isn’t really one of them. There are a few ways you can head out on calm water and end up in a rough spot. One of the worst is ignoring weather reports and advisories. Whether it’s high winds or storms, never take a pontoon out in bad weather. They’re just not designed for it. If the weather turns south unexpectedly, get your boat to shore as quickly and safely as possible.
If there are larger vessels nearby, their wake might also create problems for your boat. Avoid this by simply staying aware of other boats and avoiding any that are large enough to create a bad time for yours.
Why Is This Pad
Pontoons aren’t capable of handling rough water because, unlike many boats, they have a fairly flat bottom and simply rest on the surface of the water. They don’t cut through waves and chop, so hitting any water that’s too high relative to the boat means taking on water. On a really, really good day, this means getting soaked when you weren’t expecting it.
On a bad day, however, this could lead to submarining. This basically means that part of your boat gets too water-logged and goes under the surface, taking the rest of the boat with it.
Avoiding Danger
Aside from staying aware of the weather and other mariners, there are a couple ways to improve your chances of avoiding or successfully handling rough water. First, consider how your pontoon is loaded up. Do your best to distribute weight evenly throughout the pontoon, including both cargo and passengers. Heavier items can also be placed at the rear of the boat, keeping the bow above waves as you move forward.
You can also trim up prior to hitting a wave, causing your boat to hit higher on the wave and avoiding taking on too much water. If you’re not confident in your ability to time that, try taking on waves at an angle and ride them rather than dip under them. Keep your vessel at speed as well, as slowing it can increase the chance that your bow will go under.
We hope this helps keep you and yours safe! If you have any questions, or you just want to see the pontoons we have available, contact us at Nisswa Marine. We proudly serve the people of Minneapolis and St. Cloud, Minnesota—let us serve you today!