Your Safety Guide to Riding a Pontoon Boat

Pontoon boats are fantastic family-friendly vessels, and they are perfect for enjoying a variety of different activities on the water. You can use your model to cruise around your favorite spots until sunset, invite your friends for a picnic, or tow your watersports enthusiast buddies behind you—the choice is yours. However, don’t let all the fun distract you from being safe. In fact, you will want to think of safety before boarding your pontoon to make your outings more successful and memorable.

Club Royale is your local boat dealership in Waterford, MI, and we want you safe on the water. Our experts have gathered a few strategies for staying safe on a pontoon boat. Keep reading this guide to learn more, and for more information, contact our experts.

Adhere to Local Rules and Regulations

As you may be aware, every state has its own set of regulations for the operation of boats, and Michigan is not an exception. These help keep boaters safe and protected, and you will want to adhere to these rules when exploring your favorite bodies of water. Remember that some rules can be location-specific, so contact your local authorities to remain safe and compliant.

In addition to the protocols, you will want to ensure that:

You have a valid boating permit for piloting a boat.

You abstain from alcohol and drug consumption when boating.

You follow basic marina etiquette when exploring your favorite bodies of water.

Bring Safety Equipment

Even experienced boaters must keep a few pieces of safety equipment on board their boats. Before bringing your vessel onto the water, check to see that you have a life jacket for each person on your crew and a few throwable life rings for someone who has fallen overboard. Make sure you pick the right size for each member and encourage everyone to wear their jacket throughout the ride.

You will also want to bring a flag to signal a crisis and keep a few emergency supplies handy. Ensure you have at least one fire extinguisher, a signal flare, a comprehensive first aid kit, a GPS signal beacon, a space blanket, and a fire starter. It also helps to have a small toolkit with a few spare parts to repair any problems as soon as they arise.

Keep tabs on Weather Prediction

The last thing you will want to worry about when riding your pontoon boat is inclement weather conditions. As this type of vessel isn’t designed for handling deep surf, you will want to avoid high wind conditions and precipitation when you are on the water. Check the weather prediction for your area a few days before your outing and postpone your trip in case rain or storm is predicted.

If you are on the water and see a storm moving towards your location, make sure you head back to the shore immediately.

We hope this guide helps you stay safe on the water when riding your pontoon boat. If you have more questions or are still in the market for a boat, visit Club Royale. We have a fine selection of pontoons for sale, and our friendly staff can suggest models that suit your budget and unique requirements. To peruse our inventory, stop by our dealership in Waterford, MI. We proudly serve Rochester, so reach out today.