Pontoon Boat-Planning for Purchase

[ronc4424]

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

One other thing about pontoon boats is the lack of protection from cooler weather. Most have a small windshield for the pilot and maybe a small windshield for one passenger.

The season in NH is short. If you have a boat with something substantial to block the wind while underway it will be much more pleasant on cooler days. Pontoon boats are so open that when the temperature is in the 50's and 60's it will be really cool while underway. If you have a more enclosed boat it could extend both ends of the boating season quite a bit.

We all think about the sunny 80 degree days that make boating enjoyable but in NH there are many more days when it is just not that warm and you still want to take the boat out. Some protection from the wind while under
way will substantially expand your season.

Exactly what TiltonBB said......an enclosure will extend your boating season by a month or more. We put ours on as soon as the weather cools down and boat well into November. We use a portable Coleman propane heater, and that besides the solar effects from the sun I spend more time out of the room cooling off and grilling...lol. The only downside is you can't tow with it on. After towing boats for many years ( gets old fast ) we finally got a slip on Squam. We have had the slip for 15 yrs.
Also, don't forget you will have to take classes for a boating license.