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Welcome Aboard!
Pontoon party boats are the ultimate vessels for entertaining friends and family on the water. With ample deck space, comfortable seating, entertainment systems, and plenty of amenities, a pontoon party boat allows you to bring the party atmosphere of land onto the lake or river.
In this guide, we’ll highlight the key features to look for when selecting the perfect pontoon party boat for hosting unforgettable on-water celebrations and events. Knowing what to look for will help ensure you choose a boat that provides the ideal space, comfort, and functionality to meet your entertaining needs.
What is a Pontoon Party Boat?
A pontoon party boat is a type of specialty boat that is designed specifically for hosting parties, events, and gatherings on the water. While regular pontoon boats also offer spacious decks and comfortable seating, a true party pontoon takes the onboard entertainment up a notch.
Party pontoons feature expansive deck space to accommodate dozens of passengers. They have plush seating options for comfort during extended cruising sessions. They also hold a variety of built-in features catered toward having fun. These can include waterslides, rope swings, water toys, enormous sound systems, lighting effects, built-in bars with sinks, grills, and more.
The defining feature of all pontoon party boats is the focus on gathering with friends, family, and fellow revelers to celebrate out on the water. The boats allow the experience and atmosphere of a house party to be recreated on the waves.
Why a Pontoon Party Boat is Perfect for Entertaining.
Pontoon party boats provide the ultimate vessels for on-water entertaining thanks to their incredibly spacious decks with plenty of room for passengers to lounge about and socialize. The comfortable seats mean you and your guests can relax out on the water for hours without cramped quarters.
Party pontoons also allow you to bring the entertainment out on the waves by letting you load up toys, tunes, food, and drinks for a floating bash. Features like waterslides, rope swings, and swim platforms get your guests in the water. Meanwhile, built-in sound systems and lighting effects set the mood.
And with amenities like integrated bars, grills, and kitchenettes, you have everything you need for fabulous floating fiestas. Pontoon party boats create an event venue on the water, allowing you to celebrate in style under the sun with all your favorite people.
Key Feature #1: Spacious Deck
The importance of a spacious deck for hosting parties and activities.
When selecting a pontoon party boat, the very first feature to look for is a spacious deck. After all, the deck is where all the entertaining happens! A roomy deck provides ample space for passengers to lounge about, socialize, dance, play games, and take part in water activities.
For hosting sizable gatherings, you’ll want a pontoon deck that is at least 25 feet long. However, longer deck sizes of 30 feet or bigger are ideal for throwing large parties with dozens of people. The longer the deck, the more seating options and play areas it can accommodate.
The advantages of having ample space for socializing and relaxing.
A pontoon party boat with a huge deck gives your floating party the room it needs so guests aren’t crammed together like sardines. Open floor plans allow for custom furniture configurations so people can socialize in large or small groups spread out over the boat.
Sprawling deck space also means there’s room for games like cornhole, ladder ball, or a portable dance floor so the fun can happen on the water. And of course, a massive deck has plenty of seating so revelers can kick back with an umbrella-topped cocktail in hand.
Key Feature #2: Comfortable Seating
The importance of comfortable seating for long hours on the water.
The next must-have feature for any top-notch pontoon party boat is ultra-comfy seating. After all, a party on the waves isn’t truly epic without lush, cushy seats so you and your passengers can lounge in relaxation for hours.
Since pontoon parties often last entire afternoons or evenings, you don’t want guests to have to sit on hard, back-straining benches the whole time. Proper cushions and supportive seating maintain comfort so the good times won’t get cut short due to fatigue.
The different types of seating options and their benefits for passengers.
From plush pillow top couches to oversized bean bags, innovative seating is a hallmark of quality modern party pontoons. Curved conversationals allow passengers to face one another while relaxing into sink-in comfort. Recliners take relaxation up another notch, while pop-up changing rooms give privacy for switching swimsuits.
Other great seating choices are modular or snap-together options that let you customize layouts. Swiveling captain’s chairs also lend versatility. No matter what types of seats you choose, when it comes to party pontoons, the more comfortable, the better the onboard experience for revelers.
Key Feature #3: Entertainment Systems
The importance of entertainment systems for enhancing the party atmosphere.
What’s a party without great music and ambient lighting to set the mood? To truly amplify the revelries, a top-tier party pontoon requires an onboard entertainment system to take the atmosphere up a notch.
Quality sound systems make it possible to crank the tunes so the party carries across the water. Party lights, disco balls, and neon accents transform the boat into a floating nightclub venue. Entertainment systems let you customize the vibe for theme parties or elegant soirees.
The various audio and visual options available for onboard entertainment.
Today’s best party pontoons allow you to outfit your vessel with rockin’ sound systems like waterproof marine-grade speakers, subwoofers, amplifiers, and receiver systems capable of handling high wattage outputs. Integrating the audio equipment with an Apple TV or other multimedia source makes it easy to DJ right from your phone.
Visually, party pontoons can have embedded rail lighting. They can also have neon rope lighting installed along handrails. Some have disco balls overhead. Others have light pattern generators to splash color on the deck. You can install strobe lights for a club atmosphere. You could also get remote-controlled LED light panels to customize different lighting zones.
Key Feature #4: Bar and Kitchen Facilities
The convenience and fun of having a bar and kitchen on board.
Another fantastic feature that takes a party pontoon to the next level is having built-in bar and kitchen elements for onboard food and beverage prep. Integrated bars, sinks, small appliances, and storage spaces offer self-contained convenience so you can whip up drinks and appetizers any time out on the water.
Onboard bars and kitchens mean party pontoons can be fully stocked floating venues ready for guests to eat, drink, and be merry for hours on end. You’ll have everything you need to keep the refreshments flowing without having to head back to shore!
The different amenities and storage options for food and drinks.
Today’s luxury party pontoons offer higher-end modular bar setups with specialized marine-grade components. These include stainless steel sinks, pressurized faucets, undermount ice bins, bottle storage cubbies, durable countertops, and waterproof cabinets.
Small galley-style kitchens feature compact refrigerators, electric grills, microwaves, and extra prep space for whipping up snacks. Storage-wise, many party pontoons have dedicated compartments below deck to keep spare drinks chilled in coolers, along with space for backup ice, glassware, and garnishes.
With full bars and kitchenettes aboard, pontoon party boats let you take charge of refreshments so the drinks keep flowing and the food keeps coming all party long!
Key Feature #5: Safety Equipment
Safety equipment for peace of mind.
When you’re focused on fun with family and friends out on the water, safety should be the last thing on your mind. That’s why it’s crucial to choose a well-equipped pontoon party boat that allows you to have peace of mind regarding emergency preparedness.
Essential safety gear like railings, non-slip deck surfaces, navigation lights, horns, life jackets, and fire extinguishers help prevent accidents and mishaps so you can relax. Safety also means choosing a performance pontoon from a reputable manufacturer that meets rigorous stability and flotation standards.
Safety features and emergency preparedness on a pontoon party boat.
Look for safety features like full-perimeter railings at least 30 inches high with double entrance gates to prevent accidental falls. Non-slip vinyl decking also enhances stability. Lockable storage compartments keep life jackets, first aid kits, flares, and fire extinguishers secure but easily accessible if needed.
Navigational must-haves like LED docking lights, high-powered spotlights, GPS systems, and depth finders also improve safety. And don’t forget about onboard ventilation systems, carbon monoxide detectors, and marine-grade electrical systems to help ensure you party safely and responsibly.
Key Feature #6: Sun Protection
Sun protection during extended periods on the water.
Spending long days reveling with friends under the summer sun is what pontoon parties are all about. But when you’re out on the water for hours at a time, it’s essential to have sun protection features so passengers don’t end up crispy critters by the end of the day.
Overexposure to UV rays can quickly lead to painful sunburns and increase risk of skin cancer. Plus, excessive heat and glare off the water can cause discomfort. So quality party pontoons should have built-in shade and sun shielding.
Different options for providing shade and protection from the sun’s rays.
Some of the best sun protection features on pontoon party boats include bimini tops, which are retractable canvas canopies extending over part or all of the deck to provide shade. Towering pylon biminis give expansive overhead coverage.
Many party pontoons also have curtain side enclosures that can roll down and enclose the rails while still allowing fresh air flow. These help block glare off the water so passengers stay cooler and more comfortable.
Other smart shade solutions include popup changing rooms/heads with sunshade roofs and built-in ambient lighting. Strategically placed weatherproof umbrellas also lend movable sun protection that guests can adjust any time.
Key Feature #7: Swim Platforms and Waterslides
The added fun and convenience of swim platforms and waterslides.
What better way to enjoy a party on a pontoon party boat than to get wet and wild with swim platforms and waterslides! These exciting features allow your guests to take the revelries into the water for fun.
Swim platforms provide stable, low-profile decks from which partygoers can dive, jump, or slide into the water. Waterslides take the thrills up a notch allowing passengers to plunge into the drink with exhilarating speed.
Easy access to the water for swimming and other water activities.
Swim platforms make it simple and safe to climb out of the water back onto the boat. Wide platform ladders mean less chance of slippery falls. Plus, platforms serve as staging areas for floating foam pads, water trampolines, and other toys so the play can go on for hours.
Onboard waterslides range from simple slip-n-slides to elaborate multi-lane models with splash pools. Some slides even have simulated wave action. Waterslides add high-energy aquatic fun to any pontoon party!
Don’t forget about other water access accessories like rope swings and aquatic disco light cubes to enhance the thrill factor even more!
Key Feature #8: Storage Space
The importance of ample storage space for supplies and equipment.
The final must-have feature for well-equipped party pontoons is plenty of onboard storage space. With all the recreational gear, food, drinks, and supplies needed for epic floating bashes, storage is a necessity.
From life jackets and inflatables to grilling utensils and spare propane tanks, party pontoons allow everything required for the big event to come along for the ride when properly organized into numerous storage compartments.
The different storage solutions for keeping the boat organized and functional.
From cavernous in-deck compartments to under-seat cubbies and lockable trunks, today’s party pontoons offer intelligently designed storage areas so you can pack it all in. Rear swim decks and front casting platforms provide external storage options too.
Storage compartments come with securing latches, ventilation, and drainage. More advanced party barges even have electronically controlled storage with lighting and climate control to keep food and drinks chilled.
Purposeful organization of party gear into the many storage crannies aboard a pontoon party boat means you’ll stay high and dry while having everything you need for raging on the water!
Conclusion
Here is a summary of the eight essential features to keep in mind.
- A spacious deck with room to entertain dozens of people.
- Comfy, cushy seating so guests stay relaxed for hours of fun.
- Entertainment systems like sound equipment and mood lighting.
- Built-in bars and kitchenettes for food and drinks.
- Safety equipment for responsible peace of mind.
- Sun protection like bimini tops and shade curtains.
- Swim platforms and waterslides for aquatic adventure.
- Plentiful storage space to organize all your party gear.
Whether you are planning on weekday trips / weekend trips or taking a long partying voyage at sea – pontoon party boats are a perfect option. Crafted by expert boat designers, filled with party packs, a pontoon boat party is a fun adventure.
Before purchasing or renting, be sure to look at pontoon party boat layouts, as well as your plans for pontoon adventures/trip ideas. Customize your boat and prepare for the ultimate partying cruise! Hopefully, this guide will help you in making the correct choice for your recreational pontoon.
As a starting point, you may want to look into Bennington pontoon party boats and Avalon pontoon party boats. These are great brands to start your research with.
With ample amenities and entertainment options, a decked-out modern party pontoon creates an unbeatable floating venue ready for celebrations on the water. So climb aboard and get ready to set sail for a legendary bash under the sun!
