Used Pontoon Boats-Central: Cleaning that unsightly scum from your used pontoon boats.by Cathy Henry
As a "tooner" you notice a bright shiny pontoon going down the highway on a trailer. Do you have "toon" envy? Not to worry. You too can have shiny clean pontoons!
All it takes is about $8 and an afternoon of unglamourous work. Use an ac coil cleaning product such as Brite-Alum. This is amazing stuff but you MUST use care when doing the job. Since this is a potent acid based solvent you have to take precautions to protect yourself and anything around the boat that may come in contact with the cleaners. Safety is important so be sure you have thick solvent resistant gloves, goggles and a mask. Wear an old long sleeved shirt. Clear the area around the pontoon boat of anything that could be damaged. Lightly scrape off any loose debris off the pontoons before starting the cleaning process.
For your initial cleaning you will want to mix the cleaner 1:1 with water. You can choose to use an industrial sprayer or apply with a brush. We suggest for first time users to apply with a brush. Wet the pontoon first. Work small areas at a time (approx. 1'-2' length of pontoon). Brush the cleaner on from the bottom up to prevent streaking. The solvent should start bubbling the crusty debris on the boat. Do not allow the cleaner to dry on the pontoon. Rinse the area well and then move on to the next area.

One application of this cleaner should be enough but in some cases where there are years of sludge build-up you may need to repeat the process. To maintain your pontoons it is recommended you clean the pontoons yearly when your boat comes out of the water for storage. At that time you can use a 3:1 or 5:1 water-solvent mixture to keep the build-up from getting ahead of you.



Now that you no longer have "toon" envy, Used Pontoon Boats-Central recommends you polish and protect your pontoons.

Used Pontoon Boats-Central: Why buy used pontoon boats instead of new? by Cathy Henry


How many times have you seen a beat-up looking used pontoon boats sitting unused in a field somewhere? It has warn out carpet, seats that are cracked and wood rotted. Chances are the owner doesn't see the potential and assumes it is ready for the junk yard. In most cases this is not so. The main part of a pontoon boat is the pontoons and they are darned near indestructible. If you offer the owner $500-$1,000 he will jump for joy and be happy to have it taken away. Aside from the obvious benefit to the environment it just makes good sense financially.

Unlike fiberglass boats, with a little TLC and a fraction of the cost of a new boat, pontoon boats can be restored to new condition. Usually a complete pontoon boat restoration costs somewhere between $1,500-$3,000. When you weigh that against the cost of a brand new pontoon boat it is about a third of the price. If you are not handy or do not have the time to put into the restoration you do not have to worry. There is always a local kid willing to do labor for a few bucks or take it to your local upholstery shop to have it torn down and put back together. Because of the lower price you can afford to pay someone to help with the project.

The main benefit of buying used and restoring it is you end up with a boat that is built for your own needs. If you are an avid fisherman you might opt to leave the front deck with no furniture so you have ample room for fishing and live wells. If you take groups out on the boat you can arrange your seating in rows to allow more people onboard. Want to stay the night on your boat? Why not put on a futon or pull out sleep seat and a galley and restroom? Once you have a camper enclosure installed you now have a floating cottage. As you can see the possibilities are endless and only limited by your own imagination.

Used Pontoon Boats-Central thinks that if you buy used pontoon boats you can have the boat of your dreams for half the price of new!

Used Pontoon Boats-Central, Camper Enclosures for spending the night on board by Cathy Henry

What can I do with a Pontoon Boat?

There are a wide variety of uses for a pontoon boat. The biggest perk that I know of is that you can safely fit a lot more people on a pontoon boat than on most other types of boats. The more the merrier. Right? There are many accessories available that can be added to your pontoon boat to customize it for your use. You can have bench seating all around the sides, in rows, or just use lawn furniture and tables. Adding a camper enclosure can make almost all pontoons suitable for spending a night on board. Unzipping the curtains and using the enclosure canopy makes your pontoon boat ready for an afternoon cruise with family and friends by providing shade from the hot sun. For the fishermen; you can get built in live wells, rod holders, and bait buckets. The deck of a pontoon boat also makes a great platform for fishing with the buddies. It is also an ideal boat to use for scuba diving. Some models are even fast enough to pull the kids on water skis, wake boards, or tubes.

These boats are also available with galley and toilet facilities.

What is a pontoon boat made of?

A pontoon boat is a lightweight vessel. The hull of the boat is constructed of tubes called pontoons, which taper in at the front of the boat. This allows for better movement and speed in the water. An aluminum frame attaches the pontoons to the deck platform. The deck of a pontoon boat can be made out of wood, aluminum or fiberglass. There is a railing all around the deck for safety. This comes in useful for the occasions when the boat is used for party cruising.

Source:Alison Stevens manages the website Pontoon Boat Site and the Pontoon Boat Blog. She is a keen boater and the author of several e-books.

Used Pontoon Boats-Central

Used Pontoon Boats-Central: Adding Accessories to your Pontoon Boat Means More Fun on the Water

Used Pontoon Boats-Central thinks adding accessories to your used pontoon boat means more fun on the water by Cathy Henry

The pontoon boat, known as a party boat, is the answer to many boater's quest for the perfect all-around boat! The boat became so popular because it is so versatile. Pontoons have so many cool boat accessories available and they’re now designed and built much more attractively than their predecessors. You can have most of the features otherwise found only on luxury cruisers for a much, much lower pricetag.

Due to the roominess of a Pontoon boat some accessories are just plain fun! One pontoon boat accessory that quickly comes to mind is a slide. Accessories range from near-necessities that make your boating experience possible, to those that make your boating experience like a luxurious excursion or adventure.

For instance, a pontoon boat ladder is a necessity for many pontoon boaters. Imagine this scenario. The family or maybe a group of good friends take anchor in the lake. A few cast their fishing line, while others enjoy floating in tubes, taking in the views, fresh air and the rays. Well, for those tubers, that pontoon ladder is every bit a necessity for getting back into your pontoon boat.

Another boat accessory that could also be classified as a necessity, is a bimini top and enclosure. These tops can be put on and taken off quickly and easily. I think all boaters will agree taking cover from the sun on those hot blistering days is nothing less than a necessity. An enclosure can extend the pleasure of your boating season well beyond those of boaters without an enclosure. They keep the bugs out, keep you warm on chilly days and give you shelter should nasty weather come on you suddenly.

At Used Pontoon Boats-Central we think boating should be fun!

Used Pontoon Boats-Central: Fishing on Your Pontoon Boat by Cathy Henry

Used Pontoon Boats-Central:Fishing on your pontoon boat can be both a relaxing and fun experience. Fishing from a pontoon boat can be much more enjoyable than fishing on other smaller vessels because the stability of a pontoon boat means you are often free from worries regarding the steadiness of your vessel. There are no fears of tipping the boat over while leaning in for larger catches.

Fishing on your pontoon boat is also often much more comfortable than fishing in smaller vessels. In between catches you can relax on the deck of your pontoon boat or cook a few fillets on the on-board grill. When you fish on your pontoon boat you can go out fishing for the entire day without leaving behind the small luxuries of home such as a refrigerator to keep your lunch and chilled drinks cold and a stove to do some minor cooking or to cook up the catch of the day. You can even outfit your pontoon boat with a small restroom, making it so you have no need to go back to shore until your fishing journey is complete.

With all of the options that are available today your pontoon boat can be like a floating cottage. If the weather is cool or rainy just put up your pontoon enclosure and stay comfortable while you fish. Or why not stay the night on the boat? You can drop anchor and sleep on a pontoon boat with an enclosure. Then you just wake up in the morning and drop the lines in the water!

Used Pontoon Boats-Central thinks fishing on a pontoon boat is the only way to go for a serious fishing enthusiast!