Pontoon boats are a favorite of many who just want to have a great time out on open waters. Toons are among the most popular boats due to their flexibility and ease of operation.
You can use them for water sports, fishing, diving, and more! Yes, they’re easy to drive, But how shallow can a pontoon boat go?
This is one thing you should be interested in, as you shouldn’t be operating pontoons far from shore.
Pontoons are versatile vessels. They can handle long and short-distance trips depending on their motor capacity. But there is only so much they can do.
In terms of very shallow water, of course all boats have their limits. And the fear many boat owners have is to have their overloaded boat grounded in the wrong place at the wrong time.
In this article, we will explain how pontoon boats handle shallow waters.
Contents
How Shallow Can A Pontoon Boat Go?
The difference between large boats and small ones is that they have extremely deeper hulls with V shapes.
The hull slants deeply into the shallow water to give the vessel stability as it moves.
Pontoons are not as big, and they have a raft design, which is not as deep as other boats. This is why they rarely sink in very shallow water since their hulls don’t graze the water depths.
For a pontoon to be grounded, that means the depth is so shallow it can be seen from the surface. While other boats sink deep, pontoons sit on the surface of the water.
For a pontoon to be grounded, that means the depth is so shallow it can be seen from the surface. While other boats sink deep, pontoons sit on the surface of the water.
The disadvantage of its hull design means that it is not as fast as other boats.
But what it lacks in speed, it makes up for it with stability. And they can traverse shallow depths without any issues whatsoever.
Despite their risk-free design, you still have to be mindful of where you take your toon. This is because there are limits to the places they can go.
How shallow can a pontoon boat go will depend on the region in question.
Water Depth and Pontoon Boats
A pontoon boat can typically traverse regions that are as little as 3-4ft deep. If your boat is empty with just you and a bit of gear on board, it will not sink very deep, and so it can go as shallow as 2ft.
But if you’re near the weight limit, you’ll be lower in the water.
Regardless, this will depend on the boat’s design.
Always follow your manufacturer’s guidance for depths.
Be that as it may, you still have to be extra careful when traveling in shallow water. This is because you can never really tell how shallow the water is at first glance and how deep your boat has sunk.
This is why expert boaters always leave a margin of error of at least 1ft or 2ft, and use a depth finder.
Depth accuracy is not guaranteed. It is best to avoid shallow depths that you can see from your vantage position.
You can never really tell how shallow the water is at first glance.
Activities That May Lead You To Take Your Pontoon To A Shallow Area
Pontoon boats are leisure boats for different activities. Their versatility makes them a popular choice for fun-seekers. Here are some activities that cause users to take their pontoon boat’s draft to shallow depths.
1. Picnics
Having a picnic on land is fun but doing so on top of the water is much more fun. Some water enthusiasts organize picnics by sailing to an inlet or cove. Aah, peace and quiet with no noise pollution and speed boats zooming past.
Since these shallow water regions are not far away from shore, it is only normal for the water depth to be shallow.
2. Fishing
If you are an experienced angler, you will know that some fish species prefer to dwell and feed in shallow waters. Some hide in between rocks to escape the sun, while others like to go in the sunlight.
If the specie of fish you wish to catch is found in shallow water, you will have to anchor in such an area to increase your chances of landing a big catch.
3. Safe Docking
Even if you like sailing to deeper depths, you will probably be docking or mooring in shallow water. Be careful near the marina
How to Operate a Pontoon Boat in Shallow Waters
Sailing your shallow-draft boat in shallow waters is not the same as operating it in deeper water.
While you can be a little carefree in deeper water, you have to be a little mindful of shallow waters.
Find the steps below to do it safely.
1. Boat Slowly
When boating in shallow waters, the last thing you want to do is move too fast.
That is the worst movie to make since your boat may grind against rocks and become stuck. You can damage your aluminum tubes and potentially sink.
Unless you are familiar with the water, drive slowly and cautiously. This is also to avoid the same depth range whose depths you are unsure of. Avoid those situations where your boat could run aground.
2. Mind Your Acceleration
When accelerating with your outboard motor, take it easy. Yeah, opening it up is fun, but make sure you’re in deeper water before you go full throttle.
3. Watch The Tide
While pontoon boats are generally recommended in non-tidal waters, people do take them in tidal rivers, bays, inlets, etc. If you’re in a tidal area, you need to take into account those tides when operating your boat.
You also need to think ahead to what the tide will be like when you’ll be leaving the area.
4. Look Out For Color Changes
Color changes in water tell you a lot.
If the depth looks light, that is an indication that the area is shallow, but if it appears very dark, that shows depth.
Of course we still recommend you don’t just trust your eyes — get a depth finder, too.
5. Don’t Anchor On A Falling Tide
Never anchor your pontoon boat on a falling tide.
You may anchor your toon in an area appropriate for your anchor and depth.
But after a while, the tide will change, potentially. reducing the water depth or completely drying that spot out.
So if you anchor your pontoon boat in an area with a falling ride because you think it is deep enough, after a while, the water level may drop, leading to a stuck boat!
6. Be Aware Of The Draft
Another thing to be mindful of is the boat draft. Pontoon boat owners who don’t know their draft when the boat is immobile run the risk of getting stuck when the tide subsides.
But how do you know your boat’s draft? Read the manual.
How do you know your boat’s draft? Read the manual.
If you can’t find that, you can do the following.
Anchor the boat close to shore, so it remains on top of the water without getting submerged. Then use a tape to measure it from the bottom to where the water reaches.
Once you have this measurement, you will know which areas you can anchor your boat and the areas to avoid.
7. Reduce The Load
If your pontoon boat is a small one, adding more weight will increase the draft. So make sure you don’t carry maximum capacity when you plan to anchor in a shallow area.
Other Safety Pontoon Boat Precautions in Shallow waters
Some other safety precautions to imbibe include:
- Reading the boat’s manual on how to drive it in shallow waters
- Reduce the speed significantly in dark places
- Ask locals for information regarding specific locations
Conclusion
How shallow can a pontoon boat go will depend on the depth of the area and your boat’s size.
You may not be able to avoid shallow waters entirely. You ought to be careful in such places, so you don’t run the vessel aground.
