A Pontoon Boat Buyer’s Guide

A pontoon boat is a great way to make sure there’s always a deck beneath you when you want to take the party to the water! Whether you’re a family with a lot of kids or a retired couple who loves to entertain in style, it’s hard to dispute the appeal of a pontoon boat. Here’s how to make a smart buy. To learn more, visit Yankee Boating Center in Lake George, New York. We proudly serve boating enthusiasts in Clayton, New York.

What’s Your Budget?

Purchasing a boat is an emotional experience for all of us, and it’s easy to spend more than we can afford when we fall in love with a boat. All dealerships offer in-house financing, and they'll do everything they can to get you financed. This often includes running multiple credit checks and offering loans to credit-challenged customers at high rates. If you get pre-approved for financing, you’ll be able to get the same deals you’d get when paying cash. You’ll also know exactly how much you have to spend.

How Large of a Boat Do You Need?

You’ll need to decide how many people you want to carry, how large of an engine that you want and how much storage space that you’ll need. You should also be sure that the boat won’t be too big for your pier or your slip. Some smaller-sized pontoons have caps on the horsepower that you can safely use, so you might want to go bigger if power is important to you. Don’t be afraid to go a little bigger if you expect your family to grow in the future.

Choose Your Options

After you’ve set your budget, it’s time to shop around for the best deals. Make sure that you’re clear with yourself about wants and needs. Sometimes you can find a great deal on a boat with more features than you originally counted on, but don’t let a salesman pressure you into a lot of options that you won’t be using

There's a pontoon suitable for any type of boater. If you’re a serious fisherman, you can find pontoons with captain’s chairs and plenty of storage. If you want to accommodate a larger group, look for pontoons with a rear lounge. Dual engine models will help you satisfy your need for speed, and you can even find double-decker pontoon boats with water slides for the kids! 

For more information and to see our current inventory of new and pre-owned pontoons for sale, visit Yankee Boating Center in Lake George, New York, serving Clayton, New York.