Part of the reason pontoon boats are considered excellent watercraft is their reputed stability and safety on the water. Some even claim that these boats are practically unsinkable. Even so, you may be wondering, “Can pontoon boats sink?”
Pontoon boats can sink for several reasons, though it doesn’t happen often. Overloading is the most common cause of a pontoon boat sinking. Using wrong motors, poor weight distribution, incorrect handling, water in the pontoons, and harsh conditions are also common causes.
In this article, we’ll explore in-depth what might cause a pontoon boat to sink. We’ll also give you some pointers on how to avoid a situation like this, so make sure to stick around!
Can Pontoon Boats Sink?
Pontoon boats are usually stable. They’re also often used in calm shallow waters on sunny days, so there’s not much that can tip the boats over.
As a result, most people believe that pontoon boats don’t sink, and it comes as a surprise when they learn that these boats can indeed go under.
Pontoon boat sinking may be extremely unlikely for prudent boat owners and drivers. However, without regular checkups and proper handling, there’s always the possibility of something going the wrong way.
Reasons Pontoon Boats Sink
Because pontoon boats aren’t easily sinkable, it’s almost always due to human error when one does sink.
Luckily, since these factors are within our control, we can significantly reduce the chances of sinking.
Overloading the Pontoon
If the boat is loaded beyond its weight capacity, it’s very likely to sink. In fact, overloading is one of the most common causes of a pontoon boat sinking.
The issue with overloaded pontoon boats is that they’ll float without any warning signs. It becomes apparent, however, when you start sailing.
As a general rule, the water line should sit as low as possible against the pontoon tubes. If the water line reaches the tubes’ middle, the boat is most likely overloaded.
Another easy way to avoid overloading your boat is to check the boat’s weight capacity guidelines.
The total sum of your passengers, cargo, and equipment shouldn’t exceed the boat’s weight limits.
Poor Weight Distribution
Even if you don’t overload the pontoon boat, poorly distributing the weight can cause the boat to go under, especially in turbulent waters.
When too much weight is placed on the front or the back of the boat, the pontoons are forced lower into the water, causing a “plowing” effect.
As the boat plows through the water, the driver may find it hard to control the boat, which increases the likelihood of sinking.
You should always distribute your passengers, as well as your equipment and cargo, evenly, so that no one side bears more weight than the others.
Handling the Pontoon Incorrectly
Pontoon boats are relatively simple to operate and can reach speeds of up to 25 mph. It’s when they’re used as speed boats that problems can arise.
Speeding through waves and wakes can cause the boat to take on water, leading it to sink. It also increases the chances of capsizing and nose-diving.
When you’re driving a pontoon boat, you should always slow down when you’re approaching choppy waves or large vessel wakes.
Water in the Pontoon Tubes
Pontoons are the tubes that a pontoon boat sits on, hence the name. Those tubes are hollow to keep the boat afloat and buoyant.
Because these tubes are shallow, water can accumulate inside them over time if the drain plug isn’t tightly closed.
While water in the pontoon tubes won’t immediately sink the boat, it adds extra weight and increases drag. As a result, you’ll notice that the boat is much slower and heavier on the water.
Sailing in Harsh Conditions
Pontoon boats are recreational vessels that are designed for fun and sunny days. Because they’re shallow, pontoon boats work best in placid shallow waters. They’re not meant to handle turbulent waters.
That’s why, before you head out with your pontoon boat, you should always check the weather forecast.
You should also avoid using a pontoon boat in the ocean as much as possible. While pontoon boats can be used in the ocean, it’s preferable to use them close to shore and only in inter-coastal areas if absolutely necessary.
What’s more, before you leave the dock, you should make sure that there are no jagged rocks where you’re riding the boat.
If one rock is high enough to reach the boat, it can seriously damage the pontoon tubes.
Tips to Prevent Pontoon Boat From Sinking
We now understand the factors to consider in order to avoid a pontoon boat sinking or capsizing.
Let’s take a look at some additional precautions we can take to protect our boats and ourselves.
Inspect Pontoon Tubes Before Every Ride
Making sure that your pontoon boat is in an immaculate condition significantly reduces the chances of any sinking or capsizing.
Before every ride, you should check if there are any holes, punctures, or water in the pontoon tubes.
Usually, you can empty the water through the sealing plate in the tube’s chamber. If there are holes or punctures, you should consider staying on the shore to patch these holes up.
Remove All Water Before Winter
Before the cold settles in, it’s crucial to empty the pontoon tubes and chambers of all water.
If water is left inside the boat during the winter, it may freeze and cause internal damage. The punctured tubes and chambers may then fill with water in the spring, increasing the risk of sinking or capsizing.
Bolt a Pony Toon
One way you can further stabilize a pontoon boat is to bolt a small 10-foot pony toon to the boat’s front.
This method is mainly meant to prevent the pontoon boat from nose-diving, which is the tipping of the boat’s front into the water.
When the boat’s nose tips, there’s a higher risk that it capsizes or sinks. This solution pretty much eliminates the chances of such incidents.
In Conclusion
Before you sail out, it’s crucial to ask yourself questions such as “Can pontoon boats sink?”
Because pontoon boats are more difficult to sink than other boats, they’ve earned their reputation of being unsinkable. In most cases, even a severely damaged or punctured boat may remain afloat.
That said, keep in mind that, no matter how safe a boat appears to be, no boat, including pontoon boats, is truly unsinkable.
With the right chain of events, pontoon boats could go fully under.
That’s why you should conduct thorough regular checkups and maintenance to ensure that every component of the boat is in good working order.