How to Beach a Pontoon Boat

Beaching is when a pontoon boat owner parks their vessel on a beach rather than leaving it anchored out in the water. While there are naturally a few risks involved and some pontoon owners outright refuse to use this technique, beaching can be a great way to explore small islands and distant lakeshores during your boating trip. If you are interested in beaching your pontoon boat and want to learn how to do it, follow this guide from Spring Brook Marina.

Potential Damage

Before you go any further, you should know that there is a risk that your pontoon boat will suffer some minor damage if you beach it. While this damage is normally nothing more than cosmetic, many owners prefer to wait until a vessel is a couple of years old before they beach it for the first time. If you have a new pontoon boat and you want it to stay nice, you may want to rethink beaching it for the time being. 

Preparation

If you do decide to move forward with beaching your pontoon boat, we suggest investing in a ramp so that you can easily board and disembark your beached craft. You should also wade around the area where you intend to beach your boat to check that there are no rocks or large obstacles in the way. Always beach in an area that you are familiar with when possible. 

Approach

As you make your approach, have your passengers move towards the stern (rear) of the boat so that the bow (front) is not weighed down. Trim your engine up until the propeller starts to take in air, and then lower the trim back down about three inches. Once you get into shallow waters, turn your engine off and let the pontoon boat drift towards its destination. 

Pull Your Boat And Weigh Anchor

Once you have gotten close enough to the shore that you can walk to land, it is time for you and your passengers to get out and pull the boat ashore. Once the bow is settled, set the anchor or secure your boat to a sturdy dock or tree. Now you can get out and explore!

To view our selection of new and pre-owned pontoon boats, or to access our parts and servicing departments, visit Spring Brook Marina. We operate six locations throughout the Midwest, including one in Chicago, Illinois. We proudly serve communities like St. Louis, Missouri.