What are the best Pontoon Boat Accessories?
Whether you own a double-decker party barge or a simple fishing pontoon, you can easily spend a lot of money on accessories. Before shelling out your hard-earned money for any pontoon boat accessory, it is always a good idea to carefully plan the enhancement you want so you don’t waste money.
Yeti Tundra 35 Cooler
One of the easiest accessories to purchase for your pontoon boat is a beverage cooler designed to keep drinks cold. Yeti has a wonderful reputation for building quality containers for campers, hikers, and marine applications. The Yeti Tundra 35 Cooler is one of the best. It has the ability to hold up to 20 cans and is built with 3 inches of perma-frost insulation. The construction is durable, built to withstand the rigors of marine and boating life, and easy enough for one person to carry.
Pros:
- Easy to carry
- It holds up to 20 cans
- Ice Stays cold longer
- Virtually indestructible
Cons:
- None
Cuisinart Grill Rail Mount for Pontoon Boat
One of the best ideas for your boat is a pontoon grill. Many pontoon boat manufacturers offer food prep areas but need grilling stations. Pontoon owners have found smaller portable grills attached to the railings or on a mounting pole in a bracket on the deck.
This Cuisinart Grill is a real game changer that attaches to your 1.25 square boat railing and lets you enjoy your favorite BBQ while on the water. The grilling surface is adequate for small groups, featuring 145 square inches (18 X 12 X 19), and the easy-to-use handle makes this grill very portable. The stainless steel burner and drip tray are effortless to maintain, and the locking lid helps keep everything contained so that cleanup can be done afterward. The unit is about the same price as a standard grill, but it is easier than dragging your four-burner down to the water’s edge.
Pros:
- Easy to install
- Portable handle
- Maintenance and cleaning effortless
Cons:
- Smaller grilling surface
Affordura Boat Fenders - 4 pack
You don’t have to be the Captain of a pontoon boat for very long to discover that the boat is prone to dings and dents. Many owners find that it takes practice to dock a pontoon boat correctly without incurring any damage, and a scrape or dent is a great way to ruin a fun day. If you want your pontoon to maintain its gorgeous looks for as long as possible, invest in some boat bumpers to help keep to keep the boat from incurring any issues when saddled up next to the dock.
The Affordura Boat Fenders are the top bestsellers on Amazon. They are light, offer easy access and retrieval, and as an inflatable tube, they will do an excellent job of keeping your pontoon from knocking against the deck. The Affordura comes with a convenient carry bag so owners can easily stow them in seconds when not in use. Reinforced eyelets allow for deployment either vertically or horizontally. The 4-pack includes matching ropes and has several different color choices and sizes. The fenders have a 2-year warranty against harmful UV rays to resist splitting, cracking, or disintegration. This popular accessory will help your pontoon last longer and look its best on the lake.
Pros:
- High user ratings
- Ropes included
- Moderately priced
- Easy storage
- Effective mount holders
- They can be used as floating water pads
Cons:
- Need to be pumped up for use.
Botepon Boat Bungee Dock Line
One of the most time-consuming tasks for any new pontoon owner is tying their boat to the dock. Unless you are a boy scout with lots of naval knot training, you could benefit from these pre-looped dock lines from Botepon. These Botepon Boat Bungee Dock Lines are six-foot bungee cords (that stretch to 9 feet) and are rated to hold up to 4,000 lbs or a 23’ pontoon near the dock. Stop wasting your time tying a hundred knots around a dock post when you can slip the loop over a cleat in seconds. This pontoon accessory comes with a one-year warranty and is made for people who love having fun on the water.
Pros:
- Very easy-to-use dock lines
- It holds up to 4000 lbs pontoon weight.
- Makes docking quicker
- Warranty
- Reinforced mounting brackets
Cons:
- Nothing
Trac Outdoors Deckboat 40 Electric Winch
If you have ever had to unhook an anchor from the bottom of a lake bed, you know what a strain on your back it is to get the weight into the boat. Whether you have a fluke, mushroom, box, or grapnel-style, a mechanical winch can help you spend more time fishing or doing fun stuff. The Trac Outdoors Deckboat 40 is easy to use and allows the anchor to be raised or lowered with a 12 v electric motor that wires into your battery. The unit can handle up to 40 lbs, has a wireless remote that lets you operate it from the helm, and has a limited one-year warranty. The pontoon winch is sold with 100 feet of rope and operates smoothly, with jerking or pausing.
Pros:
- Easy installation
- Wireless remote
- Variety of colors
- Good weight capacity
Cons:
- Pontoon owners may need to modify the front swim deck for mounting.
EliteShield Pontoon Boat Cover
Since pontoon boats are usually on the water only during the pleasant summer months, as an owner, you have to store your watercraft when it isn’t in service. If your pontoon didn’t come with a cover, one of the most practical items you can do is to purchase this accessory. The EliteShield Pontoon Boat Cover can protect your pontoon boat from adverse weather conditions with its durable polyester construction. The cover is 600D, tear-resistant, and protects your pontoon boat from harmful UV rays. The cover is perfect for trailering and has simple, easy-to-use straps. Double-stitched rot-free thread and an elastic cord around the base provide a snug fit. The EliteShield comes with a 2- year warranty, eight webbing tie-down straps, bow and stern straps, and a convenient bag for easy storage.
Pros:
- Durable polyester
- Elastic cord grips base
- 2-year warranty
- It takes up little storage space
- Protects from rodents, dust, and debris
Cons:
- It May not be as long-lasting as other canvas coverings.
Toadfish Anchor Non-Tipping Universal Cup Holder
Cleaning up spilled cold drinks on a pontoon boat because you don’t have the right cup holders is always a hassle. The Toadfish Anchor Non-Tipping Universal Cup Holder eliminates spilled drinks, is adaptable to almost every smooth surface, has a one-directional grip, and keeps your beverage cold for hours. This accessory is a popular addition to fishing stations or helm areas that do not have cupholders installed. Set the Toadfish on any hard surface and let the suction keep your can or fountain drink ready for your boating trip. The company offers several sizes and colors. In addition, every purchase of Toadfish cup holders goes to help support oyster harvesting, so you can know that you are supporting work for the environment for future generations.
Pros:
- Durable
- Excellent grip
- Adheres to any hard surface
- Requires no mounting bracket
- Multiple uses - not just for marine.
- Keeps beverages cold
Cons:
- None.
Minn Kota PowerDrive Freshwater Trolling Motor
Most pontoon owners who use their boats as fishing platforms find that an electric trolling motor is one of the essential fishing accessories they can purchase. The Minn Kota PowerDrive Freshwater Trolling Motor is foot pedal controlled, with a left/right and forward/reverse function. The Minn Kota doesn’t take up much deck space, is easy to set up and remove, and the variable speed controls allow you to set up precisely the kind of boat movement you want. The accessory is waterproof and equipped with a weed wedge2 propeller. Minn Kota is one of the best makers of popular pontoon boat accessories, and they have been improving the marine environment for several decades.
Pros:
- Effective motor
- Long-lasting battery
- Easy to stow away when not in use
- USA-made
Cons
- More expensive models have wireless capabilities.
TurboSwing Tow Bar
A tow bar is one of the world’s best pontoon boat accessories. As any pontoon boat owner knows, the best way to increase the fun factor for your family is to start different watersports, like tubing. The TurboSwing Tow Bar hooks to the transom and provides a solid stainless steel bar that wraps around the engine. The tow rope is attached from the tow bar to the tube or water skier and stays free of interfering with the engine. Turboswing makes different sizes, so you are bound to find the perfect one to fit your pontoon. It is constructed of durable stainless steel tubing with enough strength to pull multiple tubes. The patented pulley system lets the tow rope flow toward the tuber or water skier. This tow bar is a must-have accessory for modern pontoon boats.
Pros:
- Pulley system
- Easy to install
- Provides safety barrier around the engine
- It Fits most outboard motors
- Easy latch release
- Increased safety on the diving board
Cons:
- None
Airhead Super Mable
Since we are on the subject of towing, let’s talk about the inflatable tube your kids, and their friends will be riding on. You want a durable tube that will last and yet, be comfortable. Many inflatables are so poorly constructed that they won’t hold up to riders’ weights or are so rough-riding that they break bones as the tube bounces over the waves. The
Airhead Super Mable is the top seller on Amazon’s website for the best inflatable tubes. Made from durable nylon, this tube has multiple handholds and comfortably seats 1 - 3 riders. There are multiple tow points, allowing riders to enjoy different configurations. EVA foam pads make for a comfortable ride. A specially designed safety valve makes deflating and storage easy.
Pros:
- Multiple riders
- Excellent as an emergency light
- Comfortable padded insides
- Two distinct towing points
- Reinforced handles for occupants
- Double stitched nylon cover
Cons:
- One-year warranty could be longer.
Boaton Marine Boat LED Navigation Lights
Easy-to-install under-deck lighting kits are one of the great pontoon boat accessories. LED light strips can create different effects and turn your pontoon into a party boat at night. Generally, they run on batteries (although some wire into your boat’s electrical system). Since the LED lighting draws so little power, you don’t have to worry about battery drain or the durability of the lighting bar. Transform your pontoon into a head turner with a LED lighting bar.
The Boaton Marine Boat LED Navigation Lights are one of Amazon’s top sellers, with a visibility of over 4 miles. The LED lights are easy to install with adhesive strips on the back. The Boatonml lighting strip is wired into your ship’s electrical system with easy connectors. The strips are ideal for navigation, running lights, nighttime fishing lights, or just to give your pontoon boat a stunning look with some great underdeck lighting. The lights come with a one-year warranty and are a must as a pontoon boat accessory if you plan any nighttime sailing.
Pros:
- Excellent docking lights or diving board illumination
- Easy to install
- Waterproof LEDs
- Plugs into electrical system
- Very visible at night
- Nice reflection off of water - perfect for the edge of decking or railing.
Cons:
- Almost too bright
American Boat Flag Marine Flag
One of the most popular accessories for a pontoon boat is when owners proudly display a flag while cruising on the lake. This American Boat Flag Kit is durable and can be installed in just seconds. The flag measures 18 “ x 12” and is made of 210D nylon. The kit includes adjustable pole clamps and carabiners to allow owners to change flags. The flag is made for high winds and will add a patriotic touch to your pontoon boat for years.
Pros:
- Durable nylon construction
- Easy to use mounting system
- Made in the USA
- Brass grommets make changing effortless
Cons:
- Larger pontoon boat may want a bigger sized flag.
What Other Items Should I Add To My Pontoon Boat?
There are always things that are great adds to a pontoon boat that every responsible owner should have stored before cruising on the lake.
Boat Safety Equipment
The US Coast Guard requires that all personal watercraft have essential equipment on board to be allowed to float on the water. Aside from registration numbers/lettering on the side, there are also regulations concerning safety gear, personal flotation devices, horns/sound-producing equipment, sanitation, and other items. Here are some of the essential items that you should also consider.
A Fire Extinguisher
Since most pontoon boats operate from gas-powered outboard motors, the potential for a boat fire is always present. A pontoon boat under 26 ‘ needs a 5-B fire extinguisher, while larger boats up to 40 ‘ need two 5 - B or one 20 - B extinguisher. Should something horrible happen and a fire erupt, a good extinguisher can attack the fire quickly before it gets out of control.
First Aid Kit
Pontoon owners cannot always control what happens on their boat, as much as they might want to do so. Since accidents can happen, a first-aid kit is an excellent investment. Many manufacturers make specific marine kits with waterproof bandages, gauzes, anti-burn creams, or anti-sting ointments. Fishing pontoons should carry anti-venom kits to guard against snakes that can hide in shallow waters.
Downed Swimmer Flag
If you do any tubing, a good item is a downed swimmer flag to signal other boaters on the lake that there is someone in the water. The flag should be raised anytime a swimmer is in the water. Many reservoirs and rivers have laws that mandate their use. Pontoon boat owners need to check with their local Fish and Wildlife Commissions regarding specific rules or regulations.
