Do you need boating experience to drive a pontoon boat?

My family wants to rent a pontoon boat at a lake and take the kids out, but neither myself or my husband have ever driven a boat of any kind. Any obvious dangers or problems to anticipate? Thanx!|||No experience needed, just common sense. Drive very slowly at the docks, and cut your power long before you near something, you can throw her in reverse to slow your speed, as needed. Give the powerless boats right of way, and stay away from swimmers. Make the kids wear vests---its the law. If you are not familiar with the shore, stay out a ways because of submerged rocks, trees. Make sure you tie off really good if you park anywhere, and that the anchor is tied to the boat...no joke, I almost had to buy and expensive anchor that wasn't tied to the boat, I caught it in the nick of time.|||It has NO brakes, and doesn't steer unless you're giving it gas.





If you've NEVER navigated a boat before, ask for some help!!|||No one can give you the experience you need by answering your questions in this format. You should take a safe boating course from the Coast Guard Auxiliary or Power Boat Squadron and take a test run with the boat with someone experienced aboard before you venture out by yourselves.|||Do a quick google search for boat safety and do a little reading. Driving a pontoon boat isn't rocket science but driving any boat requires a little knowledge on boating safety and some common sense.





I would suggest that you and hubby go rent the boat without the kids first. Familiarize yourselves with the boat a little before bringing the kids on board.





Others have pointed out some important things, like the only brakes you have is using reverse and give the right of way to un-powered vessels. When you first start out I'd suggest you give the right of way to everyone.





I'd suggest you rent the boat when there is low boat traffic on the lake. Especially with the Fourth of July coming up, there is going to be a lot of boat traffic everywhere. Get familiar with the boat to the point where you are confident that you can do it before you bring the kids on board. Everyone on the vessel should be wearing a life jacket ( even if they can swim ) until you know what you are doing. Most boating deaths occur when someone that can swim is thrown overboard and gets knocked out. You should also make sure everyone is sitting down while you're under way. There is a lot of "hot dogs" on the water that you have to watch out for. It really is almost as bad as getting on the interstate in rush hour traffic sometimes.





One more safety tip, never tie the anchor to any part of a boat except the bow. ( that's the front ) That will keep the boat facing into the current or tide. Tying off to any other part of the boat in a current or tide can pull the boat under.|||just bought a pontoon boat. few things to suggest.


even if you dont actually take the boater safety test (several states are starting to require it) this will provide you the basics just like holding a DMV drivers book like what to look for, what different bouy markers look like and mean, what is a no wake zone, etc. that covers basics of driving it. without engine started take a good look at it on dry land.. how to lift or lower motor, (small rocker switch typically on throttle), how many stop positins on the throttle requiring squeezing the lock handle on the throttle - mine has neutral, slow foward (no-wake zones), full throttle, slow reverse (wake zone), full reverse


trailer lights - inspect everytime you move it out of water


boat lights - back to safety course - to operate at night you need running lights just like your car green and red on front white light in back.


Kids- the cheap 5 to 6 dollar life jackets are uncomfortable to wear - to help your kids enjoy since based on age their required to wear them at all times- invest in the jacket style that are more comfortable and meet the requirements. Just make sure it states USCG approved PFD for kids on the package. to include thru baby world PFD that is hooked to their car seat.


Refueling - no one on boat when refueling - type engine 2cyl 4 cyl etc- my 2 cylinder evenrude outboard requires an oil additive just like a gas powered weedeater.


As it is a rental be sure to ask about fuel mix , marine radio channel if boat has one or a phone # to call the rental folks if it wont start.


Have a basic demonstration on how to start..sounds easy but with neutral switches, Kill switch laynards and others it might not be.


Took me all of 10 mins to learn basics of boat operation and about 5 mins on the water to learn its steering. Just remeber just because you cut the engine it dont stop just like taking your foot off the gas in yer car. If you need to stop quick throttle down to neutral then start applying reverse power


hope you enjoy am headed out for a 4th fireworks over the water and night fishing on mine.