Pontoon boats invite on-water relaxation. But sometimes a ’toon’s laid-back persona makes it easy to gloss over maintenance, so we asked manufacturers for tips on keeping pontoon boats looking sharp and performing well.
CLEAN IT Coated aluminum doesn’t show dirt like gleaming gelcoat. A rinse goes a long way, but grime builds up. “Every few trips, give it a good washdown,” says Garrett Koschak, Manitou’s product strategy manager. He suggests Sea-Doo’s XPS boat wash, but any mild soap will do. Soap coastal boats more often to remove salt residue.
Spot-clean between washings too. “For the most part, a damp rag is enough,” says Rusty Kucher, Brunswick’s pontoon category director for Harris, Cypress Cay, Lowe and Princecraft. Be sure to check cleaning-product labels to avoid discoloring pontoon-boat aluminum, fading vinyl upholstery,…
