Inflatable boats have become increasingly popular due to the fact that they’re pretty inexpensive and quite low-maintenance. Unlike traditional boats, inflatable ones are versatile and can be easily transported anywhere.
Not just that, but inflatable boats come in various styles, including pontoon. An inflatable pontoon boat is frameless, meaning, it lacks the conventional metal grid a boat typically has.
That said, this guide will focus on explaining how to transport an inflatable pontoon boat, safely, from one place to another.
How to Transport an Inflatable Pontoon Boat
An inflatable pontoon, otherwise known as a dinghy or a sports boat, can be rather difficult to set up. In other words, whether you decide to transport it inflated or deflated, you’ll need to factor in the time it takes you to put together a pontoon dinghy.
Below, we tell you how to transport an inflatable pontoon boat regardless of the decision you take.
How to Transport a Deflated Pontoon Boat
Deflating your dinghy before transit seems like the better path to take. It saves up much space, especially if other passengers will be riding with you. Not only that, but you won’t need expensive tools to prop the raft up onto your vehicle.
Step 1: Deflate Your Pontoon Boat
Here’s how to properly deflate your dinghy before transit:
- Remove the boat’s interior pieces. Those include seats, side rails, and flooring.
- If the dinghy doesn’t allow for this step when inflated, wait till after it’s fully deflated.
- Open the air valve by twisting the cap a quarter turn in a counterclockwise motion.
- Do the same with the valve pin then wait till all the air is fully out.
- Avoid completely deflating the pontoon tubes so as to easily manipulate the boat in storage.
Step 2: Choose a Suitable Place to Transport It in
A quick option is to fold and stash your deflated pontoon in your car trunk. If you’re not planning on packing any extra gear, then the boat should fit perfectly there.
If, however, your dinghy is quite large then maybe consider putting it in the vehicle’s rear—provided that no one is going to be sitting there.
Mounting your pontoon on a cartop is another popular choice, mainly because it works whether the boat is deflated or not. The decision will depend on how much room you have and how big your boat is.
That said, if you don’t have an installed rack, then use some rope. Make sure that the rope you use is sturdy and won’t rub against the raft as it’ll damage the PVS material. Instead, wrap it in cloth before tying it to your car.
In case rope isn’t an option, why not purchase a roof bag? Even if your cartop lacks a rack, you can still strap in your boat using this waterproof bag instead.
As a final resort, install a tow hitch to your car, then consequently, a rack onto it. If your car is too small then it’ll be worth it.
Step 3: Transportation
The important thing to remember is that if your pontoon is bigger than your car when inflated, this poses an accident risk. That’s why deflating the dinghy before transit is best.
It might be hard though, to drive around with an attached hitch, for example. We don’t recommend going on the expressway with one either.
To put it simply, you should deflate the keel of your pontoon boat to reduce any drag the raft may produce on the highway. This helps minimize the chances of an accident.
How to Transport an Inflated Pontoon Boat
Setting up an inflated pontoon, on the other hand, can prove tricky. It does save a lot of time later on, but if not done properly, incorrect installation may lead to road accidents.
Step 1: Inflate Your Pontoon Boat
Here’s how to inflate your dingy before transportation:
- Find a flat, big enough surface, and make sure there are no sharp objects in sight.
- Unfold your pontoon boat and spread it out.
- Put the valve pin in the out position to keep the pumped air inside.
- Attach an air pump to the valves of your pontoon. They should be 70% filled with air.
- Insert the flooring of the boat then fully inflate it.
- Finish inflating the pontoons then install the rest of the boat’s interior.
Step 2: Pick a Suitable Place to Mount It On
SUV owners don’t have to worry about transporting their pontoon boats. Whether inflated or not, there’s more than enough space in the back for your raft.
Much like SUVs, trailers allow you room to take your inflated dinghy with you. There are trailers specifically made to carry boats around too.
You can choose to tie the inflated raft onto the trailer’s top rack or have it hitched to the wagon. The latter method makes it easier to launch your boat into the water.
A pickup truck, though, is the most convenient vehicle to transport an inflatable pontoon boat in. However, if the raft is too long to fit in the back, then why not consider a truck bed extender?
Launch wheels are another great choice. You can easily latch them onto your vehicle to move the pontoon boat.
Step 3: Transporting It
When using an SUV to transport an inflated dinghy, you might want to lay the rear seats down beforehand.
On the other hand, if you decide on a trailer, make sure you have a good parking spot for it.
With the pickup truck, however, remember that the heavier side of your boat is installed first, leaving the other end hanging out. Use tie-downs to secure the dinghy in place.
Summary
This guide addressed the topic of how to transport an inflatable pontoon boat without causing any damage to it. If you keep the factors mentioned here in mind, how you decide to move your inflatable dinghy will hardly matter.
With that said, make sure you take the proper precautions to safely get through your transit. Don’t use your cartop if your boat is bigger than your vehicle and avoid tying your inflatable with rope as this will damage the raft’s material.
Enjoy your boat trip!