Key Differences Between Pontoons & Tritoons

If you're planning on hitting the lake with friends and family this summer, a pontoon is a great option to go with. Consumers love these types of boats because they offer plenty of room for relaxing and have a great safety record. However, we at Dewitt Marine understand that if you're new to pontoon boats, you may not know that there are actually two very popular options to choose from. These include the pontoon and tritoon. If you're in the Northern Michigan, Traverse City, or Grand Rapids area and are looking at purchasing your own boat this summer, the following information is for you.

More Than Just a Boat

Understandably, when you hear the word "pontoon," you may have an image in your brain of a small and boring boat. This is because, for many years, that was actually what you would have received. However, because of an overhaul in design and years of technological innovation, pontoons are now often mentioned alongside some luxury vehicles. Features such as USB ports, LED lighting and incredible sound systems are just a few of the things you can expect from a pontoon boat. If you live in the Northern Michigan, Traverse City, or Grand Rapids area, make sure you go and speak with our professional staff at Dewitt Marine to learn more about other features that you may want your pontoon to have.

Pontoons

If you go into a boat showroom in Bellaire, Michigan, you're likely to come across tritoons and pontoons. A pontoon is usually going to have two aluminum tubes located underneath the boat. The pontoon was first introduced to the world in 1960, but at the time, the two tubes on the bottom were made out of steel rather than aluminum. If you're simply going to the lake to relax with family and maybe catch a fish or two, a pontoon is more than enough. However, at faster speeds or rougher waters, a pontoon is not likely to provide you with the most comfortable ride.

Tritoons

Tritoon boats are designed with an extra aluminum tube which is placed right in the middle. This extra tube will provide you with added stability as you move through the water. This is a great addition as tritoon boats usually come with a much higher horsepower rating than a pontoon. Therefore, they need that extra stability at higher speeds. If you have a large family or group of friends, a tritoon would be the better option as it also has a higher weight capacity.

Whether you've made up your mind or you're still on the fence about which option to go with, contact us at Dewitt Marine for more information. If you want to see these two options in-store, you can visit our physical location in Bellaire, Michigan.