Sponsons | Pontoon Tube Types

The pontoons tubes are a crucial component for you to decide upon when choosing your to buy a pontoon boat. The main consideration is the material from which the pontoon tubes are constructed.

In general, there are four materials combinations from which most pontoon tubes are manufactured: fiberglass, steel, and aluminum.

The general consensus of the strengths and drawbacks of each type follows:

Fiberglass - Doesn't rust and doesn't need to be painted. However, if there are leaks in the tubes, it may be harder for a new pontoon boater to detect and fix on your own.

Foam with hard plastic coating/shell - these can't leak since the plastic shell is filled with foam.

Steel - although these are generally the cheapest to buy previously owned (used), they are often the highest maintenance as steel rusts easily. So if you choose to buy pontoon boat with steel pontoon tubes because it's less expensive, remind yourself that you'll be exchanging that lower entry price with annual sanding and painting to protect your boat from rusting out. Most of the early pontoon boats were steel, so even if you find a 'good deal' price-wise, it might be using the early steel tubes that may or may not have been maintained well over the years. Internal rust could be hidden from your sight.

Aluminum - the most common and most durable non-corrosive material. Pontoon tubes made of aluminum don't rust and don't need to be painted (although some owners do paint their aluminum pontoon tubes a more appealing color than their natural grey). The tubes can still be subject to puncture, but even then, the insides of the tubes won't rust and the tubes can be drained and the puncture fixed.

Keeping these pontoon tube construction types in mind when selecting your pontoon boat you will be off to a good start in knowing your options for which pontoon boat best suits your needs.