1. Obey all of the rules when operating pontoon boats, unless an extreme circumstance requires that you deviate from them.

2. If a collision is inevitable, alleviate the damage of the collision by carefully maneuvering to lessen the force of the collision. Although pontoon boat manufacturers build these boats with tough materials, there is no way of knowing how a collision will affect your boat’s buoyancy, so bring lifejackets for every passenger (it’s the law!).

3. Ensure that other fishing pontoon boats can see you by equipping your boat with sufficient lighting during low light. These days, manufacturers include all necessary lights in their standard boat packages.

4. You’ll need to keep an effective and constant lookout any time you’re underway. While many best pontoon boats have perfectly unobstructed views, in some cases, the captain may not be able to see all around the boat. The captain should assign a crew member as a lookout who is alert enough to see, and hear, any other vessels.

5. It is required that you know how to properly use a CB or radio communicator or have a cell phone, and are able to use it within regulations to communicate with other custom pontoon boats on the water.