How to Use a Pontoon Boat for a Parade Float

A pontoon boat on a trailer is a good platform on which to build a parade float.

A pontoon boat is a platform-style watercraft that has a hard floor spanning across two pontoon floats. These boats are also known as party boats because of the large deck and platform that are suitable for large groups of people. The pontoon boat makes a handy platform as a base for parade floats as well, provided the boat is placed onto a flat-boat trailer. How you decorate the pontoon-boat float is up to you and the theme of the parade, but for safety's sake keep the pontoon boat tethered to the trailer.

Things You'll Need

• Flat utility trailer with tow hitch
• Tow vehicle
• Power screwdriver
• Warm soapy water and sponges
• Garden hose
• Float decorations

Instructions

1. Back the trailer up to the boat launch. Attach the winch to the front of the pontoon boat and haul it up and onto the trailer. Let the boat dry.

2. Wash the pontoon floats thoroughly with warm soapy water and sponges, then rinse them with a garden hose. Add extra ratchet straps to the front and back of the boat and attach them to the trailer. Tighten as firmly as possible to further secure the boat.

3. Unscrew the pontoon-boat cabin ceiling and support posts -- use the power screwdriver to get the needed leverage -- to clear extra space on the boat's deck for the parade. Leave the side rails on the boat as a safety measure to prevent people from falling off the boat during the parade.

4. Decorate the boat to the theme you wish.

References

• Pontoon Stuff: Pontoon Boat Trailers