As pontoon specialists, it’s hard for us to identify any pontoon pitfalls– they only come with benefits in our eyes. However, we understand we may be biased and that our valued customers deserve to know the good and the bad when it comes to pontoons to decide whether or not a pontoon is right for them.
Pontoons, or floating docks as they are otherwise known, aren’t new—quite the contrary. The first dock dates back to c.2500 BC, discovered in an ancient Egyptian harbour along the Red Sea coast. Over the centuries, they have developed into various types, including graving docks, jetties, and of course, floating docks.
Today, floating docks are used for commercial and residential applications to aid the docking and mooring of boats, vessels, jet skis and personal watercrafts. Here, along Australia’s South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales coast, they are most commonly used in residential settings, where we spend most of our time.
We all know a pontoon is like a jetty, providing access to boats etc., but the average Joe, or Jodie, probably doesn’t know a lot more than this. Today, we’re going to take an unbiased look at pontoons, sharing the pros and cons. After reading this article, hopefully, you will have all the information needed to know if a pontoon is right for your waterfront home.
Pros Of Pontoons
Great Investment
Pontoons not only offer excellent functionality allowing you to get maximum enjoyment from your waterfront property, but they also add significant value too! I’ve past stated that some real estate agents suggest a pontoon can add as much as 10% value to a waterfront home, which can be very profitable. Considering the average Gold Coast waterfront cost is $900,000, 10% of this is $90,000. The average pontoon cost is $25,000-$40,000, leaving you with a nice $75-50,000 profit!
Moves With the Tide
One of the most significant advantages of pontoons is their ability to move with the tide. As mentioned, they’re otherwise known as floating docks, meaning the dock is floating and not fixed in position like a jetty. As such, when the tide changes, so too does the dock’s height. The means the dock and boat are always at the same height, so there’s no need to leap onto the vessel during low tide, and the dock won’t ever become submerged in extreme high tide conditions.
Can be Customised
Pontoons aren’t an ‘off the shelf product. Each is individually built to meet the needs and requirements of you and your property size. They can be designed in a T Head, or straight as a finger pontoon to meet your docking needs.
Additionally, pontoons can be customised with countless accessories to extend their functionality and application. Optional accessories include the likes of custom-fitted roller system, electric winch with stand and cover, manual hand winch, bait box with lid, fishing cleaning station, jet ski roller system, air berth, underwater lighting, kayak holder, hose and reel, light post, and much more.
Whether you’re a boatie, fisherman, or PWC enthusiast, you can customise your pontoon to serve your interests better.
Cheaper than Jetties
Due to the various types of pontoons available, cable pontoons, strut pontoons, piled pontoons can be a much cheaper option than jetties. Their affordability is because aluminium is more affordable than timber, and pontoons (especially cable and strut pontoons) are much easier to install than jetties.
Require Little Maintenance
Pontoons are not only cheaper than jetties to build, but they’re also cheaper in the long run because they require minimal maintenance. Cable and strut pontoons require the least maintenance, while piled pontoons require regular visual inspections for barnacle buildup on the piles and rollers replaced when worn.
Offer Excellent Longevity
Jetties, over time will start to need constant decking repairs due to timber rot and degradation. Rot fungi damage will eventually become so significant that the entire structure will need replacing. However, pontoons are made from marine-grade aluminium. It won’t rot and will withstand the marine environment to provide excellent longevity providing minor maintenance is performed (see Cons below).
Quick to Install
Pontoons are quick and easy to install, especially strut arm and cable pontoons. Strut arm and cable pontoons only require concrete mooring blocks on a shoreline to keep it in place. Piled pontoons take a little longer to install because the piles need to be installed in addition to the mooring blocks. All in all, the complete installation of a pontoon takes 1-2 weeks, depending on the type of pontoon.
Easy to Move
Because pontoons are not permanently fixed structures like jetties, you can pick them up and take them with you when you move house! We even have a barge that can handle pontoon re-locations. Even piled pontoons can be moved. However, the piles are left behind.
Versatile Application
Pontoons aren’t only for boating enthusiasts. They’re for any waterfront homeowner that wants to experience the full benefits of waterfront living. You can use them to spend quality time fishing with the family, to sit and relax as you watch the sunset over the water, or to let friends visit on their boat or personal watercraft. You certainly don’t need to own a boat to get joy and use from a pontoon.
Pontoons are great for mooring boats and jet skis and come with various berthing options, including flat top pontoons and jet ski roller systems.
Cons of Pontoons
Not Suitable for all Conditions
Not all pontoons are suitable for all water conditions or locations. For example, cable pontoons and strut pontoons are typically only suitable for calm waters such as canals. Piled pontoons are more robust due to the piles that hold them in place horizontally. As such, they can handle rougher waters. However, piled pontoons are not suitable for rocky seabed areas. In such locations, cable strut pontoons are better suited.
Minor Maintenance Required
While pontoons offer excellent longevity, this can only be expected if the pontoon is well maintained. Common damage is usually minor such as surface damage or light structural damage. As mentioned, barnacle buildup is common and needs to be removed regularly. Marine carpet will eventually start to perish under the conditions and will likely need to be replaced every 8-10 years.
Other expected maintenance requirements include worn cables on strut arm and cable pontoons, broken pile brackets, and worn pile rollers.
I should also mention, minor aluminium corrosion can also occur if chemicals are used, or the pontoon is not regularly cleaned to dislodge any buildup that can encourage decay.
Can become Expensive
Pontoons can become expensive if your location is only suited to piled pontoons, which are more expensive than their counterparts due to the extra reinforcement of the piles. The other way pontoons can become expensive is when they are not maintained. If you never service your car, it’s going to cost a lot more in repairs than a regularly serviced vehicle. The same applies to pontoons.
We recommend a professional pontoon service, which Micks Marine Maintenance can carry out, every 6-12 months. A professional service will ensure that any surface or light structural damage is takencare of before it becomes more significant and expensive.
Conclusion
Pontoons are a great investment. They move with the tide, can be customised to your needs and interests, are cheaper than jetties, require very little maintenance, offer excellent longevity, are quick to install and easy to move and very versatile in their application.
However, they aren’t suitable for all locations or water conditions, require minor maintenance to ensure longevity, and can become expensive in some situations or when maintenance is ignored.
Weighing up whether or not to invest in a pontoon for your Yamba, Tweed Heads, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Bribie Island, or Sunshine Coast waterfront property, you’d have to agree, the pros far outweigh the cons.
If you agree and would like to get a custom pontoon installed on your waterfront property, then contact the Micks Marine Maintenance team. We are pontoon specialists and have more than 25-years of experience building, installing, and maintaining pontoons. We’d love to help you achieve your waterfront living dreams.