Entertaining on a Pontoon Boat

Pontoons are uniquely suited to hosting parties. Not only are they surprisingly stable, but they also offer an impressive amount of space to fit more guests aboard. Of course, you’ll need more than that to host a great party, so White’s Marina has created this guide to entertaining on your pontoon boat. 

Decor

Whether you are on land or water, the right decorations go a long way toward creating a party atmosphere. A common practice is to establish a theme like a casino night, fiesta, nautical, or tropical luau. This will help you tie everything together. You can easily find themed napkins, coasters, streamers, and more at your local party supply store. Some guests may even want to dress up in costumes based on your theme.

Food

Food is another thing that can make or break a party, and there are several options. Since food prep can be somewhat difficult on a pontoon, you may want to make some of your food in advance. Finger foods are great because of how easy they are to prepare, serve, and eat on a pontoon. These include chips, popcorn, a fruit/veggie tray, hummus and pita bread, and/or crackers and cheese. You can also put together a potluck and have your guest show off their favorite recipes.  

You should also think about how you want to serve the food. Many people like to use disposable champagne or margarita flutes because they are unique and the stem makes them easy to hold even if things get a bit choppy. Recyclable paper plates or plastic reusable plates can help you avoid using glass, which can break and become a safety hazard. Also take steps to keep lake water and bugs out of the food using saran wrap, aluminum foil, or a plastic cover.

Entertainment

You will definitely want to have some music for your party. Luckily, most pontoon boats offer a radio or USB port for your audio enjoyment. Before your party, you can ask your guests what songs they want to listen to or build a playlist based on your party theme. 

When preparing for your party, think up some conversation starters and consider if there are any games your guests would like to play. Games like charades require no equipment or preparation, but pontoons are also perfect for board or card games. 

Another idea is to hold a movie night. This can be as simple as displaying it on your tablet or laptop, or you can hook up a portable movie projector and hang up a white sheet to use as a screen. We recommend you purchase speakers so that the audio can be heard over the waves. Luckily, there are plenty of waterproof speakers available on the market. 

Clean Up

This is the least fun part of hosting a party, but remember a clean boat is safer and less likely to attract unwanted attention from insects and other pests. Plan ahead by bringing a bag or box of cleaning supplies like sanitation wipes, hand sanitizer, and trash bags.

A good general tip whether you are on the water or off is to double-bag your trash to prevent spills. Place full garbage bags under the seats or in their own compartment to prevent them from being blown into the water by the wind. Also, make sure to maintain a separate container for recyclables. 

We here at White’s Marina hope this guide proves helpful in planning your next pontoon party. For more information or to view pontoon models in person, visit us at our dealership in Pittsburg, Missouri. We are proud to serve communities like Kansa City and the Lake of the Ozark region.