Pontoon vs kayak: which one should you rent in Pittsburgh? Pick a pontoon if you have a group, want to relax with food and music, and plan to cover a lot of river. Pick a kayak if you want a quieter, more active couple of hours close to the water.
Both are great ways to see the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers, and we offer both. Our pontoons seat 7 to 10 guests and rent in 4 hour and 8 hour blocks, while our kayak rentals in Pittsburgh use the 10 ft Quest kayak by Pelican for a 2 hour paddle. Below we compare the two side by side so you can book the right one the first time.
Here is how the two stack up on the things people ask about most.
If more than one or two people are coming, the pontoon is almost always the answer. Everyone rides together, nobody gets left on shore, and there is room to move around, eat and talk.
A pontoon is the better choice when you want to:
It is also the easier pick for anyone who doesn't want to work for the view. You steer, the motor does the rest.
Every pontoon in our fleet has a bimini top for shade and a life jacket for everyone on board. Four of the five boats also have a Bluetooth capable stereo with four speakers. Here is how the fleet breaks down by group size:
Not sure which boat fits your crew? Our guide to what size boat you need for your group walks through it, or you can compare our boats side by side.
A kayak puts you right at water level. It is quiet, it is a real workout, and it gives you a different look at the riverbanks, the bridges and the birds along the shore.
Our kayak is the 10 ft Quest by Pelican, a stable, easy to steer kayak that works for beginners and experienced paddlers alike. Rentals run 2 hours, which is a comfortable amount of paddling for most people.
Choose a kayak when you want to:
Kayaks are unpowered boats, and Pennsylvania has a few rules that apply to every paddler. They come from the Fish and Boat Commission regulations recap.
On the rivers, stay near the edge of the channel and give barges and larger boats plenty of room. For more, read our guide to kayak rental safety and equipment.
Pennsylvania doesn't issue a boating license, but it does require a Boating Safety Education Certificate for some drivers. Anyone born on or after January 1, 1982 needs one to operate a motorboat over 25 horsepower. Every pontoon in our fleet is over 25 horsepower, so the rule applies to our pontoon drivers.
A kayak has no motor, so no certificate is needed to paddle one. You can get the certificate through an approved course listed by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.
Want a pontoon but nobody in your group has a certificate? Ask about a captain when you book.
A kayak and a pontoon are priced as different rentals. One is a solo paddle for a set 2 hour block, the other is a motorboat for your whole group for 4 or 8 hours. Your price comes down to a few choices you make when you book.
What changes the cost:
Rentals are paid in full when you book, with sales tax added. Email subscribers get a discount on a future rental. For current rates, check the booking page or call (412) 773-0988.
New to boating? Our guide to the easiest boat to drive for beginners explains why pontoons are a friendly first boat.
Our pontoons leave from Vic's Boat Park at 1 River Rd in McKees Rocks, on the Ohio River just minutes from downtown. Arrive 5 to 10 minutes early on your first rental for the safety briefing, and remember that the person paying signs the rental agreement along with every passenger.
We make the weather call on the morning of your rental. If we cancel for weather or river conditions, you can reschedule or get a full refund. You can also reschedule on your own up to 72 hours before your launch time.
Both work for beginners. A pontoon is the easier pick for groups, since it steers with a wheel and a throttle and everyone rides together. Our 10 ft Pelican Quest kayak is stable and easy to steer, so it suits a beginner paddler. The main difference is effort: a kayak runs on your own paddling.
The kayak is a 2 hour rental for one paddler, while a pontoon carries your whole group for 4 or 8 hours, so each is priced on its own. Pontoon cost depends on the boat, whether you book 4 or 8 hours, and the day and time. Rentals are paid in full with sales tax added. Check the booking page for current rates.
Pennsylvania requires a Boating Safety Education Certificate for anyone born on or after January 1, 1982 who drives a motorboat over 25 horsepower, which includes all our pontoons. No certificate is needed to paddle a kayak. If no one in your group qualifies to drive, ask about a captain when you book.
Kids are welcome on our pontoons, and children 12 and younger must wear a life jacket while underway on boats 20 feet or shorter. In a kayak, children 12 and younger must wear a life jacket at all times. Ask about age and fit for the kayak when you book.
Yes, dogs are welcome on our pontoons. A pontoon is the easier choice for a day out with your dog, with shade under the bimini and room to stretch out. Your dog counts toward the boat's weight limit, so mention your pup when you book.
Know which one you want? Book your pontoon or kayak at Pittsburgh Boat Rental, or compare our boats first.
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