What is the easiest boat to drive for beginners? A pontoon. Its wide, flat deck sits on two or three big tubes, so it stays level when people move around, and the controls come down to a steering wheel and a single throttle lever.
That is why pontoons are the easiest boat to drive for most first timers, and it is why our whole rental fleet in Pittsburgh is built around them. Below we explain what makes a pontoon so forgiving, what driving one actually feels like, how the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers change the picture, and which of our pontoon boats suits a brand new driver.
A pontoon is built like a floating platform. The deck rests on long aluminum tubes instead of one pointed hull, and that shape gives you a few big advantages as a new driver.
Put together, you spend your first hour learning the river instead of fighting the boat.
Most boating guides put the same short list behind the pontoon. Deck boats share the open layout. Small bowriders handle well and suit people who want to tow a tube. Small aluminum fishing boats are simple to run on calm water. Each of these is easy enough to learn, but none of them matches a pontoon for a group that wants to relax.
A pontoon also fits how people use a rental here: a few hours of cruising past the city, floating near an island, eating lunch at the table, and letting everyone enjoy the skyline. Our fleet is five pontoons plus the 10 ft Pelican Quest kayak. The kayak is described on our boats page as stable and easy to maneuver, so it is a good pick if you would rather paddle than drive. Our guide to choosing between a pontoon and a kayak compares the two.
Yes, for most people it is, once you accept two differences from a car.
First, a boat has no brakes. You slow down by easing off the throttle, and you stop by shifting to neutral and then giving a short, gentle push in reverse. Second, the steering has a slight delay. You are pushing water, not turning tires on pavement, so the boat takes a moment to answer the wheel and keeps drifting a little after you straighten out.
Give yourself ten minutes of slow practice in open water. Turn left, turn right, shift into neutral and coast. By the time you reach downtown, most new drivers feel at home behind the wheel.
Here is the simple routine that works for beginners on any pontoon.
Make sure everyone is seated and the lines are untied. Shift into gear at idle and let the boat creep away. Wait until you are well clear of the dock before adding speed.
Push the throttle forward in small steps. Keep both hands near the wheel and keep your eyes up, scanning ahead and to both sides. Pennsylvania law requires slow, no wake speed within 100 feet of shorelines, docks, launch ramps, swimmers and anchored boats, so plenty of your trip will be relaxed cruising anyway.
Slow down before a turn, not during it. Wide, gentle turns keep drinks on the table and passengers in their seats.
Docking is the part new drivers worry about most. Approach slowly at a slight angle, use short bursts of throttle instead of one long push, and shift to neutral early. Have one passenger ready with a line, and never let anyone put a hand or foot between the boat and the dock.
River driving is easy, but it is not the same as a still pond. A few local things are worth knowing before you leave Vic's Boat Park in McKees Rocks.
Want ideas for where to go? See our sightseeing routes on the three rivers.
Every boat in our fleet is a pontoon, so every one of them is beginner friendly. The differences come down to group size and power.
If you are nervous about driving, a 50 horsepower boat gives the gentlest response to the throttle. If someone in your group already has some time at the helm, the Sea-Doo Switch is a lot of fun. Not sure about headcount? Read what size boat you need for your group.
Pennsylvania requires anyone born on or after January 1, 1982 to carry a Boating Safety Education Certificate to drive a boat with more than 25 horsepower. Every pontoon in our fleet is above that line.
Not ready to drive yourself? Ask about a captain when you book.
Most first trip hiccups come from rushing. Go slow near docks, other boats and the shoreline. Do not let passengers stand while the boat is moving fast. Keep an eye on the clock so you are back on time, since we give a five minute grace window on returns. And remember that the person driving must stay sober: operating any boat under the influence is illegal in Pennsylvania. The full list of rules is in the Fish and Boat Commission regulations recap.
For most people, yes, especially a pontoon. The controls are a steering wheel and one throttle lever, and the speeds are calm. The two things to get used to are that boats have no brakes and the steering responds with a slight delay. Ten minutes of slow practice in open water is usually enough to feel comfortable.
Pontoons are a top choice for families. The deck is flat and stable, there is seating for everyone, and there is room for a cooler and a diaper bag. Children 12 and younger must wear a life jacket while underway on boats 20 feet or shorter in Pennsylvania, and our pontoons carry life jackets for everyone on board.
Pennsylvania does not issue a boating license, but anyone born on or after January 1, 1982 needs a Boating Safety Education Certificate to drive a boat with more than 25 horsepower. All of our pontoons are above that line, so check your certificate before you book.
Yes. Pontoons are made for people new to boating, and you will get a safety briefing before you leave the dock, so arrive 5 to 10 minutes early. The driver still needs to meet the Pennsylvania certificate rule, and if nobody in your group wants to drive, ask about a captain when you book.
Both are beginner friendly. A pontoon needs no paddling and carries your whole group, plus food and shade. Our 10 ft Pelican Quest kayak is stable and easy to maneuver, and it suits one person who wants exercise and a quieter trip. If you are bringing a group, the pontoon is the easier day.
Ready to try the easiest boat on the water? Compare our pontoon boats and book your time on Pittsburgh's rivers, or call (412) 773-0988 with questions.
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