Level Flotation: When Safety Counts

To understand why pontoon boats don't come any better when it comes to safety, you have to understand the various types of flotation and how a swamped boat reacts when fitted with each type.

• Water tight air chambers.
• Foam filled spaces.

The amount of flotation and where it is placed in the boat determines whether it is Basic or Level flotation:
Basic flotation:" A flotation system that will keep a boat carrying its maximum load from sinking when swamped, assuming the occupants of the boat have left it and are in the water clinging to it. With basic flotation the swamped boat may float at any attitude" i.e. Bow just poking out of the water.

Level flotation: "A flotation system that will keep a boat carrying its maximum load from sinking when swamped, assuming the occupants remain within the boat and supported by the flotation system. The flotation system must be such that it will keep the swamped boat floating level, and prevent it from capsizing in calm water. Level flotation does not provide a self-righting capacity."

Note: In a swamped level flotation boat with the motor running and the boat moving forward, the water drains through the scuppers, now that’s better than swimming beside a capsized basic flotation boat isn’t it?

The difference between a conventional and a pontoon boat is explained in the following diagram.... Please click on it to see a larger version.