New Pontoon Boat (Delivery Day Checklist)

Congratulations on your new pontoon boat!  This is an exciting time and waiting for delivery day is the hardest part.  Make sure that you discuss the lead time with your dealer when purchasing the boat.

Knowing a ballpark amount of time from order to delivery should help set expectations so that you are aware of the potential wait time ahead.  While you wait, this is a great time to do your research and get familiar with your boat.

Most pontoon boat manufacturers will have the owner’s manual available on their website.  Barletta takes it a step further and offers videos, articles, and much more all accessible through the Barletta Learning Center.  Feel free to use this as a tool no matter what brand or type of boat you have purchased.  There’s a plethora of boating tips and how tos for any type of captain.

While you wait, you should study the local laws and regulations where you will be boating so that you’re prepared to be safe on the water.  I also recommend looking into a local boating course and obtaining your boaters license, regardless of how long you’ve had a driver’s license.

Lastly, prepare for delivery day.  This process should be easy but it will help if you’re prepared before meeting with the dealer.  I’m going to run through a list of questions and considerations that you should be thinking about as you head into delivery day.  For a quick reference, print this list and bring it with you on delivery day.

Prepare for Delivery

Whether you ordered your new pontoon boat or have purchased one from your dealer’s lot, chances are there will be some time between the purchase and delivery day.  Even if the boat is already on the lot, there is prep work to be done before the boat is water ready.

There might also already be a line of new owners waiting to take possession of their boats so naturally there will be a wait time.  If you ordered the boat through your dealer, your wait time will be longer.

There are a lot of things that will make the lead time what it is such as the manufacturer's production schedule.  Most times that schedule is out weeks or even months, but your dealer should be able to give you a ballpark time frame.

Check out our article on lead times to get a better understanding of why you will have to wait for the pontoon boat you ordered.  Now, let’s talk about how to make the best use of that time in order to be ready to take possession of the boat.  

Paperwork Finalized 

You have more than likely completed the purchase of your new pontoon boat.  However, maybe you’ve only put down a deposit.  Either way, make sure you have your final form of payment ready.

This is also a good time to bring along any title paperwork that you will be giving to the dealer.  If you have a trade-in make sure you have the boat title, trailer title, and engine title if applicable.  Use this time to find the right insurance and get that in place before you take possession of the boat.

You should also be learning about the registration process which can be done through your local BMV.  Some dealers will have the boat registered for you and some will offer you a temporary plate in place of registration.  You will typically have a certain period of time with the temp plate before you must have the registration stickers attached to the boat.

Prepare the Trade-In

As I just mentioned, if you’re trading in a boat for the new one, be sure to have all the paperwork ready to sign over.  Aside from the paperwork, make sure the boat is also ready to go to the dealer.

You will want to clean any items and boat accessories out before you get to the dealership.  I would also recommend cleaning the interior and exterior of the boat thoroughly as it’s a respectable thing to do. 

Leave the registration stickers and numbers on the exterior of the boat as they will be used by the next owner.  You can take the registration paperwork out of the boat but be aware that some states will ask you to sign this over to the new owner.    

Buy New Equipment

Now that you’ve cleaned out your old boat, take inventory of the gear you have and what you’ll need for the new pontoon.  If this is your first boat, make sure to check out our list of safety gear must-haves and pontoon boat accessories.

It’s also important to make sure that you’ve got everything you’ll need to dock your new boat.  Whether that’s dock lines, fenders, pier bumpers, the list goes on.  You should also be thinking about what type of anchor you need for this new boat. 

If you plan to store the pontoon on a lift, make sure you have the correct type and size lift necessary for this new boat.  Most manufacturers will post the weight of the boat online and some will even offer a trailer and lift guide.

How will you Transport the Boat?

If you plan to pick the boat up from the dealership, make sure you own or have purchased a pontoon boat trailer in order to transport the boat.  In that case, you should also have a tow vehicle that can safely pull the boat and trailer.  

Check with your vehicle’s manufacturer to learn more about the GVWR and if it’s enough to tow the trailer with the weight of the new boat.  You should also have the appropriate size ball hitch receiver and light adaptor on hand.

Delivery Day Scheduled

As your boat gets closer to being completed, your dealer should reach out to you to schedule delivery.  You will want to pick a day when you have at least one to three hours to spend with your dealer.

A thorough walkthrough of the new pontoon will take time and you don’t want to rush this process.  Something else to keep in mind in case you have small children, this may not be the place and time for the entire family to join you.

Plan ahead and leave small children at home.  There are a lot of important steps that will need your full attention and having the kiddos around will be a distraction.  They will get to experience the new pontoon boat soon enough so do yourself a favor and fly solo on this one.  

Dockside

While scheduling delivery day, this is when you should communicate with your dealer on where you plan to take possession of the boat.  Depending on the dealership, some will offer dockside delivery and some will ask you to come to the dealership.

If you plan to have the boat delivered dockside, make sure you communicate how you want it docked.  Do you have a boat lift?  If so, will they have access to pulling the boat into the lift?  If they are to leave it at the dock, do you have dock lines and fenders ready for their use?

Are there any other pieces of information that your dealer should know if they’re delivering your boat to your dock?  Consider sharing information on shallow spots, underwater obstructions, and any special directions on where they can be picked up once the boat is docked.

Dockside delivery depends on the dealer and typically, you don’t have to be home for it.  However, it is a great time to go over any questions you have with your dealer, so if this is the route you want to go, make sure to line up a delivery time so that you will be home. 

Do your Homework

As you wait to take delivery of your new pontoon boat, I recommend doing your research on everything you need to know about the boat and about the water you will be boating on.  There are tons of videos and articles online that will get you acquainted with the boating lifestyle.

While surfing the web, start compiling your list of questions and talking points that you want to discuss with your dealer.  I recommend printing out the PDF at the top of this article and using it as a guide.  There is always something to learn when it comes to boating.  

You might also search out a local boater’s safety course and take the test to get your boating license.  This will be a great way to learn your local laws and regulations before you hit the water. 

If you’ve done your due diligence, you can look forward to an easy and informational delivery day when the time finally arrives.  This is the moment you and your family have been waiting for, it’s time to get excited.    

Day of Delivery

It’s finally here, the day you take possession of your new pontoon boat.  After weeks, maybe months of preparation, you should feel confident and ready to meet with your dealer.  Questions in hand, it’s time to see your new boat.

I’m going to give you a rundown of what to expect and what you should be talking about during the meeting with your dealer.  If you’ve taken my advice and scheduled a couple of uninterrupted hours at the dealership or dockside, make sure you don’t walk away with any questions unanswered.  

First, get any remaining paperwork out of the way now such as final payment or trade-in documentation.  Sign the dotted line and head out to the boat.  

Ask for a Walkthrough

This is the time that you should learn how to operate every part of your new pontoon boat.  Most dealers will do this without having to ask, if not, make sure you let them know you would like a full walkthrough of the entire boat.

Have them show you what every button and gauge do on the helm.  Ask how to operate the bimini and maneuver the captain’s chair.  This is the time to discuss how to start the boat and operate the battery switch.  

Discuss how the lanyard should be used and why it’s so important.  You should even ask them to give you a tutorial on how to cover the boat.  Your dealer is the expert and they are the best resource for this type of information.  

Another thing you should be asking for is a walkthrough of the boat trailer.  If you’re using one that you have owned in the past, this may not be necessary, but if you purchased a new trailer with the boat, have the dealer run through how it works.  They can also show you how to hitch it to your tow vehicle.  

Engine Operation 

After you learn what all the bells and whistles do, ask your dealer about the motor.  Almost all pontoon boats are built with an outboard engine.  Make sure you ask what the manufacturer’s recommended break-in period entails.

This is very important when using a brand new engine for the first time.  You should also find out at what point the motor is broken in and have a service appointment scheduled to clear out any shakedown that came from that process.  

Be sure to discuss the engine’s cooling system and how you can keep it from overheating.  There are a few tips and tricks that the dealer can teach you so that you don’t overheat and damage your engine due to easily avoidable situations.  

Discuss what the maintenance will entail and how often you should be scheduling routine checkups.  The oil change in a boat is just as important to the health of the motor as an oil change in a car is.  

Just as important, ask what type of fuel is required for a healthy engine.  Not all motors take the same type of gasoline, this will be crucial to know before you take off from the dock.   

Pontoon Boat Maintenance 

Most of the time, if you keep up with routine maintenance on an outboard engine and take care of the propeller, you can expect a long lifespan out of your pontoon boat.  Talk to your dealer about their maintenance policies and protocols when it comes to routine maintenance.

I would take it a step further and introduce yourself to the service team, get to know them, and ask how you can be their best partner.  This can pay off mid-summer when you need a quick service appointment.  

Talk about their expectations when you need help and who you should be calling for both routine and unexpected service appointments.  Understand what will affect the timeline to get your boat in for service, especially during peak boating season. 

Planning ahead for routine maintenance such as oil changes and detailing will keep you on the water and safe from the frustration of having the boat stuck in a service line during the busy season.

I live in Indiana where we get four to five months of boat-worthy weather if we’re lucky.  That said, I make sure to schedule winterization and de-winterization months before I plan to get the boat out of the water or want the boat dropped in for spring.

I also use this time to have yearly maintenance done such as oil changes and spark plugs replaced.  Sometimes the motor needs a little more attention and sometimes it requires just the routine workup.

Talk to your dealer about what they recommend for the yearly checkup and when you should schedule those appointments so that you’re ahead of the rush.  You will also want to communicate transportation expectations around this service.

Some dealers will handle launch, haul out, detailing, and storage if you want them to.  Be sure to vet all of that out so that you and the dealer know what’s coming at the end of boat season.

Jump Onboard    

If the dealer has shown you how every part of the boat works on land, you can definitely ask them for a driving lesson.  I particularly recommend this if you've never driven a boat or pontoon boat before.

Most dealers will put fuel in the tank and the boat will be water-ready.  In that case, make sure you’re dressed for the weather and it might not hurt to bring along a few bottles of water.  

Have them teach you how to drive the boat, how to trim the engine, and how to dock the boat when you’re finished.  Having a professional teach you the ins and outs of driving your new boat is the best way to learn.  

Be prepared to spend some time getting comfortable with your new boat, even the most experienced owners can learn something that might be new or different from their last boat.  

Warranty Registration

From a boat manufacturer standpoint, I can’t stress this enough, register the boat with your dealer before taking off from the dealership.  This will make it so that you have a warranty registration in the manufacturer’s system which will come in handy when you need warrantable service performed.  

Here at Barletta, we have an entire department dedicated to assisting our dealers and owners through their ownership experience.  We use the registration database when we need to connect with our owners.  Filling out your warranty registration will help you have the best ownership experience possible.

After Delivery 

Your new pontoon boat is nestled into its slip and the family is chomping at the bit for sunset cruises, lunch on the sandbar, and long days floating on the comfy new vessel.  What else is there to do but enjoy your new boat?

Service Appointments 

As I mentioned above, have your routine service scheduled far before the season comes to a close.  Know who your dealer contacts are moving forward and understand their timeline for service requests.  

If you bought from your local dealer, which is the only way we suggest buying a boat, service will be easy.  Do not expect to receive service in a timely manner, or in some cases at all, if you didn’t buy the boat from the dealer you're requesting a service appointment from.  

If you filled out your warranty registration before leaving the dealership, keep an eye out for emails from the manufacturer.  Technology is king these days and they will use email to communicate important information. 

Fill out the Survey

Depending on the brand of pontoon you chose, you might receive an email survey from the manufacturer asking about your experience so far.  These surveys are usually short and easy and give the manufacturer the feedback they need to make sure you have the ultimate ownership experience.

Here at Barletta, we do a deep dive into any survey that comes back less than perfect.  We want to know how the sales process went and if you’re happy with your purchase.  If you’re not 100% satisfied, we will make it right.  

Join the Family

A few other things that you can expect if you purchased a Barletta pontoon boat are a community of owners who are a part of the Barletta Owner’s Facebook page.  You will need to know your HIN and selling dealer info to join the group, but once you’re in, there’s a plethora of knowledge that the community shares.

Find answers to your Questions

Barletta also puts time and effort into their Learning Center which can be found on the website.  There you will find videos and articles that address any and all Barletta questions as well as general boating advice for any type of boater.  

Most brands will also offer up the owner’s manual digitally online.  Barletta takes this a step further and has a document center packed with information regarding anything you need to know about the boat including manuals for just about every component on board.  

If you’re not finding what you need online, don’t forget, your dealer is your best and quickest resource.  They will help you any way they can and if they don’t have the answer, they will find it.

Registration

Don’t forget your registration stickers!  You may have gotten a temporary plate through your dealer but you would be surprised how quickly those 30 days go by.  I recommend registering the boat immediately so that you’re in compliance with the local and state laws. 

Time to Hit the Water

Again, congratulations on your new pontoon boat.  I may be biased but I think you made an excellent choice.  Growing up we always had a pontoon boat in the family and today, that’s my boat of choice.

With this list, delivery day should be a breeze.  Make sure you print out the PDF and bring it with you to the dealership.  Nothing is more exciting than picking up the boat you’ve been waiting days, weeks, or even months for.

Our pontoon boat brings our entire family together and lets us create memories that will last a lifetime.  You’ve got a lot to look forward to and if you ever need some advice, don’t forget about Barletta’s vast offering of knowledge in the Learning Center.