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Step up your family fun this summer with six of the best inflatable pontoon boat slides. If you need a more thrilling flotation toy, or if you’re looking to reduce the number of boat towables to haul around, a pontoon boat slide could be your answer.
A pontoon boat water slide is one of those accessories that makes summer entertaining fun while keeping the whole family cool. It’s like having a mini water park wherever you are on the lake!
This article will dive into which inflatable boat slides are best, what you need to know about pontoon boat slide kits and safety tips for pontoon boat slides. There’s no need to wait until the lake is just the right temperature! Let’s jump in.
- Buying guide for the best pontoon slides
- #1 – Pontoon Slide by Rave Sports
- #2 – Pontoon Slide by SportsStuff
- #3 – WOW 8-Foot Pontoon Waterfall Slide
- #4 – WOW Pontoon Waterfall Slide
- #5 – Aquaglide Freefall Pontoon Slide
- #6 – Boat Dock Slide by Rave Sports
- Types of pontoon boat slides
- Pontoon boat slide Frequently Asked Questions
- Maintenance tips for pontoon slide for boats
- Final thoughts on pontoon boat slides
Buying guide for the best pontoon slides
Pontoon boat water slides come in both fixed and inflatable versions. But for this review, we’re going to focus primarily on the simple and more affordable inflatable slide.
#1 – Pontoon Slide by Rave Sports
Rave Sports slides in as our number one pick for having the most durable and sturdy product. It is simple to attach and can be inflated and deflated easily by using a car or boat battery. This Rave pontoon slide has received many great reviews from customers who say their friends and kids love the well-crafted design.
The slide will fit most pontoons and has a weight limit of 200 pounds. It has a nine-foot slippery sliding surface and safety chambers on both sides to keep sliders centered. It also has four inset vinyl-molded footsteps and two vinyl-assist handles welded on the top. It’s the perfect way to make a splash in any lake!
The slide by Rave Sports is easy to transport, and the 12-volt inflation pump can be connected to your car or boat battery to quickly and effortlessly inflate the slide in 5 minutes or less. The Rave Sports slide is made from commercial-grade reinforced material resistant to both mold and mildew, and the UV coating prevents the product from fading in the sun.
#2 – Pontoon Slide by SportsStuff
The Pontoon Slide by SportStuff dives in at second place on our list. It is lightweight but compact and sturdy, and you can inflate it in fewer than five minutes. It is perfect for kids and adults to enjoy their favorite water sports.
The Pontoon Slide by SportStuff, which is made by the popular Airhead, is moderately priced and built to last a long time. It has a weight capacity of 200 pounds and comes with raised inflatable safety chambers on both sides to keep sliders centered. It also has four inset molded steps and two molded handles for easy use.
The slide inflates quickly and once deflated, you can easily transport and store it. It is made with an extra-strong 100-denier polyester reinforced PVC material and has a UV-resistant coating to prevent fading from the sun. Enjoy hours of fun in the sun with this slide from SportStuff.
#3 – WOW 8-Foot Pontoon Waterfall Slide
From World of Watersports (WOW), an industry leader in water inflatables, comes the WOW 8-Foot Pontoon Waterfall Slide.
This model has an 8-foot sliding surface that gives the slider a long enjoyable ride to the cool waters below. The sliding surface is made with heavy duty, premium-layered, polyester-reinforced PVC, which means it is both durable and offers a smooth and slippery slide.
The adjustable straps allow you to fit the slide on most pontoons and tritoons in just minutes, and the molded steps and handles make it a breeze to climb aboard. The EZ storage system allow you to deflate the slide and fold it up in a jiffy.
#4 – WOW Pontoon Waterfall Slide
WOW makes another splash in the number four spot with its Pontoon Waterfall Slide. It is a high-quality product that will provide sliders tons of excitement throughout the summer.
The slide takes just a few minutes to inflate and attach to your pontoon using adjustable straps and also deflates and folds up quickly for easy storage. It has weight restriction of 200 pounds for a single adult or child slider.
The slide is made of extra-strong PVC and features an 8-foot smooth glide surface, deluxe inflatable safety rails and molded steps and handles. With proper care, it should last many summers on the lake and can be used repeatedly while retaining its sturdiness.
#5 – Aquaglide Freefall Pontoon Slide
The Aquaglide Freefall Pontoon Slide catches a wave as the fifth contender on our list. It is a moderately-priced slide that is lightweight and easy to carry. Simply deflate and pack it away! It includes a 12-volt TurboPump that makes setting it up simple and hassle-free.
But don’t let its lightweight design fool you. It is also constructed with sturdy polyester-reinforced PVC and is UV protected. It is built with all of the safety features you’d expect from Aquaglide so your kids can safely enjoy hours of water park excitement right on the lake.
This slide comes with footsteps welded onto the ladder and molded handles to make climbing the ladder easy. With adjustable anchor straps, this slide fits the vast majority of pontoon boats. Keep a minimum water depth of at least eight feet, and limit the weight capacity to 200 pounds.
#6 – Boat Dock Slide by Rave Sports
Rave Sports slips back in again with another fabulous slide product. This slide is used mainly on the dock, but you can easily attach it to your pontoon boat with a quick adjustment of two straps.
As one of the best pontoon slides on our list, it sets up quickly, inflating in just minutes. Made from sturdy and durable vinyl, the kit comes with an inflator pump. You should install this slide over a water depth of at least 48 inches (preferably much more).
This dock slide is a safe and family friendly slide that even adults will love! It has a maximum weight capacity of 200 pounds and is nine feet long. Everyone will enjoy sliding off of the dock or your pontoon boat.
- Has a 12-volt pump included in the kit
- Can be inflated in minutes using a battery
- Can be used on dock or pontoon boat
- It can take up a good portion of the end of a small dock. With active kids on it all day, you may need to find another place to tie up your boat.
Types of pontoon boat slides
Before you make a splash this summer with your new slide, there are some things to consider before you decide which brand to purchase. Pontoon boat water slides come in both fixed and inflatable versions.
Fixed Style
A fixed water slide is a preferable choice for boat hulls. Typically, fixed slides are manufactured out of fiberglass and can be professionally fitted. Unlike other slides, a fixed style provides more fun since these slides are accessed from the upper deck, giving you a higher and steeper ride down into the water below.
The fixed style of slides tends to be more durable than the inflatable pontoon boat slide and is an accessory that can make pontoon boats look amazing! Those using these types of slides will appreciate the level of safety they get from using them off of the upper deck.
If your boat has an upper deck, a fixed version might be the best choice. If you don’t have an upper deck, the inflatable version is ideal and will give you just as much fun.
Some things to consider when purchasing a fixed water slide to be retrofitted to your pontoon:
- It can be costly.
- They may need to be professionally installed.
- It will weigh more, resulting in higher fuel costs.
- Caring for fixed slides is easy.
Inflatable Style
Inflatable water slides are typically made from a commercial-grade reinforced material such as PVC with a UV-resistant coating. PVC is used in most pontoon slide kits since it is both waterproof and durable, and the UV-resistant coating will protect the material from the damaging effects of UV light.
Inflatable slides offer easy inflation with a high-pressure pump like the Airhead AHP-120 Kwik Tek Air Pump Canister (120-Volt).
A pump is ideal for speeding up inflating it, and these pumps are typically included in your pontoon boat slide kit. These high-pressure inflator/deflator pumps easily run off the pontoon battery without drawing too much power.
Setting inflatable boat slides up is easy and taking them down is a breeze, too. And if that breeze becomes a gale-force wind, the slide can come down in minutes. You can store it in its storage bag or a dry compartment the size of a sleeping bag.
An inflatable pontoon water slide tends to be preferable over the fixed version. Here are some of the top reasons this type of water slide is so popular among your water-loving friends and family:
- A great pontoon boat slide kit is easy to set up and attach to your boat.
- It is less expensive than a fixed version.
- It is made from strong commercial-grade material for extra durability.
- You won’t need much storage space, and most kits come with a rodent-proof storage bag. Simply roll it up for easy storage.
- Typically, the 12-volt high-pressure inflator and deflator pump in your pontoon boat slide kit can run off a boat or car battery. We recommend that you purchase an extra pump as a backup.
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Pontoon boat slide Frequently Asked Questions
Are you new to pontoon boating or want some insight on purchasing the best slide? We’ve compiled some of the top questions that may come up.
Can you put a slide on a pontoon-style boat?
An inflatable slide can fit most pontoon-style watercraft. However, fixed slides need an upper deck and should be professionally installed.
Can my slide flip over?
Most of these slides come with adjustable straps that help you secure them to a structure like a deck, bouncer or boat. Check the manufacturer details to ensure that you can safely secure the brand you are preparing to purchase.
Are double decker slides for pontoons safe?
In most cases, double-deckers are slightly safer than inflatable brands. This is because the slide is professionally installed with all the required security features. Always talk to a professional to ensure safe installation.
Which slide is better?
This comes down to a matter of preference and the design of your pontoon-style boat. Many prefer the look and appeal of having a professionally installed fixed version. While others like the ease of inflating and deflating a slide.
A fixed water slide will only work on an upper deck style pontoon boat. Inflatable versions will work on boats with or without upper decks. However, a fixed slide is both steeper and faster—many like the thrill a fixed version gives them!
It also boils down to a matter of cost. While good inflatable varieties are around $500-$1,200, the fixed kind can cost you thousands. Whatever type you use, you can expect years of fun if you properly maintain and care for your slide.
Remember, before buying your slide, talk to a company representative, research the company and read customer reviews.
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Maintenance tips for pontoon slide for boats
Purchasing one of these slides is an investment that will give your family and friends years of amusement. However, to make sure more fun is to be had every year, there are some things you will need to do to keep your slide in proper working condition. Let’s look at ways to keep both versions in top shape.
Inflatables
These slides are relatively easy to take care of, but there are some things you will need to do to extend their life.
- When not in use, deflate it entirely so that no air remains inside the compartments. Once all of the air is out, fold the slide up and store it in a dry space.
- Allow it to dry completely before folding to avoid mold and mildew from forming. Store out of the sun. Although most slides have a UV coating, storing them in a dark and dry place will prevent the sun from further compromising the material.
- Before putting it away for the winter, wash the material with soapy water. Check it for any holes, tears, or weakened spots. Spray the surface with a UV spray to protect the fabric and keep it looking brand new.
Fixed
Fixed slides require less care than the inflatable types, but they still need some love and attention. Here are some ways you can keep them looking great and working smoothly summer after summer.
- Ensure the surface is cleaned regularly, and when you winterize it, spray it with a UV protector spray to keep the surface looking brand new.
- Look for scratches, loosened parts or any damage. If you notice weak or damaged areas, contact the manufacturer or the company that installed it to service it properly.
Final thoughts on pontoon boat slides
The best pontoon slide is the one that checks off all of your boxes. Is it easy to install? Is it easy to inflate or deflate? Does it include a pump? Is it sturdy, safe, and will it hold a decent weight capacity? Once you start answering these important questions, you’ll narrow down your preferences and purchase the best pontoon boat slide.
Decide on how much you want to spend and bear your pontoon boat’s design in mind – this will help you get started. Then, talk to manufacturers and read reviews so you can make an informed decision. The final step is to simply enjoy the years of fun your great slide will give you!