Skip to content
DiSanto Propane (Banner)
Home » Ben & Jerry's » The difference between Fixed and Floating

The difference between Fixed and Floating

Pontoons Over the past decade, waterfronts have become the principal focus of urban real estate projects. These waterfronts have been known to be the home of pontoon boats. You would mostly find pontoon boats on the interface of waterfronts, between land and a water body, such as rivers and lake edges.

Most constructions carried out on waterfronts include docks, bridges, and houses overlooking the waterbody. When developing a waterfront, you may decide to get a pontoon. However, you need a suitable dock for the pontoon. You can contract a pontoon builder to help you decide the right dock suitable for your premises.

Two types of pontoons are available, and you can decide to get any, depending on your preference. These are Floating pontoons and Fixed pontoons

What is a Floating Pontoons

A floating pontoon has a floating structure made with stainless steel cables and recyclable aluminum. Aluminium is a recyclable material making them affordable.

Different sizes and shapes of floating pontoons are available with a walkway. Floating pontoons are universal and adaptable. It has flexibility that makes its installation easy. A floating pontoon is affordable, durable, and requires little maintenance.

Upsides of Using Floating Pontoons

Low-cost installation and maintenance. Durable and easy to assemble, which makes them suitable for different locations.

Downsides of Using Floating Pontoons

Floating pontoons are not suitable for places with a high water current because a high current irritates the wall of the pontoon when water ebbs and flows.


Uses of Floating Pontoons

Floating Pontoons can be used for Walkways, Jetties, Floating bridge, Stage and Work platforms.

The installation pattern of floating pontoons makes them suitable for different personal and commercial sites. Commercial sites usually use floating pontoons in marinas, barges, safety facilities, and open water pools.

The flexibility of floating pontoons allows the user to replace one pontoon without worrying about the complete structure’s stability. These pontoons are versatile and can support constructions of different shapes and sizes.

What are Fixed Pontoons? 

Fixed pontoons have large steel or concrete poles supported by the seabed. This structure protects the pontoon. Pontoons firmly fastened in place can remain in water bodies with strong tidal currents commuted by jetties.

Fixed pontoons can withstand rigging in endangered areas and can moor bigger vessels. You can sink a fixed pontoon to the mainland in calm waters using struts or aluminum cables. The cable system of fixed pontoons uses a technique that gives the pontoon a high mooring capacity.

Upsides of Fixed Pontoons

They are safe, effective and can accommodate many people, regardless of the movement and activity on the boat. Fixed pontoons provide a strong base for getting on and off a boat and they make it possible for you to use different colored decks which protect the fixed pontoon

Downsides of Fixed Pontoons

They bend and break often Repairs are difficult and usually expensive because they have pillars held in place in the waterbody  Sudden fluctuations in tides make the safe arrival of the boat difficult

The Verdict

The Pontoon you use should depend on the project you want to accomplish. Both types are effective for water fronts. If you don’t have the time or resource for frequent maintenance, the Floating Pontoon would be just fine. If you want something hard and sturdy, the fixed pontoon would do. Reach out to Poralu, floating docks manufacturer.

Top