Phone:
(701)814-6992
Physical address:
6296 Donnelly Plaza
Ratkeville, Bahamas.
Pontoon Furniture & Flooring Care
Pontoon boats have a lot of comfortable places to sit.
Unfortunately, that also means they have a lot of places for water, sunscreen, fish slime, dirt and mildew to find a home.
Seats, flooring and storage areas live in a difficult environment. They’re exposed to sunlight, heat, humidity, wet fishing gear, food, bait and repeated trips between wet and dry conditions.
Good pontoon furniture care isn’t about keeping a fishing boat showroom-perfect.
It’s about keeping the materials clean, dry and protected so they last as long as possible.
The same applies to the floor beneath your feet.
Whether your pontoon has marine vinyl, carpet, woven flooring, EVA foam or another marine floor covering, routine care can prevent small stains and moisture problems from becoming permanent parts of the boat.
Pontoon Furniture & Flooring Care Menu
Quick Care | Seats & Vinyl | Flooring | Carpet | Woven Vinyl | EVA Foam | Storage Areas | Stains & Mildew | Sun & Weather | Repairs
Quick Pontoon Interior Care
You don’t need to deep-clean a pontoon every time you fish.
A few simple habits make a much bigger difference.
After a trip:
- Remove trash and food
- Remove fish and bait residue
- Pick up wet towels and clothing
- Remove or open wet tackle
- Wipe up spills
- Rinse dirty flooring when appropriate
- Check underneath seat cushions
- Open wet storage compartments
- Allow the interior to dry
- Don’t tightly cover a wet boat
Pay particular attention after fishing in rain or washing the boat.
Water doesn’t cause nearly as many problems when it’s allowed to leave.
Clean Problems While They’re Still Small
Fish slime is easier to clean today than next week.
The same is true for:
- Blood
- Bait residue
- Food
- Drinks
- Mud
- Sunscreen
- Bird droppings
- Plant material
The longer contaminants remain on a surface, the greater the chance they’ll stain, discolor or damage it.
Fishing boats are allowed to get dirty.
They just don’t have to stay that way.
Pontoon Seats & Marine Vinyl
Marine vinyl is designed for a marine environment, but that doesn’t make it indestructible.
Sunlight, body oils, sunscreen, dirt, moisture and harsh cleaning products can all shorten its life.
Routine Vinyl Care
For normal cleaning:
- Remove loose dirt and debris.
- Use a cleaner recommended for marine vinyl.
- Clean with a soft cloth, sponge or appropriate soft brush.
- Rinse or wipe away cleaner residue as directed.
- Allow the surface to dry.
Always follow the seat or vinyl manufacturer’s care recommendations when they’re available.
Pay Attention to the Seams
The vinyl itself isn’t the only material that matters.
Inspect:
- Stitching
- Seams
- Welting
- Piping
- Zippers
- Hinges
- Seat backs
- Undersides of cushions
A small opening in a seam can allow water into the cushion beneath it.
Once moisture gets into foam, drying becomes considerably more difficult.
Don’t Scrub the Life Out of It
Aggressive scrubbing may remove the stain.
It may also remove or damage the surface you’re trying to save.
Avoid reaching immediately for:
- Harsh solvents
- Abrasive cleaners
- Stiff brushes
- Household chemicals not intended for marine vinyl
If you’re trying a new product, follow its instructions and test it in an inconspicuous area first when appropriate.
Protect the Vinyl From Unnecessary Sun
UV exposure is one of the biggest enemies of pontoon interiors.
When practical, use:
- A properly fitted boat cover
- Seat covers
- Covered storage
- Shade
That doesn’t mean the boat needs to live in darkness.
It means there’s no benefit to letting the Florida sun bake the same seat cushions every day when nobody is using the boat.
Pontoon Flooring
Pontoon flooring has changed considerably over the years.
Depending on the boat, you may find:
- Marine carpet
- Woven vinyl
- Sheet vinyl
- EVA foam
- Synthetic marine flooring
- Other manufacturer-specific materials
Each material has different cleaning requirements.
Before attacking a stain, know what you’re standing on.
Start With the Least Aggressive Method
A good general rule is:
Vacuum or sweep first. Clean second. Get aggressive only when necessary.
Removing loose sand and debris before wet cleaning reduces unnecessary abrasion.
Watch the Edges
Inspect around:
- Gates
- Consoles
- Seat bases
- Storage compartments
- Floor penetrations
- Seams
- Edges
- Transitions between materials
Look for:
- Lifting
- Separation
- Loose edges
- Tears
- Bubbles
- Failed adhesive
- Persistent moisture
- Discoloration
Flooring problems aren’t always just flooring problems.
If one area repeatedly stays wet, find out why.
Marine Carpet
Older pontoons commonly use marine carpet.
Carpet can provide good traction and a comfortable surface, but it also has an impressive ability to collect everything that enters the boat.
Sand.
Hooks.
Fish scales.
Leaves.
Snack crumbs.
And at least one item you were certain you lost two years ago.
Routine Carpet Care
Regularly:
- Vacuum loose debris
- Remove hooks and fishing line
- Clean spills promptly
- Rinse when appropriate
- Extract excess water where practical
- Allow the carpet to dry thoroughly
Avoid Storing Wet Carpet Under a Tight Cover
This is one of the most important carpet-care habits.
Wet carpet plus warm air plus a sealed cover creates an excellent environment for odors and mildew.
After cleaning or fishing in rain, give the carpet enough ventilation to dry.
Check the Deck Beneath Older Carpet
On an older pontoon, deteriorated carpet can sometimes hide deteriorated decking.
Watch for:
- Soft areas
- Uneven surfaces
- Carpet that remains wet unusually long
- Loose adhesive
- Flooring movement
If the surface beneath the carpet feels questionable, investigate the deck rather than simply replacing the carpet.
Pontoon Deck & Structure Care →
Woven Vinyl & Synthetic Flooring
Woven vinyl and similar synthetic marine flooring have become popular because they’re durable, attractive and generally easier to clean than traditional carpet.
But they still need care.
Routine Cleaning
Depending on manufacturer recommendations:
- Sweep or vacuum loose debris
- Rinse dirt away
- Use an approved mild cleaner
- Use a soft brush when needed
- Rinse thoroughly
- Allow the flooring to dry
Watch the Backing and Adhesive
The visible surface may look perfect while a problem develops underneath.
Look for:
- Bubbles
- Lifting edges
- Separation
- Loose seams
- Areas that feel different underfoot
- Persistent trapped moisture
Don’t repeatedly glue down an edge without considering why it keeps lifting.
The adhesive may be failing, but moisture or movement underneath could also be contributing.
Fish Quickly, Clean Quickly
Fish blood, bait residue and other organic material should be cleaned promptly.
Synthetic flooring may be easier to maintain than carpet.
That doesn’t mean it enjoys spending a week underneath a dried bluegill.
↑ Back to Pontoon Furniture & Flooring Care Menu
EVA Foam Flooring
EVA foam has become common on fishing boats because it’s comfortable, provides traction and can dramatically change the appearance of an older deck.
It also requires reasonable care.
Cleaning EVA Foam
Generally:
- Remove loose debris first
- Use products recommended for EVA marine flooring
- Use a soft or moderately soft brush as appropriate
- Rinse thoroughly
- Allow it to dry
Avoid assuming that every aggressive cleaner safe for another boat surface is safe for EVA foam.
Watch for:
- Lifting edges
- Damaged seams
- Cuts
- Gouges
- Fish-hook damage
- Adhesive failure
- Shrinking or distortion
- Areas repeatedly exposed to standing water
Heat Matters
Dark flooring exposed to direct sunlight can become extremely hot.
In addition to being uncomfortable under bare feet, excessive heat can affect some materials and adhesives.
Follow the flooring manufacturer’s recommendations regarding cleaning, storage and heat exposure.
Don’t Pressure-Wash First and Ask Questions Later
High-pressure water can damage some flooring materials or force water underneath loose edges.
If you’re using a pressure washer anywhere around specialty flooring, know what the flooring manufacturer permits and use appropriate pressure and distance.
Sometimes the fastest cleaning method is also the fastest way to discover how well the adhesive was holding.
Seat Bases & Storage Compartments
The areas you don’t see every time you step aboard can become some of the wettest parts of a pontoon.
Open storage compartments periodically.
Inspect:
- Seat bases
- Storage tubs
- Hinges
- Latches
- Drains
- Carpeted compartments
- Battery compartments
- Under-seat areas
Look for:
- Standing water
- Mildew
- Damp gear
- Corrosion
- Drainage problems
- Loose hardware
- Cracks
- Pest activity
Don’t Store Wet Gear and Forget About It
Life jackets, dock lines, towels and rain gear should be allowed to dry.
Stuffing everything wet into a seat compartment and closing the lid may make the boat look clean.
The smell waiting for you next weekend will provide a different opinion.
Keep Drainage Paths Clear
If a compartment is designed to drain, make sure it can.
Debris can block small drains and turn what should be temporary water into long-term moisture.
Stains, Mold & Mildew
Mold and mildew thrive where moisture and organic material remain.
Pontoon interiors provide plenty of opportunities.
Prevention is much easier than removal.
Reduce the Conditions That Encourage Growth
Focus on:
- Keeping surfaces clean
- Removing food and organic debris
- Drying wet cushions
- Ventilating storage compartments
- Allowing flooring to dry
- Ventilating underneath covers
- Correcting water leaks or drainage problems
If Mildew Appears
Use cleaning methods and products approved for the specific material.
Marine vinyl, carpet, woven flooring and EVA foam may require different products.
Don’t assume one mildew remover belongs everywhere on the boat.
Be Careful With Bleach and Strong Chemicals
Some strong cleaners can discolor vinyl, damage stitching, affect adhesives or harm flooring.
Follow manufacturer recommendations.
More chemical isn’t necessarily more clean.
Find Out Why It Came Back
If mildew repeatedly returns to the same location, cleaning may not be the real solution.
Look for:
- Trapped moisture
- Poor ventilation
- Water leaks
- Wet foam
- Blocked drainage
- A cover trapping condensation
Repeated mildew is often telling you something about the environment where the boat is being stored.
Listen to it.
Sun, Heat & Weather Exposure
Pontoon interiors live outside.
Even boats stored under covers can experience heat, humidity and condensation.
UV Exposure
Sunlight can contribute to:
- Fading
- Drying
- Cracking
- Material deterioration
- Discoloration
Covers and shade can significantly reduce unnecessary exposure.
Rain
Rain isn’t automatically a problem.
Rain that can’t drain or dry is.
After heavy rain, inspect the boat for:
- Standing water
- Wet storage compartments
- Saturated carpet
- Water beneath cushions
- Cover pockets holding water
Cover the Boat—But Let It Breathe
A boat cover should protect the interior from weather while allowing appropriate ventilation.
A cover that traps moisture can create problems of its own.
Use support poles or the manufacturer’s cover system where appropriate so rainwater sheds rather than creating large pools.
Pontoon Boat Storage & Weather Protection →
↑ Back to Pontoon Furniture & Flooring Care Menu
Fishing-Specific Interior Care
A fishing pontoon faces some problems that the sunset-cruise pontoon may never fully appreciate.
Fishing introduces:
- Hooks
- Fish slime
- Blood
- Bait
- Scales
- Mud
- Wet nets
- Tackle
- Livewell water
Keep Hooks Under Control
Hooks and vinyl seating are natural enemies.
Use designated tackle storage rather than placing loose lures on seats.
Check flooring and carpet for dropped hooks after fishing.
This becomes particularly important when children, pets or barefoot passengers use the boat.
Clean Fish Areas Promptly
If you regularly land fish in one area of the boat, make that part of your post-trip cleaning routine.
Rinse and clean:
- Flooring
- Nearby furniture
- Livewell areas
- Nets
- Measuring boards
- Fish-handling equipment
The goal isn’t to stop fishing from making a mess.
The goal is to reset the boat afterward.
Repair or Replace?
Eventually, pontoon interiors wear out.
Vinyl cracks.
Foam deteriorates.
Carpet wears thin.
Flooring lifts.
Older pontoons sometimes reach the point where repeated cleaning and patching costs more effort than replacement is worth.
Repair May Make Sense When:
- Damage is isolated
- The surrounding material remains in good condition
- A seam can be professionally repaired
- A small flooring area has lifted
- The underlying deck remains sound
Replacement May Make More Sense When:
- Vinyl is extensively cracked
- Foam is deteriorated or waterlogged
- Multiple seams are failing
- Carpet is extensively deteriorated
- Flooring is separating across large areas
- The interior no longer fits how the boat is being used
An Older Pontoon Is an Opportunity
When restoring an older pontoon, don’t automatically recreate the original interior.
Ask how the boat will actually be used.
A fishing-focused rebuild may benefit from:
- More open deck space
- Fewer oversized lounge seats
- Better tackle storage
- Pedestal fishing seats
- Easier-to-clean flooring
- Dedicated cooler space
- Rod storage
- Livewell improvements
That’s the difference between simply replacing an old interior and rebuilding the pontoon to fish.
Just remember that any changes still need to respect capacity, weight distribution and structural requirements.
Clean It. Dry It. Protect It.
Pontoon furniture and flooring don’t need complicated maintenance.
Most of the battle comes down to three things:
Clean it.
Remove the dirt, fish residue, food and contaminants that don’t belong there.
Dry it.
Don’t trap moisture in seats, carpet, storage compartments or underneath a cover.
Protect it.
Reduce unnecessary UV exposure and use products that are compatible with the materials you’re maintaining.
Your fishing pontoon doesn’t have to look like nobody has ever caught a fish from it.
A few scratches and stains are evidence that the boat gets used.
The objective is to keep the interior comfortable, functional and ready for the next trip.
Pontoon Deck & Structure Care →
Pontoon Boat Owner’s Guide →
Tin Can Boat Works
Small Boats. Serious Fishing.