Privacy is important to everyone regardless of location, especially when it comes to your own property.
Privacy on your pontoon boat is no exception.
There will be times when you need to get changed on your boat, therefore it’s important to have a changing room on-board.
My family don’t always plan on going for a swim, sometimes a peaceful family boating trip will turn into a fun packed swimming session with everyone jumping overboard. This means that sometimes we have to get changed into our swimsuits.
In this article, I’m going to show you how you can create your own pontoon boat changing room.
You can create your own pontoon boat changing room very simply. Purchase a changing station suitable for boats and set it up where you have space on your pontoon. But which changing station/tent should you buy? I’ll review a few of the best.
Everything you need is very affordable and setting everything up is easy. You don’t have to be a handy man; anyone can do this.
Why Set-Up A Changing Room on Your Pontoon?
Firstly, why should you set-up a changing room on your pontoon?
As mentioned previously, privacy is the most important reason to have a changing room on your boat.
Often, you’ll find yourself boating on the same water as others.
Meaning that if you don’t have a changing room, you’ll always be visible even when you don’t want to be.
This is not only for your own sake. Do you think others want to see you and your family/friends getting changed?
Also, the changing room doesn’t have to be strictly used as a changing room. It can be used for privacy in general.
For example, one of your passengers are getting seasick. Seasickness can be embarrassing, and it will only make it worse if you have everyone watching you throw up.
You never know when you’re going to want some privacy.
I’ve been in a boatload of scenarios where I’ve sought out privacy and some alone time in my pontoon boat’s changing room.
Changing Room Options for Your Pontoon Boat
Luckily for you, you don’t have to completely DIY your own changing room. There are a few good changing room options for your pontoon on Amazon. I’ll give you a review of each privacy station to help you figure out which one is right for you.
Fotodiox Collapsible Portable Indoor/Outdoor Changing Room
It’s easy to take down as it is a premium collapsible pop-up dressing tent. This means you can keep it on your boat all the time but when you want to use it, you can pop it up in seconds. This is very convenient.
You wont even notice it on your boat until you need it.
This is a problem with some pontoon boat changing rooms, they can ruin the aesthetic or your boat. But not this one. The Fotodiox Collapsible changing room is unnoticeable till you pop it up for use.
I don’t think there’s another changing room so easy to set-up and put away.
It has a full-length zipper which allows for easy access.
It also has an open bottom and top which allows for improved airflow so that you don’t melt whilst using it on a warm summer’s day.
Perfect for quick little outfit swaps whilst you’re on board.
- Pops Open in Seconds Whenever Needs Privacy
- Wider Base Provide Needed Stability and More Room
- Opening in the top to provide ventilation and allow light in
- Weight bags at bottom can be filled to avoid being blown around
Privacy Station – Drop Down for Bimini Top
If you want more of a permanent changing room rather than one you must pop up every time you want to use it. This might be the ideal privacy station for your pontoon boat.
Especially so if you’ve got a Bimini Top installed on your boat. You attach this station to the underside of your Bimini top.
Personally, I feel like this privacy station looks a lot better than the changing room mentioned above.
This station is extremely roomy, it is 30” wide and “72 long. This makes it appropriate for an adult and a child to use at the same time. Which is always great for when toddlers and younger children need help getting changed.
This is a very well put together station, featuring a heavy-duty zipper with double pull for easy access.
- velcro to the underside of the bimini on the middle bows
- 72" long by 30" wide by 27" deep
- mulitple colors available
- heavy duty zipper with double pull for easy access
WolfWise Pop-up Shower Tent
This is a pop-up shower tent designed for outdoor use which makes it perfect for a pontoon boat.
This product is similar to the Fotodiox changing room. It pops up and folds in seconds, there is no assembly required. This is very convenient for a quick change.
One thing I really like about this changing room is it can be folded into a compact size and put into it’s included carrying bag. This means that you can also bring it off the boat with you if you plan on going on a little adventure.
The tent has a mesh top design as well as a zipper window which provides good air ventilation, perfect for those hot summer days.
This is a very durable product. It is made from anti-tear 190T polyester, ensuring that it has a long-life span. This will save you from having to purchase a replacement tent any time soon. It is also water repellent to keep the inside shelter dry.
- Spacious Space: The tent is 47.2" L x 47.2" W x 74.8" H providing a...
- UPF 30+ & Good Ventilation: The polyester fibric with taped seams...
- Multi-function: The shower tent offers a private space for using the...
- Structural Features: The tent is made of anti-tear 190T polyester for...
Pop-Up Room in a Bag
This is another great alternative changing room suitable any type of boat.
It opens in seconds for on-demand privacy anywhere.
It can be used a changing room, shower room or even your pontoons potty room. Literally anything that requires some privacy, this is a good choice for.
The only slight downside to this product is on a sunny day you may be able to see through it a little bit. This isn’t a big deal as you can only see the shadow of a person inside.
- Opens in seconds for privacy anywhere. Works as a changing room, potty...
- Durable steel frame design with weather-resistant material
- Built in bags for weight + included stakes for windy conditions
- Base dimensions: 36 x 36 inches; Dimensions in bag: 20 x 20 x 1 inch
Pontoon Changing Room Buyers Guide
Before taking the jump of purchasing any type of changing room for your boat, it’s important to do your own research to ensure that it’s the right choice for you. Someone else’s perfect changing room may differ from your own opinion of the best changing room.
Get the opinion of experienced boaters: Ask someone who knows their stuff. This could a friend or a neighbour, or even the old man you see on water every so often. The more wisdom the better. If you must, go to your local marina and seek people’s advice
Read through reviews: Reviews can be very helpful as they’re the opinions of people who bought the products you’re looking at. Though, take reviews with a pinch of salt and use your own diligence as someone’s opinion could be different to your own.
Things to look for in a good changing room:
- Strong materials & durability
- Low transparency for privacy
- Good ventilation
- Attractive design
- More room the better
Things to Consider:
- Your budget
- Weather condition you’ll be exposed to
- Safety concerns
- What you’ll use the changing room for
- What size you need for your boat
One of the most important things is the size. You should make sure you compare the size of the changing room to the space available on your boat. If it doesn’t fit, then it’s completely useless to you. This makes it very important to measure the space available on your boat and compare it to the changing station specifications.
Your budget is very important. Afterall, you don’t want to break your bank for a changing station. I’ve noticed that the portable pop-up changing tents are often significantly cheaper than the bigger ones that attach to your boats Bimini top.
You’ll need to keep in mind the weather conditions which you’ll likely be boating in. If you’re exposed to rain a lot, you’ll need to make sure that your pontoons changing room is at least waterproof.
Conclusion
What do you think of the above recommendations?
Let me know in the comments below if you decided to purchase one of them.
Or if you’ve recently purchased a different changing room, let me know how it’s going. I’m always looking for better recommendations to add to these types of lists.
Maybe you’ve already got a changing room that’s not the best, even so, let me know. I’d love to hear about your experiences with boat changing rooms.
My name Is Larry Noel, the voice behind BoatCrunch.
I’m a boating enthusiast that loves nothing more than being out on the water. So much so that I’ve acquired a Degree in Marine Biology (MB) as well as a degree in Ocean Engineering (OE).
I’m very familiar with a wide range of different boats and I’ve owned a variety of different boats myself however I have a particular obsession with Pontoon boats. I’ve lived all across the United States and always kept company in the form of boats and now my loving family.