As pontoon craft continue to evolve it is amazing to see the versatility that they offer — from the local bluegill pond to the Madison River, from Pineview tiger muskies to week long Alaska wilderness floats for sockeyes and huge rainbows, to month long expeditions to Siberia Russia.

There is no question that pontoon craft have proven they can do it all! There are even a few thrill seekers floating the Snake below Jackson Hole — just for kicks.

As this evolution in design has taken place over the past few years there has been one element missing — the ability to move great distances quickly and efficiently.

To be able to move effortlessly across a lake or pond or to get off the lake quickly if the wind comes up or if a thunderstorm moves in would be a great advantage. And now more and more pontoon owners are discovering that they have the ability to do just that by attaching a gas or electric motor to their boat.

After all, if you put your boat in at Chicken Creek and three hours later would like to buzz over to the Ladders to check things out, you’ll have a lot of rowing ahead of you.

Enter the small gas motor. With a one and half to three horsepower gas motor mounted on the back of your pontoon craft you can be there in minutes. Upon arrival you can use your fins to stalk the shallow sagebrush flats for big cutthroat.

There are many pontoon owners who have wanted to mount a motor on their boat but really just didn’t know how to go about it. For others the hassles of registering their pontoon have scared them off.

Now, there are motor mounts you can buy that make attaching the motor simple and painless. Get down to your favorite sporting goods store and check them out.

As far as registering your pontoon goes, here is a how to in chronological order.

1. Things you need to take with you when you go to the Division of Motor Vehicles:

a. your original sales receipt showing that you have paid sales tax.

b. your pontoon craft’s serial number

c. your motor serial number

d. your pontoon craft, either inflated or deflated, for inspection by an officer of the Division (they may or may not do this but bring the boat anyway, just in case).

If you don’t have your sales receipt they will make you sign an affidavit as to when it was you purchased the craft and what the purchase price was.

If you have all the above listed items when you go to the division, it is a pretty painless procedure from then on. First fill out a boat registration form and then get in line. If you go in the morning or mid afternoon the lines are minimal and your wait will be shorter.

My in and out time, once I had everything I needed was about 15 minutes. I was charged $10.50 and left with my registration and registration stickers for the side of my boat.

A stop by Fred Meyers on the way home supplied me with the number stickers also needed for the side of my boat. When I got home I attached my stickers to a piece of plexiglass. Using electrical ties I can fasten the plexiglass plate to the frame of my pontoon craft when my motor is on and then take them off when I am on the river. Pretty slick!

Now I am legally set up for any and all situations. Matter of fact with that motor on my pontoon and a couple of camo covers I have had a tremendous duck season and have been able to motor away from the crowds. Now that’s versatility.

Dave Scadden is the General Manager of the Anglers’ Inn stores. He has pioneered pontoon craft design and adventures over the past 10 years.