Idaho hunter 58

I was wondering how well it would work out to bring a pontoon boat out with me when i go duck/goose hunting? I hunt from a very narrow peninsula that shoots out into the middle of a bay. The area around the peninsula is pretty shallow, but then dives off really deep after about 10-20 yards or so depending on the specific area. I worry that if i shoot something a little too far I could be in a lot of trouble. I have not had a problem as of yet, but I don't want to not be able to retrieve a bird. Yes, I do have a lab, but i am just starting to work with him, and i am worried that he might for somereason not see the bird, or not retrieve it. Soooo finally to my question (thanks for sticking with me!) Would bringing a pontoon boat as insurrence be a good idea? What should I make sure to bring if i do go out in the pontoon boat. Should I wear weighters and a life jacket??? I really have no idea.

So does anyone have any advice on using a pontoon boat while duck hunting??
Thanks for helping out a newbie to duck hunting,
Idaho

DUCKSTAMPEDE

We hunt in a river area and have used a 12 foot flat bottom jon boat with a river rat outboard on the thing. Found it worked well to get someplace fast and was much easier to get the dog back into when we had to make a rescue due to current or ice. We park it about 50 yards down river fromt he blind-did it because I didn't want to risk my dog.