How much can a pontoon cost?
The average cost of pontoon boats ranges from $15,000 to upwards of $175,000. The price will vary greatly depending on factors like size and accessories. We will break down how each choice may affect pricing below. Pontoon boating is more fun when friends and family come along. Before you buy a boat, consider how many people you expect to carry on it. For one to five people, a 15-foot-long boat is sufficient. For six to 10 people, you’ll want something in the range of 16 to 21 feet.The standard tube sizes you will find are 25 diameter or 23 diameter. That means it can handle a larger, heavier engine, and it will fit more people and gear.A medium-sized pontoon boat holds up to ten people and is 20 to 24 feet long. Such boats are excellent for family activities and are the most common type of pontoons. You can take a medium-sized pontoon boat on large water bodies and have fun with your friends or family.Pontoon Boat Capacity Small pontoon boats can hold around eight people, mid-size boats can fit up to 13 people, and large pontoon boats have a capacity of up to 15 people. There is a sticker that provides capacity information next to your captain’s chair if you’re unsure of your boat’s capacity.
Can a pontoon boat cross the ocean?
While pontoons have long been thought of as mostly inland-water boats, today pontoon boats are increasingly found on larger lakes and rivers, navigating coastal waters, even on occasion venturing into the open ocean. Still, captains should always use discretion. Pontoon boats are a great platform for boat camping. They come with plenty of deck space to spread out, as well as roomy benches and loungers that can double as sleeping platforms. Their shallow hulls allow them to easily be pulled up to camping spots on shore.Pontoon boats are ideal for navigating calm waters like lakes, rivers, and protected inlets. These large, buoyant boats are not made for rough seas. Heavy chop and large waves can easily cause a pontoon boat to capsize.Another disadvantage of pontoon boats is their relatively limited top speed compared to some other boat types. While modern pontoon boats can achieve respectable speeds, they typically cannot match the top speeds of boats designed for high-performance activities like water skiing or racing.Waterskiing is a popular water sport that many people love. Luckily, this fun sport is safe to do behind a pontoon boat. Waterskiing is great because it is a sport for beginners and experts alike. If your pontoon boat has a larger motor on it with enough torque, it’ll be the perfect boat for a waterski session.
What is the lifespan of a pontoon boat?
Pontoons are made from aluminum, so they don’t require a daily wipe-down after use. However, they are less durable with most pontoon boats having a lifespan of up to 20 years. No matter which type of boat you choose, expect to have the engine service once a year or every 100 miles, whichever comes first. While there are certainly costs associated with boating, pontoons can last for 20 years or more with good cleaning and maintenance, so you’ll get your money’s worth.In today’s market, high-performance pontoon boats are becoming more commonplace and they are equipped with single or twin engines of 150 to 400HP each. These are great for high-speed watersports, in addition to fast cruising and other fun activities.Some Examples of Pontoon Boat Size vs Horsepower In our experience, most pontoon boat owners seem to find a comfortable cruising speed somewhere around 16-25 MPH. So, to achieve this “optimal” speed, a 23 foot pontoon boat may likely require a 150HP engine.Many boats are highly specialized, which is great for families who only plan on enjoying one activity. For those who want to enjoy a wide range of activities, a pontoon is the perfect choice. On a pontoon, you can wakeboard, water ski, tube, and foil with ease. On that same boat, you can also fish or entertain guests.But if your pontoon is 16 feet long and has a 115 hp motor and it’s loaded with passengers, the tube ride will be slow and leisurely. As a general rule, you can pull a tube behind a pontoon as long as it has enough horsepower relative to the weight it is hauling.
How fast does a jet ski pontoon boat go?
Most pontoon boats can reach max speeds of around 40 mph, while tri-toons can push further to about 45–50 mph. However, the average cruising speed for these vessels remains between 18–25 mph, which is perfect for a relaxing day out. Pontoons and tritoons are very safe boats on lakes, rivers, bays and even in the ocean a mile or 2 out on calm days. With either two or three toons, they are buoyant, stable and handle rough conditions (up to 2-foot waves) very well.The sealed tubes (or pontoons) are filled with air, making it nearly impossible to sink a pontoon boat, either a tritoon or pontoon.Handling in rough water. Pontoons aren’t the most nimble of boats. Their build requires drivers to take wide turns—potentially posing a problem for some when docking or navigating in general. They are especially difficult to handle in rough water.The only way to sink a pontoon is by water entering the tubes. In many cases, even if one tube fills with water, the other one or two will still keep the boat mostly afloat and you will likely be able to get it to shore without going down completely.Taking this kind of boat into the ocean is definitely possible, with some considerations. Pontoon boats are capable of handling coastal waters and some ocean conditions, but they have limitations. You must use them responsibly and be fully aware of what they can do before taking them into the ocean.
Are pontoons cheaper than boats?
In general, a deck boat will be more expensive than a pontoon boat. However, more luxurious pontoon models will begin to approach price point similar to that of a deck boat. And, depending on what type of engine you choose for either, that alone could cost up to 50% of the price of the boat itself. For example, if your boat is 25′ long, it will weigh about 2,500 lbs. Pontoons can typically hold about 2,000 lbs in people, cargo, and fuel, so a fully-loaded pontoon can weigh well over 4,000 lbs.In which case, consider opting for a 21 to 28 feet long model. Conversely, if you only plan to use the boat for smaller groups or solo trips, you can get away with a smaller pontoon boat that is 18 to 20 feet long.Carrying Capacity Pontoon boating is more fun when friends and family come along. Before you buy a boat, consider how many people you expect to carry on it. For one to five people, a 15-foot-long boat is sufficient. For six to 10 people, you’ll want something in the range of 16 to 21 feet.A good rule of thumb is that a pontoon boat should weigh between 100 and 120 pounds per foot. For example, we would expect a 24-foot boat to weigh between 2,400 and 2,880 pounds, depending on amenities.Some Examples of Pontoon Boat Size vs Horsepower In our experience, most pontoon boat owners seem to find a comfortable cruising speed somewhere around 16-25 MPH. So, to achieve this “optimal” speed, a 23 foot pontoon boat may likely require a 150HP engine.
How many people does a 20 ft pontoon hold?
Carrying Capacity For one to five people, a 15-foot-long boat is sufficient. For six to 10 people, you’ll want something in the range of 16 to 21 feet. If you want to take along an even bigger crowd, you should consider a model that’s 21 to 28 feet long. Better for lakes and rivers that don’t have big waves. For rougher waters, consider purchasing a tritoon in this size. This size usually accommodates 10 – 12 people.