When’s the best time to buy a pontoon boat?
Ideal Months for Purchasing: Fall and Winter The best time to buy a pontoon boat is often in the fall, right after peak boating season ends. Dealers start clearing out their inventory around September and October, which results in lower prices on both new and used models. Take advantage of end-of-season discounts and inventory clearance. As summer draws to a close, boat dealers are eager to clear out current inventory to make room for next year’s models. This period, typically from late August to early October, is when dealers offer substantial discounts on pontoon boats.Fall and winter can be the best time to buy a boat at the cheapest price. Dealerships often aim to clear out current-year models to make space for next season’s lineup, creating a more favorable buyer’s market.
How many people can fit on a 22 ft pontoon?
I say approximate because you should never truly go off of the passenger quantity. If you have met the maximum of 14 passengers on your 22-foot pontoon, and then you need a bunch of coolers to store ice, drinks and food for said 14 passengers you’ve already overloaded your limit. High Performance Pontoon Engines 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.The pontoon size that suits you Some factors that can help determine what length you’ll need are dock and storage space, trailer size and the towing capacity of your vehicle, the number of people you’re hoping to fit, desired engine size and fuel budget, and the size of whatever body of water it will be on.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.Some Examples of Pontoon Boat Size vs Horsepower So, to achieve this “optimal” speed, a 23 foot pontoon boat may likely require a 150HP engine. But, a 21 foot triple pontoon with performance strakes can achieve that optimal target speed with a 115HP engine.If you are shopping in the 21-24 foot pontoon range and plan on carrying 8-10 passengers, a 150-175hp engine with a triple pontoon is a great all-around pontoon boat choice.
How long does a pontoon last?
How long do pontoon boats last? Like any vehicle, the biggest determining factor in a pontoon boat’s longevity is how well it was maintained by previous owners. In general, estimates put a pontoon boat’s lifespan at 15-20 years. In many cases, outboard power can also be upgraded, extending a boat’s lifespan. 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.A compact 15-foot pontoon boat is cozy for up to five individuals. Meanwhile, a more spacious one ranging from 16 to 21 feet accommodates six to ten people comfortably. Each pontoon boat comes with a capacity plate, indicating both the maximum number of persons it can carry and the maximum weight it can handle.Keeping your Barletta pontoon in excellent condition doesn’t have to be a chore. With regular pontoon boat maintenance and attention to key areas like the engine, battery, fuel system, and interior, your boat will provide smooth, reliable performance for many seasons to come.If you are shopping in the 21-24 foot pontoon range and plan on carrying 8-10 passengers, a 150-175hp engine with a triple pontoon is a great all-around pontoon boat choice.
What is the best pontoon length?
In general, smaller boats are preferable for small, calm bodies of water. Small boats can navigate smoothly through shallow lakes and rivers. If you’re planning to take your pontoon boat to an area with no large waves, a model that’s between 17 and 22 feet long is appropriate. 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.Engine Size One deciding factor in how fast your pontoon will go is the size of the engine. Most vessels feature relatively heavy 40-horsepower engines, but if you are a thrill seeker, upgrading to a 150-horsepower engine can easily double the speed.The most common lengths offered are 20-25′ pontoon boats. Here are some ballpark lengths as they equate to person capacity to give you a general idea of where you will need to fall based on the number of people you boat with.The pontoon size that suits you Some factors that can help determine what length you’ll need are dock and storage space, trailer size and the towing capacity of your vehicle, the number of people you’re hoping to fit, desired engine size and fuel budget, and the size of whatever body of water it will be on.But, a 21 foot triple pontoon with performance strakes can achieve that optimal target speed with a 115HP engine. Alternatively, if you bump up the size of your pontoon to a 25 foot boat loaded with twelve passengers, you’ll probably need a 200HP engine to move you along.
Are pontoons high maintenance?
Pontoon boats have a few key characteristics that make them inherently lower maintenance than other boats on the market. They are a lot less delicate, and they are not going to rust as easily. Most pontoon boats come with an aluminum hull which is non-corrosive and not susceptible to rusting. Disadvantages of a Pontoon Boat Pontoons don’t run very fast, nor do they have a great range. It’s a great boat for a day on the water with friends and/or family, but don’t plan on venturing out very far with it. Ride safety can be a drawback for some because when the water gets rough, a pontoon doesn’t perform well.Remember, pontoon boats are some of the safest recreational boats on the market. Although they rarely sink, it can happen if the toons are compromised. Safe boating is smart boating so stay educated and you should have a great boating experience always.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.Beaching a pontoon boat can be a tricky endeavor, but one that is worth it! Beaching is the activity of parking your boat on the beach so you can explore the area.
Who makes the best pontoon?
Trusted names like Avalon, Bennington, Harris, Manitou, Godfrey, and Sun Tracker offer quality, performance, and features that cater to various needs. Explore models from these top pontoon boat brands to find the best pontoon boats for your next adventure. Some brands to consider are Sylvan, Premier Pontoons, Bennington, Barletta, Godfrey, and Manitou. A thorough inspection of the boat’s hull and pontoons is critical.Trusted names like Avalon, Bennington, Harris, Manitou, Godfrey, and Sun Tracker offer quality, performance, and features that cater to various needs. Explore models from these top pontoon boat brands to find the best pontoon boats for your next adventure.
How many people will a 20 ft pontoon hold?
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. 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.One of the biggest differences between a pontoon boat and a ski boat is horsepower. A ski boat may be able to tow water tubes with a motor of 100 bhp, but a pontoon boat needs about 150 bhp to pull tubes. This difference in horsepower is due to the weight of the boat.To estimate your pontoon boat’s weight: Use the length x 100 rule for a quick estimate (e.Tubing doesn’t require quite as much speed, and you can start to have fun at around 15 miles per hour. A pontoon boat with a 70 horsepower engine is plenty for tubing. At that level, you might be able to get up on skis too, but 90 HP will serve you much better.For example, if your pontoon is a 22-foot boat with a 150hp motor, there are two people in the boat, and you are pulling a few kids on the tube, their ride will be fast and thrilling. 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.