You have decided what type of pontoon boat suits your needs, but what size pontoon boat should you select? Selecting a properly sized pontoon boat optimizes the experience by ensuring the boat’s space, performance, and amenities match the activity. To select the best pontoon boat size, one needs to focus on a few factors. Factors such as; storage and transportation, number of passengers, location (small vs large body of water), activities (fishing vs party barge), and motor size. Below is in-depth information on pontoon boat sizes to help you make an informed decision.
Overview of Common Pontoon Boat Sizes
Pontoon boat manufacturers produce many different size boats, and the market has a lot of options. Pontoon boats can be grouped into three size categories: Small Pontoon Boats (<20′ long), Medium Pontoon Boats (20′-24′ long) and Large Pontoon Boats (>24′ long). Additionally, manufacturers measure boat lengths using three different conventions: deck length, overall length, or tube length.
Pontoon Tube Length: Distance from the front of the pontoon tubes to the end of the tubes.
Deck Length: The length of the deck of the pontoon boat (not including the pontoon tubes).
Overall Length: The length of the entire pontoon boat from bow to the stern (not including the outboard motor).
Tube lengths can be significant when looking for boat lifts or pontoon boat trailers suitable for your pontoon boat. Overall length can help in understanding the overall size of the pontoon boat so that you can have proper storage options. While, the deck length will give an idea about how spacious the pontoon boat will be.
Small Pontoon Boats (<20′ Long)
Small pontoon boats are less than 20′ long and around 8′ wide. Small pontoon boats are ideal for use in small lakes and shallow waters. Because of their smaller size, they are easy to maneuver, cost less, and are easy to store. They accommodate small groups (2-6 people), but you need to review the manufacturers specifications because the number of passengers can vary greatly. Most owners use small pontoon boats for fishing or casual cruising. Small pontoon boats are not suited for fast speeds, water sports, nor numerous passengers.
Smaller pontoon boats that are less than 7′ wide are considered mini pontoon boats.
Medium Pontoon Boats (20′-24′ Long)
The next size is the most popular pontoon boat size. Medium pontoon boats are 20′-24′ long and 8′-10′ wide. They have an average capacity of about 10 passengers. They are Ideal for use on medium sized lakes, and they’re are versatile for activities like cruising, fishing, and water sports. Their larger size allows for larger outboard motors. Naturally, medium pontoon boats will cost more, require more storage and docking space.
Large Pontoon Boats (>24′ Long)
Large pontoon boats are more than 24′ long and up to 12′ wide. The longest pontoon boats can be over 30′ long. The average passenger capacity is 15-23. They are ideal for large lakes, rivers, and coastal waters. If you are interested in a party barge, hosting a corporate event, or luxury cruises, then strongly consider large pontoon boats. In addition to their large capacity, they typically include luxury amenities. Large pontoon boat cons include: most expensive, significant storage/dock space, and difficult to maneuver.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Pontoon Boat Size
The following paragraphs discuss important factors to consider before choosing a pontoon size.
Passenger Capacity
How many passengers do you expect to carry in your pontoon boat? Two guys going fishing? A family outing on the lake with friends and family? A large party barge anchored in a swimming cove?
The market is flooded with different passenger capacities. Small pontoon boats can carry about 8 passengers. As size increases, medium sized pontoon boats can hold about 10-12 people. The largest pontoon boats can carry 15+ people.
Overloading your pontoon boat is not safe. Exceeding the manufacturers specified capacity creates a dangerous situation and an unstable boat. The pontoon boat is designed to traverse safely within its carrying capacity to remain stable and safe. and comfortable in the water.
Storage And Towing
Another essential factor to consider is where the boat will be stored/docked and transported. Using your known dock measurements, use 2-3′ to account for the outboard motor, and determine the pontoon boat length. For storage, again account for the outboard motor length and the length of the trailer. If storing in your garage, you also need to account for the garage door width and height.
Now in the case of towing, you also need to consider the combined weight of the pontoon boat and the trailer. Their combined weight needs to stay within the towing capacity and gross vehicle weight rating of the vehicle you intend to use for towing.
Location / Water Body
There is a wide variety of water bodies where you can take your pontoon boat. There are lakes, rivers, bays, ocean, etc. Small pontoon boats are equipped with smaller motors and are well suited for small water bodies like lakes, ponds and rivers without high currents. As currents wave action get high, you need to look for larger pontoon boats. Larger pontoon boats possess more weight and surface area making them more stable in rough waters.
Note: Some locations may restrict specific sizes from being used on certain waterways. The rules vary from state to state. You must reference your state laws before buying a pontoon boat.
Recreational Activities
Pontoon Boats can be used for many different activities. They can be used for fishing, water sports, and partying/lounging. The pontoon boat size also depends on the purpose for which you use the pontoon boat.
Fishing
Most people use pontoon boats for fishing. Even cruising models include options for fishing. For fishing, you need sufficient space for all of your gear (fishing rods, fishing nets, tackle, etc). The floor plan can also include live wells, fishing stations, tackle storage, etc. In general, a 22′ long pontoon boats are a good choice for passionate anglers. With a larger size, you get more storage and convenience. For those involved in occasional fishing and more of cruising, a 19-20′ long pontoon boat is a good choice.
However, as already mentioned, the pontoon boat size depends on the fishing location. For freshwater fishing in lakes and rivers, small to medium sized pontoon boats will suffice. However, for saltwater fishing, then consider a larger pontoon boat.
Water Sports
Pontoon boats are used for water sports like tubing, water skiing, swimming, diving, etc. For swimming and snorkeling, you do not have to worry about equipment storage, but you need to check passenger capacity of your pontoon boat. Sports like scuba diving and water skiing require equipment so sufficient onboard storage is important. Water sports like water skiing requires sufficient power and speed to pull the rider. You should look for pontoon boats with at least a 90 horsepower (HP) engine. For a more wild ride and faster speeds, consider an outboard motor with a higher horsepower rating.engines you can ride wild.
Partying and Lounging
If interested in cruising or partying with your friends, then select pontoon boats with larger decks. Comfy seating options should also be considered, so that you can relax comfortably with your friends. If you are looking for pontoon boats with the best sunbathing spots, then double decker pontoon boats can also make a great choice. Such options also offer a much greater field of view from the upper deck and they offer more shade.
Pontoon Boat Size and Outboard Motor
Pontoon boat outboard motors can have ratings from 2.5 HP – 425 HP. The most applicable motor depends on the type of water body, the type of activities, and the boat length. Before buying a pontoon boat, check for the maximum outboard motor capacity.
The smallest engine recommendation for a pontoon boat would be 9.9 HP. A 9.9 HP engine is best for slow cruising, and you can achieve speeds up to 5 mph. If you use a “high-thrust” 9.9 HP engine, then it’s much easier to maneuver your pontoon boat.
In the case of 15 – 30 HP outboard motors, these are also meant for slow cruising. They have a little more power than a 9.9 HP engine. High-thrust models can perform well here as well.
For outboard motors above 40 HP, you can expect to reach good speeds suitable for pulling a tube. A So 40 – 60 HP engine is perfect for safe fun with young kids.
For 70 – 115 HP outboard engines, the speed of your pontoon boat will be affected by the boat’s size. In such cases, a 20′ or smaller pontoon boat may be capable of pulling a skier/wakeboarder. However, when longer than 20′, then these motors may not be sufficient to pull a skier/wakeboarder.
At 150 HP, you get a motor powerful to pull a skier/wakeboarder. You can also really throw someone around on a tube. If you are looking for a tritoon, then 150 HP is a good starting range. Outboard motors above 150 HP is for those wild ride enthusiasts.
Conclusion
Now we have seen all the factors that influence the proper size selection of the pontoon boat. As the investment you make is huge, it is best to take all these factors into consideration. Remember that with the right pontoon boat size, you will have the right experience.