Introduction
Pontoon boats have taken a new dimension in recent years, the continuous innovations of the pontoon boats by manufacturers have made them easy to be accessible by anyone. However, with most of the unique designs and features that come with a pontoon boat, it makes it difficult to afford with a tight budget. Despite these limitations, there are still a handful of affordable pontoon boats on the market which are exceptional with their unique build and designs.
Pontoon boats are universal boats and because of their features; people use them for leisure, relaxation, cruising, fishing, and water sports like tow skiers, tubers, kneeboarding, and wakeboarding. However, there’s a continuous increase in the cost of affording a pontoon boat, and this is due to the continuous innovative structures of the boat and its versatility.
This guide highlights information on some of the affordable pontoon boats on the market which can be purchased with any budget.
Why You Should Have A Pontoon Boat
Everyone should have a pontoon boat to take out to a water body and enjoy themselves alone or with family and friends. If you’re considering buying a new boat, below are some reasons why you should have one.
Extremely Comfortable
The pontoon boat structure is built in a way that suits your comfort, plus the seating arrangement is comfortable, like the living room sofa. The seats of a pontoon boat are made from the finest linens and materials, hence, giving it a high quality and ultimate comfort for the user.
Enough Space
The pontoon boat has enough room to accommodate a large crowd with their personal belongings, coolers, and other simple items. The pontoon boat can be considered a family boat because of the space and storage areas; this makes it suitable for a family to use for recreation.
Smooth Ride
The structure of the pontoon boat shows how much of a smooth ride one would have. The pontoon boat has raised structures that make it to be able to glide smoothly on the water easily, allowing for an excellent drive.
Simple Maintenance and Cleanup
The pontoon boat is easy to maintain; all it requires is simple regular maintenance to keep it in its best shape as it doesn’t damage easily. Cleaning the boat is not labor-intensive; you can clean the exterior and interior surfaces with soap and water to remove stains, making it look just as new.
Safe
It is very safe to ride in a pontoon boat. The boat structure is made in a way that makes it unsinkable, and it floats on the water, making it safe for all ages. It also has a door that can be closed to keep kids and pets safe.
Versatile
It is suited to serve many functions. People can use the pontoon boat for relaxation during leisure and also for cruising like organizing a getaway or birthday celebration. It can also be used for fishing, and it has a large space for everyone to sit down and fish. It can also be used for water sports.
Long life span
Pontoon boats can be passed on from one generation to another. That’s why you see so many old pontoon boats around. They do not spoil easily.
Top Affordable Pontoon Boats
Pontoon boats are currently in high demand in the market. The continuous innovation of the boat structures and their universal features are the major reasons for the popularity and increase in the cost of the pontoon boat. Most people view the pontoon boat as a recreational boat that everyone must have; regardless of what you plan to use it for, be it for leisure, cruising, fishing, or family time, it should be added to your collection.
Below are some affordable pontoon boats you can buy:
Princecraft Brioe 15 Electric Pontoon Boat
An affordable small pontoon boat, costing $11,182. Its source of power is a Torqeedo electric engine. It is also light in weight with a moderate speed that makes you feel like you’re brisk walking. It is very suitable for a cool evening ride on the lake.
Some features of Brioe 15 include
Interior lighting, L-lounge, dinette table, helm chair, two seats facing up, cup holders, Bimini top, 160-watt Jensen stereo, and four speakers.
Pros
- Affordable.
- Suitable for the environment that doesn’t allow gas engines.
Cons
- Lack speed.
- Limited space.
Sea Doo Switch Compact Pontoon Boat
The price range of the Sea-Doo Switch Compact starts from $17,999. It is a pontoon boat that doesn’t have an outboard but has a Rotax 1630 ACE engine. This powers the boat and makes it move at a good speed.
Some features of Sea-Doo Switch Compact include
Movable chairs and holders, intelligent Brakes, Reverse and Cruise control (iBR), a modular deck, large space to add furniture or other features, and PWC-like handlebars.
Pros
- Affordable.
- Easy to control.
Cons
- It doesn’t have an outboard which might make the engine difficult to maintain.
Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 16 Fishing Pontoon
This pontoon boat is sold for $19,995. It is an affordable pontoon that can be used for fishing as it has two dual fishing chairs in the front of it, making the fishing process comfortable and relaxing. The sun tracker bass buggy can take up to 7 people with a weight under 1090lbs.
Some features of the Sun Tracker Bass Buggy Pontoon include
Tinted windscreen, a stereo that connects with Bluetooth and Fm, an adjustable Bimini top, horn, navigation light, sport steering wheel, L_lounge, rod storage, and gates that open inward.
Pros
- Well comfortable
- Affordable
- Good for fishing
- Has a wheelchair access gate
Cons
- It is small
Sunchaser Vista 16 Lr
This pontoon boat is perfect for a budget of $21,729. It is a powerboat with speed, and it can take up to six passengers under 840lbs. The Sunchaser Vista boat comes with a lifetime and six years warranty which covers the structure of the boat.
Some features of the Sunchaser include
Sea-weave flooring, a bimini top, three fishing layouts, and comfortable sofas facing each other.
Pros
- Fast
- Good for fishing
- Comfortable and relaxing
Cons
- Poorly spaced
Starcraft Lx 16 R
This pontoon boat costs $25,995. It can be used for cruising and playing water sports on the stern deck, which has a ski pylon and boarding ladder.
Some features of the Starcraft include
Three big sofas, the captain chair with armrests, a sporty steering wheel, cup holders, a bimini top, a swimming platform, and fishing seats.
Pros
- Comfortable
- It can take up to six passengers
- Very fast
Cons
- It requires regular maintenance
Lowe Ss 210 Cl
It is a small-sized pontoon boat that costs about $16,391. The Lowe SS 210 allows for different seating arrangements in the boat. It is spacious and can take up to 11 people with a maximum weight capacity of 1,538lbs.
Some features of the Lowe SS 210 include
Storage space, a 24 hours fuel tank, a round table with cup holders, and the captain station has a padded steering wheel, stereo, and USB port.
Pros
- Affordable
- Large space
Cons
- Not spacious
Harris Lx 160 Cruiser
This pontoon is small in size; the seating arrangement is L-shaped with storage boxes under the chairs; this allows for space and comfort as it can take only eight maximum passengers. The price of this pontoon is $16,265.
Features of Harris LX 160 include
L-shaped sitting arrangement, storage boxes, durable floor, steering wheel, and stern gate.
Pros
- Affordable
- Has storage space
Cons
- Limited space
.
Godfrey Sr 180 Cruise
This is an innovative pontoon, and it is designed so that it can take up to nine passengers. The seating arrangement is L-shaped, with storage boxes underneath the chair to allow more space. Godfrey SR 180 Cruise costs $23,414.
Some features of the pontoon boat include
L-shaped sitting arrangement, a comfortable captain seat, and a durable floor.
Pros
- Storage space to store items
- Comfortable
Cons
- Limited space for movement.
Pond King Champ
It costs $3199, very affordable although small and with no covering. Pond King Champ is made of an aluminum deck and heavy gauge pontoon with two chairs attached to its flat surface. Very suitable for fishing.
Some features of the Pond King Champ include
Two seats, an off-deck battery tray, a wired motor plug, and a kick rail.
Pros
- Very cheap
- Used for fishing and hunting
Cons
- Limited space
- Not suitable for lots of weather conditions
Things To Consider Before Deciding On a Pontoon Boat
Before deciding on which pontoon boat to buy, there are certain things one must consider:
Reason
Why are you buying a boat? Knowing your purpose for buying a boat will help you know the pontoon boat to buy. Are you buying a pontoon boat for relaxation, fishing, or water sport?
Budget
Know how much you’ll want to spend on a pontoon. Having a budget in mind will make you know the kind of pontoon you’d be able to buy. Certain factors will affect the price of a pontoon, like a length, engine, floor plan, etc.
Crew size
Know the size of your crew and the number of people that will go onto the pontoon with you; this will help you choose the right pontoon so you do not end up choosing a small-sized boat.
Environment
Know the kind of water body you plan to use the pontoon on. If you plan to sail your pontoon on small water bodies, you can go for the smaller pontoon, but if you’re planning on larger water bodies, you would have to change your decision on buying a pontoon.
Storage
You need to know where you will keep your pontoon boat if you buy it, especially when it’s not in use; where would you keep the boat? It would be best if you know this before buying your pontoon boat
Upkeep
How do you intend to maintain your pontoon boat? A regular maintenance service will be needed to keep it n good condition, just like a vehicle you need to care for your pontoon boat.
Once you know all these, you can make the right decision on the right pontoon boat to buy.
Conclusion
Pontoon boats are in high demand due to the universal features that make them unique, hence making them expensive to purchase. These universal features have made the demands of the pontoon boat high as everyone wants a pontoon boat, and this has made the prices of the pontoon boat high. However, regardless of the increase in the pontoon boat price, you can still get affordable pontoon boats with your budget.
