
Since their introduction over some decades ago, pontoon boats have come a long way in making people’s lives a whole lot of beauty. In recent times, to bring about amazing boating feelings and experience comfort at its peak, pontoon boat manufacturers offer improved and advanced features to boaters and other boating enthusiasts.
Coupled with the technological advancements and innovations that have become a normal trend, pontoon boats are now available in various designs. Thus, boaters have as many options as possible at their disposal to choose from. It is worth mentioning that individuals viewing these boats as still the same simple, box-shaped vessels, going to and fro on the water at low speeds, should undoubtedly have a reconsideration.
From their comfort levels to designs and facilities, pontoon boats have witnessed massive transformations. Instead of their practical and original versions, pontoon boats are now designed to offer luxury. And with the number of pontoon boat brands increasing day after day, there is more variety in construction and designs.
This is the perfect piece for more details on what the best pontoon manufacturers are, why users should consider buying their boats, and the general pros and cons of pontoon boats. It is a comprehensive guide with a step-by-step analysis of the subject.
An Overview of The Best Pontoon Boat Manufacturers

Among the various things to consider before putting out one’s cash for a pontoon boat, the brand or manufacturing company comes first. Failure to consider this factor might make a buyer end up with the wrong vessel.
Hence, it goes without saying that the work rate, durability, versatility, and other features highly depend on the brand putting the boat out for sale. Therefore, careful consideration is required to choose not only the best vessels but those that give value in return for the cash spent.
As a result of the increase in demand for these water vessels, many brands have sprung up to manufacture pontoon boats. Although there are quite a large number of them, a few of these pontoon boat manufacturers stand out from other players in the field.
Suppose the deal is to know who these manufacturers are and why one should put one’s cash at stake for their vessels. In that case, this guide will provide a list of the top pontoon boat brands. Below are some of these brands and why they have stayed on top over the years.
Premier Marine
Based in Wyoming, Minnesota, USA, Premier Marine was established in the year 1992. Since its foundation, it has remained one of the top pontoon boat brands devoted to providing luxury pontoon boats. It combines unparalleled luxury and style with powerful performance to produce models that reflect continuous technology and innovation.
Putting its competitors on one side, this boat brand is family-owned and run. As far as the pontoon boat industry is concerned, it is one of the benchmarks, continuously rolling out high-quality pontoon boats equipped with best-in-class technology.
In order to provide a wide range of pontoon boat models and horsepower levels that meets the standards and requirements of any buyer, this brand has partnered with other top-of-the-chat brands in the motor industry. These brands include Yamaha, Honda Marine, Suzuki Marine, and Mercury. This partnership has seen the brand offer nothing but the very best when it comes to pontoon boats.
Although known to be relatively slow compared to other boat brands, Premier Marine has remained committed to bringing pontoon boats that can run at 40 mph. There’s no denying that this is a great offshoot of what the brand has been producing. Apart from providing users with faster means to reach their destinations, it will create the best memories for their kids. The feelings of dumping them off the tube into the water are second to none. It affords them an opportunity to go wild.
Thanks to technology. Before buying any pontoon boat today, buyers will like to consider the technological perks and whistles that come with it. This is where the exceptional PTX Hull Technology and Performance comes into the picture. Premier Marine equips all the vessels it produces with this technology. This is aimed at delivering top speed with maximum comfort and riding stability throughout the ride.
There are myriads of pontoon boat models when it comes from Premier Marine. Among these models are Solaris, Escalante, Sunsation RL, and several others. So, for every buyer going to the market for Premier Marine pontoon boats, these are some bestselling options they can settle for.
Avalon
This name will perhaps ring a bell in the ears of boaters and people who are well acquainted with the pontoon boat industry. Dating its humble beginnings back to 1972, Avalon remains a global leader in producing smartly designed and luxurious pontoon boats. Although it started with some handcrafted vessels somewhere in Mason, Michigan, this brand has recorded remarkable transformations over the years.
The options when it comes to Avalon pontoon boats are endless. It offers a wide variety of cost-effective boats for families. Hence, buyers do not need to empty their bank accounts to get one. Also, when it comes to luxurious cruising pontoon boats, Avalon has a lot of models at its disposal. Interestingly, each of these models has a lifetime structural warranty and bow to stern warranty of about ten years.
Compared to other player in the field who farm out most of their components, this brand builds about 90 percent of its vessels on its manufacturing facility. Hence, it is often referred to as a vertically integrated manufacturer. As a result, it has an incredibly high degree of control over the quality of every vessel that it makes.
Avalon also takes pride in technology. It has continued to use state-of-the-art technology in designing its pontoon boats. To ensure a more precise furniture pattern, it adopts the computer-enabled Gerber fabric cutters. In addition, it creates more accurate dimensions and a smoother finish by using a water jet cutter. These are excellent technologies that will attract the attention of any buyer.
Due to its seamless services and products, Avalon has several recognitions to its name. Being the first pontoon boat brand to win the NMMA (National Marine Manufacturers Association) innovation award, it also has the record of being a longtime winner of the NMMA CSI award.
To complement that, the company has also earned the title of being the only pontoon boat brand to have taken several endurance trips across some of the world’s most difficult waterways. It has remained one of the best producers of heavy-duty and tough pontoon boats globally.
Its Catalina and Excalibur series are some of the best pontoon boats buyers can choose.
Princecraft
For more than sixty years, this Canadian pontoon boat brand has remained one of the top producers of boats made of high-quality aluminum. From the stores across the cities of the US to those in the Canadian cities, every dedicated, seasoned boat dealer deals in Princecraft pontoon boats.
As a top brand in the pontoon boat industry, it commits both human and capital resources to producing expertly designed and ready units of deck boats, pontoon boats, and fishing vessels that will meet the demands of every boating and fishing enthusiast.
While many buyers may not be freaked with its aluminum design, they will get knocked out when they discover that this element is 25 percent harder and more resilient than other aluminum alloys. Although there are other brands producing and designing pontoon boats with aluminum, none can boast of using H36 aluminum alloy to make pontoon boats. And this is what Princecraft does best. It uses the best materials to manufacture its water vessels to ensure that buyers get what satisfies their tastes.
Apart from being an incredible product, this aluminum alloy offers scalable durability for long-term use, allows for a more evident pontoon shape, and provides a better ride. In other words, buyers do not suffer any damage while they continue to use the vessels for as many years as they want.
Known for its user-friendly design for optimum performance and comfort, Princecraft pontoon boats have a reputation for making users feel at home. Coupled with their large seating capacity, this brand’s pontoon boats also feature spacious floor plans that make the vessel a perfect choice for a group of friends and families.
For buyers looking for the best Princecraft pontoon boat models to settle for, the Princecraft Brio 7 is worth their cash. It remains one of the best pontoon boats available on the market. It is an excellent boat with all the Princecraft perks and designs.
Bennington
Established in 1997 through the collaborative effort of a small group of industry veterans, Bennington has long been in the business of constructing and designing pontoon boats that are known to be the cream of the crop. Based in Elkhart, Indiana, this brand is one of the most popular pontoon boat manufacturers. It has a reputation for making luxury units.
Every boater and boating enthusiast, in general, wants a pontoon boat brand that makes their needs a priority. This is the mission to which Bennington has remained committed over the years. It builds and designs pontoon vessels with careful attention to detail and quality. As a result, buyers can rest assured there are no shortcomings with whichever model they are putting their money on.
Invariably every brand in the pontoon boat industry wants to stand out. And in the process of achieving that, they need to offer distinct and exceptional vessels to their buyers. Bennington is quite aware of this and, for that reason, takes pride in rock-steady construction and Trendsetting designs. Across the industry, these designs and constructions are second to none.
When it comes to adopting technological innovations and tools, this brand is not left out of the chase. It uses one of the latest tech innovations to construct and design its pontoon boats. This company uses the exclusive THRU-BOLT™ tech on every hull to create an appealing effect. Beyond that, this tech provides a safer and more stable ride while ensuring far less flex for the years to come.
While the primary reason many people opt for pontoon boats is to have the best time in the water, the pontoon boats offered by Bennington are more than able to guarantee that. Also, it stays on top of the chat for comfort in the water. To give buyers no doubt at all about its products, this brand provides the industry’s most sophisticated seating, carefully furnished by the best craftsmen. While the interiors are luxurious at their peak, the exteriors leave a lot to desire.
For buyers looking for suitable Bennington pontoon boat models to buy, the options are pretty extensive. However, the R Lime 21′ – 30′ and S21 L Bench luxury performance boats are worth any buyer’s cash.
Sylvan
Being the oldest in this piece, with its foundation dated back to 1948, this is another pontoon boat manufacturer that has remained dedicated to offering the finest water vessels. Operated by almost five generations, this brand makes it a mission to build high-quality and innovative boats that families can afford. It is known to offer the best customer service and backs all its vessels with an uncompromising warranty.
Concerning the boating industry, Sylvan has been a pioneer with a rich history. Apart from being the first pontoon boat brand to design high-performance boats that deliver exceptional handling and acceleration, this brand remains the first company to provide pontoon boats with colored side panels.
The company is also well disposed to technology. As far back as 2006, this brand redefined pontoon performance with its top-performing boat feature Revolutionary Planning Technology or RPT tubes. Due to this tech, the vessels could slice through the water with more speed yet less resistance. As of the year, it was a groundbreaking innovation.
Sylvan uses hat-channel construction to make and design its pontoon boats to achieve durability and ensure its products serve buyers for a long time. This construction allows an equal distribution of weight across the vessel and gives greater strength. While it continues to manufacture luxury and premium features that will meet the needs of every buyer, the brand understands the importance of constant improvements in its productions and commits its resources to that course.
Some of the high-performing Sylvan pontoon boats buyers can enjoy include the 2020 Sylvan L-3 DLZ, 2021 Sylvan Mirage 8522 Party Fish Pontoon Boat, and M3 CRS Sylvan.
Pros and Cons of Pontoon Boats
Pontoon boats are considered an excellent choice for watercraft for so many reasons. In the same vein, there are some downsides to using them. This is often the case with most recreational vehicles, and pontoon boats are no exception. The following are some of the pros and cons of pontoon boats.
Pros
- Pontoon boats are easy to maintain
- They make a perfect family boat
- Their lifespan is relatively longer than other water vessels
- Their number one priority is to give boaters comfort
- They are user-friendly, and newbies can get used to them as early as possible.
- They are highly versatile
- They offer excellent stability on water and are incredibly safe.
- They are spacious and provide a lot of customization options.
Cons
- Their older models have loud and noisy engines
- They are mostly not designed for high speed
- They are not compatible with rough water
- The price of some pontoon boats is on the side.
Wrap Up
Since pontoon boats provide great style, comfort, speed, and performance, they afford boaters and other boating enthusiasts the opportunity to create some of the best memories with their friends and relatives. However, before putting out their money for any of these vessels, they need to research which pontoon boat manufacturers to patronize. This is the only way to get the best value for their money.