Small pontoon boats are perfect for your pontoon boat adventure with small groups of people. You can go fishing, cruising, partying or involve in water sports activities with your small group. They do have the have enough horsepower for cruising with several people and even enjoying water sports like water skiing.
Being small in size, these pontoon boats are easier to handle, maintain, and store. You can take them anywhere, from small, shallow lakes to rivers and even to the sea. The small pontoon boats come with all comfort you need so as to make your adventure worthy and the moments memorable. This article is about small sized pontoon boats and the best options you can have.
Small sized Pontoon Boats
Small sized pontoon boats are less than 20 feet in length. They can have width around 8 feet. There can also be mini pontoon boats with width less than 7 feet. Mini pontoon boats can be used in ponds or for limited access fishing on lakes. Most models of small pontoon boats can hold about 8 people. These values vary based on manufacturer.
What to look for when buying small pontoon boats?
Before setting out to buy a small pontoon boat, be sure that the pontoon boat has the passenger capacity you intend to have for your water adventures. It should be large enough to hold the people you plan to take with you. There should also be enough storage options for the gears you intend to take with you. There should be scope for fishing rod holders, swim platforms etc. The lounge seats should be comfortable. In case of fishing pontoon boats, you can also look for livewells, tackle storage etc. Some can also include optional fishfinder for detecting the fishes. With advancement in technology, most of the small pontoon boats though small in name sake come big in terms of features.
Best Small Pontoon Boats
The market is flooded with various options of small pontoon boats. You can find models for cruising, fishing and anything and everything. Here we present some of the best small pontoon boat options if you are in serious search of one for your summer adventures.
Avalon GS Cruise II
Avalon Pontoon Boats, committed to “The Art of Pontoon” has over 40 years of experience in the boat manufacturing industry. They offer a wide range of pontoon boat options in varying sizes and affordability. The GS Cruise pontoon boat models are small pontoon boat models built to cruise in comfort. The Cruise model floor plans have double corner upfront and grand corner seating area in the stern. There are two rear sundecks that can be used to house the privacy station or for more storage. The furniture is made with durable matrix 50 seat covering. The Gs Cruise models come with a Cadet II Rotacast Helmstand with full gauge cluster and cup holder. The external smooth wall panels are easy to clean. There is also a powerful fusion Bronze Lite stereo system. You can also personalize the type and color of the flooring. There are also power performance packages. The Cruise II eliminates the side gate and offers maximum seating. The Cruise II has a length of 19 feet and can have 8 people capacity. The prices start at $33,540 and a sufficient horsepower motor is included.
Specifications:
- Overall Length: 19′ 5″
- Deck Length: 19′ 3″
- Width: 8′ 5″
- Pontoon Diameter: 25″
- Dry weight: 1,650 lbs
- Fuel capacity: 25 gal.
- Passenger capacity: 8
- Maximum Engine HorsePower: 75 HP
Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 16XL Select
The Sun Tracker Bass Buggy16 XL Select can provide you with features meant for fishing, cruising and even swimming. The small pontoon boat comes with a Bimini top and tinted windscreen. There is also the Bluetooth stereo system. With the16 feet long deck it is spacious enough and also provides a stable platform for a variety of activities. They have dual bow fishing chairs so that cast away the day comfortably. There is a forward-console livewell/seat which is perfect for placing your keepers. The console also has rod storage. You can relax in the aft L-lounge which has a swiveling helm seat which forms a private spot for conversation in the stern. It also has storage below. If you intend to go swimming, then there are three gates which can provide quick access to the water. The aft swimming platform also has a fold-down retractable boarding ladder. With 7 passenger capacity, the prices start at $18,595.
Specifications:
- Overall Length: 18′ 5″
- Deck Length: 16′
- Width: 8′
- Pontoon Diameter: 24”
- Dry weight: 1,310 lbs
- Fuel capacity: 6 gal.
- Passenger capacity: 7
- Maximum Engine HorsePower: 50 HP
Sweetwater Cruise 1886 C
The Sweetwater Cruise comes with unlimited options of customization. You can enjoy the water and waves and relax. The Sweetwater Cruise 1886 C comes with excellent cruising performance with optimal seating for the whole family. There is also the conversation friendly L-shaped stern seating with bow loungers. You have plenty of room for everybody. The Sweetwater Cruise also has vast storage space also. There is also the sturdy, stainless steel, stern-mounted ladder which lets you connect with the water. Other than in floor storage offerings, there is space for storage between the helm cubbies and under seat. With the optional rectangular stern-mounted table you can have more room for drinks, snacks and our friends. They have about 10 person capacity. Prices start at $36, 388.
Specifications:
- Overall Length: 19′ 11″
- Deck Length: 18′
- Width: 8′6”
- Pontoon Diameter: 25”
- Dry weight: 1,900 lbs
- Fuel capacity: 30 gal.
- Passenger capacity: 10
- Maximum Engine HorsePower: 75 HP
Harris Cruiser LX 160 Cruise
You can have fun in the Sun and live your best life on the water with Cruiser LX. It comes loaded with all the features you may need to spend your day on the lake at an affordable price and in a compact model. You can cruise the water, relish nature or fish like a pro. They are smaller in size compared to the other models, yet you can store all of your gear under the helm or loungers so you have the space to move about the deck. They also have the port, bow, and stern gates. You can park this small pontoon boat at your dock or pull up to your favorite restaurant in the waterside. The price is extremely affordable. They can carry a maximum of 8 passengers for your pontoon adventures. The prices start at $16265.
Specifications:
- Overall Length: 17′ 10″
- Deck Length: 16′
- Width: 8′
- Pontoon Diameter: 25”
- Dry weight: 1,578 lbs
- Fuel capacity: 6.6 gal.
- Passenger capacity: 8
- Maximum Engine Horsepower: 50 HP
Manitou Aurora Le
The Manitou Aurora Le comes with a traditional pontoon floorplan. The standard model features a spacious rear sundeck. There is also plenty of additional bench seating. With the super-plush furniture you can stay cool during summer days. You have the privacy station. The small pontoon boat also has the Bimini top and Ski tow bar. They have Fusion Bluetooth stereo system. The flooring is of vinyl. There is also the 4 step rear ladder. They can carry a maximum of 8 passengers. Prices start at $21,200.
Specifications:
- Overall Length: 17′ 17″
- Pontoon Diameter: 25”
- Dry weight: 1,670 lbs
- Passenger capacity: 8
- Maximum Engine Horsepower: 60 HP
Sylvan Mirage 818 Fish
The Sylvan Mirage 818 Fish is the most compact of the Mirage Fish pontoons from Sylvan Marine. The Mirage Fish 818 has comfortable seating. They also have open space deck areas. You can have the comfort of standard Sea Weave aft flooring and carpet flooring. The rear fishing station has two fishing seats. There is also the low-back helm swivel chair. There is a Bimini top. You also have the stylish Torcello steering wheel. There is also the Jensen stereo with Bluetooth. If you are looking for a versatile family fishing vessel of exceptional value, then your search ends here. They have a passenger capacity of 8. Prices start at $28,895.
Specifications:
- Length: 19′ 0″
- Width: 96′′
- Pontoon Diameter: 23”
- Dry weight: 1,425 lbs
- Fuel capacity: 21gal.
- Passenger capacity: 8
- Maximum Engine HorsePower: 60 HP
- Sylvan Mirage 818 Cruise
Sylvan 818 cruise boats can be used for day-cruising, fishing in freshwater and watersports activities. The model offers superior handling. They have rotary tilt steering. For seating, they have the Rotocast Furniture Bases. They also have the low back helm swivel chair. There is carpet flooring. There is also the Bimini top. They have the Jensen Stereo with Bluetooth. They have a passenger capacity of 8. Prices start at $29,990.
Specifications:
- Length: 19′ 0″
- Width: 96′′
- Pontoon Diameter: 23”
- Dry weight: 1,425 lbs
- Fuel capacity: 21gal.
- Passenger capacity: 8
- Maximum Engine HorsePower: 60 HP
Lowe Ultra 162 Fish and Cruise
The Ultra 162 FC offers best value in fishing and cruising. The feature rich console is gel coated so that it does not fade, crack, chalk or turn yellow. You get anti feedback steering. There is a bimini top. With the 4 step fold down ladder, you get the extra support. With the aft bench seat, your cruising experience will turn out memorable. You get innovative storage spaces so that you do not feel short in terms of storage requirements. There are cup holders. Also, there is an array of options for the serious anglers. This includes bow aerated livewell, rod storage, tackle storage, fishing stations, fish finders and many more. The Ultra 162 FC has folding bow fishing seats. They come with deluxe vinyl flooring. The model is of great value for the features it comes with. They can have 8 people on boardPrices start at $20,061.
Specifications:
- Length: 17′ 10″
- Width: 8′′
- Pontoon Diameter: 23”
- Dry weight: 1,629 lbs
- Fuel capacity: 6.6gal (portable tank)
- Passenger capacity: 8
- Maximum Engine HorsePower: 50 HP
Bennington SV18 L-Bench
The Bennington SVL is rich in Character Not in Price. They are built with comfort in mind. The class models offer some of the best floorplans and come with the same high-quality furniture. They have a stylish console. They have plenty of storage options. There is the Sun pad with storage in the rear. There is L shaped stern lounger. They have twin bow lounge seats. The 188 SVL comes with bamboo vinyl flooring. The model features Kicker Stereo system. They have Flush Mount Speakers from Bennington. There are 2 stainless steel portable cup holders with mesh pocket. They have a carrying capacity of 7 people.
Specifications:
- Overall Length: 18′ 4.5″
- Deck Length: 16′ 11″
- Width: 8′′
- Pontoon Diameter: 23”
- Dry weight: 1,663 lbs
- Fuel capacity: 24gal
- Passenger capacity: 7
- Maximum Engine HorsePower: 60 HP
Sunchaser Vista 16 LR
The Sunchaser Vista 16 LR is built for small lakes and rivers. There are three big lounge seats: two big bow lounge seats and a third big stern lounge seat. The lounge seats are comfortable. There is the fiberglass helm console. They have SeaWeave flooring. There is a Bimini top. The 5-step aluminum boarding ladder is retractable. You can have many additional options. They have a 6 passenger capacity. Prices start at $23,533.
They also have the Vista 16 Fish with a plumbed livewell and pedestal mount fishing seats.
Specifications:
- Length: 17’ 0”
- Beam: 96”
- Pontoon Diameter: 23”
- Dry weight: 1,275 lbs
- Fuel capacity: 20 gal.
- Passenger capacity: 6
- Maximum Engine HorsePower: 40 HP
Pond King Lil’ Cruiser
The Lil’ Cruiser comes with a standard 9.8 HP Tohatsu outboard motor which can be upgraded to a 15 or 25 hp outboard. The small pontoon boat has an extended rail with front and side gates. The steering console has switch panel. There is the adjustable captain’s chair. The bench seating includes an angled lounge seat. There are cup holders. The model also offers a Bimini top and table. The Cruiser comes with carpeted marine grade plywood deck.
Specifications:
- Overall Length: 16’ 6”
- Beam: 85”
- Pontoon Diameter: 20”
- Dry weight: 800 lbs
- Fuel capacity: 20 gal.
- Passenger capacity: 5
- Maximum Engine HorsePower: 25 HP
