For a pontoon’ing experience and to have fun on the water, a person does not necessarily have to consider an extravagant and full-size pontoon boat. There are plenty of mini pontoon boat manufacturers whose water vessels provide an opportunity to engage in fun filled activities at on the water at a fraction of the cost. These mini boats are perfect for a small family or groups of four to five people looking for a temporary or short-term pontoon boats.
What is a Mini Pontoon Boat?
Before we start talking about mini pontoon boats I had better define a mini pontoon boat first. First of all, I think it would be better to define a “regular-sized” pontoon boat first, and then everything smaller can be mini, right? In my experience I typically see a standard pontoon boat start at 16 feet long, and most of those pontoon boats are about 8′ wide. So in our consideration we are calling everything about 16′ long x 8′ wide or under a “mini” pontoon boat. Sure a 16′ would technically be a regular boat but have you ever seen a 16′ pontoon next to a 24′ pontoon boat? Not in the same ballpark, am I right?
Manufacturers of Mini Pontoon Boats
There are many mini pontoon boat manufacturers whose offerings can be considered by individuals looking for such boats. Some of these manufacturers build “only” mini pontoon boats and take pride in filling that niche for boaters. Some others are really traditional pontoon boat builders in the sense that they build all kinds of “regular sized” pontoon boats but they happen to have some small or “mini” pontoon boats included in their line up. Here are the best manufacturers of mini pontoon boats.
Pond King
With an experience of over 21 years, Pond King is one of the most popular and economical mini pontoon boat manufacturers. Their basic offerings include the single seater 6 feet and 6 inches Rebel priced, and 10 feet 6 inches double seater Rebel XL. The Sport, Pro and Ultra model are other offerings from the manufacturer that have a bit more features and are priced a little bit higher. The top most offerings from the brand i.e. Lil’ Cruise and Elite are just about 16 feet and 6 inches so they start approaching a “regular sized” pontoon boat but the price starts going up higher as well. They do have all the basic amenities and justify their starting price tags. No matter what type of mini pontoon a person is looking for, Pond King has one to fit their needs. What we really like about Pond King is that they are trying to reach customers easier by shipping their boats now. Sometimes they are able to ship in pieces (for you DIY’ers) and that allows them to charge a lot less to get it across the country to you.
Qwest Pontoons
A mini pontoon boat does not necessarily have to be bare without basic amenities. Qwest Pontoons has boats that vary from 13 to 16 feet in length and provide options and features that are at par with the best boats. The Gillgetter series from this mini pontoon boat manufacturer comes in different floor plans that can accommodate 4 to 7 people depending on the layout. The engine options have up to 30HP output. These can be fitted with special fishing seats, fishfinders, livewell and rod holders. The Paddle Qwest series from this company is another option that can seat 6 to 8 people. These boats are perfect for people who are looking for mini pontoon boats without compromising on the features.
Tahoe Pontoon Boats
Another mini pontoon boat manufacturer that fabricates boats that have multiple customization options is Tahoe with their Sport CRB / QL Series. The boats come from 14 feet to 18 feet in length and are 7 feet wide. These can seat 5 to 7 people and have engine options of 50HP output though the 18 feet model can handle 60HP. A user may even opt for the Sports Wave Glider package that adds one or two extra seats and allows installation of a higher power outboard of 60, 75 or 100HP depending on the boat length. These boats are perfect blend of economy and style and are a great fit for individuals seeking to buy a mini pontoon boat.
Sunny Days
For people who are looking for a boat that comes without the bells and whistles but is still functional, Sunny Days is definitely the mini pontoon boat manufacturer to consider. The offerings from it include an 11 feet Pedal Boat that is priced at $3419, a Pro Bass model with two fishing seats installed for $3799 powered by a 3.5HP gas motor and 15 feet and 4 inches long 15 Tri-toon for $5499 that can seat 6 people and has an engine with 15HP power output. An Electric mini pontoon boat is also available for $4477 that has 2 seats.
