Pontoon Boats for Sale

Pontoon Boats: what to know

A pontoon is deck space on top of aluminium tubes. It is the boat for a family that wants to sit down, spread out and stay out all afternoon. The modern ones with three tubes and a large outboard are far quicker than the reputation pontoons carry.

What to check before you buy

• Two tubes or three. A tritoon handles chop, turns harder and carries a much bigger engine. A twin tube costs less and is fine on a calm lake.
• Look along the tubes for dents and pitting, especially near the bow where a rock or a badly set trailer bunk leaves its mark.
• Lift the furniture. Vinyl looks fine from a distance and the seams are where it goes first.
• Walk the deck in bare feet if you can. Soft spots mean water has found its way into the plywood underneath.
• Match the engine to what you will do. Ninety horsepower on two tubes will cruise. Pulling a tube or a skier wants 150 or more on three.

Common questions

How fast does a pontoon boat go?

A twin tube with 90 hp runs about 20 mph. A tritoon with 250 hp will see 45. The number of tubes, the engine and how many people are aboard matter far more than the length does.

Can you ski or tube behind a pontoon?

Behind a tritoon with 150 hp or more, comfortably. Tubing is easy. Skiing wants the bigger engines, and a twin tube with a small motor will struggle to pull an adult out of the water at all.

Are pontoons good in rough water?

A tritoon with lifting strakes handles chop well and stays dry. A twin tube is a calm water boat: it will slam and throw spray as soon as it gets lumpy.