How Much Does a Pontoon Boat Cost?


Written by:  Howmuchisit.org Staff

A pontoon boat, like any other boat, is going to greatly vary in pricing.  It is really going to come down to the size of the boat, the engine type, the manufacturer, the features, condition and where it’s purchased.

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How much does a pontoon boat cost?

A pontoon boat can be anywhere from $11,000 to as much as $50,000; however, most purchases are going to be within the $15,000 to $32,000 price range.  Refer to our table below to see what many popular brands could cost you brand new.

According to BetterBoat.com, a brand new pontoon boat can cost anywhere from $18,000 to $60,000, depending on the engine, build quality, features and the size.  The most popular pontoon boat, one that measures 22 feet with a 90 horsepower engine, retails for about $35,000.  Inside this guide, he also produced some quotes he was given for a few models.  A 22-foot Bentley, for example, retailed for $30,000, while an 18-foot fishing pontoon with a 60 horsepower engine retails for $20,000.

Manitou Pontoon Boats stated that a small, no-frills pontoon boat could cost as little as $11,500, whereas a higher-end pontoon boat with all the bells and whistles could cost at least $35,000.

Brand/MakeAverage Price
Bennington$35,000 (22 feet)
Crestliner$28,000 (24 feet)
Cypress Cay$29,000 (23 feet)
Hurricane$37,000 (19 feet)
Lowe$28,000 (21 feet)
Lund$25,000 (24 feet)
Princecraft$48,000 (25 feet)
Regency$59,000 (22 feet)
South Bay$35,000 (22 feet)
Sun Tracker$21,500 (18 feet)
Sweetwater$18,000 (22 feet)
Sylvan$27,000 (22 feet)

Pontoon boat overview

A pontoon boat can range anywhere from 16 feet to as large as 30 feet, and this is going to be the size of the deck.  A 16-foot boat, for instance, can hold up to six people, while a boat as large as 30 feet can hold upwards of 15 people.  The number of seats available will be determined by the size of the boat and the number of people it can hold.

Engines will range anywhere from 25 to as much as 130 horsepower.  The horsepower of the engine will depend on what you want to do with the boat.  For general cruising, experts recommend an engine less than 70 horsepower, but for skiing and tubing, the engine should be higher than 50 horsepower. for smaller boats and more than 70-100 horsepower for boats larger than 20 feet.

Common boat decks are usually made of a pressure treated marine grade plywood, but other options may include aluminum flooring, which can last forever, or a marine-grade carpeting.

Furniture will be made from a high-grade vinyl or durable plastic with marine-grade threading.  This furniture will be weather resistant and can last a very long time if properly maintained.

What are the extra costs?

A trailer will be considered an additional expense if you need to transport your pontoon boat.  Depending on the size of the boat, the costs of a trailer can start at $1,500 and go up from there.

Like a car, a pontoon can come with many different accessories.  These can include ladders, tables, canopy tops, BBQ grills, satellite radio and more.

For those who want to store or cover their boat while not in use, a cover is highly recommended.  A boat cover can cost $250 or more.

A trolling motor, aside from the standard motor, can cost upwards of $2,000.

Cleaning supplies, such as pontoon cleaner, aluminum polish and clear coats, will be needed annually.  Factor in a few hundred for supplies.

When purchasing a pontoon boat new, you may have to pay taxes, title and registration fees.   To be safe, plan on adding eight percent to the new price.

Boats that are going to be used for fishing will need additional accessories such as a live well, adjustable seats and fishing pole holders.  A fishing live well, for instance, can cost $200 to $1,000, depending on the model.

Ski tow bars can cost $200 to $600, while a ski ladder can cost up to $500.

Tips to know:

A 16 to 25-foot boat will be designed for smaller lakes.  While a boat larger than 23 feet can tolerate rougher waters, it is best to consider something larger if you plan on taking it out on larger bodies of water.

Restoring a pontoon boat is a great option for those who would like to save money and are capable of this project.  All you need to start is an old skeleton of a pontoon boat, which can often be found for free.  Restoring the boat yourself means that you can customize it any way you want.

How can I save money?

If you do not have the money to purchase a boat up front, you may still be able to buy one.  Many boat sellers offer financing that generally only require you to put 10% to 20% down.  With a financing plan, many pontoon boat owners pay $200 to $300 per month over a few years.  While this will save you money up front, you will end up paying more for the boat because of the interest.

Consider purchasing a pontoon boat used.   Like a new car, the minute you drive a new pontoon boat off the lot, it’s instantly losing value.  A sweet spot, if you were to purchase used, would be for a boat that’s one to three years old.  By this time, the depreciation value slows down when compared to a brand new boat.


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