Pontoon boats are everywhere these days, and for good reason. They’re spacious and comfortable, providing tons of stability on the water thanks to their wide-body design and buoyant aluminum tubes. So, what’s holding you back from looking at one? Maybe you’re an angler who just wants to wet a line, or a watersports enthusiast who’s not happy unless you’re towing something. Maybe you want to slowly cruise around, anchor at the sandbar or just go fast. Thankfully, there’s a wide variety of styles under the pontoon umbrella, so whatever type of boater you are, there’s potentially a pontoon for you. Double thanks, none of these boats are one-trick ponies, so they all offer a lot on the water. Here are eight different pontoons that can satisfy your boating needs.
First-Time Boater: Sea-Doo Switch Cruise
If you’re brand-new to boating, the Sea-Doo Switch line of pontoons makes it very easy to get on the water and get going. A combination of a pontoon and a PWC, the Switch Cruise now offers more power with a new 300 hp supercharged Rotax engine. This upgrade allows the boat to reach a top speed of 39.4 mph, which is 4 mph faster than the previous 230 hp model. The increased power also helps maintain performance when carrying more people—up to its 10-passenger capacity. Additionally, the jet drive and Sea-Doo controls make it an easy-to-dock pontoon.
For 2026, a Tech Package is now factory-installed. At the helm, this includes a bright, 10.25-inch color touchscreen that is easy to read. Part of the screen displays traditional boat data, while the other can use the BRP Go! app for basic charting or tracking friends. More detailed charts are available with a Navionics membership. All models now come standard with depth finders. The Bluetooth sound system has been upgraded to four speakers, including two corner table units with JL Audio speakers, an amplifier and subwoofer.
Driver comfort and visibility have been improved with an optional tilting handlebar and a flip-up seat bolster, which allows the driver to stand at the controls. A redesigned Bimini top now features a pneumatic lift assist, making it easier for one person to raise and lower for shade.
Getting on and off the boat at a dock is now easier thanks to the addition of twin corner gates at the back of the boat. Previously, access was limited to a single door at the bow.
The boat retains its signature features, including a configurable floorplan that allows furniture to be easily moved and locked into different positions to suit the day’s activity. The clear, flexible panels that form the boat’s perimeter walls also remain, offering excellent visibility that makes docking easier.
Pricing and Specs
| Price: | $52,599 (with Rotax 1630 ACE 300) |
| LOA: | 20’5″ |
| Beam: | 7’10” |
| Draft: | NA |
| Dry Weight: | 2,609 lb. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 46.5 gal. |
| Seat/Weight Capacity: | 10/1,485 lb. |
| Stowage Capacity: | 206 gal. |
How We Tested
- Engine: 300 hp Rotax 1630 ACE
- Pump/Impeller: High-pressure pump with 161 mm stainless-steel impeller
- Fuel Load: 46 gal. Crew Weight: 450 lb.
Sea-Doo – Valcourt, Quebec; 888-272–9222; sea-doo.com
Value Buyer: Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 DLX
In the crowded category of pontoon boats, the Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 DLX stands out as a great value. With the optional Mercury 150 engine, the price is just under $44,000.
Out on the water, it’s a blast. It can get up to 32 mph and reaches 30 mph in just under 9 seconds. We were really impressed with how little gas it uses; when we’re just cruising at around 16 mph, we can get a range of over 130 miles from its 32-gallon tank. It handles really well, making smooth, tight turns, and it cuts through late-afternoon lake chop with no problem.
The build quality provides peace of mind. The pontoon logs are 24 inches in diameter, and the deck is made of 3/4-inch treated plywood with marine-grade flooring. It also comes with a 10-year bow-to-stern warranty and a lifetime warranty on the hull and deck.
Inside, the boat looks more expensive than it is. There are two comfy lounge sofas in the front and an even longer set in the back. For 2026, Sun Tracker added patented Stow-More compartments in the seatbacks, which is a great use of space. The boatbuilder also listened to customers and added more drink holders, and there’s a removable table for snacks. One of the best features is the portside gate, which is wheelchair accessible.
The captain’s console is all new for 2026 and features a Sun Tracker Flare digital touchscreen. It controls all the boat’s systems and even has the standard Wet Sounds stereo integrated into it. For gearing up for watersports, the back deck is extended and has a four-step boarding ladder and a removable ski-tow pole, making it super convenient.
Pricing and Specs
| Price: | $43,665 (as tested); $39,595 (base with 90 hp outboard) |
| LOA: | 24’2″ |
| Beam: | 8’6″ |
| Draft: | NA |
| Dry Weight: | 2,080 lb. (without engine) |
| Seat/Weight Capacity: | 11/1,500 lb. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 32.1 gal. |
How We Tested
- Engine: Mercury 150
- Drive/Prop: Outboard/Mercury Enertia 15.6″ x 3″ 3-blade stainless steel
- Gear Ratio: 1.92:1 Fuel Load: 21 gal. Crew Weight: 375 lb.
Sun Tracker Boats – Springfield, Missouri; suntrackerboats.com
Performance Pursuer: Sanpan 2700 Split Bench
Sometimes it boils down to one simple thing, speed on the water. Powered by twin Mercury Racing 500R outboards, Godfrey Marine’s Sanpan 2700 Split Bench with Windshield can get you to 30 mph in just 3.2 seconds. It reaches a top speed of 71.6 mph at 6,650 rpm and feels remarkably rock-steady and easy to drive, even at 70 mph. The boat’s iMPACT+ tri-toon design provides excellent tracking, allowing it to lean and bank gracefully into turns, even at high speeds.
While the performance is impressive, the boat is also a top-line, luxurious flagship, giving you everything you’d want out of a pontoon. The exterior features Pitch Black gelcoat fiberglass paneling with built-in headlights, docking lights, and navigation lights. A nifty touch is the push-button gate for entry at the bow. Standard lighting is extensive, with Full Spectrum RGB color lighting that includes courtesy lights, lighted cup holders, underwater lights, and mood lighting for the speakers and under the seats.
Inside, the layout features two facing loungers at the bow and two more in the back, creating comfortable conversation areas. These seating sections are separated by twin consoles protected by a full-closing windshield. The captain’s helm, new for 2026, comes standard with a 9-inch widescreen display, a 12-inch MFD, and digital switching. The captain also gets cooled cup holders, a phone charger, a trash can, and plenty of storage space within the console.
The aft deck is spacious, offering plenty of room for sunbathing or getting ready for watersports, and a tow point comes standard.
The test boat was equipped with several options. The Bronze package added furniture with Raven Cool-Touch upholstery, black grab handles, bronze accents, and Onyx Cool-Touch flooring. A twin-engine blackout package featured black seat pedestals, a black Lillipad aft boarding ladder, an XP custom steering wheel, and blacked-out pontoons. Other options included Godfrey’s Grand Luxe electric folding arch with an integrated power Bimini top and an underbow-mounted anchor windlass with a quick-release.
Pricing and Specs
| Price: | $425,490 (as tested); $157,425 (base) |
| LOA: | 27’5″ |
| Beam: | 8’6″ |
| Draft: | NA |
| Dry Weight: | 4,420 lb. |
| Seat/Weight Capacity: | 11/1,601 lb. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 124 gal. |
How We Tested
- Engines: Twin Mercury Racing 500R FourStroke
- Drive/Prop: Outboard/Mercury Ventera 15″ x 21.5″ 4-blade stainless steel
- Gear Ratio: 1.60:1 Fuel Load: 85 gal. Crew Weight: 375 lb.
Godfrey Pontoon Boats – Elkhart, Indiana; godfreypontoonboats.com
Luxury Lover: Avalon Excalibur LTD Flex Lounge Windshield
The Avalon Excalibur LTD Flex Lounge Windshield delivers an opulent on-water experience, beginning with its impressive performance. Powered by a single Yamaha 300 outboard, it achieves a top speed of 49.5 mph and reaches 30 mph in a mere 6 seconds. This power is paired with a smooth, stable ride thanks to the proven 27-inch-diameter tubes and Waveglider performance package. Even its efficiency speaks to refined engineering, with a best cruising speed of just under 21 mph, burning only 6.1 gph for 3.4 mpg.
The vessel’s luxurious aesthetic is immediately apparent, with a curved, molded fiberglass gelcoated perimeter complemented by a standard electric folding white powder-coated EXP tower. An extended foredeck provides a graceful space for docking and boarding.
Inside, the commitment to luxury continues with upholstery built and stitched entirely in-house. The bow features long, dual-facing lounges appointed with two-tone, diamond-pleated, soft-touch vinyl. Avalon’s unique aluminum seat-base frames increase storage capacity and feature vents to minimize moisture and mold, a testament to high-quality construction. These bases are contoured for superior legroom without sacrificing comfort.
The helm station is a centerpiece of sophisticated design, reminiscent of a high-performance aircraft. It can be equipped with an optional 12-inch Simrad touchscreen featuring a custom Avalon interface for engine data and C-Zone boat control. This high-tech command center is protected by a full windshield. For creating the perfect ambiance, optional RGB lighting can illuminate the interior and exterior, controlled from the helm and synchronized with a premium Fusion sound system.
Aft, a long portside lounge leads to an innovative “bed” area with twin reversible backrests that can be positioned facing fore or aft, offering numerous custom seating and lounging arrangements. To starboard, a walkway leads to the extended aft deck, incorporating thoughtful details like a concealed trash receptacle. This spacious aft area includes a standard watersports tow point and a folding boarding ladder, making it perfect for recreation or relaxation.
Pricing and Specs
| Price: | $192,260 (as tested); $129,578 (base) |
| LOA: | 25’6″ |
| Beam: | 8’6″ |
| Draft: | NA |
| Dry Weight: | 3,100 lb. |
| Seat/Weight Capacity: | 14/2,150 lb. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 58 gal. |
How We Tested
- Engine: Yamaha 300 four-stroke
- Drive/Prop: Outboard/Yamaha Saltwater Series 15 1/2″ x 17″ 3-blade stainless steel
- Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 58 gal. Crew Weight: 375 lb.
Avalon Pontoons – Alma, Michigan; avalonpontoons.com
Fishing Fanatic: Forest River Dockside 20DF
The Forest River Dockside 20DF is designed for angling ’tooners, featuring an extended bow deck with an optional half-size bow entry gate and a pre-wired plug to create space for a trolling motor. The aft section is equipped with twin fishing chairs that flank a standard center-mounted livewell and rod holder station. An optional Lowrance Hook-5 graph can be added to the captain’s console.
While the pontoon comes standard with a Suzuki DF 50 outboard, buyers can opt for a 90-hp engine to get to fishing spots faster. Mercury and Honda outboards are also available. The standard Suzuki 50 offers excellent fuel economy, achieving 6.7 mpg at a cruising speed just under 15 mph. With its 21-gallon tank, this allows for a range of 126 miles, leaving a 10 percent reserve.
The boat’s construction, which includes AC Light composite decking, allows it to handle big water safely and surely. It performs well in maneuvers, turning with confidence without falling off plane or leaning excessively. Standard features also include a Wet Sounds stereo and an 8-foot folding Bimini top. An aluminum boarding ladder is fitted to the starboard side transom.
This Forest River has everything you need to go fishing, at a very affordable price.
Pricing and Specs
| Price: | $27,214 (as tested); $25,999 (base) |
| LOA: | 20’10” |
| Beam: | 8’6″ |
| Draft: | NA |
| Dry Weight: | 1,915 lb. |
| Seat/Weight Capacity: | 10/1,405 lb. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 21 gal. |
How We Tested
- Engine: Suzuki 50 four-stroke
- Drive/Prop: Outboard/Suzuki 11.5″ x 11″ 3-blade aluminum
- Gear Ratio: 2.27:1 Fuel Load: 20 gal. Crew Weight: 375 lb.
Forest River Marine – Middlebury, Indiana; forestriverinc.com
Sandbar Lover: Sylvan G5 CLZ
Get ready to be the life of the party on the lake with the G5 CLZ. This head-turner isn’t just about advanced styling; it’s built for fun, rocketing to 30 mph in just 6.5 seconds and reaching a top speed of 41.7 mph with its Yamaha 300 engine. Turning was sharp, with defined banking. It cruises at 19.4 mph getting 3.2 mpg. Its SPX PR25 Performance Package features triple 25-inch-diameter logs with lifting strakes.
Topside, the new exterior perimeter surround is molded-in fiberglass panels and painted Matte White, and features custom lighting pods that hold the navigation and docking lights. The panels are easily removed for service access to what’s behind (wiring, etc.) and are replaceable if damaged.
Invite your friends aboard and sink into the plush, pillow-topped cool-touch seating. The bow features facing lounges, perfect for conversation, with inset pockets holding charging ports and drink holders so no one has to move. In the back, a versatile U-shaped lounge with a reversible seatback lets guests face forward to chat or flip around to watch the watersports action off the extended aft deck.
Be the ultimate host with the onboard galley, equipped with a countertop and sink for serving up snacks and drinks. You can crank up the party vibes with the Ultra-Premium JL Audio sound package, which includes a subwoofer and six speakers. The raised captain’s console features a framed windshield. A digital dash with digital C-Zone switching integrated into the Simrad screen helps the captain monitor the engine and boat’s systems.
For those sunny days, the optional electric-powered arch comes with a Bimini top that provides plenty of shade, ensuring the good times can last all day long.
Pricing and Specs
| Price: | $186,861 (as tested); $115,779 (base) |
| LOA: | 27’8″ |
| Beam: | 8’6″ |
| Draft: | NA |
| Dry Weight: | 4,300 lb. |
| Seat/Weight Capacity: | 13/1,775 lb. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 60 gal. |
How We Tested
- Engine: Yamaha 300
- Drive/Prop: Outboard/Yamaha 15.5″ x 16″ 3-blade stainless steel
- Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 49 gal. Crew Weight: 375 lb.
Sylvan Marine – New Paris, Indiana; sylvanmarine.com
Cruising Captain: Bennington 25 RTSBA
Get ready to rethink the pontoon boat. The 25 RTSBA’s “Vantage-Point” step-down bowrider design is a game-changer, giving the captain a clear view over the heads of passengers up front.
Climbing aboard the bow is a cinch with a large front deck and a low entry gate. Settle into the twin facing loungers, which feature plush, diamond-stitched vinyl in Modesto Brown and Espresso. The seats are cleverly shaped to maximize legroom, and the seatbacks flip open for storage. The see-through fencing is a brilliant touch for safety and visibility when docking.
Take two small steps up to the cockpit, where a sleek Lexan windscreen protects the captain. You’re in command with a 12-inch main display and a 7-inch touchscreen for all vessel controls. A premium Rockford Fosgate sound system with lighted speakers is standard, ready to get the party started. The snap-in vinyl flooring makes cleanup a breeze. The portside console hides a trash bin and features a Corian countertop. In the back, the amazing Swingback seating has a reversible backrest for lounging any way you like, while an award-winning retractable rail keeper makes sure rear-facing riders stay safely inside when you hit the throttle.
Powered by a Yamaha 300, this boat is cat-quick, jumping to 30 mph in just 5.1 seconds on its way to a lively 42.5 mph top speed. When it’s time for a mellow sightseeing cruise, it sips fuel at 3.6 mpg while gliding along at 16.4 mph, offering a 190-mile range. It’s so quiet you can chat in your normal indoor voice. Thanks to its unique—and trademarked—Bennington Design V-hull, which is two 23-inch-diameter outer tubes flanking the larger center tube, it banks into turns with the sporty feel of a fiberglass runabout.
Overall, this Bennington can cruise all day long, keeping the crew entertained while the captain enjoys an unfettered view of the water.
Pricing and Specs
| Price: | $197,087 (as tested); $154,166 (base) |
| LOA: | 28’6″ |
| Beam: | 8’6″ |
| Draft: | NA |
| Dry Weight: | NA |
| Seat/Weight Capacity: | 14/2,000 lb. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 58 gal. |
How We Tested
- Engine: Yamaha 300 four-stroke
- Drive/Prop: Outboard/Yamaha Saltwater Series 15.5″ x 15″ 3-blade stainless steel
- Gear Ratio: 1.75:1 Fuel Load: 23 gal. Crew Weight: 375 lb.
Bennington Marine – Elkhart, Indiana; benningtonmarine.com
Party Planner: Viaggio Lago Z22B
Ladies and gentlemen, the bar is open.
The Lago Z22B is new to the Viaggio lineup for 2026, and offers midline affordability with top-line performance and luxury features. But take note of the “B” in the model name for what really sets it apart. It stands for “Bar,” meaning a built-in entertainment center in the cockpit.
Take note of the all-new bar and electric outdoor grill setup on the starboard side. You can fire up the grill for an on-the-water barbecue, and don’t worry about draining your power—it has its own battery. A slick Corian cutting board also serves as a sink cover, with a 5-gallon water supply tucked underneath. The setup is complete with a storage compartment for your utensils and a built-in trash receptacle, making you the ultimate pontoon party captain.
There’s a lot more to the Z22B than just premium entertainment space. To port in the cockpit, there’s a long, very spacious U-lounge with flip-up lounge seats fore and aft, along with perimeter fencing to keep sunbathers safely in the boat while under way. The bow seating has two facing contoured loungers, perched on Rotocast plastic seat bases with storage built in. The captain’s helm features a new etched-glass windscreen, and sits atop a built-in 3-inch riser for better visibility. A vinyl-wrapped dash top sits over 5-inch Medallion analog gauges with a 7-inch Simrad graph and a JL Audio four-speaker sound system with a subwoofer (upgradable to six speakers). The perimeter enclosure employs Viaggio’s distinguishing feature, a 2-inch-tall extruded top rail, showing hard lines and a modern presentation.
Rigged with a Suzuki DF 200 outboard, the Lago Z topped 36 mph and hit 30 mph from an in-gear idle in 11 seconds. Note that this 200 is Suzuki’s 4-cylinder model (it also offers a V-6 200) so the acceleration and speed are more reflective of the lower price of this engine. We saw best fuel economy at 15 mph and 3,000 rpm, for 3.5 gph and 4.3 mpg. At that rate, the 58-gallon fuel tank offers over 226 miles of range with a 10 percent reserve.
Viaggio’s Lago hull features triple .100-inch-thick 25-inch tubes with spray rails on the outside tubes and lifting strakes on all three. A spray shield underneath reduces drag for improved speed. The performance package comes with SeaStar Pro steering. The Lago gives solid sure-footedness in lake chop and when crossing large wakes, as well as carving clean turns with slight banking. No matter how you use this boat, it’s going to make for a fun day.
Pricing and Specs
| Price: | $125,579 (as tested); $77,805 (base) |
| LOA: | 24’4″ |
| Beam: | 8’5″ |
| Draft: | NA |
| Dry Weight: | 3,465 lb. |
| Seat/Weight Capacity: | 11/2,424 lb. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 58 gal. |
How We Tested
- Engine: Suzuki 200 hp
- Drive/Prop: Outboard/Suzuki 16″ x 18.5″ 3-blade stainless steel
- Gear Ratio: 2.5:1 Fuel Load: 36 gal. Crew Weight: 375 lb.
Viaggio Pontoon Boats – Bristol, Indiana; viaggiopontoonboats.com
