Boat Test: 2026 Forest River Dockside 20DF

Overview

Forest River’s Dockside 20DF is aimed squarely at entry-level ’tooners and angling enthusiasts. The lightweight 21-foot twin-toon platform comes standard with a diminutive, but robust and economical, Suzuki 50 outboard, but buyers can opt for a 90 hp engine to get to the fish faster. We think the ability to buy a boat with a variety of power choices is a very good thing, as it allows the boat buyer more lattitude in selecting a  boat dealer. For this reason, we applaud Forest Rover for offering both Mercury Marine and Honda Marine outboards. 

Engine

With the Suzuki 50 on the transom, I wound-up the 20DF to a top speed of an even 20 mph. That rate came with the engine turning 6,000 rpm, while twisting a standard 11-inch pitch, three-blade Suzuki aluminum propeller. With a crew of two aboard, we hit the 20-mph mark in just 9.7 seconds from an in-gear idle start. 

No, you might not get across the lake first with this Suzuki 50, but you’ll pass nearly every gas dock. Our best recorded cruise was at 4,500 rpm, where speed is a tick under 15 mph and the 50 is sipping from the 21-gallon tank at a rate of just 2.2 gph. For mpg enthusiasts, that’s 6.7 miles per gallon! At that efficiency, it will take 126 miles to empty the tank, leaving 10 percent in reserve to get back to the dock. 

As might be expected, handling with just 50 horses and twin tubes is not comparable to larger, more powerful tri-toon boats. But the Dockside 20DF can handle the big wakes and wind chop when the skipper operates responsibly, and turns well without falling off plane; it stays flat and level, with no tipping to the outside. 

For those interested in upgrading to a tri-toon, Forest River provides the 2.75 performance package, which adds the center log, a smooth aluminum undershield, lifting strakes on both sides of the center tube and the insides of the outer tubes, and raises the fuel capacity to 27 gallons. All that adds $3,139 to the tab. All that also adds greatly enhanced performance and handling. And, even with that addition outlay, the 20DF comes in with a low price in today’s new pontoon boat market. In fact, unless you boat on a small lake, or are truly making purchase price your most prioritized feature, I’d suggest upgrading to the maximum 90 hp outboard. This adds another $10,000 to the price, but the added power and speed would be well worth it in performance, as well as potential resale or trade-in value. And the boat is still priced competitive with that upgrade.

For example, Sun Tracker’s Fishin’ Barge 20 DLX measures 21 feet, 11 inches with an 8-foot, 6-inch beam, and includes a 32-gallon fuel tank. It’s rated for 115 horespower and a maximum of ten people. The Fishin’ Barge 20 DLX sells at a nationally-advertised price of $33,870 paired with an optional Mercury 60 hp four-stroke Command Thrust outboard. 

Interior and Accessories

Outside, the Dockside 20DF looks clean and crisp with a traditional aluminum perimeter enclosure finished in Charcoal powdercoat that is nicely accented with Midnight Black trim. There’s no wood to cause worry about rot aboard the 20DF; the deck of this pontoon is all-composite, and all of the furniture, seat bases and console are fashioned from roto-molded plastic and aluminum.

The Dockside 20DF’s standard deck and interior layout features an extended bow deck to make docking, boarding and handling bowlines  easier, and together with an optional half-size bow-entry gate and pre-wired trolling-motor plug harness ($529), creates room for a trolling motor. Twin curved facing couches make for a comfy gathering space  for a group of crew up front. A single captain’s console sits at the starboard side amidship, with dual, swiveling  captain’s chairs for the pilot and navigator. The dash features traditional electric analog instrumentation to monitor the engine. Forest River provides rocker switches to control lighting, bilge pump and livewell. 

A Lowrance Hook-5 fishfinder is a $686 option, one many anglers will buck-up for. A Wet Sounds stereo is standard, as is an 8-foot manual folding Bimini top to provide shade for the cockpit. If more shade is desired, a manual Double Bimini top is available as a $2,251 upgrade. Flooring is a durable and attractive grey weave called Shoreline Haze. 

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Aft, twin fishing chairs flank a standard center-mounted livewell and rod-holder station. Those lead to the extended aft deck, where a standard aluminum boarding ladder is fitted to the starboard side of the transom. A Lippert extended boarding ladder is an $811 option. A stainless-steel ski tow is a $598 option, though you’d definitely want to upgrade the engine power if planning to tow riders. 

If you’re in coastal waters, Forest River makes a Saltwater Edition optional which includes sacrificial anodes, stainless-steel steering wheel, and other stainless-steel parts. Rounding out the option list is LED docking lights, a mooring cover, tilt steering helm, a removable table, and a forward casting seat base. The beauty in the Dockside DF20 is its versatility, which includes the ability to build it as you wish and as your budget permits, while getting it on the water in quick fashion.

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.

High Points

• Stern fishing chairs provide dual-purpose versatility for fishing and cruising.
• Excellent fuel economy from the Suzuki 50 offers great range and versatility. 
• Easy to tow behind most midsize SUVs. 

Low Points

• Despite the economy of the Suzuki 50, most buyers will agree that the Dockside 20DF needs more power.
• A windscreen option would be a great addition to provide some wind protection for the captain. 

Pricing and Specs

Speed, Efficiency, Operation