Party Barges bring party-pleasing fun and value at an astonishingly low price. Take the Sun Tracker Party Barge 20 DLX, which is still out the door for just over $35,000, even equipped with its max-capacity Mercury 115 Pro XS Command Thrust outboard.
The Party Barge is an excellent performer, hitting 31 mph and accelerating to 30 mph in under 10 seconds. It’s a fuel-sipper too; best cruise speed (12.7 mph at 3,000 rpm) nets just 2.4 gph, for a 5.3 mpg rate. That’s a 150-plus-mile range from its 32-gallon fuel tank. It’s a breeze to pilot, turning smoothly and taking lake chop in stride.
Pontoon logs are 24 inches in diameter, through-bolted to the deck supports. The decking is ¾-inch treated plywood, covered in woven 16-ounce marine-grade flooring. The easily trailered package seats 10 passengers in a stable, comfortable platform of fun.
Its thoughtful design includes LED docking and navigation lights built into the perimeter fencing—often optional features on other boats. The fences themselves are designed to stop drumming vibrations, giving the Party Barge a quiet ride on durable 1.25-inch, 0.09-inch-thick walled rail tubing.
The interior layout features traditional twin facing lounge sofas in the bow, separated by a captain’s console and high-back chair, with an aft L-shaped portside lounger at the stern. A removable snack table and movable cup holders are standard. The portside access gate is wheelchair-accessible. An extended aft deck makes prepping for watersports more convenient, with an integrated four-step telescoping boarding ladder and removable ski tow pole.
The captain’s console features a Wet Sounds stereo with four speakers, integrated storage, and a Sun Tracker Flare digital touchscreen gauge display with a 12-button switch panel to control all boat systems. Also contributing to the reliable design is a well-planned wiring system with a fuse panel easily accessible in the console and protective wire wrapping with waterproof connections throughout the boat.
High Points
- Standard QuickLift Bimini top makes it easy to switch from full sun to shade.
- Patented Stow More storage system enhances storage in all seatbacks.
- Navigation and docking lights are built into the fencing.
How We Tested
- Engine: Mercury 115 Pro XS Command Thrust FourStroke outboard
- Drive/Prop: Outboard/Mercury Black Max 16″ x 13″ 3-blade aluminum
- Gear Ratio: 2.38:1 Fuel Load: 32 gal. Crew Weight: 250 lb.
Pricing and Specs
| Price: | $35,095 (as tested); $30,995 (base) |
| LOA: | 21’11” |
| Beam: | 8’6″ |
| Draft: | 1’0″ |
| Dry Weight: | 2,080 lb. (without engine) |
| Seat/Weight Capacity: | 10/1,370 lb. |
| Fuel Capacity: | 32.1 gal. |
Sun Tracker Boats – Springfield, Missouri; suntrackerboats.com
