2026 Pontoon Boat Buyers Guide

2026 Pontoon Boat Buyers Guide

Explore the latest pontoon boats in Boating Magazine’s Pontoon Boat Buyers Guide. Compare new models with in-depth boat reviews featuring pricing, specs, performance, fuel burn, top speeds, photos, and walkthrough videos—everything you need to find the right pontoon boat for your next adventure on the water.

Video Walkthroughs & In-Depth Reviews

Boat Tests

Seeking a boat with the ability to carry the most people, in the most comfort, for any given length? Buy a pontoon boat. Fitted with two or three, “logs,” or, “toons,” as the pontoons on which they ride are often called, these boats deliver high carrying capacity. The rectangular layout affords room for couches and lounges and just plain room to move around, that other boat types cannot offer at the same length. Most pontoon boats boast outboard power, with some multi-engine models capable of high speeds. Still, simple, modestly powered (and priced) pontoons are available from just about every builder. Still, again, many pontoons now come fitted-out with luxury, rivaling some runabouts in this regard.

Bennington 25 RTSBA on the lake
Balise Halo 26L cruising at sunrise
Bennington 27 QX SB WAT2 running on the lake
Sylvan G5 CLZ out on smooth water
Starcraft SX 25 Q DC cruising over chop
Alera Model M25L on the lake
Sanpan 2700 Split Bench With Windshield showing off its performance
SunChaser Eclipse 25 SB DH on a smooth lake
Bennington 24MSL running quickly
Harris Sunliner 230 Sport cruising
Monaco 235 Single Flip Lounge out for a ride
Avalon Excalibur LTD Flex Lounge Windshield cruising
Alera Model M23Q on the lake
Avalon Carbon Excalibur QLSW running fast
Montara EVO 25 cruising
Regency 230 DL interior
Crest Conquest 230 cruising on the lake
Revel RS25L running fast
Viaggio Lago X22Q out for a ride
Viaggio Lago Z22B out on a cruise
Ranger 223FC on a trailer
Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 at sunset
G3 SunCatcher Elite 324 SL Diamond Arch smoothly cruising on a lake
Princecraft Vectra 23 QL leisurely cruising
Tahoe LTZ Entertainer out running
Forest River Dockside 20DF out for a cruise
Sea-Doo Switch Cruise 21 out for a cruise
Aura QL floating on the lake

Featured Videos

Boat buyers have been relying on Boating’s boat tests since 1956. Crafted by a team of editors, themselves boat owners, each with decades of experience on the water testing boats, Boating boat tests and video walkthrough reviews provide the best and most trusted information available.

2026 Pontoon Boat Buyers Guide

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More Boat Buying Resources

A boat purchase goes beyond just numbers on a performance chart. While you certainly want to pick the right boat for your boating style and location, consideration of dealer networks, financing options, the associated gear and electronics, and how to operate it safely also plays a part. Combine these resources with our tests to maximize your boat buying knowledge.

Pontoon Maintenance Kit

If you are buying a pontoon boat, you will want to keep it in tip-top shape. Pontoons present several maintenance challenges. Consider the following suggested items to keep your pontoon looking its best.

Pontoon boats have exploded in popularity for a reason. It’s a platform where you can bring your family on the water, they can relax in comfort, and everyone has a great view of the water from every seat. Pontoon hulls and layout continue to evolve, and Boating editors rate as a top source for this information. Our tech team of professionals boasts a combined two centuries of assessing boats and creating reports about them for a living.

So, what does this experience and dedication do for you?

  • One, it provides you with performance tests you can trust.
  • Second, you get insightful commentary that can only come from professionals who can view a given boat through three lenses: what it is in itself, how it compares to other similar boats, and where it fits in the universe of all boats.
  • Third, with the compilation of this annual Pontoon Boat Buyers Guide, our team of staffers and contributors gives you a means to compare a number of boats of the same type.