Best Small Pontoon Boats

‍What is a Small Pontoon Boat?

While the dimensions of pontoon boats vary significantly, a small pontoon boat is generally anything less than 20 feet in length and 8 feet wide. While manufacturers are making mini-pontoons that seat only a couple of people, we tried to broaden our vision to review the best of the best.

What Are the Best Small Pontoon Boats?

Several manufacturers are producing quality smaller pontoons, and while the competition is fierce for the wallets of American water lovers, the popularity of pontoons continues to build.

Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 16 DLX

The folks at Bass Pro (the company that owns Sun Tracker) offer this reasonably priced pontoon that is as practical as it is versatile. At 18.5 feet in length, the pontoon seats seven with two designated fishing stations in the front, aerated live wells, underneath storage for rods, and an extensive array of drink holders. The L-shaped aft lounge offers room for relaxation or swimming. While you won’t be tubing or skiing with this boat (the engine isn’t strong enough), this pontoon will get you out to your favorite spot and back to the house without any problem.

The pontoon comes with a Mercury 20 ELPT four-stroke engine that provides plenty of torque to get through the water. (There is an option for a 50 HP for a couple of grand more). The boat has a total weight of 1550 pounds. The boat is equipped with Bluetooth stereo, comes with a ten-year warranty, and is certified by the National Marine Manufacturers Association, which helps manufacturers hold to specific industry and safety standards.

Bass Pro Shops owns Sun Tracker boats, and they are built in Bolivar, Mo. Since he acquired the company in 1983, Sun Tracker has been a quality manufacturer of affordable pontoon fishing boats. The company has lots of different configurations to choose from depending on the needs. The Bass Buggy 16 XL Select is their smallest offering and, for 2023, is listed for under $20,000.

Features:

18.5 ‘ Boat Length
16 ‘ Deck Length
8’ Deck Width
6 gallons Fuel Tank
24 “ Pontoon tube Width
NMMA certified
10-Year Limited Warranty
Nose cone deflectors

Pros:

American Made
Easy to navigate
Reasonably Priced
Plenty of storage for gear
Aerated Live well.

Cons:

Not built for open seas.

Price:

For more information about the Bass Buggy, please see the manufacturer's website.

Check out Today’s Price at BassPro.com.

Starcraft EX Fish EX18 F

This pontoon is a dedicated fishing pontoon with a couple of stations on the front. The boat seats 8 with a total passenger weight of 1125 lbs, making it an excellent pontoon for a couple of fishing buddies or a family. The fishing chairs are wide enough to provide plenty of room for casting and come equipped with a padded live well for storing the catch of the day.

The rear of this pontoon is more like a cruising boat, with a lovely sundeck between the motor and the entry gate at the stern for the convenience of swimmers. Powered by an outboard 75 HP motor, the fuel tank is 21 gallons, which is more than enough for hours cruising the water.

Starcraft boats are made in the US, in New Paris, In. Their hundred-year history includes aluminum and fiberglass boats of all types (they make more than just pontoons). The company is a division of Smoker Craft Marine and markets its products under several lines of boats, including Smokercraft, Sylvan, and SunChaser. For an entry to the mid-level pontoon, the EX 18 F is an excellent choice for families on a budget. .

Features:

19 ‘ Boat Length
17.5 ‘ Deck Length
8’ Beam
21 gallons Fuel Tank
25 “ Pontoon tube width
NMMA certified
10-Year Limited Warranty

Pros:

American Made
Rear Swim deck
Reasonably Priced
Two dedicated fishing stations
Aerated Live well.

Cons:

Not built for heavy loads.

Price:

For more information about the Bass Buggy, please see the manufacturer's website.

Bennington SV 168SVF

Bennington has been making premier luxury pontoon boats for several years. This particular boat is the smallest of their SV line, with a 15 x 8-foot deck, but it is equipped with some knockout extras that will make you the envy of everyone else on the lake.

The pontoon is made with premium aluminum components and stainless steel bolts to resist corrosion. The Simtex vinyl seats have five layers of foam and provide some of the most supple seating in the business. There are upgraded stereo systems, plenty of storage, and even a rear washing station so that you can rinse off the mud that occupants tend to track in when standing in a muddy river or lake bed.

There are lots of configurations, from cruiser and entertainment to fishing. Our favorite is the fishing style with three cushioned fishing chairs (two in front and one in the rear). They offer ample room for casting without interfering with your neighbor’s space. There are live aerated fish wells, cabinets for tackle storage, rod holders, and cup holders (a pontoon cannot have too many cup holders). The L-shaped central lounge area means plenty of room for other family members who might just want to ride or sun without bothering to fish.

Bennington pontoons are made in Elkhart, Indiana, where the company is headquartered. In 2018, the company joined the Polaris family. They offer a lifetime structural and a 10-year plus bow-to-stern warranty.

Features:

16.4 ‘ Boat Length
15’ - 11 “ Deck Length
8 ‘ Deck Width
HP 40 Max
1,545 lbs Max Weight Capacity
23” Pontoon tube diameter
Lifetime Warranty on Structure, ten years plus bow to stern warranty
Two Fishing Chairs
40 HP Outboard Motor
Seats 6 passengers

Pros:

Made in Elkhart, Indiana
Plenty of amenities
Two fishing chairs
All-in one Kicker Stereo System

Cons:

Starts a bit higher (around $24,000) not counting options.

Price:

For more information, see the manufacturer’s website.

Princecraft Jazz 140 2RS

New for 2023, this boat is the baby of the Princecraft Jazz line, which is a perfect pontoon for four-six riders. The craft is barely 15 feet long with a shorter deck. The beam is 8’ - 1 in, which is pretty standard as small pontoons go. The result is a square-shaped cabin area, with lounge areas on both sides of the front and a copilot/fishing chair to the left of the helm. An adequate storage area is under the lounge seats for lifejackets and other gear.

The boat is NMMA certified and built with 5052 aluminum alloy. A stern gate and ladder are great for swimming, and a side gate allows passengers to embark effectively next to the dock. The Jazz has a portable gas tank, which is convenient for transport but also limits the amount of cruising that can be done. An optional live well can be installed in the rear, turning the swivel helm chair and separate copilot chairs into fishing stations.

The boat has a nice feel on the water. It is elegant and easy to maneuver. While the outboard motor could have been bigger, with more output than the standard 9.9 HP, the boat will have no trouble navigating the water. (You just won’t set any speed records). This boat is built for freshwater applications, where its speed and size work best.

Princecraft boats are made in Princeville, in the province of Quebec, Canada, and have been in business since the 1950s. Even though they are not a domestic manufacturer, the company has a reputation for building magnificent pontoon boats.

Features:

15 ‘ - 6 “ Boat Length
14 ‘ - 1“ Deck Length
8 ‘ - 1 “ Beam
1,130 lbs Max Weight Capacity
23” Pontoon tube diameter
Lifetime Warranty on Structure, ten years plus bow to stern warranty
Two Designated Chairs (helm and copilot)
Seats 6 passengers
9.9 HP Outboard Motor

Pros:

Reputation of Quality Construction
Nimble craft - easy to maneuver
Good value for under $20,000.

Cons:

Standard Engine is not very powerful.

Price:

For more information, see the manufacturer’s website.

Venture Cruise

Avalon has been making a name for itself in premier luxury pontoon boats for some time by being vertically integrated. This quality means that the company does not outsource anything. This kind of control allows Avalon to better control their production quality standards and ensure that the boat coming off the factory line meets their specs.

The company offers a complete line of pontoon boats, most of which are large and luxurious. The smallest offering they produce is the Venture Cruise which is 15 feet long. The lounge area wraps around the edges of the deck, provides more than adequate storage beneath the seats, and comes with many amenities usually reserved for their bigger cousins. The company uses flow-thru ventilation in its seating structures, allowing adequate airflow to prevent mold and fungus.

Avalon boats are constructed with vinyl seats that are durable and low maintenance. Side keels help minimize splash areas and protect the boat’s pontoons from side impacts (like when you misjudge the dock). A Cruise has an excellent base list of around $24,000, but with amenities and engine upgrades, you should expect to pay nearly $30,000 for a boat worthy of the water.

The company makes its boats in Alma, Mi. The company has won several awards, including the best CSI for ten years (2008 - 2019). Their Waketoon series has also won innovation awards in the last couple of years.

Features:

15 ‘ - 5“ Boat Length
14 ‘ Deck Length
7’ - 6 “ Beam
1,170 lbs Max Weight Capacity
23” Pontoon tube diameter
Lifetime Warranty on Structure, ten years plus bow to stern warranty
Seats 5 passengers
40 HP Outboard Motor

Pros:

Reputation of Quality Construction
Flow-Thru Ventilation Structure

Cons:

Amenities can be added, but they are pricey

Price:

For more information, see the manufacturer’s website.

Sea-Doo Switch

For those owners who always wished that their jetski could accommodate more than two, Sea-Doo has come up with the answer in their mini tritoon, the Switch. Powered by the same get propulsion that works in its famous jet skis, the boat has a different feel as it moves across the water. The boat uses a jet pump to power the boat, eliminating the need for an outboard propeller. While this technology is new (as far as pontoons go), this is a small deck boat built for speed, and that is precisely what it delivers.

The Switch has a seating capacity of five, with two lounge bench seats up front on either side and a small lounge area in the stern. The boat comes with a standard trailer, situated facing front, and bench-style seating in the aft section of the boat directly in front on either side, along with a bench seat on the side. The boat comes with a standard trailer, has a max weight of 2174 lbs, and a max speed of 28 mph, which is plenty quick to get around the water. Sea Doo Switch is made in Sturdivant, Wi.