Pontoon boats are always popular, and market studies suggest that this market will reach about 3.5 billion dollars of sales by 2025. This is because going on a pontoon boat is an incredible adventure as you can enjoy several versatile activities, whether you’re going alone on the boat or enjoying your time with others.
As a result, there are hundreds and even thousands of pontoon boats currently available, which makes your job a little bit challenging if you’re trying to pick the right one. With different models on the market, there are a few questions that you need to ask to choose the right boat.
So, how wide is a pontoon boat? Are all pontoons the same width? Luckily, you’ve found our article because we’ll answer all your questions in the next section. So, let’s dive in.
How Wide Is a Pontoon Boat?
The width of a pontoon boat depends on its length. Different pontoon boat manufacturers offer various models to cater to the needs of all boating enthusiasts. So, you can find small, medium-sized, and large pontoon boats on the market.
The length and width of the pontoon boat are proportional, but they also differ from one manufacturer to another. This means that although two manufacturers might offer two boats of the same length, one of them might be slightly wider than the other.
Small pontoon boats
Typically a small pontoon boat that measures about 20 feet long or less will be about 8 feet wide. A smaller pontoon boat that measures 18 feet long will be about 6 feet wide. These are mini pontoon boats, but they’re still good for cruising and other fun water activities.
Medium pontoon boats
Medium-sized pontoon boats are quite popular because they’re the most versatile among pontoon boats. They’re good for everything from parties to cruising, fishing trips, enjoying the scenery, lounging, and even spending the night if you got your boat prepped.
A medium-sized pontoon boat typically measures between 22 and 40 feet long. This means that there’s a wide variety that you can choose from depending on the number of people you’d probably have on the boat and the kind of activities you’re interested in.
Most medium-sized pontoon boats are usually 10 feet wide. These boats offer enough room for people to chill, engage in watersports, and even enjoy cool parties on deck. They’re, however, more expensive than small and mini pontoon boats, but they definitely offer more fun.
Large pontoon boats
Large pontoon boats are generally designed for those who like to host extravagant boat parties. There’s enough room for everyone, in addition to all the appliances and accessories that they might need to enjoy their time on a boat. Pontoon boat weddings and birthday parties are usually held on these larger boats because people will have enough space to walk, dance, and enjoy their time.
At the same time, those who want to buy a pontoon boat for commercial purposes can also invest in one of these larger boats. Larger pontoon boats are designed to accommodate more people, so they can be used for rentals, transport, cruises, Airbnb, and other commercial activities.
A large pontoon boat measures about 11 or 12 feet wide. Large boats can accommodate more furniture, appliances, and luggage, so they’re more suitable for longer boating trips.
In addition to these standard sizes, you can also get a customized pontoon boat. Different manufacturers have customized plans that allow them to create a pontoon boat that works for your specific needs. For example, you can order a boat that’s slightly wider or narrower based on your own personal preferences.
How Can I Pick the Right Pontoon Boat’s Width?
Pontoon boats are fun, whether they’re wide or narrow. But deciding on the right size of your pontoon boat will impact your overall boating experience.
Although buying a pontoon boat is definitely a worthy investment, you need to make sure you’re paying for a boat that actually works for you. Here are a few factors that you need to think about before deciding on the width of your pontoon boat.
Number of people
A wider boat will accommodate more people safely and comfortably. But you don’t really need to buy a wider pontoon boat if you’re only going to use your pontoon boat on boating trips with your partner or best friend.
If you usually go boating by yourself or with one or two other boating enthusiasts, a mini or a small pontoon boat will be more than enough for you. A medium-sized pontoon boat will also work if you’re planning to spend the night with a small group of people.
Larger pontoon boats can fit more than 20 people comfortably. These are perfect for fun gatherings and all-day trips. They can also accommodate a smaller number of people if they’re planning to spend more time on the boat.
Type of water
A shorter and narrower pontoon boat will work for you if you’re boating on calmer waters. If the water is too calm, going on a mini pontoon boat that’s less than 7 feet wide will be perfectly safe.
If you’re taking your boat to the lake or river, a larger boat that measures about 20 feet long and is at least 8 feet wide will be a better option. Taking your boat to the sea means that you’ll be dealing with more currents and waves. In this case, you should stick to a larger and wider pontoon boat because it will provide more stability.
Activities
Think about what you’re planning to do on your pontoon boat. A boat that can only be used for day trips doesn’t have to be that wide, even if it can accommodate more people.
Wider boats come with beds, changing rooms, and watersports equipment. Using these boats, you can enjoy your time doing a lot more than just lounging and enjoying the views.
Wrap Up
The width of the pontoon boat depends on its overall size. Pontoon boats can be between 7 and 12 feet wide, although there are bigger models that can even be wider. Before you decide on the right width for your boat, you need to think about the number of people using the boat, the type of water, and the activities you’re likely to engage in.