Table of contents for Pontoon Boat Buyers Guide 2022 in Boating

Pontoons possibly pack the most versatility per length in feet overall compared to other boat types cruising the lake. Certainly, a pontoon boat can carry the most friends and relatives for a given overall length. That fact alone ranks them high on many boaters’ short list of boats to buy. Pontoons do more than carry an entire extended family at one time, though. There are models of these versatile two- or three-tube craft powered by multiple outboard engines, which, like the PlayCraft on the cover of this Pontoon Buyers Guide, can zoom across the water and deliver 70-plus mph thrills. At the other end of the spectrum, buyers can select single-engine pontoons that operate at more sedate and efficient speeds suited for laid-back touring that don’t come with a six-figure…

On August 14, 2010, boaters on Kentucky’s Lake Cumberland set a Guinness World Record for the largest boat tie-up when they lashed together a whopping 1,651 boats. Most raft-ups you see at your local party cove don’t involve such an insane amount of boats or logistical planning, but they do always look like a lot of fun. If the idea of joining the cotillion of rafted boats in your local bay or party cove appeals to you, there are some techniques and unwritten rules by which to abide. Here are some important pointers when it comes to raft-up etiquette. ASK FIRST If you see a raft-up of a couple of boats in your local cove, don’t just assume there’s an open invitation to join the party. Sometimes a small group…

By now, most boaters should be familiar with the statistics. Life jackets save lives, but only if you wear them. Fortunately, today’s offerings are more comfortable than ever. While most adults can easily find a life jacket that does the job, selecting a kid’s jacket requires a little more thought. Growing kids don’t always fit the size guidelines as clearly. Younger children especially need additional features to keep jackets secure. Here’s what to look for in life jackets for kids. TYPE Most kids in a supervised, recreational boating situation will be best served by a US Coast Guard-approved Type III life jacket. Featuring the classic ski-vest design, Type III jackets are easy to put on, comfortable and, when properly sized, will keep a conscious child afloat with their head above the…

Jim Dorris, founder of PlayCraft Boats, started the genre of super-fast pontoons back in the 1990s, and the Powertoon X-Treme 3000 is PlayCraft’s top of the line. It’s dual Mercury 450R powerplants boost the Powertoon X-Treme 3000 to a top speed of 77.8 mph at 6,450 rpm. It ripped to 30 mph in 3.5 seconds. With 900 horses on tap, the Powertoon is also poker-run-ready, delivering a range of 150 or more miles on a single fill-up. While it’s a huge party platform, handling proves surprisingly agile for an 8.5-foot-wide 30-footer. It turns flat, predictably and smooth, with a clean arc and no banking. That’s due to PlayCraft’s lifting strakes that get the boat on top but hook into turns, helping the boat avoid that uncomfortable outward heeling of some…

Abright, white Mercury Racing 450R outboard engine bolted to the 2785 Catalina Platinum’s transom powered this nearly 29-foot pontoon boat to 30 mph in just 5.6 seconds and topped it out at nearly 56 mph. At 3,000 rpm, the powerful outboard netted 2.4 mpg, making the range 216 miles from the 100-gallon tank. It is built to perform too. Waveglider triple 27-inch pontoons are mated to the Avalon’s deck with heavy-duty, doublebolted hat-channel crossbeams. Together with the lifting strakes, an aluminum underdeck Wave Shield improves airflow and efficiency, and provides lift and performance. The deck, made of ¾-inch PTP marine flooring, has a lifetime warranty and optional in-floor storage. A 3-inchtall perimeter rub rail caps the deck, with a black rubber insert to cushion docking. All seat frames are aluminum,…

Think of Bennington’s R25 Swingback Bowrider as the split-level-toon. From the helm and port console aft, the deck sits atop the pontoons below at a level we’ve come to expect from the category. Move forward, however, and you find a separate bow cockpit recessed a full foot lower than the norm. Bennington accomplishes this feat by putting bow seating essentially at the floor level and dropping a sizable molded fiberglass footwell into the central V-hull that sits between the pair of 23-inch outer pontoons. It’s like a sunken living room from the ’70s, except this styling choice features multiple real-world benefits that both the captain and crew can appreciate underway. For starters, the crew in the bow is now lowered below the captain’s line of sight. Add in side rails…

The new G3 Suncatcher Elite 326 SE is a pontoon designed to combine luxury with versatility while still maximizing the performance of its Yamaha outboard power. Let’s start with the layout. This pontoon is set up to cover all aspects of entertainment on the water. The aft sections feature twin high-back captain’s chairs that can swivel to face any position. Face them forward and two lucky passengers get to enjoy a countertop bar akin to what you’d find on a kitchen island. Yes, each seat has its own personal drink holder. Moving forward, the elevated helm gives the driver an excellent vantage point to safely view the water from a high-back captain’s chair, above the heads of any passengers hanging out on the extended lounge forward and to port. Wait…

Bennington’s 2022 L23 Swingback is a high-quality, feature-packed, midpriced performer, with Mercury 200 FourStroke power reaching speeds of 40 mph at 5,850 rpm. It is an economical cruiser; our best mileage was a thrifty 4.7 mpg at 3,000 rpm and 17 mph, where the 200 burned just 3.6 gph. This is just the right speed for everyday cruising, be it a dinnertime run or a midday jaunt. At that speed, the noise level was a low 70.5 dB(A), easily quiet enough for normal conversation. It’s sure to be a family pleaser at just over $90,000 as tested. Abovedecks, the diamond-stitched upholstery is surrounded by graphite Simtex vinyl with vibrant Monaco blue accenting. High-speed USB charging ports abound for everyone’s phones. Upfront, forward facing lounges feature deep well seating and recessed…

Qwest touts its Splash Pad series of pontoons as fun-and-sun vehicles for a day on the water. One look at the layout and list of amenities for the Qwest 822 Splash Pad LTZ proves this to be true. It packs a lot into a 22-foot boat capable of hosting 13 people. The key feature of the Splash Pad layout is the multiposition lounger in the rear section of the boat. The twin backrests can be adjusted to multiple positions to create a full-on sun pad when fully reclined, or forward-facing seating on the cockpit and rear-facing seating on the transom when fully upright. When the boat is at rest, the rear-facing seating makes a great spot to soak in the view. It also makes for a great staging area to…

For 2022, the Viaggio nameplate replaces the Misty Harbor brand, aiming at the higher end of the market while remaining price competitive. For example, the 23Q bristles with standards and detailed touches, and also provides an excellent value. At an as-tested price of just under $97,000, this Viaggio gives excellent performance with all the must-haves. First, it’s quick. With a Mercury Verado 250, we ran the 23Q to a 46 mph top speed, and accelerated to 30 mph in just 6.4 seconds. Best cruise was 3,000 rpm and 19 mph, burning 5 gph for 3.1 mpg, good for 155 miles, or a whole weekend’s worth of fun. The sound level at that speed is a whisper-quiet 68.5 dB(A). Handling proved predictable and flat when cornering, and it was smooth, without…

Available in three floor plans—SLRC, SLC and SLS—Crest’s Caribbean RS series pontoons also come in lengths of 23 and 25 feet. Pictured is the 230 SLRC plan, sporting a fabulous layout that boasts rear chaisestyle lounges. Just as the coolest people at a house party end up in the kitchen, the coolest spot aboard this pontoon is in one of these reclining seats. With armrests, plush, durable PermaGuard upholstery, and a great view, these sweet chaises offer the best seats in the house. Forward, Crest places two swiveling captain’s chairs, upholstered in equally high-quality, multitone marine fabric. The backrests of these are 29 inches high, and the seat portion incorporates a flip bolster, so standing up or sitting higher is readily accomplished while running the boat. Either way, it’s easy…

“Good luck.” That was the response from a Massachusetts boat dealer this past summer when I asked for tips on finding a new boat in today’s market. And he’s not alone. That kind of response is typical from many dealers these days. From California to the Carolinas and Michigan to Mississippi, new-boat inventories range from limited to nonexistent, and demand is at an all-time high. Blame COVID-19 for it all. The pandemic ignited a boat-buying frenzy, fueled by an influx of new American boaters. Restricted from travel, vacations, dining out, kids summer camps and more, COVID-19-weary throngs of families have sought new ways to recreate, have fun and stay safe. For many, buying a boat has proven to be the best way to achieve all of those goals. According to…

With the arrival of each spring, the North Woods experiences an increase in tourist trade. The dam bursts, and erstwhile winter-bound patrons from the Land of Lincoln stream over the border seeking fresh air, fresh cheese curds and fresh fish. They bring their cash and take home our ticks. In the summer of 2020, the only happy campers in the region were millennials living a stoic social-distanced life in their converted Sprinter vans, camping wherever and fishing from kayaks and stand-up paddleboards. My good friend Chuck Larson observed these folks and hit on a brilliant business idea—the sale of organic firewood. The Chuck’s Organic Wood setup was a self-service stand in the corner of the Lake View Inn parking lot. Rather than typical oak or maple, Chuck’s Organic Wood offered…

Q: Dear Doc, first-time boater here. How do I care for my trailer over the winter layup period? Do I need to do anything? Thanks. Jim Hickey Levittown, New York A: Welcome to Boating! Your trailer does need care. If you give it, the trailer will deliver longer, safer service. You should repack the bearings with grease, and inflate the tires to proper pressure and cover them with a tarp or other method to keep off the sun’s damaging rays. Also, if the trailer is stored on grass, make some pads out of bricks or plywood so the tires are not in contact with the ground. Many boaters jack up the trailer onto blocks so the tires and suspension are not carrying a static load all winter. Also, check the…

A friend of mine just bought a family runabout, the first boat he’s ever owned, and when he called me for some advice, he didn’t ask about docking or trailering or breaking in the engine. He asked what kind of wakeboard he should get. It’s a question I get all the time from new boaters looking to have a little watersports fun with their kids. So, I asked the same question to Greg Nelson, the VP of marketing for Hyperlite, one of the top makers of wakeboards. Using his example of the State 2.0 Remix deck and bindings combo (he also shared the women’s Eden 2.0 with Jinx combo), here’s what to look for in an entry-level wakeboard. ASYMMETRICAL SHAPE Wakeboarding is a lot like snowboarding because beginners need an…

Anchored in your favorite party cove or nosed into the nearest sandbar, Bennington’s L25 Quad Bench Top Deck isn’t just another pontoon boat—it’s your own personal water park, thanks to the water-fed slide that allows passengers to plunge off the platform on the boat’s second-story top deck. It’s big fun, as is soaking in the rays on the pebbled 10-foot-by-6-foot-4-inch starboard platform that offers a bird’s-eye view from nearly 6½ feet above the main deck. That platform can handle up to four occupants (or 585 pounds), meaning it’s also a great spot to simply hang out and soak up some sun. Bennington surrounds that upper deck with a low-profile rail, maintaining a sleek appearance while adding a touch of security for those topside. A moatlike channel is grooved into the…

Twin-engine pontoons can be potent performers on the water, but it takes a special running surface to make them fly. Enter the new ESP-3 running surface on Bennington’s Q27 Fastback. It provides the performance of twin-engine power with a more traditional and convenient 8-foot-6-inch beam, rather than the 10-foot beam of the renowned ESP-10 package. With twin Mercury 300 outboards on the transom and a trio of unique 32-inch elliptically shaped pontoons belowdecks, our test boat peaked near 58 mph. Elliptical tubes maximize buoyancy on a boat carrying twin-engine weight and lower the center of gravity, giving the boat a sporty feel. Long characterized by its radius bow, the Q line gets refined for 2022 with a new rail design and integrated docking lights. Step through into the bow and…

PlayCraft Boats builds proven pontoon platforms and customizes each one to the particular desires of every customer so that no two are alike. A Mercury Racing 450R delivers exciting power and speed. It’s mounted to a Bob’s Machine Shop hydraulic jack plate for the ultimate precision in setting the ideal prop height for optimal speed and control. Jack-plate controls are on the steering column so adjustments are made without taking your eyes off the water to find them. A tilt helm, a full complement of red-bezel instruments, and a 5-inch Simrad multifunction display and chart plotter complete the control station. PlayCraft pontoons are constructed of 0.09-inch-thick aluminum, 24 inches wide, round on the bottom, and flat on the top. Sharp lifting strakes—chines, if you will—are welded to the side of…

The mettle of a pontoon is only as good as the metal used to make it. That’s Princecraft’s position, and so the Canadian builder chooses to form its pontoons and major parts from 5052-H36 aluminum. It provides the best balance of formability, tensile strength, and scratch and impact resistance. Princecraft offers the Quorum in two pontoon chassis: sport and performance. The sport model uses a center tube about two-thirds the length of the boat and couples it with a wedge-shaped performance engine pod behind it. The design boosts speed and acceleration, but holds the line on weight, making midrange motors a good selection. The performance model has a full-length center tube that increases carrying capacity and performance capabilities with larger engines. But for most people, it’s what happens on deck—not…

Tahoe’s 2485 LTZ Versatile Rear Bench features a unique reversible aft lounge storage seat and a cool aluminum diving board securely bolted to the aft deck. Powered by a Suzuki DF200 outboard, the 2485 gives excellent performance. We accelerated to 30 mph in 7.6 seconds and topped out at 42 mph. At best cruise speed, we recorded a stingy 4.9 mpg (3.3 gph) at 3,000 rpm and 16.2 mph. At this speed, the noise level was a workable 70 decibels, and the fuel tank range is over 167 miles. All this for an astested price of $62,198 makes the Tahoe a diamond in the rough. Our test boat had optional triple 25-inch-diameter Sport performance pontoons with lifting strakes mated to the deck with heavy-duty, double-bolted hat-channel crossbeams. An aluminum underdeck…

If pontoons are the boats with the most comfortable layouts on the water, then a swing-back version such as the Silver Wave 2410 SW5 JS must be one of the most sought-after 2022 models. Its tremendous aft lounge allows for great comfort, whether watching the sun set or cheering on the watersports action in the wake while underway. Oh, and while this swing-back aft lounge is a great place to catch a tan, the new-for-2022 standard aft Bimini top offers respite from the rays or the occasional sprinkle, as required. Did we mention that the quilted upholstery accent and kick-panel weave detail provide an elegant look? There’s ready access to the stainless-steel transom swim ladder. Swing the backrest forward to create forward-facing seat. In the bow, your crew will find…

The Sportfisher 23-2S RL is a versatile pontoon you can choose in the classic (and economical) two-tube model with a maximum horsepower capacity of 115. There is also a sport model with a center tube and streamlined engine pod behind it. The latter increases horsepower capacity and performance. Choose the sport configuration for optimal performance with a 175 hp engine for crews up to 12. The pontoon chassis includes a two-thirds-length center tube in the front of a wedge-shaped engine pod. The center tube adds buoyancy and helps lift the Sportfisher in the water. The motor pod’s shape guides water to the prop for optimal hookup and control. The durable 5052-H36 aluminum tubes are joined together and to the deck with Z purlin beams and stainless-steel fasteners. Topside, high-gloss side…

Sea-Doo turned the pontoon market on its ear for 2022, building a pontoon boat that, in many ways, shares little in common with the rest of the market. Rather than a trio of pontoon logs below its deck, the 21 Switch Cruise rides on a tri-hull, with narrow, outriggerlike hulls straddling a much larger PWC-like center hull. Sea-Doo positions that center hull more than 7 inches lower than the outboard sponsons to provide the Switch with a stable yet responsive ride. And unlike most pontoon boats, the hulls are not aluminum. Rather, those hulls are made from PolyTec, Sea-Doo’s proven durable, lightweight blend of polypropylene and fiberglass reinforcement. Its matte finish is trendy and features a stylish pop of accent color. The Sea-Doo Switch also forgoes a pontoon boat’s typical…

A few years ago, we asked the legendary Travis Moye to share, in his own words, how to teach kids to water-ski. A former national champion water-skier, Moye now owns and operates the Boarding School (theboardingschool.com) in Orlando, Florida, where he coaches kids and adults in skiing, wakeboarding and wakesurfing. He also happens to be a world-class boat driver who mans the helm during many professional watersports events. In his time on the water, Moye has taught the sport at all levels. Here’s the expert advice he had to share, done with the help of his daughters, Lennon and Ella. FIRST-TIMERS One of the biggest obstacles in teaching little kids to ski is getting them comfortable with the idea of being behind the boat, away from their parents. I can…

My sister brought her boyfriend, my future brother-in-law it turned out, with her on my boat for a day of tubing and adventure. Though I had the best of intentions, when it was his turn on the tube, I might have spun the wheel a little too aggressively and sent him flying off. In the process, he separated his shoulder and couldn’t help himself back into the boat. As I struggled to help him even slide up onto the swim platform, I gained a new appreciation of what it would take to help a boater who has fallen overboard. Hopefully, a man-overboard (MOB) situation is something you’ll never have to deal with on the water, but if you have anything from a stunned tuber on the lake to an overboard…

Q: Mick, I own a 2017 South Bay 200 24-foot tritoon with a Mercury 150 hp engine with 118 hours. The boat is docked in fresh water during the summer months and then put on a trailer for winter storage. After putting the boat away for storage after the third season, I noticed corrosion near the starboard-side engine bolt that is below the waterline. After I cleaned the area, I could see paint was coming off near the mounting bolts from the Mercury motor bracket. The port side is also seeing some pitting as well. The first dealer I took the boat to said that was normal when a boat is left in the water. The second dealer added some magnesium anodes to the pontoon transom near the motor-mount bolts. I…

Among pontoons, this is a Q ship others will follow. It’s a power cruiser of a pontoon, just over the top in so many ways. Bennington never fails to surprise, and to throw us a twist, it rigged this flagship tri-toon with the largest outboard available: Mercury’s new V-12 600 hp Verado. Primarily designed for and aimed at the multi-engine offshore market, the Verado provided this beast with refined, quiet, jet-aircraft-like power. It launched like a rocket from zero to 30 mph in just 4 seconds flat. Top speed was a heady 57.5 mph at 6,450 rpm, with the decibels at 89.5 dB(A) even at that high-rpm level. Best cruise speed was achieved at 2,500 rpm, where it burned 6 gph and 3 mpg at just under 18 mph. It’s…

With a blazing-hot red-and-black color scheme and an imposing pair of Mercury 450 Racing outboards at the transom, it was clear from the start that Manitou’s 27 XT SRW came to perform. And perform it did, consistently galloping to a top speed of over 77 mph. While those numbers came as no surprise from this kind of horsepower, how confident the captain and passengers felt at those speeds did. Manitou’s patented V-Toon Technology provided an ultra-stable, ultra-responsive platform, proving comfortable and predictable at speed, and displaying nimble, agile handling when driven into a high-speed corner. Consisting of a pair of 25-inch outer pontoons, which are flanked by a larger 27-inch pontoon dropped a full 5¼ inches lower in the water, and a full complement of lifting strakes, it got the…

Harris always provides above-the-bar pontoon boats, and this year’s Grand Mariner 250 SL did it again. Fitted with a Mercury Verado 300 FourStroke outboard, it romped from a dead idle to 30 mph in a cat-quick 5.8 seconds and topped out at a tick under 48 mph. At its best cruise speed of 17.2 mph at 3,000 rpm, the 300 Merc consumed 5.1 gph for a 3.4 mpg gait. It’s a driver’s boat too, responsive and nimble considering its near-28-foot length. Three 25-inch pontoons help it along, featuring the Performance Level III package, with in-floor storage, lifting stakes on all three tubes, and a wind-cheating skin cover underdeck. It’s responsive to engine trim, and pops and flies when the Mercury 300 is trimmed out, like driving a highperformance hull. Harris…

In a sea of pontoon boats that share much in common with luxury sedans, Barletta’s Corsa 25U stands out like a sleek Italian sports car. An attractive rail design and contrasting color scheme set the stage on this new’toon’s exterior. Within the fencing, furniture continues the visual contrast and features a minimalist vibe, with flatter surfaces and more angular corners. Speaker grilles could be works of art. And then there’s the modern helm, with its sleek lines, molded fiberglass facets and clean dash layout. The Corsa 25U might be built in the Midwest, but the vibe feels more like Milan. That’s not to say this Barletta isn’t still comfortably plush. Forward, a pair of 6-foot lounges are ready for a large crew to gather or a pair to stretch out…

Starcraft’s EXS-5 gave us 43-plus mph performance with its Yamaha 250 outboard spinning a 15-inch-pitch stainless-steel Yamaha propeller at 6,000 rpm. It’s a quiet package; at our best recorded cruise speed, our decibel meter read just 76 dB(A), perfect for normal conversation levels. At 2,500 rpm and 14.5 mph, the big Yamaha sipped just 4.2 gph for 3.5 mpg. Using 90 percent of the 60-gallon fuel capacity, that’s a range of just over 186 miles of slowspeed cruising. And cruise you can, especially with a group; the deck layout features two distinct conversation pits, one in the bow and a near-mirror image one abaft. Upfront, twin facing loungers can carry four or five in comfort, and another four in the stern. Add twin captain’s chairs amidships—one each for the pilot…

With the space of a pontoon and offering fiberglass construction from the deck up, the Ingenity 23E is an electric-powered luxury dayboat that provides another alternative for boat buyers seeking a high-end vessel. The Ingenity 23 Electric is offered by the company that won Boating’s prestigious Boat of the Year award for its allelectric 2021 Ingenity Nautique GS22E. Step aboard the new 23E to experience a different iteration of that boat’s award-winning innovation. (The boat, in fact, won an Innovation Award at the 2022 Miami International Boat Show.) Whether it’s the protective and racy split windshield, the luxurious upholstery, or the ergonomics at the helm-station command center, it’s obvious that this boat has been designed with care and built with precision. Featuring battery capacity up to 165 kWh, the 23E…

Sylvan dubs the L-3 RLZ a midlevel choice that is perfect for just about everything, whether it’s family cruising, beaching at the sandbar, entertaining friends, or towing your crew on inflatables, skis or boards. It’s a do-it-all pontoon. The boat’s looks go beyond that description. Two-tone fencing features stylish, structural arcs rather than typical boxy rectangles. A gleaming stainless-steel aft rail and swim ladder scream upscale. The helm shows off a modern flair and a dash delightfully devoid of almost all exposed fasteners. And then there’s the furniture. It’s covered in soft-touch vinyl, features multiple accent patterns, and includes thoughtful touches, like speaker and wiring covers in the roto-molded storage bases below. Add an extended rear deck and standard power Bimini top, and you’ve got a boat punching above its…

The Viaggio team brought us an entry-level model, its Lago 22S, rigged with a Mercury 150 outboard. There’s plenty of punch to satisfy all but the most demanding speed and power mavens; we maxed out at just over 36 mph at 5,900 rpm and accelerated to 30 mph in 7.4 seconds. The 22S is also a fuel-sipper; we recorded a best cruise speed at 3,000 rpm and 15.8 mph, burning 3.6 gph and netting 4.4 mpg, which calculates to a 230-mile range from a full 58-gallon tank, leaving 10 percent in reserve for the ride home. The sound level at that speed is just 72.7 dB(A), so conversing with the party on board is easy. While the midrange acceleration through carved turns reflected the 150 horses, handling overall was tight…

1. Use a ski rope, which has a bit more stretch, of 75 feet in length to keep the skier in cleaner water behind the boat. The skier should sit in a cannonball position, with their knees squeezed together close to their chest and their arms straight. The rope should sit between the skis, with the ski tips pointing up and out of the water. 2. The boat’s driver should idle forward until the towrope is taut behind the boat, then accelerate at a slow and steady pace to pull the young skier out of the water without jerking them forward. With young skiers on two skis, the driver should keep the boat at low-planing speeds and not accelerate beyond 25 mph. 3. The skier should let the boat pull…