pontoon boats

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Pontoon boats may still be the ultimate “party barge,” but these versatile craft have grown far beyond the slow-moving vessel you may remember from Grandpa’s cocktail cruise. Yes, the core remains very much the same — stable pontoons below, topped by an abundance of seating above. Today’s craft, however, increasingly feature plusher seats and lounges, entertainment centres and wet bars, and the latest sound and lighting systems. They also perform increasingly like boats with a deeper v-shaped bottom, or “hull”, and include with triple-tube models that carve on a dime and an abundance of horsepower.

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… which activities you'll most enjoy

Pontoon boats are still one of the best options for that cocktail cruise of old, and with innovative seating choices and mood-setting music and lighting, they’re arguably better at it than ever before. Pontoons also make the perfect fishing platform, and many models feature fishing-friendly amenities. Today’s models, however, increasingly rival their fiberglass counterparts for versatility. Lifting strakes and foils, structural features of the boat’s hull bottom, dramatically improve handling; triple pontoon models often drop the centre tube lower to mimic the lean-in handling of a V-hull. The end result is exceptional handling and agility.

Larger diameter pontoons, or triple tube models, also are capable of handling far more horsepower, meaning a pontoon is also a viable alternative for skiing, tubing, wakeboarding…or just punching the throttle to feel the rush of wind and speed.

… which engine is right for your boat.

Outboard power remains the most popular option for a pontoon. Even a small horsepower engine will propel a pontoon at a stately pace. Higher horsepower models, single or in pairs, can push a pontoon along at thrilling speeds and easily tow a rider on their favourite water toy.