When shopping for our first pontoon boat, we debated whether a small pontoon boat or a regular size one met our needs best. There were a lot of benefits that made us consider a small one like cost, ease of storage and availability.
For many reasons, but namely passenger capacity, we ultimately went with a standard size pontoon boat but we hope our research can help you make the best decision for your needs.
What is a small or mini pontoon boat?
As you might expect, a small pontoon boat is a more compact version of a traditional pontoon boat.
Within the category of “small” there is a wide range of boats, from the the tiniest two-seater to those that can comfortably accommodate 10 passengers. The line between what is considered regular and small is a bit gray, but we found some things to be key differentiators.
The most commonly citied difference between a traditional pontoon boat and a small pontoon boat is deck length. In our opinion, length is an important factor in differentiating a small pontoon boat from a traditional one, but not the only one. Several key things stood out to us when researching pontoon boats that differentiated small pontoon boats from regular size ones beyond the deck length.
Deck Length
Small pontoon boats typically have decks that range in length from 10 to 20 feet. There are many examples of pontoon boats in the the 18 to 20 foot range that generally look and function like a regular sized one so that can be a gray area when it comes to determining if a pontoon boat is small or regular sized.
This differs from regular-sized pontoon boats can be much larger, ranging from 20 to 30 feet or more. Any pontoon with a deck length under 18 feet can definitively referred to as small.
Beam Length
A standard size pontoon boat has a deck width (also called beam length) of 8 feet 6 inches or more. Small pontoon boats decks are narrower in width, generally 8 feet wide or less, with some of the smallest options out there being only 4 feet wide.
Pontoon Diameter
Small pontoon boats tend to have skinnier pontoon tubes. A normal size pontoon boat has tubes that are at least 25″ while a small one has 23″ or less, the smallest we found being only 14″ around.
Regular Pontoon
Traditional, standard sizes- Deck length between 20 and 30 feet
- At least 8 and 1/2 foot beam length
- 25-inch wide (or more) pontoon tubes
Small Pontoon
Including mini and compact- Deck length between 10 and 18 feet
- 8 foot beam length or less
- 23-inch (or less) pontoon tubes
Small Pontoon Benefits
Because of their smaller size, mini pontoon boats are often more affordable and easier to maintain than larger boats. They require less fuel, are easier to store, and are often more maneuverable, which makes them a popular choice for those who want to enjoy the water without the expense and maintenance of a larger boat.
Overall, a mini pontoon boat is a great option for those who want a fun and versatile watercraft that is both affordable and easy to use. It can be a great choice for solo outings or for small groups of friends or family members.
Another key difference between mini and regular-sized pontoon boats is their weight capacity. Mini pontoon boats generally have a lower weight capacity than regular-sized boats, making them better suited for smaller groups of people or for solo outings.
Finally, mini pontoon boats are often more affordable and easier to maintain than regular-sized boats. They require less fuel and storage space, and their smaller size means they are generally less expensive to purchase and maintain.
Despite these differences, mini pontoon boats offer many of the same features and amenities as regular-sized boats, including comfortable seating, built-in storage, and various options for customization. They can be an excellent choice for those who want to enjoy the water without the expense and maintenance of a larger boat.
They are designed for use on smaller bodies of water such as lakes, ponds and calm rivers.
Like a regular pontoon boat, a mini pontoon boat features a flat bottom and two or three pontoons that provide buoyancy and stability. The pontoons are typically made of aluminum or another lightweight material, which makes the boat easier to transport and maneuver.
Overall, mini pontoon boats offer a unique and enjoyable boating experience with many advantages over larger boats. They are a great choice for those who want to explore the water without the expense and maintenance of a larger boat.
Affordability
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Maneuverability
Because of their smaller size, mini pontoon boats are typically more agile and easier to maneuver than regular-sized boats. They can navigate through tighter spaces and around obstacles more easily, making them an excellent choice for fishing or exploring small waterways. Mini pontoon boats are typically smaller and more agile than larger boats, allowing them to navigate in tighter spaces and around obstacles more easily. This makes them an excellent choice for fishing or exploring small waterways.
Mini pontoon boats are well-suited for shallow waters. Their flat bottom design and shallow draft make them ideal for navigating through areas that larger boats cannot access. This allows boaters to explore hidden coves and other areas that may be inaccessible with larger boats.
Versatility
Environmental Impact
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Best Small and Mini Pontoon Boats
There are many brands that manufacture small and mini pontoon boats. A good amount of the brands well known for standard size pontoon boats offer lines with options in the 16 foot to 18 foot range. There area also brands that specialize in them and them alone.
Best for Families
If you want the affordability of small pontoon boat but still plan to cram as many people as possible on it, you’re going to want to go with something in the 18-20 foot range.
- PARTY BARGE® 18 DLX by Sun Tracker is 20 feet and holds 9 people for $28k (https://www.suntrackerboats.com/recreational-pontoons/party-barge-18-dlx.html)
- Sylvan Mirage 818 Cruise is 19 feet deck
- Bennington SV 16 and SV 19 L-Bench and Bennington S16 S18 and S19 L-Bench
- Godfrey Xperience or Sweetwater
Best Multi-Purpose
Switch Sea-Doo Cruise – we don’t recommend the standard switch model. it has no bimini and you cannot add one later. You can add a sunshade and while their site says you can use that while the boat is moving, most dealers disagree with that and recommend you don’t.
Best Mini (Compact)
- Godfrey Mighty G has deck length < 15 feet
- Sea Doo Switch Cruise Compact has deck length < 13 feet
Best for Fishing
BASS BUGGY® 16 XL SELECT by Sun Tracker for $19k for 7 people (https://www.suntrackerboats.com/fishing-pontoons/bass-buggy-16-xl-select.html)
BASS BUGGY® 18 DLX by Sun Tracker for $25k for 8 people (https://www.suntrackerboats.com/fishing-pontoons/bass-buggy-18-dlx.html)
sylvan 818 fish
- Bennington SV 16 and SV 18 Fishing
- Bennington S16 S18 and S19 Fishing
- Benning SX16 and SX18 Fishing
Best for Water Sports
It’s possible to go water tubing and skiing with a pontoon boat. A tritoon is actually better froma maneuverability standpoint and given enough horsepower it can be a better option than a speed boat becuase you get a lazy cruiser and a tower.
Typically you need to go 15-20 mph for water tubing and 25-30 for water skiing. We like the Sea-Doo Switch Sport comes in two small sizes, the compact 13 footer ($27k) as well as an 18 footer for $37k). It has a top speed of 44mph and a bunch of other functions useful for water sports like a rearview mirror and plenty of room for gear.
All Switches include a trailer too whcih is normally an extra cost anywhere from $2000 to $5000 dollars. Also has ski mode which makes getting up easy and a tow bar for ski and tube ropes.
Best for Ponds
If you are just looking for something simple that can get you around a small body of water with no wake, like a pond or small lake,
Best No Frills
No frills might be an understatement.
Summary
There are some popular brands that do not make any small pontoon boats. Manitou is a luxury pontoon brnad under the BRP umbrella which is a Canadian company with a large presence in southeastern Wisconsin. Barletta is another luxury brand that does not make small pontoon boats. Harris does not. Crest does not. ranger does not.
Bentley does have some small ones. Avalon and Tahoe has limited. Viaggio is several in their Lago and Del Mar models. Lowe boats does in fishing and cruise styles, same with Viaggo.
