Last Updated on January 16, 2022 by Afsar

Getting the best pontoon boat will surely help you cool down in this summer. If you are looking for an exciting summer plan, rolling on a pontoon boat is surely an excellent idea to consider. We are going to share some of the best pontoon boats in the market to help you choose the best one for your summer vacation. Pontoon boats are different ​than normal boats, and they have changed a lot for the last couple of years. The performance and design has changed to make the exploration better than ever. Finding the best pontoon boats is relatively easy if you know what you are looking for.

Best Pontoon Boats Reviews 2022

How To Choose The Best Pontoon Boats

While choosing a pontoon boat, you will have to consider a lot of factors like the cost, material, stability, price, storage and more. We are going to share an in-depth article on how to land the best pontoon boat for you need. Let’s check the factors and see how that affects the buying process.

Material​

​Material plays a great role in choosing a pontoon boat. The fabric used to make the pontoon boat needs to be sturdy and strong. If you are planning to paddle in the choppy or slightly harsh water, your pontoon boat needs to be rugged. Choosing a 1000 deniers reinforced material is an easy bet to choose a good pontoon boat.

Frame less vs With Frame​

Pontoon boat comes with either frame or frame-less. If you are looking for more sturdy design with aluminium or steel alloy, it is best to choose a pontoon boat with frame. However, if portability is an important issue for you, you should choose a frame-less pontoon boat.

Inflatable

​Even though a plastic pontoon boat might be sturdier than most inflatable boats, there are some inflatable pontoon boats which are sturdier than regular pontoon boats. If the fabric used are made of sturdy materials, it will be able to withstand the harsh marine environment. If you are paddling on harsh river, the Outcast Fish Cat 13 is the best pontoon boat for you. You can also check these inflatable kayaks.

Weight​

​Weight is an another important factor for choosing a float tube. If you are roaming on remote places, you should choose a pontoon boat with low weight. Though most of the mentioned pontoon boats are inflatable and come with a low weight, some of them come with aluminum alloy. These types of pontoon boats might be heavier than the inflatable ones.

A lightweight pontoon boat is easier to carry and move to remote places. Another great thing about lightweight pontoon boat is they are easily ​pack-able into a small bag.

Backrest​

If you are paddling for a long hour, you really need a good backrest. Otherwise, your back will hurt. Since most of us will do fishing, we will spend a long time on these pontoon boats. Having a poor backrest will not only spoil the fun, but it will be harmful to our back.

This is why when purchasing a pontoon boat, you should see the material used to make the backrest. We have mentioned some excellent and comfortable pontoon boat with great backrest in the comparison chart.

Motor Mounting

When choosing the best fishing pontoon boats, one of the most important concerns is whether it can handle a trolling motor or not. If you are fishing, you don’t want to waste time paddling. Instead, you want to get to the fishing spot as soon as possible.​

If you already own a trolling motor, you need to check whether the pontoon boat can handle it or not. In this case, you may have to research about the boat and the trolling motor you have.

You can mount different types of trolling motor like oil, electric or gas trolling motor to your pontoon boat.​

Pockets and Storage

A good pontoon boat will always come with ample storage to keep your gears, essentials, food or other items. Most pontoon boats will come with an adequate number of pockets and storage options to keep things.

Though a lot of people may not want many pockets, they are beneficial to the anglers. They can keep their fishing gears, tackle boxes, food or clothes.

If you are not concerned about keeping things on these storage and pockets, then you may choose one without ample storage. However, we suggest you choose one with a storage option as they can be beneficial for future trips.​

Tandem or solo

​Like a tandem kayak, pontoon boats can come tandem too. Paddling with a friend is always cheerful and more enjoyable. A lot of people takes their buddy for fishing, and if that is the case, you should choose a pontoon boat which comes for tandem usage.

However, some may prefer to have their own boat, and go solo. For that case, most of the mentioned pontoon boats are suitable for them.

Fishing Rod Holder​

Adjusting your rod holder in a different position can help you choose the perfect adjustment for fishing. ​Some of the pontoon boats allows an angler to adjust their rod holder in half a dozen position, while some may allow two-three positions. Choose wisely to make fishing enjoyable.

Price

There’s a saying that you get what you pay for, and this also applies for buying a pontoon boat. In order to buy a good pontoon boat for fishing, you will have to splash some cash. However, there are cheaper options too. If you are not ready to break the bank you will have to check for lower priced pontoon boats.

What are the best brands for buying pontoon boat?

Even though a lot of manufacturers are making pontoon boats for fishing, we would love to suggest only Classic Accessories and ​Sea Eagle.

As you read this article, you will find that most of the mentions are from Classic Accessories. They did a really good job making a different types of pontoon boats for fishing and recreational purpose.

There are some mentions from the Sea Eagle too. Our second favorite pontoon boat is Sea Eagle ​285 Pro package for its versatile usability with numerous features.

Another great name we need ​to mention is Orvis. Their Outcast Fish Cast 13 is also an excellent pontoon boat. Though the price is high, but the boat is made of strong material.

​

Cumberl​and Float Tube

This is the most popular pontoon float tube available for the anglers. Despite its seemingly simple appearance, this pontoon boat is capable of doing amazing things. This float tube is backpack-able with adjustable straps which can be used for easy carrying. The hydrodynamic shaped hull is perfect for greater stability, tracking, and steering.

The two armrests can function as a storage option for anglers. You can keep essential pieces of equipment like portable fish finder or fishing tackle boxes in these pockets. There are other features like the integrated fish ruler of comfortable backrest available in this fishing float tube.

• Hydrodynamic hull shape
• Greater tracking & stability
• Storage on two armrests
• Low price

Classic Accessories Colorado Boat​

Classic Accessories Colorado boat is undoubtedly the best pontoon boat for fishing and general purposes. Specially designed for fishing, this nine-foot pontoon boat is highly suggested for the anglers. You can mount the rod holder up to three different positions on each oar stand. If you love fishing in remote places, or if you love using trolling motors, the two-position mount option can become very handy. The motor mount is even weatherproof.​

The seating arrangement is fantastic, thanks to the padded seat. Once you start using Colorado Boat, you will highly appreciate the huge storage capacity with 20 pockets. There are even two insulated drink holders to keep your water bottle. There’s a rear storage with battery platform for more usability.

Made of highly durable abrasion-resistant PVC bottoms and tough nylon tops, this is pontoon boat boasts with numerous features and high comfort. It can carry up to 400lb. What’s more, it comes at a very reasonable price.​

• Designed for fishing
• Comfortable padded seat
• Three different positions for mounting rod holder
• Spacious design with 20 pockets
• Two inflatable bottle holders
• Trolling motor can mounted in two different positions
• 9 foot long and 400lb capacity

Sea Eagle 285 Pro Package

​Sea Eagle 285 Pro package is an another great pontoon boat for fishing. This inflatable pontoon fishing boat comes with a spacious design yet it manages to be stowed in a small bag. If you are a serious fisherman who loves visiting remote places, this pontoon boat is perfect for you. Being lightweight and highly portable, this has been used by hundreds of anglers.

You can customize this frameless pontoon boat, thanks to the Scotty mounts. Other important fishing features like the fishing rod holders, anchor lock, sounder mount and cup holders are also available in this pontoon boat. You can also mount motors if necessary. The seating system is comfortable and offers a great stability too.

In a nutshell, if you are visiting the lake, creek, or remote places, this is the best pontoon boat for you.​

• Lightweight and highly portable
• Can be packed in to a small bag
• Can be customized easily
• Multiple rod holders adaptable
• Comfortable swivel seat
• Trolling motor can be mounted
• Anchor lock and cup holders included

Classic Accessories Roanoke Boat

Another great pontoon boat from the classic accessories for recreational and fishing purpose. Like the previously mentioned pontoon boat, this one is also very lightweight. A lot of people complains about not having a good maneuver in a pontoon boat. For them, this is a great pontoon boat to have for lakes, ponds, and creeks.

There are zippered armrest pockets where you can keep necessary gears. There is also a rear storage platform incase if you need anything in your close range. The seat is made of comfortable molded plastic material. You can keep your legs in the adjustable footrests. The armrest storage has two large zippered pockets with small mesh stuff pockets to keep small gears.

​This is pontoon boat is highly durable, thanks to the PVC bottom and nylon tops. You can set up this inflatable pontoon boat withing few seconds. Inflating and deflating is very easy with the provided valves. And all of these comes at a very reasonable price.

• Spacious design
• Lightweight
• Comfortable seat
• Highly durable material used
• Cheap price
• Maximum weight capacity : 350lb
• Adjustable footrests provided

Sea Eagle 285fpb Pro Package

With two built-in fishing rods, this pontoon boat is perfect for one person. It will come with a comfortable swivel seat for comfortably exploring the remote lakes. Though it weighs only 42 pounds, the maximum weight capacity is 350 pounds. You can set up this inflatable pontoon boat within 4 minutes. Since it doesn’t need extra parts to assemble, one person can do it very easily and quickly.

​Despite being lightweight, it is highly rugged for lake use. Made of 1000 denier reinforced hull material, you can even use this in low rapid streams. The wooden floorbed allows fisherman to standup and do their chores without fewer stability issues.You can mount trolling motors if you don’t want to paddle. In a nutshell, this is one of the best inflatable pontoon boats in the market.

• Highly portable
• Comfortable swivel seat
• Two built-in rod holders
• Trolling motor can be mounted
• Maximum weight cpacity 350 pounds

Colorado XT Boat

With an incredible storage option for the user, this pontoon boat boasts 20 pockets with two insulated drink holders. Colorado XT pontoon boat is available in two different colors with a slightly different price. The powder-coated steel tube frame offers a high durability to this pontoon boat. The removable gears bags offer a customizable storage too.​

You can sit in the comfortable seat and adjust your foot, thanks to the adjustable footrest. You can put the rod holders in six different positions in Colorado XT boat. Despite being 9 foot long, this pontoon boat is fairly very easy to carry and move on the go. It is made of heavy-duty materials with abrasion-resistant PVC bottoms and nylon tops.

Though primarily designed for fishing in mind, but be it a vacation, leisure time, or just roaming on the lake, this is the best pontoon boat for most cases.​

• Incredible storage
• Spacious design
• Six different position for rod holders
• Two different colors
• Power-coated steel tube frame
• 400 lb capacity
• High portability
• Strong material for high durability

Sea Eagle Green 375fc Fold Cat Fishing Boat

If you read the previously mentioned pontoon boats, you will notice that all of them has a single seat. However, if you want to go tandem on fishing, then this pontoon boat will be helpful for you. Though slightly shaky, this pontoon boat offers two people to paddle at the same time. You can mount a trolling motor (check the requirements) if you don’t want to paddle.

FoldCat 375fc comes with a great folding system that in deflated situation, it is very easy to carry without any extra hassle. Thus, visiting those remote lakes for fishing is much easier with this pontoon boat. The maximum weight capacity of this pontoon boat is 650 pounds. You can inflate or deflate with assembling this pontoon boat within 10 minutes which can be annoying for most people.

• Two-person pontoon boat
• Maximum weight capacity: 650 lbs
• Inflation and assembly time is high : 10 minutes
• Trolling motor can be mounted
• Lightweight
• 1000 Denier Reinforced

Outcast Fish Cat 13

Outcast Fish Cat 13 is one of the best pontoon boats for fishing and roaming. Made by Orvis, this pontoon boat comes with a higher price tag, but the durability and features make it one of the best mention in this list. This inflatable pontoon boat is perfect for fishing on tough river conditions. Due to the strong and durable material, this pontoon boat can withstand the harsh marine environment.

Though it is primarily designed for two people, you can easily convert this for one person pontoon boat. The maximum capacity of this 13 feet long pontoon boat is 750lbs. One person can single-handedly assemble this pontoon boat with minutes. Other features like trolling motor mounting or anchor system are available in this boat.​

• Highly durable
• Designed for two person
• Can be customized for one person too
• Maximum weight capacity: 750 lbs
• Can withstand harsh marine environments

Classic Accessories Togiak Tube

​If you are okay with putting your legs in the water, then this pontoon float tube is a great option for you. Togiak fishing float tube comes at a ver reasonable price and necessary features. As you see in the picture, this pontoon float tube is designed for one person with a nice & comfortable seat. Though you can’t stand, you can move easily with the design.

The hydrodynamic hull shape comes with a great stability, buoyancy, and tracking. There is storage option at the armrest, and you can measure the size of the fish with the built-in mesh fish ruler. You can also attach other gears like dry bags in the D-Ring.​

• Low price
• Comfortable seating system
• Fishing ruler
• Storage on the armrest

Final Verdict

I hope that this article helps you to choose the best pontoon boats for you. If you are confused about choosing, I would suggest you read the “how to” again and make a proper research on which pontoon boat fulfills your need.

My favorite pontoon boats are Classic Accessories boat and Sea Eagle 285 Pro. If you are not sure about choosing one, you can rely on my suggestion and grab one of them. However, if you are going tandem, have a look at the Sea Eagle 375c.

We will continue to add more pontoon boats to this list. Meanwhile, if you have any favorite pontoon boat, you can share it in the comments section below.​

(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

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