FindABoat.io

What Does a Pontoon Boat Cost? New & Used Prices (2026)

FindABoat Team · · 7 min read
pontoon boatsboat pricescost guidebuying guideboat ownership

What Does a Pontoon Boat Cost? New & Used Prices (2026)

Pontoon boats are the fastest-growing segment in recreational boating, and for good reason — they’re stable, spacious, family-friendly, and more versatile than ever. But the price range is enormous. You can buy a bare-bones pontoon for under $25,000 or spec out a luxury tri-toon north of $150,000.

This guide breaks down exactly what pontoon boats cost in 2026, from purchase price to the full cost of ownership, so you can budget accurately before you buy.

New Pontoon Boat Prices by Category

Entry-Level Pontoons: $20,000-$32,000

These are basic, no-frills pontoons designed for calm-water cruising and light recreation. They typically feature twin-tube (dual pontoon) construction, vinyl seating, a basic Bimini top, and a smaller outboard in the 40-90 hp range.

Popular models in this range:

  • Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 16 — Starting around $20,500 with a 40hp Mercury. The most affordable name-brand pontoon on the market. Seats 7, perfect for small lakes.
  • Sun Tracker Party Barge 18 DLX — Around $25,000-28,000 rigged. A solid step up with more seating and a 60-75hp engine.
  • Lowe Ultra 180 — Starting around $24,000. Lowe offers good value with better-than-average build quality at entry-level prices.

Entry-level pontoons are ideal for buyers who want a simple, reliable platform for lake days with family. Don’t expect high-speed performance or luxury finishes, but for puttering around a calm lake at 15-20 mph, they’re perfect.

Mid-Range Pontoons: $35,000-$60,000

This is the sweet spot for most buyers. Mid-range pontoons offer meaningful upgrades: triple-tube (tri-toon) construction for better performance and handling, upgraded furniture with marine-grade vinyl, ski tow bars, better sound systems, and engines in the 115-200 hp range.

Popular models in this range:

  • Harris Cruiser 210 — Around $42,000-48,000 rigged with a 115hp Yamaha. Harris (Barletta’s parent brand) delivers excellent quality at this price point.
  • Bennington 22 LXSB — Around $48,000-55,000. Bennington is widely considered the best-built pontoon brand, and their L-series is the entry point into that quality.
  • Lowe SS 230 Walk-Thru — Around $38,000-45,000. An underrated brand offering a lot of boat for the money.
  • Sun Tracker SportFish 22 XP3 — Around $36,000-42,000 as a tri-toon with a 150hp Mercury. Good performance value.

At this price point, you get a boat that can comfortably cruise at 25-30 mph, tow a tube or skier, and seat 10-12 people with genuine comfort.

Premium Pontoons: $60,000-$100,000

Premium pontoons start to blur the line between pontoon and luxury runabout. You’ll find features like hydraulic steering, high-end upholstery with contrast stitching, upgraded helm stations with touchscreen displays, underdeck waves and spray strakes for superior handling, and engines in the 200-300 hp range.

Popular models in this range:

  • Bennington 23 RXSB — Around $72,000-85,000. The R-series is Bennington’s performance line with their ESP (Extended Sport Package) tri-toon setup.
  • Manitou Explore 23 — Around $68,000-78,000. Manitou’s patented V-Toon hull technology delivers pontoon-boat stability with near-fiberglass-boat handling.
  • Harris Grand Mariner 230 — Around $75,000-90,000. Top-tier Harris with premium everything.
  • Godfrey Monaco 235 SB — Around $65,000-75,000. Excellent build quality and style.

Luxury Pontoons: $100,000-$150,000+

The top end of the pontoon market rivals entry-level yachts in fit, finish, and price. These boats feature quad-tube or oversized tri-toon construction, 300-400+ hp engines, teak or SeaDek flooring, powered Bimini tops, integrated coolers and grills, premium audio with tower speakers, and plush seating that puts your living room to shame.

Popular models in this range:

  • Bennington 25 QX Fastback — Around $130,000-155,000. The pinnacle of Bennington’s lineup with their Sport Tower package and up to 400hp.
  • Manitou LX Series 25 — Around $110,000-140,000. The LX is Manitou’s flagship, and the V-Toon hull at this level can hit 50+ mph.
  • Barletta Cabrio 24UC — Around $105,000-125,000. Italian-inspired styling with an under-deck changing room.
  • Avalon Ambassador 27 Quad Lounge — Around $120,000-150,000+. One of the largest and most luxurious pontoons available.

Used Pontoon Boat Prices by Age

Used pontoons offer substantial savings, especially if you’re willing to go 5-8 years old. Here’s what to expect in 2026:

AgeConditionTypical Price Range% of Original MSRP
1-2 yearsLike new$30,000-120,00075-85%
3-5 yearsGood$22,000-85,00060-75%
5-8 yearsGood/Fair$15,000-55,00045-60%
8-12 yearsFair$10,000-35,00030-45%
12-20 yearsVaries$5,000-20,00020-35%

Best value sweet spot: 4-6 year old pontoons from premium brands. A 2021 Bennington 22 SX that sold for $55,000 new might be available for $32,000-38,000 in 2026. The depreciation hit has already happened, but the boat has years of life left.

Browse pontoon boats for sale or boats under $25,000 on FindABoat to see current used pricing.

Monthly Payment Estimates

Most boat buyers finance their purchase. Here’s what monthly payments look like at current rates (assuming a 2026 boat loan at approximately 7.5-8.5% APR for 10-15 year terms with 10-20% down):

Boat PriceDown Payment (15%)Loan AmountMonthly (12 yr, 8%)Monthly (15 yr, 8%)
$25,000$3,750$21,250$230$203
$40,000$6,000$34,000$368$325
$60,000$9,000$51,000$552$487
$80,000$12,000$68,000$736$650
$120,000$18,000$102,000$1,104$974

Keep in mind that credit score significantly affects boat loan rates. Excellent credit (740+) may qualify for rates as low as 6.5%, while fair credit (640-680) might see rates of 10-12%, adding hundreds to monthly payments.

Total Cost of Ownership

The purchase price is only part of the story. Here’s what pontoon boat ownership actually costs annually:

Insurance: $300-$700 per year

Pontoon boat insurance is among the cheapest in boating because pontoons have low theft rates and fewer accidents than performance boats. A typical $50,000 pontoon with agreed-value coverage runs about $350-500/year. Factors that affect your rate:

  • Boat value and age
  • Your boating experience and safety course completion
  • Where you boat (coastal = higher rates)
  • Whether you have a clean boating record

Storage and Slip Fees: $1,200-$6,000 per year

Storage costs vary wildly by region:

  • Trailer at home (free if you have space) — Just need a good cover ($300-500)
  • Outdoor dry storage — $100-200/month ($1,200-2,400/year)
  • Indoor/rack storage — $150-350/month ($1,800-4,200/year)
  • Wet slip (marina) — $200-500/month ($2,400-6,000/year), highly variable by location. A slip in South Florida or the Great Lakes can cost $400+ per month for a 24-foot pontoon.

Winterization: $200-$400 per year

If you’re in a northern climate, winterization is non-negotiable. A typical pontoon winterization includes:

  • Engine fogging and fuel stabilization: $150-250
  • Lower unit fluid change: $50-75
  • Battery removal and storage: $25-50
  • Shrink wrap or cover: $200-400

Many marinas offer winterization packages for $300-500 all-in.

Annual Maintenance: $500-$1,500 per year

Budget for routine maintenance including:

  • Engine oil and filter changes: $80-150
  • Impeller replacement (every 2-3 years): $75-150
  • Pontoon tube cleaning and inspection: $100-200 if DIY, $300-500 professional
  • Trailer bearings and maintenance: $50-100
  • Zinc anodes (if in saltwater): $50-100
  • Miscellaneous parts and touch-up: $100-300

Fuel: $500-$2,000+ per season

A pontoon with a 115hp outboard running at cruise speed burns about 6-8 gallons per hour. If you boat 15 weekends per season and run for 4 hours each trip:

  • 60 hours x 7 GPH = 420 gallons
  • 420 gallons x $4.50/gallon (marina pricing) = ~$1,890 per season

Smaller engines (40-75hp) will cut fuel costs significantly. Larger engines (200-300hp) will increase them.

Registration and Taxes: $100-$500 per year

State registration fees range from $25 (many states) to several hundred dollars. Sales tax on the purchase varies by state — some states like Oregon have no sales tax, while others can add 7-10% to the purchase price.

Total Annual Cost Summary

ExpenseLow EstimateHigh Estimate
Insurance$300$700
Storage$1,200$4,200
Winterization$0 (warm climate)$400
Maintenance$500$1,500
Fuel$500$2,000
Registration$100$500
Total Annual$2,600$9,300

That works out to roughly $200-$775 per month in ownership costs on top of your loan payment.

Tips to Save Money on a Pontoon Purchase

  1. Buy in fall or winter. Dealers are motivated to clear inventory before year-end, and you can typically save 10-15% off MSRP. See our guide on the best time to buy a boat.

  2. Consider last year’s model. If a dealer has a leftover 2025 model on the lot in early 2026, you can often negotiate 12-18% off MSRP.

  3. Look at 3-5 year old used boats. The biggest depreciation hit happens in years 1-3. A well-maintained used pontoon at 50-60% of original MSRP can be an outstanding value.

  4. Don’t over-engine. A 150hp is plenty for a 22-foot pontoon used for cruising and tubing. Going to 200hp adds $3,000-5,000 to the price and increases fuel costs, often without a meaningful improvement in your experience.

  5. Shop multiple dealers. Pontoon pricing is more negotiable than most buyers realize. Get quotes from at least 3 dealers, and don’t be afraid to ask for boat show pricing even outside of show season.

  6. Check boats under $50,000 on FindABoat to see what’s available in your budget.

The Bottom Line

A new entry-level pontoon starts around $20,000-25,000, a solid mid-range pontoon runs $40,000-60,000, and luxury models can exceed $150,000. Budget an additional $200-775/month for ownership costs. Used pontoons offer the best value in the 4-6 year old range, where you get 60-70% of the boat for 50-60% of the original price.

Pontoon boats are one of the best values in boating — stable, versatile, low maintenance, and affordable to insure. If you’re looking for a boat that the whole family will actually use every weekend, a pontoon is hard to beat.

Start your search: Browse all pontoon boats for sale on FindABoat

Ready to Find Your Next Boat?

Browse thousands of new and used boats from trusted dealers across Florida and Texas.

Search Boats Now