Best Pontoon Boats in 2022 – Fishing & Compact Models Compared

Lounging around in the best pontoon boats is a surefire way to beat the heat during summer, not mention catch some big fish.

Today’s pontoon boats have gone a long way and offer more space and comfort than before. Performance and features wise they’ve improved a lot, and different types are available too.

Of course the question is, how do you find the right kind of pontoon boat for you? To make things easier we have narrowed the list down and picked the top pontoon boats available today.

Best Pontoon Boats in 2020 - Comparisons

9 Best Fishing Pontoon Boats - Reviews

Without further ado, here are top pontoon boats. I’ve included the most pertinent information in the reviews below so you’ll know what to expect from each one.

1. Colorado XT Inflatable Pontoon Boat

Other notable features on the XT are its retention cord, adjustable cushioned seat and multi-position rod holder. Its foam fly patches are detachable and the motor mount is weather proof. The XT pontoon boat anchor system has a mesh bag and you can set the anchor on boat sides.

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The Fold Cat is compatible with a 3 HP gas engine and has a top speed of 8 knots. The pontoons have superb buoyancy and rod holders built in. Fully assembled, the Fold Cat is 148 by 54 inches (W x L) and comes in at 75 lbs.

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The seat and foot rest are adjustable and the padded plastic adds convenience. It comes with combo quick/fill valves, and you don’t need tools to assemble the Colorado. The bladders are resistant to heat and cold and there’s a 1 year warranty.

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The swivel seat is optional, and when installed provides you with a high seat with 360 degree capability. The floorboard is made of wood, giving you a place to cast. Thanks to its versatile design you can use the 285FPB boat in lakes, saltwater flats, rivers and more.

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You can put various items in the armrest pockets, and the bladders are temperature resistant, and the steel frame has powder coating for extra durability. Like the rest in the Classic Accessories series, the Roanoke boat  is lightweight and easy to operate.

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The PVC bottom is reinforced, and the mesh platform provides plenty of storage. Speaking of storage, there is a mesh stuff pock and zip pockets, plus a couple of insulated drink holders.

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There are mesh, spinning reel and gear pockets for your stuff so you don’t have to worry about where to put your drink and fishing gear. The high seat provides excellent visibility and the pontoon boat is built for long term use.

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Ideal for fishermen, the Sea Eagle has an engine capacity of 45 lbs. / 3 HP and has a 3 year warranty. It is made from fortified 1000 Denier and assembly takes just 5 minutes. The Sea Eagle is best used in lakes, rivers and other bodies of water.

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It has two drink holders, ten small mesh pockets and a couple of large zipper pockets. The Skagit also has an over the lap stripping apron and fish ruler. The footrests are adjustable and nonslip, and the deflation / inflation valves are really easy to use.

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Buying Pontoon Boat - Things to Consider

When choosing pontoon boats you have to consider several factors. One of the mistakes that first time buyers make is assuming that cost and capacity are the only factors that matter. It’s true those two are important, but there are other things that you have to account for.

We know how hard it can be to choose a pontoon boat. At first glance it might seem like they’re all the same. However, we have a lot of experience with pontoon boats and can tell the great ones from the mediocre.

To simplify things, we have prepared these reviews. There are a lot of quality pontoon boats, but we picked these as they’re head and shoulders above the rest. In the following reviews we’ll take a look at their most salient features. I also have here information about buying a pontoon boat.

You’re probably eager to jump into the reviews and you may do so. However it’s also a good idea to learn as much as you can about the different types. With this information, you’ll have an easier time deciding which one to use. Different Types of Pontoon Boats If you’re going to buy a fishing pontoon boat, you have to familiarize yourself with the various models available.

Pontoon Boat vs. Float Tube:

These two terms are used interchangeably. Technically speaking, pontoon boats are larger and more powerful, but what really matters as long as the specs match your requirements.

Heavy Duty Pontoon Boats:

A pontoon boat can be considered of the heavy duty type if you can use it in rivers. An ordinary float tube is only suitable for lakes, so if you’re going to fish in rivers, make sure it’s the heavy duty type.

Remember what we mentioned above that float tubes and pontoon boats are considered similar? Well, they’re not in this case, because you can use a pontoon boat for river fishing, but not a float tube.

Fiberglass Pontoon Boats:

Some pontoon boats have fiberglass materials. They’re light and durable enough, but repairs can be costly compared to other pontoon boat material. Foam: a lot of pontoon boats are filled with foam, the main reason being it gives the boat a solid fill and less likely to leak.

Foam filled pontoon boats are less expensive than other pontoons. Foam pontoons however, are slower and poor fuel management. Like fiberglass, repairing pontoon foam boats is difficult and often requires professional assistance.

Inflatable:

these are the most popular types of pontoons today. You simply inflate the pontoon to use, which makes them practical for a lot of fishermen.

Since they deflate you can carry one in a backpack or in your car. They’re also available in different capacities and can be used in a variety of fishing locations.

Aluminum:

Pontoon boats with aluminum pontoons have anti-corrosive properties, and they’re not going to deteriorate even when subjected to moisture. Aluminum pontoons are also easier to fix than other types, and they’re not heavy either.

The drawback with aluminum pontoon is they can still rust if submerged in mud or sand. These also cost more than other pontoons. So what is the right type of pontoon boat for you? For first time buyers, an inflatable pontoon boat is the most practical option.

They’re widely available, easy to set up and have a generous capacity. If you’re a fisherman and want to use a specific motor, any of the ones we mentioned above will do. As long as you’re aware of their limitations you’ll be fine.

Popular Pontoon Boat Brands

The popularity of pontoon boats have led to the manufacture of various models. Several outstanding companies have appeared, but the following are our favorites:

Classic Accessories:

If you go online and read reviews, you’ll notice that pontoon boats from Classic Accessories are often mentioned. Why is that?

For starters, their pontoon float tubes and boats are of the highest quality. They’ve also come out with different pontoon boats to satisfy the needs of various customers.

Sea Eagle:

We also like the Sea Eagle pontoon and fishing boats. They’re lightweight, stable and can be used in different situations. Sea Eagles are also notable for their durability, able to withstand use in rivers. There are many other noteworthy brands like Outcast and the Creek Company.

Like those made by the Sea Eagle and Classic Accessories, these are portable, light and can be used in lakes and other fishing locations. These are well-established names, and you’re off buying from known brands than gambling with unknown types.

How to Choose Pontoon Boat?

Weight

The lighter the float tube the better especially if you’re bringing along other gear. However you must not focus on weight alone. A lightweight pontoon boat must still be made from durable materials so it will hold up.

Today it’s become possible to get high quality inflatable pontoon boats small enough to put in your backpack. Inflatable pontoon boats are the best option in this regard. These boats weigh very little but when inflated support hundreds of pounds.

Again, while you want the pontoon to be light, it must still be made of quality materials. It should be resistant to abrasion, powder coated metal frames and general heavy duty materials.

Capacity

A single seat pontoon boat has a capacity of at least 300 lbs. up to 450 lbs. Those designed for two have a capacity of 650 lbs. more than enough for two people. However, you must never pack a pontoon boat so it’s at the maximum capacity as that could affect its performance.

It might seem odd for a manufacturer to state a maximum capacity and not yet use it. However, the pontoon is forced to work harder because of the heavy load, and this will have an effect on the long term. Even with a motor it’s going to take their toll.

Backrest

A well-made pontoon boat has a comfortable and adjustable backrest. It’s hard to emphasize how important this is.

If you’re going to spend the entire day fishing on the pontoon, you have to be as comfortable as possible. There should also be a comfortable and adjustable footrest.

Pockets and Storage

Well-designed pontoon boats have several pockets and storage compartments. Usually there is a combination of zippered and mesh pockets and a rear storage. If you’re going fishing, extra pockets and storage will be necessary as it reduces the items you have to carry in your bag.

If you don’t carry a lot of gear, the presence of additional pockets may not be necessary, but for most anglers and fishermen these pockets are essential. Another important feature is the fishing rod holder, as it must be conveniently set.

If you look up pontoon boats online, you’re going to see that manufacturers make a big deal out of pockets and storage, underscoring their importance. If you’re going to fish for extended periods, the extra pockets will be a necessity.

Motor Mount

The best fishing pontoon boats have a mount so you can install a gas or electric motor. The capacity varies and so does the set up so you’ll need to do some research. If you already have a motor, it’s simply a matter of buying a pontoon boat that can handle your motor.

These are just some of the most common features you should look for when buying a pontoon boat. If you become acquainted with these features and what they can do, you won’t have any problems distinguishing one from the other.

All right, now that you know the pertinent facts about pontoon boats, it’s time we took a look at the reviews.

Final Words

So which of these pontoon boats is right for you? It depends on what type of pontoon boat you’re looking for. If you’re looking for a float tube you can backpack, we recommend any of the Classic Accessories, in particular the Cumberland and Roanoke.

If your main concern is durability and accepts a gas motor, any of the Sea Eagles here will meet your needs. There are a lot of versions available and load capacity varies so you can have your pick. We particularly like the adjustability and stability of the 285FB and the Fold Cat.

If we had to pick one, it would be the Classic Accessories Cumberland, as it is well-padded, convenient and has received a lot of positive reviews. But all of these are high quality and deserving to be included in this list of the best pontoon boats.