The width of a pontoon boat is an important consideration if you intend to buy a new pontoon. It will give you an idea of the number of people the boat can accommodate and whether it fits in your garage. Though the numerous vessel models on the market might be confusing, it’s quite straightforward to address the question “How wide is a pontoon boat?”
In general, pontoon boat width ranges from 7 to 12 feet. The width depends on the manufacturers, the length, and most importantly, the intended usage of the boat. Each company has a slightly different width and length ratio for each model. In this article, besides providing in-depth information about pontoon width, we will give examples of standard pontoon dimensions.
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What Are Pontoon Boats
Before we get to the details of standard pontoon boat width, let’s quickly go through the definition and types of pontoon boats. This will help you gain a clearer view of how manufacturers decide the width of a pontoon.
A pontoon is a flat-shaped boat that relies on floats to be buoyant. Generally speaking, it is wider and slower than other vessel types like bass boats. Thus, the designers can create all sorts of deck plans, such as sun pads, lounge areas, and bars. That makes pontoons excellent boat models for leisure activities on lakes and rivers.
Some owners motorize their pontoons to tackle the ocean (only close to the shore) and for water sport activities. Sometimes, you can find pontoons being used as small vessel ferries to transport people and appliances.
Due to its versatile usage, pontoon boat sizes vary. Basically, there are three sizes: small, medium, and large. The pontoon boat length will decide the width. To learn more about the best size for you, watch this video on How large of a pontoon boat do you need?
Small Pontoon Boat Width
Small pontoon boat sizes are the ones that have less than 20 feet in length. Typically, these boats have a width of 8 feet. Smaller boats that are 12 to 14 feet lengthwise will have a width of 7 feet.
These are known as mini pontoon boats, specifically designed for smaller bodies of water that tend to stay calm. In case you’re wondering, a regular garage door is 7-foot wide while the double doors are 14 to 17 feet.
An example of mini pontoon is The Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 16 DLX with a width of 7 feet. Don’t underestimate this mini-guy though. The model is an excellent value for families who love fishing and creating memories together.
It is designed with a nine-gallon aerated livewell, a rod holder that is big enough to store the gear for one-day fishing, and a bow fishing deck. Bass Buggy 16 DLX can accommodate four people comfortably. You can tow it behind smaller vehicles too.
From the same brand and product line, you can find Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 16 XL Select with a 16-foot long and 8-foot wide deck. The maximum capacity of this model is seven people. It is designed for various activities.
For fishing, the dual bow fishing chairs will provide the comfiest seats, a forward-console livewell that keeps the fish alive, and rod storage for the gear. For relaxing, the L-lounge is designed to make you feel comfortable all day long. Lastly, it has three gates and one fold down reboarding ladder providing quick access to the water.
Mid-size Pontoon Width
The medium-size pontoons are from 20 to 40 feet in length and 8 to 10 feet in width. The longer the boat, the wider it is. Manufacturers always try to establish the golden width and length ratio to optimize the pontoon’s performance. This boat size is the most practical and popular. But they are only for lakes and rivers that do not have large waves.
If you are looking for a pontoon in this section, the Bennington QX Line is a great option. The products in this line range from 8.6 to 10 feet widthwise. One of the most popular is the Bennington QX27; it has a width of 10 feet and an overall length of 28 feet. This model can seat up to 18 people.
Large Pontoon Boat Width
At maximum, pontoons can be 12-foot wide. However, there are only a few pre-built models in this segment. The Dodici by Premier is one of the rare pontoons that has a width of over 11 feet. It is a monster with a recommended maximum horsepower of 900 HP. Large pontoon boats are usually used to host parties and events for a huge number of guests.
If you can’t find standard pontoon boat dimensions that meet your needs, ask a designer for a customized pontoon. The designer will work directly with you on boat measurements and come up with well-suited dimensions. The biggest of these boats might have a width from 12 to 20 feet and a length from 30 to 60 feet.
Conclusion
To sum up, this article on how wide is a pontoon boat, the most common pontoon width is 8 to 8.5 feet. Manufacturers might establish narrower or wider vessels depending on the intended usage, but the width is not lower than 7 feet or higher than 12 feet. Out of this range, you must ask for customized pontoons.
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