How Much Do New Pontoon Boats Cost?

New pontoon boats range in price from $18,000 to $60,000, depending on size, engine, amenities, and quality of construction. For a 22′ pontoon boat with a 90 or 115hp motor, the most common pontoon boats on the water cost around $35,000 new.

It’s difficult to buy a pontoon boat since most manufacturers don’t allow stores to disclose costs. Other potential purchasers would be able to see how much the boat costs in other places and demand the same price from their dealer, lowering the price. Although certain pontoon boat manufacturers, such as Avalon, display suggested retail pricing, the msrp is frequently far more than what you can anticipate to spend in a negotiated bargain.

Final Dealer Prices for 2015 Pontoon Boats that I’ve seen

I’d like to show you the exact prices I was given from several merchants in this post to give you an idea of what you may spend. Obviously, costs vary greatly depending on location and amenities, but this is information I wish I’d known when I was looking for my first pontoon boat. It isn’t ideal, but it will provide you with a starting point.

Prices are estimates. Standard equipment such as a painted trailer with spare tire and brakes are included in these pricing.

G3 (Suncatcher) 18′ fishing pontoon with 60hp motor – $20,000

G3 (Suncatcher) 22′ X22RF Fishing Pontoon with 115hp motor – $28,500

• $27,200 for the identical boat with a 90hp.

$30,000 for a 22′ Bentley Pontoon Boat with 90hp.

$32,000 for a 22′ Sweetwater Pontoon Boat with 90hp.

$29,000 for a 22′ Lowe SF232 Pontoon Boat with 115hp.

• $31,400 for the same boat with 150hp.

$28,000 for a 5 year old 22′ Suntracker Tritoon with a 150hp engine.

$27,000 for a one-year-old 22′ Sweetwater with a 115hp motor.

Check out Pricecraft’s boat customization and pricing tool if you want to see more examples.

What Is the Average Cost of Accessories?

• $700 for a double bimini (one standard is usually included).
• If you have a regular 90hp motor and wish to upgrade to a 115, expect to pay an extra $900 to $2,000. It will probably cost an extra $2,400 to $3,500 to go from a 115hp to a 150hp.
• It costs over $2,000 to cover the entire boat with a full camping cover.
• It costs around $2,000 to add a nice wireless motorguide trolling motor with two batteries, cabling, battery boxes, and onboard charger.
• A fishing livewell may cost a lot of money. On some models, it’s a simple $200 add-on, but on others, it might cost $1,000 on a model that doesn’t ordinarily have one.
• Some versions come with ski tow bars, but if they don’t, they’ll cost between $200 and $700. For $600, you can build a monstrous swing yourself, or for $200, you can install a cheap Atwood.
• Almost all boats now come equipped with speakers and a sound system. You may expect to pay as low as $150 to upgrade your audio to enable Bluetooth. If it’s more, skip the upgrade and get one from Amazon instead. It costs $100 and can be installed in 10 minutes.
• If they aren’t built in, ski ladders can cost anywhere from $200 to $500. Without a ladder, getting back into the boat from the sea will be practically difficult.
• It’s a GOOD IDEA to go from carpet to vinyl. You should anticipate to pay an extra $300 to $1,200, but it will be well worth it. If you decide later that you want the cool comfort of carpet, all you have to do is acquire an inexpensive snap-on carpet for the main area and you’re good to go–no mold!
• The cost of an extra mooring cleat is expected to be around $30.

What is the impact of the engine on the price?

The engine accounts for a significant amount of the cost of any boat. In the instance of a fairly ordinary new pontoon boat, a new 150hp engine would set you back around $12,000, with the rest of the cost going toward the boat itself. It’s crucial to remember this because, if the boat is well-built and maintained, it will most likely still be on the water in 15 or 20 years. The engine will most likely be unreliable at that age, so bear that in mind when purchasing a secondhand boat.

What is the best way to get a good deal on a pontoon boat?

This is dependent on whether you’re solely searching for a new pontoon boat or if you’re willing to seek for something used but still in good condition.

I believe you’ll find lower deals on new pontoon boats from smaller companies who specialize in repairs but also sell new pontoons. These people frequently have lower overhead than the gleaming downtown boat yard that earns all of its money from boat sales. Repairmen who also sell boats are generally prepared to sell for less because they understand that if they treat you well during the transaction, they will have you as a client for life. I discovered around a $5,000 price gap between most dedicated boat lots and others who mainly sold new boats on the side when I was going about and pricing out different choices.

Also, take in mind that the boat’s brand will have a significant impact on the price. Each vendor will claim that their boats are superior because of X, Y, or Z, and some may even persuade you. Pontoon boats, in reality, are very generic. That isn’t to suggest that quality of workmanship isn’t important–it is! What I mean is that, at least among the larger manufacturers, there aren’t any truly awful brands. Avoid getting too caught up in the salesman’s presentation and instead concentrate on the distinctions that matter to you!

Pontoon boats that have been barely used for 1 or 2 years offer the greatest pricing. The problem is that pontoon boat owners do not upgrade to newer model year boats as frequently as v-hull ski boat owners. As a result, finding gently used 1 or 2 year old boats may be exceedingly difficult. However, if you can locate them, you’ll certainly save $5,000 on a pontoon boat that’s just one year old.

According to my study, most pontoon boats in most markets depreciate in resale value fast in the first few years, then gradually decrease as time passes–much like a vehicle. For example, if you buy a $30,000 pontoon boat new, you should expect to lose $4,000 to $5,000 in resale value the moment you drive it off the lot. You will most likely lose around $1,500 in value per year for the following three years. It appears to be a rather moderate decrease at that time, with annual losses of only $400 or $500 until the boat is 12 years old. They then keep their value until they naturally depreciate (even an ancient clunker is worth $1,500 if it has good bones that can be repaired).

How much should I budget for taxes, title, registration, and other fees?

Each state has its own sales tax, title, and registration costs. My state has a 6% sales tax, which is very common. After all the bureaucratic nonsense, my total purchase price was $29,300, and the out-the-door charge was $31,000.

If you’ve recently priced out pontoon boats, please leave a comment with your findings and I’ll update this site with your information. I’d like this to be a useful resource for those looking for a cartoon and having trouble receiving accurate answers from sellers.