Pontoon Fishing Boats are constructed in a slightly different way to that of other boats. They generally have two (or three) separate hulls, each one of these being called a ‘pontoon’. These are the floatation devices that keep the boat on the top of the water, and can be constructed from many different types of material.
Because of their construction, pontoon fishing boats are one of the most stable boats you can find. They also don’t sit as deep in the water as regular-hulled boats, meaning that you can navigate into much shallower waters.
More and more people are discovering the many advantages of pontoon fishing boats. This has led to many different types on the market. Some are larger, and can take a group of people. Others are one man, sport fishing boats that are little more than two pontoons with a seat spanning from one to the other. Others can be found in all shapes and sizes, with trimarans (those with three hulls), being the widest and most stable of them all.
Another advantage of the pontoon fishing boat is that for its size it has a relatively light weight. This means that, in many cases, they can be loaded onto the top of a car by a single person. You might also find that, thanks to the increased stability and easy of use this type of boat offers, that insurance costs are somewhat lower than that of a regular hulled boat.
What size of pontoon boat do I need?
Well, this will depend on how many people are going to use the boat. For a single-manned pontoon fishing boat, then for the average sized person who likes to fish lakes, ponds and slow moving rivers and streams, then around an 8 or 9 foot craft will suit.
However, if you’re larger than average, or you like to fish in fast moving rivers, then a 10 foot boat will allow you much greater stability. If you’re extremely large, or if you want to carry a large amount of kit, then a 12 footer might be more suitable.
A 12 foot boat will happily accommodate two average sized fisherman. But do be aware that 10 and 12 foot boats are naturally more difficult to manoeuvre and turn in the water than the smaller, 8 or 9 foot option.
You’ll also come across larger pontoon fishing boats, such as those of 16 or 18 foot length. These are the boats that you want to be using if you intend to fish the biggest, roughest rivers. They’re also suitable if you want to carry two or more passengers with you.
Top 7 Best Pontoon Fishing Boats Reviewed
The following are excellent examples of single man pontoon fishing boats.
Skagit Pontoon Boat Review
This 8 foot pontoon fishing boat is ideal for those who want to fish ponds, lakes and slow moving rivers. It offers plenty of storage room, quick inflation and deflation of the pontoons and is light enough for a single person to haul on land. The seat is padded, meaning that it’s comfortable to sit on for hours at a time.
Features:
• 350 lbs weight capacity
• Lightweight, weighing only 62 lbs
• Armrest storage and a heavy duty wire rear cargo platform
• Easy to use anchor system with fillable mesh bag
• Padded fold down plastic seat.
• Adjustable foot rests and seat mount, making easy to find a comfortable position for all leg lengths
• 1 year manufacturers warranty.
Pros:
• Quick to assemble and light enough for a single person to haul and launch
• Because of the high position in the water it provides excellent visibility
• Cold and heat resistant bladders with combination quick inflation and deflation valves
• Rugged and strong construction that provides an extremely stable ride in the water.
• Plenty of storage space
Cons
• The light weight construction of the boat does mean that it’s a little susceptible to wind when manoeuvring on the water.
• The weight limit of 350 lbs will mean that it’s not suitable for the heavier than average fisherman
For anyone who’s looking for a pontoon boat that provides high features for a low feature cost, then this should definitely be one to consider. Offering high comfort and many features that are generally only found on more expensive boats, it’s no surprise that this sturdy little boat is proving extremely popular amongst those who’ve purchased it.
Classic Accessories Bozeman Inflatable Pontoon Boat With Backpack Review
If you’re looking for everything you could possibly seek in a pontoon boat in one package — in fact, in one convenient, portable package — Classic Accessories Bozeman Inflatable Pontoon Boat is the boat for you. Designed for the ultimate in ease of transportability, the entire pontoon boat, including oars and pump, fit into a neat 45-pound backpack.
This strong, rugged boat is built to last and withstand all the water might challenge you with. It has a powder-coated steel frame, offering the ultimate promise of stability. The pontoons are made of abrasion-resistant bottoms to resist punctures and super heavy-duty fabric tops, offering further safety and stability. To ensure you a long-lasting pontoon boat, the boat includes cold and heat resistant bladders as well.
This boat is designed for the ultimate fishing experience in terms of storage, organization of your gear, convenience, and especially comfort. Adjustable foot rests adjust to fit multiple leg lengths and the super-padded body conforming seats with stadium style seat backs provide additional support.
The backpack itself is super-roomy, offering a wide opening for easy packing of the boat and all accessories. The backpack also features a padded back panel, a sternum strap and ergonomic shoulder pads and includes adjustable load lifters.
The boat comes with many storage areas. The seat armrests feature multiple small mesh pockets for storing smaller gear, such as tackle, lures, and fishing wire, while the two large zippered pockets on the seat backs provide plenty of space for your larger gear.
Special Features
- Includes an 8′ pontoon boat, backpack, oars and foot pump
- Armrest storage includes two large zippered pockets and small mesh stuff pockets
- Big zippered pocket on seat back
- Fabric rear storage platform
- Under-seat apron fish ruler
- Steel clamp oar locks and rugged three-piece 6′ aluminum oars
Backpack Features
- Super wide opening for easy packing of boat and all components
- Ergonomic fit shoulder pads with adjustable load lifters
- Adjustable sternum strap stabilizes shoulder pads
- Padded back panel helps distribute weight to hips
- Side compression straps secure the boat during transport
- Removable lid becomes waist pack for carrying extra gear when fishing
- Pack Size: 31”L 18”W 12”H
- Weight (boat & backpack): 45 lbs
Boat Specifications
- 8′ pontoons
- 350 lb capacity
- River rating—Class 1
- Assembled size: 96″L 55″W 29″H
- Weight (boat and oars only): 43 lbs
Comfort Features
- Comfortable padded seat conforms to the body while the stadium style seat back provides additional support
- Footrests adjust to a variety of leg lengths
- Safety Features
- Safety labeling as per ABYC standards
- Rides high for improved visibility
- Construction Features
- Heavy-duty pontoons with abrasion-resistant bottoms and tough nylon tops
- Powder-coated steel tube frame
- Cold and heat-resistant bladders
Pros:
A super boat with many features.
Cons:
May want to be careful with the oarlocks.
A perfect boat, offering many features to ensure comfort and safety. It’s the perfect boat for packing if travelling to out of the way lakes or getting into those small areas a normal boat won’t travel.
Classic Accessories Colorado XT Pontoon Boat Review
A competitively priced pontoon boat that is both excellent on the water and easy to transport. Constructed from heavy duty, abrasion resistant PVC and nylon, as well as a very tough steel tube frame, this boat makes for a very versatile one-man fishing boat.
Features:
• Adjustable seat mount and plastic, padded seat
• Footrests
• Thee different oar lock positions
• Anchor system with fillable mesh bag
• Front boat retention cord
• Two detachable foam fly patches
• Two insulated drink holders
• Six position rod holder
• Dual side stripping apron
• Very large, removable kit bags with 20 pockets
• Combination quick fill and deflation valves
• Tow rings
• Transport wheel
Pros:
• Very stable on the water and easy to get into and out of.
• Plenty of storage space
• Comfortable seat
• Sturdy and rugged construction
• The ability to add a motor if required via a two position motor mount
• Includes a pair of 7 foot, two piece aluminium oars
• Can be broken down and packed up in under 10 minutes by a single person
Cons:
• Because of its light weight, the wind can be a factor on the water.
• It’s necessary to partially deflate the pontoons if left out of the water, as the heat of the sun can increase the pressure within.
All in all, an excellent boat that offers extremely good value for money. The design has been well thought out, making for a very fisherman friendly boat with plenty of room for storing your kit. It’s light weight and wheel also make it very easy to haul around on land and load and unload from your vehicle.
Classic Accessories Oswego Inflatable Pontoon Boat With Motor Mount Review
The Oswego Inflatable Pontoon Boat offers everything you would want in a superior pontoon boat: comfort, durability, storage, safety features, and style. This beautiful candy-red boat is the ultimate in durability and transportability, weighing only 76 pounds but supporting up to 450 pounds. The boat promises a super fast ride. Plus, you can load this weight-bearing boat up with super-heavy gear, yet transport it easily from vehicle to water or even those remote fishing spots you’ve been longing to fish in.
The boat is super strong, featuring a powder coated steel frame, and the pontoons have tightly woven fabric tops with rugged PVC bottoms to resist abrasions. The boat also comes with two seven-foot oars which can be set in numerous positions, for added convenience and fishing expertise.
The boat allows you to easily organize all your small and larger gear, offering numerous storage areas and components — six large zippered pouches, mesh pockets, and two drink holders. For added comfort, the boat has adjustable foot rests as well, to fit many leg lengths.
BOAT SPECIFICATIONS
- 10 foot pontoons
- 450 lb. capacity
- River rating—Class 1
- Assembled size: 120″l 56″w 26″h
- Weight: 76 lbs.
- 2-year warranty
SPECIAL FEATURES
- Large high storage capacity; includes six oversized pockets, two mesh pockets and two drink holders
- Wire rear storage and battery platform
- Rod holder can be mounted in six different positions
- Anchor system with fillable mesh bag; cleat and pulley controls can fit on right or left side of boat
- Sturdy two position motor mount for trolling
- Two micro-slit detachable foam fly patches
- Front boat retention cord
COMFORT FEATURES
- Three oar-lock positions
- Seat mount and footrests adjust to a wide range of leg lengths
- Padded fold-down plastic seat
CONSTRUCTION FEATURES
- Heavy-duty pontoons with abrasion-resistant PVC bottoms and tough, tightly woven fabric tops
- Non-corroding bronze oar-locks
- Powder-coated steel tube frame
- 7 foot two-piece aluminum oars
- Cold and heat-resistant bladders
- Combination quick inflation/deflation valves
SAFETY FEATURES
- Safety labeling as per ABYC standards
- Rides high for improved visibility
- Unique under seat stripping apron with fish ruler allows entry and exit without unclipping (metric and imperial)
- Non-slip footrests
Pros:
Fit everything you can imagine in this durable, lightweight boat that is a breeze to assemble.
Cons:
Only one fishing pole holder.
If you’re looking for the ultimate pontoon boat, the Oswego offers everything you could need in one boat and will look great on the water as well. This attractive boat is very sturdy and of the finest construction.
Bucks Bags Southfork Pontoon Package Review
Time to leave the water’s edge and find the best fishing spots in a rugged pontoon boat with all the extras! Bucks Bags Pontoon Boat is a tough, durable boat that will allow you to access prime fishing spots on the lake.
This boat is surprisingly lightweight, weighing only 45 pounds, yet supports a weight capacity of 325 pounds. Therefore, you can easily transport the boat to those remote fishing spots you’ve never been able to access till now!
The Southfork Pontoon Package features rotary-welded pontoon covers with abrasion-resistant PVC tops 22 ounce impact-resistant bottoms. You’ll ride assured of no punctures from rocks.
This boat is super strong, due to the stainless steel, corrosion-resistant frame, the 100 percent polyurethane bladder, and 6-foot aluminum oars with molded rubber oar stops. The boat also features a convenient stripping apron and a large rear cargo deck.
Convenience features include an adjustable footrest, which adjusts to multiple leg lengths, roomy weather-proof, roomy storage pockets for stashing all of your fishing gear.
The boat comes with a five year warranty.
Features:
- 100% Polyurethane bladder
- Stainless steel frame that is corrosion resistant
- 18oz PVC coated polyester on top, 22oz material on bottom
- Adjustable footrest and oar placement
- 6ft Aluminum breakdown oars with molded rubber oar-stops
- Rugged rotary-welded pontoon covers
- Roomy weatherproof storage pockets
- A large rear cargo deck
- An effective stripping apron
- Materials: Polyester, Steel
- Weight: 45 Pounds
- Warranty 5 Year
- Dimensions & Weights
- Width: 55in.
- Weight Capacity: 325lbs
- Length: 96in
- Weight: 45lbs
Pros:
A lightweight, weight-bearing boat that will last a lifetime.
Cons:
None
This beautiful pontoon boat will allow you to sneak up on the fish without the noisy motor, catching fish you’ve only dreamt of. This lightweight boat has all the modern conveniences to make your day on the water a great one.
Bucks Bags Alpine 7ft. Pontoon Package (Scarlet Red) Review
If you’re looking for beauty as well as excellence in craftsmanship, Bucks Bags Alpine 7 foot pontoon boat is the boat for you. This gorgeous boat, colored a deep scarlet red, has all the features you seek in a still-water boat and more. Although rowing this boat is made easier by Bucks Bags shallow-draft double pontoon system, the boat also features a motor mount and anchor system, so that you can quickly motor to a new location, then drop anchor once you get there.
This powdered steel framed boat is built to last. Bucks Bags’ carefully crafted stainless steel frames are more corrosion-resistant than other frame types, and the company’s rotary-welded pontoons perform at a high level no matter what the weather conditions. The rugged 100% polyurethane bladders won’t break down like many boat bladders.
Other features include room for battery storage and adjustable footrests to accommodate many leg lengths. The boat also features multiple organizational pockets for storing all your fishing gear and then some. There are bags for tackle, lure, line, and some for snacks as well.
The boat also comes with an impressive five-year warranty.
Features:
- Scarlet red pontoon boat with shallow-draft double pontoon system
- Tracks elegantly and quickly through the water with minimal wind resistance
- “Versa-frame” incorporates both a motor mount and anchor system
- 6-foot breakdown oars
- Deluxe tackle pockets
- 100% polyurethane vinyl bladders
- 300-pound capacity; measures 56 x 84 inches (W x L); 5-year warranty.
- Rotary-welded pontoon seams
- Adjustable footrests.
- Powder-coated steel frame
- High-output valves
Pros:
Beauty of a pontoon boat.
Cons:
Packaging leaves something to be desired.
Bucks Bags Alpine 7ft. Pontoon Package is a boat which is not only beautiful to see on the water, it is also a beautiful work of craftsmanship and a boat that offers minimal wind resistant as it tracks gracefully through the water.
Bucks Bags High Adventure 9-Foot Pontoon Package (Blue) Review
This sturdy, 9-foot pontoon boat comes with all the extras and is ready to get you off the land and on the lake, where you can quietly sneak up on fish you’ve never caught before! This boat is an unbelievably affordable pontoon boat, with features you’d typically only expect in more expensive pontoon boats.
The High Adventure Pontoon Boat is 9 feet long and around 4-feet wide. The boat is a breeze to transport, weighing only sixty pounds. Yet, despite it being super-light weight, the boat can support weight up to 375 lbs – perfect for you and all the fishing gear you can think of. There’s also a roomy cargo deck with a motor mount, so that you can add a motor if desired. The patented Line-Lock anchor system makes for easy anchor drop and retrieval.
The boat is made of rugged powdered stainless steel, promising stability on the water and a non-corrosive frame. The pontoons are made of impact and puncture-resistant PVC-coated polyester.
Product Features:
- Powder-coated steel frame.
- Motor mount.
- Dual position anchor system.
- Adjustable foot rest.
- The patented Line-Lock system makes anchor release and retrieval a snap!
- Other standard features include a roomy cargo deck, side storage pockets, an effective stripping apron and breakdown oars.
- The pontoons are rotary-welded 18oz. PVC coated polyester with an internal vinyl bladder.
Specifications:
- Capacity: 375 Lbs.
- Inflated Size = 96″ Long x 55″ Wide
- Shipping Size = 52″ x 24″ x 10″
- Shipping Weight = 60lbs
- Capacity: 375 Lbs.
Pros:
Super customer service and a two-year warranty.
Cons:
None
Overall, Bucks Bags High Adventure pontoon boat sets a new standard in pontoon boat excellence. This boat promises years of enjoyable fishing on the water.