The width of a pontoon boat varies based on boat length and intended use, with the width determining the deck size and how many persons you get to safely fit on it. So, before you spend on that pontoon boat you can’t stop dreaming about, it is important that you know just how wide it is.
Regardless of the model of pontoon boat or brand you’re interested in, how wide a pontoon boat is doesn’t require days to figure out. In this article you will come to see the average dimensions of a pontoon boat as well as get answers to all your “how wide is a pontoon boat?” questions.
Bear in mind that the width of your pontoon boat doesn’t just affect the number of persons who can be safely brought onboard, but also whether the pontoon boat will be able to fit into your garage or not.
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How Wide Is A Pontoon Boat
Like I stated earlier, pontoon boats come in three standard sizes which are small, medium, and large. A small size pontoon boat has a standard width of 8ʹ, a medium-sized pontoon has more free room as opposed to small-sized ones having standard widths of 8ʹ, 8.5ʹ and 10ʹ.
The large size pontoon is obviously wider than the small and medium ones with standard widths of 12ʹ, 14ʹ, 16ʹ, 18ʹ and 20ʹ.
| Size | Standard Width | Standard Length |
| Small | 8’ | 12’, 13’ 14’ 15’ 16’, 18’, 19’ |
| Medium | 8’, 8.5’ and 10’ | 20’ 25’ 30’ 35’, 40’ |
| Large | 12’, 14’, 16’, 18’ and 20’ | 30’, 35’, 40’, 45’, 50’, 55’, to 60’ |
Remember that boat length is one of the factors that affect the width of a pontoon boat, so by knowing how long a pontoon boat is you can correctly guess the approximate width.
A small pontoon boat’s standard lengths are 12ʹ, 13ʹ, 14ʹ, 15ʹ, 16ʹ, 18ʹ or 19ʹ, that of a medium-sized pontoon boat are 20ʹ, 25ʹ, 30ʹ, 35ʹ, 40ʹ, while a large pontoon boat has standard lengths that vary from 30ʹ, 35ʹ, 40ʹ, 45ʹ, 50ʹ, 55ʹ to 60ʹ.
How To Decide The Boat Size For You
Now that you know the different sizes of pontoon boats, let’s look at how to decide the perfect boat size for you. This can be a difficult decision especially as something as little as 2ft can make all the difference in your boating experience.
There are a number of factors you’ll need to consider before settling for a particular size of pontoon boat; from the maximum number of persons you intend to have on board at once, to the nature of the body of water you’ll be sailing in, storage space and a host of others.
Based On the Number of People
A smaller passenger size will generally be hassle-free for a small-sized pontoon boat. It is important that you do not go over the capacity of your pontoon boat while loading, not just for legal reasons but to prevent accidents as well.
Remember to factor in the weight when considering this as regardless of the number of persons on board, the pontoon boat’s weight capacity should never be exceeded. Always check the weight capacity of the boat you’re interested in as it varies from brand to brand, although larger boats generally have more weight capacity.
| Maximum Number Of People | Pontoon Size |
| 2-6 | 18 to 20 ft |
| 6-10 | 22 to 24 ft |
| >10 | 24 ft. & above |
Based On the Body of Water
Large pontoon boats are perfect for rough tides and can even make it to the ocean (although not too far out) but using them on a small body of water will take up a lot of space and make navigation difficult.
On the other hand, it is safer to restrict small-sized pontoon boats to smaller and calm bodies of water.
It is also advisable to check that there are no local or state laws regarding size restrictions in your area.
| Nature Of Water Body | Pontoon Size |
| Small & calm | 17 to 19 ft |
| Lakes & Rivers (without large waves) | 20 to 22 ft |
| Rough | 23 to 28 ft |
Based On Storage Space
Not only do you get more sitting space for people from a large-sized pontoon boat, but you also get to have more storage space. So if you desire to engage in activities that will require you to have ample storage on board your boat, a medium to large size pontoon boat is ideal for you.
Based On Dock/Garage Space
Before you purchase a pontoon boat, be sure that you have enough space not just to park it during sailing season (dock), but to store it in the off-season (garage, boathouse, etc.). Take the height and width into consideration as well as the length, especially if you will be towing it yourself; it is important that your pontoon boat and trailer can fit just fine into your storage unit.
Other Factors To Consider When Choosing A Pontoon boat:
Knowing the kind of activities you intend to engage in with your pontoon boat is a great help when it comes to choosing the perfect fit regarding model or power rating. These include;
- Fishing
You need a pontoon boat model that is equipped for fishing if that is the major activity you will be engaged in. A cruising model will suffice if you’ll be fishing less than 20% of the time, but anything more frequent than 70% will require you to stick to a fishing model.
- Sunbathing & Swimming
Additional amenities like slides or ladders for swimmers as well as a large deck for sun loungers should be high on your list if you plan to do a lot of sunbathing and swimming.
- Watersports
For any water sporting activities, you’ll need a pontoon boat rigged with a horsepower rating of not less than 90. Anything below that will leave you unable to effectively engage in sports activities that require the pontoon boat to pull equipment.
- Other Recreational Activities
If you’re going to be using your pontoon boat for recreational activities that will require lots of dance space for mini parties, changing room, or creative sitting positions, you may need to consider specific boat styles and sizes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size garage do I need for my boat?
Garage sizes always vary, just be sure to have a minimum of 1 ft. of clearance for safe movement and storage on either side of the pontoon and trailer after fitting them into the garage. A standard 2–car garage will fit a 26½ ft. boat and trailer (less than 7 ft. tall) diagonally across both spots.
Does boat size affect speed?
Yes, it does. Boat length and hull type are important determinants of boat speed, it is a rule of thumb that longer boats are faster boats.
| Length | Meters | KMH | MPH | Knots |
| 100 ft | 30 | 24.8 | 15.4 | 13.4 |
| 80 ft | 24 | 22.2 | 13.8 | 12 |
| 65 ft | 20 | 20 | 12.4 | 10.8 |
| 40 ft | 12 | 15.7 | 9.8 | 8.5 |
| 36 ft | 11 | 14.8 | 9.2 | 8 |
| 26 ft | 8 | 12.6 | 7.8 | 6.8 |
| 16 ft | 5 | 9.3 | 5.8 | 5 |
Can I custom make a pontoon boat?
Yes, you can. Different manufacturers will have different requirements and price ranges but you do not have to stick to conventional pontoon boat sizes. Simply decide on what you want and reach out to the manufacturer to customize your pontoon boat according to your specifications.
What are the best pontoon brands?
These are some of the more popular brands for pontoon boats;
- Bennington
- Escape
- Manitou
- Harris
- Lowe
What is the average size of a pontoon boat?
The average pontoon boat is about 22 feet.
How high is a pontoon boat?
Tall pontoons can measure anywhere from 7.5 feet to 11.6 feet.
Conclusion
Different sizes of pontoon boats come with their perks as well as their restrictions and choosing the perfect size from all these sizes depends on the purpose for which you want a pontoon boat and the size of family and friends you intend to accommodate.
With all the different sizes mentioned in this article as well as all the factors to consider when choosing a size for your needs, it should be quite easy for you to narrow down your options and make a selection.
In summary, there are many answers to the question “how wide is a pontoon boat”, but the good thing is that there is a size to fit every style and need.
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