Pontoon boats have been rapidly gaining popularity, it’s hard not to notice. That’s because they’re versatile, safe, and easy to handle.
Pontoon boats weigh around 2500 lbs, dry weight, but can weigh as little as 1,000 lbs and as much as 10,000 lbs depending on boat length and engine size.
To handle transporting a pontoon safely and effectively, we need to start with knowing the actual weight of the boat. A pontoon’s weight also implies how fast it will go, which is one more reason to get the exact figure of its weight.
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What Are the Different Sizes of Pontoons?
In the boating world, people often refer to the length of their vessels as an indication of its size, and expected mass.
The smallest pontoon is around 12 feet from tip to toe. This trinket of a boat weighs around 1000 pounds. You might’ve expected a smaller number, considering that a 12-foot recreational fishing boat weighs around 200 pounds.
We’ll figure out shortly why pontoons are generally heavier than the other water dwellers.
So, what do you think the largest pontoon would weigh? A 60-foot pontoon is probably the biggest in this category. It weighs a massive 10,000 pounds! And that’s just the dry weight.
To further specify the category of a pontoon, there’s a rough classification that lists average lengths and weights of pontoons. They are divided into three main groups.
Small Pontoons
- Size range: 12-19 feet
- Weight range: 1000-2000 pounds
Medium Pontoons
- Size range: 20-35 feet
- Weight range: 2200-8500 pounds
Large Pontoons
- Size range: 30-60 feet
- Weight range: 7500-10,000 pound
These figures are far from being exact or final. Boat customization could flip these figures on their heads easily. Boat owners sometimes go for more speed, luxury, storage, or even boat specialization. Each one of these could take the weight of the pontoon in a different direction.
Why Is It Important to Know a Pontoon Boat’s Weight?
The weight of a pontoon boat becomes a conversation point in three cases.
- When the boat owner needs to transport the pontoon with a trailer.
- When the pontoon needs to pick up extra speed.
- When the boat changes hands, buying or selling.
The first question, towing the boat trailer, could mean the difference from using a regular Honda, or, having to buy/rent a truck.
Pontoons aren’t known for being speedboats. On average, they run at 15-25 mph. A motorboat of the same size could reach 95 mph easily. One of the ways to make a pontoon pick up the pace a bit is by decreasing its wet weight.
The final point, where a pontoon is a part of a sale, weight is one the main points of the discussion. A heavy boat will be harder to transport, slower, and will gobble up more gas. Unless the extra weight is coming from a luxurious upgrade, it could be a hard-sell.
The Differences Between Dry, Wet, and Tow Weights?
- Dry weight is what the pontoon boat weighs with only its chassis and engine. It’s the mass of the completely empty boat. The average dry weight for pontoons is about 2200 pounds.
- Wet weight is the total of the dry weight plus the fuel, furniture, people, baggage, and equipment. The approximate wet weight for pontoons is around 4000 pounds.
- The tow weight is the sum of the boat and trailer weights. It’s the total load that has to be towed by a vehicle. This of course implies the kind of vehicle that’s capable of towing this mass safely. It also adds some requirements to the trailer braking system and suspension.
Each one of these figures is used in different contexts. For example, dry weight is critical in figuring out whether a pontoon can be moved by a regular trailer. Different weights clearly have different requirements.
Wet weight, also known as full weight, is more indicative of the maximum speed a pontoon can reach. There are some clever ways to manipulate the wet weight of the boat to reach higher speeds. That’s primarily because boaters are a truly resourceful breed!
15 Real-Life Examples of Pontoon Boats Sizes & Weights
Here’s a roundup of a variety of pontoon boats. Then, we’ll go into more detail about how their size and weight affect their performance.
Let’s start with a summary:
| Boat Type | Length (feet) | Dry Weight (pounds) |
| Fiesta Sunray 12 Fisher | 12 | 1100 |
| Gill Getter Cruise Deluxe | 15 | 1150 |
| Sun Tracker BASS BUGGY 16 DLX | 16 | 1175 |
| Lowe 162 FISH & CRUISE | 17 | 1629 |
| Tahoe SPORT QUAD LOUNGER | 18 | 1600 |
| Sun Tracker PARTY BARGE 20 DLX | 20 | 1695 |
| Starcraft Marine 21R | 21 | 1850 |
| Sun Tracker SPORTFISH 22 XP3 | 22 | 3250 |
| Harris Grand Mariner | 23 | 2638 |
| Barletta L23 Q | 23 | 3133 |
| Ranger Reata 220 FC | 24 | 2120 |
| Avalon Catalina Entertainer | 25 | 2450 |
| Lowe Retreat 270 Extended WT | 27 | 3530 |
| Avalon Ambassador Elite Windshield | 27 | 5000 |
| Harris Crowne DL 250 | 27 | 4294 |
Here’s a more in depth look at each of these pontoons:
Fiesta Sunray 12 Fisher
Length: 12 feet
Dry weight: 1100 pounds
Motor power: 25 HP
Max passenger capacity: 4 people
Built for convenience and easy portability, this compact pontoon is the perfect fishing mate.
Considering its tiny size, its weight should have been even less than the 1000 pound mark. However, it does have some luxuries. It also has several stainless steel parts, which weigh far more than aluminum, but have remarkable endurance. This stacks on a few pounds naturally.Gill Getter Cruise Deluxe
Length: 15 feet
Dry weight: 1150 pounds
Motor power: 40 HP
Max passenger capacity: 7 people
The Bass Buggy is a lightweight pontoon. This is another compact option, with all the necessary add-ons for spending some quality time with a few friends. It’s also affordable, compared to several of its peers, which is always a plus.
Sun Tracker BASS BUGGY 16 DLX
Length: 16 feet
Dry weight: 1175 pounds
Motor power: 40 HP
Max passenger capacity: 6 people
The Bass Buggy is a lightweight pontoon that’s easy on trailers. It’s not needy at all in terms of towing requirements, a regular car can do the job.
It’s not designed for speed, but offers a lot if you take it on a fishing trip. It has a fully equipped bow fishing deck, moderate seating, plus plenty of storage space.Lowe 162 FISH & CRUISE
Length: 17 feet
Dry weight: 1629 pounds
Motor power: 50 HP
Max passenger capacity: 8 people
This pontoon has a bit more mass compared to its peers. But it’s also sturdy, and well equipped for almost any activity. Maybe not water sports, but it’s up for anything else.
Tahoe SPORT QUAD LOUNGER
Length: 18 feet
Dry weight: 1600 pounds
Motor power: 75 HP
Max passenger capacity: 7 people
The Tahoe Sport is designed for easy cruising, but it has a high potential for picking up speed. The fuel tank could be a 15 gallon direct, instead of the 25-gallon remote fill. Thus, decreasing the total weight significantly.
Also, the motor power could go up dramatically with one of two alternative performance packages. The first yanks the power from 75 HP all the way to 200 HP, which is the Sport mode. The other is a halfway increase up to 115 HP, referred to as the Express mode.
Sun Tracker PARTY BARGE 20 DLX
Length: 20 feet
Dry weight: 1695 pounds
Motor power: 90 HP
Max passenger capacity: 10 people
The Party Barge does exactly what it’s named for. It hosts a little crowd in utter comfort. This extends to the crew as well, whose quarters are just as considerate and cozy. There are infinite add-ons to maximize this cheery ambiance, including a BBQ grill and cooler.
When it comes to activity and fun, speeding is not the goal here, but water sports are absolutely in. An optional towing tower can be installed to support ski towing and lugging other water toys.
Starcraft Marine 21R
Length: 21 feet
Dry weight: 1850 pounds
Motor power: 125 HP
Max passenger capacity: 10 people
Luxurious, lightweight, and full to the brim with amenities. This small Starcraft is actually relatively spacious. It has an extra lightweight frame, and, with the small fuel tank of 20 gallons, it’s quite nimble as well. We see this as a genius design
Sun Tracker SPORTFISH 22 XP3
Length: 22 feet
Dry weight: 3250 pounds
Motor power: 200 HP
Max passenger capacity: 11 people
Despite what the name tag says, this barge is set up for more than just fishing. Its wide seating, 52-gallon tank, and powerful motor, make it a 100% versatile pontoon. It’s quite heavy, but that’s totally justified.
Harris Grand Mariner
Length: 23 feet
Dry weight: 2638 pounds
Motor power: 300 HP
Max passenger capacity: 13 people
This pontoon has a bit of everything, but it doesn’t go overboard with any single feature. It does have plenty of power, so that makes it a jack of all trades.
There’s a distinctive sense of class and elegance about the Grand Mariner. And interestingly, it doesn’t clash with its fun-time vibe, as it’s totally ready for water sports.Barletta L23 Q
Length: 23 feet
Dry weight: 3133 pounds
Motor power: 150 HP
Max passenger capacity: 11 people
The Barletta L-series is among several carefully designed pontoon categories that fit specific needs. Here the need is luxury, paired with endurance and high performance.
It’s a bit heavier than the Harris, and houses fewer passengers. If you take a look at all the hefty add-ons, you’ll see where the extra pounds come from!Ranger Reata 220 FC
Length: 24 feet
Dry weight: 2120 pounds
Motor Power: 150 HP
Max passenger capacity: 10 people
The Ranger is made for easy motoring and heavily equipped for fishing. From the seating arrangement to the storage capabilities and add-ons, this is a pontoon that has a dedicated goal and it doesn’t waver from it.
Length: 25 feet
Dry weight: 2450 pounds
Motor Power: 135 HP
Max passenger capacity: 13 people
This pontoon was created for good times. Sunbathing, swimming, having cocktails with friends, and watching an incredible waterfront. All that while listening to good music.
Would weight matter in this case? Not really.Lowe Retreat 270 Extended WT
Length: 27 feet
Dry weight: 3530 pounds
Motor Power: 300 HP
Max passenger capacity: 14 people
The Retreat walkthrough luxury pontoon is perfectly designed for good times. Ample seating space large enough for a party, easy circulation as if you were in a cocktail room, and huge inherent power.
Despite the massive weight of the Retreat, it can hold its own when it comes to speeding. Thanks to the Mercury Verado 300 HP motor, and 50-gallon fuel tank, it can be used in water sports as well. Including, effectively towing skiers and waterboards.
Avalon Ambassador Elite Windshield
Length: 27 feet
Dry weight: 5000 pounds
Motor Power: 350 HP
Max passenger capacity: 16 people
The whole point of having a large Windshield is to enjoy speeding, even in the face of chilly winds. This massive pontoon is a fast track boat in every way. Even in the way its furnishings are laid out
Harris Crowne DL 250
Length: 27 feet
Dry weight: 4294 pounds
Motor power: 400 HP TWIN
Max passenger capacity: 13 people
This pontoon has speeding written all over it. With a 93-gallon fuel tank, twin motor configuration, and that passenger capacity, it’s not surprising that this pontoon crosses the 4000-pound point. Actually, it’s peers veer around the 5000-pound range!
Conclusion
When it comes to pontoon boats, every addition adds tens of pounds of weight! And pontoons need plenty of add-ons to be functional and comfortable.
The massive vessel consists of several components. Each one might be of normal weight, and if the pieces are made of aluminum, they will also be light. The significant weight comes from the accumulation of many components.
As you go about towing your pontoon on a trailer, make sure to choose the right car that can take the load. The average dry weight of pontoons is around 2200 pounds, that’s about the weight of a hippo or a young elephant.
Balance the weight, add brake controllers to the trailer and fortify the regular suspension system if needed. Driving with a huge mass tagging behind is a big responsibility. You need to consider all the safety regulations. Especially, while taking turns.
Finally, enjoy your pontoon boat and water cruising to the max!