How Much Is A Pontoon Boat?

If you’ve come to the decision to buy a pontoon boat, you’re probably daydreaming about the memories you’ll make on the water with your friends and family. These memories will feel priceless, but in reality, a pontoon comes with a price tag.

It can seem tricky to figure out exactly how much your boat will cost you, but once you have a breakdown of the costs of owning a pontoon — from the initial investment to the regular maintenance required — you can make a decision about which boat best meets your needs. 

Pontoon Boat Cost

How much your pontoon will cost depends on if you’re looking for a new or a used boat, the size and floorplan you’re looking for, and the amenities you’d like. The differences between all these options can cause the cost to vary by thousands of dollars.

How Much is a New Pontoon Boat?

When you’re wondering how much a new boat costs, keep in mind that the price largely depends upon what you’re looking for. The size of your boat and the accessories will determine the total price. Bigger, newer pontoons or tritoons with luxury features will cost more.

Overall, Bennington pontoon boats range from about $21,000 for the SV Line — the S Series is Bennington’s entry-level, affordable option — to more than $200,000 for the flagship Q Series, the most luxurious choice.

How Much is a Used Pontoon Boat?

On average, a used pontoon can go for as low as $10,000. Getting a used boat is a lot like getting a used car — it can still get the job done well and save you lots of money, but has depreciated in value over time and won’t be customized to your preferences.

To find out if the price of a used pontoon is fair and aligns with the actual value, check out the National Appraisal Guide. If you’re looking to sell or trade-in your Bennington boat, you can find out your boat's estimated value online.

What Pontoon Size and Type are You Looking For?

When determining what size pontoon boat to get, consider your budget — bigger boats get more expensive.

To figure out what will work for you, be realistic about how many people you’d like to have on your boat and the size of the body of water you’ll be cruising on.

 If you picture yourself listening to music and cruising on a small, calm body of water with just your closest friends and family — up to about eight people — then a 17 to 19-foot boat will work best for you. If you plan to take a bigger group of around 13 people on your pontoon out on lakes and rivers that don’t have big waves, then a 20 to 22-foot boat will be suitable.

If you plan to entertain a group of 15 people and think you may encounter rough water, then 23 to 28-foot boats will get the job done.

Consider what activities you’ll be doing to determine what type of pontoon you want — one designed with fishing or entertaining in mind, a luxury model, or a boat with more horsepower for watersports. Your local Bennington dealer can help provide you with peace of mind and advice as you talk through the process.

Pontoon Boat Maintenance Costs

Pontoons aren’t just a one-time investment. There are ongoing, necessary costs for upkeep. Knowing how to maintain your boat and keep it in the best shape possible is important so it lasts for decades.

Cleaning Costs

When caring for your boat, you’ll need to clean the inside and outside of your pontoon. Avoiding discoloration and keeping your boat in good shape is fairly simple — wash, clean, and polish your boat regularly.

If your boat is in good shape, give it a simple rinse by hand with a sponge or use a hose.

Before you store your boat for the winter, you can wash it with a product made for aluminum, such as Sharkhide or Biokleen, which can cost you around $30, then add a new protective layer of wax or polish as needed.

Add caring for your boat’s other maintenance needs to your cleaning checklist. You’ll need to change the fuel filter on your boat’s engine at the beginning of each boating season. At the same time you should:

• Check fuel and fluid levels
• Check spark plugs
• Look for signs of rust and wear and tear
• Check for mildew, holes, cracks, and signs of pests that could have caused damage during the off-season.

Check out your boat manual to determine what kind of maintenance is recommended for your engine and parts. Some owners prefer to have their dealer handle this spring checklist while taking the boat out of storage.

Repair Costs

When it comes to repairs, you can breathe a sigh of relief. All Bennington boats come with a warranty. Your new Bennington comes with a Limited Lifetime warranty on the structure, pontoons, gates, channels, motor mount, and rotomold seat frames. For warranty repairs, contact your local Bennington dealer. For other repairs, check what your insurance policy covers.

Insurance Costs

Protect the investment you’ve made by getting insurance. Start by finding out if your pontoon is well-covered in your homeowner’s insurance and figure out whether you want to go with an agreed value policy or an actual cash value policy.

The following could be taken into consideration with your insurance policy:

• The size of your boat
• How fast it can go
• What you use it for
• How many people will drive it
• The type of motor
• Where you go boating
• If you’re safety certified
• If you have a good driving record (on the road and on the water)
• What your liability limits are in relation to your premiums

You can also include fishing gear and your pontoon boat’s trailer or other equipment in your policy.

Policies vary, so there’s not one specific cost of pontoon boat insurance. But, you can expect to spend at least $200 a year on insurance.

Storage Costs

Storing your boat indoors is ideal, but it’s possible to store it outside as long as you first fill the tank, prep the engine, clean your pontoon, and cover it or shrink wrap it. Outdoor storage requires you to keep the boat off the ground, such as on its trailer.

If you don’t have room at home and want indoor storage, you can rent storage space in an indoor or outdoor self-storage facility or dry-stacked storage.

How much storage will cost depends on the size of your boat — you’ll pay more for a bigger boat — and where you live will also factor into pricing. It’s best to plan for $100+ per month for storage. According to Sparefoot, a company that shares pricing for self-storage units, the average price of a boat storage unit booked in Elkhart, Ind., was recently about $108.