How Much Does a Pontoon Boat Cost?
How much is a pontoon boat? See what sets the price (length, tubes, engine, layout), new vs used, and the yearly costs of storage, insurance and upkeep.
How much a pontoon boat costs depends mainly on its length, the number of tubes, the engine and how it is fitted out. A basic used pontoon is far cheaper than a new, twin-engine tritoon with premium seating, so the honest answer is a wide range, not one number. The price you pay at the dealer is also only part of the cost, because storage, insurance, fuel and upkeep follow every year.
We do not publish a pontoon price list here, because dealer and manufacturer prices change with each model year and option package. Instead you will find what moves the price, how new and used compare, and how to estimate the yearly cost with real Texas and Florida marina data. For the exact price of a model, check the manufacturer's current MSRP and a dealer's out-the-door quote.
Why pontoons are everywhere
Pontoons are the best-selling new powerboat type in the United States. The NMMA reported that new pontoon boats led unit sales in 2025 at 33.6 percent of new powerboat sales, out of 156,754 new powerboats sold. They are stable, roomy and easy to run on lakes, which explains the demand. If you are new to the type, start with what is a pontoon boat.
What drives a pontoon's price
| Factor | How it affects the price |
|---|---|
| Length | Longer decks hold more seating and need bigger tubes and engines. Length also sets slip fees and trailer size. |
| Number of tubes | Two tubes is the standard pontoon; a third tube makes a tritoon, which supports more power and rides better in chop but costs more. See pontoon vs tritoon. |
| Engine | Horsepower is a major line item. A larger outboard adds speed and towing ability, plus fuel and maintenance cost. |
| Layout | Fishing, cruising, lounge and entertainer layouts have different furniture, consoles and extras. |
| Build quality and brand | Frame, deck material, fencing and upholstery vary, and so does resale value. |
| Options | Bimini or full enclosure, stereo, sun deck, water-sports tower, electronics, trolling motor, ladder, and the trailer. |
Ask every seller whether the quoted price includes the motor, the trailer, freight, dealer prep and fees. A low advertised price on a boat without a motor is not the same as a ready-to-use package.
Pontoon, deck boat or something else?
If a pontoon price feels high, compare the alternatives that fit the same use. A deck boat is a different hull with different handling and a different price; see deck boat vs pontoon. If you only fish, a jon boat may do the job for less.
New vs used pontoons
- New: warranty, current layouts and no unknown history. It also loses the most value in the first years of ownership.
- Used: lower upfront cost and more boat for the money, but you must check the tubes (corrosion, dents, welds), the deck and floor (soft spots), the upholstery, the electrical system, and the engine's hours and service record.
Before buying used, get a marine survey or at least a mechanic's inspection and a sea trial. Compare the asking price with valuation guides, as explained in how much is my boat worth, and use a written bill of sale. For the wider picture on prices by type, see how much does a boat cost.
What you pay after you buy
Storage and slip
A pontoon is often kept on a trailer at home, in dry storage, or in a wet slip on a lake. The slip price depends on boat length and the marina. In Marinalo data from October 2026, the median monthly rate for a 20-foot boat in Florida was $410 (21 marinas) and the median monthly rate for a 30-foot boat was $675 (24 marinas). In Texas, the median annual rate for a 30-foot boat was $3,520 (4 marinas) and for a 20-foot boat $2,310 (3 marinas). Many pontoons are longer than they look once the swim platform, engine and rails are counted, so ask each marina whether it bills overall length or slip length. See the Marinalo pages for Florida 20-ft slips and Texas 30-ft slips, and the slip cost guide.
Lake marinas are where most pontoons live. If you are shopping for a home lake, our guides to Lake Travis, Lake Ray Hubbard and Lake Conroe cover where to launch and what to expect. Trailering instead? A launch at a public ramp avoids the slip fee, so check the Texas boat ramps or Florida boat ramps near you. See also boat storage options.
Insurance
Marinas and lenders usually ask for proof of insurance, and a lender will require coverage on a financed boat. Rates depend on the boat's value, the engine, where it is kept, your experience and the coverage type, so get written quotes. We explain agreed value, liability and storm deductibles in boat insurance. We do not quote premiums, because no authoritative public figure covers pontoons specifically.
Fuel, maintenance and a loan
- Fuel: goes up with horsepower and with how fast you cruise.
- Engine service: routine oil, filter and lower-unit service, plus winter or off-season prep. See outboard motor maintenance.
- Tubes and deck: keep them clean, check the fasteners and inspect the tubes. In saltwater, corrosion is faster.
- Financing: terms and rates vary by lender and credit; see boat loan rates and run the numbers in the boat loan calculator.
To see a yearly total, enter your boat value and home marina in the boat cost calculator, which uses a median slip price from real Florida rate sheets and lets you edit insurance, maintenance, fuel and depreciation.
A simple way to compare two pontoons
Do not compare sticker prices alone. For each boat you are considering, write down the same five lines: the out-the-door price, the yearly slip or storage cost, the insurance quote, the fuel you expect to burn on a typical day out multiplied by your days on the water, and a maintenance allowance. A cheaper boat that needs a bigger slip, a thirstier engine or an expensive insurance policy can end up costing more over three years than a pricier, smaller one. Put the same lines for each boat into the calculator and compare the yearly totals.
Also think about how you will use the boat. A fishing layout suits anglers, while a lounge layout suits families and sandbar days; a fishing pontoon with a big engine is a different purchase from a calm-water cruiser. The best price is the one for the boat you will actually use, not the one with the most options.
Taxes and registration
You will owe sales tax and registration on a new or used purchase. The Texas Comptroller taxes boats at 6.25 percent, capped at $18,750 on the boat, with outboards taxed separately and trailers under motor vehicle sales tax. Florida's Department of Revenue caps total tax on a boat at $18,000, and the county surtax applies only to the first $5,000. Check the agencies' pages, linked below, because rules change.
FAQ
How much is a pontoon boat?
It depends on length, tubes, engine and options, and on whether the boat is new or used. Check a manufacturer's current MSRP and ask a dealer for an out-the-door price including motor, trailer, fees and tax.
Is a pontoon boat cheaper than other boats?
Not always. Pontoons give a lot of deck space for the money, but long, high-horsepower or luxury models can cost as much as larger boats of other types.
Does a tritoon cost more than a pontoon?
Generally yes, because of the third tube and the bigger engines it supports. See pontoon vs tritoon.
What does it cost to keep a pontoon on a lake?
It depends on the marina and boat length. Use the Marinalo medians above as a starting point, then get a written rate sheet from the marinas on your lake.
Do I need insurance for a pontoon?
Neither Florida nor Texas generally requires it by state law, but lenders and marinas usually do. See boat insurance.