10 of the Best Pontoon Boats Of 2017

No boat is as accessible, roomy and versatile as a pontoon boat. If you are in the market, we’ve put together a list of 10 of the best pontoon boats of 2017.

It’s tough to beat the versatility of a pontoon boat. With seating for the whole family, pontoons mean no one has to stay behind and miss out on the fun. Their flat floors accommodate strollers or wheelchairs with ease, while their convenient entry gates mean grandma doesn’t have to climb over the gunnels or navigate slippery steps. And with their comfortable amenities and spirited performance, they’re ideal for everything from taking the family for day trips, cruising offshore islands or pulling the kids on a tube.

No wonder pontoon boats now account for one out of every five new boats sold in North America. So are you ready to get in on the fun? Here are 10 of the best pontoon boats for 2017. With the 2018s on the way soon, these are the ones to look for deals on at this winter’s boat shows.

Bennington 2575QCWA

Bennington 2575QCWA

• MSRP: $104,219

Looking for something different? Where most pontoons get their power from one or more outboard engines, Bennington’s 2575QCWA uses a big stern drive. The result is an uninterrupted, full-width swim platform and no big motor to obstruct the view out back. Luxurious seating throughout includes a pair of super-comfy rear-facing lounge seats that are the perfect spot to watch the sunset and know that life is good.

Crestliner 220 Rally DX

Crestliner 220 Rally DX

• MSRP $38,594 (w. Mercury Verado 200)

Crestliner might be better known for its aluminum fishing boats, but its pontoons like the 220 Rally DX command attention. Luxurious pillow top furniture, stainless steel flip-up cleats that retract when not in use to avoid stubbed toes, and a range of floorplans including one with a fishing package set the Rally DX apart in a crowded market.

G3 SunCatcher Diamond Elite 326SS

G3 SunCatcher Diamond Elite 326SS

• MSRP: n/a

Plush furniture, a pedestal table and under-deck storage for skis and water toys make G3’s Diamond Elite 326 SS ideal for entertaining and fast-paced fun at a moment’s notice. The stern layout provides two full-length lounge couches with LED-enhanced cup-holders, built in stereo speakers and easy access storage. Capable of handling outboards of up to 300 horsepower, the SunCatcher Diamond Elite brings G3 to an all-new level of luxury and performance, making it one of the best pontoon boats of 2017.

Harris Grand Mariner 250

Harris Grand Mariner 250

• MSRP: $63,545 w. Mercury 200 Verado

This luxury pontoon boat provides great cruising and water sports capabilities with plenty of space for the whole crew. We’re talking amenities like a Bimini top, soft-sided cooler, swim deck with four-step boarding ladder, six-speaker Polk stereo, glass dash helm, stainless-steel grill, entertainment center with refrigerator and even an entertainment galley with bar stools, sink and wine cellar.

Lowe SS 250

Lowe SS 250

• MSRP: $24,839

The Lowe Super Sport 250 pontoon features plush seating for up to 15 people, premium amenities and an extensive option list so you can personalize the boat just the way you like. Full wrap-around bow seating, a big stern sun pad, a removable cockpit table and a Bimini top are just the start of what this boat has to offer.

Lund LX 240

Lund LX 240

• MSRP: $28,332

Lund may be new to the pontoon market, but the company clearly did its homework in designing the top-of-the-line LX 240. Available with five different pontoon floor plan options for cruising or fishing, the LX 240 offers such niceties as comfortable lounge seats, built-in change rooms, fishing stations and more.

Premier 310 Dodici

Premier 310 Dodici

• MSRP: $n/a

Anyone who says pontoon boats are just crude party rafts needs to take a closer look at Premier’s 310 Dodici, one of the biggest and baddest boats on the water an easily one of the best pontoon boats of 2017. It’s 31 feet long, 12 feet wide, takes up to three 300 horsepower outboards for 900 ponies in all, and goes almost 65 mph. Add every luxury amenity you can think of and although you’re looking at a price tag that wouldn’t be out of place on a house, it’s unlikely you’ll be one-upped by anyone else on the lake.

Starcraft SLS 5

Starcraft SLS 5

• MSRP: $ 28,904 (boat only)

Starcraft’s performance-minded SLS 5 comes with its HMX tube package for jaw-dropping performance and unbelievable handling. Quad lounge seats and dual buckets sport exceptionally soft upholstery, while its wide swim platform, built-in change room and 10-foot Bimini top provide all-day comfort. A long option list with stereo upgrades, performance packages, wake towers and more give buyers unlimited options.

SunChaser Eclipse 8525 Entertainer

SunChaser Eclipse 8525 Entertainer

• MSRP: $ 29,893 (boat only)

Plush lounge seats where you can sprawl out and relax? Check. Big rear swim platform with a boarding ladder? Check. Bar with bar stools, groovin’ stereo and killer waterfront views? You bet! The portside bar in SunChaser’s Eclipse 8525 Entertainer comes with four bar stools, a solid-surface counter and an overhead Bimini top, making this the coolest place to hang out on the lake – by far.

Sylvan Mandalay 8525 Sportlounger Twin

Sylvan Mandalay 8525 Sportlounger Twin

• MSRP: n/a

Luxury and performance tend to meet in exclusive places – places like Maseratis, Ferraris, and Sylvan’s Mandalay 8525 Sportlounger Twin. With its proprietary RPT performance tubes and twin outboards of up to 600 horsepower in all, the big Mandalay doesn’t just pamper passengers with sumptuous luxury, it gets them where they’re going without delay. There’s an extensive option list, of course, but even the base Mandalay comes with so many goodies it’s hard to know where to start.