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Reading Time: 8 minutesLast Updated on August 29, 2025 by Paul Clayton
Table of Contents
Should You Buy a Pontoon Boat or Bowrider
Key Takeaways
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- Pontoon Boats:
- Design: Rectangular, flat-decked boat with high rails, supported by two or three hollow aluminum pontoons (cylindrical floats).
- Pros:
- Plenty of Room: Can accommodate 15-20 people, making them ideal for parties and large gatherings. Highly customizable with tables, grills, and stereo systems.
- Highly Versatile: Excellent stable platform for fishing (can hold multiple rods, live wells, tackle) and suitable for various water sports like tubing, wakeboarding, waterskiing, and kneeboarding.
- Safe and Sound: Very stable due to a wide turn axis, unlikely to flip, and high rails ensure safety for pets and toddlers. Often considered the safest type of boat.
- Cheaper: Entry-level models can start as low as $15,000, offering good durability with a lifespan of approximately 30 years.
- Easy to Maintain: Generally easier to keep clean than fiberglass v-hull boats.
- Cons:
- Not Speedy: Average cruising speed of 18-25 mph, though tritoons (three pontoons) can reach 40-65 mph, but at a higher cost.
- Less Fuel-Efficient: Multi-hull design makes them less fuel-efficient than bowriders.
- Not for Rough Waters: Primarily designed for calmer waters like lakes and rivers. Can be unstable in waves of 5-6+ feet. Tritoons offer a smoother ride in chop.
- No Windshield: Many models lack a windshield, which can limit their use in multiple seasons.
- Bowriders:
- Design: V-shaped fiberglass hull with an open seating area in the bow and an offset helm. Resemble runabout boats.
- Pros:
- Adrenaline Rush: Capable of speeds from 45-60 mph, perfect for thrilling aquatic adventures. Easy to make sharp turns, offering better control for pulling tubers and skiers. Some even create large wakes for “skurfing.”
- Fuel-Efficient: Can cover about three miles per gallon of fuel due to their sterndrive motors, cutting through waves more efficiently.
- Large Storage Compartments: Although they appear smaller, they offer ample storage space beneath floor hatches for water sports gear.
- Multi-Season Use: Often come with windshields, making them more suitable for varied weather conditions.
- Cons:
- Less Room: They typically accommodate a maximum of eight people, making them less suitable for large group activities. Limited room to move around.
- More Expensive: Average price range of $21,000 to $150,000, generally higher than comparable pontoons.
- Maintenance: Fiberglass hulls are porous and can absorb algae/crust, making them harder to keep clean if left in the water.
- Stability & Safety: Multi-hulled boats (like pontoons and catamarans) are generally considered the most stable due to their broader base. Pontoon boats are often highlighted as the safest due to their exceptional stability and protective exterior rails.
- Pontoon Boats:
When deciding between a pontoon boat and a bowrider, your choice should primarily align with your intended water activities and priorities. Both offer distinct advantages and disadvantages, making one more suitable than the other depending on what you value most in a recreational boat.
There is nothing better than owning a recreational boat that you can use to hold parties, go fishing, or enjoy some water sports. But when choosing the right boat, things can get tricky, especially when picking between a pontoon boat or a bowrider.
How do they differ in terms of features? Which one is more costly? Will they suit your needs? Read on to learn the answers to these questions in my analysis below.
Features of a Pontoon Boat
A pontoon boat is a rectangular, flat-decked boat fenced in with high rails. It consists of two or three hollow, cylindrical aluminum tubes (pontoons) that serve as floats to keep the boat buoyant.
Pontoon boats, on average, are 22 feet long, but can reach up to 30 feet in length and 8 feet in width.
Pros of Pontoon Boats
If a pontoon boat seems appealing, you would be delighted to know its versatility. The following are some advantages:
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Plenty of Room
Are you planning to celebrate your birthday with your friends and family out on the water? It’s possible on a pontoon boat.
These boats are also known as ‘party-barges’ as they can accommodate 15-20 people, depending on size, on board and have plenty of walking space.
Although they have a comfortable seating arrangement, you can customize it with a table or two, a refrigerator, a boat grill, a stereo system, LED lights, and a stylish floating barbecue for a party.
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Highly Versatile
Owing to their flat and spacious decks, these boats provide a stable platform for fishing. You can enjoy fishing with your friends or family in a pontoon boat by accessorizing it with multiple fishing rods and a live well.
It can also carry a large amount of fish tackle.
Furthermore, they are suitable for thrilling water sports like tubing, wakeboarding, waterskiing, and kneeboarding. Adding an inflatable slide, TV, or BBQ to your pontoon boat lets you and your kids amuse yourselves every weekend.
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Safe and Sound
According to the US Coast Guard Statistics, pontoon boats are very safe. You won’t have to worry about pets or your toddler on a pontoon, as the high rails ensure their safety.
Moreover, since these boats have a wide turn axis, they remain stable when making a turn and are unlikely to flip in the water.
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Cheaper
A pontoon boat can cost as little as $15,000. If you accessorize them or add a second engine, the prices can increase to around $150,000 and even more for the extended versions.
Considering its durability, with a lifespan of 30 years, and the numerous activities possible with this boat, the price is quite reasonable.
Cons of Pontoon Boats
Although a pontoon boat may seem like the boat of your dreams, it does have a few drawbacks.
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Not Speedy
Pontoon boats do not fulfill your need for speed; on average, they have a cruising speed of 18-25 mph, but in today’s market, you can get a 40 to 65 mph Tritoon.
The faster, more aggressive Tritoon boats require extra strength in their overall build to withstand the extra horsepower, which significantly increases their cost.
Since these boats are primarily designed for recreational purposes, most pontoon boats are equipped with a 150-horsepower motor.
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Less Fuel-Efficient
A one-hour trip in the water will consume five gallons of fuel in a typical pontoon boat.
Yikes! Due to their multi-hull design, pontoons are not as fuel-efficient as other boats, typically outboard motors are not as efficient as inboard/outboard motors which can be a significant drawback for some consumers.
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Not for Rough Waters
Taking a pontoon into the sea is not a good idea, as these boats are designed for handling calmer waters, like lakes and rivers. Moreover, always be aware of the weather forecast with your pontoon, as it can turn over in rough seas of 5-6+ foot waves and larger.
Tritoon boats can be a smoother ride in rough waters, as the toons keep the boat on top of the water, unlike a bowrider (v-hull). The more boats in the water, the more you feel the waves.
Features of Bowriders
As the name suggests, a bowrider is hallmarked by a seating area in the bow (the front part of a vessel) and an offset helm. It is usually 17-35 feet long and has a maximum width of 10 feet.
They have V-shaped hulls made of fiberglass and closely resemble runabout boats.
Pros of Bowrider
A Bowrider can fulfill all your boating needs. Here are some reasons why:
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Adrenaline Rush
If you are more into thrilling aquatic adventures, then a bowrider is what you need. These boats can zip through the water at 45-60 mph.
Additionally, since it’s easy to make sharp turns in a bowrider, it gives better control when pulling tubers and skiers.
Some even have built-in baffles that let the driver fill the boat with water, creating a larger wake. This has created a new sport called skurfing (skiing/surfing).
So it’s more fun to use a bowrider for these sports.
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Fuel-Efficient
A bowrider can easily cover an average of three miles per gallon of fuel. Its sterndrive motor helps it cut through heavy ocean waves without burning as much fuel.
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Large Storage Compartments
Regarding storage capacity, a pontoon boat and a bowrider are not much different. Although a bowrider appears to have less space, it can easily carry your wakeboard, skis, and tube.
These boats have small doors on the floor that reveal huge storage compartments beneath.
Cons of Bowrider
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Less Room
A major drawback of purchasing a bowrider is its limited passenger capacity. A typical bowrider can only accommodate a maximum of eight people on board.
With limited room to move around, this boat is not a suitable option for recreational activities involving large groups of people.
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Expensive
A bowrider is a bit costly, with an average price range of $21,000 – $150,000. So, if you are frugal, it is certainly not your type.
Pontoon Boat or Bowrider: A Brief Comparison
A pontoon boat is a large, multi-hulled, secure, stable, budget-friendly ‘floating living room’ type freshwater boat. It allows you to enjoy all types of watersports, such as fishing, waterskiing, tubing, and more. There are no limits.
Another thought is that a bowrider has a windshield, while most, if not all, pontoons do not, so if you like to ride in multiple seasons, a bowrider is your answer.
In comparison, a bowrider is a small, V-hulled, extravagant, speedy recreational boat designed uniquely with a front seating arrangement that can fit your close friends or family.
This makes them suitable for high-speed cruising and other thrilling water sports, particularly water skiing, in both freshwater and ocean environments.
Whether it’s a pontoon boat or a bowrider, both are similar in terms of durability. If you are looking for an easy-to-maintain boat, consider a pontoon boat.
As an owner of both v-hull and pontoon boats, I can tell you that keeping pontoons clean is much easier than keeping a fiberglass hull boat.
Fiberglass is porous and can absorb algae/crust over time when exposed to water for extended periods. If you pull your boat back and forth to the lake each time you use it, then a bowrider might be your better choice.
Some Related Questions
What type of boat is most stable?
When considering the most stable type, multi-hulled boats often emerge.
Their design, featuring two or more separate hulls, provides a broader base on the water, significantly reducing the rolling motion that can lead to instability.
Catamarans and pontoon boats are prime examples of multi-hulled vessels known for their excellent stability.
While offering this stability advantage, it is essential to note that they require more space to maneuver, making them less agile when steering and turning.
Nonetheless, multi-hulled boats are an excellent choice for those who prioritize stability on the water.
Which type of boat is the safest?
When considering which type of boat is the safest, pontoon boats frequently come to the forefront of the discussion due to their design and structural features that enhance safety.
These vessels are renowned for their exceptional stability, a crucial factor in preventing accidents at sea. Moreover, pontoon boats have exterior rails that encircle the perimeter, functioning similarly to safety bumpers in a bowling alley.
These rails are securely fastened to the deck and typically rise to the height of onboard furniture, ensuring that passengers and objects are safely within the boat’s bounds.
Final Thoughts
When deciding whether to buy a pontoon boat or bowrider, several factors must be considered to ensure that the boat fits your boating lifestyle and requirements.
Pontoons emerge as the superior choice for those who prioritize a leisurely and spacious water environment. Their design caters to relaxation and social gatherings, offering ample passenger space and a range of amenities.
Conversely, the bowrider is designed for dynamic activities such as water sports, boasting greater agility and performance at higher speeds.
Regarding performance, pontoons typically operate more slowly, which may be ideal for serene lake excursions. Bowriders, on the other hand, deliver increased maneuverability and speed, making them suited for more adventurous boating experiences.
Space is another crucial consideration; pontoons provide an expansive deck area, which is conducive to larger groups or families, whereas bowriders offer a more compact setup.
Financially, pontoons have a higher price tag due to their size and luxurious features. In contrast, bowriders might present a more budget-friendly option without compromising on the thrill of boating.
Regarding water conditions, pontoons are best suited for calm waters where their stability shines, while bowriders are engineered to handle rougher, choppy waters efficiently.
Lastly, considerations for towing and storage are pivotal. Pontoons are heavier and often require more effort to transport and store. Bowriders, on the other hand, are lighter and easier to manage.
When considering whether to purchase a pontoon boat or bowrider, it is crucial to weigh these aspects against your personal preferences, intended usage, and practicality for your boating endeavors.
