If you are planning on renting out a pontoon boat whilst on vacation, then one of the main questions you might want to know is how much it will cost. In this post I’ve gathered as much information as possible from various pontoon rental companies across the United States to give you an idea on current average prices in 2018.
On average, it costs around $435 to rent a pontoon boat for a full day during the summer high season. This average rental price has been calculated by examining the price to rent a 24-foot pontoon boat in the most popular boating locations around the United States.
How much to rent a pontoon boat?
Below is a list of sample prices taken from the top results on Google when searching for pontoon boat rental prices in some of the most popular locations in the United States.
I took two results from each area, and then worked out the average cost for a day’s hire. These average costs and prices are to rent a 24-foot long pontoon boat in the high seasons at full day rates. With a 24-footer you can usually get 12 to 15 people on board.
- Austin, Texas – $650
- Big Bear Lake, California – $445
- Branson, Missouri – $400
- Buffalo, New York – $325
- Cape Coral, Florida – $200
- Clearwater, Florida – $500
- Destin, Florida – $550
- Eagle River, Wisconsin – $315
- Fort Lauderdale, Florida – $500
- Hilton Head, South Carolina – $475
- Lake Lanier, Georgia – $420
- Lake Norman, North Carolina – $400
- Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri – $465
- Lake Tahoe, California – $475
- Lake Travis, Texas – $600
- Marco Island, Florida – $320
- Miami, Florida – $450
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin – $350
- Nashville, Tennessee – $400
- Navarre Beach, Florida – $450
- Newport Beach, California – $550
- Ocean City, Maryland – $500
- Orange Beach, Florida – $400
- Orlando, Florida – $220
- Panama City Beach, Florida – $225
- San Diego, California – $700
Your pontoon rental company will give you strict guidance on how many passengers you can fit onto the boat, and the option to have a skipper for the day. If you choose to have a captain, the prices will be higher.
You will be fully insured and given training on how to operate the pontoon boat. If you are unsure and want a brief introduction, read this easy guide to driving a pontoon.
The price guide above is for the summer months, when rentals will cost more. In the off season you can expect to get a 30% discount at least.
Some pontoon rental companies will also offer double decker pontoon boats with slides. These are very popular with larger parties, but the costs will be higher. You can see examples of what double decker pontoon boats look like here plus in the photo below.
Spend a little more money, and you get way more power and features and even a slide!
Tips for renting a pontoon boat
Below are some brief guidelines on what to know, what to look for, and how to assess a rental company when deciding who to choose.
#1: Read online reviews
Not all companies are equal, and there are some sharks out there (not literally!). Seek out online reviews on websites such as TripAdvisor to see what people are saying about the company you choose to rent from.
#2: Do a little bit of preparation if you haven’t operated a boat before
If you are new to boating, don’t worry. The rental company will give you a short training session before your trip. Pontoon boats are very simple to operate. If you can drive a car, you can drive a pontoon.
In fact, a spokesperson for Geist Marina in Indianapolis, says you shouldn’t worry if you have never been in charge of a boat before.
“If people are ever thinking about boating, don’t be intimidated. Pontoons are a great way to get people on the water. It’s a good way to see if it’s something you might enjoy. Pontoons are so easy to handle for renters who have never boated before. They can learn easily.”
#3: Ask the right questions before you rent
Before you book your rental make sure that the company has adequate insurance. Also make sure that they ask you how many passengers you plan to ride with, so that they have the right amount of life jackets on board.
Some rental companies even offer advance online safety courses that you can take. That means you can prepare from the comfort of your own home before you get to the rental day.
#4: Tell the rental company what you want from your day on the water
Depending on your requirements, the type of kit in your rental pontoon will be different.
For example, if it’s a day’s fishing, the layout and set-up of your pontoon will differ from a boat which is just for leisure. Many rental companies will also be able to provide you with all the fishing equipment and accessories you need, plus can tell you the best spots to go to.
If it’s a party atmosphere you want, it might be worth considering a double decker pontoon boat with slide that I spoke about earlier – but be prepared to pay more for the privilege.
Many pontoon boats will also come with gas grills that clip onto the railings so you can BBQ right there on the deck.
Perhaps you want to be active with some water sports? If pulling tubes and water skis is more your thing, you will need a higher horse power pontoon with tow bar and inflatable tubes.
#5: And don’t forget to shop around for a deal
Pontoon boats are big business in certain areas of the United States, with multiple providers in fierce competition with each other.
What that means for the consumer is that you can often get a great deal with a bit of bartering once you have shopped around for pontoon rental costs.
Check the online prices, compare what you get for the money, then use that to negotiate with the best company to hire from.
The last word…
I hope you enjoyed this guide on how much it costs to rent a pontoon boat.
Have fun, but be safe.
If you do decide that a pontoon boat lifestyle is for you, please keep coming back to Pontoonopedia as there are 100s of guides and tips on here ranging from a buyer’s guide to what to look for when buying a used pontoon boat.
In fact, anything you want to know about pontooning, I guarantee you can find here using the search function!
