Before I bought my pontoon boat back in 2016 there was one thing that confused me a little bit. I wanted to know how are pontoon boats measured? It was a key consideration given I was going to be trailering mine up at home so wanted to know how much room I needed. I didn’t understand if the length I saw was the entire length including the tubes and motor or if it was the actual deck length. After a little online research, I found the answer and here it is.
Pontoon boat length is measured by the distance from the front of the pontoon tubes (logs) to the end of the tubes at the rear. Therefore a 22-foot pontoon boat will have tubes that are 22-foot long, with a deck length or between 20 to 21 feet.Â
But wait, it’s not actually that simple, and I will tell you why.
Some boat owners will swear that it’s the longest measurement of the boat overall (the LOA). In other words, if the pontoon tubes stick out past the deck, then that’s the LOA. But if the deck is past the tubes, then the deck will be the LOA.
Confused? You should be.
Manufacturers will also state different lengths in their marketing and spec materials, some of which will have zero relation to how long the tubes are.
This is where confusion can come in, and especially where you are looking at a boat spec believing what you see as the stated length.
As an example, a 2011 Bennington 2575RCW you would expect to be almost 26-foot long, based on the number you see in the model name. But that’s actually not the case, at least not from the manufacturer’s perspective.
With this boat example, the length overall (also known as LOA) is 27.1 feet.
The length of this Bennington might not actually be what you think it is.
Pontoon boat manufacturers often tend to muddle the issues of how long their pontoon boats are and will often say the length is actually longer than the pontoon tubes.
They even might take the measurement of whatever sticks out furthest on the hull of the boat, such as an outboard motor on the back.
By measuring their pontoon boats in this way for advertising purposes they can make out like their vessels are longer than they actually are.
So, as you can see, whilst the general consensus is that in most cases, how long a pontoon boat is measured just by the tube (log) length, in reality you might be seeing different lengths presented to you.
A common question that new pontooners will ask is how a pontoon is measured. They might ask if a 22-foot pontoon the length of just the tubes, the deck, or the length overall including the motor.
When it comes to the manufacturers, there truly is no hard and fast rule. It’s almost like they make it up as they go along!
Why it’s Important to Know How Long Your Pontoon Boat is
Using that Bennington 2575RCW example above, the LOA is 27.1 feet. But that doesn’t actually include how long the boat will be with the outboard motor attached.
If you are parking this boat in a slip which is 28 feet deep, then unless the boat is pulled up within an inch or two of the front end, then the motor won’t be completely underneath the overhang.
For the majority of people, that might not be a problem if the motor hangs out in the elements. But if it’s kept in a part of the United States where hail stones occur, then the motor cowling is going to get a battering with little dents.
It’s a small point perhaps, but by keeping your boat in great condition will keep repair costs down and stop it from depreciating in value.
The most frequent consideration though, will be for trailering and storage. Knowing how long your pontoon boat will influence how long your trailer is.
Here is a rough guide on how long your trailer should be depending on the size of your pontoon boat:
- 18-foot pontoon boat requires at least a 21-foot long trailer
- 21-foot pontoon boat requires at least a 24-foot long trailer
- 24-foot pontoon boat requires at least a 27-foot long trailer
For more information on trailer lengths, read this guide.
How To Choose the Right Pontoon Boat Length for You
Choosing the right pontoon boat length for you will come down to several different factors. Here are some tips to help you choose the right pontoon boat length for you:
Consider Your Activities
Consider the types of activities you plan on doing on your pontoon boat. For example, fishing, skiing, cruising, or simply lounging around enjoying the breeze. The length of your pontoon can be a factor in its performance and ability to do certain activities. If you plan on doing water sports, like wakeboarding or water skiing,, you’ll want a longer boat with a more powerful engine. But if you just want to fish, a shorter boat may be easier to maneuver and navigate in shallow waters.
Consider Your Budget
Budget will play a key role in your pontoon boat length decision making. The cost of a pontoon boat varies widely based on its length, special features, and quality of craftsmanship. Longer boats are generally more expensive, but they also come with more space and amenities. Make sure to decide on a budget range before you start shopping for boats to avoid overpaying.
Consider Your Storage Space
Pontoon boats take up a significant amount of space both on land or water. Before you purchase a pontoon, make sure you have enough room to store it. This will be a factor whether it’s at a dock, marina, or on your own property. Longer boats will require more storage space, so keep that in mind when choosing your pontoon boat size.
Consider Your Passenger Capacity
Do you plan on hosting large parties of people on your pontoon boat? The number of passengers you plan to host on your boat should also influence the length of your pontoon. Longer boats can typically hold more people and offer more seating options. However, if you plan on only hosting small groups, a shorter boat may be more practical and cost-effective.
Consider Your Towing Capacity
If you’re going to tow your pontoon behind your vehicle, you’ll need to consider the towing capacity of your vehicle. Longer boats are typically heavier and require a more powerful vehicle to tow them safely. Make sure to check your vehicle’s owner’s manual for towing capacity information before choosing the right pontoon boat length for you.
How to Measure Pontoon Boat Length?
If you want to measure the length of your own pontoon boat, perhaps because you are going to be selling it, my advice would be to measure the overall length from fore to aft of the pontoon tubes.
But, in your advertisement, also make sure to include the length of the deck as well as this something that buyer’s will undoubtedly want to know before they buy.
Also include the LOA (length overall) which will include the furthest fore and aft points of the boat (without any motor taken into account).
Essentially you could be providing four different measurements in your ad when selling your boat:
- The length of the pontoon tubes (also known as logs)
- The length of the deck
- The length overall (LOA)
- The length overall (LOA) + with the motor or anchor ledge
And clearly state them too. It will probably make selling your boat much easier.
Handy Hint: If you are selling a used pontoon boat on the second hand market then here are some tips to help you get the most money on the sale.Â
How Long are Pontoon Boats?
When you see a pontoon boat for sale some confusion will creep in.
As a real-life example, most pontoons models have numbers in. The Premier 225 is named because it has a 22-foot deck, and 23 foot and 4-inch long tubes.
So where does the 25 in Premier 225 come from?
That’s right, and as you might have guessed, the manufacturer has rounded up the length to a nice and neat number. In reality it’s not what I would call a 25-foot long pontoon boat.
When reading pontoon boat model numbers, most new boats will have a number in the name that is typically within a foot of the deck and tube length.
So, if you are buying a new boat, take a look at the manufacturer’s specs. See what is written down, and then ask them in person if the LOA included the motor on the back as well. LOA should not include motors, but this will sometimes be included and misinterpreted by dealers and manufacturers.
If buying a used pontoon boat, always measure it up yourself, and don’t take the word of the seller, or any possible out of date or inaccurate specs that you find online.
What is the Average Size of a Pontoon Boat?
The majority of leisure pontoon boats that you see on American lakes and rivers will be between the lengths of 18 feet to 25 feet long. These are the best-selling sizes in the US today.Â
So, for an average size of a pontoon boat, given the most popular models on the market, I would say it’s around 22 feet in length.Â
Pontoon boats can be split into three distinct categories; small, medium, and large. That’s breaks down in the following size ranges:
- Small Sizes in Length: 12′,13′,14′,15′,16′,18′,19′
- Medium Sizes in Length: 20′, 25′, 30′, 35′, 40′
- Large Sizes in Length: 30′, 35′, 40′, 45′, 50′, 55′, 60′Â
What Does Boat LOA Mean?
If you are going to be trailering up your pontoon, or storing it in a garage, then it’s critical for you to know the LOA or length overall.
This will be the maximum length of the boat’s hull as measured parallel to the waterline.
Always ask the manufacturer or dealer what the LOA of your pontoon boat is, rather than relying on what you might read in their boat brochures or online specifications.
The US Coast Guard regulates LOA, and states that it should be given as the longest measurement of the boat only, not including any running gear such as outboard drives.
Here’s an explainer video I found on YouTube.
