If you’re thinking about heading to a boat dealership to buy a pontoon or tritoon, it’s a good idea to know the difference and which is better for you.
Pontoon boats have two tubes beneath the deck, while a tritoon has three. The third tube helps the tritoon be more stable in big or choppy water and allows for faster speeds. Let’s take a closer look.
What Is a Pontoon Boat?
Pontoon boats are boats with two tubes beneath the deck. These are ideal boats for cruising on calm waters like on a lake. However, they aren’t as stable when used in choppy water or water with large swells. Pontoons typically can’t generate the speed or horsepower of a tritoon boat due to being less stable.
Some benefits of a pontoon boat include its lower cost, smooth ride, and its size for plenty of seating. Pontoon boats are ideal for leisurely activities like cruising on a lake with some fishing and swimming thrown in. In this situation, they are plenty stable and offer lots of space for passengers.
The average price of a pontoon starts at around $20,000 and can go up to $60,000 or more depending on the size and features.
What is a Tritoon Boat?
Tritoon boats have a third hull to keep the boat stable in choppy water or at high speeds. Tritoons can handle more horsepower such as you would need in watersports and they’re good for navigating rough water. The three tubes allow the tritoon to distribute weight more easily, which makes it more stable in the above applications.
Compared to pontoon boats, tritoon boats are typically more expensive and need more horsepower to operate. However, they also offer more cargo and passenger space, plus they’re an ideal choice for energetic watersports like wakeboarding, waterskiing, and tubing. Tritoon boats are designed for more power and speed.
The average price of a tritoon boat starts around $35,000 and can go up to $85,000 or more depending on the size and build sheet. Tritoon boats usually offer more options for accessories that can drive the price up compared to pontoons.
How To Decide Between a Pontoon and Tritoon
Deciding between the two types of boats largely depends on your needs. If you want something bigger and faster, then a tritoon boat is probably the best choice. In general, tritoon boats have a length between 22 and 30 feet and can carry up to 21 people.
Are you visualizing a relaxing cruise on the water with a bit of swimming and fishing? If these activities are your goal, then a pontoon boat might be a better choice. On the other hand, if you’re thinking of watersports, rough water, and high speeds, a tritoon fits the bill.
The larger size, more horsepower, and third hull on a tritoon boat means that it will cost more than a pontoon boat. If you’re looking for something more affordable, a pontoon boat is usually a better option at your local boat dealership.
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