A new hobby often means new equipment, and generally the best way to go is the simplest. Instead of being confused by all of the bells and whistles you don’t need, focus on mastering the skills you do with an entry-level model of a pontoon or deck boat. With streamlined designs, easy controls, and especially budget-friendly prices, entry-level models are where it’s at when you’re ready to dip your toes into boating. We’ve done the leg work for you and are ready to share ten options to consider for beginners.
Avalon Venture CRB
With clean, traditional design and rigid structure, the Venture CRB will give you years of durable use and family fun. This simple yet elegant pontoon is a must-have for conscientious buyers on a budget who want the care and precision of Avalon construction at an extremely affordable price. Available in multiple layouts, the Venture is easy to trailer, easy to operate, and comes with a 10-year warranty.
At the Cadet II roto-molded helmstand you’ll find the viper steering wheel, a removable windshield, and the bronze sound package with a Fusion stereo and four speakers. Enjoy the sporty low back driver’s chair which can slide and rotate. Cruise in style and comfort on custom-designed vinyl suspension seating, which is built on aluminum seat frames with flow-through ventilation. The ample playpen seating includes a bonus rear-facing bench. Other interior features include a small kidney-shaped table, cupholders, USB charging, and lounge arms with storage. Footing will feel secure on riptide vinyl flooring with non-skid strips at the entry gates.
The exterior boasts smooth wall panels, a Bimini top with quick release mounts and transport brackets, navigation lights, an aluminum ladder, and gates with lift-n-lay hinges. Comprising the hull are two 23-inch diameter pontoons, a 3-inch rub rail, deck corner impact protection, a tapered front deck, pontoon double full risers, and four stainless U-bolt and cleat combos. Fishing models feature an in-bench livewell and a rear fishing center with rod holders.
LOA: 21’
Beam: 8’
Max HP: 90hp
Starting price: $21,300
www.avalonpontoons.com
Crest Classic LX
If you’re searching for a family pontoon that won't break the budget, take a look at the Crest Classic LX with its priority on comfort and performance. With an 11-passenger capacity and a 28-gallon fuel tank, you can enjoy the day fishing on the water or taking a lengthy sunset cruise. Crest’s standard performance package features two large 25-inch diameter tubes and up to 115hp. This hull also includes four chambers in each pontoon for added strength, durability, flotation, and safety.
Standard powder-coated rails add strength and durability to your ride, while the soft touch upholstery will have you lounging in comfort and style. High seat bases, full-size backrests, and ergonomically designed helm chairs ensure that everyone on board will be comfortable. You’ll be able to connect with Bluetooth to the standard Fusion audio system and will appreciate the in-seat storage, an upgraded bow cooler and drawer, USB phone chargers throughout, and all-around LED lighting.
One in a trio from Crest’s Signature Line, the Classic can be tailored to your needs with a multitude of floor plans that offer optimal space with L-shaped sun pads, dual captain’s chairs, and swing back loungers. Customize exterior rail colors in a variety of metallic shades including navy, sage green, cabernet, and steel blue. Choose from flooring options of seagrass-blended tweed or poly vinyl, and interior upholstery options tan or gray. Add the fish package with the top-grade fish finding technology of GPS with flush-mounted Lowrance Hook 5 screens, and fishing amenities to please the most avid angler.
LOA: 23’4”
Beam: 8’6”
Max HP: 115hp
Starting Price: $49,995
www.crestpontoonboats.com
Godfrey Xperience 2286 SBX
Offering a blend of simplicity and affordability, the Godfrey Xperience is essentially everything you need in a pontoon, with nothing that you don't. The 23-foot model seats 12 passengers with plenty of comfortable seats—two chaise lounges in the bow, two in the stern, and two upgraded captain and co-captain helm chairs that both slide, swivel, and recline. With ample under-seat storage and a 30-gallon fuel capacity, you’ll be ready to spend the day on the water.
Style and simplicity meld beautifully with the Godfrey’s smooth pearl white exterior and well-designed helm console. Next to the Fusion stereo system, there’s a small dash cubby that can easily be upgraded to a touchscreen, and a gimbal-mounted wireless phone charger.
Other highlights include a pop-up changing room below the port chaise lounge in the stern, a USB port tucked below the stereo controls at the dash, and portable cupholders throughout. Your guests will love the comfort of the premium weave flooring, silver climb ladder, and cooler storage. Additional add-on options include the easy-to-use Nightshade Boat Cover (that doesn't have to be removed when trailering your boat), LED docking lights, a ski/tow bar, and a depth finder.
LOA: 23’10”
Beam: 8’6”
Max HP: 150hp
Starting price: $34,593
www.godfreypontoonboats.com
Landau Island Breeze 232 Sport Rear Lounge
Entry-level does not have to mean settling for less than you want, and that’s certainly true for the Landau Island Breeze. This value-packed 232 Sport Rear Lounger is a top-seller because it is not only the perfect size for a family, but it also has nearly endless options. Choose how you want friends and family to enjoy time on the water and make that a reality with the Landau 232.
With a myriad of floor plan options, you decide if you want rear loungers, L-shaped seats, helm chairs, or a sport lounge. Your guests will enjoy sitting on the marine-grade upholstery with a protective finish, listening to the Bluetooth-ready AM/FM marine stereo system, and climbing up the four-step boarding ladder after a refreshing swim. Feel comfortable knowing you have what you need with the high quality deck system, 27-gallon fuel tank built into the motor well, a wheelchair accessible bow gate, stainless steel cleats, and bow and stern trailer tie downs.
Choose from beautiful exterior color options such as merlot, pearl, and steel blue, with an 8-foot color-coordinated Bimini top, and interior colors in tan or gray vinyl. The 232 performs great with the standard 115hp horsepower outboard, making tubing and cruising a breeze. Or you can upgrade the motor to 200hp and absolutely blow your hair back.
LOA: 23’ 2”
Beam: 8’ 6”
Max HP: 200hp
Starting Price: $34,970
www.landauboats.com
Lowe SS230 Walk Thru Special
Nothing refreshes and excites more than time spent with friends and family on a pontoon—and Lowe specializes in building durable boats with a smooth combination of bold energy and cushy comfort.
The Lowe SS230 Walk Through Special is one of Lowe’s most popular boats and brings together its top in-demand features at an attractive price. The strong chassis is outfitted with premium TL packages that includes lifting strakes and wave tamers to amp up performance and minimize spray.
The walk-through layout is open and comfortable with an expansive, open bow deck, premium dual helm chairs, walk-thru seating, and ample storage compartments for all of your needs. Standard features include a Bimini playpen cover, Kicker audio system, premium console, chrome cupholders, flip-up cleats, and raised logo. With a passenger capacity of 12 people and a fuel capacity of 30 gallons, you’ll be able to spend all day out on the water. And this gorgeous boat is offered in four striking color combinations. Whether you’re an elegant entertainer or a water sports thriller, you will love the style, comfort, and performance on this versatile platform for on-the-water fun.
LOA: 24' 3"
Beam: 8' 6"
Max HP: 200hp
Starting price: $45,295
www.loweboats.com
Princecraft Vectra 23 RL
Certain people prefer the water over solid ground, and those at Princecraft have designed the ideal hangout for crowds looking for an aquatic adventure. The Sport configuration of the new Vectra 23 RL is masterfully built with lifting strakes, reinforced nose cones and under-deck spray shield, and heavy-duty Z-aluminum cross channels. Designed to ensure you spend time on the water and not in the repair shop, the Vectra uses the toughest, most durable aluminum, and is built to make driving exciting, safe, and intuitive.
The roto-molded helm console incorporates a molded dash panel and lighted switches, a 160-watt AM/FM/Bluetooth Jensen Stereo, and four waterproof speakers. Standard features will have you lounging on plush and heavyweight upholstery, a chaise lounge, and a two-position padded sundeck, all with under-seat storage. A large snack table, cupholders, a telescopic stainless steel boarding ladder, and walk-through bow and stern gates will help your guests swim and snack at their leisure. The dark gray Bimini features top latches and traveling struts, with snap fasteners for canvas enclosures and mooring. And with a 29-gallon fuel capacity, you can spend the day exploring the wetlands.
LOA: 23’6’’
Beam: 8' 6”
MAX HP: 150hp
Starting price: $31,743
www.princecraft.com
Starcraft SVX 211 IO
For a sporty beginner’s boat, the SVX series proves that fun on the water doesn't have to come with a big price tag. Loaded with value that both novice and experienced boaters will love, the series includes a long list of standard features that will make your boat feel luxurious.
Boaters will appreciate the comfort of the premium helm seat, the flip-up bolster, marine-grade UV stable upholstery vinyl, and the EVA soft touch traction mat flooring in the bow and stern. Your family and guests will be thrilled with the four-speaker Bluetooth stereo, a Bimini top for sun protection, in-floor storage for all their gear, and the bow platform with a boarding ladder. And rest easy knowing Starcraft comes with both a lifetime and a 6-year blister warranty.
Customize your Starcraft with either a white or black base, and choose main stripe colors in a variety of options, including seafoam, red, burgundy, quicksilver, yellow, or electric blue (shown).
Enjoy smooth hydraulic steering and a large fuel capacity of 44 gallons, which means you can spend the day worry-free out on the water. Anglers will love the optional add-on fishing package, which includes two fishing seats, a trolling motor plug/outlet, rod storage clips, and both a bow and a stern livewell. Other add-on choices include a snap-on cockpit cover, docking lights, a Helix 5 in-dash GPS, and a deck-mounted ski/tow bar.
LOA: 21’ 5”
Beam: 8' 6”
Max HP: 250hp
Starting Price: $64,067
www.starcraftmarine.com
Stingray 172SC
If you’re looking for a versatile deck boat made to do it all—from cruising, to fishing, to water sports—look no further than the Stingray 172SC. With an exclusive Z-plane hull adopted from racing boats, the Stingray has a higher-mounted drive to reduce drag and increase performance, generating a smooth flow of water for a better propeller bite during both straight line speed and hard cornering maneuvers.
Driving will be delightful with the comfort of an oversized Italian steering wheel at the helm, a tinted windscreen, and a Fusion RA-60 marine stereo for high efficiency and great output. Your guests can stretch out in comfort with the expanded bow section, fit nearly any drink in the oversize cupholders, and easily store gear in the in-floor storage with an oversize door. The included 25-quart cooler, which is just the perfect size for the day’s drinks and snacks, can be conveniently removed and pre-loaded before your next adventure.
Standard features include back-lit instruments, a stainless steel multi-step aft ladder, a recirculating livewell, and a Bimini top. Personalize your new 172SC, which can carry up to seven passengers, with multiple available hull colors including abaco green, seaside blue, or black cherry.
LOA: 17’ 3”
Beam: 7’ 6”
Max HP: 90hp
Starting Price: $34,747
www.stingrayboats.com
SunCatcher Select 20 C
One of SunCatcher’s most popular pontoons, the Select 20 is packed with compelling features, such as extensive seating with storage, plenty of lounge space to soak up the sun, and a design that’s easy to fuel and straightforward to drive.
With an 11-person capacity, this pontoon has wrap-around couches that all provide storage; you can also add an optional bow couch insert to create a full U-shaped seating area. And the L-shaped couch in the stern gives your crew plenty of room to spread out while providing more storage underneath. The swimmers in your party will appreciate the improved curved design of the extra length ladder for quick boarding after a swim, and it’s easily secured when done. And a pop-up canvas privacy enclosure is available as a dealer-installed option.
All 20-foot models are available in a three-log version. A table comes standard with deep cupholders, with an optional oval table available for an upgrade with SeaDek mat inserts. A direct remote fuel system with a 37-gallon capacity is located in the motor pod and designed to make fueling easy.
Beautiful Mediterranean blue furniture accents, a contoured Bimini top with aluminum frame, and a premium Bluetooth Jensen receiver will give you the feel of extravagance without the steep price tag.
LOA: 20’
Beam: 8' 6”
Max HP: 90hp
Starting Price: $35,915
www.suncatcherpontoon.com
Sunchaser Geneva Sport 23 SB – Mercury 150 XL-
The Sport Series from Sunchaser comes with an extreme performance tube package and is ready for outboards up to a searing 250hp, so you will be able to thrill your riders from the beginning. The fully-customizable series can seat up to 12 passengers, and has a fuel capacity of 38 gallons to keep you out on the water for as long as possible.
Extensive standard features will help you relax with a low-back helm chair that slides and swivels, a table with cupholders, and a power canopy to shield you from the blistering sun.
Your family and friends will appreciate the vinyl aft boarding area, an extended front deck, a changing room, and an easy-to-board five-step aluminum ladder. Savor all-day fun with the included ski pylon, docking lights, and a fiberglass console with cooler storage. Jam out to tunes on the AM/FM stereo with Bluetooth speakers, and experience plenty of loading space with a 30-inch wide rear entry gate.
Hydraulic steering comes standard, but you can also upgrade to advanced power-assisted steering or even digital steering. Colors are customizable, with the exterior panel available in nine colors, including blue, burgundy, emerald, silver, wave blue, or black (shown). The Bimini can be ordered in black, blue, burgundy, champagne, or gray. Optional add-ons include a GPS fish finder, a playpen cover, two extra speakers, and under deck lighting.
LOA: 23’ 8”
Beam: 8' 6”
Max HP: 250hp
Starting Price: $64,295
www.sunchaserboats.com
