Used pontoon boat buying guide: tubes, deck, engine and what to check

Pontoons are about as simple as boats get, which is a big part of their appeal. Check the tubes, the deck, the outboard and its mounting bracket, and the trailer, and you've checked most of the boat. Compare the tube setup and the engine before you compare the furniture: cushions are easy to replace, tubes and horsepower aren't.

Why pontoons rule America's lakes

Two (or three) aluminum tubes with a flat deck and furniture on top make a boat that's stable, roomy, easy to board and easy to drive. Pontoons were more than a third of all outboard-powered boats sold in the US in 2024, by NMMA's figures, and the industry describes them as a lower price point with ease of use.¹²

They're ideal for families, older owners and calm lakes and rivers. They're the wrong boat for big, rough open water.

Two tubes or three?

A tritoon (three tubes) handles chop and bigger engines much better than a two-tube pontoon. If your lake gets busy and choppy on weekends, or you want to pull skiers, a tritoon with a good-sized engine is worth the extra. Also ask whether the boat has a "performance" package, such as lifting strakes or under-skinning, which matters with bigger engines and rougher water.

What to check on a used pontoon

The tubes

• Dents, creases and cracks, especially on the tube noses, which take the hits
• Welded repairs: ask what happened and who fixed it
• Corrosion, a bigger concern on boats used in salt or brackish water: pitting and white, powdery corrosion on the aluminum
• Lifting strakes and under-deck brackets: look underneath from a kayak or with the boat on the trailer

Aluminum fears galvanic corrosion from salt water, other metals and stray electrical current. Ask where the boat has been used and how it's wired.

The deck

Walk all of it. Many older pontoons used plywood decking, which rots under the vinyl or carpet. Feel for soft spots near the gates, around the helm and under the furniture bases. Loose furniture bases can mean rotten wood underneath. A full deck replacement is a big job.

Furniture, vinyl and covers

Cracked, faded or mildewed upholstery is expensive to replace. Check the bimini top and covers too. These are good negotiating points, but they're cosmetic compared with tubes, deck and engine.

The outboard and transom bracket

The outboard is usually the most valuable part of the package.

• Ask for the hours and service records
• Do a cold start and check the telltale stream
• Run a compression test: cylinders should be within about 10 percent of each other³
• Check the gearcase oil; milky oil usually means water getting past the seals⁴
• Look at the bracket that holds the outboard for cracks, corrosion and loose bolts

Budget packages often came with modest horsepower, so make sure the engine suits the boat and the load you'll carry. See how many hours is a lot for a boat engine.

Electrical and extras

Stereos, lighting, fish finders, livewells and trolling motors get added over the years, often by owners rather than professionals. Look for tidy, fused wiring and test everything.

The trailer

Package trailers on older boats often need bearings, tires and lights. Check the tire date codes, spin the wheels and listen for rough bearings, look at the bunks and winch, and make sure the trailer's title and registration come with the sale. It's a separate vehicle.

Brands, briefly

• Bennington sits in the upper middle of the market, known for comfortable furniture and finish.
• Sun Tracker boats are sold as budget boat-motor-trailer packages and are among the most common pontoons on the water.
• Godfrey builds a wide range, from family runabouts to large high-horsepower luxury tritoons.

Brand matters less than condition. A clean budget pontoon with a healthy, documented engine is a better buy than a neglected premium one.

Easy docking for older owners

Pontoons are easy to board and stable underfoot, which is why so many people over sixty love them. If docking worries you, Mercury offers a joystick system for single-outboard pontoons that uses thrusters to move the boat sideways.⁵ Wherever you boat, wear the life jacket: on a boat under 26 feet the law also requires the engine cut-off lanyard when you're on plane.⁶

Common questions

What is the most common problem with used pontoon boats?

Soft or rotten plywood decking on older boats, damaged tube noses, and outboards with little or no service history. All three are easy to check if you know where to look.

Are pontoon boats good in saltwater?

They can be used in saltwater, but aluminum tubes and fittings need rinsing and corrosion protection. A pontoon that lived in salt water with no rinse-downs deserves a much closer look at the tubes and the engine.

Is a tritoon worth the extra money?

If your water gets choppy or you want a bigger engine, usually yes. Three tubes ride better, carry more weight and handle more horsepower. On a small, calm lake, two tubes are often plenty.