Do you need a firm, versatile, lightweight craft well furnished for fishing escapades? If yes, an inflatable pontoon is an ideal boat for you. It is the best substitute for other high-priced drift boats as it offers more comparable performance.
These boats have diverse sizes, unique designs, and qualities—made to perform a specified duty. Most inflatable boats are built for anglers—they have comfortable seats, rod holders, and plenty of storage. Additionally, some of these boats are propelled with oars, while others have an outboard motor.
Choosing the best type of inflatable pontoon craft with excellent taste and preference can be challenging, especially when you are just beginning to delve into the boating niche.
However, I’ll lead you through the best inflatable pontoon watercraft plus their pros and cons, why you need these types of boats, and their desirable features. But before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s find out what an inflatable pontoon boat is, shall we?
What’s An Inflatable Pontoon Boat?
An inflatable pontoon boat is a simple type of watercraft that floats on two inflatable pontoons with airtight bladders, which are held together by a metal frame also serving as a deck that can support a passenger.
These boats make your sailing experience a breeze, making them perfect if you need to enjoy traveling over water without having to dig deep into your pockets. Inflatable pontoon boats are simple to inflate and deflate, and the frames are easy to assemble and disassemble. Additionally, they’re simple to store and transport and steady while sailing.
Why Do You Need An Inflatable Pontoon Boat?
You need an inflatable pontoon boat for varied reasons. For example, if you are an angler who prefers fishing in the middle of waters to the banks, pontoon boats are what you need. Likewise, if you’re a wildlife tourist, ornithologist, or just want to explore the waterways at leisure, you can use this exceptional boat.
As aforementioned, Inflatable pontoon boats come in different sizes. A large deck boat is convenient if you prefer a vast space. On the other hand, a small single-seater can be the best option when you need a small compact boat to navigate small waterways. Moreover, a fly-fishing pontoon will also suit you if you fancy casting while standing.
What Features Should I Look For When Buying An Inflatable Pontoon?
1. Load Capacity
You need to choose a boat that can carry everything you need while sailing. Fortunately, pontoon boats can take a significant load, and larger models are available for lugging many types of equipment. To purchase the ideal inflatable pontoon craft, you should think about the kind of gear you will use regularly and in the future to avoid inconveniences. Besides, a two-passenger pontoon craft will be better when sailing together with a friend.
2. Motor Mounts
On an inflatable pontoon boat, most of the motor mounts are of low quality. Although many of the boats come with motors, some will not. Even if your preferred pontoon fishing boat has an engine mount, make sure it can fit your motor. Most of the one-person pontoon boats can only carry a trolling motor with a maximum of 3-horsepower, so double-check the specs before buying.
3. Portability
The design of your inflatable pontoon boat determines its portability. Therefore, you should think about how you’ll transport the boat before making your choice of purchase. You’re good to go if you have a big SUV or truck; however, ensure enough room for the boat when deflated if you have a small vehicle.
4. Storage Pockets
Most anglers consider a boat’s load capacity but neglect to consider the available storage alternatives. Fortunately, various personal pontoon boat models include numerous pockets and exceptional recesses and storage spaces. Before buying your craft, double-check the product images to ensure that the boat you’re interested in has the pockets and storage space you require.
5. Stability
Various Inflatable pontoon boats have passenger seats, but a few do not. Furthermore, some will give you room to stand while fishing if you need a model that allows you to stand while fishing, inflatable pontoon crafts with lean bars are the best to acquire. Anglers can lean against a lean bar while standing to keep their balance while casting.
6. Overall Weight
Are you looking for a lightweight inflated pontoon craft that you can carry for a long-distance? The overall weight is a factor you’ll have to consider. Compared to the larger model, a smaller, lighter inflatable pontoon boat won’t transport as much equipment or passengers compared to the larger model.
7 Best Inflatable Pontoon Boats
1. Classic Accessories Colorado XT Pontoon Boat
The goal of Classic Accessories when designing the Colorado XT was to create a vessel that could accommodate all of the accessories an angler would ever want to bring on a fishing trip.
The Colorado XT boat has storage spaces that you can modify, so you can attach numerous pockets in the boat, drink holders, mesh trays, and more.
Classic Accessories, like Outcast, place a strong emphasis on the longevity of its inflatable pontoon. This strategy is crucial from a marketing standpoint. Any corporation designing boats would not want to show that their vessels are susceptible to damage and unexpected deflation.
The Colorado XT contains Heavy-duty plastic items, including steel mesh, abrasion-resistant nylon, and a cushioned plastic seat. Even if sharp objects are below the surface, the raft can still resist unpleasant scrapes on the lake’s bottom.
Besides, Classic Accessories also considers your comfort while sailing this type of inflated pontoon boat. They have padded fold-away seatings and footrests, so you can switch your sitting position anytime you need.
Pros
- XT Pontoon boats are high-quality and durable.
- The boats are secure, cozy, and enjoyable to ride
- They have adequate storage areas
- Have frame traps for quick erection and dismantling
- These boats have wheels that help in pushing the boats to the bank
- You can decide to row or use a motor
- They are designed for heavy duties, so they are strong enough to resist massive abrasion.
Cons
- The seats may seem uncomfortable when it’s your first experience
- The position of the motor mount isn’t convenient to steer with a single hand
- The boat uses a weighty battery or motor with no DIY—high risk of back end sagging
- Rowing can be challenging, especially when going in a straight line
2. Classic Accessories Roanoke Pontoon Boat
Classic Accessories also designs a solid inflatable Roanoke pontoon boat. It is a small, lightweight, 8-ft boat designed from sturdy materials. The pontoon craft is on the lower end of the price scale, but you still get a lot of bang for your buck.
This compact pontoon boat is built around a powder-coated steel frame and is supported by two PCV and Nylon pontoons to combat vast heat and cold. The model has various desirable features: armrest storage, a plastic foldable seat, zippered pockets, storage space at the back, a mesh apron, adjustable non-slippery footrests, and two aluminum oars.
The Roanoke has a carrying capacity of 350 pounds and measures 96 inches long, 55 inches wide, and 29 inches tall, with a total weight of 43 pounds. It floats high in the water for better visibility—a superb choice if you’re looking for a comfy ride with a great vantage point at an affordable price.
Pros
- It has an extended footrest to enhance comfort.
- There is a vast space at the rear where you can store gears
- It’s cheap
- Easy-peasy to row
- It can resist puncture
- Heavy duties are durable
Cons
- It’s unsteady in windy weather
- It has uncomfortable seatings
- It sails imperfectly
- Its buoyancy is substandard
3. Sea Eagle 285 Inflatable Frameless Fishing Pontoon Boat
Sea Eagle 285 is a frameless, 9-foot inflatable pontoon fishing boat weighing 45 pounds and takes only a maximum of five minutes to erect—It can hold up to 450 pounds. Its design is of exceptional quality with four overlapping glued joints for extra durability in vast waterways.
Despite its size, this raft can only draft four inches of water, but you can still customize your boat with The universal Scotty Mounts. The Sea Eagle 285 has a stripping apron, two-rod holders, swivel seat, stow pouch, floorboard, and a motor mount.
With a foot pump, this boat can be fully inflated in a maximum of fifteen minutes or even less and holds air well. Besides, it’s easy to compact—straightforward to store or transport overland. Withal, the floorboard also serves as a stable room for fishing.
Because the instructions are not always clear, erecting this pontoon raft can be pretty challenging when you’re a newbie. Furthermore, the boat can be susceptible to any motor adjustment, making it difficult to maintain stability if the motor is bumped.
Pros
- It’s an excellent fishing craft for a person.
- It’s designed with thicker materials making it durable
- Very easy to erect and dismantle
- It comes with high quality and comfy swivel chair
- Can contain a lot of capacity—has an expansive room for equipment
- The hard floor design allows Anglers to stand while fishing
Cons
- Rod holders are placed in an inconvenient position
- Tracking becomes a hassle during windy weather
- It only weighs only 350 pounds
4. AQUOS Heavy-Duty Fishing Pontoon Boat
This AQUOS Heavy-Duty Inflatable Pontoon craft is a stripped-down version of the earlier craft, but it’s included here because of its great price, simple scheme, and portability.
You can personalize the pontoon craft. The Aquos Heavy Duty can be upgraded and modified to meet your preferred fishing requirements at a low cost.
The vessel weighs 440 lbs and can be carried in a backpack luggage bag. It can be inflated and collected in a few minutes, making it highly versatile to use.
This brand comes only with a paddle with no oarlocks. Therefore, paddling the Aqueous Heavy Duty can be unhandy, so don’t expect to sail for a long distance with it; it’s mainly designed for relaxing during fishing periods rather than for adventuring. That said, a motor mount is provided for anchor propulsion, allowing you to run around.
Overall, it’s a surprisingly rock-bottom price inflatable pontoon craft. If you are looking for a quick-to-deploy, plain option and an excellent impression for scheming and modifying your boat, you’ve got an Aqueous Heavy-Duty pontoon boat.
Pros
- Undemanding to set up
- It has customization options
- It’s appropriate for two sailors and significant stability
- It has an excellent compacting alternative
- The military, marine-grade PVC is first-class durable
Cons
- It has no oarlocks
- Seatings are unavailable in this boat
- It only has a one-foot paddle
5. Classic Accessories Cumberland Float Tube
Classic Accessories designs Cumberland Fishing Float Tube. The Cumberland float tube is not a pontoon boat—It’s a float tube for fishing. It does, however, share numerous features with other pontoon boats. It’s an excellent option if you want all of the benefits of an inflatable pontoon boat—the solidity and affordability of a smaller boat.
The Cumberland Float Tube is a compact tube with a hydrodynamically shaped hull. It comes with a raised chair for better visibility and more comfortable boating, as well as a variety of comfort and fishing accessories, such as drinks holders, two-rod holders, a seat-back pocket, zippered cargo pockets, and a wide storage space.
The Float Tube is durable PVC and mesh material, suitable for various casual fishing and modest weather conditions. It measures 56” long, 44” wide, and 19” tall when fully assembled and weighed 14 pounds. It’s ideal for storage and transportation, as well as for those on a tight budget.
Pros
- They are easy to erect and dismantle
- It’s affordable
- Designed with supreme quality materials
- Its rear-pack can be adjusted
- A one year warranty covers it
- Its base is protected against abrasions
- It has several zippered pockets for storage
- It’s secure from harsh weather conditions
Cons
- Imperfect for short persons
- It’s not durable
- It has no motor
6. Classic Accessories Colorado XTS Pontoon Boat with Swivel Seat
Classic Accessories Colorado XTS pontoon craft is the brand’s top-of-the-line model. The XTS is 9-ft long. 4-ft wide and 0.5-ft wide, like the other Colorado models, but it weighs a little more at 80 pounds than the others. The transport wheel, stripping basket, and padded swivel seat add to the overall weight.
The padded swivel seat accounts for the slight price difference. The XTS provides more comfortable and versatile seats, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a luxurious ride.
This pontoon boat is well-equipped, ideal for any angler. It has an integrated anchor system, plenty of storage, motor mount, fly patches, and built-in rod holders.
The Colorado XTS is one of the most cost-effective options for those looking for a full-featured inflatable pontoon boat that is easy to transport on and off the water.
Pros
- It has a PVC base resistant to abrasion, sturdy nylon tops, and a powder-coated steel tube frame for extra strength.
- You can easily transport this boat on your own with a transport wheel.
- Possibilities for a large amount of storage and organization
- It has a fillable mesh bag, cord, and pulley for a two-position integrated anchor system
- You can create a portable gear bag by combining removable side pockets.
- A luxurious ride is made possible by a two-position motor mount and a padded swivel seat.
- It has a stripping basket that you can remove.
- The rod holder can be positioned in six different ways.
Pros
- If you don’t fancy a lot of storage space, you may find this boat a little cluttered.
- Some people may prefer one-piece oars to the two-piece included.
- There is no option for color selection.
7. AQUOS New Heavy-Duty Inflatable Pontoon Boat
This AQUOS New 12.5-ft is a one-of-a-kind inflatable pontoon boat that you can use for pleasure sailing. This craft measures 125 meters long by 50 meters wide, weighs 129 lbs, and can carry about 970 pounds. If you’re just going for a spacious boat, the four pontoon-style AQUOS New 12.5 gives you room to load up travelers and accessories.
Its aluminum floorboard design is extremely spacious, allowing many anglers to fish actively. The boat’s magnificent size may make it appear difficult to collect and inflate, but with a bit of practice, you can have this craft set up in a few minutes fully.
This inflatable boat brand has guard bars in conjunction with pedestal swivel seats. Additionally, it’s versatile— so you can use your tricks to make it look fabulous as per your taste and preference. Additionally, it’s versatile—can be customized to meet your specific boating requirements.
Despite its inflatable nature, this watercraft is made from military-marine PVC materials, making it durable. Furthermore, AQUOS also comes with a three-year warranty, indicating that it is a dependable product.
The AQUOS pontoon boat is highly stable, but its receptiveness and maneuverability are poor, so you can’t use it when kayaking on the water. There are also oarlocks that you’ll probably find it challenging to get this pontoon boat moving on your two arms once you’ve loaded it up with travelers and gear. Luckily, to secure propulsion, the boat comes with an advanced engine that you can install.
Pros
- It is roomy—has a 94 by 51-inch aluminum floorboard
- It has a four pontoon design that puts one more stability, making it ideal for two people
- Guard bars and a pedestal swivel seat are included.
- For its size, it’s surprisingly compact and portable, with setup taking just about 30 minutes.
- Highly durable military, marine-grade PVC
- Has a warrant period of three years
Cons
- It’s a high-price tag brand
- The frame and oarlocks aren’t solid, so a trolling motor is probably a better option.
- There is no option to choose colors.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where Should I Put My Registration Sticker?
You should put your registration sticker on the sides of the boat’s bow. The stickers should be in bold block letters with a minimum height of 3 inches and should not be obscured by anything. The colors should be bright and stand out against the background.
2. What Battery Size Is Perfect For My Pontoon Boat?
For an idea of what dimensions your battery needs to be, look at the size of the battery box recess. All one-person pontoon boats can be powered by a 12-volt trolling motor battery, which is both powerful and light—they’re also reasonably priced.
3. What’s the Size of a Pontoon Boat’s Trolling Motor?
The Endura 30 electric motor from Minn Kota is highly recommendable. It has 30 pounds of thrust, incredible for most inflatable pontoon boats—and it perfectly fits in your car’s trunk.
4. Are Inflatable Pontoon Boats Good For Fishing?
Yes, pontoon boats are an excellent choice for fishing. However, you must take note that most of them won’t come with swivel chairs, rod holders, but this will often depend on the pontoon boat brand you’re buying from. All in all, they’re one of the best boat types for fishing.
5. Can You Fly Fish From A Pontoon Boat?
Yes, you can fish fly with a pontoon boat, which explains why pontoon boats come with fish flying necessary features and design. Also, this is the reason why you’ll find most pontoon boats with the pockets needed to allow for fish flying.
Final Verdict
An inflatable pontoon boat must be an investment for zealous anglers, waterway explorers, and outdoor fanatics. These boats are more durable than a standard inflatable boat and don’t require the maintenance of a full-size boat. Furthermore, they are reasonably priced, easily transportable, and incredibly adaptable.
Pontoon boats are an excellent choice for sporting and recreational activities. They are, however, difficult to transport due to their double-hull design. On the other hand, the inflatable pontoons can provide the same fishing experience as their solid-hulled counterparts—easier to transport to and from the fishing spots.
