Once in awhile the internet shows you something truly cool. I was researching an article to figure out the best small boats for families when I stumbled across mini pontoon boats. I had never heard of these before, but after doing some research on them, it became clear that they deserved an article all of their own.
Mini pontoon boats just might be the perfect small fishing boat for a family. While there are other great options out there like Gheenoes and even the simple row boat, a tiny pontoon boat is going to let you take your kid out with no concerns whatsoever of tipping (assuming you aren’t crazy as to when you take it out).
In this article I’ll discuss why these small pontoon boats offer such huge value. I’ll share some stats among some common models, talk about how much they cost, and discuss their versatility. After reading, I think you’ll share my opinion that these mini aluminum pontoon boats are worth significant consideration when you choose your next budget family fishing boat. If you’re handy, some manufacturers even offer mini pontoon kits for you to build on your own!
Why Buy a Mini Pontoon Fishing Boat?
People buy mini aluminum pontoon boats for a variety of reasons. Some have small farm ponds that they want an affordable boat to toot around on. Others use them for maintaining waterbodies (they provide a stable, dry platform for work on a fountain for example). Some municipalities also favor them for search and rescue operations as there’s room for a driver, diver, and rescued person.
While all of those are great reasons to buy a tiny pontoon boat, if you’re reading this article, you probably want to use one of these little pontoon boats for fishing. I’d wager if you’re a regular of the blog, you probably want to take your kids out on them too. If you’re looking for a small, affordable fishing boat to take kids on, these are definitely worth a closer look. To understand why, let’s consider your other options.
A Look at Other Small Boats
Miniature pontoon boats aren’t your only small boat options. You can also consider rowboats, canoes, kayaks, and gheenoes. Each has their advantages and disadvantages that I’ll explore.
Advantages vs. Rowboats
Having fished off of many rowboats in my day, I can tell you two right now that they have two significant disadvantages when compared to pontoon boats: they are difficult to move around in, and noisy when you do.
While you can find rowboats that are relatively stable (especially larger ones), it’s tough to find one that is easy to move around in. Most rowboats have a few rows of bench seats and their floor doubles as their hull. This means that the floor is angled, often ribbed, and not that easy to walk on. When you do attempt to walk on a rowboat, it tends to be very noisy, and all of that noise goes directly into the water as, again, you’re stomping on the hull.
A pontoon boat, in contrast, is probably the easiest boat to walk around on that’s known to man. You’re basically walking on a flat rectangular surface. If you’re careful, you can walk quietly and get to whatever you need to access much easier in a tiny pontoon boat than in a rowboat.
Do Rowboats Have Any Advantages over Mini Pontoon Boats?
The one place a rowboat is probably going to beat a mini pontoon boat is price. Rowboats can be purchased used on Craigslist very cheaply. They’re unsightly and take up a lot of space. Once people want them gone, they’ll often list them very low. Just act fast!
Tiny Pontoon Boat vs. Canoe
Canoes take all of the disadvantages of rowboats vs. mini pontoon boats and amplify them, in my mind. It’s dangerous to attempt to stand and walk in any canoe, as they can tip easily. Even if you could, where would you go? A canoe places you in one spot to fish from regardless of what is necessary.
Again, all the reasons that make these small pontoon boats great compared to rowboats are going to apply two fold against canoes. Mini pontoon boats offer more space and a better fishing platform by far.
Mini Aluminum Pontoon Boat Advantages of Canoes
Canoe advantages over mini pontoon boats are going to be two fold. First, they too can be had very inexpensively. Even a brand new (basic model) canoe will be less expensive than the most affordable miniature pontoon boat, but there’s a great chance one can find one for cheap used, as with rowboats.
A canoe’s second advantage over a mini aluminum pontoon boat is going to be its stealth and ability to get into skinny water. A canoe will weigh much less and present a significantly lower profile. While it’s possible to use a push pole with a mini pontoon, the canoe is going to be easier to use in situations where stealthy presentations in shallow water are key.
Mini Pontoon Boat Kits
Some manufacturers offer mini pontoon boat kits so you can build your own. For example, Pond King offers a 4×8′ mini pontoon boat kit in four stages of assembly. This can be yours for as little as $1,199 if you’re handy, or you can have them do most of the assembly and get into this for $2,199. These aren’t bad prices at all for a boat that’ll carry 650lbs.
If you own a small pond and are buying one of these mini pontoon boat kits for that, you also have to factor in the savings you would have spent on a trailer. There’s no reason you can’t build one of these right next to the water and launch it there, which makes this an even more affordable option. The Pond King Rebel has quick connects on it that allow you to easily build it right next to the shore, which might be a good option if you don’t have a trailer. Their other modular options are going to require tools, though if you own the pond at least, you can still build it outside.
Finally, mini pontoon kits are just a great way to spend some time with your kids. If you invest in one of these, for years you’ll hear your kids talk about “the boat WE built” with pride. The low cost of ownership, ability to build it “on site,” and the pride of building it yourself makes these mini pontoon boat kits by Pond King a great deal.
Photo provided with permission of www.pondking.com
Best Mini Pontoon Boats
Which mini pontoon boat is best for you will depend on your circumstances. If you’re looking for a true mini aluminum pontoon boat, it’s hard to argue with Pond King products as they offer boats that are indisputably tiny. Some of their competitors small pontoon boats are arguably “real” pontoon boats. That can work if you just want one to fit in your garage but if you have a specific application (like using it in your own farm pond), they might be too big.
I’ve gone ahead and researched how much these mini pontoon boats cost for you as well as some basic stats. Here’s what I was able to find. Bear in mind that when it comes to price this is usually a starting value. All of these tiny pontoon boats come with multiple add on options that are going to increase the price (and usually enhance the experience).
Note that there’s no precise definition for what constitutes a “mini pontoon boat.” I decided that 12′ deck length would be my limit. Anything over that and I’m hard pressed to call it tiny any more. Maybe someday I’ll write an article about slightly larger ones (what would you even call that? “Miniature small pontoon boats?) but for now, I had to draw the line somewhere!
| Manufacturer/Name | Deck Dimensions and Weight | Person Capacity / Weight Capacity | Price (where available) | My Thoughts |
| Pond King Rebel Modular Mini Pontoon | 4 x 4′ 150 lbs | 1 person / 400 lbs | $1,649.00 | Good for one person who really wants stability while standing and fishing. It might be a little unwieldly without a trailer. Yes, 150lb should be doable but when you consider its size it could be tough. |
| Pond King Patriot Mini Two Man Pontoon Boat | 4 x 8′ 220 lbs | 2 persons / 650 lbs | $2,799.00 | You’ll likely need a trailer for this one unless you and your fishing buddy are very strong. |
| Aqua Cycle II | Length not provided 286 lbs | 4 persons / 800 lbs | $5,238.00 | This has an interesting paddle propulsion system and is the first mini pontoon boat that can fit a 4-person family. Pond King is a dealer, though they don’t manufacture this boat. |
| Kennedy Paddle Boat | 6 x 8′ 280 lbs | 4 persons / 500 lbs | Not provided | Comes with a nice sun top / bimini top. Much higher quality and utility than plastic paddle boats. |
| Kennedy Electric Mini Toon | 6’4″ x 8′ 305 lbs | 2 persons / 450 lbs | Not provided | Allows for a 40lb thrust trolling motor. Ships with a small Minn Kota trolling motor with a remote control and foot pedal. |
| Kennedy Outboard Mini Toon | 6’4″ x 8′ 295 lbs | 2 persons / 450 lbs | Not provided | A range of motors are offered up to 3.5 HP. |
| Pond-Tini 10 Series | 6′ x 10′ Weight not provided | Not given / 1100 lbs | Not provided | Pondtini make legitimate mini aluminum pontoon boats. These are not toys. The 10 series and up even come with a livewell! |
| Pond-Tini 12 Series | 6′ x 12′ Weight not provided | Not given / 1100 lbs | Not provided | Again, this is a substantial boat. It’s pushing it to call it a “mini pontoon boat” at this point. It has pretty much everything you’d need at a compact size. |
| Sunray 12 Ft Sundeck | Length not provided 1100lbs | 4 persons / Not provided | Not provided | Comes with options such as blue tooth speakers and a porta potty making it a good boat to relax on with the family. |
| Sunray 12 Ft Fisher | Length not provided 1100lbs | 4 persons / Not provided | Not provided | Seems to replace bench seats of the 12 Ft Sundeck with 4 individual swivel seats allowing everyone to fish. |
| Pondcraft Boats | 6′ x 10′ or 7′ x 12′ Weight not provided | Not provided/ 1,000lbs to 1,600lbs | $5,865 to $7,265 | Interestingly, they offer a wholesale dealer special with 4 boats unpainted for $19,820. I’m not sure if this would be honored for anyone, but if so, this could be a great way to start a small fishing camp. |
| Hotwood’s Lil’ Sport | 5′ x 10′ 355lbs | Not provided/ 900lbs | Starting at $4,210 | A simple but effective rig. There’s no real bells and whistles but you get a lot of useable floor space for the price. |
| Hotwood’s Alumasport 612 | 6′ x 10.5′ 560lbs | Not provided/ 1,050lbs | Starting at $6,000 | All aluminum construction is 11 degrees cooler than wood in the sun. Can be equipped with a range of options like a canopy. |
How Much are Mini Pontoon Boats?
Mini pontoon boats can be purchased for well less than $10,000 new and in some cases less than $3,000. The larger the “miniature” pontoon boat, the more expensive it will be. If you’re looking for a tiny, one-person pontoon boat, you’re going to spend considerably less money.
These are fairly niche boats so you might have a hard time purchasing them used. I didn’t know they existed until I poked around the internet looking for topics to write about. All the same, if you do find one used, consider reading my article on how to buy a boat for your family without losing sleep. You might turn an already great deal into an amazing one.
Conclusions
Miniature pontoon boats are a type of tiny watercraft that offers some big possibilities. They make a much more stable working platform than canoes or even rowboats which is important, especially if you like to stand while you fish. They tend to be quite affordable, with some of the smaller options rivaling the (new) cost of rowboats and other small watercraft. Some even present a fun DIY option as there are certain companies, like Pond King, that offer mini pontoon boat kits for purchase.
While these tiny pontoon boats won’t work for everyone, they are an interesting choice and a viable option for many. You should certainly check out some of the websites I’ve provided on this post and see if these boats would work well for you.
Thanks for reading,
John Paxton
