Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Good morning, Newbie to pontoon boat owning.

What are the pros and cons of 25" pontoons vs. 23"?

I am looking at a 20' boat with 23" pontoons. What will I be giving up? Also are 25" more desirable in the resale market.

Thanks again for the knowledge you have all shared.

Brian - NC

on a 2 logger I don't see 23" vs 25" dropping resale too much, many pontoons are still made with 23" logs standard and 25" optional. Between the 2 you probably looking at 1 person and 15hp more rating with a 25" over a 23"

I am looking for a boat myself. All the info I have read said to get 25" which is now the industry standard. I think that alone will convince any prospective buyer to shy away from a 23".

LadyGT wrote:I am currently looking for a pontoon boat to purchase which is why I am responding. I think the size depends on how many people will be on board for the majority of ownership. Not only that, what about storage space when not in use. Also consider your annual taxes and registration. The bigger the boat, the higher the taxes. We have been looking online for a boat. It seems the market is flooded with 24's. Personally, a 22' or 23'r is big enough for the average family. Regarding resale, think about who your market will be. With today's economy, the lower the price, the quicker the sale. Who can really afford or wants to invest $40k in a boat which may or may not get a lot of use.

While I don't disagree with anything you say, I beleive the original poster is asking about the diameter of the actual toons, not the length of the boat.

sunedog wrote:

LadyGT wrote:I am currently looking for a pontoon boat to purchase which is why I am responding. I think the size depends on how many people will be on board for the majority of ownership. Not only that, what about storage space when not in use. Also consider your annual taxes and registration. The bigger the boat, the higher the taxes. We have been looking online for a boat. It seems the market is flooded with 24's. Personally, a 22' or 23'r is big enough for the average family. Regarding resale, think about who your market will be. With today's economy, the lower the price, the quicker the sale. Who can really afford or wants to invest $40k in a boat which may or may not get a lot of use.

While I don't disagree with anything you say, I beleive the original poster is asking about the diameter of the actual toons, not the length of the boat.

Yeah I reread that and tried to delete it. Is my face red? Lol. I was in a hurry and did not notice which punctuation was used.

Maybe if I used the term diameter instead of just " my post would be more clear.

Just the same, all very helpful comments, "Pontoon forum" has become my "go to" place to validate information during my purchase process.

Thanks to all very helpful!

Brian - NC

Before 25" tubes were available we were so happy with our 23"s we never wanted more. I still use a 24' toon with 23" tubes and a 90HP Nissan multiple times every summer and I am perfectly happy with it's performance. It does exactly what it is supposed to do and it's never overly taxed even fully loaded. So often the argument strays from "does it fit my needs" to "there's bigger and better available". If you want a performance toon then no, a 2 log 23" tube boat won't cut it. If you need a boat that can haul your family out to the lake, have some fun, do some cruising and fishing, and be cost effective a 23" log boat will do you just fine. Remember, ask yourself what you need the boat to do for YOU, not someone else.

In my observations it actually might be a pretty good idea to invest in the optional larger toon if it's available. Especially if a person is insistent on purchasing a smaller pontoon boat. I've seen far more smaller pontoon boats packed full and sitting uncomfortably low in the water, than I have larger or longer ones and there is a reasonable exclamation for it.

A 24' pontoon boat with 24" pontoons weight capacity 4,565 lbs.

A 20' pontoon boat with 24" pontoons weight capacity 3,559 lbs.

----------------------------------The 24 footers advantage 1,006 lbs.

A 20' pontoon boat with 26" pontoons weight capacity 4,177 lbs.

So the 2" in diameter is the equivalent of an additional 618 lbs. or the ability to pack along several additional friends. The more friends aboard often accounts for a lot more fun for everyone. So opt for a couple of inches and allow for some additional friends.

You also have to factor in the additional weight of the stringers, wood, and additional seating so that number is inflated. The pros of a larger diameter tube are obvious, my point is if you are looking at a boat that is equipped with 23" diameter tubes don't pass it by simply because there are bigger and better out there. If the OP is ordering a new boat, order the most and best options that are within your budget and fit your needs.

OP also asked about cons, and the only one I can see personally is if it's an older boat with an 8' deck and 25" tubes, most crank up style trailers will fit between the tubes.

ToonGuy wrote:You also have to factor in the additional weight of the stringers, wood, and additional seating so that number is inflated. The pros of a larger diameter tube are obvious, my point is if you are looking at a boat that is equipped with 23" diameter tubes don't pass it by simply because there are bigger and better out there. If the OP is ordering a new boat, order the most and best options that are within your budget and fit your needs.

OP also asked about cons, and the only one I can see personally is if it's an older boat with an 8' deck and 25" tubes, most crank up style trailers will fit between the tubes.

I have always found the so called weight difference or savings between a 20' vrs 24' foot pontoon boat interesting anyway. So I gathered up some figures.

A 25" dia. pontoon works out to be and additional 52 sq. feet of sheet aluminum per. 8 feet @ 1.28 lbs psf would equal 66.56 lbs.

066.56 lbs per Pontoons

065.00 lbs per additional sheet of 3/4 in. plywood per two found references

100.0 lbs for two 50" pontoon boat seats.

0048 lbs. for three additional stringers
------------
279.56 total additional pounds for the 24' vrs the 20 footer.

And the math still works out an additional 700 lbs capacity. In reality an insignificant weight savings I'd rather have the additional four feet of boat myself.

the 25"ers will be better in rough water for sure. you'll be more buoyant so you'll also be dryer. so depends on where you'll be boating. as far as resale alot of people will rule it out on that alone. when asking others for advice one of the first things I heard repeatedly was get 25" tunes. good luck.

Bamby wrote:. In reality an insignificant weight savings I'd rather have the additional four feet of boat myself.

Amen to that!

I can spot a pontoon with 23" toons a mile a away. Whenever they come by our house with a full load of passengers, they're running deep and slow.

And to get anywhere, you've got to wring out the motors--run'em hard.

25" toons are much more buoyant and easier for your engine to push. They're faster, and get much better fuel mileage by not having to be run at full throttle.

Have you the option to go 27". I didn't go for a tri tube but I did go the 27" tubes which increased person capacity on my 24' by 2.
I really like the added height at the dock. I can't comment on the difference in ride or speed because it's my first pontoon.
Only issue I had was dealer had to install the long shaft kit on my 115 hp yam