What’s the difference between pontoon and tritoon boats?

At a very simple level, pontoon boats’ hulls are made from two tubes, while tritoon boats (as you might guess from the name) have three.

This isn’t just a cosmetic difference. Whether your boat has two or three tubes affects its performance in a number of ways. You need to pick whichever best suits your needs.

With nearly 16 million boats now on the water in the USA, there’s never been a better time to join this fun and sociable community. Here’s how to decide which type of boat is right for you.

Tritoon Vs Pontoon: Size, Stability and Power

The main difference between pontoon and tritoon boats is their stability.

The third tube in a tritoon boat makes it much more stable than a pontoon. This is thanks to the extra buoyancy and improved weight dispersement brought into play by the third tube.

The one key issue with tritoons is that they tend to be a fair bit larger than pontoons. So you’ll need a larger trailer, which can be a pain to tow in more remote locations – and a larger dock too.

So you can be a bit more confident that it can travel at high speeds without a problem. But speed isn’t everything. Ask yourself, realistically, how are you going to use your boat?

What Will You Use The Boat For?

Extra stability is useful, but it really only becomes noticeable in situations where you’re traveling at high speed. With a high-powered engine.

Tritoons may fare better at high speeds because of that extra tube. But in practice, a pontoon boat isn’t any worse for taking out on, say, a relaxing fishing trip. Or a gentle potter around the seashore.

If you’re planning on bombing up and down the ocean at full throttle, pulling donuts, waterskis, and wakeboards, then a tritoon boat might be a better pick for you. Tritoons are also better at handling rough water and wake, thanks to that extra stability.

Think carefully about what you’re likely to use the boat for before making a decision.

Your Budget

The other question to ask is about how much you’re willing to spend on your new boat. Tritoons are more expensive than pontoons.

So if you really don’t need a boat that goes really fast, a pontoon can be a better pick.

Of course, no matter what budget you’re working to, you’ll need to set some cash aside to pay for accessories like boat covers and trailers. Try places like themarinebattery.com to find great deals for this type of thing.

Tritoon Boats or Pontoon Boats?

At the end of the day, it’s your call.
Both types of boat can be great picks, but for different scenarios.

We hope that whichever you go with, you have a fantastic first boat trip on your new pontoon or tritoon boat. And the next one, and so on!

Want to take it a step further? Are you interested in a career on the ocean? Read 5 Nerdy Jobs That Involve the Ocean next!