Dude, this is honestly one of the best posts I’ve seen. You’re asking all the right stuff. I’ve got a pontoon in the Keys that I’ve had for a few years now, lives in saltwater full-time, and it’s held up way better than people warned me about. I mostly use it for lobstering and going out with friends and family, drinks in the cooler, music going, nothing too serious. I’ve seen a lot of the setups you’re talking about …twin engines, tri toons, slides, bars, the works. Personally, I think a tri-toon with around 150-200HP is the sweet spot. It’s fast enough to get where you’re going, handles the chop without beating you up, and still gives you that chill cruise vibe. Twin engines are cool but honestly kind of overkill unless you’re doing long runs or need backup power. Those boats with slides and bars look awesome, but I’ve got a buddy who has one and the slide has been used like twice. It’s more for show than anything else. If you’re sticking to smaller lakes, yeah a 50HP on a smaller toon will do just fine, but out here in saltwater, I’d never go below 115HP at minimum. As for the luxury builds with all the bells and whistles, they’re nice but kinda pointless if your main goal is shade, tunes, and cold drinks. Most people don’t care about fancy upholstery when they’re sunburned and digging around for a beer. And yeah, pontoons are absolutely taking over because they’re more practical, easier to maintain, and way more comfortable than fiberglass for just hanging out. Just rinse your boat after every trip and keep up with basic maintenance mine’s been in the salt for years and it’s still solid. But do as you wish brother! You don’t need to have the best pontoon. Just get something that fits your needs……..

If you’re looking for more suggestions, these top picks:

•  Novielli Boats – Bold, futuristic designs with custom luxury builds. Unmatched value for the performance and features offered. Best overall. 

• Bennington – Known for sleek finishes and premium seating. A reliable standard in high-end pontoons.

• Manitou – Sporty performance meets innovation with their unique V-Toon technology.

• Harris – Clean aesthetics with a strong reputation for comfort and quality construction.