Best Tritoons: Brand Comparison For The Ultimate Boat Experience

With over 40 brands of pontoon and tritoon boats on the market, it can be challenging to determine which is the best. Based on research, reviews, and personal experience, here is an introduction to some of the top-rated tritoon boats and brands to consider when making a purchase decision.

Best tritoon boat for the money

Best Tritoons for Your Money

Tritoons are a great choice for boating enthusiasts as they offer superior stability, performance, and versatility on the water. The addition of a third pontoon provides greater balance and smoother rides, making them perfect for families, watersports, and cruising in various water conditions.

Sun Tracker Party Barge XP3

The Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 RF XP3 is an excellent choice for summer fun. It features three 26" logs with lifting strakes, providing faster performance and improved handling. The internal bracing and factory-installed underpinning offer additional strength and enhanced performance. With the ability to handle up to 200 horsepower, this tritoon is perfect for cruising and watersports. It offers ample seating and storage space, a movable table, Bluetooth stereo, and LED lighting. The XP3 performance package further enhances its performance and offers a drier ride.

Harris Cruiser 230 CW

The Harris Cruiser 230 CW is a versatile tritoon that allows you to cruise, entertain, or fish. It is built with value in mind and includes ultra-soft and durable vinyl upholstery. The standard version features a center walk-through layout, with various other layout options available. It comes with a Bimini top, a changing room, a depth gauge, and an extended swim platform. The optional performance packages provide improved control in rough water, and the Level 2 package increases horsepower capacity up to 300 HP.

Bennington S Series

The Bennington S, SC, and SV series offer a reduced price while maintaining the high level of quality associated with the brand. By scaling back on build sturdiness and hardware offerings, these tritoons provide a more affordable option without compromising on the prestige and resale value of the Bennington name. The max HP is 150 HP on the tri-toon models, and you can expect a smooth and buoyant ride.

Barletta C-Class

The Barletta C-Class is known for its exceptional build quality and sturdy construction. While being one of the more expensive options on the list, the C-Class offers a scaled-down version of their higher-end models, providing a more affordable yet equally well-crafted platform.

Godfrey Sweetwater 2086 BF

The Godfrey Sweetwater 2086 BF offers a life-changing experience at a fantastic value. With alluring amenities and action-packed features, it is perfect for families who want to spend quality time on the water. The Sweetwater Cruise and Fish models are versatile and ready for any tritoon adventure. The centered mounting location and angled sides provide ample workspace, and it includes features such as an aerated livewell, integrated tackle storage, and rod holders. Godfrey offers various performance packages to enhance your tritoon experience, including the GTP Triple Tube Technology and iMPACT+ Triple Tube for increased speed and horsepower.

Avalon Catalina Funship

The Avalon Catalina Funship is a midsized double-decker tritoon boat perfect for cruising and sliding. It features twin 27" tubes and high-performance fins for a smooth ride. The upper deck provides ample space, and the water slide adds to the fun. The interior includes full Riptide vinyl flooring, lounge arms with storage, movable cup holders, and a kidney-shaped table. The 27" Waveglider Package allows you to convert it into a tritoon, offering maximum weight handling, speed, and horsepower.

When choosing a tritoon, consider your specific needs, such as the size of your lake, the number of passengers, and your intended activities. Additionally, dealer support and local servicing are crucial factors in your decision-making process.

Best tritoon boat by brand

Tritoons are a type of pontoon boat that has three "toons" or "logs" (the pontoons on which they ride). Tritoons are known for their stability and ability to carry more weight. When it comes to finding the best tritoon boat by brand, here are some top options:

Barletta

The Barletta C-Series is known for its exceptional build quality and sturdy platform. While Barletta is one of the more expensive brands, the C-Class offers a more affordable option while still retaining the superior construction that sets the brand apart.

Bennington

Bennington is one of the most popular pontoon boat brands on the market, known for its luxury and performance. Their S, SC, and SV Series offer a reduced price point while still delivering the prestige and resale value associated with the Bennington name. The SVSB-SPS model combines sure-footed handling with a comfortable ride.

Harris

Harris has been a pioneer in the pontoon boat industry, introducing the first power bimini top and the first rear entry gate. The Harris Cruiser is their value model, offering the same level of quality as their higher-end options but at a more affordable price. The Cruiser 250 mixes a solid build with great acceleration.

Manitou

Manitou pontoons are known for their performance, cutting-edge design, and luxury. The Manitou Explore 24 Max Navigator stands out for its forward-looking, technologically-savvy design, maximizing space and functionality. The hidden inboard engine and extended stern deck are notable features, and the Rotax engine ensures a quiet ride even at high speeds.

SunTracker

SunTracker pontoons offer excellent value for money, delivering a good experience at a cheaper price. They achieve this through economies of scale, such as buying Mercury Motors in large quantities and having a streamlined manufacturing process. The SunTracker PartyBarge XP3 is one of the best tritoons for your money, according to Boater's Secret Weapon.

Lowe

Lowe Pontoons, part of the Brunswick Boat Group, also offer great value for money. Their base model has a nice set of standard features, providing a fun boating experience without the extra cost of unnecessary upgrades. The Lowe SS210V is recommended as one of the best tritoons for your money.

Best tritoon boat by luxury and performance

When it comes to luxury and performance in tritoon boats, there are several brands that stand out. Here is a detailed overview of some of the best options available:

Bennington Tritoons

Bennington Marine offers a range of luxury and performance tritoon boats that cater to different needs and preferences. Their boats are known for their attention to detail, modern designs, and luxurious appearances. With a starting price of $98,586, their tritoons offer a range of width and horsepower options. For example, their 25 QSR model comes with a 50 HP Yamaha engine, while the 23 QXFB offers up to 600 HP for the outboard single engine and 900 HP for the outboard twin engine. Bennington also provides a broad selection of performance and luxury options, allowing customers to customise their boats to their liking.

Barletta Tritoons

Barletta Pontoon Boats is another brand that offers a range of tritoon boats, from affordable luxury to ultimate luxury options. While pricing information is not readily available on their website, they do provide a virtual building tool that allows customers to design their own boat and receive a price estimate. Barletta is known for its innovative products, unique exterior styling, and private ownership structure. They offer different series, such as the Lusso, Corsa Sport, and Cabrio, each catering to varying levels of luxury and performance.

Manitou Tritoons

Manitou Pontoon Boats is a brand that prides itself on redefining luxury and performance in the tritoon boat space. They offer a range of models, including the Cruise, Explore, and Sport series, catering to different needs. Manitou boats are designed with cutting-edge features, ultimate comfort, and unmatched performance in mind. They also provide a wide range of outboard engine choices, from 150 HP to 400 HP, allowing customers to find the perfect balance between luxury and performance.

Avalon Tritoons

Avalon Pontoons has over 50 years of experience in crafting luxury tritoon boats that blend innovation, style, and performance. They offer a diverse range of models, from mid-range to premium, packed with luxury features. Avalon's boats are built with meticulous craftsmanship, heavy-duty aluminium, and the industry's toughest vinyl and canvas. They also offer performance packages, such as the Sport Performance and Waveglider, for those seeking a faster and more dynamic experience on the water.

SunTracker Tritoons

SunTracker Boats is a well-known brand that offers tritoon boats at relatively lower price points without compromising on value. They are able to maintain competitive pricing due to their large-scale manufacturing processes and exclusive use of Mercury motors. SunTracker boats are ideal for those seeking a balance between affordability and performance, with models like the PartyBarge and Bass Buggy offering a good blend of features and pricing.

Best tritoon boat by size

When it comes to tritoon boats, there are many options to choose from, with over 40 brands on the market. Here is a list of the best tritoon boats by size:

Small Tritoons

For smaller tritoons, the Pond King 16′ Elite is a great option. It offers a nice set of standard features and a good amount of power with a max HP rating of 150 HP. The Lowe Pontoon SS210V is another excellent choice in this size range. As part of the Brunswick Boat Group, Lowe benefits from economies of scale and exclusive Mercury outboard power.

Medium Tritoons

In the medium-sized category, the Harris 22 Cruiser is a fantastic option. Harris has been building pontoons since the 1950s and is known for its high-quality construction. The Cruiser is their value model, offering the same level of quality as their more expensive models but at a lower price point. The Bennington S Series is another excellent choice for medium-sized tritoons. While Bennington is known for its high-end Q and R Series, the S Series provides the same prestige and resale value at a more affordable price.

Large Tritoons

For those seeking a larger tritoon, the Barletta C-Series is an excellent option. Barletta is known for its superior build quality, and the C-Series offers the best of their construction at a more affordable price point than their higher-end models.

When choosing a tritoon boat, it's important to consider not just the initial purchase price but also the long-term value and enjoyment you will get from the boat. It's also worth noting that the outboard motor can make up a significant portion of the total cost, so selecting a reliable yet affordable option like Suzuki can help you save money.

Best tritoon boat by engine

Tritoons are known for their superior stability, performance, and versatility on the water. The addition of a third pontoon allows tritoon boats to support larger engines and achieve higher speeds. Here are some of the best tritoon boats by engine:

Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 RF XP3

The Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 RF XP3 is a recreational tritoon boat that can accommodate up to 11 people. It is equipped with a Mercury 4 Stroke 150L motor, allowing it to reach speeds of 31-40 mph. The boat features a rear-facing lounge, couches, and a high-back swivelling helm bucket seat for comfortable cruising.

Harris Cruiser 230 CW

The Harris Cruiser 230 CW is a versatile tritoon that can be used for cruising, entertainment, and fishing. It comes with a Mercury 150 HP 4-stroke engine and offers various performance packages that improve handling in rough water. The level 2 performance package, for example, increases horsepower capacity to 300 HP and includes a ski tow bar.

Bennington 23 SSR

The Bennington 23 SSR offers various performance packages that enhance speed and stability. With the Express Tube Package, you can achieve higher horsepower and lifting performance. The Sports Performance System includes three full-length pontoons with lifting strakes on the center pontoon and a fuel tank capacity of 32 gallons.

Crest Classic LX 240

The Crest Classic LX 240 provides a customizable experience with features like a standard stereo system with Bluetooth and a telescoping 4-step stainless steel ladder. The CPT Standard Package adds a third tube, increasing horsepower capacity to 150 HP, while the CPT DLX Package boosts capacity to 250 HP and includes dual battery boxes.

Godfrey Sweetwater 2086 BF

The Godfrey Sweetwater 2086 BF offers a range of performance packages to enhance your tritoon experience. The Sport Tube package adds a third tube for improved stability, while the iMPACT+ Triple Tube package delivers ultimate performance with two 27" outer tubes and a 29" center tube.

Avalon Catalina Funship

The Avalon Catalina Funship is a midsized double-decker tritoon with a spacious upper deck and a water slide. With the 27" Waveglider Package, you can convert it into a tritoon, maximizing speed, performance, and horsepower.

Sylvan Mirage 8520 Cruise

The Sylvan Mirage 8520 Cruise is a wider tritoon ideal for larger families. It offers the PTS Performance Package, which includes two full-length outer tubes and a reduced-length center tube for improved horsepower and lifting performance. The SPX Package provides a smoother ride with better handling.

Frequently asked questions