Aug. 20 2026
How to Choose the Right Pontoon for Your Family in North Dakota
Buying a pontoon is a big investment, and with so many sizes, layouts, horsepower options, and features available, it can be difficult to know where to start.
The best pontoon isn’t necessarily the biggest or most expensive one on the lot. It’s the one that fits the way your family actually spends time on the water.
Before you start comparing brands and models, consider these six things.
1. Think About How Many People You’ll Have on Board
Start with the people who will actually use the boat.
If you’re typically taking just your immediate family out for an afternoon cruise, you may not need the same layout as someone who regularly brings 10 or 12 friends and family members along.
Think about your typical day on the water:
- How many people will usually be on board?
- Do you have young children?
- Will you bring pets?
- Do you entertain larger groups?
- Do you need room to move around the boat?
- How much storage will you need?
A layout that looks great on the showroom floor may feel very different once you have coolers, life jackets, towels, fishing gear, and a full crew on board.
2. Decide How You’ll Actually Use Your Pontoon
This is one of the most important questions to answer before you buy.
Are you primarily looking for a boat to:
Cruise and relax?
Look for comfortable seating, shade, easy movement throughout the boat, and plenty of storage.
Spend time with friends and family?
Consider an open layout with plenty of seating and space for everyone to move around.
Tube and participate in watersports?
Pay attention to horsepower, towing capability, seating, and features that make getting on and off the boat easy.
Fish?
A fishing-focused layout can give you features like fishing seats, rod storage, live-wells, and open casting space.
Do a little bit of everything?
A versatile layout may be the best option if your family wants to fish in the morning, cruise in the afternoon, and pull the kids on a tube later.
The right boat should fit your lifestyle—not the other way around.
3. Choose the Right Size
Bigger isn’t always better.
A larger pontoon gives you more room for passengers and gear, but it can also mean a larger investment and different considerations when it comes to storage, towing, and handling.
When comparing sizes, think about:
- Passenger capacity
- Available seating
- Storage
- Deck space
- Where you’ll store the boat
- What vehicle you’ll use to tow it
- Where you’ll launch it
- How you plan to use it on the water
For many families, a mid-size pontoon can provide plenty of room without going bigger than they actually need.
4. Don’t Choose Horsepower Based Only on the Number
Horsepower should match the way you plan to use the boat.
If your main goal is relaxing and cruising, you may have different needs than a family that wants to regularly pull tubes or other watersports.
Your boat’s size, passenger load, intended activities, and performance expectations should all be considered together.
Rather than simply asking, “What’s the most horsepower I can get?” ask:
“What do I want my boat to be able to do?”
That’s a much better starting point.
5. Don’t Forget the Features You’ll Use Every Time You Go Out
It’s easy to get distracted by flashy upgrades, but the features you’ll appreciate most are often the ones you use every time you’re on the water.
Consider:
- Comfortable seating
- Bimini top and shade
- Storage
- Swim ladder
- Stereo and connectivity
- Changing room
- Easy-access boarding
- Depth/fish finders
- Fishing features
- Flooring
- Table and cupholder placement
Think about what your perfect Saturday on the water looks like. Then choose features that make that day easier and more enjoyable.
6. Take the Boat for a Ride Before You Buy
Photos and specifications can tell you a lot about a boat, but they can’t tell you everything.
If you’re shopping for a new pontoon, take the opportunity to experience the boat in person. Sit in the seats. Walk around the deck. Open the storage compartments. Imagine where your family will sit. Pay attention to how easy it is to move around.
And whenever possible, get the boat on the water.
A water demonstration can help you understand how the boat handles, how the layout feels in real conditions, and whether it performs the way you expected.
At Moritz Sport & Marine in Mandan, customers have the advantage of a dealership located directly on the water, making the on-water experience an important part of the boat-buying process.
What Size Pontoon Is Right for Your Family?
There’s no single answer.
The right pontoon depends on your family, your budget, how many people you typically bring along, and what you want to do once you’re on the water.
That’s why it’s worth taking your time before making a decision.
At Moritz Sport & Marine, we can help you compare pontoon layouts, features, and options based on how you actually plan to use your boat. Our current inventory includes pontoon options from brands such as Barletta and Godfrey, giving shoppers different ways to approach their next boat purchase.
Ready to Find the Right Pontoon?
Don’t start with the most expensive boat.
Start with your family.
Think about how you spend your time on the water, what features you’ll actually use, and what will make your boating experience more enjoyable for years to come.
Then find the pontoon that fits that lifestyle.
