Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Like I stated last week, we are looking for a used pontoon boat in excellent condition. There is one out there that is a 2003 Bennington 2075RL, with a 2013 90 HP Honda motor and a 2011 Shorelander trailer. Questions are : Is 20' too small for a Pontoon as I was initially looking for a 24' one. Does a 20' ride ok or does it rock too much or any other drawbacks to it ? What about the Honda 90 HP motor, I know Honda vehicles are top shelf but mainly have been more familiar with Johnson / Evenrude, and Mercury. Any input on boat AND motor are most appreciated. Would use the boat to mainly haul 8 people counting grandkids.

My 2cents opinion is 20' is too small to be hauling 8 constantly. After a white it will feel crowded and make you wish you bought a larger boat.

I have a 22ft set up for fishing with just me and one other it is getting smaller

It all depends on what you have room for. When you get a 20' pontoon with an engine hanging off the back sitting on a trailer with 4-5 feet of trailer in front of the boat--you have a seriously long beast. And then you have the tow truck to deal with.

My Bennington 24', trailer and SuperDuty crew cab truck takes a huge space to park in my driveway. I simply don't have room for it--despite having a large yard. But fortunately, I keep it hanging in a 30' boathouse--and it barely fits it adequate overhang to protect the engine.

Get the biggest boat your space allows because 3-4' gets you much larger lounge seats, etc.

I have a 22'.

It works great for us.

If I were constantly hauling 8, I'd have at least a 24'.

I'd also have at least a 115hp motor.

A 150 would be nicer.

Just My Opinion.

I also think it depends on what you intend to use the boat for.. if it's just you and your wife and maybe another couple for the most part, then a 20 footer is fine.. I personally have a 20 foot bennington with a 75 yamaha on the back.. 90 % of the time it's just me and my wife going out fishing on weekends and there is more than enough room for the just the two of us.. on occasion we will go out with another couple and there's still plenty of room... the most I've had on my boat at once was 8 people and that was pretty crowded.. but keep in mind my boat has two fishing chairs up front so I lose a little bit of seating by not having the normal "bench" seat... If you're planing to take 5, 6, 7 or more out on a regular basis, I would say go with a larger boat, at least a 22 footer, but if it's just you and your wife going out the majority of the time, you'll be fine with a 20 footer. As for the 90 Honda... I hear they;re pretty good motors..... good luck with your decision.

late add... just noticed that you said you would be hauling 8 on a regular basis... I personally think that would be too crowded on a 20 footer.. go 22 minimum...

Actually, 8 would be the MOST we haul. Generally it would be 3 adults and 2 kids.

I find 6 OK on my full 20' (some 20' only have a 18-19' deck) 10 people is cramped and uses all my available seating but still gets the job done and handles well since it's a tritoon.

I've owned a 22' Bennington with a Honda 115 for going on 15 years. The Honda is a great motor. For several years, it was the most sought after outboard (in my opinion). If I bought new today, Yamaha would be my first choice, but Honda would be my second.

And I agree with most of those above, 20' is too small to haul 8 people regularly. But if you usually have 2 adults and 3 kids, 20' would probably work out OK for you.

For 8 people it's too small for sure. If it was occasional 8 but usually 4 that's different. I get very aggravated with 8 on.

this is my 24"er with 11! 20 is too small.

Besides the above comments, one thing not mentioned so far, is what type of boating do you plan to do. General putting around on a calm lake, tubing, operating on a busy lake with large wakes . . . ?

Typically, what is the coast guard limit for 20 ft pontoon boats? My mid 90's 24 foot boat is coast guard rated for 10 people max.

i would say it depends on the boat, my '96 20 footer is also rated for 10

Our 20' Bennington is rated for 10 people/1900lbs. With my wife and myself most of the time, 20' is fine of course. Something else, it's easy to maneuver a shorter boat. Turning around at the marina or restaurant dock is not bad.