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Boats · Top 10

Top 10 Pontoon Boats Under $40,000 2027

By Kory White · Updated Oct 2026 · 5 min read
Sun Tracker Party Barge 20 DLX
Direct answer

The Sun Tracker Party Barge 20 DLX is the best pontoon boat under $40,000, followed by the Sun Tracker Fishin' Barge 20 DLX at #2 and the Starcraft GX 20 R DH at #3. The ranking is based on passenger capacity, standard features, and price-to-value balance across 2027 base-model MSRPs.

At a glance

#PickStarting priceBest for
1Sun Tracker Party Barge 20 DLX$32,995Families wanting the most proven budget pontoon with full dealer support
2Sun Tracker Fishin' Barge 20 DLX$32,995Buyers who split time between fishing and cruising
3Starcraft GX 20 R DH$32,748Shoppers comparing options beyond the Bass Pro/Tracker dealer network
4SunCatcher Select 20RC$36,850Groups up to 11 who want bow-and-stern couch seating
5Avalon LSZ$34,580Buyers who want upscale furniture and styling on a budget
6Sea-Doo Switch Cruise$35,349Owners who want jet-drive simplicity with no stern leg to maintain
7Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 DLX$37,995Larger groups needing the most seats under $40,000
8Qwest E-Class XRE Cruise$29,400Tightest budgets wanting a flexible do-it-all layout
9SunCatcher Select 18C$34,600Couples and small families who want easy towing and docking
10Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 18 DLX$26,995Budget-focused anglers who fish more than they cruise

Pick by what you want

Best overall
Sun Tracker Party Barge 20 DLX
Best for fishing and cruising
Sun Tracker Fishin' Barge 20 DLX
Best for groups up to 11
SunCatcher Select 20RC
Best upscale styling on a budget
Avalon LSZ
Best for tightest budgets
Qwest E-Class XRE Cruise

The ranking

1

Sun Tracker Party Barge 20 DLX

Sun Tracker Party Barge 20 DLX
Answrs VerdictProven budget pontoon with the biggest dealer network.
Starting price: $32,995Length: 21 ft 11 inMax capacity: 10 persons

The Sun Tracker Party Barge 20 DLX starts at $32,995, measures 21 ft 11 in, and carries up to 10 persons. It is the most proven budget pontoon with full dealer support. That combination of price, size, and network makes it the top pick.

Go ifFamilies wanting the most proven budget pontoon with full dealer support
Skip ifYou want serious fishing features included standard
Why #1 over #2: It beats the Fishin' Barge 20 DLX because it is the proven budget pontoon with the biggest dealer network, while the Fishin' Barge adds fishing features some families do not need.
2

Sun Tracker Fishin' Barge 20 DLX

Sun Tracker Fishin' Barge 20 DLX
Answrs VerdictSame proven hull, built-in livewells and fishing chairs.
Starting price: $32,995Length: 21 ft 11 in overallMax capacity: 10 persons

The Sun Tracker Fishin' Barge 20 DLX starts at $32,995, measures 21 ft 11 in overall, and carries up to 10 persons. It uses the same proven hull as the Party Barge but adds built-in livewells and fishing chairs. It is best for buyers who split time between fishing and cruising.

Go ifBuyers who split time between fishing and cruising
Skip ifYou never fish and don't need livewells
Why #2 over #3: It beats the Starcraft GX 20 R DH because it offers the same proven hull with built-in livewells and fishing chairs, while the Starcraft has a different dealer footprint.
3

Starcraft GX 20 R DH

Starcraft GX 20 R DH
Answrs VerdictNearly identical value with a different dealer footprint.
Starting price: $32,748Length: 20 ft 10 inMax capacity: 9 persons

The Starcraft GX 20 R DH starts at $32,748, measures 20 ft 10 in, and carries up to 9 persons. It delivers nearly identical value with a different dealer footprint. It is best for shoppers comparing options beyond the Bass Pro/Tracker dealer network.

Go ifShoppers comparing options beyond the Bass Pro/Tracker dealer network
Skip ifYou want the single largest parts and service network
Why #3 over #4: It beats the SunCatcher Select 20RC because it costs less and offers nearly identical value, while the SunCatcher carries a higher price and more seats.
4

SunCatcher Select 20RC

SunCatcher Select 20RC
Answrs VerdictMore seats and power for family-sized groups.
Starting price: $36,850Length: 20 ftMax capacity: 11 persons

The SunCatcher Select 20RC starts at $36,850, measures 20 ft, and carries up to 11 persons. It provides more seats and power for family-sized groups. It is best for groups up to 11 who want bow-and-stern couch seating.

Go ifGroups up to 11 who want bow-and-stern couch seating
Skip ifYou're boating mostly solo or as a couple
Why #4 over #5: It beats the Avalon LSZ because it carries up to 11 persons, while the Avalon LSZ does not list a max capacity and starts at $34,580.
5

Avalon LSZ

Avalon LSZ
Answrs VerdictUpscale furniture and styling without a luxury price.
Starting price: $34,580Available lengths: 19, 21, 23, 25 ft

The Avalon LSZ starts at $34,580 and is available in 19, 21, 23, and 25 ft lengths. It offers upscale furniture and styling without a luxury price. It is best for buyers who want upscale furniture and styling on a budget.

Go ifBuyers who want upscale furniture and styling on a budget
Skip ifYou want a basic, no-frills utilitarian layout
Why #5 over #6: It beats the Sea-Doo Switch Cruise because it provides upscale furniture and styling on a budget, while the Sea-Doo trades a stern leg for jet-drive simplicity.
6

Sea-Doo Switch Cruise

Sea-Doo Switch Cruise
Answrs VerdictJet drive trades a stern leg for simplicity.
Starting price: $35,349Trailer: Included in MSRP

The Sea-Doo Switch Cruise starts at $35,349 and includes a trailer in the MSRP. Its jet drive trades a stern leg for simplicity. It is best for owners who want jet-drive simplicity with no stern leg to maintain.

Go ifOwners who want jet-drive simplicity with no stern leg to maintain
Skip ifYou want a traditional outboard for easy local service
Why #6 over #7: It beats the Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 DLX because it includes a trailer in the MSRP and offers jet-drive simplicity, while the Party Barge 22 DLX is larger and more expensive.
7

Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 DLX

Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 DLX
Answrs VerdictBiggest, most capacity-rich pontoon under the $40k line.
Starting price: $37,995Length: 24 ft 2 inMax capacity: 11 persons

The Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 DLX starts at $37,995, measures 24 ft 2 in, and carries up to 11 persons. It is the biggest, most capacity-rich pontoon under the $40k line. It is best for larger groups needing the most seats under $40,000.

Go ifLarger groups needing the most seats under $40,000
Skip ifYou have tight storage, a small garage, or a small lake
Why #7 over #8: It beats the Qwest E-Class XRE Cruise because it carries up to 11 persons and measures 24 ft 2 in, while the Qwest starts at $29,400 but lacks listed capacity and length.
8

Qwest E-Class XRE Cruise

Qwest E-Class XRE Cruise
Answrs VerdictCheapest versatile layout for the tightest budgets.
Starting price: $29,400MSRP Starting Price: $29,400Build As Shown Price: $84,486Beam: 8.5′ Wide BeamPontoon Diameter: 25″ Diameter Multi-Chambered PontoonsFuel Tank: 13 Gallon Fuel Tank (16′ models); 24 Gallon Fuel Tank optional (n/a on 16′ models); 46 Gallon Fuel Tank upgrade (Requires Q3, Q3V, Q3X)

The Qwest E-Class XRE Cruise starts at $29,400. It is the cheapest versatile layout for the tightest budgets. It is best for tightest budgets wanting a flexible do-it-all layout.

Go ifTightest budgets wanting a flexible do-it-all layout
Skip ifYou want a nationally recognized resale brand
Why #8 over #9: It beats the SunCatcher Select 18C because it costs less at $29,400, while the SunCatcher Select 18C starts at $34,600 and carries up to 8 persons.
9

SunCatcher Select 18C

SunCatcher Select 18C
Answrs VerdictCompact, easy-towing pontoon for smaller groups.
Starting price: $34,600Length: 18 ftMax capacity: 8 persons

The SunCatcher Select 18C starts at $34,600, measures 18 ft, and carries up to 8 persons. It is a compact, easy-towing pontoon for smaller groups. It is best for couples and small families who want easy towing and docking.

Go ifCouples and small families who want easy towing and docking
Skip ifYou regularly host larger groups
Why #9 over #10: It beats the Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 18 DLX because it carries up to 8 persons and measures 18 ft, while the Bass Buggy starts at $26,995 and measures 20 ft.
10

Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 18 DLX

Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 18 DLX
Answrs VerdictSun Tracker's cheapest, best-selling dedicated fishing pontoon.
Starting price: $26,995Length: 20 ftMax capacity: 8 persons

The Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 18 DLX starts at $26,995, measures 20 ft, and carries up to 8 persons. It is Sun Tracker's cheapest, best-selling dedicated fishing pontoon. It is best for budget-focused anglers who fish more than they cruise.

Go ifBudget-focused anglers who fish more than they cruise
Skip ifYou want more lounge and party space

How we ranked these

The order was decided by passenger capacity, standard features, and price-to-value balance across 2027 base-model MSRPs, not just the lowest sticker price. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.

Questions people ask

What is the cheapest pontoon boat under $40,000 in 2027?

The Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 18 DLX starts at $26,995, the lowest base price among the 2027 pontoons on this list.

Which pontoon under $40,000 holds the most people?

The Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 DLX and the SunCatcher Select 20RC both carry up to 11 people, the highest capacity on this list.

Do any pontoons under $40,000 skip a traditional outboard motor?

Yes — the Sea-Doo Switch Cruise starts at $35,349 and uses Sea-Doo's jet-drive propulsion instead of a stern-mounted outboard.

Starting price (USD) at a glance

Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 18 DLX$26,995
Qwest E-Class XRE Cruise$29,400
Starcraft GX 20 R DH$32,748
Sun Tracker Party Barge 20 DLX$32,995
Sun Tracker Fishin' Barge 20 DLX$32,995
Avalon LSZ$34,580
SunCatcher Select 18C$34,600
Sea-Doo Switch Cruise$35,349
SunCatcher Select 20RC$36,850
Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 DLX$37,995
Starting price (USD), as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.

Official sites

Sources

Prices, specs and availability change; confirm on the official site before you buy.