The Five Best Pontoon Paddle Boats Money Can Buy

Whether you’re a lounge-lizard, a water sports lover, a fisherman or a cruiser, a pontoon paddle boat could be a game-changer. Economical, environmentally friendly, and conducive to a smorgasbord of leisure pursuits, they offer a little something for everyone. If you’ve deiced to take the plunge and invest in one of your own, you’ll find no shortage of options out there. But which is the best? If you’re in need of some guidance, help is at hand with our guide to the five best pontoon paddle boats money can buy.

1. Aqua Cycle 15

If you want a paddle boat with pedigree, you won’t be disappointed with the Aqua Cycle 15. A direct descendant of the Aqua Cycle Original (the ‘original pontoon paddle boat’ that kept generations of families happy for over 40 years), it’s got the style, the performance, and the reliability you’d expect of an Aqua Cycle. The spec (for those interested in the detail) makes for impressive reading:

Width: 70″
Height: 47″
Length: 10′ 2″
Weight: 200 pounds
Tube Diameter: 15″
Capacity: 585 pounds
Two passengers face forward. One or both passengers can pedal)

But it’s the detail behind the spec that really makes it such an outstanding choice. With a rear deck and deck rail as standard, it’s got plenty of space for you to kick back and relax, while the optional “fishing table” in the front (not to mention the fabulous amount of space for storage) makes it a great option for customers looking to indulge in a spot of fishing. Like all Aqua Cycle boats, it comes with a material and workmanship warranty period of two years from the date of purchase, while the engine enjoys a not inconsiderable warranty period of three years from the date of purchase.

Stability

In terms of stability, it’s a winner, with sufficient spacing between the seats to make the prospect of the boat tipping over next to none. Seats can be adjusted back an additional 2″, or forward 7″ from the original setting, making it easy to customize for optimal comfort. Despite the fact it’s much smaller than a full-size pontoon, it’s made from the same material and thickness, making it virtually impossible to puncture.

As an added benefit, the combination of aluminum, stainless steel and urethane that have gone into its construction makes it as suitable for sea-water applications as it does freshwater ones. The lowered front floorboard, meanwhile, takes a lot of the effort out of paddling (as a general rule of thumb, the higher the floorboard, the more work you have to put in). All in all, it’s not hard to see what makes the Aqua Cycle 15 such a top choice.

2. Laker Pontoon Pedal Boat

If you thought pedal boats couldn’t carry much weight, wait till you meet the Laker Pontoon Pedal Boat. With a weight capacity of 1500lb, it’s got one of the highest weight capacities of any small boat on the market. With a list of great features a mile long, it’s also one of the best. Expect excellent speed and propulsion thanks to the large back paddle wheel, non-skid decking for improved safety and durability, and a great range of customizable options. Check out the impressive spec if you need any more convincing of its merits:

All Aluminum
Length: 13’3″
Width: 7′
Person Capacity:1300lbs
Persons w/ Gear:1500lbs
HP Rating:20Hp
12’x7′ Usable Deck space
Boat Weight: 635lbs
Rail Height: 20″
Pontoons 27″x20″x13’3

3. Apex Marine Paddle Qwest 614

Boats.com had a lot of good things to say about the Paddle Qwest 614 back in 2014. 6 years later, it’s lost none of its charms. Speed is a very reasonable two to three mph (with human pedal power), but there’s also the option to add on an electric package to keep the paddle wheel turning for up to three hours. Tacking on a solar package will extend this by additional 2-3 hours during full sunlight.

Small enough to navigate through the narrowest of waterways but sizeable enough to comfortably hold up to 6 people (with a maximum weight capacity of 1000lb), it makes a great option for anyone looking to enjoy a lazy, fun day on the water while getting in just as much cardio as they can handle. And the spec?

LOA (Length) 14 ft 1 in
Beam (Width) 6 ft 1 in
Hull Material : Aluminum
Pontoon Length : 16 ft 4 in
Pontoon Material : Aluminum

4. Kennedy Paddle Boat

With upholstered seating and a spacious deck, the Kennedy Paddle Boat is a comfortable, stylish option that’s as suitable for a day of lazy sun-bathing as it is for a spot of fishing. The self-draining floor makes maintenance a breeze, while the “walk-around” deck design offers supremely easy on and offboarding. Keen to find out more? Then here’s the spec:

Length: 11 Feet – 1 Inch
Width: 6 Feet – 4 Inches
Deck Length: 8 Feet – 0 Inches
Deck Width: 6 Feet – 0 Inches
Weight: 280 Pounds
Safe Person Capacity: 4 Persons / 500 Pounds

5. Paddleking PK4400

Paddleking has been in the business for over 30 years, and the experience is easy to see in the craftsmanship and quality of their boats. Take the PK4400 as an example. A sturdy, reliable workhorse with some superb features, it’s unquestionably one of the top pontoon paddle boats on the market. Invest in one of these little babies and you can expect long-lasting durability thanks to its reliable powder-coated front and rear pedal assemblies, excellent safety courtesy of its elevated position in the water, minimal maintenance as a result of its self-draining floor, and superb speeds and propulsion due to it double 6-bladed paddles.

Elsewhere, the adjustable seat backs and optional padded snap-on seat cushions provide excellent comfort (not to mention the possibility to customize the seating according to the height of the passenger), while the dual-rudder steering makes navigating bends a positive breeze. Made from 50/52 Marine-grade aluminum with .064 thickness, the paddle boat can be taken out onto the open seas without worrying about corrosion, while the weight capacity of 830 lbs and capacity for 4 passengers makes it a great option for anyone looking for a larger boat than standard. As for the spec, key details include:

Length/ Width: 97″ x 80″
Weight Capacity: 830 LBS.
People Capacity: 4