Price Point Value

“Consumers will always want to make their spending count, so value will always be a popular trend,” explained Gary Brown, national sales manager for Veranda Luxury Pontoons. “Buyers will continue to prioritize value at every price point—seeking durable, low maintenance models that maximize their dollar—while also demanding standout aesthetics, sleek finishes, and thoughtful design.”

Added James Heintz, global product strategy director of Sea-Doo, “It is clear that retail pricing accessibility and transparent cost-of-ownership will be top of mind for the majority of new boat buyers. This is a symptom of pandemic-related inflation combined with fragile consumer sentiment and lower disposable income across the board.”

Simple Options

Not everyone wants to wade through the decision fatigue of a thousand options. Phillip Podgorny, general manager of Forest River Marine advised, “The biggest trend we see is boating made easy. Today’s boaters seek simplicity, modern technology, and designs that align with their lifestyle. Innovative onboard features are making boating more intuitive and social, while thoughtful layouts, simple packages, lighter materials, and unique color schemes give owners more ways to enjoy their time on the water.”

And G3 Boats has removed the guesswork of options entirely with its lineup. Robin Davis, national marketing manager for G3 Boats said, “We’ve introduced a new standard for purchasing pontoons by streamlining the buying experience. Customers simply select their preferred boat, color, and engine, and each model arrives fully equipped with premium, thoughtfully curated features. We are committed to simplifying the purchasing process.”

New Buyer Segment

As new buyers enter the market, new sales are up. “We anticipate 2026 to be a transitional period for overall growth in new unit sales with increased demand overall,” stated Kevin Riem, vice president of Crownline. “Our sport deck boats already provide an abundance of outstanding customer-driven, value-adding standard features, and we continue to incorporate exciting new innovations into our boat designs each year.”

Added Mike Youngblood, vice president of sales and marketing for Stingray, “We firmly believe the interest rates and economy of 2026 will encourage new buyers to get into boating. Stingray’s new 20SBX provides an affordable platform for new families excited to get into boating!”

With research options at everyone’s fingertips, new buyers are arriving incredibly informed. Andrew St. Peter, marketing director for Qwest said, “With so much information available online, today’s boat buyers are doing their homework long before they step into a showroom. This insight made us rethink our website and buyer journey to better equip our customers to make more informed decisions before purchase.”

Quality Innovations

Consumers are also looking for modern designs and innovations. Chris Grueber, Revel Boats president said, “We’ve seen a clear shift: high customer demand during COVID forced OEMs to neglect innovation. That era is over. Customers today are seeking genuine differentiation. The Revel RS25 is that differentiation, introducing performance and handling that redefines what a pontoon can do.”

This bold new chapter is also visible at Manitou. Jake Brodsgaard, president of Manitou Pontoons said, “Our team has been reimagining every aspect of our brand, products, and customer experience to ensure we’re not just meeting expectations, but exceeding them. We’re excited to unveil innovations that are more than a refresh…it’s a reinvention.”

Customization

Consumers are looking to make their boat their own, and builders are prepared to meet that trend of customization. “The pontoon of 2026 isn’t one-size-fits-all,” stated Miranda Doan, marketing director for Avalon Pontoons. “Custom colors, unique layouts, finishes, and technology are going to let families build a boat that fits their fun, their style, and their way of enjoying their local water.”

“At Sylvan, the 2026 pontoon trend of customize-to-your-lifestyle takes center stage,” added Steve Huber, marketing director at Sylvan. “You’ll find striking options to color-match side panels and tubes, select from multiple interior and flooring palettes, and choose among diverse layouts — so every Sylvan can be designed for your family and your budget.”

Daniel Kirkham, marketing coordinator for SunChaser, had a similar thought, “Modern pontoon boats are embracing bold customization and innovative layouts — for example, the SunChaser Lucerne Series features high-performance polyethylene corners that enhance both durability and design. Also, customers can select from multiple panel colors, rail finishes, interior palettes, and flooring options.”

John P. O’Brien, Lowe Boats business director agreed: “We’re seeing a strong move toward versatility and personalization in boating. Families and anglers alike want boats that fit their lifestyle. In 2026, we think the biggest trend will be boats that do more: blending comfort, performance, and smart features without sacrificing value.”

Amy Parker, Splendor operations manager said, “Boat owners are increasingly tailoring their vessels to suit specific activities such as fishing, cruising, or watersports. This allows for more unique and enjoyable boating adventures, perfectly matched to individual preferences and lifestyles.”

“The reality is, most customers use their boat differently, and we view this as our job to give those use cases more functionality through options, storage features, or size customization that aligns with their use case,” said Kelby Phelps, president of Landau Boats.

Versatility & Seating

“One of the key trends we’re observing is a growing emphasis on versatility and experience,” said Jean-Philippe Martin-Dubois, general manager of Princecraft. “Customers are looking for boats that deliver more than just performance. They want comfort, connectivity, and sustainable features.”

Robbie Massengill, director of recreational marine for Flamingo, observed, “A significant trend involves seating layouts, as buyers seek configurations that meet various needs. Flamingo addresses this demand with the industry-first MegaLounge, a stern seat system designed for flexible arrangements.”

Ray Clepper, vice president of sales and marketing for Bentley said that, “The industry is evolving quickly. Rich, dark ‘cool feel’ vinyls paired with more versatile seating layouts are elevating comfort and style. Manufacturers are also moving toward larger helms with advanced digital displays that create a more automotive-inspired experience.”

Safe Technology

Safety and accessibility are always top priorities for boaters, and JC Tritoon Marine has addressed these concerns in innovative ways. “We’ve developed three new ladder systems for safer and easier re-entry into the boat, such as the power SeaStep,” explained Joe Sparks, vice president of JC TriToon Marine. “We’ve also created a unique docking system with remote control Acculift Thrusters and Voyager cameras so you can see real-time videos on the dash.”

Russ Hafner, vice president of sales for Manitou added, “Today’s pontoon owners expect intuitive technology, flexible design, and a space that adapts to how they live on the water. We’re delivering that through innovation, smart integration, and personalization.”

“There’s definitely a trend toward integrated, intuitive systems that simplify the user experience,” added Dan Clemens, director of engineering at Premier Marine. “Certain customer segments want more modern interface controls that replace traditional toggles or switches with a streamlined solution like what you see in our CZone digital switching system.”

Style and Aesthetics

Despite exciting new technologies, aesthetics now drive boat buyer preferences. “The market now leans more toward aesthetics, with cool-touch vinyls enabling bold furniture designs and a variety of gel coat options creating truly eye-catching deck boats,” said Jason Geyer, marketing coordinator for Starcraft.

Added Andrew Stanfield, Viaggio vice president of sales, “Viaggio has always been known for its modern look and attention to detail. We’re seeing more of that style being replicated, which continues to confirm we’ve been on the right track! Retail is up, and we’re enthusiastic about sustaining strong sales as we move into show season.”

Barletta sees a real shift happening in the pontoon world. “Buyers aren’t just looking for bells and whistles anymore — they want craftsmanship, reliability, and a brand that stands behind them,” said Matt Thompson, vice president of sales for Barletta Boats. “That’s exactly where Barletta shines, which is why we’re working to raise the bar for what owning a pontoon should feel like.”

Bennington Marine General Manager Mike Shedivy sees a trend for elevated design. He said, “Our focus is on making luxury attainable with value-driven models that welcome more people to boating. We’re committed to fresh, elevated designs and premium comforts that turn time on the water into an unforgettable escape.”

Jeff Kinsey, vice president for Godfrey Pontoons and Hurricane deck boats agreed, saying, “Regardless of how they choose to spend their time on the water, everyone expects an elevated experience, and we are constantly evolving our product line to provide more comfort, advanced technologies, more storage, and easier-to-use controls. As our industry continues to evolve, we remain committed to integrating cutting-edge solutions and advanced materials to stay ahead of the curve.”