Pontoon vs Runabout: 6 Ways The Pontoon Is The Better Boat

There used to be a time when the choice between a pontoon and runabout was clear cut. The runabout was geared for activity with its deep-V hull, and it was the boat for the trendsetters who wanted to cruise the lake, pull a skier, and entertain the family. The pontoon, on the other hand, had a reputation for going nowhere in a hurry. Often tucked away on sleepy little lakes, it was the boat your grandparents owned and was often seen as slow, unattractive, and clumsy. 

Today however, the script has flipped. With innovative features, premium finishes, and advanced hull technology, modern pontoons like Premier have become the boat that can do it all. And in many ways, they can do it even better than a runabout. It’s one of the reasons Premier pontoons has become the fastest growing pontoon brand in the industry. What’s more, last year (2025) the National Marine Manufacturers Association reported that pontoon boats led the way, accounting for nearly 35% of all boats sold. So what changed and do pontoons like Premier really deliver better than a runabout? The answer is a resounding yes, and here are six ways we can prove it.

MORE USEABLE CAPACITY

Here’s one where pontoons like Premier deliver the goods with ease. While you might find some runabout models that list a respectable capacity in the range of 8 to 12 people, many of the passengers are stuck sitting in uncomfortable areas. However, the average pontoon bests that number easily with average capacities ranging from 10 to 20. Premier often beats those numbers thanks to its oversized tubes and exclusive Performance Tritoon Xperience (PTX) v-shape hull and chassis. Recognized for delivering the best ride in the industry, it’s also responsible for increased capacity ratings. Oh, and it’s not always about the people, it’s everything else that you can bring along. Coolers, fishing gear, floaties, and even the dog; with a pontoon there’s room for everyone and everything. 

A BETTER PLACE TO ENTERTAIN

Pontoon & Deck Boat magazine calls the modern pontoon a floating living room for a reason. When it comes to more usable space, nothing can touch a pontoon. Premier pontoons, for example, offer a wide variety of floorplans, some designed for cruising, others for fishing, and others for entertaining. In fact, one of their newest models features a convertible rear lounge area and Open Water panels that converts the traditional pontoon into an on the water experience like no other. While a runabout can certainly host people, your crew is limited to where they sit, where they can fish, and how they can move about the boat.

GREATER STABILITY EQUALS GREATER COMFORT

The single deep v-hull design of a runabout means the boat pivots on its centerline. This is especially noticeable in rough water or when crossing large wakes. A pontoon however, and especially a Premier PTX tritoon, carries its buoyancy across three tubes. Because of this, occupants experience little to no tipsiness both in unpredictable water or when occupants are simply moving about the boat. What’s more, when you choose a Premier Performance Tritoon Xperience (PTX) hull you get the stability of a pontoon and the turning performance of a runabout. That’s because PTX features a unique V-shaped center tube, with a reverse chine design and nose cone design that slices through waves. The result is a pontoon that is smoother, more stable, and more comfortable than any other. 

EASIER ON AND OFF

This pontoon advantage shows up before you ever leave the dock. A runabout usually gives you a single way aboard, and it is rarely the easy way. The step is high, handholds are scarce, and getting in often means a foot on a cushion or a drop down to the swim platform. A pontoon however, is built around gates that open level with the dock. On many pontoons there will be multiple entry gates, allowing you to board from the bow, the stern, or the side. Premier carries that easy on and off advantage even further with wide entry points and a transparent bow gate that keeps your sightlines clear. Even boarding a Premier pontoon from the water is easier, thanks to a LilliPad® ladder and its wide steps and stair-like approach. 

SHALLOW DRAFT

With its deep-V hull, a runabout has to respect the bottom, especially when a sterndrive or a deep outboard set is at play. This limits where you can go on the lake and reduces areas where you might want to simply “beach” your boat and spend the afternoon along the shoreline. Conversely, the shallow draft of a pontoon allows you to easily nose into a sandbar, hold over a shallow flat for fishing, or explore bays and channels where a runabout dare not tread. Once again, Premier further advances this advantage with its tritoon PTX design and its larger tubes which give the Premier pontoon more buoyancy and reduced draft.

WATERSPORTS AND BIGGER WATER

Here is where the old comparison between a runabout and a pontoon really falls apart, especially when a Premier is in the mix. When it came to watersports or navigating big water, the runabout was often the winner. That was until Premier showed up with its exclusive Performance Tritoon Xperience (PTX) hull and chassis design. In fact, Premier rewrote the rules when it came to ride, handling, and pontoon performance. Considered by most to be the best riding pontoon in the industry, Premier PTX is smoother, faster, sharper, and more efficient. With Premer you get runabout handling and big water capability with more confidence and more comfort.

And when it comes to watersports, Premier closes the gap even further with sharp turning, quick to plane performance, factory ski tow bars and towers, and a center locker that can easily accommodate wakeboards and skis. And unlike a runabout, a Premier pontoon can deliver watersports performance along with all the room for everyone else to climb aboard and join in on the fun.  

More room, more people, more places to go, and more fun for everyone. When it comes to choosing between a pontoon or runabout, Premier has already made the decision for you. Find the right Premier pontoon for you by exploring our models or visiting a dealer near you.