Do pontoons hold their value?

Do pontoons hold their value?

A good investment is expected to earn you more in the future. Judging by these criteria, it suffices to say that pontoons do not hold their value. They lose their value drastically in the first few years but the depreciation slows down after 3 years. 

However, an understanding of factors to consider will help your buying decisions. This article highlights the factors that determine the value of a pontoon, the extent to which it depreciates, the best way to calculate the depreciation, and a list of pontoons with the highest values. 

How much do pontoons depreciate?

Regardless of the brand, pontoon boats lose their value faster than many other boats. After owning a pontoon for two to three years, the resale value drops by about 25 to 30 percent. After this sudden decline, the value drops slowly between $400 to $500 yearly and plateaus after ten years.

Calculating their depreciation 

To find out the worth of your pontoon, you need to check this criterion.

  • The original cost of the pontoon
  • The number of years you can use it.
  • The amount you think you can resale it for.

Factors that determine the value of pontoon

To fully understand how pontoons depreciate so fast, It is essential to know that factors affect the value. Here are the factors

Condition 

The condition of the pontoon is the most important factor. It is the first thing buyers look out for. They usually check the body for scratches, the tubes for patches, and the engine for any missing parts. To maintain the value of your pontoon, you need to ensure it is always in a near-perfect condition. Good condition equals higher resale value.

Age 

Pontoons tend to depreciate with time. The more active a boat has been, the more the condition gets. Newer pontoons also have more features than older ones. Additionally, old pontoons have a gasoline engine that lasts 1500 hours while newer pontoons run on Diesel engines that last for 5000hrs.

Features 

Extra features affect the value of the pontoon but they depreciate too fast. A bimini costing $1000 will not add up to $600 to the pontoon when buying or selling. It may increase the price of the boat, but it’s not profitable to the seller.

Brand

Although most pontoons are built from the same material, some brands are well-known. The cost of pontoons from these brands is higher but they give you a better resale value. 

What Pontoon Boats Hold Their Value the Best?

If you want to get a pontoon boat, then you can choose any of the following to get the best value.

  • Sun Tracker
  • Avalon Pontoons
  • Bennington 
  • Premier
  • Lower

How to Increase the Value of a Pontoon Boat

If you want your pontoon boats to retain their value, then there are a few things you must do. To keep improving the value of your pontoon do any of the following:

  • Store your pontoon indoors.
  • Clean it regularly.
  • Repair any damage on time.
  • Upgrade it with valuable accessories 
  • Repaint any paint chips.
  • Make sure seating and tables are stable.

Bottom Line

Generally, the value of pontoons depends largely on how they are maintained, years of usage, available features, and the manufacturing brand. It is not a good investment for buyers that intend to use it for 1 to 3 years. But if you intend to use it for over 10 years, you'll enjoy all the benefits that come with owning one. With a good maintenance system, you can reduce how fast the value depreciates. Finally, you can contact poralu marine for the best pontoon boat.