What size boat do I need for my group? On a Pittsburgh boat rental, the answer comes down to headcount first and the kind of day second: our pontoons carry 7 to 10 people, so groups of up to 10 fit on one boat, and bigger groups book two. Within that range, pick a boat with a little room to spare if you are bringing kids, a dog, fishing gear or a full day of food.
The capacity plate tells you the most a boat can carry. This guide is about something different: which of our pontoon boats makes the most sense for families, couples, friends, parties, anglers and pet owners on the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers. If you want the exact rating for every boat, see our guide to how many people fit on a pontoon boat.
Before you look at boats, get a real count. That means everyone who will step aboard: adults, teens, kids, babies and whoever is driving. If you plan to bring your dog, note that too, since pets add weight toward the boat's limit.
Next, think about the day you want. Four people floating near the Point for a few hours need far less room than ten friends spending eight hours with coolers, bags and towels. Our rentals run in 4 hour and 8 hour blocks between 9 AM and 9 PM, and a longer day almost always calls for more space per person.
Finally, remember that every pontoon has two limits on its plate: people and weight. Our policies hold every rental to whichever comes first. A group of large adults with heavy gear can hit the weight limit before every seat is filled, so be honest about what you are packing.
Kids move around, need snacks every half hour and bring more gear than seems possible. Plan for that by choosing a boat with a few empty seats.
Pennsylvania requires children 12 and younger to wear a life jacket while underway on boats 20 feet or shorter, and our pontoons carry a life jacket for every person on board. Bring a favorite towel, sun hats and a change of clothes, and keep small passengers seated while the boat is moving.
For a date, a small family or a couple of friends, every pontoon in our fleet gives you more room than you need. That means you can choose by feel instead of by seats.
Small groups are also a great fit for a sunset rental, when the skyline lights up and you have the deck to yourselves.
This is the sweet spot for a casual day with friends. Every boat in the fleet can carry at least 7, and most carry more, so you can pick for comfort.
If your group is all adults bringing coolers, chairs and a speaker, lean toward the next size up. Shade matters too. Everyone wants a spot under the bimini by early afternoon, and a roomier boat makes that easier.
Celebrations tend to fill a boat right up to its limit. For 9 or 10 guests, look at our largest pontoons: the Bennington S and the Sun Tracker Party Barge 20DLX each carry up to 10, and the 20DLX adds an L shaped lounge, a removable table and a Bluetooth stereo with four speakers.
With a full boat, a few habits keep things comfortable:
Our guide to planning a pontoon party on Pittsburgh's three rivers covers food, music and timing.
No single pontoon in our fleet carries more than 10 people. For a reunion, a team outing or a big birthday, the answer is two boats cruising together.
Splitting a group works best with a little planning:
Two boats also give a mixed group options. The kids and grandparents can take a slower cruise while the friends who want music take the other boat.
Anglers need more room per person than a group that is lounging. Rods, tackle boxes, bait and a cooler all take up deck space, and casting needs elbow room.
A good rule for a fishing trip is to plan on fewer people than the boat's limit. The Sun Tracker Party Barge has a spacious deck for fishing or sunbathing, and the Sea-Doo Switch and the Sun Tracker Party Barge 20DLX both have decks made for casting a line. A morning start gives you calmer water and a quieter river.
Dogs are welcome on our pontoons, and many groups would not plan a river day without them. A dog changes the math a little, so plan for it.
If your group is close to a boat's limit and your dog is coming, size up. Mention your pup when you book so we can help you choose.
Two groups with the same headcount can need different boats. Here is what tips the balance toward a roomier pontoon:
If two or more of these describe your day, choose a boat rated for a few more people than you are bringing. No stoves or grills are allowed on our pontoons, so plan food that travels in a cooler.
Once you have your headcount and your plan, booking is simple. Rentals leave from Vic's Boat Park in McKees Rocks, on the Ohio River just minutes from downtown. Have this ready:
Not sure which boat fits? Call (412) 773-0988 with your group size and we will help you choose.
Any pontoon in our fleet is a comfortable fit for a family of 4, since our smallest boat carries up to 7 people. That leaves room for a cooler, a bag of towels and space for kids to move. Choose based on the ride you want rather than seating.
It depends on the boat's design, so the capacity plate near the helm is the only reliable answer. Length alone does not tell you the limit. We do not rent 24 ft boats, and our pontoons carry 7 to 10 people. For larger groups, book two boats.
Yes. Each boat needs its own operator who signed the rental agreement. Anyone born on or after January 1, 1982 needs a Pennsylvania Boating Safety Education Certificate to drive our pontoons. If your group has only one qualified driver, ask about a captain when you book.
Four hours suits a sightseeing cruise or a party with a set start and end. Eight hours suits a relaxed day with meals, music and time at anchor. On a long day, extra room matters more, so consider a boat rated for more people than you are bringing.
Pick a boat with an open deck and plan on fewer people than its limit so everyone has room to cast. The Sun Tracker Party Barge, the Party Barge 20DLX and the Sea-Doo Switch all have deck space suited to fishing. A morning start usually brings calmer water.
Know your headcount? Compare our pontoon fleet and book the boat that fits your group.
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