Pulse Reviews and Analysis
Best Sun Tracker Boat Models (Ranked)
Curated by Kory White · Fractional CRO, CRO Syndicate
Best Sun Tracker Boat Models (Ranked)
Sun Tracker is the value pontoon brand built by Tracker Marine Group in Springfield, Missouri, and sold almost exclusively through Bass Pro Shops and Cabins Pro dealers. These boats target families who want a wide, stable, easy-to-own deck boat without the premium price of brands like Bennington or Manitou.
We judged the lineup on build quality, standard features for the money, engine pairings, layout flexibility, and resale strength. Because Sun Tracker sells through a single factory-direct channel, pricing is unusually transparent, which makes head-to-head comparison cleaner than most pontoon brands.
Below are ten models worth shopping, from the family-hauling Party Barge flagships to the budget Bass Buggy fishing rigs.
Direct Answer
The best overall Sun Tracker is the 2024 Party Barge 24 DLX, a roomy tri-toon family cruiser that typically runs about $42,000 rigged with a 115 hp outboard. The smartest value is the 2023 Bass Buggy 16 XL Select, a compact fish-and-cruise pontoon that lists around $24,000.
Match the toon package and horsepower to how you actually use the boat, because an underpowered tri-toon will disappoint anyone who wants to pull skiers.
How We Ranked
- Build quality — pontoon gauge, deck construction, weld consistency, and warranty terms drive long-term satisfaction more than any feature list.
- Value per dollar — Sun Tracker's whole identity is price, so we weighted standard equipment heavily against the sticker.
- Engine pairing — the right Mercury outboard transforms how a given hull handles load, watersports, and wind.
- Layout versatility — fishing seats, changing rooms, and convertible loungers decide whether the boat fits one mission or many.
- Resale and parts — single-channel distribution helps consistency but can soften resale, so we factored real used-market demand.
1. 2024 Party Barge 24 DLX 🏆 BEST OVERALL
The Party Barge 24 DLX is the model that best balances size, stability, and price across the whole catalog. At roughly 24 feet 4 inches with an 8-foot 6-inch beam, it seats up to 12 people and rides on a performance tri-toon package with lifting strakes that lets it plane cleanly and corner with confidence.
The standard Mercury 115 hp four-stroke is adequate for cruising, but most buyers should step up to the 150 hp option for watersports.
Standard equipment is generous for the segment: a Bluetooth stereo, a bow changing room, plush wraparound lounges, and a Bimini top. The boat ships with Sun Tracker's industry-leading transferable warranty, which adds confidence on the used market.
- Price: ~$42,000 with 115 hp; about $46,000 with 150 hp
- Pros: Tri-toon stability, big seating, strong warranty, planes easily
- Cons: Heavy in crosswinds, base engine underwhelms for skiing
Verdict: The do-everything family pontoon and the safest single pick in the lineup.
2. 2023 Bass Buggy 16 XL Select 💎 BEST VALUE
The Bass Buggy 16 XL Select is the cheapest credible way into a new pontoon. At about 18 feet overall on a compact deck, it pairs two fishing chairs and livewells with a small lounge so a couple can fish in the morning and cruise in the evening. The standard Mercury 40 hp outboard is modest but moves the light hull at a respectable clip on small lakes.
What makes it the value champion is the price floor: you get a trailer, a stereo, and a Bimini top in a package that competing brands cannot touch. It is not a watersports boat, but for ponds and protected coves it punches far above its sticker.
- Price: ~$24,000 rigged with trailer
- Pros: Lowest entry price, fishes well, trailers easily, light tow
- Cons: Small, low horsepower, not for big open water
Verdict: Unbeatable on price for a calm-water fish-and-cruise rig.
3. 2024 Party Barge 22 DLX
The Party Barge 22 DLX is the right-sized middle child for buyers who want most of the 24's comfort in an easier-to-store package. At roughly 22 feet with the same 8-foot 6-inch beam, it carries up to 11 people and is available with the performance tri-toon upgrade for better handling and higher horsepower ratings.
A standard Mercury 90 hp keeps the base price reasonable, while the 115 hp and 150 hp options open up tubing and light skiing. Seating is plush and the bow features a removable table and convertible loungers.
- Price: ~$36,000 base; about $40,000 as a tri-toon
- Pros: Easier to trailer than the 24, flexible engines, comfortable
- Cons: Twin-tube base feels tippy when loaded
Verdict: The sweet spot for storage-limited families who still want room.
4. 2023 SportFish 22 DLX
The SportFish 22 DLX is built for buyers who fish more than they cruise but still want pontoon comfort. It carries two bow fishing seats, two stern fishing seats, dual aerated livewells, and rod storage, all wrapped around a lounge layout that converts for sunset cruising.
On the performance tri-toon it accepts up to a 150 hp Mercury, giving real top-end for running between fishing spots on bigger water. The center console-style helm and full instrumentation make it feel more serious than the Bass Buggy line.
- Price: ~$38,000 as a tri-toon
- Pros: Serious fishing layout, livewells, strong power options
- Cons: Fishing focus trims some lounge space
Verdict: The pick for anglers who refuse to give up creature comforts.
5. 2024 Fishin' Barge 20 DLX
The Fishin' Barge 20 DLX splits the difference between the Bass Buggy and the SportFish. At about 21 feet it offers four fishing positions, two livewells, and a comfortable mid-deck lounge, making it a genuine dual-purpose family fishing boat.
With a standard Mercury 90 hp and tri-toon availability up to 115 hp, it handles chop better than the smaller Bass Buggy while keeping the price sane. The vinyl flooring and rod lockers make cleanup after a fishing day painless.
- Price: ~$31,000 base; about $34,000 tri-toon
- Pros: Balanced fish-and-cruise, good chop handling, easy cleanup
- Cons: Neither the best fisher nor the best cruiser
Verdict: A versatile middleweight for lakes that demand both jobs.
6. 2023 Party Barge 20 DLX
The Party Barge 20 DLX is the entry into the cruising-focused Party Barge family. At roughly 20 feet it seats up to 10 people in wraparound lounges and includes the bow changing room that sets the DLX trim apart from cheaper Sun Trackers.
A standard Mercury 75 hp is fine for cruising a calm lake; budget for the 90 hp if you carry a full crew. It is the smallest Party Barge, so it trailers and stores more easily than its larger siblings.
- Price: ~$30,000 base
- Pros: True Party Barge comfort at a low price, changing room
- Cons: Twin-tube only at base, modest base power
Verdict: The cheapest way into the cruising-first Party Barge experience.
7. 2024 Party Barge 18 DLX
The Party Barge 18 DLX is the most compact cruising pontoon Sun Tracker builds, ideal for small lakes and tight slips. At about 18 feet it still seats up to eight people and keeps the plush DLX upholstery and Bimini top.
The standard Mercury 60 hp moves a light load comfortably, and the boat's small footprint makes it the easiest Party Barge to tow behind a midsize SUV. It is a smart pick for first-time owners testing pontoon life.
- Price: ~$26,000 base
- Pros: Easiest cruising pontoon to tow and store, low cost
- Cons: Small for big families, limited power ceiling
Verdict: A right-sized starter cruiser for compact lakes.
8. 2023 Bass Buggy 18 DLX
The Bass Buggy 18 DLX scales up the value Bass Buggy concept with more deck, more seating, and a livewell, while keeping the price aggressive. At roughly 20 feet overall it adds a forward lounge to the fishing positions for a true split-personality layout.
A standard Mercury 60 hp handles the light hull well, and the vinyl floor plus rod storage keep it practical. It is the value buyer's upgrade path when the 16 XL feels too small.
- Price: ~$27,000 rigged
- Pros: Affordable, more room than the 16, livewell included
- Cons: Still twin-tube, not a watersports machine
Verdict: The step-up value pick for growing families who fish.
9. 2024 SportFish 24 DLX
The SportFish 24 DLX is the largest fishing-focused model, pairing the 24-foot deck and tri-toon stability with four fishing seats and dual livewells. It is the boat for serious anglers who also want to host a crowd on weekends.
On a performance tri-toon it accepts up to a 150 hp Mercury, giving it the speed to cover big reservoirs and the load capacity for a full party. The trade-off is price and trailer weight, both of which climb noticeably over the 22.
- Price: ~$44,000 as a tri-toon
- Pros: Big, stable, powerful, true dual-purpose
- Cons: Most expensive fisher, heavy to tow
Verdict: The flagship fishing pontoon for buyers who want it all.
10. 2023 Bass Buggy 16 DLX
The Bass Buggy 16 DLX rounds out the list as the dressed-up version of the entry Bass Buggy. It keeps the compact 18-foot footprint but adds upgraded upholstery, a Bimini top, and a stereo over the bare-bones Select trim.
With a standard Mercury 40 hp it stays in light-tow, small-lake territory. For buyers who want the lowest price but a touch more comfort than the Select, it is the logical choice.
- Price: ~$25,000 rigged
- Pros: Cheap, comfortable for its size, easy to own
- Cons: Small deck, low power, calm-water only
Verdict: A slightly nicer budget rig for ponds and small lakes.
How to Choose
What to Look For
- Toon package matters most. A tri-toon with lifting strakes handles load, wind, and watersports far better than a twin-tube, so confirm which package a used boat actually has before you sign.
- Match horsepower to mission. Base Mercury engines cruise fine but disappoint for skiing; a used boat with the upgraded 115 hp or 150 hp is worth a premium.
- Inspect the deck and welds. Check for soft spots in the plywood deck, corrosion at pontoon welds, and water in the tubes, since these are the common Sun Tracker pain points on older hulls.
- Verify the trailer and bunks. Many Sun Trackers are sold trailer-included; a rusted axle or worn bunks can cost more to fix than they look.
FAQ
Are Sun Tracker pontoons good quality? Sun Tracker sits at the value end of the pontoon market, so they are not as refined as Bennington or Manitou, but they are well built for the price and back it with a strong transferable warranty. For family cruising and lake fishing they are dependable and easy to own.
What is the best Sun Tracker model for families? The Party Barge 24 DLX is the top family pick thanks to its tri-toon stability, seating for up to 12, and bow changing room. The 22 DLX is the better choice if storage or trailer size is a concern.
Do I need a tri-toon or is a twin-tube fine? A twin-tube is fine for calm-water cruising at modest speeds, but a tri-toon is strongly recommended if you want watersports, higher horsepower, or confident handling in chop and wind.
How much does a new Sun Tracker cost? New Sun Trackers range from about $24,000 for a base Bass Buggy 16 XL Select to roughly $46,000 for a Party Barge 24 DLX with a 150 hp engine, all sold factory-direct through Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's.
Bottom Line
For most buyers the 2024 Party Barge 24 DLX is the best overall Sun Tracker, combining tri-toon stability, big seating, and a strong warranty at roughly $42,000. Budget shoppers should look hard at the 2023 Bass Buggy 16 XL Select near $24,000, while anglers should weigh the SportFish models.
Match the toon package and engine to your real use and any of these will serve well.
Sources
- Sun Tracker official model lineup and pricing
- Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's Boating Center listings
- Boat Trader new and used pontoon listings
- Discover Boating pontoon buying guide
- Mercury Marine outboard specifications
- Boating Magazine pontoon reviews
- NADA Guides used pontoon values
*Keywords: Best Sun Tracker Boat Models (Ranked) — review, reviews, rating, comparison, best of 2027.*