South Bay Pontoons for Sale
South Bay is a pontoon brand built by Forest River Marine in Middlebury, Indiana, alongside Berkshire and Trifecta. The range runs from entry-level 22-foot cruisers to 28-foot Sport models with up to 500 hp.
Part of Forest River and Berkshire Hathaway
Pete Liegl founded Forest River in 1996 to build RVs, and in 1998 the company started Forest River Marine to build pontoons. Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway bought Forest River in 2005. South Bay is one of three pontoon brands in the marine division, with Berkshire and Trifecta. Because the parent is so large, dealers and parts are spread widely.
Current series and list prices
South Bay's 2026 starting prices for the base boat, before freight, prep and options:
- LE: from $37,615. The 220FLE fishing and entertainment model is 22' to 22'5" long, rated for 150 to 250 hp and 10 to 12 people.
- 200: from $41,434 for the S220CR cruiser, with the same length and power range.
- 500: from $49,895. The 521RS is 22'3" to 22'8" and rated up to 300 hp.
- Margaritaville Chill: from $53,006, 22-foot boats rated up to 200 hp.
- Sport: the Sport SL9 and ST9 are 28'8" long, rated for 500 hp and 12 people, at $195,325.
Those numbers give you a ceiling for a used boat of the same model. A used South Bay with a big engine and a performance package will sit well above a base boat of the same length.
Current boats use what South Bay calls a Z42 chassis and a composite deck that the company says is twice as strong and 40 percent lighter than marine plywood. Older South Bays may have plywood decks.
What to check on a used South Bay
Deck by model year. Current South Bays use a composite deck on the Z42 chassis. Older boats may have plywood, which rots near the gates, helm and seat bases. Ask what the deck is, then walk it and push at those spots.
Ascension upper deck. If the boat is an Ascension, raise and lower the telescoping upper deck and fold the rails and lounge backrest. It is a moving structure that most pontoons don't have, so check the mechanism and hinges carefully.
Engine against the rating. South Bay ratings run from 150 to 500 hp depending on model and performance package. Check the capacity plate against the engine on the transom. On Sport models, get records for the engine, which is a large share of the boat's value.
Recalls. I found no South Bay recall in the Coast Guard list. Run the HIN through the USCG recall search, and get the owner's manual and warranty from South Bay's owner resources page.
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Frequently asked questions
Who makes South Bay pontoons?
Forest River Marine, a division of Forest River, Inc., which is owned by Berkshire Hathaway.
Where are South Bay pontoons built?
Forest River Marine is based in Middlebury, Indiana.
How much does a new South Bay cost?
2026 starting prices run from $37,615 for the LE series to $195,325 for the Sport models, before freight and options.