Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 For Sale

The Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 is a twin-tube aluminum pontoon built for affordable family cruising, with a length overall of about 24 feet 2 inches and a beam of 8 feet 6 inches. Recent models were lengthened by two feet over the prior design, opening up a reconfigured floor plan, a 12-to-16-inch foredeck, and a rated capacity of 11 people. The hull rides on multi-chambered pontoon logs of 24 to 26 inches in diameter, with the higher-performance XP3 package adding welded-on lifting strakes, wave deflectors, and internal bracing. A motor pod extends aft from the center of the deck on three-tube configurations. Used examples have been listed for sale under $25,000, which is part of why the boat appeals to first-time pontoon buyers.

The Party Barge 22 is rated for engines from 115 up to 200 horsepower, with the 150-horsepower Mercury four-stroke being the most popular choice. Fitted with that 150, the boat reached a top speed of 35.8 to 36.1 mph at 5,800 rpm. Best cruise came at 3,000 rpm and 15.6 mph, where fuel consumption measured between 3.3 and 3.7 gallons per hour. On the DLX with a 32.1-gallon tank that worked out to about 4.8 miles per gallon and a range near 138 statute miles holding 10 percent in reserve; the XP3, carrying a 52-gallon tank, stretched range to roughly 200 miles. Acceleration runs hit 20 mph in 4.5 to 5.2 seconds and 30 mph in about 9.3 to 9.4 seconds.

Handling stays composed under the 150 four-stroke. A touch of up trim settles the bow into a roughly 5-degree bow-high attitude, and the boat crosses wakes without hull slap or pounding. The steering uses a hydraulic, tilt-mount setup with a quick ratio for responsive turns, and the boat leans into corners with only slight outboard lean on entry. The helm carries either analog multi-function gauges or the Sun Tracker Flare glass cockpit display, which shows speed, engine temperature, fuel level, and fuel burn rate. Waterproof rocker switches, a 12-volt accessory plug, USB and Bluetooth connectivity, and cell phone pockets round out the console, paired with a Wet Sound or Jensen stereo system. The captain's chair reclines, swivels, slides fore and aft, and has flip-up armrests.

Storage and seating define the layout. The patented StowMore seat back lifts and slides away to add about 50 percent more space behind the loungers, reclaiming an area lost on most pontoons. Corner seats include cup holders and lift-up cushions, and access doors behind the three lounges hold a pop-up changing-room tent, fenders, an anchor, or a cooler. A movable cocktail table drops into receptacles at the bow, midship, or stern. The 9-foot bimini uses a quick-lift frame that one person can raise or lower, with LED courtesy lights and a protective boot. A rail-lock track under the inch-and-a-quarter fencing secures the optional mooring cover without snaps.

Deck and water-access features suit a full crowd. The aft swim platform pairs with a four-step polished stainless ladder to starboard, and a bow boarding ladder tucks under the front lip. Boarding gates open at the bow, port side, and stern, with the port gate widened to 28 to 31 inches for wheelchair access. A removable, stowable tow pylon supports water sports. The deck is finished in easy-clean vinyl over seven-ply pressure-treated 3/4-inch marine plywood carrying a limited lifetime warranty, with an upgrade to woven vinyl available for better grip. A tandem-axle trailer with a swing-away tongue jack is offered, with brakes on one or both axles.

Earlier and specialized versions broaden the range. A Sport Fish configuration carried a 115-horsepower Mercury OptiMax, a 45-gallon fuel tank, fishing chairs with reclining backs, and a 135-horsepower maximum rating, reaching 36 mph and cruising near 3,500 rpm for a 132-mile range. The base engine on many model years is a 90-horsepower outboard, though the 150 adds performance and resale value. When shopping the Party Barge 22 for sale, confirm the engine size, fuel-tank capacity, and deck-flooring option, since these vary by trim and directly affect range, speed, and price.