Boat & Sail

Builder · Mid · Alma, Michigan

Avalon

Michigan mid-tier pontoon builder, 1972-founded. Family-held heritage. Tritoons across the LSZ, GS, and Catalina lines.

Avalon pontoon on inland lake
Founded
1972
Headquarters
Alma, Michigan
Ownership
Private
Tier
Mid
Website
avalonpontoons.com

Avalon is the heritage mid-tier pontoon builder from Alma, Michigan, founded in 1972. The brand has stayed family-controlled throughout. Production stays at the Alma facility.

The brand argument is heritage build discipline at mid-tier pricing. Avalon tritoons run 10 to 20 percent below Bennington at equivalent LOA while maintaining a similar build approach. The Catalina flagship line pushes into premium-tier territory.

Our reviews

Avalon hulls we have on the water.

Avalon Venture 22

Avalon

Avalon Venture 22

The Avalon Venture 22 is a value-leaning 22-foot pontoon with a layout designed for cruising and fishing, with Yamaha or Mercury rigging on a two-tube or tritoon platform.

Lineup

Current platforms.

Model breakdown

Each platform, what it does and where it falls short.

Avalon LSZ series

LSZ is the volume tritoon line. Tritoon platform, 150 to 300 horsepower outboard rigging.

Things we like

  • · Pricing 15 to 20 percent below Bennington at equivalent LOA
  • · Heritage build discipline shows in resale floor

Things we don't

  • · Smaller dealer footprint than Polaris-owned brands
  • · Layout language is conservative against newer premium builders

Avalon GS / Catalina flagship

GS and Catalina are the flagship lines. Premium fit-and-finish, tritoon platform with luxury options.

Things we like

  • · Catalina layout gives boatshow-friendly entertaining space
  • · Pricing 10 percent below Bennington equivalent

Things we don't

  • · Smaller used market than Bennington
  • · Resale floor softer than Polaris-owned premium brands

Buyer's guide

The Avalon story and what to know on the used market.

Origin and ownership

Avalon was founded in 1972 in Michigan. The brand has stayed family-held throughout and has not been acquired or licensed.

Production has stayed in Alma, Michigan, single-site. The brand grew steadily through the 1990s and 2000s as the pontoon segment expanded.

Design philosophy

Avalon tritoons use standard center-log architecture with deeper draft on the center tube. The brand differentiates on heritage build discipline rather than novel hull architecture.

Yamaha and Mercury are both factory options.

Used-market notes and known issues

Yamaha F300 V6 and Mercury Verado corrosion patterns apply to saltwater-stored hulls.

Cushion vinyl on 2017 to 2019 hulls shows delamination.

Pre-2015 electric trim systems on GS hulls had documented failures at 200 to 400 hours.

Dealer network smaller than Polaris-owned brands, concentrated in the Midwest.

Resale

Avalon holds resale slightly above the mid-tier average. Three-year depreciation runs 18 to 24 percent. Five-year depreciation runs 30 to 36 percent.

Where Avalon fits

Buyers cross-shop Avalon against Crest, Premier, and the lower trim of Bennington. The argument is heritage family-held build at mid-tier pricing.

FAQ

Frequently asked.

How does Avalon compare to Bennington?
Pricing 10 to 20 percent below at equivalent LOA. Build tier comparable but layout language is more conservative. Smaller dealer footprint. Cross-shop on dealer proximity and budget.
Is the Catalina flagship worth the premium?
Within the Avalon lineup, yes. Against a Bennington L or R series, the cross-shop is closer; Catalina gives heritage build at slightly lower pricing.
What's the maintenance cost on an LSZ 24?
Annual service on twin Yamaha F300 V6 outboards runs $1,800 to $2,400. Bottom paint $300 to $700. Storage $1,200 to $3,500. Insurance for a $50,000 hull runs $500 to $1,200.
Where are Avalons built?
Alma, Michigan. Single-site, family-owned production.

Compare

Categories Avalon fits.

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