If you’re shopping for a pontoon boat and you’ve landed on Avalon, good call. But then you look at the lineup and there are six different trim levels, dozens of floorplans, and enough options to make your head spin. We get it. This is one of the most common conversations we have with first-time buyers at Clark Marine, and we’re happy to have it.
So let’s walk through the Avalon lineup from top to bottom. Not with a spec sheet (though we’ll get into some of that), but with the question that actually matters: how are you going to use this boat?
Because the right trim isn’t about spending the most money. It’s about finding the boat that fits your family, your lake, and the way you actually spend your weekends.
If you want to skip ahead and browse what we have on the lot, here's our full Avalon lineup.
⚓ The Avalon Lineup at a Glance
Avalon builds their pontoons on a trim ladder, and every model shares the same core construction underneath. What changes as you move up is the comfort, the finishes, the customization options, and in some cases, the performance capabilities.
Here’s how it breaks down, from the most accessible to the top of the line:
- VLS / VTX. Functional. Gets you on the water with solid bones underneath.
- Venture / Venture 85. Comfortable. This is where the ride starts to feel like an upgrade.
- LSZ. Premium. The sweet spot in the lineup for most families.
- Catalina. Luxury. Where people stop comparing price and start comparing experience.
- Excalibur LTD. Performance luxury. Built for serious horsepower and serious style.
- Excalibur (Carbon Fiber). The halo product. No compromise, no shortcuts.
Let’s break each one down so you know what you’re looking at when you walk through our lot.
🚤 VLS / VTX: The Starting Point
The VLS is Avalon’s most affordable entry, and it’s honest about what it is. You’re not buying luxury here. You’re buying a well-built pontoon with an 8-foot beam, standard vinyl, and a straightforward helm. It’s functional, it’s durable, and it’s backed by the same structural construction Avalon puts into their higher trims.
The VTX is a promotional model with limited options and floorplan availability, but it shares the same foundation.
Who it’s for
First-time buyers. Camp boats. Fishing-first families who care more about getting on the water than having the fanciest seating. The VLS Fish models are particularly popular here in Maine, and for good reason. If your priority is time on the lake with solid construction underneath you, this is where to start.
What to know
- 8-foot beam width feels a bit tighter when you’re loaded up with people and gear
- Entry-level furniture with flat seat bases and upright backs. Easy to get in and out of, but not built for long lounging sessions
- Standard vinyl that’s durable and easy to clean
Think of it this way: the bones are the same as every Avalon. The finishes are just simpler. And for a lot of buyers, that’s the smart move.
⭐ Venture / Venture 85: Where Comfort Enters the Conversation
The Venture is the first real step up in how the boat feels. The furniture is softer, the vinyl is upgraded, and the foam has more density and contouring. People sit down in a Venture and say things like, “Oh, this is nice.” That reaction is worth paying attention to.
The big jump here is the Venture 85, which runs an 8.5-foot beam instead of 8 feet. That extra half foot sounds minor on paper, but the difference on the water is huge. More elbow room, better walkway space, and a completely different feel when you’re moving around the boat. If you’re cross-shopping, always sit in an 8.5 after an 8. You’ll feel it right away.
Who it’s for
Families. Casual entertainers. Buyers upgrading from an older boat who want something that feels noticeably better. The rear lounge layout is great for couples. The quad lounge is the go-to for families with kids.
What to know
- Upgraded foam density and stitching detail over the VLS
- Options start to matter at this level: lighting packages, stereo upgrades, tables, armrests
- Available in seven floorplans for the Venture 85, including Cruise, Quad Lounge, Elite Windshield, and multiple fish layouts
- Triple-tube performance packages are available
If the VLS is about getting on the water, the Venture is about enjoying the ride once you’re there.
👌 LSZ: The Sweet Spot
This is the trim we spend the most time talking about at Clark Marine, and for good reason. The LSZ is where Avalon starts competing with luxury pontoon brands, but at a price point that still makes sense for most families.
The seating alone is a different experience. Multi-density foam with real lumbar support. Sit in an LSZ and compare it to the Venture, and you’ll understand what people mean when they say a boat feels like a couch instead of a bench. The 8.5-foot beam is standard here, and the helm gets a meaningful upgrade with a larger console and more usable dash space.
Who it’s for
Entertainers. Families who spend full days on the water and want to be comfortable the entire time. Buyers who want something that feels premium without tipping into the six-figure range. If someone walks in and says, “We want something really nice,” this is usually where we start.
What to know
- 12 floorplans available, including the Entertainer layout, which is huge for social buyers
- Two-toned wall skin options become available at this trim
- 2000 Series furniture standard (up from 1500 Series in the Venture)
- Crew helm stand with Fusion Audio Silver sound package
- Mirror chrome logos, extended rear deck, and deluxe seat cladding all come standard
- Sport Lowback chairs with armrests
The LSZ is where most of our Avalon inventory conversations land, because it hits that balance of comfort, features, and value that works for a wide range of buyers.
🌟 Catalina: Where Luxury Really Starts
When somebody steps onto a Catalina, the conversation changes. This isn’t about comparing prices or feature lists anymore. It’s about how the boat makes you feel. Deep sculpted seating with high-density foam. Premium textured accents everywhere you look and touch. A fiberglass helm that feels as polished as the rest of the boat. And if you’ve been looking at the Windshield Elite floorplan, that layout bridges the gap between a pontoon and a bowrider in a way that turns a lot of heads.
Who it’s for
Lifestyle buyers. Entertainers who want the boat that everyone on the lake notices at the dock. Families who prioritize quality in everything they own. If you’re cross-shopping luxury pontoon brands, this is where Avalon plants its flag.
What to know
- 15 floorplans, including Funship layouts at 25’ and 27’
- 4000 Series furniture with Sonora vinyl
- Ensign II fiberglass helm stand
- Fusion Audio Gold sound package standard
- Privacy station included
- SST gate latches, nav/dock light combo, fender holders, and moveable cupholders all standard
- Available in sizes up to 27 feet, with twin engine capability on select layouts
The Catalina is a statement boat. If you’re looking for something that feels like a living room on the water, this is the trim where that becomes real.
⚡ Excalibur LTD and Excalibur: Performance Meets Luxury
The Excalibur lineup is for buyers who want the best Avalon builds, full stop. The Excalibur LTD wraps luxury finishes around serious performance capability. Bolstered seating keeps you planted at speed. The helm is driver-focused with large integrated displays. And the construction is engineered to handle 250 to 400+ horsepower without flinching.
The Excalibur (Carbon Fiber) takes it further. Carbon fiber components reduce weight for sharper handling and higher top speed. It comes with 6000 Series Ultrafine furniture, the Michigan steering wheel, GX Tower, Garmin 743XSV, and a standard ski tow bar. This is the halo product, and everything on it is the best Avalon makes. No step-up needed.
Who they’re for
Performance buyers. Big lake families who want speed and luxury in the same package. Anyone who has ever asked, “What’s the fastest pontoon you carry?”
Both models come standard with the 27-inch Waveglider triple-tube performance package, including six lifting fins, an integrated motor pod, 58-gallon built-in fuel tank, wave shield, and SeaStar hydraulic steering. Twin engine packages are available on both.
What to know
- Available in Elite Windshield and Quad Lounge Windshield floorplans at 25’ and 27’
- Standard RGB lighting package, blackout package, and side impact protector keels
- Solid aluminum GX .060 walls on the Carbon Fiber model; full-height deco walls with graphics on the LTD
Avalon was the first pontoon manufacturer to produce a Twin 450 Mercury Racing-equipped boat, and they remain the largest purchaser of Mercury Racing engines in the pontoon industry
If you’re curious about what Avalon can really do at the top of the lineup, come see one in person. It’s one of those boats that photos don’t do justice. Stop by and sit in one.
🛠️ What’s the Same Across Every Avalon
This is something first-time buyers often miss, and it matters. No matter which trim level you choose, you’re getting the same core construction underneath. Avalon builds roughly 85% of every boat in-house at their facility in Alma, Michigan. That includes the aluminum tubes, furniture, rails, and canvas. Very few pontoon manufacturers can say that.
Every Avalon in the lineup gets:
- Heavy-gauge aluminum tubes with engineered lifting strakes for better planing and long-term durability
- Full-length extruded risers with marine-grade plywood decking for even load distribution and reduced flex
- Hat channel cross beam construction running the full width of the boat at 8.5 feet (on applicable models), resulting in a stronger hull than competitors using narrower cross members
- Double full risers on both interior and exterior for structural support from pontoon to deck
- Flo-thru ventilated aluminum seat frames that allow airflow under the seats, even with the cover on. This reduces moisture buildup, mold, and mildew compared to competitors using roto-cast plastic tubs
- One-piece integrated nose cones with double-wrapped, double-thickness .200 leading edges and built-in splash guards
- Smooth external wall skins (one of Avalon’s most recognizable features) that are easy to clean and give every model a polished look on the water
- Reflective wall striping around the entire perimeter for added visibility in low-light conditions
This is one of the reasons we carry Avalon. Whether you’re buying the entry-level VLS or a fully loaded Excalibur, the foundation is the same. You can read more about why we chose Avalon on our site.
🛡️ The Warranty Tells the Story
We bring up the warranty early in our conversations with buyers, not as a closing pitch, but because it tells you something about how the boat is built. A manufacturer that stands behind their product with a lifetime structural warranty isn’t guessing about quality. They’re confident in it.
Avalon’s warranty coverage includes:
- Lifetime limited transferable structural warranty covering pontoons, crossbeams, seat frames, motor mounts, wood decking, and rail structure (for noncommercial, single-engine boats)
- 10-year limited transferable bow-to-stern warranty on all other components
- A lot of boats look good on day one. The warranty gives you a sense of how long the manufacturer expects it to stay that way.
🧭 How to Pick the Right Trim
Forget the spec sheet for a second. Start with a few questions:
- How will you actually use the boat? Fishing? Family cruising? Entertaining a crowd? Watersports?
- How many people will be on board most of the time? That affects both the floorplan and the beam width you should be looking at.
- How long are your typical days on the water? If you’re doing full-day outings, seating comfort matters more than you might think.
- What lake are you on? Smaller lakes in Maine don’t need 400 horsepower. Bigger lakes might benefit from a performance package for handling rougher water.
Once you answer those questions, the right trim usually becomes pretty obvious. And if it doesn’t, that’s exactly what we’re here for. Come by our Manchester location, sit in a few different models, and let us walk you through the differences. The best way to understand the jump between trims is to feel it.
Ready to see what's available? Browse our current Avalon inventory.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
1. What’s the difference between the Avalon Venture and the LSZ?
The biggest differences are in seating comfort, furniture grade, and standard features. The LSZ uses 2000 Series furniture (compared to 1500 in the Venture), includes a Crew helm stand with the Fusion Audio Silver sound package, and adds standard features like mirror chrome logos, deluxe seat cladding, and an extended rear deck. The LSZ also opens up two-toned wall skin options. In terms of how it feels, the jump from Venture to LSZ is significant. It’s the first trim where the boat starts to feel truly premium.
2. Is the VLS a good boat for a first-time buyer?
It’s an excellent choice for first-time buyers who want quality construction without paying for features they may not use. The VLS shares the same structural foundation as every Avalon in the lineup. If your main goal is getting on the water with a boat that’s built well and will hold up over time, the VLS delivers. It’s also one of the strongest options for fishing-focused buyers in our market.
3. Do all Avalon pontoons have the same construction?
Yes. Every Avalon from the VLS to the Excalibur is built on the same core platform: heavy-gauge aluminum tubes, full-length extruded risers, marine-grade plywood decking, hat channel cross beams, and flo-thru ventilated aluminum seat frames. About 85% of the boat is produced in-house at Avalon’s facility in Michigan. What changes between trims is the comfort, finishes, features, and customization options.
4. What does the Avalon warranty cover?
Avalon offers a lifetime limited transferable structural warranty on pontoons, crossbeams, seat frames, motor mounts, wood decking, and rail structure for noncommercial, single-engine boats. All other components are covered under a 10-year limited transferable bow-to-stern warranty.
5. Can I customize colors and floorplans on any Avalon model?
On the main product line (excluding promotional models like the VTX and VLS), Avalon makes their entire color palette available. That includes six primary vinyl options, 11 colored accent vinyls, 13 smooth wall skin colors, and 11 premium woven vinyl floorings. Many other manufacturers limit their premium materials based on the model. With Avalon, you get the full range of choices across the lineup.
6. Which Avalon trim level is best for freshwater lakes in Maine?
It depends on how you plan to use it. For fishing and camp use, the VLS is hard to beat. For families who want comfort on full-day outings, the Venture 85 or LSZ hit a great balance. Luxury buyers tend to land on the Catalina. The Excalibur models are built for bigger water and higher horsepower. We’re happy to help you narrow it down based on your specific lake and how you boat. Reach out to us anytime.
7. Does Clark Marine offer financing on Avalon pontoons?
We do. We offer in-house financing to make boat buying accessible. If you have questions about payment options, contact us and we’ll walk you through it.