Avalon 29 ft. Excalibur 2012 boat specs
Avalon
Avalon 29 ft. Excalibur 2012
2012
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VS
Avalon Paradise Funship 2012 boat specs
Avalon
Avalon Paradise Funship 2012
2012
View full specs →

Avalon 29 ft. Excalibur 2012 vs Avalon Paradise Funship 2012 — A Close Look at Two Pontoons

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the Avalon 29 ft. Excalibur 2012 and the Avalon Paradise Funship 2012 are pontoon designs with aluminum construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — Avalon 29 ft. Excalibur 2012 at 29,0 ft versus Avalon Paradise Funship 2012 at 26,0 ft. At 285 lbs and 385 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 250 hp, the Avalon Paradise Funship 2012 has a 50-hp advantage over the Avalon 29 ft. Excalibur 2012's 200-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load.

Both boats are rated for 16 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

Both are 2-tube and 3-tube pontoon designs respectively. Tube diameter and gauge affect stability and load capacity — more so than most buyers realize when comparing on paper.

Bottom line: The Avalon 29 ft. Excalibur 2012 at 29,0 ft is the right call if deck space, comfort, and entertaining are top of your list. The Avalon Paradise Funship 2012 at 26,0 ft wins on trailering ease, likely lower purchase price, and simpler docking — a solid choice for a buyer who wants more boat for less money.
General Boat Info
MakeAvalon
MakeAvalon
Model29 ft. Excalibur
ModelParadise Funship
Model Year2012
Model Year2012
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam8 ft. 6 in
Beam8 ft. 6 in
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches102
Weight - Detail2,850 lbs
Weight - Detail3,850 lbs
Weight - kg1292.74
Weight - kg1746.33
Weight - lbs.285
Weight - lbs.385
Length - Feet29
Length - Feet26
Length overall - Detail29 ft
Length overall - Detail26 ft
Length overall - Meters8.84
Length overall - Meters7.92
Length overall - Inches348
Length overall - Inches312
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typePontoon
Hull typePontoon
Pontoon and Inflatable Specific
Tube diameter25 in
Tube diameter25 in
Number of tubes2
Number of tubes3
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard
Horsepower200 hp
Horsepower250 hp
Operational Info
Maximum capacity2,920 lbs
Maximum capacity2,990 lbs
Maximum people16 / 2,270 lbs
Maximum people16 / 2,190 lbs

Avalon 29 ft. Excalibur 2012 vs Avalon Paradise Funship 2012 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the Avalon 29 ft. Excalibur 2012 or the Avalon Paradise Funship 2012?
The Avalon 29 ft. Excalibur 2012 is the longer of the two at 29,0 feet overall. The Avalon Paradise Funship 2012 comes in at 26,0 feet, making it roughly 3,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the Avalon 29 ft. Excalibur 2012 or the Avalon Paradise Funship 2012?
For trailering, the Avalon 29 ft. Excalibur 2012 has the edge at 285 lbs dry weight versus 385 lbs for the Avalon Paradise Funship 2012. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?
The Avalon Paradise Funship 2012 is rated to a maximum of 250 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The Avalon 29 ft. Excalibur 2012 tops out at 200 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The Avalon 29 ft. Excalibur 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 16 passengers, while the Avalon Paradise Funship 2012 is certified for 16. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.
Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?
Both the Avalon 29 ft. Excalibur 2012 and Avalon Paradise Funship 2012 share an 8 ft. 6 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.
Are the Avalon 29 ft. Excalibur 2012 and Avalon Paradise Funship 2012 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the Avalon 29 ft. Excalibur 2012 and the Avalon Paradise Funship 2012 are built by Avalon. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.