I'm looking for a pontoon boat, too. The criteria is to supplement the drift boat, (but not replace it), fish different water, and pre-explore rivers I wouldnt go to just blindly.
So the partner and I went to the sportsmen's show for a look-see, and of the 3 or 4 displays there, the one we kept coming back to was the Skookum rafts. Their Steelheader and Osprey models have the best looking features; general ruggedness, and safety I think we're looking for. Their 10' pontoons are 19" dia. and look really tough, and the boats come fully equipped for a very competitive price. They also have great-sounding load capacities.
There are some down sides, though. I'd hoped to be able to just throw it into the back of the pickup, tie it down and go. They're too wide. The longer and wider boat will be tough to get into some places like beaver ponds, smaller streams, etc. Standing on the platform could face plant you into the river, if it takes a lurch.
Over-all, though, I can see myself on one of the Skookums over the others.