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  1. J

    ETEC vs Optimax and engine noise?

    I'm looking to purchase a new pontoon, and I'm having a REALLY difficult time digesting everything coming my way. It seems the Optimax and especially the ETEC are trying to shoot down 4-strokes, not necessarily compete with each other. Many of the reviews I seen pitting them against one...
  2. J

    Replacement Panel for 2002 Smokercraft

    Well, as I delve more and more into the restoration of my 'toon I'm nearing completion. It's funny--the one thing I thought would be the *easiest* to fix has become the most elusive--side panels. Okay--my boat--despite the fact it has "Bentley" on the side--is actually a Smokercraft. I...
  3. J

    What gauges should I add?

    Okay--I have my boat *almost* where I want it. I've polished and waxed the paint, polished the pontoons, mostly dialed in the prop, and now it's time to start on the interior. I purchased a wood burl vinyl laminate to go over my old control panel that is beginning to fade, and while I have...
  4. J

    Instrument Panel Restoration

    I've searched and searched the forums, and could have sworn I saw this somewhere before. If so, please feel free to direct me to the post. I have a 2002 Bentley pontoon, and although the boat is in great shape, some parts are faded and/or scratched. It drives me bonkers. My instrument panel...
  5. J

    Lifting Pontoon Boat for Cleaning

    Last year I took the time to clean the 'toons on my boat, and primarily focused on areas reachable in and around the bunks. However, I'd like to give a good cleaning and polishing to the *whole* set of 'toons this year. My pontoon trailer is the typical bunk style trailer, 24-feet in length...
  6. J

    Breaking in a new motor--recommendations

    I'm getting the new Mercury Classic (carbed) 90 HP two-stroke engine installed today, and plan to use the boat this weekend. I've talked to one boat mechanic (independent) and two dealers, and they each say something different. The mechanic says that the fuel/oil mixture needs to be adjusted...
  7. J

    Refurbishing Control Panels

    My pontoon is in terrific shape overall, and after doing a motor swap and pontoon cleaning, it's like a brand new boat. Now comes the interior... First and foremost is the control panel. My pontoon has only two gauges (tach and fuel), and has an additional cut out for another gauge the same...
  8. J

    Is this a good deal?

    I have a 24-foot pontoon and have been looking to upgrade the HP. The pontoon currently has a 50 hp two stroke engine, and is rated for up to a 90 hp. A friend of mine just purchased a pontoon from a place nearby, and the guy was going to make him quite a deal (I think) on a 90 hp 2-stroke...
  9. J

    Pontoon Max Motor Size

    I've been toying around with my pontoon, a 50-hp two-stroke Mercury, and have hit 21 mph (GPS) out of it with just myself and son onboard. I've tried a few other things to squeak and creak another mph out of it, but it's just not going to happen. Now--21 mph certainly isn';t bad for a 24-foot...
  10. J

    Pontoon Speed Help

    Okay--I had some time today to take my pontoon out and do some speed tests. Don't get too excited... we're talking 16-17mph here :-) My pontoon is a 2002 24-foot Bentley 824 with a 50-hp Mercury motor. It's perfect for what my wife and I wanted, and the kids (5 & 4) think they're zipping...
  11. J

    Replace panel on a pontoon

    I purchased a 2002 Bentley 24-foot pontoon boat, and it is in immaculate condition with one exception. One of the aluminum panels surrounding the seating of the boat (the painted panels with the striping and logo) has 40-50 small dents and scratches where it appears it was docked against...
  12. J

    Accessing the pontoons for cleaning

    Okay--my 'toons are pretty nasty, and have lots of slimy/scaly/rough crud on them. I own a 3000 psi pressure washer which ought to knock a lot of the gunk off, and I've read that taking my time and methodically polishing the tunes will make them look brand new. However... I need some advice on...
  13. J

    50 hp vs. 90 hp and resulting speed

    I have a 24' pontoon with a 50 hp Mercury, and it has a top speed of 16 mph (determined by a Tom-Tom GPS unit). The speed of the boat is perfect for me right now, but I'm curious about possibly upgrading the HP down the road. First of all, how do you determine the max HP allowed for this boat...
  14. J

    Adding a toilet in a pontoon

    I'm not sure if I posted in the right area, but I want to add a toilet to a pontoon and make it appear as "stock" as I can. I placed the post in the "boat building and restoration" forum, but wanted to place a link to the post here in case anyone could help me...
  15. J

    Adding a toilet to a pontoon boat

    Hi, all. I'm new to the forums and boats. We recently purchased a lake house, and I've been looking to purchase a pontoon boat. I finally found one that fits *everything* I was wanting, and is owned by someone I trust greatly and takes immaculate care of everything mechanical he owns. There...
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