How big can I go?

Supertacks

Recruit
Joined
May 24, 2007
Messages
1
I have a 22 foot Sundancer pontoon boat that has a 45 HP motor on it. Needless to say it is less than desirable to putt around the lake at 3 mile an hour.

Can anyone point me to a resource or advise me on a ball park motor size that will get me on plane and pull a tuber or skiier?

What do you think th elargest motor I can hang on this thing would be?

Thanks
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,758
Re: How big can I go?

Look for the capacity tag on the pontoon. It will tell you maximum people, weight, and HP. The tag may be located in a number of places but check the console, the transom bracket, or perhaps on one of the side panels.
 

roscoe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,657
Re: How big can I go?

If all else fails, contact the manufacturer.
 

CATransplant

Admiral
Joined
Feb 26, 2005
Messages
6,319
Re: How big can I go?

I did a little looking around, and the largest outboard I saw on a 22' Sundancer was 115 hp. You don't say what year or model yours is, though.

A thought: It's a little hard to believe that your 50hp is only pushing that 'toon at 3 mph. Perhaps you were exaggerating a little? If not, then you need to get that outboard serviced.
 

bjcsc

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 1, 2006
Messages
1,805
Re: How big can I go?

Pontoon boats pull skiers??
 

bassboy1

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 23, 2006
Messages
1,884
Re: How big can I go?

Pontoon boats pull skiers??
Yeah, seen one on lake cherokee in tennessee. Was driving their 16 foot Lund for the motorboating merit badge, and I see a toon pulling a skier. Looked dorky, and most certainly wasn't a speed demon, but the inline 3 Johnson (couldn't see the number, but it was a 3 banger) was pulling him. Looked to be 19 maybe 20 feet long. Wouldn't have the power to jump a trick ski, and might be tough for a slalomer to start on a single ski. But it can be done.
 

Chinewalker

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Aug 19, 2001
Messages
8,902
Re: How big can I go?

Keep in mind that most 'toons are displacement hulls and not intended to plane off. Adding more power may get you faster - to a point. Not knowing which hull you have, I'd go by the tag and leave it at that...
- Scott
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,758
Re: How big can I go?

BJCSC -- you betcha a pontoon will pull a skier. These are not efficient hulls so they take more power than a "V-hull" but they can tow just fine if properly equipped.
 

2broke4this

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Dec 13, 2006
Messages
103
Re: How big can I go?

They use a pontoon to pull the pyramid for the Fourth of July ski show on the lake at my parents' house! It's pretty entertaining to watch. They have all these ridiculously nice ski boats and still use the pontoon. I'm not sure if there is a real reason behind it or if it's just tradition now, they have been doing it for years.

-Carl
 
Top