What's a good hp. size for a 24' pontoon with 10 to 12 people, not too small but not too big, may want to tow tubes. seems most have a 25-50hp. but that can barely get out of it's own way, which brand runs forever?
I have a 24', 2006 Lowe pontoon. It has 25" twin tubes. The max hp placard rating is 115hp. Being an '06, I accept that to mean a 4 stroke motor is acceptable. It is also rated to 12 people.
The boat came with a merc 60hp, 4 stroke, Big Foot (CT). By myself, on an ideal, chilly day, I could push it to almost 21 mph. I never had 12 on it. With 5 younger kids on tubes and maybe 2-3 of us on board, I was maybe getting 16-17 mph but couldn't sling the kids outside the wake. As they got older, speed was 15 or slower...
So I put a 2021 merc 115 hp, CT motor on it. By myself with a 3-16x12 prop @6000-6150 rpm, I'm looking at around 23-24 mph. With a 4-14x14 prop I could get 26 @5800, but with a load, rpm dropped too low for my liking. So With the now older kids and 4 adults I could sit around 5600 rpm max @20 mph on a hot day, 5 tubers and 4 adults.
I can publish my 3 different prop results if you so desire.
Sorry for the long post, I'm not telling you what to do, just showing actual results.
The size of your toons can make a big difference.
which brands run forever?....I see old johnsons and mercs all the time. Evinrude isn't made anymore as isn't johnson.
I think any brand has its good and bad motors and years.
I do see more mercs than any others. Probably more merc dealers and service places.
I'm happy with my 115.....understand your gas mileage is gonna drop noticeably.
