JonathanEngr
Seaman
- Joined
- Jun 10, 2009
- Messages
- 66
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 pontoon with this motor, but I'm realizing I want more. If I load up the 'toon with 6 or 8 adults and pull a towable with two kids behind it, I'll be lucky to hit 14 mph... that just isn't enough.
Sooooo.... My pontoon is a 2002 Smokercraft (Bentley by name, but made by Smokercraft--it's an 824 model). The boat is in immaculate condition--it looks brand new in almost every way. I hate to go to the trouble of putting it up for sale, meeting people to show the boat and take them out, etc., but if that's my best option, I guess I'll do it.
Anyway, the sticker on the captains console says "12 person/1800 lb max with 50 hp, 12 person/2200 pound max with 90 hp". Does this mean the max HP my boat can take is a 90 hp engine? Is there any way to get this number increased to 115, etc., with a few modifications? (I guess what I'm asking is how do they rate this? I have a friend who has a 150 hp 'toon, and the engine mount on the transom is no larger and/or thicker than mine. I assume it's more a function of bracing underneath so the boat can hold together in rougher waters at the higher speeds generated by more HP?).
My ultimate goal would be to--well, but a Manitou X-Plode--but in the meantime I would be thrilled with a top speed of 30-35 mph, with a min of 25 mph with 6-8 adults and a tube being pulled behind. Could this even be achieved by a 115? Or am I looking at more like 150 hp?
Any input would be greatly appreciated!
Sooooo.... My pontoon is a 2002 Smokercraft (Bentley by name, but made by Smokercraft--it's an 824 model). The boat is in immaculate condition--it looks brand new in almost every way. I hate to go to the trouble of putting it up for sale, meeting people to show the boat and take them out, etc., but if that's my best option, I guess I'll do it.
Anyway, the sticker on the captains console says "12 person/1800 lb max with 50 hp, 12 person/2200 pound max with 90 hp". Does this mean the max HP my boat can take is a 90 hp engine? Is there any way to get this number increased to 115, etc., with a few modifications? (I guess what I'm asking is how do they rate this? I have a friend who has a 150 hp 'toon, and the engine mount on the transom is no larger and/or thicker than mine. I assume it's more a function of bracing underneath so the boat can hold together in rougher waters at the higher speeds generated by more HP?).
My ultimate goal would be to--well, but a Manitou X-Plode--but in the meantime I would be thrilled with a top speed of 30-35 mph, with a min of 25 mph with 6-8 adults and a tube being pulled behind. Could this even be achieved by a 115? Or am I looking at more like 150 hp?
Any input would be greatly appreciated!