Need Advice on Outboard Engine Power

[Rathmullan]

Hello. I am new to this forum and in need of some advice concerning outboard engine power.

I have a 22 ft. Premier Pontoon Boat (2 pontoons) with a 40 HP Mercury Big Foot outboard. I've come to appreciate the the "big foot" features (higher gearing and I believe a larger propeller) in that it provides good torque and control while, according to Mercury, "not giving up much top end speed".

Nonetheless, I notice that the top speed of my boat is only about 12.5 mph. I'm actually fine with the speed for my purposes and the lake we're on is only 800 acres (it would be 1.25 miles by 1.25 miles if perfectly square).

However, my wife would like for us to be able to pull younger kids of friends and relatives on towables and provide them with a little excitement (and my wife would like to be able to get on a towable herself).

So, I'm wondering how much speed is appropriate for towing people and how much horsepower is needed to achieve it. The maximum horsepower recommended by the manufacturer is 90.

The 60 HP Mercury Big Foot weighs as much as my current 40HP version. I'd consider the 75 HP Mercury Big Foot but it weighs a full 140 lbs more than the 60HP and somehow it doesn't seem to make sense to me to get 15 more horsepower at the cost of an additional 140 lbs. I did note that Evinrude makes a 75 HP outboard that weighs only 60 more lbs than both my 40 HP Mercury Big Foot and the 60 HP Mercury Big Foot I am considering.

Thanks for listening and thanks in advance for any advice you may be able to provide.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Need Advice on Outboard Engine Power

Put a regular 90 on it and enjoy.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Need Advice on Outboard Engine Power

Don't worry about weight. Go for the maximum horsepower--90 hp.

 

[Cycleman07]

Re: Need Advice on Outboard Engine Power

I will second what everyone has said. There is not substitute for horse power. Go as big as you can and you will never regret it. :encouragement:

 

[The Rooster]

Re: Need Advice on Outboard Engine Power

Don't worry about weight. Go for the maximum horsepower--90 hp.

+1 ^^^. Can't really compare the 40-60 engines to the 75-115 engines. Much bigger block. At this point, its not really worth staying in the same family of engines, 40-60. Go for the 90 if you can. The 40-60 "Bigfoot" engines use the lower unit/ gearcase from the 75-115 engines, that's what makes them "Bigfoots". Good luck !!!

 

[WaterDR]

Re: Need Advice on Outboard Engine Power

What year is the boat?

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Need Advice on Outboard Engine Power

Also keep in mind that a bigger motor will benefit you in other ways than just top end speed. You also be able to cruise along without your engine working as hard. Where before you would be doing 10MPH at 4500 RPMs, with the bigger motor you could cruise at 12MPH at 3500 RPMs (just example numbers). A much quieter experience with better performance.

I also agree with the comment about going for the 90. I don't think you will see a meaningful difference (difference yes, meaningful no) going to a 60 or even a 75. You have to have enough power to get the steeper pitch prop.

 

[Capt Sully]

Re: Need Advice on Outboard Engine Power

At least a 90hp / 4 Stroke

 

[Old Screwball]

Re: Need Advice on Outboard Engine Power

Get the biggest engine you transom is rated to hold. I bought a 2012 18' Tracker Party Barge and optioned the 75hp Merc. After experimenting with 3 different propellers 24.5mph is the best I can get. My neighbor has a 23' with a 90hp, I'm a tad faster.

Good Luck!

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Need Advice on Outboard Engine Power

Also, you will find that the price difference between the 75 and the 90 is not much. Go for the 90 hp.
Switching to Evinrude would mean a change in controls and possibly gauges. Stick with Merc.

 

[calvinator]

Re: Need Advice on Outboard Engine Power

FWIW. Stole this image from a pontoon buyers guide I saw once.