new pontoon

[junkman41]

Hello all,
I sold my 1986 24' sampan this past fall, and now come spring we are going to buy a new 20' Bennington, I am interested in the SF model for fishing, the 24'er seem to big for me to go out fishing on. plus I couldn't get a slip for the 24' on the lake near me. I would like to get the 25" logs, and I am considering vinyl instead of carpet on the floor, and I am thinking of the Yamaha 50 four stroke, or the merc 50 four stroke, what do you guys think ? any and all input will be appreciated
thanks
Jack

 

[calvinator]

Re: new pontoon

My marina rents 24' toons w/23" logs with Yamaha 50s on them. I used one last year for a day. The Yam was a nice quiet motor. I would suspect the Merc to be also.

That pontoon setup did fine for getting around the lake at a reasonable speed. I found I was running at WOT all the time to get around the lake and to my fishing spots. FOR ME, I would want more HP to get around the lake faster.

Vinyl floor was awesome.

Something to consider... On my pontoon, I have a trolling motor with wireless key fob. It is my favorite feature. I can keep fishing and maneuver my toon with the key fob. No fuss. I have a Motorguide wireless 75LBS thrust mounted on the front.

 

[junkman41]

Re: new pontoon

what size motor would you go with, I don't plan on doing anything but use it to fish from, I have a minn kota 55lb thrust auto pilot that moved the 24' around good, so I will mount that back on the new one. I'm not ure what motor to go with, which ever I decide on it will be a four stroke.
thanks
Jack

My marina rents 24' toons w/23" logs with Yamaha 50s on them. I used one last year for a day. The Yam was a nice quiet motor. I would suspect the Merc to be also.

That pontoon setup did fine for getting around the lake at a reasonable speed. I found I was running at WOT all the time to get around the lake and to my fishing spots. FOR ME, I would want more HP to get around the lake faster.

Vinyl floor was awesome.

Something to consider... On my pontoon, I have a trolling motor with wireless key fob. It is my favorite feature. I can keep fishing and maneuver my toon with the key fob. No fuss. I have a Motorguide wireless 75LBS thrust mounted on the front.

 

[calvinator]

Re: new pontoon

Here is a graph I've used before on the forum. I did get good responses it is pretty accurate.



For me, at WOT, I am 22-26MPH type of guy. It is a good balance between speed to get places and a good pontoon ride for all.

From the graph, it look likes a 75HP would be in the zone for a fishing rig with some HP to get from spot to spot, especially with those 25" toons you mentioned.

 

[junkman41]

Re: new pontoon

thanks Calvinator

 

[jetboater]

Re: new pontoon

Also take a look at Yamaha's 70hp 4 stroke. Been out a few years now--it's the Yamaha 50/60hp block with a 16 valve head on it so it breathes better and gets a little better MPH

It has the "high thrust" gear case like the T50 and T60 and only weighs about 260 lbs (compared to everyone else's 70 at around 340lbs and Yamaha's 75 at 370lbs) It's gotten great reviews

I have it on my 25' Premier and really like it. I live on a lake that's mainly lots of no wake zones and it runs very smoothly and quietly at that speed and does OK when I need to go fast.

I would definitely consider the 25" tube option---the boat will ride better and will also be a little more stable platform to fish from

 

[Dave-R]

Re: new pontoon

I think your choice of the Bennington will be a good one. I just bought a used 2007 Bennington 2075 FSI super sport and I really like it.
It has a 90hp. Yamaha 4 stroke. Very impressed on the build. It has a huge floor locker, and has a aluminum skin underneath. It also has a ski pylon which I guess is part of the super sport package. We also like all the storage compartments that are easy to clean plastic. I wanted the boat though, as soon as I looked at the trailer. Trailer has two axels, and is very well built with surge brakes. It has always seemed to me that boat manufacturers use undersize trailers. The downside, all the lakes are froze. Dave-R

 

[junkman41]

Re: new pontoon

I hope to buy around May, After seeing what people are saying, I am going to go with a 90 hp four stroke, I am getting pretty excited, right now the cabin fever is setting in. We have about 1.5 ' of snow outside, cant see any water on the lake. All ice, But our time will be here soon for fishing.