Pontoon Speed

[John avery]

I have a 1991 tracker bassbuggy 18ft with a 1991 40 hp evinrude. I have no bimini top or anything on the deck but the helm and the captains chair.<br />At WOT I run 19 mph. Thinking of installing a 1987 75 hp merc. does anyone know what kind on speed I would gain? also this would give me Power trim and tilt. I dont have it with the 40hp. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[DJ]

Re: Pontoon Speed

averyj,<br /><br />Pontoons are "displacement hulls". They'll typically reach a certain speed and stay there unless grossly overpowered. Pontoons can be a bit tricky to select the right prop. Be more concerned about your top rpm. than speed.<br /><br />The 75 hp. may gain 3-4 mph, that's about it. What I'm concerned about is you overpowering the boat. If somethinng bad happens, you are automatically at fault.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Pontoon Speed

averyj <br />Just for comparison, I have a 20' toon and I run a '91 Rude 70 HP and get around 24 mph top end. 19 mph with a 40hp is very good speed! Sounds like you're set up properly and TNT won't make much difference on your toon. It is nice to have though! What is the Max HP your boat rated for?

 

[John avery]

Re: Pontoon Speed

Rated for a 70 HP. Also feel the needed power would help pull my son on a tube.<br /><br />Thanks<br />John

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Pontoon Speed

averyj,<br />you're gonna get lectured for putting more power on than its rated for, but i think the 75 will help pulling your son. good luck-

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Pontoon Speed

averyj <br />To get a jump on the Lecture that is coming, Overpowering your boat will most likely void any insurance claim and may be illegal or not, depending on where you boat. Check with your insurance company first and see what they say. Now on to the issue at hand. A 75 HP is not a significant difference, as opposed to the 70 HP rating. As long as your hull will handle a 70, you should have no problems with the 75 HP. You will definitly be able to pull a tuber and probably a light skier on 2 skies(I have)! I personally like the extra power on a toon, as I feel that you can never have enough on that type of hull design. If I had my way, I'd be running a 25'er, 3-Log, with a 200HP hangin off the back. And it WILL plane out, so to speak. But work with what you got and check all the regulations before you swap over to the larger motor. Good Luck with it,

 

[John avery]

Re: Pontoon Speed

Thanks Guys, it will be a few weeks and I will post just what happens to my toon with the upgraded motor. At this time the boat is not insured so I will get the details from them before the motor installation if there is any problems I will hold off until my dealer gets a used 70 HP<br /><br />John

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Pontoon Speed

If you have bigger tubes 23"+ I beleive you will get a bigger bang than if you have 19" tubes. On my 21ft with 19" tubes, most of the tubes was in the water. The more power the more resistance. On larger tubes where most of the tube is out of the water, you may acutally get some semi planing action.<br /><br />If you have larger tubes, installing lifting strakes may help in getting more speed as well..<br /><br />I have also seen an aftermarket center lift tube that will basically lift toons out of the water much like a hydrofoil.<br /><br />Just my .02..

 

[DJ]

Re: Pontoon Speed

averyj,<br /><br />My brother owns a 20' Starcraft toon with a 1998 75 hp. Merc. He runs an 11" pitch prop. (top rpm-5750) and gets right at 25 mph.-with a light load.

 

[John avery]

Re: Pontoon Speed

My Toons are 21 inches in OD/Diameter. It does seem with the 40 Hp I get Planing action, anyways bad news today, insurance company wont insure my toon if its even 1 Hp over the plate rating. So looks like I will tell my merc. man to hold off until he gets a good 70 or maybe a 60 hp.<br /><br />John

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Pontoon Speed

averyj,<br />Glad you found out beforehand about the insurance. I'm not sure about the Mercs, as I run OMC products, but I don't think there will be much weight difference between the 60 and 70 HP. So either one would be a good choice. The reason I am bringing this up, is that you will definitly notice the extra weight in the back end with a 70 HP on there and having 19" Logs. It will squat quite a bit while sitting still and at low speed. But if a good one comes along, I'd opt for the 70! Good Luck,

 

[John avery]

Re: Pontoon Speed

My toons are 21 inches and at this time I have Omc Power.<br /><br />Thanks<br />John

 

[BillP]

Re: Pontoon Speed

I have a 20' toon with 50hp 4 stroke. Top speed is 19.5mph per gps @ 5600rpms. Pontoons are 23" dia. All up weight is about 2400lbs + passengers. 4 passengers and 1 120lb kid being pulled on a tube bring the top speed down to 15mph.

 

[John avery]

Re: Pontoon Speed

Thanks for info BillP<br /><br />John

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Pontoon Speed

This will get you going!! Check out the GPS Speeds.<br /><br /> web page

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Pontoon Speed

Or maybe this???<br /><br />

 

[DJ]

Re: Pontoon Speed

Do you have to pedal it to get it started? Ala-Moped!

 

[495v]

Re: Pontoon Speed

I'D LOVE TO SEE THAT THING RUN. NOTHING LIKE A LEISURE STROLL AROUND THE LAKE!

 

[KennyKenCan]

Re: Pontoon Speed

Hope you have insurance on that bimini, don't look like it will be on there all too long!

 

[John avery]

Re: Pontoon Speed

Rickb1Boat<br /><br />This web site is just what I may be looking for<br /><br />Thanks<br />John