Mitch95100
Recruit
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2022
- Messages
- 2
Good afternoon,
Last year I picked up a 2000 Riviera Cruiser SRF1823 18’ toon with 23” logs. Gave $2500 for it with a newer Karavan Bunk trailer (I essentially paid for the trailer and got the boat). The seats are cracked from the sun and foam is pretty well shot. (Sat on a lift in MN most of its life) Otherwise it’s a clean boat. I am replacing the seating and carpet with new. What I need help with is the motor situation. It had a 50hp Merc on it that got used with a bad water pump and melted the pistons pretty well. The boat is rated for a 60hp motor but I have a good 90HP evenrude in the shop that needs a home. The 90 only weighs 50 ish lbs more than the comparable 60hp. I understand the law of diminishing returns with pontoons and speed and that’s not as important to me as having the power to push it at a reasonable speed with 6-8 people and not work the life out of the motor. I know the 90 would work a lot less than a 50-60 and still get me 20mph. Fuel isn’t as big of a concern if it means it’s easier on my motor. I feel that the thing working against me would just be the weight as the seating is also twords the back and I’m working with 23” toons. It’s Set up with bench in the back. Flip seat in the middle and two normal boat seats in the front.
Obviously I want the boat to ride somewhat normal. Just looking for advice on what to do. I understand the whole “don’t overpower your rating” crowd but that extra 30hp would be nice especially to help push essentially a glorified raft.
Any advice is appreciated
Thank you!
Last year I picked up a 2000 Riviera Cruiser SRF1823 18’ toon with 23” logs. Gave $2500 for it with a newer Karavan Bunk trailer (I essentially paid for the trailer and got the boat). The seats are cracked from the sun and foam is pretty well shot. (Sat on a lift in MN most of its life) Otherwise it’s a clean boat. I am replacing the seating and carpet with new. What I need help with is the motor situation. It had a 50hp Merc on it that got used with a bad water pump and melted the pistons pretty well. The boat is rated for a 60hp motor but I have a good 90HP evenrude in the shop that needs a home. The 90 only weighs 50 ish lbs more than the comparable 60hp. I understand the law of diminishing returns with pontoons and speed and that’s not as important to me as having the power to push it at a reasonable speed with 6-8 people and not work the life out of the motor. I know the 90 would work a lot less than a 50-60 and still get me 20mph. Fuel isn’t as big of a concern if it means it’s easier on my motor. I feel that the thing working against me would just be the weight as the seating is also twords the back and I’m working with 23” toons. It’s Set up with bench in the back. Flip seat in the middle and two normal boat seats in the front.
Obviously I want the boat to ride somewhat normal. Just looking for advice on what to do. I understand the whole “don’t overpower your rating” crowd but that extra 30hp would be nice especially to help push essentially a glorified raft.
Any advice is appreciated
Thank you!
