22' Pontoon- I need advice very slow

[Howard the Mason]

I have recently purchased a 1995 Crest 22' Pontoon with 26" pontoons and a 60hp Johnson Motor. With me and my wife and my 4 little children the boat runs between 13-14mph with a WOT of 4300rpm. My prop pitch is 13&3/4" x 13" and is the original prop. I know its not a speed boat but I want to increase the speed because we have very big lakes around here and takes long time to get across with such a slow speed. Do you think this is a normal speed for this size boat and motor? Or the right size prop? If not, do you have any suggestions for me to help increase the speed. I would like to run between 22 and 25mph. I have a 1985 115hp Johnson I was thinking of putting on the boat, but the boat is only rated for a 90hp.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 22' Pontoon- I need advice very slow

If you are using the boat speedometer for your observations that's not a very good measure. A gps would give you much more accurate readings. However, you are correct, a 60 HP engine should push that boat at least in the 18 - 20 MPH range. So step one is to ensure the engine is properly tuned and actually making full power. Make sure the throttle is opening fully (carb butterflies perfectly horizontal in the carb throat). If you have a tach, the engine should be running in the 5500 RPM range. If wide open throttle is less than that you may have a prop with too much pitch. Are you sure one or both pontoons are free of water.

 

[hvachillbilly]

Re: 22' Pontoon- I need advice very slow

If you are using the boat speedometer for your observations that's not a very good measure. A gps would give you much more accurate readings. However, you are correct, a 60 HP engine should push that boat at least in the 18 - 20 MPH range. So step one is to ensure the engine is properly tuned and actually making full power. Make sure the throttle is opening fully (carb butterflies perfectly horizontal in the carb throat). If you have a tach, the engine should be running in the 5500 RPM range. If wide open throttle is less than that you may have a prop with too much pitch. Are you sure one or both pontoons are free of water.

i have a 21ft suntracker with a 60 hp motor can you recomend the proper prop my engine is a four stroke big foot and wot will over rev engine thank god for the tach i guess my oem prop is a 3 blade 14 x 10

 

[Howard the Mason]

Re: 22' Pontoon- I need advice very slow

how do i know if there's water in my toons and why would my 60 hp be running wide open at 4300 rpms

 

[chrisg]

Re: 22' Pontoon- I need advice very slow

how do i know if there's water in my toons and why would my 60 hp be running wide open at 4300 rpms

With the toon on the trailer, have someone stand beside it while you rock it back and forth,if you hear sloshing, you have water in them. The next question will be how to get the water out - there are postings on that.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 22' Pontoon- I need advice very slow

My gosh people are hijacking threads latelky. HVACHILLBILLY, you should post your question in a separate thread. Jumping on someone elses makes it hard to keep track of who is who. Your prop should be a four blade pontoon prop from Mercury in a 14 x 11 pitch.

HOWARD: since your engine is running at 4300 rpm wide open it may be because 1) it is not running right, 2) the prop has too much pitch, 3) there is water in the tubes, 4) you have a very heavy pontoon 5) the throttle isn't opening fully 6) the tach is incorrect and those are just a few things to start with.

 

[hvachillbilly]

Re: 22' Pontoon- I need advice very slow

My gosh people are hijacking threads latelky. HVACHILLBILLY, you should post your question in a separate thread. Jumping on someone elses makes it hard to keep track of who is who. Your prop should be a four blade pontoon prop from Mercury in a 14 x 11 pitch.

HOWARD: since your engine is running at 4300 rpm wide open it may be because 1) it is not running right, 2) the prop has too much pitch, 3) there is water in the tubes, 4) you have a very heavy pontoon 5) the throttle isn't opening fully 6) the tach is incorrect and those are just a few things to start with.

sorry new to forums did not know proper etiquette and thanks for info just the same

 

[Howard the Mason]

Re: 22' Pontoon- I need advice very slow

I checked for water in the toons and there was none. Still can't figure out why my wot is only 4300 butterflys are all the way open. Also i have a 115 2 stroke johnson i was considering putting on the boat but it's only rated for a 90 how big of a problem would that be or you think it would be fine.

 

[lowell7963]

Re: 22' Pontoon- I need advice very slow

It would be a bad idea, and illegal to put a motor on that is larger than what the boat is rated for. Figure out what is wrong with the motor you have first. It may not be that much wrong. 4300 rpm is low.

 

[Howard the Mason]

Re: 22' Pontoon- I need advice very slow

what size prop do you think would fit on my boat now i got a 13 3/4 x 13

 

[mrdude]

Re: 22' Pontoon- I need advice very slow

assuming the motor is running well and yor not pulling around extra weight that was talked about.. i would check around and find a prop shop or someone that would have used props in your area and explain the problem .. maybe they would be nice enough to let u try a lower pitch prop before you potentially buy one. one more thing.. not sure if it was mentioned but are you sure your tach & speedo are accurate? something to check out to eliminate those possibilities.. especially the tach!

 

[joecooool]

Re: 22' Pontoon- I need advice very slow

Your problem is your engine isn't running at its rated hp. In order to get 60 hp, you are going to have to find out why its not going past 4300 rpms.

My guess would be either the throttle cable or the previous owner installed a governor. If that boat was ever a rental, I can assure you it has a governor.

 

[Howard the Mason]

Re: 22' Pontoon- I need advice very slow

Hey i want to thank every body for there advice i really appreciate it i just took my boat out by myself it has a 60 hp i took my gps to check the speed it was 14 mph and the with wot it got to about 4800 if i trimmed it up even though the boat is 22' with 26" toons it should do better then that shouldn't it

 

[steelespike]

Re: 22' Pontoon- I need advice very slow

Yes I would think 20 mph is possible. I checked a couple of 20 and one 23 with 50 and 60 hp; speeds ranged from 19.5 to 21.4. 2 with 13" props at about 5,500 one with a 14 X 11 at about 5,500.
Weight distributon is important and carefully trim motor for the best
performance.
You might confirm running on all cylinders.Do a compression check.
raise the motor one hole.Won't help much but could add a little.
You could try a 11"pitch pontoon specific prop usually 4 blades.
A 2" pitch change is only going to add about 400 rpm.
with luck it will put you at 5200 but I feel still low.
Are the tubes clean?

 

[Howard the Mason]

Re: 22' Pontoon- I need advice very slow

the tubes a very clean besides on of the tubes is missing the inner fin also will check the compression tomorow any ideas what it should be i know they should be all within 3-5 lbs of each other

 

[chrisg]

Re: 22' Pontoon- I need advice very slow

I have a 24 foot with dirty logs, and a 60hp Merc BF, I just measured its speed with a GPS, and I get 19MPH. thats at 5400 RPM, WOT gives me 5800 RPM with no increase in speed ( only engine sound).

 

[steelespike]

Re: 22' Pontoon- I need advice very slow

Manufacturers are secretive about their compression figures.
Rule of thumb 100 psi is the ideal minimum within 10% between cylinders.
Have you checked that throttle opens all the way?