50 hp on a 24' Pontoon

[oatsx]

Is a 50 hp a realistc combination with a 24' boat? I have been on ones in the past that seemed adequate and obviously more HP is typically better - But jujst wondering what the consensus on thnis forum is?

 

[jjohnson120]

Re: 50 hp on a 24' Pontoon

I'll let you know that my 50hp on my 18ft boat has hit 24mph before, but usually around 22mph. So obviously a 24 footer is going to be slower. My buddy has a 20ft with a 40hp and can hit 17mph usually. I would guess you would be around there, probably lower. Another fried has a 25footer with a 60hp Johnson and it will do 18mph in the best of conditions. I'd personally want something bigger, but I like to pull a tube and do some kneeboarding. Just my preference.

 

[lncoop]

Re: 50 hp on a 24' Pontoon

Right. Just depends on your boating needs. If you just want to putt putt around a fifty on a 24 footer would be fine, so in that sense it's certainly realistic. Just keep in mind that you won't be able to outrun storms or pull water toys, and you'll have a tough time selling that rig to someone else.

 

[ncnjeremy]

Re: 50 hp on a 24' Pontoon

I would for sure get something bigger for that boat. 50 hp is not gonna do u too well on that big boat. Like mentioned above you won't be pulling any skiers or tubers. or anything really. I would get u a 90 hp for it. That'll do ya alright. And not too much.

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: 50 hp on a 24' Pontoon

+1 for Incoop and ncnjeremy.

 

[steelespike]

Re: 50 hp on a 24' Pontoon

Pontoon speeds are all over the place;
I've seen a test with a 23'6" and a 50 Evinrude Etec did 19.5 with a 13" prop.
Obviously they have to be setup just right and if you have a bunch aboard it will slow things down.A 75 might add 3 mph.The main advantage of a bigger motor is you could travel at the speed of the 50 and the bigger motor would be loafing,saving a lot of wear and tear.

 

[ncnjeremy]

Re: 50 hp on a 24' Pontoon

Pontoons are the party boats. Most people have lots of people aboard. If you are looking to get a motor to put on it get yourself something bigger so u don't bogg that motor down. And have a lil more speed. And you can always adjust the prop.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: 50 hp on a 24' Pontoon

I have a 24' pontoon with a 115 hp Yamaha 2 stroke, and it runs great. I wouldn't go any smaller than 90 hp on a 24', however. I wouldn't even put a 50 hp motor on a 20'--a 60 hp bigfoot would be the minimum I'd suggest.

I've ridden on pontoons with smaller engines, and you've got to wring them out (high rpms) to get where you're going. I just prefer to plane the boat off, and pull back on the throttle to 2800 or 3000 rpm's for a quieter, easier cruise. The smaller motor might be running at a loud 5500 rpm's at the same speed.

Fuel usage is not necessarily any better on a smaller engine that's had the heck run out of it.

 

[5150abf]

Re: 50 hp on a 24' Pontoon

I am sure every one would agree that you should get as much power as you can afford, the 50 will moce the boat but not much more, it is going to be really slow but if all you want is to putter around the lake that is fine, I have seen 24s with 30s and 40 on them but the owners just want to putter all day so it is fine.

It really depends what you want to do with the boat.

 

[ncnjeremy]

Re: 50 hp on a 24' Pontoon

Go big!! :d

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: 50 hp on a 24' Pontoon

What 5150 posted.
it all depends on your plan. just cruising? sight seeing?

 

[ncnjeremy]

Re: 50 hp on a 24' Pontoon

Yes if your gonna be pulling any skiers thats not gonna cut it at all. I personally can not stand underpowered boats. The boat should always have enough power to pull itself and a few ppl on it (depending the size and capacity) and possibly a skier or tow another boat/jet ski to dock in an emergency. It just makes since. Also it will make that engine not work soooooo hard to do something like that.

 

[oatsx]

Re: 50 hp on a 24' Pontoon

All I am looking ot do is to cruis around a smal llake with the family - Maybe pull a tube once in awhile - Nothing major -

 

[bigdee]

Re: 50 hp on a 24' Pontoon

All I am looking ot do is to cruis around a smal llake with the family - Maybe pull a tube once in awhile - Nothing major -

How many people to you plan to be onboard? Do you already have a 24 footer or looking to buy one? If you plan to haul 10 to12 persons or less maybe you should consider an 18-20 footer with the 50hp

 

[SnookHunter]

Re: 50 hp on a 24' Pontoon

I would for sure get something bigger for that boat. 50 hp is not gonna do u too well on that big boat. Like mentioned above you won't be pulling any skiers or tubers. or anything really. I would get u a 90 hp for it. That'll do ya alright. And not too much.

My 2005 50hp Yamaha pushes my 24 ' pontoon 22mph with the top up and the pontoons painted.. Confirmed by gps. Motor turns about 5700rpms. I've ran it that way since the motor was new. I have been all over Tampa Bay in this thing. Even traveling up to 5 miles from my house wot the entire time.

I have had as many as 7 people on board and the 50hp was still plenty. Still manage between 15-17mph depending on wind and chop. I also have no doubts I could pull a skier. Not with a bunch of people on board. But by myself no problem.

 

[ncnjeremy]

Re: 50 hp on a 24' Pontoon

My 2005 50hp Yamaha pushes my 24 ' pontoon 22mph with the top up and the pontoons painted.. Confirmed by gps. Motor turns about 5700rpms. I've ran it that way since the motor was new. I have been all over Tampa Bay in this thing. Even traveling up to 5 miles from my house wot the entire time.

I have had as many as 7 people on board and the 50hp was still plenty. Still manage between 15-17mph depending on wind and chop. I also have no doubts I could pull a skier. Not with a bunch of people on board. But by myself no problem.

That sounds just right. For everyone listening here. There are a lot of factors with this topic,,,, horsepower, propeller, water temp, wind, weight, pulling someone. There are lots of things that make up the speeds someone can go on a lake with a horsepower.

Snook... for one thing you have a 2005 motor, which is a lot newer then the motor he is looking at. That has to be accounted for. If at all possible its best to get an engine that you don't have to WOT all the time just to get 20 mph.

If you are gonna pull a skier (I have skied since I was 12 and tubing since 9... lol.... I still LOVE to kneeboard though!!!!) that is an adult you want speeds at 20-25, maybe 30 if they are experienced. If its a child then you want a little slower...... Now, for tubing the speeds you want are a little faster. Even for children (we are not talking 3 year olds here!!!) you want 30-35.

Now, I don't know if anyone likes to ski with one Ski (Slalom Skiing) but your speeds can get a lot faster then. It is a lot harder to ski on one ski. I can do it but I personally don't like it! It takes too much work!!!! Anyways, for Slalom Skiing you want the same speeds that you are pulling a tuber. Maybe a tad slower depending.

Just make sure that all these things are accounted for when selecting your engine hp. I don't know if your getting a new boat or a new engine on yours.... But for a 24 foot boat you are gonna want something bigger. If not you are limiting the capacity of it.. That is if your EVER gonna do any of these things.

Well, Good luck though!!!!!! Its past my bedtime and I still gotta finish eating my SMOKEY BONES RIBS AND LOADED BAKED TATER!!!!! NIGHT YALL!!!!!!!

 

[lncoop]

Re: 50 hp on a 24' Pontoon

How many people to you plan to be onboard? Do you already have a 24 footer or looking to buy one? If you plan to haul 10 to12 persons or less maybe you should consider an 18-20 footer with the 50hp

The first time you try ten to twelve aboard an eighteen footer will be your last. That many on a twenty footer would be less than ideal for me. It's not a safety issue, but an overcrowding one.

 

[Blank-N-Ship]

Re: 50 hp on a 24' Pontoon

All I am looking ot do is to cruis around a smal llake with the family - Maybe pull a tube once in awhile - Nothing major -

You were fine with that 50HP until you said "...maybe pull a tube once in a while". You'll want a 90HP or better in most cases for that tubing. And all this assumes a properly-mounted engine and choosing the right prop.

 

[oatsx]

Re: 50 hp on a 24' Pontoon

Hey, thanks for all of the feed back guys. I find myself iin agreement withsome or most of these comments. However, it's too late to consider anymore - I went ahead and bought the boat. The dealer came down enough for me to take the gamble. I feel pretty confident that I will enjoy this boat . . . . and probably want a little more motor once in a awhile. But hey, down the road I may just upgrade the motor.

Thanks again -

 

[lncoop]

Re: 50 hp on a 24' Pontoon

Cool. Let us know how she works out. Send some pics of the shakedown cruise.