A Dream Come True

[Cubbyblue22]

Hey everyone, just bought my first pontoon last week. I've always wanted to re-store a pontoon from front to back and it's finally happening. I'm only 22 so i'm a little inexperienced so i'm here to learn. My boat is a 1989 Lowe 24' pontoon with a 55 hp johnson. I have a big group of family and friends so I made sure to buy one that has a max capacity of 15 people. I was also reading the other capacity ratings and I noticed that it has a max hp of 100. It's pretty hard to find a 100 hp outboard and I know where I can find a really nice 115. So my question is would it really put that much pressure on the stern of the boat especially when i'm replacing the engine mount in the back??? Also what speeds are we talking out of a 115??? Thanks everyone and cant wait to learn.

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: A Dream Come True

The boat will handle the extra weight and hp of the 115. However, check with your insurance company to see if they will cover you with the bigger engine.

How fast you can go can't be answered because there are many variables.

However, here is an educated guess: 90hp with 10 people and normal gear on board, about 15 mph.

 

[lakegeorge]

Re: A Dream Come True

Go on the net and type in pontoon boat tests and you will find dozens of pontoon boat tests with different motor configurations, this may help.
I would guess that if everything is running good around 21/25 mph max.

 

[64Serendipity76]

Re: A Dream Come True

Hey my friend................I'm doing the dream come true thing too. Me and my sweet heart are rebuilding a 1971 28' Dura Craft. Its quite the undertaking but its finally starting to come together...........a little lol.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: A Dream Come True

Hey everyone, just bought my first pontoon last week. I've always wanted to re-store a pontoon from front to back and it's finally happening. I'm only 22 so i'm a little inexperienced so i'm here to learn. My boat is a 1989 Lowe 24' pontoon with a 55 hp johnson. I have a big group of family and friends so I made sure to buy one that has a max capacity of 15 people. I was also reading the other capacity ratings and I noticed that it has a max hp of 100. It's pretty hard to find a 100 hp outboard and I know where I can find a really nice 115. So my question is would it really put that much pressure on the stern of the boat especially when i'm replacing the engine mount in the back??? Also what speeds are we talking out of a 115??? Thanks everyone and cant wait to learn.

Whatever motor you get it HAS TO BE a long shaft version.