How fast???

colofiremedic

Seaman
Joined
Apr 27, 2007
Messages
54
I am new to iboats I enjoy the discussions that take place and see that there is a great wealth of knowledge to be had. I am also fairly new to the whole boating world and still have a lot of questions. Here is what I'm considering...

I'm thinking about putting a 1990 Force 125 on my 24' pontoon boat. I was wondering what kind of increase in overall spped I should expect. At Lake Powell UT I could get about 28 to 32 MPH GPS out of the boat with a Johnson 88 SPL and a 17 pitch alum. prop(no power trim). The 125 Force weighs about 310 and the Johnson about 290. I would prop the 125 with a 17 degree prop as well. Any reccomendations/advice/help would be appriciated

Happy Boating!!!!:D :D :D
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: How fast???

i hope you haven't already bought the force. no longer made, and the support for parts is poor. the hp is rated at the powerhead, not the prop. your not picking up a whole lot of usefull horsepower. the 88spl johnson is a lot better engine. i just recently bought a boat to get the hull, it had a 5ohp force on it. all i did was check compression, to make sure it was good, and parted the engine out. i didn't even take the time to try to start it.
 

colofiremedic

Seaman
Joined
Apr 27, 2007
Messages
54
Re: How fast???

No I havent bought the motor yet. I did not realize that parts were limited for these engines... sounds like they do not transfer the power to the prop effectively. I guess I'll have to save up and B.O.A.T. for a newer, bigger motor. Any recommendations? Max rating on the boat is 125 HP.

Happy Boating!!!:cool: :cool: :cool:
 

cbavier

Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 8, 2007
Messages
1,363
Re: How fast???

Not being a smart alleck but why would you want to go faster than 32 MPH on a 24ft Pontoon? That's already border line Take OFF? I have a V-6 185 Hp Four Winns that will do 38 MPH GPS and 38 MPH is flying and we Boat some BIG lakes in Michigan. I rarely run WOT. I usually get up on plane and retard to 3/4 throttle at 27 - 28 MPH. is the Johnson not performing well?
 

redjmp

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 16, 2005
Messages
536
Re: How fast???

Assuming both motors spin up to the same rpm(5000-5500) and run the same pitch prop, then top speed will be the same. More motor will help get out of the hole a little quicker only.
 

colofiremedic

Seaman
Joined
Apr 27, 2007
Messages
54
Re: How fast???

No the Johnson runs fine and is a reliable motor. It has a lot of hours on it though. I am going to have to do something in the next year or so with regards to the motor. I was just looking at options. Like I said, I am new to relatively new to boating and did not know if there would be a marked difference in the performance of the boat. I also run the boat at high elevations anywhere from 3600 ASL to 8500. Didn't know if more HP would make the boat perform at higher elevations. Seems like a change of props would do the trick for the higher elevations. How does it work... the higher the elevation the lower the prop number or vice versa?

Happy Boating!!!:cool:
 

cbavier

Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 8, 2007
Messages
1,363
Re: How fast???

Beats Me????

I think I would start looking in your area for another Johnson while yours is still running good if your concerned about up grading. That way you wouldn't have to rush into anything and the Motor you buy in your area will have the right prop or should have the right prop. That way to, you could upgrade to a Newer motor and more HP if you so choose and still be able to sell your old one and get something out of it.

Stay away from Dealers though because they will say your's is Junk and there's is a Jewel and want to give you change for yours and get top dollars for theirs. You know what I mean. Just sea trial one you consider buying before putting any cash down. A sea trial puts it through the paces and will run it at least an hour before you make a decision.

Any problems will show up if you run it for an hour.

I just got my Boat all waxed today inside and out.
I cleaned all the seats and apolstry yesterday and 303 them
I'm ready for Splash now.

Good Luck
Chuck
 
Top