Motor for Pontoon

[mippel]

Hi All,
I am looking at 18' - 20' pontoons and all that are in my range have a 25 horse motor. Is it necessary to have a motor that is designed for a pontoon? Like a bigfoot or any other one that is geared for a pontoon. Will a "normal" 50 - 60 horse work? Or will it need a motor designed for a non planing hull? Sorry if this is a stupid question, but don't want to plan to killa motor that i will up grade with. Thanks in advance.

 

[Water logged]

Re: Motor for Pontoon

It's not required to have a pontoon motor, I'm not even sure there is such a thing. A bigfoot may be more satisfactory than a standard because the gearing and size allow for a more pontoon freindly prop. The main thing is to get to correct prop for your boat motor combo.

Glenn

 

[The Rooster]

Re: Motor for Pontoon

It's not required to have a pontoon motor, I'm not even sure there is such a thing. A bigfoot may be more satisfactory than a standard because the gearing and size allow for a more pontoon freindly prop. The main thing is to get to correct prop for your boat motor combo.

Glenn

+1 ^^^ Mike. Good luck !!!

 

[Old Screwball]

Re: Motor for Pontoon

Agree about the 'pontoon' motor. IF IT WERE ME... I'd get the biggest engine the transom is rated for. You can always go slower, but you put a 40hp motor on an 18' toon, you aren't going to go to fast.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Motor for Pontoon

About the only thing special about a pontoon motor is it would be whats known as a long shaft, thats 20 inches from where it sits on the transon down to the bottom of the motor.

 

[RustyShackleford]

Re: Motor for Pontoon

BigFoots are good because they get the prop lower in the water, but pontoons are sold without BigFoots too. My dealer said a BigFoot will move a pontoon faster than the same HP motor not being a BigFoot.
I have a 60HP BigFoot on my 22' and it moves along enough to not get bored. GPS says 17MPH with a few guys and gear. I definitely wouldn't go with anything smaller than that if you are planning to have a few people onboard.

 

[RustyShackleford]

Re: Motor for Pontoon

Oops, duplicate.

 

[Rancherlee]

Re: Motor for Pontoon

Definately go with a "Bigfoot", Yamaha F-series, All Suzuki (zooks are all geared low and swing big props). It's all about the prop size, a 14" diameter prop makes maneuvering at lower speeds/docking ALOT smoother. I had a 28spl with a small 10" prop and it took alot of throttle and time to change directions, in a slight breeze it sometimes took over 10 seconds to start moving in reverse! My 70hp with a 14" prop moves instantly when changing directions. Bigger prop also resists cavitation alot better.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Motor for Pontoon

Like it was said, go for the larger end of horsepower your hull is rated for. The Yamaha 50-60-70 motors are virtually the same 996 cc engines. The Yamaha 75 is substantially larger @ 1566 cc's and is worth the extra weight and cost--in performance.

Little engines on full size pontoon boats will insure one thing--boredom. If I cannot run in the 20's, I cannot do a good job of outrunning storms. I prefer my boat to be seaworthy, which the larger engines give.

25 hp motors are for aluminum jon boats, where they do a good job.

 

[jergeo]

Re: Motor for Pontoon

Ok, What is a Bigfoot and who makes it?

 

[RustyShackleford]

Re: Motor for Pontoon

Ok, What is a Bigfoot and who makes it?

BigFoot is a style. Google and you shall find a list of differences.

 

[86 century]

Re: Motor for Pontoon

Maybe this will help you my inlaws 22' toon with a 40hp eventide will make about 11mph with 4 people.

My parents 18' with a johnson 48spl will run 22mph with just me and the little one.

They both get the job done not real fast but they have fun