New owner of a '87 toon, and a very thursty 115merc OB

[chrisg]

Ok, always said we would get a pontoon, so someone at work was selling his, good price, I figured a 115 Merc would be too big, but you take what you get for a used boat.

the Floor is in good shape, they replaced the carpet, and the seats have no rips! (Just dirty and worn). And no dents!

Reading another posting, I see that the top speed and RPM appear in line. ( 18MPH, 5000RPM full out). I?m use to my ski boat, so driving a pontoon is like driving while sitting on the couch!

So, being new to this, I have questions:

1) Anyone know if you can clean up vinyl and make it look new? Or would new seats be better? ( I have one arm rest that will have to have new wood and all the cup holders are broken)
2) Is it worth getting a new(er) and smaller motor which does not drink as much. ?how small can I go?
3) Thinking of replacing the 4- 6 gal. gas cans with one large, 18 or so to fit under a seat ( and add a gas gauge). Ran out of gas already, had to open the back seat up, switch the tanks, then crawl back to the motor and prime it, crawl back to the drivers ?lounge? and re start. ? I cant see the kids messing with this!


I guess I'm now a Loony-toon also!

Thanks

Chris

 

[Silvertip]

Re: New owner of a '87 toon, and a very thursty 115merc OB

I didn't see how big this pontoon was but if its in the 22-24 foot range, a 115 should push it faster than 18 MPH. But if you are going by the stock speedometer that may be a very inaccurate reading. GPS would be best. A 115 should push that size boat in the low 20 mph range. I have an 18 foot four corner fish 'toon that runs faster than that with a 40 HP Suzy 4-stroke. Fuel economy is what it is and there isn't much you can do about that. A 115 will burn somewhere in the neighborhood of 11 gallons of fuel per hour at wide open throttle. Probably 1/3 less at between 1/2 and 2/3 throttle.

 

[rrhodes]

Re: New owner of a '87 toon, and a very thursty 115merc OB

I am not sure where the WOT rpm should be on your boat but my 115hp honda 4stroke is 6000 max. I think 18mph should be closer to 4500rpms and will burn a lot less fuel. Running these things at WOT will cost $$$$.

What shape is your prop in? What is the current pitch on the prop? Did you try trimming the motor up a bit while running?

 

[chrisg]

Re: New owner of a '87 toon, and a very thursty 115merc OB

Sorry, I forgot to say its a 24-footer. Wife is thinking, since last owners just had the carpet replaced, perhaps we should spend the money and replace the seats.

any suggestions on cleaning, or replace the seats?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: New owner of a '87 toon, and a very thursty 115merc OB

replace or recover the seats. http://www.iboats.com/Pontoon_Boat_...ategory--**********.107002873--view_id.350037

 

[steelespike]

Re: New owner of a '87 toon, and a very thursty 115merc OB

Your toon will produce pretty good mileage if you run between 6 and 9 mph.
In fact it may do better than a planing hull at the same speed.It does take some patience to test for the best fuel consumption speed.
I like the idea of a bigger motor run at reduced speeds.like running your 115 at the speed of say a 50s max. you'll save fuel close to that of the 50 and your motor will be loafing.Instead of blowing its guts like a 50 would at the same speed.You might want to work on the setup see if you can get it up to typcal speed 20-23 mph.It will save fuel in the long run.

 

[chrisg]

Re: New owner of a '87 toon, and a very thursty 115merc OB

thanks all, I will have the motor fully checked out before it is put to bed this fall.
I found a new sport with having a toon. hit a wave at the right speed and trim, and see how many people sitting up front you can soak! ;-))) !

This could be fun!!

 

[hibbert6]

Re: New owner of a '87 toon, and a very thursty 115merc OB

For cleaning the seats:

I found a can of "vinyl paint" at an auto parts store. I cleaned the seats with 409, and used a Q-tip in the seams and around the welting to get out any gunk there. Then I masked off the welting (it was a contrasting color) and sprayed the paint on the seats. What a difference! They don't look like new, but they look a WHOLE lot better. Wife approved. Saved me hundreds of $$.

This was 5 years ago and they still look great.

Dave