outboard questions

[RedNecker]

I am planning on building a lightweight 18' pontoon fishing boat.<br /><br />Has anyone used a 15-25 Hp motor for this?<br />Results? <br />At least 5MPH?<br /><br />Motor with remote control.<br /><br />The motor will be used a few times per year in the intercoastal rivers such as the Indian River near the Sebastian Inlet in Florida.<br /><br />Do the newer fresh water motors have good salt corrosion resistance or do I have to get a salt water motor?<br /><br />Which motor in this range has a heavyduty gen/alternator for lights, fish finder, & extra battery charge for 12 VDC thermalcouple coolers & such.<br /><br />Is there a speed guide for pontoon diameter-length-weight/HP?<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Red

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: outboard questions

RedNecker <br />At one time I had a 1988 28 HP Johnson on the back of a 20' toon and it got me about 15 MPH, depending on how rough the water was. As for the charging system, mine had a 5 Amp charging system. Enough to charge the battery and run some accessories. I don't believe you can get a high output charging system for those small motors. You will have no problem with a 25 HP using the fishfinder, lights and such. Heck, I was using on of those plug in One Million candlepower handheld lights at night, with the running lights on and and it worked fine. But don't expect too much from a small motor..<br /><br />BTW- that motor is going as strong as ever on another boat.. No problems in all those years. Maybe I'm just lucky. Never had a problem with my 91' 70 HP rude either. I am a firm believer in OMC products as you can tell..

 

[RedNecker]

Re: outboard questions

Thanks for the responses.<br /><br />Someone on another forum suggested a Merc 25HP BigFoot with a pontoon prop. This motor is supposed to be built for pontoon boats.<br /><br />thanks again<br /><br />Red

 

[DJ]

Re: outboard questions

RedNecker,<br /><br />That is true, that engine is made for that type of load. However, there are others available that can/will do the same thing.<br /><br />Any engine, in the 25 hp range can be made to operate well on a pontoon. You just have to make sure you choose the correct propeller.<br /><br />Do some shopping around and compare electrical output.

 

[Mercathode]

Re: outboard questions

Rednecker<br />Double that horsepower and you will like even better.

 

[RedNecker]

Re: outboard questions

Thanks all for the advice. The Bigfoot 25 seems to be my selection. It has enought charge amps for what I need & power from what I read. <br /><br />I am not in need of great speed, I am retired & in no big hurry.<br /><br />Thanks,<br /><br />Red