RE power

[jthammbone]

Hello all. First thread. New to boating. Traded my GMC Typhoon for a pontoon--The running joke is-- "from 500hp to 50hp."
I have an '03 Bennington 207L (20x8) running a 50hp Merc 2stroke. Looking to repower for more 'umph,' and also concerned about the upcoming 2stroke/emission laws. Owner's brochure specifies MAX hp @ 90 w/dry weight of 350lbs. Of COURSE, I want to push the envelope on that. Has anyone run a 115-135 on a similar model? and how did that work out? Local dealer knows I'm new and is preaching that I'll split her in half if I go over-spec, and will encounter trouble with local Johnny 5-O in the event of being 'boarded.' Is there a good middle-of-the-road that anyone has had good experience with?
--Thanks in advance

 

[EGlideRider]

Re: RE power

Welcome to the pontoon world.
First, I would not be too concerned about any emission laws as long as you don't modify the engine. If the laws do come, then legally sold two-strokes will surely be grandfathered in.
Next, do a search here about repowering. You'll find tons of articles loaded with reasons to listen to your dealer. You will also discover that few pontoons are 'fast' and that most of us just enjoy cruising at a slow comfortable speed.

 

[lakegeorge]

Re: RE power

Hello all. First thread. New to boating. Traded my GMC Typhoon for a pontoon--The running joke is-- "from 500hp to 50hp."
I have an '03 Bennington 207L (20x8) running a 50hp Merc 2stroke. Looking to repower for more 'umph,' and also concerned about the upcoming 2stroke/emission laws. Owner's brochure specifies MAX hp @ 90 w/dry weight of 350lbs. Of COURSE, I want to push the envelope on that. Has anyone run a 115-135 on a similar model? and how did that work out? Local dealer knows I'm new and is preaching that I'll split her in half if I go over-spec, and will encounter trouble with local Johnny 5-O in the event of being 'boarded.' Is there a good middle-of-the-road that anyone has had good experience with?
--Thanks in advance

Don't go over the recommended specs. The dealer knows what he is talking about. If you ever get into an accident or anyone on board gets hurt they will sue your *** off because you violated the max. hp.

 

[Dkrager]

Re: RE power

Go with the 90 hp and be happy. Pontoons aren't suppose to be speed racers.

The HP rating has a lot to do with the overall constuction of the boat.
Pontoon diameter.
Crossmember thickness
Transom design
Weight

Almost every older pontoon I've seen has some type of welding repair done or has cracks in the transom area. Just think about hanging some more weight and torque back there than it was designed for.

Has it been done, I'm sure. But in the sue happy world we live in, I wouldn't do it.

 

[jthammbone]

Re: RE power

Thanks so much. yeah, I know. I need to cool my heels. lol.

 

[jthammbone]

Re: RE power

Thanks alot! I appreciate the reply and will listen to those that have gone before me. Time to slow down.--lol

 

[jthammbone]

Re: RE power

Thanks very much!! I know, calm down, slow down, and listen to those that know--Thanks again.

 

[Cubbyblue22]

Re: RE power

I think you'll also be surprised at how fast it will actually go once you get the right prop setting and upgrade to a 90 horse. I've ridden on many 24 foot pontoons with 90's on them and with a good amount of people and we hit 23 or or 25 mph.

 

[lncoop]

Re: RE power

Thanks so much. yeah, I know. I need to cool my heels. lol.

Hey, you catch on quick. We'll make a pontooner out of you yet. At the top of your list needs to be a grill. Nothing better than grillin' on the barge.

 

[cc350]

Re: RE power

Not enough difference between the 90hp and the 115hp to make your venture worth while. Get the 90hp I think you'll like it.

 

[5150abf]

Re: RE power

Concur, that is rated 90 for a reason, I like to use this reasoning, if you can hold 100lbs over your head and someone gives you 150lbs, you can proabably hold it for awhile but eventually you are gonna drop it, it is the same for your transom, it will hold the extra power for awhile but eventually something is going to let go.

Going from 50 to 90 is almost double the power which you will certainly notice but it isn't worth jacking up your boat to go over the rating.

 

[steelespike]

Re: RE power

There isn't a 2 stroke regulation it is a stricter emission regulation that the carbed 2 strokes can't meet. The Evinrude Etec is a direct injected 2 stroke that meets and beats all regulations.
Makes your weight at 320lbs. No breakin period,no serrvice for 3 years or 300 hours,fewer less complicated service intervals than a 4 stroke.
As I allways say the nice thing about going bigger is at the speed of your 50 the 90 will be loafing.But you will have enough speed for water sports in reserve.

 

[lmuss53]

Re: RE power

I would also recommend a direct inject 2 stroke (not to be confused with oil injected). The etecs are great, as are the optimax and Yammy DI's. I think Nissan is all DI now too. If you don't have the $$$ for a new or slightly used DI look for a merc or yammy 3 cylinder 90, they are light, powerful and bulletproof.

Check with the local or state authorities in your area about any plans to eliminate 2 strokes in your area. I think you will find that most of us will wear out our current boat and motor before anyone is limiting what power plants we can use.

I bet you heard the tale about outlawed motors from someone who sells new motors. .

If I could have any motor I wanted I would get a 90 Optimax.

 

[1994 5.0LMercuryAlphaOne]

Re: RE power

Our 2001 Benni 2050lx was re powered form a 50 to 90. The previous owner had it done. They had to drop the occupancy limit on the boat when the larger motor was installed. We are plenty happy with the 90 hp. If we want to go fast we get in something else.

 

[joebob14]

Re: RE power

Thanks very much!! I know, calm down, slow down, and listen to those that know--Thanks again.

If you traded your typhoon for a pontoon then you were clearly ready to slow down a bit or you made a realy bad choice. I traded my hopped up rice burner of a bike for my pontoon and at first I thought just like you. how fast can I go? I quickly realized thats not what a pontoon is about. Ive got a 20 ft party craft with a 40 hp yamaha running around 20 mph. Ive had the boat about two seasons now and had way more fun than I ever had on the bike. Yeah I could go 200mph on the bike but I could never party with the family and freinds while doing it. Get yourself a big cooler, lots of beers and some freinds and go have fun in the slow lane.

 

[a1nowell]

Re: RE power

Be sure and talk with the dealer you buy your new engine from about what you can accompolish with different props. I have a 24' JC Tritoon with Mercruiser 470 and I wanted moore pushing power. I went from a 14"x19 pitch prop to a 16"x15 pitch prop and now go 28 mph with 8 adults and only 3/4 throttle.

Just a thought.

 

[tomtnwlkrs]

Re: RE power

I just went from a 40hp to a 2002 honda 90. It was night and day. Still have some tuning to do but it screamed. Several people have mentioned not to go over the max hp and they are correct. Some insurance companies wont back an over powered boat and if in an accident you can be sued civially. Not worth the extra 2 mile an hour from a bigger motor.

 

[jthammbone]

Re: RE power

I'm also new to 'social networking' so I hope this goes out to everyone who answered me.
THANK YOU!!!
After alot of thought, and listening to those that have gone before me, I sold the 50hp two stroke and searched high and low CL, Ebay, online dealers,Bass-pro etc, I found an '07 Merc 90 OPTIMAX at a good price-- ran the serial#, found it was off a patrol boat from Lake Elsinore CA. No warranty claims, 'Medium' amount of hours, but mostly 'trolling' rpm's so I went with it. She's sittin at the dealer right now waiting for the install. It's heating up (except for today--raining in Vegas), we've changed to daylight-savings, and can't wait to get out on Lake Mead/Mojave!! Thanks for all the advice, a pleasure to be joining the community, and I will keep you posted (no pun intended).
Peace and God Bless.

 

[lncoop]

Re: RE power

Excellent work hammbone. You'll be very happy with that combo. Pics when ready please.

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: RE power

I have a 24 ft pontoon with a 90 Hp two stroke Merc.And it keeps me out of trouble out on the Chesapecke bay. It's no rocket ship but it moves along pretty well, and that's with the top open.