Skiing with a pontoon boat?

[Ingram84]

I currently have a ski boat and am getting the itch for a pontoon boat. The only concern is my wife loves to ski. If im looking at a 20' pontoon boat with a 60 horsepower motor would that have enough umph to get a 150 lb person up? Just wondering right now. I have the wife's approval as long as she will still be able to ski...haha

 

[Redneck_Randy]

Re: Skiing with a pontoon boat?

20 footer with a 60hp will do maybe 18 to 20 mph. Not fast enough to ski behind

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Skiing with a pontoon boat?

You might get her up, but you would drag her a long distance and she will not love you for that. A 20 footer should have about a 90 HP rating and that's what you need for water sports.

 

[Mr Crabbs]

Re: Skiing with a pontoon boat?

When I was a young man I really wanted to get a deck boat. We had the money for it but my job kept me too busy to enjoy it beyond admiring my bank statements. Deck boats are more like a pontoon with space and more of the speed/agility of a v hull. I'm thinking you'll need a bigger pontoon and a much bigger motor than a 90HP to keep her happy. Deck boats arn't cheap but might make you both happier.

 

[rrhodes]

Re: Skiing with a pontoon boat?

I currently have a ski boat and am getting the itch for a pontoon boat. The only concern is my wife loves to ski. If im looking at a 20' pontoon boat with a 60 horsepower motor would that have enough umph to get a 150 lb person up? Just wondering right now. I have the wife's approval as long as she will still be able to ski...haha

Like he said. A 90 would be minimum. You also need to ask yourself how fast you want to go when you are not pulling anyone. My 25' Tri-Toon with a 115 tops out at 29 with 2 adults and averages about 27 with a few guests aboard. I can pull a tube with no issues and have pulled a few skiers. Going from a skiboat to a pontoon is a big jump.

 

[jafo9]

Re: Skiing with a pontoon boat?

gotta keep mama happy. look at a tri toon with triple digit HP. i've gps'd at 41.5 on my premier PTX.

 

[bigdee]

Re: Skiing with a pontoon boat?

I pull skiers with my 85 hp 20 foot toon. not a problem with a skilled person. Has she used a wakeboard? if not get her to try one because they are a blast and easier to get on plane with a pontoon.

 

[imported_John o]

Re: Skiing with a pontoon boat?

ditto Jafo9. I got 38.8mph last year (should break 40 this year with a couple mods I've done) Plenty fast for anything I want to do.

The Manitou SHP configuration handles like a v-bottom boat.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Skiing with a pontoon boat?

I currently have a ski boat and am getting the itch for a pontoon boat. The only concern is my wife loves to ski. If im looking at a 20' pontoon boat with a 60 horsepower motor would that have enough umph to get a 150 lb person up? Just wondering right now. I have the wife's approval as long as she will still be able to ski...haha

I have a 20' with a 60 hp. Top end is just under 20 mph. With a skier I probably wouldn't hit 15. There are a few models that claim higher speeds with lifting strakes (NV pontoons on Sun Tracker for example) but in most cases you should look at a 90 hp as a minimum.

 

[Bunk47]

Re: Skiing with a pontoon boat?

Hi,
I had a new 22 ft pontoon w a 90hp Evinrude & it could get a 150# person up on skis but with a 115 or more it would be easier & if a larger person wanted to ski it mught be best to go to a larger hp. Consider also you will be carrying a spotter & any other gear will add to the weight. If you buy this pontoon new , you may want to tell the dealer your skiing intentions so he can fit you with the right pitch prop. That may help also. Hopefully it will also have trim & tilt?

 

[likalar]

Re: Skiing with a pontoon boat?

Does your wife normally ski with 1 or 2 skis? If she wants to slalom, she may have to get up with 2 skis and drop 1. Getting up on 1 ski will be difficult with a small motor, and my guess is she'll be dissapointed with the slow speeds, anyway, as she gets better at it (assuming she's fairly new at it). I think a faster boat is in your future. ;-)
Here's a chart that shows some basic speed ranges for different water sports, subject to interpretation:

http://waterski.about.com/od/driverscorne1/a/boat_speed.htm

Larry

 

[Ingram84]

Re: Skiing with a pontoon boat?

Hey guys thanks for all the input. I'm prolly going to keep looking around and doing research for the next year at least on it. She can wakeboard so that is a plus! I think we may go rent a pontoon one weekend from the local marina and see if it will pull her up. I think those are all 60hp though. But i do appreciate all the input. Thanks!

 

[Cubbyblue22]

Re: Skiing with a pontoon boat?

Look into the brand new Manitou triple toons with the big horsees. Top speed's in the 50 mph ranges. Which scares me driving a pontoon but must be exhilerating. My dream boat lol

 

[steelespike]

Re: Skiing with a pontoon boat?

Keep in mind that a 115 will go through about 11 gallons per hour at wide open throttle,
150 about 15. You could add a skin to the bottom and there is a fiberglass third tube you could add to get more out of a little less hp.But I still think at least a 75 or 90 the more the better.
The advantage of more is when crusing a 90 is loafing at the speed a 60 might do at wot.