Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

I have a 2008 Sun Tracker Party Cruiser, enclosed cabin, generator and AC and a 115 outboard. Has anyone ever put a 250hp or 300hp on a boat like that? Wondering what speed she might do because she is SLOW now.

Thanks.

2 or 3 toons?

Even if you have 3 toons, not sure if that boat is rated for that size engine.

Actually about 2 1/3 toons. Middle toon is about 8 feet long. Total length is 32 ft.

The rating is for max weight motor of 450 lbs. if I need to strengthen the stern, I can.

Just wonder if a 250 to 300 could push it about 25 mph, which is about 10 mph more.

considering replacing a 100 mariner 2+2 w/a classic 50/45hp on a 24ft Monark. I use my boat on a long narrow winding river and never use or need that much power, whats the smallest enging I should consider

It's been awhile since they've been made. They're used to go out on the lake and anchor--like a party island. They're not really designed to cruise long distances or go very fast so huge motor would probably be a waste of money.

Pontoon boats are displacement hulls, and they push water rather than get up on top of the water. Most will just go so fast until they hit a wall--the point of no return.

If the capacity plate doesn't give a HP rating, I'd would call Sun Tracker with the HIN and get the advice of their engineers. It's not just the max engine weight that matters. Higher speeds can cause the boat to capsize in turns and/or with any significant wind. Overpowering may void any insurance coverage and open you to civil liability if there were to be an accident.

In these situations it's better to be safe than sorry.

edit: Also consider that Tracker has a lifetime warranty on the tubes, which would be voided if overpowered.

Ouachita wrote:Total length is 32 ft.

If you feel a need for speed, then get a couple of jet skis or a runabout.

BobL wrote:

Ouachita wrote:Total length is 32 ft.

If you feel a need for speed, then get a couple of jet skis or a runabout.

That was the ticket for us! Waaaay fun!

BobL wrote:

Ouachita wrote:Total length is 32 ft.

If you feel a need for speed, then get a couple of jet skis or a runabout.

That's what I did, see signature.

Your boat is rated at 150 HP max. If your goal is the most HP and still keeping your insurance company and warranty happy, I would go with a Suzuki 150. It actually puts out 170 HP. I came to find this out when shopping OB for my boat. EPA allows OB manufacturers to be off as much as 10% of the advertised HP rating. For example, the Honda 135 and 150 both put out 150 HP. My new Yamaha 150 actually puts out 160 HP. My old 2007 Yamaha 115 put out only 107 hp If you want to look up your actual HP output for your motor you can go to https://www3.epa.gov/otaq/certdata.htm#marinesi. The power ratings are in KW so to convert to HP the formula is, KW X 1.341 = HP. All ratings are at the prop, not the motor.