Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Mike-
Congrats on the new boat! There are so many options and "what if" scenarios when it comes to any boat, especially pontoons. I'm a big believer in getting the biggest engine the boat can accommodate and the old saying is "nobody ever says they wish they would have gotten a smaller engine". I'd also only consider a full Tritoon, not what is essentially a pontoon with a large engine pod.

If this is your first boat, it probably doesn't matter because you'll enjoy it no matter what. Budgets are always a factor, but if you can swing the bigger engine and a full tritoon, do it! You won't regret it.

Mike,
Looks like you have gotten a lot of feedback both here and on the Bennington forum mostly about the Bennington hull design.
Hopefully, you have made a choice that you will be more then pleased with for a number of years..

I made a change to my order for the full tube SPS design. I'm still getting the 135 HO, though it could take bigger. Should still move pretty good.

mikeb33 wrote: ↑

Wed Feb 06, 2019 5:15 am

I made a change to my order for the full tube SPS design. I'm still getting the 135 HO, though it could take bigger. Should still move pretty good.

Good choice on going with full tube. Whats the max rating on that boat?

Its true that the 135HO Evinrude is a strong motor. It uses the same 2.6 L V6 block that the now discontinued G1 200 hp used. The 135HO is probably pretty damn close to 150 hp. How fast are the bennington guys saying you will go? You will certainly have plenty of mid range torque!!!

Mike,
Was going back through some Yamaha/Bennington performance bulletins and did not show any 20's but did find a 21 SLX which weighs 2,502 dry or 3504 as tested and they published a performance bulletin with a yamaha 115XB and the SPS hull that shows a top speed of 35 mph while burning 10.8 gph. At 4,500 rpm it cruised at 24.4 mph and burned 4.4 gph.
I know your 135 will definitely turn more speed than the Yami 115 so you should be close to 38 + mph given you have more hp and are lighter...

Enjoy the boat and you made a wise choice with the SPS...