Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

Most of the 20' or so deckboats I'm stumbling across weigh in at 2200-2500 pounds. I'm wondering what the results are of strapping different HP motors back there? If anyone has a deckboat that weighs about this (dry weight), and has anywhere from a 90hp to a 200hp OB, I'd love to hear what kind of performance you're getting.

The cost difference between a 115hp and a 150hp is $3k+, but seems to gain only about 5mph (using this calculator) Going up to a 200hp costs another $3k+, and gains another 5mph. I don't want to buy the 150hp if a 115hp will meet our demands.

Try looking at this for some different boat/motor combos. Not sure if the boats you are looking at will be listed.

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/outboard/pr ... fbull.aspx

We've pretty much decided on the Starcraft, which is also known as Vectra. That boat is in the list. According to the chart, the 115hp will get that boat to 40mph. Using the calculator, it computed a Hull Factor of 218, which is the # for a light runabout, so that all looks good.

Throwing the 150hp in there only gained 5mph, and will be hard to justify the cost (initial and ongoing fuel) for that little extra gain. Someone on this (or the other PDB) forum mentioned they got the 150hp for the same price as the 115hp. That would be the only way I can see going with the 150hp.

Another thing to think about is throttle response... A 150 hp motor properly propped would give you much more pop when you first start off, this would be nice when pulling up a water ski'er...

(remember, the pontoon boat credo... Get as much motor as you can afford)

mike wrote:Another thing to think about is throttle response... A 150 hp motor properly propped would give you much more pop when you first start off, this would be nice when pulling up a water ski'er...

(remember, the pontoon boat credo... Get as much motor as you can afford)

We don't ski, so I'm not too worried about that....

I definitely want as many ponies as I can afford, but it takes a lot more HP to get minimal speed increases. And the price difference between the 115 and 150 are equal to a trailer. I'm really hoping to find a dealer with a special on the 150, as that would make it hard to say no.

I agree 100%....I originally wanted to put 200hp back there, but compromised with the CFO (wife) for the 150. Then I think I'm doing myself a favor by showing her some performance charts, and she sees that the 150 is only 5mph faster than the 115, and costs $3k more. It's hard to explain to her that the 150 may not carry you much faster, but it will carry MORE just as fast. I think I've just about wore her down on this one, so I'm gonna quit while I'm ahead. Our biggest problem now is we've found a boat that has everything we want, and the layout is exactly what we need. Unfortunately, none of the dealers within 200 miles have one onsite. We'll either have to fly somewhere just to see one, or order it without ever even sitting on it, much less testing it. This goes against my logic

Just for fun...here's some pics of the interior showing the seat layout we like so much...