Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

i just picked up a used 25" johnson 140hp today, it is currently on my 25ft that went 25-28mph with a 115hp, I am looking into a few options, all seem to be in the $2000+, 1- lifting strakes, 2- water glide, 3- center pontoon (with strakes), 4- put the motor on my 21ft tri hull deck boat (needs complete restore) (was told this boat did 35mph with a 130hp)

what do you guys think would be the best option, goal is trying to get a top speed of 40mph and be able to cruise around 25-30mph

The pontoon would probably work best with a 20" motor. You will never get it to 40 mph without lifting strakes, and strakes are highly engineered items. What works on one boat won't necessarily work well on another.

The fiberglass boat looks like a long term project.

I'm sorry that I don't have any suggestions for you.

Looking at the second photo down, is that a fiberglass deck fastened to the pontoons? It does not look like a lot of bolts holding it down.

yes the pontoons are bolted directly to the molded fiberglass deck.
2 mechanics and a rep from waterglide both told me I need 25" motors if I planned on doing anything that would raise the boats up out of the water, (glide, strakes, center tube) waterglide claims after installing the boat sits 5" higher in the water

I would invest in a center tube and strakes before I did a water glide. I've never had either but I do a TON of research since I'm wanting the same kinda peformance outta my boat! My plan of attack is center tube with strakes rated for BIG power, run that with my current motor until I can buy a new verado

a full center tube is not an option since one of the boats has a fiberglass molded transom and the sweetwater has a 103" engine pod welded onto the cross members