New Pontoon Boat is a pinch too slow- any way to fix that?

[rancherlee]

3rd pontoon, even if you stick with a 115, will get you a few more MPH, especially if it has strakes on it. My 70hp engine was able to "perform" with a 3rd toon with a lighter load, 4 people or less and I could get up on plane and it picked up 5-6mph in speed over the 2 log configuration. Right now I'm in the process of rigging up a Suzuki 140 I picked up for a great deal! 115 powered triple will run in the low to mid 30mph and still pull 30mph with a 4-5 person load.

[04Ram2500Hemi]

In regards to adding a third toon:
1- about how much does that cost?
2- what does that do to a brand new boat's warranty?

[Strake]

In regards to adding a third toon:
1- about how much does that cost?
2- what does that do to a brand new boat's warranty?

You have a great boat as it is....... I wouldn't even consider adding a third toon to a brand new boat. Enjoy it as it. After the warranty period ends, if you still aren't happy, trade up, or look into adding a third log. I believe most of the folks adding a third log are handy enough to do the work them selves on older boats.

[dronetoon]

BOAT.jpg (1.04 MiB) Viewed 3448 times

I have the SLS3. It is almost the same boat, but has three toons. It has the merc 150. I get about 36 - 37 with my wife and I and 45 - 50 gallons of fuel. Loaded down this weekend with 12 people (9 adults). I was able to reach 30.

[Grumman]

its a pontoon not a speedboat. mine only goes 17 so....... id love to hit 30 LOL

[Chillaxin']

You think a 21 foot boat with a 115 is a dog?

I'm running a sweetwater 22 foot with a yamaha 70! I wish it was faster, but it does okay. Top speed with just the wife and i, flat water and bimini stowed is 25mph. Average water chop, top up and 4 people is 22mph.

[Bamaman]

Your boat appears to be running at its optimum level--as good as a 2 toon boat gets. It's a quite beautiful boat with the vinyl floor.

Installing a center toon on such a new boat would require getting the factory to build a toon for you. That's expensive.

And installing a complete center toon is time consuming as you've got to remove and reinstall the engine, engine electrics, steering, fuel tanks, etc. And the current engine pod must be removed. Boat dealer labor is around $100 an hour.

You'd do best to keep your boat clean, and find someone to buy the boat (retail). Then, regroup and buy a triton boat with 150 hp or more.

[teecro]

Your boat appears to be running at its optimum level--as good as a 2 toon boat gets. It's a quite beautiful boat with the vinyl floor.

Installing a center toon on such a new boat would require getting the factory to build a toon for you. That's expensive.

And installing a complete center toon is time consuming as you've got to remove and reinstall the engine, engine electrics, steering, fuel tanks, etc. And the current engine pod must be removed. Boat dealer labor is around $100 an hour.

You'd do best to keep your boat clean, and find someone to buy the boat (retail). Then, regroup and buy a triton boat with 150 hp or more.

I looked into adding a custom built 3rd toon to my 18 foot boat and to get it done the way I would want with fuel tank and lifting strakes I'd be looking at 4K not including any labor....

[04Ram2500Hemi]

Thanks for all the thoughts, and the compliments on the boat. It really is a nice looking boat, and I just need to grow accustomed to the pontoon life style. We still have the old family ski boat when I want to go out and go fast, and maybe down the road I'll look at something a pinch bigger with a bigger motor. Until the day comes to upgrade again, I'm going to just learn to turn the stereo up a little louder, make sure the cooler has plenty of cold refreshments, and enjoy lift.

[pond tuuunes]

image.jpg (1.51 MiB) Viewed 3233 times

[Littlehoe]

I have the same engine on my boat, what prop are you currently running. Don't always trust your tach, I went 3 years thinking I was running at 6200 rpm and had a slow boat only to find out this spring my tach was set wrong the whole time. After fixing my tach I was acutally only running at 5000 rpm WOT, I switched props down from a 15 pitch to a 13 pitch 4 blade aluminum spitfire, my rpm went up to 5700 and I gained mph.

[dodger]

That is a very nice looking pontoon! Congratulations.

I think you need a prop with less pitch, just the next one down. If you have a 17, go to a 19. I know that sounds backwards but to bring down your rpms you need a prop with less pitch. You are over 6000 rpms and that should be brought down to 6000 rpms or slightly less. You might lose a little hole shot but your top end will be better. I would also go with stainless steel as it will not flex under load. It will bite and push you along better than aluminum. Your dealer might even let you try one out and if it is better then pay for it. Always have a back up prop also. By keeping the old one you are set in that department.

Something else that helps is to ask someone up front to move to the back until you are up to top speed then they can move back. You can also ask passengers to move left to right to balance out the load as well. You are the captain are can and should take charge of your boat and passengers. In a nice way of course.