Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

I am looking for a new toon. I am mainly looking for fishing but a big part will be tubing with teenage kids. My question is the 22ft has a max of 115. The 26 ft has a max of 150. I understand that bigger is better but, because of the size/weight difference would both equal out as far as speed/tow capabilities?

Is there a site where I can get a good estimate on speeds for different size motors? Thanks for all inputs

Get 3 tubes and you can put the 150 on the 22'. What brand are you looking at?

Go after a boat with three toons and lifting strakes. And there's also quite a bit of performance difference between the 115's and the 150 hp engines.

A two pontoon boat, even with lifting strakes, will have their outside toon dip deep into the water in tight turns. That means it'll slow down dramatically in turns. The 3 hull boats just handle so much better, and are so much more seaworthy.

If you have not looked at a number of different brands, the boat shows are starting up in larger cities in the upcoming weeks. The best brands surface when you have a bunch of different manufacturers participating in such shows.

Test them both out then look at what the cost difference is. If u can afford the difference then sure go with the bigger boat n motor. I when I made the but have found the cost was not worth the difference. But then again I didn't have the extra to spend and am very pleased with my 23 foot with the 115 Yamaha on it. 3-4 people runs about 18-20 which is plenty for me and what I'd do.

Thanks for the response's. The two I'm looking at are the Suntracker Fishing barge 24 DLX with 150 Merc, and a Sweetwater 2286 FC with Yam 115. Both are max on horsepower. Three tubes are nice, but also about a 4-5K difference. Had too many with previous used boats. I'm sure that there are good ones (like the one I'm trading/selling). But just uneasy about taking the chance. Getting to retire next year, and want to be able to enjoy it. Any info about either of the two I'm looking at would be appreciated.

Don't know anything about those other then I have heard Sweeetwater is good. I purchased a excursion x23 RFC very happy with it. If there is a dealer around you that sells them check them out. Very good toon and price isn't bad at all. Mine has rear fishing center, 115 Yamaha, changing station, Porta potty, front sink, live tank and tackle center, two rear fishing seats, came with morning cover, Lawrence fish finder. The rear fishing center has rod holders, tackle center, live bait tank, has a ski/tube bar. Price was in mid 30 range. With trailer tandem axle.

One thing to consider is the sweetwater has 23" tubes but they do offer an upgrade, the sun tracker has 24" I don't believe they offer an upgrade on that model but I could be wrong. the sweetwater dealer should have wiggle room on the price were the tracker is set. also to the guy with the excursion, those are high end, he could get a sweetwater tri-toon for that price.all brands now have fish/cruise models thats what I'm looking at as well. apex makes nice fishing boats. they are smaller but they do make up to 24' they are a little cheaper and have 23" toons thats why if I do order one it will have to be a tri-toon.also engine manufactures have boat test available on there sights, some are up to date some are not. good luck.

What kind of fishing do you plan on doing?

If you plan on fishing the standing timber you will have problems with the larger pontoons getting into the timbered area. You may be restricted to just fishing the outer edges if you get too big a pontoon.

My DX 18 is too big to get back into some of the better crappie fishing areas on the lake I fish.

ron nh wrote:......the sweetwater dealer should have wiggle room on the price were the tracker is set....

It is hard to beat a Tracker.
Even though the Tracker dealers price is set, you can probably get some extras thrown in ( extra battery, life jackets, etc. ).

You might check out the G3 sun chasers. I bought a 22 ft w a 115 Yamaha back in August and have been very pleased so far. 2 adults , 2 teenagers she will pull right at 30 mph. Build quality is good and the Yamaha is really quiet. I didn't get the fishing set up .

I had a 20ft bennington triple toon with a 150hp and there was never really a time I didn't feel it was enough. Get a triple toon with a 150hp and don't look back!!!

I purchased the Sweetwater 240 DF with a 115 Yam - set up very nice for fishing and plan on doing tubing too. Overall length is 26' 8' does about 27 MPH with 340 lbs persons and 18 gallons gas in tank.
I'm sure it will offer enough enjoyment tubing, not looking to have anyone fly out of the water. Love it for fishing and have an IPilot trolling motor which works well for fishing (80 lbs thrust ).
Just retired - great balance on pleasure and cost for me, best all around boat I've had to date.


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I just purchased a 2015 sun tracker 24 fishing barge with the xp3 package with the 150 mercury 4 stroke. I love it, the triple toon package with the 150 is all you will need. Real world speeds. My family of 5 we hit 34mph added my brother and his wife and daughter plus 1 friend and we topped out at 30.5 mph. Just me in the boat 1/2 tank of fuel normal load of tackle i hit 37 mph. We looked at the 22 fters when purchasing but the space you get on the 24xp3 is great. We fish alot and i mean every weekend. I added the minn kota i pilot and the lowrance hds 10 gen2 with structure scan. This is a fish catching, wave eating machine. We have been out in 20 mph winds with serious whitecapping and have yet to take a wave over the bow. Heck we havent even got spray from waves on us yet. We also had dealer install the ski tow bar for tubing and wakeboarding. I hope this answers your questions. Let me know if you need more info.
Robert

I can't say anything but good about my SunCatcher G3. It's a 22FC and I love the setup for fishing with the wife and/or family or buddies. Mines a 90hp Yamaha and does great.

I'd sure give it a look again if I were buying another toon.

Ours was our "Retirement" present to each other.

Thanks everybody for the help. Glad I got the time and a boat show coming in 2 weeks. Lo