Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

My local dealer seems to think that a 115hp Mercury outboard will be enough power to pull tubes, skiers and just jet around the Mississquoi Bay in Lake Champlain (Vermont). After reading some of the posts here I am beginning to wonder. He is adding strakes but it is a two toon model. What do you think? I would imagine I would water ski maybe twice in the life of the boat but the tubes will be used overtime the grandkids come to the lake.


Bob VT

2015 Xcursion rfc 23' 115 hp Mercury

A 2 toon boat with strakes are fast in a straight line, but throw one into a tight turn and the outer toon digs deeply in the water. Speed deteriorates quickly until you straighten out the boat and accelerate again.

On our lake, kids being towed on big tubes are everywhere. And towing tubes requires tight figure S turns and circles.

If I had my druthers, I'd druther have a tritoon with strakes--even if its a 3/4th length center toon like Bennington's Express Hull.

Yes, 115 hp will do the job, but the 150 hp FourStroke can be added for $2,000 extra and it's much more motor in every way.

Your not going to have any problem, unless your a speed freak. I pull Tubes with my 90, no problems. The Kids love it
( I would suggest a 4 Stroke )

Have Fun.

Lots of new New Englanders here, I love it. I've never been to lake Champlain for some reason. I will get there this summer though. Welcome aboard.

Thanks Ron NH,
I moved just over the Quebec/Vermont border on Mississquoi Bay last year. Last summer was my first summer on the bay and I was wildly disappointed when I discovered that during the month of August the bay is unusable because of all the algae blooms. At age 67 and with the lack of progress the state of Vermont is doing to clean up the lake I figured I won't live long enough to see the lake clean again so the only option I had was to buy a motor boat to get off the bay during the month of August or sale the house. Its a sad commentary for such a beautiful state.

I have the exact same pontoon only mine is a 2013. Have no probelm with the 115 Yamaha

Thanks Bob,

I was hoping to hear that from someone. I have every intention of pulling my grandkids on tubes but that will be just about the only water sport we will engage in. Grandpa can enjoy fishing without a big motor but those kids have to be happy! LOL Thanks again!



Bob J
Xcursion rfc 23' 2015
115 hp Mercury

You won't have a problem. A lot of guts on here always want the biggest moron you can get. Me when I made my purchased I got what I needed to do what I want. I did check around and asked about brands but purchased what worked for me.

I also have a 2014 x23 rfc with a 115 yamaha. I have the 3/4 center tube on mine and while yes it does pull the tubers around fairly well if you can afford it upgrade to the 150. You can always throttle back when you don't need the power but you can't add power if you are a little short. Just my opinion. I just bought a turbo swing for the the back of the boat to pull tubers and other water sports. It's supposed to feel like you added 10-20 hp so I guess once the ice is gone we will find out.

Littlehoe wrote:I also have a 2014 x23 rfc with a 115 yamaha. I have the 3/4 center tube on mine and while yes it does pull the tubers around fairly well if you can afford it upgrade to the 150. You can always throttle back when you don't need the power but you can't add power if you are a little short. Just my opinion. I just bought a turbo swing for the the back of the boat to pull tubers and other water sports. It's supposed to feel like you added 10-20 hp so I guess once the ice is gone we will find out.

Really interested to hear what you think of the turbo swing. Looks cool, expensive though. Please write something up once you've got some impressions.

robertm wrote: Really interested to hear what you think of the turbo swing. Looks cool, expensive though. Please write something up once you've got some impressions.

I will for sure... I have also just recently discovered that my tach may be incorrectly set (for the last 3 years) and that while the dealership and myself thought I was running at optimum rpm it turns out I may actually be running almost 1000rpm less than I should be. This spring it will be a combination of testing with a fleet of new props and pitches as well as testing that turbo swing and I will be sure to let you all know the results of both...

On another note in reference to the original post/question, buddy at the lake runs a 2013 23 rfc with the 3/4 centre tube and a Merc 115 and he pulls tubers very easily...He runs a 13.8 x 13 pitch 4 blade mercury spitfire prop and it just hummmms. He has been very satisfied with his mercury engine...

We've got the Xcursion X23RF with the XS tube pkg., Xcursion's 3/4 center tube option. With a 150 Evinrude ETEC. And I'm very happy that I went with the 150. Although I'd be even happier with a 250, lol. It gets her up and moving in no time. She jumps right up on plane. Top speed with me, the Admiral, our 15 year old son, 100# golden retriever and a packed cooler, 3/4 tank of fuel is 35-37 mph.