Is it worth the extra money to upgrade to a bigger motor

[Will]

Going to check out a new pontoon boat tomorrow a Princecraft Vectra 19' it comes with a Merc 40hp, is it worth the extra money to upgrade to a 50 or 60hp, will I see a big difference

[rdeterman]

What is the max capacity of that toon? Myself I always try to buy the largest motor I can afford, ive never heard anyone saying "next time im getting the smaller motor" Just my 2 cents.

[teecro]

Yes.... I've got an 18' with a 60HP and I wish I had gone with a 75HP namely for when we have a larger group on board... When its just me and the wife the toon makes close to a comfy 20MPH now lets add a couple more adults onboard while I can still get up on a plane (so to speak) my speed is now closer to 15MPH... Throw into the mix that I'd like to be able to pull a tube with least enough speed to make the riders go "wheee" rather than "Zzzz"

Something that I never considered was that pulling a tube requires more energy than pulling a skier or wakeboard due to surface friction of the large tube...

[Will]

75hp is the max

[rdeterman]

No question then, I would for sure go with a 70/75hp motor. You will be glad you did.

[JBO]

40HP seems pretty weak for a pontoon unless its only used for "bass buggy" type use.

[HandymanHerb]

Way cheaper to do it now before you buy

[ron nh]

max it out for sure, prince craft are usually heavy for there size. built like a brick shit house.

[rancherlee]

I'd go for the 75 if that's the max, the new Merc 75 is a monster at 2.1L, bigger that any other 75 and just about every 115hp for that matter.

[RcgTexas]

I would recommend getting the largest motor the "TAG" says you can. You don't have to use it, but when you need it it will be there. No I see no big difference in a 40 to a 50 but I would surly get a 75 and have the horses in the stable, so to speak. I went from a 70 Suzuki to a 135 Honda. with a additional center "log". Haven't regretted a minute of it besides dealing with a less than reputable dealer!

[Cowracer]

Nobody ever sat in their boat and said "Man, I wish I would have saved a few bucks and got the smaller motor"...

Tim

[Littlehoe]

Go the biggest motor you can get. If it says max 75 stick a 90 on it lol... I made the mistake and now I'm into my boat for another couple years till I can pay it down and do an upgrade. Just as an example, my engine is 3 years old and has 90 hours on it, its a 115 yamaha and to trade it in this year on a 200 was gonna be my motor plus $13grand.... needless to say I am gonna suffer with the 115... lol... Get as big as you can afford or the boat will handle...