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Repower what I have or get a new pontoon boat.

Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2016 1:28 am
by Bugsbunnyboater
I currently have a sweetwater pontoon boat that was well kept before I got her every bit of paperwork for the time she was purchased was
Given to me to.. I have had her rewired, Added dual batteries and onboard charger, new stereo and new depth finder on her
Now here is my problem she has a 25 hp tohatsu it's very dependable but my top speed is 10 knots at best.
I feel I am the slowest thing on the river.
Should I repower to a 50 to 90 hp outboard or look for a good used pontoon boat with a larger motor
What do you think?

Re: Repower what I have or get a new pontoon boat.

Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2016 1:41 am
by ralph
Some criteria we'd need to help....

What is the HP rating on the manufacturers sticker on the boat?
What length boat?
What year boat?
What will your budget allow?

If it is quite old, the HP rating from the manufacturer would be calculated on what 2 strokes weighed at the time. I think 4 strokes weigh more than the same HP 2 strokes of yesteryear.

You can find out the weight of todays 4 strokes on the outboard manufacturers web site. This may be a good place to start if considering 4 stroke.

If your budget allows, I'd go for the 4 stroke engine (quieter,way more economical on fuel, no smoke, probably more reliable)

Re: Repower what I have or get a new pontoon boat.

Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2016 2:36 am
by Bamaman
I'd sell that baby and go for something newer and larger--with a more modern motor.

Repowering sounds like an easy fix, but you've still got an old boat with probably 19" toons that might not really be seaworthy at speeds much higher than 10 mph.