Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

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?

For 1 to 1.5K around here you can get a good used 2 stroke but then you probably need to buy a new prop and controls, not sure if Tohatsu is compatible with any thing else. New engines are much cheaper to Manufacturers than dealers so it is hard to justify buying new one without a boat attached IMHO.
I would probably start looking at both motors and boats till the right deal comes along.

It all depends on how good the pontoon boat is. If you have a 18' boat with 19" toons, you might be throwing good money after bad money.

If you could sell your present pontoon yourself and get good money for it, I'd tell you to go for something a little more modernm--with larger toons, longer length and a boat that would get up and run faster than what you've got.

If it were me I'd be looking for a new to me used outboard. Personally I'm very partial to four strokes, they are nearly silent at idle, don't smoke, and are very fuel efficient. However, they are a bit heavier and more costly. Also used doors are harder to find. I would not overlook buying a boat and motor either just to get the motor, lone motors are a little rare on the used market. If you are really lucky you could come across something that you could swap motors on, sell, and not be too far in the hole on.

Bamaman wrote:It all depends on how good the pontoon boat is. If you have a 18' boat with 19" toons, you might be throwing good money after bad money.

If you could sell your present pontoon yourself and get good money for it, I'd tell you to go for something a little more modernm--with larger toons, longer length and a boat that would get up and run faster than what you've got.

This is where it all starts... Nothing wrong with an 18-foot boat if it fits your needs as our 18-foot boat does... But if it has small dia toons then it will not take well to a larger motor. The poontoons on my 18-footer are 24" the same size as most larger toons so it can take a larger motor...

Pontoon Pirate wrote:If it were me I'd be looking for a new to me used outboard. Personally I'm very partial to four strokes, they are nearly silent at idle, don't smoke, and are very fuel efficient. However, they are a bit heavier and more costly. Also used doors are harder to find. I would not overlook buying a boat and motor either just to get the motor, lone motors are a little rare on the used market. If you are really lucky you could come across something that you could swap motors on, sell, and not be too far in the hole on.

I've used that method several times to "trade up" engine sizes. Buy another used boat/motor and swap motors then resell. I've come out money ahead doing this and it only cost a little time and elbow grease.