How much HP is enough?

[bachmannfive]

Greetings all you smart pontoon people. I'm a life-long ski boat kind of guy, looking to move to a pontoon boat. We bought a house on Lake Anna (Virginia) late this summer and the sellers included the 2003 Crownline 190, which has the 4.3L Mercruiser. I've got three boys who love to tube and will likely move to wake boarding one of these days. I like to slalom ski on occasion. I want to sell the Crownline and get a pontoon so we can bring more people out on the lake on one time. I know the answer is always get as much horsepower as you can, but I really don't want to pay for more than I need. So ... how much power do I need to get the 185 pound, 50 year old dad up on one ski, with 10 people on the 22-24 ft pontoon? Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

[Mrtoler]

300

[fredeboy]

You need a bunch!!

[curtiscapk]

300

yep

[JohnO]

I've got a 24 foot tri-toon boat with a 175 yamaha on it. I can get up (on two skis) pretty easily. (Of course I'm a rank beginner so I don't stay up long, but I do get up)

While driving I get a 165 pound guy on on two skis without even going past 3/4 throttle.

[margaritaman]

I think it's the 10 passengers and slalom skis on a 185 pounder that will require more than 175 hp.

[MH Hawker]

I am thinking 900

[pond tuuunes]

I'd have to think a 250 would do it? Not trying to talk you out of a toon, but the problem I had with wake boarders, is that I dont make much of a wake. I know I have towed a 26' checkmate with a out of gas bigblock, and got that up on plane. . JT

[Rascal]

Its impossible to be too rich, too thin or have too much horse power.

It can't be done.... The only possible limitation is your checking account (or your wife).

What ever you buy, two years later, you'll say.... "you know, for just couple hundred more I could have got 25 hp more"

Or a boat two feet longer.... OR BOTH.

Rascal

[Bamaman]

The running dialogue is to go ahead and buy all the horsepower you can afford. Day one is when the horsepower is at its cheapest.

And if you're carrying the masses of people, go for a 250 hp motor and the high performance tritoons.

[ROLAND]

I'm not a proponent of buying as much HP as you can afford... I've always felt the motor should "fit the need" of how you plan to use your boat... having said that, if $ is not an issue, then there's nothing wrong with having more motor than you need, but in your case, if you're going to have 10 to 12 people on your boat regularly, I would think 225 to 250 hp would do the trick.... Let us know what you decide...

[steveiam]

I'm not a proponent of buying as much HP as you can afford... I've always felt the motor should "fit the need" of how you plan to use your boat... having said that, if $ is not an issue, then there's nothing wrong with having more motor than you need, but in your case, if you're going to have 10 to 12 people on your boat regularly, I would think 225 to 250 hp would do the trick.... Let us know what you decide...

This--
My post in not for the OP but for others that may see the title and look at this thread for other reasons-
90% of the time I am in my toon to fish, I have a 2008 Merc 50 on my 21ft and love the low cost of operation. I fish year round and didn't want to pay the fuel cost that a bigger engine would bring.
Yes I would love to have more speed for various reasons but i like the low operational cost more.
I've had mine for two years and am out on it some at least every month of the year and I don't regret my 50 hp at all.
Just another side of this HP coin.

[The_Hellbilly]

IMO: the magic # is 200hp all other things equal.

[ToonGuy]

I am thinking 900

Me too

[tuned]

Even though the OP was asking about HP, I found it interesting that only one reply said anything about hull.
IMHO, hull is just as important. Modern triple tube brand name with factory strakes all around is mandatory. That being said, I would go with a minimum of 225 ponies. 300 if you can afford it.