New Pontoon Boat is a pinch too slow- any way to fix that?

[04Ram2500Hemi]

While I'm not new to the boating world, I am still pretty new to the Pontoon Boat world. My wife and I bought a Starcraft Stardeck 216 Starlounger, and there are a lot of things I really like about the boat. I like the look, the floor plan, the color, basically everything about the boat when we're floating out in the middle of the lake goofing off. However, once we get a few people on it, the boat is simply a dog. The Yamaha 115hp Motor is quiet, pretty fuel efficient, but if there are four adults on the boat you're not going to see a whole lot more than 22mph. By myself I can squeeze 30mph out of it, but the lake has to be perfect for that.

I know the boat say's that 125hp is the max for it's setup, so legally I can't go past that, nor do I want to push the boat past what it's meant to do. My wife is also in love with the boat, so talking her into something else is going to be an up hill battle that I don't even want to face. I'm open for any suggestions anybody might have. Is there different props out there that can help, is it financially and feasible to add a tri-toon and a bigger motor? Again, I'm open to anything.

[Strake]

Well, a jump up way of getting more umph out of it is to add a center, third toon with lifting strakes. Pontoons with 2 logs tend to plough water, while the 3 log Tri-toons with lifting strakes will plane. I don't believe going from a 115 to a 125 would dramatically, or even minimally change much.

The other minor thing you can look at is what PROP you are running....... what are you getting for WOT RPM? Check Yamaha's specs, but you will likely see that it calls for 5000 - 6000 max WOT RPM. They typically like to see it in the upper range on that with 1 or 2 people, partial fuel, your top folded back, etc. If you are in the 5500 - 6000 rpm range, then you've got the right prop. If you aren't, then consider re propping. For every pitch change if generally changes the rpm by 200, either up, or down.

Enjoy it as it !!! Your boat looks great!!!

[04Ram2500Hemi]

Strake- at WOT the boat will run 30mph at 6,200 RPM's. I honestly didn't think much about the top being up having that much effect on the speed, but I guess it is basically a big ass sail, so that makes sense. I appreciate the thoughts. Like I said, most the time the boat is great, but I just wish I had looked a little harder at the motor size.

[Strake]

It sounds like you've got the right prop, or close enough to make max RPM. I did notice on our boat that the top up, and open does make a difference as you say..... big ass sail..... slowing me down.

I don't think 30 sounds like poor results on a 2 log pontoon.

I'm only getting 42 max gps mph with a 3 log Tritoon, lifting strakes and a 200 Yamaha pushing it.... I only get 5700 to 5800 max RPM but don't want to spend another $500 for another SS prop to experiment.

[curtiscapk]

What prop are you running? If 6k is max in the range you need to up your pitch which might help.

[Ddancers]

I Have a Sweetwater 25' 8' total length - with lifting strakes and 27" tubes which some claim will help slightly in speed. When I first got it with 115 Yamaha I got top speed around 27.6 mph. Since then had motor shaft extended and 2 bimini tops added. Best I can hope for is about 24 mph now. With 6 adults on board still able to do about 21 mph.

I think for you engine size and boat length you're doing close to expected and that your not likely to squeeze out more than an additional 4 mph.
If speed is what you crave your best bet might be trying to trade up.

[Kramfam]

That's a nice looking boat....I would try finding some skinnier friends first

Quick plug for Sylvan and their RPT II tubes. I had 4 adults, 3 kids and a bunch of gear on the toon all weekend. First time it's been "loaded up" since I bought it....I didn't notice a difference in performance. Even when pulling a tube it didn't matter if folks sat in front or the back it performed the same.

[RcgTexas]

There is something missing in that picture..................a center log with strakes!

You really are not doing bad with a two log boat. As was said a tiny bit more pitch might help but it will take a center log or one of those plastic thingy's to get it up and on plane.

What do you call the thing some are using to plane their toons?

[TDJ2591]

Randy,
A Pontoon Waterglide?

[curtiscapk]

Just don't say TAPFINS!

[04Ram2500Hemi]

Hey guys I appreciate some of the thoughts and comments. Like I said, I'm pretty happy with most of what the boat offers, but being new to the Pontoon Boat World, I guess I wasn't sure what to expect. I knew it wouldn't be a rocket ship, but I guess I had hoped for more speed. I don't want to sound unhappy with the boat, I just wasn't sure if a different prop might help, or if there was something I hadn't thought about.

The wife loves the boat, and I live by the rule Happy Wife, Happy Life, so I might just want to make sure there's enough to drink in the cooler and enjoy the ride.

[04Ram2500Hemi]

Randy,
A Pontoon Waterglide?

This?
http://www.pontoonwaterglide.com/index.asp

[teecro]

That's one good looking boat!

Glad to see that I'm not the only one who dreams of just a bit more speed but not by way of trading up to a bigger boat... The wife and I are pleased to no end with the size of our 18' toon even with 4 adults and 3 kids on board. I'm the one who wants more than 14 to 15 MPH while tubing etc.... Still musing over options such as more HP and/or adding that 3rd tube....

[rhorne]

30MPH is pretty good on a 115. I had a 22' crest with a 115 johnson 4 stroke and 30 is all I could get out of it. I was told at the time that it was not worth putting a 3rd toon on unless I was willing to go up to 140hp motor. More speed means bigger motor and more cash. Speed is expensive on a pontoon. Good luck.

[RcgTexas]

Randy,
A Pontoon Waterglide?

Yea !!!! that thing. Thanks a bunch! you know I'm old right?