Pulling the trigger - HP input

[jshamm]

Soooo, I'm 99% on ordering a 2013 SUN TRACKER PARTY BARGE 254 XP3 but I'm hesitant on the motor size. How much difference is the 200 HP to the 250 HP? It's about $4,000 more and I'm wondering if it's worth it. I realize I won't get to enjoy it much with winter coming but I may be able to take it out a few times this winter if weather cooperates (Delaware area). May just wet slip it for this winter and consider alternatives this time next year.

[Woody]

Always get the biggest motor your budget will allow. Easier to do it now, than upgrade later.

[Ezgoing]

How do you plan on using this?

If you are going to ski or have large numbers of people on the boat, then you might have a need for the larger engine. If you must cover long distances to get to where you fish or anchor, then the larger engine might be worth it but frankly, I doubt it.

If you are going to just use it to fish or have fun in a local area within a few miles of where you dock, why waste the money on more power than you need?

Frankly I don't consider pontoons to be that safe at high rates of speed. So I would never have that large an engine on one. I know many people on this forum will disagree with me

I have a small Sun Tracker DLX 18 Bass Buggy. The salesman tried to convince me that I needed at least a 60 hp engine on it. But I use it for fishing and the lake I fish on is not that large. So I went for a smaller pontoon with a 40 hp engine.

This engine allows the boat to do 18 mph at WOT with my wife and I on it, with all our fishing gear.

That is plenty fast for me in a pontoon, which is basically a box on the water. If I wanted to go faster I would have bought a tracker or a nitro bass boat, which are better designed for speed.

No flaming please, this is just my opinion. You are welcome to have an opinion that disagrees with me without any hard feelings on my part.

[curtiscapk]

Yep get the HP to fit your needs!

EZgoing,

we won't flame you!! Everyone has there own preference! We don't knock that.... now if you said you painted your bass buggy pink then we might have a different story!

[Liberty MO]

Soooo, I'm 99% on ordering a 2013 SUN TRACKER PARTY BARGE 254 XP3 but I'm hesitant on the motor size. How much difference is the 200 HP to the 250 HP? It's about $4,000 more and I'm wondering if it's worth it. I realize I won't get to enjoy it much with winter coming but I may be able to take it out a few times this winter if weather cooperates (Delaware area). May just wet slip it for this winter and consider alternatives this time next year.

I saved the $4k and went with the 200. I've yet to regret it. I've had tubers, wake boarders and 8 adults on board and have had plenty of power. $4k buys insurance for 15 years, or probably gas for 8.

[BobL]

I think the 25' XP3 is rated for up to 300hp. Kind of disappointed you guys are not encouraging for him to go bigger.

[Bamaman]

I have a small Sun Tracker DLX 18 Bass Buggy. The salesman tried to convince me that I needed at least a 60 hp engine on it. But I use it for fishing and the lake I fish on is not that large. So I went for a smaller pontoon with a 40 hp engine.

This engine allows the boat to do 18 mph at WOT with my wife and I on it, with all our fishing gear.

That is plenty fast for me in a pontoon, which is basically a box on the water. If I wanted to go faster I would have bought a tracker or a nitro bass boat, which are better designed for speed.

What's nice about pontoons is you can do anything you want with them. There's something for every person. And that's with plenty of room.

Give me a boat that'll get up and run. You know, one that's seaworthy and will get me home promptly when storms are coming. I'm another horsepower believer. But there's a point of no return moneywise, and it depends on how the boat's going to be used. I seldom heavily load my tritoon down--and 150 hp is sufficient for our use.

Is the $4K difference just the motor, or is there a power steering assist included? The two motors ought to be $3K difference in price.

[Bryden24shp]

jshamm, what brand of motor are you going with? 2 or 4 stroke? Just wondering, because you can do some ECU upgrades to make more HP, in the future. Hell, I would do it to it brand new, after break in! The factory can not see the upgrade. But then again, thats just me...
No, really... Why spend another 3 or 4 grand, when for $850 you can gain (in my case) 85 H.P.
Just an idea!

[jshamm]

jshamm, what brand of motor are you going with? 2 or 4 stroke? Just wondering, because you can do some ECU upgrades to make more HP, in the future. Hell, I would do it to it brand new, after break in! The factory can not see the upgrade. But then again, thats just me...
No, really... Why spend another 3 or 4 grand, when for $850 you can gain (in my case) 85 H.P.
Just an idea!

It's either a 200 or 250 HP L Verado (4 stroke). Basically plan on taking the family and extended family (at times) out. Could be up to 15 people but mostly will end up being 9 or 10. Goals are to cruise around, hit some coves, hang out, maybe fish some. Farthest I see myself going out is about 15 miles one way. Basically stick around the upper chesapeake bay area.

[Bamaman]

It's either a 200 or 250 HP L Verado (4 stroke). Basically plan on taking the family and extended family (at times) out. Could be up to 15 people but mostly will end up being 9 or 10. Goals are to cruise around, hit some coves, hang out, maybe fish some. Farthest I see myself going out is about 15 miles one way. Basically stick around the upper chesapeake bay area.

By all means, go with the Verado 250. You're going to have a heavyweight boat with that many people.

[Bryden24shp]

Good Choice!

[jimrs]

That is one nice toon. If I were buying that would be a hard decision for me to make but I think I would go with the 250 H.P. I will never need to have 250 but I think I would LIKE to have it. It will cost less at the purchase than it will to try and upgrade later.

[badmoonrising]

Go with the 250, never heard anyone complain they paid for too much horsepower, plenty who do about under powered boats though.

[playcat]

It's either a 200 or 250 HP L Verado (4 stroke). Basically plan on taking the family and extended family (at times) out. Could be up to 15 people but mostly will end up being 9 or 10. Goals are to cruise around, hit some coves, hang out, maybe fish some. Farthest I see myself going out is about 15 miles one way. Basically stick around the upper chesapeake bay area.

By all means, go with the Verado 250. You're going to have a heavyweight boat with that many people.

Might want to reconsider taking that many folks every time you go out. Your experience may differ, but I only take that many once or twice a year!!! I go on the water to get away from crowds, and my barge is a bit bigger...

[REPETE]

Go with the 250, never heard anyone complain they paid for too much horsepower, plenty who do about under powered boats though.

No question. This would be my advice.