40mph pontoon boat speeds?
Moderators: Redneck_Randy, badmoonrising, lakerunner
40mph pontoon boat speeds?
Where are you getting 40mph pontoon boat speeds? I've got a Suntracker Regency 25 with 135 horse I/O and i cant get it over 22:-( Surely one of you tooners bought into the Pontoon water glide. Do you like it? Does it work? was it worth the money? Want an independant opinion not the hype from the website or it's pitchman!
Last edited by luckygump on Fri Jan 28, 2011 3:58 am, edited 1 time in total.
- lakerunner
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Re: performance
Move this to pontoon general for best replys
Loyd & Betty Meeks
Livin the lake life
2004 Tracker 22 Regency/2010 90 E-Tec. Pulled by Ford 2020 F 250,
McAlester, Oklahoma
Home lake is Tenkiller
Livin the lake life
2004 Tracker 22 Regency/2010 90 E-Tec. Pulled by Ford 2020 F 250,
McAlester, Oklahoma
Home lake is Tenkiller
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Re: performance
Don't think you will get 40 by just bolting on a waterglide. No waterglide experience here, but have heard results vary. The key seem to be how it is set up. A little forward an back seems to make a lot of difference. Doubt you would get 40 even with a tritoon with a 135 IO. Similar to a mustang with a 225hp v8 you won't be getting that 225 at the rear wheels. Speaking of mustang, a lot has to do with the weight of the boat. Not knocking the product but trying to be realistic.
doc
doc
Dying ain't much of living boy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... gm-sp1-Nhs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... gm-sp1-Nhs
Re: performance
It's a tank but it's our tank and we love it! Next question then. What about a prop change out? I've read everywhere the prop is King but is it still king on a partyBARGE? Also the boat only came with a square 30 gallon fuel tank anybody got a used 40 gallon square to extend my range or would my economy sufferer for the extra 100 pounds of fuel on the ass of the boat sticking my toons that much deeper into the water?
Re: general
The right prop is always "King" on any boat it's what really put's the rubber to the water. But for anyone to suggest anything that could be helpful you'll need to supply some information. What is your current prop example (14x15) and at what rpm does it max out at.luckygump wrote:It's a tank but it's our tank and we love it! Next question then. What about a prop change out? I've read everywhere the prop is King but is it still king on a partyBARGE? Also the boat only came with a square 30 gallon fuel tank anybody got a used 40 gallon square to extend my range or would my economy sufferer for the extra 100 pounds of fuel on the ass of the boat sticking my toons that much deeper into the water?

Probably the best way to extend the range of your boat would actually be about 2/3 thirds throttle or thereabouts. If propped right most engines are about at their most fuel efficient level of performance at that point. Any yes the added weight of any additional fuel will decrease both economy and speed. It also helps to keep the boat lean by removing all the unnecessary unused baggage we all seen to accumulate in every stash/storage are throughout our boats.
Respect Our Recreational Resources
Leaving Only "The Footprints of Your Passing"
Boating the Muskingum River
1972 35' Crest Pontoon Houseboat
2007 90 hp. Yamaha
Leaving Only "The Footprints of Your Passing"
Boating the Muskingum River
1972 35' Crest Pontoon Houseboat
2007 90 hp. Yamaha
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Re: general
Thinking some of the top things to increase speed would be
Prop........most people that have gone with the merc enertia are happy with it. Naturally it is about 100 bucks more than conventional ss props.
Adding another log to convert to tritoon.
Adding lifting strakes, which will get the boat up, creating less drag. Tracker got good results with their Nuvi logs, but think they discontinued them a year or so ago. Not sure why, they got some tremendous speeds from boats running 90 an 115 hp.
Cost wise the prop would be the cheapest at 300 to 550 range
Strakes probably in the 600 to 800 range for aftermarket add on. These should be installed by someone who really know what they are doing, and not by someone who is just capable of welding aluminum. Placement is critical.
Adding a third toon 1000 to 2500. Although I have heard of people locating a toon from a scrap boat an installing it themselves for a few hundred.
You could probably add 5 to 13 mph by adding all of these or a combination of these. The strakes would probably give you the most mph for the dollar spent. Think I paid 500 for the option at the time of purchase...........
Nothing wrong with going in the 20's either. I did it 10 or 12 years with a 2 log with a 90. I just decided I would opt for a little more speed when it came time to purchase a new one.
doc
Prop........most people that have gone with the merc enertia are happy with it. Naturally it is about 100 bucks more than conventional ss props.
Adding another log to convert to tritoon.
Adding lifting strakes, which will get the boat up, creating less drag. Tracker got good results with their Nuvi logs, but think they discontinued them a year or so ago. Not sure why, they got some tremendous speeds from boats running 90 an 115 hp.
Cost wise the prop would be the cheapest at 300 to 550 range
Strakes probably in the 600 to 800 range for aftermarket add on. These should be installed by someone who really know what they are doing, and not by someone who is just capable of welding aluminum. Placement is critical.
Adding a third toon 1000 to 2500. Although I have heard of people locating a toon from a scrap boat an installing it themselves for a few hundred.
You could probably add 5 to 13 mph by adding all of these or a combination of these. The strakes would probably give you the most mph for the dollar spent. Think I paid 500 for the option at the time of purchase...........
Nothing wrong with going in the 20's either. I did it 10 or 12 years with a 2 log with a 90. I just decided I would opt for a little more speed when it came time to purchase a new one.
doc
Dying ain't much of living boy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... gm-sp1-Nhs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... gm-sp1-Nhs
Re: 40mph pontoon boat speeds?
when i had my 22ft regency i/o, i asked the same question to the shop manager at our local bass pro. he said there was no way for them to add another log or retrofit strakes. best i could do was 22ish on gps. honestly, even if you were to get the boat to plane, the 3.0L just isn't enough to move that big boat quickly. i'd be nervous adding a larger tank. one of the problems i noticed with the tank all the way in the back corner was that when full, the boat listed to port noticeably. adding another 10 gallons would only make that worse.
2003 Premier Grand Majestic 250 PTX Honda 225 OB (PTX baby!)
2002 MasterCraft X30
2007 Yamaha FX HO Cruiser
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2004 Yamaha SuperJet
1989 Kawasaki 650sx
Lewis Smith Lake, Alabama
2002 MasterCraft X30
2007 Yamaha FX HO Cruiser
2005 Kawasaki SXR800
2004 Yamaha SuperJet
1989 Kawasaki 650sx
Lewis Smith Lake, Alabama
- badmoonrising
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Re: 40mph pontoon boat speeds?
Yep, the 3.0 is 135 HP. Pushes my 21 ft Starcraft v-hull to about 40 mph. The PC, same motor maxes out at 18 mph. Even bolting on the Waterglide won't get anywhere near what you want, maybe another 3-5 max.
Ed, Cheryl, Ethan and Aspen.
2013 Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 w/90 HP Mercury, "Hellrhighwater 2"
2014 E-350 Extended XLT.
Chesapeake City ,MD
2013 Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 w/90 HP Mercury, "Hellrhighwater 2"
2014 E-350 Extended XLT.
Chesapeake City ,MD
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Re: 40mph pontoon boat speeds?
Yep if it is not manufactured for speed it is hard to come by an usually like BMR said in 3 to 5 mph increments. Don't necessarily agree with the "it can't be done" thing, but more is it cost effective to get a boat designed to go 25 to 30mph to go 40. Think a lot of the pep in mine could be contributed to it's weight. Some from the prop, lifting strakes, and third tube. How much mph each provide is probably in the 2 to 5 mph range, just guessing. Had a two log with a 90 for over 10 years just decided to opt for the tri toon when trade in time got here. Didn't even know what strakes were until the dealer recommended,â™ I get them as an option. Have heard mixed reviews on the waterglide, which was the original question. Sorry sometimes us old folks get off on a tangent.
doc
doc
Dying ain't much of living boy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... gm-sp1-Nhs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... gm-sp1-Nhs
Re: 40mph pontoon boat speeds?
From your post, I think it is very possible that you are propped wrong. I have a 26' ( actually measures 25') Islander with a 90 hp 2 stroke, and I can see 22 with 4-6 adults, and about 25 with just my wife and I. I still thik that I am propped wrong, as I hit max RPM at about 3/4 throttle. I can easilly red line the engine at speed. If you have 45 more HP than me, with essentially the same length boat, then I'd say you need to re-prop, or prevent blowout, or something.luckygump wrote:Where are you getting 40mph pontoon boat speeds? I've got a Suntracker Regency 25 with 135 horse I/O and i cant get it over 22:-( Surely one of you tooners bought into the Pontoon water glide. Do you like it? Does it work? was it worth the money? Want an independant opinion not the hype from the website or it's pitchman!
What about underskinning? Is your toon underskinned to prevent water from hitting the cross braces and slowing you down? That could make a substantial difference.
As for the Water Glide, I'd like to try one as well, but I am only willing to spend about $1,000, not $2k.
"Nauti Weasel"
2005 Beachcomber Islander 26
2005 Beachcomber Islander 26
- lightpants
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Re: 40mph pontoon boat speeds?
I installed a pontoon water glide about 4 years ago. I am very happy with it, but it was not without remounting it 3 times!
When I started, I had a 100hp merc 2 stroke and top speed was about 17-18mph. (all speeds are via gps) After I mounted the WG my speed went up to about 22mph. I added under-skin the spring of 2009, it made a big difference! The speed went up a little maybe 1 mph, but the ride was much smoother and quieter. In the beginning of 2010 I bought a new optimax 115 long-shaft. I also mounted a jack-plate at the same time, and moved the WG, once again, rear 4" and down 2" to provide extra flotation for the heavier motor. After using it, for the season, last year, I am amazed at how much nicer a fuel injected motor is. Instant starting, whether hot or cold, fuel savings, I use half the fuel I did before re-powering. My speed is now 24-25mph but I am using the same prop as I did with the 100hp motor. This year I plan on trying different props, I hope I can get 27-28mph with the right prop.
One thing people forget is that in addition to the increase in speed the WG adds a few hundred pounds in flotation. This enabled my boat to support the heavier motor and still raised my boat about an inch, at rest, according to the water line on the pontoons.
When I started, I had a 100hp merc 2 stroke and top speed was about 17-18mph. (all speeds are via gps) After I mounted the WG my speed went up to about 22mph. I added under-skin the spring of 2009, it made a big difference! The speed went up a little maybe 1 mph, but the ride was much smoother and quieter. In the beginning of 2010 I bought a new optimax 115 long-shaft. I also mounted a jack-plate at the same time, and moved the WG, once again, rear 4" and down 2" to provide extra flotation for the heavier motor. After using it, for the season, last year, I am amazed at how much nicer a fuel injected motor is. Instant starting, whether hot or cold, fuel savings, I use half the fuel I did before re-powering. My speed is now 24-25mph but I am using the same prop as I did with the 100hp motor. This year I plan on trying different props, I hope I can get 27-28mph with the right prop.
One thing people forget is that in addition to the increase in speed the WG adds a few hundred pounds in flotation. This enabled my boat to support the heavier motor and still raised my boat about an inch, at rest, according to the water line on the pontoons.
97 Fisher Freedom 240 - 09 Optimax 115 - added 3rd pontoon with lifting strakes
former Pontoon Water Glide Owner (5+ years, on 2 different boats)
former Pontoon Water Glide Owner (5+ years, on 2 different boats)
Re: 40mph pontoon boat speeds?
Welcome to the board and great first post--good info. Agree with the Optimax--I have a 90 and I swear it manufactures gas and oil.lightpants wrote:I installed a pontoon water glide about 4 years ago. I am very happy with it, but it was not without remounting it 3 times!
When I started, I had a 100hp merc 2 stroke and top speed was about 17-18mph. (all speeds are via gps) After I mounted the WG my speed went up to about 22mph. I added under-skin the spring of 2009, it made a big difference! The speed went up a little maybe 1 mph, but the ride was much smoother and quieter. In the beginning of 2010 I bought a new optimax 115 long-shaft. I also mounted a jack-plate at the same time, and moved the WG, once again, rear 4" and down 2" to provide extra flotation for the heavier motor. After using it, for the season, last year, I am amazed at how much nicer a fuel injected motor is. Instant starting, whether hot or cold, fuel savings, I use half the fuel I did before re-powering. My speed is now 24-25mph but I am using the same prop as I did with the 100hp motor. This year I plan on trying different props, I hope I can get 27-28mph with the right prop.
One thing people forget is that in addition to the increase in speed the WG adds a few hundred pounds in flotation. This enabled my boat to support the heavier motor and still raised my boat about an inch, at rest, according to the water line on the pontoons.
Be careful with the ethanol--I lost a fuel pump last summer out in the middle of the lake. Scary situation. May be a Merc problem. I was being careful I thought.
Oh--tell us where you live and boat.
2009 LOWE SS204 25in logs
90 Merc Optimax
Motorguide W55 Wireless
Underskinning
28 GPS
90 Merc Optimax
Motorguide W55 Wireless
Underskinning
28 GPS
- lightpants
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Re: 40mph pontoon boat speeds?
wwind3 wrote:
Welcome to the board and great first post--good info. Agree with the Optimax--I have a 90 and I swear it manufactures gas and oil.
Be careful with the ethanol--I lost a fuel pump last summer out in the middle of the lake. Scary situation. May be a Merc problem. I was being careful I thought.
Oh--tell us where you live and boat.
I boat in the upper Chesapeake Bay with Ed AKA "BadMoonRising"
I use StarTron Gasoline Additive, I think that is helpful in combating ethanol problems.
97 Fisher Freedom 240 - 09 Optimax 115 - added 3rd pontoon with lifting strakes
former Pontoon Water Glide Owner (5+ years, on 2 different boats)
former Pontoon Water Glide Owner (5+ years, on 2 different boats)
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Re: 40mph pontoon boat speeds?
[quote="lightpants
I boat in the upper Chesapeake Bay with Ed AKA "BadMoonRising"
I use StarTron Gasoline Additive, I think that is helpful in combating ethanol problems.[/quote]
Oh shit!

I boat in the upper Chesapeake Bay with Ed AKA "BadMoonRising"
I use StarTron Gasoline Additive, I think that is helpful in combating ethanol problems.[/quote]
Oh shit!



Craig and Paula
"THE FLOATER" rebuild Spring 2013
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15328
94 Party Barge 24' 115 merc
Turning Point hustler 14 x 13 prop
22mph gps 3 people
12 F150
Overland Park Ks
Hillsdale Lake, KS
"THE FLOATER" rebuild Spring 2013
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=15328
94 Party Barge 24' 115 merc
Turning Point hustler 14 x 13 prop
22mph gps 3 people
12 F150
Overland Park Ks
Hillsdale Lake, KS
- badmoonrising
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Re: 40mph pontoon boat speeds?
Damn Jim, you can beat me to Canal Days now.
Jim's been going for a few years now on my recommendation, lol. Hasn't missed one since






Ed, Cheryl, Ethan and Aspen.
2013 Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 w/90 HP Mercury, "Hellrhighwater 2"
2014 E-350 Extended XLT.
Chesapeake City ,MD
2013 Sun Tracker Party Barge 22 w/90 HP Mercury, "Hellrhighwater 2"
2014 E-350 Extended XLT.
Chesapeake City ,MD