Largest 'toon for a 9.9?

[IHDiesel73L]

For a while I was looking for a 16' deep V for the local reservoirs near my house (both 9.9) but the other day I saw a family of four (two adults and two small kids) out on another lake (electric only) on a small toon that seemed to be motoring along pretty well with the electric. It got me thinking how large of a pontoon I could handle with the 9.9 limit. Basically we'll be doing some not-too-serious fishing and using the boat to access the campsites on the far side of the lake. The wind can be an issue (2000+ acre lake in a bowl shaped valley) when it gets over 25 MPH, so I want to make sure that if we ever needed to get to shore in a hurry we could. Would a 16' pontoon with two adults, two kids, and a dog be too much to ask of a 9.9?

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Largest 'toon for a 9.9?

There will be very little difference in speed between a 16' to 22' primarily due to the fact that the pontoon width will be nearly the same for each. Weight will be a factor but not a great one. Chose a layout that suits you. A 16' would be tight so consider a bit larger. Which ever one you pick, you won't get off the lake quickly, probably 8-11 mph. Crosswind can be an issue, and needless to say, the larger the boat the bigger the issue. Good luck with your pick.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Largest 'toon for a 9.9?

I am on a 9.9 lake and their are several 32 foot house boats, dont know what speed their getting, but my 20 footer runs along at 12 mph with no wind issues. I really like being able to get 4.5 mpg also.

 

[The Rooster]

Re: Largest 'toon for a 9.9?

I am on a 9.9 lake and their are several 32 foot house boats, dont know what speed their getting, but my 20 footer runs along at 12 mph with no wind issues. I really like being able to get 4.5 mpg also.

You should be fine w/ a 9.9 hp on any toon 16 - 20', unless you encounter extreme crosswinds or currents. James must have hit a wrong key. I get approx. 3+ mpg, so James must be getting 14.5 mpg. :redface:

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Largest 'toon for a 9.9?

Snickers, dont I wish, I actualy ran a test just to see what I was actualy getting. I added 1 gallon to my main tank after it had ran dry. Idled out of the no wake zone and changed tanks and set the gps to trip log and ran it till it ran out at WOT, 29 minutes and 4,5 miles later it did at 12 mph. But the cooler was full so its all fine.

LOL and it would really suprise you how much gas I have use so far this year. I just started on my fourth gallon of oil. Thats 48 gallons of gas to a gallon = 144 gallons lol and around 72 plus hours on the motor so far this season.

 

[Dazz]

Re: Largest 'toon for a 9.9?

Diesel, We have an 18' with a 9.9 on it and it will do around 7 mph with our back to the wind. This pontoon is slow, but fun. I always keep a close eye on the weather.

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: Largest 'toon for a 9.9?

Aye caramba! I opted for the 115 instead of the 60, when I bought my boat, and I can't imagine what I'd do with a smaller motor.

It's alarming to think of a 2000 acre lake with a 9.9 limit. In Colorado, that's a BIG lake! We're used to seeing limits like that on lakes in the 50 or less acre range.

 

[Rancherlee]

Re: Largest 'toon for a 9.9?

a 9.9 will push any pontoon "good enough" Pontoons are very efficient up to around 10mph. Mine with a 6hp kicker will move along at 5-6mph with 8 people on board (used at a local 80 acre 9.9 Pot hole) 2000 acre lake with a 9.9 rule, that's NUTS! WE have some big lakes with 25hp rules but those boarder the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. If I was stuck on a big 9.9 lake I'd build one of those little 9' pumpkin seed boats and zip around the lake @ 30+ mph with a modded 9.9 just to **** off the speed nazis.