New Bennington - motor choice

[rgood44]

Just bought a 2012 Bennington 20sl. I have not taken delivery yet and I am trying to finalize my motor choice. I am trying to decide between Yamaha 60hp and 70hp (not thinking of other brands right now). I was originally going to go with the 70 (max hp for that boat) but I think the 60hp is a "high thrust" and the 70 is not. Only $500 difference between the two motors so no big deal on cost. I mostly will use the pontoon for cruisin/sitting but I still want to pull my kids tubing. Seems like the high thrust motor would be better for a pontoon. Any help would be great.

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: New Bennington - motor choice

you will get the 500 back when you resale. Think you will like the 70 better

 

[sschefer]

Re: New Bennington - motor choice

you will get the 500 back when you resale. Think you will like the 70 better

The high thrust motors are definitely better for manuevering. The Merc Big Foot 60 is a common toon motor but theres no doubt that the Yami is the better motor. There is definitely a top end sacrafice with the high thrust motors and a 20' toon is no easy barge to get up to speed. If you're willing to sacrafice the maneuvering benifits then go with the 70.

 

[5150abf]

Re: New Bennington - motor choice

I have never heard anyone say "I wish I had gotten the smaller engine", vote 3 for the 70.

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: New Bennington - motor choice

I have never heard anyone say "I wish I had gotten the smaller engine", vote 3 for the 70.

Here's #4

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: New Bennington - motor choice

#5

I commandeer my neighbors 20' toon with an older 60 horse Yami (2002 4 stroke) often. The top speed of that rig leaves something to be desired. IMHO the little bit of extra Umpph is worth it.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: New Bennington - motor choice

I've got a 60. Go with the 70.

 

[rgood44]

Re: New Bennington - motor choice

Thanks for all of the feedback. My main concern was "high-thrust" vs. non high thrust. I talked to the dealer yesterday and they told me that the 70hp is basically a high thrust because it has the "bigger" gearbox. Does this make sense? At any rate I think i am going to go with the 70hp.

 

[steelespike]

Re: New Bennington - motor choice

When going to the larger motor when you cruise at the normal cruise for a 60 the 70 will be less stressed.
Indeed the high thrust 60 is a 2.33 gear ratio using props about 13" in diameter a stock 60 is 1.85 ratio and a little over a 10" prop.
You are better off with the 70 all the way around.
Also the 70 is the same weight as the 60 high thrust so no weight gain.

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: New Bennington - motor choice

They're both big foot motors--both using the larger lower unit. I'm thinking the 70 hp Yamaha is a completely new motor, with the highest technology currently available. It would be the way to go--unless you're willing to step up to a 22SL. The bigger boat has bigger toons, is wider and will take a 115 hp motor.

If you're going to be boating on any "big water" or carrying more than 4 people, go a longer boat with a 90 hp or 115 hp. The next larger boat is just so much stable and seaworthy. You have no idea how often I see smaller toon'd boats come by my house plowing through the water because they've overloaded and underpowered their boat.

I just hate to see you buy such a premium pontoon boat, and it not ultimately suit your needs.

My lake is about 1 1/2 miles wide, and I can see 5 miles of "big water" to our dam. Waves coming off the channel are often so large that a more stable pontoon boat is required. I'm running a 24' with a 115 hp 2 stroke, and it does well.

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: New Bennington - motor choice

I have a 90 on my 24 fter. Oil injected.

 

[rgood44]

Re: New Bennington - motor choice

They're both big foot motors--both using the larger lower unit. I'm thinking the 70 hp Yamaha is a completely new motor, with the highest technology currently available. It would be the way to go--unless you're willing to step up to a 22SL. The bigger boat has bigger toons, is wider and will take a 115 hp motor.

If you're going to be boating on any "big water" or carrying more than 4 people, go a longer boat with a 90 hp or 115 hp. The next larger boat is just so much stable and seaworthy. You have no idea how often I see smaller toon'd boats come by my house plowing through the water because they've overloaded and underpowered their boat.

I just hate to see you buy such a premium pontoon boat, and it not ultimately suit your needs.

My lake is about 1 1/2 miles wide, and I can see 5 miles of "big water" to our dam. Waves coming off the channel are often so large that a more stable pontoon boat is required. I'm running a 24' with a 115 hp 2 stroke, and it does well.

Thanks for the advice. My lake place is on a smaller (700 acres) pretty calm lake. We will do a lot of sitting on this boat. I would love to go with the bigger pontoon but it is close to $8,000 more. I should be fine with the 70hp.