pontoon engine choice

[vzapp]

New to the site and hoping for some helpful information. Presently have an older, late 80s-early 90s, Merc. 35 on a 24' pontoon. I now it's slow as molasses on a cold January morning in Michigan but I kind of like it that way. With that having been said I'd like to increase the HP to somewhere in the 60-70 range. Hoping for a Yamaha but would also consider a John/Rude. From what I've heard the Mercs. make me a bit nervous. Any comments as to desirability of one brand over the other or one HP over another is appreciated. EDIT EDIT I'm located in Suwanee Ga., 30 miles north of Atl. Thanks

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: pontoon engine choice

Umm, all the engines are pretty good these days. I'd surely make a big part of my engine choice to include what is your nearest dealer with good service and parts.

 

[JB]

Re: pontoon engine choice

Hi, vzapp :welcome:

We suggest that all new members read our rules and avoid violating them.

7. Username, avatar or signature shall not contain business names, website links or personal info. Links to boating related educational material may be allowed. Do not post your personal contact information such as email address, home address, home phone numbers, etc. on the forums. If you must share that information with someone, use Private Messages.

 

[steelespike]

Re: pontoon engine choice

An engine with a numerically high gear ratio 2.00 or better
will do better on a pontoon.I think earlier E/J 50-70 have a 2.42:1 ratio
Present day Evinrude Etec 40,50,60 have a 2.67:1 ratio

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: pontoon engine choice

You'll probably want to stick with a Merc unless you want to buy all new rigging and pay someone to install it.

 

[matt167]

Re: pontoon engine choice

I'd put a Merc bigfoot on it. That's what they are made for.. Few other brands have High thrust outboards which will do just as well, but Mercs pricing is pretty hard to beat if your looking at new but they are out there used also

 

[Old Screwball]

Re: pontoon engine choice

This is my 3rd outboard boat, all have been Mercs. Never had a problem with any of them, the first and second were pretty high hours when I traded boats.

Good Luck.

 

[WaterDR]

Re: pontoon engine choice

New or used motor?

I assume and older one....that being the case, I would stick with Merc for the controls and just try to find one in the best shape I can.

 

[vzapp]

Re: pontoon engine choice

Thanks for the replies and sorry about the e-mail address in the post. With such quantum leap in engine technology and a great disparity in maintenance from one owner to the next that it's difficult for those of us who are on the outer fringes of being in the knowledge loop to know good from bad. If one would choose to go with a used Mercury of newer vintage is any particular year to begin a search to get modern technology w/o paying for the latest-greatest technology?

 

[lakegeorge]

Re: pontoon engine choice

I have a Merc and I won't buy another one.

 

[vzapp]

Re: pontoon engine choice

What about Force engines? Good? Bad?

 

[matt167]

Re: pontoon engine choice

Force motors are dead simple. Basic 1960's 2 stroke tech even in the last years of production. Mercury branded Force ( Force By Mercury ) in the later years and added Merc gearcases and Merc electronics, so it's kind of the best of both worlds. Good ignition and serviceable lower units, along with pretty simple mechanics.. They will drink more than other brands of outboards tho

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: pontoon engine choice

You're 15 miles from the Federal Government's most used public facility--Lake Lanier.

If you go out to Buford, Flowery Branch, Gainesville and Dawsonville/Buford side of the lake, you can find many marine dealerships and shops. They may have exactly what you need.

Another source of used engines is LanierMarine.com, which was previously called Lake Lanier Liquidators. They're off Hwy 400 north of Buford. They're a huge marine salvage yard, and possibly one of the biggest. They separate engines from boat hulls all the time.

Now as far as horsepower: Do yourself a favor and power your boat with the largest engine it's spec'd out to handle--or one size smaller.
If it'll hold 115 horsepower, don't go any smaller than 90 horsepower.

Most people that are dissatisfied with their boats wish they had more horses. And a 35 horsepower motor on any pontoon boat is a mistake.

I may be retired, but that doesn't mean I'm old. I want a boat that's seaworthy, and a boat that only runs 10 mph is BORING.

 

[vzapp]

Re: pontoon engine choice

Bamaman,
I have it on my radar to swing by the boat bone-yard you speak of. I've seen reasonable prices there and I've seen you-can't-be-serious prices there. A nearby seller has a nearly new 90 hp Johnson with controls for $3500. More weight than I want to add and more $$ than I want to spend. But it is a good price on a good motor.

The way I figure it is if I go from a 35 to a 70 I'll be doubling my hp. LOL

As far as boat speed goes. I too am (somewhat) retired and spent years busting my buttons to get from point A to point B in metro Atlanta traffic having to get to my next appointment by a certain time knowing folks would be waiting. Been there done that and don't much care about hurrying from point A to point B while on the lake or on a river. Easing along the Altamaha or the Appalachacola or on Lake Hartwell or Jocassee at 5 miles an hour soaking up natures beauty is a beautiful thing. It's sort of like ambling down a country dirt road only better.

 

[calvinator]

Re: pontoon engine choice

A reference:

 

[lakegeorge]

Re: pontoon engine choice

Call Jerold's Marine 770-889-5140 in Cumming, If he doesn't have what your looking for nobody will. He has a million used parts & motors & boats.
They are small and do good work.

 

[vzapp]

Re: pontoon engine choice

Thanks to all for the information. I can now begin my search with a bit of confidence.

 

[Silver Eagle]

Re: pontoon engine choice

We have a 90 HP Merc on our 2007 24.3 Star Craft It's good on gas ,Two Stroke. What HP is your boat rated for?

 

[vzapp]

Re: pontoon engine choice

Not really sure what HP it's rated for. It's a mid-80s 24' Sun Tracker. I know it's rated for a much higher HP than I'm looking for but I want neither the weight nor the extra expenditure.