Ran 10 engines 150-300hp back to back

[Greg_M]

I got to test many big engines back to back – Single engine configurations only on high performance pontoons.
I am a dealer for this pontoon brand and this was at their dealer meeting. I also sell 3 of these brands of these engines. This just what I took away from short rides 10 -15 minutes per boat. I did not measure speed or any fuel info. I have a passion for saltwater boats ,but these pontoons are fun too. Some of these engine would better suited for other application. Again these are my observations/opinions on these 20-24 pontoons:

1.) 20 ft boat - Yamaha F150 – I have run this motor on probably 30 different boats – seemed strong, maybe I was expecting it to be weaker after running some high HP and other motor brands that I had not run before – great match for a pontoon.

2.) 22 ft boat – Suzuki 175 – another good match great performing engine – did not feel noticeable stronger than the F150 Yamaha (was on 22 ft boat)

3.) 22 ft boat – E-tec 175 – I really can’t tell much difference between the first 3 engines – all smooth, quiet, and powerful (for their ratings)

4.) 22 ft – E-tec 225 HO – Very strong – I thought this may be this fasted boat here – lightest 22’ model (the 24 w/250HO passed me as I was trimmed out full throttle), again quiet and smooth.

5.) 24 ft – 225 Honda – quiet smooth – clearly outmatched by the other manufactures in the speed and torque categories. Noticeably slower than the other 225/250s here.

6.) 24 ft – 225 Verado – so quiet at idle, felt like an electric boat – DTS control box – great feel – looks like it should be on a $$$ boat. (note- all of the other boats have Teleflex Power Assist standard) Steering was similar. Plenty of power. Boat felt stern heavy with this with engine.

7.) 24 ft - 250 SS Suzuki – Again smooth quiet and very powerful. Control box / linkage felt sloppy – could have been out of adjustment – could be I had just driven the DTS. Boat felt stern heavy with this engine.

8.) 24 ft – 250 Pro XS – Strong but loud. Boat was fishing model without tall or cover rear area - made loud engine seem louder.

9.) 24 ft – E-tec 250 HO – This motor is smooth, quiet, and very strong. I think the best suited 250 in this application. Boat felt balanced with this engine.

10.) 26ft -300 HPDI Series 2 – Not particularly smooth or quiet. Strong (but I think the 3 250s here would give it a run for its money)

Would liked to have run: F225TLR, 300XS, 250 Verado (this pontoon brand only builds 20” transoms)
AGAIN – this is an unscientific – for fun only comparison that I observed on these DIFFERENT BOATS (ie. Fishing models, Luxury models, midline models)

I have no agena with this post - I have been here a long time mostly just read - I am not trying to push one brand over another.

[kenergy]

Nice post

[kerno]

Very interesting. I like the fact that you make it very clear that they were different boats, but still, the ability to test that many combinations back to back is rare. I paid the most attention to the larger engines and hulls and was surprised at your findings. No, I'm not going to say what surprised me, I'm just going to say thanks!

Were the hulls all supposed to be propped with the combinations the manufacturer felt worked the best? You did note that the four stokes seemed heavier on the transom, which they ought to, since they are a good deal heavier than the two strokes.

[FLScout172]

Man, what a cool day on the water. It must have been awesome to be able to try so many different combinations out. Thanks for the post!

[B Dobz]

Looks like the motors on all boats are very low in the water?

[Onewolf]

What's funny is that it seems like all the pontoon boats I see around here have 50-60HP engines. Maybe because of all the Manatee zones around here no one can get anywhere in a hurry anyway.

Doug

[Bugbuster]

A 300 hpdi on a pontoon! Get r done! The fastest redneck on lake lanier.

[barrell]

B Dobz - 9/12/2007 9:17 AM

Looks like the motors on all boats are very low in the water?

Ditto on that...why do the motors all seem mounted much lower in the water than on my center console?

[WFOFISHING]

Great post...Thanks

[ken2]

barrell - 9/12/2007 5:34 PM

Ditto on that...why do the motors all seem mounted much lower in the water than on my center console?

Are there pictures in this thread.
Half the time I never get to see the pictures

[Humvee256]

In our lake, a 90HP is the largest on a Pontoon, they don't seem to be the boat with the need for speed. When it comes to V-Hulls, there is a boat with a 300HP on a 2 mile long lake. Not the best idea, but hey. I can get across the whole lake in less than 2 minutes with my 115.

[littletunny]

Bugbuster - 9/12/2007 10:44 AM

A 300 hpdi on a pontoon! Get r done! The fastest redneck on lake lanier.

Redneck's last words "Hay, watch this!"

[SCAngler]

thanks for the great post Greg

[tnsmith]

Wow I can't imagine WOT with a 250 on a pontoon boat... that must be crazy.

[passman]

The Red Neck Yacht club will never be the same. has anyone tested the V8 I/O pontoon boat. I'm not sure of the builder. Sound kind of fun. All in need is some 10 way GM power seats and I'm sold.

For all the jokes about pontoon boats over the years they are a real fun platforms for river and bay play. With the big motors they can make good time, pull all the toys, and be a great fishing platform with a lot of comfort.

Thanks for the fun test.